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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-2001 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS,OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 (#1) ROLL The Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Rick Meyers, Irene Silber, and J. Patrick Wolfe. Commissioner Sherokee Ilse arrived at 7:24 p.m., and Commissioners Debora Halvarson and Pauline Bouchard were absent. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa, Planning Coordinator Michael Gaffron, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Bob Sansevere was present. (#2) APPROVAL OF JULY, 2001 MINUTES A correction was made on Page 3. Meyers moved,Wolfe seconded,to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2001 Park,Open Space and Trail Commission Meeting as amended. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. (#3) JULY COUNCIL MEETINGS Bouchard attended the July 9`�Council meeting but was not present at tonight's meeting. Wolfe stated he attended the July 23�d Council meeting wherein a discussion was had concerning the lake access points, with the focus being on the Forest Lake access point. The Council requested the Park Commission determine in which order the lake access points should be surveyed over the next three years. Wolfe noted a public hearing has been scheduled for the August 13"'Council meeting at 7:15 p.m., to discuss charitable gaming. Wolfe stated some of the Council members indicated they are not in support of diverting money away from youth groups. Wolfe noted the majority of the charitable gaming money is being taken out of the City of Orono and spent in another community rather than on the youth in Orono. Wolfe commented a number of cities throughout the state currently taken 10 percent of the net proceeds and allocate them towards special projects. Silber commented the parks are used primarily by the youth in the community. Wolfe stated the proposed ordinance would give Orono the ability to spend the money wherever they feel is appropriate. Wolfe encouraged the members of the Park Commission attend the public hearing. Gappa stated current state law lists approximately ten lawful purposes that the proceeds could be used for, with one of the lawful purposes being parks which benefit youth under the age of 21. Gappa stated the money would need to be segregated in the Park Fund and allocated towards parks or other recreational play equipment. Meyers commented the items the Park Commission would purchase, such as play equipment, drinking fountains,handicap accesses, would benefit the entire community. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS,OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 REPORTS/UPDATES (#5) NAVARRE PARK Park Dedication/Parking Lot Cleanup Meyers stated the business people in Navarre are sponsoring a Dog Days event August 24"'and 25`�', with the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Navarre Park scheduled for 11:30 a.m., on August 25`h. Meyers stated there would be face painting and ice cream available. Meyers invited the general public to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. Status of Benches/MS Society Request Meyers noted City crew has cleaned up and made some improvements to the Navarre parking lot. Gappa stated the benches constructed by the Boy Scouts are scheduled to be installed in the next week. Gappa noted the letter to the MS Society has been sent. Letters of Recognition/Certificate for ponation Meyers stated he has a list of the people who donated plants for the Navarre Park. Meyers indicated he did put an article in the paper thanking the people who donated the plants. Meyers commented the park is still getting lots of use. Meyers inquired whether it would be possible to have a drinking fountain installed there in the near future. Gappa stated if funding is not received from the MS Society, the Park Commission would need to get City Council approval for the drinking fountain. (#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS (#6) 39 LAKE ACCESS POINTS Gail Blackstone, 4465 Forest Lake Landing,presented a petition to the Park Commission with the signatures of 66 residents,requesting the Park Commission terminate any further development of the Forest Lake Landing access due to traffic and safety concerns Blackstone expressed concerns regarding the safety of the children due to the lake access point being very private and secluded and the likelihood of garbage being left in the area. Blackstone recommended the road leading to this access point be closed or vacated questioned why this lake access point is being considered first. Silber noted this lake access point has existed for a significant number of years, with the Park Commission not creating a new lake access point at this location. McDermott stated 99 percent of the roads leading down to the lakeshore are considered to be platted roads and not fire lanes. Gaffron stated platted roads are dedicated on plats or subdivisions, with this particular road having been platted in the 1920s or earlier. Gaffron stated this road has been dedicated to the public use forever. Gaffron stated the Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that cities are not PAGE 2 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 able to vacate these lake access points. Silber commented the Park Commission is considering what type of use should be allowed at each access point based on their location. Lisa Mullin,4440 Forest Lake Landing, indicated she is one of the property owners adjacent to this lake access point. Mullin stated at the rime she purchased the property she was unaware a public lake access point existed at this location and that a portion of her property encroaches within the City's right-of-way. Mullin expressed concerns that her well, deck, and residence would be damaged should this lake access point be frequently used. Mullin also expressed concerns regarding safety due to the close location of her residence to this lake access point. McDermott stated to his lrnowledge the well was installed in approximately 1963,with a portion of the house having been constructed in the 1930s. Gaffron stated according to City records, the well was put in sometime in the 1960s, without the City conducting a proper inspection of the property. Gaffron stated it is doubtful the City required a survey at that time. Mullin stated she does not feel she should have to suffer because of some mistakes made in the past. Wolfe commented this could have been avoided had the property been surveyed at the time it was purchased. Wolfe stated basically the same issues exist with every lake access point within the City, and the residents of the City need to decide whether they want people who live offshore to have access to the lake. Mullin inquired whether all 391ake access points would be opened to the public. McDermott stated currently the Forest Lake Landing access point is the only one that has been surveyed, with Mullin's property probably the worse encroachment on City property. Wolfe noted the Park Commission is reviewing this lake access point at the request of the City Council and some of the residents in this area. Wolfe commented the Park Commission would like to deal with this lake access point as quickly as possible in order to help the residents get on with their lives. Silber stated the important goal is to get the issues resolved. McDermott stated a number of residents in the area had requested the Park Commission consider restoring this lake access point and making it into a swimming beach,which made it a higher priority than some of the other access points. McDermott noted the City has not received a request concerning any of the other lake access points. Lisa Blackstone,4475 Forest Lake Landing, inquired why the Park Commission is pursuing this lake access point given the encroachment. McDermott stated a public road is located in this area, with the lake access point being open PAGE 3 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 to public use. McDermott stated there are some other lake access points in the City which also have encroachments. Gail Blackstone commented no one from the City Council or Park Commission has bothered to find out how the other residents feel about this lake access point. McDermott stated the Park Commission is looking at this lake access point at the request of the City CounciL McDermott stated the Park Commission photographed all of the lake access points last year and this year are attempting to compile a list of recommended improvements and uses for each lake access point, with a public hearing following this process. McDermott stated the City Council has not made a final decision on this lake access point. Gail Blackstone requested this lake access point be considered as part of the normal process and not made a top priority. McDermott stated the Park Commission and City Council would be looking at 12 other access points in addition to this one this year. Ken Hickey,4640 Tonkaview Lane, commented he would be in support of having some type of lake access in this area. Hickey noted his children have recently gone down there swimming. Hickey stated due to the lack of survey markings in this area,he is unsure where the public right- of-way is located. McDermott stated it is the intention of the City to survey and mark each one of these lake access points. McDermott noted the Council is somewhat reluctant to make this a true swimming beach. McDermott stated at the time the Park Commission proposed this as a swimming beach, they were unaware of the close proximity and encroachment of the adjoining property. Bob Sansevere , Council Representative, stated he would hesitate to make this a swimming beach due to the lily pads in the water and the issue of safety in order to gain access to the lakeshore due to the steep slope. Charles Boehm, 997 Wildhurst Trail, stated to his knowledge the City has abandoned a platted road or fire lane on Wildhurst Trail, with each adjoining property owner receiving half of the land. Gaffron inquired whether the access in question was located past Brockhoffs and Constrom's property. Boehm stated the road went north of the property owned by Cavin. Gaffron stated to his lrnowledge the abandonment of that access happened at least 25 years ago. Boehm stated he has only lived in this area 15 years, and it was his recollection it happened approximately seven or eight years ago. Gaffron stated he is unfamiliar with anything that has been vacated in that area in the past ten years. Gaffron stated he is aware of a platted road in that area, which was vacated a long time ago but nothing in the past five to ten years. Gaffron noted it is the current policy of the City not PAGE 4 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 to vacate any access to the lake, with the City's current Comprehensive Plan including language about preserving access to the lake. Gaffron stated in the past, approximately 30 to 40 years ago, the City did vacate certain accesses to the lake, which is not the current policy of the City. Boehm noted the entire bottom part of Forest Lake consists of platted roads. Boehm questioned what that means for that neighborhood. Gaffron stated those roads were platted in the 1930s,when the lake was low, and are now currently covered with water. Gaffron stated if the City does not do something with these lake access points, the DNR may take jurisdiction over them. Dwight Affeldt,4765 Tonkaview Lane, indicated he also is appearing on behalf of Shirley Bull, 4690 Tonkaview Lane. Affeldt commented he is pretty much landlocked in his present location and would like to have access to the lake without having to cross County Road 19. Affeldt stated in his view people suffer from a "not in my backyard syndrome", and in his view a compromise of some type could be reached in this situation. Affeldt stated he would be in support of a lake access point that would allow him access to the lake,but he is not expecting a sandy beach or a fishing pier. Meyers stated the intent of the lake access points is to enable people who do not live on the lake to have access to the lake. Meyers stated the Park Commission is taking the view that this is a neighborhood access and not a lake access point where people will drive to and go swimming. Meyers stated the Park Commission has attempted to listen to all the residents in this area on what they would like for this lake access point prior to arriving at any final decisions. McDermott noted these lake access points would not be published on any City maps. McDermott noted no parking is allowed on Forest Lake Landing. Peter Martinson,4460 Farest Lake Landing, indicated he would not have moved to this area had he known a public access existed at this location. Martinson stated he is opposed to opening this lake access point up. Martinson stated he has not noticed this lake access point ever being used in the past. McDermott stated the Park Commission has heard from residents at previous meetings that indicated this lake access point was well used in the past. Velma and Bob Wolff,4450 Forest Lake Landing, stated in their view a swimming beach consists of lots of sand and clear water, which does not exist at this location. Bob Wolff stated the water in this area is mucky with a lot of lily pads. Wolff expressed concerns that people with fish houses will try to access the lake at this site. McDermott pointed out no motorized vehicles would be allowed down to the lakeshare. Mrs.Wolff inquired how the City would control who uses this lake access point. McDermott stated a gate across the right-of-way could be installed. McDermott stated the only improvement the Park Commission has considered for this location is perhaps a set of stairs down the slope to make access safer. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 Mrs. Wolff stated at the time they purchased the property they were not informed this area was a public lake access point. Wolff stated they were told there was a fire lane to the lake. Wolfe expressed traffic and safety concerns,noting a number of young children live in this area. Meyers stated the City cannot stop people from using public lake access points but can attempt to regulate the uses. Meyers noted a parking lot would not be created for this access point. Meyers stated the Park Commission is aware there are a number of issues that need to be considered befare to reaching any recommendation far this lake access point. Mrs. Wolff stated in her view it does not appear that the neighborhood is requesting this access point be opened. McDermott noted a previous petition was submitted by some residents located on Tonkaview and Wildhurst requesting this lake access point be restored. Meyers stated the Park Commission has basically advised them of the same things; that the Park Commission is an advisory board to the City Council, who makes the final decision. Meyers stated the Park Commission will be following the same procedure on all the lake access points and will not be making any snappy decisions. Joan Walter, 4470 Forest Lake Landing, expressed concerns regarding the maintenance of the lake access point. Walter inquired whether the City had funds available to maintain a garbage can at this location. Walter stated she wants the Park Commission to be aware of all the ramifications that go along with making a piece of property public property. Silber reiterated this lake access point is already a public lake access point and the Park Commission is not creating a new access point. Walter stated this lake access point would be open to the general public and not just the residents of Forest Lake Landing. Silber stated the City does have money available to maintain a garbage can in this area. McDermott stated the City would be required to police this area once it becomes a public-used facility. Ilse commented she lives near a dock and a public access, which is well used, with the City having made arrangements to pick up the trash weekly. Ilse stated what works very well in her neighborhood is that one of the local neighbors have more or less adopted this access point and help maintain the area. Ilse encouraged the residents in this area to be good neighbors and to do their part to keep this area clean. Gail Blackstone inquired whether the Park Commission considers a swimming beach to be an active use or a passive use. McDermott stated the beaches in Orono tend to be pretty passive. McDermott stated there would be no dock at this location. McDermott stated at some of the beaches in Orono there are buoys and a little swimming dock or platform, which is not the intent of the Park Commission for this PAGE 6 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6,2001 location. McDermott stated his view of this lake access point would be a small trail down to the lakeshore, with some wading in the water. Gail Blackstone stated she would like this lake access point to meet the same criteria that is used with the other access points. Blackstone stated she would like the City Council to be notified of the concerns of the residents in attendance at tonight's meeting regarding this access point. Chris Pierson,Attorney-at-Law, indicated he is appearing at tonight's meeting on behalf of Tim and Lorie Line,4415 Forest Lake Landing. Pierson stated over the years the City has basically allowed this lake access point to become part of people's private property by allowing different encroachments into the right-of-way. Pierson stated because of those mistakes on the part of the City, the City would be hard pressed to make this a public right-of-way, and recommended the City leave the lake access point as is or vacate the platted road. Pierson stated if the City erects signage at this location, it invites the public to this lake and creates a hardship to the adjoining property owners. McDermott stated the signage the Park Commission is talking about consists of marking the property corners to help prevent people from trespassing on private property and denoting the public right-of-way. Mullin questioned whether there would be signage near her front door. McDermott stated the intent of the Park Commission is to identify the property corners of all the lake access points. Silber stated this lake access point has become an issue due to two petitions that have been submitted to the City along with residents voicing their opinions and concerns at the past three Park Commission meetings. Mullin questioned why Council Member Nygard is not present at tonight's meeting to hear the concerns of the residents regarding this access point. McDermott stated the Council representative for this meeting is Bob Sansevere. Tim Line,4415,Forest Lake Landing, indicated the petition submitted tonight includes the residents from the entire area. Line stated it is a frustrating situation to be in for the two adjoining property owners who will be impacted the most by the lake access point. Line stated in his view the Council is not listening to the people and to the Park Commission. Line stated he would like to see the criteria that says this access point needs to be made a top priority. Line noted the area down to the lakeshore consists of a steep embankment, which makes it impossible to see the shoreline from the road, and commented the burden would be placed upon the two adjoining property owners to police this area. Line stated in his opinion there are better places to put a lake access and that Council Member Nygard should be here to hear the other side of this issue. McDermott stated the Council has directed the Park Commission to deal with this lake access point, with the final decision as to what to do with this lake access point being up to the Council. Chris Margart, 1003 Wildhurst Trail, stated he is aware of another fire lane that was vacated by the City several years ago between 1001 and 999 Wildhurst Trail. Morgart stated back in the PAGE 7 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 1900s roads were platted in the Forest Lake area, which have been vacated over the years. Morgart stated there is access off of Rest Point and another one off of County Road 19, which could be utilized. Morgart stated if this access point is opened to the general public, it turns the area into a dump and requires the neighbors to police it and maintain it. Morgart stated in his opinion this access point should be vacated. Bob Sansevere, Council Representative, stated to his knowledge no one on the Council intends to vacate this lake access point. Sansevere stated it is his personal belief that this access point should be left a passive area. Gary Welsh, 1214 Wildhurst Trail, stated he has lived in this area since 1967. Welsh stated he has a survey showing a road was platted down to the lake. Welsh stated during the time he has lived in this area, the grade of the slope has changed by the retaining wall. Welsh stated he personally has driven down to the lakeshore in approximately 1980 and 1991. Welsh stated in the past this access point has been used by the local residents, which did consist of a small sandy beach, and had the area remained the same,people would probably still be using the access point. Welsh commented he understands the need to prohibit motorized vehicles in this area, and concurred that a set of stairs or a walkway should be constructed down to the lakeshore, which would help delineate the right-of-way and keep people from trespassing on the adjoining properties. Welsh stated in his opinion some of the residents feel the City is going to really improve this lake access point,which is not the case. Welsh stated he is aware of a case where the DNR came in and condemned the adjoining property and made the lake access mare public. McDermott stated it is not the intention of the City to involve the DNR in these access points. Welsh stated he signed the first petition in support of restoring the original use for this lake access point. Silber stated the challenge befare the Park Commission is to come up with a solution that will cause the least amount of damage to the property owners in this neighborhood. Bob Wolff,4450 Forest Lake Landing, stated in the past a couple truckloads of sand have been hauled in. McDermott stated to his understanding very little sand exists at this location anymore. Robert Birkeland, 1298 Wildhurst Trail, questioned where the people would park their cars. McDermott stated it is the intention of the Park Commission that this will only be a neighborhood access point. McDermott indicated he lives near Lydiard Beach, which consists of a sandy beach and a dock, and it experiences very little use. McDermott stated in his opinion this site will not be heavily used and that people will not be driving to this access point. McDermott stated this lake access point is merely intended to allow people to walk down to the lakeshore and that motorized vehicles and fish houses will not be allowed in this area. Birkeland inquired whether this is a platted road or a fire lane. PAGE 8 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS,OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 McDermott stated it is a platted road and not a fire lane according to City documents. McDermott indicated it is an extension of Forest Lake Landing. Tim Line,4415 Forest Lake Landing,requested the Park Commission to consider the uniqueness of this situation due to the encroachments that have occurred over the years. Line stated his biggest concern is to have strange cars in the area and people not from the neighborhood utilizing this access point. Line encouraged the Park Commission to develop definitive criteria for what a passive use is. Line also expressed concerns that the burden to maintain this access point will be placed on the two adjoining property owners. Meyers stated there are a number of issues that need to be addressed with this access point as well as some of the other access point in the City. Meyers stated in his view this situation should be resolved one way or the other so the neighborhood can be restored rather than dragging it out for a number of years. Wolfe stated he has lived in Orono for almost 20 years next to a swimming beach. Wolfe stated he also experienced the same concerns regarding strangers in the neighborhood and garbage being left behind on the lakeshore. Wolfe stated over the years he more or less adopted the beach and helped to maintain it. Line stated the number of people in attendance at tonight's meeting show that the residents in this neighborhood have a number of concerns regarding this access point. Wolfe stated a lot of the concerns result from a fear of the unlrnown, and in his opinion this lake access point will not become heavily used. Wolfe stated one of the positive things that has resulted from a review of this lake access point is that the neighbors are interfacing with one another during this process. Line indicated he does not have a problem with the local residents in the neighborhood utilizing this access point but he does have some anxiety with people he is not familiar with. Line commented he does not look forward to maintaining this access point. Line stated he does not want this access point to be designated on any maps. McDermott pointed out parking will not be allowed in this area,which would help to prevent people outside the neighborhood from utilizing this access point. McDermott stated this access point will not be designated on a map. Gail Blackstone expressed concern regarding the number of young children in this area and inviting the general public into the area. Blackstone stated due to the secluded nature of this access point, it is difficult to monitor it even though she lives only two doors down. Line inquired what action the Park Commission will be taking on this access point tonight. McDermott stated the Park Commission will be discussing the signage for all the access points and identifying for the Council the classifications that were used in classifying the access points. McDermott stated a number of the lake access points have been classified as drainage areas, some that have been classified as a passive walk down to the lakeshore, and some that will get more use. McDermott indicated the Park Commission based their classifications on historical use and utilized classifications similar to Excelsiar Bay. PAGE 9 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 A resident in the audience questioned where the Park Commission got their information concerning historical use. McDermott stated some was based on how the access point is presently being used. McDermott stated the Park Commission did receive some comments from residents concerning this lake access point which suggested that it was used fairly regularly in the past and others who have said this access point has not been used at all. Meyers stated it is the intent of the Park Commission to simply make a recommendation to the Council and not to make any final decisions tonight concerning this access point. McDermott stated the Park Commission would also be identifying the first 13 access points that will be surveyed this year. McDermott noted this lake access point has already been surveyed and marked. McDermott stated due to the encroachments on this access point,the markers might be placed further away from the private property than where the right-of-way actually is. McDermott stated the Council would need to review this situation and determine what action they want to take regarding this access point. McDermott stated he is considering recommending the signage be placed 15 feet off the property line in an effort to keep people off of Mullin's property. McDermott stated due to this area changing over the past 15,20 years, it is difficult to say exactly where people were walking and that the public right-of-way might lie in a different location than what people remember. Jon Blackstone,4465 Forest Lake Landing, questioned whether it was possible to ever drive a vehicle down to the lakeshore due to the mature trees in the area. Blackstone stated if they did drive a vehicle down to the lakeshore, they were driving on what is now the Lines' property. McDermott stated it is possible the actual right-of-way is located in a different location than what people have been utilizing in the past. Silber suggested the Lines consider demarcating their property line abutting this right-of-way with additional landscaping. Silber stated in her view this situation should be resolved so the people in the neighborhood can get on with their lives. McDermott stated it would be his recommendation that a set of stairs down to the lakeshore be constructed for safety reasons. McDermott stated he is unsure at this time what to recommend regarding the signage,but reiterated he is considering erecting signage denoting perhaps a I S foot right-of-way rather than the actual right-of-way. Silber inquired whether it was McDermott's suggestion to create a narrow corridor down to the lake to lessen the impact on the adjoining properties. McDermott stated that it is. Ilse indicated the City has taken steps to maintain other access points in the past, and have erected gates and pulled docks if there have been problems. Ilse stated to her lrnowledge the City has never closed any of the lake access points. Ilse stated the reality is that people will park illegally on occasion, and suggested if that situation does occur at this landing,the police be notified. Ilse stated the neighbors and the community have to be responsible in dealing with the lake access points. Ilse commented in her view this access point will not be heavily used. PAGE 10 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6,2001 McDermott reiterated the Council directed the Park Commission a couple of years ago to review Orono's lake access points. McDermott noted the other cities around the lake have already gone through the process of classifying their access points. Ilse stated it is her understanding that if the City does not define how the lake access points will be used, another government agency, such as the DNR, might come in and do it for the City. Ilse stated it is in the best interests of the City to define how Orono's public property is to be used. Silber indicated she would like to make a motion making a formal recommendation regarding the Forest Lake Landing access point. A resident in the audience questioned why this access point is being considered first. McDermott stated the Park Commission has been discussing this access point because of two petitions that have been presented to the City along with numerous public comments regarding this access point. McDermott stated the City has not been requested to review any of the other lake access points at this point by any of the residents. McDermott stated the City Council would be reviewing the Park Commission's recommendations for the first 13 lake access points, with a public hearing being scheduled prior to any final action being taken by the Council. McDermott stated the Park Commission would be making a recommendation to the Council on the 13 access points to be surveyed this year,along with a recommendation concerning use. Ilse stated the City is planning to go through a formal process on each of these lake access points, which would include a public hearing. McDermott stated he would be recommending that the Forest Lake Landing access point be classified as a Class I, which consists of pedestrian access to the lake, fishing from the shore, launching canoes and other small boats not requiring a trailer. McDermott stated that would be the official use of this site if approved by the Council. Silber moved,Meyers seconded,to recommend the Forest Lake Landing be classified as a Class I lake access site,which would allow pedestrian access to the lake,fishing from the shore,launching canoes and other small boats not requiring a trailer. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Wolfe noted 26 other sites within the City have been classified as Class I. McDermott indicated a Class II access point would include pedestrian access to the lake, fishing from the shore, launching canoes and other small boats not requiring a trailer,plus snowmobiling. A Class III a fishing,boat launching, and winter vehicular access to the lake. McDermott stated currently there are two access points that have been classified as a Class IIL Class III-A includes vehicular access to the lake during the winter. McDermott reiterated the classifications have been based on the historical use of the access points. McDermott stated a Class N would be a swimming beach. Orono's swimming beaches are located at Crystal Bay,Park Lane, Sandy Beach,Rest Point Lane, Casco Point Beach, Lydiard Beach, and Summit Beach. McDermott stated to his lrnowledge those beaches have been in existence for at least 15 years. Meyers noted this classification would not preclude people from swimming at any of the other lake access points. PAGE 11 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS,OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 McDermott stated the City would not be providing sand,buoys, or a dock at the Forest Lake Landing access point. McDermott indicated the Park Commission has also identified a number of lake access points as drainage areas due to the steep topography. McDermott reiterated the Forest Lake Landing has been identified as a Class I access point, with signage at this location remaining to be discussed. Joan Walter noted there are no signs saying no parking on Farest Lake Landing. Walter stated in her view vehicles could pull up along the shoulder of the road and park. Ilse inquired whether parking is currently allowed on the roadway. Walter stated it is not. McDermott noted Forest Lake Landing is a public road. Ilse suggested the residents consider talking with the Council concerning erecting signage on the road prohibiting parking in this area. Ilse noted the City has erected no parking signs in other areas of the City prohibiting parking on the roadway. Lisa Mullin inquired what would be done if erosion became a problem. McDermott stated the City would need to deal with it if it became a problem. A resident inquired what hours this lake access point would be open. McDermott stated the City's parks are open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Gappa noted there is no parking on any city streets from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (Recess taken from 9:30 p.m. to 9:41 p.m.) McDermott presented the Park Commission with three possible signage choices, and recommended the signage be used as appropriate at each individual access point. Style A is a five foot tall park sign identifying the area as a park. McDermott stated this is similar to the signs located at Saga Hill. Style B is a sign 30 inches tall, erected on a 4 by 4 wooden post. McDermott suggested the language could read Orono Fire Lane with an arrow, or Orono Park with an arrow, or City property with an arrow. McDermott noted the City of Tonka Bay has posted these signs at the roadside at the corners as well as one at each corner on the waterside, which clearly marks each property corner. McDermott commented some of these signs are more appropriate for certain areas. Style C is a marker flush with the ground, which is mounted in concrete, denoting the property corners. McDermott stated he would recommend the City use all three signs as appropriate. Gappa recommended each corner be marked with Style C. Gappa indicated on some of the lake access points if the signs are located at the corners,they would be hidden from view due to landscaping. Gappa stated the Park Commission would need to determine where the signs should be located. PAGE 12 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6,2001 Meyers suggested Forest Lake Landing be marked at each corner, along with a sign being erected somewhere in the lane. Meyers stated he prefers Style B. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to mark the lake access points at each property corner with Style C. Gappa suggested the other signs perhaps just say Orono or the City of Orono since some of these areas will not be parks. Gappa suggested the signs be placed wherever it is the most convenient to be seen. Meyers recommended a sign be placed in the middle of the lane at Forest Lake Landing to avoid interfering with the private property on either side. McDermott recommended a 20 foot lane be marked at the Forest Lake Landing,with each of the four corners being identified and marked. Meyers moved,Wolfe seconded,to recommend approval of Style A, Style B, and Style C signage,to be used as appropriate at each of the lake access points. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. (Silber leaves at 9:58 p.m.) McDermott recommended the Park Commission pick one or two in each bay to be surveyed this year. Meyers inquired whether the most heavily used access points should be surveyed. McDermott stated the most heavily used ones consist of Lydiard Beach, Sandy Beach, Stubbs Bay Fishing Pier, Carmen Street, Casco Point Beach, Loma Linda,Park Lane, East Lake Street, North Shore Drive, Rest Point Road, Rest Point Lane, and Farest Lake Landing. Gappa stated they are proposing$8,000 be allocated to survey the first 13 access points. Gappa indicated the Council has just begun the budget review process. Gappa stated the latest survey for Orono Lane indicate the City does not own the property down to the lakeshare. Wolfe suggested Casco Circle. McDermott suggested Ivy Lane also be included. Wolfe moved,Ilse seconded,to recommend the City Council authorize surveys for Lydriad Beach, Sandy Beach, Stubbs Bay Fishing Pier, Carmen Street, Casco Point Beach, Loma Linda,Park Lane,East Lake Street,North Shore Drive,Rest Point Road,Rest Point Lane,Forest Lake Landing, Casco Circle, and Ivy Lane(Ivy Place). MOTION CARRIED 4-0. McDermott recommended the Park Commission re-evaluate the classifications at their next meeting. PAGE 13 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 (#7) RECOGNITION OF DONORS Gappa stated he has no new information regarding this item. (#8) ECOLOGICAL INVENTORY,ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION PLAN McDermott noted Silber has obtained some information regarding potential grants the City could apply for. McDermott indicated he would schedule this item far discussion at the next Park Commission meeting. (#9 FUNDRAISING McDermott noted a public hearing has been scheduled for August 13 to discuss charitable gambling. McDermott indicated he would present the Council with the Park Commission's proposed list of park improvements and maintenance that the funding could be allocated towards. McDermott stated Council Member Nygard has suggested the Park Commission consider including a check-off box on the utility bills that people could check off if they are interested in donating money to the City parks. Ilse pointed out a number of residents do not receive a water or sewer bill. Gappa stated he did present this idea to the finance people, who indicated it would be too time consuming for the amount of money that would possibly be generated. Bob Sansevere, Council Member, suggested something be included in the City's newsletter. Ilse suggested a coupon of some sort be included in the newsletter that could be cut out and mailed in to the City. McDermott stated a promotion article on Orono's parks could also be included in the newsletter. Ilse moved,Meyers seconded,to recommend a coupon be included in the City's spring and fall newsletter soliciting donations for Orono's Parks. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. (#10) ffiGHWAY 12 TRAILS This item was not discussed. (#11) ORONO COMMUNITY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Gappa indicated a turnaround area has been incorporated into the plan. Gappa stated the plan has been scaled back somewhat due to lack of funding. The Orono Community Baseball Association will be applying for a conditional use permit at the August 20`h Planning Commission meeting. PAGE 14 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,AUGUST 6, 2001 Ilse commented it would be nice to have play equipment at this location due to the amount of families that will be there. Gappa stated no action has been taken on the lease agreement Gappa stated the lease will need to be clarified. McDermott stated the City leases half of the fields to the baseball association, with the school district now leasing the other half. Ilse stated the City of Orono probably would not locate play equipment on school property. Gappa indicated issues dealing with lighting, traffic, and noise would be addressed during the conditional use permit process. Ilse noted the contract between the Baseball Association and the City says no lights and no advertising signs. Ilse suggested the contract be reviewed since a lot of those issues were previously covered. Gappa noted the Baseball Association does have a conditional use permit for the other fields. NEW BUSINESS Ilse thanked the Public Works Department far their work at the Seven Nations Park. Ilse stated she does have a concern if there is not a trail to Thoroughbred. McDermott stated the trail is mowed to the cul-de-sac in Thoroughbred. Ilse suggested some wood chips be placed along that trail as well. Ilse stated the Park Commission should also revisit constructing a trail along Watertown due to safety concerns. COUNCIL MEETINGS August 13 —McDermott August 23 —Halvorson ADJOURNMENT Meyers moved,Wolfe seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 p.m. �....� .--> There being no further business to discuss,tl}�me � as ac3jo at 10:40 p.m. 'f�,� -'/ •� _.- 1�._'___\ / rew McDerm , air PAGE 15