11-03-2014 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, November 3, 2014 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Rick Meyers, Commissioners Jan Berg, Brenda Johnson, Bryce Johnson, Sarah Lindahl, and Paul Pesek. Representing Staff were Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. OLD BUSINESS 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Berg moved, Meyers seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono Park Commission meeting of July 7, 2014, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0; Paul Pesek, Brenda Johnson, and Bryce Johnson Abstained. PRESENTATION 1. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT PROPOSAL — ALEX KNUEPPEL Alex Knueppel, Eagle Scout, stated he is part of Troop 481 and has been a Boy Scout for the past eight years. Knueppel indicated he is interested in performing an Eagle Scout project at the Seven Nations Park. Knueppel explained that an Eagle project needs to benefit the community, demonstrate leadership, require a considerable amount of time and effort to complete, demonstrate project management, and is a project that the City wants done and that he is here to accomplish those goals. Knueppel stated Seven Nations Park is an incredible addition to the City of Orono but could be improved by adding a historical marker, placing gravel on the entryways, by removing litter, and removing downed branches. Knueppel stated he anticipates the time for this project to take place would be the spring of 2015, which would give him time to work with officials at the City and with the Boy Scouts and order materials. Knueppel stated the historical marker will highlight important historical figures and events in the Seven Nations Park area, Knueppel stated the area was basically a gentleman's farm consisting of a dairy farm owned by some wealthy individuals. Knueppel indicated he researched the sign with Mr. Gasch at the Pioneer Museum and that the text has been approved by Mr. Gaffron. Knueppel stated he would just need to acquire a sign to put the text on. Knueppel stated he would propose placement of the sign in the middle of a circle of plants that is found near one of the entryways and would be facing the bench. Meyers asked what the orientation of the sign would be. Meyers noted as someone comes through the entrance, they would be facing south. Meyers asked if the front of the sign would be facing north. Knueppel stated it would face north. Knueppel stated the language on the sign would read as follows: Seven Nations Park pays tribute to the Native Americans, as the phrase Seven Nations refers to the seven parts or groups of the Dakota Indian Tribe. This name was chosen at the request of Pat Dickey, who gave the land to the City of Orono. Originally this land was part of what was called The Big Woods. This forest covered as much as 5,000 square miles and stretched from western Wisconsin to what is now south - Page 1 of 24