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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 5,2014 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair Rick Meyers, Commissioners Jan Berg, Sarah Lindahl, and Jessica Warner. Representing Staff <br /> were Assistant City Administrator for Long-Term Strategy Michael Gaffron, Public Works Director/City <br /> Engineer Jesse Struve, and Recorder Jackie Young. Commissioner Dean Lundblad arrived at 7:11 p.m. <br /> City Council Member Lizz Levang was present. <br /> Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. <br /> Meyers noted the Park Commission met a couple of months ago, with three commissioners present. <br /> OLD BUSINESS <br /> 1. UPDATE/RECAP—NAVARRE PLAYGROUND CLEANUP AND PLANTINGS <br /> Meyers stated approximately two weeks ago some members from the Navarre Community Initiative, <br /> himself, and Council Member Printup cleaned up the brush and buckthorn at the Navarre Park to get <br /> everything ready for the planting of the lilac bushes that were donated by Jeanne Englund. <br /> Meyers reported he appeared before the City Council at its April 28 meeting to discuss the donation by <br /> Ms. Englund in honor of her late husband. The donation consists of approximately 15 lilac bushes. The <br /> City Council agreed to accept the donation from Ms. Englund but they would like the donation to be <br /> formally approved by the Park Commission. <br /> Meyers moved,Berg seconded,to accept the donation by Ms.Jeanne Englund of the lilacs and to <br /> begin the planting of the bushes as soon as Norling Landscape can commence the work. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> 2. ENGLUND MEMORIAL PLANS <br /> Meyers stated as part of the plant donation, Ms. Englund has also requested that a memorial stone be <br /> installed. The Public Works Director and some members of the City Council had expressed some <br /> concerns about memorials in general in the city-owned parks. Meyers noted the City does not have a <br /> formal policy at this point concerning donations, but that the City Council would like the Park <br /> Commission to discuss what might be appropriate. <br /> Meyers stated originally proposed was a memorial stone but the City Council felt that something a little <br /> more nondescript should be considered. Meyers stated one option would be to have a smaller sized <br /> memorial stone. <br /> Meyers asked what the Commissioners felt about the memorial stone. <br /> Lindahl stated she could see how a park could become unsightly if people are donating items that may not <br /> be ideal and that it may also result in issues relating to vandalism or maintenance. Lindahl stated if <br /> someone wanted to donate funds, the City could perhaps have a plaque listing the people's names. The <br /> funds could then be used to maintain the parks. <br /> Page 1 of 10 <br />