03-07-1994 Park Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 7, 1994 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Chair Richard N. Flint, Alex Vongries, Robert Howells, Sherokee Ilse, Lili McMillan and James White. Susan Wilson was absent. John Gerhardson, Public Works Director and Carole Haseman, Recorder represented City staff. Mayor Edward J. Callahan and Councilmember J. Diann Goetten were present. John Shardlow and Wally Case were present from Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban. Randy Bosma represented the Orono Baseball Association. Tim Pattrin, a neighbor of Old Crystal Bay site, also was present. Chair Flint called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. (#1) OLD CRYSTAL BAY SITE Chair Flint explained this item was continued from the last meeting to allow people who could not attend an opportunity to voice their concerns. No residents from the Old Crystal Bay site were in attendance except Tim Pattrin who was present as an observer. (#2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES McMillan asked for corrections to be made on the last paragraph of page 1 as follows: the first sentence should read "stated her children", the second to the last sentence should read "road", and the last sentence should read "farther to the west". It was moved by Ilse, seconded by McMillan to approve the amended minutes of the February 7, 1994 Park Commission meeting. Ayes 6, nays 0. (#3) PARK PLANNING John Shardlow and Wally Case, consulting planners with Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban, outlined a proposal regarding Orono's park planning needs. Shardlow noted costs could be kept to a minimum by using City staff time and resources. He suggested a four stage process involving a series of steps. The first phase would consist of community participation to solicit needs and support for park planning and development. Historically in Orono, there has not been a strong on-going commitment to build a park system because of large residential lots. Every community is unique and an assessment needs to be made for the right fit. He suggested three methods to obtain input from residents - community survey, newspaper articles and an issues and need forum. A scientifically prepared community survey could be done by a telephone survey company. He recommended Decision Resources Inc. The results of a survey identify what people are thinking and project future needs. Newspaper articles build support and are important as they relate to an issues and needs forum specifically if there would be a bond issue. 1