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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />August 7, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />ROLL CALL <br />The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br />Chair Brain Roath, Commissioners Michael Huddy, Janice Berg, Cameron Porter; Commissioner Gordy <br />Stofer (arrived at 6:08 p.m.) and Sandy Rasmussen, alternate commissioner. Representing Staff was Josh <br />Lemons, Parks Director. <br />Chair Roath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br />APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA <br />Huddy moved, Berg seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES <br />1.MAY 1, 2023 PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES <br />Porter moved, Huddy seconded, to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2023 Park Commission <br />meeting as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Abstention 1 (Roath). <br />PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Ms. Janie Delaney, 1315 Woodhill Ave., gave an update on the donation garden behind the Long Lake <br />Fire Station. Last week there were a group of 40 kids from a community education summer program that <br />helped on a very hot day, she said. Delaney listed the produce that has been grown and donated so far plus <br />items that are not yet ready for harvest. This year they also planted a full 40 by four-foot bed of <br />pollinators which have attracted bees and Monarch butterflies which laid many eggs that turned into <br />caterpillars. The group has been hatching those in a little screen box and releasing them. Last year ended <br />with almost 2.5 tons of produce grown and Given to WeCAN, Westonka Interfaith, the senior center and <br />given away at church community dinners as well as by volunteers who also deliver Meals on Wheels. <br />She said they actually have a waiting list for volunteers at this time with 10 to 12 regular volunteers. <br />Donors include the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club. some family foundations, memorial donations and <br />items donated through Minnesota Green. <br />Gordy Stofer arrived at 6:08 p.m. <br />PRESENTATION <br />STAFF REPORT <br />2.HACKBERRY MASTER PLAN CONCEPT <br />Park Director Lemons said Hackberry Park has been on the CIP for several years waiting for the full <br />property to become available. The City took occupancy of the house on the property recently and had it <br />demolished. There are several known issues with the park including drainage, he said. During rainy years <br />there will be standing water on the ballfield making it almost unusable. There is an old skating rink and <br />two T-ball fields, an existing playground and a basketball court. There is also a lack of parking. There <br />have been two listening sessions at Hackberry Park and the public feedback has been shared with Bolton <br />and Menck which created a couple of different concepts for the City, Lemons said.