HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-0317.JOINT.MIN MINUTES FOR THE JOINT MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL & ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
March 17, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 6:05 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, and DeBoer; Commissioners Eggers, Coppedge, Alsing, MacGraw and Bennett;
and staff members Greg Scoles, Ken Mickelsen and Paula Brown. Mayor Shaw and Councilor Hagen arrived
late.
Interim City Administrator Greg Scoles explained that this would be an informational meeting dealing with
cooperative efforts by the City and the Parks Department to address the issues around Ashland Creek Flood
Restoration in the "area of joint concern" between Butler Bandshell and North Main Street.
Financial issues were explained, citing the November 14, 1997 memo from Finance Director Jill Turner which
provided a summary of revenue and expenses for flood damage restoration. Noted that a majority of the
restoration projects have been completed, and that the City was fortunate in the money that was received from
FEMA. Noted that there is still $300,000 to be received. Stated that an additional $500,000 grant application
has been submitted to HUD for flood improvements and the City is very likely to receive at least half of this
amount. Funds from last year's bond issue have been expended on the projects completed.
Scoles noted the Priority Matrix presented in his March 13, 1998 memo which gives OTAK's prioritization of
the various recommended restoration projects. Discussion of the various bridges downstream from the new
Winburn Way crossing, noting that the "Calle Reach" impacts both the Parks Department and the City. Parks
Director Mickelsen asked that the Calle be looked at now to determine what needs to occur in enhancing the
park setting of the area.
Stated that conceptual ideas will be presented to council at a later date, and emphasized the need to look at both
the financial and environmental costs of any decision to be made. Mickelsen stated that he will present
conceptual drawings with associated price tags and hold public hearings.
Noted that flood restoration is the first priority of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, and they want
to confirm that the City Council give it priority as well. Noted the need to look at eventual flood prevention
measures that will be necessary, pointing out that water must be channelled in a specific way to the North Main
Street bridge and that needs to be kept in mind. Emphasized that the urgency of restoring the Calle can't take
precedence over flood prevention measures that will be necessary.
Mayor Shaw noted that the bond issue did not cover bringing Ashland Creek up to 100-year flood event
standards, therefore an idea of the cost involved is needed in order to identify where funding will be located.
Suggested that minor improvements be undertaken this summer during tourist season to clean up the area and
make it more user-friendly. Emphasized that downstream areas are affected by work done here and must be
considered. An overall plan is needed from Bandshell to Hersey Street.
Noted that new Winburn bridge is designed to convey 3100 cfs into the Calle stretch of the Creek. Discussion
of need to decide how much flow the Creek should be designed to carry in, and beyond, the Calle. A
partnership with ODOT has been discussed for North Main St. bridge construction, but a capacity decision is
necessary before that discussion can move ahead. Also raised issue of down stream structures and "pinch
points". Recognized the need for cooperative efforts to develop a plan, based on OTAK recommendations.
Joint Meeting Council/Parks & Rec. Meeting 03-17-98
Suggested that public process begin with discussion of a flood wall in the Calle and what will be done with the
Water Street bridge.
Commissioner Alsing noted that the Plaza merchants and the Saturday Market have expressed their eagerness
for repairs on the Calle to proceed. Councilor Laws suggested that Parks devote a portion of their budget to a
separate Creek Restoration Capital Improvements Plan.
All present recognized the need to proceed with conceptual designs and initiate public process. Will bring back
financial alternative package to a later meeting. At that point, there will be discussion of how to pay for the
preferred alternative which develops through public process. Consensus that Brian McCarthy should move
ahead with further conceptual designs.
ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Submitted by Derek Severson, Assistant to the City Recorder
Joint Meeting Council/Parks & Rec. Meeting 03-17-98