Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-0628 Parks & Rec. MIN City of Ashland PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 28, 2004 ATTENDANCE Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, and Lewis; Director Robertson; Superintend1ent Gies Absent: Commissioners Amarotico and Rosenthal CALL TO ORDER Chair Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Reaular Meetina -- May 24.2004 Under New Business item M3AM Bicycle Request Review,M Commissioner Rosenthal expressed his support of the event MSO long as it was not detrimental.- Under Nlew Business item MMeadowbrook Peuk Development Information, - Vice-Chair Eggers asked that the original language from the May 24 meeting regarding Mislands under tree groups- be reflected in the minutes. Also in that section, under MDiscussion Among Commissioners;- she expressed concern about Mriparian protection and restoration in the park- (not Mreparation-). MOTION Vice-Chair Eggers moved to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion. : The vote was: 3 yes - 0 no PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPEN FORUM Bill Longiotti, P.O. Box 1, Talent, spoke of an upcoming event at the Ashland Gun Club and asked the Commission aboujt the status of the gun club lease extension. Ron Roth, 6950 Old Hwy 99 South, asked the Commission to formally request that the Jackson County Commissioners hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Bear Creek Greonway ordinance prior to making the!ir final decision on the ma~er.. . ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS SIGNS, MEMORIALS, AND PLAQUES DISCUSSION Director Robertson referenced the most recent revisions to the draft policy that came from the June 14 study session and asked Commissioners for their review and feedback. Discussion Amona Commissioners Commissioners discussed a number of issues about the draft policy. Commissioner Lewis read the document from the~ viewpoint of a person requesting a sign, memorial, or plaque, and found it to be useful. Vice-Chair Eggers reminded the Commission about their decision to not use Mmonument" but instead to use only the words Msi~Jns and memorials,. as Mplaques. would come under the heading of Msi~~ns.. In terms of naming parks, trails, or other park-related sites, she stressed the importance of establishing a naming policy, asking that a paragraph be added to the document under the heading of Mpolicy.M She asked that redundancies in the document be removed wherever possible, and agreed to forward appropriate wording to staff. Finally, shE~ expressed her concern about the reflective signs under trees in Lithia Park, stating that the glaring is often hard on eyes. Page 2 of4 Regular Meeting ~.1inutes - June 28, 2004 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission UNFINISHED BLJSINESS SIGNS, MEMORIALS, AND PLAQUES DISCUSSION, Cont'd. Chair Gardiner asked Staff to explain historical maintenance practices for such items as signs, memorials, bridges, or trails. Director Robertson explained that Staff is ultimately responsible for maintaining all items in city piarks and recommended that a statement be added to the document to the effect that, "any contribution to the park must be accompanied by a maintenance fee equivalent to twice the worth of the donated item." ". The Commission agreed to reduce the title of the document to "Signs and Memorials" and to exclude "Plaques and Monuments." NEW BUSINESS BIKE SW'AP REPORT Director Hobertson reminded Commissioners about the March 22 APRC r~gular meeting request that the Parks Commission partner with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission for the annual bike swap. He welcomed Lexi Delgado and David Chapman of tOO Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission. lexi Del!~ado, Bike Swap Coordinator, spoke about the success of the event and thanked the Parks Commissiion for their assistance. She reported that the swap took in approximately $2,400 and that the funds will be used for bicycle education classes in the community, utilizing Parks and Recreation staff for the coordination and administration of those classes. Specific classes could include an elementary school- level bicyde rodeo to teach basic bicycle skills in a fun environment; multi-generation rides around Ashland guided by' local cycling enthusiasts; and a middle school-aged after-school progralm to teach bicycle safety and basic bicycle maintenance. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission will co-sponsor the classes. David Chapman spoke with appreciation about the suggestion by Parks staff to run and manage future annual bike swaps, with support from himself, Ms. Delgado, and the Bicycle and PlecJestrian Commission. Discussion Amona Commissioners Commissioners congratulated Ms. Delgado and Parks I Bicycle Commission staff on the success of the event and expressed their excitement about continuing to work together in the future. HABITAT FOR CATHY REQUEST Director Hobertson referenced the packet information regarding the request by a local citizen to be gifted her rental home, located in the North Main Street Park area, in which she has resided for nearly 20 years. Public Comment Cathy Tsc:hanen, 669 N. Main Street, spoke. about the history of the property; inclluding its use as a peach orchard, Clnd stated that the home in which she lives was brought to the site from another location in Ashland. She expressed that the house suits her needs well and that she would have difficulty finding another aj~ordable home in Ashland. She reported that the entrance to the park would be prohibitive for vehicular access. Sharyn Mandell, a Talent resident, is a friend of Ms. Tschanen's who spoke in support of the donation of the home, expressing the desire to assist her friend in expanding the roughly 500-square-foot dwelling. Discussion Amono Commissioners Director R~obertson observed that there are two viable entrances and a third pa1ssible entrance into the future pane, and that the drive off N.Main Street900s not appear to be adequate tor vehicular entrance into the park. He indicated that the area would tall into the "neighborhood park" category and would not be suitable as a "drive-to" park but could serve as a "walk-to" park. Page 3 of4 Regular Meeting Minutes - June 28, 2004 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission NEW BUSINESS HABITAT FOR C:ATHY REQUEST, Cont'd. He reported that the Commission will begin a process of creating a master plan for thE! site in the 2004- 2005 fiscal year and the future of the site will depend upon the results of that process. Chair Gardiner reiterated the need to create a master plan for the property and suggested a future site visit. He proposed tabliing the request pending the creation of that plan. Vice-Chair Eggers stated.~that the mission of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission is to create and maintain parks in Ashland, not to provide affordable housing to its citizens. She voic.~d her support for the creation of thE~ master plan. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS Director Robertson asked Commissioners for their consideration and approval of a ~~% cost of living increase for regular full-time Parks employees, mid-level managers, and upper managers;; effective July 1, 2004. He stated that the proposed budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 included projected COLAs of 3%, with projected increasos of 20% for insurance costs, but that actual insurance costs for the fi~al year are 8%. Discussion AmoncJ Commissioners Vice-Chair Eggers noted that the matter was discussed at the June 14 APRC study session. MOTION Commissioner Lewis moved to approve a 3% cost of living increase for regular full-time employees, mid-IE~vel managers, and upper managers; effective July 1, 2004. Vice-Chair Eggers seconded the motion. The vote was: 3 yes - 0 no ASHLAND SOCCER CLUB'S PROPOSED CHANGES TO PARKS PLAN Director Robertson referenced a request by the Ashland Soccer Club regarding some ad,iustments on the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan relative to active sports fields located near the Ashland YMCA. He introduced a member of the club and invited him to speak to the Commission. Public Comment .. Rick landt, 468 lHelman Street, is a board member of the Ashland Soccer Club. He reeld a letter aloud, written by the club to the Commission, whi~h indicated that the club is aware of some activity related to the property adjacent to the YMCA fields that was designated as part of the short-term list of Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan properties. The club felt that the Commission might be in danger of losin!9 the opportunity to purchase that property. He noted that there has been no activity with regard to the Open Space funding situation in the past few years, despite the fact that the OS plan was unanimously approved by both the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission and the Ashland City Council. He expressed his desire to reduce the numbc~r of properties on the short-term list, which could invigorate efforts to purchase the remaining properties. The club would be interested in utilizing 2-3 acres of the 10 acres of land adjacent to the YMCA fields for the purpose of developing three full-sized soccer fields that would include buffer space and warm-up areas. Discussion AmonCI Commissioners Commissioners reviewed a map provided by Mr. Landt and discussed dimensions of the proposed fields. Director Robertson summarized that adding the acres to the playing fields could create a bigger playing surface that might allow a larger range of ages to participate in activities, which would then make it easier for the Parks Commission to justify additional expenditures to improve the surface of the fields: The Commission directed staff to conduct further conversations with the developer of the propE!rty and to report back to the Commission in executive session about-the status of the land in question. Page 4 of 4 Regular Meeting ~vfinutes - June 28, 2004 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission SUB-COMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS Trail Ma~)ter Plan Committee Report Commissioner Lewis reported on the Public Trail Meeting held at The Grove on Monday, June 7, at which 35-40 me~mbers of the public attended. Eight tables, representing local trail corridors, were arranged around the room for people to visit, learn about the trail areas, and voice questions and concerns. A Trail Master Plan Committee regular meeting was held on June 17. Committee members evaluated the public mE~eting and determined how to best assimilate the information. A neighborhood meeting, potentially in the Wright's Creek are~, will be held in September. Neighbors and property owners will be notified in advance, and they and the public will be invited to attend. Based on the success of that meeting, other trail corridors will be addressed at subsequent meetings. During the summer months, the committee will work on the document that will accompany the map. The documenjt will include policies on trail use, standards for trails, flora and fauna, and trail history. Director Hobertson added that the draft map under consideration will be posted at various prominent locations around town, including the Community Development Building neclr the plaza, the Parks . Departme!nt office in Lithia Park, the Ashland YMCA, and the Ashland Public Library. Readers of the posted maps will be invited to make comments or suggestions direcUy to Director Robertson via his email address. Director Hobertson asked Commissioners for their thoughts on posting a map at the entrance to Lithia Park, but the group decided it would not be necessary. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS · Chair Gardiner proposed a joint Ashland Parks Commission I Ashland City Council study session to discuss The Grove, the Lithia Springs I Ashland Gun Club lease extension, and Open Space funding. · Chair Gardiner proposed directing staff to draft a letter to the Jackson County Commissioners requesting a formal public hearing about the proposed golf course. Staff was so directed. · Commissioner Lewis asked about the outcome of the neighborhood meeting concerning the future of the Briscoe School playground. The Commission agreed to meet with r'epresentatives from the neighborhood committee at the next APRC study session on July 19. · Vice-Chair Eggers noted that construction for the Meadowbrook Park II subdivision has commenced and n~uested clear communication with workers regarding installation of (:onstruction fencing and protec:tion of riparian areas during the building process. Director Robertson a!Jreed to talk to Mr. John McLaughlin, Director of Planning, regarding those matters. UPCOMING MEETING DA TE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS · Study session set for July 19, 2004, at 3:30 PM, Parks Department office, 3410 S. Pioneer. The APRC will tour Lithia Park and later meet with representatives of the Briscoe School playground committee. · Trail Master Plan Committee meeting set for July 22, 2004, at 1 :00 PM Parks Q,ffice, 340 S. Pioneer. · Regular meeting set for July 26,2004, at 7:00 PM, Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main. ADJOURNMENT -- By consensus, with no further business, Chair Gardiner adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submiitted, be~ Ashland Parks and Recreation