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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25 REG MIN ; CITY OF ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES July 25, 1994 Chair Alsing called the meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m. at the department office, 340 S. Pioneer Street. ATTENDANCE: Present Absent Pat Adams, Al Alsing, Teri Coppedge, Laurie MacGraw, Bob Malone, Ken Mickelsen, Councillor Hauck. None I. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA Commissioner MacGraw added a request by Master Swimmers to use the Meyer Pool under Old Business. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting - June 27. 1994 Commissioner Adams made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 27, 1994 as written. Commissioner MacGraw seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no III. BILLS AND FINANCES A. Approval of previous month's disbursements Commissioner Coppedge made a motion to approve the previous month's disbursements as indicated by Payables checks #9343 through #9503 in the amount of $108,933.44 and Payroll checks #7226 through #7326 in the amount of $39,085.90. Commissioner Adams seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION ON THE AGENDA A. Larry Roven- petition regarding dogs in parks Mr. Roven read a copy of a citizen's advisory petition which requested that the park ordin8.]J.ce related to dogs in parks be revised to model other city ordinances related to dogs. He said that he had personally collected approximately 200 signatures and that there were other forms still out. He gave the Commission a copy of the petition form but said that he was saving the actual petition for the Council. He would bring the Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 2 Dogs in parks - continued Commission a copy of the petition with signatures if it wanted one. He inform~d the Commission of statistics related to the number of dogs and families which owned dogs in Ashland. He said that because a sizable percentage of households in Ashland have dogs and because dogs have always been considered "man's best friend" that to prohibit dogs from parks was like saying to many households that you can't come to Ashland's parks with your best friend. He felt that the least the Commission could do would be to find a small place in one park where people could take their dogs. At the end of Mr. Roven's presentation, Chair Alsing asked the Commissioners if they would like to make any comments. F or clarification, Commissioner Malone indicated that he'had understood that the Commission would be hearing Mr. Roven's petition at this meeting but that the Commission was not expected to take any specific action. Chair Alsing responded that the Commission could take some action if it chose to but that no action was required. Commissioner Adams indicated that since the item was on the agenda and that there were obviously people in the audience who would like to address the topic, that they should be given the opportunity to be heard. She said that she had felt the topic had already been reviewed in a previous meeting, however. Bob Tabor (l08 5th Street) said that he had great interest in Mr. Roven's proposal. He also indicated that he was not a dog owner and had a great fondness for Lithia Park. He was concerned about parks but he was also concerned about man's tendency to "disassociate itself from other forms of life." F or that reason he' supported Mr. Roven's proposal as a step to re-associate with another form of life. He requested that the Commission consider a balance somewhere and look at the proposal as a viable proposal. Jim Shute (1347 Prospect) indicated that he was surprised that the topic had come up for discussion again. He thought it had been resolved at a previous meeting. He again strongly opposed allowing dogs into parks. He felt that the existing ordinance should be enforced more strongly. He said if Mr. Roven's petition was going to be given serious consideration, if the number of signatures on a petition would decide an issue, to give him the opportunity to circulate a petition in favor of the existing ordinance prior to changing it. He said he and many others did not want to have to worry about the behavior of other peoples dogs while enjoying the parks, "dogs and people just don't get along." Russ Silbiger (562 Ray Lane) said that it was news to him that "dogs and people just don't get along." He said that he felt the Commission could set aside a couple of acres for dogs, many households in Ashland have dogs and there is no place for them to run free. He said dog owners are taxpayers too. Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 3 Dogs in parks- continued Sandy Fletcher (609 Terrace) said that she was a dog owner but was did not believe that dogs should be allowed in city parks. She said that there are still many beautiful places, such as the Loop Road or around S. Pioneer Street, where people could walk with their dogs in open, forested areas. She said that many dogs don't get along with other dogs. She liked the system the way it is. She was opposed to any area in which dogs would be allowed to run free because of wildlife and for liability reasons. Deborah (264 Walker) said that some parks such as Clay Street Park was not heavily used by people at all and that she felt that setting aside a portion of a park such as that would be appropriate. She was not in favor of allowing dogs in Lithia Park. She also said that people take their dogs "all the time" to Hunter Park and to ball games and the ordinance is not enforced. She suggested changing the ordinance so that if dogs were under control they could be taken to some parks. She asked the Commission to come up with a solution whereby dog owners could take their dogs somewhere without being in violation of the law. She said that she was just looking for some place in her own town to be able to enjoy her dog. Lvnn Thompson (505 Maple Way) said that she has become very frustrated by a lot of the rules which Ashland is adopting. She said that "everyplace" allows dogs in parks and that a park system should be a big back yard for everyone in the community to enjoy. She said that Ashland as a town has started alienating its residents in favor of tourism and keeping the town pretty. A lo~ of Ashland's rules seem stupid. She said a lot of people don't want to take their dogs into the forested areas because of ticks and wild animals. Commissioner Adams read a letter from Barbara Stout into the record which supported maintaining the existing ordinance. Ms. Stout related specific instances when she had personally witnessed dogs behaving in an unsafe manner around other people because they become excited by all the sights and sounds typical of a public park. She indicated that although she was a dog owner, she felt that it would be inappropriate for dogs to be allowed in city parks. Commissioner Adams said that she supported the existing ordinance because in her experience many dog owners were not responsible and that many people are frightened by strange dogs. She said that there are lots of places to take dogs around Ashland and did not believe it would be workable in parks. She referred to the recent Council action regarding dogs on the plaza which was taken due to irresponsible owners congregating with their dogs. . Commissioner MacGraw indicated that she believed that the Ashland area still provided many trails and open spaces in which dogs can walk and roam with their owners. Living in Ashland is not like a large city with no access to open areas. Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 4 Dogs in parks - continued MOTION Commissioner MacGraw made a motion to support allowing the existing ordinance regarding animals in parks to stand. Commissioner Adams seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no v. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION NOT ON THE AGENDA None VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Revised policy for Bandshell rentals · The Commission reviewed a memorandum from staff recommending a revision to current policy regarding Bandshell rentals for public gatherings or performances, particularly regarding sound levels related. Director Mickelsen explained that the way the curr~nt policy. was written no objective criteria could be used to determine whether or not a renter was in compliance with the policy. The proposed revised policy would state objective criteria based on decibel readings. The recommended maximum level would be 75 dB; City Band registers at 70 - 75 dB. Commissioners generally discussed current policy for Bandshell rentals regarding frequency of usage and length of rentals as well as loudness from performances. MOTION Commissioner Malone made a motion to adopt the following policy: That no person shall make, continue, cause, or permit to continue any noise, the source of which is from an event approved by the Commission for the Bandshell which exceeds 75 dB when monitored from a point directly across from the Bandshell on the park side of Granite Street and when using a sound meter approved by the Commission for more than five (5) continuous minutes or for more than fifteen (15) cumulative minutes during a rental period. The maximum length of time for amplified sound or performance at the Bandshell is one and one-half (I 1/2) hours per rental and will cease no later than 8:15 p.m. Commissioner Adams seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no MOTION B. Lease with AsWand Gun Club Having reviewed the revised lease with the AsWand Gun Club for lease of the Lithia Springs site, Commissioner Adams made a motion to authorize the Chair to sign the lease. Commissioner MacGraw seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no MOTION C. . Youth Activities Levy Contract Having reviewed the contract agreement between the Ashland School District and the Commission related to the Youth Activities Levy, Commissioner MacGraw made a motion authorizing the Chair to sign the contract. Commissioner Coppedge seconded. The vote was: 5 yes- 0 no Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 5 D. Review of Articles on Parks Foundation Commissioner Malone said that he generally supported the concept of creating a foundation but inquired as to what kinds of things a foundation could do that the Commission could not do on its own, what were the advantages to creating a foundation? Commissioner Alsing responded that he believed that a foundation could focus its energy on fund raising without having to address all t~ other policy related issues on which Corpmissioners must spend time. Commissioners generally had no difficulty with the articles as drafted by the City Attorney. MOTION Commissioner Malone made a motion to proceed in creating a foundation for parks along the guidelines set forth in the draft of articles. Commissioner Adams seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no Commissioners Alsing and Malone volunteered to continue to work with the City Attorney to continue the process. . E. Masters Swim Program Commissioner MacGraw reported that she had been contacted by the Masters Swim Program which requested that the program be allowed to use the Meyer Pool for the period of time which the sasc po~l will be closed prior to the fall quarter, approximately mid-August to mid-September. Director Mickelsen indicated that the Masters had used the pool similarly for several years, that the department provided . one guard and that heat for the pool would be provided by the solar system only~ Master Swimmers would pay the same rate as lap swimmers. By consensus, Commissioners authorized use of the pool along the guidelines presented. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Dedication of Park Land Commissioners reviewed a memorandum related to the dedication of the Brevik and Superior properties commonly referred to as the Siskiyou Mt. park site. Director Mickelsen indicated that the two year process of clean-up of the property had been completed by the City. It has been the understanding between Commission and City that once the clean-up was complete, that the land would be dedicated for park purposes. MOTION Commissioner Coppedge made to motion to request that the City Council dedicate the property commonly referred to as the Siskiyou Mt. Park site as park property. Commissioner Malone seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 6 B. Land Acquisition Director Mickelsen reported that he had been contacted by a resident of the hospital concerning a parcel of land which might be available and suitable for a neighborhood park. The property is approximately one acre in size and located at the end of Scenic Drive off Maple Street. When the Open Space/Park Land Acquisition map was being developed, no property in the hospital area was' able to be identified for a possible neighborhood park. Director Mickelsen inquired as to whether or not the Commission would like to look into acquiring this parcel. It is currently zoned R-2 but there appears to be no plans for development at this time. By consensus, Commissioners authorized the Director to contact the property owner to make an initial inquiry. . Commissioner Coppedge mentioned a very small piece of property at the comer of Coolidge and,N. Main which could make a stopover point for walkers and bicyclers · on their way into town. After brief discussion, Commissioners concurred that pricing the property would be appropriate but that it would probably not be of high priority considering other obligations. Commissioners Alsing, Coppedge and Malone volunteered to work with the Director on the Falk view-shed property. The possibility of cooperating with the Forest Commission on the hiring of a timber cruiser was discussed to assist in determining the fair market value for the property. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE, COMMUNICATIONS, DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Mickelsen reported that the public inquiry form concerning the community portion of the Youth Activities Levy was scheduled for the September utility newsletter. He also indicated that he had contacted Y outhworks which is the agency that oversees the Ashland Teen Center to express the Commission's interest in working with them on determining future programming needs. Commissioners reviewed a staff memorandum outlining recommendations for water curtailment related to maintenance procedures and modifying irrigation. Director Mickelsen reported that the outlined cutbacks would save better than 30% in water consumption. In discussion, one of the recommendations was to drain the Perozzi Fountain because of the volume of water required to maintain it. Commissioners authorized staff to follow the measures as outlined but to put off draining the Perozzi if at all possible. Director Mickelsen reported that a member of the Tayler Foundation board had inquired about the possibility of converting irrigation in Lithia Park to T.LD. He said that the Tayler Foundation might be interested in funding a conversion if it proved feasible. After brief discussion, the Commission authorized staff to hire an irrigation consultant to assist staff in determining the feasibility and associated costs. I ! Regular Meeting - July 25, 1994 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 7 IX. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Coppedge, indicated that she would very much like to see bicycle racks placed at the department office and at the Meyer Pool entrance. MOTION Commissioner Malone made a motion to extend the temporary rule related to noise in parks which was adopted at the July 18, 1994 meeting to the end of August. Commissioner Adams seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no X. NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA The next Regular Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 30, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. XI. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Chair Alsing adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, () J' ;1;v!-) \fJMuJl(A-/~ Ann Benedict, Business Manager Ashland Parks and Recreation Department .