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City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal; Director Mickelsen
Absent: None
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Special Meeting -- March 17, 2003 Vice-Chair Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
Regular Meeting -- March 24, 2003 Under New Business item ‘Request by Rogue Valley Grower’s & Crafter’s Market for Use of North Mountain Park Site’ (p 2), Commissioner Eggers asked that the parking areas under consideration, 1-4, be specified in the motion. She also asked that the wording "consider reserving parking Area 1 for North Mountain Park program attendees" be changed to "consider reserving parking Area 1 for environmental stewardship program participants." Under New Business item ‘Proposal for Establishing Community Garden on Park Property Located at Water and Hersey Streets’ (p 3), Commissioner Eggers corrected the motion to read "encouraging that the 50-foot protection of riparian zone be maintained." Under New Business item ‘Permission to Sell in Garfield Park’ (p 4), Commissioner Eggers asked that a sentence be corrected to read, "a representative from the group requesting the permit did not attend the meeting." Vice-Chair Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner Amarotico seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum -- None
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA -- None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
PROVIDING LIFEGUARDS AT THE RESERVOIR AT LITHIA PARK
Director Mickelsen reminded Commissioners that the Department normally provides lifeguards at the reservoir from July 5 through Labor Day weekend. As a cost-saving measure, he indicated the Department’s consideration of ending that practice and instead posting signs cautioning people to swim at their own risk. He referenced City Attorney Paul Nolte’s January 30, 2003, memo regarding potential liability issues stemming from that decision.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners speculated that, without the need to hire lifeguards, Staff could open the area to the public as early as May. If the decision were made to discontinue providing lifeguards, the Commissioners agreed to evaluate the effectiveness of the decision at the conclusion of the summer swimming season (at the September 2003 meeting). Commissioners considered the following criteria, signage, and precautions:
MOTION Vice-Chair Gardiner moved to discontinue providing lifeguards at the reservoir in Lithia Park and instead to post signs indicating hours of operation and safety precautions. Commissioner Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
NEW BUSINESS -- None
SUB-COMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
QUARTERLY UPDATE ON PROJECTS - information purposes
Director Mickelsen referenced his memo outlining status updates for ongoing Department projects and entertained questions from the Commission. In response to a question about the status of the water quality project in Lithia Park ponds, Director Mickelsen reported that Paul Kay is revamping the lake restorer in the lower pond. With regard to Bear Creek Trail improvements, Commissioner Eggers agreed to compile a list of environmental experts to contact for a future meeting / walk. Regarding resurfacing the Hunter Park tennis courts, Director Mickelsen stated that, when the bids come in, he will schedule a Special Meeting with the Commission to discuss the project before moving forward. On the Community Garden project, Superintendent Gies reported that a soil sample has been sent out for pesticide testing and that Staff is waiting for the results.
Golf Sub-Committee
Open Space Funding Sub-Committee
¾ Director Mickelsen reported that Staff has prepared a letter to be sent out by Chair Lewis asking for volunteers to serve on this sub-committee. He asked for names of people who might be willing to participate.EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS
Director Mickelsen referenced his memo regarding Staff’s request to postpone the negotiation process until May.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Vice-Chair Gardiner asked everyone to support the Youth Activities Levy, which appears on the May 20th ballot.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Chair Lewis adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Administrative Secretary, Ashland Parks and Recreation Department