Agendas and Minutes

Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission (View All)

Regular Meeting

Agenda
Monday, June 23, 2003

City of Ashland

City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

Present: Commissioners Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal; Superintendent Gies

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

Regular Meeting – May 19, 2003 Under Unfinished Business item "Adoption of Responsibilities for Golf Course Sub-Committee," Commissioner Rosenthal suggested including the Greens Superintendent of the Oak Knoll Golf Course in the sub-committee meetings. Commissioner Eggers moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner Rosenthal seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

Special Meeting – June 3, 2003 Under New Business item "Presentation and Discussion on Lithia Farmer’s Market in Lithia Park," Commissioner Eggers suggested including the city of the speaker, Janet Bierbower, to her street address. That city is Grants Pass. Vice-Chair Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner Eggers seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Open Forum - None

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA - None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

REVIEW OF THE CALLE GUANAJUATO STAIRWAY PROJECT – information purposes

Superintendent Gies introduced Laurie Sager of KenCairn Environmental Design and asked her to remind the Commissioners about the plans for the project. Ms. Sager reported that the configuration of the stairways and the upper terrace were altered slightly, based on structural engineering requirements. The changes will not affect the design in the least. Other changes were reported, and artwork placements were discussed. Project construction bidding is expected to begin in August of 2003.

APPROVAL OF SALARY NEGOTIATIONS

Motion Commissioner Eggers moved to approve the salary negotiations that were discussed in two executive sessions, including the details of the cost-of-living and healthcare benefits that were outlined. Commissioner Amarotico seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

SELECTION OF RECRUITING FIRM

Chair Lewis and Vice-Chair Gardiner reported on their interviews with three executive recruitment firms chosen to potentially help the Commission recruit a Director of Parks and Recreation. After speaking with representatives from the Avery, Murray, and Shannon firms, and using the same set of interview questions at each meeting, they felt confident with each agency’s ability to successfully recruit a new Director, but indicated that they particularly liked the Murray agency.

Commissioner Eggers reported on her research to determine the best agency for the search. She outlined, in detail, her findings about each agency, which were developed after reading through the agencies’ proposals numerous times and creating charts. In conclusion, Commissioner Eggers recommended using the Shannon firm, with Teri Black-Brann as the lead recruiter.

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioner Eggers reported about speaking with Tina Gray in City Personnel and obtaining Tina’s references for Shannon. (City Personnel did not check references for Avery and Murray.) Commissioner Eggers read the reference reports to the Commission. Commissioner Rosenthal offered his analysis of the firms, stating that the Murray agency was his first preference, given that Murray hired Ken Mickelsen for the City of Maple Valley, WA, demonstrating their ability to hire top talent. He also was impressed with the fact that they have, on their staff, someone who has lived in Ashland and worked for the City of Ashland, and is therefore familiar with the City. Commissioner Amarotico spoke in favor of the Shannon agency. Chair Lewis emphasized the need to target the Commission’s preferred qualities in a Director and to steer the chosen agency accordingly. The Commission thanked Commissioner Eggers for her hard work in creating the charts based on her many hours of research.

Motion Commissioner Eggers moved to contract with Shannon to conduct the search for a new Director of Parks and Recreation, including clarifying the details of the proposal. Commissioner Amarotico seconded the motion.

Additional Discussion Among Commissioners

Vice-Chair Gardiner reflected on the value of working with an agency whose references were already checked (Shannon), acknowledging that his comment represented a 180-degree turnaround from earlier in the meeting.

The vote was: Commissioners Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis – yes / Commissioner Rosenthal – no

APPOINTMENT OF STEVE GIES AS INTERIM PARKS DIRECTOR

Motion Commissioner Rosenthal moved to approve the hiring of Steve Gies as Interim Parks Director, with a 12% increase in salary, while the search for a new Director is conducted. Commissioner Eggers seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

SUB-COMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT - information purposes

Interim Director Gies reported that the award was received by the Department for the sixteenth consecutive year, and thanked everyone involved for their hard work.

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Eggers received a phone call from Tom Foster, lead volunteer guide for Lithia Park walks, expressing his concern about allowing the Lithia Farmer’s Market to conduct itself in the Lithia Park parking lot. Commissioner Eggers referred Mr. Foster to the Planning Commission, since the Parks Commission already made its decision on the matter.

Commissioner Eggers also received an email from David Chapman, a Strawberry Lane resident, expressing his concern about equipment parked on what he thought to be Open Space land, because it might harm the soil. Interim Director Gies said he would look into it and see to the removal of any potentially damaging equipment.

Commissioner Amarotico asked for an update on the proposed North Mountain Park riparian walk. Interim Director Gies said it was in the planning stages and would take place in the near future.

UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS

    • Parks, Trails, and Open Space Funding Meeting – to be arranged.
    • Golf Course Sub-Committee Meeting – to be arranged.
    • Regular Meeting set for 7:00 PM, July 28, 2003, Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main.

ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Chair Lewis adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Office Manager, Ashland Parks & Recreation Department

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