City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

STUDY SESSION
MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

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

Absent:  Superintendent Teige, City Council Liaison Hartzell

CALL TO ORDER         

Chair Gardiner called the study session to order at 7:50 p.m. at the Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer Street.

NEW BUSINESS

GOAL SETTING FOR 2005-2006 FISCAL YEAR

Due to the time constraints of members of the public, Chair Gardiner first opened the floor to public testimony.

Public Comment

Sue Parrish, 201 S. Mountain Avenue (Ashland High School), asked the commission to continue to contribute to the funding of the Summer Outdoor Program administered by AHS.

Greg Weston, P.O. Box 185, spoke on behalf of the baseball community of Ashland in requesting that the commission move the baseball lights up on the agenda in 2005, and in allowing the baseball community to raise their portion of the funds for the purchase and installation of baseball lights at North Mountain Park.

Donna Rhee, 338 Scenic Drive, asked the commission to consider funding a proposed “Adopt-a-Stream” program that she hoped to commence in the upcoming fiscal year.

Julia Sommer, 573 Scenic Drive, wrote to Director Robertson asking the commission to: 1) establish at least one park north of downtown; 2) fix the lower Lithia Park duck pond and bring back the stream running into it; 3) keep the Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park running as much as possible; 4) consider closing part of Winburn Way to car traffic on Sundays; and 5) offer yoga classes through the Recreation Division.

-- End of Public Comment --

Director Robertson presented information about the progress made to date on the Commission’s 2004-2005 “high priority” goals.

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioners discussed each goal in detail, agreeing that most were well underway, with the exception of the “Funding for Open Space” project, which requires further attention and progress.

DOG ISSUES

Superintendent Gies distributed a document listing park areas that could pose problems within the City with respect to dogs.

Discussion Among Commissioners

After some discussion, it was agreed that staff would prepare a list of park sites that could potentially be exempted from the dog ordinance. Staff agreed to present the list to the commission in January.

ADJOURNMENT – With no further business, Chair Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks and Recreation Department