City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 27, 2007
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; Director Robertson; Superintendents Gies and Teige
Absent: City Council Liaison Navickas
Eggers called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Parks office,
Study Session – July 16, 2007
MOTION Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as written. Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
Regular Meeting – July 23, 2007
MOTION Noraas moved to approve the minutes as written. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum
Jack Opgenorth, 575
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
CITIZEN REQUEST TO SWIM IN ASHLAND CREEK BY
Robertson reported receiving a request from a neighbor of the park requesting official permission to swim in the creek below the
Eric Dusenbury, 343 Granite, said he and his family enjoyed swimming in that section of the creek and requested permission to continue the practice without fear of law enforcement intervention. He asked the commission to designate that section of the creek as an approved swimming location within
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked about the history of the ordinance restricting swimming or wading locations within Ashland Creek. Robertson reported that the ordinance, established in 1916, was later amended in the 1940s. Commissioners considered Dusenbury’s request and debated such issues as erosion, enforcement, liability, dam building, and habitat disturbances. They discussed visiting the area to consider its suitability as a swimming area within the park.
Commissioners agreed to visit the site and discuss the matter in more detail in the fall timeframe.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL DANCES IN CITY FACILITIES
Teige reported an increase, over the past two years, of teenagers renting City facilities to host high school dances and parties. She said the rentals created problems related to underage drinking, facility damage, and lack of parent/guardian supervision and that, on separate occasions, emergency services were contacted, alcohol and drugs confiscated, and over $1,200 in damages sustained at The Grove. She indicated that the problems occurred despite staff efforts to meet with parents and guardians and discuss concerns prior to events.
Teige presented a list of recommendations—developed between Parks staff,
§ Dances and parties require an $800 refundable deposit.
§ The only facility allowed for high school functions is The Grove building located on
§ Parents/guardians are required to reserve the facility and meet with Parks and Recreation staff at least three weeks prior to the event.
§ Two uniformed security officers must be hired by the renter and proof of this must be faxed to the Parks and Recreation office two weeks prior to the event.
§ All backpacks, purses, and personal items to be searched at the door.
§ All exits to be monitored by security or adult chaperones at all times.
§ Alcohol, drugs, and weapons are prohibited in any
§ A current high school ID is required to attend the event.
§ Chaperones 25 years and older are required during the event at a ratio of one for every 20 students.
§ Parks and Recreation staff will check in throughout the night to make sure all rules are being followed. If not followed, the event will be closed down with the assistance of the Ashland Police Department and the deposit forfeited.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked several clarifying questions and expressed support for the recommendations.
Motion Gardiner moved to accept the recommendations of Parks staff regarding high school dances and parties at
Amendment rosenthal suggested amending the motion to reflect that the recommendations were proposed for high school-aged dances and parties at
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PETITION FOR USE OF PA SYSTEM AT AHS SPORTING EVENTS,
Robertson reported receiving a request and petition from the Ashland High School Athletic Director, Karl Kemper, to use sound amplification before softball and baseball playoff games at the
Karl Kemper stated that the amplification, if approved, would be used for up to three playoff games per sport, in the event that AHS teams made the playoffs. He expressed willingness to provide advance notice to Parks staff about the amplification, should it be needed, and said it would be used to introduce the teams, read the OSAA script, and sing the National Anthem, all of which would not exceed fifteen minutes per game.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Eggers expressed concern about the request and reminded the commission of their promise to the neighbors of the park—at the time the fields were built—to help maintain peace and quiet. She said that setting a precedent of allowing amplification might erode the Parks/neighborhood relationship and invite additional requests within the community. Lewis stated that, compared with the Salmon Festival, this would involve a minimal amount of amplification. He suggested approving the request and reevaluating the matter in one year’s time. Noraas asked for assurance from Kemper that the sound would only be audible to spectators of the games, not neighboring residents or park patrons.
Public Input
Harry Purslow,
Motion Rosenthal moved to approve the use of limited amplification, not to exceed fifteen minutes, prior to any OSAA baseball, soccer, or softball playoff game at the
Amendment Gardiner suggested amending the motion to state that this one-year exception to the Parks policy prohibiting amplification at North Mountain Park would require Ashland High School representatives to return in one year to request continued amplification based on the results from the previous year. Rosenthal accepted the amendment and Lewis seconded.
Amendment Noraas suggested amending the motion to include only baseball and softball games, not soccer. Rosenthal did not accept the amendment and the initial motion and first amendment stood.
The vote was: Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal—yes / Eggers, Noraas—no
SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
Eggers reported that the Signs, Plaques, and Memorials Subcommittee met to consider: 1) a request by the Ashland Little League to place a plaque on the outside wall of their new batting cage at Hunter Park in acknowledgement of its contributors; and 2) the placement of memorial benches within the parks system in memory of Carole Wheeldon.
Gies provided an update on the construction documents for North Main /
Robertson reported that a fire occurred on the Parks/City-owned property behind the Ashlander Apartments on Saturday, August 25. He said the Fire Marshall conducted an investigation into the origins of the fire, and that no individuals were harmed and only minimal damage occurred at neighboring homes due to the quick and effective response of firefighters.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Gardiner reported receiving notification from the KenCairn Sager landscape architectural firm about their split. He questioned whether they planned to complete the
Eggers reported receiving a communication from the City’s Personnel Director requesting input from the Parks Commission for the recruitment of two City department heads. Commissioners agreed to provide input as individual commissioners, not as an entity.
Eggers asked Robertson whether he contacted the Planning Director about speaking to the Parks Commission about potential impacts of the riparian ordinance on Parks-managed lands. Robertson said he planned to invite the Planning Director to an upcoming study session.
Eggers asked about the additional water quality testing conducted by Public Works over the past year. Robertson stated that he would forward the results to the commission the following day.
UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
§ Study session and regular meeting set for September 17—Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer.
§ Study session at 6:30 PM—Southern Oregon Land Conservancy presentation
§ Regular meeting at 7:15 PM—SOU student report on upper duck pond (tentative)
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Eggers adjourned the regular meeting at 8:45 PM.
ADJOURNMENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION – By consensus, with no further business, Eggers adjourned the executive session at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,