Agendas and Minutes

Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission (View All)

Parks Commission Study Session Minutes

Agenda
Monday, February 11, 2008

City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

 

STUDY SESSION
MINUTES

 

February 11, 2008

 

ATTENDANCE

Present:        Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; Director Robertson; Superintendent Teige

Absent:       City Council Liaison Navickas; Superintendent Gies

CALL TO ORDER

Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer.

DUCK RACE DISCUSSION

Robertson reminded commissioners that members of the local aquatics community attended the January regular meeting and asked to be placed on a future agenda. He reported meeting with Jana Carole of the Aquatics Foundation of Southern Oregon (AFSO) who requested the use of Ashland Creek through Lithia Park for a fundraising “duck race” in July 2008. He invited Carole to speak to the commission.

Jana Carole said the AFSO is a non-profit organization created when SOU announced its intention to close the pool. She indicated that AFSO serves aquatics groups in the Rogue Valley and spoke of the important role the SOU pool plays in the area, being the only regulation-sized pool in the Rogue Valley. She said her organization serves as a fundraising and advocacy coalition working to keep the pool in operation. She indicated that the pool requires $87-90,000 per year to remain in operation and said AFSO signed a one-year contract with SOU to cover those expenses but currently lacked the remaining $18,000.

Referencing her handouts, Carole described the proposed duck race fundraiser, an event that could help with the shortage of funds and assist in establishing a capital fund for SOU pool improvements. She said her organization hoped to raise $40,000 by selling more than 2,000 small ducks to the public. She indicated that the proposed race route would begin on the bridge behind the bandshell and end at the children’s wading pool, with the event lasting a few minutes. In terms of creek bank protection, she said the area would be roped off and security personnel posted to direct people away from the banks. She said volunteers would collect stray ducks and trash after the event.

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioners’ questions included whether other local groups had conducted similar events, positive and negative outcomes of such events, potential pitfalls, and how the creek would be protected from damage caused by event participants.

Commissioners directed staff to include the topic on the February 25 agenda.

REPORT ON GOAL REVIEW

Robertson reviewed the list of approved commission goals for fiscal year 2007-2008 and provided status updates for each item. Items included park development, Oak Knoll Golf Course improvements, Darex Family Ice Rink improvements, SOU pool (participation in regional solution for maintenance issues), community garden development, recreation master plan, department logo, succession planning, evaluation of energy consumption and greenhouse gas effects, and non-native vegetation removal.

Robertson requested an opportunity to meet with each commissioner to determine budget goals for fiscal year 2008-2009.

BUDGET REVIEW OF REVENUE AND LONG-TERM PROJECTIONS

Robertson distributed a section of the Parks budget pertaining to long-term projections. He reviewed the revenues, particularly emphasizing the relationship with the Ashland School District. Robertson reported that Parks was to retain two $121,000 sums to make the YAL compliant with the Eugene judgment. He indicated that discussion with the schools would follow as to the exact timing of those two payments.

Commissioners directed staff to work out the details with the school district, at staff’s discretion.

Robertson talked about systems development charges (SDCs) and reported that no record could be found indicating that Parks had utilized those funds for development of parks in the past. He said he intended to learn whether it would be feasible to use SDC funds for the development of N. Main/Scenic Park and Ashland Creek Park.

ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 9:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks and Recreation

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