City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

STUDY SESSION
MINUTES

June 16, 2008

ATTENDANCE

Present:         Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; Director Robertson; Superintendents Gies and Teige

Absent:       City Council Liaison Navickas

CALL TO ORDER

Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer.

LINCOLN STATUE STATUS

Robertson reported that the Lincoln statue at the entrance to Lithia Park was removed from its base and placed into storage due to ongoing vandalism issues. He said the head had been sawed off and was missing, and he thought it best to remove the statue for the present time. He outlined options for repairs and possible locations / relocations and asked the commission for their input.

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioners expressed support for Robertson’s decision to remove the statue from its base and place it into storage. Eggers suggested soliciting feedback from the Arts and Historic commissions about the future of the statue. She said it was a target for vandalism and suggested that the Parks Commission divest itself of the statue. Lewis said repairs were a budget issue that needed to be addressed in the next fiscal year. He suggested relocating the statue to the library or another public indoor facility. Gies said the damage around the head was extensive and repair work would be necessary before another head could be placed onto the body.

Commissioners agreed that adoption of the statue by another commission or body would be an acceptable solution. They directed staff to issue a public statement about ending the cycle of vandalism and outlining possible options for the future of the statue. Robertson agreed to talk to staff members on the Arts and Historic commissions to update them about the statue and discuss Parks’ inability to adequately protect it from vandalism.

The commission directed Robertson to talk to other staff members, issue a joint press release, and provide them with an update at a future meeting.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION REPORT

Robertson reported on the work of the Centennial Subcommittee [comprised of Noraas, Eggers, and Lewis] and said the Ashland Parks Foundation donated $2,000 toward centennial expenses. He said staff sent letters to former commissioners inviting their participation in the Parks centennial parade entry. He said a press release was issued but the story wasn’t picked up by the press.

Noraas reported meeting with Shakespeare Festival staff to discuss costume needs. She said the parade float included a banner in the front of the entry followed by a large birthday cake and a representation of Ashland Creek. She said additional volunteers were needed and Teige agreed to notify staff and solicit their support.

Eggers reported on her efforts toward the creation of a birthday card for Lithia Park, stating that she handed out index cards [on which people could write their thoughts about Lithia Park] at both the Tuesday market and the Ashland Co-op and said the Ashland Library and Bloomsbury Books allowed her to hang historic photos.

Lewis reported on the progress of the historical photo display and said Terry Skibby made photos from negatives, which would be mounted on large boards with descriptive captions appearing below. He said various periods of Parks history would be included in the pictorial display:

·        Early Ashland History

·        Chatauqua period

·        McLaren era

·        Auto Camp photos

·        Aerial shots of Shakespeare around the ‘30s and ‘40s

·        Chet Corry era

·        1974 bandshell flood

·        Modern era – with 1997 flood photos, color photos of Scenic Park, community gardens, and upper Clay Street park areas [along with other recently purchased properties]

Commissioners finalized centennial celebration details, including staffing the centennial booth in the park following the parade.

ADJOURNMENT OUT OF STUDY SESSION - By consensus, Gardiner adjourned the study session at 8:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION - By consensus, Gardiner adjourned into executive session at 8:30 p.m.

·        Executive Session: Real Property Acquisition ORS 192.660 (2)(e)

·        Executive Session: Employee Negotiations ORS 192.660 (1)(D)

ADJOURNMENT OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION - By consensus, Gardiner adjourned out of executive session at 9:08 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks and Recreation