City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOUR OF WESTWOOD PROPERTY
MINUTES
August 12, 2008
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas; Director Robertson; Superintendent Teige
Absent: Commissioner Rosenthal; Superintendent Gies
Gardiner called the tour to order at 10:05 a.m. at the
WESTWOOD PROPERTY TOUR
Robertson welcomed all in attendance, including commissioners, staff, neighbors, and friends of the park property. He said the land had potential, including the option of selling a two-acre portion of the nearly ten acres for use in purchasing park land on
Public Input
Darren Borgias distributed a concept master plan for “
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners discussed what two-acre portion of land they might consider selling (north or south) and how the proceeds could be used (acquisition and/or development).
Lewis stated that the Westwood property was obtained by the city when it was designated as park land but it was not considered a particularly valuable piece of land unto itself while the
Gardiner said the commission was considering the sale because every year there was less property—as identified on the Open Space Plan—available for sale within the city limits and the commission lacked funding for land acquisitions. He said the commission was obligated to explore options such as the Westwood parcel, and that they viewed the parks system from a city-wide perspective.
Eggers said she was not committed to a sale but was committed to looking at the Westwood parcel as an option.
Noraas said the commission wished to explore options and, while committed to conducting open and public discussions, was facing a budget crisis. She said the commission also had to think about and speak out for those community members lacking the resources to speak to their own needs.
Next Steps
Staff was directed to place a marker in the area under consideration.
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, Gardiner adjourned the tour at 11:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,