City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

October 27, 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 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Tour of Clay Street Property – September 4, 2008

Noraas asked that the minutes reflect the involvement of “other interested citizens” during the tour.

By consensus, the minutes were approved with an amendment. [Gardiner abstained]

Study Session – September 15, 2008

MOTION Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes as written. Lewis seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

Regular Meeting – September 29, 2008

MOTION Eggers moved to approve the minutes as written. Lewis seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Open Forum

None

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

The commission deleted “Clay Street Update” from the agenda, as the information was not available.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NORTH MOUNTAIN PARK AMPLIFICATION REQUEST

Teige reported that AHS Athletic Director Karl Kemper requested limited ongoing amplification at OSAA playoff games conducted at North Mountain Park, with prior notification provided to Parks staff for events involving amplification.

Commissioners expressed support for limited ongoing amplification.

MOTION Rosenthal moved to approve the use of limited ongoing amplification at AHS home, post-season playoff games. Noraas seconded the motion.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

ICE RINK UPDATE

Gies reported that five bids for ice rink improvements were opened on October 9, ranging in price from $112,437 to $145,567, and said the lowest bidder was Copeland Construction. He said council, acting as the construction review board for the city, approved Copeland’s contract on October 21. He indicated that signed contracts and bonds were expected by Friday, October 24, allowing the project to begin. He said the completion date was set for mid-November and the rink might open by mid-December.

Commissioners asked a number of questions about the ice rink project and received clarification from staff.

NEW BUSINESS

ROTARY CLUB PRESENTATION

Michael Donovan, speaking on behalf of the noon Rotary Club and the Ashland Community Foundation, its non-profit arm, announced that the organizations chose the Ashland ice rink in Lithia Park for their centennial project. He said they proposed donating $50,000 to the Ashland Parks Foundation to assist with continuing improvements at the rink, including basic construction and other amenities. He said $25,000 would be contributed during the initial phase of the project, with $5,000 donated in five successive years. He spoke of the organization’s interest in renaming the rink a variation of the “Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink.”

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioner Rosenthal suggested tying a new name for the ice rink to a specified time period.  Commissioners expressed sincere appreciation for the generous pledge and agreed to work out the details in the near future.

SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS

None

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Eggers commented on the summary of 2008 volunteer guided park walks and suggested sending thank you notes to the guides to convey the commission’s appreciation for their efforts. She invited the guides to sign the centennial birthday card for Lithia Park.

Noraas reported that she—along with Gies and Robertson—attended the 2008 National Recreation and Parks Association conference in Baltimore the week of October 13. She said it was a valuable experience and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate.

UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS

§         Study session set for November 17 at 7:00 p.m., Parks Office, 340 S. Pioneer Street.

§                        Recreation Master Plan Presentation

§                        Fees and Charges Review – Golf Course and Calle Guanajuato

§         Regular meeting set for November 24 at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street.

ADJOURNMENT– By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks and Recreation Department