City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
September 28, 2009
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; City Council Liaison Silbiger; Director Robertson; Superintendent Dials and Gies
Absent: None
Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers,
Study Session – August 17, 2009
In the paragraph following “Call to Order,” Eggers requested that the first sentence be clarified as follows: “Gardiner said two of the commission’s goals for FY 2009-2010 related to the reduction of pesticides and the management of non-native vegetation.”
MOTION Noraas moved to approve the minutes as amended. Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
Regular Meeting – August 24, 2009
Under “Unfinished Business,” in the section titled Art Donation Request for Lithia Park Garden, Noraas pointed out a typographical error in which the words “the” and “its” appeared side by side.
MOTION Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes as amended. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum
None
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
CHITWOOD PROPERTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITE PLAN REQUEST
Gies said the commission requested, following the September 14 study session presentation, another version of the Chitwood property affordable housing site plan diagram from landscape architect Kerry KenCairn, with proposed changes overlaying the original drawing. He said KenCairn prepared the revised version as requested.
Kerry KenCairn said the RVCDC requested a reorientation of the building site at the Chitwood property for better solar access for the proposed housing units. She referenced the realigned site plan and suggested making a small adjustment to the lot perimeter from the original concept drawing. She said parking spaces, including handicapped parking and a turnaround area for trucks, could be provided. Senior Planner Brandon Goldman spoke of the procedural processes involved with the project. He stated that the Parks Commission, owner of the property, and RVCDC, developer, would serve as co-applicants and signatories for the application.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners said they did not want to compromise park land for parking spaces but agreed to accommodate the minimum amount of space required for creating a turnaround area / handicapped parking and a lot line adjustment to reorient the buildings.
ANNUAL FEE AND CHARGES ADJUSTMENTS
Dials said the commission heard a presentation on fees and charges at the September 14 study session along with staff proposals for increases in certain categories. Based on commission feedback, she presented options for increases in ballfield lighting, wedding fees at the Oak Knoll Golf Course pro shop and non-wedding fees for pro shop rentals, the square footage fee along the Calle Guanajuato for artisans market vendors and restaurateurs, and fees for community gardeners and garden plots (depending on size and location).
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners discussed each category and reached consensus. Gardiner called for a motion.
MOTION Eggers moved to approve increasing ballfield lighting fees by 50% to $28 per hour, eliminating the per-day lighting rate (effective July 2010); increasing wedding fees at the Oak Knoll Golf Course pro shop to the same level as weddings in Lithia Park and increasing non-wedding fees at the pro shop to the same level as the Ashland Community Center and Pioneer Hall (effective immediately); increasing the rate charged on the Calle Guanajuato from $3.60 to $4 per square foot (effective April 2010); and increasing fees for community garden plots as follows: $5-10 more for plot renters with fence line bonus space, with rate dependent on size of plot / withholding $20 refundable deposit if gardeners failed to work and document the required four (4) volunteers hours / and raising the fee for a 20x20 garden plot from $50 to $65 (all effective spring 2010). Lewis seconded the motion.
5 yes – 0 no
CHANGE IN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Robertson said the current version of the Parks employee handbook included the following definition for a part-time employee: “Employee who works in a regular (non-temporary or seasonal) position for a minimum of 20 hours per week on a consistent basis and is eligible for health benefits.” He said staff recommended that the health benefits be defined as “health benefits for the employee only along with prorated sick and vacation accruals.” He said the revised wording would bring the department in line with current city policy and the change would not impact current Parks employees.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners agreed to the proposed change for the Parks employee handbook.
MOTION Noraas moved to change the definition for a part-time employee in the Parks employee handbook to read: “Employee who works in a regular (non-temporary or seasonal) position for a minimum of 20 hours per week on a consistent basis and is eligible for health benefits for the employee only along with prorated sick and vacation accruals.” Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
SUB-COMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
Gies provided the commission with a brief update on the new pump station at the Upper Duck Pond. He said the duck weed on the pond was dissipating and suggested possible contributing factors.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
None
UPCOMING MEETING DATES and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT– By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,