Attendance: Hammond, Jensen, Friend, Seffinger, Beam, Kencairn, Thompson. Seltzer, Kanner, Robertson, Fleury (city staff)
 
Absent: Dawkins, David, Lemhouse
 
Guest: Alan Pardee
 
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 am.
 
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the July 17, 2014 meeting were approved.
 
Public Input
Bryan Holly is concerned that so many trees in Ashland have been compromised and cited an occurrence of tree scraping at the Bi-Mart and Shop and Cart parking lots.  He referred to the committee list of May 8 and expressed his opposition to circular seating around trees, sycamore plane trees on the Plaza, trees in planters or trimming and topping trees.
 
Isabeau Volhardt expressed concern about the Plaza impact on public health.  Heat on the Plaza can cause people to get sick.  Moveable tables and chairs could prohibit the movement of wheelchairs and sight impaired citizens.  She explained that trees contribute to public health. 
 
Carol Voisin encouraged the committee to find out why the tree on the Plaza died before installing more concrete seating.
 
Seffinger asked that a discussion about trees be added at the end of the agenda.
 
Presentation by Alan Pardee
Alan Pardee of CoveyPardee Landscape Architects provided cost estimates for the five projects he addressed at the last meeting on July 17.
 
Vertical Wall Element adjacent to Earthly Goods: $18,000
Winburn Way Planter: Pardee estimates $6,000
Triangle at Pioneer and Lithia Way: $15,000
Pioneer Parking Lot: $31,500
Plaza: $36,000
 
Pardee explained that each estimate includes labor and supervision and 20% contingency.
 
The committee focused on identifying projects for the current budget cycle (through June 2015).
 
1)Motion (Thompson/Hammond): Move to allocate $31,000 towards landscaping the Pioneer/Lithia Way parking lot.
Discussion: It was noted that this is prime real estate and it is possible that in the next decade that space could be developed as something other than just a parking lot.  The group agreed that the money was well spent even if eventually the spaces changes.  Pardee noted this project concept is primarily focused on enhancing the landscaping along the perimeter of the lot not on the landscape in the center or back of the lot.  
Approved.
 
2)Motion (Friend/Hammond): Move to allocate $18,000 for a vertical decorative element to be affixed to the half wall adjacent to Earthly Goods and request the Public Art Commission oversee the process.
Discussion: The committee clarified that this allocation should incorporate seating.
Approved.
 
3)Motion (Thompson/Hammond): Move to allocate $15,500 towards Plaza improvements for free standing planters and irrigation, additional plants and decorative fencing to protect plant areas.
Discussion: After a brief discussion on the number of free standing planters the committee agreed to three free standing planters as indicated in the design concept.
Approved.
 
4)Motion (Hammond, Kencairn): Move to allocate $15,000 for replacement pavers in the half circle area of the Plaza.
Discussion: The committee agrees that random pavers throughout the Plaza would compromise the structural integrity of the remaining pavers.  Pardee confirmed that replacing pavers within the half circle will have less of an impact on the surrounding pavers.
Approved with one abstention.
 
5)Motion (Thompson/Hammond): Move to allocation $15,500 for improvements to the triangle area at the corner of Pioneer Street and Lithia Way.
Approved.
 
6)Motion (Thompson/Hammon): Move to allocate $6,000 for improvements to the planning area at the corner of Winburn Way and North Main Street.
Approved.
 
7)Motion (Thompson/Beam): Move to allocate $11,000 in the second budget cycle (2016) towards repair or replacement of areas of downtown sidewalks in most need of repair.
Discussion: The committee pushed this item to the second budget cycle since the Downtown Transportation Committee may have a different recommendation for sidewalk repair/replacement.  It was noted that the funds should only be spent on downtown sidewalks.
Approved.
 
Next Steps
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 a.m.
Staff will prepare a draft recommendation for committee review.
The committee will identify those projects to occur in the second budget cycle.
Seffinger requested a discussion about trees.
 
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.