Present: Commissioners Eggers, Jones, Landt, Lewis, MacGraw; Director Ken Mickelsen

Absent: None

Regular Meeting – March 25, 2002 Commissioner Eggers moved to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Lewis seconded.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

Open Forum - None

Director Mickelsen explained that the Lithia Arts Guild has been working with Staff on improvements the Guild is generously proposing to fund for the west side of Calle Guanajuato. Since the devastating flood of 1997, the Guild has been looking at different ways to help beautify that area and to repair some of the damage done by the flood. As noted in the April 15, 2002 memorandum on this topic, the Guild has raised approximately $13,000 it would like to contribute toward the building of the small gathering area and walkway paving included in the master plan design for the west side of the Calle. Both the Guild and Staff are very excited about the proposed improvements.

Public Input

Jim Young, Chair of the Lithia Arts Guild, was present to answer Commissioner’s questions. He summarized the proposal, referencing his memo of April 18, 2002, which notes that the Guild’s priorities "are the purchase and installation of pavers and completion of the gathering area." In addition, the Guild would like to recognize and celebrate the benefits of water. They propose to do this through the commission of small bronze sculptures located along the path proceeding up to Granite Street as well as having an artist from Guanajuato craft a tile to be set in the center of the gathering area. The Guild has an additional $3,000 available for the commission of the proposed artwork. At this point, the Guild is looking to the Commission for a general "go ahead" on the pavers and gathering area portion of the project and for approval to further explore the artwork portion of the project.

In response to questioning, Staff explained that excavation work would not be necessary to create the gathering area; seating would follow the existing slope. The Guild’s $13,000 contribution should entirely cover the proposed paving and gathering area work. The work would be done by Staff and would be coordinated with the installation of the stairway. Currently, Staff is in the process of going out to get the design on the stairway; the RFP for stairway design will also require review of plans for the entire area.

Commissioners expressed support for the concept and thanked the Guild for its efforts and generous contribution offer.

After a lengthy discussion, there was general agreement that the Commission needed to establish a policy on Art in the Parks before moving forward with the second part of the Guild’s proposal (sculpture garden and Guanajuato Tile). It was also noted that the City is working to formulate a citywide "Public Art" policy.

MOTION Commissioner MacGraw moved to accept the Lithia Arts Guild’s $13,000 contribution to implement the concept for the west side of Calle Guanajuato (stairway, pavers, and gathering area) in coordination with the landscape architect’s recommendation to the Commission.

Commissioner Jones seconded.

The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no

MOTION Commissioner Landt moved to approve the proposal put forth in the April 22, 2002 memorandum related to non-management positions. Commissioner MacGraw seconded.

The vote was: 4 yes – 1 no (Eggers)

MOTION Commissioner Landt moved to approve the proposal put forth in the April 22, 2002 memorandum related to management positions. Commissioner MacGraw seconded.

The vote was: 4 yes – 1 no (Eggers)

Director Mickelsen gave brief updates and answered Commissioner’s questions on the status of Fiscal Year 2002 Projects including Updating Open Space and Park Land Acquisition Program, Greenway Park Node/Dog Park, Improving Water Quality in Lithia Park Ponds, Remodeling of Lithia Park Playground Restroom, and GASB 34 Compliance.

Director Mickelsen reported that the City Council has some concerns about the land partition that the Commission had recommended to the City Council. The Council had hoped to approve the partition at its May 7 meeting but if the Parks Commission is unable to address the Council’s concerns prior to May 7, the item may need to be delayed for another month. Two options for the Commission are to try to add this item to its May 3 meeting or to wait until the Commission’s May 20 Regular Meeting, knowing that the second option would delay the sale of the property.

Commissioner Landt requested that the "first step" be a meeting between the subcommittee (Landt, Lewis) and City Staff.

It was agreed that if the subcommittee thought the item would be "non-problematic and straightforward," it would be added to the May 3 meeting. If it appeared that more discussion would be necessary, the item would be delayed until the May 20 Regular Meeting.

Commissioner MacGraw volunteered to serve on the "Art in the Park" subcommittee. She will work with Staff to gather information on this topic to begin to form a policy on art in the park.

Commissioner MacGraw inquired about the status of netting at the driving range. Superintendent Gies reported that work had been delayed because of the recent wet weather. Now that the turf had dried out, the rental lift equipment had been procured and repairs of the net were expected to take place the following day.

Commissioner Eggers expressed her desire to review park policies, starting at the May meeting. Chair Landt appointed her to a subcommittee charged with determining which policies should be reviewed. Director Mickelsen suggested emailing a list of policies to Commissioners who will then contact Commissioner Eggers with suggestions. It was also agreed that if the May Agenda turned out to be lengthy, this item would be postponed until a later meeting.