MEMO

Action Requested
Study session discussion of issues and resolution method.

Background
In February 2004 the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission was approached by the Ashland Gun Club to extend their lease to 2029. At the commission meeting on February 23, 2004, the gun club presented information that they had secured a grant for new skeet shooting equipment. The grant is contingent on having at least 10 years remaining on their lease.

At the meeting, the commission heard testimony from the Historic Commission requesting denial of the extension and suggesting that the gun club be closed immediately for fear of further harm to local historically significant resources at the club. The gun club representatives suggested a tour of the facility to view the historical resources and the measures the gun club had taken to prevent harm to them. The tour was held at the gun club with gun club leadership providing the tour for the Parks Commission and members of the Historic Commission.

The Parks Commission also heard from concerned neighbors of the gun club. At the time of its origins as a gun club, it was considered to be an out-of-way location with few, if any, close neighbors. Over the years, the area surrounding the gun club began to urbanize. Neighbors are now beginning to complain of noise, especially during National Guard and police training sessions. Other concerns sited by the neighbors include increased traffic and after-hours use. They are also expressing concern over pollution of the water table by lead.

Ashland Gun Club representatives claim that the years of calcified lithia water prevents lead from the bullets and shot from mingling with the water table.

Staff was directed to seek a legal opinion regarding the possible extension of the gun club lease. In short, the City Attorney opined that because the gun club lease and the Parks Commission management contract were concurrent, the commission did not have the authority to independently extend the lease on the city owned property.

Issues of Consideration
• Does the city have an interest in extending the lease for the Ashland Gun Club?
• Does the Parks Commission have an interest in continuing the management agreement?

Attachments:
Click on the PDF file link below to view the following attachments:
   • Lease document dated 1994
   • Parks Commission memo dated February 18, 2004
   • Meeting minutes for February 23, 2004
   • Parks Commission memo dated April 21, 2004
   • Parks Commission memo dated September 15, 2005
   • Planning Department memo dated July 14, 2005
   • Historic Significance Report dated July 7, 2005

Attachments-GunClub.pdf (2654.6KB)

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