City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal; Interim Director Gies
Absent: None
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting – November 24, 2003 Under Items from Commissioners item "North Mountain Park Playground Wall," Commissioner Eggers clarified that she was concerned about the height of the wall, not the space next to the wall. She asked that the sentence be changed to read, "Commissioner Eggers expressed concern that the height of the wall surrounding the playground might lead to injuries from falls." Under Unfinished Business item "Dog Park Lights," Commissioner Amarotico asked that the record show that the potential feasibility study to look into lighting the Dog Park would have been for the purpose of identifying both financial costs of the lights as well as impacts from them. Vice-Chair Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum
Gael Kubli, 1100 Eagle Mill Road, asked for the Commission’s reaction to the application submitted to the county for the Billings Golf Course. He stated that there are misstatements on the application and that it needs to be studied at length. He asked the Commission to urge the county to take the application to a public hearing and to submit the request to the county before the deadline of December 24.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioner Eggers suggested placing the topic on the agenda for further discussion.
Sean-David Salliotte, 1762 Ashland Street, is the owner of Forged Horse Cycle and Beanery. He spoke on behalf of both himself and others in the local cycling community in voicing support for the BMX/dirt jump park in Ashland. He also expressed an interest in helping the Parks Department design and build the new BMX park in Ashland, which is scheduled to break ground in January, with completion tentatively set for spring of 2004.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Request to County Planning Regarding Billings Development
Added under "New Business"
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
AUDIT REPORT
Interim Director Gies referenced the audit report contained in the packets and invited questions and comments from the Commission.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioner Eggers asked for clarification on several sections of the report. Interim Director Gies and Mr. Scott Whitman, Staff Accountant for the City of Ashland, responded to her questions.
MOTION Commissioner Eggers moved to approve the 2002-2003 Audit Report prepared by the City of Ashland Finance Department. Vice-Chair Gardiner seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
TREE COMMISSION REQUEST
Interim Director Gies introduced January Jennings of the Tree Commission. Ms. Jennings requested that the Commission consider partnering with the Tree Commission in becoming joint members of Oregon Community Trees, the statewide non-profit organization that organizes tree plans and programs for communities. The cost of the yearly membership is $100 and Ms. Jennings proposed splitting that fee between the two commissions. The Tree Commission is currently developing a community forest plan, and the Tree Commission’s hope is that the OCT community can provide information and networking for the successful completion and implementation of that plan.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioner Rosenthal asked how the Parks and Recreation Commission would fit into the community forest plan. Ms. Jennings responded that the plan will affect many departments and commissions and its successful implementation will depend on coordination and cooperation among those groups. Commissioner Eggers spoke favorably of the joint membership. Vice-Chair Gardiner recommended the membership, as well, and suggested revisiting the value of it after one year.
MOTION By consensus, the Commission approved entering into a joint membership with the Tree Commission in Oregon Community Trees.
Request to County Planning Regarding Billings Development
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioner Eggers expressed her support for a public hearing of the proposed Billings Development and urged the Commission to request one of the county. Vice-Chair Gardiner agreed and said that the public process needs to be served.
MOTION Commissioner Eggers moved that the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission request that the Jackson County Planning Department put the Billings Development’s Conditional Use Permit to a public hearing. Commissioner Amarotico seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
SUB-COMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
PROPOSED 2004 APRC REGULAR MEETINGS
Interim Director Gies referenced the proposed schedule of 2004 Regular Meetings contained in the Commission packets, noting Staff’s suggestion to not schedule meetings the same weeks as major holidays. By consensus, the Commission chose to change only the December meeting – from the fourth Monday in December (December 27) to the third Monday in December (December 20, 2004).
GOLF COURSE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Commissioner Rosenthal reported on the Golf Course Sub-Committee meeting that took place on December 9, 2003. Golf course fees and cart and range rates for 2004 were the main topic of discussion. From those discussions, it was recommended that the fees and rates remain the same in 2004 as they were in 2003. For the non-peak season, the fees are currently $11 for nine holes and $15 for eighteen holes of golf; cart fees are $6 for nine holes and $9 for 18 holes; and range fees are $2.50 for a small bucket of golf balls.
For the peak season, greens fees are $15 for nine holes and $22 for eighteen holes. A marketing proposal, recommended by Tom Kohler, Oak Knoll Golf Course Pro, was also discussed. The proposal suggested implementing a newspaper advertising campaign targeting Medford area courses and offering a $2 off coupon for a round of golf, with a free bucket of balls if presented before noon. The ad would run in the Medford Mail Tribune from April through September of 2004. The potential value in such a marketing strategy is that the dollars spent on advertising could easily be correlated with the responses received. Alternatively, the sub-committee suggested discontinuing the advertising campaign at the local movie theaters because of its expense and apparent lack of success. Finally, the group proposed continuing the existing $2 golf discount exchange between the Men’s and Women’s Clubs at the Medford courses with the Oak Knoll Golf Course.
MOTION Commissioner Rosenthal moved to not increase fees and rates at Oak Knoll Golf Course in 2004. Vice-Chair Gardiner seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
SIGNS, MEMORIALS, AND PLAQUES REVIEW
Commissioner Eggers requested placing a moratorium on signs, memorials, and plaques until a full review of the Commission’s policy on the matter could be conducted. The Commission agreed to allow one final plaque to be placed in Lithia Park, since it was already underway, and they also agreed to schedule a study session in January to review – and possibly revise – the policy.
UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT OUT OF REGULAR SESSION TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session
Real Property ORS 192.660 (1)(e)
RECONVENE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REGULAR SESSION
Motion
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Chair Lewis adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Office Manager, Ashland Parks and Recreation