City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 19, 2005
Present: Commissioners D. Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal; Director Robertson; Superintendent Gies; Superintendent Teige
Absent: City Council Liaison A. Amarotico
Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers,
Regular Meeting – November 21, 2005
Under “Riverwalk Subdivision Proposal,” Eggers asked that the phrase that included the term “Riverwalk Park” be changed to read, “…requesting a redesign of the location across from the area on Clinton Street within the Riverwalk Subdivision that resides between 601 N. Mountain Avenue and
In the same section, under “Discussion Among Commissioners,” Eggers asked that a phrase within the first sentence be clarified to read, “…the area between the subdivision and Bear Creek was meant to be developed as a park.”
MOTION D. Amarotico moved to approve the minutes as amended. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
Study Session – December 1, 2005
MOTION Eggers moved to approve the minutes as written. Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum
None.
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
TRAIL MASTER PLAN DOCUMENT
Robertson introduced the topic, reminding the commission that the Trail Master Plan Committee was formed two years ago for the purpose of creating a trails plan for the city, as an adjunct to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. He welcomed Scott Kurtz, chair of the committee, and invited him to speak to the commission.
Scott Kurtz, 831 Liberty Street, presented the final draft of the Trail Master Plan document, stating that it was the culmination of two years of labor by a committee comprised of seven people, including two members from the Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association, two members of the public, two members of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, and one City Council liaison. Additional help was provided by the National Park Service (one consultant and a $1,000 grant) and city staff members. In the process of creating the document, the committee hosted five public meetings, distributed a survey throughout the city (generating 139 citizen responses), and hired a consultant to compile and condense the information into an organized document. He thanked everyone involved in the process and requested that the commission recommend adoption of the document to the Ashland City Council.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners provided detailed feedback and Kurtz agreed to incorporate their suggestions into the document before distributing it within the city and re-posting it on the city’s Web site.
Motion Eggers moved to recommend to the Ashland City Council the adoption of the Trail Master Plan document. D. Amarotico seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
NEW BUSINESS
AUDIT REPORT
Robertson reminded the commission that the State of
Lee Tuneberg outlined the process for the annual audit and spoke favorably of the 2004-2005 audit and the agency that conducted it. He reported that the Parks Department’s fund balances are stable and that they are set aside to carry the department through until property taxes become available. He stated that the Parks Department received the Government Finance Officers’ Association award for excellence in financial reporting for the 17th consecutive year and congratulated the commission on their achievement.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked several clarifying questions for which Tuneberg provided answers. Robertson thanked Tuneberg and his staff for their excellent work.
2006 MEETING CALENDAR REVIEW
Robertson presented a calendar of proposed regular commission meeting dates for 2006 and requested that the commission consider conducting the November and December meetings one week earlier [on the third Monday of the month instead of the fourth Monday of the month] to accommodate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
PROJECT UPDATE
Gies updated the commission on the status of existing and completed park projects, stating that the lower duck pond filtration system worked well throughout the spring, summer, and fall, and reporting that it currently was being drained for cleaning. He indicated staff’s intention to look at resolving the upper duck pond water quality situation during the 2006-2007 budget year.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Eggers reported on feedback she received from the public regarding the ice skating rink in
Rosenthal reported that the number of rounds played at the Oak Knoll Golf Course in 2005 decreased for the sixth consecutive year and expressed interest in discussing how to make the golf course a more profitable operation during the 2006-2007 budget planning season.
UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
§ Study session set for Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00 PM—Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer. Topics to include:
§ Vogel property master plan review
§
§ Budget – prospective goals
UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS, cont’d.
§ Regular meeting set for Monday, January 23 at 7:00 PM—Council Chambers, 1175
ADJOURNMENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
§ Executive Session: Real Property ORS 192.660 (1) (e)
ADJOURNMENT OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks & Recreation Department