City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
July 23, 2007
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; City Council Liaison Navickas; Director Robertson; Superintendents Gies and Teige
Absent: None
Eggers called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers, 1175
Study Session – June 18, 2007
Under “Golf Course Discussion,” Rosenthal requested that the sentence referring to his “question(ing) impacts of potential future irrigation system improvements” be rephrased to more accurately reflect that “Rosenthal weighed pros and cons of potential future irrigation system improvements.” In the same section, Noraas asked that Moyers’ reference about Bear Creek and
MOTION Gardiner moved to approve the minutes as amended. Rosenthal seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
Regular Meeting – June 25, 2007
Under “New Business” item
MOTION Noraas moved to approve the minutes as amended. Gardiner seconded the motion.
The vote was: 4 yes – 0 no
Lewis: abstain
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Open Forum
None
N. Main / Scenic Park Construction Documents Update was moved to “Unfinished Business.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
N. MAIN /
Robertson provided a brief update on the process and said that representatives from the KenCairn Sager Landscape Architecture firm would present nearly completed construction documents. He invited them to speak to the commission.
Kerry KenCairn, along with partner Laurie Sager, provided the commission with current construction drawings. KenCairn reviewed elements such as: scenic overlook; secondary playground with potential
Discussion Among Commissioners
Noraas asked KenCairn if she had considered ways of creating a “green” park in terms of energy conservation. KenCairn stated that she strives to create sustainable designs and the plant list contained items requiring less water. She said that “annuals”—which could be colorful plants or flowers—would be minimally used, making up perhaps 5% of the site, and were only considered because “people like to see annuals.” Sager stated that various elements at the site—including lack of fencing, deer, and weather—required landscapers to use tougher plant materials that needed less water and maintenance, which was good for the environment. KenCairn pointed out different sections of the drawings while Sager articulated the reasoning behind chosen elements. Eggers questioned the smaller lawn area and asked about its “function” and Sager stated that a park patron would be able to engage in a more passive form of recreation, such as reading on a blanket, in a smaller grassy area. She said that the smaller lawn measured approximately 30x60 feet.
Rosenthal asked staff for their impressions. Robertson expressed appreciation for the firm’s work, stating that they did a good job interpreting the master plan. He asked the commission to provide input on the secondary playground and spoke about
Commissioners agreed to hear public input and then discuss the documents in more detail.
Public Input
Rick Landt,
Patrick Marcus,
Discussion Among Commissioners
Gardiner voiced support for Marcus’s suggestion of moving the playground closer to the community garden section at the N. Main /
Robertson said he hoped the commission could reach consensus on the construction drawings and reminded them of their previous approval of the park master plan. Rosenthal said the commission and citizens spent months moving through the master planning process and asked them to honor the efforts made in arriving at the approved park master plan. Lewis stated that the lawn had been the major sticking point throughout the process but suggested approving the construction drawings, with a possible 10% reduction in lawn size. Noraas suggested making a decision soon. Gardiner questioned the lack of picnic tables and benches in the drawings. KenCairn said that some of those elements could be added upon the park’s completion. She provided a rough sketch of a reduced lawn size and asked commissioners for their feedback. Commissioners discussed and agreed on the following items:
§ Entry on Greenbriar: Option #2
§ Bathroom location: Current location acceptable
§ Secondary play area: As recommended
§ Finishers-pavers: As recommended
§ Larger lawn area: Reduce by 10% near the curved path
§ Smaller lawn area: As recommended
§ Color for concrete walls and walkways: Earth tones
Eggers stated that, despite her appreciation for the firm’s work, the commission received the documents at the time of the meeting, not prior to the meeting [which would have allowed for an adequate review], and she requested an additional one or two weeks to review the documents before approving them.
Motion Rosenthal moved to approve the construction documents based on the discussed modifications. Noraas seconded the motion.
The vote was: Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal – yes
Eggers - abstain
NEW BUSINESS
REQUEST FOR FUNDRAISER IN
Don Bieghler, Ashland City Band Director, reported that the band was planning to travel to
Robertson stated that the Parks Commission prohibits selling in any City park, with the exception of the Calle Guanajuato artisans, the Feast of Will, 4th of July vendors, or by a special permit from the Parks Commission. He suggested that, as an alternative to selling tickets in the park, the band director could announce at concerts the locations for ticket purchases in town, with the drawing held at a band concert.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Noraas talked about the importance of the Ashland City Band to the City and
Motion Rosenthal moved to approve a special permit for the Ashland City Band to conduct a fundraiser in
The vote was: Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal – yes
Eggers – no
RECREATION IMMUNITY RESOLUTION
Robertson reported that, while conducting the Parks Department’s annual insurance review, it was determined that the commission never invoked the recreational immunity laws as defined in ORS 105.682. He indicated that the intent of the ordinance is to provide liability immunity from
Motion Noraas moved to adopt the resolution and forward it to City Council for further approval. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
None
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Eggers requested an opportunity to discuss pesticide and herbicide use in the parks system. Commissioners and staff agreed to discuss the topic during a fall study session.
Eggers asked about additional water quality testing that occurred in Ashland Creek approximately one year ago. Robertson agreed to check with Public Works and forward an update to the commission.
UPCOMING MEETING DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
§ Study session set for August 20—Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer. Topics to include:
§ Executive session: Real Property Acquisition ORS 192.660 (2)(e)—5:30 PM
§ Tour of neighborhood parks—6:00 PM
§ Regular meeting set for August 27 at 7:00 PM—Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer.
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Eggers adjourned the meeting at 9:14 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,