City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 27, 2012

ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Landt, Lewis, Seffinger; Director Robertson; Superintendents Dials and Dickens
Absent:  Commissioner Rosenthal; City Council Liaison Silbiger

CALL TO ORDER
Eggers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Study Session – July 16, 2012
MOTION Lewis moved to approve the minutes as presented. Seffinger seconded the motion.

The vote was: All yes

Regular Meeting – July 23, 2012
MOTION Lewis moved to approve the minutes as presented. Seffinger seconded the motion.

The vote was: All yes

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
ASHLAND CREEK PARK GRANT STATUS
Robertson said the commission authorized staff to submit a $750,000 grant to the State of Oregon for construction of Ashland Creek Park. He said the grant was not approved due to insufficient resources in the second half of the funding cycle.

Robertson said the commission could resubmit the grant in FY 2012-2013, proceed with a portion of Ashland Creek Park construction using the department’s $350,000 matching funds, or indefinitely delay construction of the park. He said staff recommended resubmitting the grant request in spring 2013.

Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners discussed reviewing the Ashland Creek Park master plan and possibly re-scoping it to eliminate certain amenities for the neighborhood park. They said a smaller request could improve chances for grant funding.
Staff was directed to resubmit the topic for commission consideration in winter 2013 with an eye toward right-sizing the proposal to fit the neighborhood and riparian zone.

REQUEST FOR MULTI-YEAR AMPLIFICATION PERMIT AT BEAR CREEK FESTIVAL
Dials said Nature Center employee Linda Chesney requested a three- to five-year amplification approval for the Bear Creek Festival, annually scheduled on the first Saturday in October, with the 2012 event occurring on October 6. She said amplification was used for musicians playing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the music helped to create a festive atmosphere.

Commissioners received clarification from staff that changes would be permitted in the future if the commission chose to approve the amplification request.

MOTION: Landt moved to approve a five-year extension of music amplification at North Mountain Park (through 2017) for the annual Bear Creek Festival held on the first Saturday in October. Seffinger seconded the motion.

The vote was: All yes

PROPERTY EASEMENT REQUEST FOR WESTWOOD AREA
Robertson said a resident adjacent to the south border of the Westwood property had made improvements to his and his neighbors’ access drive while constructing his home. During the surveying process, he said the resident determined that a small portion of his driveway overlapped onto Parks property. In order for the drive to be relocated fully onto the owner’s property, Robertson said the oak trees along the drive would need to be removed and the owner did not wish to do that if it could be avoided. He indicated that the owner wished to obtain an easement from the commission and staff recommended approving the easement as identified in the surveyor’s description and drawing (Exhibits A and B).

Commissioners expressed reluctance to relinquish property rights of City land but said that in the spirit of being good neighbors—and to prevent the removal of oak trees and provide access for emergency vehicles—they would approve the easement.

MOTION: Landt moved to approve the Westwood property easement request as outlined by staff. Lewis seconded the motion.

The vote was: All yes

SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
None

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
None

UPCOMING MEETING DATES

• Study session set for September 17 at 7:00 p.m., Parks Office, 340 S. Pioneer Street

  • Memorial Request at Hunter Park

• Regular meeting set for September 24 at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street

ADJOURNMENT
By consensus, with no further business, Eggers adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Dyssegard
Ashland Parks and Recreation