MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING
JUNE 10, 2013 3:00pm
PARKS OFFICE * 340 S. PIONEER STREET
 
Chair Councilor Marsh called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Parks Office located at 340 S. Pioneer Street.
 
Councilors Rosenthal and Voison, Parks Commissioners Seffinger and Landt, and City Attorney Dave Lohman were present. Dave Kanner, City Administrator arrived at 4:10 p.m.
 
The minutes of May 28, 2013, were approved as presented.
 
1. Review of City Council discussion/action.
 
It was summarized that there wasn’t any action taken by the Council other than a first reading of the Ordinance to Levy taxes. Parks commissioner Seffinger stated it was important that there was support on the long term Parks funding. Councilor Rosenthal encourages public input and stated that there is a genuine desire of the Council to find a funding solution. He stated that the more dialogue there is regarding this the better. Parks Commissioner explained that he would like to see the Parks ending fund balance restored to 25% and the $2.09.
 
2. Review and discussion of draft Funding Process Principles Review and discussion of Funding Options worksheet assignments.
 
The ad hoc committee reviewed the Funding Options Worksheet, the Funding Options Master Table & the Principles Matrix. Councilor Marsh stated that her hope is that the group would go home with areas to research & then they would come back and analyze the findings at a future meeting. Some adjustments on the worksheets were recommended and Councilor Marsh would revise them and send them out to the ad hoc committee.
 
The Funding Options Master Table assignments are as follows:
 
Utility Fee- Rosenthal
TOT-Landt
Property tax-Landt
General Fund-Marsh
Local Option Levy-Rosenthal
Parks District-Voison
Recreation fees-Seffinger
OSF partnership/ticket tax-Rosenthal
Naming rights-Seffinger
Entrepreneurial efforts- Seffinger
P&R Foundation-Seffinger
Amendment/expansion of meals tax-Landt
 
Councilor Voison would like to see some research on what other cities similar to Ashland are doing for Parks funding. Discussion was had regarding Ashland’s unique situation and makeup and how there may not be any cities out there than are similar to the City of Ashland.
 
3. Discussion of joint Council/Parks meeting
 
After the initial conclusions are made on the funding options by the ad hoc committee they would suggest a motion. Parks commissioner Landt would like to see a more specific motion and Seffinger would like discussion on the Charter. Specifically they would like clarification on what policy making ability the Parks Commission has. Councilor Voison would like discussion on the potential breach of the Charter. City Attorney Lohman stated that an opinion in regards to Parks funding was provided by Harvey Rodgers previously and that the creation of an Ordinance could provide Clarity on the Charter.
 
Parks Commissioner Landt and Councilor Rosenthal m/s that the Ad Hoc Committee on Parks Funding requests that members of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission initiate a joint discussion to review and address progress and findings to date by the Ad Hoc Committee.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion Passed.
 
It was discussed that the next few ad hoc committee meetings should be about funding mechanisms.
 
4. Public Input
 
None
 
5. Meeting Schedule
 
Future meetings were set for Monday, June 24, at 3:00p.m. and Monday, July 8^, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Parks Office.
 
It was recommended that a joint meeting be held after July 15, 2013.
 
With no further business, Chair Councilor Marsh adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Tami De Mille-Campos
Administrative Assistant