Agendas and Minutes

Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission (View All)

Parks Commission Regular Meeting

Agenda
Monday, January 27, 2014

City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
January 27, 2014

ATTENDANCE
Present:  Commissioners Gardiner, Landt, Lewis, Seffinger, Shaw; Director Robertson; Superintendents Dials and Dickens

Absent:  Mayor John Stromberg, council liaison

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Study Session – December 16, 2013
MOTION Landt moved to approve the minutes as presented. Shaw seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes

Regular Meeting – December 23, 2013
MOTION Landt moved to approve the minutes as presented. Shaw seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Tommy Hulick, 180 Vista Street, and Eric Carlson, 50 Mallard Street, members of the Ashland High School varsity baseball team, requested an exception to the amplified sound ordinance to allow for music prior to 2014 baseball games at North Mountain Park. They reviewed their game schedule and estimated a total of 21 hours of amplified sound. They indicated their preference for using a radio station rather than a playlist and said they would seek approval from AHS Athletic Director Karl Kemper if the commission approved their request.

The commission asked a number of clarifying questions and requested that staff place the item on the regular meeting agenda for Monday, February 24, 2014.

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
None

YEAR IN REVIEW
Seffinger read a prepared statement about the successes and challenges of the Parks Commission in 2013.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Seffinger reviewed the list of duties associated with the chair and vice chair positions, then opened the floor for nominations.

Landt nominated Seffinger to serve as chair in 2014. Shaw seconded the nomination.
Vote: All yes

Seffinger nominated Landt to serve as vice chair for 2014. Shaw seconded the nomination.
Vote: All yes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
LITTLE LEAGUE SIGN EXEMPTION REQUEST
Robertson said the Ashland Little League requested placement of advertising signage on Hunter Park outfield fences at the January 13 study session. Sponsorship banners would allow the league to not just survive but thrive in Ashland and allow children to play ball regardless of ability to pay league fees. Staff reviewed Ashland municipal codes and Parks rules relating to this topic. Staff also spoke with Planning Department staff in terms of reviewing sign codes and discussing interpretations of this request. Robertson said if the signs were placed on the inside portion of fences and faced toward baseball audiences, they would be modestly visible to those outside the area. Both Planning staff and Robertson agreed that the sign code interpretations could be honored within the parameters of this request. In addition, Robertson said AMC 10.68.080 granted the commission authority to allow for a permit to attach items to fences and sign posts.

Linda Hopkins, 607 Forest Street, a board member of Ashland Little League, thanked the commission for supporting the league through the years. She said Hunter Park was a gorgeous facility and a hub for the community. She thanked the commission for considering the sign exemption request and possibly allow placement of advertising banners on inside areas of outfield fences. She said the banners would provide funds with which to offer ball to all comers, with any remaining funds placed into the general fund and used for safety supplies.

Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked clarifying questions, including a question about how much the league estimated they could raise from this endeavor. Hopkins said she hoped ten businesses would provide sponsorship at a rate of $300 - $500 per banner.

Robertson said staff recommended approval of this request on a one-year trial basis, with Ashland Little League responsible for meeting any and all Planning requirements. Gardiner asked, if approved, that the league come back next year to report on how the funds were spent. Shaw said he was initially concerned about the visual aspect but was willing to give it a try. Landt said the commission could try it out for a year to see how things went. If few complaints were heard and the trial project raised funds for the organization, he could stand behind the request. Seffinger agreed and said it was important for students to participate in sports.

MOTION: Landt moved to allow Ashland Little League, on a one-year trial basis, to place advertising banners on inside boundaries of Hunter Park outfield fences with the understanding that they be mounted in a way that minimized front exposure to streets. Also, that the banners be displayed only during the Little League season, with removal scheduled for no more than 48 hours following completion of the last game of the season. Approval would be provided contingent upon Ashland Little League verifying for Parks staff that no Planning Department permits were necessary or, if necessary, obtaining all permits in advance. Lewis seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes

REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
2014 Subcommittee Assignments

Ashland Creek Park Subcommittee: Commissioners Landt and Lewis

Dogs Subcommittee: Commissioners Seffinger and Shaw

Forest Lands Commission: Commissioner Seffinger

Golf Course Subcommittee: Commissioners Gardiner and Lewis

Joint Powers Committee: Commissioner Gardiner

Open Space Subcommittee: Commissioners Landt and Shaw

Public Arts Commission (Parks liaison):
MOTION: Shaw moved to appoint Gardiner to serve as the Parks Commission liaison to the Public Arts Commission on a one-year trial basis. Landt seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes

Signs, Plaques & Memorials Subcommittee: Commissioners Lewis and Seffinger
 
SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
Dials said the 2013 North Mountain Park Nature Center annual report would be available online in the next week, with paper copies provided upon request.

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
For the amplified sound request from AHS varsity baseball, Gardiner asked staff to suggest that the two young men notify and / or interview Nature Center staff as well as neighbors. Shaw said two hours of music before each event was a long time. He suggested considering one hour of music instead of two.

UPCOMING MEETING DATES & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS

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

    • Request for Amplification Exception Request

  • Study session set for February 26 at 7:00 p.m., Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer Street. Topic:

    • Preparation for Joint Meeting with Council

  • Joint meeting with council set for March 12 at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street.

ADJOURNMENT
By consensus, with no further business, Seffinger adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Dyssegard
Ashland Parks and Recreation

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