City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 25, 2014

ATTENDANCE
Present:    Commissioners Gardiner, Landt, Seffinger, Shaw; Superintendents Dials and Dickens
Absent:     Commissioner Lewis; City Council Liaison: Mayor John Stromberg; Director Black

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 – July 21, 2014
MOTION Landt moved to approve the minutes as presented. Shaw seconded the motion.
The vote was: All yes

Regular Meeting – July 28, 2014
MOTION Landt moved to approve the minutes as presented. Gardiner seconded the motion.
The vote was: All yes

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
None

SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
Daniel Meyer Pool End-of-Season Report
Dials said the pool season was ending on September 7.

The season opened on June 12 with an on-site registration and swim lesson testing. Dials thanked Recreation Coordinator Lonny Flora for his work at the pool and assistance with hiring and training staff. Swim lesson enrollments were up for the year – from 275 last year to 318 in summer 2014. Dials said Dickens and his staff installed new flooring, a new roof, and purchased some furniture. The wading pool was decommissioned due to an inability to disconnect the circulation system between the main pool and the wading pool and associated environmental health concerns. Several complaints were heard about the shut-down but most pool patrons understood that capping the smaller pool was more affordable than installing a new filtration system at a cost of over $30,000. In terms of programming, Flora implemented a new event during the season: Island night, which was attended by over 100 people. Pool attendance increased over the previous year due to a change in programming, including evening lap swim. Six students enrolled in the lifeguarding class and all six passed the certification program. Open swim hours were expanded to meet increasing demands, including evening hours for working parents and their children. A new program entitled “Pool to Path” was implemented on Wednesdays in August for a race group wishing to rent the pool for swimming before running on the nearby pathway. Revenues increased by $2,000 in both June and July over the previous year. Dials said it appeared that both swim lesson sessions were filled to capacity.
 
Dickens said staff was looking into installing solar panels on the pool building roof as well as a privacy screening adjacent to the parking lot. He said solar panels would increase efficiency by over 25%.

Seffinger reported hearing positive feedback about the Island Night event. She said special events were appreciated by the community.

Dickens talked about proposed removals of trees shading the pool building roof. He said trees and shade caused efficiency losses for solar panels.

Drought Update
Dickens thoroughly reviewed the water usage report provided by Irrigation Manager Bill Miller. Temperatures were reported to be up over the summer period, with water conservation measures still in effect. Residents handled the drought well and water usage was down, with only 4.20 MGD in use (on average) versus over 7 MGD in normal years. TID water continued to supply the Reeder Reservoir and the TAP line (a Talent – Ashland – Phoenix connected water line) was now complete, a fast-tracked project that ran smoothly.

Dickens said the Garfield Park waterplay feature would be turned off after Labor Day as well as water at the Butler-Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park. The fountain’s early shutdown was due to leaks and the drought. Commissioners asked staff to post signs explaining the early water shutdown at the Butler-Perozzi Fountain.

Garfield Park Update
Shaw asked for an update on Garfield Park improvements. Dickens said a site plan was underway that included upgrading the water play amenity and moving it further away from the sand volleyball area. Construction could begin as early as winter 2015.

Ashland Creek Park Update
Shaw asked for an update on Ashland Creek Park. Dickens provided current information on the park’s construction, stating that the project was on schedule, with completion expected in December or January.

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Ashland Skate Park
Shaw reported walking past the Ashland Skate Park and finding it in better condition. He thanked Dickens and his staff for their efforts toward improving the park.

UPCOMING MEETING DATES & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS

• Study session set for September 15 at 7:00 p.m., Ashland Creek Park, 27 E. Hersey Street. Topic:
  • Walking Tour of Construction Site
• Regular meeting set for September 22 at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Topics:
  • Mt. Ashland Banner Request
  • Ashland Creek Park Construction Update

ADJOURNMENT– By consensus, with no further business, Seffinger adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Dyssegard
Ashland Parks and Recreation