Agendas and Minutes

Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission (View All)

Parks Commission Regular Meeting

Agenda
Monday, March 23, 2015

City of Ashland
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
March 23, 2015

ATTENDANCE
Present:  Commissioners Gardiner, Landt, Lewis, Miller, Shaw; Director Black; Superintendent Dials; Administrative Supervisor Dyssegard; Assistant Betsy Manuel
Absent:  City Council Liaison, Mayor Stromberg; Parks Superintendent, Dickens

CALL TO ORDER
Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Study Session – February 9, 2015
MOTION: Shaw moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Lewis seconded the motion.
                        The vote was all yes.

Joint Meeting with Council – February 11, 2015
MOTION:  Shaw moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Miller seconded the motion.
                        The vote was all yes with Lewis abstaining.
 
Regular Meeting – February 23, 2015
MOTION:          Lewis moved to approve the Minutes as presented.  Shaw seconded the motion.
                        The vote was all yes.

Further discussion: Gardiner asked about the status of Parks information to be published in the AAUW booklet. Director Black stated that it went to Council for sponsorship, and current status was pending.
 
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
 
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Reconsideration of FootGolf Implementation Schedule” was deleted from the agenda where is had been listed under New Business.
 
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Black stated that budget updates would be listed under the heading Unfinished Business until the Parks 2015-2017 biennial budget was approved. 
 
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING A DOG PARK POLICY AT OAK KNOLL GOLF COURSE (OKGC)
Cronin noted that OKGC was not currently a dog-friendly park. He stated that dogs are frequently seen on and off leash, and if dogs were to be allowed, staff would post signage to keep dogs in the approved areas. Discussion considered permitting dog owners and their dogs to travel along the main road, from Highway 66 to the parking lot area and along the outside perimeter of the course (from Highway 66 to the East and Crowson Road to the South).
Five restrictions were reviewed as follows: 

  • Dogs required to stay on leash at all times per Ashland Municipal Code 10.68.200A
  • Dogs prohibited from walking on sensitive areas of the course, including (but not limited to) greens, tee boxes and bunkers at all times
  • Dogs prohibited from the golf course itself (defined as anywhere besides the main road and parking area) when golfers are on the course. Exact times will vary depending on the season, but typically dog walkers will be limited to early morning and late evening hours
  • Dogs prohibited from walking on the course when frost is present
  • Dog owners are responsible for pet waste
Discussion Among Commissioners
In response to a question by Shaw, Cronin stated that permitting dogs to share the golf course was an acknowledgment that nearby neighbors enjoy walking their dogs in the area. He commented that the community aspect was important. Black noted that the golf course was also a City park, paid for with funding from the Ashland community as a whole.
 
Cronin noted that golfers would remain a priority and their enjoyment was currently diminished by dogs that were there in violation of AMC 10.68.200A.
 
Landt talked about the route, and the point at which dogs would encounter the golf cart pathway. It was noted that dogs would be allowed when golfers were not present (normally early morning and late evening hours). Gardner clarified the areas where dogs would be allowed, stating that there would be no access to approximately half the course.  Black stated that the intent was to allow dogs in the park when golfers were not present, with dogs prohibited from the greens, bunkers, and traps at all times.  
 
Commissioners continued to discuss that impact of the proposed restrictions, looking for greater clarity and fewer rules.  There was an appreciation expressed for staff’s willingness to work through conflicting interests in an effort to serve the public.  Black noted that the intention was to put some order into dog management while remaining attentive to the neighborhood.  It was agreed that the proposed restrictions would highlight two new concepts by prohibiting dogs from walking on sensitive areas of the course, and disallowing dogs when golfers were present. It was further agreed that staff would create the language for any signage required. 
 
MOTION: Landt moved to designate Oak Knoll Golf Course as a dog-friendly park subject to the following restrictions: 1. Dogs prohibited from walking on sensitive areas of the course, including, but not limited to, greens, tee boxes, and bunkers at all times; and  2. Dogs prohibited from the golf course itself when golfers are on the course.  Shaw seconded the motion. The vote was all yes. 
  
Further Discussion:  The question was asked whether Mutt Mitt stations were in place.  Black stated that staff would install them along with signage.
 
BEE CITY USA – CITIZEN APPLICATION REVIEWS AND APPROVAL
Dials stated that three applications for the Bee City USA Subcommittee had been received by the deadline of March 6, 2015.  She stated that all three had the experience and expertise to implement the Bee City USA goal of promoting and establishing pollinator-friendly landscapes. 
 
Dials recommended that the three applicants be appointed to the Bee City USA Subcommittee.
 
MOTION:  Shaw moved to approve the nominations of the Bee City USA Subcommittee as recommended by staff. Gardiner seconded the motion.  The vote was all yes. 
 
APPOINTMENT OF PARKS COMMISSIONER TO POSITION #1 – ASHLAND PARKS FOUNDATION
Gardiner noted that his term on the Foundation had been completed, and he recommended Commissioner Miller be appointed in his place.
 
MOTION:  Shaw moved to appoint Matt Miller as the Ashland Parks Foundation voting seated member. Lewis seconded the motion.  The vote was all yes.  
 
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION LOGO
Black reviewed that the Ashland Park Department was rebranding as the Ashland Parks Commission. He noted a proposed staff recommendation to change the Parks logo to include the word “Commission.”
 
Questions included a concern about converting the logos on trucks, and the size of the logos for trucks. Black explained that the current supply of recently printed logos, without the word “Commission,” would be utilized until they were depleted. If approved by the Commission, the new logo would apply going forward, with a new supply of logos printed as needed.  He stated that there were no plans to convert the logos currently displayed on Parks Commission vehicles. 
 
MOTION: Landt moved to approve the modified Ashland Parks and Recreation logo as presented.  Shaw seconded the motion.  The vote was all yes.
 
SUBCOMMITTEE & STAFF REPORTS
VOLUNTEER IN PARKS PROGRAM – 2014 STAFF REPORT
Dials expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the Parks volunteers, noting that they provided over 12,000 hours of valuable assistance.  She reported that the number of volunteer hours for calendar year 2014 increased by 256.65 over the previous year. She stated that Lori Ainsworth coordinated with staff in organizing and managing the volunteers.  Dials noted that the work provided by volunteers equated to 5.2 full-time equivalent staff positions.  Shaw expressed his appreciation for the work Ms. Ainsworth contributed to Ashland Parks and Recreation. 
 
ICE RINK END-OF-SEASON REPORT
Dials noted that the ice rink season opened November 18, 2014.  She stated that the rink was not covered at the time of the seasonal opening and closed from December 3-18 for installation of the cover. Dials explained that revenue was affected somewhat, declining $4,000 over the prior year. Revenue for 2013/2014 was approximately $92,000 while the 2014/2015 season produced approximately $88,000. The financial report was not yet completed as there were additional expenses yet to be quantified.   
 
Dials highlighted the increased number of participants and the additional programs offered this year.  She stated that the rink hosted youth hockey, figure skating, private skating and new programs such as the “Frozen Tots” and “Learn 2 Skate.” Dials was appreciative of the efforts of Lonny Flora, Recreation Coordinator.
 
Discussion focused on increased outreach to schools and counties. A question about new programs prompted Dials to note the potential for increased growth of youth hockey. 

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
There followed a brief discussion about the availability of the restrooms at Ashland Creek Park and the timing of programmed locks.
 
 UPCOMING MEETING DATES AND PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS
  • Study Session on April 20, 2015 at The Grove, 1195 E. Main Street – 7:00 p.m.
  • Regular Meeting April 27, 2015 at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street – 7:00 p.m.
  • Beginning of the month for proposed Agendas
  • Golf Subcommittee Meeting on April 16, 2015 at the Golf Clubhouse – 3:00 p.m.

Dials noted that the Annual Bike Swap was scheduled for April 18, 2015, from 12:00 until 2:00 at The Grove, 1195 E. Main Street.
 
Shaw reported on his recent involvement in the Oregon Scenic Bikeways planning workshop. He said trails would be groomed for the 55-mile route that would start in Ashland.  He said Southern Oregon bike trails were listed on the State Map. 
 
ADJOURNMENT        
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Betsy Manuel, Assistant

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