Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission

Minutes – August 27, 2003

Chairperson Turk called the meeting to order at 7:11 PM.

Members Present: Dianna Turk, Pam Peterson, Tracie Lougheed, Deb Weikum, Cheryl Coupland and Roxanne Morrisey

Guests Present: Ralph Branson, Estacada resident, Becky Arnold, City Council Parks and Recreation Liaison.

The Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission welcomed Tracie Lougheed as a newly appointed commissioner.

The minutes of the 5/28/03 were read aloud. Deb Weikum made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Cheryl Coupland seconded this motion and all in attendance agreed. The minutes of the 6/27/03 were read aloud. Pam Peterson made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Roxanne Morrisey seconded this motion. All in attendance agreed. Chairperson Turk suggested that the minutes from the 7/23/03 meeting and the Grant Workshop Meeting minutes be tabled until the 9/24/03 Parks and Recreation Meeting. All in attendance agreed.

Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

Estacada resident Ralph Branson, 831 NE Edgehill, Estacada, OR was present at the meeting. Mr. Branson brought to CM Ealy’s attention an area of dormant land located between Edgehill and Hill Way. The property belongs to the Home Owners Association of the area. Mr. Branson would like to see if the City can take over the property. CM Ealy was having the attorney look into this. Roxanne Morrisey will review her title paperwork from her home purchase to see if there is any information on the Home Owners Association in relation to the land in question.

Staff Report

Chairperson Turk read the e-mail from City Manager Ealy that he sent. CM Ealy discussed the PGE offer to take over Timber Park starting January 1, 2004. The City Council addressed this issue on 8/25/03 and decided to gather more information on the status of PGE. The Council prefers to sign a 50 year lease with PGE rather than to disband the lease.

A town hall meeting at the Community Center is scheduled for 9/3/03 to hear public feedback on the sites for the new public library project. One of the sites being considered is an area next to Wade Creek Pond.

City Council Liaison Becky Arnold was in was in attendance. Councilor Arnold assured the Parks and Recreation Commission that the city was not willing to give up the Timber Park Lease. She also suggested the Park may be annexed into the city limits. The area is an Island and would not be subject to a vote of the people.

Councilor Arnold then discussed the Skate Park Association. A public meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 10, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. A Skate Park Leadership Group is being formed. Councilor Arnold’s goal is to have a skate park in Estacada within one year.

Unfinished Business

The master plan update will be discussed at the 9/24/03 meeting. The Parks and Recreation Commission will move their meeting to 6:30 PM and a work session on the master plan will begin at 7:00 PM

Commissioner Weikum has been working on a grant for Wade Creek Pond. She will contact CM Ealy for clarification on the budget questions for the grant.

New Business

Commissioner Coupland made a motion to elect Dianna Turk to be the Parks and Recreation Commission Representative. Deb Weikum seconded this motion. All members agreed.

Chairperson Turk made a motion to recommend to City Council the Wade Creek Pond site for the Library location for the following reasons:

There are four schools in the area.

There are two senior residential sites close to the area.

The Urban Growth Boundary is to the North of the City.

The area has been annexed and approved for future residential development.

The use of the downtown area would be for businesses.

Low income families would not be displaced if the Wade Creek site is selected.

Commission Weikum seconded this motion. All members voted unanimously in favor.

Chairperson Turk made a motion to recommend to City Council to annex the Timber Park into the City limits and to pursue the lease renewal with PGE that will be up in 2006. Commissioner Peterson seconded this motion. All members voted unanimously in favor.

Citizens Concerns & Comments

None

The agenda was set for the 9/24/03 meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM