Estacada Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes

City Hall

Wednesday, May 26, 2004 – 7:00 pm

 

 

1.       Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.

 

2.       Roll Call

 

Present:  Tracie Lougheed, Pam Peterson, Cheryl Copeland, Cindy Crivellone, Dianna Turk, Roxanne Morrisey, Traci Hovda.

 

3.       Approve April 28, 2004 Minutes

 

The minutes were approved with one correction (Louise Kroeker was present and Roxanne Morrisey was absent.

 

4.       Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

 

Douglas Dysart, Manager of Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery discussed the Kids Fishing Day that they host each year in June.  He stated with a little work the event could be held at the Wade Creek Park instead of the fish hatchery.  He explained that the pond is larger than the area they have, and usually 200-250 kids attend the event over the course of the day.  Before the change of venue could happen some research needs to be done on the Wade Creek Pond.  He has talked with CM Ealy and the City is in favor of the event and CM told Mr. Dysart that the City has received permission from the Oregon State Lands to dredge out the bottom of the pond.  Mr. Dysart will begin mapping the contour of the pond and set temperate probes.  Once this work is complete (should be done by August) the Commission can discuss the possibility of raising the water level and dredging the pond, which would make the pond safer for small children. 

 

5.                  Staff Report

 

The Commission reviewed a written staff report from CM Ealy.  The Commission is concerned about the amount of money that is budgeted for the parks.  They feel that the $25,000 that has been budgeted for mowing and maintenance is high.  They also are concerned that there isn’t any money budgeted for any improvements to Wade Creek Park.  They stated that $20,000 has been cut from the 2003-04 budget, and they were told the reason the Timber Park was being given back to PGE was to save $30,000 – which should now be available in the parks budget.  Dianna will send a letter to the City Council from the Commission asking for more funds for improvements to Wade Creek Park.

 

The Commission discussed the Skate Park location that will be deliberated by the School Board.  Once the City receives notification from the School about their decision on the location, staff will email it to the Commission so they can send a letter to the Skate Park group before they meet on June 16th. 

 

The Commission then discussed the master plan.  Cheryl Copeland stated that she has a major problem giving public funds to a private corporation.  She stated that when we controlled the Timber Park we didn’t spend money on it – now they want to give PGE $100,000.  She feels this is unethical and takes away from Wade Creek development and acquisition. 

 

The Commission feels they have given their input at the City Council joint meeting and are being ignored. 

 

Cheryl asked why the Parks and Recreation Commission didn’t get the proposed revisions to the master plan until the day after the City Council approved them.  Dianna stated that she asked that and never got an answer.  Dianna was told by a City Councilor that she didn’t have a right to be concerned about the master plan. 

 

Cheryl feels that there isn’t any reason to have a Parks & Recreation Commission.  They spend hundreds of hours reviewing the master plan and have valid concerns, but she feels they are just pushed aside and ignored. 

 

Dianna stated that someone has to keep trying to voice their concerns about parks, that is why they are here. 

 

Consensus was to write a letter to the City Council asking if they support the Commission.  Dianna will draft the letter and email it to each member asking for their input. 

 

6.       City Council Liaison Report – none.

 

7.       Unfinished Business

 

*      School Board / Skate Park – discussed above.

*      Grants   - Cheryl stated there is nothing to report.  She stated that we need to see what direction we are going before we can pursue specific grants.

 

*      Open House Event – the Commission discussed the fact the parade will not be going by the park, but decided to still hold the event.

 

*      Proposed Parks Budget – FY 2004-05 – discussed above.

 

*      Wade Creek Park Sign – the Commission asked when the sign they approved will be hung.  Staff will check with Public Works and get back to Commission.

 

*      Master Plan – discussed above.

 

8.                  New Business

 

None.

 

9.       Commission Report & Comments

 

None.

 

10.     Adjournment

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.