ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL

ESTACADA COMMUNITY CENTER

200 CLUBHOUSE DRIVE, ESTACADA, OREGON

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2004 - 7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING OFFICER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Mayor Austin led in the pledge of allegiance.

Present: Cr. Cliff Atkinson, Cr. Cliff Gavic, Cr. Becky Arnold, Cr. Michele Conditt, Cr. Ben Erickson, Cr. Marli Stauffacher, Mayor Bob Austin, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey.

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS

Mayor Austin presented Councilor Cliff Atkinson and Councilor Cliff Gavic with a gift for their dedication and service to the city the last four years. Cr. Atkinson and Cr. Gavic both thanked the community for their support.

CONSENT AGENDA

Approve November 22, 2004 and November 29, 2004 Council minutes

Resolution 2004 – 24: A resolution establishing and adopting a capitalization policy, depreciation method and estimated useful lives of fixed assets.

Resolutions adopting voter-approved annexations

Resolution 2004 – 21 - A resolution of the Estacada City Council proclaiming annexation of 4.96 acres owned by Dunlop Investors/Simpson and Betty Ann Dunlop.

Resolution 2004 – 22 - A resolution of the Estacada City Council proclaiming annexation of 2.01 acres owned by Larry A. Newcomb.

Resolution 2004 – 23 - A resolution of the Estacada City Council proclaiming annexation of 0.31 acres owned by John and Mary Mullins.

Cr. Atkinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Cr. Conditt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

COUNCIL BUSINESS

Official election results – CR Carey read the official election results into the record.

Commission and Committee Appointments – Mayor Austin appointed Pam Butcher, Amy James, Alan Rademacher and Donn Christiansen to the Budget Committee, Jerry Polzin, Brent Dodrill and Gary Warkentin to the Infrastructure Committee and Allen Cameron, Tom Sager, John James, Art Webber and Brenda Crosby to the Planning Commission with consent of the council.

Mayor Austin will interview each of the candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission before the next meeting and come back with a recommendation at the first meeting in January.

Estacada Public Library Hours of Operation, January 2005 - CM Ealy reviewed the staff report in the packet detailing the cut in hours and staffing for the library because of the failure of the operating levy. Linda Arnett, Library Board, stated cutting services to the community was a very difficult decision. Mayor Austin commented on discussions at the county level regarding the library funding. Cr. Arnold asked if volunteers could pick up the extra hours but Ms. Arnett stated that there are already many volunteers that help and it would be very difficult to add many more volunteer hours. The Council supported the recommended budget cuts from Library Director McKinnon and the Library Board.

Skate Park Leadership Group Recommendation – CM Ealy stated that site selection is just one part of the process of developing a skate park so that other steps can be taken and this project can continue. CM reviewed the memo from Cr. Arnold, Chair of the Skate Park Leadership Group, and the attached material included with the recommendation. Cr. Conditt asked about the grant received for the purchase of the property and the use for library parking overflow. CM Ealy stated that all reference to the library had to be removed from the original grant application. Also, the skate park was not part of the proposal either but Marilyn Lippincott, Senior Grants Project Coordinator of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, has sent an email stating that a skate park complies with the intent of the grant program. CM Ealy stated that safety is another issue – both the safety of the skaters and the safety of the neighboring property owners. CM reviewed information regarding the city’s liability for developing a skate park. Our insurance carrier has stated that there is no liability for skate parks if you follow certain procedures that they have outlined for us. The insurance company also stated that throughout the state there has only been one insurance claim made regarding a skate park. Noise and sound is also an issue that will need to be addressed in the future. There are many other activities in the neighborhood that contribute to noise in the area including the mill. Lastly, compatibility is an issue. The new library is going to be sited on a nearby lot and the council must look at how these two services will work together. Mayor Austin also stated that the development of skate parks also reduces problems because it gets the skaters to an area that they are allowed to skate in and not in areas that are posted no skateboarding. Cr. Conditt stated that the Skate Park Leadership Group has answered many of the questions being asked already during their many meetings. Cr. Erickson asked if the decision tonight were to go with the recommendation, would other sites still be considered. Mayor Austin stated that the group is asking for support of their recommendation so master planning can begin. Mayor Austin stated that during this planning it could be determined that the site is flawed and others may have to be considered at that point. Cr. Arnold stated that one of the things not in the packet is the fact that during surveys on the Wade Creek park area, a skate park was one of the things that came back as a need. This survey was done even before the Valberg property was being considered as additional park area to be acquired by the city. This project is also opening a door between the kids and the seniors in the city.

Dianna Turk, Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission, feels it is premature at this time for the Council to make a decision on the site. She feels there needs to be a process to analyze the site and see what will fit there. She stated that the three sites need to be compatible and should be master planned together. She stated that the design review should come to the Parks and Recreation Commission before site selection is decided.

Dean Holden stated that to get from A to B you have to move. If this site is accepted, there is a whole lot of work ahead to determine how to build the park on this property. He stated that the council should accept the site with conditions that it can accommodate the skate park along with the other recommended uses.

Desirae Marglin, Estacada High School student stated that there are a lot of skaters at the high school that have no place to skate. Many youth are into alcohol and drugs because there is nothing to do or anyplace to go. She does not feel the teens would be a threat to the older citizens at Whispering Pines and she would like to see the council accept this site so the teens have something to do now.

Mark Scott, Dreamland Skate Parks, has built many skate parks around the area. They have worked with almost any kind of site you can imagine - from dumps to greenlands to hillsides. You can design a nice skate park in any area taking into consideration the other uses in the area. He would recommend the council accept this property and let the design phase begin to build a great skate park. He urged the council to consolidate the hurdles – don’t add red tape, cut it. Make an investment in the youth. He stated that noise is not a problem. He is willing to donate all his resources to help Estacada develop their skate park for the youth.

Suzanne Viviano Hicks, Skate Park Leadership Group, is very much in favor of this property so the search for funding can begin. There are many kids very interested in this project. She read a letter from Sean Stiverson, former Estacadian serving in the navy at this time. Mr. Stiverson was one of the first skateboarders in Estacada and is very passionate about having things for the local youth to do. He encourages the community to support the kids because they are the future.

Alan Rademacher stated this is a good idea in the wrong place. He does not feel the skate park belongs at this site and that it is not compatible with the other uses in the area. He feels the vision for the area does not include a skate park.

Doug Thompson, Estacada High School Sophomore President, stated that the skate park in Estacada is very important to the youth. There is not a lot to do and this would mean a lot to the kids in the community. He doesn’t feel that noise and other problems at the skate park would be as bad as other larger cities.

Steve Guilliams stated that we are a small community and he does not feel that the problems that have been discussed that are happening in much larger cities will happen here. He is encouraged by the fact that the seniors are willing to be involved in the design and planning process along with all the other people with concerns. He asked the council to please not wait 3-5 years to have a site behind the high school. He stated that change is difficult and it takes visionaries to make things happen.

Melody Reese grew up in Estacada and feels the city is being proactive to build the skate park now to accommodate for all the growth and new families that will be coming into Estacada when these new subdivisions are completed.

Christine Stiverson stated that although she grew up in Estacada, she would not want to raise her kids here because there is nothing to do and the community really needs this skate park.

Nick Reed, Social Studies/Civics Teacher, Estacada High School, stated that educators really get to know the kids during the school year and many kids feel there is nothing much to do in Estacada. They need things to do and this could be a very positive thing for Estacada. The message sent to the young people if this is accepted is that they are considered and being cared for by the leaders of the community. He feels this site would be a great site to bring people together.

Levi Jardine, Estacada High School student, is not a skate boarder but totally agrees to put a skate park in the community to give the kids something to do other than drinking and drugs. It would be good for the community as a whole to make the area a drug-free zone.

Kevin Olds, Estacada Junior High Principal, asked the city council to recognize the words of Dianna Turk that we need to make a park for all people. Playground equipment and picnic areas all create just as much noise as a skate park would. He encouraged the council to take a look at all the work done by the Skate Park Leadership Group and commended Becky for her drive and focus in leading the group. He feels that sometimes Estacada sets low expectations of their youth and he would like to see this attitude changed. He encouraged everyone to take care of the kids in the community.

Keith Sparland moved here five years ago from the island of Guam. His son is a skateboarder and all he does now after school is sleep and he feels we need to do something for our kids here and quick.

David Fuller is a father of five and stepfather of two. He stated that the council has a job to do and does not want to see bureaucracy kill this project but to get it done fast. He encouraged the council to make this happen.

Steven Shibley has lived in this community for 12 years and plans on being here the rest of his life. This is a changing community and he is a fan of a skate park here in Estacada. He does not know if the Valberg site is the best but the design phase will be very important if the site is chosen. He hopes that the park will be developed in concert with the library. He feels that the site needs to be designed before the council can dictate that the skate park go there. Planning is the next step but doesn’t know if this is the right site or not.

Dale Cartwright, sophomore class representative, agrees with Mr. Sparland that there is nothing for the kids to do after school – he plays video games. He is not a skate boarder but feels this park is needed.

Nina Hamilton stated that her children grew up on Mt. Scott and there was a park with a lot of uses close by. She stated that people go to parks, not because it is a beautiful place for wildlife, but for things to do. Make the park functional for the community. She feels that different uses of the park, such as a skate park, will benefit the library.

Cr. Erickson is torn because of the overwhelming community support but is concerned about the compatibility. He supports the skate park but doesn’t know if this is the right place to build it.

Cr. Gavic would like to get this project done in a responsible manner.

Cr. Arnold is in favor of the site. A lot of work has gone into this process and selection of the site is the first step so development can move forward.

Cr. Conditt thanked everyone for attending tonight. She feels it is great that people are being involved and this is very positive for the council to see the community’s support and concerns with this issue. The Valberg site has a lot of pros but it is not set in stone. All three sites need to be master planned together to see how everything works. She feels that the council needs to move now to get this project done.

Cr. Atkinson stated that there are not many sites to choose from and he feels this is a great spot for the skate park. It can be compatible if everyone is positive. He would like to see a bowling alley and a movie theatre for the kids in the community. Change is scary but is inevitable. He likes to be proactive and feels this would be a great thing.

Cr. Stauffacher is torn because she wants the skate park but is not sure that this is the right place. She does know that things need to be decided to keep this project going. She is very disappointed in the school for not offering better sites but will vote to keep this project going. She hopes that all the negative energy can go into making this project work.

Mayor Austin recognized Cr. Arnold for all her work as chair of the Skate Park Group. He feels this is the first step of a great project and that there is still a lot of hard work that needs to be done to see this project completed.

Cr. Cliff Atkinson moved to accept the recommendation from the Skate Park Leadership Group. Cr. Conditt seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Cr. Arnold-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Conditt-yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Cr. Erickson-yes, Cr. Stauffacher-yes, Mayor Austin-yes. The motion passed with 7 yes and 0 no.

The Council wants staff to prepare a draft process outlining the next steps and committees that need to be developed to work on the master planning and design of the site.

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS

COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS

Mayor Austin reported on a Leadership Summit that he attended with CM Ealy. The emphasis is on quality education for business.

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.