Estacada Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes

City Hall

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 – 7:00 pm

 

 

1.         Call to Order

 

            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

 

2.         Roll Call

 

Present:  Tracie Lougheed, Pam Peterson, Louise Kroeker, Cheryl Copeland, Dianna Turk, Roxanne Morrisey.

 

Absent:  Cynthia Crivellone.

 

3.         Approve February 25, 2004 Minutes

 

Consensus was to approve the minutes as presented.

 

4.         Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

 

Sue Helgeson, US Forest Service Fisheries Biologist spoke about possible ways the Forest Service and the City of Estacada could work together on projects within Wade Creek Park.  They already have a grant to work with the Estacada School District on an education project that they would like to use the pond for.  Possible projects may include; education on what kinds of animals and birds are at the park, removal of knapweed, history of the pond, fishing clinics, kids fishing dock, fish viewing window, fountain in center of pond, digging the pond deeper for better temperature control, interpretive signs, nest boxes, help as a partner for grants, testing of pond temperatures over the summer.  Sue was very excited and positive about the City of Forest Service partnering up with mutually beneficial projects in the future.

 

5.         Staff Report

 

City Manager Randy Ealy let the Commission know that the Oregon State Park grant was official and we have two years to utilize it for the purchasing of the Valburg property.  He also suggested that we apply for a new Oregon State Parks grant next year for further development of Wake Creek Park.  The total cost of the property is around $180,000, of which Oregon Parks Grant will pay for $80,000 and the Estacada Community Foundation is working on a grant for $45,000.  The Cities portion would be the additional $45,000 remaining.  The demolition of the Valburg building would be next and the City is looking at getting bids for that, estimates place the cost around $20,000 - $30,000. 

 

Randy explained that it is budget time and we need to remind the budget committee of the savings we will be realizing from the end of our lease with PGE for Timber Park, so we can ask for that money to be used for parks development and maintenance.  The first budget meeting is in May.  Randy felt a letter from the Parks & Rec Commission would be helpful. 

 

Randy discussed a new subdivision and the developer has suggested a 5 acre area to be given to the City in lieu of SDC’s.  The Planning Commission would like input from the Parks & Rec Commission.  Commissioner Peterson said we should check the area’s suitability for a park.  Commissioner Turk said we need to see and approve of the proposed area.  It was decided that the Commission should take a tour of the proposed park area to be sure it would be within the scope of what is needed as parkland in the City, prior to the Planning Commission’s meeting.

 

Randy showed the Commission a couple of examples of possible park signs designed by Diedre in Public Works.  The Commission submitted some changes and asked if Diedre can make a few more samples for the next meeting.

 

6.         City Council Liaison Report

 

Becky Arnold gave a presentation and asked the Parks & Rec Commission to consider placing the Skate Park on the Valburg property.  It is the Skate Park Associations recommendation and they feel the best choice for its location.  Commissioner Peterson asked if the School District would help us with property for the Skate Park. Though most skate parks in other areas are on school property, Becky felt that the Estacada School District was not interested in this option, though no formal request of the School Board has been made.  Becky also stated that she didn't think that there would be any school property as visible as the Wade Creek park property is.  It was discussed that this may not fit in with what has been planned for Wade Creek Park.  Mayor Bob Austin was in attendance and spoke about the fact that nothing about a skate park has been proposed directly to the School Board, so we really do not know where they stand on the issue.  It was discussed that such a proposal to the School District might be a good idea. After some discussion, the Commission felt that a lot more information would be needed to address Councilor Arnold's proposal.  There was also discussion that a public meeting would be useful in deciding what the citizens of Estacada would like to see at Wade  Creek Park, now that the addition of the Valburg property would be changing things a little.

 

7.         Unfinished Business

*      Grants – Commissioner Copeland is still working on searching out possible grants from companies and foundations for things like landscaping, restrooms and playground equipment.

*      Skate Association Update – discussed above.

*      Open House Event – the Commission decided to have an open house on July 4th along with the festivities held on that day at the at the Wade Creek Park and a booth at the Timber Park.

 

8.         New Business

 

9.         Commission Report & Comments

*      Skate Park Presentation – discussed above.

 

10.       Adjournment

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.