Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes

City Hall

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 – 7:00 pm

 

 

1.       Call to Order

 

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

 

2.       Roll Call

 

Present:  Steve Guilliams, Cheryl Copeland, Roxanne Morrisey, Dianna Turk, Cindy Baker, Tracie Lougheed, Louise Kroeker, Cr. Arnold, Cr. Erickson, DCR Traci Hovda.

 

3.       Approve December 22, 2004 Minutes

 

Consensus was to approve the minutes as presented.

 

4.       Annual Election of Chair & Vice-Chair

 

Consensus was to re-appoint Dianna Turk as Chair, and to appoint Steve Guilliams as vice-chair.

 

5.       Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

 

There was no input.

 

6.       City Council Liaison Report

 

Cr. Arnold welcomed everyone, both new and re-appointed positions and thanked them for volunteering.  She mentioned the City Summit coming up this Saturday. 

 

7.       Unfinished Business

*      Wade Creek Park/Skate Park Committee Update – the committee discussed the directive from City Council that was distributed tonight, including the list of stakeholders.  Dianna Turk felt someone from water resources regarding uses permitted around Wade Creek should be invited.  Cr. Erickson stated the purpose of this meeting is to draft a list of “wishes” for the park.  He feels it is at the time the consultant designs the proposal that input will be sought from specialists, as needed.  Tracie Lougheed asked how a representative was selected from each group.  Cr. Erickson stated that generally it was the head of the group, or the chair.  Tracie specifically asked how a representative from Altramar was selected.  Cr. Erickson stated that he believes it was someone who specifically asked to be a part of this group.  She feels it would be like having a high-school employee of Snack Shop ask if they can represent Snack Shops opinion and then not invite the owner of Snack Shop.  She feels the representative listed for Altramar might have different views of the park design than that of the owner of Altramar.  Cr. Erickson stated that we will also invite the owner of Altramar, and he stated that the meeting is open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend.  Cr. Arnold stated that we do not want people to attend and argue about decisions that have already been made, for example, not to debate whether or not Skate Park will be there, because that has already been decided.  Cheryl Copeland asked how the consultant would be paid, since we do not have any SDC funds available.  Dianna stated there will be some grant effort to help pay for the consultant.  Cindy feels the laundry mat owner should be invited.  Steve suggested asking the stakeholders to fill out a wish list and send back prior to the February 15th meeting in order to expedite the meeting.  The Commission would also like to make sure the paper would show the upcoming public meeting. 

 

8.       New Business

*      Subdivision Application #2004-4 –

*      Oakview Subdivision, 37 lots off Oakview Lane - the Commission discussed the location and consensus was that this property is not an area usable for a park.   The Commission would rather see the City receive the SDC revenue.  Cheryl moved to recommend the City not accept the dedication and not waive park SDC’s.  Louise seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

*      Subdivision Application

*      Cascadia Ridge – Cemetery Road, phases 2, 3 & 4, 162 lots – this subdivision application was filed with the City today and is tentatively scheduled to go before the Planning Commission no earlier than March 24th, then subsequently to City Council. 

 

Don Oakley, Cascade Communities, they are currently developing phase 1, which is 17 lots.  Mr. Oakley gave a brief overview of the plans for development of the phases and the proposal for the park area.  They are asking the city to accept dedication of 11 acres for park use.  This proposal includes trail areas along the creek, in addition to 1.3 acres of flat playground area along the development, which will have a nice view of the hillside and provide parking and a trailhead down to the creek area.  They are proposing a large open field, along with a ½ court basketball area and a fenced play structure area.  They are proposing 2,300 linear feet of trail down along the creek, with several picnic tables and benches along the trail area. 

 

Dianna asked if it would be a bridge that goes over the creek.  Mr. Oakley stated that it would be a culvert type system. 

 

Cheryl asked about the type of trail system.  Mr. Oakley stated it would be a little steep from the trailhead down to the creek, but then much flatter along the creek.  The slope of the hillside is approximately 20 – 35%.  Cheryl asked if the trail end, which is much flatter, could be accessible by handicapped individuals.  Mr. Oakley stated that it could.  Dianna asked about the flooding issues along this area.  Mr. Oakley stated they have looked at the hydrology impact and feels there is room for the creek to spread out a few feet without affecting the trails.  Dianna is concerned with runoff water going into the creek instead of into a holding pond.  Mr. Oakley stated they are proposing pipes that will collect the water and slow it down in a peak storm before re-entry into the creek, which would make it similar to the current impact of the area on the creek.  Dianna is concerned with the gas and oil from vehicles that will go into the creek.  Mr. Oakley discussed the types of pollutants and explained that generally they attach to sediment, and if given a place to settle out, they do.  This sediment should settle out in the extra deep manholes.  Cindy asked during which phase would the park be completed.  Mr. Oakley stated that they would prefer to do it during the 3rd phase because they have to make a significant investment now to proceed with phase 2 as well as there wouldn’t likely be enough families to enjoy the improvements until phase 3 is built out.  Cheryl feels a public restroom would be needed.  Mr. Oakley stated that if the roadway is extended to the neighboring property, perhaps he could be persuaded to adjoin park areas and provide a restroom.  He feels he is providing significant land and development that the adjacent piece should be asked to develop the restroom facility.  Cheryl stated that Public Works prefers not to have bark on top of gravel for the paths.  Mr. Oakley stated that gravel paths are also desirable if developed properly, which they are willing to do.  Mr. Oakley asked if the Commission preferred more open fields or to leave the current fir trees in and around the field area.  Consensus was to leave the trees, but have the lower branches trimmed up.  The Commission would like to have a field trip with the applicant and Public Works.  City Staff will schedule a meeting. 

 

9.       Commission Report & Comments

 

Dianna responded to the Summit invite and asked for input for her to relay to the group on February 5th.  Dianna feels that we should add language to the code that requires a dedication of a portion of land for developments over a certain size, then the Commission can decide if they want to accept the land or not.  The Commission would also like to see funding to improve the culvert in the Wade Creek Pond in the next budget.

 

Dianna suggested a Parks Commission retreat. 

 

Staff asked if the Commission would like to combine their regular meeting with the February 15th special meeting.  Consensus was to hold two meeting in February. 

 

Potential dates for the Cascadia Subdivision field trip – Saturday the 12th or Saturday the 19th, preferably 9 or 10 am.  Cheryl would also like to know where the developments are in Sandy so that they can go look at the applicants other work. 

 

10.     Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda for next meeting:

*      Set a date for retreat

*      Summit report

*      Vernonia field trip to look at their pond (old business)

*      Cascadia Ridge subdivision

*      Wade Creek Park Update

*      Add citizens concerns & comments again before #9