PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Estacada City Hall, 475 SE Main Street

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 – 7:00 pm

 

Call to Order:

 

          The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm.

 

 

Roll Call:

 

Present:  Chair Steve Guilliams, Cm. Dennis Dahrens, Cm. Zoe Miller, Cm. Dianna Turk, Cm. Tim Shibahara, Cm. Tim Arnold, Cr. Becky Arnold, Sadie Main.

 

 

Approve January 23, 2008 Minutes:

 

Cm. Turk moved to approve the minutes as presented, Cm. Arnold seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Citizen’s Concerns & Comments:

         

Barbara Bartel, Estacada Public Library, commented on how many kids she sees at Wade Creek Park, she thinks it’s great.

 

 

City Council Liaison Report: 

 

Cr. Arnold announced Chris Randall and Diedre Landon’s resignation from the City of Estacada.  She wishes them the best. 

 

Cr. Arnold commented that she fought in the executive session at the City Council meeting for the purchase of the Y & E Market property, but it did not pass.  She mentioned that she wrote an article about the property in the Rural View and asked the community to share their feelings about what they want. 

 

The Commission discussed the idea of purchasing the property and their concerns about it not happening. 

 

Cm. Turk feels that property is better than money and that the open green space is going to go away. 

 

Cm. Dahrens commented that the older kids don’t have anything to do at the park; they are restless and looking for a skate park. 

 

Cr. Arnold feels that people are going to be pushed around the pond when the skate park is built, because of the lack of green space. 

 

Chair Guilliams commented that he would like Cr. Arnold to pass along to Council their disappointment about the decision to not purchase the property.

 

Cm. Miller would like a few of the P & R Commissioners to go to the next City Council meeting and try to convince them to buy it. 

 

Cr. Arnold would like the Commissioners to send a letter to business owners in town asking for a donation to the park.

 

Cm. Shibahara commented on how much momentum they are gaining.  People think the park is really a success.

 

Cm. Miller talked to Becky McFarland from Wade Creek House and she is very supportive of the park and is disappointed that the Council didn’t pass the purchase of the property.  She is behind them 100% and she is willing to go to council meetings, write letters, etc.  Whatever needs to be done to help the park.

         

         

Commission Business:

 

Chair Elections Discussion:  Chair Guilliams started discussion on chair elections.  The Commission discussed whether they should hold elections every year or every other year.  The Commission decided to hold the chair elections every year.  Cm. Turk made a motion to elect a chair and vice chair each year in March.  Cm. Miller seconded the motion.  Cm. Shibahara asked if it is the intent that the vice chair move into the chair position.  The Commission decided that it is not mandatory.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Contributor Recognition:  Chair Guilliams asked if everyone had their ideas for contributor recognition.  Cm. Turk would like to do something creative and different and something that reflects the park.  She would also like to do something other than a plaque.  Chair Guilliams agreed that something creative and fun is great, but the Commission needs to keep in mind that the more creative they get, the more expensive it will be.  Cm. Dahrens suggested putting everyone’s ideas down on paper and then taking it out to the public to see what they want.  Chair Guilliams doesn’t like that idea because it is the Commission’s decision on how they want to thank the contributors. Cm. Shibahara would like to recognize the park using the Blue Heron theme from the mural.  He would like a “Welcome to Wade Creek Park” sign that thanks the big contributors at the bottom. 

 

The Commission discussed their ideas for contributor recognition.  They decided they wanted to keep with the theme of the Blue Heron. 

 

Cm. Miller decided she would come up with a drawing and present it at the next meeting.  Cm. Dahrens would like to take their ideas to the library and see what they think also.  Cm. Shibahara thinks they should come up with 3 ideas, in case the Council doesn’t agree with their first choice. 

 

Chair Guilliams explained that they have to put something out in front that explains that the park was created, in part, by state funds.

 

 

 

Phase II – Skate Park:  Chair Guilliams discussed the state grant seminar that he attended in Salem.  He informed the Commission that CM Ealy is going to start writing the grant for the skate park.  He explained that the matching funds only have to be 20% this year and they have to apply by April 4th.  Chair Guilliams explained that they need to make a presentation to the state grant board, and show that the community is supporting them and the skate park.  Letters and petitions are best for the presentation, which will be in July.  He informed the Commission that they are able to use other grants as matching funds. 

 

It was decided that Chair Guilliams will work with Cr. Arnold on a letter to the business community. 

 

Cm. Miller suggests someone write something for the paper and the Rural View about receiving the Tony Hawk grant.  Cm. Turk and Cm. Arnold are going to take a petition in support of a skate park around to the schools.  Cm. Dahrens will work on getting signatures from businesses on a letter of support for the skate park. 

 

Chair Guilliams commented that they will most likely use the $5,000 from the Tony Hawk grant to come up with a design for the skate park.  Chair Guilliams will talk to CM Ealy tomorrow about whether he talked to Grind Line for a design.  Cm. Miller suggests having a meeting at the park to show the community their skate park designs.  Cm. Miller would like Chair Guilliams and CM Ealy to talk to Grind Line tomorrow and see if they can come up with a design, and if they can before the next meeting, the Commission needs to hold a special session.            

 

Grant Availability:  The Commission will talk to CM Ealy about this.

 

2008 Outreach/Event Schedule: 

         

Park Grand Opening – Chair Guilliams would like everyone to start thinking about when they want to have the Park Grand Opening.  He explained to the Commission that Ted Housen, Estacada Library Foundation, would like to combine the Mayor’s Ball, Library Gala and the Grand Opening of the Park.  Chair Guilliams doesn’t like the idea of this because he feels the library has been opposed to helping the park in the past.  Cm. Miller thinks they should participate in more library events, because it is more publicity for the park.  Cm. Turk suggests having a separate Grand Opening, but having a joint fundraiser with the Mayor’s Ball and the Library Gala and splitting the proceeds three ways.  The Commission came to the conclusion that they should hold their own Grand Opening.  Cm. Dahrens thinks they should call it a “Dedication of Phase I” and then have the Grand Opening when the park is completed. 

 

GPAA – Chair Guilliams asked if the Commission is interested in having a GPAA fundraiser again this year.  The Commission agreed that they do not want to without Lisa Homan being in involved. 

 

Chair Guilliams explained that the P & R Task Force will be exploring the idea of a soccer league.

 

Library Gala – No discussion.

 

Other Ideas – None.

 

 

Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

         

Barbara Bartel, Estacada Public Library, asked what the task force meeting is about tomorrow.  The Commission explained what the P & R Task Force is.

 

Commission Report & Comments

 

Cm. Miller explained that Wade Creek House is having a rummage sale and proceeds will go to Wade Creek Park.  The sale is May 16 & 17. 

 

The Commission discussed the date of the Grand Opening.  They decided to have it on May 31st.  The Commission discussed ideas for the event. 

 

Cm. Shibahara commented that he talked to a lot of people about contacting the Arts Commission and Dave piper for help with the welcome sign.  He believes you need autonomy in a group like this, as well as collective work.  He shared that today is his 40th birthday.

 

Cm. Dahrens is going to Boston for his son’s surprise 40th birthday.  He had visitors from La Grande and they commented on how neat the park and library is.  He informed the Commission that a lady commented to him about how dangerous the slide is and how she will not take her kids back.  Overall, comments that he has been hearing are people want swings for older kids, the slide is dangerous and the merry go round is scary. 

 

Cm. Shibahara commented on how teenagers are using bad language at the park.

 

Cm. Turk read the mission statement for the Parks and Recreation Commission that was written on March 28, 2001.  She passed out calendars to the Commissioners.  She thinks it was a great meeting.  She commended Chair Guilliams for keeping the Commission on track.

 

Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:20pm.