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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes 120320 I 3.A CITY OF CENTRAL POINT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2020 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Patricia Alvarez Park Commissioner Present Dennis Browning Parks Commissioner Excused Fran Cordeiro-Settell Parks Commissioner Present Jennifer Horton Parks Commissioner Present Lee Orr Parks Commissioner Present Sharon Rogers Parks Commissioner Present Stephanie Hendrickson Parks and Recreation Commissioner Present , p III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES O a. A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting-Aug 20, 2020 6:00 PM RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] a AYES: Alvarez, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Orr, Rogers, Hendrickson EXCUSED: Dennis Browning tO 0 IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA N No changes to the agenda. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES c N No public appearances. VI. BUSINESS A. Community Center Update Matt reported that due to Covid-19 city property taxes had come in lower than expected.This had to do with projects that were under construction or that had been completed but did not pay their full allotment of property taxes in the last calendar year. We expect that these tax will be paid in full next year but as of now the city is short approximately$500,000 in the general funds that would have provided for debt servicing for the community center. Chris Clayton, City Manager, wants to be financially conservative at this time due to Covid-19 so we will not move forward with community center planning activities at this time. Discussions and a final public hearing will be put off until at least the summer, and we do expect that the community center will be in the 2021-23 biennial budget. One area being examined is how to make recreation programming financially viable during this transition period. Currently, due to Covid-19,there is only one site available for recreation programming so additional classroom options are being discussed. f r B. Bear Creek Greenway Wildfire Recovery Project I Packet Pg.2 I I 3.A I City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes December 3, 2020 eIN Page 2 Matt said that as the Almeda Fire burned through the valley in early September, a section of the Bear Creek Greenway near Central Point also burned.This area is partially within the city limits and all of it is within the city's urban growth boundary. One of the results of the fire was that it burned off the existing dense vegetation and opened up the area.The now visible features include a secondary horse trail, elevated flood levee, and a creek that meanders through the area.The City Council has created an ad hoc committee to develop a long-term plan for the area and Covey-Pardee Landscape Architects have be hired to assist with the planning process.The idea is to develop a holistic park plan for the area that provides for N ecological repair while creating a more fire resistant landscape.The properties are currently owned by Jackson County and City of Medford, but both are interested in z_ transferring them to the city. U- 0 Work is also being done on two other areas along Bear Creek.There is an unburned a area located on the Greenway near the Pilot Travel Center between Pine Street and 0 the burned area. Blackberries have been sprayed and will be removed in the spring. The other area is the Boes Property which is located in north-most Central Point. We a are currently removing blackberries and other growth from an 8.5 acre section of 2 Bear Creek. Once removed native plants will be established near the creek.This area has been a major wildfire concern due to its location near the Boes Subdivision.The area around the Expo is another area of concern but the property is not within the N urban reserve and is the county's responsibility.Jennifer asked if staff had looked into Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) or NRCS grants. Matt said that the county was looking into these. Dave said that the city had received a $15,000 0 grant from the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District to assist with the Boes project. C4 C. Joel Tanzi Skate Park Closure Policy Matt said that the impact of Covid-19 related to parks had been both positive and c negative.There has been more use of parks but also more damage and vandalism0. occurring.This is particularly true at the skate park. Almost every day there have been issues with alcohol and drug use, property damage, illegal camping, inappropriate language, and even an abandoned car.At one time there was a fence r around the site which allowed it to be closed when bad behavior required it, but over time the fence had been damaged and removed. Patricia asked if there was a web cam on the site. Matt said that there had been but it had been damaged.A new web cam and light would be placed and activated soon. New fence had been placed around the site which will allow for closure when needed.Additionally, a closure policy had been developed to provide for guidance for facility closure for a period of two-weeks if rules were broken. Matt said that as part of the community center discussion, due to the configuration of the competition gymnasium,the skate park may need to be removed.The plan would be rebuild it in another location within the community center site and provide for a more flexible design.This location within the facility would allow for closer supervision of the skate park. Lee suggested that I Packet Pg.3 I I 3.A I City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes December 3, 2020 Page 3 the city should look into ways to keep the existing skate park in order keep community center costs down. Matt requested the Commission approve the closure policy and forward it to the city council for final approval. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lee Orr, Parks Commissioner SECONDER: Jennifer Horton, Parks Commissioner AYES: Alvarez, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Orr, Rogers, Hendrickson EXCUSED: Dennis Browning in D. Recreation Program Refund Policies and Procedures Revisions Nikki said that changes to existing recreation program refund policies are needed. Current policy allowed for full refunds when a class registration cancellation notice is u. provided 24 hours prior to an activity, but this does not provide enough time to 0 inform instructors of the change.Additionally if a class cancellation is required due to a student cancelling attendance, 24 hours does not provide enough time to notify o re other students of the class cancellation.The change in policy would now require 72 hour's notice.An additional change would be the time frame for receiving a 50% refunds which would change from three to seven days.Additionally,the 4%credit a card processing fee charged for credit cards will not be refunded. Finally, Covid-19 restrictions have been added to the program cancellation policies.Jennifer <o congratulated the Nikki and Elizabeth for how well they have managed special c events and recreation programming during the Covid-19 outbreak. Nikki requested "' Commission approval of the revised recreation program refund policies. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Sharon Rogers, Parks Commissioner a SECONDER: Lee Orr, Parks Commissioner AYES: Alvarez, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Orr, Rogers, Hendrickson EXCUSED: Dennis Browning VII. UPDATES as Special Events: Nikki reported that normally this would be a busy time for special events a but due to Covid-19, all events except Liam's Trunk or Treat had been canceled.This event had been started by a mother who lost her child on Halloween several years ago. The event had grown over time and had become too much for her to manage so the city had asked if they could assist and she gladly accepted.This year event was very successful with up to an hour wait for folks to get into get in to the event. 600 bags of candy were given away. Since a Christmas event was not possible,there was a virtual Christmas Tree lighting with approximately 600 viewing the event. Recreation Program: Elizabeth reported that fall classes attendance had been down due to Covid-19, but limited youth classes were able to go forward under state restrictions. The recreation program is looking for adult programming for the winter/spring recreation guide.This guide will be printed and mailed rather than only digitally available online. I Packet Pg.4 I I 3.A I City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes December 3, 2020 OPiktt Page 4 Little League Fields: Matt reported that city had been approached by a private donor who is interested in refurbishing the field and then donating them to the city. More details will be provided as the project progresses. Dennis Richardson Memorial: Dave reported that a letter had been sent out to all city residents in the water bill requesting donations for the project.There had been some response.The total cost for the project was in the neighborhood of$280,000 with the city contributing$100,000.The city had contracted with Terrain Landscaping to look at cost saving options for the project. Oregon Fallen War Heroes Memorial: Dave reported that the Purple Heart emblem had been ordered with funds provided by the Park and Recreation Foundation. It should be completed and placed early next year.Terrain Landscape is also looking at how we might update the facility to improve landscaping, etc. 0 O VIII. UPCOMING MEETING DATES O Park and Recreation Commission meeting schedule for 2021: a a Thursday, February 18, 2021 Thursday, May 20, 2021 a. Thursday,August 19, 2021 Thursday, December 2, 2021 c N IX. ADJOURNMENT ri The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 PM. "6 UJ The next scheduled meeting is February 18, 2021. :: ai 0 CL) C.) Cif I Packet Pg.5 I