HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Packet 080320
City of Central Point
Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda
August 20, 2020
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - Feb 20, 2020 12:00 AM
IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA
V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
VI. BUSINESS
A. Community Center Update (Samitore)
B. An Ordinance Amending CPMC Chapter 9.68.020 Child Supervision to Comply
with ORS 163.545 Child Neglect (Jacob)
C. Central Point Cemetery Presentation (Jacob)
VII. UPDATES
VIII. UPCOMING MEETING DATE
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Individuals needing special accommodations such as sign language, foreign language interpreters or equipment for
the hearing impaired must request such services at least 72 hours prior to the City Council meeting. To make your
request, please contact the City Recorder at 541-423-1026 (voice), or by e-mail at:
deanna.casey@centralpointoregon.gov .
Si necesita traductor en español o servicios de discapacidades (ADA) para asistir a una junta publica de la ciudad
por favor llame con 72 horas de anticipación al 541-664-3321 ext. 201.
CITY OF CENTRAL POINT
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2020
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Patricia Alvarez Park Commissioner Present
Dennis Browning Parks Commissioner Present
Fran Cordeiro-Settell Parks Commissioner Present
Jennifer Horton Parks Commissioner Present
Mark Ludwiczak Parks Chairperson Present
Lee Orr Parks Commissioner Present
Sharon Rogers Parks Commissioner Absent
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - Nov 21, 2019 12:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Fran Cordeiro-Settell, Parks Commissioner
SECONDER: Jennifer Horton, Parks Commissioner
AYES: Alvarez, Browning, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Ludwiczak, Orr
ABSENT: Sharon Rogers
IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA
V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
VI. BUSINESS
A. Public Meeting - Central Point Community Center
Matt Samitore, Parks and Public Works Director, said that a community center has
been discussed by the city for at least 15 years. The proposed location will be at 4th
Street and Cedar Street. The community center site when completed would include
a soccer field, playground, splash pad and the skateboard park. There would be
three gymnasiums on the ground floor, one with two multi-sport courts and one
with a competition gymnasium with bleachers. There will also be a large classroom
and a multi-generational space which would include a large community kitchen and
a snack bar. There would also be administrative offices and a reception area. The
upper floor would have parks and recreation staff offices, a walking/running track
around the multi-court gymnasium, and storage. There is also potential to expand
the facility to include a fitness center which could be operated in partnership with a
local business.
Christopher Brown, Project Architect with Arkitek Architecture, presented a
rendered fly through of the proposed community center. The concept was to
construct a steel building for economic efficiencies but to build it in such a way so
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that it doesn’t look like a giant steel building. Mr. Brown reviewed the elements of
the exterior and interior of the building. Mr. Brown said that there had been a
comment in the lobby prior to the meeting about heating and cooling costs. Mr.
Brown said that in winter the temperature in the building would be around 65
degrees due to body heat from those using the facility. The higher costs would be
during the summer months when facility cooling would be required. Exterior shading
would help with these costs. Skylights would also be used to limit interior lighting
costs. The design provided for staging of construction if the city was unable to build
the entire structure all at once.
Mr. Samitore said that the current design would not include a public swimming pool,
but the soccer field area could be used for this purpose in the future. A covered pool
would cost in the neighborhood of $15 million and the cost of operations and
maintenance would be very high. The Community Center Ad Hoc Committee had
recommended to the City Council that a pool not be a part of the initial community
center build but could be added in the future. Also, the City of Medford is planning
for an event and aquatic center at the corner of Rossanley Drive and N. Ross Lane
which is only 3 miles from Central Point. There is potentials for a partnership with
the City of Medford that would provide the same rates for Central Point residents as
for Medford residents.
The primary concern expressed by the public was that the project would require an
increase in property tax rates. Chris Clayton, City Manager, has done a great job
managing city finances over the past ten years. The facility would cost between $8
and $10 million. These are rough numbers since they are based on a conceptual plan
and on examples of similar facilities. To pay for the community center, all
outstanding general obligation bonds had been paid off which included bonds for
the City Hall and Don Jones Memorial Park. A new construction bond would be
sought but the current property tax rate would not be raised. Bond rates for a
structure of this size are currently in neighborhood 2.7%. Repayment terms would
be for 20 years but the goal would be to repay the bond in 10 years. Mr. Samitore
provided responses to other questions the city had received related to the
community center:
Does the city own the building site? The city does own the site and using it will not
take away from city tax rolls since it is in city ownership.
Could the property be sold for a profit? The property could be sold but only to
another public entity.
Would the facility have locker room? The facility would have no locker rooms due to
liability issues.
Will the competition gymnasium have seating? In the conceptual plan there are
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120 seats. The location of the skateboard park limits expansion of the gym, but this
is an area we’ll continue to work on since more seating would be required in order
to have functional competition gym.
Is there enough parking for the site? There are 80 parking spaces in the conceptual
plan. There would also be parking around the facility as well. A parking study has not
been completed since the project is still under discussion at this time.
Is there a workout facility? Not in the publicly owned portion of the facility, but a
public-private partnership could potentially provide this element.
How much will it cost to operate the facility? Recreation staff would be transferred
from city hall to the community center to run the facility. The expectation is that it
would cost approximately $400,000 per year to operate the community center.
Along with our current recreation staff, we would expect to hire two more full time
employees and a number of temporary employees. The city currently has
approximately two-thirds of the operating costs but would need to make up the rest
of these funds through a $1 to $2 increase of the recreation fee.
Who will it serve? The center would serve our youngest to our oldest residents with
programs designed for specific age groups but also opportunities for our older
residents to be involved with the younger. Recreation classes will be consolidated at
one location and there would also be a variety of sports activities.
Will the facility be available for rental? Yes, there is currently limited space in
Central Point for weddings, reunions, etc., so when time and space is available,
private events could be held. Rental rates have not been established yet.
Next Steps: This is the first of three public meeting that will be held to discuss the
community center. The next meeting will be on a Saturday and the last will be held
at a Citizens Advisory Committee meeting. A final decision will be made by the City
Council in June. If the community center does receive support from the council, the
first step would be a selecting an architect to create the design for the project. The
design process would start in the fall and take nine months to complete.
Construction would be completed in late 2021 or early 2022. Mr. Samitore opened
the meeting for public testimony.
Public Testimony:
Mary St. Arnold, Central Point Senior Center Board of Directors member: The board
has reviewed the plans and their first question is would the multi-generational
center be the new senior center? Matt replied that the city would not force the
current senior center to move to the new site but would have discussions with them
to see if it could work. Mary said that this is a good thing but that they are interested
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in learning about opportunities the new facility may provide them with. Could it be
called the Senior Community Center? Would there be a space for a thrift center?
Current plans don’t show this as part of the multi-generational center. The thrift
center produces approximately $1000 per month income for the Senior Center.
There would also be a need for a full kitchen in order to continue to serve lunches.
The senior center serves approximately 600 meals a month at their current location.
The organization is managed and run very effectively by volunteers and they would
want to be able operate at the new facility in the same manner. Mary invited
everyone to take a tour of the senior center and join them for lunch and asked that
the Senior Center Board be involved in future planning efforts.
Jack Methot, Southern Oregon Pickleball Association (SOPA): Mr. Methot requested
that six pickleball courts be lined in the multi-use gymnasium. The organization is
asking for this because it is part SOPA’s five-year plan to expand their pickleball
program to include middle and high school kids. There is a need for space for
practice and games since most high school and middle school gymnasiums are being
used for other sport programs. The average age of SOPA is 68 so it’s important to
bring younger players into the sport. The new facility would also offer the
opportunity for members to play weekday mornings.
James Adia: Mr. Adia said that there had been very little information provided on
how the project would be funded. Mr. Adia is retired as are many of his
acquaintances. Since they are living on fixed incomes, it would be difficult to manage
a property tax increase. Mr. Adia had moved here during an economic downturn
when property was inexpensive but taxes have continually gone up since that time.
Also as he walks around the city he see many city facilities that are little used such as
the Skyrman Arboretum and suggested that they could be sold.
Rhonda Orwig: Ms. Orwig lives on Cedar Street near the community center site. She
felt that a large facility would be out of place in that location. Traffic will increase
and parking is limited. She asked if there had been any discussion of other locations
for the community center. Mr. Samitore said they had looked at several other
locations including Twin Creeks and Don Jones Park but a previous City Council felt
that the facility should be located in the center of town. Ms. Orwig felt that it would
change the character of the neighborhood and that residents of the neighborhood
should have some say in where the facility is sited.
Pete Stevens: Mr. Stevens lives on Bush Street and said that he does not want the
community center in his backyard. His biggest concern is the cost. Mr. Steven feels
that there are other priorities that should be funded prior to the community center.
There are narrow streets, lack of sidewalks, and street light that could be repaired.
Could these funds be used instead for this purpose? The plans seem too grand for
the site. It fills the entire area. The skateboard park is also a consistent problem due
to trash, profanity and bad behavior. There is very little policing, and it’s a nightmare
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for those living near it. With a larger facility there is potential for more problems.
The water department yard is also less than attractive. Mr. Samitore said that a new
public works and water department yard would be constructed on South Haskell
Street no matter if the community center moves forward or not. Construction on
this facility will begin in the fall.
Steven Lang: Mr. Lang understands where the funds for maintaining the site come
from but where will the $8 to $10 million for construction come from? Mr. Samitore
explained that the funds would be from property tax revenue that resulted from
paying off bonds that had been used for the construction of Don Jones Memorial
Park and the Central Point City Hall. A new bond would be sought for construction of
the community center. Mr. Lang said that voters had just approved a school
construction bond and asked if a school couldn’t be constructed on the property.
Mr. Samitore said that the funds could not be used for a school since the city and
the school district are entirely separate entities.
Rhonda Orwig: Ms. Orwig said that the School District had purchased the Asante
property in south Central Point and asked why a portion of this property couldn't be
sold to the city for the community center? Mr. Samitore said that once the school
district refurbishes existing structures there would only be one acre remaining which
would not be enough for the community center.
Bryan Scott: Mr. Scott said that he has coached various sports for years and that
there has never been enough space available for these activities. When he saw the
design he was very excited by the potential. He does agree that there is a need for
more parking spaces particularly when you have a tournament that may attract
hundreds of people.
Cheryl Ryerson: Ms. Ryerson asked how the gymnasiums would be scheduled and
who would receive priority use? She did not asked for a response at this time but
would like a response prior to a decision on the facility being made.
J.C. Brown, Holiday Inn, General Manager: Mr. Brown said that he is excited about a
place where his staff can bring their kids. He also sees lots of missed opportunities
where softball and basketball tournaments and other events are going to Medford.
Central Point is a unique area and the more of these types of events that we can
bring into the city the better. Revenue generated by the facility will go back into the
community and the facility will make Central Point a more attractive place to visit
and live. Let Medford have their pool and we’ll have a great facility for sports and
other activities.
Don Kaven, Resident: Mr. Kaven asked that since this was an older part of town,
what kind of infrastructure work would need be done related to water, sewer, etc.
Mr. Samitore said that this was one of the better areas of the city to build the facility
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since the infrastructure had been updated. Infrastructure related to the water
reservoir made this a good area to build the facility.
Patty Alvarez asked if there were any additional comments or questions. There were
none and Mr. Samitore thanked all those for attending and hoped to see them at
upcoming public meetings and the city council meeting.
B. Public Meeting - Flanagan Park Playground Replacement
Dave Jacob, Park Planner, said that he would present several options to replace the
existing playground at Flanagan Park which was installed in 1999. The normal
lifespan of a playground is approximately twenty years so it is due for replacement.
This project is budgeted in the current Parks capital projects budget at
approximately $120,000. Installation of the new playground would be completed by
May. Fall material is currently pea gravel which will be removed as part of the
project and replaced with wood fiber.
Designs were requested from two companies: Northwest Playground Equipment and
Playcraft Systems. All plans were reviewed by both parks and recreation staff for
design and structural elements. Staff consensus was that Playcraft Option 1 was the
best fit for the park. The design features fit in with Flanagan Park and our
playground inspector felt that structurally it worked well within the existing
footprint of the playground. Mr. Jacob said that approval from the commission for
this item is required.
Ms. Alvarez asked why the installation cost was so high. Mr. Samitore agreed that
the cost was high and we would have to go out for bid since it’s over $50,000. Mr.
Ludwiczak asked what the experience had been with the new playgrounds at Pfaff
Park and Bohnert Park. Mr. Jacob said that both playgrounds had been well received
by the public and it was a benefit to work with a local company like Playcraft if issues
did arise. Ms. Settell asked is benches would be a possibility. Mr. Jacob said not in
the playground itself but certainly could be added around the perimeter. Mr. Orr
moved that the commission recommend Playcraft Option 1. Ms. Settell seconded
the motion which was approved by all.
VII. UPDATES
Special Events: Nikki Petersen, Special Event Coordinator, reported that Community
Christmas had been a great success. There have been discussions about the future of
the event. Discussions focused on the location of the Christmas tree and making it more
attractive no matter the location. Mr. Samitore said that there had been discussion of
moving the event to the Banner Bank parking lot but the city would need cooperation
from the bank. The Park Foundation donated Human Bean gift cards to each child’s gift
bag this year. Upcoming events include the Eggstravaganza, Memorial Day at the
Oreogn Fallen War Heroes Memorial, and Made in Southern in Oregon which will be
held twice this year in May and August.
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Recreation Programs: Elizabeth Blodgett, Recreation Program Coordinator, reported
that she is currently working on the Summer Recreation guide which will offer a lot of
great classes and a camp will be offered each week throughout the summer. The guide
will go out by mid-April.
Park Update: Mr. Jacob reported that the city had been awarded the Tree City USA
designation for the seventh straight year. This designation requires that the city hold
Arbor Week events each year. This year we will be working with Crater High School
student to plant trees at two park sites in April. Also, a resident applied for a received a
Hiroshima Peace Tree through an Oregon State Forestry program. This tree is a direct
relative of a tree that survived the Hiroshima bombing in 1945. The tree will be planted
at the Skyrman Arboretum during Arbor Week. The opening of the Don and Flo Bohnert
Park was held in January, and both Don and Flo Bohnert were able to attend so it was a
special day. Mr. Samitore said that the city is trying to get the final easement signed for
the Skyrman Arboretum which will allow for the extension of sewer services to the park.
Once this is complete, a restroom will be added to the site sometime in the future. Mr.
Jacob reported that a future Eagle Scout will work on the Skyrman cabin to clean it up
and build furniture. The idea is make the cabin an educational element of the park. Mr.
Samitore reported that the parking lot contract has been awarded for Flanagan Park and
work would start shortly. Concerning the Dennis Richardson Memorial, John Galbraith is
the designer. His daughter had died suddenly in January so he is just getting back to the
project. We’ll have the project costs shortly but due to the delay fundraising may take
longer than expected.
Special Presentation: Mr. Jacob said that Mark Ludwiczak’s term on the commission had
expired in December and he had decided to leave the commission after ten years of
service. The city had requested that he attend one more meeting to ensure a quorum.
Mr. Jacob presented Mr. Ludwiczak with a plaque and thanked him for his service to the
City of Central Point. Mr. Samitore said that if anyone knew of someone who would be
interested in serving on the commission to contact staff.
VIII. UPCOMING MEETING DATE
Next Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for May 21
at 6:00 pm.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
The next scheduled meeting is August 20, 2020.
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City of Central Point
Staff Report
ISSUE SUMMARY
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
DEPARTMENT:
Parks and Recreation
Commission
FROM: Matt Samitore, Parks and Public Works Director
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2020
SUBJECT: Community Center Update
ACTION REQUIRED:
Information/Direction
RECOMMENDATION:
Not Applicable
Staff will provide an update on the community center process as impacted by the Covid-19 and
the resulting economic downturn.
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City of Central Point
Staff Report
ISSUE SUMMARY
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
DEPARTMENT:
Parks and Recreation
Commission
FROM: Dave Jacob, Park Planner
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2020
SUBJECT: An Ordinance Amending CPMC Chapter 9.68.020 Child Supervision to
Comply with ORS 163.545 Child Neglect
ACTION REQUIRED:
Motion
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval
Currently, Central Point Municipal Code (CPMC) section 9.68.020 Child Supervision reads
"Children under the age of six years are not allowed to come upon, use or play in the city’s
parks without adequate supervision by a responsible older person". Oregon Revised Statute
163.545 Child Neglect in the Second Degree states that "A person having custody or control of
a child under 10 years of age commits the crime of child neglect in the second degree if, with
criminal negligence, the person leaves the child unattended in or at any place for such period of
time as may be likely to endanger the health or welfare of such child." If approved, CPMC will be
amended to change the age from 6 to age 10. If the Park Commission agrees to the change, the
ordinance amendment will be forwarded to City Council for final approval.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Child endangerment ordinance 8-11-20.docx
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ORDINANCE NO. _______________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CPMC CHAPTER 9.68.020 CHILD SUPERVISION TO
COMPLY WITH REVISED ORS 163.545 CHILD NEGLECT IN THE SECOND
DEGREE
RECITALS:
A. Pursuant to CPMC, Chapter 1.01.040, the City Council, may from time to time make
revisions to its municipal code which shall become part of the overall document and
citation.
B. Upon review, the staff for the City of Central Point determined that amendment to
Chapter 9.68.020 is required to comply with legal age requirements as specified in
ORS 163.545 Child Neglect in the Second Degree.
C. Words lined through are to be deleted and words in bold are added.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL POINT DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
9.68.020 Child supervision.
Children under the age of six 10 years are not allowed to come upon, use or play in the city’s
parks without adequate supervision by a responsible older person. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
PASSED by the Council and signed by me in authentication of its passage this _____ day of
August 2020
________________________________
Mayor Hank Williams
ATTEST:
________________________________
City Recorder
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Packet Pg. 11 Attachment: Child endangerment ordinance 8-11-20.docx (1298 : Ordinance Amending CPMC 9.68.020 Child Supervision)
City of Central Point
Staff Report
ISSUE SUMMARY
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
DEPARTMENT:
Parks and Recreation
Commission
FROM: Dave Jacob, Park Planner
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2020
SUBJECT: Central Point Cemetery Presentation
ACTION REQUIRED:
Information/Direction
RECOMMENDATION:
Not Applicable
The City of Central Point is considering taking over ownership of the Central Point Cemetery.
This presentation will provide background information and issues involved with city ownership. If
the property is transferred to the city, the Park and Recreation Commission would potentially
have oversight responsibilities.
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