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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/2022 PRC Minutes CITY OF CENTRAL POINT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Eden Foster Parks Commissioner Present Patricia Alvarez Parks Commissioner Present Dennis Browning Parks Commissioner Present Fran Cordeiro-Settell Parks Commissioner Present Stephanie Hendrickson Parks Commissioner Late Lee Orr Parks Commissioner Present Ron Woodhead Parks Commissioner Present III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - May 19, 2022 6:00 PM RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dennis Browning, Parks Commissioner SECONDER: Lee Orr, Parks Commissioner AYES: Foster, Alvarez, Browning, Cordeiro-Settell, Orr, Woodhead ABSENT: Stephanie Hendrickson IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA No Changes to the Agenda V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES The only public appearances were for the Open House and have been noted in the comments of that section. VI. BUSINESS A. Open House - Centrral Point Little League Fields Restoration Project Matt Samitore stated that the purpose of the open house is to provide information to interested parties on project background, review site designs, discuss construction phasing and review next steps. The goal of the Central Point Little League Fields Restoration Project is to completely replace the existing facility with new fields, utilities, and amenities. The project is currently in the design phase. Funding for the project is from two sources: Noel Moore and family have donated $1.5 million to the project and an additional $1.5 million will come from American Rescue Plan funds through the City of Central Point. No local tax funds will be used for the project. The current estimate cost for the project is $3.8 million so additional funds will need to be raised primarily from private sources and/or grants. Concerning us of the fields, the Central Point Little League season runs from February to June or July, and they would have exclusive use during this period. City City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 2022 Page 2 would use the fields for the rest of the year for softball tournaments and other activities. The initial concept is to replace the existing fields with a combination of synthetic and natural turf that can be utilized throughout the year for both Little League and softball tournaments. The design is similar to US Cellular Fields in Medford. This would include moveable fences to allow to provide for flexible use of the fields. Construction will be done in phases to work around the Central Point Little League Season. Phase one of the project, which could begin this fall, would bring water and sewer lines to the fields. The primary concern we’re hearing from property owners near the facility is whether these neighboring properties be brought into the city. The answer is no. The area is in a Central Point urban reserve area so at some point it will be brought into the city but not for 50 to 75 years. The other question is related to access to city water and cost of the connection. The City will need people using this new water line to provide for water circulation throughout the year. The city would do the tap, meter, and backflow device with the homeowner only paying for the line from the backflow device to the residence. Property owners would be able to keep their wells for irrigation use if you do decide to use city water. Water service would not be required of anyone. Rogue Valley Sewer Services is separate entity so cost to connect to their lines would be a more expensive proposition. Other concerns include site security. Our goal would be to do everything we can to provide for neighborhood safety. Cameras, new fencing, and locking gates will be installed with police patrols available as well. Field lighting is also a concern. A new light system would be installed but would be turned off not later than 10 pm on nights when it is in use. Concerning the process moving forward, the city is waiting for the final cost estimate for the water and sewer line work. Once we have this number, we’ll have a better idea of what can be accomplished and when. The city also needs to go through the Jackson County Planning Commission for approval for the redevelopment of the complex. We hope to do this over the winter so that we are ready for phase two construction to begin within days of the Little League season ending. The parking lot is also a key component but we aren't sure if we will be able to complete it in phase two or phase three. Public Comments: Scott Holt - citizen/neighbor: Mr. Holt said that he is excited to see these improvements. His primary concern is the overall safety of the area. He would like to see a reduction in the speed limit in that area. There are too many accidents from the speeding vehicles. He also said he has concerns over the field lighting and of the drug deals that occur in the area. Matt: Hanley Road is under jurisdiction but we can discuss the possibility of reducing City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 2022 Page 3 the speed limit with them. There has been some discussion of the city taking jurisdiction of this section of Hanley Road which allow for a lower speed limit and city police patrols of the area. . Kerry Bixby - citizen/neighbor: Ms. Bixby said she is concerned about the field lights will affect those living near the facility. She is also concerned with having random adults using the facility and doesn't feel safe. Matt: The lights have been there for a long time but due to their condition, they have not been in full use for a number of years. We can look at the lighting standard to see if we can consolidate the lights or minimize any issues to be good neighbors. Mark Deems - citizen/neighbor: Mr. Deems said that he is very supportive of the Little League but has witnessed many problems over the years. There have been issues with dust, vandalism, light pollution, and fencing that is falling down. His primary concern is how the increased usage of the facility will affect the area. He has a Bed and Breakfast unit and is concerned with the impact on those using the facility. Matt: City representatives will meet with each property owner to discuss the type of fencing they would prefer to limit impact of the fields. Turf will be used as much as possible to limit dust. The City will also be maintaining the property five days per week which should help with some of the security problems. Kathy McGoffin - citizen/neighbor: Ms. McGoffin said that she is also supportive of the Little League and agrees about the issues that have been brought up thus far. Her primary concern is the drug activity that seems to get continually worse. Matt: The whole complex will be fenced and gated and the bathrooms will be automatically locked and cleaned on a regular basis when. This will also minimize much of this activity. Clark Bonner - citizen: Mr. Bonner said that he had questions about the playground rendering. He suggested we make sure when planning that we put a shade sail and netting over the structure to prevent injuries. He also suggested talking to Grants Pass regarding the issues they have had with the turf and natural surfaces. Mike Parson, Central Point City Council. Mr. Parson asked if there would be a concession stand and/or food trucks located at the facility. Matt: The Little League has requested that they have a concession stand but the city would also install connections for food trucks. Alison Norris - citizen/neighbor: Ms. Norris said that she is new to the neighborhood and is happy to see these improvement. She had questions about where things are City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 2022 Page 4 going like fencing, the water and how that process will work. Shirley Bandy - citizen/neighbor: Ms. Bandy said that she lives across from the entrance gate and wants the city to address how cars enter and exit. She is also affected by the headlights that shine directly into her front windows, the noise from the vehicles, and trash thrown from cars. She wanted to know if we have a plan for monitoring how people enter or exit out the facility. The speeding on Hanley Road is also a huge problem. She asked if we could better estimate the project costs in the future because there is a big difference between $400,000 and $700,000. Matt: We can engineer the entrance and exit in a way that the lights don't shine into a houses and we’ll work with the Little League on a preferred entrance and exit plan as well. As for the cost range estimates, when we started the process the estimate was closer to $400,000 - $500,000 but with costs increasing we have added a large buffer. We will have better cost estimates in the next six to eight weeks. RESULT: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY B. City of Central Point - Park Memorial Donation Policy Dave Jacob said the purpose of the park donation policy is to establish consistent guidelines for the decision-making process related to the acceptance, placement and long-term maintenance of memorial donations in city-owned facilities, parks, natural areas and trail systems. Historically, the Central Point Parks Department has accepted donations without a formal written policy. Although the city has policies that outline the criteria and conditions for the naming of parks and facilities and the donation of real property, these policies do not apply to memorial donations within the city’s park and open space system. Guidelines are needed for sustainable management of site-appropriate amenities to ensure that the integrity, natural and architectural features of parks, natural areas and facilities are preserved. Dave said that with the implementation of the My Veteran/My Hero Tribute Tree Program, a donation policy needs to be in place. Dave asked the commission to approve policy and forward it city council for final approval. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ron Woodhead, Parks Commissioner SECONDER: Dennis Browning, Parks Commissioner AYES: Foster, Alvarez, Browning, Cordeiro-Settell, Hendrickson, Orr, Woodhead C. Central Point - Bear Creek Greenway Update Dave provided an update on activities that have taken plan on the Bear Creek Greenway burn area. FEMA provided funds to replaced items damaged during the 2020 wildfire. Work is nearly completed on the Espy Pond gazebo and the installation of six park benches. The old equestrian path was graveled last spring and the Elk Creek culvert design is complete and will be installed next summer. City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 2022 Page 5 Concerning maintenance, we have received complaints about the standing dead trees and have met with ODFW. They recommended keeping the dead trees with a 15 diameter breast height (DBH) inches or greater. Crews would started removing tree later this fall. A regular spray program for Himalayan blackberries and poison hemlock is in place. Black berries would be sprayed each fall and hemlock in spring when it’s first coming up. Related to wildfire preparation, a fire hydrant had been placed near the Espy Pond which would allow water access in case of fire. Fire breaks had been added to both ends of the burn area and an emergency vehicle access had been created near the Holiday Inn Express. Related to the planning process, the conceptual plan created in 2021 have been reviewed by city council, planning commission, citizen’s advisory committee and the park and recreation commission. The next step would be to develop a master plan for the area which would provide the details needed to begin construction of the recreation and natural area elements. Funds for the master plan and construction will come from the Central Point Urban Renewal program. Planning funds will be available next year and construction funds no later than 2027. As part of the master planning process, an advisory committee with members from City Council and Park and Recreation Commission will be formed. Let Dave know if you’re interested in assisting with this process. Also, the Jackson County’s planning process for the entire breadth of the Greenway is underway. The "Envision Bear Creek" project has held several public forums with related surveys with the goal of shaping the future of the Greenway. RESULT: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY VII. UPDATES Community Center: Matt reported that they are still working through issues related to the community center. Jackson County is seeking a legal opinion related to use of the American Recovery Plan funds. The question is if these funds can be used for community center construction. The city is working through financial issues as well related to how much bond funds and general funds are available for the project. Staff found out that the city cannot own the property that the community center will be built on so there are some concerns about investing funds in a building but not controlling the property it sits on. Oregon Fallen War Heroes Memorial - Dennis Richardson Memorial: Dave reported that the preconstruction meeting was held with Knife River this morning. Work on the project will begin on Monday and if everything goes according to plan will be completed by the end of October. City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 2022 Page 6 Plant a thousand Daffodils Project: Eden reported that there are five dates planned for planting this year and asked for volunteers and/or donations. She has visited local businesses seeking funds and materials. Last year’s project was very successful and hoped to build on that success. Special Events: Nikki reported that Made in Southern Oregon was scheduled for Saturday. Pine Street will be shut down and there were over 100 vendors expected. A Super Hero Walk will be held in October in partnership with TP Trucking to support Asante’s Children’s Oncology Program. Liam's Trunk or Treat will be held on October 22 at Twin Creeks Park. Movies in the Cemetery will be held on October 25. It sold out in six hours so another showing was added. The recreation program is also partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for a Downtown Trick or Treating Event on October 29. Pine Street will also be closed down for this event. Matt said that a policy for Movies in the Cemetery will be presented at the December meeting. Recreation Programs: Elizabeth reported that they had survived summer. There were week long summer day camps held every week. The fall recreation guide was sent out in late August and fall programming is underway and will run through December. VIII. UPCOMING MEETING DATE Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 6:00 pm. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 PM. The next scheduled meeting is December 1, 2022.