City Council

The City of Columbia City In Columbia County on the Columbia River PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES APRIL 1, 2014 - 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL, 1840 SECOND STREET, COLUMBIA CITY, OR 97018 Present: Sally Ann Marson, Council Member Nell Harrison, Committee Member Larry Preston, Committee Member Ted Burns, Committee Member Kathleen Devlin, Committee Member Jack Hruska, Committee Member Sean Burns, Citizen Kiel Hoff, Citizen Ben Hoff, Citizen Cody Stinson, Citizen Michele Hajek, Citizen Dave Nelson, VFW Post 1440 Lyle RP King, American Legion Post 42 Douglas Peal, American Legion Post 42 Jerry C. Peal, American Legion Post 42 Gary Tanner, Rusty Cowboy Alicia Tanner, Citizen Debra Hebard, St. Helens Garden Club David Belden, Citizen Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder Veterans Memorial Park:  Benches/Tables: Larry has been researching options for benches and tables, and found Gary Tanner, a local artist, that does custom fabrication metal work. Gary discussed bench and table designs with the Committee, and shared some examples of artwork that could be added to the backs of the benches and the legs of the picnic tables. Gary said with two picnic tables, one end with be handicapped accessible, and the other three ends could contain a panel reflecting artwork that would measure approximately 25” wide by 1 PO Box 189  1840 Second Street  Columbia City, Oregon 97018 Phone 503-397-4010  Fax 503-366-2870 E-mail colcity@columbia-city.org  Web site www.columbia-city.org  32” high. He shared various veteran theme artwork designs with the group. He provided a proposed work order for two handicap accessible picnic tables and three benches, all custom metal fabrication with either powder coating or paint, and artwork of the Committee’s choice, for a total of $10,000. Members of the American Legion explained how they recently installed rock benches at the veterans park in Scappoose that were paid for by individual citizens and engraved according to the instructions of each of the individual purchasers. It was the consensus of Committee Members that the metal fabricated benches reflecting artwork selected by the Committee would be a unique and attractive addition to our veterans park. Members discussed artwork options at length, noting that we need to make certain that the artwork that we select is representative of all American veterans. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (PRESTON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY THAT GARY TANNER PROVIDE A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THREE BENCHES UTILIZING A DESIGN OF TWO AMERICAN FLAGS, THE LIBERTY BELL, AND AN EAGLE ON THE BENCH BACKS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (PRESTON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY THAT GARY TANNER PROVIDE A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR TWO PICNIC TABLES, AND THE THREE EXPOSED END LEG SECTIONS CONTAIN ARTWORK AS FOLLOWS: ONE WITH THE POW/MIA INSIGNIA, ONE WITH THE STATUTE OF LIBERTY, AND ONE THAT SAYS, “IN MEMORY OF ALL AMERICAN VETERANS.” Gary said he should be able to submit the proposal by Friday, April 4. He said if he receives the order, he may be able to have two of the benches and one of the tables completed in time for the Memorial Day dedication ceremony.  Dedication ceremony: Lyle King said the American Legion would like to sponsor an essay contest for all St. Helens High School students that have a veteran in their family. The 300 words essays will be about the service veteran in their family and entitled, “What has their service meant to me?” First place will win $100 and be read at the Columbia City Veterans Park Dedication Ceremony if the Committee is agreeable. Committee Members agreed that would be a fantastic idea. Sean Burns discussed the possibility of the Young Marines Color Guard participating in the dedication ceremony. Committee Members and other veteran group representatives thought this would be a great idea, and suggested they could also raise the flag. Sean will make the request during the next Young Marines meeting. Committee Members were in favor of having a band - perhaps a fife and drum band - play the following music during the ceremony: Taps, Star Spangled Banner, and God Bless America. Sally Ann will check to see if the High School Band would like to participate. Doug Peal asked if the Committee would like the Boy Scouts to assist - perhaps with parking. Committee Members thought that was a great idea. Doug will check with the 2 PO Box 189  1840 Second Street  Columbia City, Oregon 97018 Phone 503-397-4010  Fax 503-366-2870 E-mail colcity@columbia-city.org  Web site www.columbia-city.org  Boy Scouts. Committee Members agreed that a wreath should be obtained for the ceremony. Nell and Debra will check with the Garden Club to see if they might be willing to make one. Committee Members thought the event should run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Leahnette will check will contact elected officials to see who might be available to attend. Members discussed the following tentative schedule for the dedication ceremony: Welcome (speaker to be determined) Assembly (a bugle call to form color guard - bugler to be determined) Color Guard Young Marines Raising of the Flags Young Marines Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag (led by?) “Star Spangled Banner” (source of music to be determined) Unveiling of the Monument (by ?) Unveiling of the Veterans Wall (by ?) Reading of the Winning Essay, “What has their Service Meant to Me?” (winner to be determined)] Placing of the Wreath (by ?... perhaps at noon at the base of the monument near the bronze star???) “Taps” (source of music to be determined) Prayer (chaplain to be determined) 3 PO Box 189  1840 Second Street  Columbia City, Oregon 97018 Phone 503-397-4010  Fax 503-366-2870 E-mail colcity@columbia-city.org  Web site www.columbia-city.org  Closing Remarks (speaker to be determined) “God Bless America” (source of music to be determined) Refreshments served  Vehicular access plan/signage: Members discussed a proposed vehicular access plan (attached) submitted by Larry which would route traffic into the park via Lincoln Street, down the bike path (adding an additional 4-feet of pavement) and into the park, with traffic exiting onto Highway 30 via the existing drive with a “right turn only.” The route would be open on event days only. On other days, park access would remain as it currently is today. Leahnette will discuss the plan with ODOT representatives. Members suggested we try out the route during the dedication ceremony before we add pavement and permanent signage. Members reviewed proofs for some of the park signage, and Leahnette will order the signs.  Construction update: The concrete will be poured for the base of the walls, the picnic tables, and the park benches tomorrow. The water service is installed, and Micah plans to install the remaining utilities next week. The pathway locations have been identified, as well as the flagpole placement.  Flower bed: Larry suggested building a block base for the flower bed to sit in. He provided a plan that will require 75 blocks and create the base for a planting area measuring 10’ wide and 6.1’ high. Members approved the plan. Dave Nelson will ask the VFW Post 1440 to contribute the blocks and the top soil for the flower planting bed. Larry will construct the block base.  Park name: MOVED (HRUSKA), SECONDED (HARRISON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO NAME THE PARK “COLUMBIA CITY VETERANS PARK.” Dog Park:  Signage: Members reviewed proofs for the remaining dog park signage and Leahnette will order the signs. Members suggested we spray along the chain link fence line and do something about the muddy areas within the park. Kathleen suggested we add a shelter for people to stand under when it is raining, and suggested we add a message board. Kathleen said the park needs to be mowed. It was noted that some people are not picking up after their pets. DAR financial assistance for Ruth Rose Richardson (RRR)/Pixie Parks: Larry said he has a key to the irrigation system and has figured out how to use it. He said he has mowed, trimmed, sprayed weeds, and pulled weeds from RRR Park. Harvard Park: Kathleen said the park needs to be mowed. Leahnette said it’s been very wet, but mowing activities should increase in frequency soon. Kathleen said the trees that were planted are all still alive. 4 PO Box 189  1840 Second Street  Columbia City, Oregon 97018 Phone 503-397-4010  Fax 503-366-2870 E-mail colcity@columbia-city.org  Web site www.columbia-city.org Jim Bundy Memorial Park: Nell said the park looks fantastic and the trillium are amazing this year. McBride Creek Trail System: Leahnette said the trillium along the banks are beautiful and the wildlife did a pretty good job of maintaining the trail through the winter. She said we should have a report from the Soil and Water Conservation District members soon. Young volunteers: Kathleen said Kaleb would be a great candidate for our Youth Volunteer Corps. Leahnette said we still need a qualified volunteer to oversee their work. Set date and time for next meeting: The Parks Committee will meet again on April 1, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. 5 PO Box 189  1840 Second Street  Columbia City, Oregon 97018 Phone 503-397-4010  Fax 503-366-2870 E-mail colcity@columbia-city.org  Web site www.columbia-city.org