City Council

The City of Columbia City In Columbia County on the Columbia River PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 30, 2016 - 5:00 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY VETERANS PARK 62601 COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY COLUMBIA CITY, OR 97018 Present: Sally Ann Marson, Chair Nell Harrison, Committee Member Jack Hruska, Committee Member Stank Hopkins, Committee Member Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder Veterans Park: The Committee reviewed and discussed the following items:
Monument offering a tribute to the family members of all American veterans: The Committee reviewed three wording options for the tribute, and selected the following: THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS OF AMERICAN SERVICE PERSONNEL, PRESENT AND PAST THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF VETERANS ENDURE SEPARATION, APPREHENSION AND LONELINESS, AND BRAVELY ENDURE MANY HARDSHIPS AND SACRIFICES WHILE THEIR LOVED ONES SERVE OUR COUNTRY GOD BLESS THEM FOR THEIR MANY SACRIFICES AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT, FOR THEY TOO SERVE OUR COUNTRY BY SUPPORTING THEIR SERVICE MEMBER Members agreed that the plaque should be bronze, similar to the Veterans Park Dedication plaque, and mounted on a large rock. The rock next to the Community Hall will be relocated to the Veterans Park, and the plaque will be mounted to the rock. The bronze plaque and rock will not be affected by the water from the sprinkler system, so the monument will be placed in the grassy location directly to the west of the US flagpole, and the plaque will face the walking path. Leahnette will contact Macadam Aluminum & Bronze and get at quote. 1 
Monument honoring POW/MIAs: The Committee considered wording options for the POW/MIA monument and selected the following: ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL IN HONOR OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HELD AS PRISONERS OF WAR WHILE SERVING THIS NATION AND THE SUFFERING THEY ENDURED REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER RETURNED RECOGNIZING THE ETERNAL PAIN OF THE FAMILIES WHO STILL WAIT The Committee discussed various types of materials that the monument could be made from and asked Leahnette to contact the following for design ideas and quotes: o OM Stone in Hillsboro o Flatline Fabrication in Portland o Macadam Aluminum & Bronze in Portland Members expressed an interest in having the POW/MIA insignia displayed within a tear drop shape. Members will determine the location for placement after a decision is made about the types of materials used, since certain materials will need to be placed outside of the sprinkler system area to prevent water damage.
Main monument informational sign: Members considered wording for the informational sign and selected the following: On Memorial Day of each year, given a sunny day, a beam of sunshine will reach through the hole at the top of the monument and light upon the center of the star. This will occur right at noon. This can also be observed at noon on the few days preceding and following Memorial Day, and on and around the 17th of July. Members agreed the sign should be made in a similar fashion as the new sternwheeler sign in Datis Park, and screwed into the side of the concrete base at the point closest to the sidewalk. Perhaps the sign can be bent to keep it flush with the curve of the concrete base. Leahnette will get a quote from IGN - International Graphics and Nameplate, Inc.
Shrubs around US flagpole light: Members suggested they be relocated to the area at the west edge of the park just beyond the fencing after the first frost.
Roses: At Nell's request, Leahnette will have bark dust delivered and spread around the groundcover roses.
St. Helens Garden Club: Nell said the Garden Club will have a work party in the park in mid-September.
Park gate: Leahnette reminded members that since the construction activities have slowed, we should start closing the gate at the driveway entrance again. She suggested we first have some signage made that directs visitors in vehicles to continue south on 2  Highway 30, turn right onto Pacific and follow the signage for parking and park access. Columbia City Dog Park: The Committee considered a citizen request to place a memorial plaque in the Dog Park in honor of a dog that recently died in the park following an incident with some other dogs. Members considered the idea of selling "dog bone" signs that could be purchased and personalized for placement within the park as a way of raising funds to help maintain the park. Leahnette will research signage costs and report back at the next meeting. Harvard Park: Leahnette said Kathleen really likes the idea of adding shade sails to Harvard Park, and she selected dark green and terracotta colors. However, Leahnette said Kathleen thought that a wooden patio cover structure might be a better investment because it would be less maintenance and would last longer. Members considered a wooden patio cover structure, but it was the consensus to move forward with the shade sails. Members said they are relatively inexpensive and will only be up during the season. Members said the shade sails are stylish and colorful and would be a good addition to the playground area. Leahnette will defer to Kathleen for decisions related to the placement, size and number of shade sails. Pixie Park/Ruth Rose Richardson Park: Leahnette said she met with Dede Covert of the Multnomah Chapter of the DAR earlier today. She said Dede was recently appointed to the DAR Parks Committee. She said they discussed the recent history of the DAR parks, the level of maintenance they have received, and the roles that the DAR and the City have played in the on-going maintenance and upkeep of the parks. She said Dede also met with a landscaper in the parks today to get advice about how to go about revitalizing the parks. She said Dede is interested in recommending the DAR and the City Parks Committee work together to come up with a master plan for the full revitalization of both parks. Members expressed their support and interest in such an undertaking. Jack suggested the DAR be asked to consider adding a porta- potty to the parks, noting that Pixie Park probably gets more usage than any other park in the City. Jack also suggested a life jacket kiosk be added to Pixie Park. Stan said Pixie Park needs a plaque of some sort to indicate that it is owned by the DAR. Jim Bundy Memorial Park: Leahnette said she has received a commitment from Kari Hollander of Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District for 200-300 larger stock seedlings - western red cedar and some additional species for diversity - along with a commitment for the labor to install the plants. Leahnette asked the Committee to identify a date for the planting activities. The Committee selected November 1, or sooner if the weather permits. The seedlings will be planted in Jim Bundy Memorial Park, and if there are enough, some will also be planted along the McBride Creek riparian area near the Veterans Park. Meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m. 3