City Council

The City of Columbia City In Columbia County on the Columbia River PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2017 - 5:00 P.M. 1840 SECOND STREET, COLUMBIA CITY, OR 97018 Present: Sally Ann Marson, Chair Nell Harrison, Committee Member Jack Hruska, Committee Member Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder Veterans Park:
Members said the new POW/MIA monument is installed and looks great.
Leahnette said 50 new groundcover roses will be arriving anytime now and will need to be planted within a few days of arrival. Nell will start soliciting volunteers. Leahnette will work on having the holes dug, getting the garden soil ready, and making sure fertilizer is available.
Leahnette said we have until April 30, 2018 to finish the Phase III grant work. She said Gary Tanner has been too busy to work on the park bench, drinking fountain and trash container, but he plans to see if he can find someone else to help him with them. She said it sounds like the Scouts want to pursue the split rail fence as an Eagle Scout project, but she's not sure what their schedule is.
Leahnette said Patrick Trapp will not be available to serve as MC of the Memorial Day Ceremony. She said Chief McGlothlin has tentatively agreed to take on the task. She noted that we'll be unveiling POW/MIA monument, so it would be nice to add the Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony that Frank Hupp does so well during the McCormick Park Veterans Day Ceremony. Members asked Leahnette to pursue Frank's participation this year. Datis Park: Leahnette noted that members of the Parks Committee met at Datis Park to assess the trees and consider options. At the time, they came to the conclusion that removing some of the wind sail from the firs and removing some of the weight from the oak might be the best approach. Meanwhile, Lorin Fielding, certified arborist, submitted his written opinion about the trees, saying the condition of the crack in the trunk of the fir tree does not warrant removal. Leahnette then asked Lorin to provide a quote for trimming the firs and the oak, and he declined, saying that trimming would not be the proper course of action and he would not 1 complete the work. After further review of the information available, it was the consensus of the Parks Committee that no trimming or tree removal be done at this time, and that we continue to routinely monitor the condition of the trees. Furthermore, the Committee suggested we run this matter by the risk management department of City/County Insurance Services, and also forward a recommendation to the City Council for their consideration and formal action. Ruth Rose Richardson (RRR) and Pixie Parks: Leahnette said Dede was not able to make tonight's meeting, but she will be meeting with the DAR Parks Committee in the very near future. Leahnette said she had hoped to have a public works employee repair the upper section of the sprinkler system in RRR Park so that the area could be replanted and watered with the new sprinkler timer that has been installed. However, she said we should first decide on a landscaping plan because that will dictate the type of heads that are used in each of the zones (drip, spray or impact rotors). She said we'll be somewhat limited to the shape of each of the existing sprinkler system zones. The Parks Committee reviewed the map showing the existing zones and discussed ideas at length. It was determined that the Committee should meet on site on March 14 at 1 pm to come up with a proposed landscaping plan to send to the DAR for their consideration. Leahnette said Dede plans to pursue approval for the placement of a seasonal porta-potty. Columbia City Dog Park: Leahnette reported that the Columbia County Greyhound Gang brought in some dirt and filled the holes in the park and spread some "bark." Draft Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan: It was the consensus of the Committee to move the projects currently on the list out one year and leave them in the same order of priority. Leahnette will update the cost estimates. Other Business: Leahnette said a resident adjacent to the Railroad ROW near L Street has expressed concern about the ivy that is growing on the trees within the ROW. She asked the Parks Committee if they would be interested in pursuing an annual ivy and blackberry bush removal work party. Leahnette said the Railroad is receptive to the idea and they will provide a flagger during the event. Members liked the idea and suggested we consider setting a date in June. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m. 2