City Council

The City of Columbia City In Columbia County on the Columbia River PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 27, 2017 - 5:00 P.M. 1840 SECOND STREET, COLUMBIA CITY, OR 97018 Present: Sally Ann Marson, Chair Nell Harrison, Committee Member Stan Hopkins, Committee Member Jack Hruska, Committee Member Kathleen Devlin, Committee Member Mark Ebert, Citizen Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder Leahnette introduced Mark Ebert to the Committee. She noted that Mark and another volunteer, Doug Calkins, recently prepped the site in Ruth Rose Richardson Park for the new porta-potty, and Mark plans to repair and modify zone 1 of the irrigation system as his next volunteer project. Veterans Park: Nell said it looks like the Public Works crew sprayed some of the weeds and morning glory, but they missed some of the morning glory and it is really growing fast. Leahnette suggested Nell meet on site with the crew to show them exactly where all of the morning glory is. Nell suggested Thursday at 8:30 am. Nell said the Garden Club isn't able to work this week after all due to a scheduling mix up, but one Club member did some work in the park recently. Leahnette said Norman Welch has been spending some time out there too. Leahnette described the following grant-related improvements remaining to be completed: Item: Grant Funds: Match: Total: Trash can $1,300.00 $ 0.00 $1,300.00 Park bench 250.00 2,000.00 2,250.00 Fountain with dog dish 1,100.00 400.00 1,500.00 TOTAL $2,650.00 $2,400.00 $5,050.00 She explained that originally we had planned to have Gary Tanner fabricate these items out of steel, and he had indicated that he would donate the bench. However, she said things have 1 changed since he took a new job at Forest Energy Corporation, and he no longer seems to have time to do steel fabrication work on the side. She said she has investigated the purchase of each of these items, but the purchase price/shipping costs for all three items will far exceed our current budget. Since we already have some benches and trash cans in the park, Leahnette recommended we request a budget amendment to allow us to focus only on the purchase of the fountain/dog dish. She said it seems like the logical priority since we don't already have one, and it will also serve the bike path that runs through the park. Members agreed. After reviewing the available options, members selected the Elkay pedestal drinking fountain with pet fountain, provided that it can be found with an additional ADA fountain. Members preferred black, but would settle for evergreen if necessary. Leahnette will pursue the change from the grant authorities and place the order. Leahnette said we also have $4,000.00 in grant funds for the split rail fencing. She said she has not yet heard from any potential Eagle Scouts about the project. Noting the April 30, 2017 deadline to complete all of the grant related improvements, she suggested we may want to invest the $4,000.00 towards fencing and installation instead of just fencing materials and see how much we can complete. No objections were heard from the Committee. McBride Creek Trail System: Leahnette said she is working on submitting a request to the National Park Service for Technical Assistance under the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program for the full length of the planned trail. She said the application is due this Friday, and she has been in contact with representatives of the Port of St. Helens, ODOT, ODOT Rail, and Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) about the project. During the last meeting, Members had visited the park land near the new houses at the end of Sixth Street and Yakima Court. One of the property owners had expressed an interest in acquiring some of the City's property above the bank of the creek. It was the consensus of the Committee that since the City's plans for the site are uncertain at this point, no action will be taken. Harvard Park: Members asked Leahnette to proceed with ordering a wind sail so we can try it out this August. Ruth Rose Richardson (RRR)/Pixie Parks: Members noted that the weeds need to be cut in RRR Park. Leahnette will do a work order for Public Works. Kathleen said the new owner of the house to the north of Pixie Park has expressed an interest in making some changes to the shrubbery between his house and the park. Leahnette suggested he stop in to discuss his interests with staff so we can attempt to determine where the property line is in relation to the existing shrubbery. Stan said he will work on repainting the picnic tables in Pixie Park again. Ivy/Blackberry Removal: Leahnette said she has contacted Harold Olsen about the City's interest in a volunteer work party devoted to removing ivy and blackberry bushes from within the PNWR right-of-way. She said he will contact the members of the Mormon Church to see if they 2 might be willing to participate in this volunteer project. Leahnette noted that she will need to coordinate with PNWR as they will need to provide a flagger. Jim Bundy Memorial Park: Kathleen noted that the tree stumps become a real maintenance nuisance when they aren't ground down. Due to the expense of grinding, Members suggested killing the maple stumps instead by drilling holes in them and then coating them with stump killer. Stan will visit the park and investigate the extent of the job. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. 3