City Council

The City of Columbia City In Columbia County on the Columbia River PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers – 1840 Second Street Present: Jeff Reinan, Council Member Mark Gordon, Committee Member Nell Harrison, Committee Member Jack Hruska, Committee Member Karen Shervey, Committee Member Kim Karber, City Administrator Micah Rogers, Public Works Superintendent Jim Wills, Citizen Sally Ann Marson, Citizen Kim called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Grant applications: Kim updated the committee about the play equipment grant. Leahnette realized in applying for it, we need to have some additional information together to have a better chance of receiving the grant, but there is not enough time to collect it before the deadline. The recommendation is to apply for the grant in 2025. Instead, she will be applying for a Parks Master Plan grant so we can update the one from 2001. Harvard Park: Jack inquired on the status of the play equipment. Micah said they do regular safety checks on the equipment and make fixes, as necessary. Jack also asked about the shade sail. Micah said it would be done this year after we get the new backhoe. Kim explained that the current SDC’s we have for parks cannot be used to purchase new play equipment. If we got a bigger play structure the SDC’s could be used to pay for the percentage that is over what we currently have. A motion was made to present to council a project to improve the open flat area off of Mattie Street and Park Drive into Rivers Walk Trail access with parking. MOVED (GORDON), SECONDED (HARRISON), AND CARRIED UNAMINOUSLY TO PRESENT THE PROJECT FOR IMPROVING THE OPEN FLAT ARE OFF MATTIE AND PARK TO COUNCIL. Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan: The list of projects the committee came up with for the five-year capital plan is listed below. • Park Benches and Picnic Tables along Rivers Walk for budget year 2024-25. • Havard Park Playground Equipment Improvements Project for budget year 2025-26. • Veterans Park/Rivers Walk Trail System Parking Project for budget year 2026-27. • Bike Path Refurbishment and Improvements for budget year 2028-29. • Basalt Rock Relocation for budget year 2028-29. 1 Veteran’s Park-Memorial Day Celebration: The committee discussed the various aspects of the Memorial Day celebration and gave suggestions on who to reach out to, to participate. Marson Gardens: Purple Robe Locust tree is going to be looked at by Inexpensive Tree Care to see if it can be saved. If not, then we will take it out and replace it with a tree that is better suited for that area. Other Business: • SDC fund replenishment: The question had come up about how long it would take to replace the $50,000 the city currently has in its SDC park fund if it were all spent today. Kim explained it would take 20 years to recoup those funds if the building permit applications stayed in line with what it has been the last five years. The SDC funds only come from building permits and there are not a lot of areas to grow within Columbia City. • Property line at Veteran’s Park: The committee was wondering where the property lines are at around Veteran’s Park because a new sign is needed, but where to place it needs to be figured out. Micah explained placing it in ODOT ROW is not necessarily restricted. We would need to get a permit from ODOT and figure out distance. • Placement of Benches: If people donate benches, they can request where to put them if they have a specific place they would like it. Otherwise, if a bench is donated, it goes to the parks committee to decide placement. • Recommendation to Council: The parks committee is recommending that the council add a goal to their citywide policies, goals, and objectives this year for developing a diverse and accessible park system for people of all abilities within a ten-minute walk. • Picnic Table at Datis Park: Public Works took the picnic table to the shop to refurbish it since it is not in the best shape. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. 2