Minutes
Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
October 27, 2005
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Governance Center
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde
Commissioners Present: John Blackwell, Chair; Bill Gregory, Vice Chair; Sharon Rudi; Sue Musser; Jim Brown; Nik Blosser
Staff Present: Tim Wood, Director; Kyleen Stone, Assistant Director, Administration; Dave Wright, Assistant Director, Operations; James Hamrick, Assistant Director, Heritage Conservation; Cliff Houck, Manager, Resource Management and Planning; Kathy Schutt, Planning Manager; Eric Timmons, Manager, Willamette Mission State Park; Kristen Stallman, Master Planner; Dave Koellermeier, State Fair Manager; Amy Gillette, Forestry Manager; Colleen Rogers, Executive Assistant; Steve Shipsey, Assistant Attorney General; Jo Bell, Commission Assistant
Visitors Present: Jim Parr, Oregon State Parks Trust; Ernie Drapela, Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council
The meeting began at 9:00 AM
1. Approval of Agenda
Bill Gregory moved to approve the agenda; Sue Musser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Public Comment
There was no public comment
3. Approval of Minutes from the September 22, 2005 Commission Meeting
Tim Wood noted an incorrect title for item 16 of the minutes.
Jim Brown moved to approve the minutes with the required correction; Sharon Rudi seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Director’s Update (Tim Wood)
Director Tim Wood highlighted recent State Parks activities and park-related news:
- Tim Wood, Dave Wright, and Commissioners Blackwell, Gregory and Brown
attended the first Northwest State Parks Executives Conference (NWSPEC) in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, October 18-20. The tri-state conference brought together parks executives from Oregon, Washington and Idaho to review and discuss common interests and issues. Wood noted that NWSPEC will be repeated, “in some fashion.”
- Wood announced that Executive Assistant Jo Bell had accepted a position in the Governor’s Natural Resources Office, and that this meeting would be her last as Commission Assistant.
- The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC), reconstituted and reorganized under statute during the 2005 Legislative Session, meets for the second time on October 28, 2005, in Florence. The first meeting was in September 2005 in Newport.
- The signature event of Oregon and Washington’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial observance, “Destination: The Pacific,” is slated for November 11 at Fort Stevens, followed by the dedication of the Fort to Sea Trail on November 14 at Sunset Beach State Park.
- At the Governor’s 2005 Government to Government Tribal Summit (September 21, 2005), the Department received positive attention for its work at Fort Yamhill, in conjunction with Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR), and Tseriadun State Park, in cooperation with the Coquille Tribe.
No Commission action was requested.
5. Approval of Delegated Authority Reports
a) Contracts (Kyleen Stone)
Staff requested Commission approval of the Delegated Authority Report for contracts signed by the Director or his designee since the September 22, 2005 Commission meeting. The contracts, each not to exceed $150,000, included: one Personal Service Contract; two Architectural and Engineering Contracts; one Work Order under Agreements to Agree for Architectural and Engineering Services; four Public Improvement Contracts; one Interagency Agreement; and one Intergovernmental Agreement.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the report; Jim Brown seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
b) Natural Resources (Cliff Houck)
Staff requested Commission approval of the Delegated Authority Report for Scenic Waterways Notifications and Ocean Shore Alteration Permits approved from August 30 through October 5, 2005. The requests approved by the Director or his designee included one request to construct a single-family dwelling (Permit #16-70-05, Nestucca River); one request to construct a single-family dwelling with a garage and shop (Permit #3-361-05, Clackamas River); one request to expand an existing deck structure by 232 square feet (Permit #7-688-05, Rogue River); and one request to remove 10 trees for a building site (Permit #9-362-05, Clackamas River). There were no requests for Ocean Shore Alteration Permits.
In response to questioning by John Blackwell, Cliff Houck said that staff had visited the site of each permit request before recommending approval.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the report; Jim Brown seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Financial Update (Kyleen Stone)
Kyleen Stone, Assistant Director—Administration, reported increases in both the 2003-2005 ending balance and the 2005-2007 beginning balance for the agency. The increases, Stone explained, were due to increased lottery revenue ($.8 million) and expenditure savings (primarily from delays to the implementation of the Financial Management Point-of-Sale System). Stone also noted that the September 2005 lottery forecast from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis indicates that OPRD’s share of the Lottery Parks and Natural Resources Fund will be $488,000 higher than anticipated when our budget was developed.
Stone told the Commission that a cash total of $2.2 million will be needed for Department staff salary and benefit increases, noting that this is $500,000 more than anticipated early in the budget development process. An Emergency Board meeting—probably in January 2006—will establish budget limitation to cover those costs.
Stone also reported that revenues for the 2005 State Fair are approximately $500,000 less than anticipated, and that Department staffis addressing State Fair budget issues. Stone said that management actions will hopefully raise income and reduce costs, and that funding sources for the Fair’s bond payment are being considered.
During discussion, Nik Blosser asked if defeasance of the Department’s 1998 lottery-backed bond had been completed. Stone answered, “No,” and explained that DAS Budget and Management had asked the Department to postpone defeasance while interest rate trends are monitored. In further discussion, Blosser asked when a cash flow projection for the remainder of the biennium would be made available. In a “partial answer,” Tim Wood said that State Fair Manager Dave Koellermeier and other staff were actively seeking ways to increase Fair revenue, and had already rewritten the Fair carnival contract to the benefit of the Department. Wood added that sponsors for some Fair activities are also being sought.
No Commission action was requested.
7. Report: Commission Subcommittee on Future Investments (Kyleen Stone)
Kyleen Stone, Assistant Director—Administration, presented staff’s final Report on Acquisition Priorities, which had been prepared at the request of the Commission Subcommittee on Future Investment. Stone told the Commission that staff will include the report, which explores recreation and demographic trends and focuses on meeting both regional and statewide needs, into a “strong package” for the June 22, 2006 meeting of the Emergency Board. Stone said that the staff’s Emergency Board presentation will make clear connections to these critical themes:
- Economic impact resulting from well-planned parkland acquisitions;
- Impacts on Oregon recreation brought on by Baby Boomers, minority cultures, and the modern young family;
- General population trends including raw numbers, demographics and patterns of settlement;
- Results on local economies and workforces as a result of investments in parks; and
- Planned acquisitions are based on filling regional and statewide needs where the current supply of parkland is inadequate.
During discussion, Sharon Rudi expressed interest in statistics revealing increased recreational vehicle use, and thanked the staff for their thorough investigation of the state’s regions.
Jim Brown commended the staff for their work, noting, “This is the kind of direction that I, and others, have been looking for.” Brown added, “The region breakdowns are very good.” Brown encouraged the staff to conduct town hall meetings in each region, and incorporate the public input into the 2006 Emergency Board presentation. Brown added that public comment would only strengthen the Acquisitions Priorities document, which he deemed “significant.” Brown recommended that the Commission devote a work session to the acquisition priorities document.
Bill Gregory seconded the comments of thanks to the staff, and also thanked Nik Blosser and Sue Musser for helping “push this [document] forward.”
In continuing discussion, Sue Musser said she was pleased to learn that the staff’s “background” work is substantial, adding that it “defines good processes.”
John Blackwell thanked subcommittee members Gregory, Blosser and Musser for their work, and reiterated the need for a work session to further define Commission goals.
No Commission action was requested.
8. Report: 2005 State Fair (Tim Wood), and
9. Report: State Fair Transition into OPRD (Dave Koellermeier)
As the Commissioners became engaged in discussion of the State Fair, agenda items eight and nine—both information items—merged into one presentation and conversation. Neither item required Commission action.
Staff reported lower attendance for the 2005 Oregon State Fair, and attributed the decline to a variety of possible factors, including timing of the monthly payday and negative press in the weeks before the opening of the Fair. Overall revenue for the Fair was also down from previous years. On a positive note, 4-H and FFA participation was up, and safety issues and law enforcement actions were minimal.
During discussion, Tim Wood explained that attendance projections for the Fair must be made years in advance because of the budget planning cycles. Attendance this year, Wood said, was down about 30,000 from 2004, which was down 30,000 from the year before. One disappointment for visitors and vendors alike, noted Wood, was the lack of headliner entertainment.
Wood said that discussion are underway regarding the Fair’s budget shortfall, and that part of that discussion focuses on reducing costs.
Jim Brown invited State Fair Manager Dave Koellermeier to share his thoughts with the Commission. Koellermeier was frank: “The Fair is not a very good product right now,” adding, “I see many positive things: (OPRD) operations are very well run, and excellent business practices are in place.” Koellermeier concluded his assessment of the Fair’s condition by saying, “It is very fixable with a good strategic plan; there is a terrific asset base there.”
Koellermeier explained that horse racing was an “enormous” chunk of the Fair’s revenues until the introduction of simulcast changed the face of many spectator sporting events.
As discussion continued, Koellermeier said staff’s market research includes people who did not attend the Fair. Koellermeier told the Commission that his plan is to present a precise look at the “exact hit” and the load that the Department and Commission are picking up.
Nik Blosser recommended “preparing for the worst,” and Sue Musser added, “I’d like us to play offense rather than defense.”
Dave Koellermeier offered assurance to the Commission: “Generally speaking,” he said, “I really like to win. We’re going through a classic transition right now.”
Bill Gregory asked Tim Wood if an Advisory Committee had been appointed yet. Wood replied, “No. I don’t think we’ve talked to enough people yet to put a committed group into place.” Wood added, “When I get a clear idea of what [the Advisory Group] should look like, I’ll present it to you.”
Jim Brown commented, “We ain’t well, but we sure are better! With Tim and Dave in place, we’re in good hands.”
John Blackwell commented that he admires Wood’s “studious” approach to the Fair integration, noting, “I wouldn’t encourage him to do anything rapidly.” Commissioner Sue Musser agreed.
No Commission action was requested.
10. Real Estate: Cone Easement, Clackamas County (Cliff Houck)
Staff requested Commission approval to grant a permanent easement to Dennis and Cheryl Cone, neighboring landowners of Pete’s Mountain Greenway parcel. Cliff Houck told the Commission the easement would result in no impact to the State Parks property. With the Department’s permission, the Cones have been using a portion of the Greenway parcel for a septic drain field since 1989, and have paid a Miscellaneous Use Permit fee of $100.00 to the Department each year. The Cones proposed purchasing the permanent easement in lieu of paying the annual fee. The permanent easement, consisting of about 22,128 square feet, was appraised at $3,100 by Capital Valuation Group, Ltd on July 11, 2005.
Bill Gregory moved to approve granting of the easement for the appraised amount of $3,100; Jim Brown seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Before moving on to the next agenda item, John Blackwell asked Cliff Houck to give a Real Estate update, particularly on the Wyeth property and Blacklock Point in Curry County.
Houck began by telling the Commission that more information on the Floras Lake Land Exchange (Item 6a on the September 22, 2005 Commission agenda) had become available following the September 22 meeting in Enterprise. Following that meeting, the Curry County Commission held a public meeting and, in response to comments received, has “pulled back into a holding pattern” with regard to the land exchange agreement. Houck has also communicated to the Curry County Commission some Department concerns, and has asked that the land exchange agreement address issues including potential construction and illegal access. Houck noted that at present the Curry County Commission seems to be reconsidering its course of action, and the Department is waiting for a response.
Houck also reported to the Commission that the Wyeth property acquisition (see September 2, 2004 Commission meeting minutes) was ready to close, but a Union Pacific Railroad official recently decided against the sale. Houck said efforts to “resolve issues” have not yet been successful.
Nik Blosser expressed concern about the potential sale of Juniper Wayside parcels (the “Yew Avenue Parcels,” see item 12a of the August 4, 2005 meeting minutes) to Pacificorp and the City of Redmond. Blosser recommended asking for an exchange of properties—the Yew Avenue Parcels for Pacificorp property adjacent to Wallowa Lake State Park. Tim Wood responded that the Department has not yet received an offer for the Yew Avenue Parcels, and that the City of Redmond is apparently considering other options in its effort to attract a new business to Redmond. Wood and Houck noted that the Yew Avenue Parcels are currently appraised at $1.8 million, and that an updated appraisal will soon be available.
Jim Brown returned to the discussion of the Floras Lake Land Exchange, noting that one option would be to grant Curry County a conditional use right-of-way, thus imposing restrictions that would satisfy public concern.
Sharon Rudi also commented on the Floras Lake Land Exchange, noting that additional information had been made available following the Commission’s vote September 22, 2005. Given that information, Rudi said she felt an increased need for restrictions. Rudi added that if the question were to come back before the Commission it would provide the opportunity for more in-depth discussion of the issue.
On a final note, Tim Wood reported that efforts are underway to bring resolution to disagreement over the Marr Ranch property at the foot of Wallowa Lake (refer to the September 22, 2005 Commission meeting minutes).
11. Report: Forestry Program (Amy Gillette)
Amy Gillette, OPRD Forestry Manager, provided an overview of the Department’s Forestry Program, including program goals and objectives; a discussion of forest improvement projects at Silver Falls Park and the Blue Mountain Scenic Corridor; fuel reduction projects in Collier Park and LaPine Park; and hazard tree assessments and treatments at various parks throughout the state. Gillette also briefed the Commission on restoration projects at Elijah Bristow Park, Hilgard Park, Ukiah Scenic Corridor, and Sam Boardman Park. Gillette’s presentation included a review of the priority system developed by the forestry staff relating to forest health and risk potential.
No Commission action was requested.
12. Grants Approval: ATV Safety Grants (Kyleen Stone)
Staff requested that the Commission award six grants recommended for approval at the
September 16, 2005 meeting of the All-Terrain Vehicle Account Allocation Committee (ATV-AAC). Of the six grants, one was safety-related, and five were for planning and development; all of the grants will end on October 30, 2006. Two additional grant applications were submitted, but one was ineligible and the other was withdrawn.
Planning, development, safety and education, and acquisition proposals can be evaluated at every ATV-AAC meeting. The Committee holds three meetings each year, and two of those meetings have a specific theme. In January 2005, the Committee reviewed operation and maintenance grant proposals. In April 2005, the focus was law enforcement. The September 2005 grant requests were primarily for planning and development projects.