Minutes
Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
January 18, 2006
Champoeg State Heritage Area
St. Paul, Oregon

Commissioners Present: John Blackwell, Chair; Bill Gregory, Vice Chair; Sharon Rudi; Sue Musser; Jim Brown; and 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; Ken Goforth, Financial Services Manager; Kathy Schutt, Planning Manager; Mike Niss, Champoeg State Heritage Area Visitor’s Services Team Leander; Frank Howard, Public Information Officer; Chris Havel, Communications Coordinator; Wayne Rawlins, Grants and Procurements Manager; Terry Bergerson, Planning Coordinator, Resource Management & Planning Division; Ron Price, ATV Program Coordinator; Steve Shipsey, Assistant Attorney General; Colleen Rogers, Executive Support for Operations and Pamela Berger, Commission Assistant.
Visitors Present: Jim Parr, Oregon State Parks Trust; Jeanette Kloos, Scenic Area Coordinator; Tyrrell Hart, ATV-AAC; Scott Ryland, State ATV Allocation Committee; Sharon Hawley, Friends of Tryon Creek; Joe and Julie Barrell, ATV-ACC & National Off Road Vehicle Conservation; Jay Graves, Cycle Oregon; Steve Lindland, ODOT; Karen Viehoever, Travel Oregon; Sharon Hawley, Friends of Tryon Creek; and Tim Custer, ATV-AAC.

Prior to the meeting being called to order, Mike Niss, Champoeg Park Visitor Services Team Leader, presented the history of and future plans for the park.

The work session began at 9:00 AM

Introduction of commission members, OPRD staff members, and public members.

WORK SESSION

Commission members met in a public work session forum.  Commissioner Jim Brown provided his perspectives about Commission duties, priorities, and processes.  

Members agreed to develop a vision of future goals, working with other governmental entities and interest groups to create a booklet of driving tours for various interests to market the state of Oregon, and to solicit public input to identify their needs and investment in OPRD activities.

In addition, commission members will continue discussions on developing a 30-year (or longer) plan, how to market the state of Oregon, and priorities and processes for future OPRD investments. 

Staff presented information in anticipation of budget and legislative development for the 2007-09 biennium.  Options were discussed regarding budget packages.  Commissioners expressed desire to see additional resources earmarked for property acquisition.

BUSINESS MEETING 

The Business Meeting began at 1:30 PM

1. Approval of Agenda (action)
Nik Blosser moved to approve the agenda.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

2.  Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.

3.  Approval of minutes from December 8, 2005 Commission Meeting
Bill Gregory moved to approve the minutes.  Jim Brown seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
4:  Director’s Update (Tim Wood)
•	Fortunately, the parks have not received much damage due to all of the recent rainfall.  However, the increased rainfall did cause a slide on Highway 101 near Port Orford, in the Rocky Creek area, resulting the closure of one lane.  This affects OPRD because of our role in issuing permits for work affecting the Ocean Shore.  We have been working in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Department of Land Conservation Development, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to open both lanes by the end of March.  
•	Article 15 of the constitution gave lottery funds to the Department, requiring the Secretary of State to conduct biennial audits, to ensure that those funds are being expended the way Ballot Measure 66 and the constitution intended.  We are currently involved in an audit for funds spent in 2003-05.  Those results will be available late this biennium. 
•	OPRD entered an agreement with Curry County and the City of Port Orford to help manage the lake level at Garrison Lake in Port Orford.  Due to dune movement and weather impact, lake levels are up to 20 feet, causing damage to neighboring properties.  OPRD has been managing a temporary solution by keeping the channel open with the intention that the lake will drain.  In the agreement, OPRD is responsible for the engineering design and the city of Port Orford and Curry County will assist in obtaining funding to develop a permanent solution. The Department may consider contributing to the funding as well.  The plan is about 90% complete. In the next couple of weeks we will meet with officials from Curry County, the City of Port Orford, and tribal representatives, to put that engineering solution plan into place.  
•	The increased water level at the millrace at Thompson Mills and in the Calapooya River has caused damage to neighboring properties.  OPRD is working with Representative Kropf,  landowners, and other interested parties to seek a remedy to manage this situation.
•	OPRD issues (retroactive grant approval, bond limitations, limited duration contracts position, State Fair report) will be discussed at the Emergency Board meeting tomorrow.  
•	The Department has selected the Metropolitan Group to help manage the State Fair reinvention process.  They will plan and conduct approximately seven statewide meetings in conjunction with Oregon Business Council.  
•	OPRD will conduct a first-time park leaders conference on January 31, 2006, which will include park leaders from cities, counties, and the state to discuss issues of interest to parks and recreation directors.  If this forum is successful, we will hold annual meetings.

5. Oregon Bicycle Recreation Partnership Informational Brief by Karen Viehoever, Jay Graves, and Steve Harmon 
Chair Blackwell noted that the bicycle partnership is an informal group that has been meeting for the last three years with the goal of positioning Oregon as the premier bicycle tourism and recreation destination in the U.S.  The partnership includes about a dozen people with a grand vision for cycling.  The group has presented to and has been well received by, among others, the Oregon Department of Transportation. Senator Betsy Johnson chairs Brand Oregon and has offered to introduce legislation next session memorializing the scenic bikeways’ concept.

Karen Viehoever, Manager of Tourism Industry Services, Travel Oregon, described the development and history of the Oregon Bicycle Recreation Partnership over the past three years.  Representatives of OPRD, ODOT, and Cycle Oregon share a common goal to promote Oregon as the number one place to cycle in the United States. We are expanding our website, traveloregon.com, to link with parks and other places of enjoyment for bicycling opportunities throughout Oregon. 

Jay Graves, President, Bike Gallery, and Cycle Oregon board member, thanked the commission for supporting the public/private partnership between OPRD and Cycle Oregon and told of the many benefits of cycling.

Steve Lindland, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), shared his support of the partnership efforts that promote cycling in Oregon.  ODOT has a state bikeway brochure that is being updated to link with traveloregon.com.  Because city and county bike maps have varying layouts, ODOT is working to develop a uniform format.  ODOT publishes The Oregon Bicyclist Manual, which was distributed to Commission members.
No commission action was requested.

6.  Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan (Jeanette Kloos)
Ms. Kloos explained that the 1987 legislature created the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee (HCRH), giving the Committee authority to make recommendations to ODOT and OPRD on the treatment of historic resources and parks along the historic highway.  It was the first historic highway built in the country, constructed during 1913-22.  Ms. Kloos briefed the commission on the changes being proposed to the HCRH Master Plan by ODOT in coordination with various partners.  The Master Plan provides direction for the ongoing rehabilitation of the highway and the construction of connection trails linking abandoned sections of the historic highway into a continuous travel route.  She distributed “The Historic Columbia River Highway” brochure to Commission members. The final Columbia River Highway Master Plan would be brought before the commission for adoption at the March 2, 2006 meeting.
In response to John Blackwell, Ms. Kloos said their bicycle brochure, “The Columbia River Gorge Bike Map” that was distributed to commission members, is still in publication.  John Blackwell noted that Congressman Earl Blumenauer obtained $500,000 in a transportation bill for cycling in the Gorge, giving OPRD and others the authority to determine where those dollars would to be spent.  
No commission action was requested.

7:  Real Estate (Cliff Houck)
a. Purchase of Bucher property at Ainsworth
Staff requested commission approval to authorize the Department to purchase the 23.78 acres at the appraised value of $1,600,000.   The Bucher farm is located in the Columbia River Gorge at the Ainsworth Interchange east of Multnomah Falls.  The property was bi-sected by I-84 or the Columbia River Gorge Highway in the early 1960’s.  The 23.78-acres remaining family farm is between the railroad and the Columbia River west of the Ainsworth Interchange.  The property has over 2000 ft. of Columbia River frontage with gently sloping topography from the railroad to the rivers edge.   This property was identified in the Columbia River Highway Master Plan, along with the Wyatt property, as property to purchase for public access to the river.  This property was listed in the Columbia Gorge Management Unit Master Plan and brought forward into the Acquisition Priorities Plan.  It will provide an increase in day use capacity in the Gorge.  
In response to Sharon Rudi, Mr. Houck explained that purchasing the Bucher property would not require Ainsworth Park to be renamed, however, the agreement was to use the name within the park; for example, could name a rest area or a wayside after the Bucher family.
Nik Blosser reminded commissioners about guidelines used in naming parks.  Since it requires discussion amongst family members of the property and neighboring tribes, Mr. Houck said that we are not obligated to use his name, nor was the sale contingent on using his name.  It was not a deal-breaker but use of the name was important to the family because of the history of the property.  Mr. Blosser felt that we should consult the tribes as we select names.  He requested an update of the balance or amount spent from the acquisition fund.
 Sharon Rudi moved to approve the purchase of the Bucher property.  Nik Blosser seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 b. Purchase of Town of Golden (Cliff Houck)
The town site of Golden is located 3.3 miles from the Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site.  The 5.34-acre site is the remains of  “Golden” a mining town from the 1850’s which at one time, had a population of over 100.  Golden Coyote Wetlands Inc., a nonprofit group, owns the property.  They were formed in 1993 to conserve the site and obtained a privately financed loan to acquire it.  They have agreed to sell the property to OPRD for the amount owed on the loan and have expressed interest in becoming a friends group to not only the Town of Golden but also to the Wolf Creek Inn. This property has a remaining balance on the loan of $86,116.67 (plus 6% interest from January 1, 2006).  Staff proposes to purchase this property for the loan balance and take over management and operations of the property
Mr. Houck clarified for Sharon Rudi that the wetland areas are adjacent to the property and not included in the purchase.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the purchase of the town of Golden.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

c. Banks – Vernonia Trail Acquisitions (Cliff Houck)
The Banks – Vernonia State Trail is Oregon’s first “rails-to trails” state park, built on 21 miles of abandoned railroad bed between the town of Banks and the City of Vernonia.  When “Stub” Stewart State Park opens, the Banks – Vernonia State Trail will become a major feature serving as a connection from the Park to the Banks and Vernonia communities. 

The State Highway Department acquired the railroad right of way in 1974.  Unfortunately, in two instances the legal cases failed and the railroad right of way was lost to the neighboring property owner.  The trail has been diverted in both instances using the Port of Tillamook railroad right of way along one property and Pongratz County Road along the other property.  These are temporary solutions until a safer trail route can be established.  Washington County, working cooperatively with OPRD, has agreed to complete right of way acquisitions for these two properties if possible. Appraisals have been completed and contact has been made with the current owners in an attempt to resolve these needs for the Banks – Vernonia Trail.  Action items to facilitate the purchase of property for the Banks-Vernonia State Trail will be presented to the Commission in the future.
No commission action was requested.

d.  Siluslaw River Dunes (Cliff Houck)
Lane County owns an 84.47acre parcel adjacent to OPRD’s 111.75-acre Joaquin Miller Forest State Wayside just south of Florence.  Both properties adjoin the US Forest Service National Recreational Dunes Area to the west.  Lane County’s parcel abuts the Siuslaw River on the SW corner of the Florence Bridge and is considered by the community to be part of the City view shed.  A portion of the property is zoned Rural Residential 2-acre minimum and is a hill top covered with shore pine overlooking the Siuslaw River and Florence, the remaining 62.33 acres is zoned Natural Resource and is primarily in dunes and wetlands including Barrett Lake. 

The property came to OPRD’s attention when Lane County decided to sell it and the local community was concerned about who would purchase the property, voicing that it remain open to the public and not developed.  Lane County, through a public process, is working exclusively with OPRD as a possible purchaser of the property.  A market value appraisal has been completed on the property with a valuation of $817,000.  OPRD is currently reviewing the appraisal and will work with Lane County to determine if a purchase by OPRD is feasible.
No commission action was requested.

e. Tryon Life Farm 
Sharon Hawley, President, Friends of Tryon Creek, noted that the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park contributed $100,000 toward the purchase of an easement to save the property at the Tryon Life Farm that adjoins Tryon Creek State Park. This property was first on the Friends’ list of acquisition priorities because three sides are bordered by the park, access to trails, proximity of homes, and location to the creek.  
In response to John Blackwell, Ms. Hawley said she believes that Tryon Life Farm secured a $700,000 loan for the purchase of their property that abuts Tryon Creek State Park. 

Cliff Houck said that since the brief was written, the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park donated $100,000 towards the conservation easement acquisition.  
In response to Jim Brown, Mr. Wood said the easement is along the edges of the property that abuts the park.  The easement is a very strict conservation easement.
Mr. Houck, in response to Jim Brown, referred to a map to explain the conservation easement that runs across the back 1-1/2 acres of the property.  He explained that Metro’s role in the purchase was a contributor to the purchase.
Jim Brown moved to accept the contribution of a $100,000 conservation easement from the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park; agree that OPRD manage the easement; and to authorize the OPRD director to work with Tryon Life Farm to issue a permit for access to the property. Bill Gregory seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

8.  Final Rule adoption 
a. Museum Grants (James Hamrick)
At the request of the Oregon Heritage Commission, and with the approval of the Oregon Museums Association and the Oregon Historical Society, the Department introduced legislation to change the Museum Grant program from an entitlement to one that is competitive. That legislation was approved. The Commission then approved the proposed rulemaking at its September 22, 2005 meeting. 

The amended rule was published in the November 1, 2005 Bulletin, with comments accepted through December 1, 2005.  Several public comments were received, resulting in minor changes to the draft. Steve Shipsey, AAG, and the Oregon Heritage Commission approved those changes.
Jim Brown moved to approve the rules.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

b.  Veteran’s Fee Waivers (Dave Wright)
Staff requests commission approval of revisions to OAR 736-015-0035, waiving day-use and camping fees for veterans with a service-connected disability and active duty military personnel on leave. This is an expansion of existing State Parks day use parking and camping waivers for veterans and applies to veterans with service-connected disabilities and active duty military personnel on leave, allowing them the free use of individual campsites no more than five consecutive days per stay and up to 10 days total in any calendar month.  2005 House Bill (HB) 2425 directed OPRD to allow free use of state parks, campsites and day use facilities on any day by veterans with service-connected disabilities and active duty military personnel on leave.  The bill received bipartisan support, passed through the committee, and was referred to the House Revenue Committee, which chose not to hear HB 2425 after receiving assurance from the OPRD director that the issue would be brought before the commission for approval.

A temporary rule amendment was adopted by the Commission that became effective November 11, 2005.  Today’s action makes the waiver permanent.  Rulemaking was authorized for these revisions at the September 22, 2005 Commission meeting.  No public comments were received during the public notice process.
In response to Nik Blosser, Mr. Wright explained that OPRD is developing a system to track use of campsites for service-connected disability and active duty military personnel on leave.  This data will be shared with the legislature.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the fee waiver.  Sue Musser seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

9.  Request for Rulemaking  (Ken Goforth)
2005 HB 2739 gave OPRD authority to make funding assistance available to nonprofit veterans’ organizations for construction and restoration of memorials honoring veterans and war memorials located on public property.  It directed OPRD staff to draft rules that create a grant program for veteran/war memorials consistent with other grant programs administered by OPRD.  The Local Government Grant Advisory Committee, along with veterans’ organizations, will review and recommend grants for funding.  The commission will approve all grant awards under this program.  

Staff proposes to appoint an advisory committee and hold public hearings in order to refine the rules and thoroughly estimate their fiscal impact.  The rules, as drafted through this process, will be submitted to the Commission for adoption at the August 17, 2006 meeting.  
Sue Musser moved to approve the rulemaking requests.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
10.  Contract Approval:  Collier Memorial State Park Electrical System (Dave Wright)
Mr. Wright explained that the budget to replace the electrical system (new transformers, electrical conduit, wiring, campsite electrical pedestals, etc.) at Collier Memorial State Park is $460,000.00.  Five bids were received from interested contractors.  Staff recommends commission approval of the contract to The Big River Excavation from Astoria, in the amount of $347.480.50, which was the lowest of the five bids.
In response to Sharon Rudi, Mr. Wright responded the need is due to demands brought on by usage of newer recreational vehicles and the need to replace outdated systems.
Bill Gregory moved to approve the contract.  Sue Musser seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

11. All-Terrain Vehicle Account Allocation Committee  (ATV-AAC) Appointments (Ken Goforth)	
Mr. Goforth introduced Ron Price, OPRD’s new ATV Program Coordinator.  He also introduced incumbents Scott Ryland (Class II) and Tyrell Hart (Class III) who are being recommended as reappointments to the ATV-AAC.  The ATV-AAC has two vacancies to fill; one represents the Class III (motorcycles) all-terrain vehicle user groups and the other represents the Class II (dune buggies) all-terrain vehicle user groups. 
 
Scott Ryland lives in Florence, and is an active Class II advocate who has been off-roading his whole life.  He is an active club member who has led dune clean-up projects in conjunction with the SOLV beach cleanup projects, has led local off-road club projects, and has developed OHV opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.   His father, who was instrumental in developing the ATV off-road program, encouraged Scott’s involvement in the program.

Tyrell Hart, who lives in Medford, has been an active Class III advocate for over 40 years.  He is currently a member and former officer of Motorcycle Riders Association.  Jim Brown moved the reappointments.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously .
Bill Gregory acknowledged their loyalty to the committee and for attending today’s Commission meeting. 

12.  Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council Appointment  (ORTAC) (Dave Wright)
ORTAC consists of seven members, at least one from each congressional district and not less than two members from separate counties bordering upon the ocean shore.  Members of the council are appointed by the commission, serve four-year terms and are eligible for reappointment. The Council currently has one vacancy for the 1st Congressional District representative.  The Director recommends the appointment of Ric Balfour who will serve the remaining time left on the current term, which ends on November 13, 2007.  
Mr. Wright told the commission that Mr. Balfour has a Master of Science in Forest Resources from Oregon State University, and is an avid mountain bike and cycling enthusiast.  He has been involved in trail planning/designing, grant writing, project management, trail workshop presenter, trail conflict mediator, volunteer, volunteer organizer, assessor and International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) representative for Oregon.  
Jim Brown moved to approve the appointment.  Sharon Rudi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

13.  Approval of Delegated Authority Reports
a.  Contracts (Ken Goforth)
Staff requests the Commission to accept the “Report of Actions Taken under Delegated Authority for Natural Resources Management” from November 17, 2005 through December 30, 2005 of contractual instruments signed by the Director per authority delegated by the Commission.  Mr. Goforth noted a correction on page 3; the second item under “agency agreements” should be “$0” instead of “$165,000”.  Additionally, The “Revenue Generating Service Contracts” section is for the State Fair, but differs from the “Revenue Generating State Fair Permits”.
Mr. Wright, in response to Sue Musser, stated that the funds for service contracts for the Bandon State Natural Area are designated for the continuation of habitat preservation for the snowy plover.    Sue Musser asked for clarification about the Thompson’s Mills work order under the agreements for architectural and engineering services.  Mr. Wright explained that this is a special contract to determine the costs and recommendations for restoration of the historic house and stabilizing the mill.   In response to Sharon Rudi, he stated that the funds are not for the actual work, rather for consultation services.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the contracts.  Bill Gregory seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

b. Natural Resources (Cliff Houck)
Staff requests approval of the following:
•	After consultation with Chairman Blackwell, OPRD accepted a donation of 5.72+ acres from Reginald Breeze and Eric Bunn.  The property is located along the South Jetty of South Beach State Park.

•	November 17, 2005, approved request 2B-135-05, from Roger & Nadine Ruth to construct a new dwelling on the Upper Deschutes Scenic Waterway in Deschutes County. Per site visit, height is approved to 37’ due to setbacks and vegetative cover obscuring view of structure from river.
•	December 20, 2005, approved request 9-363-05, from Caralee Woodcock to conduct a timber harvest within the Clackamas River Scenic Waterway in Clackamas County.  Staff site visit confirmed that the property and harvest operation are not visible from the river.
•	December 20, 2005, approved request 53-205-05, from Nancy A. Sitton to approve an addition to an agricultural building.  Additions to agricultural buildings do not require notification to the department if certain criteria are met.  Those criteria were met, but Multnomah County requires a letter of approval from the OPRD prior to their issuance of a building permit.  We issued such a letter.	
•	December 20, 2005, issued BA-601-05 to Bureau of Land Management to mechanically breach on the New River Spit to alleviate seasonal flooding.  The project will be performed in two phases. The project is located at T30S R15W Sec28 N1/2 TL900 in Coos County.
•	December 20, 2005, issued BA-602-05 to Curry Soil and Water Conservation District, Private Ranch Land Owners to mechanically breach on the New River Spit to alleviate seasonal flooding.  The project will be performed in two phases. The project is located at T30S R15W Sec28 N1/2 in Coos & Curry Counties.
Nik Blosser moved to accept the delegated authority report.  Sue Musser seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
14.  ATV Safety Program (Terry Bergerson)
Mr. Bergerson gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding fatality and injury statistics related to off-highway vehicle recreation in Oregon.
In response to Jim Brown, Mr. Bergerson said that under a proposed Legislative Concept (LC) all new and used vehicles would have to be titled.  Jim Brown suggested to graduate required titling based on years, similar to the Marine Board’s mandatory safety training for boating.   Bill Gregory was surprised that title rates aren’t higher.   Mr. Bergerson said that titling fees for ATVs are twice as high as motorized boats titling fees.  Nik Blosser noted his concern regarding guidance to the ATV committee and allocation of funds for a safety-training program. We have not given them guidelines for minimum safety standards.

Kyleen Stone, Assistant Director, Administration, responded that OPRD could run the safety program, funding it as a component of Department.  Another option would be to provide grant funds for an ATV provider or consortium.   The feasibility study will give us further direction.

Nik Blosser asked about grants for health and treatment facilities and trauma centers.  Mr. Bergerson indicated it would be possible to use ATV funds for these purposes if facilities were for treatment of ATV-related injuries. Tyrell Hart explained that the ATV-ACC has been pushing strongly for education for all aspects of safety and some such projects have been funded in the past.
No commission action was requested.

15.  Commission Planning Calendar (Tim Wood)
Director Tim Wood presented the Commission Calendar highlighting the future scheduled meetings:
March 1, 2006 – New Commissioners’ training – Salem, Oregon
March 2, 2006 – Commission Meeting - The Dalles, Oregon
Parking permits and transportation will be provided; logistics will be determined at a later date.
No commission action was requested.

16.  Commission Discussion
There was no commission discussion.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM

Respectfully submitted by,

Pamela Berger
Commission Assistant