Minutes
Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
December 16, 2004
North Mall Office Building, Conference Room 124
725 Summer ST NE, Suite C—Salem, OR  97301

Commissioners Present: John Blackwell, Chairman; David Kottkamp, Vice-Chairman;
Nik Blosser; Sue Musser; Bill Gregory
Staff Present: Tim Wood, Director; James Hamrick, Assistant Director, Heritage Conservation; Kyle Jansson, Coordinator, Oregon Heritage Commission; Dave Wright, Manager, Resource Management and Planning; Kyleen Stone, Manager, Financial Services; Ken Goforth, Manager, Budget and Payroll; Chet Houser, OPRD Training Coordinator; Steve Shipsey, Assistant Attorney General; Jo Bell, Commission Assistant
Visitors Present: Pat Harris, ATV-Account Allocation Committee; Julie Barrell, ATV-Account Allocation Committee; Joe Barrell, Oregon Motorcycle Association; Miel Corbett, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Jim Myron, Natural Resources Advisor, Governor’s Office; Charlie Bruce, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife; Charles Hurliman, Tillamook County Board of Commissioners; Paul Klarin, Department of Land Conservation & Development; John Griffith, Coos County Board of Commissioners; Jim Good, Co-Chair, OSMP/HCP Steering Committee; Fran Recht, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition; Samantha Murray, Audubon Society of Portland; Helen Franklin, Citizen; Wayne Stewart, Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee; Louise Yarbrough, Friends of Vista House; Jim Hessel, Friends of Vista House; Charles Beggs, Associated Press

The meeting began at 9:00 AM

1.  Approval of Agenda 
Nik Blosser moved to approve the agenda; Sue Musser seconded. The motion passed 
unanimously.

2.  Public Comment
This is the time set aside for the public to address the Commission on matters not included in the meeting agenda.
No visitors came forward to speak.

3.  Approval of Meeting Minutes from the October 28, 2004, Commission Meeting
David Kottkamp moved to approve the minutes; Nik Blosser seconded. Sue Musser noted that her name was recorded incorrectly in the motion for Item 14 of the minutes, and agreed to its correction. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Director’s Update (Tim Wood)
Tim Wood announced that both Michelle Michaud, OPRD Natural Resources Manager,  
and Steve Williams, OPRD North Shore Coastal Coordinator, would be leaving the Department in January 2005 to begin new positions. Michaud, who has been with OPRD for four years, will be working in private employment in the Portland area. Williams, who has been with the agency for ten years, has accepted a position with the Department of Land Conservation & Development in Newport.  Wood noted that only the day before Williams had received the Governor’s “Film Advocate Award” for his efforts accommodating film and video crews needing access through State parks. The Governor
also praised the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission for “recognizing the opportunity to use State parks to promote the film and video industry in Oregon.”
No Commission action was requested.

Note: Before continuing with the agenda, the Commission and staff attempted to include Commissioner Bobbie Conner in the meeting via teleconference. After failing to reach Conner by phone, the meeting continued. 

5.  Approval of Delegated Authority Reports 
a) Contracts (Kyleen Stone)
The Delegated Authority Report for Contracts summarizes all contracts signed by the Director since the October 28, 2004, Commission meeting. The contract instruments (each not to exceed $75,000) included Personal Service Contracts (2); Architectural and Engineering Contracts (3); Work Order Contracts (4); Public Improvement 
Contracts (10); Goods Contracts (1); Intergovernmental Agreements (2); Interagency Agreements (1); and Service Contracts (1). 
Nik Blosser moved to approve the contracts; Sue Musser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

b) Natural Resources (Tim Wood)
The Delegated Authority Report for Natural Resources summarizes all actions approved by the Director since the October 28, 2004, Commission Meeting. These actions included
Scenic Waterway Notifications (4) and Ocean Shore Alteration Permits (2).
Nik Blosser moved to approve the contracts; Sue Musser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6. Governor’s Recommended Budget and Legislative Concepts (Kyleen Stone)    
The Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2005-2007 Biennium included only minor changes to the OPRD Agency Requested Budget:
•	Overall budget reduction of about $160,000 resulting from technical adjustments.
•	Two positions in the Heritage Conservation Division and one in Administration
that the Governor recommends as Limited Duration rather than Permanent until the agency can verify the long term need for the positions. 
•	Increases to the OPRD beginning balance for 2005-2007 and budgeted revenues for the biennium due to Lottery revenue increases. 
Of the seven Legislative Concepts submitted by the Department, one—which established a petty cash fund—was withdrawn because Legislative Counsel determined that the concept was not necessary. The remaining Legislative Concepts include:
•	LC 390, establishing a minimum payment for local lodging tax with the option to carry balances forward to the next reporting period until that minimum is met, without incurring penalties or interest.
•	LC 392, changing the Museum grant program from an entitlement to a competitive process.
•	LC 703, technical corrections to archaeology statutes for conformance between the archaeology permit statute and related statutes.
•	LC 393, technical corrections to ocean shore statutes relating to 1) the placement of pipes, cable or conduit across state recreation areas, and 2) the permitting of all-terrain vehicles for operation on the ocean shore for persons with disabilities,
enforcement officers and natural resource managers.
•	LC 644, changes of statutes relating to the All-Terrain Vehicle program administered through OPRD.
•	LC 394, modification of ORS 390.180 to allow disbursement of grant funds to the federally recognized Indian tribal governments located in Oregon.
No commission action was requested.

7. Financial Services Update (Kyleen Stone)
A healthy ending balance for the 2003-2005 budget is anticipated because of 1) increased 
Lottery revenues; 2) Financial Management System savings due to delayed point-of-sale development; and 3) changes in statewide accounting policy that will defer a portion of contracted obligations to future biennia. The agency’s financial position over the next several years appears to be quite strong. The Governor’s recent decision to include Oregon Lottery line games will increase OPRD revenues by about $9 million each biennium. The Department has been asked to develop a plan for the additional Lottery funds. The agency’s current budget and long-range projections include the budget limitation increase approved by the November 2004 Emergency Board for increased employee benefit costs. The current budget also includes the one-time “workload adjustment” payment to employees that will be made in 
February 2005. 
In response to questioning by John Blackwell, Kyleen Stone said the accounting policy change is not expected to create problems for the Department in future reporting periods. Tim Wood, in responding to further questioning by Blackwell, said that although the Department might become less dependent on park user fees as a result of the anticipated increase in Lottery revenues, the agency does not have a plan to change user fees at this time. Wood added that OPRD staff will be preparing recommendations for the use of the increased lottery revenues, and will present those plans to the Commission for approval.    
No Commission action was requested. 

8. Cape Blanco Donation Account Transfer to Friends of Cape Blanco
In May 2004, former OPRD Director Michael Carrier signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cape Blanco management partners (OPRD, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Curry County, Coquille Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, and Friends of Cape Blanco) that included an agreement for the Friends of Cape Blanco to assume responsibility as administrator of the Cape Blanco Donation Account. The agreement is consistent with other cooperative agreements OPRD has with friends groups. The Donation Account, and its sub-accounts, is the depository for donations to the Lighthouse and proceeds from its gift shop sales. The Friends of Cape Blanco is bound by its cooperative agreement to ensure that all expenditures from this account are for the benefit of Cape Blanco. Additionally, per OPRD Policy Statement OP 00-09, “The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission shall approve all expenditures of the Parks Donation Trust Fund, and its sub-accounts, in excess of $10,000.”  As such, staff requested approval to execute the transfer of $23,810.65 to the Friends of Cape Blanco for administration of the Cape Blanco Donation Account. 
In response to questioning by David Kottkamp, Tim Wood explained that the Cape Blanco Lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard and operated by the BLM, and OPRD has provided host services at the Lighthouse, but no longer manages the site.
Nik Blosser moved to approve the transfer; David Kottkamp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.  

9.   Heritage Plan (James Hamrick)
After 18 months of evaluation, public comment and discussion, the Oregon Heritage Commission in August 2004 adopted its Heritage Plan, “Celebrating Oregon’s Heritage: Goals of the Oregon Heritage Commission, 2005-2011.” This edition focuses on the Commission’s efforts to accomplish its mission of securing, sustaining, and enhancing Oregon’s heritage by ensuring coordination, advocacy, education and promotion. The Heritage Plan was developed in partnership with other sections of OPRD’s Heritage Conservation Division, various regional and statewide heritage groups, and individual Oregonians. It supports OPRD’s Target 2014 Plan and the Oregon Cultural Trust, and meshes with the draft goals of SHPO’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. The Heritage Commission is developing an action plan to implement the Heritage Plan, and it will be presented at the January 2005 Commission meeting.
No Commission action was requested.

10.   Historic Preservation Plan (James Hamrick)
Every four years the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) prepares a comprehensive, statewide historic preservation plan to guide preservation activities in the state for the coming years. The plan is required by the National Park Service—which provides a substantial portion of  SHPO’s funding—and a valuable tool for preservationists throughout Oregon. The 2004 plan, which is currently in draft form, was created with considerable public input: 25 public meetings conducted throughout the state, 100-plus comments from an online survey, and review and comment by numerous constituent groups. The plan was also written to mesh with other OPRD planning documents, namely Target 2014 and the 2004 Heritage Plan of the Oregon Heritage Commission. SHPO anticipates forwarding the final draft to the National Park Service in January 2005. 
No Commission action was requested. 

11.   Facility Investment Program Update (Tim Wood)
Major Facility Investment Program (FIP) design projects underway include Vista House ADA access, an interpretive display at the Champoeg Visitor Center, and the schematic design for Crissey Field Park. Other major FIP design projects are in progress at Silver Falls, Washburne and Viento (water systems); Collier, Tugman and Cape Blanco (RV electrical systems upgrades); and Harris Beach (entrance road and ADA access). Fort Stevens, Honeyman, Bridal Veil Falls, Prineville, Tumalo, Port Orford Heads, Peter Skene Ogden, Lake Owyhee, Red Bridge, Ontario and Lowell are all sites of current FIP projects. Completed FIP projects include the new boat moorage facility at Bartlett’s Landing and extensive infrastructure replacement work in the South Camp Loop at Fort Stevens. Also completed are the maintenance shop at Oswald West; dump station at Cape Lookout; water tank at Farewell Bend; trail projects at Ecola and Smith Rock; and paving projects at Hat Rock, Oswald West and Ecola, as well as road work at Yachats and Maud Williamson. Still pending are water storage tank replacements (Wolf Creek Inn, Prineville Reservoir, and Lake Owyhee); road work (Heceta Head Lighthouse and Sam Boardman); a new RV dump station (Milo McIver); and a water system upgrade (Hilgard Junction).
David Kottkamp suggested signage at FIP sites to apprise consumers of the agency’s efforts and specific improvements to parks. Tim Wood agreed that effective signage is an important part of eliciting  recognition from the public. Nik Blosser asked if long term strategic planning is needed for the program, especially in the area of design. Wood agreed, noting that a significant portion of the expected increase in FIP funds would be dedicated to historic sites. Wood also commented that now—midway through the program—is a good time to look “long range,” especially in terms of maintenance and sustainability, instead of just focusing on repairs. John Blackwell suggested the timing presents a good opportunity for the commission to take a role in planning (through a sub-committee) instead of being “responsive.”
No Commission action was requested. 

12.   Hares Canyon Update (Tim Wood)
Hares Canyon State Park, on Hwy 47 in Washington County, will be the first full service park to be developed since 1972. The park is currently in the design and construction phase of development, and is scheduled to open in Spring 2007. Already completed are the park entrance and right turn lane off of Hwy 47. A segment of the road from the entrance to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail is currently under construction. This section of road includes two free-span bridges, 100 feet and 200 feet in length respectively. Also completed is the drilling of four wells, two of which will be put into production to provide potable water for the park. The final park design is expected to be completed this Spring, and the Department’s Forestry team will begin the work of thinning trees and removing root rot in the development area. Construction of roads, day use and overnight areas, and utilities will begin in July 2005. Construction of buildings, structures and trails is scheduled to start in Spring 2006. Staff is already establishing partnerships with interest groups including the Friends of Banks-Vernonia, Tualatin Valley Watershed Council, Oregon Equestrian Trails, mountain biking enthusiasts, and local communities. 
Tim Wood noted that work on the park is “on schedule.”
No Commission action was requested.

13.   Request for Rulemaking: Hares Canyon Master Plan Amendment 
        (Dave Wright) 
Site studies conducted at Hares Canyon State Park in preparation for construction of its infrastructure and recreational facilities revealed constraints that would inevitably result in higher construction costs than were originally planned. Staff produced a more feasible plan for the park, with certain uses relocated or redistributed. The basic concepts, types of recreational uses and overall visitor capacities planned for the park remain the same. However, the changes are significant enough to require amendments to the Master Plan, through the state rule-making process, before proceeding with additional development. Staff requested Commission approval to begin the rule-making process for the amended Master Plan, noting that to do so is not expected to cause a delay in the park construction schedule. 
In discussion about this agenda item, Dave Wright commented that Hares Canyon is an opportunity for the Department to put all services for a park in place at once, rather than over time. Tim Wood added that Hares Canyon reflects the agency’s “full service persona” that has developed over the years. Wood noted that, in the course of planning for Hares Canyon, staff has “reached out” by bringing in consultants during the planning phase, and has kept sustainability in mind. 
Sue Musser moved to approve the request to go to rulemaking; David Kottkamp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

14.   Ocean Shore Management Plan (Dave Wright)
The November 2004 draft version of the Ocean Shore Management Plan (OSMP) provides recommendations for future agency actions regarding a wide variety of agency responsibilities on the Ocean Shore. Some of the recommendations will require rule changes, partnership agreements, contracts and follow-up plans that will come before the Commission for final consideration on a case-by-case basis. The Department will implement other recommendations administratively, as needed, and as opportunities arise. The OSMP itself does not need to be adopted into state rule. Highlights of the November 2004 Draft OSMP include:
a) Proposal to post notices about water quality at beach access sites.  
b) Proposal for OPRD participation in Rocky Shores Management Strategy updates and
    Marine Reserves planning. 
c) Proposed seasonal driving restriction from Garrison Lake to the Elk River in Curry 
    County.
d) Proposal to allow permits for persons with disabilities to drive on beaches normally
    closed to driving.
e) Proposal to allow recreational gold mining on the beach (without power equipment, 
    and with limits imposed).
f) Proposal to provide access to the beach at regular intervals at selected sites.
g) Proposal to continue with existing rule and authority to manage the issues of dogs on
    the beach and driftwood collection.     
h) Proposal to take a cumulative look at the effects of potential additional shore 
    hardening within each littoral cell, and offer incentives for landowners to pursue 
    options other than shore alterations.  
During discussion, Charles Hurliman, speaking on behalf of the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners, asserted that the OSMP fails to address, and is not compatible with,  the Tillamook County Comprehensive Plan, which includes a management plan for the Snowy Plover. Hurliman said the Commissioners’ primary objection is that the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP—next agenda item) is moving forward, even though the Snowy Plover may be delisted. Hurliman asserted that management actions taken along the coast have been “devastating,” adding, “We just want to make sure the economic analysis is correct.”

John Griffith, on behalf of the Coos County Board of Commissioners, asked  that all references to the Rocky Shore Strategy (of the Territorial Sea Plan) be removed from the OSMP, insisting, “[The Rocky Shores Management Strategy] doesn’t exist anymore.” Assistant Attorney General Steve Shipsey clarified, “The Territorial Sea Plan is current law; it isn’t inconsistent.” Shipsey added that the OSMP allows the Department to “work with” the Territorial Sea Plan and Rocky Shores Management Strategy, even if they are amended from their current versions. 

Paul Klarin, Department of Land Conservation & Development, Coastal Division, noted that, when the OSMP is implemented, some management actions will require permitting at the county level, and that process will allow coastal counties to determine whether or not specific activities are consistent with their comprehensive plans. He added that inventory mapping work being done now by the Department offers updates that should be incorporated into Tillamook County’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Fran Recht, Executive Director of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, commended OPRD Director Tim Wood and his staff for their “dedication to public process.” She deemed the OSMP a “readable and usable” document, and “a good blueprint.” Recht asked the Commission and staff to make three changes to the OSMP: 1) remove the reference to driving on the beach, 2) raise the standards for riprap use, and 3) include media notification in public health notices regarding water quality. Tim Wood explained that the Department provides notices at the behest of the Health Services Division, and asked that the OSMP reflect that we work cooperatively. 

Both Nik Blosser and David Kottkamp asked about the plan’s references to driving on beach areas that are closed. Kottkamp asked, “How do we create a rule that is both enforceable and livable?” Dave Wright offered, “If we amended the plan to restrict permits in areas that are not open for driving, would that be workable?” Blosser agreed that it would.

Jim Good, OSU Professor of Oceanography, stepped forward to comment. Good, Co-Chair of the OSMP/HCP Steering Committee, described the Steering Committee process for the audience and summarized it as “sound.” Good recommended removing the reference to special permit driving in both Western Snowy Plover occupied and unoccupied areas, saying he didn’t see a need for allowing such intrusion into closed areas. Good also expressed concerns about provisions in the plan related to OPRD policies and practices for regulating the installation of shore protection structures. Good explained that although the scientific community does not fully understand beach sand sources, sinks and dynamics along the Oregon coast, “we know enough to warrant moving from the foregone conclusions of a permit-to-permit approach to an advance-planning, precautionary approach.” Good briefly described the natural processes that help maintain the beach system, and explained that shore protection structures “lock the upland in place” and limit the potential sand supply. He added that such impairment of the natural system could lead to a future in which “we might not have an ocean shore to plan for.” Good urged the establishment of a process for OPRD to “strongly influence” local decisions on oceanfront building construction setbacks, and to collaborate with other entities in developing Littoral Cell management plans. In response, Dave Wright said, “There is nothing in the plan that prevents us from coordinating in that respect.” Wright added, “Some of this would require Legislation in order to have authority to regulate permits along Ocean Shore.” 

John Blackwell asked Tim Wood to speak. Wood asserted that the Commission has the authority to adopt a plan, and offered three alternatives: 1) adopt the plan as it is, and later address specific issues through legislation or the rulemaking process; 2) adopt the plan with specific changes clarified at this meeting; or 3) not adopt the plan and simply recognize that it is a compilation of research to be used as a tool. Nik Blosser recommended addressing the three main concerns—driving on the beach, health advisories, and littoral cell management.
Nik Blosser moved to adopt the OSMP with changes. John Blackwell asked Tim Wood  to word the motion for the Commission. The motion was made to adopt the OSMP with the provision that 1) ATV permitting would be limited to areas currently open to driving; 2) water quality notification would be consistent with the guidance of the Health Services Division; and 3) the Department, in cooperation with other agencies, will undertake a comprehensive review of the natural processes, legislation, and laws that pertain to structures along the ocean shore. Sue Musser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 

15.   Habitat Conservation Plan (Dave Wright)
Department staff has spent the past three years preparing a Habitat Conservation Plan for the Western Snowy Plover, a state and federally listed “threatened” species.  
The purpose of the Habitat Conservation Plan is to provide the Department with assurances that Snowy Plover management will be conducted in select areas along the Oregon coast (16 separate locations covering approximately 48 miles of the 362 mile coast) rather than wherever the bird may nest along the ocean shore, leaving remaining portions of the coastline generally unaffected for recreational use. At today’s meeting, staff requested the Commission’s approval to submit the current and revised Habitat Conservation Plan to the US Fish and Wildlife Service with an application for an incidental take permit. Next, the Department would work with the Service to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act—a process which would take about two years to complete and which would include an analysis of the economic effects of the habitat conservation plan on the coastal economy. 
John Griffith, Coos County Board of Commissioners, argued that the HCP is “entirely optional,” saying, “It’s a permit, not a requirement.” Griffith added that the HCP is “untimely,” because the Plover may actually be delisted. Nik Blosser asked Griffith if he shared the understanding that the Department would be limited to only managing habitat areas defined in the plan. Tim Wood added that if a bird nests in an unidentified area, the nest will be enclosed, but it will not become a managed area. Griffith disagreed, adding, “Traditional recreation has ended in Tillamook.” 

Fran Recht of Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition stepped forward to applaud the Department in moving forward with the process. She said her group thinks the plan is “adequate and good,” especially if it is “implemented and enforced with adequate public information.” Recht encouraged the Department to increase active outreach and communicate about the HCP person-to-person.  

Samantha Murray, representing the Audubon Society of Portland and a member of the Steering Committee, thanked the Commission and staff for “enabling the process.” Murray urged the Commission to 1) “move forward with restrictions and enforcements as soon as possible;” 2) not rely on voluntary compliance; and 3) pursue active public outreach rather than rely on the media. 

Charles Hurliman, Tillamook County Commissioner, asked the question, “What happens to the HCP if the Plover is delisted?” Tim Wood answered, “If the Plover is delisted, we might want to keep some aspects [of the plan] in place to prevent future problems.” Wood noted, however, that if delisting were to occur, there would still be a mandatory monitoring period of about five years, and there would still be the state listing to address. 

Wood described the Commission’s immediate options: 1) adopt the plan “as is,” and begin the Environmental Impact Statement process; 2) concur and recommend we go forward, but withhold the decision to actually accept and implement the Incidental Take Permit; or 3) hold the plan in abeyance and defer action until more is known, including breeding success over the next several years.  
Nik Blosser moved to adopt the HCP, with the provision that staff would have to return to ask Commission approval to accept the Incidental Take Permit and implement the plan. Blosser commented that the plan is “based on the best science available.”  David Kottkamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

16.   Measure 37 Update (Dave Wright)
Ballot Measure 37 became effective December 2, 2004. State agencies have been preparing for this measure on two fronts.  First, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) with the Department of Justice has organized a workgroup of affected agencies to establish a centralized process for receiving all claims filed with the state.  
At the same time, the Governor’s office and the Department of Justice have been reviewing legal and policy questions relating to the measure.  There are several issues in the measure that will require some interpretation. OPRD administers two programs that may be impacted by Measure 37, the Ocean Shores and Scenic Waterway programs.  If a claim is made based on a regulation we may impose, the options are to pay just compensation or waive the enforcement of the regulation. OPRD may need to adopt administrative rules to implement actions the agency may take with regard to Measure 37 claims.  Staff will work with the Department of Justice to develop the rules if it is deemed necessary.
During discussion, Assistant Attorney General Steve Shipsey said that many questions regarding Ballot Measure 37 claims will be “sorted out during court decisions.” He added that,as a property owner, OPRD needs to keep an eye on what is happening close to State parks. Shipsey provided a summary of key Measure 37 features, including “triggers” that might elicit a claim and the parameters of a valid claim; appropriate relief for claimants; land use regulations exempted from claims; statute of limitations; the claims process; and rules relating specifically to the payment and payment schedule of claims. 
No Commission action was requested.

17.   Vista House (Tim Wood)
Staff requested Commission concurrence to provide access at Vista House in accordance with the ADA, consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties; and, to instruct the Director to 1) consult with interested parties on the design alternatives being considered, and 2) take action to have the solutions in place by April 1, 2005, or the earliest date possible, thereafter. The four issues of concern with regard to providing ADA access at Vista House, as presented in a report at the October 28, 2004, meeting of the Commission, are: 
•	Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
•	Preserving the historic integrity of the Vista House (a National Historic Landmark) in accordance with Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
•	Compliance with Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area standards
•	Opening the Vista House for public use. 
Compliance with ADA will require access for disabled from the parking lot to the rotunda, access from the rotunda to the lower level, and accessible restrooms.  The lower level restrooms have been modified to meet ADA standards.
During discussion, Tim Wood said the Department has tried to strike a balance “between all interested persons and competing interests,” and that “any solution won’t satisfy everyone.” Wood added, “We need to move forward.” Louise Yarbrough, Friends of Vista House, shared comments from the Friends of the  Columbia Gorge. That group now has concerns with “just the ramp design.”  Their goal is to re-open Vista House with both “ modern accessibility and old world grandeur.” Jim Hessel, Friends of Vista House, also thanked Director Tim Wood for “trying to find an aesthetic solution,” adding, “I hope agencies will work together.” Wayne Stewart, Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee, said his group asks that “a serious effort to find an alternate  solution to the proposed ramp” continues. 
John Blackwell invited the Commission to approve a motion of confidence in the course of action that OPRD Director Tim Wood and Department staff are following with regard to providing ADA access into Vista House. Sue Musser moved to approve the motion; Bill Gregory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.  

18.   Approval of Agreements/Contracts (Tim Wood)
Through an Intergovernmental Agreement, the City of Cannon Beach will make improvements to the entrance road and parking lot located within the Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site, and OPRD will reimburse the City for the majority of the costs associated with those improvements. The City will contribute up to $15,000 toward the construction of the improvements. The City will solicit bids using bid documents provided by OPRD, hire a contractor to perform the work, and manage the contractor during construction. The work will include replacing damaged curb, constructing storm drainage improvements, overlaying existing pavement, and providing improved disabled access. Staff recommended the Commission approve entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Cannon Beach with a not-to-exceed amount of $123,000.00.
Bill Gregory moved to approve the agreement; Sue Musser seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

19.   Commission Discussion 
Commissioners agreed to consider two dates in January 2005 for a visit to an ATV area. 

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Bell
Commission Assistant