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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2020-03-10 Luscher Area Task Force Meeting Meeting Minutes March 10, 2020 Task Force members present: Heidi Schrimsher; Rick Gruen; Richard Herman; Kasey Holwerda; Nancy Gronowski; Dave Girard; Laura Masterson; Narendra Varma; Brian Crawford Staff Present: Jeff Munro; Jamie Inglis; Megan Big John; Dawn Grunwald; Charity Taylor (Facilitator) Excused: Jan Wirtz Acting as facilitator, Ms. Taylor opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. She began discussing the history of the Luscher Area Master Plan (herein, “LAMP”) and its goal of ensuring access to the land to improve quality of life, provide education and recreation. She emphasized that most of the improvements outlined in the Master Plan depend on Lake Oswego’s annexation of the currently unincorporated Luscher Area. To frame the purpose of the task force, Ms. Taylor reviewed the 2020 Luscher Farm Area Concept Plan. The concept plan will be used to submit an application to Metro for an urban growth boundary expansion to incorporate 83.3 acres of the Luscher Area. Should Metro accept the application, the City may annex the land and begin master plan implementation. Ms. Taylor specified which properties within the Luscher Area can be used for urban agriculture and environmental education (Luscher, Firlane, and Crowell properties). Laura Masterson clarified that “Area 13” found within the Agricultural Plan is a flexible use area that could be used for active recreation and urban agriculture. Ms. Taylor stated that the purpose of the Luscher Area Task Force is to make recommendations for urban agriculture and environmental education implementation based on the LAMP and Urban Agriculture Plan. Ms. Taylor introduced a matrix to help the task force prioritize their recommendations. The matrix categories include cost, location, timeframe and resources. Other considerations include capital and what programs future facilities will support. The recommendations will serve as an implementation guideline for Director Anderholm should the Luscher Area be incorporated into the UGB and annexed by the City. She then reviewed the LAMP public outreach process to provide foundation for the task force’s future recommendations. Ms. Taylor also noted that the task force is not a mechanism for public outreach but part of the implementation process for the LAMP. She then discussed rules of engagement for future meetings and outlined decision making steps for task force members to use while forming recommendations. She explained that there will be three meetings to discuss urban agriculture, and three meetings for environmental education. Ms. Taylor noted that she will be the primary point of contact for all matters related to the task force so as to streamline communication among all members. She then shared a definition of urban agriculture and separated members into groups for a discussion about the evolution of urban agriculture in Lake Oswego over the next 10 years. Mr. Girard mentioned having more demonstration gardens to help community members with their own gardening efforts at home. Ms. Masterson discussed the educational opportunities in urban agriculture and its potential to reach a diverse group of people. Mr. Herman talked about the need for additional infrastructure to meet the current demand for programs such as community gardens and camps Ms. Inglis suggested a certified kitchen as means to expand the school to farm program, or teach producers how to market what they grow Ms. Holwerda talked about animals, bees and fruit trees as potential expansions to current urban agriculture offerings Mr. Gruen mentioned a need for transitional spaces between urban agriculture and natural resource areas which could be accomplished through planting hedgerows and introducing pollinators. He also mentioned farm incubator sites to lease or rent. Ms. Masterson mentioned Headwaters as an example for incubator farms. Ms. Schrimsher stated that the Luscher Area should be viewed as a whole so programming is not siloed but allows for a synergy of resources. Ms. Masterson talked about leveraging programs so that they complement one another Mr. Herman inquired about the structure of the Lake Oswego School District’s school to farm program. Mr. Crawford explained that there are three levels of agricultural work and three levels of culinary work, with the overall goal of students gaining agricultural and restaurant experience. The task force members then discussed the benefits of a commercial kitchen and its ability integrate and expand existing programs. Ms. Schrimsher talked about providing for underserved community members. Ms. Inglis added that there is an adopt-a-plot program that grows produce for the meals on wheels program at the adult community center and how there are ways to expand programs to help those who experience food insecurity. Mr. Herman discussed the possibility of using the history of Luscher as a means to help fundraise for programming efforts. Ms. Inglis discussed the potential opportunities for arts and agriculture programs. Ms. Masterson mentioned expanding marketing such as farm stands as a way to support the entrepreneurial efforts of local farming communities. Ms. Taylor then reviewed a handout that includes reading from the LAMP and Agriculture Plan as it relates to urban agriculture. Task Force members were asked to complete assigned readings in preparation for future meetings. Due to Spring Break, Ms. Taylor noted she will send out a Doodle poll to schedule the next meeting during the week of March 30th.