HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2023-01-18 PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY
BOARD
MINUTES
000 .,•
January 18, 2023
Sarah Ellison called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Co-Chair, Sarah Ellison, Co-Chair, Doug McKean,Jennifer Mozinski, Kara Gapon,
Jason Dorn,Taryn Hatchel (WebEX),Angel Mott-Nickerson,Youth Member Eileen
Koh, Council Liaison,Trudy Corrigan.
Alternates:
Absent: Sandra Lupton (alt), Ed Becker,Youth Member Ben Hovey, Greg Wolley,
Staff: Parks& Recreation Director, Ivan Anderholm, Parks Deputy Director,Jeff Munro,
Recreation Deputy Director,Jan Wirtz, Parks Manager, Megan Big John, Parks
Planner's, Bruce Powers, Communication and Sponsorship Coordinator, Robin
Krakauer,ACC Manager, Maria Bigelow and Administrative Assistant Dina Balogh.
Guests: NA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board (PARKS Board) reviewed and
unanimously approved the minutes from December 21, 2022.
Public Comment: NA
City Council Update:
Council Liaison,Trudy Corrigan
• Swore in new Council members
• Annexing property into the City approved.
• Library Visioning process: Resolution to create an ADHOC Library committee and appointments
to the committee.
• Approved proposed amendments for Land use code improvements: Update, restore, and clarify
existing use, zone, overlay, development,variance, procedural, and definition standards in LOC
Chapter 50 Community Development Code.
• Ordinance to Vacate a portion of Hazel Road
• Appeal of the DRC approval of a Type II tree removal application: Council heard testimony from
the applicant and those in favor of the appeal.
• Pickleball—Council recommended to close Pickleball courts at George Rogers park. Begin the
process to move pickleball to Westlake park.
Doug asked about the funding and why Westlake was selected.Trudy replied that she is not sure about
the funding, but Westlake seemed like the best option. Sarah asked when the courts would be closed.
Megan said staff was instructed to close the courts today (1/18/2023).
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board Minutes
January 18, 2023
Youth Member Update: NA
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Centenarian Plaza Plan Presentation:
Maria Bigelow, ACC Manager
Maria is seeking support from the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board for a
Centenarian Plaza in Lake Oswego. Centenarian Day is September 22
83% of the centenarian population living in the US are women.The U.S. has the most with Japan in 2nd,
however Japan has had the most growth in the last 10 years. In the US California has the most, Alaska
the fewest.
If a woman waits until her 40s to have children she is more likely to live to 100.
In LO 21%of the population is 65 and 820 people in LO are over 85. 1/3 live alone. Mary's Woods has 7
individuals who are at least 100 years old. A person passed away today who was 118 years old.
Maria thanked the board for asked for the Parks board support for the Centenarian Plaza in Lake
Oswego.The Plaza would be located in Foothills and Roehr Park.
The board discussed the plaza and asked Maria and staff about the plan.
Kara asked about qualifications, like having been a resident for x number of years. Maria answered the
plaza would be for anyone who is a centenarian to go and to be honored.
Megan talked about it being a reflective space with memorial benches where a person can sit and be
reflective.
Doug asked about 50+ board and Maria noted they talked about it last year.
Doug reminded everyone about presentation on cancer survivors park last year and board talked about
policy for naming or designating parks for specific causes or themes. Sarah replied and told the board
this is in line with the existing policy. Sarah clarified and with approval to put up a sign calling it the
centenarian plaza, and maybe do some additional plantings in the future to enrich the area.
Sarah told Maria and staff the Centenarian Plaza sounds like a great way to honor elders in the
community and the proposed location would be a great spot.
Action:
Kara motioned to approve the Centenarian Plaza plan,Jennifer second, all in favor
With a show of hands, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board (PARKS Board)voted
all in favor to support the Centenarian Plaza plan.
Parks Integrated Pest Management and Chemical Use Report:
Megan Big John, Parks Manager, Parks& Natural Areas
http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/parks-integrated-pest-management
Program Mission Statement:
The mission of Lake Oswego Parks& Recreation Department is to provide excellence in:
• Building community
• Enriching lives
• And caring for the urban and natural environment
The Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department endorses the principles of Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) as this program uses multi-faceted pest control strategies that are:
• Safe
• Sustainable
• Cost-effective
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• And minimizes the negative impact on the environment and human health
According to Oregon Statutes (ORS 262.1), Chapter 943, an IPM is defined as follows:
• Integrated pest management means a coordinated decision-making and action process that uses
the most appropriate pest control methods and strategies in an environmentally and
economically sound manner to meet pest management objectives.The elements of integrated
pest management include: (a) preventing pest problems; (b) monitoring for the presence of
pests and pest damage; (c) establishing the density of pest population, which may be set at zero,
that can be tolerated or corrected with a damage level sufficient to warrant treatment of the
problem based on health, public safety, economic or aesthetic threshold; (d) treating pest
problems to reduce populations below those levels established by damage thresholds using
strategies that may include biological, cultural, mechanical and pesticidal control methods and
that shall consider human health, ecological impact,feasibility and cost effectiveness; and (e)
evaluating the effects and efficacy of pest treatments.
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management is a science-based approach that combines a variety of techniques. By
studying their life cycles and how pests interact with the environment, IPM professionals can manage
pests interact with the environment, IPM professionals can manage pests with the most current
methods to improve management, lower costs, and reduce risks to people and the environment.
IPM tools include:
Alter surroundings, add beneficial insects/organisms,grow plants that resist pests, disrupt development
of pest, prevention of pest problems developing, disrupt insect behaviors and use pesticides.
1) Identify Monitor: Determine the causal agent and its abundance.
2) Evaluate:The results from monitoring will help to answer the questions: Is the pest causing
damage? Do we need to act?As pest numbers increase toward the economic threshold further
treatments may be necessary.
3) Prevent: Some pest problems can be prevented by using resident plants, planting early, rotating
crops, using barriers against climbing pests, sanitation, and sealing cracks in buildings.
4) Action: IPM uses multiple tools to reduce pests below an economically damaging level. A careful
selection of preventive and curative treatments will reduce reliance on any one tactic and
increases likelihood of success.
5) Monitor: Continue to monitor the pest population if it remains low or decreases further
treatments may not be necessary, but if it increases and exceeds the action threshold another
IPM tool should be used.
Where can you practice IPM? Buildings and homes, Farms and Managed Natural Systems.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest
management that is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least
possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
Sustainability, Economics, Practicality, Integration
• Evaluate Results, identify pests and set threshold, monitor pest population, develop a sound
pest management goal, and Implement plan
The tools in our tool box:
Cultural: Knowledge of culture needs of the plant. Soil preparations before plantings are installed.
Proper timing and use of water. Elimination of drought and heat stress to promote plant health.
Proper timing and use of fertilization. Use of cover crops to improve soil structure and reduce soil
erosion. Mulching, Aeration and/or over-seeding of turf and compacted areas. Raking and debris
removal to remove possible contaminants. Using proper sanitation to prevent spread of pests. Proper
timing of mowing to reduce and/or avoid weed seed production.
3IPage
Mechanical: Removal of diseased, damaged, or dead wood from the plant. Proper pruning and plant
removal to promote air circulation and light penetration for healthier plant growth. Mechanical edging
of turf. Removal of spent flowers on shrubs and annuals. Hand clearing in rough areas. Hand weeding in
shrub beds and invasive species. Mowing of rough areas for vegetation control. Burning weeds down
Biological: Biological Controls: naturally occurring and introduced insect or disease parasitoids,
predators, and microbial products.
Chemical: Pheromone traps, Petroleum based horticultural oil Insecticidal soaps
Botanically and bacterially derived pesticides (some disease control products contain fungi as biocontrol
agents) and Artificially synthesized pesticides
Application Notification:
• Signage text in document was updated to clarify sign uses.
• It is the practice of Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation to notify the public of pesticide
applications on park sites with a notification sign listing targets, product used, date,time of
application and any restricted entry if listed on label. These signs are posted at the site of
application along pathways in highly visible locations, at conspicuous entries and at natural area
trailheads.The intent of sign placement is so park users will encounter them before they enter
the treated area. Signs will be removed when product is dry, dust has settled in dry or granular
applications or when re-entry time has been met.
• Lake Oswego School District and Lake Oswego Parks& Recreation Department facilities will be
notified of targets, product used, date and time of application before it is made to their site
when required.
Using the tools in our tool box:
• Arborist chips are being used in more locations to help reduce weed pressure and retain
moisture.
• Began using mixed grass seed so the right grass would thrive in the right location.
• Increase our turf height to reduce the times we mow per week.
• Trialed Cheeta Pro, a Glyphosate alternative. Only burned the top of the plant when weather
conditions were favorable.
• Leaves are being left in beds for mulch where applicable. More areas to come in the future.
• Increased hand weeding in Natural Areas restoration after initial treatments.
• Mulching around newly planted natives in full sun to reduce weed pressure, rodent damage and
help water retention.
• Athletic fields drag infields and hand weeded to maintain control.
• Athletic fields and golf course are routinely over seed, aerate and top dress out compete weed
pressures.
• Use of vinegar by our contractor in small neighborhood parks when feasible.
o Megan said this is a way of thinking holistically about pest management and our practices
o Looking at a holistic way for how to take care of land and plants
o Every decision based on sustainability, economics, integration, practicality
o Every person on parks maintenance staff is required to have pesticide license
o Hoping to do more signage about leave the leaves
o Greg asked about crane flies as a pest species, Megan said they eat the roots then you have
a dead patch then weeds move in.
o Greg asked about glyphosate, Megan told the board its ammonium based and burns off the
top.
o Vinegar has its own issues too making the soil really acidic,just because its organic doesn't
mean it's less harmful.
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o Sarah asked about signage when chemicals have been applied, Megan said staff don't do
that yet because hasn't been requested
o Sarah asked specifically if staff thought about signs that catch a kid's attention so they stay
out of an area where chemicals have been applied.
o Megan said changes from 2022 to 2023 were minor.
o Kara asked if staff work with sections of the community where there is a pest outbreak
o Megan responded that they'll work with property owners if they have invasive species on
their property too.
o Kara had questions about rats.
o Megan shared that Clackamas Co Vector Control deals with things like mosquitos, maybe
rats too.
o Doug asked about buffer from stream corridors, Megan responded given products they use
they sometimes can go closer to the streams but sometimes do hand pulling in those areas
instead
Invasive Management& Habitat Enhancement Program Report:
Megan Big John, Parks Manager
Invasive Removal Program Background:
In the Winter of 2011,the Invasive Removal Program started with a funding base of$70,000, at the
request of City Council. In 2013,the budget was increased to$74,000.
The goals for this program are:
• Remove English Ivy from our parks and Natural Areas
• To prioritize work in the best condition and highest resource value parks(based on the MIG
report)
• For City staff to use specialized contractors to coordinate and perform invasive control tasks
Habitat Enhancement Program Background:
The Habitat Enhancement Program was first funded in the 2014-2015 budget cycle to further the
restoration efforts of the Invasive Removal Program. City Council created a $250,000 program fund to
meet Metro's Sensitive Lands requirements.
The four project types currently supported by this program are:
• Restoration efforts of City owned properties
• Restoration work on private properties supported through a Grant Program
• Creating matching grants funds
• Purchasing plants for Friends Group work parties
Staff work with park friends' groups on removal programs.The LO Parks& Recreation friends are:
• Friends of Hallinan Heights Woods
• Friends of Iron Mountain Park
• Friends of Luscher Farm
• Friends of Rogerson Clematis Collection
• Friends of Southwood Park
• Friends of Springbrook Park
• Friends of Waluga Parks
• Friends of Woodmont Park
• Friends of Lily Bay
Natural Areas Habitat Management Plan: Parks staff are working on a new Habitat Management map.
Project Areas:
• 31 Sites, 373.84 total acres
• Active restoration in 163.83 acres,
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• Maintenance in 214.01 acres.
HEP Grants Awarded:
Oswego Lake Watershed Council:
• Total Grant$43,538(over 3 years)
• Park Academy
• Lake Oswego United Methodist Church
o Tasks remove invasive species and plant to improve riparian areas
Tryon Creek Watershed Council
• Total Grant$23,833 (over 3 years)
• Continued Nettle Creek Riparian Restoration (near Kelly Creek&Tryon State Park)
o Lake Oswego United Church of Christ invasive removal and planting.
o Community education with Watershed 101 workshops
Clackamas Soil&Water Conservation District
• Total Grant$20,000 (1 year)
o Provide continued survey, management and maintenance of priority weed, primarily Garlic
Mustard control
o Efforts on city right of ways and private properties (104).
o Efforts began in 2012 and support needed due to lack of funding.
Private Land Improvements (Between Country Club and Goodall Road)
Progress of the invasive removal program grant work of habitat improvements over time. Ivy and garlic
mustard have been cleared from this location, however,full eradication of invasive species is on-going
and requires constant maintenance, especially in the early years of restoration.
STAFF AND BOARD MONTHLY UPDATE:
• Sarah shared an update on the boards and commission goal summit and the opportunities to
collaborate with sustainability board and DEI board.
• Doug talked about sustainability board member who was passionate about gas powered lawn
equipment and a person would need to consider equity to implement this type equipment.
• Doug asked to consider the best time for Parks board meetings.The meeting time was changed
to 4-6 some years ago. He asked if the current time worked for everybody.
• Jan shared the tennis center reopening on Saturday,January, 28 from 11:30-1. Attendees to the
grand reopening are advised to take the shuttle from LO Jr. High.
The next regular scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, February 15,2023,4 to 6 p.m.
Sarah Ellison adjourned the meeting at approximately 6 p.m.
Prepared by, Dina Balogh,Administrative Assistant.
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