HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2003AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES
Tuesday, April 8, 2003
II.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vicki Gilthvedt. Those members present in addition to Dr. Gilthvedt
were Roger Thordarson, Greg Clark, and Jerry Butts. Pete Whittall, Paul Wohlhueter and Bob Jones
were absent. Also in attendance were Auburn Police Department Patrol Commander Will Lathrop and
Officer Brian Williams. Staff present were Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Parks Planning
and Development Manager Dan Scamporlina, and Parks Secretary Ann Fuqua.
Minutes
III.
The minutes of the March 4, 2003 meeting were approved as mailed.
Correspondence./Public Input
Old Business
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Auburn Police Representatives
At the request of Mr. Butts, representation from the Aubum Police Department were invited to
attend the April meeting and to give the Board their perspective on the program Jerry Larson is
operating out of Veterans Park.
Officer Williams reported that they have had complaints from neighbors and citizens, who no
longer use the park because of the homeless in the area. He stated that he is familiar with a large
number of the homeless people in this community. Officer Williams said that: he carries the
names and birth dates of approximately forty of these people, who are often ticketed for such
things as urinating in public, defecating in public, petty theft, shoplifting, etc. Of this group, five
have been the most problematic. They don't clean up after themselves, they leave alcohol bottles
laying around, and they have little respect for authority or for property. These people have been
ticketed for these offences and for petty theft, but since these offenses are not criminal offences
or felonies there is little that the police can do; and the offenders do not pay the tickets.
Officer Williams has also had some experience with Mr. Larson, who he said is not cooperative
with the officers and has threatened to bring in media to Auburn to discredit the police. Mr.
Larson has told the police that they are just a group of people having a picnic in the park;
therefore he does not have to meet either City or public health code for what he is doing. Both
officers reported that a couple of years ago the homeless were living in a "tent city" near the
river, which was raided after neighbors complained of thefts, and a number of felons were
arrested at that time. Mr. Larson was the person who provided tents, bedrolls, etc. for this group.
Commander Lathrop said that the majority of these people have been offered ways and services
to get them off the streets. For most of them, homelessness is a life style choice. They
panhandle at street comers; they approach people in parking lots of places like Safeways
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Park Board Minutes
April 8, 2003
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and intimidate people, usually asking for money for alcohol. Citizens report that they stay away
from areas frequented by this group, especially at night. The activities of this group of people are
a nuisance for officers and for the citizens of Auburn.
IV. New Business
Golf Course Extended Play
The final draft of the golf course extended play policy was presented. Mr. Faber explained that it
was essentially the same as the previous draft, but that some additional language was added to
conform to auditor requirements. This policy spells out who is eligible for complimentary play,
and what record keeping is required by the concessionaire.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the policy as written; seconded by Mr. Thordarson
MOTION PASSED
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40-Acre Golf Course Property_
Mr. Faber advised that there is a developer who is asking for an easement across the upper part of
the 40-acre unimproved area above the golf course. Staff has been looking for documentation for
this piece of property to see what we can do with it. It is an area on the east side of the golf
course that is steep and not appropriate for golf course expansion, but it does buffer the course
from the home development in that area.
Off-Leash Dog Park Funding.
Mr. Faber reported that the Council accepted the multi-city proposal to share funding to make
Grandview Park an off-leash regional park for dogs. The cost is $4,000 for Auburn, and by
developing the regional park, the communities do not have to develop or address a site in each
city.
IV.
Director's Report
Mr. Faber announced that Bob Jones has resigned from the Board. If anyone has suggestions about
someone, who would be interested in serving, they should encourage them to apply.
Some reminders of upcoming events; May 31st is the dedication for Sunset Park. Some pictures were
shown to remind everyone why that name was chose; there were some beautiful sunsets from the park
this past weekend. And, June 7th is Clean Sweep II and everyone was encouraged to take part in this
event with their service clubs or individually.
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Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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