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12/13/2004 - Minutes Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Monday, December 13, 2004 7:00 P.M. Tigard Water Auditorium Members Present: Shelley Richards-Rodriguez, Carl Switzer, Kathy Meads, Michael Freudenthal, and David Baumgarten (arrived late) Members Absent: Scott Bernhard, Ethan Brown, Jason Ashley, Barry Albertson Staff Present: Dennis Koellermeier, Dan Plaza, Steve Martin, Bill Dickinson, Twila Willson 1. Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m. The members present took a few minutes to summarize their experience and interests for the newest board member, Kathy Meads, the Planning Commission ex-officio representative. Minutes from the October 11 and November 8 meetings were not reviewed or approved because of the lack of a quorum. 2. Comments from audience - None 3. Drinking in Parks & Related Homeless Situation — Chief Bill Dickinson Reference was made to the December 9, 2004, memo to Dan Plaza about Alcohol in City Parks. Apparently, there have been an increased number of complaints about homeless people in the parks, on trails, and alcohol related incidents creating an uncomfortable experience for other park users. The Chief related the following: Current law does not restrict alcohol from Tigard parks Police do not have enough staff to enforce homeless — camping issues Summerlake Park has had incidents with drinking parties late at night in secluded area Cook Park — July 4t" festivities had many drunks some shooting fireworks at official firework's display personnel CCIS — Tigard's insurance carrier said it is a liability issue and they would prefer no alcohol in the parks Balloon Festival has beer gardens Social events — receptions, parties with alcohol served The Chief distributed copies for review of the proposed rewrite to city ordinance 7.32.180 Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverage. An open discussion followed which highlighted these issues: OLCC requirements, permits not difficult to acquire - application from states is sent through the city police department Homeless issues, encampments and alcohol Under-age drinking Behavioral concerns Revenues from shelter rentals help support park operations Liability issues Want to see numbers to support making the changes, i.e., amount of complaints, and where Shouldn't penalize the majority because of the few Wording of revision to code ordinance has not been run past the city attorney Chief thought easier for public to understand and police to enforce restriction Impact on reservations would take a year to see changes with restriction of alcohol Park staff would enforce during daytime Currently parks staff would respond by approaching person if disorderly only, not just drinking — would call police if necessary With changes to ordinance, every drinking person would have to be approached by parks staff Chief stated they receive 40,000 complaints per year, but he only knows of about 12 incidents regarding this issue Would there be warnings first, not just ticketed? David Freudenthal made a motion to vote on the approval of option #3 as presented by Chief Dickinson. Further discussion followed about the proposal: Is there another way to get to the same place? Drunk and disorderly clauses? Look into other options Possible designated drinking areas Beef up language to Disorderly Conduct West Linn is the only other known community that allows drinking in parks Alcohol in parks is currently not a maintenance issue Fanno Creek Trail is a problem area for homeless. Sometimes homeless pick up after themselves very well, but other homeless groups break bottles, leave debris, etc. along trail. Unable to sweep up broken glass, must be vacuumed up Alcohol seemed a secondary problem, mostly not comfortable with homeless/drinking combination Homeless — intimidating two issues — squatters/homeless and alcohol There was no second to the motion. The Board could not come to a decision about the motion and would move on the issue. 4. Board work on survey presentations for Recreation, Land Acquisition, and Facilities Suggestion was made to divide into groups to create presentations, meet separately to develop plans, give presentation to board for review and finalize presentations. Board members selected groups: Mike Freudenthal — Park Acquisition David Baumgarten — Park Acquisition - chair Kathy Meads — Park Acquisition Scott — Park Acquisition and Facilities Shelley Richards — Rec. Programs and Facilities - chair Jason Ashley — Rec. Programs and Facilities Carl Switzer— Rec. Programs and Facilities Groups will prepare to make presentations in February. There was further discussion of Chief Dickinson's request to change/modify law. Board members decided to research and discuss solutions to the problem at another meeting. Board discussion included: Toughen loitering laws Tools to help police with problem Lack of manpower to enforce Operational issues for parks staff Agree it is a problem, but this change in law not the answer Look for middle ground for enforcement by police Does PD have resources to enforce alcohol if they can't enforce homeless/transient issue? Drug problems not enforced Moral issues Board will research, pull loitering laws, etc. and review to find other options Add topic to agenda for next meeting 5. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.