09/08/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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If there was some merit in changing the policy, then changes could be recommended. He suggested that Council members Haws and Shirey be selected to discuss. the issue with the parks staff. Councilman Keller suggested a show of hands to determine whe- ther most of the Council really wanted some change in present policy, but it was de- cided a vote on the motion would determine that. e Vote was taken on the motion to refer the parks policy on use of its facilities and buildings to Council members Haws and Shirey (members of the Joints Parks Committee) for discussion with parks department staff. Motion carried - Council members Murray, Beal , Hamel, and Shirey voting aye. Council members Keller and Haws voting no. D. Proposal for Acquisition of Wayne Morse Ranch Property, Nature Conservancy - Copies of memo from city manager were previously distributed to Council members outlining a pro- posal from Nature Conservancy, a Portland based group, for acquisition of the Morse property on Crest Drive. Manager reviewed the proposal wherein Nature Conservancy would acquire the property upon receipt of a letter from the city indicating its interest in co-operating with other private and public groups in the purchase at true cost of acquisition by the Conservancy group. If the city fails to ob- tain the necessary funds, Nature Conservancy would have the right to dispose of the property after a reasonable length of time as it sees fit. The city would have to commit itself to maintenance of the property if acquired. Also, a re- quirement would be the placing of an appropriate plaque indicating the participa- tion of Nature Conservancy in acquisition of the property. Manager explained that the ci ty would have to finance appraisal if the sellers chose not to provide one. He estimated the cost at $1500 to $2000 for an appraisal, and because state funds would be involved in the purchase through the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, two appraisals would be necessary - a commitment from the city e for an estimated $3,000 to $4,000. Councilwoman Shirey asked that it be made clear that the city itself would not be participating in purchase of the property. She said the city would be providing funds only for appraisals and in that way further the efforts of Nature Conservancy and other private interests in looking for grant funds to combine with funds pledged by the Legislature for purchase of the property. In response to Manager, Wal t Hani uk , parks land acquisition agent, said that the state would not participate in the cost of appraisal, that was considered a cost incidental to application for grant funds generally borne by the initiating agency. State funds could be used for acquisition only, he said. And he thought that the money pledged by the Legislature toward the property's purchase could be used as matching funds for any BOR grant. Manager added that Mr. Margolis, of Nature Conservancy, had indicated BOR money in addition to that normally allocated to Oregon grants was available for special type grants such as this. Councilman Keller said his objection to acquisition of this property by city, as be- fore,was because of the anticipated maintenance costs involved. He asked Council- woman Shirey what private funds had been raised for investment to provide an income for maintenance should the property be acquired. Mrs. Shirey said the funds gathered so far were nominal. However, no effort had been put forth to this time for funds for that purpose because there was a group of people in the process of incorporating for tax purposes before solicitation was actually started. Funds from that source would be used for purchase, maintenance, or whatever other expense might be incurred. She added that she thought when the city was handed a park without having to spend any money for its purchase, paying for its maintenance would not be out of line. e Councilman Keller aSked what the estimated maintenance costs were, how the property was intended to be used, and whether the road abutting the property was a city street. Assistant Manager answered that maintenance costs would range from $20,000 for maintenance of the property as it is now used to $100,000, depending upon the in- . 495 9/8/75 - 7