CC Minutes - 02/16/00 Work Session

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that the project was exciting not only in that it would realize artificial turf fields, but that it would support other recreational and family-oriented activities. He said that the two bodies were not used to working together and needed to recognize that fact and remember that they were exploring some new places they had never been to before. Mr. Pryor liked the approach and said he thought the project was just the start of a partnership based on common interests. Mr. Rayor asked if there would be ongoing monitoring as to the use of the fields, and how that was reflected in the Intergovernmental Agreement. Mr. Hirsh responded that the agreement included the establishment of a user committee and a matrix had been developed for the initial use of the synthetic fields. The user committee, which would include City representatives and key community organizations such as KidSports, would oversee the use of those fields and attempt to meet the needs of those who wished to use the fields. Mr. Johnson added that the user committee would develop a statement regarding the intent of the project. Mr. Rayor asked if the fields would be signed in a way that invited use of the facilities and ensured that a potential user did not think they were on school property and should not be there. Ms. Riner said that staff was looking at the City's current park signage and establishing a new standard that would be used at the sites. She anticipated that signs would establish the entryways as City parks. The shared fields at North and South high schools might have a slightly different approach. Mr. Rayor said that there was considerable City money involved and he wished to ensure citizens knew it was alright to use the facilities. He thought the issue should be addressed in the Intergovernmental Agreement. Mr. Johnson was unsure that the agreement needed to include that information, adding that no one disagreed with Mr. Rayor's points. Mr. Barnhart said there had been "a continuum of connections" between the City and district. He noted his long-time interest in involving all Eugene citizens in the schools, and said Mr. Rayor's remarks regarding signage reflected the kinds of things the district needed to do to get people involved. He said that for the schools to be adequately funded, the community must be familiar with and connected to the schools, and he considered the parks a fabulous way of making those connections. Mr. Barnhart noted that the largest use of the all-weather fields will likely be for soccer, and Eugene had many, many soccer players. Mr. Fox said that the board had always considered the fields to be multiple use with multiple users. He provided Mr. Kelly with his copy of the draft Intergovernmental Agreement. Mr. Lee asked how the district and City could use the new facilities to leverage a more meaningful discussion about a continuum of services for the youth population. He said he did not know the answer to his question, and suggested further discussion. Mr. Lee said he would like more information about the relationship between school districts and their municipal governments in other communities, such as Portland. He wanted particularly to know more about how cooperative ventures could occur in a meaningful and sustainable way. Ms. Thompson anticipated that the Schools of the Future planning process will lead the district to work more closely with the entire community, and if it does not, it will be unable to sustain the schools alone. With the City, she believed the district would be able to provide services to youth beyond the provision of sports fields. She said that the district would return to the council and MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 2000 Page 3 Joint Meeting with School District 4J School Board