OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - August 6, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, August 6, 2025
BodyAstoria, Oregon
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, August 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:00

Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

It might be Brita that's online.

0:18

Uh we can see.

0:21

I'm gonna change this camera so it's not hey Breta.

0:26

Hi.

0:30

Uh well you need six, yeah.

0:32

So we've got yeah, we've we've got what we need.

0:38

Yes, so we've got yeah, so Carla is the only one that we don't never heard if she was coming or not, right?

0:45

Yes.

0:46

Okay, and I know how it is not coming, so will be no exciting photo finish today.

0:53

Well it's 6 46.

0:56

Good morning, let's start.

0:59

So uh let's start with a roll call.

1:03

You want to start, Rachel?

1:05

Please, Rachel Pearson.

1:14

And more.

1:15

Norma Hernandez, Nate Bingstaff, Sergio Carrera, Taylor Bay.

1:24

Awesome, thank you.

1:26

And it's that's right, and we got uh Greta online.

1:29

Oh, Britain Fairwick.

1:32

I already forgot about you.

1:34

Gosh.

1:35

Okay.

1:36

Jonah Dart McLean Parks Director, and we've also got our recreation manager, Tyler Linkstad, and then our community development director, John Roberts here.

1:44

Awesome.

1:45

And did we receive any public comments ahead of time?

1:50

Nope.

1:50

We have not heard any comments.

1:52

We don't have anybody on the Zoom audience or in person.

1:55

Or in person, okay.

1:58

So no commenting.

2:00

Now, let's talk about the approval uh approval of minutes.

2:04

Did you guys have a chance to look at the minutes?

2:07

Any changes, additions, deletions, problems.

2:12

So if nobody has an issue, may I have a motion to approve those minutes?

2:17

No motion to approve the minutes.

2:19

May I have a second?

2:22

Second.

2:23

All in favor.

2:25

Aye.

2:26

Any opposed.

2:29

Oh right.

2:30

And we got you right, Britain.

2:32

I'm sorry I was not looking.

2:34

Uh oh, George is in line.

2:42

Do you think he might have a comment?

2:44

I would I would assume so.

2:46

Okay.

2:46

Good morning, George.

2:48

I see you are online.

2:51

I am.

2:53

It's good to see your name and to hear your voice.

2:56

Do you have a comment for us today?

2:58

Even though that we just went through that, but do you have a comment?

3:02

It took me three or four minutes to get the code and a few other things.

3:07

Um that's okay.

3:08

That's okay.

3:09

But uh we would love to hear what you have to say.

3:13

Number one, it was very difficult using the website.

3:19

Uh City's website to find that this meeting was happening, that the time of the meeting was when that was taking place.

3:31

Um I should be able to go to the city's website and very easily uh see when all of you are getting up so early in the morning to have this meeting and to allow a person from the public to um say a few words if they wish.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████████████████████████39%
Affordable Housing██████████████████████████26%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Procedural██████6%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Land Use Planning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - August 6, 2025

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate this meeting was held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 6:45 AM, but the provided metadata states August 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM. This summary uses the date/time from the metadata as instructed.

The Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met to discuss routine approvals, public comments, employee recognition, the Parks Master Plan update, an intergovernmental agreement with the school district, improvements at Lindstrom Park, and a city council-led housing initiative involving park sites. The meeting was chaired by Norma Hernandez and included staff from the Parks Department, Recreation, and Community Development.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the draft minutes from the April 23 Parks Advisory Board meeting. (Motion by Nathan Pinkstaff, second by Lou Marconeri)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George “Mick” Hague (Astoria resident) commented on the difficulty of finding meeting agendas on the city’s website, urging that information be posted on the Parks page as well. He also advocated for more interpretive signage at 9th Street Park, especially regarding the Astoria Column.

Employee Recognition

  • Staff recognized Sarah Flynn as Employee of the Month, praised for her positive attitude and willingness to take on a variety of tasks. The recognition was initiated by a peer nomination.

APRCF (Astoria Parks and Recreation Community Foundation) Updates

  • Board member Britta Herwig reported no foundation updates. Staff noted that swim lesson scholarships were very popular. Chair Hernandez asked about making the scholarship application available in Spanish; staff agreed to follow up.

Discussion Items

Old Business: Parks Master Plan Update

  • Director Jonah Dart-Mclean reported that the contract with Mackenzie Inc. had been approved by City Council to lead the master plan update. Mackenzie’s planner, Ian Sisson (who worked on the 2016 plan), will revisit and refine the plan. The process will emphasize public engagement.

New Business 9.a: Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Between Astoria School District and Astoria Parks and Recreation

  • Recreation Manager Tyler Lyngstad explained the proposed IGA, which codifies a long-standing verbal partnership. The agreement eliminates fees for shared use of facilities (e.g., gyms, fields, pool), prioritizes school programs, and clarifies maintenance responsibilities. It will go to the School Board on August 13 and later to City Council.
  • Positions: Chair Hernandez expressed surprise that no formal agreement existed previously. Britta Herwig emphasized the importance of defining maintenance roles. The board generally supported the agreement.

New Business 9.b: Lindstrom Park Playground Equipment

  • Staff presented plans to purchase a Vista Cube Climber (approx. $11,000) and a standalone tire swing, based on a community survey with 280 responses. They applied for a $10,000 grant from the Ford Family Foundation. A small covered picnic structure near Niagara Street is also planned from maintenance funds.
  • Position: Rachel Pearson stated the tire swing would be popular.

New Business 9.c: Lindstrom Park Tennis & Pickleball Courts

  • Staff proposed adding temporary pickleball lines to the underutilized tennis court, using portable nets stored on-site. Tennis use would take priority; pickleball players must vacate if tennis players arrive. Staff will monitor for conflicts.
  • Public comment: Mr. Hague recalled his earlier proposal for court repurposing and urged clear communication to avoid conflict.

New Business 9.d: Discussion of Potential Sites for Increased Housing Resources

  • Community Development Director John Roberts presented a City Council initiative to explore public-private partnerships for housing. The customs house replica site (the city’s least visited park) is being considered for a cottage cluster development. A Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) will be released, including also the Dairy Gold site (non-park). No immediate decisions; process expected to take years.
  • Positions: Britta Herwig expressed concern about impacts on public spaces, parking, and the adjacent ball field. Chair Hernandez noted the site is seldom used (playing devil’s advocate). Mr. Hague asked about interpretive signs and suggested indoor pickleball at school gyms (later addressed by staff). The board emphasized the need for clear guidelines to preserve park functions.

Staff Reports & Upcoming Events

  • Staff highlighted upcoming events: 3-on-3 basketball, pickleball tournaments, movies in the park (Lindstrom Park and Tapiola Park), and ongoing swim lessons with new registration.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved unanimously.
  • No formal votes were taken on new business items; they remain in discussion/development stages.
  • Staff will share the RFEI and IGA documents with the board.
  • The next meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2025 (with Nathan Pinkstaff attending via Zoom), and the following on September 24, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

It might be Brita that's online. Uh we can see. I'm gonna change this camera so it's not hey Breta. Hi. Uh well you need six, yeah. So we've got yeah, we've we've got what we need. Yes, so we've got yeah, so Carla is the only one that we don't never heard if she was coming or not, right? Yes. Okay, and I know how it is not coming, so will be no exciting photo finish today. Well it's 6 46. Good morning, let's start. So uh let's start with a roll call. You want to start, Rachel? Please, Rachel Pearson. And more. Norma Hernandez, Nate Bingstaff, Sergio Carrera, Taylor Bay. Awesome, thank you. And it's that's right, and we got uh Greta online. Oh, Britain Fairwick. I already forgot about you. Gosh. Okay. Jonah Dart McLean Parks Director, and we've also got our recreation manager, Tyler Linkstad, and then our community development director, John Roberts here. Awesome. And did we receive any public comments ahead of time? Nope. We have not heard any comments. We don't have anybody on the Zoom audience or in person. Or in person, okay. So no commenting. Now, let's talk about the approval uh approval of minutes. Did you guys have a chance to look at the minutes? Any changes, additions, deletions, problems. So if nobody has an issue, may I have a motion to approve those minutes? No motion to approve the minutes. May I have a second? Second. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed. Oh right. And we got you right, Britain. I'm sorry I was not looking. Uh oh, George is in line. Do you think he might have a comment? I would I would assume so. Okay. Good morning, George. I see you are online. I am.

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