OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Astoria Parks Advisory Board Meeting - May 27, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, May 27, 2026
BodyAstoria, Oregon
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, May 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 42:14

Transcript — Verbatim
0:17

Yay.

0:17

Yeah.

0:18

It was he was in the seat.

1:14

Well, good morning.

1:15

It's six forty-five, and I think we are all here.

1:20

That's what I think.

1:22

Let's start with the roll call, and let's start with you, Nathan.

1:26

So I will not forget you.

1:36

Can you hear me, Nathan?

1:44

No, Nate.

1:45

No Nate.

1:47

Do you want to start the roll call, Nate?

1:58

Okay, so let's just um start with Taylor then.

2:02

Oh, there you are, Nathan.

2:05

Let's start roll call with you.

2:10

Nate.

2:12

Stop playing with me, Nate.

2:15

Okay, Taylor.

2:17

Taylor Bay.

2:20

Kevin Staples.

2:21

Brita Hurwick.

2:23

Norm Hernandez.

2:24

Aaron Moore.

2:26

Lou Marconary.

2:28

Rachel Pearson.

2:31

Howard Roop.

2:32

All right.

2:33

And I know Nate, it's online.

2:35

I think we're having some technical difficulties.

2:38

And yeah, and also it's online.

2:41

Well, thank you for being here.

2:44

And we just started.

2:47

And um, do we have any public comments that maybe came online or any other?

2:56

Uh nope, no public comment and nobody is joined us online and or in person.

3:02

Okay.

3:03

And I know that Sergio communicated with us last night that he's away for work.

3:09

And um the chief said if we needed something to give him a call.

3:13

But um he had a meeting with his pillow, he says, so he was not gonna be here.

3:19

Okay, Nate.

3:20

I can you hear us now and can you just do the roll call?

3:24

Nate pink stuff.

3:26

All right, good to see you.

3:29

Okay, did everybody um have a chance to look at the minutes?

3:33

And I'm looking for an approval or changes, edits, deletions.

3:41

I move to approve the minutes last meeting.

3:47

Second, who can do it?

3:49

I'll second it.

3:50

Thank you, Taylor.

3:51

All in favor.

3:54

Any opposed.

3:56

Okay, well, thank you.

3:58

So move.

4:00

Okay, now the good, the bad and the ugly.

4:03

What have you heard?

4:05

Anything, any feedback from community comments, things that have been shared with you.

4:14

I've received some very positive feedback on the river walk maintenance.

4:19

Um when it got all mode, everyone was that I talked to was super excited about that, and it looks very beautiful, and people are very impressed with the speed and the efficiency and the the politeness with which the the people are um being treated when they walk by, like the the blowers stop and nice words are exchanged.

4:39

So that is um it's always nice to hear.

4:46

Anyone else?

4:51

Oh are you sure guys?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████59%
Procedural█████████12%
Community Engagement████████10%
Transportation Safety██████8%
Historic Preservation█████6%
Affordable Housing████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Astoria Parks Advisory Board Meeting - May 27, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate this meeting occurred on April 22, 2026, but the provided metadata states May 27, 2026. This summary uses the provided date as instructed.

The Astoria Parks Advisory Board convened to discuss park master plan updates, e-bike regulations on the Riverwalk, disc golf feasibility, budget adjustments, and facility improvements. The meeting included recognition of volunteers and staff, updates from the Astoria Community Foundation, and approval of minutes from the previous meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (March 25, 2026): Approved unanimously (motion by Nathan Pinkstaff, second by Britta Herwig).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • None.

Discussion Items

  • E-Bikes on Riverwalk: Board members discussed safety concerns regarding fast-moving e-bikes and conflicts with pedestrians. Staff reported that the police chief cited enforcement challenges and that the initial approach will focus on education and signage (reflective signs already installed). A future ban may be considered if issues persist.
  • Disc Golf Course Feasibility at Shively Park: Staff presented a concept for a disc golf course using wooded city property. Board members expressed general support with caveats to minimize use near the middle school during school hours and ensure sustainable maintenance. A motion to support exploration and public engagement passed.
  • Parks Master Plan Update: Staff and consultant Ian Sisson (McKenzie) presented the final draft of the master plan, highlighting community engagement (over 200 attendees, 500 written comments, 2,000 survey participants). The plan was presented to City Council the previous evening with positive reception. Board voted to recommend approval to City Council.
  • Cemetery Fee Changes: Staff proposed a 3% increase (down from the planned 5%) and a reduction in concrete liner costs (from $1,700 to approximately $1,100) to keep prices affordable. Board motion to support the fee schedule passed.
  • Evergreen Fields Grant Application: Staff outlined a grant application to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for a second ball field, covered picnic area, play structure, site safety improvements, and restroom renovations. Letters of support from the school district were noted. Board motion to support the application passed.
  • Staff Reports: Quarterly report highlighted revenue exceedances (aquatics on track for $550,000 vs. $450,000 goal; recreation on track for $400,000 vs. $300,000 goal), upcoming events (Splash-in movie on June 13, Run on the River on May 30 with 680 participants, Astoria Column centennial in July), and a new interpretive sign about York (enslaved explorer) to be unveiled at the Column.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved unanimously.
  • Motion to recommend Parks Master Plan to City Council passed unanimously.
  • Motion to support disc golf course exploration and public engagement passed unanimously.
  • Motion to support cemetery fee changes (3% increase, liner reduction) passed unanimously.
  • Motion to support Evergreen Fields grant application passed unanimously.
  • Next meeting: May 27, 2026 (per the future meetings agenda); June 24, 2026 following that.

Meeting Transcript

Yay. Yeah. It was he was in the seat. Well, good morning. It's six forty-five, and I think we are all here. That's what I think. Let's start with the roll call, and let's start with you, Nathan. So I will not forget you. Can you hear me, Nathan? No, Nate. No Nate. Do you want to start the roll call, Nate? Okay, so let's just um start with Taylor then. Oh, there you are, Nathan. Let's start roll call with you. Nate. Stop playing with me, Nate. Okay, Taylor. Taylor Bay. Kevin Staples. Brita Hurwick. Norm Hernandez. Aaron Moore. Lou Marconary. Rachel Pearson. Howard Roop. All right. And I know Nate, it's online. I think we're having some technical difficulties. And yeah, and also it's online. Well, thank you for being here. And we just started. And um, do we have any public comments that maybe came online or any other? Uh nope, no public comment and nobody is joined us online and or in person. Okay. And I know that Sergio communicated with us last night that he's away for work. And um the chief said if we needed something to give him a call. But um he had a meeting with his pillow, he says, so he was not gonna be here. Okay, Nate. I can you hear us now and can you just do the roll call? Nate pink stuff. All right, good to see you. Okay, did everybody um have a chance to look at the minutes? And I'm looking for an approval or changes, edits, deletions. I move to approve the minutes last meeting. Second, who can do it? I'll second it. Thank you, Taylor. All in favor. Any opposed.

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