An Important Madrone Update!

[elaine]

I know that I posted something recently about the last meeting...I think people are still not clear on the process, and understandably are getting fatigued with the wait. Maybe the details below will help.

 

1) At the last public meeting on 10/29, a proposed hybrid of concepts

plans #2 & #3 was shown. These should be able to be viewed at

www.madronewall.com

 

 

This plan would have gravel parking (20 spaces) in the "meadow

area," bike parking, bathroom, moderate trail development and an

established trail up to the top and a network of trails at the top of the

cliff.

 

 

What happens next is in January, the plan above will get proposed to the

PAB ( volunteer led parks board), and from there it will go the the

Commissioners. It is unlikely that they will deviate from the proposed

concept since there was so much public input, and a great deal of work

done by Alta Planning and Design, Clack. Co., and an environmental agency.

 

 

In Feb/March of 2009, Clackamas County ( Katie Dunham) will be applying

for grants from OR State Parks local parks grant program. These are

matching grants based on the proposed amount (200K) that has been budgeted

for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year.

 

 

I've been asked if it will open early at all. The short answer is NO. The

long answer is because there is no money in the " bank" yet for

this site. They have proposed the 200K that will be set aside from

revenues and fees collected from their other parks.

An important thing to remember with the County Parks budget.... They can

operate their parks based on revenues from fees collected at their other park sites ( Barton, Park, Carver Boat Ramp, a public golf course). No significant amount of money goes towards supporting their parks. 2.6% of Clackamas County's property tax dollars goes into a Miscellaneous Fund for parks, but this also includes Trimet, soil conservation, water, Cemetery, lighting, etc. I just paid my Washington Co Taxes, and 7% went to Tualatin Hills Parks. Clackamas County does not support their parks much through taxes.

 

 

So they anticipate to be able to set aside this 200k based on previous annual estimates of revenues. This 200K will be the base amount for matching grants from Oregon Parks program, Access Fund, REI, Federal Appropriations Grants, and others...

 

 

The County and many other businesses operate on Fiscal Years for budgets. The Master Plan was completed recently and money was allotted during the 2007-08 FY. The next round of funding will be during the 2009-10 FY. By this time, they hope to have been awarded various grants to begin Phase 1

of construction. Phase 1 is a bulldozer plowing up the road to widen the current trail (old logging road) that's already there. The meadow area will be opened up for the 20 parking spaces. The ground will be leveled and considered for

erosion and drainage before the gravel is put down. A bathroom, and trail improvements ( done by volunteers) will be established or improved up to the rock. Other trails will be completed at a later date, but these can be done by volunteers ( trail up to the top, ADA interpretive trail, various nature trails)

 

 

In January, we plan to do another snail mailing and put out a "Call to Action." We are going to ask that the county set a goal date. Many new parks, programs or services have had goal dates and projected completion. Since they are using public funds for this project ( revenues collected from existing park fees and some tax dollars) then they owe the public a goal date. I plan to state this at the PAB meeting in January. New MAX light rail projects, and Stub Stewart State Park had goal dates. It makes total sense and is a necessity for them to have a

goal date.

 

 

Hopefully this clears things up so that people better understand the process. It's not good or bad, but it is important for people to not sit aside and wait. We all need to be involved and to let the County know that there needs to be a goal set for an opening date.

 

 

Kellie