HR City Council Video - Feb 22, 2021 w/ Time Stamps

Engage the Gorge

Published · February 23 at 2:47 PM ·

February 22 Hood River City Council Updates ... we'll post a few of these separately for easier viewing, but you can find the full video here. https://youtu.be/8JzAQnPCX6c

The time stamps and items discussed:

- 2:11 -- Dan Ball, Chair of City Tree Committee

Info on Arbor Day and Trees; We got another “Tree City” plaque

Hoping to protect our urban trees

- 5:20 Susan Crowley

Thanks for the good work on parks and land acquisition.

- 9:00 Joel Madsen: Mid-Columbia Housing Authority

Joel describes the way in which MCHA helps provide lower-cost housing throughout the region.

- 40:41 Anne Medenbach - Big River Land Trust

Anne describes how land trusts remove the cost of the land from appreciation as a way to keep housing affordable. (Note: Recent reminder from Hood River Planning Director is that "Code doesn't create affordable housing": https://youtu.be/5qUAbLiwnF8)

- 1:03:17 Fee Waiver Request from Lions Club

The Lions Club are providing a new stage (valued about $100,000) and would like to be the sponsors of "Music in the Park" this summer (pending covid rules).

1:11 City Council Work Plan, Rachael Fuller

Next steps for the work plan

1:25:36 Consolidated Fee Schedule Changes, Will Norris

1:41:22 Request from Parks and Rec for Parks SDC

Parks & Rec requests funds from system development charges (SDC) collected on new housing so that they can move forward with acquiring 2 to 5 acres of land for parks ($500,000) and acquire land for trail easements ($150,000) - all this within the city's urban growth area. Council approved.

1:55 Mark Hickock and Request for SDCs

This was a separate discussion. Mark of the Parks & Rec Department asked for $400,000 in funds to be spent OUTSIDE the Urban Growth Boundary. Funds to be used for helping pay for the option the 20-acres of land at Fairview and the Westside trail, plus development of the Indian Creek Trail South Side connector. Estimated cost of the 20 acres of park (Blackman-Skakel land) is $85,000 per acre; option to purchase was a separate fee that is NOT applicable to the purchase price.

Concerns are that the Gorge Commission may not allow permitting of a park, fees are not for direct acquisition but for fees and studies. Council approved $250,000 - reduction due to concerns about the property.

2:31 Organizational updates and council member updates