NEWBERG, Ore. — The Chehalem Park & Recreation District board met Thursday, Aug. 28, for a regular meeting, where members appointed Brandon Slyter as liaison to the Chehalem Cultural Center, which leases one of CPRD’s facilities.
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Attendance
Present were President Jim McMaster, Vice President Nick Konen, Secretary-Treasurer Matt Smith, Jason Fields and Brandon Slyter.
Chehalem Cultural Center Liason Appointment
In the past, the board president has appointed liaisons. This time, however, the item was held over from the July 17 meeting after board member Matt Smith expressed interest in the position. The board voted 4-1 in favor of appointing Slyter, with Smith opposed.
The board also unanimously approved the consent agenda. Items included an appraisal contract with Real Estate Services Group, Inc., for up to $14,000; a pathway improvement contract with Morcom Paving for $40,367; a fairway mower purchase for the golf course for $92,776; a janitorial contract with City Wide Facility Solutions; a core sweeper purchase for $44,750; a parks dump truck purchase for $81,012; and a facilities liftgate truck purchase for $44,275.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25.
Public Participation
Newberg resident Ed Fredenburg presented research on the Ewing Young Park Bridge Project and comparable projects in Yamhill County Parks. He said he enjoys walking through the park and hopes to continue doing so when he turns 90, provided flatter walking paths are available.
Dundee resident Mike Caruso, representing Newberg’s Noon Rotary Club, requested approval to install a Peace Pole at the Rotary Centennial Park entrance at no cost to CPRD. The board unanimously approved the request.
“The idea of the Peace Pole came about in 1957 in Japan … by a survivor of Hiroshima, and he said it was time to start talking about peace,” Caruso said. “The idea of the pole was to put it in four or eight languages, and some of the larger poles actually have 16 languages. It’s a conversation starter.”
Newberg resident Brian Bowman, a cyclist, volunteer, and engineer, raised concerns about losing park infrastructure at Bob & Crystal Rilee Park due to disuse. He said the cycling community would be willing to help encourage more use of the park.
Action Items
The board reviewed updates to its strategic planning priorities with revised wording but tabled the discussion until October.
Board members also discussed updating the district’s System Development Charge methodology report, last revised in 2017. CPRD Superintendent Clay Downing said district priorities have shifted slightly since then, and significant infrastructure projects, such as the Aquatic Center updates, have been completed.
The update is intended to ensure SDCs are measured accurately and remain defensible, meaning reasonably priced. Downing said the changes could take effect next spring and may result in a supplemental budget from the contingency plan, or they could be implemented in the next fiscal year. Staff will bring back an informational study session.
In his report, Downing shared that the Chehalem Park Foundation has added new donation options, including Venmo and PayPal. CPRD will exit its short-term lease on Crabtree Park on Jan. 1, 2026, when the property reverts to county responsibility. The request-for-proposals deadline for the golf course clubhouse feasibility study closed Sept. 2, and CPRD expects to sign a contract by Oct. 3.
