Work Session Agenda Report

Date Prepared: November 10, 2021

For Meeting Date: November 15, 2021

To: Mayor Jules Walters and West Linn City Council

From: John R. Williams, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director JRW

Through: Jerry Gabrielatos, City Manager JG

Subject: Oppenlander property next steps Purpose Discussion of next steps on Oppenlander property, results of community survey, and potential Council initial direction on preparation of May 2022 ballot measure. Question(s) for Council: What elements should be included in May 2022 ballot measure? Background & Discussion: The West Linn City Council and West Linn-Wilsonville School District have agreed on a Letter of Intent that will allow West Linn residents to vote in the May 2022 election on whether to acquire the 10-acre Oppenlander property located at 1275 Rosemont Road. This agreement will be formalized through a Purchase and Sale Agreement prior to sending the measure to voters. Key points of the Letter of Intent include:

• Purchase price will be determined based on a new market appraisal to be completed by December 2021. The property was previously appraised at $6.5 Million earlier this year. The appraisal process is underway.

• If voters do not approve the purchase, the sale contract will be terminated at no penalty to the City and the District will be free to work with other potential buyers.

• If voters do approve the purchase, the property will subsequently be formally designated as a park under Chapter XI of the West Linn City Charter, ensuring it is not used for other purposes without voter approval.

• If voters do approve the purchase, closing would occur by the end of November 2022.

An important note is that the bond measure cannot legally pay for ongoing maintenance, operations, or recreation scheduling. These costs are estimated at over $62,000 per year (see Attachment 1) with only the current amenities in place, and likely 25%+ higher if more facilities are installed. These expenses are not currently covered by the City’s adopted budget for Parks & Recreation.

To place a measure on the May 2022 ballot, Council must take formal action in February 2022 at the latest. Staff has scheduled Council work sessions for November 15 and January 18 to allow staff to create all required documents and conduct legal review in time for Council formal action at the February 14, 2022 business meeting. The November 15 discussion is intended to be initial direction to staff on bond measure elements, and the January 18 discussion is for final review/discussion of the draft measure documents.

Page 2 – City of West Linn Agenda Report

Survey Results The City conducted a non-scientific online public survey to assist Council in shaping the bond measure. The survey was opened October 28 and will close November 11, after the writing of this report. Over 1,400 responses have been received to date. A final report will be provided to Council Friday and will be Attachment 2 for this report. It will include a full breakdown of results and complete text of all free answer responses.

The survey was promoted through the City’s website, email newsletter, social media, and by direct email to user groups and neighborhood associations. The public was asked to limit responses to one per person, and only one response could be submitted per electronic device.

Here are a few of the key findings to date:

Over 95% reported that they were residents of the City of West Linn.

Over 98% reported that they were registered voters. We did not ask for age of respondents, but this would seem to imply very few children took the poll.

Every Neighborhood Association had over 30 respondents, with Hidden Springs and Rosemont Summit each generating over 200 responses to date. A full breakdown is included in the report.

68% strongly approved of sending the measure to voters, with an additional 17.4% simply approving. Under 10% of respondents disapproved or strongly disapproved.

Each of the capital improvements surveyed were supported by 50% or more respondents, with the highest support for restrooms, irrigation upgrades, and lighting. It may not be coincidental that the latter two were the least expensive options listed.

326 responses to date for the free-response to “other suggested amenities” with frequent requests for a dog park seemingly the most common. Other responses included aquatic facilities, picnic areas, a splash pad, canopies over play areas, basketball courts, and more. Some responses requested no or minimal extra amenities.

429 responses to date for the free response “any other comments you would like the Council to consider?” Staff has not categorized these yet, but they range the entire gamut from strong opposition to the entire idea of purchasing the property all the way to support for purchasing and upgrading all facilities with turf and more.

Council Options: Attachment 3 contains a summary of potential basic capital improvements and associated cost estimates that could be included in the May 2022 Bond Measure. Without the benefit of a complete long-range master plan for this site, only basic elements have been considered. A full master plan would be ideal but was not feasible in the time frame available in this process. Some sample costs for field upgrades are provided for sense of scale, but these upgrades have not been discussed with the community.

Council has the option of including no basic improvements, some of the basic improvements, or all proposed improvements in the measure. Council direction on November 15 is requested to begin the legal and financial work required to develop the Bond Measure. Staff Recommendation: The Oppenlander property does not currently meet City standards for an active recreation facility. Staff recommends that $1.86 million for the basic improvements listed in Attachment 3, including design, permitting, and contingency costs, be included in the May 2022 Bond Measure. This will give the community a complete understanding of the estimated cost to improve this property up to a basic service level. Results of the community survey generally support the staff recommendation. A master plan for the entire site can be created through community engagement if the property is purchased. If

actual costs come in lower than estimated, the measure can clearly state the funds could be used for other improvements at the property (or elsewhere if Council wishes).

Note this staff report does not address whether a measure should be sent to voters. Council has previously decided this question in reaching agreement with the School Board.

Finally, staff recommends Council recognize the increased cost of operations and maintenance generated by this significant property in future budgeting decisions. Attachments:

1. Oppenlander property estimated annual maintenance and operations costs. 2. Community survey results (to be delivered 11/12). 3. Oppenlander property capital improvement options.

Annual Cost

Daily Inspections/garbage/monitoring City Staff = 365 days x .5 hrs. (182.5 hours at $50 hr.) $9,500

Mowing City Staff = 26 mows x 5 hours (130 hours at $50 hr.) $6,500

Irrigation systems 30 hours annually at $50 and $500 supplies/parts $2,000

Artificial Turf Maintenance/Repairs GMAX Testing/cleaning/minor repairs $2,500

Natural Sports Turf Annual Maintenance Pacific Sports Turf (slice seed, seed, top-dress, fertilization) $28,500

Water (irrigation/drinking fountain only) City of West Linn $12,500

Electricity PGE $1,000

Annual estimated Maintenance & Operations Expenses* $62,500

*With current amenities only. Costs likely to increase by 25%+ if facilities described in Attachment 3 are constructed.

Attachment 1: Oppenlander Property Estimated Annual Operations & Maintenance Cost

Attachment 3 - Oppenlander Property Capital Improvement Options

Current Amenities Size Comments Group utilizing/Owner

Baseball Field Regulation Turf infield West Linn Youth Baseball

Baseball Field Youth Turf cutouts West Linn Youth Baseball

Baseball Field Youth Turf cutouts West Linn Youth Baseball

Building 80' x 20' Power only West Linn Lions Owned

Storage Container 8'x20' Power only West Linn Youth Baseball

Storage Container 8'x40' Power only West Linn Youth Baseball

Irrigation System

Basic Park Conversion Amenity Needs Estimated Cost Comments

Restroom $450,000 Most common complaint

Play Structure $300,000

Dog Park $90,000 Frequent use currently

Asphalt Parking Lot (no curbs/sidewalks) $175,000 Dust is a complaint issue

ADA pathways to current amenities $170,000 10,000 @ $17/sq. ft.

Irrigation Upgrades $80,000

ADA upgrades: pathways to neighborhoods $4,000 500 @ $8/sq. ft.

Safety lighting $25,000

Construction Contingency (25%) $317,250

Soft Costs (design, land use, engineering, etc.) $250,000

Park Conversion Subtotal $1,861,250

Field Upgrades - Potential for future

Optional Artificial Turf (upper field)

Rectangle field & 90' baseball field $1,260,000 105,000 sq. feet @$12 All or nothing on upper field

Drainage/Elevation issues $500,000 District disclosed issue

Artificial Turf (lower field)

Rectangle field and 1 small softball/baseball $1,056,000 88,000 sq. feet @ $12 Restricts use on 1 current field

Turf entire lower level $250,000 105,000 sq. feet at $12 $25,000 plus line above

Construction Contingency (10%) $105,600

Soft Costs (design, land use, engineering, etc.) $100,000

Optional Field Upgrade Subtotal $3,271,600