January 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Advisory Recreation Board

The Recreation Board got a reality check on the Neshotah Beach pavilion/concession project: the city budgeted far less than some materials suggested, and the project’s scope now hinges on grants and sponsorships. The board also reviewed the city’s parks capital project list and heard a busy year-end report from Parks & Rec.

Key Decisions

Neshotah Beach pavilion/concession stand update: staff clarified the 2026 city budget share is $255,318 (not $510,636), meaning at least half the project must come from outside money; without more grants/sponsorships, the project can’t move forward at the proposed size.

The board discussed a pilot paid-parking survey for Neshotah Beach that would rely on nonprofits/volunteers to collect fees on peak days—an approach that raises practical questions about staffing, cash handling, and consistency.

Parks & Rec reported roughly 30,000 attendees at 2025 special events and shared upcoming events and revenue trends, signaling how much the department is leaning on rentals, sponsorships, and event traffic.

Public Input · 4 speakers

John Gomez

Thanked the Parks crew for quickly removing a tree after he requested it.

Kathy Dahlke

Asked for clearer, more specific wording in questionnaires and suggested adding a comment section so people can explain their answers.

Dean Hrvila

Shared details for the Memorial Day Bell Ceremony on May 25 at 8:30 a.m., starting setup at 8:00 a.m. in Central Park East and ending at the cemetery.

Bruce Kreuger

Questioned why the city couldn’t pursue donations and sponsorships for a new concession stand.

Agenda Items

Neshotah Beach Pavilion/Concession Stand Project Update

The board reviewed the project’s public Q&A and didn’t flag concerns, but the bigger issue was money: staff clarified the city’s 2026 budgeted amount is $255,318, not $510,636, which forces the project to rely heavily on outside funding. The board also reviewed floor plan changes aimed at code compliance and more bathrooms, and members suggested practical tweaks (like moving refrigeration and creating a “warming kitchen” area that could support rentals). Staff also previewed a public survey tied to a pilot paid-parking program, with nonprofits/volunteers targeted to help run it—an approach that may keep costs down but shifts a lot of operational burden onto volunteers.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

2025 / 2026 Capital Projects

The board reviewed a detailed list of unfinished 2025 projects and planned 2026 projects. This is where residents can see what’s actually likely to get built (and what isn’t), since several items were described as grant-dependent or having “no city funding” planned. The list also shows how much of the parks pipeline is being paced by outside funding and delays, not just local priorities.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

DIRECTOR'S REPORTS

Parks & Rec reported about 30,000 attendees at 2025 special events and about 2,000 participants in programs, and shared upcoming event dates including new events. The director also noted the first plot sale in the new pet cemetery and said fundraising items (Perpetual Care Flowers and the Community Band) are expected to go to City Council to set up an investment fund with the Lakeshore Community Foundation. These updates matter mostly as signals of direction: more events, more fundraising structures, and more reliance on non-tax revenue streams.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

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