neshotah beach improvements

An agenda item titled "Recreation Department Programs - Mike Mathis" appeared under item C.

In the City Manager’s report, staff discussed preliminary ideas to renovate or replace the 1950s Neshotah Beach concession stand.

Staff said the concession-stand concept aimed to reduce reliance on property taxes by generating more rental and concession revenue.

A Room Tax Commission representative and a private investor tied to the Cobblestone Hotel presented an alternative financing concept for improvements to the Neshotah Beach building, describing a mix of room tax dollars, event-space revenue, donations, and borrowing intended to reduce the general-fund impact.

Council members raised concerns that if projected revenues do not materialize, the city would still be responsible for payments.

Staff presented three potential investment paths for the Neshotah Beach concession stand: a basic code-focused fix estimated at about $43,000; a major interior rework estimated at about $360,636; or a new building with expanded restrooms and year-round indoor rental space.

Councilmembers’ general consensus favored the major remodel option, including interest in fully enclosing/opening the covered patio area; no formal decision was recorded for this item.

Staff floated a fee-based parking plan for Lots 2 and 3 on 10 peak beach days in 2026 at $10 per day, potentially staffed by seasonal workers or community groups that could earn a share as fundraising; no decision was made.

The agenda included a tour of the Neshotah Beach concession stand.

An agenda item titled "NEW BUSINESS" appeared and was associated with this topic context, without specific action text included here.

City Council approved a paid parking pilot program for Neshotah Beach for 2026, passing 6-2.

As part of approving the 2026 paid parking pilot, Council added a requirement that Parks & Rec provide a report listing the 10 days the lots will be enforced so residents can be notified.

Council discussed launching a public survey to gather feedback on improvements to the Neshotah Beach concessions area, including ADA access and functionality; no formal action was requested.

Council discussed a tight timeline for the survey and project planning: survey launch mid-week, data collection in January–February, and an aim to bid the project in March.

The meeting record described a budget framing of $255,318 in anticipated borrowing, with a requirement that at least half the project funding come from other sources for the project to move forward.

In Director’s Reports, staff said Neshotah Beach improvements were headed to City Council for a borrowing vote on 2/26/26, with bids and a go/no-go decision expected after cost estimates and survey feedback are reviewed in early April.