Current Boat Ramp Discussions
Our final boat ramp meeting is Monday evening, Dec. 12th. Here is a summary of testimony since the November meeting: Boat Ramp Final Hearing Testimony.pdf
––––––––
Rivergrove City Council has been examining the Issues of Operation and Use as it pertains to the Stark Boat ramp. City Council is not entertaining the closure of the ramp, but a few administrative issues.
Council’s Final Signage Suggestion:
Boat Ramp Items Council reviewed for Future Meetings
Items to Consider for future possible action
Hours of operation
Gates open or closed during operational hours
Park name on the ramp sign
Language for the sign with ramp use and operation rules
Vegetation control/improvement
Clarification and marking of property lines
Considering for additional river access points
Making a clear public statement about public ramp use, Public Trust Doctrine
Lack of City funds for boat ramp solutions
Items Council has already taken action on
Fishing, picnicking, and swimming
Parking restrictions
Public restrooms
Ramp users being challenged/threatened by neighbors
Receiving input from all citizens of the City
Items that Council has considered, but lacks the capacity to take any major action upon for legal or financial reasons
Possible ADA compliance
Limitations on boat size or type
Unaccompanied Minors on the ramp
MAJOR repairs to lower end of the ramp & concrete bars
Fencing on either side of the ramp
City Council Boat Ramp Work Session
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Here is the list of the top five concerns Council voted to address:
Councilors’ Choices for Discussion:
From the 26 items on the Boat Ramp Concerns Matrix,Boat Ramp Concerns Matrix Councilors chose 5 items they each considered to be most pressing. I assigned numeric scores to the responses---5 points to each first choice, 4 to each second, 3 to each third, etc... Then I added the points to obtain a total score for each item. Here are the top 5 items from those considered the most pressing to the least:
Parking is often congested, causing limited access and blocked streets and driveways, particularly summers and weekends. There is concern for emergency vehicle access. (Voted to send to Council at the August 9th meeting)
Fishing, picnicking, and swimming users sometimes block boat ramp access for others and/or create conflicts. (It was decided that the City has no jurisdiction over activities below the high water mark.)
Gates are not being closed by users, creating a water safety hazard for younger playground users. (Needs further legal research before bringing to Council.)
Boat ramp users are being challenged, harassed, and threatened by neighbors. (TBD--To be discussed.)
Three-way Tie for Fifth Place:
Hours of operation are too limited. Would prefer sunrise to sunset or more open hours. (TBD)
The gate is an impediment for elderly and other less able-bodied individuals. (TBD)
Property lines between ramp and neighboring property are unclear. (TBD)
Anything marked TBD will be discussed at the ramp meeting on Tuesday, July 27th at 7 pm.
Boat Ramp Uses & Operations
Evaluation Process Summary
Over the last five-plus years, Rivergrove City Council has heard from citizens on the uses and operation of the Stark boat ramp that provides access to the Tualatin River. Through petitions, letters and public comments, comments about the boat ramp have increased. The input from the Rivergrove community and others outside of Rivergrove is diverse and not aligned. In order to best address the concerns raised, Council first had two Council members prepare a report regarding matters concerning the operation and use of the boat ramp. Next, the Council developed a process to hear issues/concerns and possible solutions from the public. From those, Council will develop a set of management actions to undertake.
The following list summarizes the City Council evaluation process elements:
Request public input on issues/concerns on the operation of the boat ramp
Petitions submitted 8/2020 & 4/2020
Report to Council on the uses and operation of the boat ramp posted on City website. 2/8/2021
Public testimony taken at two open houses 3/2/2021 and 5/4/2021
Public comment accepted at several Council meetings
Written comments accepted 3/21/2021-to present
Develop a matrix of issues/concerns and possible solutions
Draft evaluation matrix prepared 4/21/2021
Complete matrix shared on City website 5/21/2021
City Council discussion of a path forward and recommendation for each Councilor to prioritize issues/concerns to a manageable list of top five 5/21/2021
City Councilors submitted their top five prioritized concerns to City Manager for summarization 6/1/2021
City manager prepared a list of priorities in weighted order 6/1/2021
The top five concerns to be shared with the community on the City’s website and through the Rivergrove Report for citizen comment and feedback (to be sent to the City Manager) 6/21/2021
Rivergrove City Council will discuss and evaluate solutions to the top priorities using the evaluation matrix and identify short and long-term action items 7/13/2021. The issues/concerns not discussed during this meeting will be discussed at a later date.
March 2nd Town Hall
Agenda
Call to Order
Mayor Williams (or Council President Pierce in the Mayor’s absence) will explain the rules of the meeting.
Rivergrove City Council will be examining the Issues of Operation and Use as it pertains to the Stark Boat ramp. City Council is not entertaining closure of the ramp, but a few administrative issues.
Polite comments from those who have not commented in writing are welcome. Rude or abusive commenters will not be permitted to continue.
Each comment is to be limited to 3 minutes.
Motion to adjourn
Minutes
Passcode: !D=ZJ0dQ
PDF
Comments
If you wish to send written comments, please email to manager@cityofrivergrove.com. All comments, except for those containing abusive language will be posted here. Please include your street address in your email.
Residents
Additional comments
Additional comments for the May 4th Town Hall and July 27th Work Session.
RESIDENTS
Jeff Williams (July 27th)
Colleen Nyberg (Second)
NON-RESIDENTS
Kevin Lane (Aug. 9)
Kevin Lane (Aug. 13)