I. ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Russell at 7:04 p.m.

City Council Members
Present: Norm Carlson, Jr. Gabe Campbell, William Bellows, Shirley Gibson and Sherman Chamberlain
Absent: William Haggard

Downtown Development Authority Members
Present: Jeff Porter, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Fred DiMartino, Jeannine Wallace, Dan Barron and John Taylor
Absent: Mary Feindt

II. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Downtown Park Vision Statement, Goals and Objectives

Peter Pollack of Pollack Design Associates provided an outline of what has been done to date on the Downtown Park project. He has met with various groups that hold activities in the park area. On December 6, 2001, a public input meeting was held. Mr. Pollack is asking for approval of a suggested mission statement, which outlines the goals and objectives for the project. They are as follows:

1. Respect the role of the park as an outdoor community gathering center
2. Facilitate organized community activities, events and celebrations
3. Expand seasonal use by accommodating year-round activities
4. Preserve the park character and qualities of a flexible, open, "natural" setting
5. Integrate land-based facilities with water-based facilities

Mr. Pollack will be developing alternatives for the park property from the Channel to Antrim Street. He is anticipating to meet with the Downtown Park Committee in June to submit the design options. A second public input meeting will be held in July to review the design options. The Park should be used in all seasons. The items located in the middle of the park cannot over power what is in the park.

There was general discussion on the following items: the fish pond, band shell, picnic facilities, straightening out the sea wall adjacent to the docks, pedestrian traffic flow, and the possible use of the Bridge Park facility should the Coast Guard Acacia not be replaced.

The City Council and Downtown Development Authority generally agreed with the April 12, 2002 goals and objectives submitted by Mr. Pollack.

B. DDA Designation of Chief Administrative Officer

The DDA reviewed a memo from City Treasurer Richard Brandi requesting the designation of a Chief Administrative Officer. Staff is presently evaluating the Bridge Park LTGO bonds to see if it would be advantageous to reissue the bonds.


Motion made by John Kurtz and seconded by John Taylor to appoint Hugh Mason as the Chief Administrative Officer. Motion carried unanimously.

III. ADJOURN

The City Council and DDA generally agreed to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.