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November 7, 1997 <br /> Bill Van Vactor <br /> Lane County Administrator <br /> 125 East 8 Avenue <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> Dear Bill: <br /> This letter is a follow -up to our conversation on November 4, 1997, regarding Hileman and Whitely Boat Landings. <br /> Below are some concerns that the City has worked with over the years. <br /> • After hour parties or other uses - The City installed gates at the entrances to both areas to prohibit vehicle <br /> access after hours. Because of the 11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. parks closed rule, we hired a private security <br /> company to open and close the gate six months a year (April through October). <br /> • Illegal dumping - People historically have dumped yard debris, household garbage, and animal carcasses at <br /> both sites. This still happens outside the Hileman gate. <br /> • Hunting or discharge of firearms - Because it is so isolated, people hunting and target practicing has been a <br /> problem at Hileman. The door to the pit toilet is a frequent target. This past year, shots were fired into a <br /> parked vehicle at Whitley. <br /> • Signage - Park rules, park hours, gate closed, and other signs are vandalized or stolen on a regular basis. <br /> • Crossing park property onto private property - People have torn down the fences between the park and John <br /> Scott's abutting property. The City has installed barricades and trenched ditches in an effort to be good <br /> neighbors. <br /> • Police response - This poses a jurisdictional problem. City police are responsible for enforcement on park <br /> property, while the Sheriffs Department is responsible for law enforcement on the abutting property and <br /> public roads. Not only is this confusing to the public, but because of their location outside the urban growth <br /> boundary, City police may not respond unless it is a high priority call. <br /> • Park maintenance - Due to the location and travel distance from other City park facilities, it is difficult to <br /> provide efficient maintenance. City Council authorized closure to vehicular traffic and elimination of <br /> maintenance as part of the Ballot Measure 50 reductions. Maintenance and operation of these facilities <br /> were a low priority for the City as they served only a small percentage of City residents. <br /> Ongoing maintenance consists mainly of garbage /litter pick up, restroom maintenance, vegetation control, and basic <br /> road maintenance. Annual City maintenance costs for the two boat landings have been between $17,000 and <br /> $20,000. The State Marine Board will provide maintenance grants of $2,500 for each boat landing. <br /> I hope this gives you a better understanding of the maintenance requirements for these two boat landings. Let me <br /> know if I can provide additional information. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Bob Hammitt <br /> Maintenance Director <br /> cc: Christine Andersen <br />