New Search
In response to a question from Mr. Ard, Ms. French stated that False -brome was a bunch grass <br />Ms. French said she was scheduled to speak to the Native Plant Society in the fall and would put the word <br />out that more people were needed to be involved in invasive species removal. <br />Mr. Fredette asked if a sign had been put up warning of the hazards of the intake for the canoe canal. Ms. <br />French replied that the intake was managed by the City of Eugene and the City was technically responsi- <br />ble for the intake and any signage regarding the intake. She said the previous sign pointing out the <br />difficulty of the river section downstream from the boat ramp had become "raggedy." Willamalane's risk <br />manager had advised against replacing the sign. <br />Ms. Blick questioned the wisdom of not having a warning sign. Ms. French encouraged her to speak with <br />the risk manager. She noted that the old risk manager had recently retired and a new one had been hired. <br />Ms. Behm observed that it appeared the grass had been burned in some areas. Ms. French thought it may <br />have been dead false - brome. <br />Ms. French stated that beginning about the first of the year, the Willamalane administrative office would <br />be leasing space from the Regional Sports Center on 32 Street, near Main Street. <br />Mr. Sonnichsen said the riverside bike path was still being used by cyclists though it was a restricted area <br />with signage indicating this. He asked if the path could be painted to instruct people to walk their <br />bicycles. Ms. French responded that she had sent an email to the Parks Service Manager. She said it <br />would be up to him to do something. For the most part, she suspected people were choosing to ignore the <br />signs. <br />Mr. Fredette felt it seemed signage was not an effective way to ensure changed behavior. Ms. French <br />agreed, but noted that it did give grounds for enforcement. <br />Mr. Fredette wondered if other options should be pursued, such as the installation of bollards. Ms. French <br />acknowledged his concerns, but pointed out that Willamalane, as with all public agencies, has limited <br />funding and staff to allocate across a wide variety of needs and concerns. Many of these needs involve <br />safety of the public, and decisions have to be made as to which issues present the most immediate <br />concerns. Bicycle use of this pedestrian path is probably lower on this list than some other safety needs <br />within the District. <br />Ms. Behm observed that this was an ongoing complaint. <br />Mr. Holloter said that bicycles on the riverside path and off leash dogs were big concerns to him. He <br />asked if there was just no money or if there was just a policy of non - enforcement of rules. Ms. French <br />replied that there was not a lot of money and staff was limited. <br />Mr. Taylor averred that it was the same in Eugene. He pointed out that the Eugene Police Department <br />(EPD) was in charge of enforcement. He said one possibility would be to create a new position to serve as <br />a park ranger, someone in the park that was authorized to give out tickets, but this was a decision the City <br />Council would have to make. <br />MINUTES— Citizen Planning Committee of the July 26, 2006 Page 5 <br />Whilamut Natural Area <br />