[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6287573,"mediaKeyId","2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea","parentId",2549548,"title","Commission approves minutes (Scott abstains) and recommends firefighter/volunteer Nick Florey to council for parks appointment","audioSeconds",2199,"startMs",544000,"endMs",2743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea&start=544&end=2743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea/thumbnail_544000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287573/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-approves-minutes-Scott-abstains-and-recommends-firefightervolunteer-Nick-Florey-to-council-for-parks-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287573-1e003b3db65cbe7825fbcfad304e2f78/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090916&Signature=PQw1BP6xqCa-Q2XFfnSn1ibtPiHlZpiUuT-wqxv4j4rvza6wMcqLn496JHRpxdcX3P21o-PE2OxKjNCmifgncEiXY-rSng~fgAavl4002jPCjU6-F~grerUfVwU~NYxTBSJqtWZr8ZTxlIqrDHq-~Q7GlcD1YgUHMlg6FuzAm3BjvToXlQj-Se5ew9NVaT7wMSOcV-Gc8u8bFUmyEEItXT6NLUg4BSTgNvm5YJ46v-UXF8KGx9bEjFNisEKnh3ldqMJJBQI8HJwlwn~~M-5b0mh0eNrzZaZjc1sz7GEiupRhOnuSGhnrAUwvg6VEYygPo~I8d82hKdon8VMI-gC2SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-03-11T13:03:42Z","article","The St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission approved the minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting and, later in the agenda, voted to recommend an applicant, Nick Florey, for appointment to the Parks & Trails Commission.

A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded; commissioners voted in favor with one abstention. Scott was recorded as abstaining on the minutes approval; several commissioners voted \"aye.\" The chair confirmed the minutes were approved with the abstention noted.

At the start of the meeting the commission interviewed Nick Florey, who described five years of residence in St. Helens, prior volunteer experience and management experience as a superintendent with an elevator company. Commissioners asked about time availability and familiarity with commission responsibilities; Florey said he had read the municipal code sections and bylaws and was willing to serve.

Commissioner Scott moved to recommend Florey for appointment and a second was recorded. Commissioners voted by voice and the motion passed; the commission will forward its recommendation to the St. Helens City Council for final approval.

No further formal votes were recorded on other ordinances or resolutions in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks & Trails Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks & Trails Commission approved minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting with one abstention and voted to recommend Nick Florey for appointment to the commission; the appointment still requires city council confirmation.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287577,"Commission seeks clearer Milton Creek Reserve boundaries, will ask staff to formalize map",616,5968000,6584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea&start=5968&end=6584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea/thumbnail_5968000.jpg","/articles/6287577/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-seeks-clearer-Milton-Creek-Reserve-boundaries-will-ask-staff-to-formalize-map","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287577-a98cbc688e8ba323937725ce413e4061/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090916&Signature=bvAQHOuNXrtOmSxJmQZ53p6eVCoB3wltOGOrpGL8I4wgrLZ4KZqKK33F5BhC3vjR32OCMAOyGiv8eJwCsE9WS1nCIg4a56F3pk~yOK1qwOWFOidI5qzoqqhA9cfwmoOtYV6gk0nsR-0RuoPB1gbnf0iSyUHj0N17BWlg3EACFxtQzSMpj506NDMgMp9~q43OsLR~IkfCeV6dg8QSiKk9AXavO6JO8V8Gof~5wVTBBHvRW1juLdKPNTWnJU04GFP63k65HmGymme0UIlvvQEVtBaP9jHwa5PLdUKALkv3JgE-g7HYGlJKxNaz8y8WwuLoDPfUiE34wBbJvWVJGQwOMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission reviewed a draft map and ecological zoning for the Milton Creek Reserve and agreed to ask staff to formalize boundaries before bringing a request to city council.

Commissioners discussed a rough map that divides the area into ecoregions: old‑growth Douglas‑fir, a Camas Meadow set‑aside, oak woodlands and wetlands. Speakers highlighted the presence of sensitive species and habitat elements on portions of the site, including sphagnum moss, a plant identified in discussion as \"eryngium hediilatum,\" and numerous fairy shrimp (described in the meeting as priority species). The commission also discussed a possible pedestrian bridge location where two maintained roads meet and the channel narrows.

Commissioner Scott agreed to take the draft map to city staff (Jacob) for technical cleanup and to determine precise acreage and property lines, including any port property that abuts the site. Commissioners said they want clear parcel lines and acreage figures before formally asking council to set aside land for the Milton Creek project. Several commissioners also suggested notifying the Port of Columbia County early in the process and asking port staff for input.

Commissioners expressed particular interest in preserving the Camas Meadow remnant in the area and noted it is one of the larger patches of that habitat in the city’s inventory. The commission did not vote to recommend acquisition or to authorize any expenditures; members agreed this step is preparatory — to get a cleaned, staff‑verified map and then return to council with a defined request if warranted.","Commissioners reviewed a draft boundary and ecological zones for the Milton Creek Reserve, noted priority species and Camas Meadow habitat, and asked Commissioner Scott to take the draft to city staff for precise delineation and next steps with the Port and council.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287583,"Parks commission to trial monthly park assessment form to standardize reports and track volunteer hours",807,3610000,4417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea&start=3610&end=4417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6287583/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Parks-commission-to-trial-monthly-park-assessment-form-to-standardize-reports-and-track-volunteer-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287583-890fe13f118bf5cbb800e1bf62eee59e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090916&Signature=S-U7dFME5crqBXFWoGLYLgbTVGqFlLC9MZ55JufIOpoygtLjvBJwGa9Qx-VTjyXnLT89oUyumwu0icQPyn0jEqGCXm8iWdzXyx3Db26-OrfPJ3M29hDvLuZDsKQw-8~lnGA6aHqWVb6AjTRxLAT5YiFzrlXPtNq7tRu~U6JFN85omki7UncPQ85JhDGTfbKN1yGhwmPZHoI8RDeaQOQgWB8s3kAPwTUe2ee~~sStz-qTFC5glRq1~R6lhnjUXfKTexAoanI8~8I0aK-5ziSSNcApWXjFRC4VOAbO2D7mx-PYNjqJCz~oVz29HSRRZC-i0e~sMupj~Zd6B5sHK9JmcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission agreed to a trial run of a standardized park assessment tool designed to make monthly reporting more consistent, improve follow‑up and document volunteer hours.

Commissioner Lynn developed mockups of a one‑page assessment form and a sample monthly report she would compile and forward to parks maintenance. Lynn described the form as a brief checklist and notes field for safety concerns, structures and amenities, cleanliness, invasive species, visitor observations, planned community engagement and volunteer‑hour tracking. \"It's a quick and easy information gathering tool,\" she said, asking commissioners to try a trial run in the coming month and send completed forms to her by text, email or as a photographed copy.

Several commissioners questioned whether the new form would create unnecessary work; others said a standardized approach would address fairness concerns (some commissioners had said previously that park assignments were uneven). A few commissioners suggested pairs be assigned to parks so coverage would be robust if an individual were absent. Lynn said she would compile submissions into a concise monthly report for Buck in parks maintenance and use the data to create an annual report to city council.

The commission agreed to a flexible trial: members and interested volunteers may pick any park for the test run, fill out the form and return it to Lynn by the methods she outlined. Lynn will email an electronic copy to all commissioners, accept photographed submissions, and assemble the reports for discussion at the next meeting.

No formal policy was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked for a trial run and agreed to return feedback at the next meeting.","Commissioners agreed to pilot a one‑page park assessment tool for a trial run so members and volunteers can report safety issues, maintenance needs, visitor observations and volunteer hours. The chair will compile submissions and send them to parks maintenance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":91,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287587,"Parks commissioners flag Dalton Lake agreement, warn city could bear removal costs when contract ends",2535,1075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea&start=1075&end=3610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549548-2d7438a3ac9fcb3089a7497a4b5bffea/thumbnail_1075000.jpg","/articles/6287587/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Parks-commissioners-flag-Dalton-Lake-agreement-warn-city-could-bear-removal-costs-when-contract-ends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287587-39bd7cf66d3b44585f84649059f23231/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090916&Signature=bzM-r2ipiDWcpEZCcGtnl~FijjNGuQFFOSxEhU9Bd2DvA7uesyPqQWNCrw41i15fuGV6PMvF28-n2SA~vZgqi8wAnaaqBrBCkYZiEQ6fkv~wXnsB4LU8ifIkFf5jRIuDtqpUuPZNDFtuUTuqimy0KIwBhzUCn5JAm8uedWiwqj6Sz1ptODBuov8WgjsMnr0YTJSucdmDA8O46IfSYs4IkhCXVXfKQnFOv~28Gdr7GqSy~FJMEK3tXFlwIpYeWxnzRN55JEp~xGVJnlHUntW3xTYRtwuFKK4YPQvTXcySn985Nr9cOz0OBO9q66NS9086ss3XA-y2HxQIrvv5CmvHUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners and volunteers at the St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission meeting pressed for clarity on Dalton Lake’s cooperative management agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation and what will happen when the contract ends.

Lynn, chair of the Dalton Lake advisory committee, told the commission the cooperative management agreement was signed in February 2009 for a 20‑year term and therefore will expire in roughly four years. She said the city is obligated under that agreement to cover the costs of maintenance and improvements and to develop a management plan for ODOT approval. \"The city shall develop a management plan for approval by ODOT,\" Lynn said during the discussion.

The requirement matters because the agreement also says the city must remove any improvements at its sole expense when the agreement ends unless ODOT specifically allows them to remain. Commissioners raised concerns that benches, kiosks and other passive improvements the commission and volunteers have placed at Dalton Lake could need removal and that such work could create an unplanned bill for the city.

Commissioners and staff reviewed several provisions Lynn cited from the agreement: the property is owned by ODOT; improvements must be compatible with wetland preservation and are limited to passive trail features and interpretive signage; ODOT review and approval — through district maintenance staff — is required for any improvements; and the city must prepare and maintain a management plan describing staffing, resource management and procedures. Lynn said the site is about 56 acres and that some mitigation work previously permitted is the only construction formally approved so far.

City staff (referred to in discussion as Jacob) told commissioners he would look into the outstanding permit records and the city’s position on future ownership or renewal. Commissioners asked Lynn to circulate the materials she mentioned; she agreed to forward the presentation and any documents she had submitted to the city. Jacob said he would discuss the issue with the manager and follow up with the commission.

Several commissioners urged caution on new improvements while the agreement and permitting status are verified. One commissioner said staff advised that pausing nonessential improvements may be advisable until the city clarifies whether it will seek to extend or buy the property. Lynn and other volunteers said the improvements placed so far have been low‑impact (kiosks, benches, signage) and could likely be removed with limited disturbance, but they acknowledged removal would still carry a cost if ODOT required it.

Commissioners agreed to: (1) ask Lynn to forward the management plan and related materials to the commission; (2) have staff check city records and ODOT permit files; and (3) revisit the question after staff and council input so the commission could decide whether to recommend renewing the agreement or pursue other options.

The commission did not take a formal vote on any Dalton Lake action at the meeting; members instead directed follow‑up steps and requested documents from staff and the advisory committee.","Commissioners reviewed the cooperative management agreement covering Dalton Lake, noting it expires in about four years and requires the city to pay for maintenance, improvements and potentially removal of those improvements unless ODOT approves otherwise. Commissioners asked staff for documents and follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves minutes (Scott abstains) and recommends firefighter/volunteer Nick Florey to council for parks appointment

Commission seeks clearer Milton Creek Reserve boundaries, will ask staff to formalize map

Parks commission to trial monthly park assessment form to standardize reports and track volunteer hours

Parks commissioners flag Dalton Lake agreement, warn city could bear removal costs when contract ends