Downtown Estacada Commission recommends five appointments, approves adding 'Uncorked' and tasks parking study

The Downtown Estacada Commission on Feb. 3 recommended five people for appointment to the commission, agreed to add a new event called "Uncorked" to its project plan (subject to City Council approval), and accepted a council-directed parking study for the downtown area to be completed by the end of 2025.

The recommendations to council included youth applicant Corbin Stanson and incumbent members John Eichsenberger, Julie Cooper, Heather Randall and a new applicant, Wendy Young; the commission voted to forward each name to the City Council for formal appointment. The commission also voted to place "Uncorked," a wine-focused vendor event planned for May 31, on its project plan and to use a vendor fee consistent with prior events ($100 per 10x10 vendor spot) while it finalizes logistics and funding.

Those actions follow the commission's review of applicants early in the meeting, during which members questioned candidates about local ties and event experience. Wendy Young, who said she runs a small business on Broadway and does HR recruiting, told the commission she organizes employee events and can be flexible with time. "My time can be flexible. I do have a lot on my plate, but I can be flexible as long as I'm planning for that within my month," Young said. Commissioners discussed the commission's monthly meeting schedule and the time commitments events require and then made the formal recommendations to council.

On events and budget, commissioners reviewed the draft annual plan and discussed how to allocate promotional funds previously used for newspaper advertising to other outreach such as flyers, social media and volunteer supports. The commission noted tree-lighting expenses appeared low against a $5,000 line item in the packet (expenditures shown as $98 so far) and discussed increasing the volunteer budget to cover items such as vests, barricades and food vouchers for event volunteers.

Commissioners agreed that detailed project plans should be developed in February with budget line items completed in March. Several logistical items for vendor events were flagged for the Uncorked application, including coverage of exposed electrical cords, securing canopies, and following any fire marshal guidance; the commission said vendor applications from previous events could be reused and asked staff to post an edited vendor application online.

Separately, commissioners said the City Council has asked the Downtown Estacada Commission to work with the Traffic and Public Safety Commission on a downtown parking assessment. The commission characterized that assignment as an assessment only — to determine whether downtown currently has adequate parking and whether additional spaces are needed — and set a goal to complete the survey and assessment by the end of the year, with tools and guidance to be provided by city staff.

Other items discussed included Main Street program matters (the commission planned to complete an Oregon Main Street self-assessment and to schedule a strategy session), event subcommittees for Fourth of July, Oktoberfest and the tree lighting, and fundraising ideas such as seasonal banner or pole-sign programs for 2026. Commissioners frequently returned to the theme of rebuilding volunteer capacity after COVID-related declines and to using social media and flyers to supplement outreach.

The meeting adjourned at about 10:03 a.m.; the recommendations will be listed on the City Council agenda for formal appointment action and the Uncorked proposal will be raised at the council meeting the following Monday for permission to proceed.