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Speakers urge council to protect library, parks and community services; CPR Pack proposes $70M recreation bond
Summary
During public comment on the city budget, residents pressed the council to prioritize libraries, parks and community development; a volunteer group presented an updated recreation center bond estimate of about $70 million and asked to pursue a November ballot measure.
Speakers at the public comment portion of the meeting urged the City Council to preserve funding for libraries, parks and recreation and community development, arguing those programs support families, public safety and long‑term community health.
Linda Hayes, a local business owner, told council that “the quality of life of the families in McMinnville are very important,” and asked that libraries, parks and recreation and community development remain top budget priorities as the council balances cuts.
Other residents highlighted the role of prevention and long‑term social supports. Miriam Peterson urged the council to retain the city’s communications and engagement manager to sustain public trust and transparency and to maintain investments that can reduce future demand for law enforcement. Elena Mudrack said deferred maintenance leads to higher costs later and warned that cuts to community development could hinder housing and economic growth.
Pool and recreation bond update
Kevin Chambers, representing the volunteer CPR Pack, presented updated numbers for a proposed combined pool and recreation center. He said the Redmond, Ore., project — a roughly 56,000 square‑foot combined pool and rec center — is currently being built for about $49 million and that the volunteer group’s updated projection for McMinnville is “just over $70,000,000,” including a larger competition pool and contingencies for rising construction costs.
Chambers said the group restored funding for a senior center and library items ($4.5 million each), $9 million for park structure repairs at a list of parks including Bando River and Discovery Meadows, and line items for pickleball courts ($1.5 million) and a turf soccer field ($1.5 million). He asked council to place a bond on the November ballot and said operating projections from Redmond suggest the facility can be operated without increasing the general fund.
Council response and next steps
Councilors asked clarifying questions about how the existing pool building would be used; Chambers said the $2.5 million placeholder for the existing pool is intended to prevent deterioration and to allow city or community decision‑making after a bond passes, not to keep two separate full facilities.
Several councilors acknowledged the public comments and said they appreciated community engagement. Staff noted that written comments received on budget items would be included in an amended packet and that council will consider the FY2025‑26 budget at an upcoming council meeting.
Ending
Public testimony covered a range of priorities but repeatedly returned to the message that programs for children, seniors and community resiliency are important long‑term investments. The CPR Pack group said it will continue planning toward a November ballot measure.
