Keizer council funds town hall, directs $2,500 amendment to consultant contract for Rapids Park pavilion outreach

The Keizer City Council on Dec. 1 directed staff to expand public outreach on a proposed pavilion at Keizer Rapids Park, approving a contract amendment with consultant MIG not to exceed $2,500 and authorizing use of the city’s online engagement platform to solicit feedback.

Council President Starr moved the action, which passed unanimously with one member absent. City Manager Brown and legal counsel (identified in the meeting transcript as Mister Lawyer) told the council that additional outreach would build on earlier work — including a Pop‑up at KeizerFest, stakeholder meetings and Parks Board input — and would be designed to produce actionable data for a park master‑plan amendment that could preserve SDC funding eligibility.

“Providing direction to staff now will allow the process to keep moving forward at the earliest possible date,” Mr. Lawyer said, noting the consultant has tabulated prior responses and is positioned to manage a focused town‑hall format.

Council members pressed for clear, measurable outcomes for the outreach. Mayor Clark and Council President Starr said the city needs focused information on three items: a range of suitable locations within Keizer Rapids Park, a maximum allowable size, and a likely range of uses (for example picnic shelter, activity center or larger covered venue). Several councilors emphasized they wanted the planning language to include flexibility (“included but not limited to”) so future adjustments would not require repeated master‑plan amendments.

Councilor Christopher and neighborhood representatives urged staff to consider shared parking impacts and to ensure the pavilion design does not reduce unreserved public space the community uses for KeizerFest and other open‑air activities. Rhonda Rich, president of the West Keizer Neighborhood Association, asked for outreach that clarifies how intended uses would determine facility size and parking needs.

The council directed staff to ask MIG to facilitate the town hall, compile results and return recommendations addressing SDC eligibility, a location range, maximum size (a suggested upper limit of 30,000 square feet was discussed), and a typical range of activities that would occur in the pavilion. The motion sets the contract cap at $2,500 and requires staff to use the city’s engagement platform to extend the reach of the outreach.

The consultant’s work and the engagement results will inform a subsequent master‑plan amendment if necessary; councilors said that producing clear parameters now will help future project development while retaining flexibility for evolving community needs.