Public Comment

Transcript (~7 min @ 1:35)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 1:33 Christopher Cinella: And if there is no objection, I would like to open the floor for public. Comment seeing no objection we are now open for public comment. I know we do have. Couple of folks that wish to speak to see anybody.

▶ 1:50 Speaker 5: I believe we have a resident Myron who is. Waiting in the attendees list, so I will Mr. I will unmute you now.

▶ 2:04 Speaker 6: Okay. Okay. Can I hear you?

▶ 2:07 Speaker 7: Yep. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. My name is Myron speaking on behalf of the park association. which was founded back in 1971 and dedicated to the protection, promotion, and preservation of Mount Hood Memorial Park and golf course. We consist of about 45 families in Melrose, most who are butters or live near Mount Hood. I'm speaking against Order 2021-104, which amends Chapter 173 to delete Section 173-2, which currently restricts the sale of alcohol on parkland managed by the Park Commission, and which has been submitted to you by Mayor Broder. I have sent a letter to each of you outlining reasons why the association is against allowing the sale of alcohol on fairways on Mount Hood, and that doing so would add a significant safety risk to all residents and families who live near and around Mount Hood. As you may probably know, the topic comes up before the Park Commission every three or four years by the GCM group that runs the golf course. However, over the years, because of a local public outcry, These previous events have been unsuccessful excessive alcoholic drinking remains a big problem in the city. Not only with our youth, but also with adults. Prime statistics in our city confirm the uptick in alcohol related crimes, such as drunkenness. And stops, we believe that any change, which allows alcohol consumption in and around parkland. Would send the wrong message to the public also to my surprise at the March 22nd meeting of the park commission. The unanimously approved the elimination of city ordinance. 173 dash 2, which just happens to include the limitation of sale and consumption of alcohol on park plan. I believe that this law protected residents from excessive drinking of alcohol and public spaces and park land where passive and active recreational activities occur. In February 2020, I conducted a survey of 10 area golf courses owned by cities and towns. My results were that five out of 10 did not allow the sale of alcohol from beverage carts. While five did, three of them had very strict limitations. I've sent each of you a copy of the survey. It should be noted that none of the five courses selling alcoholic beverages on their courses have pacific recreational activities anywhere near them as does Mount Hood. You might ask why would the Park Commission want to change the city ordinance to allow the sale of consumption of alcohol on public land at Mount Hood? When we already have major drinking problems in the city, the answer they give us are to increase the pleasure of the experience of golfers and because the city would get a few extra thousands of dollars annually. Given that this golf course brought in record revenues during 2018. And 2019, the tune of millions of dollars in which the city receives a sizable amount of that money enough to fix up and improve many of the parks and. Golf course is integrated into a public park area where children play. Residents are walking for exercises where people visit scenic sites throughout the park. And people visit for recreational purposes, such as fishing and hiking. Alcoholic beverages sold at Morali field during baseball games. Or at the high school football games, of course, not. These are activities in which children and adults attend. Then why should the city promote the selling and consumption of alcohol. At Mount hood, or for that matter on any parkland. Those residents residents who purchase homes adjacent and their Mount hood golf course understood that they were living near a golf course in which they might have golf balls. the yards or pools and would see extra traffic around the area we understood those risks and accepted them however we did not expect the park commission to break their sacred trust with mel rose melrose residents to suddenly change the city ordinance thus allowing more alcohol consumption on the fairways and around public spaces at mount hood this to me is a serious violation of the public trust and i can only help hope that you as city counselors who are the stewards of the the largest green space in Melrose, our green jewel, will recognize your public safety responsibilities not to approve this order. I have not seen any studies which indicate that golf membership per play would increase to any significant degree by selling alcohol on the call course. However, we do know that more alcohol consumed will increase safety risk to area residents and families who already experienced daily speeding when local residents in that area down at Stillman, Slayton, and Waverly Roadways. Finally, I wish to make you aware of the following. The Melrose Liquor Commission has told me that there have been two underage drinking violations at the Monaco Clubhouse, one in 2009 and another in 2012. Now, GMC wants us to believe that 18 and 19-year-olds operating beverage carts will be able to control drinking out of the fairways, I highly doubt it. I'm asking that when this order comes up for a final vote that you not approve it. Thank you for your time and attention. Thank you. Mr.

▶ 7:33 Christopher Cinella: Thank you do we have, um, I know somebody else and I wanted to.

▶ 7:38 Speaker 1: We, um, yes, we had a.

▶ 7:47 Speaker 5: Notice that Mr. Christopher Spenley wanted to speak on that during public comment. I don't see him in the attendee list. There is 1 resident that isn't named. So, Mr. Spenley, if that's you, if you could raise your digital hand.

▶ 8:04 Speaker 5: It doesn't appear that that's the case. So.

▶ 8:12 Christopher Cinella: All right, well, if there's no objection, I would like to close.