Advisory Council & Oversight Committee

Meet the 2026–27 Advisory Council and Oversight Committee

Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District is pleased to announce the community members appointed by the Board of Directors to the 2026–27 Advisory Council and the new Oversight Committee. Together, these groups will strengthen community input, transparency, and accountability as the District provides parks, trails, facilities, and recreation services and moves forward with the voter-approved Aquatic Center bond project.

The Advisory Council helps the District understand community priorities across all services. The Oversight Committee has a narrower, project-specific responsibility focused on bond spending for the Aquatic Center rebuild. Both groups provide input and accountability to the Board; neither replaces the Board’s decision-making role.

Thank you to everyone who applied. The District received strong interest from residents with a wide range of lived experience, community connections, and professional expertise. We appreciate every applicant’s willingness to serve.

HRVPRD Advisory Council:

The Advisory Council provides thoughtful, community-informed input to the HRVPRD Board of Directors and staff. Its focus extends across the District’s parks, trails, facilities, recreational services, and funding priorities. The Council is Advisory: it provides feedback and recommendations, while final policy and funding decisions remain with the elected Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

  • Review key issues and proposals affecting District services and facilities.

  • Bring community experiences, needs, and perspectives into discussions.

  • Ask questions, identify community impacts, and offer recommendations.

  • Help the District hear a broad range of voices and support transparent decision-making.

Board Representative to the Advisory Council:
Christy Christopher, Board President

Appointed Members:
Steve Henderson
Kate McBride
Bethany Kharrazi
Shay Ryan-Blakeslee
Dani Craig
Claire Ramer
Nancy Roach
Yesenia Rojas


Oversight Committee:

In cooperation with the HRVPRD Board of Directors, the Oversight Committee monitors spending of voter-approved public bond funds for the Aquatic Center rebuild to support transparency, accountability, and legal compliance.
The Committee’s role is oversight, not day-to-day project management. The Board retains its governing authority, and District staff and contracted project professionals manage project delivery.

Responsibilities:

  • Review bond-funded project financial information and spending updates.

  • Monitor whether expenditures align with the voter-approved purpose, project budget, and applicable requirements.

  • Ask questions, identify concerns, and support clear public reporting.

  • Contribute relevant perspectives in finance and public administration, business operations, commercial construction, and public communication.

Board Representative to the Oversight Committee:
Brian Hackett, Board Secretary

Appointed Members
Jarrett May
Carl Blakeslee
Liz Whitmore
Michael (Mike) Fox
Chris Karlin
Megan Channell

Public Information

Meeting dates, agendas, minutes, and project updates will be posted on this page as they become available. Community members may also attend HRVPRD Board meetings and follow the Bond & Levy Project page for updates on the Aquatic Center.

Meeting Information:

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 5:00 PM
Location: Hood River Fire Station Community Room
Who: Joint Advisory Council & Oversight Committee Meeting with the HRVPRD Board of Directors
Purpose: To provide newly appointed members with a District overview and an opportunity for Q&A.

Past Meetings
Bond & Levy Project Page