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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
November 5, 2020 Video Conference
6:00 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Chair Dawn Coggins, Vice Chair Michael Campsmith, Thomas George, David Berger, Gary Rich, Carrie
BeSerra and George Vadino
Excused: George Pfeiffer
Staff: John Hutton, Parks Director, Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director, Assistant City Attorney Del Kolde and
Mary Jaenicke, Parks Adm. Asst. II.
Chair Coggins called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Campsmith moved to approve the March Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting minutes as
written. Commissioner Berger seconded. Motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
The commission and staff introduced themselves and welcomed new commissioners Rich and BeSerra.
Commissioner Orientation
Staff Kolde reviewed the Code of Ethics, Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public Records Act (PRA)
with the commission. All meetings that have a quorum are subject to the OPMA. Staff Kolde discussed what is
considered a meeting. You’re at risk of having a meeting anytime a majority of the Parks Commission gets
together. This includes virtually buy Zoom, in person, by email or any other format. It is important to
remember that when responding to an email do not hit the “Reply All” button. The purpose of PRA is to
promote transparency in Government decision making.
STAFF REPORTS
2021 Work Plan
Due to Covid-19 the commission was not able to complete many things on the work plan. Staff Gerwen stated
that things have slowed down and there is not a whole lot of action that the commission can take at this time.
He asked the commission if they wanted to keep the same meeting calendar or would they prefer to meet every
other month or quarterly. Staff met briefly prior to the meeting to discuss potential projects for the 2021 work
plan and felt it was important to keep the prioritization matrix on the plan. There are many Capital Projects
that need to be done. This matrix will help staff and the commission to prioritize projects and decide the best
way to utilize the levy money. The commission was informed that the parking lot at Lakota has completely
failed so staff asked for funding to repair the lot in the 2021-22 Budget. The funding source for this is the King
County Levy money. The Annual Playground Replacement is another item on the work plan. The funding for
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this program has come from REET allocations. Due to having to shift priorities due to Covid-19 this program
has not been funded as part of the 2021-22 Budget. The volunteer events are severely in question for 2021.
The commission held a discussion on the 2021 work plan. The Annual Playground Equipment Replacement
will remain on the work plan for the 2nd-4th qtr. The playgrounds that are due to be replaced are Heritage
Woods, Alderbrook and Celebration Park. Currently there is no funding for this program; it was not funded
this year.
Volunteer events will remain on the work plan with a “TBD” timeframe.
Prioritization Matrix will remain.
Although there is currently no funding for the Master Plans for Steel Lake Park, Brooklake Community Center
and Lakota Park it’s important to keep these on the work plan so that the commission does not lose sight of
these projects. This will also show the City Council that these projects are important to the commission and
the community.
Staff Gerwen asked the commission if they wanted to keep the meeting calendar the same. Vice Chair
Campsmith would like to continue meeting on a monthly basis. The commission concurred and agreed that it’s
important to keep the energy going. Staff Hutton asked the commission if there was any interest in changing
the meeting time to an earlier start since the meetings are on Zoom. Discussion was held and it was decided to
change the meeting time to a 5:00pm start time. The December meeting has been cancelled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Staff Hutton updated the commission on all of the projects that the entire Park Staff completed during this down
time. A lot of work was done at Steel Lake Park. The Community Center staff was very busy preparing the Center
for reopening; many improvements were done to keep the staff and patrons safe from Covid-19. There have also
been a lot of improvements done at City Hall. Recreation staff held a 10 week day camp during the summer. Staff
has had to learn to work from home. The Park Maintenance staff was unable to work from home and have been
spread out into many different facilities and many are working out of their truck which has been difficult.
Commissioner George asked for an update about the Steel Lake Maintenance yard being moved to the Skate Park
and the Steel Lake Annex. Staff Hutton answered that some of the information that is out there is inaccurate. The
City Council has approved money for a study a new maintenance facility. Currently Parks, Streets, Surface Water
Maintenance and Fleet all share the current maintenance facility. There is a lot of police activity there and the
facility is 15 years past its prime. It’s inadequate for staff to be there; they need a new facility. More than one site is
being studied. It’s at least 2 – 3 years before anything will happen.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Commission Business
Election of Officers
Prioritization Matrix
Staff Reports
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Berger and seconded by Vice Chair Campsmith to adjourn the meeting.
Chair Coggins adjourned the meeting at 7:26 pm.