Parks Comm MINS 03-02-2023i:\parks comm mtg notes\2023\03-02-2023 minutes.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
March 2, 2023 Hylebos Meeting Room
5:00 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Chair Michael Campsmith, Vice Chair George Vadino and Karen Brugato
Excused: David Berger and Sabrina Ettinger
Staff: Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director and Mary Jaenicke, Parks Adm. Asst. II.
Chair Campsmith called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Vadino moved to approve the February Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting minutes as
written. Commissioner Brugato seconded. Motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Finalize Letter to the City Council
The Commission was asked to review the letter that was drafted by Chair Campsmith and to be prepared to
discuss at the March meeting. Commissioner Brugato would like to add “Political and Religious activity
intended primarily for communication or expressions of ideas shall be presumed to be constitutionally
protected.” Discussion was held on where to place this in the letter. After discussion it was decided to table
this item. Chair Campsmith will revise the letter and it will be discussed at the April meeting.
Park Tour Agenda Setting
Discussion was held on which sites to tour and what day to tour them. The recreation shuttle van is available
on June 1. Staff Gerwen stated that he is concerned that the tour will feel rushed and suggested starting the
tour earlier in the day. This will give them more time and allow them to visit more sites. Two of the
playgrounds that were previously discussed as needing to be replaced were Alderbrook and Celebration Park.
All of our playgrounds are in compliance and are safe, but some are losing their play value. Celebration Park
playground is heavily used and replacement parts are getting difficult to find. Palisades is another heavily used
park and is also starting to show its age. After discussion it was decided that the three sites to visit are
Alderbrook Park, Celebration Park and Brooklake. The date of the tour will be June 1, the time is to be
determined.
STAFF REPORTS
Update on Master Plan Proposals and PROS Plan Proposal
Staff Gerwen reported that he is waiting to hear back from the consultants regarding costs and calendar dates.
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Park Impact Fees
Staff Gerwen provided the background information. Park impact fees are charges to new developments to
offset the impact those new developments will have on parks. Park impact fees will go through LUTC and the
Planning Commission because it is a taxing authority and a land use process to implement park impact fees.
Staff Gerwen encouraged the commission to write a letter to Council in support of the implementation of Park
Impact Fees. The comp plan needs to be amended to add two projects; expansion of a Downtown Park and the
addition of the South Station. Park impact fees need to be adopted based on what is approved, so it’s important
to get those two projects added to the plan. The consultant group is drafting the ordinance and they will be
presenting at the Planning Commission, LUTC and Council meetings.
Parks Appreciation Day
The Parks Appreciation Day event has been posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Just Serve and We
Love Our City are also promoting the event. The two locations are Town Square Park, the staircase and the
Blueberry Farm. Finalization of the commissioner’s tasks will take place at the April meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Brugato read an article in the News Tribune regarding an all abilities playground to bring kids
together. Commissioner Brugato asked if this was something that the Parks Department could do. Staff
Gerwen stated that every playground that is installed at a park meets the standards for handicap accessibility.
When Funland was renovated staff worked very hard to ensure that it was an all ability playground. The entire
ring around the playground is all sensory. There is also the all ability merry-go-round. When a new
playground is going to be installed, several playground manufacturers are invited to provide two concepts
each. The commission reviews those concepts and also hosts a public meeting for community input. The
decision on the playground comes down to budget and the footprint of where the playground will be installed.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Commission Business
Finalize letter to Council
Finalize Park Tour agenda
Staff Reports
Proposal Update
Park Impact Fees
Parks Appreciation Day
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Brugato to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Vice Chair Vadino.
Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 5:47pm.
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