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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
November 2, 2023 Hylebos Meeting Room
5:00 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Chair Michael Campsmith, David Berger, Monty Stewart, Jerry Knutzen and Karen
Brugato
Commissioners excused: Rayna Ross and Sabrina Ettinger
Commissioners unexcused: Vice Chair George Vadino
Staff: Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director
Guests: Cory Dembeck – Phone Whisperer and Colin Hirsch – We Rock the Spectrum
Chair Campsmith called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Knutzen moved to approve the October 5, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting
minutes as written. Commissioner Berger seconded. Motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Phone Whisperer - Presentation
Cory Dembeck stated that a few years back he placed a rotary telephone in a park in Olympia so people could
come and phone their loved ones; it’s an outlet for sharing messages with friends and family and to say the
goodbyes you never got to say. It’s a unique way for people to grieve for loved ones that have passed on. He
stated that people in the local community keep watch on the phone to make sure that it has not been vandalized. Mr.
Dembeck has a patent on the phone so that no one will profit from any installation. The ideal location for the phone
is to place it somewhere that’s private but is easily accessible. Questions and discussion followed.
We Rock the Spectrum - Presentation
Colin Hirsch has owned a gym for five years. The gym is open to people of all ages and abilities. He was a
Special Education teacher for ten years in the Federal Way School District. During this time, he realized that
there were not a lot of activities available for his students or adults. He wanted to create a space that was open
to everybody. Questions and discussion followed.
Finalize By-Laws
The commission reviewed the latest changes to the By-laws. Chair Campsmith would like to add an addition
to item E. Attendance. Chair Campsmith moved to add “in an event that any commissioner has six
excused absences in a consecutive 12-month period the commission may request that the City Council
remove that member”. Commissioner Berger seconded. Discussion was held. E.3 will state that “In the
event any commissioner has six excused absences in a consecutive 12-month period, the Commission may
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request that the City Council remove that member and appoint a replacement.” Motion passed.
Commissioner Berger moved to change item G.3 to read “Agenda setting occurs at the end of each
meeting for the following meeting. The Chair has the final authority on the agenda in consultation with
members and City staff”. Commissioner Brugato seconded. Motion passed.
Playground Elements Discussion
Commissioner Stewart provided photos of unique and unusual playground features for the agenda packet.
Those photos included a Pumptrack, exercise equipment and equipment for people with disabilities.
Discussion took place regarding play equipment. Deputy Parks Director Gerwen stated that he will solicit from
all of the playground manufacturers that are on the state contract. They will be invited to view each of the
parks to see the area and what we would like to do. They will be asked to submit two proposals. Staff will
request that the proposals include some unique and unusual play equipment.
Nomination of Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioner Berger nominated Vice Chair Vadino for Chair and Commissioner Brugato for Vice Chair.
There were no other nominations. The vote will take place at the January 4, 2024 commission meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
Update on Maintenance Facility
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen reported that they have received the 30% design plans. Those plans will
be reviewed by staff and sent back to the architect with their comments. The city has been in touch with the
current property owners that own or live in the area proposed to be demolished for the new maintenance
facility. The city has reached agreement with three of the homeowners.
Update on Trail Repairs
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen reported that postcards were sent to all the homeowners regarding the
Alderbrook Park Trail Restoration Project. The tree work will start November 17, 2023. Once the arborist has
removed all the trees, the Parks Maintenance crew will remove all of the invasive roots in the existing trail.
Public Works will be going out to bid for this project in January.
Update on the PROS Plan and Master Plans
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen reported that there was a great turnout for the first public meeting that
was held on October 26. Comment cards were distributed at the meeting. The next meeting will be held
sometime in December. The Hall at Brooklake has been demolished and removed. The next step will be
obtaining a structural assessment for the building. The study will assess the current condition and have
recommendations on what needs to be done to preserve the building.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Brugato stated that she has had people tell her that they have received notices from the Parks
department stating that property owners are responsible for the sidewalks on their streets because of the trees.
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen stated that those notices are not from the Parks department; this would
be a Public Works issue.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Commission Business
Chair and Vice Chair Elections
Finalization of By-Laws
Discussion on the phone in the woods
Discussion on categorizing parks
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Development of the 2024 Work Plan
Staff Reports
PROS Plan update
Trail Repairs
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Chair Campsmith
seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.