Parks Comm PKT 05-02-2024CITY of
.. Federal Way
City of Federal Way
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 2, 2024
5:00 p.m. H lebos Conference Room
MEETING AGENDA
Notice: Meetings are held in -person. To request an accommodation to attend or provide public comment virtually, please contact
mare.iaenicke@cityoffederalway.com no later than close of business the day before the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes)
Please limit comments to 3 minutes. The Chair may ask citizen to briefly summarize comments
that continue too long.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — March 7, 2024; Regular Meeting Minutes.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
Topic Title/Description Presenter
A. Phone in the Woods Subcommittee Report Stewart/
Brugato
B. Newsletter - Discussion Commission
5. STAFF REPORTS
Topic Title/Description Presenter
A. Update on the PROS Plan and Master Plans Gerwen
B. Parks Appreciation Day - Recap Gerwen
6. OTHER BUSINESS
7. FUTURE MEETINGS: The next PRHSPS Committee meeting will be held on May 14, 2024 at 5:00pm.
8. AGENDA SETTING
9. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING: June 6, 2024 @ 5:00pm
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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
March 7, 2024 Hylebos Meeting Room
5:00 p.m.
w
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Chair George Vadino, Vice Chair Karen Brugato, Michael Campsmith, Monty Stewart,
Jerry Knutzen, and Rayna Ross
Commissioner excused: David Berger
Commissioner unexcused: Sabrina Ettinger
Staff: Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director, Desirae Winkler, Public Works Deputy Director and Mary Jaenicke,
Admin. Asst. II
Guests: Wayne Carlson, AHBL
Chair Vadino called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve the February 1, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting
minutes as written. Commissioner Campsmith seconded. Motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Maintenance & Operations Facility — Presentation Only
Public Works Deputy Director Desirae Winkler updated the Parks & Recreation Commission on the
Maintenance & Operations Facility. Questions and discussion followed.
Parks Appreciation Da
Vice Chair Brugato and Commissioner Stewart attended the sub -committee meeting. Commissioner Stewart
reported that he has some concerns regarding the whole aspect of Parks Appreciation Day. He was not happy
with the fact that the Blueberry Farm site was locked in and it was presented as something that had to be done.
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen responded that we are supporting a major volunteer group that has
worked at that site and has the desire to continue their work there. Commissioner Stewart responded that
Shelley Pauls does a great job with that and there's no reason why she can't do the work that she wants to do
with her own people. He got the sense that the people that attended the meeting wanted to do anything but the
blueberries and that there were a lot of good suggestions at the meeting. But the meeting ended with the group
being told that they were doing the Blueberry Farm. Commissioner Stewart continued that it felt as if this was
already pre -planned and he couldn't figure out why they even had a meeting. He suggested looking at Parks
Appreciation Day in a completely different way. In the future, the event should be focused on the sites that
have the most need, not just what the Parks and Recreation Department feels is best for them. Vice Chair
Brugato and Commissioner Stewart have discussed the possibility of having a monthly newsletter to reach out
to the community. They met with staff at the Federal Way Mirror and the Mirror stated that they could pull
items from the newsletter and put them in the Mirror. It wouldn't cost anything and it's a way to get the public
involved. Commissioner Campsmith replied that there will be a cost because it will involve staff time and who
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Parks and Recreation Co m iss ion. March 7. 2024 Paee 2
is going to do that. Commissioner Smith replied that possibly the newsletter could be incorporated into the
current newsletter that is distributed by the Mayor's office. Commissioner Campsmith stated that there are a
lot of details to be worked out. Commissioner Stewart responded that if we say there's too many details then
we're just slow walking this into purgatory and we're not doing anything as a commission. Commissioner
Campsmith disagreed and responded that there is more need than we will ever meet and so we need to
prioritize based on what staff can do and what volunteers can do, realizing that we can never get everything
done. We need to understand that there are some big realities between concept and limitations. Parks Deputy
Director Jason Gerwen explained that the premise of this event is to have a community event to try and get
some work done in the parks and to bring the community together. He and Council member Jack Walsh have
been doing this event for 18 years and have evolved this event over the years to make it what the community
wants it to be, and also what staff has the capabilities to do. Originally there were 10-12 sites and staff
couldn't keep up with everything. The event includes prep work to get the sites ready, working the day of the
event, cleaning up after the event and then finish what wasn't completed. They realized that this was not
sustainable so the decision was made to do two main sites. Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen added that
individual groups that want to work another site will be supported; but there can't be 10-12 open sites where
anyone can come — sometimes you get some turnout and sometimes you don't. It's a waste of time, effort and
resources. We've refined it to this point. We can expand it and do other things but people have to come to us
and step up to the plate. Parks staff work volunteer events 12 months a year and are producing over 5000
hours of volunteer work within the parks department. But on this day, this is what we can do and this is what
we're doing. Chair Vadino stated that this can be discussed next year at earlier meetings, but the commission
needs to very heavily keep in mind what staff is able to do with a limit of volunteers and a limited amount of
time.
Phone in the Woods Sub -Committee
Commissioner Stewart made a presentation at the February committee meeting. This project was approved as
a part of the work plan. Vice Chair Brugato moved to form a sub -committee. Seconded by Commissioner
Campsmith. Motion passed. Chair Vadino appointed Vice Chair Brugato and Commissioner Stewart to the
sub -committee. Chair Vadino will serve as ex-officio. The next step is to come back to the commission with
options on designs and locations for the phone. Once a decision has been made and ' approved by the
commission, Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen will make a presentation to the PRHSPS committee.
STAFF REPORTS
Update on the Alderbrook Trail Repairs
Staff is waiting for the overlay bids to comeback.
Update on the PROS Plan and Master Plans
Parks Deputy Director Jason Gerwen thanked Commissioners Campsmith, Berger and Knutzen for submitting
their homework assignment to AHBL. The next public meeting for the Steel Lake Master Plan is scheduled
for March 14 at City Hall in the Council Chambers. AHBL is working on the renderings for the three
alternatives. Those options will be presented at the public meeting. A draft of the comp plan update should be
finished next week. The second public meeting for the Brooklake Master Plan has been postponed. Staff has
been in the process of selecting an architect for the structural review of the cabins.
.Update on the Locker Rooms at FWCC
Deputy Parks Director Jason Gerwen provided a brief update on the locker rooms at the Community Center.
Three temporary trailers will be placed in the back. They will be completely tented with heat and air
conditioning. Members have been very appreciative of the work that staff has done to make the best of a bad
situation.
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Parks and Recreation Commission, March 7.2024 Pam
OTHER BUSINESS
Vice Chair Brugato mentioned the letter regarding sidewalks that was sent out to residents by the Public
Works Department.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Commission Business
Sub -committee report on the Phone in the Woods
Newsletter Discussion
Staff Reports
Parks Appreciation Day
Update on the Alderbrook Trail repairs
Update on PROS Plan and Master Plans
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Ross to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Brugato seconded. Motion
passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:1 1pm.
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