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Parks Comm MINS 12-03-2009 • • CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 3, 2009 Hylebos Conference Room 6:00 p.m. City Hall MINUTES Chair Konkell called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: Chair Fred Konkel, Vice Chair Brian Ailinger, Julio Diaz, Martin Moore, George Pfeiffer, Justin Schmitter, Marie Sciacqua, Jack Sharlock and Karl Zinner. Excused: Carol Otto, Dwight Otto and Louise Wessel. Staff: Parks and Facilities Manager Steve Ikerd and Administrative Assistant Peggy Wright. Ailinger moved: Zinner seconded motion to accept the November Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes as written. PUBLIC FORUM Tom and Mary Bontempo - Mr. Bontempo presented information on Disc Golf. He would like to see Federal Way find a site to accommodate a course and suggested Celebration Park. He gave statistics on the sport, requirements for courses and encouraged use of volunteers. He said with a supportive non- profit organization and volunteers, it would make it virtually maintenance free to the parks department. It has become a popular sport with very little initial investment of funds and little work to set up a course. He stated that with an initial cost of $10,000 - $12,000, the parks department could set up a nice beginning course. He said the group in Auburn have a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Auburn for the White River course. Ikerd said the first task would be to fmd a suitable location since it takes 10+ acres for a course. Lakota, Madrona and Laurelwood Parks were suggested as possible sites. Chair Konkell encouraged commissioners to check out a local disc golf course then report back to the commission at the January meeting. COMMISSION BUSINESS Trails and Pedestrian Access Subcommittee Report — Ailinger and Zinner reported they have been meeting weekly and made significant headway in addressing how to join trails. They have been assisted in acquiring information from Dwight Otto's friend who has done extensive trail work for King County. They have also met with Chris Carroll of the Friends of the Hylebos, who is supportive of trail connections. Ailinger presented some of the ideas they had come up with on making trail connections in the area with discussion by the commission. More information will be presented during the Regional Trail Conference agenda discussion. Ailinger feels there needs to be public input soon on priorities by use of specific groups. Zinner suggested setting goals on this project and distributed a graph showing their recommendations with information on how these could be accomplished. Ikerd suggested adding Public Works department as a "partnering" group. They could have funds or grants that would assist in building trail connections. Diaz complimented Ailinger and Zinner on the thorough job they are doing in acquiring and presenting the information. 2010 Draft Work Plan — Ikerd distributed an updated "Draft" 2010 Work Plan to commissioners. It was decided to add Disc Golf to the Work Plan after the presentation and further discussion. Pfeiffer said this is the worst Work Plan he has ever seen in all the years on the commission and blames it on having no capital monies in PRCS. Diaz asked if the commission could pick up some of the planner workload since they are doing it anyway, i.e. trail connections, playgrounds, etc. - to fill out the Work Plan for 2010. Regional Trail Conference Report — Sharlock reported on the trail conference but didn't feel it referenced King County trail systems. Parks and Facilities Manager Ikerd, Chair Konkell and commissioners Sharlock, Wessel and Zinner attended the conference. They found out that the current estimate of trail building per mile is one million dollars. He said existing and proposed bicycle trails are rated by experience in Pierce County. Sharlock stated that Commissioner Wessel is interested in pursuing education/training on grant writing/funding to assist the department in acquiring funds for projects. Chair Konkell said there were people in attendance whose goal and aspiration is to acquire funding for projects in Pierce County and can pursue it on a full -time basis. Parks and Recreation Commission, December 3, 2009 1 Page 2 STAFF REPORTS Funding of Trail Access — Ikerd reported that there is $136,745 in REET and $224,000 in Path and Trails monies from King County totaling $360,745 for the fund balance. Playground Equipment Data - Ikerd distributed an updated graph on playground equipment. He noted it did not include the upgrades to the four playgrounds since the work has not been completed. Also, the Steel Lake Annex play area was not listed and will be added to the graph for future reference. Ikerd suggested having playground equipment vendors come and give a demonstration on what they would offer to replace Steel Lake Park Funland. It would give the commission a sense of cost and choices of components for a future replacement. NEW BUSINESS Sciacqua asked about posting signs at the Steel Lake Annex about coyotes in the wetland areas bordering the park. Ikerd said coyotes are a problem at several park/City locations and people just need to be aware and cautious. Diaz said he had been approached by a citizen about having a Pea Patch in Federal Way. That has been discussed at previous commission meetings and there is not a location that could accommodate this project with water, restroom facilities and staff time to administer. Near the blueberry farm there used to be a six-acre site that did well the first year then each year after it went to further disrepair and fmally closed. Pfeiffer said you need to have a non - profit organization that will commit to operating it year after year. A public meeting on French Lake Park will be held on December 10, 2009 in Council Chambers at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Chair Konkell will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on December 8, 2009. The next Trail Access subcommittee meeting at will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Hylebos Conference Room the first week of January, 2010. Ailinger asked commissioners to review the document, put together ideas/ suggestions and email to him to present to subcommittee. Ikerd updated the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Roe family situation with the premature birth of their son. Ms. Wright will send a card to the Roe family from the commission. Sharlock asked for a moment of silence for the Fallen Officers from Lakewood which was observed. NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS Trails/Pedestrian Access Subcommittee Report 2010 Work Plan Disc Golf ADJOURNMENT Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m.