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Parks Comm MINS 08-06-2009 CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, August 6, 2009 Hylebos Conference Room 6:00 p.m. City Hall MINUTES Chair Konkell called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Present: Chair Fred Konkell, Mody Catahan, Julio Diaz, Chris Hash, Carol Otto, Dwight Otto, Geoerge Pfeiffer, Justin Schmitter, Marie Sciacqua, Jack Sharlock, Louise Wessel and Karl Zinner. Excused: Brian Ailinger. Unexcused: Martin Moore. Staff: PRCS/PW/EM Director Cary Roe, Parks and Facilities Supervisors Jason Gerwen and Tim Dickinson, Recreation Coordinator John Hutton and Administrative Assistant Peggy Wright. Guests: Jeanne Burbidge, City Council member and JoAnn Hugill from Pet Pals. Diaz moved: Hash seconded motion to approve the June meeting minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as written. Motion passed unanimously. No Public Forum. COMMISSION BUSINESS Director Roe introduced himself to the commission and discussed his role in the City for the past 18+ years of employment. He will meet with Chair Konkell monthly to discuss the agenda and staff reports prior to circulation and will also be sending out the PRCS weekly report to the commission for informational purposes. Chair Konkell had the commissioners introduce themselves to Director Roe, stating their years of service on the commission. Playground Replacement — Parks and Facilities Supervisors Gerwen and Dickinson presented information gleaned from the Parks Tours with commissioners in June and July concerning playground replacement in specific park locations. The five park playgrounds of major concern are Saghalie, Sacajawea, Olympic View (west side), Steel Lake Park (annex side), Alderdale with Dash Point Highlands discussed as well. The concerns were over excessive use, current condition, replacement cost and safety concerns. Possibly doing a quick fix at some sites was discussed if the site master plan is being reviewed soon. There is approximately $160,000 budgeted for playground replacement at this time. Public process /meetings were discussed — are they needed and at what level since demographics change in neighborhoods. Criteria for replacement would be on the most used sites, age of children, safety failure /condition, level of urgency for replacement and cost estimate. A cost estimate will be done on these sites and distributed at the September Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Pfeiffer moved; Sciacqua seconded motion to take action on the top four sites for cost analysis with Olympic View and Dash Point Highlands considered if funds are available. Motion passed unanimously. Pfeiffer moved; Hash seconded motion to remove unsafe playground equipment this year for public safety. Motion passed unanimously. STAFF REPORTS Budget Update — Pfeiffer asked that commissioners have budget documents to review as Director Roe presents operational and capital side of Parks budget to include cuts for this year. Roe reviewed budget information, stating Parks target was to cut $220,000 with several staff lay -offs. He will provide "handout" information at the September meeting for extensive discussion. Camp Kilworth is still being actively pursued with possible resolution by the first or second quarter of 2010. Pedestrian Trail — Director Roe said there is $380,000 budgeted in 2009 -2010 for this item. Commissioners asked if a map of the current trail system could be provided for the next commission meeting to see where there are possible connections and review maintenance issues. Pfeiffer asked about the loss of grant monies without a Parks Planner to pursue them and who will be requesting those funds in the future for PRCS. Discussion followed on the use of the funds available — new construction, maintenance of existing trail system, etc. Parks and Recreation Comtlsion, August 6, 2009 Page 2 STAFF REPORTS (continued) RWB Update — Recreation Coordinator John Hutton said the Red, White and Blues Festival had an estimated 15,000 people in attendance by Police and Fire Department calculations. He received good reviews on the fireworks display which lasted longer than anticipated to the delight of the crowd. Day Camp staff assisted with the family activities, good mix of music, vendors reported doing well and five of the eight have already committed for the 2010 event. The competitive eating contest was very popular and they may expand it further next year. Hutton said feedback from parents has been positive since staff took the "bouncy" toys out a couple years ago and went with "participation" type activities. A suggestion was to have a banner or signage on the I- 5/Pacific Highway corridor since we are so close. Director Roe said a banner /string pole design has been estimated in the past but you have to also be careful on specific use —who can use it, what type of activity advertised, etc. The RWB event has been budgeted for 2010 and is a popular event with the City Council. Director Roe feels it will be a funded event for years to come. FWCC Cafe — Director Roe reported that the Federal Way Community Center cafe has been approved by Council, bid and awarded with construction coming soon. The time frame to complete cafe is estimated at two weeks. Equipment has been ordered and vendor concessionaire is Billy McHales. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Burbidge said during the heat wave last week, the Federal Way Community Center was advertised as a local designated "cooling" center for persons to come to for relief from the heat without any charge. There was a lot of media coverage on -site and the daily pass sales rose from 195 to 535 on the hottest day of the year. Director Roe said Federal Way was one of the first cities to advertise in the region for such a "cooling" center. It proved to be beneficial from a revenue source for the center as well. Sharlock asked about cutting tree limbs up and mowing the grass by the horseshoe pits on the annex side of Steel Lake Park. Parks Supervisor Gerwen said that area borders the wetlands and parks machinery has difficulty maneuvering in the wet area and has become stuck numerous times. He also stated that to "limb" trees up would change the park aesthetics. Pfeiffer said the turf field failure at Sacajawea will soon become a safety issue. Wessel said she witnessed teen drinking one afternoon in Wildwood Park and picked up broken beer bottle glass from the playground area. Director Roe said that calling 911 is the best solution and definitely do not approach the persons involved. Wessel asked if the park neighbors could be educated in how to respond and what they can do to eliminate this type of behavior to keep their neighborhood park a safe place to visit. Otto said the strong Police presence and parks staff commitment has made a major difference in Steel Lake Park. Diaz asked about an update on the Comprehensive Plan. Parks Supervisor Gerwen said he met with Park Pals and citizens, forming a consensus on where the small dog park area should be in French Lake Park. Fencing will be installed in approximately four weeks to separate the small dog area. Chair Konkell will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on August 11, 2009. NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS The date for the September meeting has been changed to September 10, 2009 since all PRCS staff will be in Virginia on FEMA Training on September 3, 2009. Playground Replacement Budget Update Pedestrian Trail (map) Adjusted Work Plan FWCC Cafe • ADJOURNMENT Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.