Parks Comm MINS 05-07-2009 � • • •
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, May 7, 2009 Council Chambers
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, Justin Schmitter and Louise Wessel.
Excused: Dwight Otto, George Pfeiffer, Marie Sciacqua, Jack Sharlock and Karl Zinner. Unexcused: Vice Chair Brian
Ailinger and Martin Moore.
Staff: Interim PRCS Director Steve Ikerd, Recreation and Cultural Services Superintendent Mary Faber and Administrative
Assistant Peggy Wright.
Guest: Interim City Manager /Chief of Police Brian Wilson.
C. Otto moved; Diaz seconded motion to approve the April meeting minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as
written. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Introduction of New Commissioners — Interim PRCS Director Ikerd introduced the new commissioners in attendance,
Louise Wessel and Justin Schmitter. Both are alternates, as well as Dwight Otto, who was unable to be in attendance.
Wessel stated she is a retired commercial electrician and involved in Federal Way since 1954 when her mother bought
property here. She has lived here permanently since 1989. Schmitter said he is a student at Western Washington
University/Des Moines campus, works part-time at the Community Center in the weight room and has lived in Federal Way
for twenty years.
Celebration Park 10 -Year Event — Diaz gave an overview of the subcommittee meeting in Ailinger's absence. The event
will be held May 29, 2009 from 4 -6 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Plaza or in the new maintenance building, if weather does
not cooperate. A letter was submitted to Costco asking for a cash card to support the event. Diaz said subcommittees are
needed to pull together the details — media/invitations, event refreshments /set -up, programs /speakers, etc. Chair Konkell
said he would do a letter to the Federal Way Mirror for information and promotion of the event. Ikerd will get it on the
agenda for the May 19 City Council meeting for exposure with Chair Konkell volunteering to speak on the event.
Disc Golf — Ikerd distributed information on the disc golf subject that had been printed off the internet. Owners of the
Sumner Disc Golf store have notified him requesting a 15 acre site for a course. At the meeting last month, they offered to
work with staff to identify a site then set up a course. With budget constraints, lack of staff to pursue at this time, disc golf
will be put on the pending list for future discussion.
STAFF REPORTS .
FWCC Marketing Plan Update — Recreation and Cultural Services Superintendent Faber gave an update on the Federal
Way Marketing Plan and distributed an outline to commissioners on the progress and implementation. Cipalla
Communications was retained to work with staff and create a plan with specific business objectives. City Council
approved a budget of $80,000 to implement the plan. Chair Konkell said he has received feedback that the Center is
expensive and there had been persons inquiring about specific memberships — use of the pool only or use of the weight
room only, etc. Faber explained that the fees are comparable to other gym memberships but specific area use would be
difficult to monitor and would require extensive staff time. Youth and teen passes are very favorable.
French Lake Park Update — Ikerd gave a synopsis of the park as an off -leash dog park for new commissioners. He reported
that the buffer area in French Lake Park was planted on Earth Day, April 18 Volunteers and staff built a 4' fence and
buffer of plants to accommodate park neighbors and installed additional pet- stations. A security company has been hired to
lock the park after hours although some park users have figured a way to still access the park after hours. Staff has
reinforced the gate areas to eliminate access. The fecal chloroform is at dangerous levels in April and being tested
regularly. The pond is temporarily fenced and closed for safety purposes. Hash reported that there is a dog park in Des
Moines. Ikerd said it is called Grandview and our parks staff dedicates 1 -2 days yearly to work at this regional park.
Parks and Recreation Commis •
sion, May 7, 2009 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS (continued)
CIP — Ikerd said it would be best to report on this after the budget adjustments in the next month. The Sacajawea and
Lakota Park project monies are on hold/"frozen". There are monies budgeted for playground replacement in both 2009 and
2010. Chair Konkell said he addressed Council at the Special Meeting on May 5 asking that the Parks Department not be
considered the "sacrificial lamb" for budget cuts. He stressed that with the economy downturn, residents use the parks
more than ever, not going on vacation or weekend trips, but using local resources.
List of Volunteer Events — Ikerd said there are three key volunteer events yearly — Earth Day, Trailblazers and the
Volunteer Dinner. Schmitter reported that the Trailblazers are a group of volunteers who meet the first Saturday of every
month at the FWCC. They walk the BPA Trail and clean up garbage.
Playground Discussion — Discussion identified the five worst playgrounds in the City system: upper Sacajawea, Saghalie
Junior High, Dash Point Highlands, Olympic View West and Alderdale.
City Access Meeting Update — the project will not go forward per City Council vote at the last meeting.
Celebration Park Building Update — Ikerd reported that the overhead doors have been installed and are waiting to be
painted.
Park Impact Fee Meeting Dates — Assistant City Manager Cary Roe has a meeting scheduled with the Planning
Commission for additional information.
Lakota Park — this project is on hold per budget constraints.
Pedestrian Trail Access — Ikerd reported that there is $36,000 for pedestrian trail with a total of $360,745 in this budget
account.
NEW BUSINESS
Interim City Manager Brian Wilson came in to the meeting, introduced himself to the commission and spoke on the level of
services and addressed budget inquiries.
Walmart has inquired on "adopting" a park in the City. Ikerd suggested Steel Lake Park because of heavy use and there is
always a need for additional work to be done.
The Parks Tour for commissioners will be Thursday, June 11, 2009. Commissioners are to meet at the City Hall parking lot
and the focus will be on parks where playgrounds need to be replaced.
Chair Konkell will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on May 12th.
PENDING ITEMS
Disc Golf
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
City Attorney Orientation Celebration Park 10 -Year Event Summary
Pedestrian Trail Access
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
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