Parks Comm MINS 04-02-2009 •
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, April 2, 2009 Hylebos Conference Room
6:00 p.m. City Hall
MINUTES
Vice Chair Brian Ailinger called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Present: Vice Chair Brian Ailinger, Mody Catahan, Scott Chaffee, Julio Diaz, Chris Hash, Martin Moore, George
Pfeiffer, Marie Sciacqua and Karl Zinner. Excused: Fred Konkell, Carol Otto and Jack Sharlock. Unexcused:
Sheri McConnaughey.
Staff: Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jason Gerwen and Administrative Assistant Peggy Wright.
Sciacqua moved: Diaz seconded motion to approve the March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes
as written. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Tom Bontempo — introduced the concept and discussed the possibility of building a disc golf course in Federal Way.
There is one currently in Auburn at the Game Farm and it is a fast - growing sport. He brought photos of the Auburn
course as well as the discs that he passed around for commission review. A premium course is Ft. Steilacoom Park
in Tacoma although tournaments are popular throughout the state. A site of 15 -17 acres is ideal for an 18 -hole
course. They offered to go with commissioners and Parks staff to look at suitable locations then help set up the
course.
Mary Bontempo — stressed that it is a nice organized family sport as well as good exercise for all age groups.
The commissioners discussed appropriate sized park areas, liability, cost of installation and play costs.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Celebration Park 10 -Year Anniversary Event — Ailinger, Diaz and Chaffee are compiling information for this
upcoming event, scheduled for May 29, 2009. A list of donors is being sought and Ms. Wright will provide that to
Diaz by end of next week. It will be low -key since there is no budget at this time for the event. The event sub-
committee is working on compiling trivia information, considering guest speakers, acquiring photos, etc. at their
meetings.
STAFF REPORTS
French Lake Park — Gerwen reported that staff is working to complete the buffer area in the park and preparing it for
the April 18 Earth Day planting of 150 plants. A security company has been hired to do the lock up of the park at
closing. The park pond was tested on March 18, 2009 and there were 900 parts per hundred milliliters of fecal
chloroform. The safety level is 200 parts so it was again closed /fenced off until it is back within safe levels. There
was an incident last week when a park patron was coming in to the park with their dog and encountered another pet
with their owner that became aggressive. The incident escalated until one person pulled a weapon in fear of the
aggressive animal. Police responded and incident report filed with the City.
Playground Usage Graph — An updated graph was distributed with a new column on the amount of usage at each
play structure. Pfeiffer would like photos of the top five play areas that need replaced. He asked that commissioners
visit a few parks before the next meeting and share their assessment.
Park Impact Fee Meeting Dates — there are no new meetings set to date. Roe, Ikerd and Consultant Randy Young
have recently met and have more meetings scheduled.
Work Plan Update — the Work Plan will go forward as approved by the commission, to the PRHSPS Council
Committee meeting as scheduled on April 14 and to City Council on April 2152
Parks and Recreation mission, April 2, 2009 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS (continued)
City Access Meeting Update — Pfeiffer reported there were approximately 40 people in attendance including 5
council members and lots of City staff. There was an individual standing outside collecting signatures, hoping to
throw the project out as incomplete. Pfeiffer reported there were eight signatures when he scanned the document.
Gerwen said City Council tabled it at their last meeting due to citizen outcry and agreed to have another town
meeting.
Celebration Park Building Update — Gerwen reported that the parks maintenance building is up. A few minor
contractor issues are being addressed. The overhead doors will be installed mid - month. Maintenance staff are
thrilled to finally have this resource for storage needs and easier access to equipment.
NEW BUSINESS
Pfeiffer discussed the fence bid with Roe for Saghlie Park. Gerwen hopes to have it out to bid by mid -May. The
Soccer Association is helping support this project.
Gerwen announced the Parks department has hired most seasonal staff for the year. There is already a reduction in
the number of staff this year which will affect project work, basics will be the focus.
Pfeiffer thinks the Parks Tour for commissioners needs to be scheduled soon. It was decided to do a tour on two
evenings — a Monday and Thursday — one tour to north -end parks and one for the south-end parks. With the
Celebration Park anniversary event in May, it will probably be scheduled for June.
Chair Konkell will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting April 14, 2009.
PENDING ITEMS
No pending items at this time.
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
Disc Golf Celebration Park Anniversary Update
French Lake Park FWCC Marketing Plan
CIP Pedestrian Trail Access
Lakota Park Playground Usage
List of Volunteer Events Park Impact Fee Meeting Date
City Access Meeting Update Celebration Park Building Update
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Ailinger adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
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