Parks Comm MINS 02-05-2009 • CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, February 5, 2009 Senior Lounge
6:00 p.m. Federal Way Community Center
MINUTES
Vice Chair Brian Ailinger called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Present: Vice Chair Brian Ailinger, Scott Chaffee, Julio Diaz, Carol Otto, George Pfeiffer, Marie Sciacqua, Jack
Sharlock and Karl Zinner. Excused: Fred Konkell. Unexcused: Modesto Catahan, Chris Hash, Sheri
McConnaughey and Martin Moore.
Staff: Steve Ikerd, Interim PRCS Director and Peggy Wright, Administrative Assistant.
Chaffee moved: Sciacqua seconded motion to approve the January Parks and Recreation commission meeting
minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
JoAnn Hugill — was in attendance as an observer only, wanting to monitor reports on French Lake Dog Park as a
member of Park Pals.
H. David Kaplan — distributed a copy of the original dedication booklet and ideas from different sources for the
Celebration Park 10 -year anniversary.
Kevin Morris — asked if any consideration would be given to the Laurelwood Park property as a off -leash dog area
in the City. Ikerd's response was that it is not owned by the City and there are issues being investigated on
assuming the property from the Homeowners Association. It is scheduled to go to the PRHSPS Council Committee
on March 10, 2009 for review.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Annual Work Plan Projects — Ikerd prepared and distributed a draft Work Plan to the commission. Many projects
were carried over from the previous year with Laurelwood Park added in the case it is purchased. No new
information on Camp Kilworth to report. Diaz moved: Chaffee seconded motion to accept the draft Work Plan as
presented. Diaz amended the motion to include the Celebration Park 10 -year anniversary to the draft Work Plan for
2009 with Chaffee seconding. Motion passed unanimously. Ikerd said he would take the Work Plan to the Council
Committee in March for their review.
Celebration Park 10 -Year Anniversary — Kaplan distributed information to the commission with suggestions on the
anniversary celebration. He had already given the information to councilmember Burbidge who encouraged the
commission to move forward with planning. Kaplan did not like the idea of combining the anniversary celebration
with the Red, White and Blue Festival on the 4 of July. Vice Chair Ailinger said an event planning subcommittee
of commissioners might work best then they can bring ideas to the full commission during the monthly meeting.
Ikerd said it is crucial that the Parks and Recreation Commission be active in the planning and development of the
event with the parks department currently so short- staffed. Vice Chair Ailinger and commissioner Julio Diaz will
gather information, recruit additional commissioners and send information to all commissioners through City staff.
A short recess was taken while Federal Way Community Center employee, Christie Welsh, gave the commissioners
a tour of the facility.
STAFF REPORTS
Celebration Park Building Update — Ikerd said the footings have been poured with rebar placement today. The
cement is to be poured soon, weather permitting. Staff has built retaining walls and holly trees have been planted
for the barrier. Metal building has been delivered and is projected to be complete in 3 -4 weeks. Staff will do
finishing work.
Parks and Recreation *mission, February 5, 2009 • Page 2
STAFF REPORTS (continued)
French Lake Dog Park Public Meeting Summary — Ikerd said the second public meeting was well attended in
January with resolutions to issues reported to those in attendance. Costs of park maintenance as well as pond
analysis will be monitored for the next year. There will be a planting along the 20' buffer - with 14' -15' actual plant
area so there is access on both sides - on April 18, 2009 in conjunction with Earth Day. Another commitment from
the City is to begin locking the gate when park is closed to limit access. A security company will be hired since
staff are already gone for the day when the park closes plus they have no enforcement authority. An automated
locking gate is also an option and being investigated. Ailinger shared a publication he received with information on
designing dog parks, if starting from scratch.
City Center Access Project Meeting Summary — Pfeiffer reported on the City Center Access meeting in January.
Alternate routes accessing the City Center are being considered since it is estimated that the 320 exit will not
handle the traffic flow beyond another 5 -7 years. There were two locations of final consideration — one at 324 on
south side of Commons Mall and the other at 312 by Steel Lake Park. The 312 Street/Steel Lake Park site is
preferred so there are many considerations being investigated to accommodate a five -lane road, minimizing traffic in
and out of park, replacing park property that is being taken for the new road from neighboring parcels, existing
interchanges, pedestrian underpass, etc. Another meeting will be held on February 11, 2009 from 4 -7 p.m. in
Truman High School cafeteria.
2009 —.2010 Budget Overview — Ikerd distributed the draft CIP for 2009 -2014 that reflect the budget cuts from the
finalized City budget. He said the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) budget is approximately $7.3
million in 2009 and $7.5 million in 2010. All departments were asked to cut monies from their budget and PRCS
trimmed from the janitorial services that affect City Hall and Steel Lake Maintenance facility. Landscape
maintenance contract and seasonal staff were put in as one -time monies and will need to be requested each budget
cycle as well as reducing Arts Commission programs and reducing Red, White and Blue Festival. The only gain in
the PRCS budget was for utility monies to keep up with rising costs.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting has been cancelled for February and scheduled for March 10, 2009.
NEW BUSINESS
Pfeiffer stated the fields at Celebration Park are ten years old and in need of major renovation. There are drainage
and compaction issues on all fields. He stated that Celebration Park fields take 30 days to recuperate after the Red,
White and Blue Festival.
Sciacqua asked if directional signs that have been removed or vandalized along the BPA Trail will be replaced soon.
Ikerd said he would look in to which signs are missing.
Pfeiffer asked what trails were identified for the Capital Improvement Plan. Ikerd said that is referring to
development of a map with all trails identified in the City. He will check what the previous Parks Planner left in
files pertaining to the trail system. Planner had also considered hiring a consultant to work on this mapping project.
Commissioner Otto will supply Ikerd with the name of a person who did the trail mapping for the City of
Enumclaw.
Diaz asked about the trails behind the soccer fields in Celebration Park and if they are regularly maintained. Pfeiffer
said the transients are camping/living back in that area and a lady who was walking her dog reported to Pfeiffer that
she was harassed by them. Ikerd said he would report to the Police and staff.
Pfeiffer brought up an ADA access to the BPA Trail from City Hall. If this property belongs to the City, it would be
nice to asphalt it because it is flat for easy handicap access.
Ikerd reported that a park playground history/upgrade spreadsheet will be available at the March meeting to best
target individual sites for improvement and/or replacement.
Ikerd met with the State Park manager /ranger and they agreed to place a kiosk at the Dash Point Highlands Park.
The State Parks will install a "State standard" kiosk near the trail and both the City and State will maintain a side of
the kiosk with information.
y - •
Parks and Recreation Coil 'Mission, February 5, 2009 1 Page 3
PENDING ITEMS
Camp Kilworth
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
French Lake Park/April 18 Planting Work Plan Prioritization
Celebration Park 10 -Year Anniversary Park/Playground Review
City Center Access Meeting Report Trails/Pedestrian Access in City
Celebration Park Building Update
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Ailinger adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS APRIL 2, 2009