Parks Comm MINS 10-02-1997 :::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.:.::.:..:. r,.:;.;: .;:.;:«:.;:.;:.;:.;:.;:.;:.;:.;
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AMMO
Present: Commission members Jim Baker, Jerry Bollen, Laird Chambers, Chair, Karl Grosch, Dave Kaplan, Bob Kellogg,
Dean McColgan, Barbara Reid, Vice Chair, Bobby Roach, alternate member Marion Bartholomew.
Commission member excused: Dini Duclos
Staff: David Wilbrecht, Deputy Director; Daven Rosener, Community & Government Relations Specialist; Pam Pollman,
Administrative Assistant
Chair Chambers called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
Doug Terr'en, Vice President of FWALL PO Box 25064 Federal Way, WA 98093
David Vining, President, FW Soccer Assn.. 35766 27th Ave S. Federal Way, WA 98003
Inge Grayson 3220 56th Ave. NE Tacoma, WA 98422
Liz Marshall 416 S. 321st Pl. J-6 Federal Way, WA 98003
Ilene Marckx 34915 4th Ave. S. Federal Way, WA 98003
Carolyn Hoffman 31521 42nd Ave. SW Federal Way, WA 98023
Betty Hale 31251 42nd Ave. SW Federal Way, WA 98023
Jill Alverson 30225 5th Ave. S. Federal Way, WA 98003
Maree Paden 3832 SW 339th St. Federal Way, WA 98023
Cindy Bennight 3945 SW 336th Pl. Federal Way, WA 98023
• Chambers welcomed all guests and voiced the Commission's appreciation of public input.
Dave Vining who spoke as a parent, as well as soccer coach and President of the FW Soccer Association, addressed the
Comm ission on youth user fees. He and the Association would like to eliminate the youth user fees. A discussion followed
his presentation. (See Attachment #1)
As Vice President of the Federal Way American Little League Doug Terrien's presentation consisted of impact of youth
fees and the inequity involved. Why is an organization that promotes strong values in our youth targeted for this charge?
His group is interested in field maintenance in lieu of fees for their league and tournaments. (See Attachment #2)
Ilene Marckx, "Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands" Vice President, addressed the Commission on the book writing project
she is compiling. The subject starts at the be g of the Hylebos Wetlands preservation to the present. She is researching
minutes, newsletters, clipping from newspapers and information from the county and state, as well as her memory. The title
of the book "The Long, Bloody Struggle" will be the finished product. She commended the City for its he Ex
projects that are taking place at the site include an interpretive project of eight illustrated moss species, along with
ill ustrations and lists of birds found at the Wetlands. Both are very exciting projects for the youth and adults of Federal Way
Liz Marshall, editor of the "Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands" newsletter, expressed appreciation of the City's efforts to clean
up the Celebration Park site. Ms. Marshall voiced a concern of citizens golfing at French Lake Park.
Maree Paden and Cindy Bennight asked the Commission to approve the recommendation of the neighborhood grant for
Wedgewood Park. Wilbrecht spoke of t e budget process and reminded the ladies to voice their support with numbers,
figures, and facts at the City Council's biennium budget reviews that will be held in November and December's meetings.
Jill Alverson acted as spokesperson for citizens interested in the off -leash park. She reported that the off -leash park project
• in Seattle was successful and several parks have been chosen to be off -leash areas. The group asked what they could do to
promote this project Chambers explaine about the Commiss Work Plan for 1997 -1998 and that the off -leash concern
was not part of this plan. It was suggested that a proposal be drafted and pre sented to the City Council asking that this issue
be a part of the future work plan of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
PARKS AND RECREATIONCOMMISSION
()Mnhnr 7 1997 2
• Amara
AN INCOMPLETE SET OF THE SEPTEMBER 4, 1997, MINUTES WAS SENT WITH THE OCTOBER
AGENDA PACKET. THE COMPLETE SET OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES WILL BE RESENT ALONG WITH
THE OCTOBER 2,1997, MINUTES IN THE NOVEMBER AGENDA PACKET. AT THE NOVEMBER 6,1997
MEETING THE MINUTES WILL BE REVIEWED FOR ACCEPTANCE.
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Winter Brochure
Policy on Political Signs in City Parks
COMMISSION BUSINESS
• A. Working with the Media
Chambers discussed concerns on how the City would like the Commission to handle media attention as private citizens,
Parks & Recreation Commission as one voice, and as a Parks & Recreation Commission member. Wilbrecht introduced
Daven Rosenser, the City's Community & Government Relations Specialist. Daven outlined his media background and
distributed the handout, "Getting the Word Out ", to Commission members. Daven reminded the members that there are five
classic tools for crafting basic news stories and press releases, "Who, What, When, Where and Why ? ". It is critical to keep
the information mission in mind. Pursue methods and actions that keep you on course using newsletters, PTA meetings,
service clubs, speakers bureau, and even the Internet. You can request a guest column thru a community newspaper. The
City is working through Daven and Wilbrecht on getting the Commission's word out on projects such as Celebration Park,
Skate Park, and the Mark Twain and Lake Grove field renovations. Daven reminded members to always be proactive,
forthright and have all your information available. He encouraged members to give him a call and he will happy to help
them. His phone number is 661 -4097.
• B. Off -Leash Park
• Reid and Kaplan explained to the dog owners attending the meeting that they (as a group) need to establish a facts and figures
framework to present their proposal to the City CounciL A discussion followed with Commission members and dog owners.
Wilbrecht explained what the Commission can and cannot do concerning the adopted Work Plan for 1997 -1998. The off -
leash park proposal needs to be presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission, then processed through to the Parks
Council Committee and then to the City Council. The owners were reminded to make the proposal in compliance with City
ordinances and codes. They were reminded that patience and persistence is needed.
• C. Wedgewood Park
Residences of the area are putting together a proposal for grant funds.
• D. CIP Update
No report available at this time, responsible staff member has been ill. There will be no sod laying volunteer project at Mark
Twain on Saturday, October 4, due to bad weather. Lake Grove project is moving forward. Also discussed was the theater
bid and Dumas Bay signage.
• E. BPA Trail Phase II Dedication
The dedication, which has been set for Saturday, October 18, 11:00 a.m., will be held at the west entrance near the
Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center site. Commission members asked why there are no wheelchair landings on the BPA Trail
Phase II. Wilbrecht responded that the DOT recommended that the width of trail allows for wheelchairs to meet ADA
standards, so no special landings were needed.
• F. Celebration Park
Wilbrecht distributed and discussed the Celebration Park map and the summary of Celebration Park elements. The goal is
to receive City Council approval at the December 2 meeting.
Reid reported that the funding committee has applied to many foundations and was now waiting for the applications to arrive.
• A US West grant is being completed and the Seafirst application went out October 1. She also discussed the gift catalog
that is going to be used as a fund raiser and the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Committee to help promote Celebration Park.
The Celebration Park policy and procedures subcommittee will combine with operations and scheduling subcommittee to
begin meetings. Those on the committee are: McColgan, Chair; Grosch, Baker, Chambers, Bollen, and Bartholomew.
PARKS' AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Ortnbor 7 1007
• • G. 1998 Budget Calendar
Wilbrecht examined budget time lines and adjustments that could be made on the 1998 budget. On December 2, 1997, the
budget will be adopted A discussion followed on youth user fees and needed maintenance staff , etc. It was established that
a special Parks & Recreation meeting will be held on October 9, 1997, 6:00 p.m., to work through budget items and to make
recommendations to the Council Parks Committee.
• IL Skate Park
Wilbrecht will take the recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Council Parks Committee to City
Council on Tuesday, October 7, 1997, for approval of a S10,000 master plan. Kaplan reported that a Youth Commission
subcommittee will become active with this project.
• L Parka, Recreation and Cultural Services Winter Brochure
Kaplan reported that the Commission has a page for advertisement in the upcoming brochure. After a discussion, it was
decided that a map of Celebration Park will be used.
• J. Policy on Political Signs in City Parka
Wilbrecht stated that the City policy for political signs is that they are not allowed on City property
KAPLAN MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING PAST THE 9:00 PM DEADLINE, BAKER
SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
COMMISSION COMMENTS
Bollen feels the Commission is giving mixed messages to the citizens who have concerns; i.e., off-leash park. He feels a
different approach needs to be taken. This will be an agenda item in November.
• McColgan would like to see the Commission become more proactive. He was surprised to see that jam sessions are no
longer being held as part of community youth activities. Jenny Schroder responded that those sessions held in the past had
not been successful. The Federal Way police will take on youth activities projects and the City will help.
Baker reported that the Federal Way Soccer Association was upset because soccer lines are not always visible when games
are played. Wilbrecht reported that level of service had to be cut back, so fields are lined only one day a week. It was
decided that Fridays would be the best day for this. Wilbrecht will report this to the maintenance staff.
Roach asked the Commission not to forget the senior citizens when user fees are discussed for budget review.
Bartholomew stated he appreciated the overview of dealing with the media and added that he will still use letter writing to
discuss issues important to him.
Grosch and his bridge partners thanked the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department for the new bridge table
for use at the Klahanee Community Center.
Wilbrecht reported that he received comments from the City's law department for Adopt -A -Park project. This will be an
agenda item in November.
• ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
•