Parks Comm MINS 03-06-2008CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, March 6, 2008 Hylebos Conference Room
6:00 p.m. City Hall
MINUTES
Chair Konkell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Chair Fred Konkell, Vice Chair Marie Sciacqua, Brian Ailinger, Ade Bright, Cindy Dodge and George
Pfeiffer. Excused: Carol Otto.
Staff: PRCS Director Donna Hanson, Parks and Facilities Manager Steve Ikerd, Parks Planning and Development
Coordinator Betty Sanders, Director of Economic Development Patrick Doherty and Administrative Assistant Peggy
Wright.
Guest: Jeanne Burbidge, Councilmember.
Pfeiffer moved: Sciacqua seconded motion to approve the February commission meeting minutes as written.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Barbara Reid was in attendance to check on the status of the Celebration Park maintenance building.
Phil Dalrymple, Federal Way National Little League, gave an update on the Little League complex. They have
received a grant from the City for $75,000. Of this amount, $18,750 has been spent on field lighting. The
remainder is intended for either 1) synthetic turf for a Challenger/T-ball field or 2) for backstops and netting or new
bleachers. Legends donated a scoreboard.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Symphony Park – Doherty introduced Jay Pickering, Development Manager for the Symphony project from United
Properties in Vancouver B.C. and Kenichi Nakano, Landscape Architect from Nakano Associates LLC of Seattle.
This was the first presentation from the consultants at the concept level. Mr. Nakano expressed his excitement at
being involved in the project, not only because it is a terrific project but also because he grew up in the area. His
presentation was introducing the original design from the architect which was intended as a “placeholder” when they
submitted their plans during the design competition. The “park” setting originally included a water feature, open
grass area, bandstand/stage area. The staff requested a more urban look from the original concept – add more hard
scape in proportion to soft scape areas with no need for a large bandstand area. A council member requested the
addition of a fireplace area like Kent Station. There was a lot of discussion on the water feature, maintenance of it
and past/present problems with water features at other sites. Mr. Nakano recommended two corners of the park area
honor the City of Federal Way two Sister Cities – Donghae, Korea and Hachinoe, Japan. Sciacqua and Reid
recommended honoring the ethnicity of all the cultures living in Federal Way with artwork or specific areas in the
park. Symphony Lane will run through one part of the park area for additional parking yet booths could be set up
for markets, community festival, etc. with walking path through the middle. There will be a restaurant at one corner
location with outdoor seating. There will be 75,000 square feet of retail space in the buildings with underground
parking available. The retail space will contain boutique type stores, a high end grocery and a coffee shop. Water
will be harvested off the site, collected/treated in a cistern in the parking garage then used as irrigation for the park
and some left in reserve for supplemental fire-fighting. The entire area will have Safe City cameras monitored by
police. User groups for the area have been identified as students from Highline Community College, retail users,
residents/homeowners and day care users. Instead of the bandstand area, a small amphitheatre was discussed or
small stage area that would accommodate approximately 150 people. Naming it a park versus plaza was discussed.
Mr. Pickering said the construction would be done in four phases starting June, 2008. He estimated the condo costs
would range from $200,000 for a 650 sq. ft. studio upwards to $800,000 for a 2200 sq. ft. penthouse unit.
Work Plan – Ikerd adjusted the work plan from last months meeting. Pfeiffer moved: Ailinger seconded a motion to
forward the revised Work Plan to Council Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Commission, March 6, 2008 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS
Celebration Park Building – Staff got Council approval last quarter to proceed with the Celebration Park
maintenance building. Ikerd said in November/December, they went out to bid twice and got no bids. The third
attempt brought one bid that was extremely high that was rejected. So they bid supply only and got one good bid
and will now be accepting bids for “install only”.
Project Reports
Impact Fee meeting with staff will be held tomorrow then progress to several public meetings. Chair Konkell,
Commissioners Ailinger and Pfeiffer volunteered to serve on a stake-holders committee. The consultant will begin
by reviewing current information such as population, neighboring city fees, etc.
Saghalie Turf Field is close to completion. The drainage change order was completed and there will play on the
field this weekend.
Grant Report – Sanders reported that grant requests were submitted this week to the Recreation and Conservation
Office (RCO). One submittal for Lake Grove Park for $130,000 was done.
HylebosBoardwalk is complete and a dedication ceremony is planned for May 3, 2008. The interpretative signage is
being developed but will not be completed by the dedication in May. A proclamation will be read on April 15, 2008
by City Council. Sciacqua said the Historical Society does not like where the sanican placement will be on site.
Director Hanson and Ikerd discussed why this location was chosen - wetland barrier, ADA accessibility,
accommodate maintenance trucks for pumping, shield from street and neighbors plus there will be plantings to hide
the structure. A small “cabin” structure is proposed to be constructed around the portable toilet so that it will fit
into the site better.
NEW BUSINESS
Sanders said she has been approached by resident H. David Kaplan concerning the 10th anniversary of Celebration
Park, wanting to know if there will be any type of celebration activity. Commission thought the Red, White and
Blue Festival in Celebration Park on July 4th might be a good time to make some kind of presentation, dedication of
a tree, etc. Chair Konkell will chair a subcommittee to plan this activity and look for assistance from past and
present commissioners. Several recommendations were made and discussed by the commission.
The need for new commissioners was broached by Chair Konkell. There was one new application submitted in
December. Applications were distributed to all commissioners to share with interested persons they might know.
Interviews will be held on April 8th so there is a short time frame for this recruitment.
Director Hanson received a request from a citizen requesting another off-leash dog park – one for small dogs. She
said staff would be looking at sites that might be appropriate for this use.
Discussion followed on guests attending the commission meeting talking throughout on different subjects freely. It
was decided that the three minute rule will be respected and listed under the Public Forum on future agendas.
Guests will also be asked what they will be addressing during Public Forum and kept to that subject.
Chair Konkell will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Impact Fees with Consultant 10th Anniversary Celebration for Celebration Park
Earth Day/Volunteer Projects Community Gathering Places
Park Signage
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS APRIL 3, 2008