Parks Comm MINS 08-07-2008CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
Thursday, August 7, 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, Cindy Dodge, Chris Hash and George Pfeiffer. Excused: Brian
Ailinger.
Staff: City Manager Neal Beets, PRCS Director Donna Hanson, Parks and Facilities Manager Steve Ikerd and
Administrative Assistant Peggy Wright.
Guests: H. David Kaplan.
Pfeiffer moved: Sciacqua seconded motion to approve the June Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes as
written. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
H. David Kaplan – inquired why the 363rd Open Space item on agenda was a discussion not action item per the result of the
public survey. He reported that the Council Committee meeting listed on the agenda for August 12th had been cancelled per
Councilmember Burbidge announcement.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Proposal of Festival Management – City Manager Beets distributed a proposal concept, subject to revision, to
commissioners for input. He said the concept is to create a private, non-profit entity to manage, help fund and operate
festivals in the City of Federal Way. City Council requested City Manager Beets investigate this process per their 2007
goal-setting retreat. The four major community festivals are Festival Days, Red, White and Blues, Han Woo-Ri and Buds
and Blooms. A proposed Oversight Board would not deal with fundraising events sponsored by individual community
groups, such as the Kiwanis Salmon Bake, Triathlon, Friends of the Hylebos Ruby Dance, Rotary or Symphony Auctions,
etc. in the beginning. That could change in the future, but initially the Festival Management Oversight Board would
address the four major community festivals. The board would consist of representatives from several organizations and
communities – schools, non-profits, arts communities, media, service clubs, ethnic communities, faith communities, etc.
One thought is this would also streamline contribution requests to major donors and sponsors. City Manager Beets feels if
the City is to have more vibrant, energetic festivals in the future, the City itself needs to contribute more in staff and
monies, which would require City Council approval and budgeting. Discussion followed on staff needs, would
“management” staff be full-time or part-time positions, is there consideration to using an agency like the Workshop (they
do Triathlon), there is a struggle to acquire and maintain volunteers, possibly a “decision tree” group that makes final
decisions rather than 20+ board members – the more levels there are, the more difficult it is to form a consensus.
SW 363rd Open Space – Ikerd reported on the results of the letter mailed to neighborhood residents for their input on
naming the open space after longtime resident Alma Bennett. Twenty-four letters were mailed with 9 responses returned –
8 agreed and 1 disagreed with naming the space. Discussion followed by commissioners on the process to proceed.
Commissioner Hash moved, Sciacqua seconded a motion to go forward with naming the property the “Alma Bennett Open
Space” after March 19, 2009, which is the one-year required time frame per City resolution. Pfeiffer voiced his opposition
to the principle of naming an open space. Pfeiffer and Konkell abstained from the vote. Motion passed with majority
approval.
CIP Recommendations – Director Hanson presented the CIP Plan recommendations as listed alphabetically by line item,
not in order of priority. Hanson said the cost of replacing a playground, to include installation, is ranging upwards to
$140,000 per park. On the last commission tour of parks, it was determined that several parks would need playground
replacements in the next three to five years. Current and proposed budget funding can replace one playground per year.
Pfeiffer asked about Lakota and Sacajawea upgrades to fields and track. Hanson reported on all project timelines for 2009
and 2010. There were no changes in the staff-recommended CIP.
COMMISSION BUSINESS (continued)
Laurelwood Park – Hanson and Ikerd displayed maps showing entry point, area on the property suitable for a park and
wetland areas. Discussion followed on how much is actual wetland areas, creating a 2-way access to better serve park
users, safety and police protection in this location and surrounding area, how much clean-up is needed to begin and what
would ongoing maintenance entail. The homeowners association is behind in the property taxes and would like the City to
assume ownership and develop in to a park for local residents. Concerns were voiced on assuming another property with
funding issues already on many of the CIP projects. Staff will investigate what would happen to this property if the City
did not assume it.
STAFF REPORTS
Red, White and Blues Festival – Hanson said there was no formal staff report on festival figures. It was estimated there
were 50,000 people in attendance with no injuries or incidents reported by police. The activities were changed this year to
be more interactive for the entire family. Festival hours were shortened which helped with staffing needs. Hanson reported
the event was considered a tremendous success.
Steel Lake Park had less people in attendance this July 4th. With less parking available, this has cut down on overcrowding
issues considerably, as well as the presence of police on a regular basis. There were no major incidents in this park for the
first time in years.
Celebration Park Building Update – Ikerd reported that the building is out to bid again with the entire package being
advertised. The RFQ is due back August 20, 2008 and inquiries have been good from different contractors. He said ideally
if the bid comes back complete, it could go to council committee in September and contract awarded.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting has been cancelled for August 12th.
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Konkell reported there are tansy problems on the BPA Trail.
Konkell said he and Pfeiffer have discussed the coyote problem at Celebration Park. Several pet owners have reported that
coyotes have challenged their pets when they are in the park. Hanson reported that the Washington State Fish and Wildlife
have visited Celebration Park and walked the trails to assess the coyote reports. They cannot shoot nor trap them because
of the populated area. They reported that there have been no significant incidents to require further action with incidents
involving humans extremely rare. Hanson said they saw one in the Hylebos Park recently.
Ikerd said there is a large volunteer project involving AmeriCorps at the Hylebos Park in September on the trail system.
Hanson reported that staff interviewed five Parks Planner applicants for the vacant position.
PENDING ITEMS
No pending items.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Celebration Park Building Laurelwood Park
Chair/Vice-Chair Elections CIP
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS SEPTEMBER 4, 2008