PRHSPSC MINS 02-12-2008
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERV ICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday February 12, 2008
6:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Council members Jim Ferrell and Michael
Park; Council member Linda Kochmar, Aaron Walls, Deputy City Attorney, Karolyn Klohe Assistant City Attorney,
Chief Brian Wilson, Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, Steve Ikerd, Parks and Facilities Manager, Mary Faber PRCS
Superintendent, John Hutton, Recreation Supervisor, Doug Nelson, Community Center Supervisor, Kelli O’Donnell
CDBG Coordinator, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant II.
Guests: Jess Mueller, Kevin Morris, Jim Lessler, Joann Hugill – Park Pals
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 6:02p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kevin Morris expressed his gratitude to City staff for their support of the French Lake Off Leash Park, and was
appreciative of all the improvements that the Parks Department has made to the park. He stated that they are ready
for the next step, which is upgrading the pond. They are asking for guidance and would like to establish goals and
parameters. They intend on funding the whole project. Mr. Morris said that there are not any dog parks in this area
that has an artificial pond.
Jim Lessler- spoke in favor of upgrading the pond. He has been researching ponds and found a company in Gig
Harbor that is very knowledgeable, and is willing to talk to Parks Department staff. They have received one
proposal in the amount of $30,000, but stated the price could be reduced by volunteers doing a lot of the work.
Jess Mueller – spoke in favor of upgrading the pond. She is in charge of the fundraising committee. A mission
statement will be developed, and they will be cultivating relationships with local groups.
Ms Donna Hanson PRCS Director, stated that she had asked the group to locate another dog park that has an
artificial pond, to get an idea of the materials used, and how they clean the pond. She stated that she does get calls
from dog owners that are concerned about the water in the pond. They have requested tests of the water – they are
worried that their dog could get sick. Ms. Hanson wants to make sure that if the City builds a new pond, the pond
will be something that staff can maintain and will be healthy for the dogs.
COMMISSION COMMENT
None
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Council member Ferrell moved to approve the January meeting minutes as written, Council Member Park
seconded. Motion passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Report on 2008 One Night Count of the Homeless and Efforts to Serve the Homeless
Ms. O’Donnell reported that the homeless street count was conducted in Federal Way on January 25, 2008, and there
was a 15% decrease from 2007. They are not sure if the decrease is due to better service of the homeless or because
the weather was significantly colder in 2008 than in 2007. The homeless count on the “Night Owl” buses had a 38%
increase, which may have also been due to homeless people trying to stay warm. The overall count for King County
went up 15%, this raised some concern at the last inter agency council meeting. Ms. O’Donnell stated that there are
a number of efforts going on County wide as part of the Committee to End Homelessness 10 year plan. Federal Way
has endorsed the 10 year plan to end homelessness. Staff has been participating in activities to try and help address
homelessness as a region. Ms. O’Donnell gave a report on some of the activities that are going on to address
homelessness in Federal Way and King County. Some of those are the Landlord Liaison Access to Housing, and
Securing New Resources. Last January a community member called together a group of people from different
agencies and they are working on putting together a shelter for Federal Way that would operate similar to the Home
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday February 12, 2008 Summary
Page 2
and Arise shelter in Kent and Renton. This program partners with area churches to be a host site for a month at a
time. This would house up to 25 men a night. The focus of the 10 year plan is on creating housing, not shelters.
Chair Burbidge requested another update in either April or March, 2008.
Arts Commission 2008 Work Plan
Ms. Faber presented the background information. The special focus this year is to update the Cultural Plan, host the
2nd Writer’s Retreat, crafts for the Red White and Blues Festival and concentrate on public relations, which will
include press releases and keeping the Web page up to date. Council member Ferrell moved to approve the
recommended Arts Commission 2008 Work Plan and forward to City Council for approval on February 19,
2008 for consideration. Council Member Park seconded. Council member Park was pleased to see one of the
commission tasks was to invite the Diversity Commission to an Arts Commission meeting to explore potential
partnerships and ways to encourage diversity programs. Motion Passed.
Red White and Blues Festival
Ms. Faber stated that there has been a lot of discussion regarding this event, and it is time to share the workload at a
supervisory level. Each supervisor will be in charge of the event each year. John Hutton is in charge this year.
There has also been discussion in reformatting the event. They will take away some of the fee based items, and
replace them with activities that are low cost or no cost. The event will start later and focus more on music, food,
free activities and fireworks. Mr. Hutton stated that the event will be a family fun throwback old fashioned Red
White and Blues Festival. The theme will reflect a “day in the park”. They want families to be able to participate
together. A family stage will be added, that will have entertainment directed towards families. Mr. Hutton reported
that we have a very energetic day camp staff, and they will be in charge of running the family games. They want to
make the event more affordable. Council member Ferrell asked if it was possible to keep the inflatable’s and not
charge people to use them. Ms. Faber stated it costs at least $5,000 to rent the inflatables. Ms. Hanson reported that
there is the increase in staff costs to setup the inflatables, work the inflatable’s and takedown the inflatable’s after the
event. Council member Ferrell would like to keep the inflatable’s, Council members Burbidge and Kochmar are in
support of trying something different. The recreation department does own small inflatable’s that are suitable for
young children. Those inflatables will be at the event. Ms. Hanson stated that they will be incorporating the 10 year
anniversary of Celebration Park to the event.
First Amendment for Electrical Services
Mr. Ikerd presented the background information. Amaya Electric has been providing services for the past year. They
have set hourly rates and fees. Projects that will be used in this contract are $50,000 carry forward for wire theft,
ball field lighting repairs, HVAC improvement, regular park and facilities repair and maintenance budget, emergency
equipment and contingency addition for inflation and unforeseen issues. Council member Park moved approval
to amend the term of the contract for an additional year and authorize execution of the amendment. Council
member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
First Amendment for Parking Lot Cleaning
Mr. Ikerd presented the background information. McDonough & Sons has asked for a cost of living increase for fuel
charges and we have added in the Community Center parking lot. This amendment will be for one more year. The
contract amount is $23,509.80. Council member Ferrell moved approval to amend the term of the contract for
an additional year and authorize execution of the amendment. Council member Park seconded. Motion
passed.
Park Impact Fees
Ms. Hanson updated the Committee. The four consultants were interviewed, and references were checked for the
two finalist. The firm hired is Henderson, Young & Company, Inc. These consultants have participated in the
greatest most number of cities with the most number of successful park impact fees and had the most extensive
public process. A public process will begin, and this will come back to the Parks Commission, Planning
Commission, and the Parks Recreation Human Services and Public Safety Committee this summer.
NEXT MEETING – March 11, 2008 6:00 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 7:04p.m.