Planning Comm MINS 02-16-2000
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
February 16, 2000 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Karen Kirkpatrick, Hope Elder, Eric Faison, John
Caulfield, and William Drake. Alternative Commissioners present: None. Staff present: Senior Planner
Margaret Clark, Parks & Recreation Director Jennifer Schroder, Parks Planning & Development Manager
Jon Jainga, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety. Parks Commissioner Dave Kaplan was also
present.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
DCTED is offering a Short Course in Local Planning on Wednesday, February 23, 2000, in the City of
University Place.
COMMISSION BUSINESS S PRCS Background & Summary, 1990 - 2000
Mr. Jainga gave the presentation. The agenda for the presentation was: 1. History and Accomplishments; 2.
Department Organization; 3. Present Inventory of Park Land (including Developed Park Land,
Undeveloped/Open Space, and Current Level of Services); 4. Park Goals; 5. Vision and Mission
Statements; and 6. Capital Improvement Plan.
The Parks Department has been working closely with the Parks Commission on the update of the Parks,
Recreation, & Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan. (The plan will come before the Planning
Commission as part of the Comprehensive Plan Updates.) One of the goals of the Parks Plan update was to
make the plan more user-friendly. Another was to make it more realistic.
Discussion was held on parks in the city’s Potential Annexation Areas (PAA). The original Parks Plan
included the PAA. The current plan, while it contains information about parks in the PAA, does not
include it as part of the city’s inventory. The Planning Commission suggested the city talk with King
County when a park project is pending in the PAA about the city’s needs/wants/wishes/views on the
Planning Commission Page 2 February 16, 2000
project, it may alleviate problems down the road. King County sends notices to the Planning Division on
proposed projects in the PAA. The Commission encouraged Planning staff to inform the Parks Department
of these notices.
Discussion was held about a funding source for parks. The city does not currently have a dedicated funding
source for parks. Some of the funds come from grants. The Commission suggested such a source be
dedicated. One suggestion was to use the hotel/motel tax. The Parks Department has requested the City
Council for committed funds. No decision has been made.
A status report was given on various parks. The Skate Park is in the permitting stage. It will be slightly
larger than those in other cities in order to accommodate skateboards and roller skates. It will be located at
312th and 28th South on the Steel Lake Annex side. Construction is expected this summer.
Celebration Park is a success. The full season booked this year starting in March. There will be a large
tournament in August for the Girls Fast Pitch B League. There will be 96 teams and all hotels in the city
(including the new ones) are booked.
The Parks Department will be applying for the Sports Use Facility Grant this summer. It will be for
renovating the Sacajawea ball field. The department is considering a new material that will create an all
weather field. It has been shown to reduce injuries and will be less maintenance.
The Knutzen Family Theatre is booked almost every weekend and Dumas Bay Centre is holding its own.
The Parks Department has made upgrades to Dumas Bay over the years as funds permitted.
Dave Kaplan, Parks Commissioner – Stated that the city has had only 11 years in which to
gather information for the parks plan; other cities have been around much longer. The Planning
Commission recommendations are important. Parks do need a funding source and he encouraged
the Commission to address the issue with the City Council. The Parks Commission worked hard
to develop a plan that the City Council can not only adopt, but also act on. They want a realistic
plan with specifics.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
The Commission would like workshops on capacity analysis, the market analysis, and the status of the Sign
Enforcement Program.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
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