Parks Comm MINS 10-03-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, October 3, 2002 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Chair Purdom called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present: C. T. Purdom, Chair, Len Zickler, Vice Chair, Jess Birtcher, Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Bill
Foulkes, Neil Hellickson, Debra McCormick and George Pfeiffer. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt
Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent, Mary Faber, Recreation and Cultural Services Superintendent and Peg
Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Bruce Dees and Jill McFarland of Bruce Dees and Associates.
Pfeiffer moved: Hellickson seconded motion to approve September meeting minutes as corrected. Motion carried
unanimously.
No Public Forum.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
West Hylebos Creek Trail Feasibility Study/Trail Alternatives – Schroder introduced Bruce Dees and Jill
McFarland of Bruce Dees and Associates. Dees asked residents in attendance to voice their preference on the trail
alternatives as shown on the map he distributed. Dees spoke on permit plans, constraints and possibilities plus
comments from residents at the September public meeting. At the December Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting, he will define costs and announce additional presentations. There will not be a decision made until 2003
on this proposal. Dees discussed the proposed main trail route which was developed with the following criteria: 1)
parallel the creek just outside the 100’ stream buffer, except to avoid steep slopes or sensitive vegetation or habitat
areas, 2) avoid intrusions into the buffer except for stream crossings and interpretative view points, 3) minimize
impact on the adjacent residents and private properties. Dees discussed potential alternatives and answered
questions from the audience and commissioners. Public discussion/questions followed:
Greg Jolly – commented that the “5A” area on the map was actually private property with Schroder responding that
it is a Surface Water retention pond site.
Bob Clark – stated he lives approximately one half mile off the proposed trail. He said that 356th Street is to be
made in to a five lane road – when is that happening and how would that impact the trail proposal?
Carolyn Acosta – she feels the area is pristine and that a trail would disrupt the atmosphere. She asked if the public
comments were going to be considered in the decision whether or not to construct the trail.
Donald Baravic – in studying the map that was distributed, he felt the bridge shown on the map was on or near his
driveway and is concerned that the trail is too close to his property. He asked how much money was available from
Surface Water for these projects.
Dennis Wilson – asked what the cost estimate was for this project and who proposed it? He has concerns on the
safety of persons using the trail and feels the trail gives too much access to the adjacent neighborhoods. He stated
he did not get the announcement for the first meeting held in September.
Schroder reiterated that this is a feasibility study only and the purpose of the meeting is to gather information such
as: Is there support from the residents? How can people enjoy the trail? How can we link the park properties
naturally? She stated that the study and trail are consistent with the Parks Comprehensive Plan.
Cindy Bogue – asked why there was a need for another access to Illahee? She is against the trail because of the
impact on the neighborhood.
Wade Fisher/Brooklake Community Church/School – he said there are 500 children at the school and this trail will
bring more traffic and transients in to the area. It is already congested with traffic plus it would give additional
access for transients. He has met with Chief Kirkpatrick and Deputy Chief Brian Wilson on the transient issue.
Julia Kleutsch – she lives in the area that would be affected by the proposed trail and said there is enough vandalism
and speeding cars in the neighborhood without attracting more traffic and people.
E. K. Kwon – voiced his concern that if the proposed trail is constructed, it will reduce the number of homes he can
build on his property from two down to one.
Parks and Recreation Commission, October 3, 2002 Page 2
Marlene Jolly – she asked what the proposed timeline was for this project? What impact has the BPA Trail had on
vandalism and traffic congestion? How has the BPA Trail impacted the existing neighborhoods? She likes the
quiet, peaceful neighborhood and is very opposed to the trail, mainly because of security issues.
Schroder spoke on the differences between the proposed trail and the BPA Trail. They included topographical and
view impact differences, vegetation, etc.
Vicki Tavares – does not want access to the trail from her neighborhood. She is concerned that the City of Federal
Way has not worked with the Friends of the Hylebos and Chris Carrel on this study. She wants them to be included
in all future mailings, presentations and public meetings.
Edward E. Mase – he stated that the trail is the most ill-conceived notion he has ever heard. He said the trail and the
Hylebos do not mix, the whole idea is crazy thinking and the City is out to destroy the area. He is concerned about
the impact on the salmon habitat since he has fished there many years. He stated the map was totally inaccurate, the
whole idea is wrong and it would ruin the Hylebos and neighborhood.
Dean Brown – he lives on the east Hylebos and is concerned about the “loop” area of the trail. He voiced his
concern on the number of high school youths who access his property and does not want it to increase by opening
additional access points. His family moved from an area congested with teens and does not want the same in this
neighborhood. He is also concerned about the current transient population and fears the trail will attract more.
Steve Bognar – stated that 3rd Avenue shown on the distributed map is actually a private road. He said they already
have a problem with teens parking at the end of the road partying and do not want a trail to attract more people. He
said they have called police numerous times but it takes 1.5-2 hours response time. He said he bought his house for
privacy and this will invite unwanted persons in to the neighborhood. He is also concerned about the salmon habitat
and wildlife. He feels the proposed trail would be a detriment to the area.
Ted Binder – he questioned what was the primary justification and need? He voiced his concern on public safety and
the City’s liability if the trail is built.
Ted Enticknap – he said the weigh station is heavily fenced because of the homosexual activity that occurred at that
site for many years. A trail in that area could be a problem.
Teresa Corrington – her property has been declared a wetlands area so she cannot build any additional structures.
She would like to see the area stay as is for the salmon habitat. She is against the proposed trail construction.
Greta Corrington – she cannot improve her property because of the wetland issues that prohibit develpment. She
voiced her opposition to the proposed trail.
Jerry Robinson – he questioned how the City would measure comments from residents as far as going ahead with
the trail project?
Schroder responded that the Parks and Recreation Commission, not staff, would make a recommendation to Council
Committee on the proposed Hylebos Trail feasibility study. There will be more information available at the
November and December Parks and Recreation commission meetings.
Dees, McFarland, staff and commissioners discussed the comments from the public on the West Hylebos Creek
Trail Feasibility Study. It was suggested that an invitation be extended to Chris Carrel/Friends of the Hylebos and
neighboring schools to the next meeting on November 7, 2002. Dodge moved: Pfeiffer seconded a motion to send a
survey/questionnaire with revised map of the proposed trail to an extended neighborhood mailing for the November
meeting also. Motion carried with 8 yes, 1 no vote.
Lakota Lighting Project – Reuter reported that this project is going very well.
DOT Property Value – Schroder and Zickler met with Department of Transportation officials on a possible site for
a bike/skate park in the Twin Lakes area. They were encouraged by comments from Senator Eide, who is a strong
advocate of parks. She is also on the Transportation Commitee.
Utility Easement across Tract B/West Campus Division 7 – The requested property easement is in an
undeveloped park area of which 1600 feet is needed to access a short plat of four lots. Zickler moved: Foulkes
seconded motion to approve the easement. Motion passed unanimously.
Recreation Services and Programming Review – Faber distributed an informational packet to each commissioner
on recreation and programming services. She discussed classes, athletics, special events and Special Olympics that
are just a small portion of programs offered by the Recreation and Cultural Services staff. One example is the
“Meals on Wheels” program that successfully distributes 700-900 meals monthly.
STAFF REPORTS
Budget Preparations – Reuter announced that the PRCS budget presentation to the Council would be Wednesday,
October 16, 2002. Schroder will be the first budget presenter of the evening
Parks Tour – Reuter only had two commissioners approach him with available dates for the parks tour. Discussion
followed with Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 a.m. being chosen for the parks tour.
Parks and Recreation Commission, October 3, 2002 Page 3
Grosch Recognition – Schroder and Pfeiffer are working on an appropriate recognition for retired commissioner,
Karl Grosch. Several ideas were discussed with the naming of a field at Steel Lake the most popular
recommendation to date. Further discussion on this issue will follow at a future Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting.
Celebration Park – Schroder received a letter from a Federal Way resident who was upset that a gate fee was
charged by a tournament director at Celebration Park. Schroder shared her letter of response to the resident which
detailed the tournament fee policies.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting will be held October 14, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mt. Baker Conference room
with Chair C. T. Purdom attending.
NEW BUSINESS
Schroder was pleased to announce that Betty (B.) Sanders has been hired as the new PRCS Planning and
Development Manager.
NEXT MEETING
Agenda items for the next meeting, November 7, 2002:
West Hylebos Creek Trail Feasibility Study Department of Transportation site
Kenneth Jones Pool Budget Follow-Up
Grosch Recognition Steel Lake Soccer Field Renovation
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.