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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.