Parks Comm MINS 11-07-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMISSION
Thursday, November 7, 2002 Mt. Baker Conference Room
6:00 p.m. City Hall
MINUTES
Chair Purdom called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: C. T. Purdom, Chair, Jess Birtcher, Neil Hellickson, Debra McCormick and George Pfeiffer.
Excused: Len Zicker, Vice Chair, Ade Bright, Don Dennis and Bill Foulkes. Unexcused: Cindy Dodge.
Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent, Betty (B.) Sanders,
Parks Planning and Development Manager and Peg Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant.
Hellickson moved: Pfeiffer seconded motion to approve October meeting minutes as corrected. Motion
carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Don Barovic – Mr. Barovic owns two parcels in the proposed Hylebos Trail area. He would like to see the
salmon habitat restoration issue take highest priority in the feasibility study and have the Friends of the
Hylebos involved in future meetings and decisions. He praised the Parks department for consideration given
to public comment and scheduling public meetings for information and input.
Roy Snyder – Mr. Snyder said he has contacted Federal Way Police concerning homeless persons trespassing
on his property and nothing was done about it. Additionally, he claims a City employee asked him to leave
his own property while he was attempting to erect a sign in a tree. He complained to City Hall but was never
notified if the employee had been identified. He is concerned that issues brought up by residents of the
Hylebos area are not being seriously considered in the feasibility study.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Trail Survey Draft – Schroder requested sample questions from commissioners for the trail survey. Dodge
and Zickler submitted suggestions. She was in receipt of e-mail from Chris Carroll of the Friends of the
Hylebos stating he thought the survey was a good idea. He offered some suggestions for the survey material.
Schroder introduced Betty (B.) Sanders to the commission as the new Parks Planning and Development
Manager. Ms. Sanders distributed a sample survey and reviewed questions with the commission to get their
input. They also discussed how information obtained from the survey might be useful in the future. Surveys
will be mailed to persons who have attended public meetings and those living in the immediate area. Chair
Purdom asked that commissioners be allowed to review the survey prior to distribution. Schroder asked if
commissioners would prefer City Hall or off-site for the next public meeting on the Hylebos Trail Feasibility
Study. It was decided to have the meeting off-site.
Budget Follow-up – Schroder discussed the budget presentation to City Council and reported the positive
comments from the public in attendance on the proposed community center/swimming pool. November 19,
2002 will be the next reading of the budget.
Kenneth Jones Pool – Schroder received direction from the City Council to continue negotiations with King
County.
Pea Patch/Community Garden – Chair Purdom reported he had been approached by resident Barbara Reid
about a Pea Patch/Community Garden for senior citizens. Her suggestion was to use the Blueberry Farm
parcel since it is not operating as such and maintained as open space. Reuter said from a maintenance
standpoint, the property is available and has irrigation already in place. The concern was that there are no
restroom facilities and even though there is adequate parking, it is a gravel lot. Chair Purdom asked for input
with Hellickson suggesting staff contact neighboring cities that have Pea Patch programs for general
information and guidelines. Staff will request additional information and prepare a report for the December
commission meeting.
Tacoma Smelter Plume Area Study – The Washington State Department of Ecology has released information
regarding the Tacoma Smelter Plume. Of the six parks in Federal Way, findings show there is no immediate
health threat from arsenic or lead contamination in the soil. Testing of ground water also confirmed it was
within allowable limits. The DOE completed testing at the following park sites in Federal Way: Panther
Lake, Wildwood, Celebration, Steel Lake, Fishers Pond and Saghalie.
Parks and Recreation Commission, November 7, 2002 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS
Steel Lake Field Renovation - Reuter reported that Sanders has obtained copies of bid documents from other
cities to use for preparation of our bid package.
Park Site Tour – Reuter asked if commissioners were ready to schedule the second half of the park system
tour that will cover the southern half of the city. After discussion, it was decided to wait until after the
holidays.
Chair Purdom will attend PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on November 12, 2002. He recommended
other commissioners attend for the experience.
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Purdom asked if bicyclists were a problem to skaters or causing any damage to the Skate Park at Steel
Lake. Reuter said staff does not do a lot of “policing” of the park but have not experienced any major issues
to date.
Pfeiffer said King County park properties and concessions are being publicly bid for long-term contracts with
private vendors.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Staff Reports: Off-Leash Dog Park
Pea Patch/Community Garden
Horseshoe Pits
Trail Survey Draft
Grosch Recognition
Steel Lake Field Renovation
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.