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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.