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Parks Comm MINS 12-05-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 5, 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, Len Zickler, Vice Chair, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Neil Hellickson and George Pfeiffer. Excused: Jess Birtcher, Ade Bright, Bill Foulkes and Debra McCormick. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Peg Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant. Guest: Linda Kochmar, Councilmember. Hellickson moved; Pfeiffer seconded motion to approve November meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. No Public Forum. COMMISSION South 324th Street Right-of-Way Easement – Schroder discussed the right-of-way easement that Public Works is requesting as part of the HOV Lane Phase II project. The right-of-way needs an additional 643 square feet from Celebration Park. Staff recommends approving the easement request, which would not negatively impact the park. Dennis moved; Zickler seconded a motion to forward to Council Committee a “do pass” recommendation to City Manager to grant the right-of-way easement request. Motion passed unanimously. Trail Survey – Schroder reported that 198 on-line trail surveys have been completed to date. Those persons, who have attended public and commission meetings on this subject, were mailed surveys to complete and return. Zickler praised the thorough content of the survey. Off-Leash Dog Park – Schroder referenced the memorandum in the commission packet with the history of previous meetings to bring the new commissioners up-to-date on the project. Currently, the task force is exploring the ability of King County and each of the eight member cities to share in the funding of the basic capital improvements necessary to facilitate an off-leash dog area at Grandview Park. The task force is scheduled to meet in December and hopefully, know the amount of funding support needed from King County and the task force cities. Grosch Recognition – Staff and commissioners discussed an appropriate recognition for longtime resident and retired commissioner, Karl Grosch. Reuter and Pfeiffer will work together and gather information on this project. Reuter will draft a memo from the commission to Council Committee recommending naming a soccer field at Steel Lake Park for Grosch. STAFF REPORTS Pea Patch/Community Garden – Reuter referenced the memorandum in the commission packet concerning a community garden. Resident Barbara Reid presented her idea for a community garden/pea patch at the Blueberry Farm to the commission in November. Since then, Reuter has been collecting data from nearby cities on their programs. Discussion followed on the benefits and obstacles of such a garden by the commissioners. Commissioners did not feel that the Blueberry Farm was the best location because it is not ADA compliant, the homeless population in the area plus no fencing to deter vandalism/theft. The commission and staff will pursue other sites for a garden and keep it on their agenda. Horseshoe Pits at Steel Lake Park – Reuter reported on the horseshoe pit usage at Steel Lake Park per commission request. He contacted the three gentlemen who had requested installation, Chuck Glasford, Jerry Varner and Louie Liu. Reuter spoke with Mr. Glasford who told him Mr. Varner had passed away and Mr. Liu was in poor health so they had not been able to take advantage of the pits. Steel Lake Field Renovation – Schroder reported that Betty Sanders, Parks Planning and Development Manager, is working on the grant submittal for the field renovation. Parks and Recreation Commission, December 5, 2002 Page 2 King County Parks Lease Agreements – Reuter provided information to the commission regarding King County Lease agreements with private vendors to operate park facilities. King County is pursuing a variety of methods to confront the extreme budget crisis they currently face. One area that has become of interest to the commission is that of leasing public facilities by private concessionaires and service providers. The county council has passed the “Omnibus Ordinance”, which allows staff to enter in to agreements with private parties for up to five years. Agreements of ten years or longer require County Council approval. One agency, Northwest Center, has submitted a proposal to operate all county pools. The city is still negotiating with the county about ownership and operation of the pool. Reuter said he would continue to update the commission on the King County Park issue and encouraged them to go to the King County Internet site for updates and additional information. Schroder reported that on the Kenneth Jones pool, there are three options currently being considered: 1) King County would own and operate the pool with the city of Federal Way paying the subsidiary, 2) Pool operated by Northwest Center, or 3) City of Federal Way take ownership of the pool from King County to include the transfer of the Kenwood Pit to the city. As these options are considered, Schroder and Reuter will keep the commission updated. Kikaha O’ Kai Outrigger Canoe Club Proposal – The Canoe Club has been using Steel Lake as their base of operations and practice facility for several years. The club has requested to construct a canoe storage facility at Steel Lake Park and possibly tie in with the building of the “pipe shed” that is being replaced this year. Both Reuter and Stan Osborn, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, have been acquiring quotes on what such a facility would cost both with and without the additional space to store canoes. Several questions arose on usage of the building if the Canoe Club moved elsewhere, lease payments paid and for how long, who pays for additional size building and the possible moving of the utilities. Reuter reported that the “additional size” structure required to house the canoes would almost double the cost of the building. After discussion on these issues, the commission chose not to support the proposal by the Kikaha O’ Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club. Schroder asked that the Canoe Club be notified on the commission decision. Chair Purdom will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on December 9, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mt. Baker conference room. NEW BUSINESS Reuter introduced the Adopt-A-Family/Adopt-A-Senior program to the Parks and Recreation Commission. He asked if they would be interested in participating by adopting a senior in the community. There was an overwhelming response by commissioners to participate this year. NEXT MEETING King County Parks Leases/Pools Status of Washington DOT property Trail Survey update Thompson Property update Reminder that next meeting will be held January 9, 2003 ADJOURNMENT Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.