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.