Parks Comm MINS 06-06-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, June 6, 2002 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Mt. Baker Conference Room
ATTENDANCE
Present: C.T. Purdom, Chair, Len Zickler, Vice Chair, Don Dennis, Karl Grosch, Neil Hellickson, George
Pfeiffer and Lisa Welch. Unexcused: Bill Foulkes. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter,
Parks Operations Superintendent and Peggy Wright, Administrative Assistant.
Grosch moved: Dennis seconded motion to approve the May meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public forum.
Guests: Councilmember Linda Kochmar and Officer S. Neal, Federal Way Public Safety Department.
REPORTS
Census/Density Statistics – Schroder reported that Jainga extracted the information for the commission
packet from the U. S. Census Bureau website. Schroder pointed out that the Skate Park facility is located
in an area with a high population of youth 18 years old and younger. Commissioners were pleased with the
context of the report and information provided by staff.
Bike Facility Sites – Zickler presented information on possible bike facility/skate park sites in the city. He
looked at a site near the Park and Ride on 21st Avenue SW and SW 344th Street. This property is owned by
the Washington Department of Transportation. He talked with Francis Col of the WDOT and she asked
that the commission list how the City would want to use this property – lease, purchase or partner. Another
site Zickler looked at was behind the Twin Lakes Post Office, which is owned by Fred Meyer. It was
stressed that this site is close to a school, has crosswalks and traffic lights and is in an area with a high
concentration of apartment buildings. Zickler distributed a packet of information on the sites. Schroder
recommended that a proposal be prepared to present to the Council Committee that explains the
information presented by Zickler.
Athletic Turf Benefit Analysis – Reuter referred to his memorandum in the commission packet and the
information from David Evans and Associates pertaining to their analysis of synthetic vs. natural turf
athletic fields. Schroder said she discussed the economic benefit with John Hutton, Recreation Supervisor.
He felt it may take up to three years to achieve the maximum revenue potential of approximately
$78,000.00. Discussion continued on the field analysis reports. Kochmar suggested the commission invite
Mark Miloscia to the August Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and present ideas and suggestions
for improvements to park properties and find out what state monies are available. Zickler asked that a letter
be drafted to David Evans and Associates thanking them for their outstanding presentation.
King County Parks Update – Schroder attended a recent meeting in which the committee presented a draft
proposal. She included a summary on the background of King County’s process in looking at alternatives
to fund their parks and facilities. The summary included information from the King County Parks Focus
Group and the King County Parks telephone survey results. Within the City of Federal Way, there are two
King County facilities. One is the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center and the other is the Kenneth
Jones Memorial Pool. There are no King County parks within city limits. However, there are five county
properties within the City of Federal Way potential annexation area (P.A.A.). These include Five Mile
Lake Park, Lake Geneva Park, South County Ball Fields Park, Camelot Open Space and Bingamon Pond
Open Space. The Aquatic Center will remain with King County and will not be closed. The County is
interested in the possibility of transferring the Kenneth Jones Pool to the city as an alternative to closing the
pool. The County staff will be forwarding information to the City regarding operation costs, capital
improvements completed in the last three years and other data that will be useful to the city’s review. The
task force appointed by County Executive Sims is exploring several options and scenarios to save the
County Park System. The Task Force will present their recommendations in June.
Parks and Recreation Commission, June 6, 2002 Page 2
The PRHSPS Council Committee meeting will be held on June 10, 2002 at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. with Vice
Chair Zickler attending.
NEW BUSINESS
Property Review – Schroder received two requests from landowners in Federal Way regarding the sale of
their property to the city for use as a park. She included a site map of each location and the evaluation
criteria form used to evaluate property for potential acquisition. Zickler visited each site today and in his
opinion the Kessler property had wetland issues and the Veeder property was too small. Neither property is
in an area found deficient in parks from earlier studies by commissioners and staff. Dennis suggested
looking at the cost of the properties for possible land banking. The commissioners will visit each site and
complete an evaluation criteria form to submit to Reuter.
Welch inquired on the fencing by the play area at Celebration Park. Reuter responded that the posts had
been set and the fabric would be installed next week. Welch also praised staff for the quick repair to the
play structure at Alderbrook Park.
Schroder received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Levy who are interested in constructing a latte stand in the
Hylebos Park area. Input from commissioners was that it would not fit the location.
Schroder reported that a CDBG grant had been submitted for Steel Lake Park and the Thompson property.
The Steel Lake soccer fields do not meet the eligibility and will be withdrawn.
Neighbors of Olympic View Park received a letter on yard waste dumping in the park. Reuter reported on
the dumping in the ravine by neighboring homes.
Director Schroder’s sabbatical will be from July 8 – August 2, 2002
NEXT MEETING
Orientation of new commissioners Athletic Turf
Bike Facility sites King County Parks Update
Federal Way projects/timelines
Welch will be absent from the August meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.