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Parks Comm MINS 08-01-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, August 1, 2002 City Hall 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers ATTENDANCE Present: C. T. Purdom, Chair, Don Dennis, Bill Foulkes, Neil Hellickson and George Pfeiffer. Excused: Lisa Welch and Len Zickler, Vice Chair. New Commissioners: Jess Birtcher, Ade Bright, Cindy Dodge and Debra McCormick. Staff: Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Peg Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant. There was an informal orientation at 5:00 p.m. for the new commissioners with Reuter and Purdom discussing the roles of commissioners as an advisory board. Guest: Linda Kochmar, Councilmember. Dennis moved: Hellickson seconded motion to approve the June meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC FORUM H. David Kaplan presented his credentials to the new commissioners as an introduction. He asked the commissions assistance in preventing the proposed plan to put an exit off I-5 at 312th Street in the 6-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. He said the expenditure of $500,000.00 does not leverage money and is fiscally irresponsible in the current economic squeeze when there are other exit options, such as 288th Street. The critical matter is that the 312th freeway exit demands that 312th Street become four lanes in width which could tear out the Skate Park, the Massengale ball field and would intrude on the Steel Lake wetlands. He would like to see the Council instead spend the $500,000.00 on a partnership for a all- weather soccer field at Celebration Park, partner with Surface Water Management to buy more Hylebos acres to protect the areas downstream or build a Skate Park on the west side of Federal Way. Bob Kellogg voiced his concern on spending $500,000.00 on the proposed 312th Street study and the impact on Steel Lake Park and Skate Park. He has safety concerns for the senior citizens who walk the street from the Senior Housing developments along 312th Street. Barbara Reid stated she was an advocate for Steel Lake Park since it is a “family” park. She stressed the importance of preserving Steel Lake for those who enjoy a beach, ballfields and the play structure for the children. She supports the comments made by H. David Kaplan and Bob Kellogg opposing the 312th ramp study costing $500,000.00. She also asked the Parks and Recreation commission to look at preserving and maintaining the Blueberry Farm. It is resource to the community that other cities do not have to offer. She feels it makes the City of Federal Way unique. Bob Roper said that Steel Lake Park is the only “people” gathering place in Federal Way. He voiced his concern on the possible 312th ramp study and asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to oppose the study. COMMISSION BUSINESS Introduction of New Commissioners – Chair Purdom introduced the four new commissioners and asked each to talk about themselves for a few minutes to familiarize the other commissioners. Commissioner Jess Birtcher said he was a 5 year resident of Federal Way, a Safeco employee, father of five children ranging in age from 2 – 14 years old and he enjoys playing soccer. Commissioner Cindy Dodge works at Weyerhaeuser and wanted to be active in her community and parks. Commissioner Debra McCormick has lived in Federal Way most of her life, has two children who use the parks often in sports and she wanted to serve her community and looks forward to being on the commission. Commissioner Ade Bright is an 18 year resident with two children and he likes to coach and play soccer and baseball. Federal Way School District CIP – Reuter introduced Ron Leland from the Federal Way Public Schools who gave a report on the school CIP. Leland said most of the CIP monies are going to build the new high school leaving little funds for field improvements. He stressed the importance of partnerships with other agencies for the improvements that would benefit both. Parks and Recreation Commission, August 1, 2002 Page 2 COMMISSION BUSINESS (CONTINUED) WSDOT Property Update – Reuter reported that he had talked with Francis Cal of the Department of Transportation on the land in Twin Lakes for a possible skate/bike park. She said that partnerships aren’t common with the DOT properties with a low cost lease the least favorable option. According to Ms. Cal, DOT properties are rarely leased and usually purchased at market value. Reuter asked the commission what they would like to do at this point. Pfeiffer asked staff to inquire what the market value is for the property through the county assessors office and report to the commission next month. Census Data – This item was moved to the September meeting to allow the new commissioners time to receive and review the census data distributed at an earlier meeting. Veeder/Kessler Property Acquisition – Reuter reported that the commissioners were to have visited each site, evaluated each property and submitted results to staff. From the commissioners evaluations, it was determined that neither property scored high enough to consider purchasing. Pfeiffer moved; Hellickson seconded motion to send letters to property owners with this information. Motion passed unanimously. Grosch Recognition – Chair Purdom said the City Council would like to honor Karl Grosch at the Council level and they had asked for recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Several ideas were discussed amongst commissioners. Discussion was tabled until the September meeting so Chair Purdom could meet with Director Schroder. Grosch is out of town most of September, so the event planning will continue with a possible October recognition. STAFF REPORTS Celebration Park Fence – Reuter reported that a fence is being installed along the eastern edge of Fields 7 and 8 because of the continuing vandalism. The fencing project is going well this week with the poles installed and they have begun stringing materials. Red, White and Blue Festival Recap – Reuter said the event went well with attendance between 8,000-10,000 people. Attendance was down from last year which they attributed to the weather. IAC Grant Submittal/Steel Lake Park – Reuter accompanied Jainga to Olympia this week to present a proposal for artificial turf in the amount of $400,000.00 for the Steel Lake soccer field. The PRCS department has the matching funds required by the grant. Jainga Resignation – Reuter announced to the Parks and Recreation Commission that Jon Jainga, Parks Planning and Development Manager, had resigned effective July 29, 2002 and accepted a position with the City of Renton. He has worked successfully with the commission for many years on several projects and will be missed. Kenneth Jones Pool Analysis – Reuter said the City Council wanted the PRCS staff to continue looking at and negotiating on the Kenneth Jones Pool. Reuter is studying the maintenance needs and other issues in operating the pool. PRCS may hire an independent consultant for a cost analysis study. Lakota Soccer Field Lighting Bid Award – The Lakota soccer lighting project had six to eight bidders with it being awarded to the T. Miller Construction Company. Staff is projecting that it will be completed by the end of August. The lighting project will be completed to meet the new specifications. Thompson Property – Reuter announced that he had attended a CDBG meeting and applied for a grant to purchase the Thompson property. Steel Lake Drowning – Reuter reported that on July 20, 2002, there was a drowning at Steel Lake Park of a 16 year-old Hispanic youth who was here visiting relatives from Mexico. He was a non-swimmer. PRHSPS Council Committee will be held on August 12, 2002. Chair Purdom will attend the meeting. NEW BUSINESS Hellickson talked about the gang activity in Steel Lake Park and his concerns for his staff. He has witnessed gang members harassing families and running them out of their picnic sites. Concessionaire staff have been threatened with one worker refusing to work at the park. Hellickson asked if there were police bike patrols again this year but no one has seen bike patrols this summer to date at Steel Lake Park. Barbara Reid stressed that it is getting too dangerous for young people to go in to the park without adult supervision or families to be safe with this gang activity. Reuter said the police have been made aware of the activity and are increasing their patrols in the park. Staff asked that they walk through the park in addition to driving so their presence is known. Parks and Recreation Commission, August 1, 2002 Page 3 NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS Parks used as Municipal Sites Census Data Blueberry Farm 312th Street Ramps Impact Fees Steel Lake/Police Patrols IAC Grant King County Pool Analysis Tour of Parks/New Commissioners Grosch Recognition ADJOURNMENT Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.