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Parks Comm MINS 09-05-2002CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, September 5, 2002 City Hall 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers Chair Purdom called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. ATTENDANCE Present: C. T. Purdom, Chair, Len Zickler, Vice Chair, Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Neil Hellickson, Debra McCormick and George Pfeiffer. Excused: Jess Birtcher. Unexcused: Bill Foulkes. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Peg Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant. Guests: Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, Deputy Mayor Dean McColgan, Councilmember Linda Kochmar and Senator Tracey Eide. Dennis moved: Hellickson seconded motion to approve August meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. No Public Forum. STATE FUNDING SOURCES Senator Tracey Eide distributed a packet of information prior to her presentation on three state funding sources. The funding sources are: 1) State of Washington Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, 2) Public Works Trust Fund and 3) the State Capital Budget. PUBLIC HEARING/HYLEBOS TRAIL Mr. Bruce Dees and Ms. Ruth Allen, were in attendance and presented general information on the Hylebos Creek Trail Feasibility Study. Dees said they are in the beginning of the study and collecting background information at this point. Schroder had attendees study the map and ask questions of Dees and Allen. Chair Purdom asked Dees to summarize issues he heard from attendees, which were: 1. Will the trail link up to the new High School? 2. It could be an “outdoor” classroom. 3. What will the trail surface be? 4. Link with the boardwalk but keep it on one side. 5. Would there be lighting on the trail for security purposes? Comments from attendees: Donald Baravic – he has lived in Federal Way on the Hylebos Creek for 23 years and has begun noticing erosion issues since the SeaTac Mall was constructed. He is concerned about security with the homeless population in that area, property has been downzoned but property taxes continue to increase, etc. He has attempted to re-zone the property but the City Council overrode the Planning Commission recommendation to do the zoning. He would like the City of Federal Way to purchase approximately12 acres and possibly partnership with the Friends of Hylebos. Marta Justus Foldi – she works at the Spring Valley Montessori School and they are experiencing homeless persons encroaching on the school property. Thefts have increased and childrens safety is of concern. Corrine Snyder – she is not interested in a trail going alongside their property because of the homeless persons going through their property and camping. Parks and Recreation Commission, September 5, 2002 Page 2 E. K. Kwon –a representative for Mr. Kwan said he owns 22 acres and can’t use the buffer area around the wetlands because of City Hall restrictions. Mr. Kwan said through his representative that he would like his taxes dropped since he cannot use the property. Roy Snyder – he said he has been fighting City Hall for over ten years on his property and the usage. Vice Chair Zickler reported there have been two studies done with evidence that trails improve crime and safety plus increase property values. COMMISSION BUSINESS Parks as Municipal Sites – Schroder said that the parks lands acquired by the City from King County upon incorporation are to stay as parks per the agreement. If any park land is used for a municipal site, it must be replaced. 312th Street Off Ramp – Schroder reported that the Public Works Transportation Plan includes a project to study the feasibility of a 312th Street off ramp connection to Interstate 5. The study, if funded, would look at the concerns being addressed by Mr. Kaplan. Schroder said the proposed widening of 312th Street would not require Skate Park to be moved or altered. Grosch Recognition – Chair Purdom and Schroder discussed recognition for Grosch and what would be appropriate. There is an ordinance that outlines the process to name a park. Reuter reported that in his review of the ordinance, when naming a park after an individual, the person must be deceased to be eligible. Schroder and Pfeiffer will work on appropriate recognition recommendations and report back to the commission. Tour of Parks – New commissioners are to work with Reuter on their schedules to permit a tour of the parks. Brighton Place-Land Donation – staff presented to the PRHSPS Council Committee a proposal to donate to the city 7.32 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hanson. The Hanson’s wish is to donate a portion of their 15-acre property for the purpose of park open space. The Hansons are interested in donating the property for two reasons: 1) provide a tax write-off and 2) would facilitate their plans to develop the remaining 8.16 acres in to a 22-26 cluster subdivision. They plan to gift the property to the city and would pay for the boundary line adjustment, pay the costs associated with deeding the property and costs to transfer the title. Schroder said much of the property is wetlands. Pfeiffer said he has walked the property and there is some of the acreage that would be suitable for a neighborhood park. Hellickson said he’d like to see the language of “open space” removed so it would open usage for a park. Zickler moved; Pfeiffer seconded the motion to accept the Hanson’s donation of 7.32 acres provided the property does not have any use restrictions or environmental findings that would prevent the property to be enjoyed as a public open space or park property. Motion passed unanimously. Presentation by George Pfeiffer – Pfeiffer presented Director Schroder with a check for $15,000.00 from the Federal Way Soccer Association for the Sacajawea lighting improvements. STAFF REPORTS Blueberry Farm – Reuter reported that the Blueberry Farm would continue to be treated as an “open space” type property with maintenance performed as needed. The commission discussed irrigation, volunteers, condition of plants, encroachment of blackberries, etc. The reduction in the level of maintenance performed on this site is a result of large budget cuts in the department in 1997. Impact Fees – With the departure of Jon Jainga, Parks Planning and Development Manager, this matter will be presented in November. IAC Grant – The grant proposal has been approved to receive funding. Staff received confirmation from the Federal Way Soccer Association that they will contribute $100,000.00 toward the matching funds required by the grant. Bid specifications and other associated documents are being prepared by staff to comply with the IAC requirements. Parks and Recreation Commission, September 5, 2002 Page 3 DOT Property Value – Staff was requested to obtain an estimated property value for the northeast section from the 21st Avenue Park and Ride property. For a variety of reasons, a determination was made by staff not to pursue this request. In discussing this issue, Zickler volunteered to acquire more information on this property from other resources. The Fred Meyer property will also be looked in to for a possible bike/skate park site. Steel Lake/Police Patrols – Increased patrols of Steel Lake Park began in early August and will continue through the remainder of the season. We have not received any more complaints regarding perceived safety issues in the park. King County Pool Analysis – A consultant team has been hired to perform a thorough analysis of the Kenneth Jones Memorial pool. This analysis will include mechanical, structural and operational components. A formal report will be given to the commission when the project has been completed. PRHSPS Council Committee meeting will be held September 9, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mt. Baker Conference Room with Vice Chair Zickler attending. NEW BUSINESS Chair Purdom announced the resignation of Lisa Welch from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Hellickson asked if signs would be posted along Steel Lake Park beach during the milfoil spraying. Reuter said that the City Public Works department had notified residents along the lake who would have spraying done around their property. Pfeiffer asked for an update on the Thompson property. Schroder reported that CDBG had recommended approval for the purchase and the grant is good for two years. Pfeiffer reported that the boards on the bridge of the BPA Trail by the Aquatic Center are very warped and need replaced. Schroder said she and Parks Maintenance Supervisor, Stan Osborn, discovered this need when out touring and Osborn will be scheduling repairs. Chair Purdom asked that thank you notes be mailed to Lisa Welch and Senator Tracey Eide. Hellickson asked how Steel Lake Park fared after the Family Fest weekend. Reuter said it went fairly well although the pony ride vendor needs to clean up his site oftener and at the end of the event. Both agreed that parking was much improved from last year. NEXT MEETING Budget Preparations Lakota lighting project Grosch recognition Parks Tour ADJOURNMENT Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.