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Parks Comm MINS 01-09-2003CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, January 9, 2003 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, George Pfeiffer, Jess Birtcher, Ade Bright, Bill Foulkes and Debra McCormick. Excused – Neil Hellickson. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Sandra Jurich, interim Administrative Assistant. Guest: Council Member Linda Kochmar and Deputy Mayor Dean McColgan. PUBLIC FORUM H. David Kaplan – Mr. Kaplan is concerned about a trail along the Hylebos creek corridor. He feels this is an environmentally sensitive area and should be restored to its natural state. Building a trail through this area disturbs the land and the salmon habitat that we are trying to preserve. He pointed out that the PRCS department does have the potential to connect the Panther Lake trail system with the West Campus trail. PRCS staff should pursue opportunities that would not produce any negative impact on the affected area. Mr. Kaplan stated the city should develop trails throughout the City in less populated areas. Marta Justus Foldi – The proposed Hylebos trail encourages unwanted pedestrian access to an area heavily used by school children. She feels it is the responsibility of the city to protect these children by taking precautions to avoid potentially harmful situations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Zickler moved; Dennis seconded the motion to approve December meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. COMMISSION Chair Purdom conveyed his appreciation for the presentation Shelley Lebel made to the Lions’ Club. The topic of the presentation was how to create and manage Fund Raising and Special Events. He asked that Ms. Lebel’s supervisor be notified of the excellent job Shelley did representing the city. Her presentation was very well received. Status of the Washington DOT Property – Schroder noted that B. Sanders has provided a map of all city properties to the Washington Department of Transportation. WSDOT wants to get someone from their Real Estate Division involved. Metro Planner Doug Johnson is also looking at the route changes, since Doug will be involved in the 23rd Street Park & Ride expansion. WSDOT will coordinate the next meeting and will include representation from their Real Estate Division. Tourism Enhancement Grant Committee – Schroder referenced the Lodging Tax Advisory request that someone from the Parks and Recreation Commission serve on a tourism sub-committee. Pfeiffer indicated an interest to serve on the sub-committee. Dennis moved, Foulkes seconded a motion that Pfeiffer serve on the sub-committee. Motion carried unanimously. Parks and Recreation Commission, January 9, 2003 Page 2 STAFF REPORTS Kenneth Jones Pool Update - Schroder stated that the Assistant City Manager, the Law Department and the Finance Department staff have negotiated a final agreement with King County for the transfer of the pool. The city has also negotiated a lease agreement with the Federal Way School District because the pool is located on district property. There also exists, a use permit between the School District and King County. The City of Federal Way assumed ownership of the pool on January 1, 2003. We are contracting with King County to manage the day-to-day operation of the facility for six months. David Hershey is the interim manager of the pool until the city begins management of the facility on July 1, 2003. The pool operational budget includes three full time positions. John Hutton, Recreation Supervisor, will be responsible for the overall management of the pool and staff. Trail Survey Update – Schroder reported on trail survey statistics. After considerable discussion, Zickler suggested that the commission approach this issue in a broader context that includes examination of all trails in the city, not just the Hylebos corridor. We need to look at the overall trail needs in our community. The Commission should discuss the overall community trail plan and how that relates to the funding available. Schroder stated that the purpose of the survey was to look at the entire issue of trails in Federal Way and what residents’ opinions are about this issue. Schroder then updated the commission on the Friends of the Hylebos focus to acquire additional property and whether or not there will be a trail placed along the creek. They support having a trail through a portion of the corridor because part of their mission is to educate as well as protect the habitat. At this point, the Commission can take the public information we have obtained to date and 1) make a recommendation to end the consideration of a trail through the Hylebos or 2) schedule another public meeting to gather additional information. There is no funding for this project at this time. This project would have to be considered in the context of our 6-year CIP. Pfeiffer moved that we take no immediate action and that the West Hylebos trail be put on hold pending additional information. Foulkes seconded, motion carried. It was requested that staff put together more trail related information. This would include the current inventory of trails that exist in the city and knowledge of the trail section of our comprehensive plan. A complete trail system map was requested. Zickler asked that the map also show trail segments that have been built, what opportunity exists for links, and what are our priorities for the trail system. He said there is value in having trails in a natural open space area and acquisition of urban open space should be a high priority. Schroder stated that staff would provide a map that shows existing trails, what type they are, who owns them, whether they are within the city limits, and show references to other potential linkages. Staff will also quantify the goals for total trails and how this relates to the standards in the PRCS Comprehensive Plan. Staff will also contact the Dash Point State Park to discuss their parking fee and how that applies to the State Park and the West Hylebos Park. Staff will compile digital photos of various trails in the community. The requested trail information will be provided for the February meeting. Thompson Property Update – Schroder reported that the 2003 budget has $50,000 for planning and the 2004 budget has $300,000 for development. PRCS also received $75,000 in CDBG funds that are accessible this year. Schroder stated a consultant would be hired to develop a plan for this park. Parks and Recreation Commission, January 9, 2003 Page 3 Steel Lake Field Renovation – Schroder stated that she and B. Sanders attended the IAC Workshop for those cities that were awarded grants through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Our required information has been forwarded from IAC to the Federal Agency that oversees this program. Once approved and a final agreement signed, we can move forward with getting approval of our bid document. Our hope is to be out to bid no later than March. Grosch Recognition Update – Chair Purdom stated that the commission is recommending to council that the field be named in honor of Karl Grosch. Karl’s service to the City and the Washington State Youth Soccer Association, are the primary reasons for this recommendation. Reuter then reviewed the memorandum he prepared on this subject. It referenced the resolution that pertains to naming park facilities. Upon review, the commission felt that their request fell within the guidelines of the resolution. It will be forwarded on to council committee for approval. Pfeiffer moved that the Parks Commission forward this request to name the new soccer field at Steel Lake Park after Karl Grosch. Dennis seconded and the motion carried. PRHSPS Council Committee Meeting – the Monday, January 13, 2003 meeting has been cancelled and not rescheduled at this time. NEW BUSINESS Schroder received notice from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Association that on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, there will be a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition lobby day in Olympia. Doug Levy, the City lobbyist will participate in this activity. If there is an interest on the part of any commissioners to participate, please let Schroder know. The schedule for this event consists of a legislative update and training from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then from 11:30 to 5:00 p.m. attendees can meet with their respective legislators. We will receive more information from our City lobbyist. The main purpose of this session is to voice strong support for maintaining the current level of funding for these valuable programs. Birtcher provided an update on the Adopt-A-Family/Adopt-A-Senior program. The family was very appreciative and presented Birtcher with gifts for the Commission members. The gifts were hand made in the Ukraine. NEXT MEETING Staff Reports: Signage at Sacajawea Trail System Dash Point Parking Capital Plan Community Center Project Update Lakota Master Plan/Public Works Improvements ADJOURNMENT Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.