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Parks Comm MINS 03-06-2003 CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, March 6, 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; Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Bill Foulkes, Neil Hellickson, Debra McCormick and George Pfeiffer. Excused: Jess Birtcher. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Marj Currie-Hicks, Interim Administrative Assistant. Guests: Linda Kochmar, Councilmember No Public Forum. Dennis moved: McCormick seconded the motion to approve February minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. COMMISSION BUSINESS Chair Purdom requested and Commission concurred to insertion of agenda item, “Installation of Artwork at Skate Park,” ahead of other agenda items. Skate Park Artwork - Reuter reported the new Skate Park artwork was vandalized two days after installation. Some small pieces of red glass were broken off the art piece. Hellickson requested that visibility of the artwork from 28th Avenue South be improved. Reuter responded that the treescape will be looked at for improvement of visibility. Staff will also convey to the Commission the date of the Skate Park Artwork dedication when set. Draft of the Work Plan – Schroder distributed Draft Work Plan for discussion. 1. Armstrong Property: City of Federal Way has an ordinance for naming of parks, which includes public process for naming of a park 2. Thompson Property: same as above. 3. Community Center: An Advisory Group will be formed to assist with the design process for the Center. The Commission Chair will participate in this advisory group and make reports back to the Commission. There will be a web site set up to post comments and review project progress. 4. Lakota Park: The Commission will facilitate updating the Master Plan. This will involve conducting public meetings and making recommendations to the Council Committee. 5. Steel Lake Soccer Field Renovation: Awaiting notification from State on grant. Plans are to go out to bid in late April 2003 or May. 6. Sacajawea Park: Public meetings will be conducted to discuss alternatives and improvements to the Site Improvement Plan. Park Impact Fee: Review and compare city’s code for fee-in-lieu and open space to a park impact fee policy. Hellickson asked if BMX Park would be included in plan? Planning can be started even though funding is not yet available. Schroder replied this would be something to consider. Purdom said with the papers now signed on the Kenneth Jones pool, the Kenwood Pit project can proceed with input from public and renaming of the parcel. Foulkes requested these items be prioritized and placed in a 12-month schedule. Community Center Timelines: Schroder stated 15 proposals have been received by today’s close date. Interviews will be held the last week of March and negotiations begin in April. Staff will work with GIS so public can see how process is proceeding. Staff will also develop a presentation that will be given to various groups throughout the community. Council has been presented with names of advisory group. The Parks and Recreation Commission Chair will serve on the Advisory Committee. The Committee comprises 21 members with representation from all the commissions and various groups throughout the community that have a vested interest in the design of the center. The Committee meets the last Wednesday of each month from March through June September and October. Each meeting will be about an hour and a half. Scope of work will include site selection. First meeting is Wednesday, March 26, 2003. Final recommendations will be made in September or October 2003. Parks and Recreation Commission, March 6, 2003 Page 2 Sacajawea Synthetic Turf Signage: Commission and staff discussed wording of signage. It was agreed wording should include: NOTICE In order to increase the safety and preserve the lifespan of the artificial turf field, the following substances are not permitted within 30 feet of the playing surface: − Tobacco Products − Chewing Gum − Seeds or Nuts − No beverages, except for water. Thank you for your cooperation. Reuter will contact the turf company about warranty limitations and check with manufacturer for list of things to avoid and incorporate those items into the signage. The letter notifying user groups of these changes in policy was reviewed. Some revisions were made. This letter will now be sent to all organizations using this field. Water will be the only beverage permitted. Separate signage for scheduling field use will be installed. Lakota Park Master Plan – The original Master Plan was done in 1996 and consisted of four different concept plans. Two of these would be based on improving the existing design and the other two would involve a totally new design. Schroder said Alternative Site Plan C was selected at that time. This plan was one of the two that would totally redesign the park to make maximum use of site. SWM staff has begun work on one of their CIP projects that involves the wetland adjacent to Lakota Park. The project involves improvements to the site to increase the storage capacity of the facility. This will have an impact on a new park master plan. Conservation Futures funding is one source that is being pursued to help offset costs of the planning. Purdom asked if there have been any significant changes to the site since 1996. Commissioners made several comments regarding things to be considered when reviewing this project. They are: 1. Construct with artificial turf so that fields can be utilized year-round. 2. A Community park should include more than just athletic facilities. It should also contain of open space/passive use areas. 3. Encourage area residents to give their input on how they would like this space used. 4. The Streetscape along 21st Avenue SW should be improved to enhance the “curb appeal” of the park. Transit Center Plans – carried over to April 3 Commission meeting. Lakehaven Utility District Easement – Reuter distributed a map showing the property under discussion. The Whispering Hills Association has constructed a children’s play structure on the site. Lakehaven Utility District is requesting an easement to connect a sewer line to better serve the residents in that area. Lakehaven will be required to restore the play structure and the surrounding area to its original condition after work is complete. It was moved and seconded to forward the motion to PRHSPS Council Committee with a “do pass” recommendation to grant Lakehaven Utility District the easement. Motion passed unanimously. Pfeiffer asked if the Whispering Hills Association has been contacted? Reuter will find out who their contact is, determine history of this property, and any other pertinent information. This information will be presented to the commission at the April meeting. Hellickson asked about the construction timeline and if an alternative play area has been thought about for children if construction takes place during the summer months. Council Member Kochmar said that a “Hold Harmless” clause should be included in any document that the City signs with Whispering Hills regarding the play structure. Parks and Recreation Commission, March 6, 2003 Page 3 STAFF REPORTS Commission Appointment - Chair Purdom stated three Commissioner’s terms expire April 30, 2003. He encouraged those interested to make application for Commission appointment by April 18, 2003. Interviews take place May 6, 2003. Draft Letter to Hylebos Trail Residents: - Schroder stated at the Parks and Recreation Commission’s February 6 meeting, the Commission decided not to pursue the Hylebos Trail project. Schroder distributed for discussion, a letter drafted in response to the public meetings held on the West Hylebos Creek Trail Feasibility Project. Survey results will be attached to the letter with final summary from Bruce Dees. Grant Possibilities – The IAC deadline passed and staff submitted the Armstrong project for grant funding. The project is identified as “ BPA Phase IV and Community Park Project”. The next deadline for State Grants is coming up soon. PRCS may be able to partner with Public Works for a grant for the Lakota project. Other possible grants are available through Starbucks (Advanced Leadership) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for community center. Lakehaven Utility District Well Proposal at Lakota Park: - Schroder distributed map showing well site located north of SW 316th Street adjacent to wetland buffer. Contact person at Lakehaven is Brian Asbury. Batting Cage Update - Reuter sent a letter to Justin Mentink asking for a final answer on the project by February 28, 2003. The Mentinks have reviewed cost estimates and have decided not to pursue this project. City Manager has requested staff to prepare a second Request for Proposals to be advertised to see if any other vendor may be interested in this opportunity. Armstrong/Thompson Design/Public Meeting Schedule - Schroder will arrange two public meetings that include Design Consultants to discuss planning and design of each park. Proposed meeting dates for Armstrong parcel (Tuesday March 25 or April 8) and Thompson parcel (Tuesday April 29). Possible meeting venues are local elementary schools, King County Regional Library or City Hall. PRHSPS Council Committee Meeting will be held Monday, March 10, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in Mt. Baker Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Purdom will attend and extended an invitation to all commissioners to attend for informational purposes. NEW BUSINESS Schroder will direct to staff prepare a letter for the Mayor’s signature notifying Karl Grosch, former Parks and Recreation Commissioner, that the Federal Way City Council has endorsed naming the renovated Steel Lake Park soccer field in his honor. This is to recognize his outstanding public service to the City of Federal Way and the Washington State Youth Soccer Association. NEXT MEETING Agenda items for the April meeting are as follows: Draft Work Plan Commission Elections (Chair/Vice Chair) Lakota Park Master Plan (BMX/Templates) Transit Center Plans Lakehaven Utility District Easement Summer Programs Presentation (Mary Faber) Sacajawea Track Asphalt Armstrong/Thompson Public Meeting Schedules ADJOURNMENT Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.