Parks Comm MINS 06-05-2003CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, June 5, 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, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Joe Henry, Debra McCormick and George Pfeiffer.
Excused: Ade Bright and Bill Foulkes, Vice Chair. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks
Operations Superintendent and Peg Wright, Administrative Assistant. Guest: Craig Feldman, Aquatics
Coordinator.
Pfeiffer moved: Dodge seconded motion to approve the May meeting minutes as written. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Gaosheng Vue – Ms. Vue would like to expand the family business of selling fresh produce and flowers in Federal
Way, similar to a farmers market. She wanted to present a proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a
temporary structure to sell at the Historical Cabins Park. In addition to the produce and flowers, they have a corn
roaster that is run by a generator and propane that has been approved by the Health Department and they would like
to sell the roasted corn. They would need approximately a 40’x 40’ area and proposed operating hours of 9:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m., three to four days a week. She would like to set the stand up as soon as possible because some flowers
are already being sold at other locations and the early vegetables will soon be ready for harvesting. Discussion
amongst staff and commissioners followed during “New Business”.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Kenneth Jones Pool Staff Introductions – Schroder introduced Craig Feldman, Aquatics Coordinator for the Kenneth
Jones Pool. The official transfer of the pool from King County is Monday, June 23, 2003 with the Grand Re-
Opening scheduled on Wednesday, June 25, 2003. Feldman discussed staff that has been hired to date, ADA
improvements plus electrical and visual additions.
Bicycle Park Facility – Reuter contacted two vendors, TrueRide Corporation and NW Playground (sells Huna
components), concerning components in the conceptual planning of a bicycle park. The vendors wanted more
information on the elements, size, proposed timeline for purchase, etc. before committing their time and expense to
set up a demonstration. Reuter said that just the basic design elements would run between $15,000-$20,000. This
item is listed in the 6 year CIP as a 2004 project but no funding source or construction site has been identified.
Schroder suggested commissioners visit the Tukwila bicycle park to see the Huna component design.
Commissioners discussed holding an open house and will address this issue again at the September meeting.
Decatur Lighting/Cost Estimates - Reuter distributed a folder from Musco Lighting on the Decatur High School
football and soccer field lighting project. It detailed the preliminary specifications, computer models, equipment
drawings, warranty, etc. Reuter estimated that the cost would run approximately $16,000-$17,000 per pole using
Sacajawea as an example costing $15,000 per pole. Reuter also discussed a partnership with Rod Leland of the
Federal Way School District and has had interest shown by the Federal Way Soccer Association in partnering on
this project. There are concerns with the amount of usage, based on the current pattern that is available to city
programs. Would the cost to the city be worth the amount of use that would be gained? Further discussion will
follow on this issue before any commitment is solidified.
July Meeting – The regular monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is cancelled for July. The
meeting schedule will resume on Thursday, August 7, 2003 at 6:00 p.m.
Revised Work Plan – The original work plan with two minor changes was submitted and approved by the PRHSPS
Council Committee. The revised work plan document is attached to the memorandum in the June Parks and
Recreation Commission packet showing the two changes. The first change was in the wording only to Item 10,
Playground and the second involved item 11, Downtown Park. With staff workload, the Downtown Park item was
moved to the fourth quarter from the third.
Capital Improvement Projects/Playgrounds – Through the monthly playground inspection, both Olympic View and
Dash Point Highlands play structures were found not to meet safety criteria. Schroder recommended using funds
from the Capital Improvement fund to bring these play structures up to standard. There is $50,000 in the fund at this
time. Pfeiffer moved: Dennis seconded motion to use funds for the emergency safety needs on the Olympic View
play structure. Motion passed unanimously.
Community Garden – Reuter distributed a memorandum following up on the request for a Community Garden
proposed at the Blueberry Farm on 356th Street. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to recommend to council
committee that no further action be taken regarding this program. Reasons cited were the close proximity to
Hylebos Creek (sensitive area), lack of restroom facilities, uneven terrain for “Senior” users, a fence would need to
be built to discourage vandalism and theft, the homeless population in the area, not on the approved 2003 Work Plan
and no funding available. Safety issues were of concern for the “Senior” users also. Reuter will submit to the
Council Committee, a memorandum stating the commission’s recommendation that no further action be taken.
STAFF REPORTS
Community Center Advisory Committee Report – Schroder and Chair Purdom said there have been several
meetings held since the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in May on the Community Center. During
one public meeting, attendees were asked to list priority features wanted in the new Community Center. A fitness
area was not in any of the final designs from the meeting but of the online survey of 300 participants, most wanted
the fitness area. Schroder said the information received from residents has been most educational and helpful in the
design process. The next Open House will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the King
County Regional Library on First Avenue.
Celebration Park/Vandalism – Schroder said because of past and ongoing vandalism on soccer fields 5 & 6, a
cement “sitting wall” will be installed to block the berm where vehicles access the fields. The wall will cost
between $12,000-$14,000 and the time frame for installation is after the 4th of July/Red, White and Blues Festival.
Sacajawea Track/Federal Way School – Reuter and Rod Leland discussed the Sacajawea track and the school
district is not interested in a partnership.
Thompson Property Meeting – Chair Purdom reported on the May 27, 2003 meeting at the King County Regional
Library on the Thompson property. A second meeting will be scheduled to include neighborhood children to give
input on playground components for the park. The real interest seemed to be in a basketball court for the older
youth in the neighborhood.
Steel Lake Soccer Field Project Update – Commissioners asked the status of the Grosch soccer field project. Reuter
reported that B. Sanders would have it out to bid in June after finalizing the specifications. He said that the work
could commence in late July or early August.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mt. Baker
Conference Room with Chair Purdom attending.
NEW BUSINESS
Produce/Vegetable Stand – There was discussion on this issue by commissioners and staff. All felt it would be nice
to have a stand in the city but the Hylebos property was not the appropriate site. Schroder said there are parking
concerns because it is a state park and there are parking fees. Commissioners discussed the traffic pattern and the
speed limit being too fast to make a turn. Schroder also said that for such a venture, a RFP (“Request for Proposal”)
would need to be prepared and all vendors of produce/fruit stand businesses would get an opportunity to submit a
proposal. With the concerns discussed, it was decided that a fruit/vegetable stand at this location is not feasible.
Reuter will respond by letter to the proposal submitted by Gaosheng C. Vue.
NEXT MEETING
Steel Lake Soccer Field Update Community Center Advisory Report
Red, White and Blues Festival Report Celebration Park Field Update
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.