Parks Comm MINS 10-02-2003CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, October 2, 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, Bill Foulkes, Vice Chair, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Joe Henry and George Pfeiffer.
Excused: Ade Bright. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent, B.
Sanders, Parks Planning & Development Manager, John Hutton, Recreation Supervisor and Peg Wright,
Administrative Assistant.
Guest: Linda Kochmar, Council Member.
Dennis moved: Henry seconded motion to approve the September meeting minutes as written. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Mark Freitas presented Chair Purdom with a letter and documents concerning field-scheduling procedures and asked
that they be distributed to commissioners for discussion. He was unable to stay for the commission meeting due to a
prior commitment.
Barbara Reid – Reid congratulated Director Schroder on the Grandview Off Leash Dog Park scheduled to open on
October 4, 2003 and the City’s involvement to make it possible. She has a concern on the use of French Lake Park
by dog owners as an off leash dog park. She stated that if there were amenities such as a play area, half basketball
court, etc., that other residents would utilize the park oftener. She requested the Parks and Recreation Commission
to put French Lake Park on their Work Plan for 2004.
Bob Kellogg – Kellogg supported Reid’s statements on the importance of adding amenities to French Lake Park. He
feels that French Lake Park can better serve the residents of Federal Way with additional amenities rather than using
it as an off leash dog park. Kellogg and Reid would like to see better enforcement by King County Animal Control
with dog owners abusing the park laws.
Perry Woodford – Woodford, President of the Federal Way Soccer League, presented a letter to Director Schroder
for commissioners, staff and City Council concerning the field schedule policies. He is supportive of the policies as
they are now and has been for past the twelve years.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Field Policies – Chair Purdom read the letter from Mark Freitas on his concerns on field use in Federal Way,
specifically “premier” teams. Schroder reviewed documents from an information packet compiled by staff and a
committee consisting of commissioners Cindy Dodge, Ade Bright and Don Dennis, on current field use policies.
Henry asked how many teams listed in the packet were considered “premier” teams with Woodruff replying
approximately twenty percent (20%). Hutton explained how the process begins with each team completing and
submitting field use requests. He discussed the light schedules and field availability by sport and how he schedules
the teams per their requests. The waiver system requirements for teams wanting to use fields outside of their
jurisdiction was discussed at length in light of the Freitas letter. Council member Kochmar said she has received
hundreds of calls from coaches/teams wanting to use Celebration Park. Hutton and Pfeiffer stressed that Celebration
Park is for tournament play not daily practices and all teams must follow the procedures of applying for field use
requests to be considered for scheduling. Staff and commissioners feel that the current scheduling system is
working and has worked well for the past 12 years considering the shortage of fields. Schroder summarized the
discussion by reiterating the scheduling process and the importance of following this process to serve as many team
requests as possible. Henry moved: Dennis seconded the motion to reaffirm the current field scheduling policies.
Motion passed unanimously with Pfeiffer abstaining from the vote.
Parks and Recreation Commission, October 2, 2003 Page 2
Thompson Property Public Meeting – B. Sanders is working with a resident to schedule a neighborhood children’s
meeting for input on the proposed play structure. The Kings Court apartment complex has a meeting room that
would accommodate the public meeting and is available. A meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, October
27, 2003 at 4 p.m. with an alternate date of Tuesday, October 28, 2003.
Steel Lake Soccer Field Update – B. Sanders reported that a lot of rock has been laid on the soccer field for the base.
Because of the debris excavation and rock then being hauled in to the site, traffic has been slow around the Skate
Park. The contractor’s process has been to lay large rock as the base with grading for 1-2 days then a smaller rock
laid and graded prior to the turf and final layer. Chair Purdom asked if a date for the dedication has been set yet.
Reuter replied that the dedication would be Saturday, November 8, 2003 in the early afternoon. Speakers will
include Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, Chair C. T. Purdom of the Parks and Recreation Commission and a speaker from
the Washington State Youth Soccer Association in addition to a exhibition game. Other speakers and activities are
planned but were not finalized to report at this time. The Washington State Youth Soccer Association is doing the
press releases and event promotions with Reuter’s assistance.
STAFF REPORTS
Armstrong/Thompson Park Property Design – Draft designs of both proposed parks were reviewed and discussed by
commissioners and staff. B. Sanders reported that the Armstrong property is mainly wetlands and when including
the required 200’ buffer, there is just enough room to run a trail the full property length north and south. B. walked
the property with the neighbors and they found the buffer between the proposed park and their properties to be wider
than they originally thought. She reported that there were a lot of teenagers in the Thompson park area and a half-
court basketball pad was requested and shown in the proposal. A short trail of approximately a quarter mile was
incorporated as well as a play area with a sculpted mound area nearby. Comments from staff and commissioners
were positive to the draft designs of both parks.
BPA Trail Pipeline Project – Reuter reported on the BPA Trail pipeline project that is going through Celebration
Park next week. The City is following the specification requirements closely with the contractor. The road through
Celebration Park will be closed on October 8, 2003 for the road-cutting phase of placing the pipe.
Community Center Update – Schroder reported that the budget has been set by City Council for the Community
Center. B. Sanders added that the consultant/design firm is currently refining the design.
Chair Purdom said he would be attending the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on Monday, October 12, 2003
and encouraged other commissioners to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business at this time.
NEXT MEETING
Review Current Work Plan French Lake Park Use/Work Plan 2004
Community Center Update Karl Grosch Soccer Field Dedication
BPA Pipeline Update Report on Thompson Property Public Mtg
Economic Development Meeting Report (Pfeiffer)
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS NOVEMBER 6, 2003