Parks Comm MINS 11-06-2003CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSON
Thursday, November 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, Bill Foulkes, Vice Chair, Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Cindy Dodge, Joe Henry and
George Pfeiffer. Staff: Jennifer Schroder, PRCS Director, Kurt Reuter, Parks Operations Superintendent and Peg
Wright, Administrative Assistant.
Guest: Linda Kochmar, Council Member.
Dodge moved; Pfeiffer seconded motion to accept October meeting minutes as written. Motion passed
unanimously.
No public forum.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Review Current Work Plan – The 2003 Work Plan was reviewed thoroughly staff and commissioners to check the
progress of each item. Items one and two, the Armstrong and Thompson Properties respectively, had funding for
planning purposes only. This has been accomplished by hiring a consultant ( Worthy and Associates) to conduct
public meetings and prepare preliminary plans for each location. Item three, the Community/Senior Center and pool
is currently in the final stages of the public review process and development of conceptual drawings. Items four and
six, Lakota Park and Sacajawea Park. Staff is in the process of negotiating Architectural and Engineering services.
Item five, the Steel Lake soccer field renovation is almost complete with the dedication scheduled for Sunday,
November 16, 2003. Item seven, Park Impact fees, were discussed with a consultant last month by Director
Schroder and Parks Planner B. Sanders. Item eight, the Kenwood Pit property has been transferred to city
ownership. Item nine, the Bike facility was discussed and a future meeting was to be set by the Washington State
Department of Transportation to discuss land usage. To date, we have not been contacted by the WSDOT. Item ten,
Playground improvements, involves the replacement of an old structure at Olympic View Park. A public meeting
has been held and city staff is currently reviewing final proposals for the purchase of a new structure. Item eleven,
the Downtown Park, was put on hold.
French Lake Park/Work Plan 2004 – Resident Barbara Reid had asked the commission last month to look at
enhancing French Lake Park so more people would use it recreationally. Currently, they said there is very little
“people” traffic in the park. The site is not readily accessible by the surrounding neighborhoods. The site is only
accessible from 1st Avenue, which is a major arterial. This poses a safety risk for children trying to get to the park
from the east side of 1st Avenue. The primary use for the park at this time is by dog owners who use the facility as
an off leash area. This presents pet waste issues. The site also has poor visibility from adjacent streets, no play
equipment, and no restrooms.
Karl Grosch Soccer Field Dedication – The dedication of the new soccer field at Steel Lake Park will be held
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. Press releases went to the papers on November 6th. Chair Purdom will be
speaking and asked if any commissioners would like specific information included in his presentation. Some
comments stated Karl was an early supporter of developing soccer fields in Federal Way. They also noted his
dedication and years of service on the many commissions and that he is the only Washingtonian in the United States
Youth Soccer Association Region IV Hall of Fame. Reuter will check with local newspapers to assure coverage of
the dedication ceremony. Pfeiffer suggested having Parks staff paint “Karl Grosch Field” on the field for the
dedication.
Parks and Recreation Commission, November 6, 2003 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS
Community Center Update – Schroder distributed a document to commissioners on the building design and shared
comments from the City Council on their review. Schroder reported that the corner stakes for the facility have been
placed in the field.
BPA Pipeline Update – Severe rain during the scheduled work on the BPA Trail put contractors back a couple of
weeks. The equipment was sinking in the mud making it impossible to work at the site. The outfield fencing on
softball field #2 will be re-installed in approximately one to two weeks.
Thompson Property Public Meeting – Schroder said sixteen people attended the meeting, eleven of which were
children. The children were asked for their input on a playground structure for the Thompson property. Each child
was given components and asked to structure a playground by prioritizing their needs.
Economic Development Meeting Report – Pfeiffer distributed information and reported on the Lodging Tax
Advisory Committee meeting for the Tourism Enhancement Grants. Seven applications were submitted. They
included: Federal Way Chamber of Commerce (2), Federal Way Farmer’s Market, Federal Way Symphony,
Weyerhaueser Rhododendron Species Concerts, University of Puget Sound Championship Swim Meet at the
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, and Federal Way Community Council for Festival Days.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting will be held Monday, November 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mt. Baker Conference
Room. Vice Chair Foulkes will attend in Chair Purdom’s absence.
NEW BUSINESS
Bright inquired if Mark Freitas had applied for use of the soccer fields per the discussion at the October meeting.
Reuter and Schroder both stated that Freitas had not submitted a “Field Use Request” form to date.
Schroder announced that the Federal Way Soccer Association had been presented with an award plaque at the
November 4, 2003 City Council meeting by Mayor Burbidge. The award was given by the International Northwest
Park and Recreation Association and was for the 2003 Citizen Group of the Year. The International Northwest
Parks and Recreation Association is an organization for parks maintenance professionals. Members are from
Washington, Oregon, and the three western Canadian provinces. The Federal Way Soccer Association was
presented with the award for their twelve years of support and work with the City of Federal Way Parks and
Recreation Department and Federal Way School District in developing soccer facilities in our community.
Pfeiffer met with three individuals at Thomas Jefferson High School who are interested in possibly building a large
sports complex at that location. He discussed components of the proposed center with staff and commissioners.
NEXT MEETING
Agenda Items for December meeting: Staff Reports:
Work Plan Community Center
CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) BPA Trail Update
Playground @ Olympic View Park/Action
Schematic Plan for Armstrong & Thompson Properties/Action
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.