Parks Comm MINS 12-04-2003CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, December 4, 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, B. Sanders, Parks Planning and Development Manager and Peg Wright, Parks Operations
Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Mayor Jeanne Burbidge and Council Member Linda Kochmar.
Bright moved; Dennis seconded motion to accept the November meeting minutes as written. Motion passed
unanimously.
No Public Forum.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Work Plan and Capital Improvement Plan – Schroder addressed these agenda items by creating a packet of
information with the history of projects on the Work Plan that were prepared for the 2003/2004 biennium budget.
Review of these projects, the proposed Community Center, the new City Hall and transfer of the West Hylebos State
Park to the City, will need to be completed for the 2005/2006 budget. The packet included maps of each Park
Planning Subarea (Areas A-K) and public facilities (parks and schools) within each subarea. Questions were asked
about mitigation fees and Schroder explained how those monies are collected and distributed as they pertain to parks
projects. Commissioners asked what grant opportunities were coming up for which we could submit an application.
The grant funds would be directed toward improving current park properties. Chair Purdom requested information
on current and proposed project budgets. He also asked for a update on recreation programs costs and revenue. This
information will be distributed at the January, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Olympic View Park Playground – Sanders reported on the community meeting held to gather input on the proposed
playground structure. The play structure is targeting pre-teen children aged 5-12 years old. Four playground
equipment companies were contacted and asked to provide a proposal based on a $50,000.00 budget. Sanders
explained each proposal and reviewed comments made by those attending. She then pointed out the particular
elements favored by the parents and children. She stated that swings were the most popular component requested
from each public meeting. Dennis recommended and moved: Bright seconded motion to accept the Play World
Systems Structure design and forward to the PRHSPS Council Committee for approval at the December 18, 2003
meeting. Motion included that a climbing wall be added to the structure if it can be obtained within the budget of
$50,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Armstrong/Thompson Property Schematic Plans – Sanders reported on the Thompson property public meeting and
the enthusiasm displayed by those in attendance. Significant input was provided regarding recommendations for the
park plan and play structure. In the schematic design for the play structure, a skateboard grind rail was incorporated
per request from the local youth. This item was discussed at length. The commission recommended that the grind
rail be located in a different area of the park or totally removed from the design. The opinion of the commission was
that the grind rail presented an issue of conflicting uses within the park. They voiced concern over interaction
between skateboarders and those using the play structure and walking trails. Commissioners asked if the last section
of the trail on the furthest south end of the park was needed. They feel that by eliminating this small section of trail,
it would save monies and could be spent better elsewhere. Sanders then discussed the Armstrong property per the
schematic design map. Foulkes asked if the design shown in the schematic drawings could be built within the
proposed project budget. A report on the budgets for these properties will be prepared and distributed to
commissioners at the January, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Parks and Recreation Commission, December 4, 2003 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS
Community Center – Schroder and Sanders reported that the geotech firm has completed the testing of the site and
most survey work is completed and under review. Drainage of the site is a point of concern with the consultants and
staff. The existing pattern of water flow on the site may require that the drainage system be constructed to work in
concert with the natural topography. A traffic study will be conducted to analyze the impact of this type of facility
on the surrounding street system. The architects are currently working on the design development phase of the
project.
BPA Trail Update – Reuter reported that the trail re-opened the Friday prior to Thanksgiving. Severe rain
conditions caused significant delay for the contractor. The asphalt trail has been adequately patched to allow use
through the winter. The entire length of BPA Trail Phase I will be overlayed in the Spring (April). Staff identified
some problems with the re-installation of the outfield fence on softball field #2. A meeting was held with the fencing
sub-contractor and these issues will be resolved. Commissioners asked about the condition of the wetland areas and
if they had been restored to the original condition. Reuter explained that the contract requires the contractor to
restore the entire area as per the original specifications. Plant material will be installed soon.
Dedication of Karl Grosch Soccer Field – Chair Purdom thanked staff and commissioners for their attendance and
work on the Karl Grosch soccer field dedication. Despite a cold, rainy day, the event was well attended. Reuter
added that Grosch and family were very pleased with the ceremony and the attention given to this event..
NEW BUSINESS
The January meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was moved from the Thursday, January 1st, to the
following Thursday, January 8, 2004, per Chair Purdom’s suggestion. The commission agreed upon this change for
the meeting date in January.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA
Action Items: Work Plan
Armstrong/Thompson Property
Staff Reports
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Next Meeting is January 8, 2004