Parks Comm MINS 01-08-2004CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, January 8, 2004 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, Mary
Faber, Recreation and Cultural Services Superintendent, Betty Sanders, Parks Planning and Development Manager,
Craig Feldman, Recreation Coordinator/Aquatics and Peg Wright, Parks Operations Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Mayor Dean McColgan, Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar.
Pfeiffer moved: Dennis seconded a motion to approve the December meeting minutes as written. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
Lynda Jenkins – Ms Jenkins is a representative of the Historical Society of Federal Way and presented articles to the
commission on the history of the airport that used to occupy the area on which Celebration Park is located. She
requested staff laminate and post the articles in the kiosk at Celebration Park for those interested in the history of the
property.
Deputy Mayor Kochmar stated she would like to see a bulletin board type display dedicated to the Historical Society
of Federal Way located at the new Community Center.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
DeVry University Student Presentation – DeVry students were unable to attend the meeting. Their presentation
will be added to the February meeting agenda.
Work Plan – While discussing and finalizing the work plan, Schroder asked commissioners to take in to
consideration that we have only one Park Planner on staff and that there already eleven (11) items listed on the draft
Work Plan document. Discussion followed on specific projects listed on the Work Plan. These were compared to
last year’s work plan. Schroder clarified the differences between the two lists. Items 1 & 2, Armstrong and
Thompson properties. Pfeiffer suggested that the commission begin the process to name the Armstrong and
Thompson properties rather than continuing to refer to them by the name of the previous owner. Activity 3, Park
Impact Fee. A suggestion was made that a consultant be hired to work on this project and report periodically to the
commission on the findings. Schroder said a consultant is available to work on the impact fee project per her inquiry
and there are monies budgeted to cover expenses. Activity 4 & 5, Lakota/Sacajawea Parks. Schroder reported that
she is waiting for the services proposals and once received, she will report the information to the commission.
Activity 6, Community Center. This activity will be ongoing until the completion and opening of the new facility.
Staff will continue to provide periodic updates to the commission. Activity 7, Playground at Olympic View. B.
Sanders reported that the playground components have been ordered and shared the design drawings. Activity 8,
Kenwood Pit Property. The City is now the owner of this property and although there are no budgeted funds, public
meetings could be held to acquire information regarding development of this site. Activity 9, Recreation Programs.
The commission would like to become more interactive in the recreation side of the department. Activity 10 & 11,
Bike Facility and Downtown Park. Due to the number of other major projects in the works, these two items are low
priority.
The need for amenities in French Lake Park was once again discussed with Henry stating he had walked the park
with two concerned citizens. He said it is a nice parcel of property and has potential for better use than an unofficial
dog park. Henry suggested a possible skate or bike park, and a perimeter trail be considered. He also suggested
public meetings be held to gather information from the residents in that area. Schroder responded that it is co-
owned by Lakehaven Utility District and that their input would be needed prior to any action regarding the property.
Parks and Recreation Commission, January 8, 2004 Page 2
(Work Plan, continued)
Henry moved: Dennis seconded a motion to include French Lake in the 2004 Work Plan. Motion passed
unanimously.
Pfeiffer requested that park property acquisitions be added to the Work Plan also. Schroder shared with the
commisson that she had been in receipt of a letter from a city resident on availability of property for a possible
acquisition. Pfeiffer moved: Foulkes seconded motion to continue with park acquisitions on the 2004 Work Plan.
Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Purdom moved: Foulkes seconded motion to approve the amended 2004 Work Plan for the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
Armstrong/Thompson Properties – Armstrong Property: Sanders reported that there is $35,000 in savings by
shortening the trail from the original design. The irrigation costs quoted in the planning estimate would be for an
irrigation system around the play area. The highest cost affiliated with the irrigation system is for the water meter.
Thompson Property: Discussion centered around the play area design. Dennis moved: Foulkes seconded a 3-part
motion: (1) to recommend the Master Plan designs to Council Committee, (2) design the complete, optimum site
development at this time and (3) construct Armstrong in two phases and Thompson in one phase. Dodge amended
the motion: Foulkes seconded, to move the grinding rail away from the play structure for safety concerns. The
original and amended motions were passed unanimously.
Grant Information – Schroder reported on the different types of grants available to the city. There are two main
sources that have been previously applied for: State Grants (Aquatic Lands Enhancement Grant, Land and Water
Conservation Fund and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program) and King County Grants (Youth Athletic
Field and Conservation Futures Funding). The State grants are administered through the Interagency Committee for
Outdoor Recreation (IAC). King County Department of Natural Resources administers the YAF and CFF grant
processes. These programs are primarily match projects on the parks capital program list and are open to
government entities. Schroder stated that she and Sanders would be attending the funding meetings and then update
the commission.
Kenneth Jones Pool Fee Schedule – Faber introduced Craig Feldman, Recreation Coordinator/Aquatics, to the
Parks and Recreation Commission. She then presented data on the current aquatics programs, year to date
financials, lesson attendance and fee comparisons on the Kenneth Jones Pool. The pool fees were adopted from the
King County fee schedule. A page on the city website is being developed for the pool to advertise fees and classes.
Bright moved: Dennis seconded the motion to carry forward the fee schedule to PRHSPS Council Committee.
Motion carried with six votes in favor and one opposed. Chair Purdom asked for information at the February
meeting on recreation classes, percentage of classes filled/partial/cancelled, etc.
STAFF REPORTS
Community Center Update – Schroder and Sanders are reviewing contract designs. Sanders reported that the
findings on the property were good from the Geotech firm.
Recreation Program Update – Information on the Kenneth Jones Pool was reported and is listed above.
Recreation class programming information will be presented at the February Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting.
PRHSPS Council Committee meeting is on Monday, January 12, 2004 and will be attended by Vice Chair Foulkes
in Chair Purdom’s absence.
NEW BUSINESS
After further discussion, commissioners asked that the Hylebos Boardwalk and Hylebos Cabin Park be added to the
Work Plan. Foulkes moved: Dodge seconded motion to add these items to the 2004 Work Plan. Motion passed
unanimously.
Pfeiffer reported that personal safety and vandalism are issues at the Steel Lake Annex parking lot. Schroder will
contact Chief Kirkpatrick to get copies of the reports taken by Federal Way Public Safety officers. Reuter will
investigate the cost of additional or better lighting in the parking lot.
Reuter reported that the Skate Park suffered a major grafitti attack the first week of January. The park was closed
until the graffiti could be removed which was delayed because of ice and snow accumulations.
Reuter shared that the trees bordering Steel Lake Park along 28th Avenue South are being removed. The response
has been very positive with better exposure to the soccer field and Skate Park areas.
Parks and Recreation Commission, January 8, 2004 Page 3
(New Business continued)
Schroder shared photos of the new Woodinville Skate Park for commissioners to review.
AGENDA ITEMS
Naming Armstrong/Thompson Properties (include ordinance in packet)
Park Impact Fees
CIP – Public Meetings/Discussion/Web Survey/Parks Tours
Commission Nomination Process/Time Frame
DeVry Student Presentation
2003 Recreation Class report
Community Center Update
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.