Parks Comm MINS 03-03-2005CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, March 3, 2005 Hylebos Conference Room
6:00 p.m. City Hall
MINUTES
Chair Purdom called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Chair Purdom, Vice Chair George Pfeiffer, Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Fred Konkell and Marie Sciacqua.
Excused: Cindy Dodge, Joe Henry, Joel Howitt, Tom Medhurst and David Talcott.
Staff: PRCS Director Donna Hanson, Recreation and Cultural Services Superintendent Mary Faber, Parks Planning
and Development Coordinator B. Sanders and Administrative Assistant Peg Wright.
Guests: James Belford, Lori DeVore, Barbara Reid, Alex Bigby, H. David Kaplan and Holly Uhde.
Pfeiffer moved; Bright seconded motion to approve the February 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Purdom announced that informational agenda items would be discussed first until a quorum was obtained.
PUBLIC FORUM
Barbara Reid – Reid was in attendance at Bob Kellogg’s request to support French Lake Park development and
discourage use as an unofficial off-leash dog park. She reiterated Kellogg’s concern on the City’s liability if
someone were to get bit or mauled by dogs running loose. She would like to see a play structure installed with other
amenities and feels $100,000 would be sufficient funding. Kellogg feels Lakehaven is looking to acquire the land.
Reid reminded the commission that it has been on the Work Plan and discussed many times. Chair Purdom said it is
still on the Work Plan but not a high priority because there are no budgeted funds for development. Access issues
were discussed which she did not include in the $100,000 development cost.
H. David Kaplan – Kaplan said Kellogg attended the joint meeting between the City and Lakehaven with French
Lake listed as an agenda item. Mayor McColgan and Council member Ferrell were also in attendance. Kaplan
stated there have been two Master Plans completed for the park but still no development. He read a letter from Bob
Kellogg and provided copies to the commission. Mr. Kellogg’s letter detailed history on French Lake Park and
thoughts on development. PRCS Director Hanson reported that Lakehaven is considering construction of a water
“oasis”. This facility would store water for future use. The concept was introduced at the CFW/LUD joint meeting.
Kaplan also spoke on the Community Center and felt that after reading the memo by the fundraising subcommittee,
it represented a narrow view of the project. He felt more items should be made available for purchase. Reid said
items sold during the Celebration Park fundraising campaign ranged from five dollars to several thousand, giving all
persons the opportunity to participate.
James Belford – He is a member of the Advancing Leadership Group of 2005 (Lori DeVore and Holly Uhde were
also in attendance). They gave a short presentation on their proposed class project for Celebration Park. It included
raising funds, purchasing and installing 2-3 picnic tables, 2 benches and directional signage for the trails. Mr.
Belford also noted there is an old map in the park kiosk and would like to upgrade the map to show the park
amenities. Parks Planner Sanders said she has an upgraded map and would make that available to them
electronically. DeVore said there are 23 persons in the class and they are all eager to work on this enhancement to
Celebration Park. Pfeiffer asked the group to submit a map showing the locations of the proposed amenities so the
commission could get a better visual. DeVore said Superintendent Reuter and parks staff would be assisting the
group in ordering items to specifications and placement.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Dennis moved: Pfeiffer seconded motion to elect C. T. Purdom as Chair to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dennis moved: Bright seconded motion to elect George Pfeiffer as Vice Chair to the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Community Center Fund Raising Sub-Committee – Dennis reviewed information from the subcommittee meeting
that was included in the commission packet. He agreed with Kaplan that the items introduced in the memo were
vague. He stated the subcommittee was presenting the project to the full commission and wanted feedback on how
to proceed. Superintendent Faber reported she has been in contact with the Northwest Parks Foundation as a
possible support to the program. Information on the Foundation was included in the commission packet explaining
their role in a fundraising campaign. Pfeiffer moved: Bright seconded motion to “have Commission Committee
continue to explore additional opportunities for the program and enter in with the Northwest Parks Foundation, as
well as inform the City Council, the direction they are going.” Motion carried unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
Starbucks Grant – PRCS Director Hanson reported that parks staff person, Jamal Mohamed, had done preliminary
research relevant to the Starbucks grant. The largest grant award is $15,000 and a Non-profit community group
must submit the application. He contacted two Starbuck stores in Federal Way regarding the grant, but his calls
were not returned. In reviewing the commission discussion on this topic from last year, Director Hanson stated that
the commission felt it was a lot of work to apply for such a small amount of funds. She reiterated that Parks Planner
Sanders has several projects going at this time and is not available to spend any time on this grant. Bright suggested
that the commission look at community groups now for next years application and it will be put on the June agenda
for further discussion.
Coronado Park – A memo from Superintendent Reuter explained the current status of work completed in 2004 and
scheduled for 2005 in this park. This work plan for the park is to address a number of issues raised by citizens
during a neighborhood meeting held last summer and from citizen comments made during a recent city council
meeting. Pfeiffer voiced his concern on the preferential treatment the citizens received because they went directly
to the City Council. He feels other work programs items suffer because resources are diverted to deal with this issue.
Director Hanson said the funds and projects were already scheduled for 2005 except fencing which is an additional
expenditure.
Lakota/Sacajawea Park Master Plan Public Meeting Dates – The Open House to present the Sacajawea Park Master
Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16 at Sacajawea Middle School Library from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. The Open
House to present the Lakota Park Master Plan is Tuesday, March 22 at Lakota Middle School Library from 4:30 –
7:00 p.m.
Historical Cabins Park – Parks Planning and Development Coordinator Sanders reported on some of the issues
related to this project. She stated the proposed restroom will be a prefab structure with one stall costing between
$25,000-$30,000.
Chair Purdom will attend the PRHSPS Council Committee meeting on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. in the
Hylebos Conference Room.
PENDING ITEMS
Special Use Permit Policies and City Sponsorship Policies for Community Events – PRCS Director Hanson said
these items require a lot of research and staff has contacted other cities on their policies/procedures.
Superintendents Faber and Reuter are working on this project and will report when information is available.
Downtown Park Study – Director Hanson reported that the Leland Group has been asked to submit a proposal on a
downtown park as part of their feasibility study of the downtown corridor.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Community Center Fund Raising Committee Report Advancing Leadership Group Report
Lakota/Sacajawea Master Plan Meeting Updates
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.