Parks Comm MINS 08-04-2005CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
Thursday, August 4, 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 C.T. Purdom, Vice Chair George Pfeiffer, Ade Bright, Don Dennis, Fred Konkell, Tom Medhurst
and Marie Sciacqua. Excused: Cindy Dodge, Joel Howitt and David Talcott.
Staff: Steve Ikerd, Parks and Facilities Superintendent, Mary Faber, Recreation and Cultural Services
Superintendent, Betty Sanders, Parks Planning and Development Coordinator, and Peggy Wright, Parks Operations
Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Jeanne Burbidge, City Council member.
Dennis moved: Konkell seconded motion to approve June meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM
In attendance: Ed Jones, Harrell and Sally Hurst, Joseph and Pat Spransy, Julie Seitz and Ed Opstad.
Ed Jones – stated he had asked the City Council for city involvement in returning Dumas Bay Park to the animal
sanctuary status from years past. Currently there are issues with teen drinking parties, fires on the beach and in park,
litter/garbage and vandalism with continual calls to police. In the two weeks since he addressed council there have
been six 911 calls made with one pertaining to teenagers carrying a gun in the park, another for a car in the ditch and
cooking meth on the beach. The neighbors assist the Parks department by closing and locking the gate to discourage
after-hours illegal activity. Mr. Jones is requesting the parking lot be lit, repair signage on park hours and rules, “no
parking” signs posted outside the gate and additional police patrols.
Joe Spransy – he would like to see the park returned to a sanctuary for wildlife. The neighborhood has concerns that
the park is deteriorating from lack of attention and lack of security, i.e., one-way exit is broken so accessible by
vehicles. He feels the park needs to be preserved as a city landmark.
Harrell Hurst – he wanted to thank the City for making French Lake Park a dog park area. He has been using it for
years for his dog. He said it would help if the gate could be closed to contain the dogs in the area.
Julie Seitz – she is a user of French Lake as a dog park and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity.
Sally Hurst – she stated that there appears to be increased use because people were not aware the park was there.
Jeanne Burbidge – she shares the concerns from Dumas Bay Park complaintants. Director Hanson had sent a letter
addressing the concerns of the Dumas Bay Park neighbors. Chair Purdom noted that there had been a change in
staff that has significantly changed the communication and information getting to the commission on these issues.
This was the first time the commission was aware of the issues at Dumas Bay Park. Mr Spransy submitted a letter to
the commission for informational purposes that will be in the September packet as well as the letter from Director
Hanson.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Cabin/Park Design – Parks Planning and Development Coordinator B. Sanders reported that the design includes a
unique pervious pavement eliminating the need for an extensive stormwater system. In addition, landscaping with
irrigation and restrooms with water/sewer hookups have been added to the design. The Public Works department
will assist in the cost of the pervious pavement as a “test”site. Discussion followed on the pervious pavement
concerns of water run-off, oil residue, close proximity to buffer zone, etc. Ms. Sanders will have Public Works
provide more information on their study of the product. The commission will wait until September for “action” on
this item until they have received additional information.
Chair Purdom said Director Hanson will be sending bi-monthly parks reports to commissioners and plans on
meeting with each commissioner individually. She will also begin attending the meetings on a regular basis.
Chair Purdom said all commissioners had received an email from Director Hanson on the resignation of Kurt Reuter
and introduced Steve Ikerd, the Superintendent of Parks and Facilities, who has assumed Kurt’s position.
Superintendent Ikerd shared his work history and a short summary of his new duties. Chair Purdom asked that Steve
communicate with the commission as a part of his new position.
Chair Purdom and Vice Chair Pfeiffer asked that a letter of appreciation be sent to Kurt Reuter for his years of
service through the PRCS Director office. Upon further discussion, they decided they would draft the letter and
bring to the September meeting for commission signature. Chair Purdom asked commissioners to let him know if
they had any specific information they would like included in the letter.
Chair Purdom read a letter to the commission from the Federal Way Youth Soccer League. They were concerned
last fall with the forecast of budget shortfalls in the parks maintenance division. They offered volunteers to help
pick up litter and mow to keep the fields in good condition. They feel it of the utmost importance that fields be
maintained in a safe, quality manner for the teams. With this in mind, they raised and presented the City with a
check for $5,000. Chair Purdom presented the check and letter to council member Jeanne Burbidge to take to the
Council Committee meeting on Monday.
STAFF REPORTS
Fundraising Campaign – Superintendent Faber discussed the structure of the campaign committee and relayed
information from two prior meetings. An outdoor patio off the pool area and an outdoor patio off the Senior Lounge
with possibly a raised garden area for flower gardening is being discussed with the architect as possible additions to
the Community Center. Three committees have been formed for the fundraising campaign: Steering Committee will
provide overall management of the campaign, Grants & Prospects Research Committee will research different grant
sources and the Community Events Committee members will attend various city-wide functions to work as
spokespersons and solicit for the campaign. The part-time position to be hired to assist in the campaign has been
proposed and is in the City Manager office for review.
Community Center Update – Ms Sanders reported that she emailed commissioners on the logging activity for the
community center. She has contacted property neighbors and especially those along 333rd Street to inform of the
logging truck/heavy equipment activity and parking issues. Trees are being logged, stumps ground and the removal
of topsoil has begun. Ms Sanders said it could take up to two months to perform the sitework in preparation for
pouring the building foundation. The construction manager is Brandy Matthews Fox at this stage of the construction.
Camp Kilworth – A memo from Director Hanson states that the City has until September 14, 2005 to conclude the
due diligence and finalize negotiations on the Camp Kilworth property. To assist in the process, the City hired an
environmental consulting firm and an appraiser. The report from the environmental group is expected the end of
July and the appraiser information in early August. Pfeiffer said the number one question asked concerned the
funding source and commissioners would like to this information in the next report. Ms Sanders reported that the
environmental report stated there were no wetlands on the property and the geotech report showed that development
should be back at least 100 feet from the bluff along Dumas Bay and 50 feet back from the edge of the ravine. It
was discussed why the City continues to buy property for parks when staff cannot maintain the parks we have nor
funds to develop other sites already owned by the City.
French Lake Park – Ms Sanders distributed a document on five different dog parks in the state listing their “pros”
and “challenges”- Golden Gardens Park, Magnuson Park, Marymoor Park, Northacres Park and Woodland Park.
Staff checked and Lakehaven repaired one area of fence in the park. Concerns on the water pond in French Lake
becoming contaminated from dogs using it was discussed. Staff is currently working on developing rules, dog waste
management and decisions on fencing and gates.
Downtown Park – The first of two public meetings is scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2005 on the ongoing
downtown economic development planning effort. This meeting will be informational on options.
Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan – Ms Sanders distributed a timeline on updating the park plan. Phase I would
be collecting data (statistical surveys, website, public/focus meetings), evaluation of recreation programs and take an
inventory of parks and open space properties from approximately August 2005 to January, 2006: Phase II would be
goal setting to set parks vision, level of service and to develop policies and goals through March, 2006: Phase III is
developing an implementation strategy from February to May, 2006 and Phase IV which is adoption of the plan in
June, 2006. Commissioners discussed how difficult it is to hold public meetings with public apathy. A survey
inserted in the Winter Parks and Recreation brochure was suggested as well as one on the city website in the near
future.
Chair Purdom will be attending the Council Committee meeting on Monday, August 8 in Hylebos conference room
at 5:30 p.m.
PENDING ITEMS
All-City Parks Clean-Up Day Special Use Permit Policies
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Cabin/Park Design Dumas Bay Park Fundraising Campaign
Camp Kilworth Downtown Park French Lake Park
Lakota/Sacajawea Master Plan Field Scheduling Meeting
Sacajawea Field Warranty Issue Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Purdom adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS OCTOBER 6, 2005