PRPSC MINS 07-10-2006
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday July 10, 2006
6:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council member
Linda Kochmar, Mayor Michael Park, Council member Jack Dovey, Council member Dean McColgan, Derek
Matheson, Interim City Manager, Amy Jo Pearsall, City Attorney, Brian Wilson, Deputy Director Public Safety,
Iwen Wang, Finance Director Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, Mary Faber Recreation and Cultural Services
Superintendent, B Sanders Park Planner, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Ron Walker, Diversity Commission, C.T. Purdom Parks and Recreation Commission, Sally Hurst, Harrell
Hurst, Lynda Jenkins, Michelle Brewick, H. David Kaplan, Jerrie Lottes, Richard Spychalski, Hunter Brown, Troy
Brown, Kerry Davis, Barbara Uggen Davis, Frank Misner, Joann Hugell, Eric Boettcher, Nancy Chapman, Jess
Mueller, Pam Guyle
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sally Hurst, Harrell Hurst, Michelle Brewick, Jerrie Lottes, Richard Spychalski, Hunter Brown, Troy Brown, Kerry
Davis, Barbara Uggen Davis, Frank Misner, Joann Hugell, Eric Boettcher, Nancy Chapman, Jess Mueller, Pam
Guyle all spoke in favor of French Lake being the official off leash Dog Park.
H. David Kaplan: Reported that he attended the Lakehaven Commissioners meeting and he thanked them for their
support they have given to the concept of French Lake Park as an off leash park. He stated that Lakehaven reiterated
their support for the idea of an off leash dog park.
Marion Gates: Ms. Gates stated that she heard Lakehaven was offering to buy the City of Federal Way’s portion of
the park. She asked if there was anything that the City can do to keep it a permanent off leash Dog Park.
COMMISSION COMMENT
C.T. Purdom clarified Option 2 for the French Lake Dog Park. He stated that Option 2 does not reflect what was
passed by the Parks Commission. The word permanent was not a part of the motion. Option 2 should read that the
Parks Commission voted to establish French Lake Park as the official off leash Dog Park. He stated there was
discussion of the word permanent. Nothing is permanent; there are a lot of unknowns.
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Council members Kochmar and Ferrell moved to accept the May meeting minutes as written. Motion passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
French Lake Off-Leash Dog Park
Ms. Hanson stated that there is no other additional information other than the question of the purchase or potential
sale of the city’s portion of French Lake Park to Lakehaven. She stated there has been no official action by either the
City or Lakehaven. Lakehaven representatives have made the comment in a couple of public meetings. Ms. Hanson
has spoken with Don Perry and he has stated that they are interested. She stated that the first step of the process
would be for the City Council to consider whether or not they wanted to sell the City’s portion of the park. There
would then be the process in the negotiation of the long term use and the maintenance of the property. Ms. Hanson
stated that there is not any question about the need and desire and positive aspect of having an off leash dog park in
the city. Originally it was recommended that it be on a trial basis. The concern that she has as a staff person is that
she wants to make sure that we identify the resources that will be required to maintain the park long term. She wants
to be sure that we don’t create something without providing the resources to maintain the park in its current state.
Ms. Hanson stated that Lakehaven presented using underground vaults for water storage. Their trial was successful,
and they would like to continue. There would be some construction time for these vaults to be installed, which may
be why they’re interested in purchasing our portion. Deputy Mayor Ferrell stated that he is in favor of option 2.
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to approve option 2. Council member Kochmar is an employee of Lakehaven and
recused herself from the vote. She stated that she has not been involved in any of the discussions with Lakehaven.
Ms. Kochmar stated that we will not be able to avoid the fact that Lakehaven does own the property. Council
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday July 10, 2006 Summary
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member Burbidge stated that this is a public facility and that Lakehaven could use their property. She is concerned
regarding the unknown questions, and does not want to give people false hope. There have been some proposed
changes in the use of Lakehaven’s property. Council member Burbidge seconded the motion. It was moved and
seconded to approve option 2 which is to establish French Lake Park as the official off-leash dog park and
forward to full Council on July 18, 2006. Motion passed.
Federal Way Community Center Business Plan Amendments
Ms. Faber introduced Jill Krantz the consultant from Green Play. Ms. Krantz has been working on the Community
Center Business Plan. Ms. Krantz revisited items that Council had asked staff to review. The key items Council
wanted to review were the operating hours, the admission fee schedule which included the resident/non-resident
options, family rate, low income options, and options for discounts for corporate and City of Federal Way
employees, and the rental fee schedule.
Operating Hours - Facility: The staffing levels were adjusted to accommodate the later closures on Saturday and
Sunday evenings, and corresponding changes to revenue were projected. Staff has recommended no changes to the
original operating hours. Council held a discussion. Council member Kochmar moved that no change is
recommended to the proposed facility operating hours. Deputy Mayor Ferrell Seconded. Ms. Krantz stated
that the operating hours should be evaluated on a monthly basis, and it is not a huge problem to implement winter
and summer hours. Ms. Krantz advised that a decision on changing the hours should not be made until the building
has been opened for nine months. Ms. Pearsall clarified that changing the hours of operation could be a staff level
decision. Council would become involved if it affected the budget. Motion passed.
Operating Hours – Child Care: Staffing levels were adjusted to accommodate the extended hours. Staff has
recommended that no changes be made initially, but that the hours of service should be reviewed after nine months.
Again winter and summer hours can be adjusted without a huge change to the budget. Child care is a very unique
entity with a lot of flexibility and not a huge impact. Council member Kochmar moved that no change is
recommend to the child care operating hours. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion passed. Council
member Dovey stated that he believes they are making an error on the child care hours. He stated that the
Community Center should be as user friendly for young adults with kids, and under privileged people with kids. He
would rather have too many hours in the beginning, and then if they need to cut back the hours or charge more they
can do it. Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to amend the motion to expand the child care hours on Saturday year
round. The hours will be from 8:30am-1:30pm on Saturdays year round. Council member Kochmar
seconded. Motion passed.
Admission Fees – Resident/Non-Resident: The admission fees were adjusted to reflect the base fee plus a 10%
increase for non-residents. A resident is defined as someone who lives or owns a business in the City of Federal
Way and pays the 1% utility tax funding the capital construction and operating budget of the Community Center.
Ms. Krantz reviewed the positive and negatives of a resident/non-resident fee. She is recommending that the resident
and non-resident fees be used only on the passes; this is due to the negative impact on front-line service needs.
Discussion was held. The committee felt that the non-resident fee should be higher than the base fee plus 10%.
Mayor Park would like to have a Special Grand-Opening Fee. Council member Dovey stated that the Teen pass and
Family pass fee should be reduced. Deputy Mayor Ferrell was in agreement with Council member Dovey, but felt
that the senior fee should also be reduced. It was clarified that we are not charging for the Senior Center. There will
still be drop-in activities where the seniors will not have to pay. They would have to pay to work out, take a fitness
class or other classes. Council member Kochmar moved to keep the resident fee schedule and to change the
non-resident base fee plus 15% and allow staff to use that money towards teens and family. Deputy Mayor
Ferrell seconded. Motion Passed
Admission Fees – Family: The definition of a family is related adults living in the same household with or without
dependent children. Staff is recommending maintaining a flat family rate. Ms. Krantz reviewed the pros and cons of
a flat family rate. Council member Kochmar moved to recommend that the original family rates be
implemented. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion Passed.
Admission Fees – Low Income: Low income options are recommended at a 25% discount for resident pass. In
order to qualify you must be a resident of Federal Way, qualify annually based on Federal poverty standards.
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to recommend a low income rate at a discount of 25% off resident pass.
Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion Passed.
Admission Fees - Corporate and City of Federal Way Employee “Discounts”: Two options were reviewed, and
Miss Krantz reviewed the pros and cons of both options. Council member Kochmar stated that in the past there had
been discussion that City of Federal Way Police Officers would be able to use the facility for free. Ms. Wang stated
that the Police Officers would receive the same discount as the other City of Federal Way employees. Council
member Kochmar asked Deputy Wilson if this would be a hardship on the police officers. Deputy Wilson answered
no. Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to recommend that employees of businesses and “benefit eligible” City of
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
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Federal Way employees be permitted to purchase passes at the resident rate regardless of their personal
residency. It is recommended that City employees whose primary work place is the Community Center
receive free drop-in access to facilities and classes. Facility employees will pay full rates for programs/classes
with an associated fee. Free drop-in does not include employee family members. Council member Kochmar
seconded. Motion Passed.
Fee Schedule – Rentals: The base fee applies to non-resident non-profits, business and private citizens. The Non-
resident fee applies to any rental by an individual or organizations whose address is outside of Federal Way.
Community room rental fee includes set-up/tear down, staff supervision. The birthday party room rental fee includes
admission for 12 people, room rental for one hour. Council member Burbidge stated that the Community Room
needs to be available for shorter rental periods. She would like it to be available for 4 hour rentals. Council member
Dovey would like to include the amphitheater with the community room as a rental option. Council member
Kochmar moved to take staff recommendation with the caveat that the amphitheater could be rented
separately or rented with the community room if that room is available. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded.
Motion Passed.
Rental Rates – Gymnasium, Kitchen, Amphitheatre, Entire Facility: Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to
recommend that the fees listed in the rate schedule be implemented. Council member Kochmar seconded.
Motion Passed.
Rental Rates – Birthday Party Rental Period: Council member Kochmar moved to recommend that the rental
period for the birthday party rooms remain the same. As additional fee, $120 for non-resident is also
recommended. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to put the Community Center Business Plan on the Council agenda as Council
Business at the next practical meeting. Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
Thompson Property – Cedar Grove
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved approval of Cedar Grove Park as the official park name for the Thompson
Property located at 2228 South 333rd Street and to forward this motion for the consent agenda at the next
regular Council meeting. Council member Kochmar seconded. Council member Burbidge stated that as they
did further research on the park, they learned that there were a number of cedar trees at the park, and that the park
plan includes more cedar trees being planted. Citizen Lynda Jenkins: Stated that she had wanted the park to be
named Webb Center. She is disheartened that Council did not take her advice. Motion passed.
Diversity Commission – Residency Requirement
Ron Walker, Chair of the Diversity Commission requested that Council amend the provisions relating to the
membership of the Federal Way Diversity Commission in Chapter 2, Federal Way City Code. Mr. Walker explained
that currently the code states that all nine commissioners must live in the Federal Way School District and that at
least seven also live within the city limits. Mr. Walker stated the Commission would like to have the code modified
to allow anyone living within the school district and PAA be eligible to serve on the commission. Deputy Mayor
Ferrell moved to forward the ordinance to second reading and enactment at the next regular City Council
meeting. Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
Cabins Park Phase II: Parking Lot – Reject Bid and Authorize to Re-Bid in Smaller Packages
Council member Kochmar moved to reject the bid from A-1 Landscaping and proceed with re-bidding the
individual components of the project. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
Thompson Property Park: Award Bid
Ms. Sanders clarified that the bid award includes the base bid and Alternate one – Tot Play Equipment for a total
cost of $347,366.85. Funds from the Madrona Park account will be transferred to the Thompson Property Park
account. The remaining funds from Madrona Park are approximately $30,000. Funds will also be transferred from
the Annual Playground Renovation account. Council member Kochmar moved approval to award the
Thompson Park project to GMT, Inc. and to transfer funds as specified to fully fund the Base Bid and
Alternate 1. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
Cabins Park PSE Easement
Council member Kochmar moved to approve entering into an agreement with Puget Sound Energy for an
Ingress/Egress Easement for construction of a parking lot at Cabins Park. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded.
Motion passed.
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday July 10, 2006 Summary
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Bid Acceptance for the Purchase of Bomb Van
Council member Kochmar moved approval of the Bid Acceptance of Pacific Coast Ford’s Bid of $38,875.60
for the purchase of the Bomb Van. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
2006 Justice Assistance Grant
Council member Kochmar moved authorize the City Manager to accept the 2006 Justice Assistance Grant
award in the amount of $29,114 for the purchase of 46 Itronix GoBook II/III vehicle cradles at a cost of $525
each. Deputy Mayor Ferrell seconded. Chair Burbidge stated that this was to improve the laptops in the police
cars. Motion passed.
PENDING ITEMS
None
NEXT MEETING – August 14, 2006 6:00 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 8:55p.m.