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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, April 7, 2011 Hylebos Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Chair Konkell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Chair Fred Konkell, Vice Chair Brian Ailinger, Carol Otto, Julio Diaz, George Pfeiffer, Martin
Moore, Louise Wessel, Dwight Otto and Jack Sharlock. Excused: Justin Schmitter and Marie Sciacqua.
Staff: PRCS/Public Works/Emergency Management Director Cary M. Roe, Parks and Facilities Manager
Steve Ikerd, and Public Works Administrative Assistant Shawna Upton.
Guests: Representatives from Huitt-Zollars.
The January Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes were approved as written. February and
March Meetings were cancelled. Motion by Ailinger, Second by Sharlock. Motion passes.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public attending.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
TRAIL CONNECTIONS / CONSULTANT
Representatives from Huitt-Zollars presented a Trail Connections Feasibility Study from West Hylebos
Wetlands to BPA Trail (through Panther Lake area). Their objective, using the City’s Parks, Recreation
and Open Space Plan, is to create a “Walking and Biking Community” within Federal Way by connecting
the BPA trail to West Hylebos Wetland Park, to connect West Hylebos to Panther Lake Open Space and
connect residential areas, the Aquatic Center, shopping, library and school. They presented an overview
of what was covered in December and discuss more specific options available for the Panther Lake Open
Space area. Options were presented in three phases. Phase I being the most basic, affordable option and
Phase III being the most complete and more expensive option. A suggestion was made to improve the
signage for access to the park because it is not visible from the road and to increase the distance between
the traffic on SW Campus Drive and the walking path for pedestrians. Phase I addressed making basic
trail system improvements, creating a dedicated parking area, restrooms, benches and other basic
improvements. Phase II addressed increased trail improvements, parking restrooms, benches and other
improvements and Phase III addressed paving the trail, further increased trail system improvements,
parking, bathrooms, benches and other basic improvements. Access issues, spillway and dike issues,
ADA requirements in regards to grades, and ownership issues are all going to present challenges that need
to be addressed. Some discussion was held regarding the addition of a playground between the Aquatic
Center and Little League ball fields to tie the two together with the regional Panther Lake improvements.
In Summary, the next step for the Commission is to review the draft reports and decide what makes the
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most sense in this location, what are the amenities we want, what can implement with the money that we
have available. Ailinger asked about the possibility of using some outside funding sources from
businesses or other organizations that can donate time, supplies or money towards the project to ease the
burden on the taxpayers. Roe stated that the concept has merit and it’s something worth looking into at a
later date. Once the concept has been developed by the Commission, a firm is hired to come up with the
designs and it is reviewed a few times through the process. At approximately 85% design status updates,
it will be pretty clear what the actual cost of the project is going to look like. The Draft Proposal from
Huitt-Zollars will be given to the Commission shortly.
2011 WORK PLAN UPDATE
The Work Plan has been approved by Council and the Commission reviewed and discussed the items.
Disc Golf is still of interest but there is not a feasible location available at this time. The Commission will
continue to work on items on the work plan and move forward as much as possible.
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT
Roe stated a preference to hold the playground replacement tour earlier in the year to make it easier to
address issues. The inspections have been completed and the list presented is up to date. Three parks will
be visited on the tour based on the lower ratings received: Adalaide, Steel Lake and Mirror Lake.
Discussion continued to try and find a date that will work for the majority of the Commissioners. Due to
schedule conflicts, the decision was made to meet on May 5th, City Hall at 5pm and vanpool to the parks.
The Commission will return to City Hall and complete the remainder of the topics, if any, for that
meeting.
OFFICIAL MEETING TIME CHANGE
The Commission discussed changing the official meeting time from 6pm to 6:30pm to allow for dinner
prior to the meeting. Motion by Ailinger, Second by Sharlock to change the meeting time of the
Commission to 6:30pm. Motion passes.
TRAIL MAP UPDATE
Ikerd reminded the Commission that we have the final maps ready for printing. There was one minor
change made due to recent case law in which the following statement was added to the bottom of the map:
“This map is in no way intended to guarantee the condition of the listed trails at any given time”. Ikerd
researched the cost of lower quality paper instead of the heavier gloss paper. He stated that the matte
paper is actually more expensive because the printers buy the more heavily used “brochure” paper in bulk
and can offer better pricing. The Commission decided to continue with using the high quality gloss paper.
Discussion continued about how to best distribute the trail maps. Certified Folder Display Company has
the market well covered in the Seattle area but charges $219.30 per month. The Youth Commission just
started a program where they are distributing brochures at multiple locations throughout the City. The
Federal Way Community Center is going to use the Youth Commissions services and the Commission
decided that using that resource will save money and makes more sense. Roe suggested purchasing 15K
or 20K for better pricing per map, there’s no expiration date which will protect the integrity of the map
and there is money available in the budget to do that. Motion by Pfeiffer to purchase 20K maps and using
the Youth Commissions services for distribution, Second by Ailinger. Motion passes.
EARTH DAY APRIL 16TH UPDATE
Ikerd stated Earth Day is Saturday, April 16th and asked the Commissioners to sign up to volunteer at one
of the Parks listed on the volunteer sign up sheet. Moore and Pfeiffer will be at Celebration Park, Wessel
at the Blueberry Farm, Konkell and Dwight and Carol Otto will be at Sacajawea Park, and Sharlock will
be at Adelaide Park.
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VACANCIES AND ELECTIONS DISCUSSION
There are three vacancies on the Commission including Konkell, Schmitter and Zinner. All three
alternates, Wessel, Moore and Dwight Otto, have submitted applications to the City Clerk. Ikerd added
Parks Commission appointments to the Council agenda for April 19th. Moore asked about the length of
the terms. It was explained that Position #1 is for a one year term and Positions #9 and #8 are for three
year terms. Wessel offered to fill the one year term position because it coincides with the expiration of
her current alternate term and if she chooses to continue, an application would need to be resubmitted at
that time. Otto and Moore will fill the two vacant three year positions. Konkell indicated that he will be
retiring and has spoken to Vice Chair Ailinger who is willing to serve as Chair. Sharlock nominated
Ailinger to serve as Chair, Second by Julio. Moore asked if the elections could be postponed so that
newly appointed voting members could play a role to elect the new Chair. It was explained that
historically it has always been handled prior to the expiration of those terms and should continue to be
handled this way. However, typically, the votes are advisory because the Council makes the ultimate
decision on who will fill those positions. Motion passes. Ailinger spoke with Diaz who expressed
interest in serving as Vice Chair. Ailinger nominated Diaz for Vice Chair, Second by Sharlock. Motion
passes.
COYOTE SIGN
Roe informed the Commission that the Police Department had approached him about Coyote concerns
city-wide. There are three predominate locations that Police desire to have signs placed to educate the
public. The draft sign language was discussed for informational purposes.
SACAJAWEA PARK GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Roe discussed the large CIP project slated for 2012 is to upgrade the soccer field at Sacajawea with new
turf. There is a grant available in the amount of approximately $438K for this project which requires a
match of funds from the City. The City feels it has the money and plans to bring a request to apply for
this grant funding to the Committee next week and to Council April 19th. This should be ample funding
to upgrade to the new turf and to address drainage issues there. Roe stated this is a good investment that
will increase the life of the field by addressing the drainage issues in addition to upgrading the field. A
question was raised about the progress of the pole repair in the park. The contract is finalized and the
contractor is just waiting for the temperature to be warm enough to perform the repairs.
BICYCLE PATH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Roe informed the Commission that a group has been formed as part of a grant that the Community
Development Department got in conjunction with the Public Works Department. This group is looking to
enhance bicycle activity within the City including a concept called “Complete Streets”; streets that
include bike lanes. If the Commission has interest in attending the meetings, they are the fourth Monday
at 7pm in the Council Chambers. Ikerd sits on that Committee. Moore and Wessel expressed interest in
attending that meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
There were no staff reports from Commissioners.
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OTHER BUSINESS
The Commission had no other business to discuss.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
Ailinger reminded the Commission that we are meeting at City Hall at 5pm for the tour of Adelaide, Steel
Lake and Mirror Lake Parks. We will return to City Hall to complete the meeting.
Brochure distribution update.
Copies of Huitt-Zollars Draft Plan for all Commission members.
Earth Day update.
Lakegrove Park re-opening update.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ailinger adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS MAY 5, 2011