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Parks Comm MINS 12-02-2010i:\suef\parkscommission\2010\december 2010 minutes.doc CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 2, 2010 Hylebos Conference Room 6:00 p.m. City Hall MEETING MINUTES Chair Konkell called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: Chair Fred Konkell, Vice Chair Brian Allinger, Carol Otto, Dwight Otto, Justin Schmitter, Marie Sciacqua and Jack Sharlock,. Excused: Karl Zinner, Louise Wessell. Julio Diaz, George Pfeiffer and Martin Moore. Staff: PRCS/Public Works/Emergency Management Director Cary M. Roe, Parks and Facilities Manager Steve Ikerd, and Public Works Administrative Assistant Shawna Upton. Guests: Councilmember Jeanne Burbidge and representatives from Huitt-Zollars. The November Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes were approved as written. Motion by Sciacqua, Second by Sharlock. Motion passes. No Public Forum. 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. Major issues that need to be addresses are pedestrian safety and comfort along SW Campus Drive, S 348th Street, a connection between 1st Ave S and the Aquatic Center and the existing green corridors. Huitt-Zollars presented several, large color maps illustrating the three route options, each with varying costs and levels of improvements: low cost initial improvements (Basic), medium cost medium term improvements (Enhanced) and higher cost long term improvements (Regional). Each of the three main options has been further broken down into smaller segments where the levels of improvements can be individually addressed to aid in determining project costs. Each option has some challenges to work through in regards to possible community outreach and agreements with the Aquatic Center, Little League, Homeowner’s Associations, Lakehaven Utilities, Saint Francis Hospital, King County Library, Panther Lake Elementary School. In addition, a multi-step plan and action program should be developed and implemented. Some short term actions that have high benefits and low costs are a continued focus on maintenance and Wayfinding efforts. Wayfinding improvements should be made to improve trail visibility and to increase the amount of public that becomes aware of the trails that are available. There may also be an opportunity to use volunteers for some of the preparation work. In some areas, the land is already set up for this type of trail system and only minor preparation work would need to be done. Parks and Recreation Commission, December 2, 2010 Page 2 i:\suef\parkscommission\2010\december 2010 minutes.doc Emphasis was placed on separating from the road when and where you can. The final Feasibility Study report should be complete in January 2011. TRAIL MAP Ikerd presented the final revised trail map which included newer, high resolution pictures for the front of the map showing more activity and revising the mileage information for the main trails as requested at the November meeting. The date has been removed to keep the map viable for a longer period of time before an update to the map would be needed and to reduce the amount of time it would take to replace the maps yearly. Councilmember Burbidge suggested adding a very small “printed” date so users of the map could determine if there is a newer version. Sciacqua reemphasized making updates to the road system at Celebration Park in anticipation of the School District property improvements being completed shortly. Ikerd mentioned he did some research on printing and they are available in multiple quantity lots but looked specifically at a quantity of 5000 maps. The cost for printing full color, 100# book stock gloss white, tri-fold is $1,096.00. Roe stated that he and Ikerd talked with Patrick Doherty about options for stocking the maps in public locations throughout the City. Doherty will provide contact information to the company that handles the stocking and displays for the maps. Ikerd will bring back a few samples from the print shop and the distribution information. Councilmember Burbidge suggested making the map available on the website so citizens have the option to print their own map. Konkell suggested including the map in the Parks & Recreation Newsletter and Ikerd clarified that a portion of the map is already provided in that newsletter. Some research will be done to determine if they should be included in the newsletter or provided in Kiosks at the Park locations. REVIEW 2010 WORK PLAN / PRELIMINARY 2011 WORK PLAN Ikerd provided the updated 2010 Work Plan showing what has been accomplished during the year and a discussion was held to discuss what should be moved forward and added to the 2011 Work Plan. Trail and pedestrian access improvements will be moved forward; which includes the final trail map. Exploring park enforcement fines with the possibility of having bicycle police patrol and enforce the speed limit. Speed signs will be posted in these areas and police will enforce this using LIDAR, giving them an accurate speed measurement to reference if issuing citations. There is also a concern about dogs being off leash and that will be looked into as well. The goal is to increase public awareness of the rules at the parks prior to enforcement. Disc Golf seems to have a large following and should be evaluated to determine the costs and improvements needed to provide this option and determine if it is feasible. Disc Golf will be evaluated at a later date after review of the trail access improvements study. Annual playground equipment replacement will continue throughout the year. Roe suggested working on the process earlier in the year to take advantage of better weather conditions for equipment installation. The two significant 2011/2012 capital improvement projects, outside of the annual playground equipment, are Sacajawea Park in regards to field turf and drainage system improvements and installing a loft at the new maintenance building in Celebration Park. Volunteer events should be continued in 2011; especially during Earth Day. Roe stated that Jason Gerwen does a great job with that program and the numbers of people that turn out are staggering. Ikerd mentioned the City has Ameri Corps set up on a routine basis now and plans to inform the committee as to when and where the events will be held. Councilmember Burbidge suggested advertising them on the City website or periodically in the Mirror to increase the amount of participation as well as recognize Ameri Corps. An effort was made to clean up Laurelwood Park, improved access to the park, added two barbecue grills, made improvements to the roof of the shelter and cleaned out the drainage area to encourage more usage of the park and make it more functional. More minor improvements are suggested for 2011 and will be discussed further. Parks and Recreation Commission, December 2, 2010 Page 3 i:\suef\parkscommission\2010\december 2010 minutes.doc STAFF REPORTS There were no staff reports from Commissioners. NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION MEETING MEALS Roe addressed the Commission in regards to meals. At this time, Parks & Recreation Commission may be the only group receiving meals provided by the City. Roe received direction from Acting City Manager/Police Chief Wilson to discontinue providing the meals. Due to budget constraints, this practice will be discontinued as of January 1, 2011. DONATION/MEMORIAL PROGRAM Sharlock asked about the status of the donation program process for the bench that Mr. H. David Kaplan desired to donate to the City. Roe stated that the policy has gone through the process and had been approved for use by Council. Mr. Kaplan has been provided with a copy of the policy and a form to initiate the process and will be provided with a cost estimate. Roe stated that Mr. Kaplan also desires to donate a picnic shelter at Steel Lake Park. Details regarding the shelter will be discussed in the future to ensure uniformity with the current setting. PARKS LIGHTING CHARGES Sharlock mentioned the City of Seattle has started charging additional fees to the soccer teams and others that use the fields to cover the costs of lighting. Roe would like to review the fee schedule and talk with John Hutton from the Federal Way Community Center to determine how much of those fees cover costs for lighting and will bring the findings back to the Commission. SIGHT LINE SAFETY CONCERNS Sharlock is concerned with sight lines in parks; particularly Steel Lake between the skate park and the parking lot. There is a large amount of overgrown brush. For safety reasons, the brush should be cleared to reduce the amount of vehicle damage and theft. PENDING BUSINESS RENAMING WEST HYLEBOS/BROOKLAKE Roe met with Councilmember Burbidge regarding renaming the West Hylebos /Brooklake Overview. Chris Carrel initiated this topic and is no longer with West Hylebos group. This concept is no longer supported and will not move forward. NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Priest has been scheduled to attend the January 6th meeting to discuss the role of the Parks Commission and what his priorities are moving forward. Chair Konkell has advocated for a Parks Planner or Grant Writer for the City in hopes of securing money for future projects. Roe has also talked with Mayor Priest about the possibility of a grant writer and looks forward to the opportunity for the Commissioners to meet Mayor Priest and get an idea for how he sees the City moving forward. Parks and Recreation Commission, December 2, 2010 Page 4 i:\suef\parkscommission\2010\december 2010 minutes.doc The updated trail map will be brought back along with distribution information. Roe is hopeful that this will be a final product and the City will be able to print and distribute during the first part of the year. The 2011 Draft Work Plan will be brought back for discussion. If we receive the Huitt-Zollars Trail Connections Feasibility Study from West Hylebos Wetlands to BPA Trail (through Panther Lake area) and the Panther Lake Study prior to our meeting in January, the information will be supplied. Field lighting fees information will be discussed. ADJOURNMENT Chair Konkell adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. NEXT MEETING IS JANUARY 6, 2011