Parks Comm MINS 11-07-2013CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Hylebos Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Chair Ailinger called the meeting to order at 6:32pm.
Present: Chair Brian Ailinger, Mike Hoefel, Laura Belvin, David Berger, Jack Sharlock, Randall Smith, Mark
Koppang, Dwight Otto and George Pfeiffer. Martin Moore arrived late.
Staff. Director of Parks, Public Works and Emergency Management Cary Roe Parks, Parks & Facilities
Manager Steve Ikerd, Street Systems Project Engineer John Mulkey and Parks & Public Works Administrative
Assistant II Shawna Upton.
Minutes from the October Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting were approved once minor
changes to attendance were made. Motion by Koppang to approve the minutes as amended, Second by
Sharlock. Motion passes.
PUBLIC FORUM
Ed Burkhardt from Park Pals spoke to Park Pals being good stewards of French Lake Park and noted they have
contributed fundraising earnings towards improving the park. He is hopeful that the City sees this park as an
asset and values it accordingly.
Michael Jaukowski, General Manager at Petco, spoke in support of the Park Pals group. He expressed a desire
for the City to find value in the pond at French Lake Park and would like to see the City invest more into
improving the pond.
Sally Hurst from Park Pals noted that over time French Lake Park has become quite busy and she's interested
in hearing what will be discussed at tonight's meeting.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PANTHER LAKE OPEN SPACE TRAIL 85% DESIGN STATUS
Mulkey gave a presentation outlining the progress to date of the Panther Lake Open Space Trail design. This
project will include a paved pedestrian trail around Panther Lake, parking lot, new driveway access to
SW Campus Drive, signs and utility connections. Further discussion was held regarding what elements are in
each phase of the project, parking, other possible revenue sources, site constraints and signage.
FRENCH LAKE PARK POND
Ailinger initiated discussion on this topic. A handout was provided which detailed the history of how the
property was obtained, water sample data from 2008 -2013, summary of comments from both users of the park
that wanted the pond made available and also from those that had concerns regarding the safety of the pond
from a health standpoint. Several options that could be considered to address the pond were discussed.
Timeframe needed for construction if the pond were filled, potential impacts to the park, drainage concerns,
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Parks and Recreation Commission, November 7`h, 2013 Pap_e 2
optional features and other project logistics were also considered. Roe noted that the purpose of the discussion
tonight is to decide whether or not to fill in the pond that the City owns and not the ones that are owned by
Lakehaven Utility District. Roe noted that this is the most cost effective decision based on the amount of time
the pond was open, ongoing costs and staff time related to maintenance of the area.
Motion by Pfeiffer to approve Option 3 to fill in the pond in them most prudent financial manner and allow for
adequate drainage of the existing pond. Second by Smith. Motion passes.
STAFF REPORTS
Roe requested the Commission swap items A and B under staff repots due to Park Pals members being in
attendance.
FRENCH LAKE PARK — PARK PALS RAIN SHELTER UPDATE
Roe noted that Park Pals requested the City to approve $15,000 to b put towards a rain shelter with matching
funds provided by the Park Pals. The request was submitted to the Mayor and Council. Roe is hopeful that a
decision will be made at the December 3, 2013 Council meeting and an update will be provided to the
Commission after that. Roe provided a brief summary of the history of this request. Mr. Burkhardt stated that
the Park Pals group as a whole is not aware of the details of the request as it was previously sought after by a
specific member of the group. Roe noted that if funding is approved by Council, and the matching funds are
provided by Park Pals, discussions will follow to determine the specifics. Mr. Burkhardt also noted that the
matching funds are not available at this time and that there would need to be substantial fundraising efforts to
obtain the funding for the shelter.
FUNLAND
Ikerd displayed the updated layout of Funland. He noted that the City has worked with Leathers to incorporate
all the suggestions made during previous meetings. Entry signs were added to identify the area as Funland.
Berger noted that if Rotary donates money towards the ability whirl that there would be an expectation for
signage making it clear that it came from Rotary. Roe assured Berger there would be recognition. Final
details, layout options, maintenance related questions, cost estimatesi and projected timeline for the preparation
work and construction were discussed further. There is some shOfall in funding due to increased costs for
materials and labor. Some potential cut backs were discussed as N4ell as other possible funding sources and
other options for trying to reduce the costs of materials and labor. Staff will provide an update to the
Commission at the next meeting.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION 2014 OFFICERS
Ikerd reminded the Commission that elections of officers happens at the December meeting and will begin
serving at the January meeting. Ailinger noted that due to relocating outside of Federal Way city limits, this
meeting will be his last and offered his resignation from the Commis0ion.
OTHER BUSINESS
Otto asked if staff was able to look into the possibility of other poss
that Mr. Burkhardt had asked about Poverty Bay. That is a natural a]
easily accessible. Ikerd noted that this area is not a feasible location
parking, lack of trails and other access concerns.
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ible locations for a dog park. Ikerd noted
ea with steep slopes and terrain that is not
due to challenges with the terrain, lack of
Parks and Recreation Commission. November 7"'. 2013
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
Items for the December 5, 2013 meeting are:
Election of Officers
French Lake Rain Shelter Update
Funland Update
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ailinger adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
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