Parks Comm MINS 06-07-2012CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, June 7, 2012 Hylebos Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Chair Ailinger called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Present: Chair Brian Ailinger, Marie Sciacqua, George Pfeiffer, Jack Sharlock, Mark Koppang, David
Berger, Julio Diaz, Mike Hoefel, and Marin Moore.
Staff. Director of Parks, Public Works & Emergency Management Cary Roe, Parks and Facilities
Manager Steve Ikerd and Public Works Administrative Assistant Shawna Upton.
Guests: Councilmember Susan Honda and Fred Konkell.
The May Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting minutes were approved as written. Motion
by Sciacqua, Second by Koppang. Motion passes.
PUBLIC FORUM
Fred Konkell is just visiting today but was interested in the progress of the Panther Lake Study. He
brought some pictures of way - finding markers that had been used in Kent and thought they might be
useful for way - finding for the Panther Lake improvements.
Councilmember Honda introduced herself to the Commission and expressed appreciation to members of
the Commission for all the time and effort that they give to the City as volunteers.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
COMMISSIONER RECOGNITION POLICY
Roe wanted to highlight key elements of the policy relating to volunteer Commission members and how
recognition is handled. Depending on the term of service, recognition consists of either a certificate of
appreciation or a plaque presented at a City Council Meeting or mailed to the Commissioner. He noted
volunteer time is greatly appreciated. Roe mentioned that former member Louise Wessel was not able to
attend the Commission meeting to receive a certificate but that one was mailed to her.
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Parks and Recreation Commission, June 7, 2012 Page 2
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Both the Chair and Vice Chair positions are open for election.
Sciacqua nominated Ailinger to continue as Chair of the Commission. Hoefel second the nomination for
Ailinger as Chair. None opposed. Motion passes.
Sharlock nominated Sciacqua for Vice Chair. Sciacqua nominated Sharlock for Vice Chair. Ailinger
second the nomination for Sharlock. None opposed. Motion passes.
STAFF REPORTS
DOE SOIL SAFETY PROGRAM
Ikerd informed the Commission that the Department of Ecology (DOE) has recently taken some soil
samples in Federal Way using funds provided by litigation money received from an ASARCO settlement.
ASARCO Copper Smelter is no longer in operation but was located in north Tacoma and had released
plumes containing arsenic and lead which settled in surrounding cities, including Federal Way. DOE
tested soil in the parks near the playground equipment and all the areas were found to be below the
standard amounts of contaminants except for Adelaide, Heritage Woods and Lake Grove. Minimal levels
of arsenic were found at Adelaide and Heritage Woods. Slightly elevated levels of lead and arsenic were
found at Lake Grove. DOE will be facilitate public outreach efforts and will provide signage at the parks.
Discussion continued regarding the testing process, what the signs will say and DOE's Work Plan. DOE
will be providing a presentation at the PRHSPS Committee meeting on June 12th and Council on
June 19th.
PANTHER LAKE STUDY UPDATE
Ikerd provided some background information about the project to benefit the new members on the
Commission. He also provided an update based on the estimated costs report received from Huitt- Zollars.
Phase I of the project included looking at the associated costs to put in a new parking lot, create a loop
trail, playground, benches, way - finding and some other minor improvements. The City will now be
reviewing the report to determine what options can be afforded and will bring the information back to the
Commission and discussions will be had to determine which improvement options will be pursued.
STEEL LAKE FUNLAND SAFETY AUDIT UPDATE
Ikerd expressed he was impressed with the thoroughness, quality and detail of the safety audit report
performed on Funland, the wooden play structure at Steel Lake Park, received from Leather's &
Associates. Leather's was impressed with how well the City has maintained the structure so far. Staff is
still in the process of reviewing the report. The report identifies elements in a 1 -5 numerical priority order
in addition to instructions on how to repair or update them. Elements found to be a potential safety
hazard, based on new safety regulations in today's standards, will be handled right away by in -house staff.
Other elements in the report will be prioritized by the City and addressed accordingly. The goal is to
update the safety of the structure as well as add new features, or update existing ones, to rejuvenate the
structure. A further discussion was held regarding ideas for what new features could be implemented. In
addition, how to reach out and gain support from the public, eagle scouts or professional groups for funds
or volunteer time as had been done in the past when the original structure was built.
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Parks and Recreation Commission, June 7, 2012 Page 3
SACAJAWEA SOCCER FIELD UPDATE
Ikerd noted that the project is now under contract with Field Turf. Next week, the contractor will begin to
remove the turf and flood test the rock base area to see how it handles the water before the new turf is
installed. The contractor will also be adding new drainage elements to assist with water collection and
improvements to control the cinder and try and reduce the amount that gets tracked onto the fields.
Conversation continued discussing specific details on the type of drainage that will be used, what ongoing
maintenance will be required with the new turf as well as other areas that need to be repaired or updated.
RED, WHITE & BLUES FESTIVAL UPDATE
Ikerd stated that a 10x10 canopy is available for the Commission to have a booth at the Red White &
Blues Festival at Celebration Park on July 4th at 4pm. Park Trail maps and trail mix will be provided
again this year. Discussion continued regarding details for booth set up, volunteer schedules and other
ideas for information to provide to the public.
PARK PLAN UPDATE
Roe updated the Commission that the six -year Park Plan is in the process of being updated. Information
needing to be updated has been transferred to AHBL and when the updated plan is received, it will be
brought back to the Commission. The plan will show the changes made in strikeout and underline so it
will easier to see what has been updated. Roe noted that he is currently working on the budget process
and will have a better idea of what the available funds will be for making improvements to some other
City parks. Discussion continued regarding what parks and projects would be desired once funding is
available.
ANTI- BULLYING MURAL
Ikerd noted that Ameri -Corps worked with students at Mark Twain Elementary on this mural and had
approached the City to see if it could be displayed on City property. Celebration Park, Building B, has
been chosen as the display site. There are concerns regarding graffiti so a special coating will be used to
help protect it and make it easier for the City to clean it. Further conversation was held discussing the
amount of time to display it, what could be done to help discourage graffiti on the artwork, including the
potential of lighting and what would happen if it were damaged beyond repair.
OTHER BUSINESS
Roe informed the Commission that there were vandals that entered the gated area at Celebration Park.
They were successful in cutting and stealing copper wire. The Parks Department is currently performing
an audit to determine exactly how much damage was done and will be working to repair the lights as soon
as possible. Options for increased security are being evaluated and additional steps will be taken to try
and make it more difficult for theft to occur in the future.
Sharlock circulated pictures of way - finding poles that he and Fred Konkell had seen in Kent. Sharlock
thought they might be a good idea for use with the Panther Lake improvements and potentially throughout
the City trail system. He commented that they were very easy to find and clearly indicated how to get
around from one area or trail to another. Ikerd mentioned that Huitt- Zollars has provided suggestions on
way - finding options in their report.
Ikerd briefly mentioned that there were two celebrations that took place recently. One was the War
Memorial created by an Eagle Scout at Saghalie and the other was the Denny Cabin at West Hylebos
Wetlands Park.
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Parks and Recreation Commission, June 7, 2012 Page 4
Sciacqua provided additional information to the Commission about the Denny Cabin remodeling project.
The Historical Society finished the remodeling on the cabin and the official celebration was May 121"
There are two cabins there, the Barker Cabin and the Denny Cabin. The historical society plans to have
the cabins open to the public one Saturday per month as long as they have volunteers to staff it.
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
Panther Lake Study Update
Steel Lake Funland Update
Sacajawea Soccer Field Update
Red, White & Blues Festival Follow Up
Park Plan Update
Wire Theft Safety Updates
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ailinger adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT MEETING IS AUGUST 2, 2012
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