PRHSPSC MINS 07-08-2014
K:\PRHSPS Committee\2014\07082014 prhsps Min.doc
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
5:30 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Honda, and Committee members Duclos and Moore
Council Members in Attendance: Deputy Mayor Burbidge
Staff Members in Attendance: John Hutton, Interim Director of Parks, Amy Jo Pearsall, Interim City Attorney,
Andy Hwang, Chief of Police, Steve Ikerd, Parks & Facilities Manager, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II.
Guests: Lynda Jenkins – Parks Commission.
Chair Honda called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m.
Public Comment: None
Commission Comment: Ms. Jenkins had no comments, but handed around pictures that were taken at city parks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee member Duclos moved to approve the May 13, 2014 minutes, Committee Moore seconded. Motion
passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Fiscal Year 2014 COPS Grant Application
Chief Hwang reported that they have applied for the 2014 COPS grant. This grant would provide funding fo r four
new police officer positions. In 2010, the city applied for the grant and was awarded funds for four officers. The city
also applied in 2011 and was awarded the grant, but declined the grant due to budget uncertainties. They applied
again in 2013 and did not receive the award. The total amount of the grant would be $500,000 and the city’s share
would be $424,688.00 over the three year period. Committee member Duclos asked that the Police Department let
them know that if they are awarded the grant that the City has every intention of using this grant. Chief Hwang
stated that they have been submitting supplemental letters. Committee member Duclos moved to forward the
FY2014 COPS Grant Approval to the July 15, 2014 Council consent agenda for approval. Moore seconded.
Motion passed.
Lakota Park
Ikerd reviewed the Lakota property with the Committee. Recently with mitigation money, the Parks Department
developed two little league fields. New backstops were put in, redid the infields, installed irrigat ion, and reseeded.
The fields opened in the spring. The field in the center of the track is an all-weather field. It is the last all weather
field in our parks system. This field does not get used much. The track is cinder, we do not program the trac k, and
the school district is responsible to maintain it. Committee member Duclos asked if there was a formal agreement
between the City of Federal Way and the Federal Way School District. Ikerd answered that there is not a formal
written agreement; it has been a “gentleman agreement” between Rod Leland and Steve Ikerd from many years ago.
Deputy Mayor Burbidge asked what the cost would be to upgrade it. Ikerd answered that to upgrade the soccer field
the track, and lighting would cost approximately 1.5 million. Hutton stated that if we upgraded the soccer field and
the track it would be heavily used by the School District every day that they are in session. The city would use the
facility in the evenings. Committee member Duclos asked if the School District would do anything to support the
field or reimburse the city. Hutton answered that they take care of the track and line the fields for their own games.
The Mayor has met with the Superintendent, and the district is looking at prioritizing where their d ollars are spent.
Chair Honda stated that she could not support going forward with spending money on the Lakota field unless the
School District is going to be a partner. Committee members Duclos and Moore were in agreement with that. She
would like the city to make a strong statement to the School District. Committee member Moore requested that a
joint letter be done from the City Council and the Mayor’s office making a strong statement that it needs to be a
partnership. An agreement needs to be done and all of the responsibilities need to be clearly laid out. Committee
member Moore asked what the timeline is for the project. Hutton answered stated they would like to commit to
Lakota, but will not be able to without the partnership with the School District. There is $391,000 set aside for that
Park. Ikerd added that the next grant cycle for this location would be in two years. Committee member Duclos
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Summary
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moved to ask the Mayor or his designee to meet with the School Superintendent to secure an agreement
regarding the use, the maintenance, and the upgrade of Lakota Park. Committee member Moore seconded.
Motion passed.
French Lake Park – Discussion only
Mr. Ikerd provided the background information. In 2005 a group of citizens went to the City Council and petitioned
them to come up with an off-leash dog park. French Lake Park was chosen as a location for a trial period of one
year. In 2006 it was formally made an off-leash dog park. There was a lot of citizen concern about the Park from the
neighbors on the north. A 20 foot buffer fence was installed. The Park has been so successful that it is difficult to
keep the grass growing. This has become the most recent problem along with the pond. The pond has been fenced
off, and the water is continuously tested. In November of 2013 the Parks Commission recommended stopping the
use of the pond, and fill it in. Park Pals has been informed of this decision, and the pond would be filled in at the
end of the summer. The Parks Department has been in contact with Lakehaven, and they have requested that the city
do a study to make sure it will not impact their portion of the property. Surface Water division has been involved
and determined that it would not impact them. The catch basin will remain and there will still be drainage. The
majority of the Park Pals is in favor of this. Deputy Mayor Burbidge asked about the sprinkler issue. Ikerd answered
that this is a challenge. Lakehaven backwashes their filters and contain the water in large reservoirs in the ground.
This is what they use to disperse through the irrigation system. It is done on floats and they try to program it, but
there are times when they cannot control it, and need to get rid of the water. The issue with the water fountain was
also discussed.
Town Square – Discussion Only
Hutton reported that the Grand Opening is scheduled for July 12 from 12:00pm-4:00pm. There will be a ribbon
cutting ceremony, entertainment, inflatables, and food trucks. The day camp staff will also be there to play games
with the kids. The Farmers Market will be at the park on Wednesdays. The Toys R Us demolition area will be
fenced off. Committee member Moore inquired about the paint on the planters. Ikerd explained that it is a stain that
was used, and it absorbs into the concrete. Committee member Moore is also concerned about homeless people
sleeping at the park; he wants to be sure that the park is safe, and that the citizens will feel comfortable. Hutton
answered that there will be staff at the park, they will be the eyes of the park, and they will be monitoring the
behavior. The park is also located very close to the sub-station. Committee member Duclos stated that the homeless
will try and sleep at the park, and they will try and use the facilities. The police will have to patrol quite a bit at
night. Signs will also be posted that the park is under video surveillance. There is a half-court basketball court, and
that hoop will be lowered to 6’ for children to play on.
Funland Play Structure Renovation
The Grand re-opening of Funland will be held on July 16. Park Maintenance staff is still working on the smaller
detail work. The pour in-place is in around the AbilityWhirl; and that will be opened on the 16th. The rest of
Funland is opened. The renovated play structure has been very popular. Chair Honda stated that it is a beautiful
park, and very well done. Hutton added that at the Grand Opening there will be a letter from Governor Inslee read
by the Mayor, and Miss Wheelchair Washington will be the guest speaker. The murals were painted by our Park
Maintenance work Tony Collins.
Red, White and Blues Festival
Chair Honda suggested for next year that the City has a volunteer cleanup committee to come in after the event and
help clean up the park. The City of Seattle has something similar to this. Hutton reported that the festival was very
successful, and the crowd was very well behaved; the Police did not have one negative incident. The crowd was
estimated to be over 20,000 people. There were over 50 kids in the parade, and the fireworks show was successful.
Hutton stated that they appreciate the fact that the City Council attends the event.
Deputy Mayor Burbidge discussed a recent article in the Seattle Times regarding downtown parks, and that they had
applied for a grant.
Future PRHSPS committee meetings will be held at 5:00pm thru December.
PENDING ITEMS
None
NEXT MEETING: August 8, 2014 at 5:00pm
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:55p.m.
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
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