Parks Comm MINS 11-06-2014g:\parks comm mtg notes\2014\agendas and minutes\110614 minutes.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, November 6, 2014 Hylebos Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Chair Koppang called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Present: Chair Koppang, Vice Chair Mike Hoefel, David Wilson, P.K. Thumbi, David Berger, Laura Belvin
and Lynda Jenkins, George Pfeiffer
Excused: P.K. Thumbi
Guests: Deputy Mayor Burbidge
Staff: Parks Director John Hutton, Deputy Parks Director Steve Ikerd, and Parks Administrative Assistant II
Mary Jaenicke.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the October Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting were approved as written.
Motion by Hoefel to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Belvin. Motion passes.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
2015 WORK PLAN DEVELOPMENT
The Parks Commission reviewed the 2014 Work Plan, to develop the 2015 Work Plan. Commissioner Berger
would like to move Lakota Park to the top of the work plan to reflect a higher priority.
Annual Playground Equipment Replacement: A motion was made at the October meeting to make
replacement of the playground at Adelaide Park the top playground priority. Commissioner Pfeiffer also
mentioned his interest in having playground equipment installed at Lakota Park to add a user group to that
facility. After discussion, it was decided that there needs to be a meeting with the users of Lakota to make
sure there is support for playground equipment. The users may feel that there are other higher priorities for
that facility. Chair Koppang stated there needs to be a partner for the major Lakota project (track and field).
There are funds available to do some improvements to that park, and feels it is important to meet with
residents in the Lakota area to understand what improvements they would like. Chair Koppang asked the
commission if it would be better to keep a potential playground under the umbrella of Lakota Park as a whole,
or separate it and have the focus of improvements at Lakota Park remain centered on the track and field.
Commissioner Pfeiffer would like to have it separated out. Vice Chair Hoeffel reminded us that the Lakota
student group was specific about the improvements that they wanted and he thought the commission should
concentrate on the Adelaide Park before a playground at Lakota. Mr. Ikerd will contact the playground
companies, and the goal will be to hold a neighborhood meeting during the first quarter. The Lakota
playground will be added to the playground matrix and work plan as another alternative improvement to
Lakota park.
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Trail & Pedestrian Access Improvements: Chair Koppang stated this is a priority and the commission will
rely on the Parks Department to prioritize the work. Mr. Ikerd stated that the goal is to go out to bid on the
project in January. It is a very challenging bid to put together. Each specific spot needs to be looked at and
evaluated. Commissioner Berger agreed that Major Maintenance is not something that the commission should
focus on but rather improvements, replacements, and policy issues. However there are several parks that have
significant issue from a safety standpoint and he feels that the commission should at least track the progress.
He proposed renaming the project “Trail & Pedestrian access improvements and major maintenance projects”.
The parks that need the maintenance would be added to commission tasks, and the Parks Department will
report what the progress is and ask for input. Mr. Ikerd stated that if the weather is dry, he and Jason Gerwen
are going to go out in the field and that he could send the matrix chart of what their findings are for potential
review as early as the December, in time for the next meeting. Commissioner Pfeiffer said that the Parks
Commission should let the Parks Department do their maintenance and the commission’s responsibility should
be to visually go out and look at the trails in each of the parks, and come back with an assessment. The
addition of an improved walking trail at Lakota Park was also discussed, which would be in addition to the
track and field and potential playground.
2015 Volunteer events: This project will remain the same.
Panther Lake Master Plan: Mr. Ikerd stated that the Huitt-Zollars contract is being amended. The
commission’s task is being changed to build out to Phase I as revise d to fit within the dollar amount. Mr.
Ikerd stated that they are doing away with some items in the master plan that will help reduce the cost of the
project. The funding from the King County Tax Levy has to be used on a regional trail system. It is uncl ear if
we need to give the money back if it is not used in a certain amount of time. Steve will get some clarification.
Red, White & Blues Festival: This project will stay the same.
Lakota Park: The priorities are the track and field, trails and a playground. Finding extra funding sources will
be removed, and holding a community meeting will be added.
Town Square Park: The Summary/Objectives will be revised to “Review and give input into any future
recommendations of park improvements”, and commission tasks will be revised to “Review and make any
recommendations on further improvements”.
Mr. Ikerd stated that there is CIP money for Laurelwood Park, and that the improvements to the park have
been put on hold due to staff workloads. There is $162,00 0 in the account. After discussion, it was decided
that the there are enough projects for the commission and the Parks Department, and at this time, this is not a
high priority and will not be added to the work plan. The commission will look at the park in the late spring.
STAFF REPORTS
ADELAIDE PARK UPDATE
The existing park was reviewed. Currently the swings are out of order, and the structure needs to be removed.
Discussion revolved around relocating the swings to another area of the park, and inst alling a larger
playground. Commissioner Berger would like to have a play structure and a swing set. They would also like
two 2 bay swing sets, on for tots and one for youth. Potential locations for the swing set were discussed. Mr.
Ikerd will contact the playground companies and have them provide us with examples of play structures. It
will need to be a custom design because of the footprint that is there.
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LAKOTA PARK UPDATE
Chair Koppang reported that the School District needs to get involved. St aff has met with the School District
representatives, and this does not seem to be a high priority for the m. Commissioner Berger thinks it would be
helpful to have the facts and figures of the city’s use and the school districts use of the field, and provide that
information to the school. Mr. Hutton has spoken with Clay Williams, and he is aware that the school district
is the major user of the park. Commissioner Berger stated that if the figures were in writing, he would be
willing to go to a PTA meeting and educate them on who the users are. Mr. Hutton will put together a fact
sheet on the usage of Lakota Park. Commissioner Pfeiffer stated that the school district has said that they use
the park 4 hours and 15 minutes a day. Vice Chair Hoeffel would like there to be a quarterly meeting with the
school district staff and city staff. Chair Koppang said that the city is currently working on an Interlocal
Agreement with the school district.
TOWN SQUARE PARK UPDATE
City staff is working with Nakano Associates to further develop an organized plan for potential additions to
the park. There is going to be a Town Hall style open design charrette at the Federal Way Community Center
from 9:30am – 12pm on November 22. This will be the kick-off for the public process. Mr. Hutton stated that
there was very good feedback on the Survey Monkey. There were over 460 responses, and the majority of
them were very well thought out ideas and comments. A public meeting was also held prior to a City Council
meeting.
The student murals have been installed. Approximately 75-100 people attended the unveiling. The murals are
going to be repositioned to coordinate the colors of the schools. The mural artist s design was to have the
murals separated by four inches. By doing this, the geometric designs will line up better. The mural artist is
currently working with the student artists to develop a way to tie them together; it is hard to see from far away.
The colors that are imbedded into the art right now will be applied to the w alls. This will give it a framing
effect.
Commissioner Belvin stated that she sees the downtown park as a Cultural Center and a place to do events.
She does not think that the questions in the survey reflected that vision. She has noticed how parks in other
cities are being used for events, and is concerned that the questionnaire did not address a purpose and large
events. Mr. Hutton asked her to take the survey again, and add her comments and concerns, in the comment
box. He also asked that she attend the design charrette meeting and bring her ideas to the architects. It is the
city’s goal to have the park be a location for large events and cultural events. He reviewed all of the events
that have taken place there since the park opened. Mr. Hutton has received very positive feedback from the
community.
FUNLAND SWINGS INSTALLED
The new swing sets have been installed, and they are currently working on drainage. It is a 2 bay swing set,
one set is for tots and the other set is for youth. The area is s till fenced off. There are still some punch list
items that need to be completed, they are mostly cosmetic items, and will be done in the spring.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Hutton invited the Commission to come out to the Raise the Flag event on November 11. The program
will start at 11:00am.
NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
The election of the Chair and Vice -Chair will occur at the December meeting. Chair Koppang is open for
suggestions on the election process. It is important that the Commission works together, and the meetings are
effective.
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Items for the December 4, 2014 meeting are:
Commission Business
Rough Draft of the 2015 Work Plan
Election of Officers
Staff Reports
Panther Lake Update
Trail Report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Jenkins, Second by Berger to adjourn the meeting.
Chair Koppang adjourned the meeting at 8:32 pm.