Parks Comm Mins 06-04-2015g:\parks comm mtg notes\2015\06042015 minutes.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, June 4, 2015 Hylebos Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Vice Chair Hoefel called the meeting to order at 6:33pm.
Present: Vice Chair Mike Hoefel, Lynda Jenkins, Anthony Murrieta, David Wilson, Laura Belvin and Dawn
Coggins
Excused: George Pfeiffer, Mark Koppang, David Berger
Unexcused: P.K. Thumbi
Guest: Council member Moore
Staff: Parks Director John Hutton, and Deputy Parks Director Steve Ikerd, Parks & Facilities Manager Jason
Gerwen, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II.
PUBLIC FORUM
Council member Moore thanked the commission for their hard work.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Murrieta moved to approve the May Parks and Recreation regular meeting minutes as written.
Commissioner Belvin seconded. Motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
4TH OF JULY PLANNING
Mr. Hutton reported that everything for the event is all in place. Everything will be free this year – including
parking. The event will start at 4:00pm, and the fireworks will be at 10:15pm. The commissioners will be hosting a
booth again this year. Ms. Jaenicke will be purchasing trail mix. The commissioners discussed the shifts for
working the booth. 3:00pm-5:00pm will be commissioners Murrieta and Berger, 5:00pm-7:00pm commissioners
Wilson and Coggins, 7:00pm – 9:00pm Vice Chair Hoefel and commissioners Belvin. Council member Moore
stated that he would also be available to help.
STAFF REPORTS
TOWN SQUARE PARK
Mr. Ikerd reported that they went out to bid on Thursday, and they had six potential bidders show up at the pre-con
meeting. The bid is posted in the Federal Way Mirror, and the plan centers. Bids are due June 11, and the engineers
estimate is $450,000.00. Work will begin on June 22. The goal is to plant the grass in October so that it will be
grown in by the targeted opening date June 2016. The Town Square Park bid approval will go directly to Council
on June 16. Staff is still working on the permits.
Parks and Recreation Commission, June 4, 2015 Page 2
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ADELAIDE PARK PLAY STRUCTURE
Mr. Gerwen reviewed the playground structure. The canopy of the play structure will be made out of a resin plastic
that is similar to the slides. Mr. Gerwen presented three options for the location of the swings. The pros and cons
of each location were discussed. The location by the tennis courts would be an ideal area because it is a level wide
open space. The other locations would require some trees being removed and some ret ention. Location 3 would
require the most retention. Commissioner Belvin suggested a fourth location that is near the tennis courts. Mr.
Gerwen stated that with the amount of fir trees at that location, he is not sure the swings would fit. His preference is
to not take down the large fir trees; he would like to preserve the natural feel of the park. Ms. Belvin would like
there to be the ability to play tennis, and also be able to watch the kids play on the swings. Many of the
commissioners felt that it was better to have the swings located closer to the play structure. Site 2 would require
less retention, and only a few minor trees to be removed. Commissioner Belvin would like Mr. Gerwen to measure
the site that she is interested in. Mr. Gerwen will flag options 2 and 4 so that the commissioners can go look at the
options. The goal is to have the play structure installed this summer. The swings will be installed at a later time.
KARL GROSCH FIELD
The installation of the artificial field turf is completed; it took approximately three weeks to install. A reserve
account has been setup for artificial field turf replacement. A routine maintenance schedule is being setup, this will
help the fields last longer. The fields will be serviced twice a year. The average life span of an artificial field is
about 12-15 years.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Belvin inquired about Knutzen Family Theater. Mr. Hutton stated that the city is in negotiations
with Centerstage Theatre. Commissioner Belvin stated that she read the article in the paper, and would like Mr.
Hutton to elaborate on the situation. Mr. Hutton replied that he cannot elaborate, because both parties made a
commitment to not comment on the negotiations. He could answer specific questions, but he cannot talk about
negotiations. Commissioner Belvin asked if they could talk about what the paper said, Mr. Hutton replied that she
could ask him a question. Commissioner Belvin asked how the city was using the facility. Mr. Hutton answered
that six years ago the city entered into a contract with Centerstage for them to manage the Theater and the spaces
associated with the Theater. The city is managing the rest of the facility. Commissioner Murrieta also read the
article and he did not believe that the article reflected negatively on the Parks Department. Mr. Hutton explained
the process of the negotiations, and stated that there was no ill intent, but that things fell apart. Commissioner
Belvin asked how the Commission could be more informed. Mr. Hutton replied that he is happy to answer any
questions that she has, but he cannot talk about future negotiations. Mr. Hutton stated that his intent was to make
the entire building financially feasible moving forward. The building is 60 years old and it is going to have
maintenance needs. He was trying to find a way generate money, by having the city rent the spaces that are
currently occupied by Centerstage. Mr. Hutton stated that the Dumas Bay Centre is 100% self- supporting; they do
not receive any financial support from the city. Vice-Chair Hoefel asked if they would be adversely affected when
the PACC opens. Mr. Hutton answered that he did not think so; the two facilities are very different.
Commissioner Coggins stated that she and her son went to the Hylebos Wetlands Park on Mother’s Day, and she is
very pleased with how the Parks Maintenance staff was able to get the park opened so quickly. She said the park
looked beautiful. There were a lot of people there on that day. She asked if exit signs could be installed on the
boardwalk. Mr. Gerwen, thanked her for her nice comments, and stated that the signs have been vandalized, and
that he would get them replaced, and in the meantime have temporary signs installed.
Commissioner Jenkins handed around photos of Parks Appreciation Day, and Powells Wood.
The 25th Anniversary Celebration was discussed. Mr. Hutton stated that if the commissioners are interested in
volunteering Mr. McNey would like to have the volunteers there at 10:00am. This will be the last event at Town
Square Park, and then the park will be closed for the new construction.
Parks and Recreation Commission, June 4, 2015 Page 3
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NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2015.
Items for the August 6, 2015 meeting are:
Commission Business
Staff Reports
Town Square Park
Adelaide Park Update
4th of July Recap
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Murrieta, second by Belvin to adjourn the meeting.
Vice-Chair Hoefel adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm.