Parks Comm MINS 09-01-2016CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, September 1, 2016 Dash Point Conference Room
6:30 p.m. City Hall
MEETING MINUTES
Chair Hoefel called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
Present: Dawn Coggins, Vice Chair David Berger, George Pfeiffer, Laura Belvin, Chair Mike Hoefel, P.K. Thumbi,
and David Wilson, and Anthony Murrietta
Council members in attendance: Mark Koppang, Martin Moore
Guest: Diana Noble - Gulliford and Gerald Knutzen, Federal Way Historical Society
Staff: Parks Director John Hutton, Deputy Parks Director Steve Ikerd, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II.
PUBLIC FORUM
Ms. Noble - Gulliford shared the visions that the Marckx family had for the Rroperty at West Hylebos Park. Their
dream was to have the trail at the West Hylebos Park extended to S. 356 . They had visions of the properties
connecting, the trails to be educational for children and students in Federal Way, and an interpretive center.
Mr. Knutzen distributed a paper that provided an overview of the history of the Brooklake Community Center
Property. He stated that Brooklake is a very unique piece of property. It has an historical building on it that was
built in 1929. Mr. Knutzen stated that he believes there a substantial number of entities that would be interested in
helping to develop the property, and that this could be one of the nicest parks in the Puget Sound when it's finished.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Pfeiffer moved to approve the June Parks and Recreation regular meeting minutes as written.
Commissioner Wilson seconded. Motion passed.
DISCUSSION
Brooklake Development: Council member Koppang stated that the Council has not discussed this matter, and
he has not met with the Mayor on this; it's all very preliminary. Council member Koppang stated that the
property has the potential to be a regional or state -wide center for people to come and understand wetlands. It
would be another way to bring people to Federal Way. The uniqueness and the potential of the property were
discussed. He asked the Commission to keep this subject in mind and if any of the commissioners have ideas
of what they would like to see at Brooklake please share them with the Mayor and the Council. Mr. Pfeiffer
stated that there needs to be a modern Visitors Center at the property. Mr. Ikerd stated that the whole property
needs to be Master Planned. Vice -chair Berger added that they also need to include the Blueberry Farm in the
Master Plan. Chair Hoefel stated that this is an item that could be added to the 2017 Parks Commission Work
Plan.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
2016 WORK PLAN THIRD QUARTER REVIEW
Panther Lake Project: Mr. Ikerd reported that he has been looking at Panther Lake with a new consultant to get a
different perspective. It may become a different project than what was originally planned. He will be meeting with
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Parks and Recreation Commission September 1 2016 Page 2
the consultant and the planning Department, and he would like to bring this back for discussion at the October
meeting. There have been many comments regarding the trail, and there have been requests to leave the trail natural
instead of making it into another BPA Trail. Some of the trails could stay the way they are, there are a few areas
that need to be made ADA compliant.
STAFF REPORTS
PARK TOUR DATES
The tour will take place on September 22 from 4:00pm- 7:00pm. The sites that will be visited are Laurelwood,
Brooklake, Mirror Lake and Wedgewood.
TRAIL & PEDESTRIAN ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIR UPDATE
During the bid process seven locations were identified that could fit within the budget. Bids were sent out to 18
companies off of the MRSC Roster, and three of those companies responded. The lowest bid came in at
$132,261.98 and it was submitted by Tony Lind Paving. Public Works is currently using them for a project. This is
scheduled to go to the September 13 PRHSPSC meeting and then onto full City Council on September 20 for
approval. The Parks Commission was in support of using Tony Lind Paving.
RED, WHITE & BLUES RECAP
Mr. Hutton thanked the Parks Commission for being there. The event was well attended; the fireworks show was
the best that they have had. The vendors did well this year, and there were no major incidents. Staff will order a
new banner for the Parks Commission.
TOWN SQUARE PARK GRAND OPENING RECAP
The grand opening was very well attended. The public had a great time. The bands did a great job. Mr. Hutton
stated that the park is very busy every day, and it is serving its purpose. The recreation staff has held four special
events that were well attended. People have been in the park very late at night, but there have been no cases of
vandalism. Vice -Chair Berger stated that he was at Steel Lake Park and there were many people that were not
aware of Town Square Park. He asked if there was a possibility to have some sort of signage posted at Steel Lake.
Mr. Hutton stated that they could post something in the kiosk.
ADELAIDE PARK UPDATE
Final preps on the site are being done, and the swing set is scheduled to be installed on September 16, 2016.
Commissioner Belvin requested to have the water fountain repaired.
LAKOTA PARK UPDATE
Mr. Hutton reported that there has not been any change. Federal Way School District (FWSD) has been very busy
with the high school remodel. There has been some work done at Lakota; the drains were cleared to prevent the
flooding that was experienced this year. The proposed changes to a later start time for the high schools may result
in the middle school and high school athletic fields getting lighting before they agree to improvements at Lakota.
Commissioner Thumbi asked what the next step is. He stated that there is a responsibility between the city and the
school district. Commissioner Murrietta replied that it is the School Boards responsibility; the city has stepped up to
do their half. Vice -Chair Berger stated that it's natural for the school community to believe that it is the city's
responsibility. The group that showed up to the Parks Commission meeting and the Council meeting two years ago
were directed to go to the School Board meeting, and they have not done that. There are no solutions at this time, so
this item has been tabled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Vice -Chair Berger stated that he was copied on an email from the President of the Federal Way Symphony about a
proposal that is supposed to be going to the Arts Commission for the 1St annual Brews & Blues Festival for Town
Square Park. Mr. Hutton stated that it was not discussed at the September Arts Commission meeting, and it has not
been fully vetted. They have not submitted a formal proposal, and there is still a lot of work to be done. This is not
an event that the Parks and Recreation staff could take on.
Commissioner Belvin suggested looking into a Shakespeare Festival at Town Square Park.
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Parks and Recreation Commission September 1 2016 Page 3
Chair Hoefel inquired about the increase of litter on the trails. Discussion was held on possible solutions.
Commissioner Belvin inquired about the budget. Mr. Hutton answered that the committee was tabled, and the Parks
Department Budget presentation will be held at a special meeting on September 29`h. The Parks Department
submitted a long list of program requests, and we do not know what will be accepted. Mr. Hutton added that the
highest priority request was for Park Maintenance staff, and equipment for those positions.
NEXT MEETING /AGENDA ITEMS
Items for the October 6, 2016 meeting are:
Commission Business
2016 Work Plan — 3rd Quarter projects
Review 6 year plan
Staff Reports
Panther Lake Trail Update
Brooklake Development
Field Trip Review
ADJOURNMENT
A motion by Murrietta, and second by Berger to adjourn the meeting.
Chair Hoefel adjourned the meeting at 8:01 pm.
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