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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJCPRAB AGENDAS & MINUTES 1996JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD XHNUTES for December 4, 1996 Chair Dick Broders called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. in the Commissioner's Conference Room, 1st Floor, Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Broders, Judy French -Scott, Kate Spear, Char Laughlin, David Whipple, Rick Tollefson, Debbie Berreth, Tony Turner MEMBERS ABSENT: Lee Morgan STAFF PRESENT: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Molly Pearson, Kevin Burke GUESTS: Frank Trafton, Jr. and Doug Mason, Citizen Participants; Linda Chase, Wild Olympic Salmon; Lowell Jons, Owner, P.T. Cyclery MINUTES/AGENDA: Minutes for the November 6, 1996 meeting were approved as presented. ROAD VACATIONS - None OLD BUSINESS B uaw-&a Facilipes. Doug Mason appeared on behalf of the local pony club to update the advisory board on the conceptual proposal of an equestrian cross country course at Beausite Lake. Delays on their proposal have occurred due to difficulties scheduling meetings with interested parties. However, the group is encouraged by conversations with members of the equestrian community that an adequate, multi -use site including mountain bike trails could be established on the east side of the lake. Doug stated the course would require approximately 2,300 meters, but added it wouldn't need to be lineal. Also participating on their project team will be a course designer from the successful Bainbridge Island facility. Warren confirmed with Doug that the pony club could produce a site plan and agreed to include them on the February agenda of this meeting. Commmitr Park Grant Applicadons.- Linda Chase of Wild Olympic Salmon was present to report her progress on the landscape plan around the dragon sculpture at Chimacum Park. Linda has recruited seven volunteers and is currently negotiating for soil and boulders. As weather permits, work will continue. Linda and Molly Hilt will schedule a meeting to review the planting area. NEW BUSINESS M=M& Bike A=c&dho. Lowell Jons of the mountain bike association in Jefferson County presented a verbal proposal to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He expressed that a steering committee from his association is interested in working with the Parks Board in proposing the development of a set of mountain bike trails between Anderson and Gibbs Lakes on DNR and County properties. After a conceptual explanation by Lowell, Warren Steurer suggested another meeting of the trail subcommittee be held to consider all interested groups and associations. A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, December 18 at 12:00 in the Public Works conference area. STAFF REPORTS Rcvrwdon Repout Tim Black reported junior basketball planning is underway. Also, on December 14 from 9:00 pm - 9:00 am, a teen lock -in will be held at the Rec. Center. The event is being sponsored by the Recreation Department and the SANE group. The cost of the lock -in is $4.00 and the event is intended to encourage an evening for teens that is free of drugs and alcohol. ParkMa&*xar Molly Hilt reported in addition to her regular activities she has been working with the group of "mommies" on the H.J. Carroll playground project. A&zWr'sReport. A budget hearing is being held today for Parks and Recreation. Warren Steurer handed out the 1997 budget and stated there were no reductions for Parks at this time. Warren reviewed the list of budgeted capital improvements and asked the advisory board for their feedback on prioritizing the projects. After a brief discussion of water and toilets as a priority, it appeared the irrigation of Memorial Field would be low on the list. The explanation for this was that a proposed hotel/motel tax has been planned to support the field irrigation. These tax dollars will now most likely be used for another project outside Parks. On the budget, Warren commented that if Americorps doesn't return to the Peninsula, the $5,000 match by the County could be used toward capital improvements on the Community Grant program. However, the hope is that Americorps will return and assist with needed projects. Warren reported that Tony Turner's position is up in January of 1997 and that although Tony has expressed interest in renewing the standard procedure requires the open position to be posted in the newspaper. On the subject of board positions, Molly Pearson reported that during her attendance at the Community Mobilization Youth Summit recently, she met two energetic teens. Molly expressed her interest in involving one or both teens in temporary positions on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Warren suggested Molly draft an Article to the By Laws to consider adding youth positions on the Parks Board. COMI IITTEE REPORTS H.J C.arrollPark.• Kevin Burke reported the receipt of the preliminary Threshold Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance and added that the final version should be issued soon. A permit hearing is scheduled in early January. Recruiting for new and replacement members for the H.J. Carroll advisory committee is occurring and an ad was listed in the newspaper. Conversations with David Cunningham of Pope Resources are continuing concerning their help with the project. The site is still listed as a mineral land and an open pit by the DNR, however a closure application has been submitted. A supplemental contract is in the works with consultant JGM to provide additional design consultation, engineering and construction documents for grading and draining, water quality plans, including a layout of trails. Design work for landscaping and building structures are planned to be contracted locally. A meeting was held last week with representatives of Wild Olympic Salmon on their building and included a discussion regarding holding their festival at the park. Frank Trafton recommended beginning work with the power companies now in order have power by the Fall of '97. A meeting was held with a group of moms casually known as Playground Mommies to discuss their interest in getting a playground designed and built primarily by the community. An example of this company's work has been built on Whidbey Island. On the same subject, Kevin is hoping to attend an upcoming Community Built Association conference which should have applications at H.J. Carroll. Larry&otl Ti l.• Discussions continue with the City and the Port on issues of ownership of the trail within the City limits. The City will own this section of trail and will make a resolution in the next month to that effect. Outside of the City limits, the Port sees safety and liability issues that will need to be handled. The City, Ports and County risk managers will be meeting toward a workable solution. Kevin met with Gene Seton and he has made the issue clear that if a trail goes over his property, he wants to see a site for the ORVs. Currently under consideration are a couple pieces of property owned by Mr. Seton and the County, 2 but it is completely surrounded by residents. The challenge continues to designate an ORV site without neighborhood opposition. The right-of-way plan has just been received and will be sent to the state for certification. A true cost estimate is also being accomplished based on the right-of-way plan. These two items will allow the County to get acquisition funding possibly in February. A complicating factor concerning the IAC grant is that one third of the property acquisition needs to be done by a deadline of March 21 or the grant will be pulled. Kevin is optimistic the parcels needed for this first deadline will be achieved, however the remainder of the acquisitions need to be done by June 30 and Kevin stated this is problematic. Gene Seton's property is key and may be difficult to obtain if it's conditional on a site for the ORVs. There was considerable discussion about how to meet the timeline of the IAC grant with the challenge by Gene Seton to establish an ORV site. Kevin also expressed concern over recent information from the surveyor that property lines may actually differ from the previous surveyor report and how this might affect acquisition. Motorcycle Trails/ORV: Frank Trafton appeared to ask for the board's guidance on next steps to proposing property use for ORVs. Kevin Burke reported that Jim Minish of the local motorcycle shop proposed an East Jefferson County Motorcycle Association. Development and education funds might also be available if there was organized training and certification of kids. Kevin also stated resident support might be more easily obtained if there was an educational component as well as hours of operation, rules of the road, safety, vehicles with spark arrestors, silencers, etc. Kevin added an ORV association has the potential to sell residents a facility developed with respect for their neighborhood and their privacy. Kevin would like for Frank Trafton and Jim Minish to talk more about getting an association and possibly even going to schools and put the program together with community involvement. Kevin Burke stated property at S.R. 20 and Cape George Road might be possible for a trial course. Warren Steurer stated he is not optimistic a site can be obtained by June, but hopes to have a concept that shows good intent. Advisory board members cautioned Frank Trafton about the time-consuming State application processes and considerable taxpayer dollars involved in the County 's support of a project such as the ORV park. Judy French -Scott added that much has been learned from the Larry Scott Trail project about the processes of grant applications and property acquisitions. Frank stated that in his opinion a purchase of property isn't required because the County and DNR have property that Parks and Recreation could use. Frank suggested that in the County's negotiation with Gene Seton on property acquisition for the Larry Scott Trail that the County document their agreement to an ORV site. SET NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wed., January 8, 1997 at 12:00 noon. JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES for November 6, 1996 Chair Dick Broders called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. in the basement conference room, Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Broders, Judy French -Scott, Kate Spear, Char Laughlin, Lee Morgan, David Whipple MEMBERS ABSENT: Rick Tollefson, Debbie Berreth, Tony Turner STAFF PRESENT: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Molly Pearson, Kevin Burke GUESTS: Frank Trafton, Jr., Citizen Participant MINUTES/AGENDA: Minutes for the October 2, 1996 meeting were approved as presented with one correction that the date of the next meeting should be November 6. Frank Trafton, Jr. requested agendas and minutes for future meetings. (Frank R. Trafton, Jr., 2882 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow, WA 98365 • 360-732-4814) ROAD VACATIONS Warren Steurer reported that due to time constraints, the Department of Public Works staff approved a road vacation. The vacation was for a spur road that enters into Beausite Road from West Valley Road. Due to the Kiwanis project, the traffic engineers inspected the road and, as a safety issue, it was determined this road needed to be vacated. Warren stated he didn't see any impact on Parks and Recreation. OLD BUSINESS Gibbs and Beausite Lake: Warren commented that the proposal to DNR to build trails linking Gibbs, Beausite and Anderson Lakes is still in process. Potential property areas for ORV use are also planned to be a part of that general proposal. The proposal is planned to be completed in the Spring of 1997. Frank Trafton volunteered to build rough trails. Warren Steurer reported that Lowell Jons from PT Cyclery has also said their biking association may be interested in working with Parks and Recreation to build trails as well. Northwest Kiwanis Camp: Warren Steurer reported that he, Klara Fabry and two other board members had their annual meeting with NW Kiwanis camp in October and the Kiwanis are moving ahead cautiously. NW Kiwanis had a successful camping session this summer and anticipate repeating this. Also, NW Kiwanis received their special use permit; however, they have obstacles to overcome regarding the water and septic systems. The Department of Ecology put together a grant program for the study of noxious weeds in lakes. Chris Hertel of the Lake Leland Neighborhood Association informed Parks and Recreation of the Elodea plant that is growing in Lake Leland. Warren contacted the Conservation District about this and they decided to take the lead on a grant application to the State. The planning grant has a maximum of $40,000 with 75% of the grant paid through state funding and 25% from the County. Out of the 25% from the County, half can be in -kind service and the rest in a monetary form. The BOCC and the board approved the grant application. If the grant is received, they will be able to study the Lake Leland area, as well as other lakes in Jefferson County. The planning grant will afford Parks and Recreation a clear path with the Department of Ecology and the WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) in deciding the best remedy for the eradication of the Elodea plant. Warren Steurer stated that the budgeting process has been completed with the BOCC. The 1997 budget seems healthy and Parks and Recreation is holding the line on costs. Improvements will include replacing the outhouse at Upper Oak Bay and adding a new toilet and possibly a shelter at Irondale Park. Also included is money for an irrigation system for Memorial Field, adding a water supply at Lake Leland, and a kiosk at Gibbs Lake. Ropes Course: Warren Steurer reported NW Kiwanis is working on an agreement currently with the Olympic Peninsula Ropes Challenge Course program. This program is progressing slowly. Parks and Recreation Survey: Warren Steurer reported that the survey changes have been made as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board suggested. The survey should be distributed before the beginning of the 1997 park season. Community Park Grant Applications: Warren reported that the grant application for Wild Olympic Salmon has been approved with a few design changes. Molly Hilt met with Linda Chace to rework a wider access area on the back section. NEW BUSINESS - None STAFF REPORTS Park Maintenance: Molly Hilt reported on improvements at Indian Island. A concrete picnic table has been added and soon to be completed are an information board and fire pit. Reader boards will be placed at the head of the Gibbs Lake loop trail (showing how long the trail is and its route) and at the park area. In addition, five new fire pits will be added at Upper Oak Bay this winter. At Quilcene, an iron ranger will be added and a camp host is being considered. Recreation Report: Tim Black reported the Quilcene Little League field has been planted and will soon be aerated and fertilized. The field will be ready to play on next year. Junior soccer is finishing and 50 teams participated. Junior Hoops will be starting after the first of the year and is signing up grades K through 6. These games will be held in the Chimacum Elementary gym. Fun runs will be held at Fort Worden (before the Rhody Festival) and the West Valley Run in conjunction with Hadlock Days. The runs are being held in cooperation with the City of Port Townsend and are being sponsored by the SANE group. The Rec. Center is full as usual. Suspected drug dealing and destructive behavior around the center have calmed with the regular police patrols. Memorial Field will soon be shut down and rototilled. 2 Molly Pearson reported that Klara Fabry has asked for a regular report from the staff of the Department of Public Works on the actions of advisory boards. These reports and presentations are intended to be standard procedure to improve communications regarding actions by the boards. Currently, it is planned as a staff report with input from the advisory board. Advisory board members will be invited to come the day the reports are presented to the BOCC. COMMITTEE REPORTS Motorcycle Trails/ORV: Kevin Burke reported on Frank Trafton's proposal for the use of a DNR site at Center Road and 104 for motorcycle use. Kevin followed up with Mike Cronin at DNR. DNR discouraged the use of this parcel due to resident conflicts, however, they want to cooperate with finding a site. Mike Cronin recommended a DNR site in East Clallam County near Burnt Hill and there is an organized group that is trying to make that into an ORV facility. His recommendation was for Jefferson County to team with Clallam County to create a site. Kevin contacted the IAC and it does have dollars available if a site is located and an IAC application is completed. Kevin expressed concern over an ORV facility that is an hour and a half away and also the displacement of kids to trails locally due to projects such as H.J. Carroll Park and Larry Scott Memorial Trail. Discussion of other possibilities included the power line corridors in combination with gravel pits. Frank Trafton and Jim Minish have looked at alternate sites. One was on Loftus Road near Cape George Colony (150 acres) and another at Hastings and Cape George Road (120 acres). Local resident concern over noise would be an issue at these locations. Frank Trafton expressed his desire to experiment with a temporary use trail and obtain feedback from residents on noise, etc. There was discussion over the displacement of motorcycle use on the Larry Scott Trail due to grant restrictions. Frank Trafton stated he felt youth will continue to use the trail whether given access or not. Kevin Burke raised the issue of policing the trails. He added that the ORV community needs to face the same questions of design, safety and maintenance issues as the bicycle and hiking communities for placing a trail. There was some additional discussion about trail possibilities and limitations. Kevin Burke stated he will continue discussions with Frank Trafton. HJ. Carroll Park: Kevin Burke reported working with the permit center on traffic issues related to H.J. Carroll Park on SR 19. A Public Works Department traffic engineer did a study and has turned it over to DOT for review regarding the possibility of adding a turn lane. The lease with Wild Olympic Salmon has been approved through the BOCC. A topo survey will need to be completed in the next month or so. Once the topo survey is complete, construction and grading can begin. Seton Construction may donate grading time. A permit won't be issued until the end of December so the department is proceeding on the good faith it will. The Vice President of Pope Resources has expressed interest in helping with the H.J. Carroll Park Development and he has asked for complete action plans so they can identify ways which they can help. Larry Scott Trail. The right-of-way plan from the surveyor has been received. Getting the right-of-way plan certified releases our funding for the acquisition of the trail property. There are a few changes so a meeting has been set with the surveyor for next week. Kevin has met with the mill and they are interested in conveying their property to the trail. The mill wants to see agreements with the Port and the City so those will be incorporated. The mill also desired a swap with the H.J. Carroll property for a buffer zone and this was approved by Mr. Carroll. Kevin reported that Parks and Recreation did apply for another grant with the IAC Trail Fund for additional construction for the first two mile segment of trail. Kevin has had conversations with Roger Evans who is the owner of the property at the corner of SR 20 and Miller Road and that is the next parcel up from the mill property where the trail will go. They are still interested in cooperating. SET NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 4, 1996 at 12:00 noon. m