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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb. 1997- MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES for February 13, 1997 A. OPENING BUSINESS Acting Chair Rick Tollefson called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. MEMBERS PRESENT: Judy French -Scott, Rick Tollefson, Kate Spear, Char Laughlin, Lee Morgan, Frank Trafton, Jr. MEMBERS ABSENT: Dick Broders, David Whipple, Debbie Berreth STAFF PRESENT: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Kevin Burke GUESTS: Commissioners Dan Harpole and Richard Wcjt; James Workman, Superintendant of Brinnon School District, Citizen Participant; Carson Inman, Citizen Participant; Jack McAnally, N.W. Kiwanis. MINUTES/AGENDA: Minutes for the January 8, 1997 meeting were approved as presented. B. OLD BUSINESS H.J. Carroll Park. Kevin Burke reported the recent appointment of seven advisory committee members. The Shoreline Substantial Permit should be issued by the Department of Ecology in mid March. The BOCC approved the supplement to the contract with the design consultants JGM. A design development session will be held February 13 to do a walk through of the site followed by a discussion to finalize the site plan and a look at architectural elements of the park. The topo survey is expected to be complete in a month, the contract document phase will begin in April, the bidding phase in May, and June and July will be the contract and construction phase for grading, driveway, parking, utilities and possibily the irrigation system. Volunteer construction will begin approximately mid summer with the goal of being open to the public in early fall. There was further discussion about the proposed design plan. Larry Scott Trail. Kevin Burke reported on discussions between the City and the Port. The County will purchase an easement from the Port with the IAC grant. A $50,000 Coastal Zone Management Grant was submitted as a joint effort between the City and the County for trail construction. The Port still needs to convey title by the end of February. The true -cost estimate has been completed to WASDAT to release acquisition funds and approval is expected any day. Ongoing discussions continue with some of the property owners about their participation. Frank Trafton, Jr. and Kevin continue to talk with Gene Seton about his participation in the trail project with contingency based on an ORV park. Kevin and Judy French -Scott met with Ed Edwards regarding the Sand Road area trail location. DNR called to report the ELEA grant for $134,000 is threatened by House Bill 1692 and Senate Bill 5561. A suggestion was made that Rick and Judy draft a letter in opposition to the bills and that a copy of the bills be included in the minutes of this meeting for review by the other members. Motorcycle Trails/ORV. Frank Trafton, Jr. reported an ORV club is forming and should have a report at the next meeting. Introduction of New Board Member. Rick Tollefson introduced Frank Trafton, Jr. as the newly - appointed board member replacing Tony Turner. Frank expressed his enthusiasm in working with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Frank stated that because he grew up in Jefferson County he can relate to many of the issues the board faces. Frank also stated, as a trail user, he can provide specific insight into trail issues. Of particular interest to Frank is seeing the ORV/motorcycle trail plan become a reality for youth in Jefferson County. Election of Board Officers for 1997. Rick Tollefson opened a discussion on the topic of Board Nominations and Elections. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to nominate of Judy French - Scott to become the new Chair with Rick Tollefson as the new Co -Chair. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Board Retreat 1997. Warren stated he and Klara Fabry discussed a request by the commissioners for a review of the long-term vision of Parks as stated in the Comp Plan. Warren suggested this topic for the retreat and will also outline Parks accomplishments over the past 10 years. Consideration should also be given to possibly expanding park resources to other areas of the County. Warren reminded everyone the retreat is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 from 10:00 until 2:00 pm at Beausite Lake -- BYOW! C. NEW BUSINESS Road Vacations. Terry Duff presented information on the proposed road vacation on a portion of Horton Street. Warren Steurer commented the vacation doesn't fit the criteria for concern by Parks and Recreation. After a short discussion, a motion was made that there is no impact on Parks and Recreation at this time. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Memorial Field Congestion. Carson Inman was present as a guest to discuss alternative sites to Memorial Field due to its heavy usage. Carson supports wider use of Seagull Field, H.J. Carroll, and Irondale Parks for practice fields. He stated using these alternate sites would decrease wear and tear on Memorial Field and also provide more centrally -located sites to Brinnon and Chimacum residents. Warren Steurer stated he and Tim Black will consider these sites for practice as well as possible game locations for little league football and will follow up with Carson. Carson also recommended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board consider parks and recreation activities in areas where population growth is projected. Northwest Kiwanis Camp. Jack McAnally, President of the Northwest Kiwanis Camp provided a progress report on activities at Beausite Lake. Much time and money has been spent on the existing well since a recent water analysis indicated lead content. It was determined the well could not be used as drinking water. Although the caterer can continue to bring in bottled water and portable toilets can be used, much of the camp project is on hold until funds are raised to drill another well. Jack indicated a meeting will be held next week with an engineer to discuss the water system. Progress has been made on plans for the summer camp, age groups may change slightly to accommodate 5 to 20 year olds during the week and the older groups using the facility for extended weekends. A propane furnace has been installed and four outside doors will be replaced to meet ADA requirements. Also, some wall and door modifications need to be made. Jack indicated he is no longer recommending stables and a riding area for this site. He feels this site should be considered a limited access park. Jack commented only ten acres are useable and combined with the primitive, one -lane road onto the site, the area is too fragile for large groups. Warren Steurer indicated the County may consider sharing half the cost of drilling the well. Related to financial support, Jack indicated two grant requests have been submitted and two more j are scheduled. 2 Brinnon School/Jefferson County Parks Department Partnership. James Workman was present to propose the combination of governmental funds available to the school and parks to create a parks/recreation program on school property. His vision is to add signage indicating the partnership so the community feels County parks is contributing something to Brinnon. Initially, the area might include a ball field and picnic area, but the concept would be to expand services. James gave the example of the Community Learners Program where Lake Washington School District devoted an entire grade school to the county to develop the concept of a community of learners with after school recreation programs, birth to five year old programs, and latch key program. James envisions a similar program for Brinnon. A parks subcommittee was created with Kate Spear, Tim Black and Warren. James asked to be included on the distribution of agendas and minutes so that a South County representative might be able to regularly attend. D. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report. Warren Steurer handed out copies of the 1997 Parks and Recreation Budget, the County Parks Improvement Budget, an activities sheet as was presented to the BOCC, a local survey update, and a draft of the 1997 Capital Improvement Plan. Warren gave an overview of planned activities. Park Maintenance: Molly Hilt reported two reader boards will be installed at Indian Island and Irondale Park. She will be attending a maintenance management school at Fort Worden. Recreation Report: Tim Black reported youth basketball is half over. Kindergarten basketball numbers were small, but Tim thinks next year it will be more popular. City league basketball is going well. Memorial Field crews are going to be starting their work. The Rec. Center is still drawing 100 kids a night and the apparent drug scene has reduced with law enforcement. A summer roller hockey camp will be starting and Irondale Park is a possible site. Another soccer camp has been added at Chimacum in early August. E. COMMITTEE REPORTS Trail Committee. The next trails subcommittee meeting is at 12:00, Wednesday, February 19, in the Post Office at the Department of Public Works. Warren reported that Al Giersch from Washington State Parks stated that a piece of property near Anderson Lake that was formerly tied up with a developer may be available for creating a trail head. F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE Jefferson County Community Network. Rick Tollefson stated he has been representing Parks in the Jefferson County Community Network. A public meeting is Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00 at the Tri Area Community Center. At this next meeting, a draft plan will be presented with three areas of focus being teen substance, child neglect, abusive neglect and domestic violence. Rick stated it has become clear that Parks programs are critical to prevention in these areas at a community level, including relationships with the schools. G. SET NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 1996 at 12:00 noon. 3