Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar. 1997-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES for MARCH 12,1997 A. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Judy French -Scott called the meeting to order at 12:00 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., Dick Broders, David Whipple, Debbie Berreth STAFF PRESENT: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Kevin Burke GUESTS: Jim Minish, Citizen Participant; Commissioners Dan Harpole and Richard Wojt MINUTES/AGENDA: Minutes for the February 13,1997 meeting were reviewed and approved with corrections to misspelled words WASDOT and ALEA. B. OLD BUSINESS Motorcycle TrailslORV: Jim Minish was present to report he has been meeting with Frank Trafton, Jr., Warren Steurer, Kevin Burke, and Lowell Jons on the proposal for an Off -Road Users Club. Jim stated this club would be divided into a motorized club and a non -motorized club, with the possibility of including horses into the nonmotorized group. The area with the most potential currently is the County Gravel Pit on Cape George Road. Jim is excited about proposing this 80- acre piece for a BMX track, including a one -acre area above the pit for a parking lot. The trails on this site could be shared by mountain bikers and motorcycles and currently this area is used by motorcycles. There is a lot of potential for equestrian trails along the park perimeter. Jim stressed this proposal is still preliminary as the site has not been surveyed, but is classified as inactive. Larry Scott Trail connects to this site which would enable kids to bicycle to the BMX site. There was significant discussion about the project and expanding discussions to include the Pony Club. Warren stated he feels it is important for Parks & Recreation to support the organization of this club and eventually begin discussions with the BOCC and the Department of Public Works. David Whipple expressed concerns on this suggested site on behalf of the Hidden Trails road association. He indicated the association met recently are already concerned this project will further invade this over utilized area. He stated there will be extreme opposition to using this site and suggested the committee consider other sites. There was more discussion and clarification of the project including testing the site and also considering another possible site at Teal Lake Road. Rick Tollefson made a motion that the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board recommend to the BOCC that it take lead agency status on this proposal and that the Parks Advisory Board create criteria for the park and consider alternatives as well. The motion was seconded and approved with one opposition by David Whipple. H.J. Carroll Park: Kevin Burke reported that last month a design session was held with the advisory committee and JGM. The topo survey is complete and is currently with JGM. A public meeting will be held on March 13,1997 at 3:00 to present refined ideas on the project, including Parks & Recreation March 12,1997 page 1 the topo info. The project is still on schedule to begin later this Spring. Americorp did some trail enhancement work during a week in February. Frank Trafton asked whether there was space at H.J. Carroll for a BMX track. Warren Steurer stated there would definitely be trails at H.J., but he would recommend BMX use either H.J. or Cape George instead of establishing both sites. Larry Scott Trail: Kevin Burke reported the receipt of property acquisition funding and two purchases are now complete. Five more offers have been sent and appraisals are underway. A meeting was held with Phil Trask of the IAC and the expectation is still for more acquisitions to be complete by the end of March. A community forum was held recently for an update on park progress and approximately 40 people were in attendance. There was a discussion with landowners on their concerns for the County's enforcement, liability and maintenance of the park. Equestrians also expressed concern their access to the trail was being denied. In past discussions, the mill stated they didn't want to be the first to convey property. However, now the mill is saying they want all property acquisitions complete up to the SR20 underpass before they participate. At risk from this change are grant and construction funding and difficulty completing Gene Seton and Roger Evans acquisitions. Today, the Port of Port Townsend and the City will meet regarding the interlocal agreement, who will build and pay for the construction of the restroom, and how far the equestrians can go. There was a brief discussion about trail hours. Gibbs Lake, Trails Committee: Warren Steurer stated meetings and discussions continue regarding the Anderson Lake and Gibbs Lake recreation trail connection and also specific Gibbs Lake trails. On a map of the area, Warren showed the existing Gibbs Lake loop trail and a proposed trail on an old access road, a double track trail is planned for the existing loop trail. The other will be a single track trail for bicycles and mountain bikes. Frank Trafton, Jr. made a motion to present the Gibbs Lake proposal to the BOCC for approval to construct this trail and for them to endorse future trails and pass them on to the DNR. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Community Park Grant/Irondale Picnic Shelter: Warren Steurer reported that $11,000 of capital improvement money is budgeted for Irondale Park, $7,000 at Lake Leland, $6,000 at Oak Bay, $5,000 at H.J. Carroll Park to address specific community grant ideas for the park Warren said his goal is that through the board's involvement the money could be used to help promote the park. There is also $3,000 in a matching contribution for the Chimacum Fire District. There was a brief discussion about tentative drawings by Wally Westergaard of Alpine Buildings for a 20 x 24 ft. picnic shelter building. Suggestions from the board were to get more information, specifications and possibly a picture from Wally to make sure it will be aesthetically what the community wants. C. NEW BUSINESS Road Vacation: Terry Duff presented information on the proposed road vacation on Rick Beach Road. Currently the road has been closed by the County for safety reasons and the Development Review Division suggested the petitioner ask for a road vacation. Dick Broders made a motion that the road vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and passed. 1997 Board Retreat: There was a brief discussion about the Board Retreat scheduled for this Saturday, March 15 from 10:00 until 2:00. A hike is also scheduled for 8:00 a.m. at Gibbs Lake. Agenda items are trail development, the addition of parks in other areas of Jefferson County for the next five years and general brainstorming on a vision for parks. D. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report: Warren handed out an update of the survey for Parks and Recreation. The goal of the survey is to connect with 2,000 citizens in the County regarding recreational services and needs. It is intended to be used as a planning tool for the next comprehensive plan and also Parks & Recreation March 12, 1997 page 2 for planning H.J. Carroll Park. The 2,000 surveys will be sent to community centers, recreation boxes throughout county, and a miscellaneous mailing. Rick Toliefson suggested sending the survey to planning districts of which there are 13. There was also a recommendation to make the rating scales consistent. Park Maintenance. Molly reported that a new ADA-accessible ramp has been rebuilt at Lake Leland. Also a reader board has been installed at Indian Island. Campgrounds will open on April I and an advertisement for camp hosts will be posted soon. Molly will be getting in contact with Linda Chace of Wild Olympic Salmon for an update on the landscape work around the Dragon at Chimacum Park. Recreation: Tim Black reported the Rec Center has been busy and vandalism and suspected drug activity lower than usual. Tim suspects with the relocation of the Boiler Room uptown kid traffic will increase. Memorial Field is getting ready and the crew is also working on Port Townsend High School, Irondale Park, Blue Heron school fields and has installed a new fence at Quilcene. Junior Hoops and the Senior League are finishing. A new ping pong table has been purchased for Brinnon School for in -school and after -school recreation. E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9,1997. Parks & Recreation March 12,1997 page 3