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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 1997-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR JUNE 11,1997 A. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Judy French -Scott 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, Kate Spear, Char Laughlin, Frank Trafton, Jr., Rick Tollefson MEMBERS ABSENT: Dick Broders, Debbie Berreth, Lee Morgan, David Whipple STAFF PRESENT: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Kevin Burke; Department of Public Works. GUESTS: Commissioner Dan Harpole, Linda Ferris of Gathering Place. MINUTES: Minutes for the May 14, 1997 meeting were reviewed and approved with one correction to the spelling of Nakano Dennis. B. OLD BUSINESS Summit Meeting - Report. Warren asked the Board for feedback on the Parks and Recreation summit with the City's Parks Board Commission. Comments were that it was good to find out about the City's activities and begin to work toward cooperation in exchanging information. Judy French -Scott added trail plan coordination will be helpful. Warren commented he felt there was a good turnout, although he wished more representatives from the City's Parks Board were in attendance. Dan Harpole challenged the two groups for more cooperation in purchasing and sharing equipment. Staff commented there is currently information sharing between the City and County and even cross County. Char Laughlin suggested getting the City's minutes regularly so the Parks Board could have information throughout the year. Dan Harpole indicated he was glad to see cooperation already occurring and would like to see an annual summit. There was discussion regarding setting up a parks district in the future with Warren providing background on parks districts versus metro districts. Dan Harpole stressed his focus is on cooperation between the City and County in approaching the voters with passing a building bond. Community Grant Program - The Gathering Place: Linda Ferris was present and reported on progress that has been made with the $2,000 grant awarded last year for the LifeSkills program for the developmentally disabled. Linda passed around a book of photos from the dragon tracks visits and gave an overview of other funding sources and success stories with the group. They made it to five dragon tracks: North Beach, Chinese garden, Chimacum Creek riverbed and Chimacum park, and the Indian Island bridge. They are also planning a trip to Marrowstone Island in June. Linda showed plans and photos for the 1998 calendar and thanked the board for the contribution that sparked the activity in LifeSkills which will continue. Larry Scott Trail. Kevin Burke handed out a report on the latest activities on Larry Scott Trail and H.J. Carroll Park. On Larry Scott, construction documents and the design package are now complete. To go out to bid, an agreement has to be finalized with the DNR for the ALEA grant. It is likely the IAC will grant an extension of two months due to the significant progress so far. Negotiations continue with a number of property owners and an agreement with Pope Resources is near. PT Paper is ready to exchange deeds and a National Trails Day event was held there recently for litter pick up. The equestrian group also did a lot of trail work. H.J. Carroll Park: Development of construction documents continues and is expected to be finalized soon. The contract with JGM did not include a water extension from the meter at the property line to the park, so work will need to be done to include it as part of the construction documents. On the water tap fees, the City indicated they will need to charge the regular fees on the water. Dan Harpole indicated he will try to get some support at the next utilities committee meeting. Judy French -Scott raised the idea of having an information booth at the County Fair. Warren agreed a Parks' booth is a good idea and Kate Spear volunteered to reserve a spot. Kevin and Warren will go to the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce groups to create interest for a volunteer effort on Larry Scott Trail and H.J. Carroll Park. Off Leash Park Area: Kate Spear talked with the 4-H First group on the Off -Leash Park project. Linda Hinds of 4-H First will present the idea to the fair board. Kate plans to attend the fair board meeting and hopes to have a report at the next meeting. Gibbs/Beausite Lake: Mike Cronin of DNR was present to report 40 acres of timber have been marked for harvest during 1998 at the Beausite and West Valley Road junction. Roughly 495 cedar and Douglas fir trees (approximately 12 per acre) are marked for pole use. DNR would like to advertise and sell those poles in the spring of 1988 with a harvest in May through October. Mike indicated there would be no impact to Gibbs Lake access. Beausite Road will need to be used as well as the landing immediately off West Valley Road. Trails Committee. Warren asked Mike Cronin for an update on the proposed trails. Mike indicated there is no opposition in principle to the trails as proposed and currently the right-of-way engineers are investigating how to grant access. Related to ORV use, they do not have a proposal yet, however, approval is unlikely due to public opposition. Community Network: Tim Black reported all grant applications submitted were approved totaling $13,000. Tim reviewed the list of grants and intended use. Rick Tollefson reported 52 applications for funding were received. The focus of this first phase of grants were for established government entities. More funding will be available after July 1 for not -for - profits. Rick gave more information and explanation on the Community Network. Dan Harpole commented the Law and Justice meeting will be held on July 2 from 11:30 -1:30 in the courthouse basement conference room. 2 C. NEW BUSINESS - None. D. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report. Warren reported on the recent, regular use of the Rec. Center by the transient population. He asked for the Board's comments and suggestions related to this issue. The intended use of the facilities as a safe place to play for children is being challenged and the question now is how to keep it accessible, clean and safe. Tim Black and Warren are proposing specific hours for children 17 and under in the afternoon. Tim commented that access to the rec. center lawn and staff safety are also concerns. There was significant discussion and suggestions for a review of and posting the center's rules of conduct. The idea of a no -fee membership card was discussed as an alternative, as well as requesting identification for kids over a certain age who use of the facility. Warren and Tim will meet with attorneys to discuss age limits, identification possibilities, and discrimination issues. The Parks survey was mailed out on June 4 and there are also 1,000 at recreational sites. There has been a 10 percent return so far and a reminder postcard was mailed. Park Maintenance. Molly reported new bathroom facilities will be installed the first week in July at Irondale Park and Upper Oak Bay. All parks have been busy and Warren commented there are camp hosts at all three parks now. Recreation: Tim Black reported a new series of track meets will be held this summer for all ages. Practice will be at Chimacum Park and open track meets held at Blue Heron. E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:04 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9,1997.