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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan. 1999-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR JANUARY 14, 1999 A. OPENING BUSINESS Member 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: Rick Tollefson, Frank Trafton, Jr., Dick Broders; Karen Kautzman, Kate Spear Members Absent: David Whipple, Judy French -Scott, Char Laughlin Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Klara Fabry, Jefferson County Public Works Guests: George Benny, Quimper Trails Association; Commissioner Dan Harpole Minutes: Minutes of the December 9, 1998 meeting were reviewed/approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda Cbanges: The addition of discussions on the Board Retreat and Parks Tour under New Business B. OLD BUSINESS H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported an advisory board meeting was held earlier in the week. The City of Port Townsend donated 280 cubic yards of compost. Field maintenance staff has been working on creating an area in the northwest section of the park for open space. Community Service has recently done some clearing of the side of the road and inside the forested area. Molly Hilt has also done some sign work and preparation for more plantings. The main focus in 1999 will be the IAC restroom project and Valerie Green has been assigned as project manager. Tom Jay, a bronze sculpturer, and Dr. Ken Carter recently agreed to donate a bell for the park that is symbolic to calling the salmon. Work is also planned in 1999 on the Tom Yarr Memorial and the playground area. Domestic Violence has collected $1,000 so far for the Kyle Thies Foundation to help purchase playground equipment. The Tri-Area Garden Club has fulfilled their obligation planting two berms just inside the park. The Home Builders Association will be starting the kiosk work in March. Wild Olympic Salmon will be landscaping areas next to their picnic shelter and will include plant and tree identification. Warren described four new committees for the parks and he encouraged members of the PAB to sign up to help a committee. Klara Fabry mentioned there is a workshop with the BOCC on January 19 on long-term strategic issues, including parks improvements. Larry Scott Trail: The City and County have been working on maintenance. Will Butterfield is continuing to work on acquisitions. Point Hannon: Warren distributed and reviewed a letter from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. He believes funding looks promising and he is still working with the Trust For Public Land. Dan Harpole mentioned that erroneous map information has been published by state parks which shows public beaches all around Hoods Head. Aquatic Park: Warren distributed a letter from Capt. Dennis McGuire of the Port Townsend Dive Shop requesting support from the PAB for an Underwater Park at Point Hudson. After a brief discussion, the PAB expressed interest in hearing more information about the project and possibly inviting Capt. McGuire to next month's meeting and seeing a map of the proposed area. Gibbs Lake/Quimper Trails Association: George Benny was present to ask for feedback on the proposed trail names. They are planning to get the signs prepared in February. The next work party is scheduled for February 7 at 10:00 to finish the parallel trail. He mentioned someone took a vehicle down into the meadow and there are now deep ruts. He suggested rocks be placed to keep vehicles out of that area. George also suggested the logs in the center of the swimming area be removed for safety reasons and that there be work on creating better boat access. A group of fly fisherman including George are interested in turning Gibbs Lake into a catch and release area. They have also contacted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to look at the water quality of the lake. They would like to turn it into a "quality lake" with selective fishing as well as creating a spawning channel for trout. Regarding proposed trail names, Warren said he felt some of the proposed names were oriented toward trail bikes. He mentioned there are areas along the trails perfect for a bench or picnic tables and there will be other opportunities to memorialize. Rick Tollefson suggested a memorial for BG Brown be considered in the future. Following some discussion, Kate Spear made a motion that the following changes be made to the trail name list: Trail A -- Walt Hoffman Lakeside Trail, no names for Trails C or L, Trail K should become part of Trail B, Trail I -- Doc Warner Trail, and Trail J -- Scouts Trail. The motion was seconded and approved. Warren will meet with Lowel Jons and Will Butterfield next week to put together all of the descriptions for any extensions to Anderson Lake and other maps for DNR. Best.S"elf/Yippee Program: Rick Tollefson reported that at the last meeting, guests came from Skagit County. The BOCC has a $25,000 line item in their budget for this program. The group will meet again next week. 3P Street Park/City of Port Townsend: Dan Harpole reported that there will be a meeting tomorrow to discuss proposed solutions that meet the needs of both the City and County. The current proposal lacked definitive dates and steps. Warren asked for PAB comments and there was PAB support for a neighborhood park at or near the present site. 1999 Budget. Warren reported the operations budget will remain mostly the same for 1999 with the exception of a new Parks Maintenance 1 position. In the Parks Improvement Budget, money has been set aside for a new vault toilet at Chimacum Park. Community Park Grant Funds of $10,000 are again available and Warren is planning to begin discussions starting at the next month's meeting. C. NEW BUSINESS Road natation: None. City Parks & Rec.: No report. Election of 1999 Officers: Following a brief discussion, a motion was made to nominate Frank Trafton as Chair and Karen Kautzman as vice chair. The motion was seconded and approved. Parks Tour. A tentative date was set for Thursday, March 4, 1999 from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm. Dan Harpole said he will also try to attend. PAB Retreat. A tentative date was set for Saturday, March 13, but it was agreed to table a decision until the next meeting. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 14, 1999 Page 2 D. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report: Warren reported that a PAB District 1 position is still open. Klara Fabry announced that beginning next month she has resigned her position. She is excited about the growth in parks programs. Warren thanked Klara for her significant contributions to Parks. Parks Maintenance: Molly Hilt reported the bathroom is closed at Quilcene Park until the end of March. She has been working at clearing the construction site at the Quilcene Community Center. Warren said two new picnic tables were added at the Rec. Center. Recreation: Tim Black reported that the City and County are getting ready for another Swing Dance next month. Approximately 80 people attended the last dance. All ages are using the Rec. Center after school and, with the start of basketball season, the center is busy. Cliff Wood has started his cartooning classes again. The field crew has finished repairing the fence at Memorial Field due to storm damage and has made some grand stand repairs. The crew has also been working on getting the open area at H.J. Carroll Park ready for grass planting. Junior Hoops and the City Adult League have begun. Summer programs are being planned, including fun runs to get ready for the Rhody run. For better basketball participation in Brinnon this year, all of their games will be held at the Brinnon gym. Sandy and Roger Short will be retiring their swimming instructions after this year. There was some discussion about their contributions over the years toward children's recreation. Sandy is interested in helping on the aquatic center committee for the H.J. Carroll Advisory Board, E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 1998. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 14, 1999 Page 3