HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb. 1999-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
FOR FEBRUARY 10, 1999
A. OPENING BUSINESS
Chair Frank Trafton, Jr. 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, Randy Kline, Rick Tollefson, Frank Trafton, Jr., Kate
Spear
Members Absent: Dick Broders, Karen Kautzman, Char Laughlin, David Whipple
Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Molly Hilt, Frank Gifford, Jefferson County
Public Works
Guests: Glenn Gately and Susan Taylor, Conservation District; Lowell Jons and
George Binney, Quimper Trails Association; Pat Sprouse, IMBA; Capt.
Dennis McGuire, PT Dive Shop; Jeff Gallant, Port Townsend
Community Group of Divers.
Minutes: Minutes of the January 14, 1999 meeting were reviewed/approved.
Quorum: There was a quorum.
Agenda Changes: New Business before Old Business.
B. NEW BUSINESS
Parks Board Member. Warren Steurer introduced Randy Kline as a new Parks Board member
representing District 1. Randy works in Long -Range Planning for Jefferson County.
Conservation District Report on Lake Leland Study: Glenn Gately reported the findings from the study
of Brazilian Elodea at Lake Leland. Glenn indicated there is the potential for the plant to grow around the
whole shoreline. Areas of concern for Parks would be the fishing pier, boat launch and swimming area. If
the plant continues to spread, it could reach the launch area in two to three years. Glenn stated his concern
is the spreading to other lakes. He reviewed pros and cons of various treatment options and said a yearly
effort is needed and will be expensive. The Conservation District committee decided only to monitor the
growth at this time. Options for Elodea removal at private docks and the swimming area are hand mowing
or cutting the weeds or covering the area with a bottom barrier. He sees the bottom barrier as the most cost
effective control, although yearly sediment removal from the barrier would be needed. Another issue
addressed in the study was the increasing water level of the lake. Beavers and canary grass appearing to be
the cause and Rodeo herbicide seems the best solution to the canary grass. Glenn agreed with Molly Hilt
that area logging is also a factor. The district may be applying for another Ecology grant in the fall of
1999. The key factor for the State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is monitoring the health of the fishery. If the
health of the fishery starts to be affected by the Elodea, then the committee will re-evaluate grass carp or
other options. To control the spreading Elodea, Glenn recommended public education through articles and
signage as well as an annual event to pull or cut the Elodea.
Parks Tour: The tour is set for Thursday, March 4, 1999 from 8:00 am until 1:00 PM. Molly Hilt agreed
to arrange the tour and will make a stop at Chimacum Park at 7:45 AM before meeting the rest of the
group at the courthouse at 8:00 AM.
*PAB Retreat. The date was set for Saturday, March 13. The plan is to meet at Beausite Lake around
9:30 AM and then have a potluck at noon, an earlier hike at Gibbs Lake may be planned. After further
inquiry is was discovered that the Kiwanis blouse at Beausite Lake is booked for March 13 & 2e;
a new retreat slate will be scheduled at our March 10`h Board meeting.
'99 Community Park Grants: Warren distributed the Community Park Grant draft application and
guidelines. He will hold this agenda item until the next meeting to allow discussion and a decision on
when to begin the application process.
C. OLD BUSINESS
Larry Scott Trail. Warren introduced Frank Gifford as the new Public Works Director. Frank reported
another $32,000 in IAC turnback money was received. The grant will be used for interpretive signs,
benches, and trail-scape features on the first two miles. In the spring, work will begin on the mitigation for
the first 400 feet of the trail as requested by the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Currently under design and
right of way is the end of the 2-mile section at Mill Road up to the railroad overpass on Highway 20.
Under consideration is a small parking area on Mill Road at the trail intersection. Around March 3,
Commissioner Wojt, Will Butterfield, Frank and area property owners will meet to discuss acquisitions at
the key intersection at Cape George Road. Valerie Greene has been hired as a full-time grant specialist and
will begin February 22.
Gibbs Lake/Quimper Trails Association: Lowell Jons reported that recently 50 people did 3-1/2 hours of
trail work. Along with maintenance and cleaning, they finished the parallel trail, now called Doc Werner
Trail, and completed the re-route at the North end of Jack's Track. Warren and Will Butterfield are
working with DNR, Pope Resources, and Mike Zimmerman of Anderson Lake State Park on easement
agreements for the trail loop from Anderson Lake to Gibbs Lake, as well as trailhead easements. Lowell
and QTA supporters asked the PAB to give consideration to allowing QTA to make improvements to
Lakeside Trail and then opening it up to bicyclists. Lowell said Rick Sepler of Madrona Planning has
volunteered his engineering services and will develop some repair plans. Rick Tollefson reviewed the
original intent of the lake trail. Pat Sprouse of the International Mountain Biking Association expressed
her support for the enthusiasm and work of the QTA and for projects which add to statewide trail systems.
Rick Tollefson made a motion that the discussion of the opening of Lakeside Trail to cyclists be
tabled until the PAB receives repair recommendations from QTA. The motion was seconded and
approved.
Aquatic Park: Capt. Dennis McGuire of the Port Townsend Dive Shop was present to provide more
information on the underwater park project. He is proposing a reef enhancement project to help repopulate
fish and create an underwater park. Dennis reviewed areas he proposes be investigated as possible sites for
relocating the boat wreck currently near the old railroad tressel. He used the Edmonds Underwater Park
project as an example. Dennis and Jeff Gallant of the Port Townsend Community Group of Divers are
interested in applying for permits through DNR and the Coast Guard to place the barge at Point Hudson,
Indian Island, or Fort Worden. Currently, Washington State Parks is the lead agency for developing
underwater parks. Jeff and Dennis have applied to install a navigational trail at Fort Worden and asked the
PAB for ideas or support for their project. Following more discussion, Rick Tollefson made a motion
that the PAB supports the concept of an aquatic park/reef enhancement project and asked Warren
to write a letter of support for the project. The motion was seconded and approved.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of February 10, 1999
Page 2
H.J. Carroll Park: Frank Gifford reported Valerie Green has been meeting with Tillman Engineering on
the restroom project. Warren has been working with the playground group and he will report at the next
meeting about a fundraising idea as well as a March for Parks event. Wild Olympic Salmon has scheduled
their festival for October 16-17 and they will begin their community park grant plan next week. An
Aquatic Center subcommittee meeting will be held February 25. Frank Trafton, Jr. recommended leaving
more brush to insulate the trail inside the buffer from the road.
Best SeIfMppee Program: Rick Tollefson reported the program will be done in Quilcene and Brinnon.
The Chimacum School District will not be participating this year due to their construction project. The
City will run their Summer Enrichment program as scheduled.
D. STAFF REPORTS
Recreation: Tim Black reported the Rec Center is full with kids practicing basketball and the
developmentally disabled group come every Wednesday evening. The drop -in center is also busy with
kids and parents. The field crew has been repairing wind damage done to the fence at Memorial Field as
well as doing earth moving at H.J. Carroll Park. The Junior Hoops program has roughly 500 kids signed
up and includes 150 volunteers.
Parks Maintenance: Molly Hilt reported she has been doing some clean up after the storms, working on
the playground area at H.J. Carroll Park, working at the campgrounds, and building a surplus of picnic
tables for special events. Warren said they are currently advertising for two parks maintenance positions
and 1 seasonal position.
E. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10,1999.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of February 10, 1999
Page 3