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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug. 1999 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1999 1. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Frank Trafton, Jr. called the meeting to order at 12:14 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Frank Trafton, Jr.. Dick Broders, Karen Kautzman and David Whipple Members Absent: Judy French -Scott, Char Laughlin, Randy Kline, Rick Tollefson Staff Present: Tim Black, Warren Steurer, Nik Worden of Jefferson County Public Works Guests: Mark Welch, Citizen, David Stuart. Citizen Minutes: Minutes of the July 14, 1999, meeting were reviewed/approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: No changes. I1. OLD BUSINESS A. H.J. Carroll Park: 1. Aquatic Center: At the last subcommittee meeting in July, Sue Jacobs from Clallam County Recreation District made a presentation on the Sequim swinnning pool bond. The 2000 preliminary budget will include money to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether East Jefferson County is ready to support an aquatic center. 2. Playground: The playground equipment has been ordered and several local companies have responded to requests for lumber donations. A granite boulder donated by Dick Broders will hold a playground dedication plaque. The playground should be open for play in September. 3. Restroom/Concession: Project Coordinator Valerie Green is getting permits together. Construction on the drain field will start soon followed by the restroom construction in September. Valerie is pleased with the volunteer support. 4. Other: A carved wooden sculpture has been donated and installed on a berm. Timber Craft Homes is cutting the beams for the kiosk project to begin in September. Mike Thorniley expects to complete the horseshoe pits by the end of the month. The brass bell created by Tom Jay should be complete this fall and placed near the Wild Olympic Salmon shelter. Warren is working to help put together a volunteer group on the BMX bicycle area. Fundraising for the park will need to begin again in 2000. Warren will be requesting approximately $59,000 for capital improvements. The next park project would be the development of a maintenance and caretaker area. B. Lam, Scott Trail: Warren introduced Nik Worden, the new architectural coordinator and project manager with Public Works. Nik reported that Will Butterfield has been working on property acquisitions for the corridor heading westbound and turning south from Cape George Road. The trail needs to get through to Sands Road which is not a public right-of-way. Some of the grants may need to be renegotiated to extend beyond 1999. Nik will meet with Frank Gifford to develop a strategy. Guest David Stuart is pleased there will be someone dedicated to the project. He is interested in seeing progress on the trail from Mill Road up to the railroad overpass at Highway 19. He feels the bridge is a hazard to motorists and bicyclists. He also suggested a sign be placed at or before the stop light redirecting bicycle traffic to Larry Scott Trail instead of up Sims Way. Nik responded that DOT money is available for bicycle lane improvements that could help in constructing the bypass around the railroad overpass. He believes it makes sense to do the bypass at the same time they are doing the overlay. He is also negotiating with the DOT on signage. C. Gibbs Lake: Warren reported that a work party did trail maintenance and placed trail signs last weekend. Warren reviewed the quality water proposal received from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The request will go to the BOCC and then through a public process. if approved, the lake will become a catch -and -release area. This idea originated from a request by area fishers for quality trout waters. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will make the final determination. There was some question and discussion about why Gibbs was chosen as opposed to Tarboo Lake or Sandy Shore. D. Chimacum Creek — IAC Grant: Warren reported that he, Nil: and Joe Breskin made a presentation to IAC. They will find out about the evaluation process and will report back to the PAB. If the project money is not awarded. another method of protecting that land will need to be investigated. E. County Fair. Warren said there will be a Parks and Recreation booth at the Jefferson County Fair August 13 through 15 and PAB members are encouraged to work at the booth. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Road vacation: Terry Duff reviewed the information on the road vacation of the alley off Prospect Avenue. David Whipple made a motion that the road vacation has no significance to Parks. The motion was seconded and approved. B. Community Park Grant — Mark Welch: Guest Mark Welch requested PAB assistance with outlining the content and message of the informational video on County Parks. The following suggestions were made: • Those who live here do not often know about all of the park lands available for their use. • Show what role parks play in life in East Jefferson County. • Show the value and importance of parks to residents -- the real stakeholders. For context, include a shot from Mill Road looking back toward Port Townsend. Outline a specific, recognizable feature of each park. Include coverage of lesser -known parks such as East Marrowstone Island and Shine. Feature Gibbs Lake as a nature park. Describe Gibbs, Beausite and Anderson Lakes as a regional corridor. Show the wide range of activities available in the parks (example: soccer at H.J. Carroll Park or Memorial Field to Lido sailing and clam digging) Suggest the Northwest Kiwanis Camp at Beausite as a retreat site. Many people have already invested their time and talents as coaches and trail workers. It is key that people who use parks volunteer to keep them going. Encourage continued involvement with parks. Field maintenance crews are important. Focus on projects such as Larry Scott Trail and H.J. Carroll parks because they will require funding and volunteerism to complete (show before/after photos to demonstrate the effective use of funds). Create a directory of parks showing what services and activities are available Information on how to register for recreational programs. The video would be useful for grants or as a tool for the Chamber, schools, PTTV, and libraries. Others needing input on this project are the rest of the PAB members not present and possibly Mium Rubin -Crump. Mark said he would begin getting background footage of the parks. Contact him if Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 11, 1999 Page 2 there are events or other volunteer efforts that should be covered. In September, he will begin generating an outline. 1V. STAFF REPORTS A. Field and Recreation: Tim Black reported the infield is being planted at Memorial Field in preparation for soccer and football season. The field surfaces at H.J. Carroll Park are well fertilized and in good shape. The swim bus and summer craft classes continue. The Rec. Center is open for basketball and other activities. The first game of Junior Soccer will be September 26 and will run through October 31 for grades K-8. August 21 is the car show and outdoor movie at Memorial Field and August 26 is the Soccerathon. Tim showed the poster created for the August 21 bottle rocket building workshop at H.J. Carroll Park. B. Manager's Report. Camping season is going well. Camp fees collected so far are $17,000. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, September 8, 1999. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 11, 1999 Page 3