Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct. 1999 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1999 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Frank Trafton, Jr. called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Frank Trafton, Jr., Karen Kautzman, Judy French -Scott, Char Laughlin, Randy Kline, and Rick Tollefson Members Absent: David Whipple, Dick Broders Staff Present: Tim Black, Warren Steurer, Nik Worden of Jefferson County Public Works; Commissioner Dan Harpole Guests: Larry Little and Johanna Rienstra, Citizens; Mary Anne Elliott, College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington Minutes: Minutes of the September 8, 1999, meeting were reviewed/approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: No changes. H. OLD BUSINESS A. H.J. Carroll Park. - Aquatic Center: Guest Larry Little of the H.J. Carroll Advisory Board wants to formally express the need and desire for an aquatic center in Jefferson County. The board's initial work has been to gain an understanding of the process and investigate levy options. Gaining support and endorsements from interest groups and a supporting agency is the next step. They are requesting the PAB support the project and recommend that Jefferson County be the sponsoring agency_ They would also like letters of support from City and County recreation departments, as well as hospital commissioners, school boards, etc. Warren suggested including feasibility studies in next year's budget. For the project to work economically, would also require the involvement of Port Townsend. The needs and desires of the community will determine the type of facility planned. Aquatic facilities today often have large recreation, leisure, health and fitness components to offset the significant operating and maintenance costs of the pool. Dan Harpole recommended the City and County partner on the aquatic center as their next joint priority project. Strong consideration needs to be given to the financial difficulties the Port Townsend pool is facing. Rick Tollefson feels the County needs to be forward thinking by building amenities for the increasing population. Rick Tollefson moved that the PAB write a letter to the BOCC to request that the feasibility of an aquatic center in Jefferson County be identified as a priority project. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Char Laughlin reported City Parks has formed a swimming pool advisory committee led by Andy Gale to address the City's pool concerns. 2. Playground: Phase I is finished with swings, slides, picnic table and various playground toys. Warren complimented Molly Hilt's efforts on this project. 3. Restroom/Concession: Progress is slow due in large part to the volunteer contractor labor match. The project is still scheduled to be finished in December. 4. Other: The Wild Olympic Salmon Festival is this Saturday. Installation of the kiosk will occur Friday. The salmon bell will be installed later this year. A meeting and groundbreaking on the labyrinth project will occur October 14 and 16. The design has been altered slightly to be handicapped accessible. Three more horse shoe pits need to be completed. Eagle Scout, Kenji Crosland will be placing some trail mileage markers. B. Larry Scott Trail: Grant applications are being completed for transportation enhancement funds (TEA 21). Funding is for alternative modes of transportation and coordination of transportation networks. Funds would be available as soon as March 2000. Three separate applications will be submitted: the existing trail to the highway overpass, Sand Road to near Cape George Road, and from Cape George to Four Corners. Segments two and three can be completed with this additional matching grant. The fourth segment will require local and/or state money which will be more difficult because regional funding through TEA 21 is divided among several counties and entities. The City is making a TEA application for the "Portage Trail" from the Haines Park and Ride to Fort Worden. It will connect to Larry Scott trail in two places and include two schools. The Port of Port Townsend is going ahead with the restroom construction. The Port is willing to put five parking spaces next to the restroom, but is still expressing dissatisfaction with parking in the Port area. The interpretive sign from the mill has been received. Nik Worden met with Peninsula Trails Coalition and Quimper Trails Association regarding the work of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNWTA). The PNWTA is working on designating a route from Alberta to the Olympic sea shore, They will work to designate an Olympic Discovery Trail as their all -winter route from Port Townsend to the Olympic National seashore. Insurance of trail maintenance workers can be secured under their association. C. Gibbs Lake: On October 2, a work party did trail maintenance and posted trail signs. A kiosk is needed for trail information. Discussions continue with Lowell Jons on a trail link from Gibbs Lake to Anderson Lake. D. Off -Leash: At next month's PAB meeting, this group would like to present their letter identifying possible sites. Frank Trafton suggested the possibility of having a test site at South Indian Island. Karen Kautzman recommended purchasing a book put out by National :Parks and Recreation Department called Planning Parks fir Pets. E. Chimacum Creek -- IAC Grant: The Department of Fish and Wildlife will do an appraisal on the Cotton Property, including properties owned by Port Townsend Paper Company. Once appraisals are complete, they will establish priorities for the properties and attempt to gain additional monies if needed. If the Department of Fish and Wildlife decides not to or does not have sufficient funds to purchase the Cotton property, the County will go back to the Trust for Public Lands who have an interest in placing a holding action. Nik Worden is investigating alternatives for the County which may include making the Mill's lease payment. F. Best Self.- The group met last week. The summer program was successful and the BOCC has made a commitment to continue the program. The mural made during the program will hang at the Quilcene Rec. Center. G. Rules & Regulations: The Amended Draft Ordinance No-83 Jefferson County Camping and Park Lands Ordinance reflects a change in the recommended fee from $8.00 to $6.00 for Lower Oak Bay Campground from November through February. There is also a recommendation to extend the camping fee season through October. The Facilities Use Fees list was revised to include H.J. Carroll Jeff. Co, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of October 13, 1999 Page 2 Park and a Youth Game Reservations charge of $2.50 per hour. This fee would help offset the cost of lining fields, emptying trash cans, and other maintenance as a result of these events. Char Laughlin disagreed with charging for the youth programs. She feels a positive message needs to go to youth and encourage them to use the fields. She feels the County Parks should be supporting youth sports and not charge a fee as a gesture of support. Frank Trafton feels the fee is appropriate as long as the groups have the option of trading their labor. Randy Kline moved to approve the Amendment to the Camping and Park Lands Ordinance and the Fee Schedule with the change that youth games state a $2.50 per hour fee or equivalent work time. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. M. NEW BUSINESS Madrona Tree Research: Research Assistant, Mary Anne Elliott is interested in studying the decline of the madrona trees in the Pacific Northwest due to canker fungus. Fungus maintenance is the priority and the trees appear to respond favorably to fertilizer. Forty trees along the Larry Scott Trail would be part of the test group. There is little concern of spreading the canker during the study. An application of phosphate or nitrogen fertilizer will occur as well as an inoculation of the lower branches with a canker. She will observe the effects of the fertilizer. The inoculation would occur in June 2000 and fertilization in the Fall of 2000. Treated branches would be removed at the end of the study period. Nik Worden agreed to investigate whether the trees are on County property. He also mentioned logging will occur in that area. Ms. Elliott did not believe area logging would affect the study. Randy Kline moved that the PAB approve the study of 40 selected madrona trees along Larry Scott Trail. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. 1V. STAFF REPORTS Field and Recreation: Memorial Field is in good shape. The Rec. Center is busier as the weather changes. The drawing classes continue with Cliff Wood three nights a week. As a trade for previous support of the jump rope program, was the sponsorship of 12 girls on the Quilcene drill team (the gym was not available for the jump program this year). Brinnon .received volleyballs for their adult volleyball program. In Chimacum, swing dance classes are being sponsored. The Junior Soccer program is in full swing with 475 kids and H.J. Carroll fields are busy. The parking lot is full for these events and parking issues need to be addressed. The Port Townsend girls soccer club is refereeing Junior Soccer. A donation of $1,000 will be made to their high school team at the end of the year. The PAB complimented Tim on his significant efforts with the Rec. program. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, November 10, 1999. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of October 13, 1999 Page 3