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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov. -1999 -MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARRS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD .MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1999 1. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Frank Trafton, Jr. called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Frank Trafton, Jr., Randy Kline, Rick Tollefson, David Whipple Members Absent: Karen Kautzman, Judy French -Scott, Char Laughlin, Dick Broders Staff Present: Tim Black, Warren Steurer, Nik Worden of Jefferson County Public Works Minutes: Minutes of the October 13, 1999, meeting were approved with the following corrections to Page 2, B. Larry Scott Trail. Sentence 4 should read, Three separate applications will be submitted: the existing trail to the highway overpass, the highway overpass to Sand Road...... In Sentence 6, Regional funding should be Statewide funding. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: The agenda was approved with the following changes: reports on Larry Scott Trail, Chimacum Creek/lrondale Beach will be first under Old Business. Under New Business, the addition of a Discussion on Initiative 695. ft. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail. Nik Worden reported the major impact of I-695 on the trail is that the $400,000 bicycle money that was added to the SR 20 overlay project vanished. This money was going to help at the SR 20 interchange. Funding received for the last segment will be moved to this phase. The state will continue to provide some design and construction assistance. Although the City portage trail co- sponsored by the Port of Port Townsend did not receive funding at the local level, funding may still be available at the State level. This trail would bypass the Larry Scott Trail from the wetland and run behind the Port to the Haines Street Park and Ride. On November 2, the County made a presentation for the T-21 funding. The unofficial word is that segment 2 has been funded. Potentially, segments 1 and 3 could be funded through the state or benefit in some way through one of the other projects being funded. The other two projects receiving T-21 funding were a segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail from Port Angeles to Morse Creek and Jefferson County's planning for the visitor's center at the 104 and 19 intersection. The interpretive sign for the Port Townsend Paper Mill is ready for installation. The restroom project at the Port of Port Townsend is on hold because the lowest bid of S]00,000 was more than the Port's S85, 000 allocated budget. The Port asked the County to contribute labor resources, but it appears unlikely. Rick Tollefson suggested Nik Worden contact Gene Seton about his willingness to grant right of way if there is motorized access to the trail under SR 20. Nik responded that such an agreement might be possible. Within a 30-foot easement, however, motorized, equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle elements are not possible. B. Chimacum Creek — IAC Grant: The Departinent of Fish and Wildlife is pursuing an appraisal and purchase of the Cotton property. The appraisal is expected to be presented by early December. If it sloes not appear that WUI'LV will purchase the property, Nik Worden will have a discussion with the Cottons about their minimum objectives for the year 2000 and investigate alternatives for the County to continue making the Mill's lease payment and other holding action options. C. Peninsula Trails Coalition: A -November 9 meeting including the BOCC, Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC), DNR and Olympic Resource .Management (ORM) representatives provided the PTC an opportunity to discuss their specific objectives for the Gibbs Lake and Anderson Lake trail network.. They asked the County to become the lead agency in negotiations for right of way through DNR and Olympic Resource NVlanagement (ORM) lands. The BOCC was enthusiastic and agreed to become the lead agency if a proposal is prepared and coordination with DNR and ORIM is initiated. Dan Harpole said it was critical for there to be a plan for non -motorized use. The BOCC will discuss whether there is a policy or resolution that would give Public Works the direction to support their effort to develop a non -motorized element for the Comprehensive Plan.. DNR has specific questions about trail standards and who will provide maintenance and ongoing support. Rick Tollefson said the difficulty will be organizing needs and expectations from the parties involved. He feels that action on this project would help establish a process for the future relationships with DN R and other organizations. Nik Worden commented that the BOCC has already approved a work plan developed by Public Works. He said he cannot put effort into the project until he receives a directive. Warren Steurer stated the transportation work plan is in process with Public Works and the recreational plan needs to be added. Corridors and trail links need to be identified. He sees the process as two -fold: to work on Gibbs and Anderson Lake as well as work on the trail plan. Rick Tollefson said it may be possible to revise these plans by June 2000. Dovetail updating the trail plan into the Comp Plan update. Nik Worden said the fact that Larry Scott Trail is identified as a priority in the Comp Plan has made a difference in receiving grants. Rick Tollefson made a motion that a letter be written to the BOCC requesting the PAB be given an opportunity to submit an amendment in the 2000 amendment cycle to include a more comprehensive look at trails. Randy Kline seconded the motion for discussion. He believes the amendment would include a narrative in the Comp. Plan identifying the different trails the County would like to see built. Currently, no trails besides Larry Scott Trail are specifically referenced. He envisions writing an amendment to the Comp. Plan and later dealing with the trail plan. He agreed to investigate the Comp. Plan amendment process. Warren Steurer and Nik Worden will investigate how the trail plan might fit into an amendment. Rick Tollefson said the intent is to submit an amendment to the Comp Plan supporting the effort to update the trail and recreation elements of the Comprehensive Plan in the 2001 amendment cycle. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Nik suggested the PAB write a letter to the BOCC supporting the PTC trail efforts and a desire to keep the process moving. David Whipple moved that the PAB encourages the BOCC to have the County officially become a lead agency in the efforts for a right of way through DNR and Olympic Resource lands and allocate staff time to facilitate that process. Randy Kline seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote. D. .Ifadrone Tree Research: Nik Worden reported he and Mary Ann Elliott will meet next week to pick the trees and map them for the research project. E. H..1. Carroll Park: Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 10, 1999 Page 2 1. Aquatic Center: The next meeting is November IS from 4:00 to 6:00. Warren Steurer sent a letter to the BOCC as directed by the PAB requesting that the feasibility study for the aquatic center be a priority. At a meeting last month, a City Council member provided information which the staff is processing. 2. Playground: The Leader published a positive article about the playground. A picket fence around the area will be installed sometime this winter. Sponsorships and donations on this project will continue to be encouraged to complete additional phases of the playground. 3. Restroom/Concession: The project continues but progress is slow because of the large volunteer effort. Frank Gifford, Warren, Valerie Green and Bill Irwin are meeting weekly to coordinate efforts. Project completion has been extended to May 2000. 4. Other: The labyrinth project continues with the help of a strong volunteer group and donations. Parks staff is working with them to choose low maintenance plantings. The kiosk frame is complete. The next step is to add the roof, choose a paint color, pour the slab, and work on the sign design. Eagle Scout Kenji Crosland continues his work on trail mileage markers. A volunteer group may have interest in doing a soft surface parallel trail. The next advisory board meeting is scheduled for January 6 and may include a park planner as a guest. [it. NEW BUSINESS A. Road Vacation: Terry Duff presented the road vacation for a section of 3`d Avenue in Port Hadlock and she distributed a map of the area. Although the portion of 3 d Avenue may not have the potential for traffic circulation, the vacation may affect the potential park at the end of Moore Street. The PAB expressed concern about vacating a road because of its potential as a trail corridor. More investigation and an understanding of the area is needed to determine if the area is too wet and impassable. Rick Tollefson moved that the PAB continue to hold this land in reserve because of its potential significance to parks as a trail corridor. The motion was seconded by Frank Trafton, Jr. and carried by unanimous vote. B. Initiative 695: The scope of affects to the Counry budget from this initiative are still unknown. The alternate budget, submitted in the event the initiative passed, was 3 percent less than the 1999 budget (roughly S10,000). The result of that cut could be reduced staff time, decreased hours at the Rec Center and less services. Rick Tollefson said although there will be a period of adjustment, the trend in Parks and Recreation is for expanded services so the demand will continue. David Whipple asked to understand what parks issues in the future will require a public vote. 1V. STAFF REPORTS A. Field and Recreation: The Jefferson Soccer Club will end its season with a tournament on November 20; 21. Rick Tollefson complimented the work by the crew on the field surface at H_J. Carroll Park. David Whipple complimented the staff in scheduling and coordinating the soccer program. The program involved 475 youth. David Whipple moved that a letter be sent to the BOCC requesting that they recognize the recreation staff for their excellent efforts on the soccer program. The motion was seconded by Rick Tollefson and carried by unanimous vote. Basketball registration will begin earlier this year. Drafting will be done before Christmas vacation and 600 youth are expected to participate. David Whipple asked about coed teams. Frank Trafton, Jr. commented it is difficult for families with separate boy and girl teams. Tim said he understands parent concerns and has put the question to the coaches. Some coaches prefer coed and coed teams are often needed in Brinnon and Quilcene due to low registrations. Cliff Wood has started his six -week cartooning class. Tim Black commented that Cliff Wood provides a positive experience for children and excellent instruction. The Rec Center traffic will become —� Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 10, 1999 Pagc 3 increasingly busy with the bad weather. The Port Townsend Little League football championships this weekend will be the final event for Memorial Field this year. The field will then be top dressed. B. Manager's Report. Staff has completed its yearly side brush maintenance on Larry Scott Trail. Warren has met with the Quimper Trails Association on maintenance to the back side trail of Gibbs Lake. Rick Sepler prepared trail maintenance guidelines for muddy and wet areas and has agreed to contribute $500 toward the purchase of Geocell material and Geomat which will provide an improved walking surface. Gravel donations have also been made. A work party has been scheduled for December 4 and 5. Regarding the Gibbs and Anderson Lake trail, Warren said he may have been cautious on this project in the past because of the unknown resources that would be required by the County. V. PREPARE NEW AGENDA Char Laughlin will present her proposal for an Off -Leash site. Warren Steurer will investigate whether the County leash ordinance could be changed in certain County park areas similar to the'leash law in the City. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 8, 1999. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 10, 1999 Page 4