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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSept. 2000 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2000 I. OPENING BUSINESS Acting Chair 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: Judy French -Scott, Mike Ryan, Rick Tollefson, Frank Trafton, Jr., David Whipple Members Absent: Char Laughlin (Chair), Randy Kline, Karen Kautzman (Vice Chair) Staff Present: Warren Steurer and Nik Worden, Jefferson County Public Works Guest: George Binney, Quimper Trails Association Minutes: Minutes of the July 12 and August 9, 2000 meetings were approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda Changes: None II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden referred PAB members to trail updates in the newsletter mailed prior to the meeting. He announced two new staff members: Debbie Berreth, Project Manager and Sheri Sullivan, Environmental Engineer. A contract with Mium Rubin -Crump will be extended so that she may assist with acquisitions. It is hoped that IAC funds required to be spent before year's end ($250,000) will be used to purchase 37 acres of the Ramage property between Sand, Cape George Road and the railroad. The goal is to lease a portion to the Pony Club and sell a portion of the property next to the gravel pit. Mr. Worden explained that having a facility for equestrian use adjacent to an equestrian trail is consistent with IAC's vision of a trail expense. They are also working on other property easements. It was recently announced that T-21 grant funds will be available November 2000. Survey work on other acquisitions continues and the portion of the SR20 overpass is complete. B. Gateway Visitors Center: Debbie Berreth has been working with members of the ORM Executive Committee on their goals for the property to be acquired by the County. As reported last month, the Commissioners asked for interim improvements to the current site. To avoid duplication of effort with the permanent facility, improvements may be limited to a small-scale water supply, paving and landscaping. Mr. Worden indicated that the Uniform Development Code has to be passed before zoning clearance is obtained. David Whipple commented that the CAC Ordinance allows facilities using public funds to be sited anywhere in the non -City part of the County C. Gibbs Lake: Rick Tollefson asked George Binney of the Quimper Trails Association (QTA) to consider informing area residents of the trail project from Anderson Lake to Gibbs Lake. Mr. Binney commented that, aside from a corner of Tom Ammeter's property, the trail accesses only old ORM, DNR, and State properties and while he is supportive of sending a communication, he is uncertain it is his responsibility to do so. Nik Worden commented that because this is not a County project, the County's work on this project is currently limited to the non -motorized trail plan. Mr. Binney expressed frustration that the County has been unwilling or unable to allocate the 16 hours necessary to complete lead agency status to push this project forward. Warren Steurer responded that the BOCC agreed this area is an important trail link and there are requested funds in the 2001 budget to conduct a comprehensive recreational trail plan. The County understood that QTA was continuing to pursue the trail corridor agreements. A County concern with lead agency status is that the responsibility would not be limited to 16-hours of staff time. David Whipple moved that the PAB recommends to the BOCC that they request the County Administrator expedite the paperwork and other activities needed to make Jefferson County the lead agency on the Anderson and Gibbs Lakes trail link. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous vote. Noting that the County cannot take action without lead agency status, the PAB recommended QTA communicate its intentions on the trail with neighboring property owners. Rick Tollefson agreed to help Mr. Binney write the letter. George Binney reported some gravel repair work is being done on the backside trail. D. Chimacum Creek Beach/Irondale Beach: Nik Worden reported the County has applied for a $300,000 ALEA Grant for property acquisition and development. Although ALEA has not yet released its rankings, it appears likely that Jefferson County will rank high. A $.700,000 grant for purchase funds was requested from IAC under their water access program. The County ranked eight out of 17 applications. On September 22, IAC will meet with the legislature to confirm requests on a project -by -project basis. Along with staff, a citizen representative is needed at the meeting to speak on behalf of the project. There was some discussion about the various agencies involved with projects at this site. Randy Johnson recently made a presentation to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board on behalf of the Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW). The presentation proposed changes to the shoreline on the property from Morris Street north to create a near shore habitat for salmon. Nik Worden said that DFW, as the potential joint property owner with the County on the area from Morris Street south, agreed to certain objectives for allowing public access, etc. E. HJ Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that the restroom and concession dedication will be scheduled during the last week of October or first week of November. It is hoped that other Tom Yarr Memorial improvements will be finished by this time. Warren Steurer, Larry Eifert, Tim Black and Rick Tollefson will be working on plans for the kiosk interpretive panels. Valerie Green is working on a maintenance and caretaker area in the Southwest corner of the park. Anita Shepherd is beginning work on the BMX bicycle track and is working on importing soils and clay. Volunteer help is needed for this project. There was some discussion about the possibility of gating the park entrance once the caretaker is in place to reduce park vandalism. F. Parks and Recreation Summit: Rick Tollefson reported on the meeting held August 31. In attendance were all three County Commissioners and staff, Port Commissioners and staff, three City Council members and staff, and State Park and School District representatives. The City Manager and County Administrator presented an overview of the parks, including staffing, budgets, number park users, etc. Other issues discussed included the 35`h Street Park project, the aquatic center, and funding options. Still to be discussed is how the City and County might coordinate their efforts. The next step is to expand the discussion group to include Parks Advisory Boards and other stakeholders with a goal to have a plan for serving citizen needs. Rick Tollefson encouraged PAB members to represent their district needs and concerns. There was some discussion about the costs of programs and alternatives for facility management such as the City managing the Port Townsend Community Center. G. Parks Board Meeting with the BOCC: Conversations at the August 21 meeting related to the Parks and Recreation Summit. H. Off Leash/Woof. Another meeting will be held in the next 30 days. I. Yippee: Rick Tollefson reported that he did not attend the last meeting. The plan as of the previous meeting was to run the Brinnon part of the after -school program at Camp Parsons until the curriculum is organized to bring it back into the Quilcene School District. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of September 13, 2000 Page 2 J. Quimper Trails Association (QTA): George Binney said that at the last Parks Board Meeting it was suggested that ownership of the trail tractor machine would revert to the County if QTA stops working on the trails as outlined in its agreement. He believes this arrangement is inconsistent with the concept of the Community Park grants. Mr. Binney expressed his continued interest in building a trail from Gibbs Lake to Beausite Lake. While he supports the Kiwanis efforts with the camp, he desires to increase public access to this under-utilized property. He asked if it is County policy to sign over public property to nonprofit organizations and not have control over the activities. He encouraged the PAB to consider the advantages of opening up the trail to the Beausite property. Warren Steurer said that at a meeting on this subject, it was the BOCC's position not to create a rift between two equally important volunteer groups. The BOCC directed QTA to focus on the Anderson —Gibbs' link and expressed interest in moving forward on the comprehensive trail plan. The PAB suggested that QTA continue to talk about its vision for the trail and try to address Kiwanis' objections. Mr. Steurer reiterated that the Northwest Kiwanis manages this site as a group camping and retreat resource for Jefferson County under certain restrictions and reporting requirements. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Jefferson County Fair: Booth activities focused on fundraising for the bronze/concrete turtle and playground picket fence projects. Advisory Board member Sarah Ohman and other volunteers staffed the booth. B. 2001 Budget. Warren Steurer reviewed that the 2001 budget will include increases in staff hours for park and recreation and facility maintenance. With the passage of I-695, funding for parks maintenance in the 2000 budget was reduced and certain parks (H.J. Carroll Park, Irondale Park and Larry Scott Trail) need more attention. To address these maintenance needs as well as the addition of the Courthouse exterior landscaping in the maintenance plan, the budget will include additional seasonal people (equivalent to one full-time person). Other budget goals were noted as follows: • equipment: another vehicle and a replacement tractor/mower, • resurfacing for three tennis courts, • new interior and exterior park signs, • improvements to campground units, • H.J. Carroll eastside park fence, • consultant help with Comprehensive Trail Plan and Park and Rec. Plan updates, and • miscellaneous improvements. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Athletic fields are in good condition for football and soccer. There are 350 participants so far for soccer. A field lighting unit at Memorial Field needs to be replaced. The Port Townsend Film Festival next weekend will use the Rec. Center Gym as one of its venues. Millenium connected a cable to the Memorial Field announcer's booth to allow for televised events on PTTV. B. Manager's Report: Warren Steurer reported that the summer camping season went well with relatively few problems. The PAB may want to discuss at a future meeting whether to increase camping fees. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 11, 2000. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of September 13, 2000 Page 3