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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2000 - MinutesNO JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, DULY 12, 2000 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Char Laughlin 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: Randy Kline, Char Laughlin, Judy French -Scott, Mike Ryan, David Whipple Members Absent: Karen Kautzman, Rick Tollefson, Frank Trafton, Jr. Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden of Jefferson County Public Works Guest: Lowell Jons, Quimper Trails Association Minutes: Minutes of the June 14, 2000 meeting were reviewed and approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda Changes: None II. OLD BUSINESS A. Chimacum Creek Beach / Irondale Beach: Beginning next week, grant applications will be presented to DNR for aquatic lands enhancement funds to assist in the purchase of the Cotton Property and to the Interagency Committee for similar funding. The DNR funding, combined with another grant from the Department of Ecology, may be sufficient to purchase and protect the site for public use. Because this is an unplanned and complex project, a request for additional staff support will be presented to the BOCC next week. Although the site is contaminated, it is a national historic site and has been targeted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife as significant habitat. It is hoped that the County will purchase the property either wholly or jointly with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The principal habitat values are on the tidelands and the estuary, so the affect on recreation should be minimal. Current uses should be allowed to continue, with the exception of limiting motorized vehicles to specific areas. There may be constraints on putting in restrooms because there are no sewers. B. Larry Scott Trail: The County received notice that Federal funds awarded earlier this year under the T-21 program will not be available until 2001. This money was intended to match a State IAC grant to purchase more right of way for the next two segments. At the end of the year, the $200,000 in unused IAC grant funds targeted for acquisition and development must be returned. If the County could match the funds and push forward property purchases, it would necessitate filing a completed right-of-way plan for segments 2 and 3. It is more likely the County will attempt to transfer the funds to other trail -related projects such as the construction of the Gardiner Bridge (which has bicycle lanes) or for project materials to redo the crossing at Discovery Road. Following some electrical rework, the restroom at the west end of the boat haven will be completed. The remaining part of this project is putting a gate in the fence. Warren Steurer reported there was a recent brush fire off the trail possibly caused by fireworks. C. Gateway Visitors Center: A recent consultant report contracted by the County proposed purchasing a new modular unit to be located across the road at the future visitor's center site. Because the County does not currently own the described property, it is likely a new modular unit may be added to the current site along with other improvements. To assist with these many projects, the County will be hiring another person for a position similar to that of Nik Worden. D. Non -Motorized Trail Plan -- Gibbs Lake: There was a meeting yesterday to discuss a possible trail link between Gibbs and Beausite Lakes. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Wojt and Harpole, Public Works Director Gary Rowe, Warren Steurer, and representatives from the NW Kiwanis Camp (Kiwanis) and Quimper Trails Association (QTA). QTA proposed the trail link. The Kiwanis expressed concern about site security and compromises to the integrity of the Beausite facility. The Commissioners felt it was best to table the proposal on the possible trail link until work is completed on the non -motorized trail plan. The Commissioners asked the County Administrator to get involved in identifying resources for creating a trail corridor. There was also interest in beginning work on a non -motorized trail plan and identifying funding sources. This plan might involve the Road Department due to the alternative transportation component. Randy Kline said it is becoming increasingly apparent that the County needs a designated staff person for trails. The PAB discussed the possible trail link between Gibbs and Beausite. Warren Steurer indicated that the proposed use outlined in the lease with Kiwanis was to use Beausite as a retreat facility accessed through reservation. There was a suggestion to attempt to mitigate the concerns of. Kiwanis. Randy Kline asked Parks' staff to provide the PAB with copies of the lease agreement with Kiwanis as well as the applicable sections of the Gibbs Lake master plan. E. HJ Carroll Park: Research and planning continues on the basketball court project. The estimated costs for the multi -use surface is $45,000. A private fundraiser is being considered to support this project to be called Art McClamey Courts. Future plans for this facility may include bench seating, electricity and water. Sprinkler heads are being replaced on the fields. Horseshoe pits are now complete. The park facility is being rented and used frequently. Work on the restroom/concession project by Valerie Greene and the volunteer labor group is progressing steadily. Ms. Greene is also working on the maintenance/caretaker area in the southwest part of the park. The plan is for the area to be secured with fencing and have on -site storage. Maintenance and park security are big issues. An H.J. Carroll Advisory Board meeting is tomorrow evening. Advisory Board member, Sue Ohman, is planning bronze turtle fundraising projects. It was suggested that as a safety measure, crossing lights or pedestrian strips across Rhody Drive are needed. F. Off Leash/Woof. This group met yesterday. They are going to be drafting a letter for PAB review proposing that, for safety reasons, Gibbs Lake be classified and signed "no dogs in the beach area." The letter will also recommend that Irondale Park be set -aside as an off -leash park area. There was some discussion and concern expressed about the low percentage of dog owners who do not have control of their dogs. G. Yippee: The program started last week at the Quilcene Community Center with approximately 11 children and is going well. This group will be doing some improvements to the Quilcene Campground, including building a fire ring in preparation for their three camp outings. ' III. NEW BUSINESS A. Community Park Grants — Quimper Trails Association: Lowell Jons reported that Quimper Trails Association is now organized as a nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors. The grant proposal he submitted is for $2,000 for the purchase of a trail tractor machine (motorized wheel barrow) as well as for a permanent set of trail tools. Matching funds are identified as volunteer hours which total 1,200 to date. QTA's recent efforts have been targeted on trails at Anderson Lake State Park in preparation for approval of the trail connection from Anderson to Gibbs Lakes. Mr. Jons reviewed the proposed route through DNR property which is a floating easement. Warren Steurer asked to confirm that this equipment will become part of the inventory of QTA in the trail maintenance agreement. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of July 12, 2000 Page 2 David Whipple moved that the PAB recommend the BOCC approve the Community Parks Grant requested by Quimper Trails Association in the amount of $2000 for the purchase of a motorized wheel barrow and trail maintenance tools. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. As a member of the QTA, Randy Kline abstained from voting. B. Community Park Grants -- Gatheringplace — Life Skills: The PAB decided that a decision on this grant will be tabled until the Gatheringplace has the opportunity to resubmit the application with the correct amount being requested. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Tim Black reported Rec. Center use is down. Program Coordinator Sue Lindsey single- handedly resealed the gym floor. The maintenance crew has been busy with regular maintenance and with the H.J. Carroll Park sprinkler system. It is a high maintenance park and staff shortages may be addressed in next year's budget. Fourteen kids participated in the swim bus that started this week. The route comes from Brinnon through Chimacum to Port Townsend and back. Other summer programs and activities at Memorial Field include the Northwest Soccer Camp, a Mustang rally, and a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. In August, there will be a Chrysler Car show, the- Rose movie, and the Soccerthon from 6:00 until midnight for the Bob Lytle Memorial Fund (proceeds go to the Rec. Department soccer programs). Other recreation activities in the County include the Sky Hawks Basketball Camp, Salvation Army Wilderness camp for 13-18 year olds, Salvation Army Camp at Camp Arnold involving 35 younger children, and the Sky Hawks Soccer Camp. In August, the Quilcene Drill Team practice begins as well as tennis camp. The Jefferson Soccer Club will be hosting a team soccer and instructional camp at H.J. Carroll Park. . B. Manager's Report: Warren Steurer reported that campgrounds have been busy. Camping fees collected so far total $11,424. There will be a booth at the County fair and PAB are encouraged to assist with staffing. He distributed a letter sent on behalf of the PAB to the BOCC requesting action on the Parks and Recreation Summit. V. PREPARE NEW AGENDA Gatheringplace Community Parks Grant. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, August 9, 2000. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of July 12, 2000 Page 3