HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2000-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
FOR WEDNESDAY, DUNE 14, 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, Karen Kautzman, Char Laughlin, Judy French -Scott, Frank
Trafton, Jr., Mike Ryan, Rick Tollefson
Members Absent: David Whipple
Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black of Jefferson County Public Works
Guest: Candy Johnston, South Jefferson Co. Little League; Linda Ferris,
Gatheringplace; Anita Shepherd, Chimacum BMX; Larry Eifert, Citizen
Minutes: Minutes of the May 10, 2000 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Quorum: There was a quorum.
Agenda Changes: None
II. OLD BUSINESS
A. Larry Scott Trail: Work continues on acquisitions. The Port of Port Townsend is presently installing
the new restroom at the trail head. It is expected to be open in two to three weeks.
B. Chimacum Creek Beach IIrondale Beach: Nik Worden and the County's grant specialist attended an
IAC grant pre -presentation. It is likely they will be part of the formal IAC grant presentation occurring
later this. Summer. Grant funds are contingent upon clean up of the site. Rick Tollefson expressed
excitement about the project coming together. Public Works will be discussing budget considerations
under Parks maintenance.
C. HJ Carroll Park: The Advisory Board meets tomorrow evening. There is a lot of park activity with
many high school reunions using the facility. East Jefferson Rotary has committed to adopt the picnic
shelter as their 2001 community service project. The restroom building is still under construction.
Valerie Green is beginning plans for the caretaker maintenance area. The third horseshoe pit has been
poured. Tim Black is talking with department staff engineers about surface options for the basketball
court. At Memorial and H.J. Carroll Fields, coring, fertilizing and top dressing continues.
D. Gibbs Lake: Warren Steurer distributed a map of the trail system and provided a brief history on the
Northwest Kiwanis Camp lease. To be discussed next month are intrusion concerns and other impacts
from a proposed connecting trail from Gibbs and Beausite Lakes. Warren and Public Works Director
Gary Rowe have begun discussions about updates that are needed to complete the Gibbs Lake Master
Plan.
E. Off Leash/Woof.• Warren Steurer reported City Parks Manager Steve Corra attended the last Woof
meeting. The County and City park departments are beginning to work together on rules and are
identifying parks in the City and County for potential off -leash areas. The next meeting is Tuesday, July
11.
III. NEW BUSINESS — COMMUNITY PARK GRANTS
A. Jefferson Co. Little League Brinnon School/Community Ballpark Improvements: Candy Johnston
reviewed her grant application for improvements to the Brinnon School Athletic Field. The plan is to
install bleachers, team benches, picnic tables/benches, sani-can, backstop chain link fencing and apply
anti -rust paint to poles. There is no other community recreational facility in the Brinnon community and
no public restroom facilities in downtown Brinnon. The fencing project is the only work not yet
complete. She indicated the school would also benefit from the backstop fencing. The Board discussed
that the fields are not on County property, but there is an obvious park need. Due to safety and liability
concerns, the volunteer -created structures may need to be inspected.
B. Jefferson Co. Little League Quilcene Dugout Improvements: Candy Johnston reviewed the request for
$2,000 for materials to re -roof the dugout and concession stand at the Little League Field. They are
looking for any assistance they can get since the school levy did not pass and there remain ongoing
maintenance needs. The PAB thanked Ms. Johnston for her volunteer efforts. Warren Steurer reviewed
the previous County allocations in support of the Little League.
C. Quimper Trails Association: The PAB discussed the grant request for the purchase of trail equipment.
There was discussion about whether the County could use or purchase this equipment for other trail
work or provide the cost of ongoing maintenance. There may be liability concerns if volunteers operated
County -owned equipment. The PAB recognized QTA's significant contributions to trails at Gibbs Lake.
Randy Kline said the equipment was purchased in order to accomplish the work on the backside trail at
Gibbs. There could be an agreement that if QTA dissolves, equipment ownership would revert to the
County. Frank Trafton, Jr. proposed supporting QTA with a $1,500 grant this year for equipment
reimbursement and providing the remaining $500 next year.
D. Gatheringplace — Life Skills: Linda Ferris reviewed the various park activities and projects available
for the Life Skills program as a result of the previous year's Parks grant of $2,000. The number of
developmentally disabled participants is up to fifteen, with a waiting list of five. The group is interested
in continuing their educational park visits, placing bark on the beds and doing weeding with this year's
grant. Their application inadvertently stated $400 instead of $800 for two visits to H.J. Carroll Park and
additional grant funds would be appreciated. The PAB complimented Ms. Ferris for her group's efforts
over the years.
E. Chimacum BMX: Anita Shepherd presented her proposal for constructing an all -dirt practice track at
H.J. Carroll Park. She stressed that BMX is a non -motorized sport with appeal over a wide age span and
that safety equipment is an important element. As a coach at the Chimacum Middle School, she knows
of many children who appreciate this free -form sport in contrast to more organized sports. The request
is for $2,000 for 1,000 cubic yards of dirt and 750 ft. of fencing. She is still seeking appropriate dirt
material. An adult racer agreed to provide design assistance and youths are excited about providing the
labor. Warren Steurer reviewed the area intended for the BMX track and asked about the construction
time frame. Ms. Shepherd said she expects to complete the track this year before the rainy season. A
reserve pile of dirt at the site could supply the material for maintenance to be conducted three to four
times a year. PAB questions and concerns were whether there would be signage with rules. Ms.
Shepherd indicated it would be their desire to have signage at the site. She has plans to investigate
another grant opportunities.
F. Larry Eifert: Warren Steurer reviewed the plans for the kiosk panels at H.J. Carroll Park. The six
panels will include: welcome/rules, calendar of events, thanks to contributors, an interpretive sign,
history of the park, and a bulletin board. Larry Eifert reviewed his background and provided examples
of his artwork and the Lexan sign material. He indicated he saves the negatives so that the cost of
redoing the sign if necessary would be minimal.
Judy French -Scott moved that the PAB recommend the BOCC approve the three proposed
Community Park Grant projects for Larry Eifert ($2,000); Chimacum BMX ($2,000) and the Brinnon
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of June 14, 2000
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Little League ($2,000), with a stipulation on the Brinnon Little League grant that the backstop posts
have prior engineering approval. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote.
The PAB discussed the desire to receive an accounting of expenses as well as a report of how funds were
used.
IV. STAFF REPORTS
Manager's Report: Warren Steurer reported that a Parks summit has not yet been scheduled, although
County and City Managers are now in charge of organizing this meeting. He reviewed recent discussions
and directions the City has taken on structuring their recreation program. The Aquatic Center project and the
feasibility study are on hold until the summit. Rick Tollefson said he believes it is important for Parks'
needs to be included in discussions of capital facilities in the upcoming election. He suggested -- and the
PAB agreed -- that because of the importance of City and County Parks and Recreation issues that Parks
staff send a letter to the BOCC recommending that action be taken to schedule the Parks and Recreation
Summit.
Continuation of Community Park Grants discussion.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, July 12, 2000.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of June 14, 2000
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