Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay - 2000 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2000 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Char Laughlin 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: Randy Kline, Karen Kautzman, Char Laughlin, Judy French -Scott, Frank Trafton, Jr., Mike Ryan Members Absent: Dick Broders, David Whipple, Rick Tollefson Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden, Terry Duff of Jefferson County Public Works Guest: Jolly Wahlstrom, Citizen Minutes: Minutes of the April 12, 2000 meeting were reviewed and approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda Changes: None New District 3 Parks Board member Mike Ryan introduced himself as a 30-year Jefferson County resident. He has been involved in parks in various ways, including creating carvings at Pope Marine and H.J. Carroll Parks and the Jefferson County Library. Although his earlier career was in carving, he spent the last ten years as firefighter/EMT with Jefferson County Fire District No. 1. Warren Steurer said a District 1 position remains open. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Chimacum Creek / frondale Beach: Nik Worden circulated a map of most of the habitat -sensitive properties around the lower reaches of Chimacum Creek. Thirty-four acres are available for purchase although more than half is undevelopable tideland. The Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) purchased the north shore portion of this area from Port Townsend Paper. An acceptance also appears likely on DFW's offer to purchase half of the Cotton property. As a condition of their previous lease agreement with the Cotton family, Port Townsend Paper Corp. has conducted a major clean up of the site. The DFW would like to decrease the slope of the upper beach to maximize shallow water for chum salmon. Once the purchase is complete, they will be looking for a partner to manage the land and if it is not the County, possibly the Jefferson Land Trust or Wild Olympic Salmon. It is hoped that Jefferson County can purchase the southern portion of the Cotton property where iron and steel contamination remains. If granted, IAC funds could provide 50 percent of the total purchase price and a DNR aquatic lands enhancement grant could provide the remaining amount. Funding for a toxic study and clean up plan might come from the Department of Ecology. Because the fill at the site was the result of an operation by the Army Corps of Engineers to dig the Port Townsend canal, the Corps has funds and remains interested in a clean up project. Their restoration may include moving the shoreline back. The current goal of the County is to get the property into public ownership, guarantee access, and allow no further deterioration. Long term, there might be restricted development and the site would remain a passive recreation site with limited vehicle traffic, trails, and a facility for hand launched boats. B. Larry Scott Trail: SEPA documentation is complete. Nik Worden reviewed trail access and the major hurdles associated with getting from Edward's Road to SR 20. Although the Department of Transportation (DOT) reported they were not going to be able to help with even the design on the SR20 interchange due to the passage of I-695, they now report they have new funding for seismic reinforcement of bridges on the Peninsula. Staff at DOT are working on the possibility of removing the bridge and replacing it with a culvert. The structure would be wide enough to get the equestrian and bicycle trails underneath as well as provide width for a shoulder on the road. The local agency agreement and prospectus with the Department of Highways is complete on the T-21 funding for construction. The County's Discovery Road culvert project at the intersection of SR20 and Discovery Road is also moving ahead. Public Work's staff are working on a design to remove the old wooden bridge crossing the railroad right-of-way and lower the grade to remove the sight line problem. The Earth Day interpretive sign dedication went well and brought attention to the project. B. Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC): At PTC's annual meeting, Nik Worden made a presentation on Larry Scott Trail. Other agencies attending the meeting and involved in the Olympic Discovery Trail Project were Clallam County and the Cities of Sequim and Port Angeles. Their trail progress was encouraging. Sequim is anticipating rebuilding the Johnson Creek railroad trestle at the mouth of Sequim Bay. Acquisition funding is complete for the section from Port Angeles to Morris Creek, but it is not yet open to the public. PTC is pursuing mapping a trail via DNR, Olympic Resource Management or power line easements from Four Corners to Anderson Lake, then southward to Eaglemount Road. These trails would not be County trails, but will be open to the public. PTC and Quimper Trails Association will be responsible for short-term maintenance. This route will eventually be incorporated into the Olympic Discovery Trail. Judy French -Scott mentioned she received a brochure for the Pacific Northwest Trail project that is planned to extend from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean across Montana, Idaho and Washington. Nik Worden said this group is trying to map an all-weather trail across the Olympics. As part of this project, Clallam County has mapped a trail from Port Angeles west to Forks mostly using the old Forks railroad. C. Off Leash/Woof. Jolly Wahlstrom said a City Parks & Rec. subcommittee has decided to begin work on a proposal for educational signage. He has also agreed to design boxes for dog litter bags. Char Laughlin, Warren Steurer, Karen Kautzman, and Gayle Jenkins met to determine which parks might be best suited for socialize and exercise areas. They feel the areas with the best potential are the County fairgrounds, the grassy area next to Sather Park, and property near the Cape George gravel pit. Warren believes education is the key and designating an experimental area might be the first step in revising the ordinance. He and Steve Corra will be meeting to talk about park issues. The subcommittee will meet again to formalize their recommendations. Frank Trafton, Jr. said he is not in favor of using the Cape George area because it is an area used by motorcyclists and area residents typically have larger lots to accommodate their dogs. South Indian Island may be a better option due to the existing infrastructure. D. H.J. Carroll Park Aquatic Center: Warren Steurer reported the City pledged up to $20,000 for a feasibility study. For this regional project to become a reality, many agencies will need to resolve potentially contentious issues of lead agency status, funding, and siting. Additionally, other capital improvement projects such as administration and law and justice compete for funds. The City Manager and County Administrator are considering how best to organize the Parks and Recreation Summit. Although there is interest in presenting the aquatic center as a citizen initiative, Warren will continue coordinating aquatic center discussions. The subcommittee will begin planning public outreach and education. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 10, 2000 Page 2 E. H.J. Carroll Park: The restroom and concession project continues with Valerie Green doing a good job as project manager. Once this project is complete in mid summer, she will begin work on the maintenance and caretaker area. East Jefferson Rotary has adopted the picnic pavilion as their community project. The National Park Service volunteer day was quite successful with assistance from Ameri=corps and the Port Angeles Conservation Corp. Approximately 180 hours were focused on trail work, terracing, bank restoration, and creating a trail head. The groups also worked on the Chimacum Creek bank restoration at Beaver Valley Road. Tim Black has begun investigating options for a 110 x 140 multi -use surface including indestructible cement basketball goals. Funding has yet to be outlined. The next H.J. Carroll Advisory Board meeting is Thursday, May 11 at 5:30. F. Gibbs Lake: Randy Kline reported the first Sunday of every month is a designated trail work day for Quimper Trails Association. They have been working on Anderson Lake trails. G. Yippee: Tim Black said a new staff coordinator is in place. Program participation is low because there is a perception that the program is for bad kids. Many youth are also not interested in staying in school after classes. By relocating the summer operation to the Quilcene Community Center and directly connecting- some recreational programs, they hope for better participation. For the fall, the program may be moved to Camp Parsons. Yippee and Quilcene School staff are beginning to work on improving their cooperation. 111 Mel WAWA 1 1RI-1J;1_&V A. Road Vacation: Terry Duff reviewed the road vacation petitioned by the City of Port Townsend for Elizabeth and Donovan Street. The County will request that the proposed road vacation exclude the unneeded portion of Donovan Street adjacent to Lot 6. Frank Trafton, Jr. moved that the proposed road vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Randy Kline asked if there is some way for staff to make a recommendation on whether road vacations have any park significance. Warren Steurer agreed to work with Terry Duff on preparing a staff recommendation with each vacation. B. 1999 and 2000 Park Grants: Warren Steurer distributed and reviewed the five Community Park Grant applications received: • Larry Eifert - kiosk artwork ■ Anita Shepherd - BMX practice track • The Gathering Place - life skills program • Candy Johnston - Jeff. Co. Little League Ballpark Improvements a Candy Johnson - Jeff. Co. Little League Dugout Improvements The little league projects are at the elementary school and not on County property, however, there is no County -owned field areas or parks in Brinnon. The PAB agreed to extend the application process for two weeks and include the extension notice in The Leader. At the next meeting, the PAB will discuss grant applications. Staff will work on a better system for tracking the spending of grant funds. C. City Parks & Recreation: A new subcommittee is reviewing the City regulations and discussing dog exercise and training areas. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Junior and Senior Hoop has begun at Chimacum School and is going well. There is good interaction between the communities and kids of various ages. Another Safe Night is scheduled for June 2, 2000 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM at the Rec. Center. This event for Junior High through High School youth is a national program sponsored by the Elk's Club as an alternative to drugs. The event is staffed by Rec. staff and volunteers from the Elk's Club. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 10, 2000 Page 3 B. Manager's Report: Parks are looking great as the camping season begins. Upper and Lower Oak Bay is being used. Caretakers have been secured for Chimacum and Upper and Lower Oak Bays. Camp hosts are needed for Lake Leland and Quilcene. The winter fee system at Lower Oak Bay worked well and $520 was collected. The Trust for Public Lands purchased Whiskey Spit from a private owner and they are looking for an agency owner. Warren Steurer agreed to talk with Public Work's staff about Frank Trafton's suggestion for a speed bump at Lower Oak Bay. V. PREPARE NEW AGENDA Discussion and decision on Community Park grants. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 14, 2000. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 10, 2000 Page 4 BOARD/COMMISSION: PARKS ADVISORY BOARD Date of Listing: April 2000 Meeting time: 2" Wed. every Month timber of Members: 9 Length of Terms: 2 years tices to/Contact Person: Warren Steurer 385-9160 ^ MEMBERS: 1) lst Name: Address: Phone: Term Exp: Appt: DISTRICT #1 2) Charlotte Laucihlin 1521 Fir 385-4406 05/15/01 lst Appt: 05/15/95 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Reappt: 05/12/97 Reappt: 05/24/99 3)_Randy Kline _ 824 Walker Street 379-3989 01/19/01 lst Appt: 01/19/99 Port Townsend, WA 98368 DISTRICT #2 4) Frank Trafton Jr. 2882 Beaver Valle Rd. 732-4814 02/03/01 lst Appt: 02/03/97 Port Ludlow, WA 98365 )appt: 02/01/99 5) Rick Tollefson P.O. Box 100 732-4080 10/24/01 Reappt:10/25/93 Chimacum, WA 98325 Reappt:11/27/95 Reappt:10/13/97 Reappt:03/20/00 6) Karen Kautzman 40 Wades Loop _ 732-4851 04/06/02 lst Appt:04/06/98 Chimacum, WA 98325 Reappt:04/10/00 DISTRICT #3 7) David Whipple 280 Hidden Trails 385-4017 03/21/02 1st Appt:11/14/94 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Reappt:04/06/98 Reappt: 02/28/00 8) Mike Ryan 371 East Price Street 3QS- 6 05/01/02 1" Appt: 05/01/00 Port Hadlock, WA 98339 9) Judith French -Scott 500 Sand Road 385-3510 03/21/02 lst Appt: 03/21/94 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Iappt:04/06/98 ,__ appt:03/20/00