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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan. 2000 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2000 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Char Laughlin called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. at the Port Townsend Community Center, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Frank Trafton, Jr., Rick Tollefson, David Whipple, Karen Kautzman, Char Laughlin, Randy Kline Members Absent: Judy French -Scott, Dick Broders Guests: Commissioners Harpole and Wojt; Bill Ellison and Fred Johnson of NW Kiwanis Camp Staff Present: Warren Steurer and Nik Worden of Jefferson County Public Works Minutes: Minutes of the December 8, 1999, meeting were reviewed and approved. Quorum: There was a quorum. H. OLD BUSINESS A. Olympic Gateway Visitors Center: Nik Worden reported Jefferson County will be awarded $190,000 in Federal Transportation Enhancement funds. The grant provides for preliminary planning, design and } environmental assessments for a permanent visitors center across the street from the present site at the intersection of Route 19 and Route 104. The state Local Programs office considered the application an ineligible project because they thought it was a rest area. However, County representatives were succcessful in appealing that decision. ORM will be donating the land and some funds will come from the LTAC Committee. The Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock Chambers of Commerce will manage the site, which will be owned and constructed by the County. Commissioner Harpole suggested involving the Jefferson County Historical Society as well as considering having an art gallery. Clallam County has expressed their support of this project. Nik acknowledged a concern by Frank Trafton, Jr. that plans for a clear sight line will be needed because of the berm in front of the property. Warren Steurer said the County will need to understand its commitment regarding maintenance of the facility. Commissioner Harpole said that whether or not this is considered a rest area, some of the funds for future support will be Transportation dollars for rest areas. Due to safety concerns at this intersection, the state might eventually like to see this as right turn route. However, with the passage of 1-695, funding for such a change is uncertain. B. Larry Scott Trail: TEA-21 funding was awarded at the regional level for three trail segments. Nik will meet with the DOT Friday to coordinate trail work with their overlay project. Funding for the bicycle project was decreased from the original plan. The DOT may be providing some design and construction work around the railroad overpass. A donation of right-of-way for the segment up to the Mill Road LLC property is being signed today. A two -acre triangular piece of property northeast of Mill Road is owned by Roger Evans and his son, and is available to be considered for a parking lot. Two parcels previously owned by Edward Edwards were sold and it is hopeful that a meeting with the new owners next week will result in another right-of-way and better trail route. Other acquisitions are also being actively pursued. Nik reviewed progress of the segments. The Mill interpretive sign will soon be installed, with a ceremony tentatively scheduled for spring. C. Chimacum Creek — IAC Grant: The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) completed an appraisal and is negotiating with the Cotton family. In order for DFW to buy the property, the Cottons will need to agree to clean up the contamination at the site. Fisheries received an additional $500,000 for acquisition through a National Coastal Wetlands grant. Approximately $50,000 is earmarked for habitat restoration, and the remainder will be used for acquisition. If DFW purchases the site, they intend to do a memorandum of understanding with the County regarding recreational use. Commissioner Harpole reported that during Norm Dicks' recent tour Senator Dicks asked about Chimacum Creek and stated his support for the purchase. The PAB thanked Nik for his significant work. D. Whiskey ,Spit/Point Hannon: Warren reported that The Trust for Public Lands has purchased the Point Hannon property. Long term, they would like to see the property purchased back from them to become a County or State Park. E. Gibbs Lake: Nik met with the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) and Quimper Trails Association (QTA) on outlining their next steps. Public Works is now ready to start the nonmotorized transportation plan. PTC and QTA are actively pursuing alternate routes between Four Corners and Anderson Lake as the first leg and then between Gibbs Lake and Anderson Lake, most of which is already accomplished. Pacific Northwest Trail has an agreement with Puget Power to use their power line right-of-ways for trail use, subject to approval of the property owners. These groups will work to negotiate owner agreements. Nik will work to address risk management issues and bring those back to the PAB. Commissioner Wojt complimented the QTA's trail work and signage. Warren Steurer said there will also eventually be a map of the trails in the parking lot kiosk. Commissioner Harpole believes a Gibbs Lake road project will occur in the year 2001 which may be a good time to investigate boat access and parking. Other improvements to discuss are to the swimming beach and access for the disabled. Rick Tollefson mentioned that Fish and Wildlife has grant programs for these improvements. F. Olympic Peninsula Ropes Challenge Course: Commissioner Harpole agreed to follow up with Kathryn Baril at WSU which has oversight of this project. Rick Tollefson said he believes there are people who would like to get involved in the project. Debbie Gale, the coordinator for Yippee and 4-H activities, has an interest in making the ropes course part of the summer enrichment program. Funds should still be available from donations and a past community park grant. G. H.J. Carroll Park: The advisory board meets the second Thursday of the month. The kiosk framing is in place and there are commitments to complete the roof and painting. Eagle Scout Kenji Crossland completed the 1/10 mile markers around the trail which makes the trail 7/10 of a mile in length. The labyrinth path adds 1/4 to a %2 mile to the trail. The labyrinth celebration on New Year's Eve brought 300 people to the park. Rick Tollefson asked about plans for fundraising through the Friends of H.J. Carroll Park. Warren said that after the kiosk is complete a map of the trails and other information and announcements can be posted to help stimulate fundraising. I. Aquatic Center: The PAB, staff and the H.J. Carroll Advisory Board will be invited to a February meeting led by Rick Sepler to talk about initial park assumptions and recommendations. The next regular meeting of Aquatic Center subcommittee is February 3 at the WSU Learning Center. 2. Playground: Construction of the picket fence at the playground will begin in late January early February. 3. Restroom/Concession: Project manager Valerie Green and the volunteers have finished much of the framing. Final completion is still expected for spring 2000. H. Parks and Recreation District: Commissioner Harpole announced a letter was mailed to the City Manager requesting a Parks and Recreation summit in middle -to -late spring to bring together advisory groups and elected officials to begin discussions. Warren Steurer said he believes the County will be recommending that a service area or district approach be pursued, although there are many options. At Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 12, 2000 Page 2 their last meeting, Aquatic Center subcommittee discussed the likelihood of an aquatic center requiring the development of a service area or park district to raise capital. They discussed what it would mean to be a district. Warren distributed and reviewed an outline of the definition and differences between a service area and parks district. Levies would most likely follow a district designation to help with maintenance and operation budgets. Commissioner Wojt said the BOCC is discussing these options as budgets get pinched and the demand for services becomes greater. David Whipple said 60 percent approval levels are hard to reach and directly affect operations and maintenance budgets. Rick Tollefson said unless there is support from elected officials, a service area or district would have difficulty succeeding. 1. NW Kiwanis Camp: Guests President Fred Johnson and Bill Ellison gave a report of their activities at Beausite Lake. Seven Kiwanis clubs support this special needs facility through fund-raising activities and volunteer time. Donations of funds and labor were also received from Pacific Environmental Services of Port Townsend and Lone Star Northwest of Port Ludlow. Activities include games, evening campfires, nature hikes, horseback riding, field trips, swimming and a visit to a game farm. They hope to get Beausite Lake stocked with fish and create an area in front of the building for fishing. Improvements to the site include: a network of hardened pathways around the building, a hardened parking area, two sandboxes, protective shelter for the barbeque area, exterior flood lighting, painting and decorating of the kitchen, dining room and nurse's room, installation of woodwork and stained trim around the doors in the lower, drywalling and lighting modifications in the handicapped bathrooms, extensive shelving and replacement of kitchen and dining room windows. The new well, a Class A water system, is complete. The design on a new septic system is also complete. Fundraising is a focus and they hope to have enough funds to get the system started. Grants have come from the Bill Gates Foundation ($55,000), Jefferson County Parks ($2,000), and the Peninsula Daily News Foundation ($1,500). Funds totaling $90,000 to date will be applied toward the $110,000 septic system installation. Once the system is in place, the camp can be used year round. Another goal is to receive accreditation by the American Camping Association. J. Paragliding: Warren reported that park staff did an inventory of County Parks for paragliding sites. Signs have been posted on Larry Scott Trail asking that the public stay off the banks. Sites with safe access have been difficult to find. Commissioner Wojt said another launch site might be up on the hill along the trail and landing could remain on the trail. He indicated the paragliders association carries the liability once they authorize and approve a site. They would desire to land where there is a broader approach such as the port property or the wide part of the Trail. Commissioner Wojt that said until the organization puts forth a plan, the County isn't going to be able to move forward. K. Off Leash/Woof.- Warren asked to schedule a meeting with this group to review the Jefferson County Code. He read a letter complaining of dogs off -leash at H.J. Carroll Park. Neither the code or ordinance states that dogs need to be on a leash if the animal is under owner control. The owner has ultimate responsibility. He suggested the County take more control by posting the restrictions and expectations. It is also an enforcement issue. Karen Kautzman reported that her veterinary hospital has had an increasing number of cases of dogs attacking other dogs. L. Yippee/Rest Velf Awgram: Rick Tollefson reported the after -school programs are in session III. NEW BUSINESS -None IV. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report. Warren reported the basketball program is starting, the Recreation Center is busy with activities, and the winter camping ordinance is in place. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 12, 2000 Page 3 V. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS } Birth - Age 3 Child Development. Rick Toll.efson announced Jefferson and Clallam Counties have scheduled a forum on brain development from birth to age three for Saturday, February 12. The forum will be held at the Port Angeles High School from 9:00 - 4:00 pm and there will be a speaker. The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the needs of parents and infants and what action communities can take. VI. PREPARE NEW AGENDA VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 9, 2000. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 12, 2000 Page 4