Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug. 2021-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2001 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Randy Kline called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. in the Commissioner's Chambers of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Randy Kline, Eileen Rogers, Mike Ryan, Brian Miller, Frank Trafton, Jr., Rick Tollefson, Judy French -Scott. Members Absent: David Whipple. Staff Present: Wendy Ward, Tim Black, and Warren Steurer of Public Works. Guests: Commissioner Richard Wojt. Quorum: There was a quorum. Minutes: Eileen Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Frank Trafton, Jr. seconded the motion, which was approved by unanimous vote. Agenda Changes: No additions. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Warren Steurer said there is no new report on Larry Scott Trail. Frank Trafton, Jr. mentioned that Nik Worden had agreed to investigate whether grant monies already received would be impacted if part of the trail were used to provide access to the right of way between Mill Road and Thomas Street for motorized use. He noted that the trail project is part of the Roads Department budget as a transportation link. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach: Rick Tollefson recognized the significant efforts of Nik Worden, the Commissioners and Public Works to purchase the property for public access. Warren Steurer noted that this purchase is part of the special projects budget. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that the maintenance and caretaker building is roughly 80% complete. It is expected that a caretaker will be on site in September. Project manager, Debbie Berreth continues to work with East Jefferson Rotary on the design and construction of the picnic pavilion. With bidding now closed, site work and surfacing of the basketball court is expected to be completed this fall. The restroom and concession stand project is roughly 70% complete. There was some discussion about whether it is possible to allow day use of the building from mid -January to mid -February to avoid placing a Sani-Can at the site. It was also suggested that the time lock be set later during the summer months. The BMX project has been held up slightly due to the need for 16-20 hours of heavy equipment time. The kiosk is in place. D. Community Network/YMCA: Rick Tollefson reported that the State legislature cut by 25% the budget for the Family Policy Counsel, the funding agency for Community Network. As a result of an analysis of all the Community Networks to determine which counties would receive the remaining funding, Jefferson County received top priority. He attributed the program's success to coordinator Jude Anderson. He described the major focuses of the program which are birth to three years and the prevention council which covers ages three to high school. Discussion then moved to the YMCA's proposal to run the City of Port Townsend's recreation programs. Community Network's interest in this proposal is in ensuring the availability of programs for everyone in the County based on a health and human services performance model rather than as a purely financial or budgeting decision. Although the YMCA would eventually be in direct competition with the County as a program provider as "the Jefferson County YMCA," they would initially be running only after -school and recreation programs requested by the City. It was noted that this arrangement is similar to the cost-effective programming offered through the County Parks and Recreation by Skyhawks Camps, Salvation Army and 4-H and would offer citizens an expanded assortment of services and selected YMCA programs. PAB questions and concerns related to the separation of church and state and the absence of a bidding process in the City for the recreation programs. There was also interest in the City and County working to plan their recreation programs together rather than soliciting assistance from the YMCA. Issues involved in better utilizing school facilities were also discussed. Rick Tollefson stressed the importance of budgeting for prevention activities. Warren Steurer commented that currently the County is continuing to work on program development and delivery in South County and Chimacum. Next month, he and Tim Black will present a 2002 recreation program outline. E. Comprehensive Plan Update: Warren Steurer thanked the PAB for participating in the planning process. A meeting will be held August 15, 2001 from 12:00-2:00 with consultant Tom Beckwith to discuss additional recreational elements such as ball fields, etc. The second round of public meetings will also occur next week in Brinnon, Port Ludlow, Port Townsend, and Tri-Area. He asked for PAB participation in these meetings. Simultaneous with telephone and written surveys, PAB and Task Force meetings will be held Tuesday, September 18 and Tuesday, October 2. Dates for the third round of public meetings throughout the county have not been scheduled at this time. F. Gibbs Lake: Warren Steurer showed the proposed site plan for the Ropes Course at Gibbs Lake. The County has contracted design of the course outline, which will include eleven stations. The majority of the construction costs will be covered by service organizations who may sponsor course elements and/or provide volunteer labor. OlyCAP may also contribute funding. Further costs will be for equipment, ongoing maintenance, course facilitation and insurance. It is likely the course operation will be managed by 4-H. Volunteers and Parks staff will hold a work party August 28th to remove snags and dead material from the site. In other Gibbs Lake business, Parks staff is exploring ways to avoid boats being launched and removed in the crowded public swimming area. Mr. Steurer said there is a parking turnout approximately 300 yds. North of the swimming beach entrance that could be expanded to allow parking and off loading boats for hand launching into the lake. G. Trail Report: Quimper Trails Association (QTA) has been working on the backside trail and is interested in resuming discussion on opening up the trail to mountain bikes. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Road Vacation: Wendy Ward provided information on the road vacations of a portion of Pear Street in Irondale Orchard Tracts and a portion of Shore Drive in Paradise Bay Estates. Rick Tollefson moved that the road vacation on Pear Street is of no significance to Parks. The motion was seconded by Frank Trafton, Jr. and approved by unanimous vote. Rick Tollefson moved that the road vacation on Shore Drive is of no significance to Parks. The motion was seconded Frank Trafton, Jr. and approved by unanimous vote. B. Park & Campground. There have been few complaints at the parks this season. To date, $12,500 in camp fees have been collected, which is consistent with the $20-21,000 typically collected in a season. C. Park Grants: Warren Steurer distributed a report of organizations receiving Community Parks Grants in the past. He also distributed a 2001 Community Park Grant proposal containing seven potential granting areas related to facilities and programming. These areas were: Port Townsend Community Center playground equipment replacement, Gathering Place park programming for the developmentally disabled, Port Townsend Rotary ropes course development, a Lake Leland Community Group historical marker, improvements to teen centers in Hadlock and Quilcene, and participation in the Soul Salmon project. He explained the Soul Salmon project as a fundraising effort whereby the Parks Department would purchase a plain fiberglass salmon and commission an artist to finish the sculpture for auctioning. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 8, 2001— Page 2 The funds raised might be used to create the bronze turtle at H.J. Carroll Park as an art, educational, and playground climbing apparatus. He asked for PAB review and comment on the proposal. There was some discussion about the proposed projects and past grant successes, failures and timeliness. Rick Tollefson moved that the PAB approve the Community Parks Grant project list contingent upon firm proposals by individual organizations being received and approved. The motion was seconded by Frank Trafton, Jr. and approved by unanimous vote. D. ORV Use: Frank Trafton, Jr. mentioned that there was some discussion at the last Comprehensive Plan meeting about property at the Jefferson County International Airport that might be able to be redesignated as "other than aviation" for use by ORVs. This property is next to the power line right of way currently used by motorcycles. There was PAB interest in Parks staff obtaining more information from Port manager Larry Crockett before proposing this option to the BOCC. IV. STAFF REPORTS Recreation: Tim Black reported on the Salvation Army Wilderness Expedition Camp in which six youth recently participated. This was one of three separate summer camps involving a total of 45 youth. The summer swim bus from Brinnon is averaging 16 youth participants and will continue operation until just before Labor Day. Basketball camp recently concluded, to be followed by tennis, soccer, skateboard, and baseball camps. August 25 is the scheduled all -age Soccer-a-thon at Memorial Field. On that same day, he will be supervising a three -on -three basketball tournament at the Port Hadlock Teen Center. The Rec. Center is consistently busy when there is inclement weather. The car show and outdoor movie will be held at Memorial Field on Saturday, August 18. V. ADJOURNMENT Rick Tollefson moved that the next PAB meeting be held at Gibbs Lake, contingent upon dry weather. Parks staff was asked to remind PAB of the meeting location and to bring folding chairs. The motion was seconded by Frank Trafton, Jr. and approved by unanimous vote. Frank Trafton, Jr. and Judy French -Scott said they would not be able to attend next month's meeting. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, September 12, 2001. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 8, 2001— Page 3