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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2001 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2001 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Randy Kline 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, Mike Ryan, Frank Trafton, Jr., Brian Miller, Rick Tollefson Members Absent: Char Laughlin, Eileen Rogers, Judy French -Scott Staff Present: Warren Steurer of Public Works; Tim Black; Nik Worden Guests: Commissioners Dan Titterness and Richard Wojt Quorum: There was a quorum. Minutes: Rick Tollefson moved to approve the minutes of the April meeting. Mike Ryan seconded the motion, which was approved by unanimous vote. Agenda Changes: None II.OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that survey documents are complete for Segment 2 and the Segment 3 survey should soon be complete. A boundary line adjustment with Discovery Timber is in process for the two parcels on the east side of SR20. Trail access via an easement at Thomas Avenue is expected, which will get the trail back on the railroad right-of-way to the west of SR20. Port Townsend Master Gardeners have entered into an annual grant program to provide ornamental tree seedlings. He accepted their offer of 100 tree plantings and two years of maintenance and watering. Warren Steurer said County and City Parks have also accepted trees in the Master Gardeners' program. Earlier this week, the Peninsula Trails Coalition met to talk about progress on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Other topics of discussion were: A citizens advisory committee has been appointed to recommend procedures for opening up a right-of-way from Lake Crescent to Forks; Jim Pearson of Public Works made a presentation on the non -motorized transportation and recreational trail plans; there was also a concurrence of opinion about the importance of acquiring right-of-way at the bottom end of Discovery Bay for the Olympic Discovery Trail. Mr. Worden showed logo signage created by the Peninsula Trails Coalition for use on the Olympic Discovery and Larry Scott Memorial Trails. There was discussion about potential conflicts if there were signage on Larry Scott Trail that referred to it as part of the Olympic Memorial Trail, Nik Worden said he does not see any conflict with using the signage. Discussion then moved to where a parallel trail for motorized use might be developed. Frank Trafton, Jr. expressed interest in the area from Mill Road up to the power lines leading; up the hill to the C:'ity's LToward Street Trail by Les Schwab. There was support for taking the first step to address the displacement of ORVs from Larry Scott Trail. Frank Trafton, Jr. moved to direct Parks' Staff to draft a letter and map on behalf of the PAB recommending that the BOCC designate a corridor for motorized use on a parallel easement above Larry Scott Trail between the power lines and Mill Road, approximately 450 yards. The motion was seconded by Rick Tollefson and approved by unanimous vote. During discussion, it was asked whether there are any costs associated costs with this designation. A topic for later discussion is whether the power line right-of-way can be accessed for riding. B. Chimacum Creek: Nik Worden reported that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has completed its purchase of the north portion of the Cotton property. The WDFW has also arranged their grant funding so that it will be counted as County matching funds. By the end of June, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is expected to announce their funding selections. It is not yet known whether IAC funding will be impacted by House and Senate budgets. C. Comprehensive Plan Update: On Monday, May 22 from 2:00-4:00, the PAB is invited to a briefing on the community forums as well as next steps. The Non -Motorized Transportation Task Force will receive a briefing the same day. Warren Steurer reported that of the seven community meetings, the best attended were the Port Townsend and Tri Area meetings. PAB members highlighted their impressions of the forums and complimented the efforts and experience of Tom Beckwith. D. H.J. Carroll Park: Parks staff and community service workers attended the Earth Day event and helped with tree plantings. They also worked to reroute the trail, which was necessitated by the development of the maintenance/caretaker area. This area is expected to be complete by July. Kiosk panels have been received and laminated signs are being created. The Home Builders Association and Parks staff will work together to erect and dedicate the kiosk early in June. Wild Olympic Salmon continues to work on their garden area. The East Jefferson County Soccer Association will be partnering with the County to finish the concession stand. Work continues with Anita Shepherd on the BMX track and, following a delivery of 500 yards of material, work parties will be organized to finish forming the course. There have been many requests to use the shelter. The field crew has been busy at the park and Port Townsend and Chimacum soccer teams are using the fields regularly for practice and games. Quilcene is using the facility for softball. Planning on McLarney Courts continues, the budget for which is approximately $72,000. E. YMCA: Warren Steurer reported on recent newspaper coverage about the concept that the YMCA might accept control for some of the City's recreational programs. The County recently acknowledged receipt of the YMCA's unsolicited proposal stating that the County is currently involved in updating parks and recreation comprehensive plans and that more meetings would be needed to get clarification about the YMCA proposal. Other proposals may also need to be solicited. Rick Tollefson commented that it is not clear whether the YMCA is interested in being program providers or organizers of overall recreation adult/child programs. The issue seems to be whether the County is interested in providing money to support an expanded YMCA program. Mr. Steurer agreed that through the Comprehensive Planning process, funding for capital improvements and programs will need to be identified. F. Quilcene After School Program (Yippee): Tim Black reported that 30 youths are participating in this program. Penny Smith has done an outstanding job in partnering with other organizations in the community for an integrated program. He believes a combination of a grant and fee program might work to expand the program to Chimacum. While the annex at the Quilcene Community Center is currently being used, he believes the program will eventually be expanded to the school. There was discussion about whether community development block grant funding could be used to upgrade the community center. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Ropes Challenge Course: Warren Steurer reported that the County has begun discussions with WSU 4- H and the Port Townsend Rotary Club on the possibility of developing a ropes challenge course at Gibbs Lake. Sam Tower, a 4-H ropes challenge course coordinator will be meeting with County staff and representatives from Rotary and Brinnon School to discuss the feasibility of a course at Gibbs Lake. Funding, construction, maintenance, and management responsibilities will need to be outlined. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 9, 2001— Page 2 Commissioner Wojt suggested OlyCap also be brought into the discussion as a possible partner. Tim Black mentioned that Ron Wright of Brinnon is another experienced Ropes Course teacher. B. Park Advisory Board Business: Warren Steurer announced that Char Laughlin has resigned her PAB position. There are now openings in District 1 and 3. As discussed at the last meeting, there was support for amending the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board By-laws to reflect that the regular meeting has changed from the first Wednesday of each month to the second Wednesday. Following a brief discussion, Rick Tollefson moved that Staff be directed to amend the By-laws to reflect that the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory will be the 2°d Wednesday of each calendar month. The motion was seconded by Mike Ryan and approved by unanimous vote. C. Community Park Grants: As discussed at previous meetings, this year's Park Grant program will be modified to solicit help with priority park projects instead of taking open proposals. Warren Steurer provided an example of replacing the playground equipment at the PT Community Center. Other suggested projects were the ropes course, projects at H.J. Carroll, and hiring youth to clean parks or make trails. There was PAB interest in this concept, while also allowing the PAB to support programs or projects brought forth by the community. It was suggested that an internal guideline of $5,000 be set for a mix of recommended and suggested park projects. There was interest in investigating whether the Soul Salmon project might be an appropriate fundraiser for parks. This project encourages organizations to purchase a fiberglass salmon and then commission an artist to finish the piece for a later auction. At the next meeting, there will be more discussion of possible park projects. Grant applications would be submitted in June with awards given in August or September. IV. STAFF REPORTS Recreation: Tim Black reported that in Brinnon 20-28 youth and their bikes will be transported for a day of riding and playing at HJ Carroll Park. On June 4-9, Tim Black and Craig Smith, a Port Townsend soccer coach, will start a soccer camp at Brinnon School for grades K-6. In Quilcene, the open gym on Sunday evening is going well with 60 adults and kids involved. Junior and Senior Hoop leagues will soon begin and the County will partner with 4-H on a recreation program following the summer school morning program in Quilcene. Andy Mackey has begun a recreation center in the restaurant just across from the Community Center. The County also purchased $200 harmonicas for his music programs. As mentioned last month, Tim Black has been talking to Quilcene about their fields and is interested in finding out how to tap the well under the school property. Because water is the biggest expense, he would like to follow up on whether the well could be used to power a big sprinkler. The Quilcene field may also be a Community Park grant project. In the Tri-Area, most efforts are focused at H.J. Carroll Park. Other activities include junior and senior basketball league and an open gym at Chimacum school. A pilot after -school program just finished in the commons area at Chimacum School. The program was moderately successful and there remains a need for a program at a cost of $30 a week. It was suggested that a sliding scale may also work. Transportation issues also need to be addressed. In Port Townsend, Rec Center activities have slowed with better weather. The open gym will include Women's Hoop starting in June. He complimented the efforts of Phil Saxton and the field crew. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 13, 2001. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 9, 2001— Page 3