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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan. 2001-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2001 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: Judy French -Scott, Randy Kline, Char Laughlin (Chair), Mike Ryan, Frank Trafton, Jr. Members Absent: Rick Tollefson Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden and Wendy Ward of Public Works Guests: Commissioners Dan Titterness and Richard Wojt Quorum: There was a quorum. Minutes: There were no changes to the Minutes of the December meeting Agenda Changes: None Chair Char Laughlin welcomed newly -elected Commissioner Titterness and Commissioner Wojt to the meeting. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that the County completed the acquisition of the Ramage property. The BOCC also gave their approval for the purchase of Gene Seton's property. An organizational meeting with individuals interested in equestrian activities will be held next week at the Tri-Area Community Center to consider what portion of the Ramage property may be needed for future buildings and to discuss site plan ideas. Now that the Ramage property has been acquired, the County can negotiate easements on the adjacent property to complete acquisitions from the Port through to the north end of Chevy Chase Golf Course. In response to a question, Nik Worden said that there has been communication with the neighbors regarding buffer alternatives, but not much direction. He indicated that he would continue discussions with neighbors and meet separately with Bill Leavitt about possible buffer alternatives. Commissioner Wojt suggested that the signage for cleaning up after your dog should be made more visible and at both ends of the trail. Warren Steurer agreed to follow up with City Parks on trail maintenance regarding dog feces. Nik Worden said he is developing a catalog of needed signage. B. Chimacum Beach: Nik Worden reported that he has made contact with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to schedule a meeting to explore their grant situation. He is hopeful that Fish and Wildlife and the County will each buy one parcel of land and that the purchases will be matched against each other. As a fallback, he has submitted a pre -application for a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as a match for the IAC grant. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that staff is waiting on final permit approval for the restroom facility. Because the facility is not heated for year-round use, it will remain closed until mid -February. Valerie Green will soon be collecting bids on the maintenance/caretaker area. A binding site plan is also being developed. Jack Carroll made a donation of $11,319 for park projects for calendar year 2001. The BOCC contributed S50,000 to the H.J. Carroll Fund, most of which will be used for project management and engineering costs. A Family Play Day fundraiser is being scheduled for Saturday May 26`h. East Jefferson Rotary is working with the Parks Division on the picnic pavilion, which is a 2001-02 project. Wild Olympic Salmon will again hold their festival at the park. Community Park Grant recipient Anita Shepherd is waiting on needed equipment before mobilizing volunteers on the BMX project. Work continues by Tom Jay on the bronze cast salmon bell and by Larry Eifert on the kiosk project. Tim Black reported that he and Debbie Berreth,continue to work on plans for the multi -use outdoor court. He described the sunken court design with surrounding berm noting that it will include truck access and electricity. Other uses for the facility could include flea markets, dances, and in -line hockey. Estimated project cost remains at approximately $80,000 and there will need to be fundraising and community awareness efforts. D. 2000-2001 Park Grants: Warren Steurer said Community Park grants would again be available this year. The Public Works director has asked staff and the PAB to consider developing specific park project criteria. Frank Trafton, Jr. suggested the PAB continue considering programming such as that offered by the Gathering Place. Mr. Steurer suggested this topic be discussed further at the Parks Board retreat. E. Non -motorized Trail Plan: Warren Steurer said the contract with Beckwith & Associates may include three elements: a non -motorized transportation plan, a recreational trail plan, and an update of the Parks and Recreation comprehensive plan. The work will include a survey, public meetings, and require much Parks Board involvement. Frank Trafton, Jr. expressed concern about how ORVs will be addressed in this planning effort. He also suggested funds for creating a separate ORV plan may be available through the gas tax. Mr. Steurer hopes that there can be more definition of ORV use during this process. F. Parks Board Business: Char Laughlin noted that three members are needed in all three districts. Warren Steurer said he wrote a news release for The Leader calling for Parks Board members. He encouraged Frank Trafton, Jr. and Randy Kline, whose terms will expire on 2/1/01 and l/1/01 respectively, to write a letter to the BOCC requesting reappointment. G. Yippee: Tim Black reported that the new Yippee program administrator is Penny Smith and the number of involved youth totals roughly 34. He commented that the program is desperately needed in Quilcene and he would also like to see Yippee expanded to the Brinnon and Chimacum areas. After -school, drop -in centers such as the Recreation Center in Port Townsend are popular with youth. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Road [vacations: Wendy Ward provided information on the proposed property exchange and road vacation to straighten out Elston Avenue where it intersects Cascade Avenue. Judy French -Scott moved that the road vacation has no significance to Parks. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous vote. B. Parks and Recreation Revenue Enhancement: Gary Rowe has asked Warren Steurer to look at revenue enhancements for the County, including raising campground fees. This year, additional seasonal staff will help keep current on maintenance and clean up issues and encourage users to pay camping fees. Signage improvements are also planned. Staff is also recommending raising fees $2.00 to enhance revenues for the Parks Improvement Fund. There was some discussion about re- establishing fees that were rolled back at the end of 2000. Randy Kline moved that the Parks Advisory Board concur with staffs recommendation to increase camping fees by $2.00. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous vote. C. City and County Recreation Meetings: Warren Steurer said the City and County have been meeting to discuss their working relationship and recreation program delivery. Topics include the City's interest in a YMCA program and utilizing the facilities at Mountain View Elementary School or lower level of the Port Townsend Community Center. Commissioner Titterness commented that if there is a nonprofit interested in providing self-supporting and equal services for the public, he Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation advisory Board Minutes of January 10, 2001 Page 2 believes it is worth the City's consideration. Today, the City and County staff and interested local citizens will again meet to discuss recreation programming, capital expenditures and other issues. There was question about how well the teen center in Hadlock is serving local youth. Interest was expressed in providing job opportunities for youth. It was suggested that park grant funds might be used for a summer work program. It was also suggested that the City and County might also have a "youth work board" posting of available jobs IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Tim Black distributed a draft year-round program brochure. He said he would be looking to develop summer programs in Quilcene such as the free swim lessons at the Sequim pool, which the previous grant supported. Other program activities will be scheduled at H.J. Carroll Park as the park is developed. Junior Hoop will start on January 20 with approximately 500 youth. The "ball hound" graphic that he designed will be used on kids t-shirts. The City men's basketball league is also running again. The fee was increased to provide for better quality refereeing. B. 2001 Calendar: Warren Steurer reviewed the Parks and Recreation draft project list for 2001. There was interest in scheduling a March or April Parks Board retreat at Beausite Lake. V. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE 1y\0r9 1�UiWV11 The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 14, 2001. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 10, 2001 Page 3