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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec. 2002- MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2002 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Mike Ryan called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. in the Main Floor Conference Room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Mike Ryan (Chair), Brian Miller (Vice Chair), Eileen Rogers, Frank Trafton, Jr. Randy Kline, Joan Linderoth Member Absent: David Whipple, Rick Tollefson, Bob Henderson Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden of Public Works Guests: Commissioners Titterness and Wojt Quorum: There was a quorum Minutes: Correction under paragraph 4, regarding the Community Pavilion. The sentence that reads "The goal would be to have the facility completed by next spring" should instead read that "....the goal would be to begin construction by next spring." Eileen Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the November meeting as corrected. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS Parks Advisory Board: Warren Steurer recognized new members Joan Linderoth of District 1, and Bob Henderson of District 3 and distributed a new member roster. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Road Vacation -- Usage Right -of -Way of East Moore Street: Warren Steurer reviewed that in October, the Parks Board reviewed Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's petition to vacate the usage right of way of East Moore Street to facilitate the beach restoration of the historic Chimacum Creek estuary. After a lengthy discussion again in November, the PAB recommended not to approve the vacation due to a lack of information, an opinion shared by the Public Work's engineer. The application by Fish and Wildlife is still active. The Hearing Examiner will consider this petition in January. B. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that Segment 2 of the trail is now complete. The Backcountry Horseman built an extra 600 feet of horse trail in the last couple of weeks with the assistance of AmeriCorps staff, who also planted some State donated vegetation on the berms along the highway. Parks Staff will continue to pursue the one additional property acquisition or easement needed to accomplish the next segment of trail to Nelson's Landing Road. He reported that approximately $16K remains in trail acquisition/construction funds. A possible amendment to an IAC grant would contribute another $30K for acquisition/construction funds. Commissioner Wojt suggested working with WSU or Master Gardeners to make a vegetative plan for the trail, so that if groups were willing to donate plants, time, or efforts their proposals would not need to be reviewed individually. Regarding bridge signage, Nik advised the State Department of Transportation (DOT) of the safety concerns bicyclists have raised regarding crossing the bridge. He noted that it was Paula Reeves, the State bicycle coordinator, who had requested the removal of the "No Bicycle" signs from the bridge. Commissioner Titterness said he made contact with DOT about the suggestion to paint lines on the pavement directing bicyclists onto the bypass. It was recognized that even with these efforts, not all cyclists would choose the alternate route. C. Chimacum Creek: Using a site map, Nik Worden showed the relationship between the property the County is acquiring and the adjacent Fish and Wildlife property, an old lien on which has delayed the County's closing. Although the County is requesting an easement that connects Moore Street to the County property, it may be able to proceed without the easement in order to close before a grant runs out December 31. With the receipt of several requests for naming this park and the need to begin to work on a development plan even with a lack of development funds, Staff proposed the formation of an advisory group for this property, similar to that used at H.J. Carroll Park and distributed a draft process/sample resolution for discussion. PAB then provided input on a draft list of stakeholders. Suggested additions were Chimacum School District, Tri-Area Chamber of Commerce, Irondale Community Council, adjacent property owners and park users, Jefferson Land Trust, and Wild Olympic Salmon. Several on the list were also eliminated. There was support for holding a community meeting to solicit broader input, possibly before the committee is formed. The historical significance of this site was recognized. In response to the request that a subcommittee of the Parks Board meet with Staff to discuss this draft further before its submittal to the BOCC, Brian Miller and Mike Ryan volunteered and Rick Tollefson was recommended. The subcommittee would plan to meet January 6`h at 12:00. Nik reported that once the sale is complete, Staff would proceed with minor clean up activities including the big fuel tank. He circulated a site map of the old industrial facility that used to be in that location. D. State Parks — Parking Fee: Commissioner Titterness reported that the State Parks Advisory Board will meet tomorrow in Olympia. Joe Finnie is organizing a group to present a case for not instituting the $5 parking fee at Fort Worden. Although the City expressed interest in investigating setting aside Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funds in exchange for the State not charging a fee, the LTAC bylaws prohibit the County from doing this. Commissioner Titterness said he also met with Scott Wilson and Robie Robichaux of the new Rotary Club regarding possible improvements at North Beach Park (upgrading of parking, perimeter fencing, etc.), but several of the area's residents said the use of the park as it is seems appropriate. Commissioner Wojt noted that this group would also urge the State Parks Advisory Board to consider the costs and consequences of collecting these funds. Barring other action by the State, the fee would take effect January 1'. Aside from the direct impact of parking fees on North Beach Park, Warren recognized their effects on the entire community. There was recommendation that County Parks Staff attend the Olympia meeting. Commissioners Wojt and Titterness left the meeting. E. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer said Staff is working to winterize the park. A BMX users group is being coordinated to meet on a quarterly basis and serve as the basis for maintenance work parties for the BMX facility. The labyrinth will be relocated near the Wild Olympic Salmon Shelter, behind the playground area. There would also be a New Year Eve's event at the labyrinth. F. Gibbs Lake: Randy Kline reported that no trail work was done this December. He also mentioned that he is transitioning off the Quimper Trails Association's board. Warren noted that David Goldsmith, Penny Smith, Rick Tollefson, and he met regarding the Ropes Course. They are working with Cub Scout troops and a carpentry class that will build the wooden platforms and finish a storage shed at the course. Goals for the winter include the development of a safety program and course certification. Once the course is certified, facilitators would be trained in time to put the ropes course into use by the spring. G. Conservation Futures Committee: Eileen Rogers reported having given Warren Steurer a copy of the application, evaluation criteria and rating guidelines. She urged the PAB to discuss whether to apply for some of the $300K in funds by the March 30 deadline. Warren then reviewed the acquisition criteria that stresses preservation and does not include properties to be used for active recreation or trail corridors. Eileen raised the possibility of partnering with other organizations. At the suggestion that a subcommittee meet to further discuss possible projects, Warren, Eileen, and Joan Linderoth volunteered to meet in mid -January. Warren said getting matching funds might be problematic. Buffer areas at parks such as at Lower Oak Bay might be a possibility, as might something in Quilcene or Brinnon. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 11, 2002— Page 2 H. Community Pavilion: East Jefferson Rotary project manager Frank Trafton, Jr. reported that he and Staff had met to discuss both Rotary's involvement and County engineering's expectations and to discuss the County's punch list. Sometime in January, Rotary would apply for a permit, planning to break ground in the spring and complete work around mid -summer. Other Rotary Clubs have been contacted about participating in this project. Staff was interested in whether the project might be completed in time for the summer Recreation Programs, even though the Wild Olympic Salmon building could be used. I. Park & Recreation District: Warren Steurer reported that the Task Force (Warren, Rick Tollefson, Eileen Rogers, and Monica McHager) has been meeting regularly to discuss alternative funding for Parks and Recreation and will be summarizing its research and should be able to present an overview in January for the PAB's consideration before making its recommendation to the BOCC. A Metro parks district appears the most cost-efficient and effective funding mechanism and the group has also discussed ways such a district would be managed and funded. If a recommendation were for a district, the boundaries would need to be set by June in order to be included in a September 2003 vote that could provide funding by 2004. The group remains concerned about the possibility of proposing this additional tax without the full political support for such a district. IV. STAFF REPORTS Recreation: Tim Black circulated pictures and a team T-shirt for Brinnon's in -school Hoop Camp, which ran from 1-3:00 pm and had over 50 participants and support of the teachers and school. Warren recognized the importance of this program to the youth of this economically impacted area. The school district population is dropping and the community has many other social problems as a result of unemployment. Staff is working on the Junior Hoop program (for ages K-6), with over 400 youth expected to participate in this countywide program starting January 18. Thaddeus Jurzinski held luminary workshops this week and last. Pool tables at the Rec. Center were refurbished and two tables in basement storage may also be refurbished for use at other sites like the teen centers. The Rec. Center is sponsoring an after -school arts class in the Rec. Center. City adult basketball league is also beginning. II. NEW BUSINESS (Continued) Parks Advisory Board Elections: Brian Miller was nominated as Chair and Eileen Rogers was nominated as Vice Chair. Eileen Rogers moved that Brian Miller be elected as the new chair. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Randy Kline moved that Eileen Rogers be elected as Vice Chair. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. The PAB recognized Mike Ryan for his excellent leadership as Chair this year. 1A 1 11II1B►`lu I Dieu The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 8, 2002. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 11, 2002— Page 3 AA To: Jefferson County Commissioners From: Bob Helander, President Northwest Kiwanis Camp NORTHWEST KIWANIS CAMP — 2002 ANNUAL REPORT TO JEFFERSON COUNTY CMMIISSIONERS ADMINISTRATIVE At the Annual meeting of the Board of Directors of Northwest Kiwanis Camp, held on September 14, 2002 at the Beausite Lake Camp, the board elected the following officers to serve for the 2002-2003 camp year ending September 30, 2003. President President Elect Past President Vice -President Secretary Treasurer 2002 CAMPING PROGRAM Bob Helander — Port Townsend Kiwanis Club Open John Summers — Port Angeles Kiwanis Club Jack Waud — Port Angeles Kiwanis club Charles Standley — Port Angeles Olympic Kiwanis club Bill Range — Port Townsend Kiwanis Club For the fourth consecutive year we were able to offer two camping sessions during the 2002 camping program, which ran from 27 July through 4 August. Twenty-two campers, ages eight to sixteen attended the first five-day session. Two of the campers in this first session were older, twenty-two, but due to developmental limitations were deemed to better fit with the younger session. Twenty older campers attended the second session of four days, their ages spanned from seventeen to sixty-one. Despite efforts to attract campers from outside the immediate area, with the sole exception of one camper from King County, all the campers were from Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Again this year we had an outstanding group of young people working as counselors. We were able to recruit a total of twenty-eight counselors and aides this year and thus were able to meet our criteria of one to one camper to counselor ratio. This year we were even able to accommodate two campers whose needs required two counselors each. The importance of the counselors to the campers experience cannot be over emphasized. Once the camp is set up and the programs established the success of the camp, the enjoyment experienced by the campers, and their safety, depends almost entirely on the performance of these young men and women. P. 0. BOX 1396 SF—QUIK wa 98382 FINANCIAL The camp operates on a cash basis and has no indebtedness. Attached is a copy of the Treasurer's Account Summary Sheet dated September 14, 2002 — for the camp fiscal year ending September 30, 2002. This summary shows a current balance of $75,845.58. While there are still some small outstanding invoices and receipts remaining from this year's camping session, Northwest Kiwanis Camp is entering the 2002-2003 year in a very good and positive cash position. GOALS FOR 2001-2002 Administrative • Continue the review of the organizational structure of Northwest Kiwanis Camp. • Broaden the financial and volunteer support of the camp through recruitment of additional regional Kiwanis Clubs and other organizations to membership. • Maintain membership in the American Camping Association. ■ Assess the feasibility of hiring a full time (seasonal) Camp Director and possible other key staff. Camp Improvements • Construct a shower-restroom-laundry building. • Construct an outdoor covered pavilion for dining and other rain protected activities. • Paint the exterior of the main house. Continue interior painting and decorating program. • Continue window replacement program. Camping Program • Investigate the potential for additional camping sessions. • Attract campers, and counselors as well, from a broader geographic area. • Increase the public's use of the camp. Respectfully submitted, Bob Helander Board President Northwest Kiwanis Camp 150 Condon Lane Port Ludlow. WA 98365 (360) 437-2830