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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug. 2002-MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 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., Rick Tollefson Members Absent: Randy Kline, David Whipple Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, and Nik Worden of Public Works Guests: Jennifer Haskin, PDN; Monica Mick -Hager and Commissioner Titterness Quorum: There was a quorum. Minutes: Rick Tollefson moved to approve minutes of the June and July meetings. The motion was seconded by Eileen Rogers and approved by unanimous vote. Agenda Changes: The date on the agenda was corrected. Added under New Business was a Report on the Conservation Futures Committee. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: The trail has been well used. Fence installation should be complete in about 10 days. The grand opening of Segment 2 at Mill Rd. and SR 20 is now planned for Thursday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. Nik Worden made two presentations to IAC for an additional $500,000 of acquisition and construction money, which could be available in July 2003. Transportation Equity Act (TEA-21) grant funds, if received, would provide IAC matching funds. If the grant proposals are successful, trail construction could resume in October 2003. Although there is not a formal Friends of Larry Scott Trail, there is a mailing list for the bi-annual newsletter comprised of those who participated on the advisory board and others expressing interest in the trail. It was noted that the author of a recent favorable letter to the editor would be included in the distribution. Although the advisory board has been dormant for a couple of years, there was some interest in reactivating it to discuss the next phase of construction. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach: The sale agreement has now been signed, with a total purchase price of $582,000. The acquisition should be complete in early October, at which time an open house of community residents will be held to discuss restricted vehicle traffic and water access for hand - launching of boats. Because of the public's interest in their beach restoration efforts, Fish and Wildlife representatives have been invited to attend. Traffic control, signage and safety improvements will be made with grant funding soon after acquisition. Mike Ryan spoke about the abundance of marine life in evidence when snorkeling in that area. The PAB commended Nik Worden for his efforts on this project. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that the park has been busy, with day camps, reservations and rentals going well. The reservation board at the kiosk is being updated to avoid conflicts. The asphalt is down for the basketball courts and stanchions, nets and rims are in place. The facility will include electrical power and two drinking fountains. Remaining to be done are painting and the pouring of a concrete sidewalk/skirting around the court. The location for the Salmon Bell is still being considered. Noting that Jack Carroll is in ill health, Commissioner Titterness said the Carroll family has asked that a short biographical history be prepared for display at the park. D. Community Network: The network continues to use the small amount of State money it receives to form two working groups: Birth-to-5 childhood development and the Healthy Youth Coalition. The members, which include providers, the Sheriff, Chief of Police, Hadlock and Quilcene teen centers all meet and report on activities focusing on prevention and intervention. E. Gibbs Lake: The course contractor and the Port Townsend Rotary helped to install 7 of the 11 course elements. Tomorrow, Warren Steurer, David Goldsmith of PT Rotary will meet with 4-H representatives to begin to develop a management and operations plan. The County will maintain the facility as a part of the park, whereas programming, course management and training will be the responsibility of WSU/4-H. A long-range goal is to utilize one of the existing buildings for storage of course gear and safety/first aid equipment. Although there is no phone at that location, the caretaker will be notified whenever a group is utilizing the course. Rotary will continue its efforts to raise the approximately $7-8,000 needed to complete the high course elements. Some dogs have been accompanying the many people using the swimming beach despite signage prohibiting dogs in that area. Fencing is still needed for the new parking area created for vehicles delivering hand-launchable boats. There was discussion of a recent incident in the park in which someone felled trees to steal portions of a maple tree, Sheriffs department and DNR were contacted. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Conservation Futures: Eileen Rogers was requested for appointment to this committee. There will be two meetings in September to begin to formulate specific recommendations for using the nearly $150K from the Conservation Futures tax, which is earmarked for open space, greenways, or property acquisitions for land needing protection. B. Campground Fees: Noting that many campers are not posting their proof of payment, Frank Trafton, Jr. inquired about retaining Security Services for enforcement of payment of campground fees. Warren Steurer agreed to pass along the concern but said that the cost for the service may be greater than the lost revenues it might recover. C. 2003 Budget: Warren Steurer reported that raising of campground fees will be brought up again at the end of this year's camping season. Parks and Recreation will look for revenue enhancements to make up the nearly $18K add in its 2003 proposed budget. All existing and new recreation programs will strive to be cost neutral. Fee increases would also provide for a sanican and minor maintenance at the Chimacum Creek beach parkas well as maintenance and upkeep on Larry Scott Trail. Staff is trying to maintain its current level of service and wishes to avoid decreasing the hours of operation of the Rec. Center again next year. The preliminary budget hearing occurs at the end of September. There was some support for reevaluating the notion of raising camping fees. D. Comprehensive Plan: Warren Steurer reviewed the final version of Chapter 11 — the implementation chapter of the plan — which includes a 20-year financial outlook and plan for capital facilities development for Parks and Recreation and Non -motorized Trails. A funding strategy for all three alternatives is a Jefferson County Metropolitan Park District. He then referred to the BOCC's letter to the City and Mayor, which proposes that City and County Parks create a task force to investigate this funding strategy. He recommended that a task force meeting be scheduled once a response is received from the City. There was PAB support for getting broad participation, consisting of a subgroup of the PAB and City Parks Board, to consider issues and options. It was also suggested that we consider south county representation. There was some discussion of the PAB's concerns over the cost of administering an additional level of city and county bureaucracy resulting from the creation of a parks district. Warren agreed to follow up on a suggestion to get a facilitator and possibly a presenter from Bainbridge Island to talk about their District success. Another suggestion was for task force subgroups: 1) budget/administration/organization — what are you creating and 2) "getting to yes" with voters. The PAB scheduled September 17 and 24 as tentative dates for evening meetings. Warren agreed to provide information, including a possible agenda, at the next regular PAB meeting. He also mentioned the importance of the PAB involvement as citizen advocates, given that the County's involvement is limited to providing information on options. He noted that a July 31 article by Patrick Sullivan of The Leader provided an excellent overview of the issues. IV. STAFF REPORTS Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 14, 2002— Page 2 Recreation: Tim Black reported that summer programs have gone well. He mentioned a recent incident at soccer camp where two five -year -olds left the camp and wandered out of H.J. Carroll Park. The Skyhawks Company's response to the situation was professional. All staff were replaced, all parents were contacted and reassured, and there was a parent meeting. All but 2 of the 50 kids remained in the program. The sand lot ball and games day -camp was very successful, with 16-25 kids participating. Tim acknowledged the significant volunteer contributions of David Whipple and two Grey Wolf teens. Participation was down at the Skyhoops camp at Chimacum with a dozen youth. Forty-four kids attended Camp Arnold on Mt. Rainier by Eatonville. Post and Guard basketball camp was held at Rec. Center gym with 24 kids participating in the two -week session. Staff may hold a basketball fundamentals night in the fall. The Chimera Circus at Memorial Field was big success. Their crew was not only cooperative and easy to work with, but their clean up was quick and well coordinated. The Soccer-a-thon will take place at Memorial Field on August 24. Junior soccer signups will occur at the end of this week. The website also contains sign-up information. Parks expects to raise funds from the parking at Memorial Field during the Sept. 6-8 Wooden Boat Festival, which they will limit to 200 cars. Boy Scouts and PAB volunteers are needed. Wear and tear on the field is a concern, but it is hoped that $4,000 a day in revenues will more than make up for field repair costs. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, September 11, 2002. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of August 14, 2002— Page 3