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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2002 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Mike Ryan called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. in the Main Floor Conference Room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Mike Ryan (Chair), Eileen Rogers, Randy Kline, David Whipple, Rick Tollefson, Brian Miller (Vice Chair), Frank Trafton, Jr. Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, and Nik Worden of Public Works Guest: Commissioner Titterness Quorum: There was a quorum. Minutes: Eileen Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the February 13 meeting. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous vote II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that while the Department of Transportation has issued a general permit, which allows construction to commence, the County is still waiting on DOT to process additional paperwork. Construction funds should be released after right -of way certification is received. Once funds are received, new proposals will be requested from contractors. Trail construction could begin as soon as four to six weeks from then. Chuck Preble has identified, surveyed, cataloged and walked five different routes and wishes to present these trail extensions to the Peninsula Trails Coalition at the March 27`h meeting in Sequim. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach: The survey and hazardous materials studies have been completed. The appraisal is expected to be complete by March 23`d. Negotiations with the owners will proceed after it is reviewed. C. Parks Board Business: Warren Steurer reviewed Parks Board district representations and term expirations. Staff will place an advertisement for District 1 and 3 representatives. District 1: Eileen Rogers (exp. 3/03) and Randy Kline (exp. 1/03). District 2: Rick Tollefson (exp. 10/03), Brian Miller (4/02 — requesting reappointment), Mike Ryan (5/02 — requesting reappointment), and David Whipple (exp. 5/03). District 3: Frank Trafton, Jr. (exp. 2/03). D. YMCA: Warren Steurer reviewed the progress on Clallam YMCA's proposal to the City to create a YMCA operation in Jefferson County. On Monday, the City Council discussed the topic and requested more time to consider the City/YMCA agreement. Under the 5-year contract, the YMCA would assume responsibility for existing recreation programs for a fee of $90K. In earlier discussions, the YMCA also asked if the County would be interested in subsidizing the YMCA's assumption of County programming within the City, especially at the PT Community Center. The County stressed that it currently runs a recreation program serving the whole County and its focus is to complete the Comp. Plan process, which will address programs, facilities, and partnerships. Funding the current and proposed programs and services remains the challenge and a question is whether to rely on current expense or create service areas. The County has since received a formal proposal from the YMCA which supposedly asks for $55K in County funds. Bill Kush, the new Director of the YMCA, has also inquired about obtaining an office in the PT Community Center. In a recent meeting, citizens concerned about a YMCA operation in the Community Center displacing the food bank and seniors were reassured that the YMCA did not intend to disrupt the senior programs. In another memorandum, the City also invited the County to continue the dialogue on the YMCA and consider transferring some County -owned facilities to the City (North Beach County Park, Memorial Field and PT Community Center). E. Budget: Warren then reported that County department heads are looking to cut expenditures and organize differently to address projected budget shortfalls (mandated vs. essential services vs. discretionary). The Parks and Recreation budget of $395K fits into the discretionary category. Components of this budget are: Recreation — $117K, — 59% of which is staffing (including the Community Center, youth and adult recreation programs), park maintenance — $120K, and field maintenance — $148K. Projected revenues for recreation are $41K ($12-15K of which is from Memorial Field and H.J. Carroll Park) and $22K in campground revenues (which goes into the park improvement fund). The rest of the budget is supported by the general fund. Parks also receives federal entitlement money ($24K) for Protection Island. F. YMCA/County — Recreation: Rick Tollefson questioned the value of the services provided and wondered if the County may be under -serving certain areas of the County. Warren Steurer agreed serving more central and south County is important. If the County were to let the City take over the Rec. Center and/or Memorial Field, its resources presently going to the City could be redirected out into South County programs and facilities. David Whipple expressed a desire to better understand the number of youth being served. He recognized that with 60% of the recreation budget being staff costs, the actual service and program dollars distributed countywide are very small. Tim Black noted that even though most of the programming is occurring out in the County, the City benefits from the County's staffing of the Rec. Center. Warren mentioned that although the County's recreation efforts historically centered in the Port Townsend Rec. Center, it has progressively increased its service to the County. Discussion then moved to how the County could better serve citizens and communicate its goals and desires for recreation to the City/YMCA. Eileen Rogers expressed concern that Parks has not yet seen the City's proposal and that the YMCA discussions to date have not mentioned central and south County. Rick Tollefson talked about the differences between the County and YMCA programming and the need for the YMCA to serve a broad population base in order to be self-sustaining. Warren explained some of the recreation services provided in Clallam County, including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, City of Port Angeles, and Clallam County parks. Warren recommended the County think carefully about giving up Memorial Field and subsidizing the YMCA. There was discussion about the supposed $55K YMCA request and questions about what programming and facility costs would be included in that figure. Before leaving the meeting, Commissioner Titterness commented that while everyone wants and expects a Parks and Recreation program, the $300K Parks budget is vulnerable compared with mandatory services. To date, there has been a lack of legislative assistance with these funding challenges. In response to a question about the possibility of creating a taxable service area to support Parks and Recreation activities, Commissioner Titterness said it might be possible if there was an effort to generate sufficient public support. As the PAB continued to discuss the budget challenges and potential cuts, Randy Kline noted that the lack of a property tax increase this year was a contributing factor. He suggested we try to keep programs intact, cutting maintenance if necessary. There was discussion of the potential savings in maintenance costs by turning Memorial Field and the Community Center over to the City. Warren said transferring these facilities might be one more step toward better serving South County. Aside from the good relationship with schools, he noted regional facilities include Gibbs Lake, H.J. Carroll Park, Chimacum Creek Park, and campgrounds. Tim Black commented that the Community Center provides the base of operations for the Rec. Department. The only resource being provided in the City that is not provided in the rest of the County are the open hours of the Community Center which are down to three hours a night and a little longer on the weekend. Several comments related to how recreation facilities are funded and supported. Although there has been speculation that individuals would be willing to give considerable contributions to a private (as opposed to public) organization, several felt there would not be long-term County -wide support for a regional Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of March 13, 2002— Page 2 facility located in Port Townsend. Tim Black commented that even though the schools have little money, they have facilities, which might be used or expanded for recreational activities. It is unlikely a stand-alone facility or aquatic center would have sufficient economic base to provide ongoing operation and maintenance. Rick Tollefson said he sees the County as a facilitator of recreation services and the YMCA as one of the many good program providers, but there needs to be a clear and concise way to connect to these many service providers. It was suggested that the County do a better job of marketing its services in the newspaper. Frank Trafton, Jr. recommended that there be consideration for the City taking over operation and maintenance of the Rec. Center, so that the County can use these funds on facilities and programming out in the County. Although there was some concern that the City would not have the money to operate and maintain the Community Center building or have the capacity to take care of Memorial Field, the PAB felt the County should continue to focus on serving its citizens and begin to work more closely with schools. It was noted that the schools should also be involved in discussions about changes in the operation of Memorial Field. There were several comments in support of keeping Memorial Field as one of the unique features of downtown Port Townsend. Because the PAB does not have any information on which to make any decisions about the YMCA, Nik Worden suggested considering the YMCA as a resource and make a proposal to them or taking initiative in some other way. Suggestions were: (1) that the PAB express to the BOCC its understanding of the budget challenges, pointing to the need to continue programming in Central and South County, (2) asking the YMCA what they can do for us in the way of programs, (3) publish an article in the newspaper about what we provide with our budget funding (4) have a discussion with both City and County Parks Advisory Boards about our situations, and (5) contact schools to investigate after -school program/facilities. Tim Black noted that this was done, but a budget request for after -school programs in Chimacum was cut. Eileen Rogers moved to direct Staff to coordinate a joint meeting in April of the County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the City of Port Townsend Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a representative of the YMCA. Randy Kline seconded the motion for discussion. Eileen Rogers amended her motion to include the YMCA Board and stated that the purpose is to discuss the operation of recreation programs in Jefferson County. The motion carried by unanimous vote. III. NEW BUSINESS -None IV. STAFF REPORTS Manager's Report: There will be another Task Force meeting in April. Campgrounds will open on April I". The Port Townsend Community Center playground will open April 6. Maintenance and daily operations are going well. Saturday, March 23rd is the Youth Fair at Chimacum School. Tom Kent and the PT high school baseball team put in 150 hours of community service work at Memorial Field to improve the diamond. Sonya Schoenleber has put in 100 of hours of work at PT Community Center. Port Ludlow resident David Heid has adopted portions of the trail at South Indian Island parks. Recreation: Junior Hoops has finished and coaches are distributing photos. Other: Randy Kline reported that Quimper Trails Coalition was publicly recognized by the State Parks Commission for completing over 500 hours of volunteer work at Anderson Lake State Park. Frank Trafton, Jr. said citizen Robert Heck is interested in having a sign posted at the BMX track at H.J. Carroll Park stating that helmets are required to comply with BMX track regulations. Noting that the current sign says something like "using protective equipment is advised," Warren discussed the associated liability to the County with the proposed statement, adding that up to this point there has been a good safety record. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 10, 2002. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of March 13, 2002— Page 3