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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan. 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Brian Miller 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: Brian Miller (Chair), Eileen Rogers (Vice Chair), Frank Trafton, Jr., Randy Kline, Mike Ryan, Joan Linderoth, Rick Tollefson Member Absent: David Whipple, Bob Henderson Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden of Public Works Guests: Commissioners Titterness and Wrinkle; Jennifer Jackson of Peninsula Daily News Quorum: There was a quorum Agenda: No changes Minutes: In Section D, State Parks, Sentence 4, "the new Rotary Club" should instead read "the Port Townsend Rotary Noon Club." Eileen Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the December meeting as corrected. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. The PAB welcomed new Commissioner Wendi Wrinkle and encouraged her to continue to attend and participate in PAB meetings. II. OLD BUSINESS A. State Parks — Parking Fee: Commissioner Titterness noted that next week's meeting of the Port Townsend Rotary Noon Club would include further discussions of possible improvements to the North Beach facility. Eileen Rogers agreed to represent the PAB at this meeting. Warren Steurer suggested to Commissioner Titterness that when it is appropriate the Rotary Club could present a proposal at a PAB meeting. Commissioner Titterness reported that while the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission had implemented parking fees as of January I", there will be no parking fee at Fort Worden until January 31. Signs stating, "Parking Fee Area — your fees have been paid by the local community" have been posted. This hold on parking fees would remain in effect as long as the rest of the $25K in annual funding to mitigate those fees is provided to the State. He said that the County government, which has been asked to help with that mitigation, is considering how to fund it in a way that is equitable for the rest of the County. An option might be for the BOCC to receive a grant through the EDC for economic development or economic enhancement, which could support this mitigation. Commissioner Titterness clarified that it would be inappropriate for the County to provide assistance for a specific area (Ft. Worden) without making some kind of equitable contribution to other areas of the county (Anderson Lake and Ft. Flagler). B. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported the next segment of trail development toward Cape George Road is on hold due to the inability to negotiate either an easement or the acquisition of a piece of railroad property just east of the overpass. He circulated pictures of the possible bypass route, involving a portion of property owned by Ferrell Gas. Eileen Rogers asked about the possibility of adding signage to specify the trail's end. Nik reported that Jan Martz and others involved in the Peninsula Trails Coalition are in the process of forming an adopt -a -trail group within Jefferson County. C. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach Park: Nik reported that with the purchase of the Cotton property now complete, the next step involves a minor site clean-up. Remaining grant money might be used to initiate traffic control and other safety improvements. Staff now believes that, rather than creating a new advisory board, it would more appropriate to form a new PAB subcommittee, consisting of three PAB members (Rick Tollefson, Brian Miller, Mike Ryan) and local representatives from the following groups: Chimacum School District, citizen at large, youth at large, Chumsortium, Wild Olympic Salmon, WSU, Tri-Area Chamber, adjacent property owners (3), Marine Science Center, Jefferson Land Trust, Jefferson County Historical Society, and Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. The subcommittee will make recommendations about naming the park as well as developing short and long term planning options. Warren reported that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has withdrawn their request for a vacation of a portion of East Moore Street, which, lacking a clear plan, gained no support from either the PAB or Public Works. He went on to express hope for eventual collaboration to ensure continuity between these properties. Frank Trafton confirmed that without the vacation, Fish and Wildlife would also not be able to remove the beach material. Noting that there has been an excellent working relationship with local staff of Fish and Wildlife through the Chumsortium, Nik distributed basic information about the site and made available a survey map and a drawing of the property contours. He also circulated a discussion outline with essential criteria and priorities for this site, on which he solicited comments. Rick Tollefson commented that the partnerships and potential funding for this project provide exciting opportunities for the local community. Warren also circulated an article from today's Leader, which contained an historical photo of an Indian camp at this site. D. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer and Phil Saxton met yesterday with representatives of the BMX users group to discuss maintenance needs and to enlist the help of those using those facilities in maintenance and gathering additional material for this site. There have also been discussions with the labyrinth users group about the maintenance challenges of their project and their lack of involvement in its maintenance. Relocating the labyrinth to the area behind the playground might free up the existing location for other activities. Rick Tollefson suggested that skateboarding might be a fitting replacement activity. Warren reported that paintball vandalism broke light fixtures and would cost $200-300 to repair. E. Community Network: Rick Tollefson said this group has been meeting regularly. Two proposed multi- family housing developments in the City (one 30-unit and an adjacent 50-unit complex) might create enough need to justify also co -siting a daycare facility and possibly a family resource center, both of which are noted priorities in the County. F. Gibbs Lake: Warren Steurer said the Ropes Challenge Course group has met recently. The current plan is that the course will be finished and certified this winter and facilitators would be trained in time to put the course into use by late spring. Rick Tollefson proposed that the PAB hold its retreat at Beausite Lake/Kiwanis Camp and be one of the first groups to utilize the ropes course. There was some interest in hearing about progress on a possible trail connection between Anderson Lake and Gibbs Lake. Warren Steurer commented that this recreation trail is in the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan. Randy Kline noted that this link would need a sponsor (such as the County) before DNR and Pope Resources would begin work with a trail group. Nik said he spoke with a member of the Peninsula Trail Coalition to investigate options for pushing the Olympic Discovery Trail in that direction. Although there is not yet funding, he suggested it might be worthwhile to begin negotiating with DNR on possible easements for future trail connections. The Pacific Northwest Trail coalition might also be a partner. G. Conservation Futures Committee: Eileen Rogers reported that the outreach workshop would be held the first week in February and would be advertised as an opportunity to review the application and understand evaluation criteria before the March 30 deadline. She would like to attend this meeting to represent the PAB on any applications it might decide to submit, possibly even in partnership with another agency. She noted that Dave Christensen of the County Natural Resources Department would be meeting with the BOCC to solicit their priorities for this funding. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 8, 2003— Page 2 H. Community Pavilion: Frank Trafton, Jr. said the County would be meeting at the site tomorrow with Ryan Tillman to dig soil test holes at the site. Warren Steurer identified the County's project manager as Debbie Berreth who will be working with the East Jefferson Rotary Club. I. Park & Recreation District Focus Group (Warren Steurer, Rick Tollefson, Eileen Rogers, Monica Mick -Hager): Warren Steurer distributed a brief report of the focus group's investigation of parks and recreation funding alternatives, including a metro district. Included was an illustration comparing possible district funding through property valuation in East Jefferson County to the current City and County recreation budgets and revenues. The task force has also discussed the possible relationships and participation by the City of Port Townsend and other communities such as Port Ludlow. He clarified that this would be an extra tax for Parks and Recreation services. He will meet tomorrow with City Manager David Timmons and County Administrator David Goldsmith to discuss this in more detail. He talked about how a metro district might serve as a central funding agency from which other partnerships might be structured — school districts, teen centers, YMCA, Little Leagues, etc. This structure might still provide autonomy for the City and County as well as opportunities for financing regional facilities and needs. Warren Steurer noted that there would likely be a County survey that would contain questions that inquire about P&R priorities. By June, the County would need to have established the district's boundaries before being put on a ballot in September to be eligible for 2004 funding. It was also noted that a metro district might be able to be involved in issues such as State Park parking fees in Jefferson County State Parks. Rick Tollefson suggested talking with Jim Whitaker who is a member of the State Parks Commission about this issue as well as beginning to build a better relationship with State Parks. III. NEW BUSINESS Camping Fees 2003: Warren Steurer distributed an overview of camping fees from several cities and counties around State as well as listing Jefferson County camping fees. In December 2001, the PAB recommended raising camping fees at Upper and Lower Oak Bay sites as well as instituting a winter camping rate at Lower Oak Bay. While the County did not institute these changes in 2002, they would be proposed again for 2003. After much discussion, Frank Trafton, Jr. proposed raising the camping fee to $10 for local residents and $12 for non -County residents in order not to discourage local residents from using the campgrounds. Another suggestion was to increase RV sites with hookups to $18. Eileen Rogers moved to propose the following camping fee rate increases: Quilcene, Chimacum, Lower Oak Bay, Upper Oak Bay would increase to $10 for County residents and $12 for Out -of -County residents; Lake Leland would increase to $8 for County residents and $10 for Out -of -County residents; and Upper Oak Bay with hook-up would increase to $18. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Tim Black reported that games in the 7-week Junior Hoop (K-6) season start Jan. 18. Over 300 kids are signed up so far in this County -wide program. The Rec. Center gym and Chimacum gyms are busy with basketball activity. Staff is negotiating with the Quilcene School for gym use and the County plans to purchase another game clock. Currently, there are no teams in Brinnon. The first games would be held in Chimacum and the rest of games would be spread out in Chimacum, Port Townsend, and Quilcene. The floor of the Rec. Center gym is newly refinished. The City fast break basketball league has expanded from six to seven teams, with games on Sunday evenings. The North Olympic Basketball Officials Association will eventually provide all high school games with three officials. Summer camp program planning is underway and includes basketball, soccer, and tennis camps and a day camp. The GatheringPlace may utilize the Rec. Center facility weekdays, except Wednesdays. The Rec. Center is full of kids every night. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 8, 2003— Page 3 Warren Steurer noted that Parks' staff meet with the YMCA once a month to coordinate programs. The YMCA is concentrating on after -school childcare. The WSU after -school program runs Monday through Friday. In Brinnon there are approximately 14-17 youth participating, and in Quilcene approximately 17, on average. WSU/4H will begin to host an after -school program at Chimacum School on Tuesday and Thursdays with room for 15 youth. After -school programming is focused on tutoring, arts and craft activities. Rick Tollefson noted that WSU/4-H has done a great job with this program. The County's job is to provide oversight and ensure that these programs are in place over the long run. In response to interest about the after -school program, Warren Steurer talked about the importance of the after school programs and said he will invite WSU's after school program coordinator, Sarah Peters, to speak to the PAB. B. Parks: Warren Steurer said park staff is involved in much winter maintenance, including pruning, bench installation and many small projects that staff won't have time for once spring is here. The County is also applying for a permit to improve the apron of the Shine Park boat launch. He also reported that Parks' 2002 revenues were up from the previous year, while expenses were down. Funding for all programs in 2003 is secure. There is sufficient money to hire seasonal staff to cover maintenance needs at the Shine, Irondale, and North Beach parks. With a commitment to increasing recreation program revenues, there will be more summer programming and some of the fees would be going up. Future funding for park maintenance is a concern. The 2003 budget was also extended to install a SaniCan at Irondale Beach Park and perform minor maintenance. C. Bylaws: Joan Linderoth, in reviewing the bylaws, noted that they have not been updated since 1991. Warren agreed to put this item on the next month's agenda. V. ADJOURNMENT Community Park Grants for 2003 would be an agenda item for February as would be discussing the Parks Board Retreat. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 12, 2003. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 8, 2003— Page 4