HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb. 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2003
I. OPENING BUSINESS
Brian Miller called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM in the Main Floor Conference Room at the Jefferson
County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington.
Members Present: Brian Miller (Chair), Eileen Rogers (Vice Chair), Frank Trafton, Jr., Randy
Kline, Joan Linderoth, David Whipple, Bob Henderson
Member Absent: Rick Tollefson, Mike Ryan
Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Nik Worden of Public Works
Guests: Commissioners Titterness and Wrinkle
Quorum: There was a quorum
Agenda: Since Sarah Peters would not be present, the agenda was revised to eliminate
WSU/4H County After School Programs
Minutes: David Whipple moved to approve the minutes of the January meeting. The
motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote.
The PAB welcomed new member Bob Henderson representing District 3, who said as a Quilcene resident
since 1988 his main interest is the support and fair distribution of park services. He would like to bring up
under New Business Quilcene Water Concern, which may involve the Parks in some way.
II. OLD BUSINESS
A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that he is seeking additional trail construction grants, the
most promising of which is from the federal Water Conservation Fund, the criteria for which is based
on the State outdoor recreation plan. The required 50% match has not been found.
B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach Park: Staff has been working on establishing the subcommittee to
advise Staff — and ultimately the BOCC — on the naming of Chimacum Creek park, developing
program use criteria, development options, operations policies, and master planning. PAB members
on this committee are Brian Miller, Mike Ryan and Rick Tollefson. Prospective members received
notice of a meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 27. A broad public process is sought, including
collaboration with Fish and Wildlife. Staff would soon be finalizing a contract for completing the
clean-up project at this site, in which the tank will be opened on -site to limit safety hazards. Warren
agreed to remind the subcommittee members of this meeting.
C. State Parks: Commissioner Titterness reported on his attendance at a North Beach community club
meeting where the discussion included the potential impacts to North Beach park resulting from the
institution of a parking fee at State Parks. Since compensating funds raised by the local community
have temporarily eased the concern, residents would like the park to remain unchanged. Preservation
of the orchard is a priority and there is a desire to find an expert to inspect the trees and possibly add
new fruit trees, which would require coordination with the Parks Department.
D. H.J. Carroll Park: Brian Miller inquired whether there would be an opening ceremony at the multi
use court. Warren agreed to look into this.
E. Community Network: Warren Steurer, as a member of Community Network representing Parks and
Recreation, reported that this group would be meeting quarterly. At the last meeting, grants were
awarded, including one to WSU/4H for writing the Local Operating Procedures manual. for the
Challenge Course at Gibbs Lake.
F. Gibbs Lake: Rick Tollefson and his carpentry class are involved in constructing some of the lower
course elements/structures, which they expect to have completed by early Spring. After the course has
been certified, a facilitator training program will be offered.
G. Conservation Futures Committee: Eileen Rogers reported on the public outreach workshop held
February 1, which was attended by roughly 25 individuals representing nonprofits. Attendees
received an overview of the application process, evaluation criteria, and types of projects and had the
opportunity to present their project ideas. Two projects of interest presented were the Trillium School
development and a Chumsortium acquisition at Chimacum Creek. Dave Christensen of the County
Department of Natural Resources indicated the County would support these other potential projects
rather than proposing a project at this time. Warren Steurer noted that the criteria stresses acquisition
and preservation of property for passive uses, but he was unaware that trails and trail corridors would
meet the criteria as long as other funds were used to construct trails, etc.
H. Camping Fees: Warren Steurer reported that Staff had presented to the BOCC the proposed fee
schedule recommended by the PAB last month. Although there must first be a public hearing on this
proposed increase, the goal would be to have the new fees in place by the next camping season.
L Park and Recreation District Focus Group (Warren Steurer, Rick Tollefson, Eileen Rogers, Monica
Mick -Hager): On Monday the PAB/Subcommittee Focus Group made a presentation to the BOCC
on the Formation of a Metropolitan Parks District. It was noted that there were two articles in The
Leader and Peninsula Daily News on this topic. There would be a similar presentation to City
Council on February 18. County Administrator David Goldsmith is organizing a summit between the
City Council and BOCC for early April, which would hopefully result in some direction for
proceeding. An April decision supporting the recommendation would advance work to establish
boundaries and prepare a September ballot measure for funding beginning in 2004.
Warren Steurer distributed and reviewed the metropolitan park district discussion paper used in the
presentation to the BOCC. The overall recommendation is to form an East Jefferson County
Metropolitan Park District containing all communities in the taxing district, with governance by a
Federated Board and which establishes a funding base of between .40 to .75 cents per thousand
assessed value. Other recommendations were: 1) The City of Port Townsend assumes ownership for
County park properties within the City, which may involve establishing City/County management
agreements, 2) Prepare and consolidate a capital improvement plan that represents local and regional
needs, 3) Through the MPD, the City and County develop partnerships with a host of public agencies,
non -profits, churches and community organizations. Warren also reviewed additional supporting
documentation included in the packet — a Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Inventory/Cost
Allocation Summary and a summary of Capital Improvement Potential with an MPD for the period of
2003-2009.
.loan Linderoth left the meeting at 12: 45 PM
During additional discussion, Commissioner Titterness articulated the BOCC's desire to meet with
the City and move the process along. Eileen Rogers noted that throughout focus group discussions it
was apparent that a primary desire is to continue to provide positive programs for Jefferson County
youth. Warren said his approach is one of being inclusive, gaining partnerships and being efficient.
He expressed his belief that Jefferson County's approach to parks and recreation has been
conservative. There was additional discussion about other examples of metropolitan park districts
around the state.
Randy Kline left the meeting at 1:15 PM.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of February 13, 2003 — Page 2
David Whipple said that since this is a voter -funded tax increase, he would suggest beginning soon to
develop a strategy for structuring and implementing a campaign. Warren talked about Staff s role in
this process being to provide good information and leadership, while remaining unbiased. He
recognized that the PAB, representing citizenry, would obviously have a significant role in this
process. He added that the Park's budget would allow expending funds for public outreach and
education. David Whipple talked further about the need to start early in building a network/coalition
of people interested in this effort.
There was a brief discussion about boundary designations and the partnerships that would need to be
developed to involve outlying areas, such as Port Ludlow, Gardiner and Brinnon.
Warren said that following the presentation to the City Council, the City might assign a council
member to work on this issue. The summit would be held in April. Until Staff receives further
instruction from the BOCC, they would continue to answer questions and try to get correct
information out to the public. Commissioner Wrinkle said she understands the BOCC has directed
staff to look at alternative funding options, but asked whether there is a no -action alternative. Eileen
Rogers said it appeared to her that taking no action was not thought to be an option. Warren Steurer
stressed that while this is the current recommendation from the County, it could be modified based on
input from City. He agreed to report back next month on the plans for the summit.
III. NEW BUSINESS
A. PAB Bylaws Review: The PAB reviewed the bylaws for needed changes. Bob Henderson moved to
make the following revisions to the bylaws. Eileen Rogers seconded the motion, which carried
by unanimous vote.
• Section 1 Authority — "Jefferson County Parks Advisory Board" should be changed to "Jefferson
County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board."
• Section 4 Officers — "The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected annually, from among its
members, at the first meeting held in December" instead of January.
• Section 10 Meetings and Workshops — "Regular meetings of the Board shall be held the second
Wednesday of every month at 12:00 PM..." instead of on the first Wednesday.
There was also discussion and reaffirmation of the following sections:
• Section 2 — Members Responsibilities and Duties — States that a member may be removed for
cause by the Chairman of the Commission upon recommendation of a majority of the Board.
Warren noted that while this is not strictly enforced, there is an expectation that members will
regularly attend meetings. There were no suggested changes.
• Section 11 — Conduct — Warren noted that it states that meetings of the Board shall be guided by
Roberts Rules of Order." There was interest in better following Roberts Rules of Order process,
having the Chair and Vice Chair be better informed of the guidelines, as well as having a copy for
reference if there is a question. This section would also remain unchanged.
B. 2003 Community Park Grants: Warren Steurer distributed 2003 community park guidelines, the
grant application, and project worksheet. After reviewing some of the previously funded projects, he
reviewed a list of possible grant projects for 2003, which the PAB can discuss further next month and
which members might be able to take back to their communities to encourage individuals to apply for
funds. An additional item that he will add under Grant Award is that Staff continues to work with the
grantee to ensure fulfillment. He then talked about park improvements made with this grant in the
past. He noted that $1 OK is budgeted for the current year.
C. Old Business Item — Community Pavilion: The project is on schedule to begin in early June. Frank
Trafton, Jr. reported that at their last meeting Brian Tillman met with County staff to inspect the soil
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of February 13, 2003 — Page 3
for engineering purposes. He has spoken with Sunrise Rotary about their interest in partnering on
landscaping and also with Port Townsend Noon Rotary Club about being a potential partner. He
noted that he might consider applying for a Community Parks grant.
D. Other — Quilcene Water: Bob Henderson reported on the possibility of resolving the water issues in
Quilcene if the PUD would take over that water system. He understands the forest service and PUD
have had discussions but have not yet contacted Public Works. He suggested the county consider
employing security services for the Quilcene baseball field. Warren noted that these programs are
operated and maintained independently with a user agreement but that in a Metro District, one of the
partnerships could be with the little league programs. He recognized that people who do not have a
water system rely on the well at Quilcene Park, and it might need to be incorporated into a water
system. He noted that Commissioners have not enforced limits on this use, however, this might
change under PUD management.
Eileen Rogers left the meeting at 1: 50 PM.
IV. STAFF REPORTS
A. Recreation: Tim Black circulated Junior Hoop team photos that would be given to each participant;
400 kids participated in this County -wide program. Three gyms at Chimacum are used as well as the
high school gym and concession stand in Quilcene. The use of small scoreboards is working well.
The County is sponsoring a men's basketball tournament to raise money for the Brad Brown
Chimacum Scholarship Fund. Planning for summer programs continues. They will expand the Day
Camp at H.J. Carroll Camp, and hold soccer and basketball camps. Playoffs in the seven -team City
League are tonight.
B. Parks Board. David Whipple announced that conflicts would prevent his attendance at meetings from
April through August. Warren asked David to write a formal letter of resignation if he does not think
it would work for him to continue. The Bylaws state "that any leave of absence in excess of 90 days
shall render a position unfilled." It was suggested that this could be revised to reflect "...any
unexcused leave of absence...." This item was tabled until next month.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 12, 2003.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of February 13, 2003 — Page 4