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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2003 I. OPENING BUSINESS Brian Miller called the meeting to order at 12:08 PM in the Main Floor Conference Room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Brian Miller (Chair), Eileen Rogers (Vice Chair), Bob Henderson, Rick Tollefson, Joan Linderoth Member Absent: Randy Kline, Mike Ryan Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black of Public Works Guests: Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Brasfield and Sheila Murphy and Russ Hoover of the Port Townsend Little League Quorum: There was a quorum Agenda: No changes Minutes: Rick Tollefson moved to approve the minutes of the May 7 meeting. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Sheriff Mike Brasfield. Warren Steurer talked about his interest in discussing opportunities for the Parks and Sheriffs' Departments to work together. He reviewed the types of calls the Sheriff's department might get related to parks such as Irondale Beach/Chimacum Creek and Lake Leland. Sheriff Brasfield talked about their staffing realities: With just 13 deputies, they have 12 assigned patrol areas. Those deputies are required to make contact with schools, businesses, etc. and, in the summer, staff the marine boat as much as possible. Although handling between 24 and 30 9-1-1 dispatch calls a day severely limits their preventive patrol abilities, they are interested in better understanding those hot spots that might be given more attention. He asked about the possibility of chaining properties such as Chimacum Creek at dusk. Warren noted that East Moore Street is a County road which cannot be blocked. Sheriff Brasfield spoke about a national program "Volunteers in Police Service" (VIPS) that organizes those who can assist with vacation checks, administrative work, and locking/unlocking gates and noted that tonight is the first meeting of a similar program of local volunteers. Warren felt such an approach might particularly be helpful at H.J. Carroll Park. There was discussion about the types of issues that arise in parks and campgrounds and areas where there are recurring — often alcohol -related — problems, such as at Lake Leland and Gibbs Lake. Sheriff Brasfield recommended that Staff incorporate a system to document the types and frequency of problems. There was further discussion of drug and alcohol issues facing the law and justice community and Rick Tollefson asked about the possibilities for a coordinated, county -wide prevention plan that would maximize resources. Sheriff Brasfield expressed his support for prevention efforts and recognized the need for consolidation or coordination. He noted the Law and Justice Council is required to produce a county -wide law and justice plan. Brasfield spoke about how bioterrorism money could be better used to acquire staff/resources that could be used throughout the year, but pressed into bioterrorism service if needed. However, this flexibility is currently not possible. He suggested that if there are law enforcement or public safety grants that might be structured to support youth programs (after school, summer youth employment, etc.), he would be delighted to be a sponsor. There was also discussion about how to reduce vandalism in parks. Brasfield noted that effective July 1, the juvenile services chain gang would become part of the Sheriff's office. Occasionally, this inmate labor might be available to help with vandalism repairs. For repeat cases of vandalism, he suggested Parks Staff photo -document even minor vandalism which if a single party is identified might be used in aggregate and result in more severe penalties. B. PT Little League: Sheila Murphy and Russ Hoover of the Port Townsend Little League were present to talk about the challenge of finding game and practice fields. This year's program has 16 teams, six divisions of baseball and softball and 197 participants, which compares with 162 in 2002 and 130 in 2001. With the increase in participation, they are looking for additional field opportunities. They are currently using all available schools and church lots, but without expanding the existing facilities or finding new facilities, they will be faced with turning kids away. They talked about their agreement with the County to develop four fairground ball fields for their league. They currently have three fields, and the fair board is not yet willing to allow an expansion into the area used at certain times of the year for car shows and other events. They want to continue to try to work with the Fair Board, but it does not appear they would be able to develop the fourth field. To meet their demand, they anticipate needing five fields. Warren Steurer reviewed the background of the County's support of little leagues — Port Townsend, East Jefferson and South County. He noted that the Fair Board operates the fairground facilities independent of the County general fund and manages and finances the operation and maintenance of that facility. He also provided background about field opportunities and recognized the need for finding practice fields. Sheila Murphy noted that Port Townsend High School may no longer going to play at Memorial field, but instead would use Lincoln Field and the small practice field by the tennis courts at Mountain View. This change would no longer allow access to these fields by the little league. Staff and PAB suggestions were as follows: 1) talk with Ed Edwards of the Port Townsend Athletic Association about possible field spaces, 2) continue to discuss with Parks Staff the possibilities for using Memorial Field as a practice or game facility, 3) search for other field opportunities such as at the airport through the Port of Port Townsend, and 4) communicate field issues to the BOCC and request their support/assistance, and 5) consider that there would eventually be another multi -use field at H.J. Carroll Park. Warren Steurer and Rick Tollefson noted that if a junior taxing district were formed, the County and City could begin to address together issues such as this. The creation of more ball fields for little league might be something to address in 2004. Sheila shared how their enrollment has been positively impacted by the volunteer efforts of Dick Stickney, player agent. They are also using candy sales to buy equipment for youth who cannot afford it. The PAB expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Port Townsend Little League. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Warren Steurer reported that Nik Worden was making a presentation in Olympia today for a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Roughly 50 were in attendance at a May 15 open house for the next section of the trail. Parks staff continue to meet with organizers in Clallam County on networking with the Pacific Northwest Trail and Olympic Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of June 6, 2003— Page 2 Discovery Trail. Alternate trail routes — a cross-country trail through DNR property and utility corridors — are mapped from the current end of the trail at Four Corners. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach Park: There would be a subcommittee meeting tomorrow at 5:30 in the Tri-Area Community Center to discuss the maintenance and clean up work, including opening and cleaning out the old fuel tank, concreting the hillside manhole, and adding concrete/log traffic barriers, the intent of which is to contain traffic within an area and hopefully eliminating 4-wheeling. He circulated a draft site plan for the park. The Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has resubmitted their application for the vacation of East Moore Street. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Activities at the Park are going well. People are responding well to making reservations for the shelter and concession stand. The County continues to meet with East Jefferson Rotary on the Community Pavilion project. Permits and plans should be in place at the end of June allowing construction to begin in July. D. Summer Dances: The grand opening of the multi -use court will be held the morning of June 21, to be followed that evening by a community dance, with the Boiler Room running the concession stand. Youth concerts would be held on July 19 and August 16 with possible skateboard and BMX exhibitions. The Boiler Room will once again run the concession. E. Gibbs Lake: The challenge course is now certified. Safety helmets have been purchased. The facilitators will meet on Monday. F. Community Network: Rick Tollefson said there has been a lot of data released recently about high drug/alcohol abuse in the County. There is ongoing concern about at -risk youth. G. Conservation Futures: Eileen Rogers reported that the two recommendations to be forwarded to the BOCC from the Conservation Futures Committee are a conservation easement at Sunny Field Farms in Port Hadlock and a conservation easement for Chumsortium in the Kala Point area, which goes down to the Fish and Wildlife property at Chimacum Creek. The BOCC would make a decision next week. IV. STAFF REPORTS Recreation: Tim Black reported that Greywolf Flyfishers and Trout Unlimited will hold a fishing derby from 9-4:00 this Saturday for kids from 4 to 14. In two weeks, there would be another dance and the three -on -three basketball tournament at H.J. Carroll Park. He circulated the summer program schedule as well as the newspaper program listing and talked about increased use of activities at H.J. Carroll Park. He believes the summer activities camp program, which has been expanded from four weeks to six weeks, will be popular. A Big Brothers and Big Sisters program is starting in Jefferson County with a new coordinator. This, combined with the opening of the Challenge Course, presents new local instruments for change. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Bob Henderson moved that the Parks Advisory Board cancel its August meeting. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of June 6, 2003— Page 3