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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2003 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Brian Miller called the meeting to order at 12:02 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, Randy Kline, Mike Ryan Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Nik Worden, Tim Black and Wendy Ward of Public Works Guests: None Quorum: There was a quorum Agenda: Randy Kline moved to adopt the agenda as amended to include a New Business Item — PUD Well. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Minutes: Bob Henderson moved to approve the minutes of the June 6 meeting. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Road Vacation — Alleyway between Kala Point Drive and Gary Avenue. Wendy Ward distributed a map regarding the vacation of the alleyway between two parcels owned by the same individual near Prospect Avenue. Randy Kline moved that the vacation of the alleyway between Gray Avenue and Kala Point Drive has no significance to Parks and Recreation. Bob Henderson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Road Vacation — Usage Right of Way of East Moore Street: Wendy Ward reviewed the petition resubmitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to vacate the usage right-of-way of East Moore Street to facilitate beach restoration of the Chimacum Beach estuary. She noted that the public has continued to access that road with vehicles. While the site would continue to be open as a public beach, there would be no vehicular access. Staff noted that previous Staff and PAB concerns surrounding the previous petition were based on a lack of information. Staff and some Parks Advisory Board members have since attended a presentation by Fish and Wildlife about their plans and more information is available. Nik Worden said the central issue is whether vehicle access is critical and whether the habitat values to be gained are worth the inconvenience to the public of not being able to take their cars to that location. It was noted that there would be an open house to discuss this project on July 10 from 4-8 pm at the Tri-Area Community Center, where Fish and Wildlife would be making a presentation and have their staff biologist, engineering staff and other specialists present. It was noted the Hearing Examiner would hear public comment on the vacation petition on July 15 at 1:30 in the Courthouse. He would then have ten days to submit his findings to the Board of County Commissioners for their final decision. Randy Kline suggested that while he believes it is important for the PAB to make a recommendation, he is unhappy doing so without first knowing what Staff recommends. Bob Henderson moved to table discussion pending receipt of the engineer's report, but withdrew his motion given the PAB's desire for more discussion and sharing of information. Staff clarified that this vacation is on Fish and Wildlife property while the County's property is adjacent to the South. The PAB might comment on how the vacation would impact the general public's access to water. Mike Ryan noted that many of his neighbors would like the beach left as is and due to his physical limitations without vehicular access he would not be able to get down to the beach. Another member clarified that if the vacation were denied, the project could not go forward. Rick Tollefson commented that the plans he has seen no longer show the Fish and Wildlife property, so the 1,700 ft of road that goes to the mouth of Chimacum Creek would no longer exist. He understands the concern about access, and noted other issues at this site have been that driving to the mouth of the creek is damaging and several neighbors want control of vehicle traffic. The County would be giving up its road through a piece of property that it does not own. Nik Worden reminded the PAB that the state statute prohibits the County from vacating roads leading to water and shorelines except in circumstances which, in the judgment of the County engineer, would permit a public use of the vacated property and if the pubic interest is served. The issue is the significance of this enhancement of fish habitat compared with the convenience and utility of a road access. How does vacating the road affect the use of this county park? It was clarified that there would still be parking on the County parcel. Randy Kline moved that the Parks Advisory Board finds that the road vacation of East Moore Street does not appear to have a negative impact on County parks, but this is in no way a value judgment on the Fish and Wildlife proposal. Eileen Rogers seconded the motion, which carried by majority vote. Mike Ryan and Bob Henderson voted against the motion. Respecting the opinions of the project's neighbors, Rick Tollefson commented that he believes the Parks job on this matter is just beginning. This beach property is an important enough place it will require the Board's diligence to see that it gets wheelchair access if that is desired. Warren Steurer thanked the PAB for the good discussion and its motion. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported that the Land and Water Conservation Fund has ranked the County's application for Segment 3 trail development and property acquisition 4t' out of 25. There has been some resistance from the community in this area, especially from one owner whose property is crossed by the trail right of way, but not by the trail itself. The County might end up building some fencing along this property as well as erecting some barriers to prevent access by 4-wheel drive vehicles from the existing logging road that runs next to it. He is following up on leads for matching funds of 50%, one source of which might be the State Transportation budget, which is required to set aside some money for trails. The Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) has volunteered the services of their grant specialist. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach Park: Nik Worden reported that the project to create a "channel" for cars, a parking area, and a turnaround area at the end is nearly complete. Public Works would do further work on the roadway and clear out more of the parking area so that it is useful. Signage for the area saying "No overnight parking. Closed from dusk to dawn" should be ready soon. The Conservation Futures Fund awarded $150K to the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and Fish and Wildlife for acquisition of the mostly bluff area across the creek from the Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of July 2, 2003— Page 2 Fish and Wildlife property. Trout Unlimited, who owns the next property up Chimacum Creek, plans to construct a fishing access trail on the north side of the creek from Cascade Avenue. He reminded that the Chimacum Creek subcommittee would not meet again until September. He also noted that on July 10, not only would Fish and Wildlife be holding their open house, but the Conservation Futures Board would be having presentations on all of the property acquisitions along Chimacum Creek. He noted that a large part of the lower reaches of Chimacum Creek are now in public ownership. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that the weekend before last the McLarney basketball court was dedicated, which was to include a basketball tournament and live music, but was cancelled due to poor weather. The park is busy — the Day Camp is meeting there and over 150 were in attendance at a recent company picnic reservation. Other activities include relocating the Labyrinth and installing the Salmon Bell. Permits are in place and plans are complete for the park's centerpiece, the Community Pavilion, and East Jefferson Rotary is still getting bids on the project. There was some discussion about whether the schedule for beginning construction in July is still realistic, given that fundraising is ongoing. Bob Henderson commented that District 3 would also like to see some new structures being built in their area. Many District 3 citizens are aware of the efforts and County funding being spent on developments (at H.J. Carroll Park and the County Jail for example), and the lack of money or attention given to their district. Brian Miller commented that many do not want to play on the somewhat rocky baseball infield at H.J. Carroll Park and he asked if growing grass might be possible. Staff said they are aware of the problem and agreed to investigate solutions. D. Conservation Futures: Eileen Rogers reported that The Leader and the Peninsula Daily News had articles about the projects that were funded this year from this $300K. She appreciated the opportunity to serve on the committee. Next year, $150K would be available. E. Community Network: Rick Tollefson said the legislature has fully funded Community Network for the next biennium. Locally, projects on which they are focusing relate to Birth to Age 5, and include building a family resource center. F. Gibbs Lake: The Challenge Course is now finished and has been certified by the WSU 4-H Challenge Course Director. Warren Steurer participated in the first facilitator training program. The County is now advertising for the WSU 4-H Program Director position. Warren believes this course is going to be a conduit for change in our community. There seems to be a lot of trail use at the park. Randy Kline announced that Bike magazine named Jefferson County/Port Townsend as one of the five best places to live if you like to ride mountain bikes and names Gibbs Lake. He commended those Staff and previous PAB members who were involved in making Gibbs Lake such a special place. Rick Tollefson recognized that it took nearly eight years to get the ropes course going. He said the large park projects like H.J. Carroll Park are the result of small team efforts of individuals and community groups and the energy and support of County Staff. G. Quilcene Park Project: Bob Henderson, as a precinct #201 official, passed along the following questions he frequently gets from citizens: 1) How much money has County Parks spent in the 3rd district in the last five years? 2) Is the County maintaining East Beach, which he has heard is hidden in weeds? 3) Do the plans for the Quilcene Community Center Park involve cleaning it up and creating a fire pit? He suggested play equipment be a priority and that one third of County parks funding be directed toward District 3. He understands that H.J. Carroll Park is a regional park and is in a central location but he intends to keep raising these issues until something is done. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of July 2, 2003— Page 3 Regarding the Quilcene Park project, Warren said Staff intends to continue working with community groups in Quilcene to discuss and plan improvements to the park and playground areas. One idea is to thin some trees throughout the park and use the proceeds of such logging to help revitalize the park. Warren announced that Parks had received some money from a property owner due to a boundary line encroachment of undeveloped county park property on Dabob Bay. The property owners were asked to reimburse the County $73K, which may be used in the Quilcene community, possibly at the Park. Bob Henderson noted that trash has not been getting emptied and payment slips need to be refilled in the park. There was further discussion and concern about how a home could have been permitted to be built on Broad Spit without knowing that it encroached on County property. H. PUD Well: Bob Henderson brought to the PAB's attention that the well, which might soon be maintained by the PUD, is only waiting on an inspection. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Managers Report: Warren reported that results from a recent, unofficial County survey, showed that 84% were satisfied with Parks and Recreation Programs. Feedback on youth programs reflected a fairly neutral response. It was noted that the three prioritized programs for budget dollars were Roads/Transportation. Staff would soon be preparing its 2004 budget, which might reflect a recommendation to hire an extra person to help with the growth occurring in parks. Otherwise, there is a good chance the budget would remain status quo. Capital improvements would involve primarily the Quilcene park, a third ball field at H.J. Carroll Park, and Memorial Field fence. There is still a chance that Parks might be looking at an independent funding source, such as a metropolitan parks district. B. Recreation: Tim Black reported that Greywolf Flyfishers and Trout Unlimited had held a fishing derby, with over 100 kids participating. One part of the three -on -three tournament at the McLamey basketball court dedication was completed before the weather turned bad. Last week, roughly 36 kids participated in the Pacific Coast Soccer Camp at Memorial Field. Summer activities day camp, led by David Whipple, runs until the end of July at H.J. Carroll Park — 17 youth participated the first week and 22 the second. Mini -Hawk and Sky Hawk basketball camps are coming up at H.J. Carroll Park, and the basic Hoop Camp at the Rec. Center. Staff is beginning plans for the "Deluxe Parking" fundraising event during the Wooden Boat Festival. The $20 parking fee allows cars to come and go. He noted there is a lot of wear and tear on the field. The Rec. Center is also getting a lot of use — with dance groups and volleyball. Tim presented Randy Kline with a photograph of the 2003 Brinnon Bobcat Soccer Camp, which was run with the assistance of the Jefferson Soccer Club and Randy Kline. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, September 3, 2003. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of July 2, 2003— Page 4