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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSept. 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 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), Bob Henderson, Joan Linderoth, Mike Ryan, Rick Tollefson Members Absent: Eileen Rogers (Vice Chair), Randy Kline Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Nik Worden, Tim Black and Wendy Ward of Public Works Guests: Mimi Hanley, Citizen; Judi Mackey, Interim County Commissioner Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: Mike Ryan moved to adopt the agenda as amended to include a New Business Item — Aquatic Center. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Minutes: Joan Linderoth moved to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2003 meeting. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS Road Vacations: Access Road next to Thorndyke Road. Wendy Ward distributed a map of the Southpoint Area showing the access road being proposed for vacation. Rick Tollefson moved that the road vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Territorial Road at Kala Point. Wendy noted that Woodland Hills has proposed the vacation of this old territorial road for platting purposes. It was clarified that this has no tie in to the trail system at Kala Point. Rick Tollefson moved that the road vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Usage Right of Way of East Moore Street in Irondale: Wendy Ward reported that this vacation would be going before the BOCC on Monday. The Hearing Examiner recommended approval of the vacation with certain conditions related to shoreline protections for which the Department of Building and Community Development would be responsible and provided that the County and State work together to solve parking, sanitation and drainage issues. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail. Nik Worden announced receipt of a $320,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Segment 3 trail development and property acquisition. Since finding the required funds to match 50% of the project costs by October would be a challenge he might need to seek funding from some private foundations. B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach Park: Nik Worden reported that the acquisition project is finished and signs are in place. Fish and Wildlife is not expected to proceed with their restoration project this year. As part of the acquisition grant, the County agreed to conduct a 5-year beach monitoring effort, for which a baseline study was completed this year. He is submitting a U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant request to assist with next year's monitoring, which includes taking beach profiles to look at sand transport and a detailed study of eelgrass and algae, which is relevant to fish habitation. Warren Steurer said the Chimacum Creek committee would reconvene in October and continue to look at that property and work on creating a master plan. The BOCC have asked Staff to look at the feasibility of a boat ramp on that property. There is a sanican on that property, but a screen might be added. Maintenance staff would continue to check on this site once or twice a week, put in a trashcan, and perform minor landscape maintenance. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren Steurer reported that there have been 59 reservations for the picnic shelter and other park facilities in 2003. The public is getting used to how the reservation and fee system works. The Wild Olympic Salmon Festival is Saturday, October 11. The relocation of the dragon sculpture from Chimacum Park and the relocation of the labyrinth within the park will be coordinated with this festival. The watershed/salmon bell, commissioned by Dr. Kenneth Carter and his wife, Tilly, as a memorial for Jack Carroll has also been cast. It has been busy place for summer camp programs and other activities. The picnic pavilion project with East Jefferson Rotary has been delayed until next year, with funding being the primary issue. The County's project management and site preparation budget for this project will be rolled over into next year. The County will hold its employee picnic at the park tomorrow. D. Community Network: Rick Tollefson said one of the workgroups — the Healthy Youth Coalition — would be meeting tomorrow. The Family Resource Center opened last week. The Quilcene Youth Center has re -opened. E. Gibbs Lake: Today's Leader had an article about the trail system and acknowledged maintenance assistance by the Quimper Trails Association (QTA). Bike magazine picked Port Townsend as one of the nation's best mountain biking areas, specifically praising the Gibbs Lake trails. QTA continues to be interested in growing the Jefferson County recreational trail system, including a link from Gibbs to Anderson Lake and elsewhere as plans for the Olympic Discovery are developed. The challenge course grand opening is September 15 at 1:00 PM. Commissioners, Port Townsend Rotary, WSU 4-H Coordinator and many volunteers would be among attendees. Another facilitator training would be held in September/October. A few groups have used the course. The Parks Division is the primary scheduler and manager for the course, with additional maintenance being provided by the Gibbs Lake caretakers. F. Quilcene Park Project: Warren Steurer said the next activity would be a public meeting. A small group of citizens would be created to generate ideas for how the community could participate in this project. The 2004 budget would allow for proceeding with the project plans to improve the playground equipment, resurface the tennis court area and look at ways to make the tennis court multi- purpose. They expect to open up the area by thinning the trees more and to work with local citizens to add more trails, sand volleyball, and picnic shelter improvements. Bob Henderson asked if Warren has been in communication with Herb Beck about the undeveloped park property on East Quilcene Road. G. Aquatic Facility: Mimi Hanley was present to speak about her interest in the concept of a new aquatic facility. She recognized that people in this community had done much groundwork, and the issue continues to be funding. She spoke of her concerns regarding health and safety at City pool. As a lap swimmer there since 1987 and a lifeguard there since June, she has gotten a closer look at the issues with this facility. Having witnessed the recent closure of this facility for 10 days due to maintenance, she believes one of these days it would not be able to reopen. She said public school students in Jefferson County don't have the opportunity to become Olympic swimmers or get a swimming scholarship. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of September 3, 2003— Page 2 Rick Tollefson thanked her for her comments and explained that while funding a $7 million dollar facility is the primary issue, there are many others, such as getting partners to agree on a location and meeting the multiple needs of our community. He talked about the challenges facing aquatic facilities such as at Sequim. Warren Steurer reviewed the investigation of how a Parks and Recreation District could be used to fund capital improvements or provide other services and general maintenance. This was how the Sequim pool was built, in conjunction with a maintenance levy. He noted that other groups (trails groups, teen centers, little leagues) might be interested in this district and what its revenue could provide. With the BOCC expressing interest in exploring such options, it might be that in 2004, there would be more work on the Metropolitan Park District task force. Ms. Hanley said that while a district sounds like an extremely good idea, it doesn't seem reasonable to have to reorganize our government to build a pool. However, she sees how a district would force a degree of cooperation unlikely among a variety of political entities (City, County, Schools, etc.). Rick Tollefson suggested she share her thoughts and enthusiasm with certain private individuals. He believes there is the public will to do something like this for the community but reiterated the challenges of siting a facility to meet the needs of citizens across the County, finding appropriate land with infrastructure, and whether or not people in Port Ludlow with access to pools would support a tax to build a pool. He noted there is some support for including other activities, like bowling, into a facility funded as a public/private partnership. Many in the County are concerned about providing activities for youth. He and Warren offered to share the advisory group's files on its efforts to -date. Warren reminded that a project like this is a marathon not a sprint. Although many individuals have been burned out on this issue, he said each has advanced the discussion. Mimi asked how to get the district into action through the Commissioners. Bob Henderson noted that south county has voted in support of tax increases to support public transportation even though they didn't directly benefit. Commissioner Titterness said it would take some energy from the community saying there is significant support for getting a metropolitan P & R district on the ballot. II. NEW BUSINESS — Continued Summer Programs: Tim Black reported that all summer programs are complete, wrapping up a successful season that included soccer and basketball camps, three -on -three tournaments, and summer activities camp. The use of the Rec. Center by different groups has been picking up — African drumming, swing dance class, and birthday parties. Thirty kids participated in the resident camp at Camp Arnold in Eatonville and six or seven attended the Expedition Camp. Junior Soccer season is beginning, with roughly 500 kids using H.J. Carroll and other facilities. The main parking lot at H.J. Carroll would soon be chip sealed and striped to accommodate more cars. Rick Tollefson noted that after -school programs in the school districts are a high priority and asked if there would be WSU involvement in the Chimacum after -school program? Staff noted that the YMCA (with Title III money) is providing some after -school programming. Warren said he expects that Pam Roberts, just hired as WSU 4-H faculty coordinator, will do wonderful things with the 4-H program. Rick said he would like to see the County partner with WSU and the YMCA to ensure there is an after -school program in every school district. He noted there are both before- and after -school programs at the Chimacum Creek Elementary. Warren recognized the importance of partnerships and said the County is working on sharing facilities with the YMCA. Joan Linderoth said she has heard some wonderful complements about County programs this year. Warren reminded that we are a small County. While Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of September 3, 2003— Page 3 Seattle passed a levy of .04-.06 cents per $1,000 assessed value to support their parks, a Metro District in Jefferson County would need to be significantly more. 2004 Budget: Warren Steurer reported that the 2004 budget looks healthy and includes increases for its clerk hire. He noted the results of the recent County survey, which reflected an 85% satisfactory level among citizens, which he attributed to Parks and Recreation Staff. Molly Hilt, Tim Black, and Phil Saxton. The Department would be asking for a small increase to keep pace with increases in services: more miles of trail to care for, H.J. Carroll Park, Irondale Beach, management of the Challenge Course, and keeping Rec. Center open. He met last evening with a coalition of parents whose children have developmental disabilities and who were seeking more money for their programs. He reviewed some of the activities in which the County currently participates in programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. He noted there would be a request for extra money for tables/chairs to augment some program delivery. Increasing revenues through our programs will also help pay for its services. Warren said he believe there has been good compliance with camping fees, despite the fee increase. Year-to-date revenues have already matched last year's revenues ($25K). Bob Henderson said he has observed that one out of four campers at Quilcene do not pay the fees, but added that the police are now patrolling those areas. Warren recognized the many social issues reflected in the County parks, including those who stay in the many parks and cannot pay. Parks would continue the same level of service and make minor improvements. Fire protection money would be used to improve its fire rings, stoves, etc. Last year, there were 585 uses of H.J. Carroll Park and Memorial Field for games and practices, which has H.J. running 12 months out of year and Memorial Field nine. This year's Memorial Field activities included Rhody Festival and the Memorial Day event. Other improvements were: Quilcene Community Center playground, new shed at the Challenge Course, and orchard work at North Beach County park. The Teal Lake fishing pier was vandalized and burned on the 4th of July and the County Parks improvement fund contributed $1,000 toward its replacement. There were also tennis and basketball court improvements at the Courthouse. Rick Tollefson asked if we would try to do field improvements at H.J. Carroll Park this year, which would likely increase revenues. Warren said he has prepared an IAC letter of intent for the Youth Athletic Field grant program for HJ Carroll Park's third field development. Parks would once again be parking cars at Memorial Field as a fundraiser during the Wooden Boat Festival. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 1, 2003. Joan Linderoth said she would not be at the October meeting. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of September 3, 2003— Page 4