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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov. 2003 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 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, Mike Ryan, Rick Tollefson, Eileen Rogers (Vice Chair) Randy Kline, Joan Linderoth Members Absent: None Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Nik Worden, Wendy Ward and Tim Black of Public Works Guests: Commissioners Dan Titterness and Judi Mackey; Mimi Hanley, Citizen; Mayor Kees Kolff and Nora Porter of the Fort Worden Advisory Committee Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: Randy Kline moved to adopt the agenda as amended, moving New Business items ahead of Old Business. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Minutes: Bob Henderson moved to approve the minutes of September 3, 2003. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Road Vacations: Wendy Ward confirmed that none of those proposed vacations lead to park areas, trail corridors, water or view points and that Staff recommends they be approved. Alleyways in frondale Plat: Wendy Ward distributed a plat map of Irondale showing the petitioner's proposal to vacate three separate alleyways for building and septic purposes. Mike Ryan moved that the vacations have no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Maynard Road. As a County -initiated vacation, the intent is to remove old roads from the road log. Off Highway 101 at Discovery Bay (opposite the water), this is only used as a right of way and is a private road. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has a private easement. Rick Tollefson moved that the vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Belfrage Road. This is another County -initiated vacation, basically of a driveway. The neighboring property owners might not desire the vacation, in which case it may come off the resolution. Randy Kline moved to support Public Work's departmental recommendation to vacate the proposed portion of Belfrage Road. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. B. Fort Worden Advisory Committee — Parking Fees: Representing the Fort Worden Advisory Committee, Kees Kolff and Nora Porter briefed the Parks Board on their plan to prevent the imposition of individual parking fees at Fort Worden. They provided historical background on citizen and volunteer support of Ft. Worden and stated their intention to work with the State to make all parks accessible to citizens without parking fees. The total compensating fee, set by the State, is $60,000 this year and $65,000 next. The purpose of this plan is to maintain Ft. Worden's accessibility to all citizens, not just those who can afford the fee and to avoid possible negative impacts to County tourism. On October 9, the group requested that the County contribute 1/6' of the total, or $10,000. The Parks Board recognized this plan would eliminate concerns discussed in the past regarding impacts to North Beach County Park if Fort Worden were to become unaffordable and is in keeping with the Parks Comprehensive Plan by building partnerships that encourage County recreation opportunities. Eileen Rogers moved that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board advises the BOCC that in the spirit of the 20-year Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan, it support the efforts of the Fort Worden Advisory Committee to subsidize the parking fees. They further advise the Parks and Recreation Department of Jefferson County to mark $5,000 from their Parks Improvement Budget toward the $10,000 per year subsidy. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail. Nik Worden gave an update on grant opportunities for funding Trail Segment 3. While the proposal to the Land and Water Conservation Grant was allowed to lapse due to the challenges of coming up with $325,000 in matching funds, Staff is still pursuing matching funds for the $123,000 IAC grant, which runs out in 2004. In mid -October, Chuck Preble of the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) presented the BOCC with an action plan whereby the PTC could help by raising some of the money — $20,000 in private donations, $32,000 in private foundation grant money, and about $12,000 in -kind contributions of labor and equipment. PTC also committed to extending to Jefferson County the adopt -a -trail program developed for Clallam County. The Jefferson Trail Coalition (a new subchapter of PTC) also solicited about 100 trail supporters and posted the request on the Port Townsend Bicycle Association website which links to the Buckhom Chapter of the Back Country Horseman website. As of November 3, 55% of the people who received a letter sent back cash donations ($11,845). Pledges for an additional $6,275 bring the total to $18,220. In addition, pledges for volunteer labor and heavy equipment operating time valued at nearly $18,000 have been received. Nik noted that volunteer trail stewardship would greatly reduce the County's annual trail maintenance costs of roughly $1,000 per mile. Together with the property donations, this accumulates to about $83,000 of the $123,000 match. This extension would get the trail to the Ramage property. B. Irondale Beach: Nik Worden reported that he and Fish and Wildlife personnel met to conduct a site review as a precursor to submitting a full proposal for $3,500 in grant funding to continue beach monitoring. Parks Board members were encouraged to attend a public meeting on the master plan for this site, which will be held tomorrow (Thursday 7-9) at the Jefferson County Library. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Tri-Area Community Center. C. HJ Carroll Park: The watershed bell was installed and the dragon and kiosk relocated from Chimacum Park in advance of the successful Wild Olympic Salmon Festival. Parks have been busy with soccer events. Staff reported that arrests have been made in connection with the recent break-in at the concession stand and vandalism of the kiosk. A suggestion was to post a sign that says "no cash on site." D. Community Network: Rick Tollefson reported that the B-5 and Healthy Youth Coalitions are meeting regularly. Last week, the Health Department, Hospital, Board of Health, and other community policymakers arranged a Healthy Jefferson forum about creating a healthy Jefferson County community. They prioritized the following goals — 1) strengthen and support a safety net for families with children, 2) increase education/vocational opportunities that develop job skills and employment Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 5, 2003— Page 2 opportunities, and 3) increase substance abuse continuum of care capacity. Parks and Recreation's services are thought to be part of the County's safety net for prevention and intervention. The next step is the development of an action plan for reaching these goals. E. Aquatics Center: Mimi Hanley talked about her efforts over the past two months to interview individuals about their knowledge of aquatic centers and review the information previously collected by the Parks subcommittee and from other area aquatic centers. Lee Springgate posed the idea of a Metro District as a funding alternative to the City Council, which responded by voting to appoint a task force to further consider a district for City Parks and Recreation Services, which has been thought of as a potential funding mechanism for an aquatics center. It was also noted that a metro district might be necessary in order to preserve the existing aquatic program at the City pool. There was further discussion about efforts on the idea to date and the need for a public entity to take the lead in beginning the (estimated $30K) feasibility study for an aquatics facility. F. Gibbs Lake: Warren Steurer reported that a significant amount of trail maintenance has occurred. Several groups have used the challenge course recently. Another group of facilitators were recently trained, bringing the total to 17. He distributed a letter from Boy Scout Troop #1480, which requests the Boy Scout Cabin at Gibbs Lake be repaired to its original status for their use. Adult leaders in the scout troop, many who are contractors and carpenters, would perform the work. They are also requesting the use of property in a 200-foot radius of the cabin. The Board was supportive of this youth program activity and felt that a restored cabin would benefit the County. Staff agreed to investigate County liability exposure. There was some question whether a future request for overnight use might be an issue since the Gibbs Lake plan was for day use only. Having been involved with this troop, Rick Tollefson said he would recuse himself from any vote on this matter. IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Recreation: Tim Black said Junior Soccer at Memorial Field is finishing up tonight. Aside from the concession break-in at H.J. Carroll Park, it has been a very successful season. Staff is gearing up for Junior Hoops. A basketball camp would be held at Brinnon School before Christmas vacation. City league basketball is also forming. As the weather gets colder, the Rec. Center is being used more. New clerk hire employees are helping with Junior Soccer Sign-ups and developmental disability recreation programs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. B. Manager's Report: Warren Steurer recognized Judi Mackey for having served as interim County Commissioner. Judi then suggested a County/Quilcene teen center partnership to expand opportunities and activities beyond the teen center and which could provide insurance coverage for the teen center. It was noted that the community partnership grant from the Gates Foundation was approved September 25th. Warren Steurer noted that the camping season closed on October 31. The collection of roughly $28K in camp fees exceeded the goal. An issue for future discussion is how homeless individuals over extend their use campgrounds. The Board might want to consider charging at Quilcene Campground throughout the winter like Oak Bay. The rumor about Memorial Field being a possible site for the skateboard park is unfounded. C. Quilcene Concession Stand: Bob Henderson said County assistance would be helpful in planning and operating a concession stand at the High School football field. Providing a protective mat to roll out over the new basketball court for events might be another opportunity to help the school. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 5, 2003— Page 3 V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 3, 2003. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of November 5, 2003— Page 4