Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2004 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2004 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Eileen Rogers 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: Eileen Rogers (Chair), Rick Tollefson (Vice Chair), Joan Linderoth, Brian Miller, Mike Ryan, Judi Mackey Members Absent: Bob Henderson Staff Present: Warren Steurer of Public Works Guests: Mimi Hanley, Citizen; Commissioner Titterness Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: Joan Linderoth moved to approve the Agenda as written. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Minutes: Joan Linderoth moved to approve the minutes of March 4, 2004 with the following correction: Under Members Absent, Judy Mackey should be listed as Excused. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. II. ACTION ITEMS The Board welcomed Judi Mackey as a new member representing District 3. Staff would continue to advertise for open District 1 and District 3 positions. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Larry Scott Trail: Warren Steurer reported that survey and appraisal work on trail properties continues. Nik Worden is also working on grant funding for 2005. Paving of the existing trail (portions adjacent to the highway and continuing to Jacob Miller Road) is supposed to be completed in June. Colored trail maps of the Larry Scott Trail and other trails as part of the Non - Motorized and Recreational Trail Plan were given to the Parks Board. Progress is being made on a Jefferson County Adopt -A -Trail agreement, which would be similar to that of Clallam County. The concept is to break the trail into segments and have volunteers commit to caring for each section. B. Irondale Beach: Warren Steurer clarified that this new County park is currently called "Chimacum Beach" for lack of a more formal name. In providing a brief background, he explained that Fish and Wildlife purchased the northern section of the old Cotton property up to Chimacum Creek for the purpose of restoring the beach to its natural state. The County now has a draft master plan for a park on the southern portion that it purchased, including two development alternatives. Alternative A, the preferred alternative of the Parks Board, involved a low impact park development. Alternative B was for a low impact park development with a boat ramp. Recognizing the public's desire for a boat launch in southern Port Townsend Bay, the Parks Board recommended the matter be revisited after the restoration work is complete. Therefore, a notation in the plan called for a project between the County, the Port of Port Townsend, Port Hadlock Chamber of Commerce, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, etc. to investigate the feasibility of a boat ramp, which might or might not include the Chimacum Beach site or other county properties. In a briefing to the BOCC, the Commissioners had also asked Parks Staff to include a boat ramp project in the Chimacum Beach master plan goals. In their County application for a determination of non -significance, Fish and Wildlife is being asked to address issues such as erosion and storm runoff and would need to clarify that they are willing to work with the County on parking, maintenance and sanitation issues. C. H.J. Carroll Park: Parks Staff may start work with East Jefferson Rotary (EJR) on the pavilion project (EJ Rotary funding dependent), the building design for which the County has already approved. The County's responsibilities are site preparation and working with EJR on permitting and bringing utilities to the site. The County's project manager, Debbie Berreth, would work with EJR representatives on construction plans. Rick Tollefson said he believes EJR has now selected a contractor and expressed concern that the County get the quality of workmanship it expects. Following additional discussion of the difference in bids for this project, there was support for requesting an update on the Pavilion project as soon as the June meeting. D. Gibbs Lake: Last weekend, there was a Quimper Trails Association work party. Another Challenge Course facilitator training is coming up this month and scheduled outings are going great. The site is a wonderful community asset. It was noted that the Port Townsend Rotary had provided the impetus for this project. Rick Tollefson reported that the Peninsula College carpentry class has finished the storage shed for the site. Warren said he has begun outreach efforts with the Council of Churches, school superintendents, etc. to encourage use of the facility. E. Memorial Field. Last week's Leader included Warren's letter about the many activities occurring at Memorial Field. Commissioner Titterness suggested it might be valuable for Warren to present to the City Council an overview of the Parks and Recreation's services provided to City residents. Warren agreed that this would be important and noted there might be room for the City and County to continue to talk more about Memorial Field. He noted that the Earth Day event is scheduled for April 18. The Farmer's Market would be moving Uptown despite efforts to accommodate them. F. Off -Highway jrHighway Vehicle (OHV): It was noted that there was also a good article in The Leader about Warren Steurer's briefing to the BOCC on the Park Board's recommendation to begin the public process of establishing a focus group to investigate creating an OHV area in the County. The BOCC asked that the Park Board be the link between the OHV user group and the BOCC. Given the potential for a site in South County, Judi Mackey agreed to be appointed to this committee. Warren said there would need to be an advertisement soliciting members. G. Northwest Kiwanis Camp: Eileen Rogers and Warren Steurer agreed to schedule a meeting with the President of the NW Kiwanis Camp in an attempt to get discussions of a trail linking Gibbs and Beausite Lakes going in a more positive direction. H. City Metro Parks District: Rick Tollefson said that when he last attended the City Task Force they were close to finalizing their Council recommendation. He noted that through Warren Steurer's attendance at these meeting, the City has already become more aware of the County -sponsored recreational programs from which its citizens benefit. He provided some background about the City Council's charge to the Task Force to look into taxing alternatives, such as a Parks District, for solving Parks and Recreation funding problems. He noted that their Task Force meetings have seen Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of April 7, 2004 — Page 2 presentations by user groups and discussed the possibility of taxing within the school district boundaries. He talked about some of the challenges of finding in that tax base enough funding to support a facility such as the highly -desired aquatic center. Commissioner Titterness noted that in the BOCC budget retreats, they have been trying to work out how best to maintain the current level of service and build the economy so that they would have the tax base to continue to do so. I. Conservations Futures Committee: On April 15t'', they would receive a list of proposed projects. In response to a question, Eileen Rogers provided information about Sunfield Farms project in Port Hadlock that received funds for a conservation easement. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Lead Recreation Supervisor: Eileen Rogers reported on the applicant interviews in which she and Brian participated and the professionalism of the selection process but expressed disappointment that there were not more qualified applicants from Jefferson County. Warren Steurer noted that all those involved in the interviewing felt one individual stood out as the lead candidate. It was hoped that by the middle or end of May, this person would be in this position. B. Parks Board Retreat: Warren Steurer reviewed the schedule for the May 5`" Parks Board retreat, which would begin at 9:00 AM with a tour of Park properties, break for lunch at about 11:30, and then finish with a regular Parks Board meeting at the Quilcene Community Center. The meeting agenda would include presentations of the Park Improvement Plan for Quilcene Park, and possibly a presentation from the Quilcene teen center, before opening up public comment on Parks and Recreation issues, concerns and opportunities. The meeting would be advertised in the newspapers and possibly be displayed on the Quilcene reader board. C. Parks Community Parks Grant: Warren Steurer provided a summary of Parks grants from 1991 — to the present, a copy of the 2004 Parks Grant Application and Guidelines, and some suggestions for projects for 2004. He solicited additional suggestions. The application period would open next week and would remain open for six weeks (until May 21). Parks Board members would receive a copy of applications before hearing presentations at regular meetings on June 3 and July 7. V. STAFF REPORTS - None VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 5, 2004. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of April 7, 2004 — Page 3 JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA April 7, 2004 12 noon to 2 p.m. 1It Floor Conference Room, Courthouse A. OPENING BUSINESS Call to order Introductions Roll Call Agenda Additions or changes Adoption Minutes Additions or changes Adoption B. OLD BUSINESS Larry Scott Trail Adopt -a -trail Agreement with PTC Irondale Beach HJ Carroll Park: Warren Gibbs Lake/ Challenge Course: Warren Memorial Field/ Farmer's Market, other ORV Update NW Kiwanis Camp/ Beausite/Gibbs link trail. Community Network: Rick T. City/ Metro Park District Task Force: Rick T. Conservation Futures Committee: Eileen R. C. NEW BUSINESS Road Vacations: None Lead Recreation Supervisor position May 5th Parks Tour / Quilcene PRAB meeting agenda Community Park Grants 2004 Other: D. STAFF REPORTS: Recreation Division - Parks Division F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE G. SET NEXT MEETING DATE/ ADJOURNMENT