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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2004 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Eileen Rogers called the meeting to order at 12:02 PM in the Quilcene Community Center, Quilcene, Washington. Members Present: Bob Henderson, Eileen Rogers (Chair), Joan Linderoth, Brian Miller, Mike Ryan, Judi Mackey Members Absent: Rick Tollefson (Vice Chair) excused Staff Present: Warren Steurer of Public Works Guests: Pamela Roberts and Jenny Beard, 4-H; Joy and Joe Baisch; John McDuff, Kelsie Brewer, Becky Anderson, Connie Lot, Bob Prill, Judith Lutia, Citizens; George and Rita Miller, Teen Center; John Holcomb, U.S. Forest Service Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: Bob Henderson 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 April 7, 2004 with the following correction: The day of the meeting was Wednesday rather than Thursday. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Eileen reviewed that this morning the Parks Board completed a tour of the County parks. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Brief Overview of Other Park Activities: The County is proceeding with the Irondale Beach master plan, which will involve discussions with the Port of Port Townsend, Randy Thurston of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Warren Steurer and Consultant Rick Sepler regarding boat ramps and South Port Townsend Bay boat access. An off -highway vehicle focus group is also being established, with Judy Mackey as the Parks Board representative. The first public meeting would be held at the Quilcene Community Center on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 PM to explore the feasibility of locating an OHV/ORV area in Eastern Jefferson County. This year's Rhody Festival Carnival would be located entirely on Memorial Field. A list of summer programs was available for members and was also printed in The Leader today. South County activities include a Brinnon soccer camp June 1-4 and day camps in Brinnon and Quilcene. Matt Tyler has been selected as the new Recreation Director and would attend the next Parks Advisory Board Meeting. B. Fire Wise Program: Joy Baisch explained the Department of Natural Resources' Fire Wise Program, which (in conjunction with U.S. Forest Service and the fire department) teaches defensible fire maintenance and landscaping and identification of measures to reduce fire hazards. It is a working lab with informational materials for the public. The Fire Wise and Fire Cadet training are two projects of the Gates "Connecting Schools and Communities Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 5, 2004 — Page 1 Program" grant, which is a WSU extension -run program. She explained the Fire Wise demonstration project planned for the area near the Quilcene Community Center Park. The grant also provides opportunities for a student -run business in defensible landscaping, in conjunction with the fire department, where school students would use GIS equipment to conduct a fire -access inventory of every Brinnon and Quilcene home. Warren responded to questions about the identification of trees within the park for removal. C. 4-H After School: Jenny Beard reported on after -school program activities serving youth from K-8" grade, which includes environmental forestry, camera club, media club, and field trips. The Quilcene Community Center facility involves 15-23 Quilcene students Mon - Fri. from 3-5:15 pm while the Brinnon program involves 10-12. A summer 4-H day camp would run from July 5-16 from 9-4 PM. It was thought that there are also other 4-H club activities. She considers the biggest need at the Community Center to be a grass field for kids to play and run safely. Another venture being considered is an eco-tourism program that pairs adults and tourists to drive tourists to the shellfish lab and fish hatchery. D. Quilcene Park Plan Update: Referring to a handout, Warren Steurer reviewed a list of possible enhancements to the Quilcene Community Center Park area: resurfacing/reconfiguring the court into a multiple use court, playground equipment replacement, forest management (clearing certain areas), and other improvements, possibly to include an entrance sign or kiosk, campsite improvements, improvements or restoration of the log picnic shelter and restroom facilities, etc. He feels that once court and playground equipment improvements are made, a master planning process involving the community might be needed to prioritize other possible improvements and to consider maintenance and operational costs. It was noted that the County's park and open space plan includes some of these plans for Quilcene. Bob Henderson pointed out the following other Quilcene Park Properties that also need O&M funding: Broad Spit Park (43 acres) East Quilcene Park (1- acre), Quilcene Campground, and Quilcene River Park. Becky Anderson commented that she believes that many of the projects on the list would receive general community support as well as that of groups such as the Lion's Club and churches. She would be willing to write grants and suggested that calling it the Quilcene Park — rather than Jefferson County Park — might create a greater sense of ownership. Bob Prill pointed out that the reserve drain field is located out in the park area. Judith Lutia, having worked for a while with the book mobile service, noted that kids frequently use the park playground and courts and agreed that these areas are in need of attention. Joe Baisch suggested the County talk with the Forest Service about a proposed promenade from the Forest Service property down through the park to the Community Center. A trail and modified landscaping would tie the two properties together. Joy Baisch agreed with Becky that the community could help with funding. Involving youth in the process of rebuilding and redevelopment such as by creating a kiosk would help to tie the community to the tourists in a more passive way and keep tourist dollars in Quilcene. Becky noted that good signage on the highway is important and that having a camp host would help with security. Opening up the area with more light, either through Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 5, 2004 — Page 2 the removal of trees or providing better electric lighting would be beneficial. Coin -fed lighting would be good for the court. E. Quilcene Teen Center: George Miller reported that on average, they have 6-24 youth visiting the center, which is open Tuesday through Thursday 4:30-7:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 7-11 PM. They held a drug awareness forum in December and at a May pizza party roughly 11 youth completed a drug and alcohol survey. Jefferson County Community Network is paying their rent ($350/mo.) and $1,100 for insurance was provided through the County Prosecutor's office. Currently, their heating and utility costs average about $140 a month and wages are about $4,800 a year. Although they would like to be open weekdays from 4-7 and have more full time staff, he noted that securing funding and adult volunteers present a hurdle to additional service. They have received an offer of a donation of skateboard equipment and even though they are far away from the Community Center, they are interested in tennis and basketball facilities. He mentioned that their proximity to the school has been important. There was further discussion of the importance of the facility in reducing drinking, drugging, and sexual activity, which is obviously not happening while they are in the center. Becky Anderson recognized several great community volunteers like George and Rita Miller, who are involved in the Teen Center. F. Public Comments in General: Bob Prill pointed out there used to be a beautiful sign about what was available in the community, but it was moved to the Twana Roadhouse. The Chamber took over the responsibility for the sign, which was later taken down and was not replaced. . Discussion ensued about possible youth activities: Joe Baisch talked about the potential for youth -run businesses, like Defensible Landscaping. Getting kids to work is important and youth are starting to put some thought into creating a work board where kids can list services they offer and their phone number. They also hope to get going by the fall a community service link where youth can get involved in community service projects in exchange for high school credits. Judi Mackey agreed about the importance of work. She believes for such a work program, it is important for the kids to have a personal reference. Mike Ryan agreed with getting youth working. Pam Roberts also spoke about the positive aspects of youth involvement in the video club. It might also be possible for 4-H to monitor the check-out of skateboard equipment. She noted that 4-H is also pursuing Americorps grants but finding matching funds can be a challenge. Warren then reviewed the Community Park Grant Program — a total of $1 OK ( a maximum of $2,000 per grant) is available for parks improvements or recreational programs. Cash or in -kind contributions are also required. Applications are due May 24. Becky Anderson said sports or special activities like a bike rodeo might be more appropriate than work for those kids that are not mainstream. Given that many of these youth do not have transportation, more consideration of locating sporting events and activities in Quilcene rather than in Chimacum would also be appreciated. Better utilization of the computer lab is also a possibility. Warren noted that the Community Center is managed by OlyCap and County Staff maintains the building and site. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 5, 2004 — Page 3 John Holcomb further explained that the kick-off event for the Fire Wise Program is May 22 at 8:30. He hoped that it would be clear by that time whether they continue their work onto County Park property. Clearing out trees would be done over a two -month period. He reviewed that this program would be educational for the community. Having been involved in running a young adult conservation corps proved to him that while the youth did not necessarily learn a lot of skills, they did learn some responsibility. He agrees it is important to get the youth working. Pamela Roberts noted that Ranger Corp, as a 4-H program is done in collaboration with a couple of trail -building associations. She mentioned 4-H can be an umbrella for almost any youth activity because there is liability insurance coverage as well as Labor and Industries coverage for adults working with the youth. She talked about the importance of community networking for any activities adults are willing to share with kids. Her suggestions for improvements to the Community Center were a general facility upgrade and increasing visibility of the playground. 4-H, as a forestry education program, would like to participate in any interpretive program. Upgrading the tennis courts with a removable net to permit skateboarding or other activities might also be an option. In response to questions about funding, Warren Steurer explained that funds are currently in the County Parks Improvement Budget as settlement for home construction which encroached on County property at Broad Spit. There was some additional discussion about the BOCC's commitment to use some of these funds for the Quilcene museum addition. Joy Baisch and John Holcomb asked for the County's commitment to work with them on the Fire Wise Program. John noted that the Fire Wise work would begin on the Forest Service site and assured the County that the work would not impact any commercial cutting it might want to do. Judi Mackey moved that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board supports conducting the Fire Wise Program at the Quilcene Park property in coordination with the Gates Grant and U.S. Forest Service. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Warren agreed to work on an interagency agreement. III. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 2, 2004. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of May 5, 2004 — Page 4 Park and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Wednesday May 5, 2004 Parks Tour: ➢ 9am Van leaves from Courthouse ➢ Visit Parks: HJ Carroll, Chimacum, Gibbs Lake (Challenge Course), Lake Leland, Quilcene Teen Center, Quilcene Park. Meeting Agenda: Opening Business ➢ Call to Order ➢ Introductions/ Welcome/ Roll Call Agenda ➢ Additions or changes ➢ Adoption Minutes ➢ Additions or changes ➢ Adoption Old Business ➢ Brief overview: Warren Presentations ➢ Firewise program/ Gates Grant ➢ 4-H After school ➢ Quilcene park plan update ➢ Quilcene Teen Center Public Comments and Discussion Set Next Meeting Date/ Adjournment