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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan. 2005 - MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2005 I. OPENING BUSINESS Chair Rick Tollefson called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM in the Main Floor Conference Room of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington. Members Present: Joan Linderoth (Vice Chair), Judith Lucia, Judi Mackey, Brian Miller, Eileen Rogers, Mike Ryan, Rich Stapf, Jr., Rick Tollefson (Chair) Members Absent: None Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Matt Tyler, Nik Worden and Kelli Larson of Public Works Guests: Todd Wexman, Citizen; Kellie Ragan, Jefferson County Public Health; Steve Taylor and Trudy Simon, Northwest Kiwanis Camp; Chris Nock, Sunfield Farms Quorum: There was a quorum. Agenda: The agenda was revised, removing Homeless/Campgrounds from Old Business. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Minutes: Eileen Rogers moved to approve the Minutes of the December 1, 2004 meeting as written. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Road Vacations: Kelli Larson presented a request to vacate a portion of an alley in Block 123, Irondale No. 5. Eileen Rogers moved that the Parks Advisory Board accept the Road Vacation as submitted, noting that the vacation has no significance to Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Warren Steurer reviewed that the Board's role is to consider how these vacations might impact County Parks (trail corridor, adjacent property, pathway to view, or dead-end at freshwater or saltwater). To expedite the presentation of these vacations to the hearing examiner, Kelli Larson explained that once the Parks and Recreation Board has taken action on the vacation, she would obtain the Chair's signature on a one -page statement that summarizes the vacation and states whether the Board approved the request, tabled the matter for further discussion, etc. B. Jefferson County Prevention Guide: Kellie Ragan was present to introduce to the Board a draft version of a prevention handbook to be used throughout Jefferson County. The primary aspects are the prevention philosophy and checklist with thoughts, ideas and concepts to encourage more focused discussions when implementing or considering funding for a new program and gauging the effectiveness of continuing prevention programs and activities. She asked the Parks and Recreation Board to join other organizations in the county in endorsing the handbook, which, in its final form, would serve as the basis of more comprehensive prevention planning. It is scheduled to be printed the first week of February and would be a tool for program providers as well as decision makers. Eileen Rogers moved to endorse the Jefferson County Prevention Guide. It was suggested that the full title be corrected Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 5, 2005 — Page 1 III. STAFF REPORTS Recreation Update: Matt Tyler reported having completed a 5-day Marine Science camp in partnership with the Marine Science Center. The preschool enrichment program at the Rec. Center is going strong, with 8-12 parents and their children and a small fee to cover expenses. Staff is planning to create a bouldering wall in the stage area of the Rec. Center gymnasium, considering possible locations for a nine - hole Frisbee course, preparing for the New Year's Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dip on January 15, as well as discussing with Fort Worden possibly utilizing their gym for basketball practice. Other goals include gaining more access to Blue Heron fields and facilities and getting the after -school program going at Chimacum Elementary. The website is up - www.jcparksandree.org. A logo is under development, the goal of which is to help raise Parks and Recreation's profile in the community. Warren commended Matt for his work in the community. II. NEW BUSINESS (Continued) C. Northwest Kiwanis Camp: Kiwanis' Steve Taylor was present to provide their annual report on their use of the Beausite Lake facility, which includes Kiwanis led summer camps for youth with special needs and can be used by the general public at other times. Last year, they had conducted three sessions serving 48 participants which is down just slightly from the previous year. Camp Director Charise Diamond was hired as a year-round director and would help with promotion in general. They have developed a website www.kiwaniscamp.com. Rentals to individuals and other groups provided $5300 in income. They have new tents and fire rings, have put in storage buildings and upgraded the wiring. They are also working with an architect on other improvements. As the physical facilities are developed with septic and water systems, they expect to rent the facility a lot more. Five peninsula Kiwanis clubs supports the camp financially and it has also received money from UGN and some other small grants. They are broadening their Board to include individuals with specific expertise, and philanthropic connections. Trudy said she is also creating a program she can use to solicit support from other organizations. They also have a committee to ensure camps function at capacity - 50 people per week. Trudy thanked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for community parks grants for funding to create new tent platforms. When asked how Parks and Recreation might help, Kiwanis requested assistance in promoting the features and availability of the camp. The possibility of using the facility for debriefing after using the adjacent Challenge Course was raised, as were other potential partnerships. Making a film of the challenge course and including the Beausite Lake facility was suggested. A web link from the County website to the Northwest Kiwanis Camp was also recommended. It was suggested that Boy Scouts might also appreciate a place to meet. It was noted that the Boy Scouts assisted in renovating the cabins at Gibbs Lake. There was a suggestion to bring the Boys Scouts' old Morgan Hill cabin to Beausite. MAKII- 1 : i1.37►iDIv A. H.J. Carroll Park: The pavilion project is progressing, with corner posts and electrical now in. Parks Staff would be responsible for landscaping. The performance platform might be a project for another work party. There has been more vandalism of the park restrooms. Tristan Stoch is likely to report next month on his survey about the creation of a modular skateboard area at the park. Staff is looking to add a reader board to the Park entrance to advertise programs and activities. B. Irondale: A name -the -park process was advertised in today's newspaper. Entries can be submitted via the website until January 28. Names must be of a historical or geographical nature, and of significance to the area. Fish and Wildlife are expected to begin beach restoration work soon. It is hoped that with a reduction of traffic in that area, the vandalism could be reduced. Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 5, 2005 — Page 2 C. Gibbs Lake/Challenge Course: There have been 30 reservations at the challenge course in its first 18 months of operation. Revenues in 2004 are $4,300 and expenditures of $6,500, many of which were one-time development costs. Commissioner Rogers said the Brinnon School Board had sent its entire 81h grade to a ropes course and reported incredible improvements in rapport. There was discussion about whether there might be a joint marketing effort between schools and Parks. Warren stressed that the trained facilitators are volunteers in the program. Another facilitator training session would be held in April. D. ORV.• On January 27 there would be a presentation to IAC for a feasibility study of East Jefferson County properties for an ORV site. The grant request is for $56,000 of which $40,000 is being request from the State's NOVA funding. E. Larry Scott Trail: Nik Worden reported the push to spend grant funding in 2004 resulted in the completion of surveying work, acquiring all but one piece of needed property and an ADA slab installed in the Port. Discovery Timber has installed a fence across the old railroad right of way. Those who had been using this regularly without realizing it was private property are upset. Although the Department of Transportation graving yard project could go many different directions, using any Port properties would have a big impact on the trail. The desire would be to maintain the integrity of the trail, with the intent of keeping recreation options open in that general area. Warren Steurer reported he would meet with adopt -a -trial volunteers on Tuesday. There are others who want to donate benches on the trail corridor while others will be working on trail kiosks. Early this spring, trail construction will begin at the 47-acre parcel on Cape George Road. Hanson Electric had offered to provide a water line. The Dressage Divas are excited about building an arena and are expected to submit a proposal soon. F. Community Network: Rick noted that a $50K grant from Weyerhauser would support the Nurse Family Partnership. II. NEW BUSINESS (Continued) D. Sunfield Farms: Chris Nock was present to talk about the newly formed nonprofit, which will be developing educational programs for the new 83-acre parcel behind Carl's Building Supply in Hadlock. Sunfield had worked with the Land Trust and Conservation District to secure a conservation easement and hope to assume ownership of the land in the spring. Last fall, in an excellent partnership, Chimacum PI program students had worked at the farm as part of their curriculum. Sunfield wants to let the community know what they are doing and are very interested in developing other partnerships. Northwest Services Council would be partnering to have some of their youth work at the farm. Northwest Trail Association was also interested in partnering to place native plants on the property. An excellent site for educational purposes, the property includes 22 acres of mature forest. She distributed an article about Sunfield Farm from the Bremerton Sun and circulated brochures about their conservation efforts. Eileen noted that Sunfield's receipt of Conservation Easement funds was positive. E. Homeless: Warren reported that The Leader and The PDN had caused some concern among the public by printing some misinformation of a supposed "tent city" at Chimacum Park in response to the needs of the area's homeless. He complimented Rich Stapf on his clarifying letter published in The Leader. F. Recreation Scholarships: Warren Steurer asked for volunteers to look at recreation program scholarships. In addition to the Wooden Boat Festival parking revenues, there is a need to reach out to service clubs for donations to the scholarship fund. There was interest in ensuring there is a scholarship fund independent of the Parks and Recreation Fund. There was agreement that a Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 5, 2005 — Page 3 committee of Joan Linderoth and Mike Ryan would meet for an hour between now and the next meeting to organize some scholarship activities. G. Strategic Plan Focus Group: Warren Steurer reported that the Work Group (Warren, Matt Tyler, Eileen Rogers, Rick Tollefson, and Frank Gifford met to discuss the Parks and Recreation program's strengths, weaknesses and opportunities as preparation for the Strategic Plan presentation to the BOCC in February. It was mentioned that the newspaper announced that the YMCA Board is going to hold a public meeting on January 11 from 3-5 at the Port Townsend Community Center to include the BOCC and the Parks and Recreation Board to discuss alternative funding for Parks and Recreation services, primarily the formation of a Metropolitan Parks District. The YMCA would like to bring a proposal to the community for creating a metro parks district. Some discussion ensued about the work done to date on considering a metro district. There was concern that aside from the newspaper announcement, there had been no call or correspondence inviting the entire Parks Board to participate. It was emphasized that the County Parks and Recreation Board must act in the best interest of all citizens in the County. There was some concern that the YMCA leading a metro district effort might be perceived as a conflict of interest. It was also stressed that any campaign for taxation must be well thought out and articulated and that this preemptive work might damage future efforts. It was suggested that the Parks Board request the BOCC to confirm that it still wishes to pursue alternative funding for Parks and Recreation and/or self-sufficiency. The question for the YMCA as a program provider is whether they would disband in favor of a broader parks district in which case the YMCA could be a benefactor. Warren noted that Staff has tried to stay focused on how to support a well -financed P&R program. He would like the advisory board represented at the YMCA meeting. It was suggested that the BOCC and City Council should meet to discuss the different approaches to a metro district — one brought forward by the government versus citizen initiative. V. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE — None VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:10 PM. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 2, 2005. Jeff. Co, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of January 5, 2005 — Page 4 JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA January 5, 2005 12 noon to 2 p.m. 1st 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 HJ Carroll Park: Warren Irondale Beach Gibbs Lake: Trails, Challenge Course ORV Update Community Network Homeless / campgrounds: report back Freida Fenn C. NEW BUSINESS Road Vacation Kiwanis Annual Report County Prevention Plan: Kellie R Sunfield Farms presentation Recreation Scholarships / committee formation Strategic Planning/ Focus Groups/ next steps: (Matt -Warren) Other: D. STAFF REPORTS: Recreation Division / Parks Division F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE G. SET NEXT MEETING DATE/ ADJOURNMENT