HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport to the BOCC updatedNovember 30, 2022
Subject: Annual Report to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners
In accordance with the By Laws of the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
(JCPRAB) we are required to report our annual progress to the Commission (Board of County
Commissioners.
a. The following actions/reviews were completed in calendar year 2022:
i. As a carry-over responsibility from 2021 we needed to complete the
review and provide recommendations to the BOCC regarding the
completion of the two-year project priority system (Capital Investment
Program). We completed this in the first quarter of 2022 and provided
the prioritized list to the BOCC. Projects for the Memorial Stadium and HJ
Carroll were the highest priority projects of the assessment.
ii. Because of changes in the organization such as new proposed dates of
meetings, as well as ensuring the ByLaws reflected the requirements of
the Resolution 18-89. This action was completed and submitted to the
BOCC in summer of 2022. A key change of the ByLaws was the change in
date/times of the JCPRAB from the first Wednesday of the BiMonths at
11-1 to the first Thursday of the BiMonths from 3pm to 4:30pm. This
change permits members who work to attend through our Hybrid
meeting system. As a result of this change, we had 100% attendance of
the board at our October meeting.
iii. Every six years the Parks and Recreation Open Spaces and Trails Plan
needs to be updated to reflect changes over the years. Matt Tyler took
this requirement on with input from the board. He reduced considerably
the historic discussion of the diverse parks but provided more applicable
goals. The board voted on this plan and it was submitted to the BOCC
after the August meeting.
b. Other actions addressed:
i. We developed a process for providing awards to the many volunteers
that includes personal notes written to the volunteers to BOCC signed
letters to the volunteers based on the level of volunteering. We were
unable to conduct an appreciation presentation face to face because of
the lingering impacts of Covid, but hope eventually to have these get
togethers as we did in the past.
ii. The board supported other capital projects funded by the county that
were successful completed including access improvements to the Salmon
Shelter at HJ Carroll Park, and renovation of the irrigation systems at HJ
Carroll Park and Irondale Community Park. These projects were not huge
but were very important to the community. Other projects were not
completed due to lack of project management resources. Much of
project management resources were diverted to the JUMP! playground
project.
iii. The big event this year was completion of the JUMP! Playground. This
was a long process that was a tremendous success.
iv. Greg Graves conducted a very aggressive attack on invasive weeds at
Indian Island. This entailed continual monitoring and visits to remove
Poison Hemlock and teasel, Greg also hauled in gravel to raise the path
and installed a culvert to remove water from the path.
v. The board responded to a public notice by the Washington Fish and
Wildlife on recreation areas, especially important as there are numerous
parks we manage that abut or are leased from Fish and Wildlife.
vi. We have two new members to the Board: Jacob Davidson is the new
member for District 1 and Susie Marshall is from District 3.
vii. Vern, Marianne, and Tim funded and met with an engineer to assess the
stability of the shelter at Chimacum Park. We were told that from what
he could tell a good part of the structural supports have been damaged
by insects. We reported to Matt and the wooden structure was removed
in March but the concrete support (such as the floor and sides) remail for
future replacement.
viii. The board recommended that county owned vacant land in the vicinity of
Chimacum Park be dedicated as public open space and held as passive
public parks for potential (long term) park development.
c. Challenges/comments:
i. Because of inclement weather postponed the 2022 Parks Tour to 2023.
ii. Coordination with our primary stewards for Gibbs Lake, Indian Island and
Irondale Beach Park needs to be increased. Jim Shaver (Gibbs Lake), Greg
Graves (Indian Island), Jim Stark (Irondale Beach) are essential volunteers
who maintain their respective parks in an outstanding manner, ensuring
they are safe and ordered parks to visit. Note that Jim Stark retired in
December of 2022 and staff and the board are working to find additional
volunteers to take his place. Recognizing and supporting their work is
essential to the smooth functioning of the parks.
iii. The board worked with Camp Beausite NW on a proposal to expand the
area leased by the camp for purposes of staff housing, office,
logistics/maintenance space, and therapeutic horse-riding area. Camp
Beausite is growing services under the leadership of Raina Baker, and is a
key way for the County to serve the values of diversity, equity, and
inclusion. The camp is technically a county park, and is a valuable and
meaningful public-private-partnership (P3).
d. I will be leaving JCPRAB effective 1 January, 2023. I would like to say that this has
been a wonderful experience and the fellow board members have been
tremendous to work with. Thanks very much for the opportunity to serve the
county.
In conclusion I would like to express my appreciation for the members of the JCPRAB and the
staff of parks and recreation. The JCPRAB is a functional board with an important role to play in
both policy work and hands on service in support of staff and volunteers. The board listens and
helps address issues in the community by advising staff and making policy changes.
Tim Rensema
Chair
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board