Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/25/1994 MEETING MINUTES 411 • City of Bremerton Park & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES (unapproved edition) Tuesday, October 25 , 1994 5 : 30 PM Sheridan Recreation Center Conference Room 680 Lebo ATTENDANCE: Larry Hall , Vice Chairman. Commissioners : Mariwyn Tinsley, Larry Sampson, Frank Bratonia, Carol Johnson, Michael Vaughn. ABSENT/EXCUSED: John Gillespie, Craig Smith, Pat Carey, Vernon Simmons . STAFF: Pat Harris, Director of Parks & Recreation, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Lena D'Agostino , Office Assistant. AUDIENCE: Don & Nita Buher, Ralph Smith . I. CALL TO ORDER: In the absence of Chairman Craig Smith, Larry Hall , Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5 : 40 PM. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. III. AGENDA Two items were added to the agenda by Commissioner Tinsley: Item 4. Roosevelt Field, and Item 5 . Renaming Park. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. INTERLOCAL BUSINESS AGREEMENT Pat Harris informed the Commission that he had received feedback from Ian Sievers , City Attorney. Mr. Sievers reviewed the interlocal agreement status that Vicky had recommended as a model and saw no problem with the language of it. Pat Harris met with the Mayor, and the Mayor told him to go ahead and meet with the school district to discuss mutual agreement for facility sharing/facility use. He said he also spoke with several Commissioners about the capital improvement on school district property, and at this point, he thinks it is in the Commissioners' best interest to meet with the Council at study session. He recommended December or early January to have a thorough discussion about the goals of the Parks & Recreation Commission before going to Council. At that point, the comprehensive plan would be very close to its completion. Page 1 • According to Pat Harris , there are two factors influencing progress of this issue: delayed reporting status from the City Attorney, and the impending development that may take place at the City property (Boardwalk) . The concern about that property, whether it will be developed or not, does have a be-ing in the future funding availability of the money for capital improvements . Commissioner Vaughn asked about the meeting between commissioners and the Mayor. Commissioner Tinsley reported that Commissioner Smith was not able to get an appointment to meet with the Mayor. There was a general discussion regarding meeting with the Mayor and what the Commission hoped to accomplish. In talking to the Mayor, Pat Harris said some of the Council members have no knowledge of this issue, and they need to be brought up to date. In that way, a concensus and mutual avenue can be reached by both parties . Lastly, Pat Harris mentioned that he wanted to proceed with discussion with school district and plan on getting into negotiations with them about facility sharing at this time. Commissioner Tinsley suggested a courtesy meeting to educate the City Council and also invite the Mayor to the December meeting. Commissioner Vaughn recommended a meeting in preparation for the study session and also requested to have this put on the agenda for next meeting. The Commissioners held a general discussion regarding the facilities that would come under the agreement such as the school district's gymnasiums, classrooms, athletic fields and playgrounds , as well as the Parks & Recreation Department's facilities, i .e. athletic fields , recreation centers and swimming pool. They also suggested that the Parks & Recreation Department offer to do the scheduling for the facilities . There was also discussion regarding who would be responsible for maintenance. A number of different facilities were discussed. Pat Harris indicated that at this point details woild not worked out. He would be discussing the general outline and concept of the Interlocal Agreement with the school district officials. The Commissioners entered into a discussion relating to the Parks and Recreation's budget. When asked about the department's financial status, Pat Harris informed the Commissioners that the department is on a very restricted budget and the fact remains that due to inadequate funds, it cannot operate programs all-year-round. He recently submitted a copy of the budget which indicated a request for 5 .5% increase, excluding the cost of Pendergast Park maintenance. 3. URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN Pat Harris gave a brief summary of what Kathy Van Pelt, Tree Program Coordinator, outlined during the previous meeting. Kathy is proposing to update the City's tree ordinances, inventory the City trees , and develop a Master Plan for the City's Urban Forest. She also would like to establish a Tree Committee whose main purpose would be the management of the City's urban forest. Page 2 • The Tree Committee could be a sub-committe of the Parks & Recreation Commission, comprising of representatives from Parks & Recreation staff, other City departments , and citizens . The group then proceeded into a general discussion regarding likely candidates for the Tree Committee . It' was suggested that the Tree Committee should comprise of individuals from schools , garden clubs , etc. Pat Harris suggested that this Committee meets on a quarterly basis . Commissioner Hall suggested that the Tree Committee be a sub-committee of the Parks & Recreation Commission. He also suggested that a recommendation regarding the new ordinance be brought to the November 15th Commission meeting. 3 . WARREN PLAYFIELD/KCAP UPDATE Commissioners inquired about the status of the Warren Avenue/KCAP duplex. Pat Harris reported that the neighbors on the north side have indicated that they would be pre-disposed to building the duplex in the recommended area if the turn-around was built and parking developed for the tennis courts . However, discussion was tabled until there was a report from Councilman Neville . 4. ROOSEVELT FIELD A report, developed by John Koch, City Auditor, was distributed. There was general discussion regarding this document. Commissioner Tinsley commented that she was supportive of the City's endeavor to develop the downtown, but is concerned that there are no plans regarding the revenues for the Roosevelt FieldFund in the discussions. Commissioner Tinsley requested that Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, be invited to the next Commission meeting to discuss the Roosevelt Field Fund. 5. RENAMING PARKS Pat Harris commented that it was his opinion that renaming facilities is not a good idea. A lot of history and familiarity is lost in renaming. He recommended a policy to not rename existing parks . There was a general discussion regarding this issue. M/S/C/U (Vaughn/Tinsley) . It is the Parks & Recreation Commissioner's poloicy not to rename existing parks . V. NEW BUSINESS 1. 1995-2000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Pat Harris asked the Commissioners what they would like to see when it comes to improvements, renovation, and acquisition on parks, i.e. making Forest Ridge Park handicapped-accessible; adding two soccer fields to Pendergast Regional Park, etc. He also reported that Mayor Horton had added the development of a teen center to the Capital Improvements list. He and the Commissioners discussed the issue that there were areas in the City that were under represented in neighborhood park facilities. Page 3 411 There was some general discussion regarding a number of suggestions from the Commissioners . Pat Harris requested that Commissioners send feedbacks for the next meeting on this issue and to be more specific in indicating particular needs of the parks such as more picnic tables, public restrooms , etc. 2. PROPOSED LEVELS OF SERVICE - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3 . GOALS AND PHILOSPHY - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Pat Harris presented the above issues but were not discussed until the November 8th meeting. 4. FEE REVIEW: FACILITIES Pat Harris informed the group regarding the proposed fee increase for building rentals as well as fee implementation for Evergreen Park Shelter, which would be comparable to building rental at Sheridan Recreation Center. In addition, in order to recoup expenses (i.e. , Brem Air) , there is also a proposal of 100% across the board increase for cemetery; 100 of which will go to perpetual care. VI. STAFF REPORTS 1. CDBG Grant Request: Pat Harris informed the Commission that he presented a grant request for $5800 for handicapped accessible door drinking fountain for the swimming pool . He will look into requesting another grant next year for the park restrooms . 2. Pendergast Park: Contractors are doing a very good job. The seeding of the fields is near completion. VII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - none VIII. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - October 25, 1994. M/S/C/U (Bratonia/Vaughn) to approve the minutes as presented. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: 1/1Aid 1;(84; 1141:- Lena D'Agostino Pat Harris Office Assistant II Director of Parks & Recreation Page 4