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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/23/1994 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Sheridan Recreation Center August 23, 1994 MINUTES IN ATTENDANCE: Craig Smith, Chairman. Commissioners: Mariwyn Tinsley, Frank Bratonia, Carol Johnson, Larry Sampson, J. Michael Vaughn. Staff: Pat Harris, Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director. EXCUSED: Larry Hall, John Gillespie, and Vernon Simmons GUESTS: George Goins, Katherine Gillette, Dell Knauss, Ralph Smith, Carol Arends, Don Pratt (Director Community Development), and Cindy Wyman (Taskforce Committee Coordinator) I. CALL TO ORDER- The meeting was called to order by Chairman Smith at 5:35 P.M. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE Gains, Gillette, Knaus, Smith and Arends all spoke to the Commission regarding their displeasure of the Commission's recommendation to the City Council regarding the easement at Forest Ridge for the Baker Project. Ms. Gillette said that what the Commissioners recommended was immoral and illegal. That park land should not be given away and that is what the Commissioners proposed doing. Mrs. Arends spoke up regarding the lack of notice on Parks & Recreation Board meetings. She indicated that the neighbors should have been notified regarding this issue. Chairman Smith indicated that he and Pat Harris are working on ways to publicize Parks& Recreation Commission meetings using The Sun and Channel 12. Don Pratt also indicated that there needs to be a better way to communicate issues to the public. Mr. Smith and Mr. Gains accused the Commissioners of only being interested in parks if they were for playing ball. They accused the Commissioners of forgetting about other uses for parks such as strolling and looking at nature and trees. The accused the Commissioners of cutting a deal with the developers because they could not see how the proposed parking area would benefit the park. VI. Downtown Bremerton/Revitalization Task Force Update (As requested by Pat Harris, Director, the next item was moved ahead on the agenda) Presenter: Don Pratt, Director of Community Development D. Pratt reported that the Downtown Bremerton/Revitalization Task Force involved in the promotion and fostering development of the Bremerton Lumber site as a part of the overall plans for the revitalization of the downtown. He indicated that the City's contribution to this effort may be the sale of the site or forgoing the revenue for a short or long period of time. He outlined the various steps the City and Taskforce has taken to get to this point including describing the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan which defines the downtown area as "slums and • • blighted" thus qualifying for various funding opportunities. He briefly described a Downtown Market Analysis. He also reviewed the Leland Report which analyzed the kinds of revenue that could be generated, kinds of activities that could be appropriate for the are and suggested that festival shops would be appropriate activity for the Lumber site. Don Pratt reported that the City had contracted with Tonkin/Hoyne, Inc. ps, to develop a master plan regarding for the Downtown Waterfront Revitalization. Pratt distributed the Tonkin/Hoyne action plan which described the activities they would be undertaking to develop the Master plan. Pratt indicated that this would formulate the blueprint for City/business partnerships, develop a marketing strategy to sell the waterfront, and to review alternatives other than parking for the Lumber site. Pratt cited the University of Washington block in downtown and indicated that the plan would create a model similar to the University's activities. It would answer questions regarding the amount of revenue in the short term and subsequently, the amount of revenue in the long term. Commissioner Vaughn observed that the consultant's activities were for a six month period and would conclude in November. There was general discussion regarding the issues and the revenue associated with the Lumber site. Commissioners discussed their concerns with the long term revenue stream to finance Roosevelt Field replacement activities as it fits into the efforts of the consultant and the development of the Master plan. Pratt and Cindy Wyman discussed the continuing efforts and the role the Task Force is playing in the discussions regarding the Master planning. Don Pratt indicated that the Taskforce and consultant will be looking at options regarding revenue resources in the area. HI. STAFF REPORT 1. Pendergast Park Update Pat Harris, Director, reported that when the contractor began preliminary grading, they ran into rock which had to be blasted. Since there was an indication of this problem in the beginning of the project, the funding for this activity will paid for out of the contingency fund. Dan Miller, Project Manager, will be going to City Council on August 24th, asking for their approval for this change order. The Council has approved the addition of the alternative#1 construction of the two soccer fields, #2 concrete base under grand stands and#3 bleachers and back stops for field 3. 2. Gold Mountain Golf Course Expansion Pat Harris reported that John Harbottle completed the design for the additional 18 holes. They have established the center line for the new holes. In addition he has examined the clubhouse regarding its potential to serve the facility after the new course is in operation. His task was to develop an opinion regarding whether to rehabilitate the existing clubhouse in order to conform to ADA requirements and to increase its serviceability and efficiency or the build a new facility. Pat Harris also reported that the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) and the Wetlands surveys have been completed. It is anticipated that these issues will not impact the new course. Commissioners asked when the design would be completed. Pat indicated that this should be done by the end of the year. The new course should be playable by 1997. Commissioners asked if Mr. Harbottle could attend September's Commission meeting. • • 3. Comprehensive Plan Update Pat Harris reported that he contracted with the Beckwith Consulting Group to do portions of the Bremerton Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan. Beckwith has been involved in developing Kitsap County's Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Plan. We hope to be able to take advantage of the data base they have established. Pat indicated that this project needs to be accomplished by the end of the year. Tom Beckwith developed an intercept survey that will be distributed at the Blackberry Festival as well as through other Parks & Recreation activities. This survey, coupled with several other forms of community input will form a basis for Comprehensive plan. Commissioners asked how they could be involved. Pat indicated that there will be a number of meeting to review the material collected and to prioritize the information. He said that he should have a time schedule at the September Commission meeting. At that time, the Commissioners can plan for their input in this task. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Forest Ridge Park Easement Pat Harris gave the Commissioners a report on the unsuccessful recommendation on the Forest Ridge easement for the Baker project. He indicated that there was no neighborhood notification regarding this project. He reported that the neighbors were upset by this project and that they posed extreme opposition to the project and the easement. Commissioners defended their actions by stating that the Commission studied the proposal over three monthly Commission meetings. The Bakers did concede installing a lighted parking area which was for park use in exchange for the easement that would allow them access to their property from Summit. The park land already had a driveway crossing it. The Commissioners were under the impression that the developer's next step was to get building permits and go through the public and neighborhood process. Pat indicated that there would no easement and no development. 2. Legion Field Renovation Pat Harris reported on the denial of the recommendation of funding of$25,000 grant to the Legion Field project. He reported that the City Council had said that they had no knowledge of this proposal and that they were opposed because Legion Field benefitted a select group of youth. The Council felt that the dollars should be spent in ways a larger group would benefit. Pat indicated that the School District ended up postponing their plans until 1995 because of scheduling difficulties. Commissioners indicated that this recommendation was really part of a larger program of the Roosevelt Field Replacement plan. The Commissioners had been studying the alternatives, looking for appropriate property, and working with the School District for the past two years. The Commissioners decided to discuss strategy regarding the Roosevelt Replacement proposal and when and how to discuss it with the Mayor and City Council. At the very least, the Commissioners requested that the Mayor and City Council receive copies of the Parks& Recreation Commission agendas and minutes. There was a discussion regarding the lack of communication between the Commission and the City Council. Commissioners were very distressed because the Legion Field issue and the Forest Ridge issue went before Council in a manner that put the Commissioners in a poor light. It was suggested that any time there was an item pertinent to the business of the Parks & Recreation • • Commission on Council agenda, the Parks & Recreation Commission be informed so that they participate in the discussion of the issue. 3. Warren Field/KCAP Update Pat Harris showed a set of slides on the area around the Warren Avenue Tennis Courts in order to give the Commissioners an overview of the issue. He outlined the series of events by which KCAP stopped building a duplex on the lot adjacent to the Peewee building. It so happened that when the neighbors discovered KCAP plans to build on the lot, the neighbors petitioned the City Council to stop the project. KCAP, becoming aware of the neighborhood's need for parking use on that lot indicated that they would be interested in relocating their plans if the City/Parks & Recreation Department could present them with an alternative site either by a trade of property or the City could purchase a lot to trade for the lot in question. Pat reported that Vicki Vanneman looked at the property on the north side of 11th - by the tennis courts, to trade for the lot in question. Pat indicated that the square footage was almost identical. He indicated that the proposed property would need to be rezoned. There was general discussion regarding the rezoning. Commissioners asked what other uses could the property on the north side of 11th be used for. Pat indicated that the property could be used for a number of different park uses if there was money to do the developing. There was considerable discussion regarding Pat's presentation of the issue to the Council outlining the three alternatives: 1) to exchange the Parks & Recreation parcel as described for the KCAP lot; 2)to purchase another lot to make the exchange; 3) to allow KCAP to go ahead and build on the lot adjacent to the PeeWee building. It was moved by M. Vaughn, seconded by F. Bratonia to recommend that the exchange of the two properties presented by the Parks & Recreation Director for the direct exchange be the priority option. The motion was amended by M. Tinsley to "look at the conditions of the exchange and make sure that the City is not receiving less property for the exchange." Amendment passed. Motion: M/S/C/U V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Downtown Bremerton/Revitalization Task Force 2. Renaming Bachman Park Pat Harris reported that the Bremerton Rotary Club is planning on sponsoring a major renovation of Bachman Park. They plan to install irrigation, picnic tables and benches, a sign and other amenities. The Rotary Club requested that Bachman Park be renamed after their organization. Pat Harris indicated that the park was named after the person who donated the land to the City. He reported that he has attempted to make contact with any relative, by\ut has not been able to find anyone so far. There was a general discussion regarding re-naming parks. It was determined that while there was a policy regarding the naming of parks, there was not policy regarding the re-naming of parks. However, because Bachman Park was named after a person of some significance, it wouldn't be in the best interest of the park to change its name. It was moved by Smith/seconded by Johnson to recommend having a placque made recognizing the Rotary Clubs efforts and works. Motion carried unanimously. • • 3. Renaming a park after Glen Jarstad Pat indicated that there was a petition requesting that a park be named after Glenn Jarstad. This petition was submitted at the June meeting. There was no clear indication regarding what facility the petitioners wished to have re-named. There was some discussion regarding Jarstad Park located on Gorse, owned and operated by the Utility Department. Since there seemed to be no direction regarding this matter, this item was tabled. 4. 112 Fund irrigation projects Pat Harris reported that staff was undertaking the installation of irrigation systems in three parks: Evergreen Park, Kiwanis Park, and Sheridan Park. This will greatly improve the condition of the parks as well as making the maintenance of those facilities more efficient. 5. Proposed County wide Bond for Acquisition and Development of Parks and Open Space. Pat Harris reported that he attended a Kitsap County Recreation Coordinating Council meeting where Debbie Smith presented a proposal regarding resubmitting the County-wide bond issue. He indicated that the Bond Issue Committee requested projects. Commissioners indicated that they had already submitted a prioritized list to the Committee after a discussion in the spring. VI. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MINUTES - May 24, 1994. Commissioners did not have copies of the May 24th Minutes so they deferred approval until the next meeting. VII. COMMISSIONERS' QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Mariwyn Tinsley: Commissioner Tinsley reported that due to the failure of the Bond Levy, there will be a 50%reduction of co-curricular activities. There will be a meeting on September 19 - 3:30 to discuss alternatives to fill this gap. Tinsley requested a Roosevelt Field Budget update. She indicated that Commission should re-visit the Commissioners proposal for the use of the monies in the Roosevelt Field Replacement Fund. Tinsley suggested that Commission develop policies for re-naming parks. Michael Vaughn suggested that there be a moratorium about renaming until a policy is developed. Pat Harris Michael Vaughn: Commissioner Vaughn urged that there be representation at the revitalization meeting to spend time developing alternative funding sources for the revenue stream for the Roosevelt Field Fund. Carol Johnson: Commissioner Johnson reported that the Sheridan Rec Center's women's restroom floor needs to be repaired and should be repaired before the Sr. Fair. Larry Sampson: Commissioner Sampson expressed his concern that City Council is not aware of what is going on with the Commissioners. He wants to get a meeting with City Council to discuss the Roosevelt Field Replacement issue. Commissioner Tinsley indicated that the Commissioners needed to get their act together again in order to re-establish creditability. Commissioner Vaughn requested seeing the documents regarding the establishment of Roosevelt Field Replacement Fund. Commissioner Tinsley reviewed the three issues in the establishment of the Roosevelt Field Fund: replace the playing areas within the core of the city; no sports left without • • facilities, and the Pendergast did not replace Roosevelt Field, and that this would be accomplished in such a way that there not be a loss in playing time. Commissioner Vaughn Craig Smith: Commissioner Smith said that the would go to the editor of the Sun to see about getting Commission information in the paper. He will also talk with Channel 12 to do the same. He was very unhappy because of the newspaper articles and is prepared to go to the City Council on behalf of the Commission. He also wanted to make sure that the agenda and minutes go to the Mayor and City Council. There was a general discussion regarding how to better communicate with the City Council, Mayor and the public. Pat Harris indicated that he would make sure that all entities will be contacted, informed and involved in all issues. VIII. ADJOURNMENT • Respectfully Submitted 44-alut.)(24-2- JoAnne Wroblewski Pat Harris Assistant Director Director or Parks & Recreation