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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/1994 MEETING MINUTES "' • 411 CITY OF BREMERTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING SHERIDAN PARK RECREATION CENTER Clubroom A March 22 , 1994 Minutes IN ATTENDANCE: Chairman Craig Smith, Vice Chairman Larry Hall ; Commissioners Frank Bratonia , Carol Johnson, and Vernon Simmons. Staff : Vicki Vanneman, Director , Jodi Wroblewski , Assistant Director and Julie Gosselin, Office Assistant Senior. • EXCUSED: Commissioners John Gillespie , Larry Sampson, Mariwyn Tinsley and Pat Carey. GUEST: Lynn Horton , Mayor of Bremerton T . CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Craig Smith at 5: 30 P .M. II . PUBLIC INPUT: There was none . III . AGENDA: Additions or Revisions 1 . Under Old Business Item #1 : Forest Ridge Park Easement Request will be a discussion item and will be on next month' s agenda for Commission action. M/S/C/U (Bratonia/Johnson) to approve the Agenda as revised. IV: NEW BUSINESS : 1 . A visit with Mayor Lynn Horton. Ms . Vanneman introduced the Commissioners and staff to Mayor Horton. Mayor Horton spoke about her 1994 target issues and indicated many of the Parks and Recreation Department ' s projects have already begun and will be completed during her term in office . Mayor Horton said her goals for completion of the project are Pendergast Regional Park-1995; Gold Mountain Golf Course Expansion -1996 : Leland Study and Evergreen Park Expansion - no definite completion date . Some of her other goals are S Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 2 Minutes of : 3/22/94 formation of a Youth Council , estabishment of a Joint Use Agreement with the School District; investigate options/possibilities for a West Side Community Center; and goal setting and cooperation between the Parks and Recreation Department and Police Department regarding activities for youth to address gang related problems . Mayor Horton said the Leland Study which began the implementation of improvements in the downtown core will move into a second phase which may require going out for bids and the City may end up with a different firm. Market analysis will have to be completed and a consensus will have the best possible development for the downtown core . Mayor Horton said she is considering expanding the study to include the area from 6th & Park to the 1st Street .. This change would include the Book Store, Lou Weirs property, the Wheelhouse Restaurant and Anderson Engineering building. This next step will be a marketing study which will be financed through private and public monies . OLD BUSINESS : 1 . Forest Ridge Park Easement Request - Discussion: Ms.. Vanneman said she met with the City Attorney regarding granting an easement on the small parcel of land adjacent to the perimeter of the road and was informed an easement could not be granted. The Attorney indicated there are two options: a) sell this strip of land, which provides no recreational value , to the adjoining property owner. This would require a 9-0 Council vote of approval ; and b) develop this strip into a parking area (complete with buffers) for the Park , and let the property owners enter the proposed development through the center of the parkins lot , This would require a majority vote of the Council as it would go through the building and planning process and may be the solution to the developers request for access to their proposed project . Commissioner Hall inquired if there would be improvements to the basketball courts which are across the street from the proposed parking strip. Ms . Vanne.man explained the discussion did not include that topic, however the developers were very receptive to the Commission' s request for . lighting the area and the proposed development . Ms . Vanneman said the developers are planning to have a definite proposal next month for the Commissioner ' s review. • • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 3 Minutes of : 3/22/94 • 2 . Roosevelt Field Replacement Plan - Cost Estimates Ms . Vanneman distributed cost estimates relating to specific improvements to School District projects . This joint venture would benefit the Parks and Recreation Department programs as more fields and locations for various activities would become available. The cost estimates compiled by Dan Miller , Project Manager and Jim Spencer , Rec . Coordinator I outline two sets of values depending on how extensive the improvements will ultimately be. (Ex. sod vs hydroseed) . Ms . Vanneman said the projected estimates are $565 , 000 which leaves a balance of their borrowing powers of approximately • $150 , 000 which could be us for various other improvements within the Parks and Recreation Department . Currently the School District properties would give us immediate relief for additional recreational activities. in the downtown core and help replace what was lost at Roosevelt Field. The combined use with the School District would improve the properties , and also give the Parks Department the additional help to keep the improvements maintained. Ms . Vanneman informed the Commissioner ' s they would need a firm plan before taking it to the City Council . DISCUSSION: Commissioner Simmons.incuired about improvements at West Hills and inquired about the status of the gym at Crown Hill . Ms . Vanneman explained there isn ' t sufficient open space to develop fields at West Hills and the Crown Hill gym isn' t going forward at this time. Commissioner Johnson asked about the area east of the Tennis Courts at the Junior High. Ms. Vanneman said this area is very small and would only be suitable for youth T-Ball . Discussion was also held on irrigation, turf vs hydroseed, sani-cans , self contained units and existing restroom availability and use at proposed improvement sites. The Commissioner ' s said decisions must be made regarding maintenance if school levies fail; a joint use agreement ; and exact amount of monies which will be used. • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 4 Minutes of: 3/22/94 M/S/C/U (Johnson/Hall) to accept the preliminary draft estimates as submitted to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Committee agreed to meet on April 12 , 1994 to prioritize the proposed projects and have a joint use agreement before presenting the proposal to the Mayor and City Council . 3 . Proposed Open Space and Recreational Facilities Bond Issue - Di_scussi_on : The proponents of the Open Space Bond issue are considering placing this issue on the ballot again this year in the hones that it, will pass . Ms. Vanneman suggested updating the list the Parks and Recreation Commission submitted which included upgrading existing parks , acquiring additional park lands , and modernizing play equipment, buildings , etc . , in existing parrs . Evergreen Park expansion, acquiring land on the west side of town for a park , and providing more youth activities are some of the items which will be put on the list for submittal to the Committee . Should the Bond issue passes., Bremerton will receive a portion of the monies approved by the voters . Ms . Vanneman explained the Commission should have their "wish list" as complete as possible , to enable us to improve and provide the best facilities possible for the City of Bremerton, however the opportunity to change the list should also be a priority when submitted to the Committee. M/S/C/U (Hall/Johnson) to adopt the Parks and Recreation Commission ' s list for the Open Space Bond issue with the understanding the list could be adjusted at a later date . • 4 . Underwater Park Proposal - Letter of Support: Ms Vanneman briefed the Commissioners on the Underwater Park proposal submitted by Mr. Don Larson and explained he has been a strong advocate of developing this Park in the Downtown core area to attract tourists into Bremerton. Ms . Vanneman explained Mr. Larson would like a letter from the Commissioners supporting his concept so he can go forward with his _request for approval and grant monies from the State . •• • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 5 Minutes of : 3/22/94 Ms . Vanneman said she has contacted the Wa . State Parks Aquatic Lands Division and spoke to Brad Pruitt who explained legislation was passed for underwater parks but no monies have been appropriated. He also said Mr. Larson has met with him and should submit a proposal on exact location, estimated costs, etc . , to help them determine feasibility of the project in the desired location. Ms . Vanneman explained underwater parks cannot be located in shipping lanes or harbor areas , and the State would have to determine if Mr. Larson ' s location choice would be allowed under their rules and regulations . Commissioner Hall asked how the underwater park would affect the City' s proposed extension of the Boardwalk. Commissioner Bratonia explained the original plans for the Boardwalk were to extend it to Olympic College , and Mr. Larson' s plan may affect the extension. Ms. Wroblewski explained Mr . Larson ' s request at this time is only for support of the concept of the plan which will enable him to go forth with the next required step. Ms. Vanneman submitted a draft letter for the Commissioner ' s approval . M/S/C/U (Hall/Simmons) for the Commissioners to adopt the letter committing to the concept of the proposed Underwater Park plan submitted by Mr. Larson with the addition to the letter that the Underwater Park be in conjunction with the proposed extension of the City' s Boardwalk. VI. STAFF REPORT AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS : Ms . Vanneman distributed the Calendar of Events and highlighted several activities such as Volunteer Recognition , Action Camp, Arbor Day Celebration, Splash & Jam, Sr . Pancake Breakfast , etc . , that are scheduled to take place . The Spring/Summer Brochure will be ready for distribution March 31st. Ms . Vanneman also distributed the rules for naming a park, as the PeeWee ' s will be making a presentation at next month' s meeting to rename Warren Avenue Playfield after Mr . Carpenter for all the work and devotion he has given to the PeeWee Organization. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 6 Minutes of : 3/22/94 Ms . Vanneman reported on the highlights of a workshop she attended and has implemented some of the information she received in the recent development of the brochure . Ms . Vanneman reported the City Council has given approval of KCAP ' S request to have a day care center at EastPark and were very impressed and enthused about the cooperation of the various governmental agencies in this project. Ms . Vanneman informed the Commissioners J . Michael Vaughan will be appointed at the next Council meeting and will be our ninth Commissioner . VII . COMMISSI.ONER' S QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Commissioner Johnson requested a staff member attend the Commission meetings to give an update on their activities as agreed upon at the Commissioner ' s retreat last fall . Commissioner Simmons requested to be excused for the next 90 days as he will be undergoing tests at Virginia Mason Hospital as the result of anaccident he had. Chairman Smith explained he will continue to be involved as a - Parks'and Recreation Commission representative at the meetings on development of the downtown area as he feels it is in the best interest of the Parks and Recreation Department. VIII. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 22, 1994 MINUTES M/S/C/U (Bratonia/Johnson) to approve the minutes as submitted. IX. M/S/C/J (Simmons/Hall) Meeting adjourned at 7 . 45 PM. Respectfully submitted: /441111 / / uulie Gosselin Victoria A. Vanneman Office Assistant Sr . Director of Parks & Recreation