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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/22/1994 MEETING MINUTES ,. • • CITY OF BREMERTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING SHERIDAN PARK RECREATION CENTER Clubroom A February 22 , 1994 Minutes IN ATTENDANCE: Chairman Craig Smith, Vice Chairman Larry Hall ; Commissioners Frank Bratonia, John Gillespie , Carol Johnson, Larry Sampson, Vernon Simmons and Mariwyn Tinsley. Staff : Vicki Vanneman, Director, Jodi Wroblewski , Assistant Director and Julie Gosselin, Office Assistant Senior. EXCUSED: Commissioner Pat Carey. GUESTS; David Grellier, Architect , Ateller Northwest; Mr. Duane Baker , Sr . , and Mr . Duane Baker , Jr. , Baker Construction; Don Larson, Scuba Diving Association and Becky Lorber , Recreation Coordinator II . I . CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Craig Smith at 5: 35 P .M. II . PUBLIC INPUT: Underwater Park: Don Larson distributed information and spoke on his proposed Underwater Park. The area he is considering is north of the Turner Joy. Hopefully a submarine could be sunk to create an artificial reef . Senate Bill 5332 makes Washington State Parks the lead agency. State Senator Oke is supporting the concept of his proposal . Funding will not be available from the State until 1997 , but application for funding needs to be submitted by April 1994 . Mr. Larson requested a letter from the Commissioners stating they approve the concept of the Park. III . AGENDA: Additions or Revisions 1 . Delete Item 1 , under New Business - Proposed Joint Development Project at Crown Hill Elementary. 2 . Add Underwater Park Proposal presented by Don Larson - Discussion M/S/C/U (Tinsley/Bratonia) to approve the Agenda as revised • • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 2 Minutes of : 2/22/94 COMMISSION DISCUSSIONS: Proposed Joint Development Project at Crown Hill Elementary Ms . Vanneman explained she received a letter from Field Ryan, Bremerton School District which Chairman Smith read into the record. This letter outlined the reasons why this proposal could not go forward, such as the time line and the many processes they have to go through which would delay construction. Ms . Vanneman said she hoped this project would go forward in the future. Underwater Park Proposal The Commissioners discussed liability, location, ferry traffic , marina traffic , ability of a suitable vessel (sub/ship etc) , DNR approval , statistics on Edmonds underwater park participation, and Parks & Recreation Commission' s possible commitment to the concept of an underwater park. Commissioner Bratonia asked if other areas of town have been considered such as the Eastside . Ms . Vanneman said Mr. Larson feels an underwater park would enhance the downtown area and increase tourism dollars when scuba divers , families , friends and spectators , stay at local motels , visit shops and restaurants and participate in local functions . Commissioner Smith was concerned the divers may surface where the ferries come in. Ms . Vanneman explained the area being considered is north of the Turner Joy and not in the path of ferry traffic. Commissioner ' s Smith and Simmons inquired about the distance boats would need to stay away from the scuba divers flags to avoid accidents and potential liability. Ms . Vanneman will contact DNR to find out if an underwater park could be developed at the proposed location north of the Turner Joy, and if so, what permits would be required to be completed before implementation of the park. Ms . Vanneman will also contact Ms . Ohlde , Director of the Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department regarding their rules and regulations for their underwater park as it seems to be operating very successfully. Commissioner Simmons requested Ms . Vanneman also obtain the statistics on use of the park at Edmonds . Ms . Vanneman will draft a letter for next month' s meeting for the Commissioner ' s approval , if they so desire, to commit to the concept of the underwater park. • s Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 3 Minutes of : 2/22/94 IV. OLD BUSINESS: 1 . Forest Ridge Park Easement Request: David Grellier distributed to-scale drawings of the proposed development by Baker Construction and explained the terracing of the homes and ingress and egress locations . These 10 units will be one bedroom homes with 834 sq ft on the main floor and 600 in the garage and stairs . The market will determine if any 2 bedroom homes will be needed. Mr. Baker, Sr. , spoke about his apartment complex on Highland which has one bedroom units and has 100% occupancy. He anticipates these 10 units to attract buyers who do not have children, and do not wish to rent. Mr. Baker also indicated he would be willing to donate a sum of monies ($5 , 000) for park amenities of our choosing. (Trails , lighting, picnic tables , etc. ) Mr. Grellier stated he would appreciate a decision from the Parks Commission as soon as possible so he may proceed with fulfilling the requirements from other departments . COMMISSION DISCUSSION Commissioner Tinsley, who reviewed the site, did not feel the easement would detract from the Park, but could possibly enhance the neighborhood. She also recommended the monies donated by Baker Construction should be used to develop the Park property for adult use . Commissioner Bratonia requested lighting around each home and in the park area be a requirement to deter crime. Commissioner Sampson inquired on the location of the ingress and egress and was informed the location he suggested was not feasible due to the grade of the area and an existing home. Commissioner Hall expressed concern about cost and maintenance/upkeep of any shrubs , lighting, road, etc, which would be the responsibility of the ' Homeowners Association. Commissioner Simmons asked what recourse the City would have if the Homeowners Association did not meet the requirements which were set. Ms . Vanneman said she would contact the Attorney' s office regarding the Commissioner ' s concerns and . also inquire what donation amount would be fair to request for the easement. M/S/C/U (Gillespie/Tinsley) to support the Forest Ridge Park Easement request. • • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 4 Minutes of: 2/22/94 2 . Public Hearing - Roosevelt Field Replacement Plan: Ms . Vanneman said Dan Miller , Public Works Project Manager and Parks and Recreation staff have been working together compiling estimates on the proposed joint City/School District projects. Cost estimates should be available at the March Commissioners meeting which will enable the plan to go forward to the Mayor and City Council in April . VI . NEW BUSINESS : 2 . Proposed Open Space and Recreational Facilities Bond Issue - Discussion On February 10th Commissioners Hall , Tinsley, Smith, Parks and Recreation Director Ms . Vanneman, and Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Ms . Wroblewski met with Rick Smith regarding the failure of the bond issue and the direction everyone wished to take. The consensus was to compile a list of desired improvements/projects for the City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department for inclusion in another Open Space Bond issue. By compiling a list it would ensure us a proportionate share of the monies if the bond issue is successful . Meetings will be held to determine if another bond issue should be put forth at a later date . V. STAFF REPORT AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS Ms . Vanneman reported: 1 . Applications A number of applications have been submitted to the Mayor for the 9th Parks and Recreation Commission position which is currently vacant. Ms . Vanneman read the names of the nine applicants and gave a brief review of their qualifications . Mayor Horton will review the applicants , with support from the Commission and the Department. (Commissioner Hall and Ms . Vanneman) . Ms . Vanneman anticipates having the 9th Commissioner on board in March. 2 . Downtown Study Phase I of the Leland Study which gives us a vision for development of our waterfront properties has been completed. The second phase required advertising again for a Request for Qualifications (due February 25th) because Federal monies are involved. This may result in a different firm doing the second phase study. Ms . Dickinson, Community Development Manager will distribute applicants packets for review. A decision will be made on March 17th or 18th. Commissioner Smith will be attending this meeting and participating in the selection process . S Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 5 Minutes of : 2/22/94 3 . Bond Issue Ms . Vanneman stressed the importance of compiling a list of desired long range planning projects to submit to the Open Space Bond Issue Committee for inclusion in another bond issue if they decide to submit another to the voters in the near future. 4 . Staff Information Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II distributed the new Senior Center brochure and March/April senior newsletter. VII . COMMISSIONER' S QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 1 . Commissioner Tinsley inquired about the status of the Salvation Army building and additional parking revenue. Ms . Vanneman explained the Mayor is having the Engineering Department review the site to determine the access , configuration, spaces , and revenue to be generated. Fees for parking will also be reviewed as all spaces are not filled. Acquisition of this property would make the old Bremerton Lumber site more desirable and hopefully attract possible developers . 2 . Commissioner Gillespie said the Bremerton Softball Association is putting in 2 fast pitch fields (softball size) by the new school on Perry Avenue. Ms . Vanneman was very pleased with this information as it will be extremely helpful when prioritizing projects for the future . 3 . Commissioner Hall is very concerned about the overgrowth of weeds at Kitsap Lake and would like to develop a plan to restore the Lake to it ' s original condition. Ms . Vanneman contacted the State and also Fish Pro to obtain information regarding potential solutions to the weed problem. Commissioner Tinsley has noticed a decrease in duck population and is concerned that the Lake is no longer environmentally sound. The Department will continue to address this issue and hopefully resolve it this year. 110 110 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Page 6 Minutes of : 2/22/94 4 . Commissioner Simmons said this is Black History Month and would like the Commissioner ' s to consider having activities which children could participate in at next years celebration. Ms . Vanneman hoped we could have an awareness on a variety of populations as our area has very mixed ethnic backgrounds . Commissioner Tinsley suggested discussion on subjects such as the above mentioned should start months in advance so preparations can be made and finalized. 5. Chairman Smith said he is extending an invitation to Mayor Horton to be our guest at the March meeting. VIII APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 25, 1994 MINUTES ; M/S/C/U (Bratonia/Tinsley) to approve the minutes as submitted. IX. M/S/C/U (Simmons/Hall) Meeting adjourned at 7 . 45 PM. Respectfully submitted: " // ale' r — ulie Gosselin Victoria A. Vanneman Office Assistant Sr . Director of Parks & Recreation