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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1995 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES (unapproved edition) June 27 , 1995 6:00 p.m. Pendergast Regional Park 1199 Union Ave. West Bremerton, WA 98312 ATTENDANCE: Mariwyn Tinsley, Carol Johnson, Scott Krone, Larry Sampson, J. Michael Vaughn. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Craig Smith, Larry Hall . STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski , Assistant Director, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant II . AUDIENCE: R.K. Smith I. CALL TO ORDER: In the absence of Chairman Craig Smith, Commissioner Mariwyn Tinsley called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Mr. R.K. Smith mentioned that he noticed the barricades are up at Forest Ridge Park and he understood that they were temporary though they did not look temporary to him. He questioned why the barricades were put up on Burwell St. and not on park property. He also added that Scott Baker was up there taking property down a few feet in a row on park land. At this point, Commissioners Tinsley and Carol Johnson explained to the group that Scott Baker was the gentleman who came to the Commission a couple of years ago for a few months requesting for a small portion off the corner of Forest Ridge Park to use as parking lot for his apartment units. In exchange, Mr. Baker had planned on doing some enhancements to the park. The Parks Commission approved this request but the City Council turned it down. Commissioner Tinsley commented that this may be something the Commission may want to look at to see if there is something that needs to be concerned about and move from there. III. AGENDA 1. Addition/Revision - None 2. Approval - M/S/C/U (Vaughn/Sampson) IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Roosevelt Field Replacement Commissioners Tinsley, Hall, and Vaughn met with the Ad Hoc Task Force and Rich Neville of the City Council. Commissioner Page 1 • • Vaughn informed the Commission that the issues discussed at the meeting included development and upgrade of the different park properties as well as obtaining advise on an effective way to present the issue to the City Council . Rich Neville suggested that the best way is for the Commission to present the issue at the City Council study session with a comprehensive presentation utilizing use of flowcharts and graphs, delineation of tasks that need to be accomplished such as refinement on the funding. Rich also thought that "phasing in" the project and emphasizing Phase 1 & 2, and maybe plan long-term for Phase 3 (school district projects) would be a good idea. Another recommendation given by Rich Neville was to eliminate the Interlocal Agreement (with the Bremerton School District) at the presentation, but present it as a separate item at a later date. The whole idea would necessitate meetings by the Commission and members of the Ad Hoc Committee with Parks & Recreation Department staff in order to better prepare for a quality presentation. With this in mind, the group agreed to meet at Sheridan Park Community Center on Friday, July 7, 1995, at 1:00 p.m. 2. School District Agreement Commissioner Tinsley mentioned that this issue was already alluded to in the Roosevelt Field discussion with Rich Neville where Rich suggested not including this issue to the Roosevelt Field. Commissioner Tinsley asked the group what the Commission needs to accomplish at this point. The group agreed to have Roosevelt Field completed first and to tentatively schedule dealing with Interlocal Agreement issue in September. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Boardwalk Vendors Jim Spencer informed the Commission that Tony Thomas, vendor in the City of Bremerton, had tried to set-up a vending stand across the street from the Boardwalk. Mr. Thomas expressed his concern that the City has been giving him the "run-around" , directing him to various departments in his attempt to get the appropriate business license. At the Directors' Meeting, Mayor Horton gave directions to investigate the problem and develop an ordinance relating to this issue. A draft copy of the City Ordinance pertaining to Boardwalk Vendors was furnished by Paula Johnston, City of Bremerton Taxes & Licensing Office. Jim said that the staff had an opportunity to review the document and incorporated their comments in it. According to Jim, there are two major questions associated with the document: (1) Do the Commissioners recommend having vendors on the Boardwalk?; ( 2) If the answer is yes, do the Commissioners understand the burden of responsibility that the document implies as far as vendors on the Boardwalk? At this point, it was suggested that the group review the entire document thoroughly, modify it, and provide their individual insights. The Commissioners then read through the document and provided recommendations relative to the issue at hand. 2. N.A.D. Park - Proposed Baseball Page 2 • • Jim informed the Commissioners that the City has been approached on several occasions by a group that is interested in locating a minor league baseball franchise in this area. The group mentioned is an independent AA equivalent which has done a lot of marketing analysis and they are convinced that this project would work in this area. There will be a meeting on this issue tomorrow (June 28) to determine whether or not this will be feasible. Other than N.A.D. , the other possible sites the said group is looking at is Fairgrounds where there is already an existing baseball field and they can do an upgrade. Jim added that they might need about 10 acres including parking. VI. STAFF REPORTS 1. Director's Position Jim said he was asked by the Mayor whether or not he wants to be consider for the Parks & Recreation Director position. Jim informed the Commission that he opted to not be considered. According to Jim Meith, Human Resources Director, realistically finding a full-time person for the said position would not take place until September. Human Resources Division accepted applications, made preliminary screenings, and are preparing an "assessment center" prior to making an offer. The whole process may take up to about two months and in the meantime, Jim remains as the Interim Director. When asked what his plans are, Jim replied that his current plan includes returning to Public Works and Utilities Office. 2. Tree Program Report Recently the staff solicited support from the Bremerton Sun newspaper for them to print an article inviting people to attend a tutorial meeting at Evergreen Park relative to hazardous trees. Kevin McFarland, City of Bremerton Municipal Tree Coordinator, was scheduled to educate the public on this matter. Unfortunately, there were no participants to this meeting. Jim added that for sure the staff will hear about a tree on Warren Avenue once the tree is taken down next month. 3. IAC Grants To bring the Commissioners up to date on the grants presentation, Jim notified the Commission that Jodi and Jim went to Burlington, WA, on the 7th of June and met with a technical advisory committee. The whole process was an actual "dry run" of a scheduled presentation of both Evergreen and Blueberry Parks in August. Jim added that the meeting was a very positive experience; the committee "critiqued" the presentation and provided some really good suggestions that would make the presentation better. 4. Kitsap Lake Jim mentioned that there is a meeting going on tonight regarding Kitsap Lake. He had asked Chief of Police Paul DuFresne to attend that meeting which Jim thought might be quite volatile because there are some pretty strong emotions relative to a lot of issues involved and primarily the main issue remains the lack of patrol out there. The Chief is very sensitive to the need Page 3 • for a presence and he is trying to do everything he can to eliminate that problem. He set a trailer up there last weekend but still need to get the jet ski out there so they can do water patrol . 5. Pendergast Regional Park Jim informed the Commissioners that the opening ceremony for Pendergast Regional Park has been delayed from June 23rd to July 28th, predicated on the softball fields being ready. Jim invited everyone present to attend the opening ceremonies which is definitely scheduled for the 28th of July at 4: 30 p.m. Andy Pendergast's widow will be cutting the ribbon. Ron Corcoran, Chairman of the Pendergast Committee, was going to meet with KPS (Kitsap Physicians' Service) and solicit support for funding some of the projects lined up (i.e. additional sod to finish off the soccer fields and irrigation) . According to Jim, Rex Brown made funding available for the Hall of Fame Room and actually coordinated the carpeting. Mr. Brown also furnished the Umpire Room with shelving and tiled the floor. Tom Cressman, Parks Foreman, informed Jim that Parks staff had about 500 manhours spent to date out at Pendergast. Cyndy Holtz , Kitsap County Parks Director, will provide a check for $25, 000 for a big play equipment for the sand area. The staff is now putting together a bid specifications for the toy. Kevin McFarland also identified some locations for additional trees (species of historic trees) and there has been some discussion where to place a small arboritum; it has to be in an area within the swail without affecting the drainage. 6. Kitsap County Open Space Work Session Jodi informed the Commissioners about a letter from the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners inviting the Parks Commissioners and staff for a day-long workshop on Greenway Program to be held on Friday, July 21st, at the Long Lake Park Community Center. The purpose of said meeting is to bring together diverse groups for discussions about the future of open space and parks in the county and will focus on ways the groups can work together to accomplish mutual goals, rather than as separate special interests. VI. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Scott Krone expressed his concerns on the downslide hill on the westside of the soccer fields. He began discussing the issue with different people on fencing. He suggested putting the fence right behind the concrete gutter to keep the balls from going over the hill. He also, added that he really liked the park. Commissioner Carol Johnson mentioned that she stopped at the nursing home the other day and saw Pat Carey (former Parks Director/Commissioner (emeritus) , and she thought he looked pretty good. Commissioner Vaughn added some positive comments about the Pendergast Park such as the amount of outside people that will be coming to the park and how it would be a showcase for the City. He also asked for the status of his request for some park Page 4 111 • benches as opposed to tables and would like at some point know where they are situated in the park when they come in. Commissioner Tinsley complimented everybody on the hardwork and this is a nice gift to the City. She also added that it feels wonderful to be out at Pendergast Park having a meeting. VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 23, 1995 (M/S/C/U) (Vaughn/Sampson) to approve the minutes as submitted. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 18 p.m. Lena D'Agostino Jim Spencer Office Asst. II Interim Director Page 5