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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/28/1995 MEETING MINUTES • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES (unapproved edition) Tuesday, March 28, 1995 5:30 p.m. Conference Room Sheridan Recreation Center, 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Craig Smith, Mariwyn Tinsley, J. Michael Vaughn, Larry Hall. ABSENT & Excused: Carol Johnson, Larry Sampson, Scott Krone. STAFF: Pat Harris, Director of Parks & Recreation, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Kathy Van Pelt, Municipal Tree Program Coord, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II. AUDIENCE: R. K. Smith I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Craig Smith called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. H. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. III. AGENDA 1. Addition/Revision - None 2. Approval as submitted M/S/C/U (Tinsley/Hall) to approve the agenda as submitted. IV. OLD BUSINESS - PRESENTATION: ROOSEVELT FIELD REPLACEMENT Commissioner Mariwyn Tinsley stated that part of the purpose of the presentation to the City Council on April 3rd is to create a bit of history (chronology of the Roosevelt Field issue from 1989 to 1995; see attached copy) with the new members of the City Council. She summarized Resolution 1131 (against diversion to non-recreational purposes for parks) and how the organization, "Friends of the Parks", started work on the parks protection ordinance because of their concern at losing parks property. In June 1991, Olympic College Trustees voted to go ahead with condemnation proceedings which went to a condemnation hearing wherein a judge ruled in favor of the college (that it could be sold or exchanged). Then came the Real Estate Exchange Agreement which then developed Ordinance 4320 (Roosevelt Capital Assets Fund) pertaining to revenue derived from the (Bremerton Lumber site) property. That ordinance specifies that City Council will consult with the Parks & Recreation Commission prior to commitment of funds. The expenditure shall be limited to parks capital improvements that address the community's parks, recreational and open space needs. Community open space needs served Page 1 • by Roosevelt Field replacement shall have the first priority in the funds expended . Commissioner Tinsley reviewed the sequence the Commission went through in determining on how to put a plan together to replace Roosevelt Field. The Parks & Recreation Commission agreed upon a criteria for replacement which went to the City Council in March 1991. The said criteria indicated that the replacement of Roosevelt Field - needs to enhance the downtown open space - needs to look at replacing playfields in core area of Bremerton, and also - called for no loss of play. At the time that Roosevelt Field was in operation, there were approximately 30,000 people in attendance during the course of the time and this brought about a revenue of$42,700 a year in fees. Commissioner Tinsley continued that as the Parks & Recreation Commission began to develop the plan for replacement, various things were considered and accomplished: reviewed current parks property; assessed the property within the city limits to determine if there is anything to purchase, developed recommendations; held public hearings and made recommendations based upon these hearings; reviewed the plan with the Mayor and City Treasurer; and finally made adjustments to the plan. At this time the Commission is ready discuss the plan with the City Council. It was the Parks Commission's recommendations to replace Roosevelt Field according to the criteria and these recommendations are included in the suggested plan (see page 3 of attached Roosevelt Field Chronology report) . She also mentioned that Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, submitted a report outlining financing alternatives and suggested three ways to fund this project (see attached copy of Rich Hanna's memo to Pat Harris, dated 3/31/95). The Commission proceeded with a general discussion relating to the presentation and funding alternatives per Rich Hanna's recommendations. Commissioner Michael Vaughn suggested including newspaper articles (specifically an editorial article from The Bremerton Sun) relating to the level of support from the community in addition to all the correspondence on this project. He volunteered to contact the newspaper. Commissioner Larry Hall suggested providing the City Council with better maps. Jodi stated that she will check newspaper clippings and prepare colored maps for the presentation with the City Council which will be held on Monday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. SELECTION OF TREE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Kathy Van Pelt, Municipal Tree Program Coordinator, reviewed the work she has done including tree ordinance and the mechanics of the "Tree Committee", proposed subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Kathy explained that the urban forestry grant from the Department of Natural Resources called for community involvement. She indicated that she had delayed addressing this issue because she had to adjust the current tree ordinance. This has been accomplished and has been reviewed by all relevant City departments. She indicated that the ordinance was important because the City is not in a position to hire an Urban Forester. But, in order to make this Urban Forestry a continuing program, there is a need to have enough community interest ongoing that can stimulate attention to those issues related to trees. She said the committee will consist of people who can meet three or four times a year to review policies and procedural activities of the city departments and provide recommendations would be most beneficial to the city's urban forest Page 2 • • program. Kathy suggested, with Commissioners' permission, that the Tree Committee become a subcommittee of the Parks & Recreation Commission. She also suggested that one or two members of the Park & Recreation Commission serve on the Tree Committee. She also recommended that the Tree Committee work with the other departments within the city. Kathy indicated that the Department's Maintenance Division would provide professional resources as well as other resources in the community. Kathy reported that she was leaving to take another job but that the Department had hired Kevin McFarland to take over herosition. She indicated that Kevin had suggested that gge ted t at representatives from different city departments be members of the Tree Committee. Kathy said she would like to see that members of the Tree Committee feel they are welcome as advisors to the Parks & Recreation Commission on urban forestry issues. At present, there are four applicants; three of which have background on trees. She felt it is also a good idea to solicit private organizations such as garden clubs, nurseries, and even students from Natural Resource Program at the Skills Center. Kathy requested that the Commission approve the four members that she submitted. She further requested that a Commissioner volunteer to become a member of the subcommittee. She will arrange for the subcommittee to meet fairly soon to review the ordinance and policy before presenting the ordinance to Council. Pat Harris added that it will be the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department to develop agendas for the Tree Committee and will bring the discussions to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Vaughn requested a motion from the Commissioners to accept all the applicants for the Tree Committee. M/S/C/U (Vaughn/Hall) to accept the four applicants for said committee. Motion carried unanimously. Pat reported that Kathy has been working diligently on going through every park to categorize which trees needed to be removed because the tree is either deceased or dangerous. Currently, at EastPark, Evergreen Park and Warren Avenue Playfield, she identified a total of 25 trees and stumps that need to be removed. Replacement trees will be planted in the park system. The public was made aware of this by posting signs. When asked by Commissioner Vaughn if she would welcome a newspaper article about removal of park trees, Kathy said she wants people to be aware of what is being done. She indicated that the Department will be issuing newsreleases regarding the removal of the trees prior to their removal. Commissioner Smith asked the Commissioners present if there is anyone from the Park Commission at this point who would want to volunteer in becoming a member of the subcommittee. Commissioner Tinsley said that if there was no volunteer from the Park Commission, she will be more than happy to volunteer herself. 2. KITSAP LAKE REPORT Pat mentioned that the report outlined what kind of vegetation growth presently exists in Kitsap Lake and that it can be invasive. The report also suggests potential ways in dealing with it (see page 8 of report), i.e. mechanical cutting, excavation of plant material, etc. Any one of these methods have some limitations, however, if the Commissioners wanted the Page 3 department to pursue this, a funding source would need to be sought. He indicated that there may be some grant opportunities. There was not exactly a cost associated with said methods and it is possible to come up with figures during the peak season (in July), i.e. appraise mechanical harvesting, how many square feet would be impacted. At this point, the group entered into a general discussion relating to ways of pursuing this issue. Commissioner Hall indicated that the Department needed to address this issue as soon as possible. Commissioner Hall suggested installing a fee box at the launch site and establishing a boat launch fee. This fee could be used to pay for police patrol for Kitsap Lake. Pat further reported that at the last Kitsap Lake Neighborhood meeting, the group talked about installing a boat wash in order to stop spreading of the weeds to other lakes. There was a very favorable response on the part of the boaters. Pat indicated that this was a good idea and that he would work with the Maintenance Division to install a wash-off area. 3. REVENUE SOURCES - PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Relevant to a discussion regarding other revenue sources for the Department, Jodi presented a chart enumerating the department's actual and projected revenues and budget. She demonstrated that currently % of the Department's operating budget is supported by the general fund. She demonstrated that in order to become self-sufficient, the Department would have to charge fees that would be too costly for the public. Pat informed the Commissioners that the department currently charges fees for classes and building/facility use, and is always looking for means to add an increase to its revenue. The Commissioners suggested some other revenue generating opportunities such as: concession activities at Kitsap Lake such as windsurfing and canoeing, boat launch fee at Evergreen Park Lions Park and Kitsap Lake, develop an RV park, develop a par 3 golf course at Pendergast Regional Park. Pat said he felt that adding fees is not necessarily the best option and the department will not recoup sufficiently funding to support its programs. The Commission discussed that there needs to be other ways to bring additional revenue into the Department without the jeopardizing the support from the General Fund. Pat Harris suggested that the Commissioners work with the City Council to commit a funding source for parks and recreation maintenance and operations. He suggested that the Commissioners ask the City Council to allocate a per centage of funding from sources like the current motel/hotel tax otherwise known as Fund 104. This fund is currently distributed to a variety of community groups. He also told the Commission that they should try to get a committment from the City Council regarding the use of revenue from the Golf Course's new 18. Pat indicated that there might be a movement to use Golf Course revenue for General fund activites not necessarily related to parks and recreation. Pat added that he would like to see the City Council and the Mayor set aside a percentage for long-term funding insuring that the department has a stable source of funds. At this point, the group entered into a discussion relating to this issue. Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department staff will develop a plan addressing financial needs of the department. VI. STAFF REPORTS - None Page 4 • s VII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Tinsley asked about the status of the 18-hole golf course at Gold Mountain Golf Course. Pat reported that there will be a pre-construction meeting this Friday and he anticipates starting construction at end of April. Commissioner Smith asked Pat if Kitsap YMCA pays for their use of the park and swimming pool. Pat told the Commission that the YMCA paid a lease, and further more, they paid a negotiated rate for the use of the swimming pool. VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 28, 1995 M/S/C/U (Tinsley/Hall) to approve the minutes as submitted. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lena D'Agostino, OA II Jodi Wroblewski, Acting Director Page 5