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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/1995 MEETING MINUTES i • page 1 City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES (unapproved edition) Tuesday, January 24, 1995 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Recreation Center- Conference Room 680 Lebo Blvd. ATTENDANCE: Craig Smith, Mariwyn Tinsley, Michael Vaughn, Larry Sampson, Carol Johnson. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Larry Hall, Pat Carey. GUEST: Mayor Lynn Horton. STAFF: Pat Harris, Director of Parks & Recreation, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant H. AUDIENCE: None. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Craig Smith called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. H. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. III. AGENDA Commissioner Craig Smith requested switching the order: items #2 and #3 on the agenda(under IV. Old Business). M/S/C/U(Tinsley/Sampson) to approve the changes as requested. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN- SURVEY RESULTS Pat Harris distributed the final copies of Parks & Recreation Department Comprehensive Plan to all Commissioners. He reported that Public Opinion Chapter comprised of the tally of the intercept and telephone survey results was completed. He also indicated that the mapping is now included in the final document. Pat summarized the results of the surveys and suggested that the Commissioners read the Public Opinion section. He reviewed some of the general items/city-wide priorities that were reflected in the intercept telephone survey. High priorities page 2 include: preserving woodlands, sensitive areas, ecological/greenbelts; developing play areas and playgrounds; developing walking and bicycle trails; developing more picnic areas, covered shelters, additional restrooms, and public art in thep arks. There was also a high level of support for community/teen center. Low interests: People were not interested in adding additional swimming pools, developing additional fishing and boating facilities and any type of conference center. There was a very strong support for the Parks & Recreation Department's recreation programs and the majority of the respondents said they had a strong satisfaction with the above-mentioned programs. The Department's weaknesses showed up in terms of facilities (the actual buildings and parks). People thought these were average or less than average. Frequency of use: The surveys indicated that the Bremerton Boardwalk, Sheridan Recreation Center, Municipal Swimming Pool, Evergreen Park and Lions Field were most frequently used. However, there was a number of parks that people did not know about or did not use for any reason. There was limited support for parks bond ($30 per household). The survey showed in a general sense that people accurately reflect and perceive what they are seeing (i.e. very average/mediocre facilities in parks). They have some strong preferences that have not been necessarily part of our park system to a strong degree especially the high priority in the preservation of woodlands and sensitive areas as well as a high priority for walking/bicycle trails which Pat said he found very surprising. The consultant who did the statistical analysis confirmed that this happens everywhere such as Kitsap County and Kent's master plan, etc. The Bremerton Comprehensive Plan will now be sent to IAC to be evaluated for completion. Pat suggested that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) be looked at annually by the Parks & Recreation Commission to re-evaluate priorities and the recommendations that were passed to the City Council. Pat mentioned that on Page 97 of the Comprehensive Plan, one of the things the Department asked Tom Beckwith (consultant) to do was to break out where different kinds of facilities(whether sports fields or picnic shelters/tables) so that we can see what kind of distribution we have in the City. The maps showed patterns of availability and they indicate that we do not have equal distribution of facilities throughout the City. Pat also thanked everyone present for all their efforts and earlier participation back in the months of November and December, and if there are any questions about the document to please feel free to contact him or Jodi. 2. ROOSEVELT FIELD REPLACEMENT Commissioners Smith and Tinsley met with Mayor Horton and reviewed with her the Commission's last several years of work on regarding the Roosevelt Field Replacement Plan. According to Commissioner Tinsley, the purpose of the meeting was to see if the Commission and the Mayor could come to an agreement on what to present to the City Council. Commissioner Tinsley mentioned that in the discussion, it was clear to her that Mayor Horton has very specific goals such as: (1)to maximize current parks facilities and land; (2) to look for projects that would qualify for matching funds, and(3)to look at whatever we do to "think big" but to look at phase-in process. Mayor Horton's first suggestion was for the Commission to look at list of recommendations and prioritize that list into categories(Legion Field, Evergreen expansion, Manette Playfield, Warren Ave. Field). She asked the Commission to revisit Blueberry Park for possible inclusion in the Roosevelt Field Replacement Plan. The Mayor indicated that she felt schools were "uninviting" to people and • page 4 Department look at the feasibility for an RV Park between the golf course and Pendergast Regional Park, as well as looking at areas where there is a deficit in park lands. Overall, the City is doing a good job on the recreation side. The Mayor also mentioned that she is not interested in a participating in a metropolitan park district as far as the City joining forces with the County. While this may be feasible in the future, she does not anticipate the City participating in this effort at this time. The Mayor suggested that she and the Commission keep a closer connection and include her attendance on a quarterly agenda. The group then thanked Mayor Horton for coming to the meeting and welcomes the opportunity to meet with her on a quarterly basis per her suggestion. 3. BREMERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT- INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Pat invited the Commissioners to attend a meeting between the Bremerton School District and the Parks and Recreation Department at the school district headquarters this coming Thursday, January 26, at 3:00 p.m. He will be meeting with Walt Draper, Support Services Supervisor. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss actual use of fields, times and cost, in order to reach an agreement regarding Parks and Recreation Department's access to school district property. Walt has expressed reservations about agreeing to the Department having access to the gymnasiums and indoor facilities at this time. Walt wants to approach this issue in two steps to see how the agreement works for the fields first and then if successful, an agreement will be developed to access gymnasiums and classrooms next fall/winter. The Department should be able to incorporate into its programming the use of school district properties. Pat is very optimistic that a fairly detailed agreement will be worked out and he will be going to the City Council next month for review. The interlocal agreement addresses only sharing use of facilities and guaranteeing access to school district properties; it does not address capital improvements at this point. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. SENIOR CENTER- SUMS TRAVEL VAN According to Pat, Becky Lorber, Recreation Program Coordinator at the Bremerton Senior Center, has been working the$UM$ (a Senior Citizens group who supports the Sr. Center) in trying to work out an agreement with the City for the City to pay 50% towards the purchase of a van for the Senior Center. $UM$ has committed to funding the purchase of a van to be used for Senior trips and activities. Becky suggested that the Department might be able to use funds from the 112 Fund which the proceeds come from Gold Mountain Golf Course. Pat wrote to Don Clark, I.A.C. representative, to find out if the Department can use the fund in that way. I.A.C. originally funded Gold Mountain Golf Course and has placed stipulations regarding use of any net revenues from the Golf Course. Pat was informed that the 112 Funds cannot be done since the above- mentioned fund can only be used for capital improvement and not equipment. Pat will work with Becky to develop a separate funding strategy. 2. MASTER PLANNING- EVERGREEN PARK AND BLUEBERRY PARK In December, through the direction of the City Council and the Mayor, the year-end budget was approved to include the development of master plans for Evergreen Park and Blueberry Park. Pat and Jodi made an effort to contact several of the Commissioners to participate on the • • page 3 she could not see putting City funding in developing school property when Parks & Recreation facilities are not fully developed. She also added that in her role as a Mayor, this would be hard to justify to the City Council. She was appreciative of the work the Commission has done and asked the Commission to re-evaluate the recommendations and adding the Haddon site (Bremerton School District property that recently became available again on the real estate market) to it. She suggested scheduling a study session with the City Council. The Mayor's goal would be to get on with this and will be supportive if Parks & Recreation properties are maximized first. Commissioner Tinsley asked Pat about receiving grants and if this happens on a regular basis. Pat informed the Commission that there is very stiff competition for funding from the IAC (Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation). He indicated that we compete with other municipalities, counties, Indian tribes, parks districts, school districts, etc. from the entire state of Washington. It is the largest "pot" (in millions)in the state for parks and recreation development and acquisition and it is divided into different categories (i.e. certain funding for trail development, acquisition especially for waterfront parks, development or re-development of outdoor facilities). The IAC process includes scoring the applicants' presentations and information. Those projects who scored high receive funding. Pat also indicated that the City needs to realistically look at other sources of funding such as Real Estate Excise Fund. For the first time in a number of years, Mayor Horton has authorized funding from this fund for some specific Parks & Recreation Department projects. This year the Department is getting over$100,000.00 from that fund. The group then proceeded with general discussion relating to grants application process. At this point, Patinformed _ p t, the Commissioners that the City recently contracted a part-time grants writer, Megan Kalsen. Commissioner Michael Vaughn asked Pat if we would need to have matching funds for grants submitted for larger projects. According to Pat, most IAC funding for which the City qualifies requires at least a 50% match. Pat then enumerated on the various funding mechanisms indicated in the Comprehensive Plan(pages 121 & 122), which are more limited than the IAC Fund, namely: Department of Ecology Aquatics Land Enhancement Agency, Initiative 215 Boating Funds, General Fund, Excise Tax Fund, etc. Pat also mentioned that he has discussed with the Mayor that whether the City receives the grants or not, the Department will still need the funding for capital, improvement. At this point, Mayor Lynn Horton joined the group and continued on with the discussion of Roosevelt Field Replacement. Mayor Horton reiterated that it would be difficult for her as a Mayor to put fund projects for school property when the City's properties are crying for assistance and suggested that the Commission look at some other properties at the City before looking into the school district properties. She feels strongly that Parks & Recreation system has been neglected and it is time the City spend attention for those Park facilities. She wants to move in the direction of replacing Roosevelt Field and intends to use substantial amount of money from the Excise Tax Fund for park development and then proceed in going after I.A.C. funding. She added that she doubts if funding can be acquired for school district property. When Commissioner Tinsley asked Mayor Horton what the Mayor envisioned to happen in 5 years time, Mayor Horton mentioned she would like to see the following changes/improvements: a new entrance to Evergreen Park (traffic diversion on Park Avenue and include that as part of entrance to the park). The Mayor also suggested that the Commission and the • page 5 interview panel but were unsuccessful. However, Richard Neville and Del Knauss, as well as Pat and Jodi, participated on the panel. The panel interviewed four prospective consultants. There was an unanimous consensus that Seattle-based firm, Hough, Beck & Baird, be selected to do master planning for Evergreen Park. In the discussion, it was suggested that John Forrest Barker be asked to do the master plan for Blueberry Park. John Forrest Barker had a very innovative approach to community involvement. One of his techniques is to get school children involved in the master planning process. It was suggested that he work with students from Armin Jahr School in this planning process. In the master planning process for Evergreen Park, Hough, Beck& Baird will address a number of issues such as stabilisation of the shoreline, redevelopment or development of the former public works site across the street, and development around the cove. Pat explained the master planning process to the Commissioners which basically allows the public to provide input as to what they would like to see on these properties. The consultants then take that information, develop at least several conceptual plans, review the concepts with the public and have more discussion, and then finally come to the Parks & Recreation Commission and the City Council for input and approval. Pat invited everyone to attend the first neighborhood meeting for Evergreen Park which will be held on Monday, February 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Smith School. It will be a good opportunity to learn what the consultant is doing and hear from the public. There will be a series of meetings (neighborhood meetings; a meeting each with the Parks & Recreation Commission; and another meeting with the City Council). During the first neighborhood meeting, the Commissioners will be involved in the process and at the end the consultants will develop a final master plan that will include construction costs. At that point, the Department will apply for a grant worth $250,000 - $300,000 based on the construction values. The Department intends to apply for funding this year in step with the IAC schedule which begins March 1st. 3. REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX- 1995 PROJECTS Pat mentioned that the Department received some funding for Forest Ridge Park in the amount of$33,800.00 to add some amenities (repair restrooms, add playground structures and lights). Pat met with neighbors in the area and they were concerned about security and safety of that park. The Department is attempting to make it a safer park (i.e. enhance the lighting). The other funding the Department received was for master planning Blueberry Park which will cost about $11,900.00, and $20,000.00 for Evergreen Park. Both master plans will be coming out of Real Estate Excise Tax Fund. Pat said the Mayor is supportive of the Department and it is encouraging for him to see some additional funding going in the Department's direction. He will be persistent again this year in order for the Department to get projects ()tithe ground. Pat also informed the group that the Department's budget for 1995 was $1.4 million, a little over 6 to 7% of the City Budget. This is low considering other municipalities tend to fund their Parks and Recreation Departments 9 to 11% of their city's budget. Commissioner Tinsley commented on the concept of opening Forest Ridge Park. She suggested showcasing the parks more and do things to get more community involvement such as • • page 6 putting in more picnic tables, etc. Pat informed the group that last year (1994), 10 to 15 new picnic tables were distributed/installed at various City parks. Tom Cressman, Parks Foreman,just recently purchased $5,000.00 worth of new tables and the Department is adding picnic tables at Forest Ridge Park as well as other sites. Commissioner Tinsley asked Pat regarding the donation process one has to go through if a person wish to make a donation to the parks. Pat said he is working with the City Treasurer in establishing a donation fund within the Department's budget and the donation can be drawn as the need arises. Currently, when the Department receives a cash donation, the money goes to the General Fund and Pat has to go back to the City Council and request that the donation be given to the Parks and Recreation Department. This situation is a real source of frustration for the Department and makes it very difficult to receive donations. This has been discussed with the Mayor and she is in support of it. IV. STAFF REPORTS Pat distributed flyers and invited everyone to attend Parks & Recreation Department's first concert(jazz)featuring a Latin group called "Sonando" to be held at the Community Theater on Saturday, January 28. The Department received funding of$250.00 from the West Sound Arts Council to contribute for advertising. Jodi reported that the Kitsap County Recreation Coordinating Council has been discussing Kitsap County's interest in developing a metropolitan park district in Kitsap County in order to support recreation services through out the county. Currently the legislation regarding metropolitan park districts prohibit counties from forming this type of organization. Members from KCRCC suggest that the County just form and support a recreation component as part of the County government such as Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties. The KCRCC is continuing discussions regarding this issue. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Vaughn commented that he would like to see rehabilitation work done on Sheridan Recreation Center. Pat agreed that there are a lot of major renovation needs to be done to the Recreation Center and he enumerated some of the things in the building that needed repair. He further indicated that this issue has been brought up to the City Council and renovating the building is not one of the City's higher priority. Jodi added that last year the Department used volunteers to do general clean-up and painting of some of the rooms in the building. She suggested that renovation to this building might be part of a bond issue since there doesn't seem to be sufficient funding to accomplish renovation currently. Commissioner Tinsley commented that by meeting with the Mayor, the Commission is at least moving forward regarding the Roosevelt Field Replacement Plan. She also added that she would be happy to chair the subcommittee. Commissioner Sampson said he was pleased to hear the Mayor's commitment and suggested that the Commission have a meeting in the summer at Forest Ridge Park or other City parks, and notify the neighbors about the meeting. He also suggested adding another category (sort 0 ! page 7 of an update) for the next agenda under New Business. Additionally, Commissioner Sampson commented that he feels that the Mayor is really committed and the Commission is heading to the right direction. Commissioner Johnson announced the upcoming Comedy Night for Pendergast Park, sponsored by the Pendergast Committee and Bremerton Athletic Roundtable. The event will be held on Thursday, January 16, at the Cloverleaf Restaurant. The fee of S 15/ticket include an Italian buffet and a silent auction. Jodi distributed copies of questionnaires from the Friends of Open Space for all the Commissioners to read and fill out. VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 15, 1994 M/S/CTU (Vaughn/Tinsley) to approve the minutes as presented. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Lena D'Agostino Pat Harris, Director Office Assistant II Parks & Recreation