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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/23/1996 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES July 23, 1996 6:00 p.m. Gold Mountain Golf Facility ATTENDANCE: Barry Cook, Carol Johnson, Charles McWhorter, Lionel Collins, Mary Sump ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler, J. Michael Vaughn, Jason Bachand, Russ Johnson STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director; Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director; Pat Westoff, Rec Programmer II; Becky Lorber, Rec Programmer II AUDIENCE: None 1. CALL TO ORDER In the absence of both the Chairman Michael Vaughn and Vice-Chairman Russ Johnson, Jim Spencer called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Becky Lorber passed out a Senior Center Survey to the Commissioners, encouraging them to complete it and return either that evening or by the next meeting in August. The survey is to help determine the future direction of both programs and facility needs for the center. Carol Johnson, Mary Sump, and Lionel Collins each took additional surveys to share with constituents. M. AGENDA No changes. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Naming of Park at the North End of Elizabeth: Councilman Rich Neville's district includes this new park and submitted a letter to Jim Spencer encouraging the park to be absorbed into the existing Roto Vista Park and thus carry the same name. He sited that Cen Corn is looking to vacate the property at the South end of Roto Vista which could provide the needed parking currently lacking for this area. With the addition of the new property from Puget Power, the two parcels could be linked with a trail creating an upper and lower Roto Vista Park. • • • The Park Commission Naming Committee (Carol, Barry and Charlie), have not met collectively, and did not have a recommendation at this time. Since urgency is not an issue, the topic was tabled until next meeting. Commissioner Johnson suggested that procedures for naming parks be reevaluated for clarity, applicability and procedure. Perhaps guidelines with associated costs be made available to citizens when they approach the department with suggested name changes to parks and facilities. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Youth Survey: Jim requested that Commissioner Collins report at the next Commissioner's meetings, the findings from the recently tallied survey conducted at area Middle and Jr. High Schools. VI. STAFF REPORT 1. Skateboard Park: The ramp was partially installed, awaiting welding, but was removed until completed, when it raised speculation by patrons about the design. It was decided not to place partial pieces on the foundation, but wait until they were complete. Opening of the park is anticipated for mid-August. The park shall have ramps, rails, and a fun box. Additional pieces will be added based on the availability funds. 2. Arvon Park: The fence is now up on three sides (the front gating will be added after all asphalt is complete and large equipment is no longer required), and will have privacy slats installed on the sides, per neighbor requests. The rock wall was redone with larger rocks to ensure a long-standing barrier. The land has been prepped for the play equipment and the department has slipped the opening date to the end of August. 3. Tennis Court Resurfacing: Next week(July 29-August 2), the resurfacing of three tennis courts at Warren Ave. and two at Manette parks, shall commence. Each site will have one court lined for both tennis and pickleball play. These improvements have been needed for some time. Warren has benefited from the recent street work on 11th with installation of a new rock wall behind the tennis courts. Additionally, new fence fabric will be installed at Warren. 4. DNR Urban Forestry Grant: The department has received a fourth and probably final $50,000 grant for urban forest enhancement. The specific projects that this funding is applied towards will be coordinated with DNR prior to accomplishment. 5. TREE CITY U.S.A.: Through the efforts of Jim Trainer, our department's urban forester, we have applied for the Tree City U.S.A. certification. This distinction recognizes our efforts to maintain urban forestry programs and planning into current operations and long-term forecasting. Some of the necessary requirements included a citizen tree committee and having a tree ordinance. The application was sent to DNR and then passed on to the State Urban Forester. Final approval is expected in January/February 1997. • • 6. Pendergast: The department just finished installing two new sand volleyball courts East of the concessions. This alleviated a "wet" area while providing another recreational opportunity at the site. Paul Reyes has formed a fall volleyball league to run in conjunction with Co-ed softball. Parametrix has once again come through for the department. They staked (and then re- staked after citizens graciously removed the first ones), fields 4, 5, and 6. This was necessary to determine field work required for reestablishing the toe on field 5. We are attempting to get these three fields to sub-grade and seed prior to fall/winter rains, to prevent possible erosion. 7. Downtown Plantings: Recently Swing City, a community interest organization, fundraised money to place 40 whiskey barrels with flowers/plantings, in the downtown area. The Parks Department has since been asked to absorb their maintenance/watering. Billy Iberra and Scotty Ferrido have taken on this responsibility in addition to their other work. While these improvements are enjoyed by all and look wonderful, it is important to realize that this department is reaching its saturation point in accepting additional work tasks. As park commissioners, you need to be aware of the continual demand on all park and recreation staff. During the last four years, the department has added the Boardwalk, Pendergast, Pat Carrey Vista, and now Arvon and Puget Power properties to our park inventory, yet only received one additional maintenance worker to help carry the increased load. The question was raised by Commissioner McWhorter about standards and formulas for determining level of service required for various tasks and park lands. He wondered if this information could help determine the breaking point of acceptable maintenance standards. Jodi stated that these standards are available. Action taken: Commissioner Cook recommended that a letter from the park commission be sent to Swing City thanking them for their initiative in city beautification. This was agreed upon by all and Jodi graciously agreed to draft the letter for signature at the next meeting. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 23, 1996 Commissioner Cook moved and Commissioner Collins seconded approval of June 23, 1996 minutes. Unanimous approval. VIII. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Sump reported that she was glad to see the progress on Arvon Park. Area residents are also pleased to see action on this project. She is interested in ways to ensure the continuation and improvement of the summer playground programs and requested a separate meeting with Jim to determine efforts required. Commissioner Collins thanked the senior center for tallying the youth survey and will be happy to share findings at the next meeting. • He inquired about the shelter reservation signs, in particular, on the July 13, when an altercation took place with police. The sign had been posted. Commissioner Collins wondered if the shelter should be on a first come, first served basis. This is not in keeping with current policy, and discussion was in favor of continuing the reservation practices. He also suggested that signs banning alcohol consumption in the parks be larger and include the monetary fine associated with this misdemeanor. Discussion ensued about signage for all park constraints, with the real issue being enforcement. Park staff is to inform the public when inappropriate actions are occurring, and if not corrected, then 911 is called, with police responding to deal with the infraction. Commissioners Cook and McWhorter had no report. Commissioner Carol Johnson inquired about extended concession hours on the nights when soccer games are taking place at Pendergast. The feasibility of opening the concession will be discussed with the Concession Manager. She noted that the Romtec was appreciated and welcomed by the soccer teams. She mentioned that dogs are defecating along the sidelines of the soccer fields and inquired about placement of sign(s) near the fields. Lastly she mentioned that during two recent tournaments, RV's were taking up to 5-6 parking spaces apiece. Is it possible to create temporary parking for these larger vehicles along the entrance area (parallel to the road)? IX. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Cook moved and Commissioner Sump seconded the meeting be adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Pat Westoff conducted a driving tour of the new Cascade Golf Course which concluded at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Becky Lorber, Rec. Prog. II fm Spence47Interim Director