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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/1996 MEETING MINUTES City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES June 25, 1996 6:00 p.m. Sheridan Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Jason Bachand, Barry Cook, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler, Lionel Collins, Mary Sump, J. Michael Vaughn STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II AUDIENCE: R.K. Smith I. CALL TO ORDER: In the absence of Chairman Michael Vaughn, Commissioner Russ Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA: No change IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Harrison District Plan: Jodi Wroblewski recounted that at the last Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, Kay Wilson, Senior Planner with the City of Bremerton, presented the Harrison District Plan(draft) to the Commission for comments. The Commission stated that they needed time to study the proposal and then would make recommendations at the June meeting. According to Jodi, the proposal was taken to the Planning Commission on June 11, 1996. Issues such as zoning were addressed but as Kay Wilson said, the Harrison District Plan is just a concept at this stage. New development in the district may call for changes in zoning, exceptions to the Building Code, etc. Jodi further stated that the Department does not have major problems concerning the proposed plan. Jim Spencer added that he took exceptions to a several items in the plan. In particular it is important to protect the option of having the Department maintenance facility in close proximity with other department operations. Also, it is important to note that additional park property and services will call for additional resources which need to be factored into the planning. page 1 • At this point, the Commissioners reached a consensus to endorse the proposed plan with the Department exceptions noted. 2. Budget Time Lines: This topic was not discussed due to the absence of Chairman Vaughn. Jim said he had agreed to meet with Chairman Vaughn separately to discuss this issue. Jim mentioned that Commissioner Barry Cook had brought up to Jim's attention that a very significant item was inadvertently left off from the list, which was Commissioners Goals and Objectives. Jim recommended replacing Budget Time Lines with that. Jim said he feels that there is not a lot that can be done to affect what is happening in the current because all the budgets have been appropriated. Jim suggested that the Commissioners need to focus on the medium and long-range goals. A good example is a survey that is being developed by Commissioner Lionel Collins. Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II at the Senior Center, is also in the process of doing a survey that should provide interesting input regarding Senior Citizen needs. These surveys along with other input will enable the Department/Commission to really start looking at viable medium and long-range goals to accomplish as a group. Jim suggested that the Commissioners look beyond the near term, trusting him and Jodi to bring issues that need the Commissioners' attention, and really focus on the medium and long-range planning for recreation needs of the citizens of Bremerton. In line with this, Jodi added that the City's Comprehensive Plan will be amended again next year and she would like the Commission to be more involved in the development of levels of service (1.o.s.) for facilities and programs. Commissioner Cook said it sounds like everything (budget, etc.) is pretty much "cast in concrete" as Jim mentioned and he feels there is not a lot of decisions for this group to make. He enjoys listening to Jim and Jodi report on all the things happening in the Department but he doesn't feel as though the Commissioners are really a part of that yet. Medium and long- range planning is fine with him and he prefers to have things in front of him, see things on paper. If the Commission will do medium and long-range planning, he would like to know what the projects will be and how to accomplish them. Commissioner R. Johnson stated that he feels the Commission/Department needs to have some kind of a retreat to put together a strategic plan for the parks and recreation system. He suggested looking plans of other cities in the State. Jim mentioned Moses Lake as that Department has unbelievable facilities. Jodi also suggested the Commissioners talk with the staff to become familiar with their ongoing programs/projects. There are also a lot of materials that can be compiled and handed out to the Commissioners relative to this issue. V. NEW BUSINESS - Naming Park at the North End of Elizabeth: Jim stated that there is a policy for naming park and it is the function of the Parks & Recreation Commission. He recommended that the Commission form a committee to tackle this issue. The Committee's responsibility is to study and come up with recommended names and present these names to the Commission. It requires a majority vote from the Commission to approve a name and ultimately take the issue to the City Council for final approval. Jim further stated that it is important to him that whatever name the group come up with should be coordinated with Puget Power as a courtesy since they donated the property. Commissioners C. Johnson, Cook&McWhorter volunteered to be in the said Naming Committee. Commissioner C. Johnson said she will contact Councilmember Richard Neville for his input. page 2 • VI. STAFF REPORT 1. Equipment Bid Award: Jim reported the Department was able to get approval from the City Council on the purchase of some playground equipment in the amount of approximately $35,000 for 5 different parks (Smith Playfield, Evergreen Park, Lions Playfield, SR-3 Park and the Arvon site). Peggy Lesser, Risk Manager with the City of Bremerton, was able to provide this funding for the playground equipment repair from insurance premium savings. Currently, the Department Play equipment Safety Inspector, Steve Mutek, and staff is systematically going through all the parks repairing and replacing equipment as necessary. At this point, the Commissioners questioned why one of the parks was called SR-3 and the possibility of renaming it. Jim said this is up to the Commission and its Naming Committee should they wish to rename this park. 2. Arvon Update: Jim presented a rough drawing of the park and he also reported that this park had been recently cleared. Handicapped accessibility will be provided but it was found out that there is not enough room for a swing set as originally planned. A rock retaining wall is also being installed around the parking lot. One of the things that Jim had promised the neighbors was some fruit trees but after talking to staff, he discovered that this was not a good park practice due to the maintenance problems fruit trees create. Instead, we will be planting appropriate flowering trees. There are still a lot of work to be done such as asphalt, irrigation, etc. The toy equipment is designed for toddlers and is on order(it takes about 6 weeks delivery). Two picnic tables will soon be installed and benches will be provided. 3. Gold Mountain Update: City of Tacoma applied Class A biosolids at Gold Mountain Golf Course at no cost (equipment and labor). Jim reported that all the grass has been planted and the staff are now in the process of working off the punch list items (e.g. cleaning cart paths, re-seeding certain areas). He strongly encouraged the Commissioners to go to the golf course and look at this remarkable project. The engineering design on the maintenance building is going to the Planning Department for permit. Apex Engineering will do the survey work necessary for the cart storage facility. Commissioner Cook added that no doubt this course will be one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest. Not many courses will be able to keep up with it. Commissioner R. Johnson asked if the Department are planning to have free tournaments and get some good coverage. Jim stated that the idea for an opening weekend where people could play for free was discussed. 4. Tree Ordinance: This interesting process is finally completed and approved. The most important accomplishment regarding the tree ordinance was the development of a matrix that defines responsibilities for urban tree maintenance and planning within the City. 5. Skateboard Park: Due to the fact that the original site was deemed less than adequate by the City's Engineering Department, Jim reported that it was decided to use the basketball court and move the basketball court to the original skateboard site. This proved better for the basketball court as the site was a better size. Regarding the skateboard site, the fence is up and signs are being generated. Fabricating of equipment will start soon and it is projected that this project will be accomplished by the end of July. rage 3 • • 6. IAC Grant- Evergreen Park: Jim and Jodi presented the Evergreen Project to the IAC - Technical Advisory Committee in Olympia. This is a group of parks professionals whose main objective is to "critique"the presentation and make recommendations. The group had some constructive criticisms that Jim thought will really help during the actual presentation to IAC in August. The results will be out in September. 7. Tennis Courts Resurfacing: The two tennis courts at Manette (by the Senior Center) and three courts at Warren Avenue are scheduled to be resurfaced as soon as the weather permits. In addition to the resurfacing, a net fence will be installed around the Warren Avenue courts. A complete new rock wall is being installed as part of the 11th Avenue upgrade. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 28, 1996 Commissioner Cook moved and Commissioner Bachand seconded approval of May 28, 1996 minutes. Unanimous approval. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Jodi reported that Commissioner Lionel Collins apologized for being absent at the meeting. Jodi read a letter from him stating that fact and provided information on the survey he is currently working on. Commissioner C. Johnson provided Jodi with Pat Carey's new address. Pat Carey is a Parks& Recreation Commissioner Emeritus. He is now in a nursing home and doing well. Commissioner C. Johnson also stated that she thinks Mr. Carey would appreciate if the minutes of the meetings could be mailed to him. Lena D'Agostino informed Commissioner C. Johnson that she has been mailing Mr. Carey copies of minutes on a regular basis and will send his copies to his new address from now on. First of all, Commissioner McWhorter reported that the rose bushes at Evergreen Park are really looking good. Lately, he has been receiving phone calls from different people relative to park issues and programs (e.g. summer day camp, etc.) He also noticed that children have been using the Haddon site (northwest corner). Bremerton Pee Wee people advised him of the geographic constraints associated with their organization and corresponding lack of facilities. Jim added that the Department had been approached by the Bremerton School District on whether the Department wanted to take over the maintenance of fields at Frances Haddon Morgan. He suggested that if the Pee Wees are serious about wanting to take on a responsibility for maintenance of the ballfield, they should contact the School District regarding this field. Jim also commented that the Department tries to accommodate people on the use of Pendergast Regional Park ballfields. Jodi said Bremerton School District is going to move their administrative offices to that complex and they offered the Department the use of their gym and 2 fields. However, the Department declined the offer. The gym was in good shape but there is only one bathroom. Commissioner Bachand reported that he is again happily working with the children at Camp Scram(handicapped children's day camp). He also reported that he and other staff helped out at the Armin Jahr Playground Express site because the number of participants was overwhelming to the site staff Jim added that 311 lunches were served today at 4 playground sites. Commissioner Bachand also stated that Haddon needs to have grass and asked Jim status of the purchase of this site by the City. Jim answered that the City has the Right of First Refusal on it and the City still plans on purchasing this location and ultimately have it developed. page 4 • Commissioner R. Johnson reminded the Commission that they will be discussing input for long-range planning and naming parks at the next meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: i)O ' � ena D'A tino, OA II J' Spence , nterim Director page 5 ! ! Parks & Recreation Commission Mtg. June 25 , 1996 6-8 PM Name Address/Phone t 3707 _ o S- 1 . / 3 � /e ��e O 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .