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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/1999 MEETING MINUTESCity of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES Tuesday, February 23, 1999 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center ATTENDANCE: Susan Bell, Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Nick Garguile Sr., Douglas Groneman, Carol Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler, Russ Johnson. AUDIENCE: None. STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None 111. AGENDA: No change IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. New Community Recreation Center Interim Director Jim Spencer mentioned that we have specific issues relative to the site of the new community center. We've looked at our current building location as one of the possible sites and are interested in keeping the gymnasium because of historical implications, but need to ensure that this approach is cost-effective. We think we can build around it, and work the aquatic portion into the mix. Other sites being looked at include the old treatment site adjacent to Lions Field #2, and somewhere down by Evergreen Park. There is also the question on what do we do with the current Aquatics Center? Our first option is to provide the YMCA the opportunity to purchase that building. Jim had a meeting with Glen Godfrey, YMCA Director, and advised him of our intent to pursue a bond levy to construct a new community center, and the City City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, February 23, 1999 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center ATTENDANCE: Susan Bell, Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Nick Garguile Sr., Douglas Groneman, Carol Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler, Russ Johnson. AUDIENCE: None. STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA: No change IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. New Community Recreation Center Interim Director Jim Spencer mentioned that we have specific issues relative to the site of the new community center. We've looked at our current building location as one of the possible sites and are interested in keeping the gymnasium because of historical implications, but need to ensure that this approach is cost-effective. We think we can build around it, and work the aquatic portion into the mix. Other sites being looked at include the old treatment site adjacent to Lions Field #2, and somewhere down by Evergreen Park. There is also the question on what do we do with the current Aquatics Center? Our first option is to provide the YMCA the opportunity to purchase that building. Jim had a meeting with Glen Godfrey, YMCA Director, and advised him of our intent to pursue a bond levy to construct a new community center, and the City 1 Page cannot afford to operate two aquatic facilities. Glen will meet with his Board of Directors to discuss the subject. Commissioner Nick Garguile Sr. asked if there is any possibility of acquiring additional funding from the County since at least 25% of users will be from the County? Jim istated it won't be easy but not unprecedented using Pendergast as the example. Assistant Director Jodi Wroblewski added that the County is looking at a whole series of facilities from a minor league stadium to an ice skating rink, but they're probably considering a county -wide bond levy. Commissioner Garguile commented on Evergreen Park as another location being suggested since it is close to downtown. Jim said that's a terrific idea. However, the agreed order will prevent us from building on the property that is being remediated so we would have to look at some other surrounding property. Jim had mentioned a piece of property at the end of Smith Cove (south), which ties into the Evergreen Park idea. Chevron owns the property and has already done some partial remediation. Relative to the old Rhino Club/Park Place building, Jim mentioned we were asked to respond regarding our interest in this property. We are looking at that building for potential use of the first floor as a recreation facility. From Jim's standpoint, this could be a potential teen center. We will have our Recreation Coordinators looking at it to provide suggestions. Commissioner Doug Groneman asked if we have enough property to build around the Sheridan Park location? Jim said he thought so, especially with the property across the street. Jim agreed that ADA issues would have to be resolved. Commissioner Groneman also inquired if we can get a dollar figure for the bond, to which Jim said we can develop that information available based on what we know as far as square footage, etc. Jim further added that he would like to quantify the cost and then tackle the issue. Becky Lorber suggested a discussion relative to square footage, etc., at next week's bond levy meeting. Regarding bond levy meetings, Jim stated he would like to leave the meeting time & day the same if it works for everyone. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2nd, at 5:30 p.m. The group then entered into a discussion relative to bond levy/community center issues. 2. Evergreen Update The bid opening of Evergreen Phase I Renovation will be tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. There seemed to be a lot of interests, and hopefully, we'll have a lot of bidders. We've started work on the rose garden with the help of volunteers (master gardeners, etc.). We will relocate it out towards Park Avenue. We've excavated the site and also have put down some Tagro. Jim stated that we are updating our grant application to try for a higher percentage of match from Department of Ecology. On the other side of the ledger, the official results of our grant application back in November came back from ALEA, and we were not successful. 2 Page 3. SR3 Encroachment Issue Jim spoke with Gene Sampley, Director of Public Works & Utilities Department, relative to the cost associated with the property at 17' & Ironsides. He will provide the information at a later date. Also, we haven't given up on the old treatment site adjacent to Lions Field. 4. Kitsap Lake Water Level Department of Fish & Wildlife has contacted the Department of Ecology, and gotten them involved in the issue. We will meet with them (Ecology) next month and get their view relative to the water level issue. 5. Haddon Naming Assistant Director Jodi Wroblewski provided the Commissioners each a copy of the information received from the Kitsap Museum relative to Mrs. Lulu Haddon and her significant contributions to the community during her life. We will put up the sign at Haddon Park in her honor on May 1st, Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. V. NEW BUSINESS -Cascade Natural Gas Easement Per Jim, Cascade Natural Gas requested an easement across our property down by the boardwalk similar to the one recently given to Puget Sound Energy. Again, this is not a Parks Protection issue, and no action is needed from the Commissioners but was provided for their information. We will go to City Council to approve this easement. VI. STAFF REPORT Concessions: We are scheduled to go to City Council for a budget adjustment and approval of professional service agreement with Ryen's/Cloverleaf next Wednesday. The agreement calls for us to receive $2,000 up -front and 5% of the gross for anything over $30,000. The goal is to step back from the concession business for at least a year and let Cloverleaf give it a try. Commissioner Groneman asked if alcohol will be served at the concession stands to increase profit, since Cloverleaf Tavern is a bar. Jim said no. Blues Festival Beer Garden: The staff met with a representative from Kitsap County Parks &Recreation to gather information relative to liability and other issues associated with running a beer garden. Another meeting was also scheduled with someone from Metroparks in Tacoma tomorrow on the same subject. Golden Ball Tournament: Jim announced tonight's basketball tournament will be held at Bremerton High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday night's finals will be held beginning at 7:15 p.m. at Olympic College. 3 Page Kitsap Lake Weeds: Meeting on this subject was held last Thursday. We're making progress with the manual. We have recruited the assistance of Dana Zlateff, a graduate student at WSU (Lake Management degree) who is helping us with the technical data. Our ultimate aim is to figure out if we have weed problem and how do we solve it. Commissioner Lonnie Dawson asked if this would mean additional cost for the Parks Department, to which Jim replied yes, but we're looking into applying for grant funding. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — January 26, 1999 MIS/C/U (Garguile/Dawson) to approve the January 26th minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS &QUESTIONS Commissioner Dawson shared information on an event sponsored by the Campfire Boys & Girls called "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day", where one is encouraged to write something good about a child. He passed around paperwork relative to this event. Regarding the bond levy for the new community center, Commissioiner Dawson said he would like to get really involved on this project. Commissioners Groneman and Bell both stated they had nothing to say at this time. Commissioner Garguile inquired about the status of the deal with Pat O'Day relative to using Lions Dock for loading Eastpark housing units onto barges for transport to City of Portland. Jim said the last he heard the deal was off. Apparently, the City of Portland is debating whether or not they really want that housing. Commissioner Carol Johnson commented she thinks that the old treatment site has a nice view opportunity. It can be cleared out, and it's much nicer than she remembered. Regarding Haddon Park, she was pleased by the amount of use that the park is receiving. Commissioner Charles McWhorter asked if we're forgetting about including the Senior Center component into the new community center, to which Jim said we're not. Jim was approached by seniors on this subject at a recent Pie Social at the Center. It seems logical to think that once we've got our new community center in place, the existing Senior Center can become an ideal facility for our preschool programs due to its close proximity to a playground and playfield. Becky added that the seniors realize they've outgrown their space at the Center, and they know that they have to be adaptable. Chairman Barry Cook mentioned he had talked to a number of people regarding the community center issue. Most people think we will be the same as the YMCA. We've got to stress the fact that it's a community center, and there's more to a community center than basketball. Maybe we should show people some slides, videos or photos, to make them aware that there'll be other components included such as art rooms, etc., and not just a place to play basketball. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. 4 Page