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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/1999 MEETING MINUTESCity of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, March 23, 1999 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Susan Bell, Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Douglas Groneman, Russ Johnson. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Nick Garguile Sr., Carol Johnson, Charles McWhorter. AUDIENCE: None. GUEST: Dr. John Stanley STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Lena )'A gostino Office Asst. II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 5:35 II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA: Interim Director Jim Spencer proposed to move New Business in front of Old Business to accommodate a presentation by Dr. John Stanley. The rest of the agenda remained the same. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. New Community Recreation Center On March 13", Saturday, three staff and four members of the Parks Commission went on a tour of four different community recreation facilities: Norpoint, Issaquah, Tukwila, and the Kent Senior Center. Jim commented that he liked some of the features at all of the facilities mentioned, but he thought the Tukwila facility had the most desirable features. Jim added that he now has concerns relative to location and parking. We will need about 3 acres for parking alone. 1 Page Jim also mentioned that we've approached former Mayor Glenn Jarstad, to chair the Bond Levy Committee. Glen is more than willing to share with us his ideas and experience in this regard. We're scheduled to meet with him this Thursday. Relative to the existing aquatics center building and providing the YMCA the opportunity to purchase the building, Jim said we have received word that the YMCA is not interested. Chairman Barry Cook commented that every facility they toured were all busy and being used by a wide range of patrons. Location is a big issue for us right now, and we need to do more research. Commissioner Susan Bell inquired if those facilities were all funded by public funds, to which Jim replied they're all funded differently depending on the facility. At this point, Jim & Chairman Cook provided feedbacks of the tour and comments they have received from the people who work in those facilities. Discussions also centered around various proposed sites for our community center, e.g., downtown area as per Commissioner Russ Johnson's suggestion, etc. 2. Evergreen Update The contract has been approved and we will start work on this project in mid. April with an expected completion of mid -August. Remediation of Phase II will be done after execution of the Agreed Order. It is necessary for us to close the entire park during this timeframe due to concerns regarding liability. Commissioner Wanda Butler inquired if the park will be ready for use just in time for the summer concerts. Jim replied no, and we're looking for a different location to hold the concerts. Commissioner Bell mentioned that a lot of people were not happy with the Eastpark location because of the slope. Commissioner Butler commented that Haddon Park might be a good location. Commissioner Bell said there is not enough parking. 3. Kitsap Lake Weeds/VVater Level Jim finally contacted someone from King County, who will provide us with a copy of a weed management plan for us to use as a guide. Relative to lake level, we've been trying to schedule a meeting with someone from Department of Ecology. The last meeting that was scheduled got cancelled. Chairman Cook inquired if the aquatic weed management plan will defines the extent of the weed problem, to which Jim said yes. The actual study itself was partly completed. V. NEW BUSINESS -Chamber of Commerce Support — Dr. John Stanley Dr. John Stanley provided the Commissioners each a copy of the proposal from the Chamber of Commerce relative to a joint project between the Parks Department and private individuals who are interested in beautifying of our city parks and making them more useable, specifically Forest Ridge, Stephenson Canyon, and N.A.D. Park. Dr. Stanley added that the military and the Boy Scouts want to get involved in this project, and he added that this group of volunteers had assumed that the Parks and 2 Page Recreation Department does not have the resources to do these types of improvements to City parks. This is a really good opportunity for them to maybe add trails and plant more trees. Regarding Forest Ridge Park, Jim advised Dr. Stanley that we have a lease agreement with the Boy Scouts and part of that agreement is they will help us maintain the park. Jim said he welcomes every opportunity to improve the City of Bremerton's Parks. However, we have to make improvements that will withstand the test of time in terms of maintenance. We've just added Haddon Park on to our maintenance list, and we do not wish to set the Parks and Recreation Department up for additional criticisms for inability to provide required maintenance on high visibility locations similar to Lions Field, Pendergast, etc. Dr. Stanley said there is no guarantee that these volunteers will come back to help with required maintenance. Commissioner Lonnie Dawson stated Jim Trainer, Urban Forester, is always interested in planting additional trees. He further added that he (Dawson) understands where Jim is coming from. Not too long ago, Commissioner Dawson and his group planted some trees that only lasted a year because they (his group) did not follow through on the maintenance (watering). Commissioner Russ Johnson commented that if we open up these trails, we'll potentially be opening up more problems. Dr. Stanley disagreed and said he has more faith in our citizens. Commissioner R. Johnson added that we appreciate the enthusiasm, and suggested that we should take on a place with Masterplan and work on it such as Blueberry Park, Dr. Stanley said they're willing to talk with Jim about anything except Blueberry Park. He said he feels that we should give priority to improving the other areas he mentioned earlier. Commissioner Butler inquired how about East Park nature trail? She went walking up there yesterday and it's quite beautiful out there. Dr. Stanley stated he is trying to get a trail through there and he finds it rather difficult to hike. The most vital thing is planting trees, and he would like to talk to the Mayor about it. Jim said he spoke with the Mayor, and she is supportive. Jim said he'll personally volunteer to be on the Committee, and will look at the recommendations. He suggested that Dr. Stanley contact him so they could schedule a meeting, and Jim will then notify the Parks Commissioners of the meeting date and time to see if there is any interest in them participating also. VI. STAFF REPORT Kitsap Rifle &Revolver Club: Jim read a letter from the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club (KRCC) that was sent to the Mayor and copied to the City Council. The letter alleges that Jim's real agenda was to close the facility. A couple of City Council members have responded to this group on this issue. Jim 's stated that his position on this matter has not changed relative to safety of the range. Park Place Building: The staff got together to discuss the potential of the building located on the corner of Park and Burwell. The place would be best suited for a teen center. However, like all satellite locations, there'll be issues to deal with such as additional costs, hours of operations, etc., in addition to parking concerns. 3 Page Irrigation System at Cascade Course: A professional service agreement with Beck & Associates is being drafted to develop an irrigation system plan for the Cascade Course at Gold Mountain. This plan will include the specification for a new pump house. Senior Center Addition: Jim encouraged everyone to check out the progress made on the new addition. Almost all the wiring is done. We're looking at a June 4th dedication. Volunteer Recognition Day: This event will be held on April 13th7 Tuesday, at the Senior Center. Invitations will be sent out soon. Jim hopes that all the Commissioners are able to attend. Meeting with the County: Jim attended a meeting with different Parks Directors within the County. Chris Gears from the County advised us that unless we get in the County's comprehensive plan, by State law, we are not eligible for County impact fees. Jim stated it was particularly important that Pendergast lights and Evergreen Remediation/Phase II be included. Facilities Meeting: Kitsap County Facilities Committee, a Kitsap County Parks Department citizens advisory committee, is holding meetings twice a month to discuss and evaluate recreation facility needs in the county. So far they have had presentations from representatives from indoor soccer, minor league baseball, ice skating, and performing arts groups. Jodi has been attending these meetings. Haddon Update: Per Jim, we've reminded the contractor (Ace Paving) on the grand opening date scheduled for May I Jim does not think we'll have the grass quite as nice for this event as we would like, but it should still be a nice event. 4 Page VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 23, 1999 M/S/C/U (W.Butler/R.Johnson) to approve the February 23rd minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS &QUESTIONS Commissioner Doug Groneman inquired if we have any more spaces left for the Pea Patch, and are we planning on expanding Blueberry Park? Jodi advised him that we haven't done expansion due to not having irrigation coverage. As far as availability of spaces for the pea patch, Jodi informed Commissioner Groneman that all 33 spaces have been filled at this time. Interested participants can request to have their names included for the yearly drawing, which is held every February. Regarding the Star of the Sea project to plant flowers at Kiwanis Field, Jodi advised Commissioner Groneman to speak with Tom Cressman, Parks Foreman, on this matter. Commissioner Groneman also asked if we did anything about the Chevron property, to which Jim replied we looked but backed off because of size. Jodi added that we cannot build on 13the and Sheldon since it's not our property. Commissioner Bell stated that she is not thrilled about holding the summer concerts at Eastpark, and she is aware that a lot of people felt the same way. She is worried about losing patronage due to location. Commissioner Bell also commented about the park rules. Shouldn't owners put leashes on their pets and clean after them as well? How enforceable are these laws? Jim said "painfully", and we get to that point we call the police if we need to. If it is during the day, anyone can notify our maintenance crew for assistance. Commissioner Bell mentioned that she had noticed Evergreen Park is poorly drained and looked like a duck pond right now. Jim said we sort created that situation when we did the demolition in preparation for Phase I. Phase I construction will rectify the problem. \ Commissioner Bell also complimented Jim on his presentation at the City Council last week regarding the Phase I bid award. She thought it was well -received. And lastly, she mentioned that she had seen a television coverage (KOMO News 4) recently about the Evergreen Park's $500,000 renovation project and park closure. Jim asked if they mentioned anything about Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC), to which Commissioner Bell said no. Commissioner Butler said she wanted to thank the Parks staff for providing the nice tour of facilities. She would also like to comment that she thinks Jim did the right thing with Dr. Stanley, and that she supports what Jim said. Commissioner Butler also urged everyone to go see the trilliums out at N.A.D. Jim said he would like to go on a tour with Commissioner Butler sometime soon. Commissioner Russ Johnson said it's good to be back. Regarding Dr. Stanley's proposal, the bottom line is we have to find some place to have Dr. Stanley's group plant trees. Chairman Cook said he agrees that Dr. Stanley and his group need to find a place to do something but we need to know our limitations, and everything has to fit in the scheme of things (projects) that are happening. 5 Page Commissioner Lonnie Dawson said he knows that Dr. Stanley means well, but he (Dawson) feels like everyone else. He also commented on the nice portable toilets out at Pendergast, and said it would be nice to have the same at Haddon Park. Jim agreed, but said we cannot afford those at Haddon. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.