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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/22/1999 MEETING MINUTESCity of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES Tuesday, June 22, 1999 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd,, Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Nick Garguile Sr., Douglas Groneman, and Carol Johnson. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Susan Bell, Wanda Butler, Russ Johnson, and Charles McWhorter, AUDIENCE: None GUESTS: Mayor Lynn Horton, Cris Gears. STAFF: Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. 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: 45 p.m. Mayor Horton introduced Cris Gears, the new Parks and Recreation Director, to the Commissioners. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None 111. AGENDA — No changes. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Evergreen Update • Phase I Construction Progress Assistant Director Jodi Wroblewski reported that work is progressing well on the Evergreen Park — Phase 1 project. The construction is on schedule. The walls have gone up on the restroom, and the columns to the three shelters are being built. The parking area on 14t" Street is also shaping up. 0 Midden Report Jodi reported that the Mayor signed an agreement on June 16th with Larsen Anthropological/Archeological Services regarding the remediation of the Native American shell midden at Evergreen Park. Recording the site and documentation process will commence in July. This will be followed by a public education program on the Evergreen Park shell midden scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 17t" at 1:00 p.m. The remediation of the shell midden will be covering the exposed area with geotextile fabric, sand and turf. We have eliminated the handicapped drop-off and parking area and will relocate more handicapped parking in the southern parking lot. Commissioner Lonnie Dawson inquired if we are doing some kind of memorial on this issue. Jodi indicated that the Department will work closely with the Suquamish Tribe to develop appropriate interpretive pieces. • Phase 2 Update Jodi reported that we've just finished reviewing the Statements of Qualifications from three firms who are interested in developing the specifications for Remediation of Smith Cove area and Evergreen Park Phase 2 construction. 2. Kitsap Lake Aquatic Weed Management Plan Becky Lorber reported that a public meeting was held Monday, June 14"" to present the draft proposal of the Kitsap Lake Integrated Weed Management Plan. The plan was accepted and will now be forwarded to the Department of Ecology. With DOE's acceptance we complete the CDBG requirements and will close out this planning grant. Main issue the Steering Committee focused on was not disrupting the natural habitat of the lake, but to concentrate on identified critical areas of concern. The south end has the highest concentration of weeds, so it will be dealt with first. Only native plant species were found in Kitsap Lake, which is good in that invasive foreign plants have not overtaken this body of water, but it also eliminates the possibility of state funds for remediation. Individual property owners can apply for permits for their immediate property areas, if so desired. Chairman Cook asked what would it cost for this effort. Becky said $28,000 for the first year, and $115,000 over a 5-year period. Chairman Cook also asked if resources from the Long Lake considered. Becky said they were consulted and several of their recommendations were incorporated. Mayor Horton stated that we wanted to make sure we run it by DOE so we don't run the same issue. 2. Beer Garden Issue Jodi reported that Charleen Burnette took the request to have a beer garden at Pendergast Regional Park during the Field of Blues music festival to City Council on June 23, 1999. City Council denied the request. However, the Field of Blues music festival is still happening on Sunday, July 17t", from noon until 8:00 p.m. The festival will feature six local Blues bands. Tickets will go out next week. Jodi urged everyone to attend this event. We also need volunteers. Commissioner Douglas Groneman said we really didn't come up with the money issue at the beer garden, and asked how much would a beer garden bring in. Jodi said we do not know and the only thing we have to go on was some of the experiences that Bremerton Athletic Roundtable (B.A.R.) had at the Kitsap County Fair rodeo (between $2,000 to $5,000 for 4 days). The group then entered into a general discussion on issues relative to festival parking, security, etc. 3. Community Recreation Center Committee Chairman Cook reported that the Community Recreation Center Committee had their first committee meeting on June 17th. The discussion centered on the organization of the committee, agendas, what to expect at these meetings and committee assignments. The committee plans on having a meeting every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The committee members have been asked to gather ideas and develop timelines for their committees. Chairman Cook explained the objectives and functions of the committee and how the six different committees were set up. The committee also discussed when the issue should go on the ballot. It was tentatively decided that February, 2000, will be the earliest we could put the issue to the vote. There was a discussion regarding when the Bremerton School district was going to put their issue on the ballot. One of the committee members indicated that they had heard that the School District is looking at the April, 2000, election. One of the first things the committee needs to do is hold some fund raising activities so they can start working on mailings and other activities. Commissioner Carol Johnson asked who do we tell people to write a check to if they want to make monetary donations? She didn't want to stall people if they want to contribute funds. Jodi said we would have to inform people to wait for now. Becky added that this issue would be part of the item on our agenda at the next committee meeting. V. NEW BUSINESS Community Development Block Grant Proposals: At the end of the report regarding the Field of Blues music festival, Mayor Horton mentioned that she and Jodi had talked about Community Development Block Grants projects. The next area she would like the Department to look at over the next number of years would be to renovate all of the restrooms. We can apply for CDBG block grants to expand handicap accessibility of our restroom. Jodi mentioned that we have installed some vandal resistance fixtures on most of them. The Commissioners then entered into a discussion related to restroom vandalism. 1. Dog Park Proposal Jodi reported that Ms. Cy Gregory (resident in the Evergreen Park area) called on June 15, 1999, to propose that the Parks & Recreation Department develop a Dog Park at the southern end of Evergreen Park. She said that there are a lot of people in her neighborhood that could use a place to take their dogs off -leash and play and exercise their pets. She suggested a fenced -in area with a water fountain and a place for people to dispose off animal waste. Jodi reminded Ms. Gregory that according the City Ordinance, dogs need to be on leashes. Ms. Gregory asked about the possibility of changing the City Ordinance. Jodi advised Ms. Gregory to write a proposal and bring it to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Ms. Gregory indicated that she could not attend the Commission meeting but would send the proposal. Jodi distributed a copy of a letter from Ms. Gregory. Jodi went on to say that this proposal is not part of the community planning process when the master plan was done. It was not an element that the community indicated was needed or desired. Jodi said she does not know how big of an issue it is now. The proposal suggests fencing the area, installing a water fountain and other amenities. This will also entail having the City Ordinance modified. She mentioned that the City of Seattle have installed two or three dog parks and they seem to be popular and a viable service to pet owners. Commissioner Nick Garguile said he is not highly in favor of a Dog Park at Evergreen. He asked Cris Gears' opinion on this issue from Cris' own experience. He suggested the fenced area on Lebo Boulevard that is the ramp to Warren Avenue Bridge could be a place for this activity. Cris Gears said that Evergreen Park is far too valuable a piece of real estate. He likes Jodi's idea too, and if the demand is really there, finding some alternative site which is less visible with less impact is a good way to go. Jodi added that the site Commissioner Garguille mentioned is owned by the Department of Transportation. It's already fenced but we would need to provide water and other amenities since we're setting up a park even though its use is primarily for exercising dogs. Commissioner Dawson stated he would be receptive to this idea someplace but not at Evergreen Park since we would want to showcase this park. At this point, the group discussed other possible sites for this proposal. The consensus was the Commissioners are receptive to this proposal but not at Evergreen Park. However, they are open to other alternatives as long as there is a high demand for it. Chairman Cook said Ms. Gregory needs to know that we need to look at an alternative place and that she needs to show a need for such a facility. If there is one, we will then find an alternative place for this project. Jodi said she will notify Ms. Gregory on this issue. 2. Youth Athletic Facilities Grant Pendergast Regional Park Lighting Proposal Jodi reported that the Recreation Coordinators are working on developing the Youth Athletic Field Grant for Pendergast Regional Park lighting. Jodi explained that the purpose of lighting the Pendergast softball and soccer fields is to move all adult softball play to this facility, and free up Lions softball fields for more youth play. Commissioner Dawson commented he sees that the youth programs in this area is being ignored and he sees the money being pumped in into Pendergast. There is nothing being used for the youth and he has a problem with that. Commissioner Carol Johnson said she disagrees with that. Kids have always come first, except for softball teams since they bring in revenues. At least this is how she sees is. Jodi said we're continuing on with the Warren Avenue and Manette Playfield projects. We will get Manette up to standard, and we will know soon from IAC where we stand on the grants. We're hoping to get help from the County regarding this. Jodi further added that she will get the draft out to the Commissioners and have them sign letters of support. Becky said if Commissioner Dawson's sports association can submit letters of support, that would be really helpful. At this point, Cris brought the group up to date on the different grants the County is working on. VI. STAFF REPORT Cris said he's thrilled to be working for the City of Bremerton and he has heard the Department has a good working group. He looks forward to working with everyone. He provided a brief description of his work background. He added that if anyone has any questions and wants to give him a call, please do so. Jodi reported that Playground Express, Camp Sparky, and Leaders In Training programs are all starting next week. Playground Express already has waiting list for each site. Jodi added that she met with the staff and they all looked enthusiastic to begin their summer programs. Blacktop Basketball starts June 29t". This is a free program. Play will be held at two different locations. Sand Volleyball: We have six 6 co-ed teams and hoping to have six men's teams. Manette & Warren: We're waiting to hear from the IAC regarding the two grants we submitted. Blues Festival: Sunday, July 18t". Tickets will be out next week. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —May 25, 1999 M/S/C/U (L.Dawson/C.Johnson) to approve the May 25, 1999, minutes VI. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Dawson said his wife just signed up for the swim class at the pool and she has concerns about the locker rooms. What's the policy with the opposite sex child(ren) use of the locker room facility? Becky advised Commissioner Dawson to ask Jeff Elevado, Aquatic Supervisor, regarding the policy. Commissioner Carol Johnson said this is a touchy situation. There is a separate private shower in the women's restroom. It would be nice to have a family restroom in our facilities. Jodi will speak with Jeff on this issue and she will get back to Commissioner Dawson. Commissioner Dawson also added that he thinks Cris Gears is a great guy and he is looking forward to working with him. Commissioner Garguile said it seems we need more signage about dogs being on leash. How about including the phone number of Animal Control on the signs? He also added that he didn't notice a sign at Bachmann Park. Jodi and Commissioner Carol Johnson both said the signs are there. However, Jodi thinks that adding the Animal Control's phone number is a good idea. Regarding funding, Commissioner Carol Johnson inquired if can we hire someone to raise money for the bond campaign? Jodi said we can hire somebody to put together the whole campaign. Commissioner Johnson also asked if we have received calls about the swimmers' itch at the Kitsap Lake? Jodi said no. Lastly, Commissioner Johnson said she thinks Cris Gears is very optimistic. Chairman Cook mentioned that he heard a lot of good things about Cris; that he is honest and works well with anyone. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Lena D'Agostino, OAII Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director