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Home My WebLink About07/27/1999 MEETING MINUTESCity of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MINUTES Tuesday, July 27, �999 510 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Susan Bell,_ Wanda Butler, Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Douglas Groneman, and Russ Johnson. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Carol Johnson AUDIENCE: None STAFF: Cris Gears, Jodi Wroblewski, Becky Lorber and Lena D'Agostino. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Il. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE. None III. AGENDA — No change. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Evergreen Update • Phase I Construction Progress Ms.Wroblewski reported that we are on schedule with a completion date of August 15t" for this project, although we have to go back in and do some additional work related to the midden. A grand opening and re -dedication will be scheduled for early September. • Midden Report The public education program went very well. The ditches will be completed and re -seeded as soon as water is turned back on. • Phase 2 Update We're negotiating with Parametrix for design work and specifications so we can go to bid for the remediation and park improvement components of the project. We're close to finishing the agreed order with the Department of Ecology (DOE) prior to moving forward with the DOE grant. In response to a question from Commissioner Johnson, Mr. Gears mentioned that the rules governing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) actually come from the federal government, and that within a few months certain kinds of development within a buffer area adjacent to the water will be restricted. He also explained the two different grants being used for Evergreen Phase II, with one focusing on remediation and the other on park improvements. 2. Community Recreation Center Committee Mr. Cook mentioned that the Committee has had a couple of meetings to date and that several sub -committees were formed to develop a bond campaign strategy and to look the location of the new community center and its components. He also indicated that the Mayor would like to see our new community center situated downtown or at another location on the west side where 60% of the population is. A meeting with a core group of City staff has been scheduled to discuss location and timeline. The committees will continue their work and keep the Commission updated on a regular basis. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Youth Athletic Facilities Grant Pendergast Regional -Park Lighting Proposal Staff is putting the finishing touches on the Pendergast grants to light three existing softball fields, two soccer fields, and the parking lot. The proposal is to light the fields and eventually move all adult play from Lions Field to Pendergast in order to free up Lions for youth play. We've estimated a cost of $600,000 to do this project, with funding to be provided from an IAC grant of $150,000 to be matched by the City in a variety of ways. Kitsap County has earmarked impact fees in their capital facilities plan (up to $250,000) for this regionally significant project. We have received commitments for private donations and in -kind services/labor from Ace Paving, Bremerton Athletic Roundtable (B.A.R.), Washington State Women's Soccer Association, F.C. Kitsap Soccer Association, and the U.S. Navy CB's. Jodi -read a proposed "letter of support" to the Commissioners. A motion to approve the letter and support the grant application (R.Johnson/L.Dawson & W.Butleo passed unanimously. 2. Resident/Non-resident Fees and Charges Mr. Gears suggested that plans to construct a new recreation center are likely to generate questions about Bremerton residents paying to construct this facility which will attract non-residents. He suggested that the Commission should consider this matter, and following an extended discussion it was agreed that the Commissioners would bring the issue back for discussion at a future meeting. Commissioner Dawson suggested bringing this issue/survey at this year's Blackberry Festival, V. STAFF REPORT Blues Festival: This event was a success with mare than 200 people in attendance. We sold a lot of shirts, the food was excellent and the music was really outstanding. Commissioner Groneman said there's got to be a more secure way to do the ticket situation, and Ms. Wroblewski indicated that she would talk to Charleen Burnette (Recreation Coordinator) about the matter. Youth Athletic Fund Grants: The City has been notified of approved IAC grants for both the Manette Playfield and Warren Avenue Playfield projects to improve drainage and turf. In response to a question from Commissioner Butler, Ms. Wroblewski indicated that the grant did not include the Warren Avenue tennis courts. Senior Fair: Ms. Lorber reminded the group of the upcoming Senior Fair on October 15t" & 16t"* She urged everyone to attend this event. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 22, 1999 M/S/C/U (D. Groneman/L. Dawson) to approve the June 22, 1999, minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Ms. Wroblewski mentioned we have an information booth set aside at this year's Blackberry Festival, and Mr. Gears suggested providing information about the new recreation center. Mr. Cook said if everyone is in favor of having an information booth, he will bring this up at the next committee meeting and see if we can get some support from the committee members. Ms. Lorber mentioned that the staff could always use help with the Berry Fun Run activities if anyone would like to volunteer. Commissioner Groneman asked about an ice skating rink in the downtown area. In response, Mr. Gears said he had met with a group of private individuals who are interested in developing an indoor ice skating facility somewhere in Kitsap County, and was sure they're aware that we would like them to consider downtown Bremerton. Commissioner Groneman stated he does not know where we stand as far as allocation for our new community center. In response, Mr. Gears indicated that we're looking at locations that would make sense to a lot of people, and that the Mayor has not ruled out any sites. Commissioner Dawson asked if a "no parking" sign by the Campfire Office (dead end street) close to the tennis courts can be removed. In response, Ms. Wroblewski said that she will look into it. Commissioner Dawson also mentioned that he had talked Parks in the past about New Year's fireworks off of Manette bridge as a millennium kick off The people he had talked to said they can secure the required permits and liability insurance. Estimated cost is between $5,000 to $40,000, and coming up with this amount is an issue. In response, Mr. Gears said that if the Commissioners were supportive, he would bring this up to the Mayor. He requested Commissioner Dawson to provide more information on this subject. Commissioner Butler said -she wanted to welcome our new Parks Director. She wishes him luck and hoping that he will enjoy himself. Mr. Gears thanked her and added he's happy to be here and to be working with the staff. Commissioner Butler also asked if our Tuesday night concerts at Eastpark are well received and if we coordinate o4concert schedule with the Boardwalk concerts. In response, Ms. Wroblewski said that the department hadn't heard anything negative about our concerts and that we are trying to get family -oriented music. She does not know how well received last week's rock and roll performance was received. According to Commissioner Butler, last week's concert was not well attended and the young people were not out there. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Lena D'Agotfflqo; 4A11 Wroblewski, Asst. Director