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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/23/1996 MEETING MINUTES • f ' • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Commission Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES April 23 , 1996 5 : 00 p.m. Bremerton Senior Center 1140 Nipsic Avenue Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Barry Cook, Lionel Collins, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Mary Sump, Charles McWhorter, Michael Vaughn. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Jason Bachand STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst . Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Program Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst . II . AUDIENCE: None I . CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5 : 08 p.m. II . ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III . AGENDA: No change IV. OLD BUSINESS: None V. NEW BUSINESS: None VI . STAFF REPORT 1. Senior Center Operations Becky Lorber, Senior Center Director, provided the Commissioners with background information on the Senior Center. She showed slides of various senior activities to provide the Commissioners with a better understanding of what is going on at the Center. In addition to the slide show, Becky passed around different colored cards for responding to questions relating to senior citizens . The group provided a variety of interesting responses to the questions asked that led to lively discussion. Becky also presented statistics relative to senior citizens in general, their expectations, preferences and needs . According to Becky, there is a recognized need for a place for people to come together. She added that today' s senior citizens desire for more adventure travel opportunities, outdoor experiences, mind enrichment and lifelong learning opportunities, quality programs Page 1 • 1 • (they expect value for their dollars and they want "substance" not "filler" in all senior programs) . Chairman Vaughn mentioned that a personal goal of his includes programs that provide intergenerational opportunities for senior citizens to interact with the youth. According to Becky, the Bremerton Senior Center has already done two successful "generational programs" this year. One event included Bremerton High School students inviting more than 20 seniors to come to their school computer lab. The other was a "pen pal" program where 23 students wrote to 23 mutual senior friends . The Senior Center' s newsletter is called "The Active Us" , which is very appropriate since the Bremerton Senior Center is probably one of the more active senior center in the state . Additionally, Becky mentioned the limitations to this facility, e .g. parking, transportation, limited space, staffing, etc . One of the things that seniors ask about at the Center is travel opportunities . With this in mind, Becky said her dream is to have a 15-passenger van (minimum) that is available all the time . Currently the Senior Center uses the Parks & Recreation Department ' s 7-passenger admininstrative van and leases vehicles from Budget Rental when the admin van is not available or insufficient . There is also a need for at least 3 more activity rooms and one specialty room at the Senior Center. Lastly, Becky announced the upcoming Senior Fun Fair on Friday, May 10th, where more than 25 recreational/entertainment organizations will be present to discuss their different programs . In response to the location issue, Commissioner R. Johnson suggested maybe having the City acquire one of the properties that recently went out of business such as Bag & Save in East Bremerton. 2 . Arvon Update Jim Spencer provided background information on this project which is being funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) . The staff is now in the process of having the prevailing wage issue investigated prior to CDBG meeting with the contractors and discuss the ramifications of prevailing wage, etc . Two contractors have been identified to do the work on this project : Belfair Sand & Gravel will do the clearing and grubbing; H & H Fencing will install the perimeter fence . The staff will do the toy installation. The Street Department will lay the asphalt for the paths and parking. Target date for completion of this project remains the end of this school year. 3 . Maintenance Building - Gold Mountain Jim mentioned that the City sold 5 million worth of bonds to complete the overall expansion project at Gold Mountain. A portion of that fund was earmarked for the development of the new golf course . Relative to the new maintenance facility, Jim said he will go to City Council tomorrow (Wednesday, April 24) with Dan Miller, Project Page 2 • ' I • Manager, to award the bid for the construction of the maintenance facility. Jim added that hopefully the completion of this project will take place between 120 to 180 days from now. The price tag for the new maintenance facility is $420, 000 . Additionally, the parking lot is currently budgeted at $250, 000, and the cost of storage facility is around $60, 000 . Jim encouraged the Commissioners to walk the paths on the new course to fully appreciate the facility. When asked by Commissioner Collins about the irrigation at the new course, Jim responded that a remarkable computerized irrigation system had been installed with capabilities to target individual heads . Jodi added that the lakes were designed to be holding tanks for drought irrigation, when required. Chairman Vaughn inquired as to the completion date of this project, to which Jim said that weather permitting, the target completion date is this fall . As far as budget is concerned, Jim said revenue was not budgeted this year off the new golf course . 4 . IAC Grant According to Jim, Jodi and Becky have been working very diligently on putting together a very elaborate Interagency Committee (IAC) grant application packet associated with the renovation of Evergreen Park. Jim said the staff went forward with the grant proposal last year for $600, 000 renovation project but was not successful . The staff will try for the same amount again this year. Deadline for turning the grant application is by the 1st of May. Jim added that what the staff is proposing to accomplish this year relative to the renovation project, would be to target the existing park. A new seawall will be built this year to take care of an existing erosion problem along the beach. A new restroom/maintenance facility will also be installed. What the staff will apply for (IAC grant) for next year (1997) is for the reconfiguation of virtually the whole central area of the park. This will include providing some new opportunities without negatively impacting what currently exists at Evergreen Park (e .g. outdoor basketball, sand volleyball, new picnic shelters, etc . ) . When asked about the concert location this year at Evergreen Park, Jim mentioned that the staff is hoping to have the restroom facility under construction this summer, in which case the concert location will be moved to the open grass area to the north. Additionally, the staff solicited letters of support from different groups of people including the Parks & Recreation Commission relative to the IAC grant application. Jim had taken the liberty to draft a letter for the Commissioners ' signatures . The letter basically states that the Commissioners are in support of the Evergreen Park renovation project . This letter, along with the others being solicited by the staff, will be attached to the IAC grant application package . Page 3 • 1 • 5. Haddon Clean-Up Jim informed the Commissioners that today the Street Department mowed the Haddon site . There is a group coming in from KCAP on Thursday, April 25th, to clean sweep that area in preparation for summer playground program. The staff had acquired insurance documentation from the City' s Risk Manager (Peggy Lessor) to be provided to the Bremerton School District for this playground site . 6. Dedication of Glenn Jarstad Aquatic Center (Sunday, June 2, 1996, 2 :30 p.m. ) Jim invited the Commissioners to attend this ceremony. The staff had sent a letter of invitation to Congressman Norm Dicks and hopes he will be able to attend this event . According to Commissioner R. Johnson, Jarstad Aquatic Center was also an IAC grant project at the time Glenn Jarstad was the Mayor of City of Bremerton. Commissioner R. Johnson mentioned that he believed former Mayor Jarstad had a good relationship with the IAC staff who were instrumental in working with then Mayor Jarstad with the swimming pool project . With this in mind, Commissioner R. Johnson suggested that it would be a good idea for the staff to send invitations to these same people at IAC. Everyone concurred. 7 . Park at North End of Elizabeth Referencing the lease agreement with Puget Power to share this spectacular piece of property and develop it into a passive park, Jim mentioned that about a week ago, the staff met with Puget Power representatives who notified the staff that they wish to donate the property to the City rather than just lease it for use . Jim said ultimately this will allow being able to connect this property with the existing roto vista (grassy area by CENCOM) . Jim added that one of the actions that the Commissioners will take part of in the future would be the opportunity to name this park in accordance with the policy for naming parks . 8 . Timelines In response to an action item last meeting relative to the Department ' s timelines/schedule as requested by Chairman Vaughn, Jim provided the group a copy of the schedules . Chairman Vaughn suggested that the Commissioners review the list and discuss their comments at the next meeting. VII . APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 26, 1996 Pending approval until next meeting. VIII . COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commisioner Mary Sump requested that someone from the Department should contact the Bremerton School District about the lunch program in conjunction with the use of the Haddon Site Page 4 111 • for the this summer' s playground program. She also wanted to make sure that portable restrooms are being provided by the Department, to which Jim said this should not be a problem. Commissioner Wanda Butler mentioned that she went on the park tour with Jim and Jodi on the 13th of April . She was dissapointed that she was the only attendee and the rest of the Commissioners missed this opportunity of seeing acres and acres of impressive property. She also complimented the staff for being thorough. Commissioner Charles McWhorter commented that the Pendergast fields look good. He inquired if will be provided at that site, to which Jim responded that the portable toilet has already been purchased and will be installed soon. Commissioner McWhorter added that several soccer players are amazed by the facility and they said it is a Class A facility. He apologized for missing the park tour due to a conflict . He asked the Commissioners how they feel about him giving them a call or contacting them via e-mail or vice versa. He provided the Commissioners with his e-mail address and encouraged the Commissioners to do the same if they have e-mail addresses available . Commissioner R. Johnson also gave shis e-mail address . Commissioner Barry Cook apologized for being late . He said he would like to encourage the Commissioners to go see the Gold Mountain Golf Course expansion project . He further stated that when completed it will be a great facility. Commissioner Lionel Collins notified the Commissioners on the survey update he had been working on. He had put out over 800 questionnaires and so far he received over 200 back from Bremerton Junior High School . His next attempt is to distribute the same surveys at Bremerton High School . He provided each of the Commissioners a copy of the survey for them to fill out themselves . Commissioner Collins said that during his door-to-door neighborhood surveys, people have asked him for a business card. In light of this, he called Jim last week to find out the chance of the Commissioners having business cards provided. Jim responded the staff will find out and will notify him as soon as possible. Commissioner C. Johnson mentioned she attended the Sinclair Landing Meeting this month. The people involved with this project met last Thursday, the 18th. Jodi added that right now their main focus is on the passenger ferry service issue . Commissioner R. Johnson mentioned that the Parks Department does own that property where the garage may be located but there also may be an expansion over the old J.C. Penney' s building. He added that somewhere between the condominum complex or the convention-type hotel, he is hoping to see an indoor sports/athletic complex where there would be a joint operation agreement that would definitely benefit the community. Lastly, Chairman Vaughn suggested that the Commissioners review the minutes from last meeting and if there are any comments or changes, they will be available next meeting. Page 5 • • Jim announced that the next regular business meeting will be held at the Glenn Jarstad Aquatic Center. He said this time the staff will be more timely with the minutes . He explained that it had been very hectic for the staff due to the fact that the Department lost an employee . IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 : 28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, {gena D'Agostino, OAIIJ' Spenc , Interim Director Page 6