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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/25/1997 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES March 25, 1997 6:00 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Lionel Collins, Barry Cook, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: (Due to recent resignations, Commission has three vacancies.) AUDIENCE: Al & Joan Butler STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director, Cynthia Engelgau, Teen Recreation Coordinator, Becky Lorber, Senior Recreation Coordinator, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant. L CALL TO ORDER Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA -No change IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Katipuneros Centennial Memorial/Memorial Policy This issue was tabled pending development of a comprehensive policy on memorials in parks. Jim Spencer met with Rhona Agerstrand (a representative from the Filipino community) and gave her a copy of the draft of memorial policy for her review and comments in writing. One of her comments was she thought the contents of the draft was tough on ethnic groups. Jim sent a memo to Ian Sievers, City Attorney, and asked him to review the draft on memorial policy. Mr. Sievers had commented on the responsibility issue. In his opinion, approvals should go to City Council rather than being approved on the Department level. Jim will incorporate Mr. Siever's comments and also include collective opinion of the staff, prior to providing the Commissioners with a clean draft of the policy. Jim apologized for the delay and added that he would really like to have a policy in place and a definitive position on this issue at the next meeting. 1 • The group then entered into a discussion relating to memorial policy. 2. Park Commission Projects for 1997 - Marketing Teen Programs Last meeting, the Commissioners agreed on assisting with marketing teen programs as one of their projects. Chairman Cook commented that the Commissioners can help in getting the information out to the community by looking at opportunities or ideas for discussion. He asked the Commissioners how they want to go about this project. To have a general idea on what programs are being offered to the teenagers, Jim invited Cynthia Engelgau, Teen Programs & Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, to discuss teen programs/activities. Cynthia showed a slide presentation of on-going teen programs: Saturday Drop By/Open Gym from 4-9 PM at Sheridan Park Community Center, where teenagers can play basketball, ping-pong, listen to music, etc. at no charge. Bremerton Youth Council (BYC) established in 1994, meets twice a month at the Mayor's Office. BYC members assist during special events (e.g. teen dances, Blackberry Festival, etc.) and recently helped raised funds for the Skateboard Park (which opened last August). Leaders In Training (L.I.T.) Program members participate on fieldtrips, hikes, day camps, sports leagues (indoor soccer & softball), special events, and fundraising activities. Teenagers may also wish to consider joining Volunteers In The Park (V..LP.'s) during summer vacations/school breaks. Certain classes are also being offered, e.g., Learn How to Shoot Pool, craft classes, etc. Additionally, Cynthia coordinates D.A.R.E. to Have Fun programs with Bremerton Police Department, organizes Youth Access Fair, Kids' Day on the Boardwalk, and other special events sponsored by the City of Bremerton. Cynthia outlined how she markets these programs such as press releases to local newspapers, advertisements with local cable television & radio stations, distributing flyers to schools& local organizations (pre-approved by the Gang Unit), department brochures, and word of mouth. Cynthia added that we need to be more creative with teenagers. She welcomes any marketing ideas from the Commissioners, and suggested the Commissioners let her know if they would like to have their names added to the mailing list for upcoming teen programs. Chairman Cook commented that it is apparent Cynthia does a great job in marketing these programs and that the Commissioners need to look at opportunities and discuss ideas to assist in promoting the programs. He suggested setting up time to talk to the students and also put together information packets for them. Commissioner Lionel Collins said he will set up a time with the school administration to talk to the students at Bremerton Junior High School about activities available for them at Sheridan Recreation Center. Commissioner Carol Johnson said we also need to have the kids informed about summer activities. She asked if any of the programs are limited to a certain number of kids. Jim said we are limited as far as fieldtrips because of transportatio. The Department now has access to two 15-passenger vans that can be used for our various programs. Commissioner Russ Johnson suggested having a network with parents or means of getting the word out to the parents. Cynthia informed the group that she had attended PTA meetings, Lion's Club & Kiwanis group meetings in the past. Jim suggested that the Commissioners set up a time to coordinate with Cynthia on this issue. Commissioners Collins, Cook, and McWhorter agreed to meet on a Monday, sometime after 4:00 p.m., with Cynthia to discuss the issue further. 2 7 • V. NEW BUSINESS - Park Bond Tutorial (Becky Lorber) One of the conclusions that the Senior Ad Hoc Committee reached was the current Senior Center is inadequate to face the challenge of the future; hence, the need for a new facility. In looking at the options available to the seniors, they said the only way that would be reasonable to replace the facility would be with a park bond. To begin with the tutorial session, Becky Lorber passed out envelopes containing puzzle pieces with inspirational messages which required working with others to complete or make all the pieces work. Becky provided an overview on issue of park bond campaign. She enumerated the components needed in order to have a successful bond campaign: enthusiasm and a positive attitude (believe in it and know what is at the end of the effort); united board (decisions on bond/levy need to be unanimous); involved citizens (reach out to all age groups); strategic planning (get statistics; determine budget); elect a campaign coordinator; implement campaign strategies (and convince the need for it); use of community groups; budget&funding acitivies; promotional materials (needs to be catchy to get people's attention); record keeping (keep records of everything that happens). Last but not the least, it has to be fun -- celebrate every little success, big or small, along the way. Becky also provided the Commissioners copies of Self Assessment Survey and suggested that they read and answer the survey before starting their bond campaign. She encouraged the Commissioners to go by this route and invite some outsiders to come in. Becky also gave the group a copy each of the following as references: 10 Steps to a Successful Finance Campaign; Proposed Time Line for a Successful Campaign, and Samples of Campaign Committee Job Descriptions. Becky stated that there are a lot of ways to take the informatioin available and start constructing a pattern to give them the direction where to start such as establishing a proposed timeline (3 yrs). Additionally, Becky informed the group that the Parks & Recreation Commission is 56 years old this year (formulated in 1941). She challenged the Commission to pass a bond campaign on their 60th anniversary. Becky further stated that a bond campaign should start from the Commission level. The group then entered into a general discussion on the bond issue. With that challenge, Chairman Cook proposed that the Commissioners think about this issue and provide some ideas at the next meeting. VI. STAFF REPORT Jim informed the Commissioners of an excellent job the maintenance staff did of creating a new play area behind the Community Center. We will make it ADA-accessible and install an asphalt path that leads to it. A new toy equipment will be installed as soon as it becomes available. Slide at Jarstad Aquatic Center: Still pending State approval. We're hoping to have it operational as soon as possible. Lion's Field: Next month, we will re-light both fields. Softball is in full swing again. Unfortunately, we are down 12 teams from last year's totals. Becky added that seniors' softball starts next week. Gold Mountain Parking Lot Expansion: We will add about 300 parking spaces. Contract start date was March 28th (70-day contract) and due for completion by May 29th . Ace Paving was the successful low-bidder on this project. Chairman Cook added that Scott 3 v • i Alexander (golf professional) bought a courtesy cart that could shuttle golfers back and forth between their cars and the Clubhouse. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 25, 1997 Two errors were noted in the minutes: (1) An error was made under Old Business/Parks & Recreation Commission Projects for 1997 where Chairman Cook mentioned that Silverdale Community Center was put together by Bremerton High School students through fundraising. This should have been Central Kitsap High School and not Bremerton High School. (2) Commissioner Collins recommended inviting someone from Bremerton Youth Council to speak with the teenagers. This should be inviting someone from the Parks and Recreation Department instead of Bremerton Youth Council. M/C/S/U (Butler/C. Johnson) to approve the minutes with the corrections duly noted. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Wanda Butler said she was very impressed with choice of presentations tonight. Commissioner Collins thanked Cynthia and Becky for their presentations. Commissioners C. Johnson commented it was nice having Cynthia at the meeting to talk about teen programs. She added that we should also invite Charleen to talk about the other recreational programs/classes. Commissioner C. Johnson inquired about the status of applicants for other 3 vacant positions. Jim said he had looked at some applications and urged the Commissioners to submit names if they have anyone in mind so that Jim could send them applications. Commissioner R. Johnson congratulated Chairman Cook for his election as the new Chairman and thanked the staff for tonight's excellent presentations. Commissioner McWhorter said the bond issue was very interesting and suggested to start thinking about this seriously. Chairman Cook thanked Cynthia and Becky for coming. He said he was very impressed with their excellent presentations. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted: X9-C ena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II fm Spence nterim Director 4