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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/1997 MEETING MINUTES i • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES April22, 1997 6:00 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Barry Cook, Lionel Collins, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler AUDIENCE: None STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director, Charleeen Burnette, Recreation Coordinator II, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Asst. II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Becky Lorber encouraged everyone to attend the annual Department-wide Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Bremerton Senior Center on Thursday, April 24th. III. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: None IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Katipuneros Centennial Memorial/Memorial Policy Chairman Barry Cook asked the Commissioners if they had had a chance to read the draft policy provided by Jim Spencer. The only change he noticed was the comment from the City Attorney stating that final approvals should be made by the City Council rather than being approved at the Department level. Chairman Cook recommended that the Commissioners approve the draft policy. Commissioner Russ Johnson asked if there is any other document defining the terms "appropriate" and "consistent". It seems to him that the only guidance given from this draft is to accept only those memorials that will benefit the Parks & Recreation system in the area of aesthetics, appropriateness and consistency of theme. • • 2 The group entered into a discussion on the draft being too subjective (as to what is appropriate & consistent). Chairman Cook commented that he does not think we should cover every circumstance in a policy but do need guidelines. The policy is not intended to hold back any groups from submitting proposals. Whatever is approved has to benefit the Parks& Recreation system. He agrees with Jim that we have to do this on a case-by-case basis and deal with situations as they occur. We have to have the courage of our convictions because we are responsible for parks. Chairman Cook recommended approving the draft policy. Motion to approve the draft (McWhorter/C.Johnson). Motion carried unanimously. At this point, the group entered into a general discussion relating to the appropriateness of the request by the Filipino Community. Commissioner Carol Johnson suggested inviting the Filipino representative to attend the meeting and talk about this request and its history. The motion was made to reject the application to install a memorial (Katipuneros Centennial) at Bataan Park by the Filipino Community since this memorial is inconsistent with the theme of Bataan Park and and does not enhance the park system as explained in the draft policy. M/C/S/U (R.Johnson/C.Johnson). Motion carried unanimously. 2. Park Bond Chairman Cook asked the Commissioners for any suggestions relating to the 3- year bond project to build a community recreation center ($5.6 million) along with other park development projects, as discussed last meeting. Someone with experience and is willing to assist with the process is needed. The board should make a decision on which directions to go on this. He would personally like to pursue this project and he believes he has enough information to move on. Commissioner C. Johnson mentioned that she was a part of the group that worked on the last bond project levy. She suggested looking at other communities that have passed a park bond and get ideas from them. Commissioner Charles McWhorter commented that we're building for the next millennium and also suggested that we move ahead with the next step. Commissioner Russ Johnson expressed general concerns and his experience is causing some apprehension and skepticism regarding the ability to pass a bond levy. Recommendations were discussed relating to the park bond issue (e.g., start with reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, meeting with people with political savvy like Glen Jarstad for suggestions, and acquiring information from other communities that were successful on their bond campaigns). Jim said he will get back to the Commission at the next meeting with needed information. He further added that we will have to determine first what we want to include in a bond and then ultimately make a decision as to whether or not this is a viable project to pursue. V. NEW BUSINESS - Community Recreation Tutorial As a result of Commissioner Carol Johnson's suggestion last meeting, Charleen Burnette, Community Recreation Coordinator, gave an overview of the programs she is responsible for within the Department. Charleen is in-charge of coordinating various recreational programs, marketing these programs, and working with other agencies • I 3 throughout the City. She showed a slide presentation of different programs and activities offered through the Department including arts & crafts classes (e.g. pottery, painting, Raku workshops), self-defense classes, birthday party packages, as well as the following: Preschool program. We pride ourselves with offering affordable recreational preschool and for having an excellent preschool staff. Indoor Playground runs from October through May, every Tuesday & Friday. Wonderful way for new parents in the community to meet new people. Summer Programs: Playground Express used to be a multitude of sites for half days until the Department secured funding including Block Grant which enabled us to offer daily programs at four playground sites. Children interact through supervised games, arts & crafts and field trips. This program is accomplished in conjunction with Americorps staff and the Bremerton School District. During 1996 a free lunch program served over 10,000 lunches! Day Camp Program/Sparky Camp for severely to moderately disabled children runs during Spring Break and also in the summer. Special Events we coordinate with other City agencies: Kids' Day on the Boardwalk; Festival of Arts for Children (free event held the second Saturday in May; City Halloween Party (sponsored by Chief Kitsap Lion's Club & Bremerton Police Officers' Association, which attracts between 1,500 to 2,000 people); Super Saturday with Santa (first Saturday of December), Daddy/Daughter Dance (around Valentine's Day). Charleen passed around a photo album from this event. Charleen further mentioned that she is also involved with putting together the Department's seasonal program brochures. She also markets the Department via Channel 12 on"Inside Bremerton" on the program. IV. STAFF REPORT 1. IAC Grant Applications Phase I Evergreen Park Renovation ($600,000 project/matching $300,000 from Interagency Committee (IAC)) should begin soon. We are submitting a grant application by May 1 for Phase II to IAC. There have been some changes as a result of the contamination issue and remediation: DOE discourages access to the beach, requiring the removval of the sandy beach feature. The amphitheater has been relocated to Lower Smith Cove away from the parking lot boat launch area. Cost of Phase II would be approximately $1 to $1.5 million. We will apply for $300,000 in matching funds from IAC. Jim added that the City has purchase options on Brem-Air property and we're working towards finalizing that agreement. We are also applying for an IAC grant for lighting five fields at Pendergast Regional Park. Current estimate on this project is just over $.5 million (matching fund from IAC: $250,000). Interesting match opportunities, premature at this point, in the form of possible players fee increases exist. We will also talk with Puget Sound Energy and see if they would be willing to help us with some of the 28 wood poles required. 2. Haddon Purchase and Sale Agreement We have received a purchase and sale agreement from the Bremerton School District and we are now in the process of reviewing it with the City Attorney's Office. The appraised price is $154,000 with the condition that buyer assumes the property as is, with known contamination. • . 4 Our budget currently has $225,000 for development of Haddon plus an additional $29,000 worth of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding. Jim mistakenly did not allocate rollover 1996 funds for the purchase into 1997's budget. We will use a portion of the funds intended for development for purchase. We will use funds from next year's budget for use in developing Haddon property. Regarding the contamination on this site, Jim said we can use the same scenario as Evergreen Park which includes soil capping. The only concerns would be where to locate the restroom and hook into sewer. Commissioners can actively get involved and make a difference when we start doing neighborhood meetings and planning. Once the property is purchased, we will start organizing neighborhood meetings for input on future development. 3. Arbor Day/Tree City USA On the 9th of this month, we had a significant Arbor Day celebration at SR-3 Park. Thirty Parkway maples were planted. At the Council meeting that particular evening, the City was recognized and awarded a Tree City USA award. Thanks to Jim Trainer, our City Arborist, who was instrumental in making this happen. 4. Hoop Court and Lights at Lions The hoop court at Lions has been laid and standards will be installed soon. Fields 1 & 2 were totally relamped earlier this month. 5. Fun Box at Skate Park A Fun Box (concrete of pyramid) has been installed at the Skateboard Park. This is the last piece of equipment . 6. Clubhouse Design at Gold Mountain We have contracted with a local architect to help locate the Clubhouse at Gold Mountain. The architect will meet with the Gold Mountain Board of Directors this Friday, April 25th, to present his opinions on where to site it. He will also provide an opinion as to whether or not proceed with the construction of a separate cart storage facility. Relating to parking lot expansion at the Golf Course, Ace Paving has done an excellent job and is a month ahead of schedule. Jim mentioned an article on an annual publication by the Seattle Post-Intelligence featuring the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain being considered as the value of the year. Marketing Teen Programs: Cynthia Engelgau, Teen Recreation Coordinator, is in the process of putting together new marketing materials with the current data. She will provide the materials needed to Commissioners Cook, Collins & McWhorter upon completion. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 25, 1997 M/S/C/U (Collins/C.Johnson) to approve the March 25th minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS • • S 5 Commissioner Collins mentioned he'soin to Lions Field a lot for softball. He g g found out that a lot of parents and children are very pleased with the new slide out there. His son liked it a lot. He added that he thought we had a good meeting tonight. Commissioner R.Johnson inquired about kids' fishing this Saturday at Kitsap Lake. Jim said all he knows is we're opening the gate at Kitsap Lake on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. Chairman Cook commented that this is getting to be a lot more fun. This is more of what he had in mind when he first joined the group, and he is looking forward to doing more and pursuing a lot of things for the community. Commissioner C.Johnson suggested talking to people at the Blackberry Festival (Labor Day weekend) as a way to market the Parks & Recreation. We may find people that are interested in the park bond. We should also think about spending maybe half a day, where two or three Commissioners at a time in manning a booth. This would be a good opportunity for the Commissioners to meet with people. Commissioner Collins suggested having a group photo of all the Commissioners so that people would know who the Commissioners are. This would be good PR also. Chairman Cook suggested letting people know that the Commissioners will be at the Blackberry Festival to meet with people and answer questions. Maybe mention this on the information/pamphlet we send out regarding the Blackberry Festival. Jim said we can make sure we have the Commissioners' names in the Department brochures. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Lena D'A_stino, Office Asst. II Jim Spe P Interim Director