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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/1997 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks&Recreation Department Parks&Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES May 27, 1997 6:00 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler,Lionel Collins,Barry Cook,and Russ Johnson ABSENT/EXCUSED: Carol Johnson, Charlie McWhorter AUDIENCE: Mayor Lynn Horton STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director,Becky Lorber,Recreation Coordinator II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 6:10 II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: Agenda addition under New Business: "US West Cabinet" in East Park; while waiting for a quorum, moved Director's Report to first item of business. N. OLD BUSINESS 1. Katipuneros Centennial Memorial/Memorial Policy(Closure) There was no response to the letter informing their committee that their request was denied using the recently implemented Memorial Policy for Parks Policy. 2. Park Bond—Jim Spencer met this past month with Glenn Jarstad,former mayor and strong advocate and former Park Bond committee member for parks and recreation within the city. He was impressed with the proposed CIP and encouraged the Department and Parks Commission to go ahead with current development plans and considerations for a future park bond. Glenn emphasized that the Park Commission is the focal point and starting point for any bond efforts. He stated the importance for contacting other community volunteers to assist with the campaign. Glenn understood the need for a new community center but,highlighted the need to carefully construct the bond to include other items of interest to the public, in order to sell a complete package. He volunteered his help. Jim identified that the department still owes the commission information on other cities that have floated successful bonds. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed Renaming of SR-3 Mayor Lynn Horton presented the request from the auto dealers to rename some of the streets in their area to better reflect the types of businesses and activity in this part of town. It involve Kean and Bruenn Streets. In talking with Ruth Kean Yates, she and her family are amenable to having Union Street changed to Kean. To date, no family members of the Page 1 i • Bruenn family have been identified to share the idea of having SR-3 Park changed to Bruenn Park. The current SR-3 name is not inspiring and is called this only because of its close geographic location to State Route 3. This is an opportunity to remember a former mayor who lead the city through the first year of WWII and made significant advances for the community, including the formation of the Park Commission as it exists today. This is also a good cooperative effort and show of good will to honor the request of the auto dealers who provide significant revenue to the City. Jim saw no conflict in the naming of park as it relates to the Naming of Park Policy. Commission Butler moved and Commission R. Johnson seconded the renaming of SR-3 Park to Bruenn Park. Passed unanimously. Staff will now draft a resolution to take before Council. 2. Capital Improvement Program(CIP)---Mayor Horton and Interim Director Spencer presented the proposed five year CIP. It is a very aggressive plan aimed at major park development and completion. Most of the revenue will come out of the Golf course 407 fund, a direct result of revised proforma data. This year, 1997, is the redevelopment of Evergreen Park Phase I, and the purchase of Haddon(due to lack of roll over at the end of 1996). Once Haddon's deed is in hand neighborhood meetings will commence to determine the type of neighborhood park they desire. There are some CDBG funds(i.e. $29,400), available for development. Actual construction is slated to begin as soon as possible. Real estate excise taxes are earmarked for the majority of required funding. The draft plan calls for the following: In 1998, there are plans to construct a$2 million clubhouse at Gold Mt. golf complex;Pendergast Park Phase II completion in 1998; Expansion of Evergreen Park Phase II in 1999, hopefully with the help of an Department of Ecology Grant, and the development of White's Blueberry Farm, also in 1999. Also in this CIP proposal is a placeholder for an RV park, shown as Phase III Pendergast in 2002. There are actually at least three locations that are being looked at, and there is a small pot of money for a study. Sites being considered include Jarstad Park,Pendergast Park,and lower NAD Marine Park. Another issue being considered is the development of an amphitheater on the slope by the 9th hole on the Olympic course. Some future stabilization of this slope will be needed,and the amphitheater is an option for better utilizing this land,after normal golf hours. Scott Alexander suggested that we put in an amphitheater with a portable stage(not on the green,of course!). This theater would predominately serve the youth and young adults of the community. Commissioner Butler suggested considering the golf course as a possible RV location. Commissioner Cook inquired about the possibility of another golf course. Mayor Horton informed him that she is currently limited because of the need to use the adjoining property for biosolids application. This is the game plan as it is mapped out. Only the community center is dependent on a bond. Commissioner Johnson noted that the proposed bulldozing of the NAD cabin may raise some community protest and be prepared to deal with it. The cabin is to be replaced with a picnic shelter. This cabin is all that is left of the original NAD Depot however cost estimates in 1992 indicated that $40,000 were required to bring the building up to specs,and yet it still would not be a programmable space—an interpretative center perhaps. Mayor Horton suggested holding a neighborhood meeting now to determine if there is any perceived problem prior to the proposed 1999 demolition. Again,the key for all of the proposed capital items listed above is the golf course proforma which assumes the following number of rounds: 65,000 on Cascade and 60,000 on Olympic. Page 2 • • Commissioners were encouraged to contact their council member and voice support, if they agreed with the proposal. Mayor Horton shared one other issue not on the CIP proposal. She is discussing with the Navy the possibility of acquiring the located at Park and Burwell(sometimes referred to as the old Mariners Club), for a Westside Community Center. It would involving working with the YWCA. The biggest challenge is ensuring compliance with the homeless act which requires that any federal building being vacated,first be considered as a possible site for homeless individuals. The City is preparing a prospectus that shows that Bremerton has done numerous projects for homeless and economically disadvantaged people through the Salvation Army and YWCA,giving Smith School to KCAP, and the Arch Dioceses building for the homeless. Commissioner Johnson suggested working with the Navy Hospital to garner support. Commissioner Johnson expressed the need for a mosoleum at the cemetery as part of the CIP. 3. "US West Communications Cabinet" The existing cabinet is located on Homer Jones Road in Eastpark. US West requests permission to remove the existing cabinet and replace it with a slightly larger cabinet that is 5' x 3' x 2'. Because the new cabinet is slightly bigger than the existing unit, a $500 compensation annually has been suggested. Commissioner Johnson suggested a trade for some tangible park improvement(e.g. tennis court backstop). This would remove a"small ticket", annual budget detail, that is time consuming for both agencies,and provide immediate benefits to the community. Jim will speak to Ian about this issue. The Commission was in agreement with the installation of the new, larger unit. VL STAFF REPORT Haddon: Jim reported that an Agenda bill was sitting on his desk, ready to take to Council next week, for the purchase of the future Haddon Park. It has already been presented in a study session. The asking price is$154,000 and acceptance of the land as is. There are known contaminants since this is a former dump site,but remediation is possible through soil capping. The location of the restroom will need to be placed such that it does not or has limited impact on soil displacement. Once purchase is complete we will start neighborhood meetings for design purposes. DNR Property: Jim shared the newspaper article in the Sun,just that morning on the City's interest in securing school trust property owned by DNR,behind the Fred Meyer complex and extending all the way over to Rolling Hills Golf Course. DNR is in the business of harvesting trees to support schools. Mayor Horton is interested in keeping it forested property. To facilitate the city gaining this land, an appraisal and corresponding foot print of the property requiring annexation is needed. It ultimately would have to become a ballot issue to the neighbors. The Mayor is concerned about controlling the traffic corridor in this area, should a developer obtain the land. It was logged 50-60 years ago, and there are trails already in place. People already use this for biking and hiking, etc. It would be an incredible resource for the community. Rolling Hills Golf Course currently leases a portion of this land for 10%of the appraised value annually. Commissioner Butler inquired if there is interaction with Greenway groups. Jim shared that a Neighborhood group is active and their most vocal supporter of the City acquiring the property is Audrey Boyer. The Mayor mentioned that a mulitple year lease vs a purchase, may end up being the "first step"towards permanent acquisition. Solie Property Gordon Solie, owner of the property adjacent Southeast of lower Sheridan Park, is interested in selling the land for use as a park, if a fair price can be agreed upon. The Commission will be kept informed of any progress. Page 3 • ! Staff Recognition Jim announced that Cyn Engelgau and Charleen Burnett,were being recognized this Friday by the Kitsap County Association for Education of Young Children,for their commitment to youth and families. It is unclear yet who nominated them,but it is someone outside our Department. Jim also took a moment to comment on the exceptional job he felt staff was doing. The department is in the midst of the busiest time of the year with high use in the parks, summer programs, and peak demand on facilities. In addition to these departmental endeavors, we assisted with memorial day activities, particularly at the cemetery and the armed forces day events. The parks look as good as they ever have. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-April 22,1997 M/S/P(Johnson/Butler)to approve the April 22, 1997 minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS&QUESTIONS Commissioner Collins inquired on the possibility of raising funds to have a youth center in an abandoned building. Can the city kick in some money? His committee is working on a temporary plan for now. Jim asked Commissioner Collins to tell the Commission specifically what was wanted and present it. Currently a new Community Center is listed in the CIP as the avenue for providing a facility. Commissioner Collins had also been to Lion's Park and enjoyed the new basketball court. He had observed high use and it has increased the opportunities within the Park. Commissioner Collins was asked if changing the meeting time to 6:30 p.m. would ease his schedule. It was agreed by all Commissioners to move the meeting start time to 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Butler commented on enjoying having the mayor here tonight. She congratulated the staff on doing a good job. She inquired about a letter she had received from Cynthia Englegau, and what does she want us to do? Jim shared that the Commission had appointed Barry, Charlie, and Lionel to meet with Cyn and strategize on ways to better market to youth. Jim will have Cyn call Barry to discuss. Commissioner Johnson----No Report Commissioner Cook—No report IX. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: /moo tAVZ Becky Lr,Rec. Programmer II im Spenc 'Interim Director Page 4