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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/24/1997 MEETING MINUTES • City of Bremerton Parks&Recreation Department Parks&Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES June 24, 1997 6:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd' Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Barry Cook, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Lionel Collins AUDIENCE: None STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant Il. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: None iv. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Bond-Denver Seminar(Becky Lorber) According to Interim Director Jim Spencer, the State of Colorado has done some remarkable projects in terms of recreational facilities. Becky Lorber attended a school based in Denver last week to gather ideas and information for our potential bond campaign. Becky gave a preliminary report on the activities at the school. Becky said she had an opportunity to tour 11 out of the 15 facilities appearing in the facilities summary book. Most of the facilities she toured were large recreational complexes (60,000 to 80,000 sq. ft.) and almost everyone of them had a swimming pool component and are fitness-oriented (e.g., have at least 2 gyms, weight room with free weights and weight machines, rock-climbing wall, racquetball courts, etc.). They also have childcare facilities, women's/men's/family locker rooms, multi-purpose room (large enough to be divided into 3 sections or use as one and can be rented out annually). Some of these facilities have ice-skating rinks, outdoor BMX courses, and trails systems around the facilities. Becky further added that she was impressed with the professionalism of the • • staff. They seemed to truly have goals and marketing plans to encourage the community to utilize the facilities. In addition to touring facilities, roundtable discussions were held at nightswhich involved discussions on operations, marketing, staff training, meeting with architects and directors/facilities managers. Becky said she would like to see one of the Commissioners and an additional staff person attend this exciting school next year. In addition to this report, she will provide a slide presentation and some video footage of the facilities mentioned at the next meeting. She encouraged the Commissioners to go through the manual/book she brought back from the conference, which details each facility's history layout, budget information, staffing, hours of operations, as well as lessons learned category. By utilizing this kind of information, we will be able to come up with some real accurate square footage cost data. 2. Eastpark Easement This issue pertains to the request by U.S. West to remove and replace an existing communication cabinet located on Homer Jones Road in Eastpark. Since the new cabinet is slightly bigger than the existing unit, $500 compensation for the easement has been suggested. It was brought up at the last meeting that a trade for some tangible park improvement/added feature such as tennis court backboard should be considered. Tom Cressman, Parks Foreman, provided Jim with an estimate which came out fairly low. With the $500, we will be able to add backboards at three different locations: Kiwanis, Forest Ridge and Manette. But first of all, the easement has to go to the City Council, and Jim said he does not anticipate any problem relating to this issue. 3. Haddon The Agenda Bill on the purchase of Haddon property went to the City Council on June 4th, with a unanimous concurrance from the Council to proceed with the purchase. This still needs to be presented to the Bremerton School District Board of Directors for approval at their next meeting this Thursday, June 26th. No problems are anticipated. We'll be looking at owning that property very shortly, in which case we will begin the planning including organizing neighborhood meetings. Haddon is being used this summer as one of our playground sites (57 kids signed up for the Playground Express Program yesterday,the first day of the playground express program). v. NEW BUSINESS-Naming Field at Lions Al Colvin's family initiated a request, through Mayor Lynn Horton, to name a field in honor of Al. Jim provided each of the Commissioners a copy of biography info on Al . Jim added that from his perspective, Al has always been an advocate and supporter of parks. Jim suggested that the Commissioners review Paragraph 2, Provisions for Naming of Parks, which clearly states that we cannot rename an existing park. Additionally, Jim asked Dennis Rainey (current Lions Club President) on his reaction to this request. Mr. Rainey is very supportive of the request and thought it was a good idea. Jim asked the Commissioners to review the request and note that there is some precedent that supports this as being a legitimate request and certainly fits within 2 i the context of the policy in naming a field within a park (e.g., Carpenter Field within Warren Avenue Playfield). Commissioner Russ Johnson commented that he is not sure if the softball field does justice to Mr. Calvin's accomplishments, to which Jim said that's not the case according to the impression he gets from the Mayor. Jim further added that the fields at Pendergast have names (Lingren, Christopherson, and Hazelwood). Commissioner R. Johnson also inquired about the type of signage (granite, etc.) and suggested adding some sort of history written about Al, which led to a general discussion relating to the signage. Jim commented that what he would like to see happen was installation of a sign similar to the ones we have just installed at Lions. He would like to do this in a tasteful fashion in terms of putting up something so people will recognize it . If it were up to Jim, he would think the best choice for a field to name after Al would be Field #1 (main field, first one on left as you enter off of Lebo Blvd.), and maybe affix the sign to the backstop or immediately behind it. Commissioner Wanda Butler said she wanted to reinforce having the other groups like Lions Club aware of this request for their input. Commissioner Carol Johnson suggested having the family involved as well. The Commissioners agreed unanimously to grant this request. Jim said he will make sure that this is done correctly and tastefully. The next step would be to draft a Resolution/Agenda Bill as soon as possible. The plan is to present the Agenda Bill at the City Council one evening without Al's knowledge and surprise him. vi. STAFF REPORT 1. Carpenter Field Kudos Jim mentioned that the Department received a letter from the Warren Avenue PeeWee Association, commending our maintenance crew for their excellent work done on the field and,our office staff for being friendly and courteous. 2. Evergreen Seawall Jim mentioned we are anticipating approval from Dept. of Fisheries on this project by the end of the week prior to going out to bid in August. Actual seawall construction needs to be completed by 1 October 1997. 3. Evergreen Phase I Jim is in the process of negotiating a price with Hough, Beck & Baird (same firm that put together the Master Plan), to come up with a definitive design so we could go out to bid on this project. We are still waiting for the matching funds from Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation(IAC). Jim hoped to have this firm on contract by the 1st of August so they can begin with design specifications. 4. IAC Project Reviews Jim said we're asking for funding on two projects from IAC this year: field lighting at Pendergast ($600,000 project including parking light component) and Evergreen Park Phase II development around Smith Cove ($1.2 million project). For each project, we're asking for$300,000 from the IAC). S 5. Summer Programs Jim reported that the Department currently has a total of 130 people on board. Playground Express Program and corresponding free food program are going again, and offer good opportunities for kids during summer. One school district program that Jim is pleased with is the Blacktop basketball league (also a free program)held at the new hoop courts at Lions and the two courts across from Legion Field. 6. Slide at Jarstad Aquatic Center The slide is finally open! It's been really well-received and Jim encouraged the Commissioners to give it a try. Commissioner Butler said she had one complaint: the slide was blocked off during senior swimming. Jim encouraged Commissioner Butler to mention this to Jeff Elevado, Aquatics Center Supervisor. 7. DNR Illahee Trust Land This issue remains unchanged. Acquisition is contingent upon our ability to pay for it based on the revenue that we can get from the annexation of property around it and how serious are the neighbors about retaining it. Jim will be attending a meeting on Saturday, June 28th, relating to this subject. Light at Lions: We will upgrade the lights at Warren Avenue/Carpenter Field (funding from CDBG). We're looking into "soft lights" which would be perfect for that neighborhood. This needs to be completed prior to the start of Pee Wee football in August. Tape (Mitch in the Morning) - Gold Mountain: Jim played a tape from a radio talk show called "Mitch in the Morning" on KJR sports radio where the talk show host (Mitch) raved about the conditions of the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain and talked about it as a tremendous value. The only down side was the commute from Seattle and the condition of the Clubhouse. Mitch was clearly impressed by our golf complex and what a great advertisement! Commissioner C. Johnson suggested sending Mitch a thank you note. viii. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-May 27, 1997 M/S/C/U (C. McWhorter/W. Butler)to approve May 27th minutes. IX. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner C. Johnson inquired about the seawall/rockwall at Evergreen, to which Jim explained that it is 400 ft. of rockwall that is very similar to what's already there just north of the boat launch less the rubble. It's a retaining wall plus a planting strip that goes with it (about $100,000 project to be contracted out). Commissioner C. Johnson also asked Jim about funding for the lights at Pendergast if we are putting a grant for half the amount. Jim said this is a $600,000 project and we're asking for matching funds of$300,000 from IAC, the other half will come from revenue-generated off of the golf comlex. Commissioner C. Johnson also commented that last year we skipped the July Commission meeting and asked if we're doing it this year. Jim said we 4 • I may plan to do something else outdoors instead, maybe a picnic/potluck at one of the parks. The staff will notify the Commissioners on the plan. Commissioner Butler inquired about the Solie property issue. Jim said the owner of this property (adjacent southeast of lower Sheridan Park) is interested in selling the land for use as a park. Commissioner Butler added that the gardeners are doing a good job at Kitsap Lake, and she told them so! The flowers are gorgeous! She said she asked the gardeners/maintenance crew if they were familiar with the types of poisonous plants out there and they said they weren't. Jim added that our Urban Forester, Jim Trainer, and Parks Foreman, Tom Cressman, might know. Lastly, Commissioner Butler mentioned that she'll be walking at the golf course tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. Everyone agreed that she will enjoy the walk. Commissioner R. Johnson commented that things are doing great. Commission McWhorter mentioned that he had noticed that kids on 5th by Haddon need some kind of outdoor hoops. He commented that Warren Avenue/Carpenter Field and the whole facility is cool. He mentioned that the bathrooms were locked one time he was there. Relating to the Denver conference, he thinks rock- climbing is way too cool. He also mentioned that at Haddon playground site the other day, some of the parents were concerned right after the earthquake, to which Jim responded that we sent people out to check right away, and everyone and facilities were okay. The group entered into general discussion regarding rock-climbing and its liability issues. Becky commented that in Denver it was not a liability issue, more like a staffing issue. Chairman Cook inquired about the status of the boat at Kitsap Lake. Jim said we have the 14 ft. boat but are still waiting for the motor. About half a dozen policemen have been trained to patrol the lake. Regarding Kitsap Lake weed problem, Jim mentioned that Jack Lefcoski left him a note today about their next meeting. They're looking for funding source to deal with the problem as well as a representative from Parks Commission. Anyone interested? IX. ADJOURNMENT- The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Lena D'Agos no, Office Asst. 11 i Spencer, erim Director 5