Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/1997 MEETING MINUTES • • 1 City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES October 28, 1997 6:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd. , Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Lionel Collins, Barry Cook, Terry Dodge, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, and Charlie McWhorter. ABSENT: Nick Garguile AUDIENCE: Douglas Groneman STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski , Asst. Director, Becky Lorber, Rec. Programmer II . I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 6: 40 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None III. AGENDA: No change. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. PARK BOND SURVEY COMMITTEE: The Committee has met once, which has resulted in a rough draft that is not ready for review by the entire Park Commission. The Committee meets again on Monday, November 10th at 4 : 00 p.m. They plan to have a draft for review at the next Park Commission meeting in November. 2. RENAMING FIELD AT LIONS: Field 1 is to be renamed for Al Colvin. The new sign commemorating this event will be presented in December prior to the end of his Council term. Jim shared the schematic of the formal sign and a plaque with a poem of appreciation for his many years of service to the City of Bremerton. 3. HADDON: Jodi provided handouts on the prioritized, required elements that resulted from the public input meeting September 23 , and the memo that went to Randy Witt, City Engineer, requesting clarification on City associated requirements, specifically sidewalks. In addition, Jodi brought an enlarged poster of Haddon Property with topography lines and park elements to scale. Commissioners spent some time placing fixtures within the park and making suggestions for a possible layout of the future park. 411 S 2 Final suggestions included getting final determination on sidewalk requirements and related costs. The Commission would like to explore funding for sidewalks from alternative sources, so that available park development dollars can be used for park construction, fixtures, and equipment. Somehow, it is hoped that the sidewalk could be linked into an interior trail system, one to avoid duplicate expenses, and to maximize trail length. The next public meeting on Haddon development will be on Thursday, November 20, at 6 : 30 p.m. Site to be determined, but will be located on the Westside. 3. CDBG RESULTS: Jim reported on the recent results on the five grants submitted. The Playground Express Program requested $25,000 and received $0.00. This program is a critical "must" and the department intends to have some type of program, however the extent will be dependent of available dollars in the 1998 budget. ADA improvements requests were for $11, 350 and received same. This will allow us to bring closure on the final ADA recommendations for compliance and accessibility to Sheridan Park, Jarstad Aquatic Center and the Senior Center ADA parking. Lower Sheridan Park upgrades for $8 , 000, received $6,000. This will allow us to open up the park with tree trimming, ADA approved fall zone material and a few additional park furnishings. The final city CDBG request was for $10, 000 for a water aquatic management plan. The department intends to hire an expert to determine specific action required to mitigate weed growth and maintain quality water standards at Kitsap Lake. The final grant request was through the County for the Sparky summer program for developmentally disabled youths. Over 85% of the registrants live in the county. The request was for $15,000 and we received $0 . 00. The mayor has sent a letter to the County encouraging them to relook at this need. The program will be offered at a reduced level in 1998 . This past year 65 children participated in an eight week program. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Kitsap Transit and the Bremerton Boardwalk/Parking lot: Jim distributed a letter generated by Paula Johnson to Kitsap Transit, and the associated new Transit Center that will be part of the SLA project. Transit wants to use the parking areas that are part of the Roosevelt Field exchange, for a lay-down area to support construction of this new project, and will pay our department the amount associated II/ . 3 with "lost revenue" . The problem arose when they wanted to use the grassy knoll . This was considered an encroachment into the Boardwalk, and therefore became a Parks Protection issue. They backed away and found a way to do their project without the use of the knoll . The second component is putting in a second gang-plank for ferry travelers. Jim does not see this as an issue since the boardwalk was built to enhance use of the waterfront and associated activities, including boat access. 2. Kitsap Lake Water Level Concern: Barry reported that he attended a meeting related to water level concerns and algae on Kitsap Lake. There is talk about having a summer and winter level , which is regulated by boards controlling water height. It is a delicate issue to ensure that residents aren't flooded out at one end while others don't receive any water. Many issues were discussed including salmon run needs, etc. Basically, they want the Parks and Recreation Department to regulate the water levels, with the cooperation of the Department of Fisheries. No final conclusions from this meeting. Barry will keep the Commission updated. VI. STAFF REPORT 1. Compost Grant: In 1996 , Jim went to Council about implementing a grant from the County for a composting program at Stepheson Canyon. In trying to implement the program, the health department deluged us with paperwork requirements and restrictions, which made the intent of the grant financially impossible, as well as extremely labor intensive. The mayor wrote a letter to the Health Department about the beauracracy blocks preventing our involvement. Suddenly the restrictions have been lifted, and we hope to have an active composting program by the end of the year. 2. 1998 Budget: On Monday, November 17, Jim will present our balanced 1998 budget to Council . Numbers are not a lot different, however we were able to maintain existing full-time staff, and most of the part-time labor dollars. Commission is welcome to attend. 3. Misleading Political Propaganda: Jim reported that Rodney Johnson, a candidate running for mayor has published a document stating that he could trim $190,000 from the current operations of the Jarstad Aquatic Center. This is false information. Jim is happy to explain the specific pool budget to anyone that would like the real facts. 4. Architect Selection for the Golf Course Clubhouse: An RFQ was sent out and 23 different firms responded. This list was short-listed to 5. On Thursday, October 30, there 411 4 will be hourly interviews with these five firms, and hopefully at the end of the day a selection will be made. Secondly, on September 26th, The Sun printed an article, in which the story was correct, but the headlines spoke about cost over-runs, which was misleading. The complex is doing well , costs were over-run, but revenue was also exceeded. This was a learning year, since this is the first year of operating two courses. 5. Break-in at Sheridan Park: Jim reported that the building had been broken in on either Friday night or early Saturday morning, October 24 or 25. Little damage and minimal theft occurred, but what is most significant was that three portable radios were taken. They were later used by to erroneously report false incidents and for making derogatory comments about police officers. The news media has been reporting this incident. 6. Third Quarterly Report: Jim distributed this report for Commissions' information. 7. Annual Halloween Party: Jim announced this annual event, the Channel 12 coverage, and encouraged the commission to come down and observe and participate. 8. Evergreen Park Seawall: The contract for the seawall and planting strip is nearing completion. Jim encouraged Commission to stop by and observe this improvement. The Phase I design contact has been signed, and now we are trying to develop a timeline that we all can live with. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES--SEPTEMBER 23, 1997 M/S/P to accept the minutes as presented. Updates to the Commissioners' phone lists were made. VIII.COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Dodge: No report Commissioner C. Johnson: Asked when the clubhouse at the golf course was to be built. Jim answered that he hoped in 1998 . Design money is in the 1998 budget, but there has been no work begun on the necessary bonds required for construction. She has seen the seawall--it looks great! Commissioner R. Johnson: Complimented the Parks staff on the utility mailing of programs and offerings. Commissioner McWhorter: Compliments to Tom Cressman for the composting program. Commissioner Collins: He met with the owner of the batting cage who is interested in working with the Bremerton Youth Council on providing some play opportunities. Reference was made to involving Cyn Englegau's help in pursuing this possible program. He did reference the weed i • 5 document prepared by FishPro and agreed that there were no conclusions for direction. Commissioner Butler: No report. IX. Adjournament: The meeting was adjourned at 8 :15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Al AA. /.1.r4 Becky } orber, Rec. Prog. II im Spenc: ' , Interim Dir.