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Home My WebLink About02/24/1998 MEETING MINUTES • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES February 24, 1998 6:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Doug Groneman, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson ABSENT/EXCUSED: Barry Cook, Lionel Collins (Resigned), Terry Dodge, Nick Garguile Sr., Charles McWhorter AUDIENCE: City Councilman Carlos Montgomery (District #8) STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant II I. CALL TO ORDER: In the absence of Chairman Barry Cook, Commissioner Russ Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Interim Director Jim Spencer welcomed Commissioner Doug Groneman and introduced him as their newly-elected member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. III. AGENDA: No change. VI. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Bond - Survey Committee Surveys relative to the bond issue were sent out with the utility bills and with the Department's brochure mailing. Jim Spencer reported that the quantity of surveys that have come back so far are disappointing — only .47% (75 out of approximately 16,000 total surveys) to date. He will provide summary of the survey contents next month. Jim further added that there has been a discussion on the possibility of doing a phone survey. 2. Haddon Update Jim is scheduled to meet with the City's Project Manager, Department of Community Development, Engineering Department, and Parametrix this Thursday, 1 Page • • February 26th, to put together definitive documents so that we can and go out to bid on the project. Jim showed the copy of the Haddon Masterplan to the Commissioners. He also informed them of a phone call he received recently from the Head of Eastpark Housing Office. Eastpark is relocating and they have agreend to donate a brand-new, all ADA-approved playground toy, similar in size to the one installed at Pendergast. This new playtoy will, no doubt, be a nice addition to the large play area at Haddon. We will put in a product called "fibar" underneath the new toy like we have at various other parks. Eastpark needs us to sign a liability letter stating that the Department will assume any kind of liability regarding use. Jim added that the staff had sent Eastpark Housing a thank you letter for their generous donation. 3. Pinewood Community Pool The staff was approached on the possibility of operating this facility which is located just outside the city limit. Jim discussed this proposal with Mayor Horton prior to presenting it to the City Council at a Study Session. City Council declined the proposal. This venture would have been costly to maintain, and there were liability concerns. 4. Kitsap Lake Weed Survey Results The Department sent out 130 surveys to the property owners that live on Kitsap Lake. To date, thirty-five residents responded (31 indicated there is a weed problem). A number of the residents are willing to serve on the Steering Committee. 5. Kitsap Lake Screen Removal Jim provided the Commissioners copies of a memo of his telephone conversation with Rich Costello, Department of Fish and Wildlife, regarding the screens/dam issue. Department of Fish and Wildlife's plan is to definitely remove the screens at the end of a two-year sampling period. At this point, Commissioner Russ Johnson provided a summary and his viewpoint on the issues at hand: removal of the screens and its impact on the natural migration of fish, the Suquamish tribe's stand on the protection of salmon, water levels issue, and weed problem. Jim added that clearly there is a lot of dynamics involved in this issue. V. NEW BUSINESS — Meeting Time (Barry's Request from 1/27/98) Chairman Barry Cook suggested moving the monthly meeting back to 5:30 p.m. The Commissioners stated they are in consensus. VI. STAFF REPORT: East 17th & Ironsides: The City's Department of Public Works and Utilities may offer us a piece of property (old flat water tank with tennis courts) near Manette Playfield/Senior Center. Public Works Department did a recent analysis as to the feasibility of repair work to the old water tank at this location, which resulted in the 2 Page • conclusion that the repair would be cost-prohibitive for the their Department. Jim stated that the Department is interested in acquiring and developing this property as a small/passive park which would provide a nice view opportunities (very similar to Bataan Park). We need to figure out a purchase agreement with the Public Works Department and find funding to develop. Jim had recently attended a District #3 neighborhood meeting and received positive feedback from the neighbors. Daddy/Daughter Dance: This has become an annual highlight event for our Department! The dance was held at the Sons of Norway building since we needed a bigger facility to accommodate the 250 attendees. Commissioner Carol Johnson secured the facility for us. Commissioner Johnson added that the whole thing was wonderful — the music, the disk jockey (Jay-Pee Baige, one of the park maintenance staff), and everything. Clubhouse Predesign Contract with Baumgardner: Jim will meet with the architects to begin the definitive design for the Clubhouse in two weeks. Annual Report: Jim provided the Commissioners with copies of the Department's 1997 Annual Report. He added that he is very proud of what we accomplished last year. Commissioner Russ Johnson commented on how amazing it is that a small group can accomplish so much. Tree Work at Forest Ridge Park: We will soon be taking out trees due to root rot around middle of March, and will eventually replace them with cedars. A commercial forester will help us take the trees down in exchange for the timber. There are also concerns with ivy growing on trees causing damage on the younger trees. Jim Trainer, who is the City's Urban Forester/Tree Arborist, will work on the ivy problems with the help of some AmeriCorps youth volunteer. Signs will be put out notifying people of this upcoming project. Jim added that he wanted the Commissioners to be aware of this in case there are any inquiries. Councilman Montgomery said it might be a good idea to have this brought up at the next District 7 and 8 neighborhood meetings prior to taking the trees down. Jim said Councilman Montgomery will be given enough notice before any activity occurs. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 27, 1998 (M/S/C/U) Butler/C.Johnson to approve minutes from January 27th meeting. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Doug Groneman commented on the Lions dock repair. Jim said this project is a joint venture between Lions Club and the Parks Department. Commissioner Carol Johnson commented on how dark it was at Manette Field parking lot and the Senior Center building. She worries about the safety of the people (especially the seniors). Jim mentioned that we will relight Manette Field and the parking lot by September of this year to support the fall season. Commissioner C. 3 Page • • Johnson also commented on the following: Lions Dock repair was being worked on today — and that was good. Pendergast looked wonderful, the maintenance crew did a great job mowing the grass. People kept asking her about the former Kona Village Apartments site as a possible future park. Jim responded he hasn't been invited to any discussion on this issue. Jim announced that tonight is also the final games of the Kiwanis Goldenball Tournament of Goldenball (the Department's boys basketball league) at the Bremerton High School. Jim added he is planning on catching the end of it after the meeting. Commissioner Russ Johnson mentioned an article he had read on Microsoft Monthly Magazine about giving away computer equipment and software. He said he thought about the Senior Center and how they could benefit from this. Becky Lorber said she will look into this. Commissioner Russ Johnson added that he will send Becky the article. Jim added that Lockheed/Martin are doing upgrades on their computers and they plan on donating some computers which can be used at the Senior Center and other places. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted: c 1 Lena D'Agostin , Office Asst. II (J' Spende/r, Interim Director 4 Page 1