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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/28/1998 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES April28, 1998 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310-3308 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Barry Cook, Nick Garguile Sr., Douglas Groneman, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Terry Dodge. AUDIENCE: Lonnie Dawson, Douglas Dawson. STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Director, Becky Lorber, Recreation Coordinator II, Lena D'Agostino, Office Assistant II. I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Barry Cook called the meeting to order at 5:35p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Becky Lorber announced an upcoming event called "The Beat is Strong", a "Musical Revue", which will be presented by the Bremerton Senior Center, on May 28`h, Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. at the Admiral Theater. Tickets are on sale at the Senior Center and Sheridan Recreation Center for $6 (Orchestra seating) and $4 (Balcony seating). She urged everyone to come and help celebrate National Seniors' Month which is in May. This spectacular event will feature a variety of performances (singers, tap dancers, line dancers, square dancers, Tai Chi, etc.). Any proceeds from this event will go into the construction of an additional classroom space at the Senior Center. Commissioner Carol Johnson volunteered to assist in selling the tickets. Mr. Lonnie Dawson expressed his concerns about the poor condition of Manette Playfield where his son Douglas practices Pee Wee baseball at Manette Playfield. Mr. Dawson asked Jim Spencer if there is something that can be done on the status of the field to make it better. Jim Spencer responded that he recognized the need to improve the field condition at Manette. It would entail installation of a drainage system, planting grass, and installation of an irrigation system. Manette Playfield is one of the few fields in the City with lights and it gets used extensively. Mr. Dawson added that a backstop would also be a nice thing to have which could maybe help stop foul balls from breaking windows in the Senior Center. Duly noted on the field, Jim said we'll have to look at the backstop situation since he is not sure if we have enough room. Douglas Dawson inquired if a new net could be installed over the backstop, to which Jim replied we've recently examined the condition of the existing net and concluded that it needs 1 Page • some work too. Jim further added that this year there is none budgeted for that facility, and we'll hope to include this project for next year. However, funding is all contingent upon revenues coming from the golf complex. Commissioner Douglas Groneman asked Jim if there is something when can do on the interim to make it more playable. Commissioner Carol Johnson added that this could be something that the local Pee Wee organizations can assist in. Mr. Dawson further informed the Commissioners that the parents on his son's team are willing to help clean up the field and asked on the possibility of having Parks and Recreation Department provide the necessary equipment/tools. Jim said we're receptive to the idea, and he is open to anything the Parks maintenance crew can do whenever possible. III. AGENDA: Jim added another item under VI. 3. New Business, N.A.D. Marine Lease Agreement. The rest of the agenda remains the same. VI. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Bond - Survey Committee Assistant Director Jodi Wroblewski provided a summary of the survey results based from the 160 surveys that came back, and gave the Commissioners copies of the summary for review. Chairman Barry Cook mentioned he had an informal talk with Mayor Horton on the survey results. The Mayor seemed to be interested in continuing with a phone survey. She had suggested that the Survey Committee get together as a group, divide up the City into segments, and conduct actual phone surveys prior to making any decisions on whether we should go forward with any more bond related activities. Another idea was to show the video tape of different recreational facilities Becky Lorber had brought back from a conference in Colorado last year, and show it on Channel 12 at different times to give viewers an idea of the impact a successful bond could have. Commissioner Nick Garguile commented that the sample size seemed to small that it was difficult to draw any conclusions. Jim added that the Mayor thinks the idea is worth pursuing and if everyone as a group agrees to that, we will schedule a meeting with the Mayor for more definitive plans. He suggested a motion to proceed with gathering ideas prior to deciding whether or not to continue with this project. Motion to gather relevant information about this project was proposed and carried on unanimously. (M/S/C/U (Garguile/Cook). Other suggestions came up such as contacting Olympic College for assistance and taking advantage of the services to determine an appropriate sample size. At this point, the group entered into another discussion regarding Capital Improvement Plan (C.I.P.) and Mayor's views on the C.I.P. issue ( e.g. cemetery facility, improvement to our existing facilities, etc.). 2. Haddon Update Jodi reported she's hoping to have the design and schematics done by tomorrow and go to bid within 2 to 3 weeks on this project pending result from the Department of Ecology on the contamination issue. We'll have to relocate our summer Playground Express program this year from the Haddon site to behind Bremerton High School. Chairman Cook asked if there would be any kind of ceremony to welcome people to the new park. Jim said we will definitely have a grand opening ceremony. 2 Page • • 3. Kitsap Lake Jim mentioned two issues discussed during a recent Kitsap Lake meeting: weeds and maintaining the water level. As much as we try to separate these two issues, they keep surfacing together. So now we're working these two things in parallel. Regarding the weeds, we're taking the lead to generate an aquatic weed management plan. On the water level issue, one thing we've all agreed on was that the water level needs to be controlled. Jim had scheduled a meeting with the City Engineer, Public Works & Utilities Director, etc., to figure out what needs to happen to ensure on-going lake level maintenance. Jim further commented that he thinks we're making some progress on this matter. Becky announced the first public meeting on the Kitsap Lake weed issue is on May 18th, Monday, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cascade Natural Gas Building on Kitsap Way. We need to have at least two public meetings before we can complete the plan. Commissioner Garguile asked Jim how the Parks and Recreation Department is involved with the lake. At this point, Commissioner Russ Johnson provided a brief history relative to the Parks Department's jurisdiction, followed by a general discussion on same issue. 4. BMX Course Relative to BMX Course proposal, Commissioner Charles McWhorter suggested that we should look at the back side of Pendergast, or Skatepark , as possible locations for this project. Commissioner Russ Johnson had suggested going "on-line" for information on the concept, etc., and also contacting the local bike shops. Commissioner McWhorter said he will touch base with Patricia Black and work with her on this project. He will also gather more information from different sanctioned organizations. 4. Madrona at North End of Evergreen Per Jim, Urban Forester, Jim Trainer, verified that the subject tree is healthy. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Schedule Colvin Field Dedication Per Jodi, dedication is scheduled for June 29th, Monday, time not yet decided. We'll get invitations to everyone. The actual sign was put up at the start of the softball season so people will recognize it. 2. CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) Jim briefly discussed the items on the C.I.P. list, with the Gold Mountain Golf Complex being the priority. The staff identified the things we want to get done in 1999 (our best guess) contingent upon the revenues from the Golf Complex. The Mayor takes issue with the Ivy Green Cemetery component (take down house, purchase property on Naval, etc.). Commissioner Russ Johnson said he is a supporter of Ivy Green Cemetery — it could be a joint venture with other organizations and has potential as a National Historical Site. He will be more than happy to contact organizations concerned whenever needed to get them to take part on this venture. Jim said this is a good idea. 3. Puget Sound Energy Easement Request Per Jodi, Puget Sound Energy had requested easement at N.A.D. Park (off of Lakehurst Drive/western border) to install overhead facility/communication signals and transformers, polls, etc. Jim added that this is a parks protection issue. Commissioner Russ Johnson asked if we really need the fence out there, and suggested that maybe we should let Puget Sound Energy take out the rest of the fence if they're taking down a portion of it. Jodi 3 Page • • said we could put in a request for it. Chairman Cook proposed a motion to support granting Puget Sound Energy the easement. M/S/C/U (Cook/Garguile). Motion carried on unanimously. 3. N.A.D. Marine Lease Agreement The Navy is interested in putting two groundwater sampling stations to test for contamination level at Jackson Park area. They plan on installing two test wells similar to a water meter box on Parks property (parking lot area at the end of Shorewood Drive, another one halfway down the trail by the asphalt area). Jim added that this would be to our advantage so we can see what's happening prior to development. Department of Ecology was interested in this property for a number of years because of contamination concerns. If there is indeed a problem, the Navy would ultimately be responsible for the clean-up. Jim recommended that we go ahead with this issue. Chairman Cook proposed a motion which was carried on unanimously. M/S/C/U (Butler/R. Johnson). 4. STAFF REPORT: Evergreen: Per Jim, volunteers from Subase Bangor will assist us in the demolition/removal of the old maintenance shed and asphalt removal at Evergreen Park starting in late May. Quartery Report: Jim provided the Commissioners copies of the Department's Quarterly Report (summary of what we've accomplished in the last quarter). Clubhouse: We are now looking at a couple of different options on the clubhouse location. Bottom line is we cannot make a mistake — view opportunities out there are pretty tremendous. We'll get budget numbers on this project early next week and price the two options. We think that the one further north and west would be more expensive because of the additional utility and dirt work involved. New Mower: We are purchasing a new Toro mower for use throughout the Parks system. It should reduce our labor, since the new mower features a 10 1/2 foot cut. Volunteer Recognition Night: Jim commented that this event was well attended, and thanked everyone for contributing their time and making things happen. N.A.D. Trail/Forest Ridge: We're working on clearing the trail at N.A.D. At Forest Ridge, we've organized a work party to chip the branches found on the trail. Staff Promotions: Jim mentioned recent staff promotions - Jay Pee Baige, who was promoted to Service Specialist Sr., and Scott Ferido, who got promoted to Service Specialist. They both do outstanding work for the Department. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — March 24, 1998 (M/S/C/U) (Russ Johnson/Carol Johnson) to approve March 24th minutes. VI. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Wanda Butler commented on the Volunteer Recognition Night — it seemed very nice, and she was sorry she missed it. She met someone who is interested in 4 Page • ! volunteering but is not sure of the policy. Becky advised Commissioner Butler to have this person fill out a volunteer application form and put down his/her interests. Commissioner Garguile mentioned this ugly blank wall (an obvious "visual pollution") that can be seen heading west on the Manette bridge towards Washington Avenue. He inquired on the possibility of involving Parks and Recreation Department or the City in maybe painting a mural there. Jim said we could do a little research on this and see if it's worth pursuing. Commissioner Garguile also inquired about the end of 17th and High — is this a park property? Jim asked if he's referring to that high bank there by Betty Buell's (end of High). Jim had contacted the Utilities Dept. on this and they took care of it. Commissioner McWhorter apologized for missing last month's meeting. He asked if Jim received copies of information regarding Soccer Federation grants for field developments. Commissioner McWhorter also discussed the playability status of the playfields as compared to other fields in the area. Commissioner Groneman had read about "Adopt a Park Program" and inquired if we're doing this. Jim said, not formally, but we always welcome the opportunity. Jodi suggested that any interested parties can do a park clean-up. Chairman Cook mentioned an opportunity for the Commissioners to have their group picture taken, and the photo will appear in the local newspaper relating to Evergreen Park Phase II project. The photo session will take place tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in front of the old Brem-Air building. Commissioner Russ Johnson — no comment. Commissioner Carol Johnson asked for clarification on the other properties around Evergreen. Her soccer team has been playing at Pendergast and the field was wonderful. The outhouse, however, is really bad and asked if we could do something about it. On the newspaper article featuring Maurine Poland ("Unsung Hero"), Commissioner Carol Johnson said the article was excellent, and well deserved. Chairman Cook thanked the staff for a wonderful dinner the other night at the Senior Center (Volunteer Recognition Night). VII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted: • Lena D'A.4 ino Office Asst. II Jim Spenc-r Interim Director 5 Page