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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/1998 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES May 26, 1998 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310-3308 ATTENDANCE: Barry Cook, Douglas Groneman, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Wanda Butler, Terry Dodge, Nick Garguile Sr. AUDIENCE: Lonnie Dawson. STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim 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 5:37 p.m. II. ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Becky Lorber distributed copies of the Bremerton Senior Center's Trips schedule (July — December 1998). She also reminded the Commissioners to attend the upcoming musical event, "The Beat is Strong", a "Musical Revue", which will be presented by the Bremerton Senior Center on Thursday, May 28th at 7:00 p.m., at the Admiral Theater. Becky added that this is part of our way of recognizing National Senior's Month and hope the Commissioners can come and celebrate with us. Lonnie Dawson came back to the meeting to follow-through with Interim Director Jim Spencer on his request to have Parks & Recreation Department provide the necessary equipment/tools so that he and some volunteers can help clean up Manette Playfield. A meeting was scheduled for Jim and Tom Cressman, Parks Maintenance Foreman, to meet with Mr. Dawson on Thursday, May 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at Manette Playfield to further discuss this issue. III. AGENDA: Jim Spencer added an item under V. New Business — Dr. John Stanley's Letter. The rest of the agenda remained the same. 1 Page • IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Bond - Survey Committee The group discussed various options and suggestions relative to pursuing a bond levy. Commissioner Charles McWhorter was in contact with some people who have knowledge on this topic. Suggestions mentioned to him included a phone survey, or conducting a door-to-door inquiry to get quick feedback. He added that we need to present our case to the public, and hold community meetings to find out if we have enough interest. Commissioner Russ Johnson suggested putting information together for presentation. If we clearly identify the need, then people will want to respond. Jim commented we need something conceptual and more tangible to present to the public. The staff could certainly put together something in writing if necessary. Becky suggested having the Commissioners show the videotape from the Colorado conference she attended on Channel 12/cable access channel. Chairman Barry Cook said as a Survey Committee, we need to look at developing data. Becky agreed to help and said she'd have something for them to look at by Wednesday, June 3rd Chairman Cook also suggested that the Survey Committee needs to start meeting more often, maybe on a weekly basis, to get this project going. At this point, a meeting for the Survey Committee was set for Wednesday, June 3rd, at 4:00 p.m. at Sheridan Community Building. 2. Haddon Update Jim mentioned that he was happy to report that this project is out to bid. Walk- through has been scheduled for the 9' of June; bid opening will be on June 25th. The project includes: a small parking lot, asphalt perimeter track, grass field with irrigation, and the restroom (bid as an alternate). Realistically, the project can be done before fall and needs to be seeded by then. 3. Kitsap Lake Per Jim, we held our 1st public meeting on May 18th relative to the Aquatic Weed Management Program. Attendance was moderate (14 people). The Draft Problem Statement was presented as well as goals. There was good feedback from the public. As far as the lake level issue, Jim met with Public Works Director, City Engineer, etc. Everyone agreed that the lake level is an issue and we need to come up with a solution to ensure on-going lake level maintenance. Jim is very confident that this issue can be resolved. 4. BMX Course Commissioner McWhorter provided Jim with brochures and pamphlets from the American Bicycle Association relative to building a BMX Course (layouts, estimated costs, components, etc.). This is the kind of information we need and he thanked him for that. Hats off to Commissioner McWhorter! Commissioner Douglas Groneman asked if Jim had came up with a reasonable location for this course. Jim said he thought Eastpark would be an ideal place for this 2 Page • • alternate sport. He feels that skateboarders and BMX'ers have similar interests and they would co-mingle nicely. There are also some potential locations, depending on size, that we need to look into. Jim further added that he is reluctant to use Pendergast because the addition of a BMX course would interfere with Pendergast's existing Masterplan. Jim suggested putting some options together, then examine them closely prior to making a final decision. Commissioner Russ Johnson suggested we should consider a location that would allow us to have competitions that would attract people from outside the City. At this point, the group entered into a discussion on issues relative to BMX course locations, maintenance, etc. V. NEW BUSINESS — Letter from Dr. John Stanley Jim received a letter from Dr. John Stanley stating his concerns and suggestions for improvements to make our City parks more appealing, specifically, N.A.D. and Forest Ridge Parks. He had suggested preparing a Masterplan for each park, placing the map on grids and then soliciting to people and organizations support for the property within the designated grid. Dr. Stanley is interested in doing the right thing and his heart is definitely in the right way place. However, we're already spread too thin, and we've got more parks to maintain then labor to maintain them. We're concerned that all the responsibilities for the maintenance of the improvements they've made may come back to our group. Jim said he wanted the Commissioners to be aware of this issue. Chairman Cook and Commissioner Carol Johnson added that Dr. Stanley seems so enthusiastic and we need to channel his enthusiasm by suggesting to him that he and his group use a park with an existing Masterplan and see how his idea works out. Everyone agreed to this. Jim added that he will draft a letter of response to Dr. Stanley. Chairman Cook said he willl co-sign the letter. VI. STAFF REPORT Clubhouse Design: Per Jim, we're in the very final stages of pre-design. We now have a workable project in terms of dollars so we're ready to go to the next stage which is the definitive design that will include cart storage under the new facility. We're looking at a location that will optimize the view of the Olympic Course. City Audit: City Auditor Michael Stephenson has looked at all our facilities and did a thorough job. He found a minor discrepancy at the Gold Mountain Golf Complex involving a reconciliation problem between some of the sign-in sheets versus the actual cash register receipts. There was no suspicion that anything is happening there other than there might be clerical issues that needed resolutions. Mr. Stephenson offered valuable suggestions to develop a better method to solve this problem. Overall the report was encouraging - a real credit for the staff. Jim provided the Commissioners each a copy of the Audit Report. 3 Page • • F-8 (Airplane)at N.A.D.: Joel McDowell from the Port of Bremerton has contacted Jim regarding the possibility of moving the F-8 Crusader to the Bremerton Airport so that more people will have the opportunity to view it. The plane is on loan to us from the Navy. Mayor Horton suggested involving the Commission to find out their reaction on this issue. Commissioner R. Johnson said he thought that there are a lot of Navy/military families residing on the Jackson Park area who enjoy the presence of the plane where it is. Jim mentioned that we will have Don Hock, Parks Facilities Supervisor, do additional research on this issue. Mural: Last meeting, Commissioner Nick Garguile inquired on the possibility of painting a mural on the wall on the west side of Manette Bridge (City property). We think this request holds merit and we're pursuing it. We have to figure out what to put on that wall and how to go about doing it. SR-3/Bruenn Park Tennis Courts: New nets were installed on all four tennis courts. Boardwalk: Construction of the new transportation center by the Boardwalk is having some effects on the existing areas. We're looking for locations for some excess items like planters, clock, etc. Speaking of Boardwalk, Jim thought the ceremony honoring the departure of the U.S.S. Missouri last Saturday went very well and he was very impressed with the whole event. It sure was sad to see the Missouri go. Senior Center Storage Area: Proceeds from this Thursday's musical event will go towards the planned renovation project at the Senior Center. Lions Club volunteered to help with construction. Tree on 1307 Park: Our Urban Forester, Jim Trainer, will take this tree down this Thursday, May 28, 1998, due to poor health. New Flagpole on Sheridan Community Building: A new flagpole was put up at the corner of Clare and Lebo and we're proudly flying the flag now. Jim asked the Commissioners to check it out on their way out. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — March 24, 1998 (M/S/C/U) (R. Johnson/C. Johnson) to approve April 28th minutes. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Chairman Cook Barry commented on Commissioner Terry Dodge's sporadic attendance. Her last attendance was in January and she has now missed four consecutive meetings. According to the By-Laws, the absence of three (3) consecutive meetings or any five (5) meetings within a twelve month period shall constitute a vacancy on the Board. Chairman Cook suggested writing a letter to Commissioner Dodge advising her of this. Commissioner McWhorter commented that there were a total of 220 soccer teams in Poulsbo recently for their big tournament. They used all available fields. He 4 Page S • also heard that the closest place people could stay together as a team was in Tacoma, due to lack of lodging facilities in this area. Commissioner Douglas Groneman asked Jim a question relating to the quarterly report on the Golf Complex, and was concerned if there are any safeguards built into the budget in case revenue projections are too high. Jim informed him that $250,000 was budgeted in ending cash to safeguard against this scenario. Commissioner Groneman went on to inquire about the survey contained in the May publication of the "Report Card" published by the Bremerton School District that was asking for input regarding having the district combine property use with other agencies such as Parks. Jim said he was aware but a little on guard. One area specifically discussed is joint use of Pendergast if/when Pope Resources develops their property to the south and west of the existing complex. Commissioner R. Johnson said the staff is doing great! Jim thanked him for this compliment. He also informed the Commissioners that the metal swing set at Lions is now fixed, and thanked Commissioner Groneman for the heads-up. Commissioner C. Johnson mentioned that she and others had noticed a big overall improvement at Pendergast soccer fields (lining, surface firmness, etc.). Also, the Romtec portable toilets were clean last week. Commissioner C. Johnson also asked Jim on the status of the firing range downstairs. Jim said he was advised that there is a legal issue on their end (Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club) that has been resolved. Audit is emminent and we'll have Fire Department and others present during the audit to evaluate the situation. IX. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm. Respectfully submitted: • / , , , ___„4_,' , (0 t., , ...„......_ ..t.e. ..„......._„„ Lena D'Ag tino, Office Asst. II im Spenc: nterim Director 1 5 Page