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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/23/1998 MEETING MINUTES • • City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, June 23, 1998 5:30 p.m. Sheridan Park Community Center 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, WA 98310-3308 ATTENDANCE: Wanda Butler, Barry Cook, Lonnie Dawson, Douglas Groneman, Carol Johnson, Russ Johnson, Charles McWhorter. ABSENT/EXCUSED: Terry Dodge, Nick Garguile Sr. AUDIENCE: None STAFF: Jim Spencer, Interim Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Asst. 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 informed the Commissioners of the success of the Bremerton Senior Center's recent musical event at the Admiral Theater. The event had 475 attendees and raised $2,000.00 towards the room expansion at the Senior Center which hopefully will begin in August. Jodi Wroblewski urged everyone to attend the Al Colvin field dedication at Lions Field next Monday, June 29`h. Refreshments will be provided. III. AGENDA: Jim Spencer added an item under IV. Old Business - 6. Dr. John Stanley Response. The rest of the agenda remained the same. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Bond - Survey Committee The group met and discussed what directions they need to take relative to this project. Commissioner Barry Cook and Jim Spencer met with "Sturdie" Sturdivant to get some ideas relevant to this project. Mr. Sturdivant served as the Chairperson for the last bond drive. 1 Page • • Becky Lorber will arrange a meeting with former Parks and Recreation Director Arvilla Ohide. Jim suggested inviting Arvilla to the Al Colvin field dedication and meet with her after the ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Russ Johnson suggested talking to commercial groups and the private sectors, including marketing experts, builders, investors, etc. to determine their views on conducting a bond levy. Jim is willing to arrange a meeting with Rich Hanna to discuss the implications of a levy in the near future. 2. Haddon Update Per Jim, bid opening for Haddon Park Phase I is this Thursday, June 25th at 2:00 p.m. City of Bremerton Project Manager, Dan Miller, said there had been a fair amount of interest, and was hoping to receive at least 4 or 5 bids which would drive the cost down a little. Phase I includes the development of the open field with irrigation, perimeter walking track, excavated space for the play equipment donated by the Navy from Eastpark, and a very small parking lot to accommodate 4 cars (including one handicapped space). The restroom is a bid alternate. 3. Kitsap Lake Per Jim, Roger Hudson, a member of the Kitsap Lake Weed Survey Committee made arrangements to videotape the bottom of the lake next Sunday. Jim thought considerable progress had been made on this project. The videotape footage is a good investment and will serve as historical documentation of the weed issues. 4. BMX Course Jim presented the following locations as possibilities for a future BMX Course: Forest Ridge Park, Stephenson Canyon, Easpart, N.A.D., and N.A.D. Marine. More research is needed to finalize a location. Jim originally thought Eastpark was the best location, but after reviewing an aerial map from Public Works & Utilities Department, and calculating available space, he is not as optimistic. Alternatives might include the swimming pool side with the with the possibility of tying that in with Eastpark nature trail. A couple of the areas that Jim thought wouldn't work are: Blueberry Park and Evergreen Park, since a BMX Course would interfere with the parks' existing Masterplans. Commissioner Russ Johnson inquired about the possibility of using Jarstad Park, to which Jim replied Jarstad Park is Public Works & Utilities Department property. Commissioner Lonnie Dawson mentioned that a BMX Course located in the Port Angeles area (airport side of Lincoln Park) has all the amenities kids love. Jim said he will make an effort to look at this place and check out its dimensions. 5. Al Colvin Field Dedication (6/29/98) Jim invited everyone to this ceremony on June 29th, Monday, 5:00 p.m., at Lions Field. 6. Dr. Stanley Response 2 Page • • Jim responded to Dr. Stanley's letter of concerns and suggestions for improvements to City parks, specifically, N.A.D. and Forest Ridge Parks. Jim suggested that rather than recreating existing Masterplans, a review of these parks be done to see if a group can be mobilized, to take that project on. Jim has not heard back from Dr. Stanley to date. V. NEW BUSINESS — None VI. STAFF REPORT RV Facility: An interested investor has approached the City about possibly doing some RV development. Jim is scheduled to meet with the Mayor, City Treasurer, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and the prospective developer, on July 1St, Wednesday, regarding the feasibility and logistics of developing an RV facility. One of the sites being considered is Pendergast Regional Park, which has a Masterplan for an RV area identified under Phase Ill. Other locations include Jarstad Park, expansion of the Square Dance Hall, and N.A.D. Marine. Any revenue generated would go to the department who owns the property (e.g., if at Pendergast, the revenue will go towards Phase II development, or if at N.A.D. Marine, revenue would go toward another parks project. Blackberry Festival Booth: It has been suggested that the Parks Commissioners have an "information" booth at the Blackberry Festival to answer park questions, hand-out information, and conduct a survey of future park needs and desires. Jim said the Commissioners need to make a decision if, in fact, they want to pursue this and determine how to staff it. Jim said this might be a good opportunity to provide the public with some meaningful insights to help with other issues. The Commissioners agreed that this is a great idea. I.A.C. Presentation on Evergreen Park: Jodi and Becky went to Olympia for the technical review of the grant application process. They received suggestions on areas needing improvement before the final presentation in August. Jim added that next month the Commissioners will be asked to sign a letter to I.A.C. endorsing Evergreen Park Phase II development. Jim further suggested that he and newly-elected Commissioner Lonnie Dawson schedule a meeting to discuss the on-going department projects and other related issues, and have a tour of the parks and other Parks facilities. Golf Course - Revenue Standpoint: A few months ago, Jim had discussed the Department's 1998 budget and stated an aggressive schedule of golf rounds had been set. It is clear that these rounds cannot be achieved from a budget standpoint. Therefore, revenue is down, impacting Fund 112 parks projects (e.g., Manette light project, Pat Carey Vista seawall restoration). A conservative approach is in place. Jim goes to City Council tomorrow evening to discuss fee changes and request 3 Page authorization for fee reductions on the Olympic Course, Monday through Thursday before 7:30 a.m. with the hope of attracting more players. Parks Director Position: Jim informed the Commission that closing date to apply for this position is on July 16th. He thinks the position will be filled by mid-August. YMCA Letter: Jim wrote Glen Godfrey, YMCA Executive Director, a response letter to his request for additional pool time for youth open swims and a lifeguard issue. Jim provided the Commissioners each a copy of the letter. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —June 23, 1998 Commissioner Russ Johnson commented that under COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS' & QUESTIONS Section, June 23rd minutes, it was mentioned that he talked about the metal swing set at Lions. It was Jim Spencer who made that statement, not Commissioner R. Johnson. Correction duly noted, the rest of the minutes were approved as submitted. VIII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioner Dawson asked if the issue on offering discounts to Bremerton residents/taxpayers at the Golf Complex has been considered. Jim said that he thinks that by providing passes and discounts, the local golfers get a break. At this point, Jim briefly discussed the rates and revenues from the golf course, and other related issues. Commissioner Dawson also asked if we could install a 4-ft. fence around the open play area at Eastpark below the pool. Kids balls are finding their way into Magnuson Way. He's concerned as a parent that a potential hazard exists. Jim made a note of this request. Commissioner Dawson mentioned he was approached by someone he met at the City Council meeting inquiring on the status of a piece of property on East 13th Street. Apparently there is a trail that people used to go down to the water which is now off limits. Jim replied he had limited knowledge on this matter. A little chunk of that property is owned by the City, and a resident had built a garage that ended up being in the middle of the trail on his property. At the last Mayor's meeting, Jim heard that the City was circulating a petition in the neighborhood and whatever the neighbors decided, the majority would rule on the property. Jim will get more information from the City Engineer and get back to Commissioner Dawson on this issue. Commissioner Groneman asked if there are plans for expanding the Skateboard Park like the one being built in Silverdale. Jim said it's all a matter of funding. Commissioner Dawson also mentioned that a parent had asked him why the bike/walking trail at Lions Field is closed to kids on their bikes, forcing them to ride in the parking lot, which can be dangerous. Jim said the reason behind the decision to close down the walking trail to bikes was due to a specific injury accident. An elderly woman was hurt and ended up in the hospital with a major concussion and stitches. Jim discussed the issue with the City Risk Manager and came up with the current scenario. An area down by Field #2 has been designated for bicycling for children during the day. 4 Page I Lastly, Commissioner Dawson asked on the possibility of opening up a space somewhere else for a bicycle trail, maybe by the Eastpark picnic area. Jim said that's the same site he wanted to do the BMX Course if it works out. Commissioner Doug Groneman mentioned he spoke with the gentleman who runs Café Oasis downtown. He is looking for a bigger place to do business and was inquiring about the possibility of running a concession stand somewhere, possibly in a Teen Center. Jim said we have a free teen "Drop By" program available every Saturday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. in this building. Jim will let our Teen Program Coordinator, Cynthia Engelgau, know of this and have her contact this gentleman. Regarding the bond issue, Commissioner Groneman asked if there's a way to find out the areas demographics. Per Becky, that's one of the projects the Senior Ad Hoc Committee did for their report. Commissioner Wanda Butler said she wanted to welcome Commissioner Dawson to the Commission. She also added that the staff is doing a very good job. Commissioner Carol Johnson said she's thrilled about the RV interest. She had a customer from out-of-town the other day who had a hard time finding an RV parking location in the area. Commissioner C. Johnson spent half an hour trying to find a place for her to stay. There is nothing close except Illahee State Park which has no hook- ups. The closest location is in Belfair. Personally, Commissioner C. Johnson favors N.A.D. Marine over Pendergast. Chairman Cook stated he had not received a response from Commissioner Terry Dodge and asked if Jim had, to which Jim replied no. Chairman Cook suggested giving Commissioner Dodge a call. Jim said he will giver her a call. IX. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Lena D'Agostind, Office Asst. II im Spe fir, Interim Director 5 Page