Park Board

Park Board MEETING AGENDA Milton Activity Center, 1000 Laurel Street July 21, 2021 Wednesday Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comments 4. Approval of Minutes A. April 21, 2021 5. Regular Agenda A. 9/11 Memorial Signage B. Milton Parade & Picnic (No Agenda Bill) 6. Member Comments 7. Adjournment Next Meeting: October 20, 2021 If you need ADA accommodations, please contact City Hall at (253) 517-2705 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Page 1 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 2 of 18  Milton Parks Board meeting minutes April 21st 2021 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Chairman Rob Dufalo. 2. Roll Call and Agenda Review Present were Pat Malone, Rob Dufalo, Monica Walvoord, Nate Styron Staff present was Mr. Jamie Carter Absent and excused was Beverley Webber and Carol 3. Public Comment Present at the meeting was Mr. Phil Linden There was no public comment 5. Emails Received Discussed email received by citizen on Emerald about concerns at Hill Tower Park. Citizen complained of free-running dogs, dogs not being cleaned up after, and people in the park after dark. Milton Police responded to the citizen and City Staff discussed sign and lighting options for the Park. 6. Staff report Focus on the upcoming event – The 2021 Spring Trail Clean up volunteer event. Also talked to the Board about the City funded project to remove Knotweed 7. 2021 Trail Clean Up Discussed upcoming event: coordination, duties, work plan, safety, covid measures, waivers, and clean up. Monica suggested making a map. Phil and Jamie made a plan to walk the trail the next day to identify potential clean up areas for volunteers. 8. Member Comments Patrick noted that some residents were complaining on line about some of the park equipment and blamed the Parks Board. He noted that the Parks Board was not involved in the selection of the equipment. 11. Action Items Phil Linden to work with Staff to identify areas for clean up Members promote the event Facebook page of city to post event announcement Jamie to mobilize tent, chairs, tools, water, waivers, and safety equipment. 12. Adjournment at 6:27 Page 3 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 4 of 18  Agenda Item#5A To: Park Board Members From: Mayor Shanna Styron Sherrell Date: July 21, 2021 Re: 9/11 Memorial Signage ATTACHMENTS: May 27, 2021 Letter June 25, 2021 Letter Revised Plans Signage Images & Verbiage TYPE OF ACTION: Information Only Discussion X Action Public Hearing Expenditure Recommended Action: “move to approve the Angel of Mercy signage for the 9/11 Memorial” or “move to deny the submitted Angel of Mercy signage for the 9/11 Memorial.” Issue/Discussion: In March of 2021, the City received a letter regarding concern of the angel silhouette at the 9/11 Memorial. Stating, “having an angel on public land in an inappropriate government endorsement of religion beliefs. The 9/11 Memorial should honor victims of all faith and no faith”. In May 2021, the City requested the angel be removed. After discussion, the City has decided to allow the angel silhouette to remain in Milton Community Park as part of the 9/11 Memorial, provided a plaque or other permanent signage—subject to the City’s pre-approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld—is added to convey the intended meaning to the greater community of the angel, and the other silhouettes, at the 9/11 Memorial. Based on MMC 12.16.180, the plaques/signage to explain the meaning of the silhouettes should be approved by the city clerk plus at least one park board member. Per legal advice, the Park Board can make a recommendation to the City Council, and then the City Council can decide given the 9-11 Memorial Agreement was approved by the Council. Based on MMC 12.16.180 and the 9-11 Memorial Agreement that was approved by Council, it seems appropriate to have the Park Board make a recommendation and then allow Council to make the final decision. The 9/11 Committee (Milton Police Foundation) has proposed the verbiage ANGEL OF MERCY- The Angel of Mercy is a secular symbol honoring the Nurses, EMT’s and others who heroically rendered aid on September 11, 2021 * WE WILL NEVER FORGET engraved Page 5 of 18 in a granite block, measuring 48” long by 6” wide, absolute black granite which matches the inlaid granite pieces around the pentagon. No signage or verbiage has been submitted for the other three silhouettes. Page 6 of 18 Page 7 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 8 of 18 Page 9 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 10 of 18 June 25, 2021 VIA E-MAIL AND U.S. MAIL Kenyon E. Luce 4505 Pacific Highway East, Suite A Tacoma, Washington 98424 ken.luce@lucelawfirm.com Re: 9-11 Memorial in Milton Community Park Dear Mr. Luce: As you know, the City asked the Milton Police Foundation to “…please remove the unpermitted angel silhouette from the [9/11] Memorial located in Milton Community Park….” At the time, the City had received a complaint that the angel was a religious symbol on public land. Your client did not previously explain the intended meaning of the angel to the City, which was installed without notice to, or permission from, the City. Your June 4, 2021 letter provides helpful clarification of the Milton Police Foundation’s intended purpose and meaning of the angel. Based on this, the City has decided to allow the angel silhouette to remain in Milton Community Park as part of the 9/11 Memorial, provided a plaque or other permanent signage—subject to the City’s pre-approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld—is added to convey the intended meaning to the greater community of the angel, and the other silhouettes, at the 9/11 Memorial. As Jack Chandler explained in recent interviews with the local media, the plaque or signage should explain that the angel is a secular guardian angel, or an angel of mercy, and that it represents nurses and EMTs who heroically saved lives on September 11, 2001, or something similar. In addition, to be consistent with the City’s permitting process, please provide us with plans depicting the location of the angel as well as the other silhouettes. Please include specifications regarding the material and dimensions of the silhouettes as well. The City looks forward to collaborating with the Milton Police Foundation to refine the message and ensure that it is mutually agreeable to the City and Foundation. Over the years, the Milton Police Foundation has been a valuable member of the Milton community. It is the City’s sincere hope that the City and the Milton Police Foundation can continue to work together to honor the victims and heroes of the 9-11 tragedy in a manner that enhances, rather than distracts, from that fundamental goal of the Memorial. Page 11 of 18 If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please contact me at (206) 447-7000 or at atsoming@omwlaw.com. Sincerely, Andrew D. Tsoming Assistant City Attorney City of Milton cc: Shanna Styron Sherrell, Mayor, City of Milton Nick Afzali, Public Works Director, City of Milton Kari L. Sand, City Attorney, City of Milton Page 12 of 18 Page 13 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 14 of 18 Page 15 of 18 This Page Left Intentionally Blank Page 16 of 18 Page 17 of 18 Page 18 of 18