Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

CITY OF OAK HARBOR PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES March 13,2023 This hybrid meeting was hosted from the Mayor’s Conference Room in City Hall and recorded through RingCentral. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Warner called the meeting to order at 11:30 am Position and Board Member Attendance Position 1 – Carrie Stucky, Vice Chair Present Position 2 – Jana Warner, Chair Present Position 3 – Ronnie Wright Absent Position 4 – Eric Dipzinski Present (arrived at 10:57 am) Position 5 – Rosemary Morrison Excused Alternate – Tom Jones Present Ex Officio Councilmember Jim Woessner Excused CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Blaine Oborn, Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle, Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith, Parks Operations Lead Tally Hucke and Parks Operations Specialist Bob Bailey OTHERS PRESENT: Barbara Armes, Laura Renninger, Tamara Louse Latten 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice Chair Stucky MOVED to approve the meeting minutes of February 13, 2023, SECONDED by Board Member Jones. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Tamara Louse Latten commented regarding the city’s memorial program, advising that she was interested in a park bench to honor her parents. Director Smith indicated that the memorial program would be revised in the coming year; however, Parks Operations staff would be happy to assist her in the interim. 5. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society (OHGOS) Presentation Laura Renninger, President of the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, provided a brief history of the Society’s partnership with the City, noting that soundoaks.org was launched in 2022 which mapped Garry Oak mapping in the Puget Sound. She inquired as to the status of the deferred mowing in Smith Park as well as updates to the Smith Park Management Plan, and further advised that the Society has to a couple of proposed projects – installation of signage with QR codes for the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Tree Tour and nomination of Smith Park as a historical site. She provided a binder with reference informational pieces. b. Arbor Day Planning (heard after Item C.) Director Smith displayed a tentative schedule for an Arbor Day event to be held on Friday April 28, 2023, which included tree planting, story book, drone photo or students in a tree formation, as well as staff and community group stations. Board Member consensus was to host the event at Well Site #10 near Broad View Elementary and a park naming contest with submission by the students. He invited the Board to attend the April 18 City Council meeting at which the Arbor Day Proclamation and Tree City USA Recognition would be presented. c. Tree City USA (heard before Item B.) Parks Operations Specialist Bob Bailey stated that the City of Oak Harbor had been recognized as a Tree City USA community for the past 19 years, noting staff had recently submitted the application for 2022. He explained that employee, volunteer and training hours, new equipment, having a certified Arborist on staff, as well as the City’s established Park Board and tree ordinance, were all factors that contribute to meeting the recognition standards. He added that for 2022, staff also submitted for a supplementary growth award. d. Powers and Duties Draft Executive Assistant Finkle stated that staff and the City Attorney are continuing to work on amendments to the provisions of the municipal code regarding the Park Board. Director Smith displayed draft changes to Chapter 2.30 of the Oak Harbor Municipal Code, as they related to the Board’s power and duties. e. Parks and Recreation Director Report Director Smith reported on the following: − The department was developing its 2023-2024 priorities to include: feasibility study for marina dredging and redesign; Mariners Haven boatyard purchase; development and implementation of recreation, arts, and life enrichment programming; senior travel program and shuttle purchase; and facility improvements at The Center. Priorities for the next budget cycle, 2025-2026, would include development of a parks and recreation master plan, reorganization of the department and its budget, and parks system improvements (accessible playgrounds, public art plan, trail systems, etc.), and future initiatives, 2029 and beyond, could include a recreation center, performing arts center, gold medal award and accreditation for parks management, marina rebuild and connection to downtown, and regional sports complex. − Maintenance of the aircraft display in Gateway Park had been scheduled in three phases (power washing, painting, and landscape/parking improvements) and would take place over the next several months. − Presentation of the community feedback for Windjammer Park Future Improvements will be forthcoming at a future meeting. − The need to review special events and facility rental fees. − Planning worksheet for development of the Board’s priorities for the current year. 2 6. MEMBER COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Board Member Jones requested an update on current park projects, specifically inquiring about the pickleball courts. Director Smith responded that the City had previously agreed to contribute $50,000 towards the pickleball courts located on school district property; however, the amount was not sufficient to fund the needed repairs. He noted that the subject would be discussed with the City Council in April. Discussion of potential alternatives ensued. Chair Warner commented on restrooms in Ft Nugent Park. Parks Operations Lead Hucke provided an update on the status. City Administrator advised that the City and Oak Harbor School District had started long-term planning for the future of Ft. Nugent Park. Board Member Dipzinski commented on the importance of building positive relationships with the other recreational entities including North Whidbey Pool, Parks and Recreation and the School District. 7. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 am. 3