Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

CITY OF OAK HARBOR PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES July 10, 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: Vice-Chair Stucky called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. and ran the meeting until Chair Warner was able to join the meeting virtually. Position and Board Member Attendance Position 1 – Carrie Stucky, Vice Chair In person Online Absent Position 2 – Jana Warner, Chair In person Online Absent Position 3 – Ronnie Wright In person Online Absent Position 4 – Eric Dipzinski In person Online Absent Position 5 – Tom Jones In person Online Absent Alternate – Kate Rose In person Online Absent (Arrived at 10:12 a.m.) Absent Ex-Officio Councilmember Jim Woessner In person Online with notice CITY STAFF PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith, Park Operations Lead Tally Hucke, Communications/IT Manager Sabrina Combs, City Administrator Blaine Oborn, Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Kim Perrine. OTHERS PRESENT: Laura & Kyle Renninger (Garry Oak Society), Barbara Armes, Jay Cochran (North Whidbey Parks & Rec), Eric McCabe (virtual - Dynamic Course Design), and one unknown female. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Board Member Dipzinski MOVED to approve the agenda as submitted, SECONDED by Board Member Jones. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Regular Meeting of June 12, 2023 MOTION: Board Member Dipzinski MOVED to approve the June 12, 2023 minutes as submitted, SECONDED by Board Member Jones. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Note: Chair Warner took over the meeting.) ➢ Laura Renninger (Garry Oak Society) spoke about an article in the Whidbey/Camano Tourism Board Newsletter and updated Field Guide that shows Oak Harbor Heritage & Waterfront Trails. Also mentioned was the Tour Stop 6 Oak Harbor Garry Oak Tree Tour sign and location. These signs would be mounted under the existing signs at the north entrance and Jensen Street entrance. (See attached) ➢ Kyle Renninger (Garry Oak Society) introduced himself and spoke briefly about the Washington Heritage Register for Smith Park nomination. 5. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Garry Oak Sign at Smith Park. A sample Garry Oak Tree Tour sign design was shown during Laura Renninger’s public comment period. 1  MOTION: Board Member Dipzinski MOVED to approve placement of the signs at Smith Park, SECONDED by Board Member Rose. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Smith Park Historical Designation. Kyle Renninger presented the Garry Oak Society’s nomination for Smith Park to be on the Washington Heritage Register and Parks and Recreation Director Smith shared a copy of the application and associated materials with the Board. (See attached). This item will be on the July 26th City Council workshop agenda since the Historic Preservation Commission isn’t currently active. Board Members Rose and Dipzinski would like to make the recommendation to City Council. Park Operations Lead Hucke asked if requirements would change regarding maintenance, playground repair/replacement, new gazebo, pathway width (ADA) and lighting if Smith Park received this historical designation. Kyle Renninger stated that the State would consult with the City and that the City would have control over the park. This designation will open up grant opportunities. MOTION: Board Member Dipzinski MOVED to pass this on to City Council for their review to add it to the Washington Heritage Register, SECONDED by Board Member Rose. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. c. Windmill Plans Review. Parks and Recreation Director Smith presented this item. The Windmill schedule and design concepts were provided to the Board (copies attached). The Board discussed the windmill’s size and functional space, potential location, need to fill in area before installing windmill, maintenance issues due to 83-foot height, etc. Since Ex-officio Member Woessner was not present today, it was suggested that this item be brought up at another meeting for further discussion. Board Member Jones suggested having someone from Rotary attend a Park Board meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Smith tabled this item until he receives additional information from the parties involved and will set up a meeting with the Park Board. d. Disc Golf and Walking/Running Trails Proposed. Board Member Dipzinski provided the Board with two handouts – “Activating Unused and Under-Utilized Parks Land with Walking Trails and Disc Golf Courses” and “Dynamic Discs Course Design” (copies attached). Disc Golf locations were discussed – Harbor Heights, NE 7th Ave, Freund Marsh, and Ft. Nugent Park. Eric McCabe (Dynamic Discs Course Design) spoke about disc golf/design, multi-generational and multi-use incorporating walking paths as well, it’s low cost and the course can be used 365 days a year, plus it’s a great economic impact for the community. The disc golf locations would have clear signage and kiosks and corporate and individual sponsorship was also discussed. It was suggested that a field trip/work session be scheduled for July 18th at 10:00 a.m. -- Meet at the Public Works Shop Parks Annex and Park Operations Lead Hucke will take the Board Members/staff in a City van to visit each of the proposed sites. The public is welcome but will have to provide their own transportation. e. Windjammer Park Feedback Report. This item was covered at the last Park Board meeting and will be on the July 26th City Council Workshop agenda for introduction. If members have any questions, about the survey or results, please reach out to Sabrina Combs (scombs@oakharbor.org). Board Member Dipzinski stated that some of the problems (drainage issues, filling in low areas, creek area that doesn’t work properly, old pool, etc.) should be cleaned up before we start making new improvements per staff recommendations. f. Parks and Recreation Director Report/Follow-up • Accessible Park. (Not discussed) 2  • Shared AED at Ft. Nugent Park. Football is interested in letting Parks share the AED use but there are questions about who owns the AED. The Parks Dept has concerns about maintenance, security, etc. Park Operations Lead Hucke indicated the AED could be installed on the outside of the building in a lock box. There were questions as to whether AEDs should be installed at other fields/parks as well. Parks and Recreation Director Smith stated there is some ARPA funding that might cover the cost. • Staffing Update. A Proposed Staffing Overview was provided to the Board (Copy attached). • Recreation Programming. A proposed Recreation Program Matrix was provided to the Board (copy attached). 6. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR COMMENTS. a. Launch float is in at the Marina just in time for crabbing season opening. b. Broken pieces of equipment are being repaired. c. Bee issues at the Ft. Nugent Tower are being resolved. d. Angel de Creatividad – Permits/revised Conditional Use Permit uploaded into permitting system. e. Lagoon channel maintenance – waiting for FEMA floodplain report from contractor. f. Dock replacement in summer 2024. g. Ft. Nugent Park/Flintstone Park vandalism – looking into surveillance cameras/cloud based locking system. h. Working with Garden Club for their 100th Anniversary which is scheduled for September 30th. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. a. Accessible Park b. Pickleball – Parks and Recreation Director Smith and City Administrator Oborn to discuss the $50,000 and RFP prior to the next meeting. c. Recreation Program 8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Minutes taken by Sr. Administrative Assistant Kim Perrine. L:\LGLA\WORK\CIV 2023\Boards & Commissions\Park Board\7-10-23 Mtg\7.10.23 Minutes.docx 3