Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

CITY OF OAK HARBOR PARK BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES December 4, 2023 This hybrid meeting was hosted from the Mayor’s Conference Room in City Hall and recorded through RingCentral. Due to a technical issue, there is limited video feed, but complete audio is available. The video counter is in parentheses ( ) next to each item. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: (:11) Chair Stucky called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Position and Board Member Attendance Position 1 – Carrie Stucky, Chair In person Online Absent Position 2 – Shane Cardon In person Online Absent Position 3 – Kate Rose In person Online Absent Position 4 – Eric Dipzinski, Vice-Chair In person Online Absent Position 5 – Tom Jones In person Online Absent Alternate – vacant In person Online Absent Ex-Officio Councilmember Eric Marshall In person Online Absent CITY STAFF PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith, Parks Supervisor Brandon Cable, Recreation Manager Liz Lange, and Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle OTHERS PRESENT: Lucas Smith, Nolan Saltonstall, Ka’imi Nero, Logan Hendricks, Boden Gagon, Brian Goodman, and Tiffany Scribner 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (:30) MOTION: Vice-Chair Dipzinski moved to approve today’s agenda as submitted, seconded by Board Member Jones. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (:45) a. Regular Meeting of November 13, 2023 MOTION: Vice-Chair Dipzinski moved to approve the November 13, 2023, minutes as submitted, seconded by Board Member Cardon. Motion carried unanimously. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: (1:03) None. 5. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: a. Introduction of Parks Supervisor Brandon Cable (1:26) b. Presentation of 2023 Mr. Oak Harbor Royalty Service Project (1:52) Mister Oak Harbor Lucas Smith, First Prince Nolan Saltonstall, Second Prince Ka’imi Nero, Teen Mr. Oak Harbor Logan Hendricks, Teen First Prince Boden Gagon, and Teen Second Prince Brian Goodman presented on their 2023 service project to support the development of a community recreation center in Oak Harbor. (See presentation appended to these minutes.) The group summarized the benefits of such a facility, answered questions and received feedback from staff and board members, and sought support of their future request to City Council to fund a feasibility study for a recreation center in Oak Harbor. Tiffany Scribner, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County spoke in support of a community recreation center as well as complimented the 2023 Mr. Oak Harbor Royalty Court on their recent participation in local events. 1  MOTION: Vice-Chair Dipzinski moved to recommend that the 2023 Mr. Oak Harbor Royalty Service Project be added to a future City Council agenda for consideration, seconded by Chair Stucky. Motion carried unanimously. Executive Assistant Finkle confirmed that the next available City Council meeting would be January 16, 2024. Parks and Recreation Director Smith noted that building a community recreational center was identified as department top priority. c. Urban and Community Forestry Grant - WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (32:57) Supervisor Cable provided an overview of the City’s proposed application for State funding to improve three park areas. This includes the creation of a trail network, educational signage, wildlife resiliency area, and tree/plant restoration at Harbor Heights; removal of invasive species, planting of native trees/shrubs, interpretive signage and wildlife viewing area at Fruend Marsh; and activation, management and restoration of the Hal Ramaley Food Forest. Director Smith noted that any state funding received would supplement the City’s $1.68 million federal forest service grant award which had no match requirement due to the disadvantage community exemption. He further mentioned ADA improvements are needed for several public access areas and that the Garden Club had an interest in partnering to reactivate the Hal Ramaley Food Forest. He sought board feedback on the proposed projects. Vice Chair Dipzinski suggested completion of the trail extension to the beach and clearing of blind spots along the trail at Freund Marsh if same was permissible under the purchase agreement restrictions. Board Member Jones opined that his priority was activation of the Harbor Height’s property. Councilmember Marshall stated that any improvements at Harbor Heights should be considered in conjunction with an overall development plan for the property. Chair Stucky inquired as to the status of the disc golf trail proposal. Director Smith responded that City Council provided positive feedback for activation of the area and next steps were for staff to evaluate actual costs and develop a scope for a design bid. d. Parks and Recreation Department 2024 Priorities (1:07) Director Smith explained departments were requested annually by administration to establish their top five priorities for current and future years and provided an update on same. (See spreadsheet listing appended to these minutes.) He noted many of the current items were completed or moving faster than anticipated so several future projects were moved to earlier time frames. e. Sub-Committee Updates (1:23:30) Sports facilities sub-committee: Vice Chair Dipzinski reported general conversations were ongoing but until the feasibility study was completed no real planning would take place. Board Member Jones added that the sub-committee has reviewed two responses received for the Pickleball Court design and construction Request for Proposals (RFP). Programming/marketing committee. Chair Stucky advised that the subcommittee had not met. Director Smith stated a meeting of the sub-committee would be scheduled with the Garden Club and Imagine regarding the community food forest. f. Parks and Recreation Director Report (1:29:09) Director Smith reported that the Ft. Nugent Park restrooms continue to be vandalized, opining closing the restrooms during park hours was not the preferred deterrent. Discussion ensued regarding exterior video surveillance options. Director Smith asked Board Member Cardon if he could facilitate a site visit for the Park Board to tour the Naval Air Station’s recreational facilities. Manager Lange reported that a candidate has been selected to fill the Recreation Coordinator position and work was ongoing on the activity guide. 6. MEMBER COMMENTS: (1:43:12) None. 2 7. DETERMINATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: (1:43:18) Board Member Jones announced he would not attend the January 11, 2024 meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Stucky adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Minutes taken by Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle 3