Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

The Olympia Center City of Olympia 222 Columbia St. NW Olympia, WA 98501 Contact: Jonathon Turlove Meeting Minutes 360.753.8068 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Thursday, February 20, 2014 6:00 PM The Olympia Center, Room 200 1. CALL TO ORDER 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Chair Jim Nieland, Committee Member Barbara Benson, and Committee Member Brian Tomlinson Excused: 7 - Committee Member Jessica Bateman, Vice Chair Gerry Hodge, Committee Member Dave Hughes, Committee Member Robert Dengel, Committee Member Jesse Dwyer, Committee Member Noah C McCord, and Committee Member Joel Hansen 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was no quorum at the meeting. 14-0152 Approval of December 15, 2013 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) Meeting Minutes The approval of minutes was postponed. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Steven Wellverer addressed the committee about public safety in the parks . In his recent visits to Madison Scenic, Harry Fain, Bigelow and Lions he has found condoms, liquor and syringes around the play equipment. He now makes it a practice to sweep through the playground area and even cone off areas before he allows his kids to play. He stated that use of the Olympia Woodland Trail has plummeted due to trash and needles. He has spoken before the City Council and is now asking PRAC to make a recommendation to Council to encourage action in addressing public safety in parks. Mr. James Reddick reported that the Regional Meeting for the Advisory Committees was well attended. They are currently formatting the minutes and looking at next steps. He reported that a proposal by Mr. Jack Horton has been presented to the City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes February 20, 2014 Committee Pathways Program for a connection trail from Gateway Trail to the Olympia Woodland Trail. Thurston County has recently made a 10% budget cut to specialized recreation for the next two years. He stated it is important for electeds and citizens to be more aware of the cuts to the program. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Committee Member Benson stated that the recent Regional Park Board meeting was the best one she's attended, it was interesting and educational. The Evergreen State College group did a nice job faciltating. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS Olympia Comprehensive Plan and Action Plan Status Update Community Planning & Development Associate Planner Amy Buckler gave a presention on the current status of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The public engagement process will be held in May/June. She highlighted a couple areas that would be related to parks: Natural Environment: increase the tree canopy, reduce use of toxic materials Land Use & Urban Design: protect historic views, encourage more urban green spaces, support urban ag and food security, public improvements consistent with active/healthy lifestyles. Ms. Buckler stated that at some point during the next months, they will look at the chapter title for parks which has received some negative feedback. Mr. Dave Okerlund discussed the next step which is the implementation strategy used to measure and report progress. Citywide Urban Forestry Management Tabled until next meeting. 2014 Workplan Tabled until next meeting. Isthmus Asbestos Abatement & Demolition PRAC Project Engineer Kip Summers updated the Committee on the Isthmus asbestos abatement and demolition process. The City has applied for a $200,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant and will know later this spring on whether it was successful. The City has also been talking with the Army about assisting with the demolition of the buildings. New Liaison to BPAC and NCCHPDA Tabled until next meeting. City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes February 20, 2014 Committee 7. REPORTS - None 8. OTHER TOPICS - None None. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. UPCOMING Next meeting will be May 15, 2014. City of Olympia Page 3