Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

The Olympia Center Meeting Minutes 222 Columbia St. NW Olympia, WA 98501 Parks and Recreation Advisory Contact: Jonathon Turlove 360.753.8068 Committee Thursday, December 4, 2014 6:00 PM The Olympia Center, Room 200 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Chair Jim Nieland, Vice Chair Gerry Hodge, Committee Member Barbara Benson, Committee Member Timothy W Burns, and Committee Member Brian Tomlinson Absent: 3 - Committee Member Robert Dengel, Committee Member Darrell Hoppe, and Committee Member Alicia Seegers Martinelli 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 14-1190 Approval of October 2, 2014 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Former Council and PRAC member Karen Messmer said the 2004 Parks and Pathways campaign group has created a summary report to show how the Voted Utility Tax (VUT) was spent. She reported she sent a letter to Council supporting VUT being dedicated to land acquisition, but noted the group isn't advocating for a specific property. She discussed the City's operating and capital budgets and asked the Council to get back on track and spend the VUT for land acquisition. PARC Foundation representative James Reddick passed out posters regarding the Oly Gear Exchange in partnership with Centro. He reported the Puddle Jump had 230 participants, and net receipts will be approximately $1,500. He noted the Foundation received a grant for Traverse, now called Capital Forest to the Bay. The race will be held in August and will end at Port of Olympia with the Beerfest. He indicated Lacey parks is getting requests from citizens to fly drones in the park, which may be something for Olympia to look at too. He said he has not heard from the Nisqually Tribe on a grant request for the Yauger Park pump track. City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes December 4, 2014 Committee LBA Woods Coalition representative Christiana Figuero commented on the Community Park Suitability Assessment. She expressed surprise with the results because it didn't allow for creativity and imagination. She said the Study didn't focus on the unique characteristics of each site, didn't incorporate habitat, and wasn't thorough. She indicated the Study didn't consider costs for clean-up and pointed out the preferred site is on Ecology's contaminated site list. She would like to come to a meeting for continued discussion and ideas on an action plan. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS --City is on track to revamp the Urban Forestry program with a newly hired consultant. --Parks Operations and Maintenance is partially funded with Voted Utility Tax (VUT). The City Council approved the shift of $300,000 of VUT funding to create a new land acquisition fund. --For 2015, the City Council approved an additional $150,000 for maintenance and programming at the Artesian Commons and additional security for The Olympia Center and Percival Landing. --Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Paul Simmons will be meeting with the Land Use and Environment Committee to discuss next steps for Artesian Commons. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Kettle View Park Interpretation - Informational only. Arts & Events Program Manager Stephanie Johnson reviewed the design and installation plan for the Kettle View Park interpretive panels. The panels will be mounted to the restroom. B. Chehalis Western Trail/Olympia Woodland Trail "Hub" Junction Project - Informational only. Ms. Johnson reviewed the concept design for the "Hub" Junction project. The project will include a commemorative kiosk, wayfinding, gathering space and historical marker. C. Comprehensive Plan Action Plan - Informational only. Community Planning & Development Associate Planner Stacey Ray reviewed the process for the Action Plan. The Action Plan is the roadmap for the next six years for achieving the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. She stated the public involvement and communication process will take place January - July 2015. D. Ward Lake Park Recommendation As part of PRAC's work plan, Mr. Simmons reviewed 3 options for PRAC to discuss regarding the Ward Lake property: 1) Comply with grant - develop the swim beach; 2) Modify project scope - re-scope for lower cost and phased approach; and 3) City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes December 4, 2014 Committee Conversion/Sell. PRAC discussed the options. A motion was stated to modify the scope of the Ward Lake Park project but still satisfy RCO requirements. Motion was passed unanimously. Chair Nieland will draft a letter and submit to the City Council. E. Reduction of PRAC to 9 members Committee agreed to recommend to the General Government Committee to reduce PRAC to 9 members. Members voted yes, with Vice Chair Hodge voting no. F. Begin Discussion Regarding 2015 Work Plan Staff will look at existing work plan and items that are roll-over from 2014. PRAC Staff Liaison Jonathon Turlove will send out the work plan for review before next meeting. G. Elect New Liaison to BPAC, PARC Foundation Committee Member Benson volunteered to be the liaison to the PARC Foundation. Committee Member Burns volunteered to be the liaison to BPAC. 7. SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS - None 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3