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, April 2, 2015 6:00 PM The Olympia Center, Room 200 1. CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: 6 - Vice Chair Gerry Hodge, Committee Member Barbara Benson, Committee Member Timothy W Burns, Committee Member Robert Dengel, Committee Member Alicia Seegers Martinelli, and Committee Member Brian Tomlinson Absent: 2 - Chair Jim Nieland, and Committee Member Darrell Hoppe 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Public comment was inadvertantly omitted from the agenda. The agenda was approved as amended to include public comment. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 15-0299 Approval of February 5, 2014 PRAC Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Comment: PARC foundation representative James Reddick reported they have received three donations: $5,000 from the Nisqually Tribe to City of Olympia and $5,000 to City of Lacey; and $3,000 from the State Combined Fund Drive and Olympia Federal Savings to specialized recreation. He noted several upcoming events: Relay to the Bay on April 1, National Trails Day Challenge, and Park Board BBQ. Announcements: The Finance Committee has been looking at funding gaps citywide and looking at funding options, i.e. ballot measures, to address capital project or maintenance needs. The Random Citizen Survey is in process. The consultant mailed 4,000 letters and 700 people have responded to date. The consultant will start compiling and will present findings on April 21 at the 5:30 p.m. Council Study Session. PRAC will City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes April 2, 2015 Committee receive a briefing next month. Committee member Benson is serving on the interview panel for new PRAC members. Last Tuesday City Council passed an ordinance to change advisory committees from 11 members to nine and eliminate the cross-committee assignments between advisory committees. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Removal of Trail Running Ban - Recommendation to Staff Associate Planner Jonathon Turlove stated that in Priest Point Park and Watershed Park there is signage that restricts running on the trails. Running is not restricted by ordinance but by park signage. The signage is inconsistent and varies by park. Staff's recommendation is to remove signage and allow running on the trails. PRAC discussed the issues of potential trail conflicts, the need for trail education, benefits of running and the need for consistency and clarity of park rules. Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Paul Simmons said he is supportive of allowing running on the trails. Recommendation: PRAC recommends the removal of the trail running ban and recommends the City offer trail etiquette education. B. Discussion Regarding County Invitation to Have PRAC Member Serve on Evaluation Committee for Conservation Futures Proposals Mr. Turlove reported Thurston County had inquired whether PRAC would be interested in participating on a committee to rank proposals for conservation futures funding. PRAC stated they would like to participate. C Review Adopted 2015 PRAC Work Plan Mr. Turlove reported the PRAC work plan was adopted by City Council on March 31. Committee member Dengel inquired why Urban Forestry was not listed. Mr. Turlove agreed to ask Associate Directore David Hanna to attend the next meeting and give an update on Urban Forestry. D. Elections for Chair and Vice Chair Jim Nieland was re-elected to Chair. Tim Burns was elected to Vice Chair. E. Election of representative for Artesian Leadership Committee Mr. Simmons gave an update on Artesian Commons. He reported an Artesian Leadership Committee has been created that includes members from the community, non-profits and staff. The meeting will be held the 1st Thursday of the month from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center. He invited a member from PRAC to participate. Committee member Benson was nominated to represent PRAC on the City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes April 2, 2015 Committee Committee. 7. REPORTS A. North Capitol Campus Heritage Park Development Assoc. Committee member Seegers Martinelli reported the Committee is looking for design money in the state budget submittals. B. Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Committee member Burns reported the Committee is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Pathways Program. Applications are due by May 1. 8. OTHER TOPICS Committee member Benson gave an update on the PRAC new member interviews. Mr. Simmons reported the Department has a new e-newsletter that will be sent out each month. He encouraged members to sign up at olympiawa.gov/subscribe. Parks Maintenance Manager Gary Franks reported the Department has received funds to hire three at-risk youth to help with maintenance this summer. These will be paid positions and will be hired from June 1 - August 31. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjorned at 7:32 p.m. Upcoming The next meeting is May 7, 2015. City of Olympia Page 3