Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Parks and Recreation Advisory Contact: Jonathon Turlove 360.753.8068 Committee Thursday, June 4, 2015 6:00 PM The Olympia Center, Room 101 ROOM CHANGE: WILL MEET IN 101/102 1. CALL TO ORDER Present: 6 - Chair Jim Nieland, Vice Chair Timothy W Burns, Committee member Gerry Hodge, Committee member Candace Jacobs, Committee member Brock Milliern, and Committee member Brian Tomlinson Absent: 3 - Committee member Barbara Benson, Committee member Robert Dengel, and Committee member Alicia Seegers Martinelli 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda was approved with addition of a public comment period after Paul Simmons' presentation on the Metropolitan Park District. The agenda was approved as amended. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 15-0523 Approval of May 7, 2015 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Rainwood encouraged Committee members to attend a tour this Saturday at 10 a.m., at the Olympia Woodland Trail trailhead, to walk where a possible bike path could be built through a portion of Watershed Park that leads to Vic's Pizza. Brendon Gulliferd stated he would like to clarify something he said at the Park Plan meeting. His comment was that there was nothing wrong with Yauger Skate Court, but what he meant was nothing can be done to fix the current skate park. He would like to see a new skate park built downtown or on the eastside. He presented some photos of skate parks that were built for under $100,000. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Metropolitan Park District Proposal 1. Presentation from Jim Lazar, 2004 Funding Measure Committee member City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 4, 2015 Committee Mr. Lazar stated he was a member of 2004 ballot measure steering committee "Olympians for a Livable Community." The 2002 Parks Plan included carefully funded projects while major maintenance was funded separately. The 2004 ballot measure was supported by both parks and sidewalk advocates and promised to fund the 2002 Parks Plan and add 553 acres to the park system, and that is what the citizens expected. The City has diverted funding to non-park projects and operations, and the money needs to be fully restored before any new money is requested. The City has only acquired 63 acres in the last 10 years. The Coalition has drafted a resolution that includes citizen enforcement. He has 200 of "Parks Yes!" signs ready to be put back to work. 2. Presentation from Joe Hyer, former Olympia Councilmember Mr. Hyer stated he was a previous PRAC member and was co-chair of the Parks and Pathways committee. He was appointed to the City Council the same year as the 2004 funding measure. The City acquired land listed on the ballot measure fact sheet, but opportunities presented themselves that were not on the list, i.e. Ward Lake, grants and funding for Percival Landing reconstruction. The projects were not outside the spirit of the measure. He is concerned with 3a as the 11% is restrictive and could be a challenge when the future is unknown. 3. Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem Jones Mayor Pro Tem Jones stated decisions have been made to take advantage of opportunities. The City has been through a gut wrenching recession and has suffered substantially with deferred maintenance and layoffs. The City is on its way to recovery and has passed a public safety measure and created the Transportation Benefit District, addressed deferred building maintenance and now has an opportunity to fill the hole in parks maintenance. The Finance Committee has been working on parks funding for many months. It has been a methodical process that included communicating with park advocates. The Finance Committee is bringing the MPD to full Council. The MPD will fund parks maintenance and free up original Voted Utility Tax funds for land acquisition. 4. Presentation by Paul Simmons Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Paul Simmons stated the MPD recommendation is based on work by the Finance Committee and public feedback received through Parks Plan neighborhood meetings and park surveys. Mr. Simmons reviewed the City's sustainable budget initiatives and how the City has identified and responded to budget gaps over the last ten years. Mr. Simmons gave an overview of an MPD and presented the high priority themes heard through the public process, i.e land acquisition, maintain what we have and increase park safety and security. The MPD will be presented at the City Council Study Session on June 9. 5. Public Comments on MPD Proposal Mark Foutch stated he was actively involved in 2004 campaign. Olympia is a parks City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 4, 2015 Committee loving community and the Council will need to restore confidence that the revenue proposed will be spent as expected. He looks forward to next steps. Bonnie Jacobs stated the MPD process seems rushed and the vote should be pushed back to February. She supports the make up of the new Coalition and believes they have produced a watertight document. Jerry Rielly stated each Coalition member has a particular interest but all have deep interest that Olympia parks need a stable funding base. Proposal is $.54, why not $.75. Bob Jacobs stated he was lucky to grow up with parks and he has worked to create a good parks system. Progress has been made but need to prepare for 1,000 more residents each year. The Coalition's MPD proposal is a good step. The City needs to get back on track in 2016 with use of the 2% Voted Utility Tax. Karen Messmer is concerned about parks and accountability of government. Parks is not making progress with maintenance and acquisition. Coalition has come together to make sure the City gets it right and the citizens need a guarantee this time. Christiana Figuerra asked PRAC to seize the moment and the MPD is the best likelihood that both LBA Woods parcels could be purchased. The Coalition's MPD proposal provides an excellent framework and the City should commence acquisition before the vote to build trust. Daniel Einstein stated Olympia is a logical urban recipient of federal and state dollars for Puget Sound. MPD is not the total solution, but part of pursuing funds with citizen advocacy. Need quick path forward to preserve open space, habitat and land acquisition. Maintenance and Percival Landing can wait, but open space is ready to lose. Chris Hawkins stated the MPD will build on funds to maintain the parks system and land acquisition but not to fill budget gaps. The 2% Voted Utility Tax needs to be restored for land acquisition and the City needs to make a long-term committment for General Fund support of parks. The Coalition is willing to work hard to pass measure but needs safe guards in place. Sherri Goulet stated that only the language proposed by the Coalition will be supported and hopes PRAC will recommend it to the City Council. Susan Macomson stated the Coalition is comprised of the biggest powerhouses of Thurston County. If these groups support it, it will pass. Ray Simpkins stated the MPD works well in Tacoma. He would like to see arts and recreation included in the measure. City of Olympia Page 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 4, 2015 Committee 6. PRAC Discussion on MPD Proposal PRAC discussed the MPD timing, the role of PRAC in the MPD process and Coalition's proposed ordinance language. PRAC acknowledged more information is needed, but recommended moving forward with the MPD. Motion: Move that PRAC recommend to City Council to move forward with MPD concept. Passed unanimously. B. Distribute park surveys for annual survey effort Park surveys were distributed. Members will share highlights from their survey effort at the September meeting. C. Plan annual meeting with City Manager and Directors for July The annual meeting will be held at the new shelter at Priest Point Park. Jonathon Turlove will check calendars and send out possible dates. 7. REPORTS - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Metropolitan Park District. At the June 9 City Council meeting, Council will discuss whether to put the Metropolitan Park District on the ballot. Parks Maintenance. The Department received a $6,000 grant to support the trail stewardship program. Staff will be hosting volunteer work parties once a month. The Community Youth Services contract has been signed and 3 youths will be hired to help with maintenance this summer. Artesian Commons. The Department will install the basketball hoop and table and chairs soon. National Trails Day. National Trails Day is Saturday, June 6 at Priest Point Park. Expecting lots of people and nice weather. PRAC Orientation. PRAC Orientation will be held June 23 for new members. 8. QUESTIONS OF STAFF AND/OR ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Harrison Avenue Parcel. CVG did not repurchase the property, but they want to be involved in the project. Ward Lake RCO Grant. PRAC made recommendation to City Council, but Council has not acted. Staff has been in contact with RCO and has updated them on the project status. OWT Phase IV Feasibility Study. Staff has presented the report to Council. PRAC City of Olympia Page 4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 4, 2015 Committee would like to hear an update on the project . 9. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjorned at 8:48 p.m. Upcoming Next meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2015. City of Olympia Page 5