Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Parks and Recreation Advisory Contact: Laura Keehan 360.753.5855 Committee Thursday, April 20, 2017 6:00 PM Room 207 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. Present: 6 - Chair Jim Nieland, Committee member Kimberly Bauer, Committee member Barbara Benson, Committee member Joshua Clark, Committee member Rhonda Olnick and Committee member Maria Ruth Excused: 2 - Committee member Candace Jacobs and Committee member Brock Milliern 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 17-0418 Approval of February 16, 2017 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT James Reddick, PARC Foundation, updated the committee on a $1,500 grant received from Olympia Federal Savings for the Artesian Commons summer music program. The Foundation is also partnering with the Lions Club, Cities of Tumwater, Lacey and Olympia for Earth Day on April 22, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS PRAC welcomed two new committee members: Rhonda Olnick and Josh Clark. One vacancy remains on the committee. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 17-0419 Recreation Program Review Associate Director Scott River gave an overview of the Recreation Program, including a briefing on the primary program areas and key partners. Participation continues to grow and last summer nearly 2,500 youth and teens participated in camps and City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes April 20, 2017 Committee outdoor activities. Recreation fee revenues have increased for the fifth consecutive year. The Department has recently hired a marketing specialist and added an additional half-time position in the Arts program. In the coming year, Recreation will focus on community engagement and service expansion. The report was received. 6.B 17-0417 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Performance Report Director Paul Simmons presented the 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Performance Report. This annual report highlights significant accomplishments achieved by the department throughout the year and reports 44 data-based performance measurements. The report was received. 6.C 17-0428 Interim Improvements on City-owned Isthmus Parcels Planning and Design Manager Laura Keehan presented the concept designs for the Interim Isthmus Improvements project. The public meeting was held on April 19 and the public comment period is open until May 1. Ms. Keehan explained this project is to remove the existing building foundation and construct interim improvements only. The larger master planning process will be held in 2018. PRAC felt the recommendation stated in the motion would allow for the most flexibility of the space, allowing for somewhat experimental use of the larger space for special events (music performances, live theater, etc) while still offering the smaller space as a more traditional grassy park area for picnicking. During the interim-use time period, the community’s evolving use of these dual spaces will help inform the future long-term planning for the properties. A letter will be drafted and submitted to City Council. The Committee unanimously passed a motion to recommend the following: - Concept D for the larger, rectangular site (former County Health Building) - Concept B for the smaller, square site (former County Housing Authority Building) - Rather than trees (which would likely be small and provide little in terms of shade or screening of the street and adjacent parking lots, and possibly needing to be removed when future development occurs), PRAC recommends landscaping similar to that at the Plum/Henderson landscaping island. 6.D 17-0416 2017 Chair and Vice Chair Elections Committee member Maria Ruth was nominated and accepted the position of Chair. Committee member Josh Clark was nominated and accepted the position of Vice-Chair. City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes April 20, 2017 Committee The decision was approved. 6.E 17-0420 2017 Work Plan, Committee Assignments, and Meeting Dates The discussion was postponed to the June 15 meeting. 7. REPORTS A. North Capitol Campus Heritage Park Development Assoc. (Candace Jacobs) - None. B. PARC Foundation of Thurston County (Barbara Benson) - None. C. Artesian Leadership Committee (Barbara Benson). The committee is working on developing a mission statement. The permanent restroom (Portland Loo) will be installed this summer. D. Olympia Metropolitan Park District Advisory Committee (Candace Jacobs and Barbara Benson) - None. E. Technical Work Group for Downtown Design Guidelines (Maria Ruth) - The group has had three meetings and great public input regarding the protection of view sheds. From a parks perspective, Ms. Ruth stated her concern about the definition for parks in the downtown, as they to appear to be mainly parklets. 8. QUESTIONS OF STAFF AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Upcoming Next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2017. City of Olympia Page 3