Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Parks and Recreation Advisory Contact: Laura Keehan Committee 360.570.5855 Thursday, August 17, 2017 6:00 PM Room 207 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum was not present so no decisions were made. Present: 3 - Chair Maria Ruth, Committee member Barbara Benson and Committee member Brock Milliern Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Joshua Clark, Committee member Kimberly Bauer, Committee member Candace Jacobs and Committee member Rhonda Olnick 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 17-0855 Approval of June 15, 2017 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were postponed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting on October 19, 2017. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT James Reddick, PARC Foundation, announced upcoming events: Capitol Relay on September 9 and the Puddle Jump on November 1. Bob Jacobs encouraged the Committee to recommend that City Council include the Capital Center building removal in the 2018 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). The Aquatic Center Feasibility Study proposed in the CFP should not be completed until a needs analysis and current inventory assessment is completed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS The City recently purchased 1.6 acres of property near West Bay Park and 6.57 acres adjacent to the Olympia Woodland Trail. The sculpture Philosopher will be installed at LBA Park near the trail entrance to the woods. The five Recreation & Conservation Office grant applications are on hold until the State City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes August 17, 2017 Committee Capital Budget is passed. A new arborist has been hired in Parks Maintenance. The Park Stewardship Volunteer Appreciation Picnic will held on Saturday, August 21. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 17-0833 Update on Sea Level Rise Planning in Olympia Public Works Water Resources Engineering & Planning Supervisor Eric Christensen presented an update on the City's Sea Level Rise Response Planning project. The City is working with a consultant and partnering with the Port of Olympia and LOTT to develop a framework and plan to address potential flooding in downtown Olympia and the Port Peninsula. The process will include a community engagement process over the next year and a half. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2018. More information is available on the City's website at: http://olympiawa.gov/sealevelrise The report was received. 6.B 17-0820 Park Stewardship Program Update Park Stewardship Supervisor Sylvana Niehuser gave a presentation on the Park Stewardship Program. The Program includes Environmental Education, Ranger Program and Volunteers in Parks. The Volunteers in Parks program provides various opportunities throughout the year for citizens and groups to help steward the parks. The Environmental Education program hosts the Kids Canopy Climb, Junior Ranger Adventures and other events to learn about and appreciate nature. The Ranger Program provides enforcement of park rules and allows the Department to more effectively respond to illegal behavior in the parks. The program has 2 full-time park rangers and 3 seasonal park rangers. The report was received. 7. REPORTS Chair Ruth reported the Technical Work Group for Downtown Design Guidelines has continued their focus on viewsheds. 8. QUESTIONS OF STAFF AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS At 5:15 prior to the regular September meeting, PRAC will be hold a special meeting with the City Manager and Parks, Arts and Recreation Director. This meeting will be an informal conversation and no decisions will be made. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes August 17, 2017 Committee Upcoming The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2017. City of Olympia Page 3