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, January 21, 2021 6:00 PM Phone and Online Register to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XbozhHlQSQqZbFDUM3PSPA 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Chair Maria Ruth, Vice Chair Brock Milliern, Committee member Brent Barnes, Committee member Barbara Benson, Committee member Spence Cearns, Committee member Kyle Guzlas and Committee member Kim Murillo Excused: 1 - Committee member Tiffany Sandy 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0003 Approval of December 17, 2020 Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Jessicarae Nunez shared concerns about diminished soccer field availability associated with the proposed school co-location at the Yelm Highway Community Park site. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Staff Liaison Laura Keehan announced City Council approved a proposal to provide stipends to Advisory Committee members. It will not take effect until April and more information will be provided at PRAC's March meeting. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0063 Yelm Hwy Community Park & Secondary School Co-Location City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 Committee Recommendation A subcommittee of three PRAC members that was formed at the December meeting shared eight concerns associated with the proposed co-location of a secondary school at the park site. The full Committee discussed the benefits and drawbacks and asked questions of City and School District staff. Committee member Murillo moved, seconded by Committee member Benson, to continue exploring a partnership with the Olympia School District to locate a secondary school at the Yelm Highway park site with the caveat that the eight concerns outlined by the subcommittee be forwarded to City Council for consideration. The motion failed 5 to 2. Further discussion ensued. Committee member Barnes moved, seconded by Committee member Guzlas, to not recommend continuing to explore a partnership with the Olympia School District to locate a secondary school at the Yelm Highway Community Park site based on the eight concerns presented by the PRAC subcommittee. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chair Ruth, Vice Chair Milliern, Committee member Barnes and Committee member Guzlas Nay: 3 - Committee member Benson, Committee member Cearns and Committee member Murillo Excused: 1 - Committee member Sandy 21-0062 Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan Briefing Staff members Susan Clark and Dr. Pamela Braff provided an overview of the Thurston Region Climate Mitigation Plan. Committee members asked questions and shared their interest in future involvement regarding a role for parks in climate mitigation. The information was provided. 21-0064 Draft PRAC 2021-2022 Work Plan and Chair Elections Staff presented the draft work plan for April 2021-March 2022. Committee members requested a recreation briefing and arts program briefing be added. Committee member Guzlas moved, seconded by Committee member Benson, to approve Chair Ruth and Vice-Chair Milliern to continue serving in their roles for 2021. The motion carried by unanimous vote. 7. REPORTS The Aquatics Study recently played a card game with the stakeholder group to understand facility feature preferences. PRAC will receive a briefing on the results at the City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 Committee March meeting. The Thurston Region Climate Plan will be presented on February 2 to Olympia City Council for approval. Committee member Murillo plans to attend and testify that PRAC supports the Plan. 8. QUESTIONS OF STAFF AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Aquatics Study and Parks Plan are planned agenda topics for March. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3