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, June 16, 2022 6:00 PM Room 207 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 8 - Chair Maria Ruth, Committee member Brent Barnes, Committee member Daniel Farber, Committee member Jamie Gerken, Committee member Kyle Guzlas, Committee member Kim Murillo, Committee member Alexandrea Safiq and Committee member Tiffany Sandy Absent: 1 - Committee member Spence Cearns 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 22-0570 Approval of May 19, 2022 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Bob Jacobs commented that he was glad the PRAC meetings were in person and hopes this will be permanent. He is concerned that in person meetings exclude the immune-compromised. He suggests the City should add a hybrid option to help satisfy ADA requirements. Mr. Jacobs read an analysis on the half a mile goal for Parks within walking distance and believes the distance could be increased to "as the crow flies". 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Staff Liaison Laura Keehan made the following announcements: The City's Juneteenth celebration is this Sunday, June 19h at Rebecca Howard Park. The spray ground at Woodruff Park is open everyday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are tours of the Armory building the first Thursday of the month. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS City of Olympia Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Committee 6.A 22-0577 Armory Creative Campus Update Program Specialist Angel Nava presented an update on the Armory Creative Campus. The report was received. 6.B 22-0584 Updates on Sensory Gardens and Bee City USA, Two Park Stewardship Projects Park Stewardship Supervisor Amy Stull and Program Specialist Jennifer Gessley-Gayman gave a presentation on the sensory garden and Bee City USA. The discussion was completed. 6.C 22-0585 Letters of Support for 2022 Park Grant Applications Committee member Barnes moved, seconded by Committee member Gerken, to authorize the Chair to prepare letters of support for the 2022 park grant applications.The motion carried by the following vote: Absent: 1 - Committee member Cearns Abstained: 1 - Committee member Guzlas 7. REPORTS Committee member Farber reported the Olympia Metropolitan Park District Advisory Committee meets twice a year to review the City's actions to be consistent between the Metropolitan Park District Board and the City. The Committee will meet next in October. 8. QUESTIONS OF STAFF AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Chair Ruth asked if Director Simmons could provide a brief overview on the basics of the budget at the next PRAC meeting. She asked if budget materials could be made available well in advance of the next PRAC meeting. Committee member Gerken asked if volunteers could help set up audio equipment to allow for a hybrid meeting option. 8.A 22-0764 ADDING DURING MEETING - Recommendation to Hold Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meetings in a Hybrid Format Committee member Farber moved, seconded by Committee member Guzlas, to recommend to the full City Council that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee hold its meetings in a hybrid format to assure inclusive participation by the public, especially recognizing the need to protect the immune-compromised during the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Olympia Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes June 16, 2022 Committee Aye: 8 - Chair Ruth, Committee member Barnes, Committee member Farber, Committee member Gerken, Committee member Guzlas, Committee member Murillo, Committee member Safiq and Committee member Sandy Absent: 1 - Committee member Cearns 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3