HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 02-14-18.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
February 14, 2018
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice Chairman Paul Williams, Jo Miles, Matt Tweedy,
Josette Gonzales, Roger Lewis, Stacy Hackenmueller and Kay Funk, Yakima City Council Liaison Absent
and Excused: Rosana Bravo and Brynn Kloster Staff present: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager
and Jenise Sanders, Parks and Recreation Administrative Secretary
Call to Order
Welcoming everyone in the audience and viewers watching on YPAC, Chairman Rod Bryant called the
nd
meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 129 North 2 Street, Yakima,
Washington.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2018
It was Moved by Matt Tweedy, Seconded by Josette Gonzales, to approve the Minutes as written
from the January 10, 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. The motion carried
unanimously.
Memorial Concepts – Ed Putnam – Fisher Park Golf Course - Discussion
Ken reminded the Park Commissioners about the letter that had been received requesting some kind of
memorial or remembrance of a past Park Superintendent, Ed Putnam. At the last meeting, it was
requested to have Ken put together some renderings of possibilities to honoring Mr. Putnam and the work
he had done. Ken advised their packets included some examples of ways they could honor Mr. Putnam.
One of the examples is the new sign for the rededication of Lion’s Pool that has not been placed yet. Ken
stated it is cast aluminum and the cost is about $500. He commented that the Edmondson Family did pay
for the plaque to be made. Second is the granite pillar that would raise the plaque up. Kay Funk inquired
about the current plaque at the golf course. Ken advised that the current plaque is made out granite, about
12x12 or 15x15 and it is in the ground. Kay asked if we would be moving the current one. Ken stated that
could be done if we can find the right way to place it. Ken advised another option is to have a piece of
granite that is sandblasted with writing and affixed to a wall. He spoke about another option of a basalt
pillar and showed the photo of what it would look like. He used a photo of the pillar that is at Franklin Park
Pavilion and placed the words from Mr. Putnam’s current plaque at Fisher Park Golf Course on it. The last
example is a plaque that would be affixed to the wall. Ken stated that he has not had contact with the
family to show them the examples, as they are still out of the state. He will get in touch with them once
they return to discuss this process further. Matt Tweedy asked what the cost is on the basalt column. Ken
stated that it may be fairly expensive. It is not so much the rock itself but the cost is more in getting
someone to place it and having the inscription sandblasted on it. He stated he would need to get some
estimates but is thinking somewhere about $1,000. Matt stated that is a very nice memorial. Discussion
followed. Jo Miles asked if using the current plaque is still an option. Ken stated that pulling the existing
plaque and affixing it to something else has him a little concerned, just because it is rather heavy. Matt
suggested leaving the current marker where it is and adding something new. Ken advised that is entirely
possible. Matt asked if the City has fund budgeted for this type of thing. Ken stated they do not. Matt
suggested doing some kind of fund raiser to pay for it. Discussion followed. Ken commented that he
would like to make sure that this does to look like a memorial in a cemetery. Josette Gonzales suggested
reaching out to the welding program at Perry to see if they might be able to help in anyway. Kay
commented that she thinks $1,000 is a reasonable cost and that something like the basalt pillar adds
esthetic value. Kay stated that she believes that the Plaza project is going to involve moving a lot of
granite around and this could possibly be bundled in with that. Discussion followed. Ken advised that
Marilee is to be back for next month’s meeting and he will look at meeting with her to discuss. Discussion
followed.
Randall Park Improvements Project Update
Ken advised that we are in the home stretch of the project. He stated that all the trees have been removed
th
from the 44 Ave. parking lot. They are getting quotes to demo the entire parking lot and will be moving
forward with that sometime in March, with construction of the new parking lot to hopefully begin in April.
Ken advised there are a couple of sets of drawings for their review. Ken stated that they have been
working with Mike Heit with HLA and Brett Sheffield, City Engineer to get the plans finalized so we can get
this out to bid before the contractors get too busy working on other projects after the asphalt plants open.
He advised that the City’s Street Division will be doing the walkways possibly in early or mid-summer. The
th
deadline to finish this project for the RCO grant is September 30. Ken commented that we are fortunate
to have such skilled people that work for the City. Rod confirmed that the raised island in the center of the
parking lot will be removed. Ken advised it will. Ken reported that the contractor that made the pond
improvements will be back soon to finish the planting that needs to be done along the pond edge. Rod
inquired about the distance markers that used to be along the walkway. Ken stated they will look into doing
some kind of markers along the walkways again.
Eastside Community Swimming Pool Update
Ken reported that the have been working on the idea of the eastside pool for some time now. The
committee was formed to study this subject more in depth. The report was presented to City Council last
Tuesday night. He stated that the report that was presented to Council was very close to the report that he
presented at the January Park Commission meeting. Ken advised that at the end of the presentation to the
City Council, they made a motion and voted to select MLK Jr. Park as the site to move forward with the
community swimming pool and eliminate the Yakima Speedway property as a possible site. Ken stated
that Council also directed staff to begin looking at costs to construct and operate a pool and the options for
funding. Ken advised that the Finance Division will be working on the funding options. He stated that they
started with an estimate of constructing a swimming pool at about $4,000,000. He advised they are really
not sure if that is an accurate figure for what we envisioning. Ken stated that meetings have already been
held to discuss the scope of work and bring in a consultant to work on schematic designs to scale with
various amenities and a cost to construct it. Ken said that once that work is done by the consultant it will
be presented to City Council and Park Commission as well as taking it to the community for their input.
Ken advised that his initial estimate of the cost for a consultant to do this work is $50,000. Kay Funk stated
that her sense of what happened at the City Council meeting was a little different. She stated that they
discussed building just a swimming pool, no lazy river and small scale play equipment. She stated that
they chose to go forward with the property already owned by the City and not the Speedway property
because they did not know what will be happening with that over the next five or six years. She advised
that Mr. Moore told the Council that the cost estimate for a consultant would be $25,000 to $50,000. Ken
commented that Council discussed a lazy river possibly being an addition down the road. Kay stated that
the pool in the drawings is more of kid’s pool, not for lap swimming and that is appropriate for what they are
looking for, less expensive, less dangerous, and easier to run. Ken added that the graphic design was
done by him and he is not as expert. He said that he and past Councilwoman Avina Gutierrez worked on
the design and drawing. He stated that it does encompass the ideas from the committee; zero-depth entry,
play area, shaded family picnic area, concessions, and a lifeguard area. Kay commented that 3-4 ft. is the
maximum depth of the pool. Ken advised that they will be making it clear to the consultants that they will
be teaching swim lessons at this pool, at least level 1 and 2. Matt Tweedy stated that he is concerned that
it may be more of glorified spray park with a low volume swimming pool. He would like to see it cater to a
larger number of adolescent groups, those kids that need an alternative during the summer months. He
commented that he does not want it to get trimmed down so much that it doesn’t even have a water slide to
draw in some of the older kids. Discussion followed. Jo Miles commented that the scope has been
narrowed to a community swimming “kiddie” pool instead of the other option of a regional aquatic facility
that would be have more amenities and be more of a destination. He continued that with the different
concept, it may be a challenge for funding sources, but it will also be less expensive. Ken stated that the
question had been brought up about where the funds for the consultant will be coming from. He advised
that Parks Capital could pay for that. Discussion followed.
Manager’s Report
Ken commented that with the mild winter, park maintenance staff has been able to get some projects done
since they did not have to plow snow very much. He continued that high school and junior high school
sports practices will begin soon. Rod asked if we have any major concerns about the parks. Ken stated he
does not know of anything major. He stated they are just waiting for the seasonal employees to come back
and get the parks ready for the spring and summer events.
For the Good of the Order
Kay stated that she had been speaking with Stacy Hackenmueller and Ken about the Blue Zones Project.
She advised it is a community wellness program that incorporates nutrition, exercise and recreation. She
stated if any of the Park Commissioners are interested in being involved in the focus groups or planning
process, they can give her their information. She stated Stacy and Ken are already in. Kay also informed
the group that the City is redesigning its Strategic Plan and Committee Structure. Stacy commented that
she got involved with the Blue Zones Project because of her job, but she thinks it would be great for the
Parks Commission to have input for the grant and donations dollars that could be possible.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be March 14, 2018. The meeting adjourned at
6:08 p.m.