HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 03-14-18.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
March 14, 2018
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Jo Miles, Matt Tweedy, Rosana Bravo, Roger Lewis, Stacy
Hackenmueller and Brynn Kloster Absent and Excused: Vice Chairman Paul Williams, Josette Gonzales
and Kay Funk, Yakima City Council Liaison Staff present: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager
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 February 14, 2018
It was Moved by Matt Tweedy, Seconded by Jo Miles, to approve the Minutes as written from the
February 14, 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Naches Parkway – YMC 13.16 Amendment Update
Ken reminded the Park Commissioners about the discussion of making improvements to Naches Parkway
by adding picnic tables, trash cans and benches. He advised that as a result of that discussion Sara
Watkins, City Attorney, updated the ordinance to reflect the changes of incorporating parkways and
pathways into the City of Yakima Parks Ordinance. Ken stated there has also been a definition page
added. Ken reported that City Council will have an internal discussion to decide what they would like to
see in the parkway in the way of benches, trash cans and signs. Ken commented that he did advise the
City Council that Park Commission recommended going forward on a small scale of park benches, trash
cans and signs, no picnic tables. Matt Tweedy asked if there were directions from the City Council at the
meeting. Ken stated just to go forward with the ordinance. He stated the updated ordinance was taken to
the City Council last Tuesday and was approved without discussion. Discussion followed. Matt clarified
that there is no camping in the parks, parkways and pathways. Ken confirmed that with the updated
ordinance it is clear that the rules apply in all City “parks, parkways and pathways”.
Randall Park Improvements Project Update
Ken advised that Park Maintenance staff is working on trimming the trees along the walkways so the
Streets Division can get the equipment in there to start removing the asphalt. They will be redoing the
th
walkways in early April and the 44 Ave. parking lot will be done after that. Some of the walkways will
need to be relocated due to the big trees and their roots systems and the erosion on the hillside. The
parking lot work will be going out for bid very soon. The Streets Division will be doing the asphalt but the
concrete curbing and the electrical work for the parking lot lights need to go out for bid. The Engineering
Division along with HLA have been working on the plans to get this out for bid. Ken commented that recent
bids have been coming in 20-30% higher than the estimates because the construction companies are so
busy right now. There are remaining funds from the grant and donations to finish the project. Park
Maintenance will be doing some dirt work and the contractor that did the pond renovations will need to
finish putting up some fence along the edge of the pond after the walkways and parking lot are finished.
Matt asked if they will be removing and replacing the asphalt walkways or just grinding and overlaying and
if they will be the same width. Ken advised the new walkways will be wider. They are currently 8 ft. wide
and the new ones will be 10 ft. He stated they have a machine that will grind the current walkway and use
that as the base for the new asphalt walkway. They are hoping to be done with the asphalt work by June
st
1. Discussion followed. Ken commented that a ribbon cutting ceremony is tentatively being looked at for
some time late summer or early fall.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Swimming Pool Update
Ken gave an update on the community swimming pool discussion. The committee had been formed and
recommended two locations and from that the City Council decided that Martin Luther King Jr. Park would
be the location. Working with the Engineering Division and the committee, they have come up with a list of
ideas that they would like to have included in the project. He stated their packets contain a copy of the
scope of work being sent to the consultant. He quickly went through the document. The consultant is
being asked to provide the cost to construct and operate the facility using the components we have
identified. The numbers provided to the consultant are based on the numbers we currently have for
Franklin Pool. Matt asked how much bigger Franklin Pool is than the pools that were removed. Ken
advised that Franklin is the exact same pool as the one that was at Washington. Discussion followed. Ken
stated that once they receive the schematic designs from the consultant, he will bring them back for
discussion. He stated they will hopefully have public forums for everyone to be able to voice their opinions.
Jo Miles asked if it looks like there is room enough for the required number of parking spaces at MLK Jr
Park. Ken stated that he is not sure if the street parking can be included in the total number and if there is
a possibility of sharing parking with the school right next to the park. Discussion followed. Matt asked
where the funds for the consultant’s fee are coming from. Ken stated that he believes it is coming out of
Parks Capital, but that is being decided by City Council and the Finance Division. Matt asked for an
estimate of what the fees will be. Ken stated he is estimating them to be $50,000. Matt commented that of
Parks and Recreation’s $100,000 Capital budget, $50,000 will be used for the consultant, leaving only
$50,000 for a capital project. Discussion followed. Ken advised that the City Council has approved to
move forward to get a quote from a consultant to perform this scope of work. Discussion followed. Rod
Bryant reiterated that there is no definite plan for this project. Discussion followed. Ken thanked all of the
committee members for all of their time and hard work.
Manager’s Report
Ken reported that he met with the Ed Putnam family regarding the memorial dedication for their father. He
mentioned to them they need to start looking at raising some funds to help pay for the memorial at Fisher
Park Golf Course. Ken commented he will be doing the work to get the hard costs of what we are
envisioning for that project. Matt asked if the family liked the basalt pillar that they had all agreed on. Ken
stated they did and were not interested in any of the other options presented. Stacy Hackenmueller asked
if they were good with helping with the cost. Ken advised they were not. He did tell them that there is no
budget for this and they would be responsible for raising the funds. Discussion followed. Ken showed
some slides of the Harman Center’s new front doors that were installed and the ballroom floors that were
cleaned during cleaning week. The new front doors were paid for by Senior Citizens Inc., the volunteer
group at the Harman Center and the floors were buffed six times by Harman Center staff Leslie Richards
and Michelle Damron to get them clean. The new front doors slide open which will be much safer for the
seniors attending the Center. Ken commented that many different cleaning tasks were completed during
the one week shut down. Discussion followed.
For the Good of the Order
Rod stated there is an audience member that would like to speak. Ken introduced Denise Englehart.
Denise stated that the Parks and Recreation Division staff does a great job and everyone works very hard
to keep up on all the parks. She stated she used to serve on the Tahoma Cemetery Advisory Board and
would like to see more money given to the cemetery and its staff for maintenance supplies. She
commented she would like to see the mausoleum lit up to help reduce vandalism. Matt asked what other
things she feels need to be addressed. She stated that the safety is the biggest thing. The gates used to
be locked at night and are now open all the time for the police to be able to patrol. Discussion followed.
Ken advised that upgrades were made to the roads and the irrigation over the past 3 years. Police do
patrol and remove those that are not supposed to be in the cemetery after dark. Discussion followed.
Spring sports are beginning, the first tournaments have been held. Park restrooms will be opening in the
middle of April.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be April 11, 2018. The meeting adjourned at 6:22
p.m.