HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 11-14-18.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
November 14, 2018
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice Chairman Paul Williams, Jo Miles, Roger Lewis,
Brynn Kloster, Matt Tweedy, Rosana Bravo, Stacy Hackenmueller and Joshua Korevaar-Dorsey Absent
and Excused: Kay Funk, Yakima City Council Liaison 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 October 10, 2018
It was Moved by Matt Tweedy, Seconded by Paul Williams, to approve the Minutes as written from
the October 10, 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Fisher Park Golf Course - 2018 Statistics
Ken shared some statistics for this season at Fisher Park Golf Course. He reported there were 13,626
rounds of golf played at Fisher this year; 4,989 adult, 525 youth, 1,083 senior, 6,436 special, 153
tournament and 440 passes. The special rounds of golf are ladies day, men’s day, KXDD Loyal Listener,
Senior’s day, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. There were twenty-two 20-round passes sold. The total
number of lessons taken in 2018 was 98; 30 adult, 45 youth, 14 senior and 9 parent and child. Revenue in
2018 is $101,909, which is up from $84,662.75 in 2017; greens fee & equipment $84,217.25, gift
certificates $645, concessions $5,125, passes $3,004, retail $1,828.25, lessons $4,777 and tournaments
$2,312.50. Ken thanked Quintin Molina and Mike Weller, course maintenance, Jim Herreid, starter house
attendant and Tami Andringa, Recreation Supervisor, for all they do at Fisher. Discussion followed. Stacy
asked for the annual expenditures. Ken advised he will get those to them for review.
2019 Proposed Parks and Recreation Fees
Ken advised that the proposed Parks and Recreation fees were presented to them back in July and later
presented to City Council during a meeting at the beginning of the budget process. The proposed fee
schedule they have before them is the end result of the budget discussions and directions from City
Council. This will go before City Council on December 4, 2018 for their approval. Ken advised that it was
made very clear by both Park Commission and City Council to keep costs for youth activities as low as
possible and that is reflected in these proposed fees. There are some small fee increases for softball and
baseball tournaments, adult sports and activities and golf. Ken commented that there are more non-
resident fees for those that do not live within the city limits of Yakima. They will pay a small amount more
as their property tax dollars do not go into the General Fund for Yakima. Ken stated that City Council has
advised that they would like to review all fees for the City every year. Ken advised that Parks and
Recreation has not raised fees since 2013. Jo Miles asked if there is an estimate for the amount of
revenue the new fees will bring in. Ken stated that it is really hard to estimate that because sometimes the
usage or attendance drop when fees are increased. He advised that the original estimate was $50,000
and after making the changes Council requested and reducing or not increasing for youth, the estimate is
now approximately $25,000 to $30,000.
Lions Pool Update
Ken reminded the Park Commissioners that City has been faced with some final challenges and Division
Managers and Department Heads have been asked to put together ways to save money in our budget. He
stated that sadly, ways to save money in Parks budget is to eliminate facilities or decrease services.
Closing Lions Pool was selected as one of the things to discuss. One of the things discussed by City
Council was speaking with Yakima School District about taking over the operation of Lions Pool. He
advised that a lot of research has been done and it was found that the City has received funding from the
State for the development of Lions Pool, which has added requirements and restrictions of what can be
done with that property. Ken stated that Jo Miles has done a great deal of research on the history of Lions
Pool, which is quite interesting. Ken advised that after the City’s initial discussions with the School District,
it has been determined that really do not have the ability or capacity to take over the operations of the pool.
Sara Watkins, City Attorney, has compiled an 8-page document with information regarding Lions Pool for
the City Council’s review. Ken reported that the Council has agreed to fund Lions Pool through 2019 and
discuss further options in the near future. City Council has directed Parks to increase the fees for the swim
teams. Ken stated that those fees have not been increased since 2007 or 2008. Ken stated that there is a
joint use agreement with both Yakima and West Valley School Districts for use of facilities at no cost
except Lions Pool. A letter will be sent to the School Districts regarding the fee increase. Discussion
followed. Matt Tweedy asked what revenue is generated each year from the School District rentals. Ken
stated it is approximately $21,000. Matt asked how that compares to other school districts and pools. Ken
advised that he has asked Jason Zeller, Recreation Program Supervisor, to research that. Matt inquired
about the operational deficit of Lions Pool. Ken advised that Lions operates at about a 4 to 1 ratio; for
every $4 spent there is $1 in revenue. Franklin is about a 2 to 1 ratio. Ken stated that at the last meeting,
Kay requested the maintenance and operation costs for Franklin Pool. He advised that the maintenance
and operation costs $114,000 plus $85,000 for salaries and benefits, with revenue at about $100,000.
Discussion followed regarding the deficit of the pool annually. Matt asked about the impact of the YMCA
opening and the possibility of the schools using that facility. Ken stated that it is his understanding that the
YMCA will not be having the schools utilize their facility for swim teams. Discussion followed. Matt
inquired about the money being budgeted for a study by a consultant for an eastside pool in the midst of
talking about closing Lions Pool. Ken advised that is still the plan by City Council. He advised that Council
made the decision at last night’s meeting to direct staff to contact the consultant for the feasibility study for
the eastside pool and a facility assessment for Lions and Franklin Pool. He stated that we already have
one for Lions Pool that was completed in 2015. The cost for that was $20,000 and the one for Franklin
should be a similar price. Joshua Korevaar-Dorsey commented that the School District will pass the fee
increase onto the student swimmers, which could reduce the number of students able to participate.
Community member Dave Fonfara spoke regarding the importance of public, City operated parks and
recreation facilities and programs.
Manager’s Report
Ken reported that Perry Tech has notified the City that they will be ending the contract for the Land Use of
the soccer fields. As a result, The City has notified Yakima Youth Soccer Association that the agreement
to lease the soccer fields to them and run their programs will end as of December 31, 2018. Perry Tech
has informed us that they are looking to build on that property in the near future. Rod commented that the
only soccer fields that the City owns and operates will be the four fields at Chesterley. Matt asked if there
is a demand for more City owned and operated soccer fields, even with SOZO and Ahtanum Youth Park.
Ken stated that is something that would need to be researched. Kay Funk had requested the number of
riders during the free rides to the pool this summer. Ken advised that there were at total of 1,437 people
that utilized the free rides to the pool program. Ken advised their packets include a budget session follow-
up memo from the City Manager for their review. Rod asked about the money savings from not
maintaining Perry Tech Soccer Complex. Ken stated that it will not really save any money, it will help free
up staff to maintain other parks and facilities.
For the Good of the Order
Nothing to report.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be December 12, 2018. The meeting adjourned
at 6:39 p.m.