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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.