HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 04-13-16.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
April 13, 2016
Commissioners Present: Paul Williams Tom Hinman, Jo Miles, Roger Lewis, Matt Tweedy, Rosana Bravo,
Josette Gonzales and Dulce Gutierréz, Yakima City Council Liaison Absent and Excused: Chairman Rod
Bryant
Staff present: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager and Jenise Sanders, Administrative Secretary
for Parks & Recreation
Call to Order
Welcoming everyone in the audience and viewers watching on YPAC, Commissioner Paul Williams called
nd
the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 129 North 2 Street, Yakima,
Washington.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes of March 9 2016. It was Moved by Roger Lewis, Seconded by
Rosanna Bravo, to approve the Minutes as written from the March 9, 2016 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Election of New Vice Chairman.
Ken Wilkinson advised that long time Park Commissioner, Sam Karr has moved and no longer resides
within the City of Yakima. Therefore, Sam is not able to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
We now have a vacancy for a Commissioner and since he had been elected as the Vice Chairman, we will
also need to appoint a new Vice Chairman. It was moved by Jo Miles, seconded by Roger Lewis to
nominate Paul Williams as Vice Chairman. Paul Williams accepted the nomination. The motion carried
unanimously.
Introduction of New Youth Park Commissioner – Josette Gonzales
Ken welcomed our new youth commissioner, Josette Gonzales and asked her to tell us a little bit about
herself. Josette stated she works at the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce where she does the
bookkeeping and accounting. She has lived in Yakima for the last 3 years and has nieces and nephews
that enjoy the parks and the activities in them. She found out about the opening on the Park Commission
and felt that would be a great way to find out more about the parks and help out. Paul welcomed Josette to
the commission.
Summer Playground Program Fee Proposal
Ken stated that we knew they would be discussing this at the City Council meeting last Tuesday night. It
was a proposal we had offered to help with the 2016 General Fund budget shortfall. Ken advised that he
was not present for the City Council meeting as he was out of town, but he understands there was quite a
discussion regarding the program fee amount. Ken advised that the decision was made to charge $40 for
the entire summer. Councilwoman Dulce Gutierréz stated that is correct. After some discussion, it was
voted on that the registration fee should not be increased more than 100%, which is why they decided on
$40. Dulce stated that she believes that nobody expected to vote on Tuesday, but since it was being
presented they did not feel comfortable letting it go forward. Ken stated that he doesn’t think that anyone
on this commission would argue that the fee is unreasonable and it was a proposal strictly to help out with
the budget deficit. Ken stated that there really is no reason to discuss this further unless anybody has a
comment regarding the program. Jo Miles asked if there are any other programs that will be affected fee
wise or expenditure wise due to the deficit. Ken stated we are not being asked at this point to look for other
revenue. Ken said that we still have the problem of having more people wanting to be in the program than
we can accommodate, and that is a challenge. We have 100 spots based on the amount of staff we have
and the number of children that can be in the park without overwhelming it. Kim Lopez runs a quality
program and people line up to get registered for it. Dulce stated that there is a $27,000 difference and they
will be looking at different areas to make up that deficit. Matt Tweedy asked Ken if he has been assured
that they will not be looking to make up the difference somewhere else in the Parks budget. Ken stated he
has not been assured and we will have to wait and see. Dulce stated that she has asked the City Manager
about that and the conversion properties, SOZO and Chesterley, that we have been assured we will not be
responsible for maintaining. She stated that she was very clear about these things not impacting the Parks
budget. She stated the City Manager was very clear in telling her no, but she will continue to remain
informed about any changes. Ken stated that we are here to provide as much as we can for as little as
possible to increase the quality of life. Matt asked about the amount of our budget. Ken advised that we
are at about $5.6 million, which does not include Capital or Cemetery.
2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan – Goals & Objectives Review
Ken Wilkinson stated we are continuing to review the current plan’s goals and objectives and this is the
third and final section. We will be review Administration and Cemetery. Ken presented the Power Point
that was included in their packets. Ken advised that one thing that has been started within the last couple
of years is the City of Yakima University. It was implemented to offer training to our staff and he is one of
the instructors for the Customer Service and Conflict Management courses. Ken stated he will try to attend
WRPA this year. Ken advised that Randall Park has been our number one goal this year, since we
received the private donations, RCO grant and the generous donations from our Service Clubs. Ken
advised that we are now mailing our program guides to City residents. Matt asked what some of the goals
are that we were able to reach from the last Comprehensive Plan. Ken advised that Randall Park is our
biggest goal that we are currently working on reaching. When we started the last Comprehensive Plan we
did not know where the funds were going to come from for the Randall Park Improvement Project. We also
were able to purchase two used golf carts for Fisher Park Golf Course. We have also been able to start
mailing the program guide. Ken continued with the Power Point on the Cemetery. Ken advised that a
portion of our fees go into an account for perpetuity of the cemetery. The Streets Division repaved all of
the roads in the cemetery last year. We did not spray for weeds for two years due to the budget cuts and
just were not able to afford it. Ken said we just received a bill for $9,000 for weed spraying this year. We
will be looking at a fee increase for the cemetery next year. Rosanna Bravo commented about the bark
around the playground at Chesterley being rough and children getting scraped up. She asked if we could
look into a different type of material being placed around the play equipment. Ken advised there are strict
guidelines but we will look into that. Dulce asked how community members contact the Parks staff about
issues or questions. Ken advised they can call us directly, email AskParks or use YakBak. Ken stated we
will hopefully have the survey next month for them to review. The Comprehensive Master Plan is not due
until next April but he would like for everyone to have a chance to give their input.
Randall Park Improvement Project Update
Ken advised we are continuing to make progress. The concrete for the new basketball court was poured
this morning. Mike Popoff and his crew did the work on behalf of Southwest Rotary. Sunrise Rotary will
begin work on the picnic shelters the first part of May. The restroom utilities at both Randall and Milroy are
done and the restroom will be delivered on Monday. It will take a little time to get them connected to the
utilities, so hopefully within a month they will be ready for use. The Park Maintenance staff has been
working on bringing in material to build up the ramp to the observation deck and we will hopefully be
working on re-establishing the edge of the pond soon. We will be meeting with the Stormwater Division
next week to discuss the outfall weir. Jo asked what kind of work will be done around the pond. Ken
advised that we will be reshaping the edge of the pond, not removing any dirt or bringing any new dirt in.
Tom Hinman asked when the water will be turned on at the Dog Park. Ken stated it should be soon. Matt
spoke about the Eagle Scout project that he has been taking part in. They completed the first stage, which
was prepping the 6 foot wide trail bed on the nature side of the pond for the weed cloth, railroad ties and
gravel. He stated they will most likely complete the project in 2 additional stages. There are
approximately 14 scouts and their parents working on the project. Ken stated that we always appreciate
the volunteers that help with the work in the parks. Matt asked where the water comes from that flows into
the pond. Ken said we believe that there is some irrigation runoff and some ground water. Matt asked if it
is the only fill for the pond. Ken advised it is.
Manager’s Report
Ken stated that the Miller Park bathhouse is gone, it has been removed and the MLK Jr. Park bathhouse
will be removed next week. Grass has been planted at Miller where the building was. Ken advised that we
are hiring for the Recreation Supervisor position and that it has been narrowed down to 3 finalists. The
th
interviews will be held May 5. He also reminded them that our Park Superintendant, Randy Murphy is
th
retiring and his last day will be June 10. Ken said that he invited him to come to Park Commission
meeting in June to say goodbye. Ken explained how we have lost staff over the years and not filled those
positions. Ken advised that he has been reviewing the job description for the lead maintenance position
and it seems more aligned with Park Operations Supervisor. We will not be filling the Park Maintenance
Superintendant position but instead we will post the Park Operations Supervisor which is just a small step
up financially, but will have more requirements for the applicants to qualify. That will possibly go out for
advertisement next week. Randy has been with Yakima Parks and Recreation for 34 years.
For the Good of the Order
Matt asked about the bathroom at MLK Jr. Park and if that was budgeted. Ken advised that the building
will be removed and utilities will remain there. The restroom at that park was not budgeted for 2016. The
replacement of the restroom at Gardner Park was on the list of Capital Improvements so that maybe
something to look at doing, putting in a restroom at MLK Jr. Park and possibly renovating the one at
Gardner. The cost of a restroom is about $150,000. Matt stated that the Capital budget is $100,000. Ken
stated that now that our debt service on the spray parks is done, we should possibly have another $90,000.
Matt asked about a restroom at Miller. Ken advised that is also on the list. Matt asked about the old
restroom at Milroy. Ken advised it has been removed. He stated we also backfilled the hill at Gilbert and
hydro-seeded. Paul advised that the YNLL breakfast will be Saturday morning at 9:00 am at Elks Park.
Paul gave a brief update on the status of the fields and start of the season. Ken advised that we are not
able to hold our meeting here next month and suggested that we hold the meeting at the Public Works
conference room. Matt suggested that since we can’t have our meeting here, maybe this would be a good
opportunity to take a Park Tour. Everybody agreed to do a Park Tour for next month’s meeting.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be May 11, 2016. The meeting adjourned at 6:28
p.m.