HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 06-08-16.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
June 8, 2016
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Jo Miles, Matt Tweedy, Josette Gonzales and Dulce
Gutierréz, Yakima City Council Liaison Absent and Excused: Vice Chairman Paul Williams, Tom Hinman,
Roger Lewis, Rosana Bravo
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, Chairman Rod Bryant called the
nd
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 April 13, 2016. Chairman Rod Bryant advised this is an
informational meeting only, as we do not have a quorum. Approval of the meeting minutes from April 13,
2016 will be postponed.
2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan – Park Improvement Report
Ken advised the packets include the Parks Report. Ken stated we have been compiling information over
the last few months as we move forward with the 2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master
Plan. Ken advised that this Parks Report has been presented to the Neighborhood Community Building
Committee. He stated that Dulce is on that committee and updates them on our Parks and Recreation
Commission meetings. We divided the City into Districts and then listed each park in that District along
with the date it was acquired or developed, the size of the property, a brief narrative,
maintenance/operation cost, revenue, capital improvements since 2000, and planned capital
improvements. Ken advised that planned future capital improvements will be determined by this group as
well as the entire city and will be based on the amount of money we have to spend and what we feel the
priorities are. Our Parks and Recreation survey will help us determine what people want and need in the
parks that they go to or live near. Ken explained that the survey is almost done and should be ready to go
out early next month. Discussion followed regarding the feedback from the survey. Ken advised that the
survey will be mailed to over 4,000 homes and will be random. They will also receive the return envelope
so they don’t have to spend their own money mailing it back. We will also be including a coupon for a free
round of golf at Fisher Park Golf Course and a pass for a free family swim for up to 5 people at Franklin
Pool as a Thank You. We will have hard copies available for anybody that does not get a survey but would
like to take it and it will also be online for anybody to take. We will be giving the Southeast Community
Center a stack of survey to give to people. Matt asked if we only have $150,000 for capital improvements
for this upcoming year. Ken stated that is not correct, we have $300,000 or $350,000 of the $750,000
voter approved money, then we have the $100,000 which is Parks Capital, and we also have the money
that was going to pay the bond for the two spray parks, which is now done. Ken stated he will need to
double check on the amount of debt repayment, but he believes it was $60,000. We have a list of capital
improvements we would like to do in 2016 and 2017. Matt clarified that we have essentially $500,000 for
2016. Ken stated that he believes that is correct. Ken advised that we purchased the new playground at
Southeast Community Park and paid for the new restroom at Milroy Park. A new restroom at Gardner is on
the list and we have had some discussion about a new playground at McGuinness, but if for that to
happen, some of the funds will need to be reallocated. Discussion followed. Rod asked about the
irrigation break at Chesterley. Ken advised there were two mainline breaks last week. Discussion followed
regarding the rocky soil and the condition of the older irrigation parts that need to be replaced. Matt asked
about the revenue from Chesterley and if we get revenue from the soccer leagues. Ken stated that the
revenue on the report probably only reflects the rental of the shelter and will need to be changed to reflect
all the revenue. Discussion followed.
2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan – Long Range Goals
Ken Wilkinson stated we are continuing to review the current plan’s goals and objectives and this is the
long range goals. Ken presented the Power Point that was included in their packets. Ken advised that an
approved Comprehensive Plan allows us to apply for grants. Matt asked about the status of the Aquatic
Center and the RCO conversion. Ken stated that we are still gathering information for the RCO
conversion. He said he believes the YMCA has begun some of their fundraising for their portion. Matt
asked how far out this project is. Ken advised that the YMCA has to raise their portion of the money by
December 2017. Jo asked if there is a Plan B if the conversion of the soccer fields can’t be satisfied. Ken
stated there have been some things discussed but nothing firm that he is aware of. Jo asked if the contract
states that if the soccer field conversion does not go through it is void. Ken stated that is his
understanding. Ken returned to the Power Point. Ken stated that the RCO grants that we apply for are
matching grants. Therefore, if we apply for $500,000, we have to have $500,000 matching funds. Matt
asked where we would look for those matching funds. Ken advised that we would look to our local service
clubs, community donations and Parks Capital. He said that we may even need to borrow money for land
acquisitions or save our capital funds for multiple years to have the match for a grant. Discussion
followed. Matt asked about applying for the grants and what the grant cycles are. Ken advised that we can
apply once per cycle and the cycles are every two years. Discussion followed. Matt asked if we currently
have a grant application in the system that will come to fruition in the next year or two. Ken advised that
we do not because we don’t have the match. Discussion followed. Matt asked if there was a plan to build
money up so we can go for a grant every two years. Ken advised there is not a plan for that. Dulce stated
that is a good idea to possibly be able to have those funds to build up so we can go for a grant when we
want to. Ken advised he has tested the waters with some different groups about acquiring some land but
nothing come about. Ken returned to the Power Point. Ken advised that Chip Rognile is our staff arborist
and he is currently doing an inventory of the trees within the City Parks. He also advises home owners
how to prune their trees. The Yakima Arboritum is currently working on making Yakima a Tree City USA.
Ken returned to the Power Point. Matt asked if the RCO grants are only for $500,000 or $1,000,000. Ken
advised those are the two amounts for local parks. Matt asked if there are matching grants out there other
than RCO. Ken stated there are, but they are minimal. Discussion followed regarding the state grants and
the amounts allocated for local parks funding. Matt and Dulce discussed putting funds away to use as
match for RCO grants. Discussion followed regarding applying for a grant to acquire property. Matt asked
what RCO stands for. Ken advised Recreation and Conservation Office. Dulce questioned how the
community special events organized around local, regional, and national celebrations and holidays, as well
as cultural events ended up in Parks and Recreation under the Establish a Youth Service Unit part of the
plan, since all the other bullets in this section are based on activities that encourage movement and sports.
Ken stated that previous Parks and Recreation Commissions probably included it and it continued to stay
on the Comprehensive Plan. Matt asked if this is the right spot for it. Dulce stated she would like to see
Parks and Recreation budget be more focused on sports and physical activities and this could be moved to
Economic Development which currently oversees the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Ken stated that when
this current Comprehensive Plan was written the City did not have an Economic Development Department
and that maybe something we look at moving. Discussion followed.
Randall Park Improvement Project Update
Ken advised the new restroom is open and operational. Sunrise Rotary picnic shelters are being
constructed as we speak. The basketball court is done except for the painting of the court lines. Dirt work
is being done throughout the park. We are still waiting for the drawing from HLA for the new parking lots
and walkways. We are hoping to do one parking lot this fall and the other one in the spring. We will do the
walkways, some work on the pond and a bridge to the nature area next year.
Manager’s Report
Ken stated we had an irrigation break in the Randall Dog Park today so that is shutdown to fix. Randy
Murphy retired a little early so Ken stated he thanked him on behalf of the Commission. Ken said there are
7 candidates for the Parks Operations Supervisor position and those interviews will take place on June
rd
23. Ken stated he is currently acting Supervisor of the Parks Maintenance Department. There is a
staffing report in the packet showing the people we have lost over the years. Jenise is working on a report
of what responsibilities have been added to the Parks Department over the years. Discussion followed.
Ken stated that we have had to become more efficient by buying bigger equipment, utilizing volunteers and
hiring more temporary staff. We also have working Supervisors. Matt praised the department for doing the
same or better job with less people. Ken stated we also used to have a DOC work crew that would work
four days a week in the parks cleaning. The program fee increased from $40,000 to $80,000, so we could
not afford it any longer. Discussion followed.
For the Good of the Order
Matt asked if the Summer Program Guides were mailed. Ken advised they were and the response has
been very positive. We are seeing an increase in participation in our programs. Matt stated that he took a
group of kids to Fisher and wanted to comment on how nice the condition of the course is and how helpful
the staff is. Discussion followed.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be July 13, 2016. The meeting adjourned at 6:36
p.m.