HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 09-14-16.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
September 14, 2016
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice Chairman Paul Williams, Jo Miles, Matt Tweedy,
Rosana Bravo and Dulce Gutierréz, Yakima City Council Liaison Absent and Excused: Roger Lewis,
Josette Gonzales and Tom Hinman
Staff present: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager, Brad Schneider, Park Operations Supervisor
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 July 13, 2016. It was Moved by Jo Miles, Seconded by Rosana
Bravo, to approve the Minutes as written from the July 13, 2016 Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Introduction of New Park Operations Supervisor – Brad Schneider
Ken introduced Brad Schneider and stated he has been with the City for just over 4 weeks. Ken advised
that Brad will come to Park Commission meetings as needed in the future. Brad gave a brief overview of
his background. He was born and raised in Yakima and graduated from East Valley High School. He
attended Walla Walla Community College and has worked at the golf course since just after High School.
He originally went to school for turf equipment repair but later went back and got his degree in turf
management. He worked at the Yakima Country Club for 14 years and 11 of those as the Assistant
Maintenance Supervisor. Discussion followed. Rod welcomed Brad.
2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan Update
Ken stated that the Comprehensive Plan is such a critical part of what we do. He advised that we sent out
4,600 surveys randomly to homes throughout the Yakima city limits. We have received just over 700 back,
our goal is 1,000. We will continue to receive the surveys as long as people send them, but for us to start
compiling the data we have to set a cutoff date, which will be the end of September. We will have
information to share in November. Ken advised that we put a place on the survey for people to put their
contact information if they would like to speak with Parks staff. Many people have included their contact
information. Ken stated we do not have a total yet for how many people utilized the free swim passes. We
did have 78 free golf passes used thus far. Rod asked if the goal of 1,000 surveys included the online
ones. Ken stated no, just the ones that were mailed out and returned. Discussion followed. Jo Miles
stated that he finds it encouraging that people want to speak face to face with Parks staff. Ken agreed that
is a very positive thing. Discussion followed. Ken stated that we may even provide some small focus
groups for those that may not want to speak one on one. Dulce asked if 700 were more than we received
last time. Ken advised that it is less, but there were some real controversial items going on the last time we
did the survey. Dulce asked if the survey was the same length as last time, it seemed a little intimidating.
Ken advised that it is the same and it is time consuming and that is the reason we include the free passes
to show our appreciation for them taking time out to do it.
2017-2022 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan Capital Projects Discussion
Ken advised there are so many needs and not enough money. He advised that their packets include the
list of needs and he would like input to try and establish the priorities. The top eight things are
commitments of our Capital funds for the remainder of the year. Ken stated we spoke with the Finance
Department this morning and they gave us the number of $373,000 that we have left to spend this year.
Matt asked what we estimate our amount for capital improvements to be for the next five years. Ken stated
that we are being told that we have $350,000 for 2017 and beyond that we do not know. Ken advised that
one of the things on the list that they may not have knowledge of is the Tahoma Cemetery irrigation filter.
The cemetery has received a great deal of criticism this year. Ken explained some of the issues we are
having with the irrigation water coming in to us at the cemetery. The water has a lot of sediment and clogs
the sprinkler heads. Therefore, we are not able to water at night due to us having to clean out the clogged
heads while irrigating. Park Maintenance Staff is working on filter solutions to improve the water quality so
we would be able to water at night, which we have found works best to keep grass green. Matt asked if
this is a recent problem or if we have always had it. Ken stated he believes the water quality continues to
decrease. Matt asked if there is potential maintenance that needs to be done upstream before the water
gets to the cemetery. Ken stated that is a possibility and we have already been speaking with others to
look into that. We previously had to put in a filtration system at West Valley Community Park because of
the same issues. Rod asked if it is $30,000 is just for the filter. Ken advised it is a filtration system and
that amount is just a guess. Jo said he just wanted to verify that will get done this year. Ken stated that
the plan is to do it this fall or hold the money from this year to do it in the spring. Jo asked if other parks
have filters. Ken advised that some have domestic water and some are just at different places in the canal
or on a different canal system. Discussion followed. Ken spoke about the property we are trying to acquire
just east of Cherry Park for expansion of the park. He advised he will be speaking about it at the NCBC
meeting tomorrow. We could be just a few weeks away from the house being demolished. We do not own
it yet, but we can take action against the property owner. Joe Caruso, Code Enforcement Manager has
assured Ken that we have the legal right to demolish the buildings on that property and then put a lien
against the property. Ken advised that it is a priority to increase the size of a park in an area that
desperately needs it. Randall Park engineering is for the walkways, bridge and two parking lots. Ken
advised that the things at the top of the list are those things that we are committed to doing. Matt asked
about the total cost for the Cherry Park property and demo. Ken advised that we are just estimating that
the total could be $30,000. Discussion followed. Paul Williams asked if the Gardner Park restroom would
be done this year. Ken stated that we would like to have everything ready to go and encumber the funds
from this year and complete it in the spring. The asbestos inspection has been done none was found. Ken
stated he is getting a quote to have it demolished so that we can have it all ready to put the new one in
next year. Matt asked if we will put it in the same location. Ken stated that Gardner also needs a new
playground and the best location for the new restroom is where the old playground is now. He advised he
is thinking about removing the old playground, putting in the new restroom with the doors facing the parking
area, which will make it safer and then we would look for money for a new playground. Discussion
followed. Matt asked if the walls of the restrooms we purchase are coated with anti-graffiti paint. Ken
stated that they use heavy epoxy paint, but it is not graffiti proof. Ken commented that likes the split face
block rather than a smooth surface on the exterior of the restrooms. Discussion followed. Ken advised
that we are looking at a new playground at Cherry Park. He stated he has a potential donor for half of the
cost of an $80,000 playground there. Jo asked if the Lions Pool filtration system is something that is
failing. Ken stated it is not, but will need to be addressed within the next couple of years. Matt asked if that
is one of the things on the audit that was immediate. Ken stated it is in the short range plan. Matt asked
about the bulk head. Ken advised that if that breaks, we would not be able to hold swim meets. We would
then look to the school districts to assist with the cost of replacing it. Matt asked if any of the immediate
items on the audit have been addressed. Ken stated that everything on the immediate list has been taken
care of. We received a $10,000 donation for Larson Park and we would like to redo the asphalt walkway.
We can hopefully get the Streets Department to do the work and we would pay for the materials as we
have done with multiple other projects. Discussion followed. Jo asked about the irrigation system at
Chesterley. Ken stated that is something that Brad is already looking into. We are trying to find ways to
operate more efficiently without have to make a large capital improvement. Matt asked Brad what he
would suggest. Brad stated that possibly nozzling and using a different type of sprinkler head. Discussion
followed. Rosana Bravo asked when the playgrounds were put in and what determines when they need to
be replaced. Ken stated that most of them are about at the end of their 20 – 25 year life. Discussion
followed. Ken would like the Park Commissioners to rank their top 5 projects. Ken stated that we should
base it on $200,000 Parks Capital funds in 2017 and $250,000 in 2018. Rod asked if all the parks have
restrooms. Ken advised they do not. Jo stated that it is almost necessary to replace the playground at
Gardner, since we would be removing the current one and putting the restroom in that location. Discussion
followed. Jo commented that a playground at Gardner may be a higher priority than one at Chesterley.
Matt asked if Ken has a choice between putting in a restroom at Miller or MLK Jr., which one would he
think would be more of a priority. Ken stated that we need to look at the types of activities going on in each
of the parks to help decide what the priorities are. Discussion followed. Dulce asked if the college has
ever express interest in owning, buying Larson Park. Ken stated that the college previously purchased
some of the property at Larson and that was a bit of a controversial situation. Discussion followed.
Randall Park Improvement Project Update
Ken stated that we have an Eagle Scout that will be doing a planting project along the pond. Ken advised
their packets include a drawing from AHBL for the pond improvements that will be done by the Stormwater
Department. They will be draining it and drawing out sediment from the pond. They may be doing the
work this fall. We are close to having the final drawings for the walkways and parking lots and the bridge.
Discussion followed regarding feeding the ducks and signs that say not to feed them bread. Matt asked if
the grading has already been done in the pond. Ken advised that is what they will be doing. Matt asked if
we will be dredging the pond. Ken advised they will be. Discussion followed.
Manager’s Report
Ken advised that Hogback Development, Stephens & Sons and Russell Landscaping will be partnering
th
with us for labor, funds and equipment to make improvements to the park at the corner of 16 and Tieton,
th
Rosalma Garden Club Park. We are planning on taking the Agreement to City Council on October 4.
For the Good of the Order
Rod urged everyone that received a survey to return it by the end of the month.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be October 12, 2016. The meeting adjourned at
6:43 p.m.