HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 01-14-15.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
December 10, 2014 January 14, 2015
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice Chairman Sam Karr, Paul Williams, Jo Miles and Tom
Hinman, and Maureen Adkison, Yakima City Council Liaison Absent and Excused: Morgan Pualani
Staff present: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager, Traci Bennett, Recreation Supervisor, Ron
Anderson, Program Supervisor and Jenise Sanders, Administrative Secretary for Parks & Recreation.
Call to Order. Welcoming everyone in the audience and viewers watching on YPAC, Chairman Rod
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Bryant called the 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 for December 10, 2014 It was Moved by Jo Miles, Seconded by
Paul Williams, to approve the Minutes as written from the December 10, 2014 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Harman Center Programs and 2015 Trips & Tours
Ken Wilkinson introduced Traci Bennett and Ron Anderson from the Harman Center. Ron Anderson spoke
about the Trips & Tours that are offered by the Harman Center. He advised that Irene Raptcheff retired
after 23 years. Lori Schatz was hired to replace Irene as the Trips & Tours Coordinator and brings with her
many new ideas about the Trips and Tours. The trips planned for 2015 include both day trips and
extended trips. They do not require that you are 55 or older. The trips are opened to those that are 55 and
older first and if there is room then those that are not 55 can sign up. Ron highlighted some of the trips
that are in the Trips and Tours Book. One that has been very popular in the past is the trip to the Hutterite
Colony near Moses Lake. There is a group that goes down to Mariner’s Spring Training every year. The
trips are geared toward the older population and tend to leave around 8-9:00 in the morning and return
around 5:00 in the evening. There are bus trips and trips that require flying. Ron stated they are looking
into possibly doing a train trip to Branson again next year. Ron advised there will be a gala at the Harman
Center tomorrow night to introduce Lori and let people look over and ask questions about the 2015 trips
and tours. Ron stated that there is a $10 deposit to hold your spot for a trip and the balance is due 30 days
before the date the trip leaves. Ron told the committee that they will be taking a trip to Point Defiance Zoo.
That will be a trip aimed at the seniors taking their grandkids. Ken asked Ron to go over some of the
upcoming events at the Harman Center. The next fundraiser activity at the Harman Center is the Spaghetti
Feed on February 19, 2015 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Discussion followed regarding the different things that
the Harman Center has to offer and can be found in the program guide.
Randall Dog Park Project Update
Ken advised that Traci Bennett is here to speak on behalf of the Dog Park. He commented that he heard
that there were 17 cars at the dog park on Christmas Day in the afternoon. Traci said we officially opened
the park with a soft opening at the end of November. This was just after the fence was done and the rule
signs had been put up. Our Parks Maintenance staff made doggie waste dispensers that were a lot less
expensive than if we were to purchase them. The park currently has a few picnic tables and garbage cans,
but over the next couple of months we are planning on putting in a picnic shelter. We have also purchased
a kiosk that will be placed just outside the fence for dog owners to communicate with one another. It is a
great place to post upcoming events, pet services and notices of lost and found pets. We received a
generous donation that we were able to use to purchase a doggie watering station. The water meter was
installed in 2014 and Park Maintenance will be trenching a water line to the watering station. Park
Maintenance staff has been very enthusiastic about the park and even made an 8 ft. red bone to place on
the fence and are working on making some fire hydrants. Traci advised that bright colors and fun toys are
what the dog park is all about. She stated we are working on adding a small, timid dog area within the
park, but with its own entrance before the grand opening. We would like to schedule a ribbon cutting
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ceremony sometime the week of April 13. We consider the park to be a work in progress and would like
to eventually plant some trees and work on the parking situation. Maureen asked about signs regarding
pitbulls not being allowed. Traci stated that it is in the city ordinance and most people are aware of the law.
She also stated that dog owners do a good job of policing themselves. Discussion followed. Ken thanked
the committee.
Randall Park Improvement Committee Update
Ken started off with conceptual plans for the pond. The city has been working with AHBL, an engineering
firm out of Seattle. They are helping to develop increased stormwater capacity for Randall Park as part of
the Stormwater Master Plan. This plan increases the current pond size and will hopefully improve the
water quality. There is also an additional pond cell on the west side of the park that would possibly
increase in size based on a weather event. This will be paid for out of Stormwater funds and some can be
used as match for the state grant. Ken highlighted the observation deck. The agreement with SW Rotary
will go before City Council next week. The drawing shows the observation deck, but the location of it will
be much closer to its current location. Ken advised that it will be a raised area with attractive concrete
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block and railings. SW Rotary is planning on starting the project the 1 of April. We will need to lower the
water level in the pond before the work can begin. We will be doing a press release so the public will be
informed as to why the water level is down. Once the work is complete the water level will return to normal.
March and April is a good time to do this and will have the least effect on the wildlife. We have also been
working with some of our other clubs. Some are interested in the playground and picnic shelters and
Downtown Lions Club will be giving $25,000 and some volunteer labor for at least one of the bridges into
the nature area. We are just waiting for the final word from the state regarding the $500,000 grant. We
believe we have the match money so once we receive word, work will begin. We are hoping to take down
the restroom and storage building this spring. Portable bathrooms will be used until the new ones are
installed. Maureen asked which committee is making the decision on the grant. Ken advised that it is
Recreation Conservation Office. Our project ranked 8 out of 71. Discussion followed. Ken advised that
funds are spread out throughout the state and it is very competitive. Ken stated we have found a picnic
shelter design that we like with the rustic feel. We are looking at restroom designs and fencing to match
that rustic look. The Streets Division has agreed to help out quite a bit and we have some electrical
challenges that we need to have an electrical engineering firm come in and help with design. Sam asked
what keeps us from putting entrance signs up. Ken advised that we are working on that as part of the
project. James Davis, the one that designed the master plan is also working on the design of the entrance
signs. Ken shared the educational sign that he received from Katrina at Mid Columbia Fisheries
Enhancement Group. Sam asked if the signs would just be on the South side of the park. Ken stated that
they will be down by the creek side and maybe all around the park if there is additional funding. We are not
allowing anyone to reserve the park in 2014. There will be too much construction going on. Sam asked
about signs at the entrance of the pathway saying the park is closed. Discussion followed. Rod asked
about the bridges. Ken advised we are still working on those. We had the original design done by
structural engineer, John Tate, years ago which are one piece precast concrete that sit on abutments.
There is a company in Spokane that makes them. The previous bridges were not large or strong enough
to drive across so the staff has had to take hand tools across to do the maintenance in the nature area.
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We also have a donation of two 30 ft I beams to build the 2 bridge.
Aquatics Advisory Committee Update
Ken gave an update about the committee that was formed to discuss the indoor aquatics issue. We met 1
a month for 4 months. Jo, Tom, members of the community and some aquatic staff attended the meetings.
The committee came up with a Purpose Statement. The group collectively identified what we were trying
to accomplish. We compiled a needs and wants list. Ken went over the wants and needs list. Ken
advised that at the Build a Pool conference they drilled that in that you can’t have just one body of water.
Sam asked about heating a pool. Ken stated that they did talk about geothermal, solar, gas and electric.
There are more upfront costs with geothermal and solar. That is why you need to hire a consultant to
figure out those issues when building a pool facility. Sam asked about using the pool water for irrigation.
Ken advised that pool water is a closed system and you only need to add water on a limited basis. Drag
out and evaporation are a couple of the reasons you would need to add water, but that is a limited amount.
Discussion followed. Ken returned to the list of needs and wants. Jo asked about the expense of a dive
tank. Ken advised that is it very expensive because it is 13 ft. deep and that is a large volume of water to
heat and treat. Discussion followed regarding the needs and wants list. The location was a great source
of discussion. Ken reviewed the top 3 options sheet. Chesterley will need to be reviewed by state and
federal agencies due to the grant funds used to develop the park. Sam asked if that is 1:1 replacement
and Ken advised it may be as much as 3:1. There will be some challenges with Chesterley. City Council
will need to make the decision on which location. Maureen stated there are a lot of things to be
considered. Ken stated he takes the blame for the condition of Chesterley. We allowed too much use of
the fields and the city is in need of additional soccer fields. Eight mainline irrigation breaks and budget cuts
did not help the condition either. Discussion followed.
Manager’s Report
Ken stated that the new program guide is in their packet. Ken thanked Tami Andringa for all the work she
does with the staff and the graphic designer and the printer to get the program guide out. We did get the
GNAC woman’s tournament at the Kiwanis / Gateway Complex.
For the Good of the Order
Maureen stated she would like for Traci to come to the City Council meeting and report on the Dog Park.
Sam asked about the Fisher Park Golf Course parking lot. Ken stated that we hope to do that in 2015. We
will be expanding the parking lot to 24 spots and move the entrance gate to the south. Discussion
followed. Maureen praised all of our service groups. Discussion followed.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be February 11, 2015. The meeting adjourned at
6:41 p.m.