HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 09-09-15.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
September 9, 2015
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice Chairman Sam Karr, Paul Williams, Roger Lewis, Jo
Miles, Tom Hinman, Matt Tweedy and Rosana Bravo Absent and Excused: Maureen Adkison, Yakima
City Council Liaison
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
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meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 129 North 2 Street, Yakima,
Washington.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2015. It was Moved by Tom Hinman, Seconded by
Paul Williams, to approve the Minutes as written from the August 12, 2015 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Randall Park Improvement Project Update
Ken Wilkinson updated park commissioners on the continued improvements being made to Randall Park.
He stated we did officially receive our $500,000 grant from the state, which are matching funds. Ken
reminded them that we do have the anonymous donations totaling approximately $150,000 and that can be
used as match. We have the playground donation from Downtown Rotary and that was $97,000. We also
have the Observation Deck from Southwest Rotary. We have met with the Engineering Division and we
are writing out the specifications for what we need for engineering work. We will need some work on water
lines, sewer lines, electrical and drawings for the parking lots. The Streets Division has agreed to do the
asphalt work but they will need to have a good set of drawings to work off of. Ken stated there are two
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separate parking lots, one on 48 Ave. and the other on 44 Ave. and there is an elevation change so that
is why there will need to be some engineering work done. We have started the process and hope to be
selecting an engineering firm soon to get going on those drawings. We still do not have a formal
agreement with the State and really should not be doing anything more until we get that. It is just and
agreement that states we will fulfill our commitments and they will fulfill their commitment of giving us
reimbursement dollars. We will also receive a notice to proceed which is really when everything starts to
get moving. Ken advised that the project is highlighted on the back of the program guide and we continue
to thank our wonderful partners that have helped us along. Sunrise Rotary has said they would like to do
at least one picnic shelter and if they have enough funds would like to do two. Southwest Rotary has
tentatively agreed to replace the basketball court for their 2015-16 community grant cycle. We are talking
about hopefully taking down the old restroom and building within the next month if we can get a contractor
that is available. We have volunteers from Triumph Actuation Systems scheduled to come out on
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September 30 to plant trees and shrubs. They have also given us a grant for $5,000 to pay for the trees
and shrubs. Sam Karr asked where the trees will be planted. Ken advised they will be planting 8-10 in the
dog park and the rest will be placed around the playground and possibly along the walkway on the north
side of the park. We will be purchasing 30 trees and about 500 small shrubs to be planted. Ken stated we
are really hoping to do one of the parking lots this fall. Rod Bryant asked if the in-kind service that has
already been done will count toward the match. Ken stated that much of the work will be eligible for match.
The Stormwater Division has applied for a grant to make improvements to the pond, not only to improve its
appearance but also to improve its ability to serve as stormwater retention. We believe they should know
about the grant in November. The grant is through the Dept. of Ecology.
Lions Pool - Facility Audit Discussion
Ken stated that at last month’s meeting the Park Commission was given a copy of the Lions Pool
assessment from Counsilman-Hunsaker’s pool facility audit. He said he hopes they have had a chance to
review that because there is a lot of information. He advised that anytime you have a building or facility
that is as old as Lions is, you will need to make upgrades and repairs. Ken stated that the high dive is
gone. It has been removed as one of the strong suggestions made by our consultants. The pool is not
deep enough and the slope is too steep which causes safety concerns. One of the low diving boards will
also be removed and the remaining low diving board will be moved so that it is further away from the edge
to meet current specs. We are looking into adding a climbing wall that can be attached to the edge of the
pool to create an additional recreation opportunity. Matt Tweedy asked about the budget for these repairs
and upgrades. Ken stated we plan to use Parks Capital funds that have been allocated over the next
couple of years. We are estimating the filtration system at about $150,000. Ken advised he has put
together a strategic initiative that will go to City Council to earmark $150,000 of our capital fund to go for
the filtration system next year. Matt asked what our total capital funds are. Ken stated this year’s capital
fund was $100,000. In addition to that we have the voter approved $750,000, of which some of that will be
used to complete projects before the end of the year. Ken stated that we will also be able to spend some
of next year’s $750,000 to do things like the Lions Pool filtration system and help will the Randall Park
project. Matt asked how much we have budgeted for Lions Pool and how much will be left after the
filtration system’s $150,000. Ken stated the $150,000 is what we budgeted for 2016. He said a lot of the
things are not big ticket items and some of those have already been taken care during our two week shut
down. The tank and walls were painted and the floor was pressure washed during this last shut down. We
also have the general repair and maintenance fund that can be used for things that just break or need to be
repaired. Our pump motor and shaft went out in March and had to be replaced which ended up costing
about $17,000 and was taken out of our general fund. Matt asked what the priorities will be after the
filtration system replacement. Ken stated the air handling and upgrades to the locker rooms. We will need
to look at the report and identify the priorities and work on spacing those things out over the next few years.
Ken stated we will need to have an engineering firm come in to design the filtration/sanitation system. Sam
stated that at the last meeting Ken estimated the system at about $80,000-$100,000. Ken stated that is for
the filter and we will be doing the sanitation system also. We are hoping that we are estimating high. Sam
asked it this will be coming out of the $750,000. Ken stated he did not know and that will be up for
discussion as we move forward. Sam commented about the $750,000 being divided up and used by the
Sozo Soccer Complex. Ken stated we do not know yet how much of the $750,000 we will be able to use
but that should become clear soon. Matt asked who has control of the $750,000. Ken stated that is City
Council and the City Manager. Matt asked if it is earmarked for the Parks and Recreation Dept. Ken
stated that it is earmarked for recreation things. Ken commented that we are receiving many positive
comments about the way the pool looks after the staff painted during the shutdown. Rod said that we have
had humidity issues at Lions for as long as he can remember. Ken stated that is always a challenge with
indoor water. Discussion followed. Ken advised that he will be meeting with the staff to go over the report
closely. Matt asked if Lions is fully suited for swim meets held by schools and clubs. Ken said that it does
meet standards and there is a lot of interest from the schools and private organizations to use the pool for
their meets. Discussion followed.
Gilbert Park – Off Leash Fenced Dog Park Discussion
Ken reminded the commissioners that at the last meeting we had at good discussion regarding the off
leash unfenced dog park at Gilbert. He stated he took the issue to City Council last month and they too
had a good discussion. He stated he relayed the questions, concerns and comments that Park
Commission had and they felt the same and voted 7-0 to not make Gilbert an off leash unfenced dog park.
Ken advised that one of the things that did come out of the discussion was possibly adding a fence there.
It was brought up that maybe this needed to go back to Park Commission and the community for
discussion. Ken stated that is why he sent the email for Park Commissioners to bounce the idea off people
they know and find out if this is something we wish to pursue. Ken informed them that their packet includes
a letter to the editor that was in today’s paper just for them to review. He is not asking for any direction
right now. Jo Miles asked about the estimated cost of a fenced area, where it would be located and if we
know what the neighbors think about a fenced area. Tom Hinman served on the Randall Dog Park
committee and stated that the cost of the fence for the 1.6 acres was about $25,000, but we would not
need that big of an area at Gilbert. Discussion followed. Ken advised that we are currently installing
irrigation at Randall Dog Park. It was discussed that Gilbert Park is 10 acres and a fenced dog area would
only need to be about ¾ of an acre; possibly even a ½ acre would be ok. Discussion followed. They
concluded that the cost of the fence for a ½ - ¾ acre dog park would be about $15,000. Matt suggested
sending a mailer to the neighbors to get their input. Ken stated we are not being asked to do that yet.
Discussion followed regarding letting the neighbors know and getting their input whether it be at an Open
House much like the one we did for the Randall Park Improvement project or just a mailed survey. Ken
advised that the 5 Year Comprehensive Master Plan is coming up in 2017. Discussion followed in regards
to doing a big mailing survey for the Master Plan. Ken advised that asking the right questions is the key.
Manager’s Report
Ken stated that we have a problem with beavers at West Valley Community Park. They have been
damming up Wide Hollow Creek and flooding the park. The park maintenance staff has been hand
removing debris daily. We have hired a trapper to live trap and relocate the beavers. So far he has caught
4 beavers. We have also received calls from the neighbors concerned about flooding to their property. We
contacted Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for their advice and help. Ken advised this year’s last concert at Miller
Park will be Sunday from 3-8 pm. We have extended the season at Franklin Pool. We normally close the
last weekend of August before school starts. As a trial we wanted to try and keep it open through
September this year. Reasons that we normally close are that we lose a majority of our lifeguards and
when school gets ready to start people begin to shift gears. We are working on our budget right now and
are looking at mailing all three program guides for 2016. We received such positive feedback that we
would like to continue that next year. It will still be available online. Sam asked how many we mailed. Ken
stated 30,000 were mailed. Sam suggested adding the survey to the program guide. Ken advised that
most of the time people will only respond if you send them the stamped envelope to return it. Discussion
followed. We do have some capital funds to spend yet this year and are looking at replacing the restroom
at Milroy Park. We are starting the process to purchase a CXT prefab vandal resistant building much like
the ones at Larson, Elks and Kiwanis parks. The cost for this type of restroom is about $150,000. We are
also looking at putting in a 60 x 40 metal pole building at Kiwanis/Gateway for equipment and storage. Bill
Wells and his staff currently use the old incinerator and since we have added the 3 additional fields we
need more adequate storage. Sam asked about reversing the old K2 field. Ken stated that is still on our
want list. Discussion followed. Rod asked about Elks Park and Little League this year. Paul Williams
gave a brief update on the year end wrap up as he is currently on the board. He stated that the season
went well and should have the 2015 report by November or December. He advised that they have secured
all the buildings that they use for storage. Sam asked if there is an update on the Sozo Soccer Complex.
Ken advised that he has had very little involvement in that project. Tom asked if the land has been
annexed. Ken stated he thinks that will be sometime this month at City Council for discussion. Sam
questioned the Public/Private partnerships and where the $750,000 is being spent. Discussion followed.
Rod asked about the annexed property and if parks will be responsible for it. Ken advised we are not being
tasked with anything at this point. Paul stated that he spoke with Scott Schafer after the last meeting and
was told that he has been more involved in the project and has some information if the other
commissioners have questions. Rod expressed concern that he just doesn’t want any last minute
surprises for the Parks Dept. since we have not been involved in the planning nor have a lot of the
information. Jo asked if it would be possible for Scott to come to Parks Commission and give a
presentation on the project. Ken stated he will ask Scott to do that. Sam commented that people think we
are in control of the $750,000 for parks and recreation and would like to have some information. Matt
asked about the numbers at Fisher Park Golf course. Ken stated we were doing really well until it got
extremely hot and now that it is getting a bit cooler it should pick up again. Today is Loyal Listener
Wednesday, golf for $5 with a KXDD Loyal Listener card. Tuesday is Ladies Day, they golf for $7.00,
Monday is Seniors Day, they golf for $5.00 and Thursday is Men’s Day, they golf for $7.00. Matt
commented that Fisher will become more valuable because of what is happening with West Wood. He
also asked why nothing has been done to Gardner Park parking lot. Ken advised that paving Gardner and
Elks parking lots are on the list of things to do. Ken said that the Streets Division repaved all the roads in
Tahoma Cemetery, the golf course parking lot and Gilbert Park. Discussion followed. Matt stated that the
trail at Franklin from the park to the middle school is asphalt overgrown with grass and wanted to know if
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there are any plans for that to be redone. Ken stated that if we do repave it, we will do it right, like the 44
Ave. pathway, which was repaved this summer. Ken stated that Matt had asked last month what our cost
for chlorine is for each pool. Ken advised Lions was $19,843 for the year and Franklin was $16,998 for the
summer. Rod stated that the outdoor pool uses so much because of the sun. Matt asked if we could cut
costs by using UV. Ken advised we can, it just costs more up front, but less in operating costs. Joe asked
if we could go exclusively UV, no chlorine. Ken said from what he understands we are not able to go 100
% UV, we still have to have a sanitizer due to state health requirements. Discussion followed.
For the Good of the Order
Nothing discussed.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be October 14, 2015. The meeting adjourned at
6:34 p.m.