HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 01-08-14.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
January 8, 2014
Commissioners Present: Vice-Chairman Sam Karr, Mike Nixon, Tom Hinman, Jo Miles and Paul Williams.
Absent and Excused: Chair Rod Bryant, Parks Commissioners Morgan Pualani and Jim Williams and
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, Vice-Chairman Sam
nd
Karr called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 129 North 2 Street,
Yakima, Washington.
Election of Officers. This being the first meeting of the year, re-establishing the Park Commission officers
for 2014 took place. It was Moved by Tom Hinman, Seconded by Paul Williams, to keep the same
Officers for the next year - Rod Bryant, Chairman; Sam Karr, Vice Chairman. The motion carried
unanimously.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes for October 9, 2013. It was Moved by Tom Hinman, Seconded by
Sam Karr, to approve the Minutes as written from the October 9, 2013 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes for December 11, 2013. It was Moved by Tom Hinman, Seconded
by Sam Karr, to approve the Minutes as written from the December 11, 2013 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Randall Park Improvement Committee Update
Ken Wilkinson advised this item will stay on the agenda for the next year and a half while planning and
improvements occur at Randall Park. He reminded the commissioners of the anonymous $50,000
donation and that a committee has been formed which includes Sam Karr, private citizens; Mary Place, Bill
Huibertse, George Pechtel and a few others along with members of the city’s staff. Ken stated the
committee continues to meet, identify and discuss the needs of the park. Some of the areas indentified
have been the walkways, playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, pond, and replacement of the bridges that
had been previously removed due to safety concerns. Ken advised regular updates will be given on the
progress of the improvements. Ken stated he was contacted by a recent WSU graduate with a degree in
Landscape Architecture who would like to help with this project. Ken said his skills can be utilized by
having him help put together the layout, and renderings to share with potential donors and quality graphic
designs for the grant presentation. Mike Nixon asked if the architect’s time can be used as match for the
grant. Ken confirmed that the work he does along with the time the staff spends working in the park on this
project can be used for match. Ken advised that the grant cycle will start in the summer of 2014 and will be
funded sometime in the middle of 2015. He stated that we can go through the planning, engineering and
even the bidding process so we would be able to begin work as soon as the funding is available. Sam Karr
asked about the water retention rules when building walkways and things of that nature. Ken stated that is
something that Engineering will be looking at and making sure that we follow the rules and regulations.
Discussion followed. Sam Karr asked about a potential walk through at Randall Park. Ken stated that at
the next committee meeting we will look at setting a date for the walk through. Ken also stated that we
need to get started on the grant application soon so we need to decide on what we to do and have a list of
partners in place.
2007 – 2014 Tahoma Cemetery Expenses and Revenues
Ken Wilkinson stated that Jo Miles had previously asked for additional data in a spreadsheet format. Ken
stated that it is interesting that there are some large jumps in revenue during a couple of years. He told the
commissioners we did not have a chance to investigate why that is, but may be due to the buying of a large
group of plots at one time. Normally they are purchased one or two at a time. Ken commented that a
couple of the years have a decrease in revenue and that may be due to the economy and alternatives to
the traditional burials were being utilized. Ken stated there were temporary positions cut at the cemetery in
2007 and 2008, which explains the decrease in salary in the budget after those years. Jo Miles thanked
Ken for putting these spreadsheets together. Ken thanked the staff at the cemetery for all that they do.
Discussion followed. Mike Nixon asked about the irrigation costs on the budget for the three years that
show nothing. Ken stated that is an anomaly and he will need to check into that. Tom Hinman inquired
about the reason we are in this business, since we are not making a profit on it. Ken stated that the
cemetery is a public service that we provide to the community, it is not a profit center and most cemeteries
are not. Ken stated that even privately owned cemeteries struggle. Ken advised we did raise our rates
which will hopefully be seen on future budgets. Discussion followed.
2007 - 2014 Parks and Recreation Revenues
Ken Wilkinson stated that again Jo Miles had previously asked for a detailed spreadsheet on the revenue
for Parks and Recreation. Ken stated this is a clear format, which shows trends and where revenue comes
from. Ken advised that this spreadsheet has a breakdown within each category. Ken stated that we are
hoping to see an increase in golf this year. The spreadsheet also shows the amount of property tax that
goes toward the Parks and Recreation. Jo asked about the Senior Center Tour Program. Ken advised
that this is the trips and tours program. Ken stated that we do over 40 trips per year. Discussion followed.
Sam Karr inquired about the Americorp grant. Ken advised that program has been discontinued, therefore
the revenue and expense are both gone. Discussion followed.
Manager’s Report
Ken Wilkinson stated the new Winter/Spring program guide is out and also available on our website. He
reminded everyone that the online services are available for program registration and the reservation of the
parks. There is a fee for the convenience of the service. Ken stated he would like to find some money in
the budget in the future to be able to mail out the program guide; right now they are going out in the
newspaper. Tom Hinman asked about the progress on the dog park. Ken stated that Traci Bennett will be
heading that committee and should be getting a meeting together to discuss the possible location of a dog
park. Sam Karr asked about the continuation of the KXDD Loyal Listener program. Ken advised we are
continuing that and Wednesday is a busy day at the golf course because of it. Tom Hinman asked about
the Fisher Park Golf Course parking lot. Ken advised that the budget has been approved and we will now
need to work with Engineering and possibly Purchasing to put it out for bid. Ken advised that we would
have liked to do it in the spring but due to the uncertainty of the budget, it is looking more like late summer.
Ken stated that the hotter months sometimes see a decline in golfers so that may not be so bad.
For the Good of the Order
Sam Karr inquired about extending the season at the golf course. Ken advised it is not cost effective to
extend it due to the weather and not knowing when we would be able to open each day. Discussion
followed.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be February 12, 2014. The meeting adjourned at
6:10 p.m.