HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission minutes - 11-12-14.docx
Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes for
November 12, 2014
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rod Bryant, Vice-Chairman Sam Karr, Paul Williams, Jo Miles and
Tom Hinman Absent and Excused: Morgan Pualani and Maureen Adkinson, 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
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Bryant called the 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 for October 8, 2014 It was Moved by Tom Hinman, Seconded by
Sam Karr, to approve the Minutes as written from the October 8, 2014 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Randall Park Improvement Committee Update
Ken Wilkinson announced that Southwest Rotary has decided to partner with the City by creating the
observation deck for the duck pond. We have been speaking with other organizations on some of the other
components of the project but are not ready to release those just yet. Jenise is working with the Planning
Dept. on the SEPA, Critical Areas Review and JARPA. Rod Bryant asked if this process is similar to what
was done for the Kiwanis Pond. Ken advised it is. He stated that it gives the organizations and agencies
that have an interest in the water quality and flow an opportunity to see what we are doing and sign off on
it. We have already been in contact with Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and Cathy Reed at Dept. of Ecology
and neither of them have voiced many concerns or issues. Stormwater is also working with AHBL on the
stormwater plan. Part of the stormwater plan is making improvements to Randall Pond so that we can
handle more water in a large storm event. They will be surveying the area and coming up with conceptual
ideas for the improvement of the pond. Right now we are in the planning and technical stages of the
project. Ken stated that we will be sending a letter this week to the donors and partners giving them an
update on the project. Rod asked about the deadline for the JARPA. Ken said that we would like to have it
completed in February. There is some work that we would like to start in late winter/early spring. The
water level will need to be taken down to complete some of the work around the pond and we do not want
to disturb the wildlife. Ken advised that we do not have final determination on the state grant money and
will probably get that official notification sometime in January. We will not actually receive any of that
money until summer but will be able to do some of the work before then. Discussion followed.
Randall Dog Park Project Update
Ken reminded the commission that Traci Bennett, Recreation Supervisor heads the committee that
includes Tom Hinman and a great group of citizens. Ken advised that the fence is scheduled to begin on
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November 20. We were hoping to have it open by Thanksgiving weekend but it doesn’t look like that is
going to happen. Ken thanked the Streets Dept. for the wonderful job they did on getting that big pile of
gravel moved and putting in the gravel walkway and overflow parking area. Tom Hinman advised that the
goal is to have a soft opening right now and eventually put in the refurbished shelter from Franklin Park and
possibly a second one later. Ken advised that we are planning on replacing the shelter at Randall Park
and that the one being removed would be the possible second one for the dog park. Tom stated that we
are doing the dog park in phases. First phase is basically the fence. The second phase is bringing in the
shade structures, picnic tables, benches and planting some trees. Discussion followed regarding the
website having information about ways people can donate to the dog park. Tom advised that there is water
to the park right now but we will not be doing anything with that until spring. Ken advised there have been
a few donations already.
Aquatics Advisory Committee Update
Ken stated that the committee has met twice and at the last meeting worked on the purpose statement.
The next meeting is a week from tonight at the Harman Center. He addressed the discussion held by City
Council on Monday. City Council voted that an indoor swimming pool was priority one for the $750,000
earmarked for Parks & Recreation capital previously voted on by the public. The committee will be
discussing what the vision of an indoor swimming facility might be. Discussion followed. Rod asked if the
site for the facility has been narrowed down. Ken stated that is one of the biggest challenges along with
funding. The partner for the facility has been identified as the YMCA and they have commented that they
would like a presence more on the west side of town. Chesterley Park and some other west side locations
are being looked at. Jo Miles stated that if both projects go the way they are being proposed and by both,
he is saying the indoor pool and soccer facilities, almost all of the $750,000 would be devoted to just those
two facilities and only $25,000 would be left for all the other facilities needs. Discussion followed. Paul
Williams commented on past partnerships and that the City still owns and operates those facilities and that
these new ideas for the future will be run by private organizations and using city funded dollars to pay for it
or at least half of it. He stated he did not know if that was allowed and asked it Ken knew. Ken advised he
does not know the answer to that question. Discussion followed. Ken advised that the second priority is a
soccer complex and there is a potential partnership with facilities in the area. Discussion followed. Jo
commented that if the private money does not come through the city still has enough money to implement
our capital program from out 2012-2017 comprehensive plan which has already been approved. Sam
asked about the pool conference. Ken highlighted some points from the conference. Building a facility with
just one body of water is a bad idea, having more than one body of water will allow more programs. Ken
went over some of the programs they suggested; learn to swim, exercise, therapy/rehab and competition
swimming. There are some challenges with building a facility such as cost and priority of who gets to use it
at what times. Discussion followed.
Manager’s Report
Ken thanked the City’s talented Streets Dept. for their hard work and generosity on the road that they put in
at Tahoma Cemetery for the Japanese Tea Garden. Ken stated that they did the work and Parks
purchased the asphalt. Ken acknowledged Joe Rosenlund, Streets & Traffic Operations Manager, Dan
Bigby, Streets Supervisor and Jay Kendall, Crew Leader. Ken stated that they were able to use this as an
opportunity for training. The cost of the roads would have been about $60,000 if we went out for bid but
ended up only costing us $17,000. This is a great way to showcase their talent.
For the Good of the Order
Jo asked about the budget for 2015. Ken stated that it is very similar to this year’s budget. He said we do
need a new 580D mower which is the big mower that can mow 11 ft. wide. We do have that in the budget
to purchase. This will be our third one and we can rotate them and have one as a backup. The budget for
staff is the same also. Sam Karr asked about the written report from YNLL. Ken advised that he has not
received that. Rod asked about the activities at the Senior Center. Ken stated the Apple Crisp Social was
held last week. Breakfast w/ Santa is coming up and the Trip & Tour book will be out soon. The Holiday
Bazaar was the first Saturday in November.
Adjournment
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be December 10, 2014. The meeting adjourned
at 6:09 p.m.