HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/2004 Adjourned Meeting 233
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
WITH THE YAKIMA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MAY 27, 2004 - 11:30 A.M.
1. ROLL CALL
Present:
City Council: Bernie Sims, Paul George, Dave Edler, Mary Place, Neil McClure, Ron
Bonlender, and Susan Whitman (present after 12:00 noon)
Parks Commission: Rod Bryant, Mike Nixon, Bob Busse, Phil Hoge, Jackie Meyer,
• and Tom Gates. Tom Hurson (absent and excused).
Staff: Dick Zais, City Manager; Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works; Denise
Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager; Lynn Quesenbury, Parks and Recreation
Administrative Associate; and Melynn Skovald, Public Works Office Assistant
Mayor Paul George called the meeting to order at 12 Noon in the Training Room
located at the Public Works facility, 2301 Fruitvale Boulevard, Yakima, Washington.
He welcomed the Yakima Parks and Recreation Commission, introductions were
made, and members briefly described their tenure on the Commission.
2. LUNCHEON MEETING WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation
outlining upcoming needs for Parks and Recreation. The video pointed out the
benefits and underlying aspects associated with youth recreation programs, outdoor
recreation, parks and open space, maintenance and aquatics, and how it relates to
the quality of life, economic development, and revenue brought into the community.
Information was also available about planning upcoming program needs for Aquatics,
Parks Maintenance Operation's activities, Recreation Services, and Fisher Golf
Course.
•
Commission Member Tom Gates outlined some of the maintenance and operational
challenges facing Parks and Recreation crews to maintain the level of service
standards that the community has come to expect. A changing tax base is creating
limited resources that impact park maintenance. There is a declining number of
full -time equivalents (FTEs) who not only perform daily service tasks to satisfy the
growing demand for parks and open space, but they repair and maintain aging park
facilities. Also included on a continuing basis is painting over graffiti and repairing
vandalism damage at parks facilities.
Commission Member Rod Bryant, who is also the Principal at Adams Elementary,
stressed the importance of City- sponsored summer youth activities and supervised
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MAY 27, 2004 — ADJOURNED MEETING
after - school programs that are free. These program activities are well attended by 5-
12 year olds at three elementary school locations.
Commission Chairman Mike Nixon recapped some of the aquatic programs offered at
the City's five swimming pools, including recreational swimming sessions, learn -to-
swim lessons, and swim team activities. The City heavily subsidizes all of its pools,
but the pools are aging and require maintenance dollars to remain operational. In
discussion it was noted that future economics of Aquatics is something to consider,
and different options besides neighborhood pools need to be looked at. Attendance
and the length of the swimming season impact swimming pool revenue. Mr. Nixon
directed attention to an illustration of a "Spray Pool" with a rather simple design, which
is very user friendly. Operating costs would be minimal since there would be no staff
positions to pay for or any entry fees charged to use the equipment.
During discussion and comments, it was also noted that programs like youth activities
and pools are both paid for by tax dollars. Youth activities cost less than pools do,
which is something to consider.
Parks Commissioner Bob Busse pointed out that deciding what lies ahead for Parks
and Recreation would be based on what is going on fiscally. It is understanding what
needs to be done, whether it is shutting down some of the pools and putting in a spray
pool or keeping after - school programs for youth; upgrading and maintaining pathways
or getting grants for soccer, ballfields, and green spaces. Consideration of quality of
life factors need to continue, such as the Pride in our Parks program supported by
Kiwanis local volunteers implemented in the West Valley annexation area.
Discussion occurred about the establishment of a Metropolitan Park District. Yakima
used to have a Park District. It went away because it to be voted on every two
years. Because of levy failure the City took over the park system. However, it was
noted that an EMS levy in Wenatchee was voted down, but a park levy was approved;
the citizens realized that closing parks is a loss of something of great value.
Members of the Council and Parks Commission members discussed the situation and
made suggestions and comments about the need for more park space and available
green space for future generations to enjoy. Since the only undeveloped portion of
park property is the five acres below Randall Park, ways to acquire more property for
park development need to be found. Discussion included IAC matching land
acquisition projects, although those have a critical time frame and local match
requirements; additional green space availability depends on land use and zoning
regulations for the subject property. Generations from previous decades dedicated
land next to schools for parks. Since Yakima is expanding to the west, perhaps
standards should reflect a requirement to set aside green space in subdivision
development. This could be done during the Comprehensive Parks Plan update
required every six years and when capital facilities provisions can be added. Not
having to acquire land would allow the City to use its dollars to pay maintenance costs
and ongoing funding to keep what exists now as well as what comes along in the
future. However, continuing to ask non - profits for land donations cannot continue.
Since the City is out of developable parks space, the development community needs
to be asked about impact fees and /or a requirement to set aside land in subdivisions
for neighborhood green space areas.
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MAY 27, 2004 — ADJOURNED MEETING
The Kiwanis Park facility is an opportunity to be a major economic entity in terms of
tourism dollars. T� make that a reality some day, the Parks Commission needs to be
involved in putting together a coordinated plan to make Kiwanis into a successful,
eight -month sports program operation. That could begin by changing the pool
situation and developing new amenities to attract tourism interest.
There was discussion about the difference between a bond and a levy. A bond is for
capital needs and cannot deal with anything else. An operations levy can do both
operations and maintenance of facilities. A suggestion was offered to lift the property
tax levy lid for a year or two to assist parks. An inquiry was made about the
differences between bond /levy and impact fees. Impact fees have never been studied
to any extent to see how many dollars would be generated. Impact fees are usually
assigned to new development projects for park property acquisition.
There was discussion about the possibility of increasing the utility tax. A brief history
of the utility tax was explained. The utility tax is on city sewer and refuse. In the early
1990s, a critical decision was made to use a portion of the utility tax for Parks since it
was a growing revenue source. It has been a vital revenue source for parks. At first,
it was 4 %, but was reduced down to 3.5% when .5% was diverted to the Law and
Justice Center. The utility tax also assists with the cemetery subsidy and the nine -
acre development. The perpetual care endowment fund does not generate enough
revenue to substantially assist the cemetery operations.
The number of FTEs is incredibly lower than what is needed. The maintenance
management plans for each of the City's parks indicate we are down five to six FTEs
from what is needed for an excellent level of service delivery. Besides major parks,
peripheral mowing activities include the Arboretum, the downtown park, Fairbrook
Edition, miscellaneous green belts, and the Naches Parkway.
Kiwanis Park consists of 30 -plus acres and upkeep of that park justifies one full -time
maintenance person working 40 hours a week. This would create a superior
maintenance service and perhaps a policy issue will be brought forward for staffing
that facility. Great emphasis will be put forth to make Kiwanis Park a beautifully kept,
well- maintained park. Since adding a resource unit would be a substantial expense, a
suggestion was made to try coordinating a volunteer effort utilizing a cadre of youth
from the community.
The proposed reduction strategy for Parks and Recreation was discussed. The
$785,000 through the Tier 3 reduction equals 21 % of the total Parks and Recreation
budget. Commissioners were encouraged to serve on the committee reviewing the
City budget and application forms were provided.
Other topics discussed by the officials include comments about the great growth that
has occurred during the past five years and the need to look at ways to continue
parks. In addition to utilizing the newly annexed area that generates about $75,000
for the Parks and Recreation Division, the suggestion was reiterated to lift the
property tax lid and then dedicate that generated revenue to specific projects for
Parks that would go away in two years.
The current situation at the Southeast Community Center was briefly discussed.
Parks and Recreation is currently underwriting the operational costs. Also mentioned
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MAY 27, 2004 — ADJOURNED MEETING
were the dedicated use facilities such as Elks Park for Little League - -where the Little
League partnership has existed for over 20 years- -and there is also J. M. Perry for
soccer.
2. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Paul George thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for meeting with
the City Council. We have good parks thanks to dedicated services and philanthropist
benevolence. We need to keep our parks and believe people in Yakima will support
that. Commission Chairman Nixon said the Commission thinks the Parks and
Recreation staff are exceptional, dedicated employees, and Council needs to know
they are great representatives for the City of Yakima.
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY:
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COUNCIL ME �B R DA E
, COU it MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK PAUL P. GEORGE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Melynn Skovald.
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