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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 2 3 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. 2 240 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 3 2 ,4 I 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: . � . tir !� / _ 1)( COUNCIL ME �B R DA E , COU it MEMBER DATE ATTEST: p „ii(7116 0 CITY CLERK PAUL P. GEORGE, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Melynn Skovald. 1 4