Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.16 MinutesPage 1 of 2 PORT ANGELES PARKS, RECREATION & BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING Port Angeles, Washington November 18, 2016 CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING: Chairperson Shargel called the regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Vice-Chairperson Forrest. Commissioners Peterson, Pittis, Shargel, Sinton, & Sutcliffe. Student Representatives Brandon & Palenga. Staff Present: Director Delikat & Secretary Boone. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: It was moved by Peterson and seconded by Forrest to approve the minutes of the September 15 regular meeting. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: A group of community members recently wrote a letter to Director Delikat voicing their concerns over the state of the Lincoln Park BMX track and the track operator. A group of 11 community members was present to discuss the BM X track. 1. Sean Coleman Mr. Coleman spoke on behalf of the group. He has been involved with the track for six years. He and the group would like to see the City consider sending out an RFP for track operators prior to the end of the current lease agreement. The current tra ck operator has been running a for-profit business on City property lease-free and tax-free for seven years. The group would like to be part of the RFP process because they would like to build the local BMX program up, create some accountability, establish a board of directors, create rules and achieve 501c3 status. There are opportunities for fundraising for capital needs, such as a new starting hill, bleachers and a new electrical system. This would attract more riders and families to the track. 2. Michael McGuire Mr. McGuire moved to Port Angeles in January and recently became involved with the BMX track. He has seen firsthand the frustration that members in the community have had with the current track operator. He has seen the decline in participation and quality in the track in this short time. He does not see a way it can continue positively under its current operations. He said compared to the Port Orchard BMX track, it’s opposite ends of the spectrum and it’s an embarrassment for Port Angeles. 3. Mike Pinell Mr. Pinell helped rebuild the track and received good feedback on the work, but because of the way they were treated by the track operator they stopped going to the track. The way the trac k is currently ran is a one-man show and there needs to be more accountability. He believes if the track were in better condition it would help the economy. Their group would like the opportunity to put in a proposal to run the track. 4. Sam Chandler Mr. Chandler, owner of Ben’s Bikes in Sequim, is also a former BMX track owner for 10 years in Tucson, Arizona. He believes that the City stands some liability due to the current conditions at the track. He would like the opportunity to help the group create an RFP. He feels that Port Angeles could be a destination place for BMX. People love to travel and experience new tracks and new competition, but he has seen the erosion of the Port Angeles BMX market to Port Orchard. FINANCE & PACKET ITEMS: Director Delikat reviewed the September 2016 revenue and expenditure reports with the Commission because the October reports were not provided by Finance in time for the meeting. LATE ITEMS: None. LEGISLATION: None. DIRECTOR’S REPORT (PowerPoint Presentation): 1. BMX Track & Lease Agreement Director Delikat acknowledged the group of community members present to voice their concerns regarding the current state of the Lincoln Park BMX track. Delikat provided the Commission with some background information on the current lease agreement, which was re-signed under a one-year agreement in June 2016. Delikat acknowledged that the City has not done anything to or for the track and he said that needs to change. The current contract is set to end June 2017. There is a loophole in the current contract which only states that the current track operator is associated with a non -profit, and the current operator is associated with USA BMX, which is a non-profit. Delikat would like to see the contract require the operator to Page 2 of 2 become a 501c3, have a board and be able to show fin ancials. Delikat asked the board to consider what is best for the community and its kids. After some discussion among the Commission, Vice -Chairperson Forrest made a motion that the City amend the current operator’s contract as soon as possible that: the facilities must be brought up to safe standards before the start of the 2017 season, the operator must be able to provide clear evidence of non-profit status with a governing board having at least one member of the City Parks Commission, and have an RFP process prior to the end of the current contract. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pittis and it passed unanimously. 2. Rowing Club Building The building at Ediz Hook that the rowing club leases from the City is in disrepair after the last storm. The bui lding has been closed by the City and Director Delikat is working with Community & Economic Development Director Nathan West on trying to find a new piece of property for the club. 3. Commissioner Vacancies Vice-Chairperson Forrest informed the Commissioners that he will be going on a long-term overseas assignment early next year so he will be officially resigning following the December meeting. The Commission determined they will try to appoint someone to fill his unexpired term. 4. Memorial Program & Benches The current Memorial Program Policy is outdated and inaccurate. The lifespans of the current memorial benches are nearing expiration. Commissioner Delikat said the Department will work on revamping the policy beginning in 2017 and pushing it in a new direction. 5. Park Ordinances City Council approved the changes to the park ordinances at the November 15 Council meeting. The changes will be effective starting January 1, 2017. Primary changes focused on the Alcohol Use Permit/Policy, prohibiting camping in parks, advertising policy, and minimal fee increases. 6. 2017 Budget The Parks Department received $150,000 in lodging tax money for Civic Field improvements. There was also a 25% increase in the parks maintenance budget due to increased maintenance costs. 7. West Coast League/Civic Field Improvements Director Delikat recently met with Port Angeles Lefties owner Matt Acker to discuss the projects he wants to do at Civic Field. Nothing has been formally submitted yet, but all updates made will be mutually benefici al for the City and for the Lefties organization. 8. Georgiana Playground All money has been raised and equipment has been ordered for the new playground. The last of the fundraising that needs to be done will include selling a couple of benches in the park. 9. Downtown Sidewalk Repair Project The downtown sidewalk repair and tree replanting project is going well and is ahead of schedule by 4-5 days. 10. Future Items a. Dream Playground Foundation presentation b. 2016 recap/accomplishments c. Athletic Field Use Policy d. Vendor Policy e. Naming West End Park f. Park re-naming g. 2017 work plan ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Shargel adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Next meeting is December 15, 2016, in the Vern Burton Memorial Community Center meeting room #3 at 6:00 p.m. David Shargel, Chairperson Emily Boone, Secretary