HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Minutes 10.19.17PORT ANGELES PARKS, RECREATION & BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING
Port Angeles, Washington
October 19, 2017
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: Chairperson Shargel; Vice-Chairperson Sutcliffe; Commissioners Kirsch, Sinton, and Wojnowski. Student Representative Bailey.
Members Absent: Commissioners Peterson and Tucker.
Staff Present: Director Delikat & Secretary Moore.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Sutcliffe and seconded by Commissioner Sinton to approve the September 20 regular meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Maya Gentry
Ms. Gentry urged the Commission to consider allowing scooters to use the Erickson Skate Park. She said it’s a healthy way for kids to spend their free time, scooters don’t harm the facility,
and younger kids ride scooters which increases parent supervision at the park.
FINANCE & PACKET ITEMS: Director Delikat reviewed the Parks & Recreation Department’s latest expenditure and revenue reports with the Commission.
LATE ITEMS: None.
LEGISLATION:
Parks Department Ordinance Changes
Director Delikat explained the small housekeeping changes to the park ordinances. He also explained the reasoning behind removing the ordinance which bans scooters, roller skates, and
bicycles from using the skate park and adding language which allows these devices to use the facility. He said that these changes came after community discussions and monitoring the
wear and tear of the skate park over the last 12 years determining that BMX bikes and scooters do no more damage than skateboards do. Nationwide this has also been a shift of thought
and now communities are encouraging multi-use in skate parks, especially since scooters are increasing in popularity with younger skate park users. After a brief discussion among the
Commission, Commissioner Kirsch made the motion to recommend to City Council the approval of the updates to PMAC Chapters 3.70, 10.26, 12.04 and conduct a Public Hearing and first reading
of the ordinances at the November 7, 2017 City Council meeting. Commissioner Wojnowski seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Sean Coleman, Lincoln Park BMX Track Operator
Mr. Coleman reviewed the track’s 2017 season milestones, including increasing membership by 21% over 2016 and hosting 1,200 racers for 34 races. He informed the Commission on the track’s
plans for 2018, which will focus primarily on rebuilding the starting hill and installing a new safety gate.
Anya Samawicz, Nature School
Ms. Samawicz gave the Commission a presentation on her recently incorporated Port Angeles Nature School. She explained what a nature school is, why their ideal location for the school
is Lincoln Park, why they became a non-profit, and that their anticipated opening date is September 2018.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Lions Park Redwood Tree: Director Delikat said he is looking for a third party municipal arborist to assess the tree and the Parks & Recreation Department is working on a policy which
will help address tree removal issues in the future.
Scooter Chapman Press Box at Civic Field: Director Delikat shared a picture of the new bronze plaque with the Commission.
Quinn Redlin Kintner Memorial Park: Director Delikat explained that not much progress has been made on the park because of the delivery of the City Pier Floats and the completion of
the Callisthenic Park at Erickson but the department has begun building it.
Calisthenics Park: Director Delikat shared that the grand opening on October 14 was well-attended and community member Jesse Banks did a great job on making this project happen.
Shane Park Picnic Shelter: Director Delikat asked the Commission to consider its interest in creating a subcommittee to fundraise for a picnic shelter at Shane Park. Hank Gibson recently
designed the shelter and Corey will have a cost estimate by the next Commission meeting.
Departmental Updates:
New Hires – The Parks & Recreation Department recently hired a new Custodian and a new Parks Caretaker I.
Volunteer Field Restrooms – Director Delikat informed the Commission that the restrooms at Volunteer Field have been shut down after an employee discovered they were covered in black
mold. The restrooms were inspected and it was determined that the best route would be to tear out the sheetrock and rebuild the walls and install a heating and ventilation system. The
restrooms will remain closed until this work is completed.
Erickson Cameras – City Council recently approved updating the cameras at Erickson Playfield, so they will match the current camera system on the waterfront.
Community Gardens – Director Delikat is working on drafting a formal agreement with Hank Gibson on the 5th and 11th street community gardens.
Lodging Tax – The Parks & Recreation Department applied for $150,000 for Civic Field and $80,000 for its recreation tournaments. The LTAX Committee will be recommending to Council $100,000
for Civic and $74,000 for tournaments.
Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission Bylaw Changes – Director Delikat provided the Commissioners with newly drafted bylaws for the Commissioners to review and vote on during
the November meeting.
Supplemental Questions for Commission Applicants – Director Delikat collected the questions written by the Commissioners for inclusion in future commission applications
Future Items:
November: A Port Angeles High School woodshop student will give the Commission a presentation on a project he has proposed to the City
Questions/Comments:
Commissioner Kirsch asked Director Delikat what the City’s role is in regards to the Rayonier locomotive on Lauridsen Boulevard. Director Delikat explained how the City acquired the
locomotive and the struggle to find funding and interested parties to help with fundraising efforts to refurbish the locomotive #4.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Shargel adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m. The next meeting is November 16, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
David Shargel, Chairperson Emily Moore, Secretary