HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.07.11 PRAB Minutes
MINUTES
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
5:30 PM - Thursday, July 11, 2024
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm, by John Morgan, Vice
Chairperson
ROLL CALL
Board Members Present: Steven Gruenberg, Alex Thornton, John
Morgan, and Mark Middleton
City Council Representative Present: David Milne
City Staff Present: Brent Kubalek, Patrick Hicks, Jesse Rice, and
Elizabeth Olivo
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the May 9, 2024, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Mr. Morgan moved to approve the minutes from the May 9,
2024 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting. Hr. Harrington
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE & BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Milne expressed his gratitude with the Grand Ol' 4th of July events
host by the City.
Mr. Middleton stated he enjoyed participating in the parade as it was his
first time doing so.
Mr. Morgan complimented the park ranger. He heard only positive
feedback about the 4th of July events and activities.
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STAFF REPORTS
Staff reported on the topics that were provided in the presentation slide
deck that was provided in the meeting packet.
Director Updates
Mr. Rice discussed the near drowning incident at Memorial Pool. He
stated the investigation is still ongoing with the Benton Franklin
Department of Health. The City has implemented some procedural
changes at the pool. The student is back to participating in Swim
Classes.
Mr. Rice reported on the status of the Pasco Public Facilities District's
(PPFD) aquatics facility. The PPFD Board finalized a purchase and sale
agreement for land in Broadmoor area. The PPPFD Executive Director
will be presenting final design of the aquatics facility in the near future.
Mr. Rice also discussed the Columbia River shoreline park design. The
City has hired a consultant for the shoreline park design and Mr. Milne
was working for a plan to get the community members involved in the
placement of this park along the shoreline.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
State-of-The-Art Radio Control Raceway
Mr. Harrington presented a slide deck and it is attached to the minutes.
Mr. Milne expressed concerns that the $600K investment for a company
to manage the park might be seen as gifting public funds.
Mr. Rice responded that if the park remains well-maintained and free to
the public, the investment could be justified.
Mr. Milne also raised issues about park security and access, suggesting
that 24/7 supervision might be needed.
Mr. Harrington proposed using successful RC facility models as a
reference and recommended that the City advertise the management
opportunity to attract other interested organizations.
MOTION: Mr. Morgan moved to continue discussion for State-of-the-Art
Radio Control Raceway during the next meeting. Mr. Harrington
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
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Mr. Morgan asked for an update on the dome for Memorial Pool.
Mr. Rice reported the dome is under further review with the Washington
State Department of Health. The City is also working on the foundation
design where the Dome will be placed. Staff is also waiting for the
manufactured ventilation equipment to be available, which is estimated
to be in December 2024.
Mr. Morgan stated that he was impressed with the field painting
equipment the City has acquired.
Next Meeting: September 12, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 12 DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2024
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PASCO
RADIO CONTROL RACEWAY
OUTDOOR FAMILY FUN FOR ALL
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AGENDA
•Existing Raceways
•Proposed Raceway
•Alignment with Pasco’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
•Estimated Cost
•Other Benefits
•Questions
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THE HANK PERRY OF SPOKANE
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THE HANK PERRY OF SPOKANE
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THE HANK PERRY:
OWNED BY COUNTY, BUT LEASED TO R/C CLUB
THAT OPERATES FACILITY ($1/YEAR)
R/C CLUB MAINTAINS FACILITY AND
COVERS THE INSURANCE COST
R/C CLUB RULES, CHARTER, AND CONTRACT
WITH SPOKANE COUNTY COULD SERVE AS
MODEL ‘GO-BYES”
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WALLA WALLA
Xtreme Racetrack in Ft. Walla Walla City Park
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Hayden Radio Control Racetrack
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Hayden Radio Control Raceway
Privately built by Brian Eiger in 2022
~$600K total cost
Viewing area atop two shipping containers
His retail store grossed $1.3 million in 2023
He is pleased by the wide variety of visitors
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PROPOSED RACEWAY PLAN VIEW
1:16 TO 1:8 SCALE OF CARS:
120’ X 200’ INSIDE FENCE 2.75 ACRES
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CITY OF PASCO | PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN
STEP 1: How well does a proposed project address the following Plan Goals?
• Serving all ages and abilities: Does the project increase Pasco’s level of service or fill a gap in the demographics
the system currently serves?
Existing Racetracks:
A private race track in Finley;
Xtreme R/C Walla Walla (Ft Walla Walla);
The Hank Perry in Spokane; and
Hayden Radio Control Raceway (Hayden ID).
There are no other known r/c racetracks in the Tri-Cities area, Yakima, Ellensburg, Hermiston or Pendleton
Even the physically and mentally challenged can operate a steering wheel
Entire raceway will be American Disabilities Act compliant:
ADA toilet facility
ADA elevator to the upper viewing area11
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• Providing an accessible and equitable system: Does the project serve underrepresented groups or underserved geographic areas to
balance park access and provide equitable opportunities for all?
Racetrack will be open to visitors of all abilities and designed to A.D.A. standards
• Creating an interconnected trail and street system: Does the project make a key connection or expand the trail and street system to
ensure more Pasco residents have safe ways to get to parks and recreation facilities?
Location has not been determined
• Contributing to a vibrant local economy: Does the project enhance or add revenue generating programs, facilities, or draw people to
Pasco’s businesses?
Out of town visitors will typically stay two or three nights, when participating in the tournaments, which will infuse thousands
directly into our local economy
According to Brian Eiger, owner of the Hayden racetrack, his retail store grossed $1.3 million in 2023
• Creating a strong local identity: Does the project reflect Pasco’s community by incorporating different cultures, tribal heritage, local
history, or unique location into facilities and programming?
To attract large tournaments, PRCR will need to be a top-drawer racing facility; worthy of being a destination in itself
• Supporting and expanding local collaboration: Does the project make or support a partnership that expands the amount or quality of
parks, programs, events, and services?
PRCR will partner with the newly formed racing club that manages the facility (relationship modeled after the Hank Perry)
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STEP 2: How well does a proposed project address the following criteria?
• Safety and Use: Does the project improve safety or restore use?
Racetrack will be surrounded by an 6-foot chain-link fence.
• Resource Availability: Does the project use or leverage available resources (staffing, funding, grants, partnerships,
equipment)?
There are many advantages of building this park inside the land purchased for
new Aquatics Center
• Cost Savings: Does the project reduce costs, increase revenues, increase sustainability, or increase maintenance and
operational efficiencies?
The new operating R/C club (to be created) will be responsible for meeting operation and
maintenance needs and insurance coverage.
Minimal Pasco personnel for oversight and maintenance
• Critical Path: Does a project need to advance to a certain stage in order to bring capital and needed partners to the
table to implement?
Needs approval of the Pasco City Council
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• Ease of Implementation: Can the project be done quickly and easily (e.g., advanced planning, feasibility studies, and permitting have been completed)? No planning documents have been prepared
Existing Hank Perry club charter, rules, and contracts with Spokane County could serve as model ‘go-byes’ • Existing Opportunity: Can the project be implemented using existing park space or available public space (e.g., property already acquired, vacant lands, existing rights of way)? Absolutely • Value: Does the project deliver high value for the cost or resources needed, relative to other projects? Construction ~$600K
Maintenance of the racetrack to be largely performed by others (to-be-formed R/C club’s members)
City to provide ‘Porta Potties’, electricity, water, and refuse collection
Racing tournaments would infuse several thousands into Pasco’s economy • City Priority: Does the project coincide with or support another City project or City Council initiative? Pasco Radio Control Raceway (PRCR) could be incorporated into the plans for our new Aquatic Park (2.75 acres fenced) • Community Priority: Does the project repair or renovate a high-use, popular park/facility or address top community needs? PPCP would replace video games with real people and real world racing adventures!
A Gathering place where people meet and talk in the common language of R/C racing.
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RADIO CONTROLLED RACEWAY FOR
DRONES ?
•Minimal additional costs to create aerial drone
race course
•Existing light poles could serve as anchors for
suspended hoops, and other race course
challenges
•Safety netting for viewers in the upper stands
•More information needed for design and safety
requirements
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IN CONCLUSION:
The new Pasco Radio Control Raceway will:
ü Increases Pasco’s prestige;
ü Support the CITY OF PASCO | PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN;
ü Be relatively inexpensive to design and construct;
ü Require minimal city oversite to operate and maintain;
ü Provide enjoyment for all ages and abilities;
ü Directly infuse thousands into Pasco’s economy, especially during R/C racing tournaments; and
Give Pasco youths, families, and visitors
a new opportunity to have fun together!
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QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU
Michael Harrington
509 572 1667
westpasco456@gmail.com
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PLEASE JOIN ME AND VOTE TO RECOMMEND
A NEW PASCO RADIO CONTROL RACEWAY :
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