HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2008 Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Minutes Park and Recreation Advisory Council
Notes
April 3, 2008
There was no quorum so an informational meeting was held.
Attending: Edmon Daniels, Mike Mathews, Cheryl Smyth, Stan Strebel, Administrative and
Community Services Director, Paul Whitemarsh, Recreation Services Manager and Dan
Dotta, Facilities Services Manager.
Excused: Duane Taber and Rebecca Francik.
Paul reported on activities at the King Center; indoor soccer for both adults and youth has
made for much activity at the center. An Easter Egg Hunt at the Martin Luther King Center
attracted 200 participants. Cyber Stop is continuing to be a busy place. A typical day will
see 25 —30 patrons.
A Teenage Easter Egg Hunt was held at the softball complex attracting 150 participants. So
far there have been 130 games, either baseball or softball,played at the softball complex this
year. It has been a very busy time. Recently the new concessionaire at the softball complex,
Miranda's Treats, assumed operation of the softball complex.
The Senior Center is featuring the "Tax Aide Program", assisting folks in filing income tax
returns.
Staff is a bit frustrated at slow movement on the Martin Luther King Center remodel. They
will make efforts to try and move this forward.
Advisory Council members were reminded of the Volunteer Reception to be held on
Thursday, May 1. This will take the place of the May meeting of the Advisory Council.
Members will receive a written invitation. Also, Paul mentioned that the 2008 Washington
Recreation and Parks Association Conference and Trade Show will be held April 22—25 at
Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Park Board members wishing to attend
should contact Paul by April 11 if they would like to attend,particularly the Wednesday
session with the opening key note speaker and the trade show might be a good opportunity
for members. The City will pay for registration fees for Advisory Council members. Paul
has additional information.
Dan reported on facilities maintenance activities. Work continues busy at the Cemetery.
Recently a number of trees were removed at Chiawana Park due to disease, rot and other
unsafe conditions. Stumps have not been ground out because of expensive and complicated
permits that the City must secure for ground disturbance activities at the park. This will
likely be packaged with other projects to lessen cost impacts.
Arbor Day activities will take place on Wednesday, April 9 with planting of a tree at Casa del
Sol Park. A ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. Park Board members are invited to attend.
Stan reported that the City Council is expected to approve the purchase of some 3 acres of
property adjacent to Highland Park(on the west) at their next meeting. This will allow
expansion of the park,particularly to increase football related activities as the park serves as
the base for the Grid Kids, which continues to grow in popularity and number of youth
served. Park Development funds will be used to pay for the acquisition and subsequent
development.
Stan reported that the City Council was recently given additional information comparing the
cost of indoor and outdoor leisure pools from construction and operational standpoints. This
information was provided to Council members and the City Council continues its
deliberations. Staff hopes that a decision will be made soon between moving forward with
an indoor or outdoor facility and whether the Council will pursue a sales tax increase through
the Public Facilities District or property tax bond issue to finance the construction.
Very good bids were received recently for the second phase construction of Sacajawea
Heritage Trail. It is expected that this project may be completed as early as the beginning of
July.