HomeMy WebLinkAbout092215 FINAL Minutes Parks, Recreation & Tree Advisory Board
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Minutes of the Regular Meetingof ort
01, September 22, 2015
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City Hall 1St Floor Conference Room
Call to Order -The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. Board members present were
Debbie Jahnke, Brenda McMillan, Ed Robeau, and Jim Todd with Jason Cecil and Rosemary
Sikes excused. Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker and Parks & Facilities Manager Alex
Wisniewski were present from City staff.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes -The present agenda and minutes of the August 25, 2015,
Regular Meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comment— Bob Gray complained about the PUD tree trimming on McPherson Street
and asked the Board to raise the issue with Council and City staff.
Staff Update —Alex Wisniewski presented highlights of the 2016 Parks and Recreation budget
requests. He also provided a draft schedule of annually recurring items for the Board's future
agendas. He advised the Board that City staff is aware of the tree trimming complaints and is
following up with PUD staff. Mr. Wisniewski reaffirmed that no policy changes have been made
regarding the recruitment and use of volunteers and that press releases need to be approved by
City staff.
Street Tree List—Alex Wisniewski clarified that the Street Tree List is intended to guide City
staff and not intended for public information. He advised the Board that they could ask staff or
Council to add creating a public version of the list to their work plan.
Heritage/Notable/Special/Specimen Tree Brochure — Debbie Jahnke reported that she has
received professional color photos for the brochure.
Review of 2014-2015 Work Plan —Debbie Jahnke highlighted completion of the Parks Plan
update, Tree City renewal, successful completion of an urban forestry work crew effort, and
pursuit of an RCO trails grant as accomplishments of the Board over the last two years. She
identified a failure to communicate effectively with City staff and Council and a lack of voice in
Council Committees as areas of concern moving forward. Ed Robeau also voiced frustration at
not being allowed to have a seat at the table at Council Committee meetings.
Future Role of Advisory Boards — Debbie Jahnke updated the Board on the discussions of
the Council General Services and Special Projects committee regarding advisory boards. She
expressed concern about the Board being reduced to a strictly advisory function.
2016 Work Plan —The Board will bring ideas for next year's work plan to the next meeting.
Dog Park Options — Debbie Jahnke updated the Board on the activities of a citizen group
looking for dog park locations. Alex Wisniewski advised the Board that City staff is discussing
possible options.
Public Comment— Bob Gray asked the Board to keep an eye on Howard Street and make
sure the trees are planted as planned. He also asked the Board to strongly advocate for a "seat
at the table" at Council Committee meetings. He also asked the Board to consider doing an
inventory of potential recreation activity options including skate park demonstrations, a 3-on-3
basketball tournament, volleyball tournaments at Fort Worden, and a 40 lap bike race along the
Rhody Run route.
Next Meeting -The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on October 27, 2015.
Adjourn -The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.