HomeMy WebLinkAbout082515 FINAL MinutesParks, Recreation & Tree Advisory Board
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August
25, 2015
City Hall 1st Floor Conference Room
Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. Board members present were Debbie Jahnke, Rosemary Sikes, Brenda McMillan, Ed Robeau, and Jim Todd with Jason Cecil
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 July 28, 2015, Regular Meeting with noted corrections were approved unanimously. The discussion for updating the 2009 Street Trees list was postponed until PRTAB arborist board member Jason
Cecil could participate. Public Comment – Bob Gray commented on the need for connecting ADA accessible trails to
senior care facilities.
Street End Parks - Debbie Jahnke informed the Board that Public Works Director Ken Clow
has notified them that the Parks Department does not have the resources to pursue establishing new parks at street ends at this time.
Watering Restrictions – Alex Wisniewski reported that watering at parks remains at reduced levels.
RCO Grant Proposal – Alex Wisniewski reported that the City has not yet planned to pursue an
RCO grant for the 2016 funding cycle. Debbie Jahnke will draft a brief proposal to consider
grants for the development of a Kah Tai wetland area in the southeastern uplands as shown in the original Kah Tai Master Plan documents, and forward it to Alex Wisniewski. Comprehensive Plan Updates –Debbie Jahnke highlighted several administrative updates that need to be made to Sections 3 and 4 of IV. Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The Board agreed that emphasis should be added in Policy 3.7 regarding the protection of wildlife
corridors in trail development; refer to 'recreational' facilities instead of 'athletic' facilities in Policy 4.1.2 and add dog park(s) to the list of facilities given its ranking in public surveys and
the 2014 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan; and broaden Policy 4.11's
recommendation that working relationships be established with other public and private entities which serve Port Townsend residents. Tracked recommended changes will be forwarded to
Joshua Stecker and Alex Wisniewski.
Work Parties – The Board determined not to hold a work party for the September 18th United
Good Neighbors Day of Caring.
Dog Park Options – Debbie Jahnke updated the Board on the activities of a citizen group
looking for dog park locations. She spoke on behalf of the Board to the citizen group, the County
Parks Board, and individually with County Commissioner Kathleen Kler. The Board will develop a list of potential dog park locations and forward their recommendations to Council.
Next Meeting - The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on September 22, 2015.
Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.