HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2009
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Auburn Senior Activity Center, Rotary Room
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by acting Chair Vicki Gilthvedt. Those Board members present
in addition to Dr. Gilthvedt were Greg Dobbs, Mike Hassen, John Webley and Laura Higdon.
Julie Parascondola and Richard Artura were absent. Transportation Planner TifFin Goodman
was also present. Department staff inembers present were Parks, Arts and Recreation Director
Daryl Faber, Planning and Development Manager Bob Wuotila, and Department Secretary Ann
Fuqua.
II. Minutes
The minutes of the June meeting were accepted as sent.
III. Committee Member Input
Mr. Dobbs asked about developing some water stations in the parks during the extremely hot
weather.
Ms. Higdon reported that one of her neighbors had an unfortunate experience in the Les Gove
restrooms with inappropriate behavior of other park users. Mr. Faber said that the police have
been really good about coming whenever our patrons call, and that was the way to handle it.
IV. Correspondence/Public Input
V. Old Business
A. Jacobsen Property (Park) Update
The Berger Partnership, consulting architects, have completed the first phase of work to
develop a master plan for the Jacobsen property. Staff met with them to review their
concept drawings and to discuss the next stages of work. Meetings with the community
are tentatively planned for October 7th and November 17th; and residents will have the
opportunity to express ideas and to offer their opinions. Having a master plan in place
will allow us to apply for grants with which to build this park. Everyone was encouraged
to attend the 6:00 p.m. meetings.
This consultant is also completing the initial phase of work on a multi-purpose trail
under the BPA lines on Lea Hill. This trail begins near SE 288th Street on the east and
moves across Lea Hill westerly passing next to the Jacobsen property on its way to the
Auburn Golf Course. This trail would also be a connected to the future Auburndale II
Park and several other properties to provide pedestrian/bike opportunities to the people
. •
on Lea Hill.
VI. New Business
A. Election of Chair
The floor was opened to nominations for the position of chairperson. The group was
asked if anyone had an interest in this position. Mike Hassen volunteered. Ms. Higden
nominated Mr. Hassen: Mr. Dobbs seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
B. City Bike Trail Route
Ms. Goodman spoke about the work being done in Planning, at Council request, with
regard to developing a safe bike system throughout Auburn. Her role is to update the
transportation plan adding this element, to include Lea Hill and the west hill of Auburn.
She showed a map on which existing and proposed bike paths were shown. The
proposed (future) bike routes and multi-use trails would allow residents to have safe
passage throughout Auburn, and connect existing trails and bike paths with those
planned, allowing access to walkers and riders. The vision is to connect all areas of
Auburn, as well as surrounding communities from Seattle through Sumner. Council
would also like to include a bike connection from the downtown transit center to Les
Gove Park. As the community events get larger, they think that Les Gove will be a
destination place and we need ways for kids to get from one place to the other.
C. Interurban Trail
Some work is being done on the Interurban Trail to improve the aesthetics. Plans
include enhanced parking and proposed art kiosks. The trail connects from Tukwila and
Sunrise transit area, but ends in Pacific. Grant opportunities are currently available
because many of our routes meet the shovel-ready criteria. Future plans call for the
trail to connect in a seven mile loop in south Auburn, and eventually connect Lea Hill,
the Green River Trail, the White Trail and the Interurban. Several applications for
funding have been made, including one for an extension to the trail to get kids safely
from Auburn Riverside High School to Pacific.
D. Community Survey Results Re: Parks and Recreation
Mr. Faber explained that the recent community survey was complimentary to our
department. Our services were used significantly more than any other city service, and
had increased from 2008; 53 per cent of those surveyed had used our services in the
past twelve months. All other departments were used by 10% or fewer residents. The
results show that residents like our programs and that they think we do them well.
VII. Department Report
In response to questions about the golf course, Mr. Faber said that the golf course restaurant is
doing well; they have had a number of weddings, and the tournament business has been good
for them.
He also reported that we are in negotiations with the YMCA and partners at Auburn Youth
Soccer to improve the fields at the Y. The fields have not been maintained to the standards of
other fields in the City, so we are working with these groups to improve them so that we can
make better use of them. They are a good resource and we all have programs that could
benefit from these ball fields.
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~ VIII. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Approved this 3rd day of November, 2009
~IJ"t~r~a'1''-
Chair
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Ann Fuqua, Secr ary
AT,,.TBURN *MOFLE THAN YOU IMAGINED