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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-2014 (2)Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 7, 2014 5:30 p.m. Auburn Senior Activity Center, Rotary Room I. Call to Order The meeting began at 5:37. Members present were Greg Dobbs, David Domenowski, Michael Hassen, Vicki Gilthvedt. Excused members were Laura Keim and Richard Artura. Department staff present were Parks Director Daryl Faber, and Parks Secretary Julie Mehl. Guests were Daniel Frerichs and PLU student Samantha Frerichs. II. Minutes Greg Dobbs moves to accept the October and November minutes, David Domenowske seconds. III. Committee Member Input IV. Correspondence/ Public Input V. Old Business VI. New Business VII. Department Report (Faber) It was a cold 30 degree day for the Santa Parade, but the event went very well. Mayor Lewis read his poem, the event was 57 minutes in length from beginning to end. Next year we may do three 15 minute light shows on consecutive Fridays. Staff has discussed making the event more organized. Community Center Update — Last year we received a three million dollar grant from the State for the Les Gove Community Center project. In December the City Council approved an additional three million from various property sales to fully fund the project. It should go to bid in three months. This has been in the works for years with studies being done and a bond that failed in the 80's. We have a list of programs and activities scheduled for the new center as well as trade shows that we would like to bring to Auburn. The facility would be able to accommodate 350 seated and would be a great venue for trade shows. Feel free to let Daryl know of any ideas for programs or anything else to be held at the center, folks at the senior center have requested exercise equipment. Once the community center is complete, the Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building will be converted to a Teen Center where we would offer after school programs, a computer lab, culinary programs, a game room and a study room. We have received a 1.2 million grant from the Boys & Girls Club but haven't heard from them in a while. We are open to the idea of partnering with the Boys & Girls Club or with others agencies for teen programs. The building will have 4 or 5 empty offices so the City's Community Services division could be re- located. They could have neighborhood meetings, the Parks staff could participate as well as the Police Department. There may be a full time police officer located at the center. The Human Services 'One Stop Shop' will eventually be in or near the area, perhaps the Les Gove Multi- Purpose Building could be turned into restrooms or a picnic shelter. We are searching for funding to increase pedestrian lighting around Les Gove so mom could do Zumba while the kids are playing basketball or doing homework at the library. The lighting would make safe passage through the library, museum, senior center, teen center and the community center. Daryl wants this to feel like a campus. We have been working with the police department and they have actively been ridding the area of transients. We have applied for a $75,000 grant through Kaboom! for new playground equipment at Isaac Evans, Dykstra and Indian Tom parks. Within the grant guidelines, Kaboom! tells us who can do the work, who can volunteer, and who we can purchase the play equipment through. Board Chair Michael Hassen feels we need to have more playground equipment for junior high age kids. Daryl suggests Lea Hill park, the play dome would be great for kids that age. The Auburn Golf Course (AGC) has needed help from the general fund in past years due to bad weather and the economy but they have improved recently. In 2012 their revenue increased $28,000, in 2013 it increased $90,000. We now have the revenue to put towards capital to begin the process of purchasing much needed equipment. We moved the Auburn Golf Course to the general fund so it is now treated as a park. We can now buy equipment using the debt of the City so if we need $200,000 for new equipment we can move forward. In the past we would take a loan from a utility and find a way to pay it back. Now we will put $12,000 per month into the equipment rental fund and use the money for new equipment. The golf course is doing well, Sumner closing has helped us. The debt incurred by the Club House has made it difficult, (the restaurant contract expires at the end of 2014). The program scope crept from two million to a commercial entity with the club house and banquet room. The project went over 1.5 million then the economy downturn began. AGC maintenance has been improving the course through the last few years (holes 10, 17 & 18). The original deed (from 50 years ago) states the AGC must remain a golf course. Board member David Domenowske asks if a driving range could be installed. Daryl says yes, there has been a lot of talk about a driving range with 12 stalls & limited distance but there are street/right of way issues as well as the $750,000 cost for a new range. Community Foundation — Many agencies will only grant funds to 501©3 foundations. We are considering putting together a foundation to apply for these grants and they could meet two or three times per year. There are a lot of available funds for 501©3 foundations that are not available to government agencies. Having some folks on the foundation from the business community would be key, perhaps an accountant, an attorney and others. Touche has begun construction on Main Street for a five story apartment building with retail on the first Floor. Folks could live a few blocks from the train and commute to Seattle. They will offer one and two bedroom units and two bedroom + extra room. AUBURN • MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED VIII. Adjournment A. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 pm. Approved this 7 Day of 1-11 / 202014 Michael Ha�ssen,� Chair Daryl Fa r, irector AUBURN * MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED