It is 7:01 on Monday, March 23rd
um for the meeting of the Isqua Park
Board. Like to call it to order. Start
with a roll call.
We'll go with Marlene Waxi
>> here.
>> Uh
Jane Takushi
>> here. here.
>> Diana Ren
>> here.
>> And Nove.
>> Hi guys.
>> Tim Mley prescell
here.
>> David Lou.
Ryan Olsen. I'm here.
And I do not see Mark
or Jeff renewal
said he was going to be virtually. He
might be a few minutes late.
>> Excellent. We have no voting action, so
I don't think we need a forum. Correct.
Um,
has everyone had a chance to review the
meeting uh minutes from the February
24th
park board?
So, are there any ideas? Any corrections
or edits?
Excellent. The minutes are approved.
I do see some names I'm not familiar
with on the line, I believe. Is there a
public comment?
If so, thank you. Will I I'll call on
you each and if you could try to keep
your comments to under five minutes,
that would be great. And I think Steve
Pereira, you hit your hand up first.
>> Unmute him.
>> Hi, I've unmuted myself. I don't know if
you good folks can hear me.
>> That's perfect, Steve. Great.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that. So, I sent
in some comments earlier and I don't
want to repeat what I've said. I guess
just kind of background and context. I
guess before I get to that, I always
like to start by saying thank you to
each of you for your service to Isqua
and this board for dedicating your time
and effort to help Isizua become a
better place. Uh, that's should always
go without saying and probably doesn't
get said enough. So, thank you to you
good folks for volunteering on our
behalf. Uh that's a jumping in again. I
I sent in some comments earlier and I
don't want to take I just point them out
and ask you read them and uh consider
them in your deliberations.
I guess my context at this time is that
in the park bond board levy issues
you're looking at you a certain number
of items have been proposed for possible
consideration.
Uh I guess what I'm not understanding is
the context in which why these
particular items were put forward as
wanting to approve or what's the
priority of items that come through the
park board for getting considered or
approved
of and I'm going to just use an example.
The one thing that is really high on my
list is the e house confluence park
renovations.
To me, that just seems like a high
priority item should be based on city
existing funds, not based on
if the city t city
taxpayers will pay for it to be
prioritized, we'll do it. If not, we're
probably not going to get around to it.
I just want to understand the context of
what the priority is though overall.
What gets approved, how gets approved,
how things get prioritized or not
prioritized.
Uh
some some of the items on the list I
just don't understand like the dog park
that all is all on there but
uh something most of the items on there
I don't see as
taxpayers wanting to spend extra money
for I'm just only speaking for myself. I
just again I wanted to understand and
look at what the prioritization of items
that get onto the workload plan and
as this goes through the public process.
Worksh just starting now that needs to
be better understood by I guess both by
myself and by taxpayers. So I'll wrap up
with those general comments. Thank you
for your time again. I appreciate it.
And I don't see an option to lower my
hand. So if there's a way to do that,
>> we got you Steve.
>> Steve, thank you very much. Ryan, if I
could just add um again you referenced
your email, Steve. Thanks so much for
sending that. If you would like, uh, we
can add that your email to the meeting
minutes just so that's on the record.
Um, that includes more of your comments.
So, we'll plan on doing that.
>> Thank you.
>> And I will touch on uh prioritization uh
process uh in the presentation coming
up.
>> Thank you. I appreciate it. Is there any
other public comment?
All right. Well, thank you for those
that uh were able to provide your public
comment. Much appreciated.
Um and with that, we'll move on to
regular business.
First order of business is the park bond
renewal presentation by Jeff Wallally.
>> All right. Thank you. Um, Robin, thank
you for sharing
>> screen and queuing that up. As she's
queuing it up, I want to introduce Laura
Hos, our department operations
specialist. Laura is in her
>> third week.
>> Third almost
>> fourth week. Just started the fourth
week. Uh, great to have her on board.
Maybe we could go around and do
introductions um for during good of the
order at the end of the meeting. That
would be fantastic. And Laura can share
a little bit about herself as well. but
excited to have have her on board.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Well, thank you so much. Um
thanks Robin for for sharing the the
presentation. Uh tonight, uh we had this
one item. Um hopefully we'll have a
rather robust conversation. Um if you
recall the February meeting, Mayor
Mullet joined us. Uh, Mayor Mullet had
um taken took the opportunity to
introduce uh the opportunity we have um
at the end of this year when we have a
uh some prior park bond funds expiring
um um at the end of the year uh to to
strongly consider doing a renewal on
that park bond. What that would mean
would be um is utilizing the same levy
rate um uh for that expiring bond and
asking voters if they would like to
renew that um and keep that same levy
rate and do another u wave of
investments uh within uh within the park
system. Um if you want to go next slide,
Robin. Um
tonight I I really want to kind of talk
a little bit about a number of things.
first a little bit of the history of
park bonds here in Isiqua. Um um and
then talk about the proposed timeline as
we consider this and as city council
considers this. Um I'm scheduled to go
to council um and uh start talking about
this with them um at the April meeting
um April 6th meeting. So uh your
feedback tonight, your thoughts,
comments will be very very helpful and
informative to me. I will talk a bit
about uh the revenue opportunity and
what that means and how we might
leverage some additional revenues um um
on top of that levy renewal or the bond
renewal. Uh then we'll talk uh about
prioritization and and considerations
and uh why uh the items that were at
least uh example items that were
provided last month and we'll start
talking about in detail how they got
there. Uh these didn't just come out of
thin air. We've had a lot of public
engagement over the last several years,
namely with the park plan and a number
of other things that the community has
clearly shared with us. Uh what are what
are some priorities to them? Uh so
really want to um dive into some
discussion and get some feedback from
you all on that. Um also throughout the
as we sort of wrap up with questions and
discussion um I'm hoping to have a
chance to hear from all of you. I know
at the February meeting um I invited you
this is now a public discussion so as
you've maybe had conversations within
your uh neighborhood uh within your
spheres of influence uh would love to
get a sense of the feedback you're um
you're hearing on all of this. So that's
tonight. Uh next slide.
So pork bonds are not um are not foreign
here in Isiqua. Uh in our recent
history, there have been two bonds that
that have been passed. Uh this community
has shown a um um a level a high level
of support for those bonds. In 2006,
there was a $6.25 million bond focused
primarily on land acquisition, uh
trails, and some uh park renovations.
um uh historically I can u um find out
specifically what those went to. I
apologize I don't have those tonight. Um
and then in 2013 there was a $10 million
park bond uh that the community improve
approved. Uh both of these uh I think
were approved by well over 65 or 70% um
of voter approval. Uh the 2013 bond um
half of that bond, five million of that
went towards renovations of the Julius
Bone Pool. Uh those renovations were
primarily
um uh within the systems themselves. Um
improving uh water systems, pump
systems, a lot of sort of necessary nuts
and bolts that were really needed at the
time for that that pool. Um um also a
number of park projects. Um um um a
million dollars of that 10 million uh
was for the turf fields at u Central
Park Pad 1 uh that helped fund that
project. Some additional funding was
needed to to complete that work. Uh the
bridge you see the photo uh that that
phase of Confluence Park was part of
that $10 million bond in 2013 as well.
And then here we are uh fast forward 13
years later in 2026 uh with an
opportunity to again engage the
community and ask this question. Are are
they interested in um another um another
bond to um further investments into
their um and your park system?
>> Quick question. Yeah. dates time bound
got to use the money within a you know
10 12 13 year window or uh are they
open?
>> They're they're how do you say this? Um
they're time bound in a sense and that a
bond um bonds really um invest in
one-time capital projects. Usually a
bond isn't for ongoing programmatic
operational
support, right? And so um time bound in
hey here's the list of projects that we
want to complete uh with those bond
funds. So once those projects are
complete you've expended the bond funds
if that if that makes sense. It's not
it's not a whereas
>> um an ongoing levy uh would be sought
for operational
you know operational investments um
paying for you know recreation programs
or maintenance of of parks
but if it didn't get spent on X project
it would still be available.
I'm just trying to understand if there's
a expiration date on these things. Um,
I'll I'll I'll confirm that. I would say
no, but again, there's not there's not
proceed there's not leftover proceeds
from from these projects,
if you will. Yeah. But yes, it
I'll I'll confirm that. I I know I
arrived in 2016 after the after the park
bond was passed. Um, as we were
completing those projects, um, uh, some
of you may remember this. We sent out a,
um, postcard to residents, um, sort of
celebrating, hey, the bond has been
completed. Um, um, we took that $10
million bond, um, got additional grant
funding, got additional funding to
complete, uh, the the all the projects
on that list, which in total ended up
being about $16 million. So, um, I guess
again, I hope I'm not being too
confusing, but there's not like a
leftover money from that $10 million.
>> Okay, fair enough.
>> So, an idea of a timeline as we look
ahead. um if if a goal is to take
something to the voters um in November
at the general election, sort of working
backwards, um we've got some pretty
important dates to hit. Um uh we're
obviously having our conversation
tonight uh with you all uh to to further
discuss um this concept and this idea um
April 6th. So in two weeks um I'll be
presenting
um similarly to city council and
beginning to get uh more focused
feedback from them uh in terms of uh
questions they might have, level of
interest they might have in further
pursuing this. Uh there's a city council
retreat in early May. Um is likely will
be a continuation of those
conversations. Um as we head into the
summer months, really May, June, and
July. Um if if we are pursu continuing
to pursue this idea of a bond renewal
will be really really important months
for community engagement, um um
education, sharing um etc. Um by the end
of July, um city council will need to
make a formal decision uh because to to
hit a general election, um we would need
to have our information, the ballot,
specific ballot language and information
to King County elections um in early
August.
So before we start talking about uh
projects and expenditures, let's just
talk a little bit about revenue and and
what potential order of magnitude we're
talking about. So um these are still
being worked on uh by finance. I've had
a chance to meet with our finance
director. Um um she as well is is
getting some advice from bond counsel.
We don't sell our own bonds. Bonds are
something that um professional firms um
do on behalf of of cities. Um and
looking at uh the levy rate uh that's
about to expire um uh we're looking at
an order of magnitude um given that the
city is bigger now um um of a $17.3
million
um um in proceeds from that from that
bond renewal. Um, we also have, and I
think you're aware as we've talked
through park system plan and our other
revenue sources, a developer impact fees
have been collected over the last number
of years, we have a balance about three
$3 million in developer in park impact
fees uh that have been collected. um
given the projects that have been
prioritized by the community in our in
our park plan which are now being
considered for this this bond renewal um
all of those have a capacity building
nature. So the the rule with park impact
fees is they need to pay for capacity
additional capacity into the system and
so as we look at these list of projects
many if not most do um add capacity. So,
um, utilizing those developer impact
fees is a real opportunity here to to
further leverage funds. We also think
there given the list of projects that
are being considered, um, ample grant
opportunities um, conservatively, um, I
will admit uh, we think we could get
another $3 million um, at least in uh,
grant revenues um, as we um, um, should
this bond be approved. So that 17
million could be more in the
neighborhood of the mid20 million as we
start looking at size and scale of of
potential projects and potential um
investment level.
Next slide.
So how do we consider these projects?
And I think we heard this question in
the public comment and I think it's a
really really important one. Um you know
to consider a a bond renewal um and do
this work in a year. Thankfully, we're
not starting from scratch and we don't
do not want to start from scratch and
just say, "Hey, what projects do we want
to consider? Let's let's utilize the
work that's been done. Uh the community
outreach that's been done, uh the park
system plan, uh that we all worked on,
that you all worked on, that city
council adopted in 2024,
um identified projects, a number of
projects, um um and then prioritized
those projects and if you recall
developed near-term priorities, midterm
priorities, and long-term priorities.
So, the projects that uh mayor and I
just even showed as some example
projects to consider um come right off
of that were identified as near-term
prior priorities. Um uh we also have an
adopted, if you recall, um the city
adopts a capital improvement plan every
two years and renews it every two years.
So, the park CIP um also has uh these um
um a number of these priorities, not all
of them because uh there's not enough
funding uh to to do all this work. Um I
think another realization that uh I
think we need to consider um as we think
about uh this bond renewal is um all
that that amount of revenue in the bond
renewal will not fully fund the
near-term priorities that have been
identified by the by the community. And
so there will need to be some
prioritization
um um as to what uh what is considered.
And so along with the park plan, along
with the six-year CIP um and we talked a
little bit about this in February, but I
I I want to emphasize this point and
really get some feedback from you all
tonight. um
what is before you is not um one single
large project uh that would gobble up
all $23 million of that. Uh we really
think there would be value and
understanding the diversity of interests
that this community has, understanding
the role that a park system plays in a
city and the residents, the 40,000
residents of the city. um um from Steve
who I completely respect his opinion
um has one goal and desire for what a
park system is whereas another resident
has a very different desire and interest
of what a park system is and um we
really set priorities and try and set um
investments u to address uh the number
of interests and needs that a park
system is serving. So in saying that uh
we really feel like focusing more on
some a number of a myriad of small to
medium-sized uh projects um will would
result in a broader community benefit uh
than um focusing on one specific area or
interest of the park system. Um so
that's one consideration um as we start
going into this um into this list of
projects. Uh we also feel like um it
addresses a variety of community uses uh
within the park system as I said
earlier. Um and we also think a real
important consideration is geographic
distribution of these investments. Um um
how are we how are we geographically
um making these investments um across
the city and through the city.
Next slide.
So maybe before jumping into the
projects themselves um and sort of
talking through these example projects,
maybe we'll go back to the next slide.
Any any just general thoughts or
questions about priorities or
considerations?
Um or would you rather I just keep going
on the projects?
Any pleasure? Anyone?
>> Okay. Oh,
>> Chris has his hand up.
>> Hey Chris.
Yeah, just real quick. Um the 3 million
from the development fees
>> roughly. How long did it take to
accumulate that amount?
>> Uh that's probably revenue over the last
four years, four or five years.
>> Okay. Then follow-up question, is it
possible to project how much might be uh
you know an estimated amount that might
be accumulated uh during the term of the
bond?
>> Good question. Um we'd have to work that
out with finance. It's possible. Uh
there there would be more. Um again, I
think for the purposes of at least what
we wanted in this first slide was to be
pretty conservative, but um you're
absolutely right. I I you know that
that's all dependent upon growth and how
many um you know how many um multif
family or single family residents are
being built. Um so
we can we can try and fine-tune that and
plan to fine-tune that as we get into a
little more detail in the coming months.
>> Thank you. Yeah, that might help with
just contingency items.
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Thank you. Okay. So, can I ask just sort
of a a question about that sort of a
high level uh vision for spending this
20 some odd million dollars? You know,
do we want more? Do we want better? Do
we want improved?
You know, what at a high level, where do
you see the uh the need and the biggest
impact for community for this money to
be spent?
>> Yeah, great question. Well, I will I
will I will tell you I will paraphrase
what the community told us the park
system plan and that's take care of what
you got. So improve
um I I also um
improve not just in quality but
functionality. Um let let's make our our
park system more functional in terms of
some of the needs. Um I think improve
and expand. I I think we've heard it
time and again when it comes to the
approach of athletic fields. Um and you
might recall, you know, a a we've talked
about this with all of you as a group,
you know, there's not a lot of
undeveloped, flat, accessible,
developable acreage left. And so we have
to get uber uber creative in how do we
look at at the fields within our own
parks, the fields within the school
district and the fields within the state
park. So, you know, fields that are
already publicly owned and how do we
increase functionality, right? And so
that's um
I think it's really it's it's not
expanding the park system. I would say
what we heard from the community was
let's let's have it function better.
We're we're pretty land constrained as a
town. We don't want to, you know, um
we don't want to add a bunch of more,
you know, active developed park space.
How do we make it work better?
>> What's the community thoughts on about
expanding the the goals?
the Julius that
>> for the prior bond of the $5 million.
>> Yeah, that's like 13 years ago. So now
that you know it's 13 years later is
there an and an interest in the
community about expanding what what we
have because you know the need is is
there and so I'm I'm just curious that
survey that you have there.
>> Yeah.
>> How high up is it compared with other
projects?
>> No great great question Katie. We we
know you know as we did the feasibility
study for expansion of the pool um we
haven't asked a survey to the community
to say hey you know rank rank all these
needs. Um we do know though that um
expansion of of of the pool was
seen with with some pretty high interest
uh by the community. Um, we also know in
that feasibility study, that project
alone is probably a $20 million
project. And so, if you recall, we we
have been in continue conversations with
the school district about, hey, um, if
this pool's expanded, it's not only
expanding community use, but it's also
addressing and expanding the needs that
the district has because they use that
as a competition pool, as you know. And
so, I think how that expansion gets
funded
Well, and meets
>> meets are not run there because there's
no Yeah, you're right. High School
meets, not not the Yeah,
>> not the club meets, but but Right. High
school meets, high school meets are
there. Yep. Yep. So, um anyways, just to
say that
yes, there's interest in expansion of
the pool. Um again, I I would open it up
for all of you. you know, I think how
that gets funded is still still needs to
be worked out. um to
>> I think one question is that will this
park bond include some of that because
you know that the conversation about
should some of that money be allocated
you know to work along with the school
district to expand um the the the pool
because
>> I I would be open to I would be open to
hearing the the conversation here
tonight. I mean the the what I'm hearing
from the community is that you know in
the summer months they parents are
chomping at the bit trying to get swim
lessons and it's always at full capacity
and then you know and if you go there
you know parking situation I mean and
and there's always kind of a it's it's
too small for for how many residents are
are using it or you know I'm not just
talking about the school but I'm talking
about community use.
>> Community use
um not enough lanes for people in turn
whatnot. I mean so
>> so again up up for conversation tonight,
right? And I think what we're going to
find is is
again 20 mid20 million is a lot of money
and it's exciting but it it it also
probably doesn't go as far as what our
as what our needs are going to have. So,
yeah, I I think absolutely. Let's talk
about this as we get into projects.
>> I was just gonna ask, yes, this is our
$20 million. This is not our full parks
budget. This is just the bond. So, I
think maybe we have to kind of think
about there's this bond that we need to
do to do some of these improvements.
There's the overall budget and what
percent of the budget would this 20
million be? So, as an example, we've all
been talking about Tibets. Tibbitz is
going to be way way more than $20
million. So, like I think it's important
to think about this bond as one piece,
not like everything we're going to do or
want to do.
>> Yeah. No, it's a it's a really really
good and maybe one way to think about it
is if we were to add up in current 2026
and trying to project an inflationary
number these 11 um 12 near-term
priorities plus a pool expansion is
probably I'm going to say $70 million
worth of work. $80 million worth of
work. So, so this potential for a
near-term, you know, a bond renewal is,
hey community, do we want to do we want
to find a way to fund a quarter of that
and and how do we best
prioritize those investments? Does that
maybe help with
>> this is not all the things we're going
to bond or is it for the next 5 to 10
years?
Again, to be determined, but it it it
will be a it will be a pretty a pretty
big lift.
Obviously, revisioning Tibbitz Valley
Park is still going to be work.
Exploring how a pool gets expanded, how
the rest of Tibets gets done, gets
funded. You know, that's that's all
again depending on funding. Um, you
know, the reality of how parks capital
funding
happens and occurs is there's not a
dedicated revenue source for parks
capital funding. So, it is it is um it
is um competing with
heavy heavy transportation needs and
facility needs and all those other
capital needs. Um, so I'm sorry,
Marlene, I'm not trying to be I mean
it's to be determined,
>> right? I think it's just hard to say.
Okay, so if I was really prioritizing
the work plan, this is all the money I
have.
>> I personally, and that's why we have
lots of people on the board, would
prioritize in a different way,
>> right? And so I'm just trying to get a
gauge of like, okay, this is everything
we're going to do in 10 years or this is
just a piece of it that we want to get
through the bond.
>> Yeah, that's a that's a great question.
And I and I think I would say in the
next five to six years should should
package be created should this go to
voters should voters say yes that this
this becomes a heavy part of our park
planning and development team and and
director and parks admin teams. This is
a heavy part of the work plan for the
next six years
uh just to get through if it's seven,
eight or nine capital projects and
designing it, doing engagement, doing
permitting and construction. Um this
would this would pretty much become the
work plan for the next
six years.
>> So to your point then this is not like a
piece of the pie for the next five or
six years. This would be the major lift
for the parks in this
>> Absolutely. Yes.
>> Yeah. There's not like other chunks
coming in.
>> Correct. There's not another $60 million
coming in. So, when I say the 80 the $80
million reference is more need, right?
If if we were to if we were to fully
fund the near-term projects, including
fully redoing Tibbitz Valley Park and
expanding a pool, that would take that
would require plus or minus $80 million
that we don't have. Right. So this would
be
should should this go to vote, should it
be renewed, this would be $20 million
$25 million
of that 80 that would be
known that would become real.
Well, I think the,
you know, when the mayor sat down and
kind of proposed what his thoughts were
is, and obviously we're talking about
it, but like
I think coming off the two school bonds
that didn't pass and looking to come
back to the community a third time in 18
months or whatever and say, "Can you
look at another bond or reapping this
bond?" His kind of conversation was
if we want to get this approved, we need
to have a pretty clear road map of
this is how we're going to improve the
park system
across these three, four, five, six
areas across the city
and you can lay out this is exactly what
this money is do so that the voters have
a clear understanding of it. I think
like that's where some of the
conversation of pool and tibbits gets a
little muddied is
you know I'm all team tibbits as well
but
as you said this money won't cover that
and then how does that uh
if you went to the city and said we have
this one project we want to do and this
is the bond for it you won't get any of
this other stuff not sure we've We're in
a spot where we're maybe getting
approval.
>> You know what percent bonds you pass by?
>> I'll find that out. I'll find out in 20
I'll find out both in 2006 and 2013. I
wanted it was it was well over 65%.
>> Yeah.
>> And is it just a simple majority it
takes?
>> It's a 60%. It's a bond. So is a bond
60%. Yeah. And and just going back to
the um the school bond, you know, the I
think the voters find it hard to forgive
because originally, you know, the bond
that we passed was for specific projects
and the Isqua school district mismanaged
the the money that was given and and
then was not very transparent with the
voters. And I think that's the reason
why, you know, voters have a hard time
giving and wanting to, you know, give
more money. So I think if we if we're
asking for a bond and we say this is
what will you based on what our
community feels strongly about and we
follow through then then I think that
you know the voters will believe and
vote for. But if you say you know I you
ask them what they want and and they
support that and you use that money
doing something else then you know
nobody would definitely be in favor of
that. being being transparent, showing
that follow-through, being transparent
with here's the projects that we intend
to to get done and then demonstrating
and earning that trust is really really
important.
Those are absolutely right.
Well, great questions, great discussion.
Why don't we kind of start talking about
projects? I'll I'll emphasize here as we
talk about these again, this is pulling
off of our park CIP and the near-term
priorities within the park plan. Um,
also focusing on as as the mayor shared
February, um, and and Ryan, as you said
so well, uh, we think strategically if
if we if we want to consider this, we
think multiple small to medium-sized
projects, um, is going to be a better
community in imper
impact than
something singular. Um and so you're
seeing here is small to mediumsiz
projects that again thanks for your
question Tim really improve
functionality
um of uh the existing system. So
with that uh first e house um you're
familiar with where the e house is. It's
in the northeast corner of confluence
park. Um it is sat there unimproved for
way too long way too many years. Um you
might recall as part of the um community
investments that were done um as we did
pedestrian park uh we also considered
doing some improvements here to the ek
house. Unfortunately the that those
federal funds only went so far. Uh but
we were able to really begin talking
about this with the community. Um and so
much so that we also reached out to King
County Landmark Commission and started
talking through really the nuts and
bolts of what would it look like to
landmark um a building such as this.
This is one of the last remaining if not
the last remaining um historical
farmhouses that was on the valley floor.
So very very worth preserving and
considering landmarking. Uh what we
talked about with the landmark
commission and what we're presenting in
this narrative and would want to further
discuss with the community is we think
um yes landmarking a building but
activating that building as well. And so
this wouldn't be something landmarked
that would just be looked at with a sign
on the outside of it, but how do we
create activated public space uh that
could be used as a park pavilion, if you
will, an addition to the park, uh but be
a a wonderful landmark building that
tells um a really important um and a
piece of of Isiqua's history. So um we
think there's grant funds out there uh
for historical projects like this. Uh we
think there's an opportunity that to do
this right uh to have this facility
really feel like an asset within the
park um um is a is a real opportunity.
We've had a chance to talk with um
historical museum um uh recently.
They're very very excited obviously
about this project and and love seeing
this as uh something that's being
considered uh should there be a a park
bond renewal. Uh we do not have existing
city funds. The city has not had funding
to get this done. Um I appreciate uh
what Steve said. Uh but um uh there
again there's no there's no money to get
this done. We think um considering um
asking orders to renew a bond. Um and
then leveraging grant funds is a great
way to finally get this to get this
important project done.
>> Diane's got her hand up. Yeah,
>> we're up. Yeah, Diana. Oh yeah, I put my
hand down in case I was being premature
and you were getting around to maybe
answering my question, but um I think I
can ask it now. Can you help us
visualize more fully what it would mean
for this
uh facility to be activated as you as
you say?
>> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, go ahead, Diane.
>> Yeah. you you mentioned uh you know a
pavilion with seating, but kind of what
else could be involved.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So, as we um um again met
with the the landmarking folks, the the
real um historic value that they saw as
we toured the inside and outside of the
building is really the shell of the
house. And so, um and really the front
and the two sides probably have the
highest historical value. Uh,
interesting enough, the back of the
house does not have as much historical
value. Um what that led to is we were
brainstorming with the landmark
commission. Um those who were on the
park board in 2022
2021 as we were talking about this might
recall this conversation. One of the
things we talked about was taking in the
inside of the building uh removing the
second floor, not the building, but
making it so as you go into it, imagine
high vaulted a high vaulted space that
really uh functions as a really cool
historic rental facility for um um
indoor uh rentals for art exhibits. the
arts commission would be super super
excited about having something like this
that could um um be a community asset.
And then the back of imagine the back of
that house which really faces the park
and has the relationship to the park.
What if that had some type of either
accordion doors or rollup door so that
it it functioned as an indooroutdoor
pavilion in the summer months. um and
was able to either host bigger rentals
um or those types of events that would
need sort of that indooroutdoor space.
And so um um again as we brainstorm this
with the landmark commission they they
love that idea of again landmark
facilities that are used, touched,
enjoyed um uh by the community. Does
that answer your question, Diane?
>> Yes, it does. And I think um
it will also help the community and
voters visualize
uh what this project can actually be and
how it can serve their needs.
>> Yep. Yep. Great point. And I think we're
going to find that true in all of these
narratives and all we are up really on
the front end of these conversations,
but there is um some more work and Robin
and I are trying to line up what that
work would look like in the in the next
couple months. again pending
conversation with city council, but um
having a a more um robust narrative and
either some type of rendering renderings
for each of these that that do a better
job of telling the story. We're not
going to have time, nor do we really
want to have the budget to design all
these. But um D, it's a great it's a
great point that I think is going to be
true of all of these.
>> Chris, did you have a question comment?
Yeah, just a follow-up comment um for
Diana in particular, but you know, for
all of our newer members, uh a few years
ago, we did a study on uh renovating the
e house and or I should say staff did a
study and uh there's some great images
in those that could be shared, you know,
independently with with uh Parkboard
right now or or after this meeting, but
then they might be usable for any bond
effort. Uh, but they really showed how
that uh inside could really work for a
great uh event space and then how it
would connect with the outside and how
we got to that image that you see on the
screen right now.
>> Thanks, Chris. Great reminder.
All right, so next
>> Oh, yeah. Please do.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh, not too many months ago, a good
portion of Confluence was underwater.
Mhm.
>> So, are we comfortable that this house
is protected from those kind of events
that the the diversion is not going to
end up impacting what we might be
building?
>> Great question. And yes, absolutely.
We're we're confident. So, Confluence
Park was designed to handle that. The
oxbow and the and and e houses outside
of that um flood plane area.
>> Okay. Anybody who saw that last winter
is going to be like, well, yeah, what
are we doing? Are we going to is it
going to get flooded out? So, they think
that's an important point.
>> It's a really important point. It's a
great point. If the whole valley Florida
flooded, then this would be obviously
flooded.
>> That's another conversation.
>> I do think some of this restoration work
um you know, fun fact, um that the e
house is still on its original timber.
Um so, it doesn't have a foundation.
it's just on old timber steps. So
obviously converting this, restoring
this is going to include building a
whole new foundation. Um so thinking
through some of those mitigations will
be um important.
>> That's a nice addition to side.
>> Yes, it did.
>> Yeah.
>> And this is a one that we would assume
would start from paper itself over time.
Like we're expecting this would be one
that would get revenue generated.
>> Yes. Yes. A number of these. That's a
great point, Marlene. Yes. This this
would have a revenue generating element
that Yeah. Yeah. Once the capital
investments made, at least
operationally, it's it's generating
revenue as well as being a an expense.
Yep.
Next slide.
So, the trail head formerly known as the
artist formerly known as the East Sunset
Trail Head, now Senator Bill Ramos uh
Memorial Trail Head. Um, as you all
know, that has been a priority and a
priority identified. It really serves as
a primary gateway up into West Tiger as
well as Grand Ridge. A lot of people
will park there and not only head up
into Tradition Plateau and West Tiger
Mountain beyond uh Tradition Plateau,
but we'll also cross I90 and head up
into Grand Ridge Park. So, um a very
very strategically located important
trail head um um investments we'd like
to make here is um improving the the
surfacing um um and um with some type of
sustainable paving within the parking
area. also looking at adding restrooms
uh which are have been identified by
many as a a strong desire um as well as
a number of other storytelling and
finding opportunities.
>> Next question. Yeah,
>> I say I like this one too. I think one
of the benefits of this is it's close to
Oldtown again from an economic
development. Like why why would we want
to get more people there? and hopefully
they go have lunch or go buy some.
>> Yeah, great point and and you'll see
this in our other two trail corridors.
We really see the strategy of our park
system serving this role of serving the
community but also being this gateway to
the public lands around us, the more we
can do that closer to Oldtown. You're
absolutely right. It's a great point.
invest here.
Speaking of those corridors, uh so uh in
2018 and 19 we were successful in a
really strategic acquisition of the
property known as the Burgund property.
Uh this has created a great opportunity
um uh to um uh really strengthen the
corridor from uh or strengthen a trail
system from the valley floor um up into
Cougar Mountain. Uh much of Cougar
Mountain is owned by King County and
it's part of the King County Regional uh
park. um but there's not a lot of
immediate easy access um from the valley
floor um up into that trail system. And
so as we purchased that property um King
County was very involved and very
supportive of that acquisition, very
supportive of um thinking through um and
and really um activating this corridor
with trails. Um we're here at Tibis
Valley Park. Just to the north of us is
the Central Transit parking garage. Um,
a lot of the v vision and benefit was
imagine that parking garage could
function as a trail head. Uh, Bergsma,
this property comes right down uh to the
intersection there at um 900 and um and
Newport. So, um again bringing
opportunity to develop this we we've
acquired the land. Um the the idea the
concept of this investment is really
now's the time to design and construct
um u that trail system within that
within that corridor.
And then it's it's parallel project um
its partner project is on Squawk
Mountain uh just on Friday the 13th. Uh
we closed on the KCari 3 purchase uh
that we had highlighted with all of you.
Uh that's a 17 acre. It was planned to
be Kolkari phase 3. Um KCari phase 1 and
phase 2 were uh multifamily um
condominiums that have already been
constructed. Um uh the developer sold us
that 17 acres. Um we had previously
purchased 20 acres of an adjoining
property. um um um that combined what we
refer to as Wayimouth, the Waymouth
property um creates a 30 plus um acre
corridor um on Squawk Mountain. Um again
from the strengthening
um and really having opportunity to to
um really broaden our um trail access,
direct trail access up. In this case,
much of Squawk Mountain is owned by uh
state parks. And there's the Squawk
Mountain State Park, but again, the only
real access um true parking, vehicular
access to Squawk Mountain State Park is
um on the May Valley roadside. Uh so
this again just uh would allow um really
really important um trail connections
also some neighborhood trail connections
and loops for the neighbors that live
there on Squawk and that that portion of
Squawk Mountain um highly highly um
a high priority corridor to to do some
real um um trail development on.
>> Which side of Squawk is this on? This is
on the
um if if you knew know where this road
is, this is Sunrise. So it would be the
>> the north
northeast
>> side of Squawk. So if if you took
Minehill Road,
um do you know where that is? Um, I
mean, I live at Web's Clock, but I'm on
the north side. And
>> where this is
>> this would be more the southeast side of
of the mountain.
>> Sorry, Wildwood.
>> Thank you, David.
Okay.
So,
>> is this And then So, what I'm getting to
if this is kind of on the east side,
there's a big stretch on the east side
on the old Grizz trail up there that got
devastated with the bomb cyclone. I
don't know if you've been up there, but
it's so impressive to walk through there
and see thousands of trees down.
You might even be seeing it up high
there where it looks like it's patched.
It's a little bit fall. I don't know.
But what I'm trying to get I'm just
wondering does this encompass part of
that?
>> Uh this 37 acres does not. But this 30
this 37 acres directly adjoined state
park property.
So it it it creates a seamless from what
is known as Minehill Trail. So, if you
were at Newport,
um, if you're at the pool, if you're at
the swimming pool, cross the Newport
Bridge, took a left on
I we refer to it as the Mineal Trail.
I'm I I don't know the name of that
road, forgive me, but take that left
before you head up into Squawk. Follow
that, go past the Wildwood Apartments,
and then you end up in the KCari phase
one and phase two areas. that becomes
sunrise. That is this is sunrise right
here. And so this is the 37 acres that
probably heads up to about there. And
then that's all state parks
>> part of the
>> uh it's not it's not that far east.
Isobar is the far east side of and
that's really outside of the city
limits. So this is inside of the city
limits.
I know um Kim, executive director of
this Rob's Trails Club is is probably
listening in right now. We've had a
chance to to meet with them a couple
times. They're have been very very
interested in trail development. Both um
on Cougar Mountain, the Bergsma property
as well as these two properties that
we've recently purchased. Uh we know uh
they would be a very active partner in
in um not only working through the the
trail design uh process uh but also
where there's opportunity to leverage
either grant funds um or in some cases
where um trails often often wilderness
trails like this and segments of it that
that aren't too complicated can be done
through volunteer efforts. So,
you know, I funds could be leveraged
both through volunteer uh resources as
well as grant resources as we really uh
think about um the trail construction of
both of these both of these corridors.
Really, really key opportunity again
taking land we've purchased um putting
it to better function. Um I think we
would all agree on weekends um and you
look think of the valley floor, West
Tiger Mountain is very overprescribed um
at times. And so the opportunity these
corridors really have to um allow
that recreational use to be um
strategically and smartly um sort of um
spread out and distributed a little bit
more um amongst our uh three Alps and
and not um overprescribing one uh so
much.
Hi Diana. Hi
Hey. Yeah. I just have a quick question
about the Squawk Mountain Development.
So, I went and scouted that area with
Dave Kappler last winter
before
I joined this park board. And what I
remember about it is it's near another
trail head. Um,
and that trail head sees pretty sparse
use, but it's been slowly growing. and
users of that trail head kind of park
along the residential road and it's
starting during kind of peak usage times
to get kind of backed up. Um, with the
addition of more trails in that area and
the intention to expand usage, would
there be more parking or is that
something that's been considered?
>> It's very much being considered. Yeah.
So with the as we closed on the KCari
phase three property that has a lot of
frontage along Sunrise. So u something
we we've already sort of explored and
looked at and we'd want to talk further
with the community about with this
project would be um adding some adding
some parking and and taking that parking
off of that residential road which is
which is Sunrise Place.
>> Okay. So that would be within scope for
the usage of these bond funds
>> you would like. Yep. Yep.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So athletic fields um also a
a certainly a priority identified from
the community by the community in um um
the park system plan update. As I said
earlier, um we are not in a position to
go buy flat accessible developable land
in Isqua. So a big part of that strategy
is how do we improve our facilities? How
do we partner with the school district,
consider um improving some of their
facilities to create um better, more
functional community uh spaces? Um,
as we um shared this with you in
February, um we identified the
potential, not that they could all be
funded, but um four or five
opportunities we have to consider um
creating um um and utilizing uh
synthetic turf to create multi-use uh
community sports fields. Um, three of
those as we've talked with the school
district would be looking at the three
elementary school sites um here within
uh the city of Isiqua. So that's Isqua
Valley Elementary, Grand Ridge
Elementary, and Clark Elementary. Um all
three have play spaces, field spaces
that are very very unimproved. Um
uh the concept um as has been modeled by
other cities. I' I've uh in my career
I've had the chance to be part of these
community sports field projects where um
um the community invests um on those um
school fields where there's not, you
know, varsity competition um happening.
Um, in this case, these three elementary
schools are great candidates and that um
the improvement um on those fields
creates a much more functional um less
dirty, less muddy recess space uh for
kiddos to enjoy um and for to be an
asset uh for the school during school
year and during school hours. Uh but
then in off hours, after hours, um and
weekends and summer, um there's suddenly
so much more community capacity created
um uh with those fields. Um um school
district remains very supportive and
very interested um of these being
considered um as part of a park bond
renewal. Um um along with those um three
um opportunities at the elementary
schools, uh we also have in our
near-term priority list Central Park Pad
2. Um if you're familiar and recall
Central Park Pad 2, that is uh the pad
the area of Central Park that has um two
um baseball fields uh that um much like
all the soil that was um um stockpiled
onto Central Park as as those houses
were created were very very poor
functioning, poor draining soil. And so
we have two baseball fields that are
really um not used um near to the degree
that they should be. Uh they're also and
just how they were originally configured
uh very limiting in their size. Um and
so um the premise of Central Park pad 2
uh similar to what we've done with pad 1
and pad 3 where uh we um utilize
synthetic turf instead of the the the
very unsuitable soil that um is there on
site. Um we um for any and all of these
projects um we utilize under the field
for storm water capacity and filtration
and all those requirements. So we're not
having to create separate storm water
ponds, but we allow the field to
function um environmentally actually
probably function better than it's
functioning now. Um and the community uh
gets a a much better uh functioning um
increased capacity um athletic field for
really any of these sites. Um
the issue before us though is this um
the the likely proceeds from this bond
would would have a hard time funding all
four of these. Um so you know what would
it look like if we did two of these and
how would we prioritize which two do we
want to uh focus on? um a lot more work
to be done as we really understand
better understand the conditions of each
of those sites and what budgetary
constraints and considerations that
we're going to need to to think through
and how we stretch our dollars but um I
have questions at the end but we could
certainly this has been great just
talking about each of these projects as
we go. uh would love to get feedback and
thoughts just if you have questions or
concerns about synthetic turf or if you
have thoughts um about um which of these
we should prioritize. Um I would say
keep in mind also I think geography is
really really important on this one too
is how are we geographically
distributing um our improved athletic
fields throughout the community.
thoughts,
questions, comments.
I mean, my I I have some thoughts, but
um
you know, I think there's a lot more
benefit to uh turfing the elementary
school fields than pad 2, even though
pad 2 is a mess, but I think you you get
benefit in that the community is using
them every day of the week at that point
in time. and the kids are out there
playing. They're the after school
activities are out there enjoying them.
Then you're programming it for some type
of re revenue generation. I think
I think those, you know, as I think
about how that could impact a whole lot
of people as you're getting mean
hundreds and hundreds of people, kids a
day playing on those fields. I think
could have a lot of
positive.
>> It's a great point back there.
Pad two, I think, is is great, but it's
it's
uh it still functions in the way it
functions right now.
>> Play the whole summer spring of baseball
out there.
>> Yeah. But I mean that's kind of how I I
I thought of these. I I and kind of
looping back on some of this is you know
the the people I talked to from like the
last meeting and people in the community
I had conversations with is um you know
the the the things that I heard most
kind of piqu people's interest was one
is always tip tibbits. It's always been
tippets. We know that's a funding thing.
>> Absolutely. But um really the school
field situation e house and the bill
senator Bill Romos trail head kind of
the three that that people were like
those have a great impact those and
they're visible like you see them you
they have impact I mean having I was
just at confluence park yesterday I was
looking at the I don't know how long
we've been there the new metal beds that
are in the community
>> yeah just just this winter we beds
didn't know those before. But uh you
know and just thinking about that as
something that people walk by and drive
by and there's this
eyesore. I mean it really is right there
in one of I think one of the most
beautiful anchor parks in the city and
you're going to have a lot of function
there and the people I talked to really
felt that way too. So, as we talked
about some of this, but talking about
this in specific ways, I thought there's
a lot of value
working with the school district and I I
think we I've talked about this before.
talked about us at other meetings and we
had um the superintendent uh here I
believe a couple meetings ago Jason the
director of her facility
>> just talking about how how
much more of a partnership a long-term
lasting partnership we want to build
between the school district and the city
and um I think that's kind of like an
all branch piece of it that generates
everybody here so there's my two cents
appreciate that
>> piling on. I'm going to agree with you.
I think doing the elementary schools
would be a huge
>> win. I think the other thing when we're
thinking about this is where is the turf
already located versus not located. So
the valley floor is a turf desert.
>> So kids want to play on the valley
floor, they're
>> funny or they're not playing outside.
>> So I think and we're going to talk about
the um playground in the next page,
>> but I would be remiss not to say that
there should be at least some turf
there. I know we can't do the whole
thing. If we're going to have this huge
playground and then the kids who want to
go play ball have nowhere to play that's
not money, we're missing a huge
opportunity.
>> Yeah. And I mean just
>> geography is
agree.
>> Just to expand on that a little bit
further is you know you have like I
think dogfield I wouldn't I don't know
how much programming is but they're
programmed out
much more significant.
someone that just had five of the last
seven baseball practices rained out at
Tid Park in Lake in the last two weeks.
Uh having an additional space would be
additional turf helps with Yeah. instead
of having 8-year-old boys practice at
9:00 on Saturday night at the Central
Park.
>> I think it's just the play time too,
right? Like that's the thing about
Central Park is there's always kids
playing there. Yes.
>> Right. Like you go to Tibbitz and it's a
ghost town.
>> So there's a reason.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. The vibrancy of both scheduled use
but also unscheduled just drop in use is
Yes.
>> Higher density housing there. There's
nowhere for those kids to play. Like
that's a mess.
>> Thank you. Any other thoughts comments?
This is great.
>> All four of these options would be
difficult to find. You're talking about
all four that are just on this one slot.
You're not talking about
>> Yeah. Just this funding funding all four
fields is
>> Yes. You weren't talking about the other
project. So,
>> exactly.
>> Just is it typical for a city parks
department to fund improvements at a
school playfields? Because I would have
Is it okay? because I would have thought
that was the school district's
responsibility and there and I it was
not really a crossover but maybe it is
and that's my ignorance
>> I would say well I'm saying yes because
I I I've done it in my own career so um
I I think when you depends on the city
um I think when you think of how land
constrained Isiqua is and how creative
and innovative we really owe it to the
public to be um
these these are very doable these days
and and they they're not out of the
norm. So I I'll give an example from my
own career. Um Lake Washington School
District in the city of Seamish in 2004
created and built a community sports
field at East Lake High School that is
still functioning 22 years later. Um and
is an important community asset
especially in that at that time of the
city of Samos, you know.
clearing a bunch of trees and creating
to create more athletic fields was
really seen as a tough trade-off. And
so, um, we really saw this opportunity
to say, "Hey, why don't we partner with
the other public agency?" They're two
public agencies and um it's in both both
public agencies best interest to make
this investment. Um, the city fully
funds the investment. The city then
schedules, maintains, and collects the
revenue from that community sports field
um to really um
how do I say it? Um position it to
function just like a city park facility
in many ways other than when the school
is in operation. I see schools be more
territorial about their playfields, you
know, and they weren't really open to
the public. You had to have some
connection
>> traditionally. Yeah, absolutely.
>> And so I'm I'm trying to understand sort
of boundaries here. You know, if we're
taking money that is coming from the pot
for the whole city, we're improving the
school fields, but not everyone is
allowed to use those fields. Is that,
you know, fair play? I I don't know. And
like I said, I I I may be very ignorant
of the tradeoffs here, but I'm just
trying to understand.
>> It's a it's a careful relationship. You
you touch on tradition. I would agree
with you, but I think those traditions
are being slowly eroded as both school
districts and cities are realizing, hey,
we're better we're better partnering
together on this. Um, any investment
like this would come with a pretty clear
ironclad agreement between the two
agencies that say, "Hey, here's this
this investment is being made by the
entire community. Here's here's the
strings that come with that investment,
access, availability, time, and all of
that." And so you really again I think
the
what works so well at East Lakeake High
School in that community sports field is
it's even signed differently. So as if
if you have a scheduled game, yes,
you're walking on a high school campus,
but you know when you're on that
community sports field, it's this is
city spa. This is this is different than
the rest of the campus. And so if if we
do elementary schools, we'd want to
design and think something very
similarly that hey during the school day
and during recess, this feels like the
this is this is the recess space, but at
the same time um as the community is
using it, it it feels like they're
they're not invading an elementary
school. They're welcome. This is a this
should look and feel like a neighborhood
park.
>> That's not been my experience. And so
that's why I asked the question. I've
seen lock gates and signage saying, you
know, if not this, then stay out. And so
I'm wondering about it just isn't
the way you describe it, I think it's
wonderful. You know, if it's we we're
helping to pay for it and the city
public gets access to it,
that's great. Uh it's not always the
case. So that's why I ask
>> I think this really demonstrates as we
and again as we talk to the community,
right? It's like we need to be if you
might remember this, we need to be
innovative. We need to be creative. We
need to we need to own the fact that
we're really land constrained. And so I
think, you know, um I appreciate this
discussion because I I too would say the
this opportunity to partner with the
district I think comes at a strategic
time and and I think tells a innovative
um story. It it shows that innovative
approach by both agencies. So
do and my last second question is do you
have a high level feel or or magnitude
of these projects financially?
>> We're getting there. We're getting
there. So yeah, in fact when you super
super rough um in the minutes you will
see this this is included in the minutes
uh which was what the mayor and I sort
of just talked through and walk through.
um you know on a very rough scale to do
um two two of those fields two fields is
probably a
eight well we said 7 and a half to $9
million
investment
to do two of them. We would also look
at, if you recall, when we did Central
Park, we redid the turf at Central Park
pad one. We are phasing out crumb
rubber. Uh so, uh for pad one, we used
cork um infill, an organic infill. Um
great news is the community has loved
it. Um it they they feel like it
functions just as well as the the crumb
rubber. So as we consider these fields
um once we have to redo the turf on pad
one uh we will not be having you know
carb rubber as part of um any of the
synthetic turf facilities.
So next
item
hey good timing Marlene uh play area.
So, these next two projects are um um
added park amenities uh that could be
considered at Tippetsz Valley Park. Um I
think we've talked enough about Tibets
Valley Park and no this it is a
community park that's lived a great
life. Uh but I would say it's not
functioning to the degree that we really
want or expect a community park to
function or or really need to function
in its next 20 or 30 years. Um um and so
as we're doing the revisioning of that
park and know the complexities of that
park and what's happening both with the
creek and with hydrarology and with
slopes and with the fields. Um what what
what we're proposing with both the um
adding a more community. So this is a
bunch a bigger play area. It would also
be an all-inclusive play um um area as
well. um we would we would have the
revisioning work that we're going to
continue on should we do this bond or
not. That revisioning work really
informs where this play area would be
located. Um um that will be an important
part of messaging if we're moving
forward with this uh with this bond. Um
but you know when you look at we've
identified we have four classified
community parks within our system. Uh
right, we have Tibetsz Valley Park,
Confluence Park, um the sort of the the
conglomeration of Memorial Field, Depot
Park, Pedestrian Park, and we have
Central Park. So those are our four
community parks. All of which sometime
in the future, I should say none of
which right now have what I would or
what we would or what modern modern is
not the right word. Um current park
standards, none of them have a community
parksized play area. And so well other
let me scratch that. Central Park has a
a community park size play area. the
other three as we think of reinvesting
or repurposing, we have a playground
replacement program within our six-year
CIP. So, this becomes a really good
candidate. Um, you know, reinvesting in
play areas has already really been seen
as a priority both by the community and
by city council. So, this is an
opportunity to really create a a
community park-sized play area there at
at Tibbitz Valley Park.
And then next maybe we'll talk the two
TDP sites to begin with. Again, this was
really thanks to the discussion we had
in February. Um we thought this was
really really important to add. Um as
you all know um many of you know um
Tippets Valley Park was first considered
u for the the first dog park. um uh
number of uh reasons along with a global
pandemic sort of put a pause on that um
project um as we're about to cut a
ribbon in a in a month or so for our
Reineer um trail dog park. Uh this would
be a great second dog park. Again,
geographically
located in another part of town uh to
serve uh the community here um on Squawk
Mountain and around Tibetz Valley Park.
Um again, the revisioning work, much
like the playground, the revisioning
work would inform where this dog park
would be located. Um so combined um at
least at a minimum the play area and the
dog park become a a a really um I think
important initial investment into that
revision to Valley Park.
Comments, thoughts, questions?
That was the concrete pour. Those would
be plazas on at at Reineer Valley or
Reineer Trail Dog Park.
>> Concrete's now done. Any
other just thoughts, comments about
tibbits in general or those two? I'll go
on to the last one. Oh, go ahead.
>> Very disappointed we don't have any tur.
>> I don't know what to do with that other
than tell you like
>> I don't like that part of the plan at
all.
>> That's great. And I don't I don't
disagree. I don't disagree. I I
again how and where
you know how much of how much of an
investment at TVP do we want to propose
in this bond without having the
revisioning done and knowing where it's
going to be located. So um very open to
consideration and conversation um if we
want to
>> think about that differently
>> different like you know talk to the
sports parents a lot right what they ask
me is like when is there
>> what are we doing with that why is it
always underwater
>> and I get that we have to do a lot of
stuff across the communities I totally
get that I just
>> from my stakeholders that will be their
number one question
And again, just to be on the record, I
think dog parks are a bad idea. I have
to explain to you the reasons why, and
I'll just put that out on the table. I
can have a discussion with anyone wants
to have that uh as a long-term trainer.
Uh I have my reasons. I'd rather see
that money go into turf or playground or
whatever. I just think dog parks in
general are bad idea. Uh,
I'll just leave it there.
>> Great. No, thank you.
And that's why the diversity of a park
board, the diversity of the community is
so so important. Um, in in these all of
these considerations,
uh, the the last sort of idea we had in
this example list of of projects was
another park amenity. Uh, we've heard
time and time again through the park
system plan update and others. Um, how
do we consider adding um expanding uh
court facilities uh within our park
system? Um uh this would be uh an idea
of adding um and expanding pickle ball
tennis courts into pad 3 um at Central
Park where there currently are none. Um
if you're familiar with pad 3, that's
the lower synthetic turf fields. Um uh
this project could add up to four um
tennis courts. Um which would be eight
pickle ball courts. Um um how that gets
striped to be discussed. Um um
uh but there's a sort of a lawn area
very um undefined transition area from
the parking lot to the fields. In many
ways, this would, I think, better define
it and formalize it. Um, create a a
plaza space that would both support the
courts as well as, I think, per create a
better transition area to and from the,
uh, the turf fields as well. Uh, there's
an existing restroom there. Um, so, you
know, how we utilize that existing
restroom, uh, nudge that existing
restroom. uh there's some, you know,
sort of potential um cost savings there
as we really start getting into how we
um again leverage leverage investments
and leverage some of our existing assets
within the park. So,
>> take this one in the presentation.
>> Yeah, I was
going to add that. So to note it was
added late this afternoon when realized
as we went through the list that we
discussed again no in our haste it's
like oh that wasn't on there. So we will
we will make sure uh community that's
listening anyone who's listening to this
a week from now or three weeks from now
um we'll make sure the agenda packet
includes this updated presentation that
we uh that we showed here. Um, and
again, it's just it's wanting to be
consistent with what was shared and what
people will see in the minutes for the
possible Isiqua Park bond renewal um,
example projects. So,
>> that could be a phenomenal way to use
that space.
>> Again, how do we take existing space and
just create some additional capacity and
additional functionality?
>> Robin was so humble. Robin is the one
who actually did this. Just really quick
sort of
>> Oh, you're blaming her back
>> blaming her. Blaming her saying, "Hey,
it's a it's a just a way to show at
least scale size. What could what could
fit in that space?"
>> So, in general, I I don't play pickle
ball or tennis. I have, you know, a dog
in that pipe. So,
>> just a roll. Um, is there is there a
sense of any sort of easing in this in
the demand for pickle ball or is it
still gaining continuing to gain
momentum?
>> I think we're we're seeing it gain. I I
know the the use of the courts, you
know, all um both tennis courts are now
striped with um um pickleball courts at
Central Park. Those are used um a lot.
Um the courts that we've done here at
Tivven Valley Park I've used a lot. Um
if you go to the community center when
we have open pickle ball um indoor
that's now continues to be super super
popular. So
>> it's not going away
at the same time and and this is what's
interesting too as pickle ball's
expanded you know tennis is seeing a
resurgent a resurgence as well. Uh so
important to note that as as well as we
as we think through racket sports and
again why I want to say we're not
proposing maybe tonight how this gets
striped but I I I would really want to
strongly consider
um you know tennis and pickle ball are
both really really important court
sports that um I think are seeing a
still seeing a degree of growth.
There's actually I was up at Mount
Vernon this weekend. They had on the
outside in one of these parks they had
was bigger than this, but they basically
just took a whole plot of land and just
built like a giant metal leanto over it
and put like eight quarts was packed. I
was there for 12 hours. It was packed.
>> There you go.
>> Still a thing.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Seeing no other questions. um
more time for a question and discussion.
I really appreciate the conversation
just throughout the presentation. Um uh
really don't mind that at all. Um but
just some other things to consider both
tonight as we further this conversation,
but even in the the week and weeks
ahead. Um other projects um not on this
list that that we should consider. I've
heard a couple. I've heard um turf at
Tibis Valley Park. Um, I've heard a
pool. What are we doing about a pool?
Let's make sure the need for an expanded
pool, it doesn't just get lost um in
this. Um,
again, we talked about it before, but
how might we prioritize um athletic
field sites? Um, and then another
thought to just probe with you all. Um
again, as we have the conversation with
council, uh maybe a couple conversations
in the coming months, public engagement
is going to be really, really important
this spring and summer. And so any uh we
have certainly a lot of ideas on what to
do, but you know, what types of
engagement and outreach do we really
need to consider um for what could be a
really really important summer to be
talking with the community about this?
Diana, I saw your hand up. Hi Diana.
>> Hi. Yes. I know I've spoken a lot. I'm
sorry. And
>> I've been kind of hesitant to speak up
about the turf thing because it seems
pretty universally popular, but um
I just want to ask if part of the
process for
um these turf installations is studying
the environmental impact
>> of long-term installations, especially
Since the problem that the turf is
trying to remediate is um these
saturated fields which means they'll be
sitting right at the level of the water
table. So just a general question about
whether this budget would also include
environmental study.
>> Yes, it absolutely would Diana. So as we
you know any and all these projects all
these projects will need to go through
permitting. So that environmental review
will be important. Um but yes, how and
where we consider putting synthetic turf
in this community is really really
important to ask. Um I think synthetic
turf installations have come a long ways
in making sure that they are more
environmentally friendly both in terms
of how um storm water is addressed um um
how um that water is treated um um again
the use of different infield materials.
Um uh the industry's come a long ways
and we as Isiqua are want to be on the
the front end of that and um get away
from some of the um you know reuse tires
and other um crumb rubber uh that is um
sort of had concerns when it comes to
environment um impacts on salmon some
recent studies have shown. So yes, that
will be a an important part of um the
the work and consideration of turf.
>> Okay, cool. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Chris.
>> Yeah. um kind of a more maybe a higher
level question, but I think one thing
that's being expressed here is
these are great and it's great that
we've got this broad um spectrum of
projects. You know, we're looking at
trails, we're looking at doing stuff in
different geographic locations. Um we're
trying to address what we can within
that estimated, you know, $23 million
budget. Um, and then knowing
that the city is also looking going to
be looking for money for the police
station and city hall um projects that
um are
very much needed. Uh is this is city
council considering
uh maybe polling the the citizens for
their appetite for uh you know like a
bond two or a bond two and three. So we
might have this bond measure that's a
renewal that gets to you know with all
the things you mentioned to 23 million.
Uh and then we measure if there's a an
appetite for hey city do you want a pool
and and or do you want uh you know a re
uh remodeled Tibbitz Valley Park and we
need x amount of dollars and by the way
hey city do you want um
to help the police department have a
functioning police station so you know
police station and a city hall. Uh so is
that being considered at a higher level
to you know
>> Yes.
>> citizens? Yeah. Yes, Chris. Absolutely.
In fact, on April 6th, the the um
council council um they call it the
committee of the whole the cow um is its
acronym. I didn't come up with that. Um
um uh we'll have two topics. First will
be facilities capital. So, the public
safety police city hall discussion and
then this park bond renewal uh will be
happening the same night. Um mayor very
much wants uh to have a conversation
about both of them um and to think
strategically um as you're as you're
saying um
what might be we be going out to voters
for and what do we need to try and fund
uh with you know existing resources that
we have. Um so um you know as this
conversation moves forward and council
considers this um it will be considered
in light of of those other um those
other capital needs and how those other
capital needs will be funded.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep.
>> Thank you, Anna.
>> Yeah. Um sorry I've been so quiet
tonight. Uh this has been a really good
discussion. I just really wanted to
reiterate in my conversation um and kind
of sharing the information from
uh you know last meeting um a lot of my
community and friends did bring up the
pool. So I just kind of wanted to um
throw my throw my two cents in the ring
about that as well. um particularly
people have brought up you know the
inaccessibility of lap swimming um for
the community as a exercise alternatives
particularly for the people that are you
know working and um yeah so I think a
pool expansion is something that people
are really looking forward to and um I
don't know if this bond is the correct
uh place to talk about that or not but
it's definitely something that's come up
a lot
>> it's really good thanks Thanks, Hannah.
I think it's something we need to be
willing to to talk about. And again, if
this moves forward, um, if there is a a
a package of projects, that p I I can
guarantee you that package of projects
will have things on it and will have
things not on it that different people
are going to feel and have opinions on.
And so, um, as a staff person, as a
director, you would have my commitment
to we need to talk about all of it. We
need to be able to say why something was
on and not on and acknowledge kind of
what we started this conversation with
our our needs
needs needs and interests that this
community's identified of what what they
want in their park system um is more
expensive than what this 20ome million
dollars will be able to do. And so, um,
both, you know, Hannah, I appreciate you
adding to that and Katie, your comments
earlier, I think are of really, really
high value.
Jane,
>> yeah, I just wanted to add a plus one to
the uh, pool comment. It's pretty
impossible if you're a working adult to
um not pretty impossible, but the times
are extremely limited if you're a
working adult to uh find lap swim time
at the pool. Um so I you know totally
agree with that. Um and I'm assuming
that part of our community engagement
outre outreach strategy will include
some kind of social media component to
that.
>> Yes,
>> absolutely.
Great. Thank you.
>> You ever done a survey where we asked
them to force rank
the projects? So like for example, you
have that list together
>> instead of saying this one bond for the
swimming pool or this one bond for tits
like this is how much we have and this
is how much it might cost and you force
rank the survey, right? And then that's
those are the five or six projects that
we go forward when we bond and someone's
like yeah I remember I bring these three
high and then it just automatically
passes. Right.
>> Um
I've done I've done it in my career. I
don't know how much is done it but it's
it's certainly something we should
consider. Um
>> talk about community engagement is I
don't think always our community
engagement is a representative sample of
our community. So like that's the
trade-off.
>> So like who who like one if I get a
whole bunch of my people who really are
in athletic fields to like
>> right like that's not you know what I
mean
>> that's also democracy in action too.
Marlene nailed it and that's where I was
going to go is if if you do a force rank
survey like that that you're really
saying this is going to greatly inform
decisions we make. You'd want to spend
the extra money and do a scientific
sample um survey, right? Which is more
expensive, a lot more moving parts to
make sure you're getting a good
as best representation of the community
as you can as you can get. And so most
of the quick surveys we do are not, you
know, scientific, you know, when we put
up the QR code on the trails, you know,
those are not a scientific sample
survey.
>> Yeah, it's a data point. I'm just
wondering because I mean that that is
true. If you do rally your community,
then maybe that is what the community
wants and the people that don't care
don't vote, right? So
>> yeah, it's both sides.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
Wow, great discussion you all. I really
really appreciate it.
Any other thoughts, comments? I can give
a a little close.
I guess my next one is Tim had mentioned
not loving the dog part because
everybody like like and I know this is I
was just curious for the rest of us like
I could kind of take or leave the dog
part of Tim like I'm just kind of
curious like that one got added after
last week's disc last discussion and
there's some emails around it.
>> I'm just curious like
>> how are how are people feeling about the
dot part? I think it was, you know,
years ago, even before the pandemics, I
mean, there was a lot of interest in
getting a dog park activities
>> and and I know, you know, it's people
feel one way or another, but the reality
is is that even it not being a dog park
now, you go there and you see,
>> you know, dogs running, you know, um,
off leash all the time. So, um, so the
need is there. And now as we're building
more apartments complex just across the
street, um we're going to have more
dogs. And then, you know, at at least
with a dog park, I mean, people know
that there's a they go there and they
have a dog, but now with there's no dog
park, you got unleashed and maybe
untrained dogs running around and you've
got kids playing and and whatnot, you
know, or you have dog who um who are
reactive and so now you it just I I feel
like yes, you know, if you personally
feel I have my dog, I can't take my dog,
but but I feel that that the need is
there and people come up
>> is being used as off leash area as is
right as you said
>> and it came in pretty high on the list I
think too didn't engagement
>> I think there's some piece I'm I'm not a
pet on the market to the mall but um
like I think there's some piece of if
you are doing some type of um
reinvisioning of of Tibbitz is you have
a lot more.
You don't see people walking dogs at
Central Park because there's always
other stuff going on on the fields and
there's people always playing out there
and there's much more dedicated sport
activity. So maybe a dog park is high.
But but to the point of
maybe your the comment the conversation,
excuse me, of like TIV is kind of an off
leash dog park is if it was reinvisioned
as something else. That's not an
opportunity people have to I'm going to
walk my dog down to Tibbitz and throw a
ball in field one.
>> Yeah. More diversity of use creates that
natural surveillance if you will that
it's not Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I can't my
dog too much running around anymore
using it.
I I don't know. I
don't really have an opinion.
Really enjoy watching all my neighbors
walk their dogs and squawk on them.
>> Well, my closing comment is this. We're
not done with this conversation. So,
thank you. Um u you know I'll provide
you all an update with you know how the
conversation goes with council on the 6.
You're all welcome to either come or
listen in or watch uh those are I
believe live um on Isiqua TV. Um but
would um again just appreciate your
thoughts and continued conversation with
your neighbors and spheres of influence.
Um it's it's an important opportunity
and important conversation for for this
community to have. So appreciate it.
Thanks.
>> Good.
I think yeah, as you noted, those are
only regular business.
Is your director's report somewhat
substantial or is it
>> I just want to make sure we're allowing
time for other
>> Yeah. No, I'm
>> Yeah.
>> Uh, excellent. We'll move on to the
director report.
>> All right. Thanks, Ryan.
>> To be succinct, I've done enough
talking. Um, uh, park rules um,
conversation. Thank you so much for
that. We are u preparing to um engage
the community through a survey not
scientific sample but um a survey to
really begin to gauge feedback. Tim I
want to say thank you very very much for
uh just having a chance to look at um
the survey itself and gave some great
feedback to Dale Marky Crimp and Laura
will be working side by side with Dale
in that in that effort. Uh but um no, in
the next really couple of days uh next
week, we should have um some of those
same uh sort of yard signs that we put
up throughout our trail and park system
with a QR code inviting our residents to
uh partake in a a pretty quick survey to
give us their thoughts on park rules and
what's important to them and make sure
as we're beginning to draft something,
we're um hearing what the community has
to say. There'll be a social media uh
blast of some news flash that'll be
coming out from our communications team.
Um also um and then once that survey is
done and compiled and Dale and Laura
able to sort of review that and start to
pull together um some ideas and start
framing up some actual rules and
regulations, we'll come back to all of
you. Um probably have at least two more
conversations before asking you to make
a a recommendation.
um and then taking those on to city
council. So um more to come and just
again thanks Tim. Appreciate that.
Uh one last one, sorry I just saw my my
other note. Uh we were talking school
district and our partnership there. Uh
again that relationship is really
growing and really important. Uh great
news. The joint use agreement, the draft
um I think is in its final uh review. We
got a few final comments from the
district. We provided them a few final
com u com comments. Um our city attorney
is now looking at it. Uh we would hope
uh by sometime in April. In fact, right
now there's a goal for a joint school
district or school board and city
council meeting, not for the sole
purpose, but a joint meeting. They're
trying to meet annually to talk about a
number of things. Uh but if we line this
up, uh it'd be great at that joint
meeting to have um both the school board
and the city council adopt that joint
use agreement um that same night. So um
I know that's been some work and some
review that you all have given us over
these last couple months. Um I think
we're in the final final home stretch
there.
>> Excellent. Thank you,
>> Nick. How you doing? What you got for
us? Yeah, I was just going to comment on
the um park board removal just um
one thing I think the um all-inclusive
park idea I think it was Tibbitz um I
think
>> was like a good idea um I toured last
year I went to a accessible inclusive
playground in Seattle and called the
Pathways Park
>> and uh the community really uh enjoyed
it and uh a lot of good work was
involved. So I just think inclusive
parks are really important. Um and then
like I've been I've used the foam pool
and I agree that uh definitely the lane
space and just there's just not a lot of
time to uh find open lap swim. So uh
that's an important thing. Um and then I
guess um the other thing I would say is
uh the the pickle ball courts. Um there
is um like a student at Gibson who is
trying to run a pickle ball club um at
the community center,
>> but I'm sure they would definitely like
it just uh reaffirms like definitely
there's a need for uh pickle ball and a
lot of you obviously are doing it. So
yeah, that's some of the comments.
>> That's really great. And thanks.
Yeah, if the younger generation is uh
falling in love with pickle ball that uh
it's probably it's here to stay.
>> I didn't have too much include. I did
want to call out um our colleague Stacy
V McKinstry
did uh notify various boards of the um
Pickering Barn uh solar project
ribbon cutting which will be April 7th
at 2:00 p.m. which is a pretty cool
project. I think she includ includes
some statistics on the power generation
and stuff on that. So um if you have
opportunity to go support um that
project that'd be exciting.
Otherwise is there anything else anyone
has they'd like to add in or final
conversation on?
>> One final good of the order. Again Laura
welcome. I know I think you've you've
seen name tags, but can we quickly just
do a welcome maybe just introduce
yourself and how long you've lived in
Squa, how long you've been part of the
park board. Uh Laura can have a second
to introduce herself as well, but um
maybe can we start here and well
actually can we start up on the screen?
Um Chris, do you want to
>> happily Yeah. Hi. Um, my name is Chris
Kovak. I have been a resident of Isiqua
for 25 years. Actually, 26 almost now.
And I run my business from Isqua as
well. And I started board service on the
Friends of Lake Sam State Park a long
time ago. I did about four or five years
there. And then joined uh the Isqua Park
board I think eight or nine years ago.
So, I think my term is up in 2027
and that's it.
>> Thanks, Chris. Diana,
>> um, am I supposed to give all the same
pieces of information
>> or what's the format here?
>> Oh, just just introduce yourself and how
long you've you've lived in aqua, how
long you've been part of the park board.
Just introducing yourself to Laura.
Okay. Um,
my name is Diana.
I have
been a member of the park board for
about a year. What were the other parts?
How long I've lived in Isiqua? Was that
part of it?
>> I'm failing this. I'm sorry.
>> I've lived in Isiqua for
seven years. What else did Chris say?
Uh,
>> that that was it. That's great.
>> Okay, great. Great.
>> Awesome, Diana. Thank you.
>> Hey, Jamie.
>> Hi, Diana. Nice to meet you. Um, I've
been a resident of Visco. This will be
20 years since my husband and I moved
from Washington DC to the Pacific
Northwest and we picked Isiqua. Uh,
never looked back. And I've been on the
park board for a little over a year.
and Hannah.
>> Hi, I'm Hannah. Here, let me turn on my
camera. It's kind of scary here, but hi.
Um, I've been in Isiqua since 2020. So,
that's about what, five and a half, six
years. I've been on the parks board for
just about a year, which is kind of
exciting.
And, um, gosh, was there anything else?
I know I also need a teleprompter,
Diana.
I'm just excited to be here.
>> Great.
>> We love hybrid meetings, don't we?
>> I'm convinced of this. We we during the
pandemic, we we transitioned well to
virtual meetings. I think we've always
had in-person meetings. Well, but hybrid
is it's the hardest type of meeting to
Ryan.
>> Yeah. Hello. Uh we've met before, but
I'm Ryan Olsson. uh been in his club for
eight years and uh been on park board
for I think three or four and a year as
the chair.
>> Hi Laura, I'm Tim and much like Ryan,
I've been in Nisqua eight years, been on
the park board four years, also
volunteer at Mount Rineer National Park.
>> David, um been here since 2017, so
almost nine years. um have a kid at
Sunset.
Been on the board for about four years.
>> I'm Katie and um I'm in Isaba for 22
years. I have two um kids at Isaba High
School and uh this is my fifth year. I
just got into
>> My name is Nick. I'm a senior at Gibson
Lake High School. Um I've lived here my
whole life and
uh started this is the third meeting
I've joined.
>> Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Marlene. I
join I've been in Isqua since 2016 and I
joined in 2018. So it's been a while.
Well, I'm Lauren Hos and um I'm this
group has been a fun one to start to get
to know and and the the incredible work
you guys have been doing. Um I come from
the University of Washington School of
Public Health. I spent my um whole
career at different departments and
roles at the University of Washington.
Um but I've been I'm live in the
neighboring city of Samish and my
parents have been up uh living there
since before it was a city. So mid 80s
and my kids go to Blackwell Elementary
in Spanish. So know the area very well
and really excited to work in the
community. So
>> and uh thank you for for doing that.
Really appreciate it you guys.
>> Well, our next meeting is April 27th.
>> You looked like you had something else
to say.
>> I did. Well,
>> I don't mean to pause. So,
continue on me. I'm just terrible. I I
we've covered so much tonight. Um we
might have a conflict on the 27th. Um we
might be spread a little thin as staff.
Um more to come. If that there's a
chance that school board and city
council meeting might be on the 27th as
well. Um so, um yes, the next meeting is
scheduled on the 27th. If for some
reason we may need to consider to move
it, we'll send that out um quickly.
>> As I understand it, the park board will
be bumped for the school board
on the record. Put it on the record.
>> So, so question about that. When we move
a meeting, often times it gets moved to
a different day like Tuesday. I've got a
standing obligation on Tuesday. Would it
be possible get moved to a Monday just
week or a week later? Yeah. Just put
that down there.
>> Yeah. Oh, we Yeah. Some
>> Yeah. Yeah. I think it's
>> an option.
>> Survey monkey.
>> Force range.
>> Sorry. Survey. Survey.
>> Gabble this puppy.
>> With no further business, this meeting
is adjourned.
>> Thanks everybody.
>> Thanks everyone.
>> Thank you.
>> Good night all.