PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - City of Vancouver
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PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Vancouver City Hall – Council Chambers – 415 W. 6th Street
PO Box 1995 – Vancouver, Washington 98668-1995
www.cityofvancouver.us
BOARD MEMBERS:
Anne Marie Barber Devin Rostorfer
John Caton School District Liaisons:
Jaynee Haygood Vacant, VPS
Sean Janson Gail Spolar, ESD
Matthew Kuntz Parks Foundation of Clark County:
Holly Williams – Chair Syble Crow
APPROVED:
Holly Williams, Chair Date
August 19, 2020
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER
The August 19, 2020 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) was called to
order at 3:03 p.m. by PRAC Chair, Holly Williams via online WebEx meeting.
Present:
Anne Marie Barber
Syble Crow, Parks Foundation of Clark County
Jaynee Haygood
Sean Janson
Matthew Kuntz
Laura Parlette
Devin Rostorfer
Gail Spolar, ESD
Holly Williams – Chair
Absent:
John Caton
Vancouver School District RepresentativeParks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 7
Staff Present:
Melody Burton, Marketing Manager
Angela Brosius, Firstenburg Community Center Director
Stacey Donovan, Special Events Manager
Julie Hannon, VPR Director
Monica Tubberville, Senior Park Planner
Carrie Vogelzang, Support Specialist III
ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A consensus was made by all members to approve the July 15, 2020 meeting minutes.
ITEM 3: CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS
N/A
ITEM 4: WELCOME NEW PRAC MEMBERS AND STAFF INTRODUCTIONS
The commission is pleased to welcome two new PRAC members Anne Marie Barber and Devan Rostofer.
In addition, Jaynee Haygood and Sean Janson were reappointed for another 3 year term. The staff
present also took a moment to introduce themselves to the new members.
ITEM 5: PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET UPDATE
Dave Perlick, Recreation Manager provided a more an in-depth budget update as a follow up to the July
PRAC meeting.
Mid-2020 budget adjustments required by COVID-19 pandemic.
• The department was tasked with making significant cost reductions in 2020 due to the
pandemic
• Citywide revenues were projected to drop by $45mil. If revenues keep coming in better than
projected, this could drop to $15-20mil.
• VPR used a multiple costs savings that were possible with the closure of facilities and the
suspension of almost all services for multiple months.
o The major cost saving areas were:
Extended furloughs (full and partial) – 32 of 41 employees (over $500k)
Facility closure with loss of part time jobs (over $1mil.)
Reduction in contracts (over $300k)
Biennial Budget for 2021-2022 Summary
• The department was tasked with making a minimum of $400k reduction for both years of the
biennium.Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 7
• The challenge facing Parks and Recreation is complicated by the fact that many programs
supported by user fees or grants and donations are not currently allowed to run under COVID-
19 restrictions.
• A restriction on facility use is expected to continue into 2021. We are planning for greater
reductions to be responsive to revenue losses.
• At the same time, VPR is using this time as an opportunity to assess in detail how we meet the
needs of diverse and underserved members of our community and recommend new strategies.
• The submitted budget includes the following cost savings strategies:
o Reduction in 5.0 full time employee equivalents (FTE)
4 positions totaling 3.0 FTE are currently vacant or expected to be vacant at the
end of 2020
3 positions totaling 2.0 FTE are currently filled and those employees will be laid
off
o It is proposed to close both Marshall and Firstenburg Community Centers on Sundays
which is the lowest utilization day. This will result in reduced staffing needs and other
costs.
o Several programs will be closely reviewed to be eliminated, outsources or downsized;
this includes adult sports leagues (softball, basketball and volleyball), travel based
programs including senior based, and other lower performing classes.
o Resources will be streamlined to support the equity initiative, maintain marketing and
communications manager and also hire the vacant budget and performance analyst
position.
• The submitted budget is currently being reviewed. There will be a presentation to City Council in
September with adoption estimated at late October.
• Based on the delay in the Washington Safe Start Program, it remains possible that VPR will need
to take additional cuts.
ITEM 6: VANCOUVER TENNIS CENTER UPDATE
Dave Perlick, Recreation Manager provided a brief updated on the Vancouver Tennis Center. He has
been working closely with Pat Dreves to support the reopening plan for the center. Read more.
ITEM 7: ESSENTIAL LINES OF SERVICE
Julie provided an update on our three essential lines of service as we begin to offer services again to the
public.
1. Distance Learning Camp
o If there is enough demand, we will offer four sites for camp
Marshall Community (50 capacity)
Firstenburg (64 capacity)
Shahala Middle School (VPS, capacity TBD )
Center formally known as the Navigation Center (60 capacity)
We will open registration first to city residents and essential workers (specifically educators). If spots are
available, registration will opened to non-residents. Our goal is to fill the community need and simply tryParks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 7
to provide some relief for parents and care givers while following all CDC guidelines. This will also allow
us to bring back more staff. This service has also been vetted by the City’s legal department.
We are currently addressing Wi-Fi connectivity and layout at each site so children can charge devices
and be online for distance learning. It is important to note, our staff are not educators but will be
available to assist as needed while children are participating in online learning.
The Districts are looking to partner with Parks and Recreation to fill the need for childcare which is
separate from education. Distance Learning Camp will offer hours outside of the school hours. Schools
are funded to provide education, not childcare.
2. Re-opening the community centers to small groups of members
The centers are allowed to open strictly as fitness facilities. Fitness opportunities will be provided to
members by reservation only. The Firstenburg Community Center pool will not be open to public. The
pool at the Marshall Community Center will open during the first phase of reopening the centers. We
will only offer lap swimming and require pre-registration for lane use. There will be limited locker room
use and members will enter through backdoor of facility. Mask required until on site near their specific
lane.
The more we can open a safe environment for the public and staff, the quicker we can continue
providing services and bring in revenue. Staff is starting to collaborate to offer a more robust online
presence as well as fitness classes in the park as CDC guidelines allow.
3. Special Events
Although both our concerts and movies in the park series are cancelled, we are partnering with Living
Hope Church to offer drive in movies which are allowed under the Governor’s Washington Safe Start
Program. The site can host up to 75 cars. Cost is $20 per vehicle, $25 for non-resident. Pre-registration
per vehicle is required. Each vehicle is allowed to have as many people as there are seatbelts. The sound
from the movie will be heard via FM transmitter. Restrooms will be available on site. We are not
allowing vendors at this time. PacTrust would also like to participate and has a space at Columbia Tech
Center Park that could fit roughly 75 cars as well. The space at Tower mall is also in discussion. The
series may continue into October if the weather permits. Learn more.
o Movie to be offered:
Lion king
Jumanji
Aladdin
Frozen 2
Men in Black International
Ghostbusters
ITEM 8: PARK NAMING UPDATEParks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
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Most City of Vancouver parks are named after neighborhoods or by housing developers. Vancouver
Parks and Recreation would like to use the soon to be developed “North Image Park” site as an
opportunity to explore changes to the current park naming process to increase civic engagement,
highlight the diversity of our community and honor Vancouver’s history.
Parks are a public resource valued by residents of all racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic
backgrounds. Greater intentionality in park naming can serve to educate and inspire community
members and build common ground across disparate groups. Using the “North Image Park” site to test a
new naming process allows us to examine, edit and measure the success of the process prior to
codifying it as policy.
The Parks and Recreation Department seeks to better represent the diversity of Vancouver through park
naming. What people see around them positively or negatively shapes their expectations for themselves
and for each other. We believe naming some parks after local figures from underrepresented
backgrounds can help residents see themselves and one another as valued parts of our shared history.
Drafting a new park naming policy that relies on real people has potential pitfalls, especially if
candidates are not properly vetted. Creating an inclusive collaborative process requires significant
relationship building to ensure that historically underrepresented voices are heard and valued.
Here is how we plan to implement this park naming pilot program:
• Identify community stakeholders who represent the rich diversity of Vancouver, Washington.
Stakeholders may include non-profits; educational institutions; heritage organizations; and
those that serve marginalized identities or historically underrepresented groups.
• Collaborate with community stakeholders to create a list of potential candidates for park
naming. Candidates should:
o Have a direct connection to the City of Vancouver, Washington.
o Embody positive character traits that promote civic pride.
• A list of at least 4 candidates but no more than eight candidates will be compiled for vetting.
• Contacts at Clark County Historical Museum will research the initial list of candidates and
provide a brief for each candidate.
• Members of the stakeholders group and PRAC will review the candidate briefs and narrow the
list to a final ballot of at least three but no more than five candidates for public review.
• Robust public outreach campaign will present the final ballot to residents. Historical information
about each candidate will be provided to educate residents on their choices.
• Results of the public vote will be presented to PRAC for recommendation to City Council.
• Name will be publicly announced during new park dedication. Historical significance is included
on park webpage; additional public education signage may also be explored.
Julie asked PRAC to review the City Council’s statement regarding racial equity and racial justice posted
on July 6. In addition, Holly suggested the commission take time to watch July 2020 Van Talks and
register for the August 2020 Van Talks here.
ITEM 9: DIRECTOR REPORT
MISCELLANEOUSParks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
Page 6 of 7
1. Parks Construction Update
o We are excited to continue parks construction as it does bring economic development
by providing an opportunity for companies to return to work.
o “North Image” Park is still under construction
This park will be a dinosaur themed park with dinosaurs. Last week,
construction workers stamped dinosaur prints into the concrete pathways.
These little touches are low cost ways to make parks fun and stand out.
o Dubois Construction started the week of August 10.
o Summers Walk will start in 3 weeks in mid-September.
o The City’s Finance Department gave Julie the greenlight to continue with planned ADA
improvements at the following sites:
General Anderson Park
Edgewood Park
Hearthwood Park
2. Navigation Center – when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the center needed to be closed. City
Council would like to work more closely with Clark County who, in theory, should be the
jurisdiction to manage services for the people experiencing in homelessness in our community.
The county is legislatively responsible for homeless services. There needs to be a joint approach
between the City and the County.
3. Safe Park Zone is still running until the end of 2020.
4. Partnership with Harper’s Playground
o Marshall Park still needs funding. Online donations are being accepted now.
o Esther Short Playground construction will start in 2021. Funding from multiple family tax
abatements from Block 20 in the amount of $500k.
5. Esther Short Park article
o https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/aug/19/letter-city-overlooks-basic-services/
o Bill Bjerke, Operations Superintendent has extra crew’s onsite for power washing and
cleaning.
6. The Old Apple Tree has passed on.
o https://www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/historic-old-apple-tree-will-live
o The Urban Forestry Department will provide their annual update at the October 2020
PRAC meeting.
ITEM 10: CHAIR REPORT
N/A
ITEM 11: EVERGREEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Gail Spolar provided a brief update on school construction projects. Learn more.
ITEM 12: PARKS FOUNDATION REPORTParks and Recreation Advisory Commission | Meeting Minutes
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Syble Crow provided an update on the 2020 event schedule for the Parks Foundation of Clark County:
• September 11: Par for Parks
• September 17: Give More 24
• National Public Lands Day – 9/26 working at Klineline Park and Clark Park (county parks)
• October 24: Booville
• Luncheon on May 14 in 2021 at Hilton
ITEM 13: OPEN DISCUSSION
The commission inquired about volunteer programs specifically addressing the graffiti problem in City
Parks and how we can partner with Clark County Parks Department surrounding the issues with
Vancouver Lake.
ADJOURNED
This meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
To request other formats, please contact:
. City Manager’s Office
(360) 487-8600 | WA Relay: 711
Carrie.vogelzang@cityofvancouver.usYou can also read
