Title
Public Hearing on Revised Draft 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
No formal committee recommendation at this time. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is scheduled to make a recommendation at their meeting on January 21, 2016 to be considered at the February 9, 2016 Council meeting for Plan adoption.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the presentation on the revised Draft 2016 Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan and conduct public hearing to receive public feedback.
Report
Issue:
The public input process on the first draft of the Parks Plan is complete. Staff has compiled public input and released a revised draft of the Parks Plan based on public input. Tonight’s public hearing is the last opportunity for the public to provide input on the draft plan.
Staff Contact:
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Planner, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8462
David Hanna, Associate Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8020
Dave Okerlund, Planning Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Planner, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Background and Analysis:
The draft 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan was released for public review on November 14, 2015. During the three-week public comment period, 121 comments were submitted via e-mail, 228 people participated via the OlySpeaks online forum and 24 people attended an open house on the draft plan on December 2, 2015. The Olympia Planning Commission, Olympia Arts Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee also provided comments to staff at their recent meetings.
The top five public comment themes were:
1. Buy all of LBA Woods
2. Need Swimming Pool/Spraygrounds
3. Demolish the Capital Center Building on the Isthmus
4. Need Soccer/Rectangular fields
5. Need more emphasis on Arts/Arts Center
Staff has compiled a document that contains the public feedback on the draft Plan, staff responses to common themes, and proposed changes. This document, along with an executive summary and a revised draft plan in “track changes” format, has been released for public review prior to tonight’s public hearing.
After tonight’s public hearing, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is scheduled to form a recommendation to City Council at their meeting on January 21, 2016. On February 9, 2016 the Plan is scheduled to come before Council for final feedback and adoption. In order to be eligible for the next Washington Recreation and Conservation Office granting cycle, the plan must be adopted by March 1, 2016.
Options:
1. Receive presentation on the revised draft 2016 Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan and conduct public hearing to receive public feedback.
2. Do not receive presentation on the revised draft 2016 Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan and do not conduct public hearing to receive public feedback.
Financial Impact:
The Plan’s Capital Investment Strategy details the funding sources for proposed projects in the plan and includes projected revenues from the recently adopted Olympia Metropolitan Park District.