|
Olympia, WA - 06/03/09 - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will have its regular meeting in Wenatchee next week to consider a number of action items and to receive updates on a variety of programs and activities.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, June 12, at the Eastern Region Headquarters Office of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, 270 Ninth St. N.E., Suite 200, East Wenatchee. A full Commission meeting agenda is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/agency/commissionmeetings/.
The public is invited. Time for public comment is provided at all regular Commission meetings, which are scheduled seven times a year at previously determined locations around the state.
The Commission will consider authorizing the transfer of Wenberg State Park to Snohomish County, following Snohomish County Council’s authorization of Snohomish County Parks to take over operations of the park 12 miles north of Marysville. The transfer is in response to direction from the Governor and Legislature to pursue any viable transfers of 13 park properties the Commission had identified late in 2008 as potential transfer candidates to effect budget reductions for the state. Any of the parks that transfer would need to be kept open to the public by the new operator, and any that don’t transfer remain open under State Parks management, dependent upon adequate funding from a new donation program the Legislature established tied to vehicle license tab donations.
Snohomish County contacted State Parks in early 2009 when budget preparations were under way and expressed interest in taking over management of the park. The proposed transfer could occur in mid-July through management agreements.
The Commission also will consider modifying some of the agency’s 11 Centennial 2013 goals to reflect true resources the agency likely will have because of budget reductions required in the current state economy. The Commission’s Centennial 2013 Vision and Plan are a blueprint for facility and service improvements to prepare the park system for its 100th birthday in 2013 and a second century of service. Because both capital and operating budgets are reduced next biennium, agency capacity and resources to attain goals will be reduced in many areas. Goals of the Centennial 2013 Plan are centered around stewardship; enjoyment, health and learning; public service; facilities; partnerships; financial strategy; historic sites; park improvements; and work toward new parks for the future. The first priority of the plan is “Fix what we have.”
On the agenda for consideration are lands items including a perpetual easement to the City of Spokane at Riverside State Park and one to the City of South Bend at Willapa Hills State Park, for the installation of sewer force main lines. A third perpetual easement under consideration is to Shelley Eichelberger, Keith Timm Jr. and Shawn Slape for access to their property over an existing road in the State Parks Green River Gorge Conservation Area. Commissioners will consider approving the sale of 3.5 acres of land at Squilchuck State Park to Chelan County Public Works Department for $74,750. The Commission previously determined that the land cannot be advantageously used for park purposes. Proceeds from State Parks land sales may by law be used only for future land purchases.
The Commission will consider naming a duplex at Cornet Bay Retreat Center, Deception Pass State Park the “Henk Sikkenga Duplex in memory of Retreat Center Manager Henk Sikkenga, who died recently after a battle with cancer. Sikkenga began his career with State Parks in 1982 and served at many parks in the system as a ranger and program manager. He had been manager of the Cornet Bay Retreat Center for 13 years. Fluent in four languages, Sikkenga was a classical guitarist with a Master’s Degree from the Conservatory of Music in Holland. During his life he performed for the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe and North Africa and taught music at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. He is remembered by many as being warm and welcoming to colleagues and park visitors.
The Commission will hear several reports from staff, including fee schedule review; an update on the 2009-11 capital and operating budget implementation plan; capital program updates; the agency improvement plan for the capital process; and an update on the agency performance audit action plan.
Commission work session: A work session is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the Eastern Region Office of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Headquarters Office, 270 Ninth St. N.E., Suite 200, East Wenatchee. The work session agenda includes staff updates to the Commission on a design project at Dry Falls Visitor Center; a wind farm proposal at Gingko Wanapum State Park; status of the Real Property Agreement program; changes to the lands fee schedule; a budget update; camping fees; status of Centennial 2013 Plan projects, status of the Mount Spokane Facility Master Plan; and naming of the duplex at Coronet Bay State Park. No public comment and no formal action are taken at work sessions.
Commission tour: Commission members will tour North Central Washington state parks the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10, leaving at noon from the Red Lion Hotel, 1225 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee. The tour will continue Thursday, June 11, beginning at Pearrygin Lake State Park, 561 Bear Creek Road, Winthrop and will end by noon in Wenatchee in time for the work session.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission thanks the public for supporting state parks. Donations made to State Parks through the vehicle license tab renewal program starting with September 2009 renewals will keep state parks open in the two year budget cycle beginning July 1, 2009, provided adequate revenues are collected. The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 96-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
# # #
Contact:
Virginia Painter: (360) 902-8562
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
(360) 902-8500
|