The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider housekeeping changes on rules and a change to the Commission 2019 meeting calendar at its regular meeting in Auburn on November 15.
The Commission meeting is 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in Auburn City Hall Council Chambers, 25 W. Main St., Auburn. The Commission meets six times a year at pre-determined locations around the state. Time for public comment is provided at all regular meetings. A full meeting agenda, including information about opportunities for public comment, is available at http://parks.state.wa.us/154/Commission-Meetings-Agendas.
The Commission will consider approving an update of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 352-40 – Public Records — to streamline and correct outdated information. The proposed update also will make records only available to view at State Parks Headquarters in Tumwater and add the requirement that public record requests be submitted in writing.
The Commission also will consider proposed amendments to WAC 352-80 — “No Child Left Inside,” a State Parks grant program. The proposed amended language is intended to streamline the effort currently required of grant applicants and evaluators and to make the terminology regarding educational standards more generic.
The 2015 Legislature reinstated the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) program after a hiatus during the Great Recession. The program provides opportunities for public agencies, private non-profit organizations, school and after-school programs and other community-based organizations to receive grants to provide outdoor experiences to Washington’s underserved youth. State Parks partners with the Recreation and Conservation Office to administer NCLI grant requests and awards. The program received $1.5 million this biennium.
In other business, the Commission will consider a revised 2019 regular meeting schedule that changes the previously approved July 2019 meeting location from Anacortes to Bremerton. Commission meetings are conducted in various locations around the state to give citizens the opportunity to attend and speak directly to the board. With the change, the 2019 meeting schedule is as follows:
Jan. 24, Tacoma area
March 21, Olympia
May 16, Klickitat area
July 18, Bremerton
Sept. 19, Tri-cities
Nov. 21, Wenatchee
Reports
Several items will be presented to the Commission as non-action items, including an update on activities of the agency’s Policy and Governmental Affairs Office, an annual WAC review of the Operations Division; and a 2017-19 financial update.
Commission work session
A work session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Auburn City Hall Council Chambers, 25 W. Main St., Auburn. Commission work sessions are open to the public; however, there is no opportunity for public comment, and no formal action is taken.
The work session agenda includes staff reports and updates on agency operations; central reservation system; cultural heritage initiative; recreation concession area efforts; updating facilities for people with disabilities; Lake Sammamish planning and development; study by Washington State University regarding the Discover Pass; and an upcoming commission planning meeting.
Commission tours
Commission members will tour several parks and sites in the region on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Tours are open to the public; however, those who participate must provide their own transportation. Tours include:
11 a.m., Federation Forest State Park
1:45 p.m., Nolte State Park
2:30 p.m., Kanaskat Palmer State Park
3:05 p.m., Franklin Historic Cemetery
3:45 p.m., Flaming Geyser State Park
– Washington State Parks
