The following is a release from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission:

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will have its regular meeting next week in Lynnwood and will hear new information on the Saint Edward Seminary project in Kenmore.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, at Edmonds Community College, Woodway Building No. 6, Room 202, 20000 68^th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Time for public comment is provided at all regular meetings. The Commission meets seven times a year at various locations around the state. A full agenda item, including information about public comment is available at http://parks.state.wa.us/154/Commission-Meetings-Agendas.

The Commission will consider taking action on a list of proposed projects for which agency staff would seek grant funding from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program’s (WWRP) State Park category. The WWRP is administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation projects, including park acquisition and development, habitat conservation, farmland preservation and construction of outdoor recreation facilities. Grants are offered every two years in conjunction with the state budget process. RCO uses a formal public evaluation process in awarding project grants.

Among the State Parks projects on the list the Commission will consider: Day-use development at Kukutali Preserve; Larrabee railroad overpass development; Willapa Hills Trail development at Pe Ell; and others. The list and grant process description are available in the full agenda posted online.

The Commission also will consider adoption of the 2016 Director’s Performance Agreement. The Commission hires the agency director, who in turn manages the agency. The director is evaluated annually, and the Commission approves the work plan for the coming year.

The Commission will hear several reports but will take no action on the following:

• Saint Edward Seminary Project Status and Timeline: This report updates the Commission on the status of a proposed rehabilitation project and outlines future planning process steps and opportunities for public participation. State Parks is participating with Daniels Real Estate of Seattle to revitalize the historic Seminary Building in the park near Kenmore. The project would result in the building being put to productive use, while expanding waterfront public access and enhancing visitors’ outdoor experience at the park.
• Recreation Business Activity Candidate Sites: This item provides property information and describes efforts to solicit public input on designating ten candidate sites within parks and agency-owned properties to permit privately financed development of recreational facilities. The intention of such facilities is to enhance recreational experiences while generating revenue to the park system.
• Washington State Parks Advertising Policy: An update to the Commission on development of a policy that would allow limited advertising in designated areas within state parks.
• Financial update: A status report on 2015-17 biennium operating and capital expenditures, revenue collections, the 2015 supplemental budget and a preliminary timeline for developing the agency’s 2017-19 budget request.