HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/20/2006 (3)
Parks and Human Services Committee Minutes
April 20, 2006
Council committee members present: Chair Deborah Ranniger, Ron Harmon,
Bob O'Brien
The Kent City Council Parks and Human Services Committee meeting was called to
order by Chair Deborah Ranniger at 4:00 p.m.
Added Item: Bob O'Brien requested follow up to Senior Center Deli advertising.
1. Approval of Minutes
Ron Harmon moved to approve the Parks and Human Services Committee
meeting minutes of March 16, 2006. Bob O'Brien seconded and the motion
passed 3-0.
2. Amendment to the Community Block Grant Annual Action Plan -
Approve
Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson explained that
Council action is required to approve any amendment to reallocate funding.
Copies of the plan were available at the Housing and Human Services
Department and available for reviewing on the City of Kent website. A Public
Notice regarding the Amendment was published on March 17, 2006 and
posted in public buildings, asking for public comment for the required 30
days. A public hearing was held on April 13, 2006 and it was originally passed
at Council in 2005.
This request for approval is the third amendment to the Action Plan. Every
year staff estimates the amount of Community Development Block Grant
funding that will be granted for human services programs. Funds originally
allocated to HomeSight’s First Homes Program through the 2005 CDBG
Annual Action Plan and its allocation to administer the CDBG program were
not used, which led to approximately $140,000.00 in recaptured funds.
Pursuant to HUD regulations, the City of Kent proposes to amend the 2005
CDBG Annual Action Plan to reallocate recaptured funds to four programs to
the following four programs:
$80,000 awarded to The Alliance Center for human services assistance in a
central location. This program is called the One-Stop Human Service Center,
with offices located at 515 Harrison Street. Several human service agencies
are located in one place, making it easier for low income citizens to receive
services. Agencies include the Food Bank, Multi Service Center, WWEE, NAMI
and Washington CASH.
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Parks and Human Services Meeting April 20, 2006
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Approximately $35,000 is identified for the Kent Home Repair Program. This
program started 30 years ago and is set up to handle minor home repairs to
low income individuals. It mostly caters to seniors and the disabled. Katherin
shared the story of a severely disabled senior in Kent who now can get to the
Access bus thanks to a ramp built by Home Repair and funded by this
program.
The Green River Community College, Micro-Enterprise Development
Initiative, with $15,000.00, enables low income immigrant refugees and
women owned businesses, the opportunity to work with professionals to
enhance the development of their small businesses. Katherin shared a small
business success story. A woman who designs scarves in Kent and was
discovered in New York by a designer. She now runs a prosperous business
from the help of the Micro-Enterprise Development program with sales in
New York City. Debbie Ranniger complimented the program on the
tremendous support and education for low income business owners.
Washington CASH, with $10,000.00 in funding A program designed for
business training and loan funds to low-income women, disabled and other
under serviced individuals, mostly immigrants and refugees. The success of
this program is proven by the 16 participants who started with the program
and are still attending.
Bob O'Brien suggested connecting these two enterprises with the city's
Economic Development Director, Nathan Torgelson.
Bob O'Brien moved to approve the proposed third amendment to the 2005
Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, including funding
allocations. Ron Harmon seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
3. King Conservation District Grant for Glenn Nelson Park - Accept and
Amend Budget
Superintendent of Parks and Open Space Lori Flemm stated that the King
Conservation District Reimbursable Grant funds were used to contract with
Sound Urban Forestry, a consultant hired to evaluate the Glenn Nelson Park
urban forest and prepare a report with recommendations to remove and
replace trees.
Ron Harmon moved to accept the King Conservation District Number 9 Grant
of $5,320.00 to fund the Glenn Nelson Park Urban Forestry, and approved
the expenditure of funds in the Urban Forestry budget. Bob O'Brien
seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
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4. King Conservation District Grant for Clark Inlet - Accept and Amend
Budget
Lori Flemm announced that the King Conservation District Reimbursable
Grant received in 2006 was used to purchase native trees and shrubs for
Clark Lake Park. Lori explained that there are 158 conservation districts
throughout the state funded by taxes. Staff and volunteers participated in
ReLeaf, a volunteer event planting native trees and shrubs along the stream
at Clark Lake inlet at the Wandering Creek Apartment Complex. Lori
explained that the two Conservation District grants cannot be combined
because they both do not involve the use of native plants.
Bob O'Brien moved to accept the King Conservation District Number 9 Grant
of $8,581.61 to fund the Clark Lake Inlet Project, and approve the
expenditure of funds in the Native Plant budget. Ron Harmon seconded. The
motion passed 3-0.
5. Town Square Plaza Master Plan - Accept
Lori Flemm reported that Park Planner Perry Brooks and Portico, Inc. have
been working since 2005 to develop and finalize the master plan for Town
Square Plaza, a community-based, urban plaza adjacent to Project
Springboard and across the street from Kent Station.
Perry explained design details by using the master plan model. Concentric
circles create a theme throughout the park by symbolizing raindrops and the
ripple effect. One feature is a 5 foot diameter granite ball donated by the
Rotary Club that floats on a bed of water. It is 10,000 lbs. surrounded at its
base by spray heads that can be coordinated with music and lights, creating
interactive visual entertainment. A portable movie screen will be available for
outdoor movies. The space will accommodate a tent to protect outdoor
performances, the ice arena and carousel.
Ron Harmon thanked Debbie Ranniger and city staff for the great support
and direction of the park design. Perry Brooks added that the circular design
elements carry over from the designs at the intersection of 2nd and Meeker
and will follow throughout the new Town Square Plaza. The project should be
out to bid in July, with construction in August and completed by May 2007.
Ron Harmon moved to accept the master plan design from Portico, Inc. for
Town Square Plaza. Bob O'Brien seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
6. First Quarter Development Fees - Accept and Amend Budget
Lori Flemm informed the committee that between January and March 2006,
the city received a total of $8,550.00 from one developer who voluntarily
paid fees, in lieu of dedicating park land to mitigate the development of
single family homes in one subdivision. Rykles and Sharp LLC paid $8,550.00
for Blakely Place Turnkey Park.
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Bob O'Brien moved to accept development fees from Rykles ands Sharp LLC
in the amount of $8,550.00 and authorize the expenditure of funds in the
Turnkey Park budget. Ron Harmon seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Added Items
1. Bob O'brien voiced his concern with flyers he thought were distributed to
advertise the deli at the Senior Center. As stated at last month's meeting, he
feels the city should not be in competition with restaurants in the area.
Interim Director Lori Hogan assured Mr. O'Brien and the committee that the
flyers are advertising the low-income lunch program at the Senior Center and
not the Deli.
2. John Hodgson informed the committee of the attached quarterly report which
is an summary of each division's projects, programs, and events taking place
from January to March. John also shared that the new meeting rooms
currently under construction at the Senior Center will be available by May 21.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Teri Petrole, Recorder