Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/20/2006 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. Parks and Human Services Meeting April 20, 2006 Page 1 Parks and Human Services Meeting April 20, 2006 Page 2 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. Parks and Human Services Meeting April 20, 2006 Page 3 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. Parks and Human Services Meeting April 20, 2006 Page 4 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