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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 02/15/2007 City of Kent Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes February 15, 2007 Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Debbie Raplee, Bob O’Brien Item #1: Minutes of January 18,2007 – Approve Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to approve the minutes of January 18, 2007. Bob O'Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Item #2: 2006 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report - Authorize Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson submitted to the Committee for approval, the 2006 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the City of Kent. This report is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) outlining the city’s activities and accomplishments using Community Development Block grant (CDBG) and other funds and is required by HUD to be submitted by March 31, each year. Bob observed staff going door-to-door with human services brochures in his neighborhood. He feels there is a more efficient method to contact individuals and not take up employee time. Katherin responded that when staff experience down time, they use it as an opportunity to go into the neighborhoods and share information about human services. Katherin shared details regarding the Housing and Human Services Department’s Home Repair program. To qualify for services, citizens must make 80% of the median income (approximately $48,000 gross), must own their own home, and that home must be their primary residence. There is no age limitation, but priority is given to elderly or disabled residents. Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend approving the 2006 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, and authorizing the Mayor to submit the report to HUD. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Item #3: King County Developmental Disabilities Grant – Accept and Amend Budget Lori Hogan, Recreation Superintendent, speaking on behalf of Janet Hasselblad, Special Recreation Program Manager, shared that the Adaptive Recreation staff applied for and received an $8,000.00 grant from King County to assist in funding the Summer Day Camp Program; primarily Camp Walkapala. She stated that these funds provide an inclusive day camp experience for children with developmental disabilities. Debbie Raplee inquired as to whether these camps were strictly for developmentally disabled children, or if developmentally disabled children were integrated into regular summer camps. Bob O’Brien inquired as to the location of the camps. Lori shared that developmentally disabled participants are integrated into regular camps, and that camps are held at various locations; typically elementary schools such as Neely O’Brien and Kent Elementary. Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend accepting the $8,000.00 Developmental Disabilities Grant from King County and approving the expenditure of funds in the Day Camp Budget. Bob O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Item #4: Kent Parks Foundation Donation for the Carousel – Accept and Amend Budget Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services shared that the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Town Square Park carousel was held on November 20, 2006. At the time, the City Council approved the purchase of the 1940’s classic Venetian style carousel, the Kent Parks Foundation pledged $48,000.00 to assist in purchasing the carousel. The public was also invited to purchase “naming rights” for the carousel and individual horses. These funds, along with budgeted capital funds and donations from other sources, supported the purchase of the carousel. The carousel will reside primarily at the new Town Square Park located at the Municipal Lot. It will be used during the holiday season and available throughout the year for fund raising events. Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend accepting the $48,000.00 donation from the Kent Parks Foundation in support of the carousel purchase, and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the Town Square Park Budget. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Item #5: King Conservation District Grant for Service Club Park Plantings – Accept and Amend Budget Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, shared that the Parks staff submitted a grant request to the King Conservation District Reimbursable Grant funds on October 22, 2005. The grant request was approved by the King Conservation District Board on March 10, 2006. The funds were used to plant native trees and shrubs adjacent to the three retention ponds and perimeter of Service Club Park. The work was completed by Park staff and 174 volunteers during two events. On Arbor Day in April 2006, two retention ponds were developed, and 600 trees and shrubs were planted. On Make A Difference Day in October 2005, 35 volunteers planted 240 native trees and shrubs. Deborah Ranniger asked about the specifics of reimbursable grants. Bob O’Brien inquired as to the location of the Service Club Ballfields. Lori responded that the King Conservation Board evaluates grants quarterly and decides on funding, and the ballfields are located at 146th and SE 288th. Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend accepting the King Conservation District Number 9 Grant of $11,339.91 to fund the Service Club Ballfield Project, and approving the expenditure of funds in the Service Club Ballfield budget. Bob O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Item #6: 2007 Grant Applications – Informational Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, shared that the Parks and Open Space staff actively research various grants that help to defray the costs of land acquisition and park development. Some grants require public meetings to qualify for funding and this meeting addresses that requirement. Lori reviewed 24 different projects that were slated for potential grant applications in 2007 (see attachment). Deborah Ranniger shared that in her four years on the Council she has received repeated comments from citizens regarding the need for an off-leash dog park and inquired as to the status of this request. Lori Flemm shared that the Parks and Open Space staff is making some progress in this regard. They have met with the City of Covington to potentially work together to designate a portion of Jenkins Creek Park as an off-leash dog area. Also, some additional lands have been acquired adjacent to Clark Lake. Lori noted that the Master Plan does include an off-leash area. Bob O’Brien inquired as to levy concerns for the Green River. Lori responded that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the levy; adding that staff works with DNR cooperatively on numerous projects. She added that DNR recently reviewed the Green River suggesting some resurfacing, which staff will work on. Jeff Watling applauded Lori Flemm and her staff on their creativity in pursuing various grants and their desire to ensure the best stewardship of the city’s resources. Item #7: Tree Recycling Program – Informational Victoria Andrews, Parks Fund Development Coordinator, shared information regarding the Christmas Tree Recycling Program at Russell Road Park. She introduced Boy Scout Michael Coleman, who, while working toward his Eagle Scout advancement project, developed durable directional signage which was used to guide traffic throughout the various Christmas Tree recycling centers. He also organized and directed the volunteers during the recycling event and procured 100% of the project costs through donations alone. Victoria also shared that during January 2007, recycling efforts brought about 150-200 yards of wood chips which will be used by Parks Maintenance to mulch around new plants and surface existing trails. This event alone created approximately $30,000.00 in value to the city. Bob O’Brien inquired how most trees were brought to the recycling center. Michael stated that different troops chose different methods and most commonly trees were delivered in pick up trucks or trailers. Item #8; Youth Tree Education Program – Informational Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, shared information regarding the Youth Tree Education Program, which in cooperation with Public Works Environmental Engineering, educates Kent school students in the environmental, social and economic benefit of trees in our community. This is the 8th year the program has been presented to Kent schools and over 8,000 native trees have been potted, cared for and planted by local students. Lori also shared that the program is presented to students in home school situations. They are taken outside to plant a tree and then care for that tree during the remainder of the school year. At the end of the year they either take the tree home or return to one of the Kent parks to plant it. Bob inquired as to whether or not students are educated as to the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees and why different types of trees are planted in different locations. Lori explained that usually smaller plants and shrubs are chosen for students to plant; however, they are educated as to why certain trees work better in certain locations. Lori added that this program also assists the city in maintaining our "Tree City USA" status. Item #9: What’s Happening – Informational ! Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Human Services, shared about plans for a new Aquatic Recreation Center in Kent and the recent trip to Colorado to meet with architects that would be designing the Center. He also advised that the first of many public meetings is slated to occur on March 1, 2007, from 6-8 p.m. at the Green River Community College, Kent Station, Room 238. The public is invited to attend this meeting. ! Jeff also shared that March is National Youth Arts Month. Kids Art Day will be held on March 3, 2007 from 10-4 at Kent Commons. Families are encouraged to attend and residents can purchase tickets by calling the Office of Parks & Recreation. Additionally, there will be a Student Art Exhibit & Art Walk starting with a reception on Friday, March 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Centennial Building. ! Spring Quarter Registration beings March 5, and the public is encouraged to participate in any classes or events of interest to them. ! Finally, Jeff Watling introduced his new Administrative Assistant, Debbie Kennedy, who will be joining the Parks and Recreation Department beginning February 20, 2007. Jeff thanked Teri Petrole, previous Parks Administrative Assistant, who took a position in the Mayor's office, for her assistance during his first three months as Director. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole City Council Committee Secretary