HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 01/18/2007
Parks and Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes of January 18, 2007
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Debbie Raplee, Bob O’Brien
Item #1 Minutes of November 16, 2006 – Approve
MOTION: Debbie Raplee moved to approve the minutes of November 16, 2006. Bob
O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #2: DSHS Client Service Contract for Safe Havens Services – Accept and
Amend Budget
Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson shared that Safe Havens is specifically
geared toward abusive fathers and their parental right to have monitored visitation with their
children. Each year staff applies for the grant which must be spent each year by June. The
State of Washington DSHS Grant funds will be used to provide personnel services to low income
families at the Safe Havens Visitation and Exchange Center.
Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to enter into an
agreement with the State of Washington, accepting the DSHS Grant of $32,664.00
to fund Safe Havens services and approving the expenditure of funds in the Safe
Havens budget. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #3: DSHS Interlocal Agreement for Safe Havens Center – Accept and Amend
Budget
Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson reported that the State of Washington
Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) grant funds will be used to provide services
to low income families at the Safe Havens Visitation and Exchange Center, which is located
across the street from City Hall on Gowe. The Federal grant is applied for each year and funds
must be used by June. This facility is the only non profit sliding fee operation in the State of
Washington. The funds will be used to pay for the center’s monitors.
Katherin shared that Tracee Parker, Manager of Safe Havens, has been recognized across the
nation for her services. The Council will schedule a visit to the center.
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor enter into an
agreement with the State of Washington, accepting the DSHS Grant of $50,000.00
to fund Safe Havens Center and approving the expenditure of funds in the Safe
Havens budget. Bob O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #4: 2007 City Art Plan and 2007-2010 Five Year Art Plan - Approve
The new Visual Arts Coordinator, Cheryl dos Remedios was introduced. Cheryl explained that
the City Art Plan shows projects carried over from 2006, details of projects for 2007, and
specifies art expenditures planned for 2007-2011, as part of the 5-year plan. The Visual Arts
Committee worked with staff to craft the plan which was approved by Kent Arts Commission on
Parks and Human Services Committee - Minutes of January 18, 2007
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December 12, 2006. Cheryl reported that $104,500.00 will be carried over from 2006. She is
working on a sight holder, which is signage to bring people from the downtown core into the
new Town Square Park, currently under construction, and on to Kent Station. Artists for the
projects proposed in the plan are selected through a roster process and then presented to
committees. Cheryl invited the Council to participate on a future artist selection panel.
Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend approving the 2007 City Art Plan and the
2007-2011 Five Year Art Plan. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #5: Riverview Park Master Plan – Approve
Superintendent of Parks and Open Space Lori Flemm explained that Riverview Park is a 14-acre
community park located east of the Green River off Hawley Road and south of Willis Street. All
the land acquired has been through grants. Two public meetings were held to gather citizen
input for the master plan, with over 900 citizens invited. The PowerPoint displayed amenities for
the proposed park which include: parking, restroom, picnic shelter, play equipment, car top
boat ramp, accessible bank fishing area, trail, open play area and a designated Green River
trailhead. The Green River Trail currently runs north/south through the eastern edge of the park
property. The project will start this summer.
Lori stated that the city signed a parking agreement for the city-owned property located next to
King Count Journal building and that all excavated dirt from the site will be used in park
landscaping. She added that many grants applications are pending to fund this project.
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend approving the master plan for
Riverview Park. Bob O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #6: 2006 Fourth Quarter Fee-in-Lieu Funds - Accept and Amend Budget
Superintendent of Parks and Open Space Lori Flemm explained that between October and
December 2006, the City of Kent received a total of $83,631.00 from five developers who
voluntarily paid fees, in lieu of dedicating park land to mitigate the development of single family
homes in five subdivisions:
• 272nd Street Park Budget: $30,500.00 for Kentara development
• Turnkey Park Budget: $21,075.00 for Kam Singh development
• W. Fenwick Park Budget: $10,800.00 for Punjab development
• Master Plan Budget: $13,831.00 for Millbrook Estates development
• Service Club Park: $7,425.00 for Lang development
Bob O’Brien commented that during citizens at public meetings are requesting more space for
kids to play because homes are larger and lots are smaller.
Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend accepting $83, 631.00 in development
fees for the fourth quarter of 2006, and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the
272nd Street Park budget, Turnkey Park budget, West Fenwick Park budget, Master
Plan budget, and Service Club Park budget. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion
carried 3-0.
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Item #7: Eagle Scout Program Donations – Accept and Amend Budget
Superintendent of Parks and Open Space Lori Femm reported that staff work with Boy Scouts
throughout the area to develop projects of value to the City and for Scout's success in obtaining
Eagle Scout honors.
Lori introduced Dallin Connell from Troop #414 who chose to complete 200’ of a gravel,
accessible trail in Clark Lake Park for his advancement award as an Eagle Scout. City funds are
available for each project, but each Scout is encouraged to solicit donations of cash and/or
materials as part of his leadership responsibilities to off-set total expenses. Dallin solicited
$373.00 in donated cash from local businesses, family and friends. He secured discounts for
equipment rental and material and received donations of food for the 55 volunteers. Dallin led
other Scouts and completed his project in November providing 372.75 volunteers hours with a
value to the City of $4,473.00. Lori also commended Victoria Andrews for her coordination of
volunteer services.
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend accepting the $373.00 donation from
Dallin Connell and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the Eagle Scout Projects
budget. Bob O’Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #8: Kent Downtown Partnership Donation for Hanging Basket Program –
Accept and Amend Budget
Superintendent of Parks and Open Space Lori Flemm reported that the Parks Maintenance
Division's goal for 2006 is to have a hanging basket on every green pole in the downtown area.
This objective expands the existing plan by forty-four baskets.
Lori commented that the planters in the downtown area are maintained by the Public Works
Department and the baskets located outside businesses are maintained by the business owners.
Lori acknowledged the Kent Downtown Partnership for donating $800.00 toward the cost of
purchasing hanging flower baskets and liners for the 2006 season.
Motion: Bob O’Brien moved to recommend accepting the $800.00 donation from the
Kent Downtown Partnership and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the
Greenhouse budget. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #9: What’s Happening in Parks - Informational
Director Jeff Watling shared with the Committee upcoming events.
• Public Meeting for neighborhood Turnkey Park Master Plan
• Spotlight Series highlighting the performance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Kentwood
Performing Arts Center on January 21; Rythum and Blues artist Charles Musselwhite on
February 3 at Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center; Wylie and the Wild West on February
9, at Kentwood Performing Arts Center, and Tangoheart on February 14, at Kent-Meridian
Performing Arts Center.
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole