HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 03/15/2007
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2007
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Debbie Raplee, Elizabeth Albertson
sitting in for Bob O’Brien
Debbie Ranniger inquired as to whether or not there were any changes or
additions to the agenda. There were none.
Item #1: Minutes of February 15, 2007 – Approve
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to approve the minutes of February 15,
2007. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #2: Kent Rotary Club Donation for Trailer Purchase – Accept and
Amend Budget
Senior Center Manager Lea Bishop was present, along with Josh Gerstman from
the Kent Rotary Club. The Rotary Club recently approached Lea and asked what
they could do for the Senior Center. After discussing a few different ideas, the
Rotary Club decided on the donation of funds for the purchase of an enclosed
trailer which will be used to safely and securely haul skis, hiking equipment, golf
clubs and other recreational equipment to various Senior Center events.
Debbie Ranniger expressed her appreciation to Mr. Gerstman and the Kent
Rotary Club for their support of the Senior Center and its programs.
Motion: Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend accepting the $1,500.00
donation from the Kent Rotary Club Foundation to purchase a covered
trailer and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the Kent Senior Activity
Center Budget. Debbie Raplee seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #3: Green River Trail Donation – Accept & Amend Budget
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, was present and
introduced Frank Witmer, father of Joey Witmer, a member of Boy Scout Troop
#361. Parks & Recreation staff works with Boy Scouts throughout the area to
develop projects of value to the city and to the Scout for attainment of the Eagle
Scout honor.
Joey chose to landscape a trail head on the Green River Trail, just north of
James Street, near the Bridgewater 4 housing area in the Lakes Development as
his Eagle Scout project. City staff have been working with homeowners’ in the
Lakes development for approximately five years to establish a riparian corridor
along the Green River with native trees and shrubs. Joey selected this as his
Eagle Scout project and worked with family and members of his Boy Scout troop
to enhance this corridor along with the Bridgewater 4 Condominium owners.
The Condo donated $300.00 to help buy materials, and while the City typically
has $250 set aside for each Eagle Scout project, each Scout is encouraged to
solicit donations of cash and/or materials as part of his leadership responsibilities
to off-set total expenses. In addition to these donations, Parks Planning will be
applying for a grant from King Conservation District to pay for the balance of the
trees and shrubs.
The project was a huge success with native trees and shrubs planted,
blackberries and other invasive plants removed, and once everything matures, it
will be a great wildlife habitat as well.
Joey led other Scouts and completed his project in February providing 230.03
volunteer hours with a value to the city of $2,760.36.
Debbie Raplee commented that during her time on the City Council, she has
seen numbers of Eagle Scout projects that have taken place and applauded the
Scouts for their hard work and the benefit they provide to the City. Frank Witmer
commended the City and the Parks Department for their organization and alacrity
with which projects are presented to the Scouts. Parks Director, Jeff Watling,
remarked that it is a win/win situation for all involved. It is not only a benefit to
the City, but also creates a buy-in within the community for its park system.
Joey Witmer arrived and was congratulated by Lori Flemm and Debbie Raplee
for his effort and the success of the project. Debbie Ranniger thanked Joey for
attending the meeting and expressed appreciation for Eagle Scouts who come to
Committee Meetings and share their success with the Committee. Joey thanked
the Parks Department for providing him with the opportunity.
Debbie Ranniger also echoed the sentiments of Jeff Watling, Parks Director,
regarding the win/win scenario presented when Scouts choose to work with the
Parks Department in completing their Eagle Scout projects, and the benefit it
provides to the community.
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend accepting the $300.00
donation from Bridgewater 4 in the Lakes Development for improvements
made by Joey Witmer to the Green River Trail and authorizing the
expenditure of funds in the Eagle Scout Projects budget. Elizabeth
Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #4: Quota International of Kent Valley Donation for Service Club
Park - Accept and Amend Budget
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, presented a $6,000
donation from Quota Club, as a third installment in their initial pledge of $35,000.
This donation is to be used to support the construction of Service Club Park, a
29-acre community park located in the SE corner of the city at 114th Ave and
288th Street. In recognition of contributions from various service clubs, play fields
and the play area are named after each club. Since the play equipment was
selected by Quota Club, it is named after them. Members have planted flowers,
spread topsoil and most recently, on March 3, helped to assemble picnic tables.
The first games are being played today, with 12 high school fast pitch teams
participating in a jamboree. The Kentwood girls team played the first game. The
park is open and ready for use. Appreciation is expressed to the various service
clubs as well as all volunteers in the community that have contributed to the
successful opening of the park.
Debbie Raplee commented on the park’s beauty and how nice it is.
Motion: Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend accepting the $6,000.00
donation from Quota International of Kent Valley and authorizing the
expenditure of funds in the Service Club Park budget. Debbie Raplee
seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #5: Dena Laurent Memorial Garden Donation - Accept and Amend
Budget
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space, shared with the
Committee that last fall donations in the amount of $2,183.75 were given in
memory of Dena Laurent, a long time City employee who passed away, in order
to plant a garden in her memory. The garden is located at Kherson Park which is
located just across Gowe Street from City Hall. Donations alone paid for plants,
the planter, bricks to construct the walkway, a bench and a plaque. Plant
donations were also received by friends and family, as well as Teufel Nursery,
Inc. here in Kent.
Motion: Debbie Raplee moved to recommend accepting the $2,183.75
donation from Michael Sorenson, for the Dena Laurent Memorial Garden
and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the Adopt-A-Park budget.
Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #6: What’s Happening – Informational
Jeff Watling expressed appreciation to Joan Broom, Administrative Assistant in
Parks Planning. Joan has accepted a position with the Finance Department.
While it is wonderful that Joan is staying within the City, her team spirit and
dedication to the department will be missed. She has been a fantastic member
of the Parks & Recreation team and has attributed greatly to the success of
Parks Planning.
In highlighting upcoming events, Jeff outlined two items associated with the City
of Kent’s designation as Tree City USA.
• 2007 Tree Education Program. This is a cooperative program between
the Parks department, public works and environmental engineering staff.
It was started in 2000 with the goal of planting 2,000 trees throughout the
city. This year staff is planning programs at twelve Kent Elementary
Schools between the dates of March 12 and April 11 and expect over
1,100 students to participate. To date over 8,000 native trees and shrubs
have been planted by Kent students.
There will be a hands-on session March 28 and 29 at the Eighth Annual
Waterfest Program. More than 180 Kent students will be planting trees
and shrubs and learning about the benefit of those plants to our
community. If individuals would like to participate and are not affiliated
with one of the twelve schools, you may call Victoria Andrews at 253-856-
5113 or visit the City’s website.
• Arbor Day Event. This is a great volunteer opportunity for Kent residents.
West Fenwick Park on Kent’s West Hill has been selected as this year’s
Arbor Day location and will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 9:00
a.m. to noon. Any interested residents can come out, plant native trees
and shrubs. This is a rain or shine event so please dress appropriately.
For additional information the public can contact Victoria Andrews at 253-
856-5113.
Lori Flemm presented a live tree planted by students during one of today’s
school programs. She added that when students plant trees and shrubs
the one thing they enjoy is naming their plants. Those name tags are kept
with the trees and shrubs when they are planted on Arbor Day.
Additional items presented by Director, Jeff Watling:
• The Town Square Plaza capital project bid opening is scheduled for
Monday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Kent Student Art Exhibit is currently going on throughout downtown
Kent. This is a partnership between the Arts Commission and the Kent
Downtown Partnership, wherein student art is displayed throughout 20
downtown businesses. Friday night, March 16 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. there
will be a reception honoring the students whose artwork is displayed,
followed by stage entertainment at Kherson Park at the corner of 2nd and
Gowe.
• Spotlight season is nearing an end. March 24, at 7:30 p.m. folk music
legends Reilly & Maloney will perform at the Kent Meridian Performing
Arts Center. For tickets, please call 253-856-5050.
• Play Golf America Day is scheduled for Saturday April 14 at the Riverbend
Golf Complex. Riverbend has been designated the western Washington
location for Play Golf America and will host a number of events for new
golfers, casual golfers and/or avid golfers. Demo Day will begin at 10:00
with manufacturers displaying their products and providing individuals with
the opportunity to purchase those products if they so desire. PGA
teaching pros will be offering free lessons, there will be a kids’ clinic in the
afternoon, and the Mens’ club will be hosting a tournament in the morning.
This event is anticipated to draw over 1,000 participants. More
information can be obtained by calling Riverbend at 253-854-3673.
Jeff Watling stated that Riverbend is a regional facility that draws
thousands of people, not just Kent residents, but others throughout the
region, supporting the concept that Kent is becoming a truly unique urban
center.
Debbie Raplee added that this is a great opportunity for someone who has
always wondered about the game of golf to investigate it and experiment
with it to see if it is something they would enjoy.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Kennedy
Debbie Kennedy
Secretary, Parks and Human Services Committee