HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 09/24/1991 Bren a Jacober
Depc City Clerk
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Councilmembers Present: Steve Dowell and Judy Woods
Staff Present: Helen Wickstrom, Roger Lubovich, Tony McCarthy,
Alana McIalwain, Mimi Castillo, Jan Banister,
Tom Brubaker, Jack Ball, Karen Ford, Lee
Anderson, Stephanie Stroyzk, Patrice Thorell,
Cheryl Fraser, and Alice Neiffer.
Others Present: See attached.
PARKSIDE WETLANDS PURCBASE AND SALES AGREEMENT
The City Council sent the issue of whether or not the Parks
Department should continue trying to purchase the block totaling
two acres on the West Hill back to the Parks Committee for
consideration.
Helen Wickstrom gave a brief history of why this block was
selected, and how it fit in with the King County Bond Issue and Des
Moines Parkside Wetlands acquisition. She reminded the Committee
that they approved this project at their January ;6 meeting and
that the Council accepted the $100,000 King County grant for this
project on February 5. Wickstrom said that negotiations have been
underway with a number of property owners, and just today, staff
received a signed earnest money agreement for the most southerly
parcel. She requested the Committee's approval to purchase both
parcels, and to be authorized to purchase as many of the remaining
parcels as possible within the $200, 000 budget.
Wickstrom also read a letter from Karen Waalkes in=;support of the
purchase and the plans to provide a park for the Salt Air Hills
neighborhood.
Bill Doolittle presented arguments against the purchase of the
aforementioned properties:
1. Land is too steep to be a useable park;
2. Des Moines should purchase it if it is needed;
3 . Residents of the neighborhoods next to the area cannot
get to the site;
4. City financial difficulty makes it poor timing;
5. Kent has too many parks and the maintenance is
deteriorating;
6. Investigated prices of two houses for sale in Salt Air
with large lots, both in the range of $1.18,000 with large
flat lots;
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Two
7. If land is to be purchased, the selected block is not
appropriate for a children's park
8. Long property has a septic tank system which may
eventually have problems with its drain field.
Pat Colgan from the Salt Air neighborhood mentioned the promise
made by the Council to provide a park when the 14 acres set aside
in the Midway Landfill for a future park were given to Seattle.
She reminded the Committee of the commitments made at that time.
Ms. Colgan stated that she attended the February City Council
meeting where the Council voted to accept the King County grant for
this project and she is surprised that it was necessary for her to
return today to fight for this project.
Vicki Long was asked about her septic system. She agreed to a
Committee recommendation, as a condition of the sale, that a
satisfactory septic system inspection be required. Pumping may be
necessary if determined by the inspection. No determination was
made as to who would pay for the work. It will have to be
negotiated. Tom Brubaker will write that clause into the
agreement.
Both Dowell and Woods supported the project, recalling the promises
made to the neighborhood. They felt it was a good project and
because of previous commitments, Woods moved to send it back to
Council for approval to purchase the two parcels and to continue
the acquisition of the parcels in the project without having to
present them individually. Dowell seconded the motion. The motion
passed.
DR. KRONISCH WEST HILL PROPERTY
The purchase and sales agreement between the City and Dr. Kronisch
was discussed. The terms were no money down, and $15,000 a year
for five years beginning in 1993. The IBC recommended not to
purchase at this time due to the bleak outlook for future budgets.
Dr. Kronisch is willing to negotiate any contract and terms which
the City proposes. He said he practiced medicine in that area,
retired, and now he wishes to give something back to that
community.
The Parks Committee was in favor of purchasing the property and
asked Tom Brubaker and Helen Wickstrom to discuss with Dr. Kronisch
the details of entering into a new purchase and sales agreement,
wherein the City would purchase his property and the consideration
by the City would be a promissory note payable in full at a future
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Three
date. The price is $75,000 and the interest rate would be 4.55%.
Under the terms of the note, the City could prepay all or a portion
of the note prior to the due date without any prepayment penalties.
Alternatively, the City could take advantage of the low interest
rate and pay the fhll amount due plus accrued interest on the due
date.
The Committee requested that this new purchase agreement be taken
directly to Council without coming back to the Parks Committee.
They expressed their hope that the IBC would support the new
agreement.
WASHINGTON STATE Q M,ES
Dollie Armstrong from the Washington State Games spoke on the
possibility of Kent being the site for the 1993 Games. She
mentioned that if not in 1993, any year after could be considered.
A slide show based on last year's Games was shown. The 1991 Games
were hosted by Bellevue, with assistance from Redmond, Kirkland and
Issaquah.
The Committee asked that Patrice work with the Washington State
Games people to answer questions about costs and manhours needed
to host the event, and prepare more information on which a
recommendation to the Council could be formed. The October 15
Council meeting will be the target date.
NORTH PARR TOT LOT LIGHTINQ
Jack Ball reported on the light installation. The pole was set on
the 24th, the fixture will be installed on the 25th, and Puget
Power will connect the pole in the next day or so. -
OTHER BUSINESS - SAKE FENWICK TREE SWING
Mr. Doolittle informed the Committee that he delivered a letter to
the Planning Department requesting that the rope swing tree at Lake
Fenwick be declared a historical site. There is an ordinance
pending to list the historical sites in Kent. Mr. Doolittle feels
that over the past 40 years generations of citizens haVe swung into
the lake from that tree and it is a part of Kent's cultural
heritage. In response to the issue of it being a party place, he
feels it is self-policed by the users. He stated that the big kids
teach the little kids how to use the swing, and that the City
should let the tradition carry on.
Jack Ball assured the Committee that the removal plans were
supported by Fire and Police but were on hold.
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Four
OTHER BUSINESS - IAC GRANT
Wickstrom announced that the IAC approved a grant application for
the development of Scenic Hill Park. It ranked third of 39
applications in the local park category. She reported that only 13
of 39 projects were approved. Wickstrom noted that it didn't hurt
Kent's project that Barney Wilson served on the evaluation
committee. She said that although he couldn't evaluate Kent's
project, his presence there made for a relaxed atmosphere.
The meeting adjourned at 5:07 PM.
PARRS COMMITTEE MEETING
September 24, 1991
Attendance
Name AddresslDevartment Phone No.
1. ,CE7J
3. L-e d�eG � U A�O/ V
4. o� fe� /"� —#4
5. 113��a
6.
7. `C_V Z° �L`c� 0 lir�^rxrw -yj5,
8. (L,t t.CIL It u " &gZ -<�z&3
9. NAB iz to
10. k l 8 C T I l.[..Q VY!f h 1- 3 3 :27
11.
12. (�Wgo& 35 I
J/
14. oArT%
15.
16. C=n.•;'S:--! 3J01 J 3""" 5T S6
17. s' ; J C*-qps
18.
19. ` Zd ��.� ^f0
2 0. C W 2 • 1 h. elz:,
22.
23 .
Y.� Brenda Jacober
Dep40 City Clerk
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Councilmembers Present: Steve Dowell and Judy Woods
Staff Present: Helen Wickstrom, Roger Lubovich, Tony McCarthy,
Alana Mclalwain, Mimi Castillo, Jan Banister,
Tom Brubaker, Jack Ball, Karen Ford, Lee
Anderson, Stephanie Stroyzk, Patrice Thorell,
Cheryl Fraser, and Alice Neiffer.
Others Present: See attached.
PARKSIDE WETLANDS PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT
The City Council sent the issue of whether or not the Parks
Department should continue trying to purchase the block totaling
two acres on the West Hill back to the Parks Committee for
consideration.
Helen Wickstrom gave a brief history of why this block was
selected, and how it fit in with the King County Bond Issue and Des
Moines Parkside Wetlands acquisition. She reminded the Committee
that they approved this project at their January 16 meeting and
that the Council accepted the $100,000 King County grant for this
project on February 5. Wickstrom said that negotiations have been
underway with a number of property owners, and just today, staff
received a signed earnest money agreement for the most southerly
parcel. She requested the Committee's approval to purchase both
parcels, and to be authorized to purchase as many of' the remaining
parcels as" possible within the $200,000 budget.
Wickstrom also read a letter from Karen Waalkes in support of the
purchase and the plans to provide a park for the Salt Air Hills
neighborhood.
Bill Doolittle presented arguments against the purchase of the
aforementioned properties:
1. Land is too steep to be a useable park;
2. Des Moines should purchase it if it is needed;
3 . Residents of the neighborhoods next to the area cannot
get to the site;
4. City financial difficulty makes it poor taming;
5. Kent has too many parks and the maintenance is
deteriorating;
6. Investigated prices of two houses for sale in Salt Air
with large lots, both in the range of $118,00,0 with large
flat lots;
s
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Two
7. If land is to be purchased, the selected block is not
appropriate for a children's park
8. Long property has a septic tank system which may
eventually have problems with its drain field.
Pat Colgan from the Salt Air neighborhood mentioned the promise
made by the Council to provide a park when the 14 acres set aside
in the Midway Landfill for a future park were given to Seattle.
She reminded the Committee of the commitments made at that time.
Ms. Colgan stated that she attended the February City Council
meeting where the Council voted to accept the King County grant for
this project and she is surprised that it was necessary for her to
return today to fight for this project.
Vicki Long was asked about her septic system. She agreed to a
Committee recommendation, as a condition of the sale, that a
satisfactory septic system inspection be required. Pumping may be
necessary if determined by the inspection. No determination was
made as to who would pay for the work. It will have to be
negotiated. Tom Brubaker will write that clause into the
agreement.
Both Dowell and Woods supported the project, recalling the promises
made to the neighborhood. They felt it was a good project and
because of previous commitments, Woods moved to send it back to
Council for approval to purchase the two parcels and to continue
the acquisition of the parcels in the project without having to
present them individually. Dowell seconded the motion. The motion
passed.
DR. KRONISCH WEST HILL PROPERTY
The purchase and sales agreement between the City and Dr. Kronisch
was discussed. The terms were no money down, and $15, 000 a year
for five years beginning in 1993. The IBC recommended not to
purchase at this time due to the bleak outlook for future budgets.
Dr. Kronisch is willing to negotiate any contract And terms which
the City proposes. He said he practiced medicine in that area,
retired, and now he wishes to give something back to that
community.
The Parks Committee was in favor of purchasing the property and
asked Tom Brubaker and Helen Wickstrom to discuss with Dr. Kronisch
the details of entering into a new purchase and sales agreement,
wherein the City would purchase his property and the consideration
by the City would be a promissory note payable in full at a future
fi --ems
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Three
date. The price is $75,000 and the interest rate would be 4.55%.
Under the terms of the note, the City could prepay all or a portion
of the note prior to the due date without any prepayvent penalties.
Alternatively, the City could take advantage of the low interest
rate and pay the fall amount due plus accrued interest on the due
date.
The Committee requested that this new purchase agreement be taken
directly to Council without coming back to the Parks Committee.
They expressed their hope that the IBC would support the new
agreement.
WASHINGTON STATE Q MES
Dollie Armstrong from the Washington State Games spoke on the
possibility of Kent being the site for the 1993 Games. She
mentioned that if not in 1993, any year after could be considered.
A slide show based on last year's Games was shown. The 1991 Games
were hosted by Bellevue, with assistance from Redmond, Kirkland and
Issaquah.
The Committee asked that Patrice work with the Washington State
Games people to answer questions about costs and manhours needed
to host the event, and prepare more information on which a
recommendation to the Council could be formed. The October 15
Council meeting will be the target date.
NORTH PARK TOT LOT LIGHTING
Jack Ball reported on the light installation. The pole was set on
the 24th, the fixture will be installed on the 25th, and Puget
Power will connect the pole in the next day or so.
OTHER BUSINESS - FAKE FENWICZ TREE SWING
Mr. Doolittle informed the Committee that he delivered a letter to
the Planning Department requesting that the rope swing tree at Lake
Fenwick be declared a historical site. There is an ordinance
pending to list the historical sites in Kent. Mr. Doolittle feels
that over the past 40 years generations of citizens have swung into
the lake from that tree and it is a part of Kent's cultural
heritage. In response to the issue of it being a party place, he
feels it is self-policed by the users. He stated that the big kids
teach the little kids how to use the swing, and that the City
should let the tradition carry on.
Jack Ball assured the Committee that the removal plans were
supported by Fire and Police but were on hold.
Parks Committee Minutes
September 24, 1991
Page Four
OTHER BUSINESS - IAC GRANT
Wickstrom announced that the IAC approved a grant, application for
the development of Scenic Hill Park. It ranked third of 39
applications in the local park category. She reported that only 13
of 39 projects were approved. Wickstrom noted that it didn't hurt
Kent's project that Barney Wilson served on tte evaluation
committee. She said that although he couldn't evaluate Kent's
project, his presence there made for a relaxed atmosphere.
The meeting adjourned at 5:07 PM.
PARRS COMMITTEE MEETING
September 24, 1991
Attendance
Name AddresSJDegartment Phone No.
l. �4,2 E7J A0,eZ>
2. :5;ic,�— �l( PR+r � ��. , 3 6 ? If
3 G-2 b6�� gilk6
4. Vidtl 4N4-
5. fin;e S-��o��k Parks
6.
7. 'yj
s. 2ct.•cu ' �
9.
pp,
10. (M I CAST,U-0 A4 yn!n
11.
12. �WWVL- Ate(& 359
14. 15is.� _�eo�iTi L� ��2 N� u-'a�rh 3
15. ,�V l 1) Kgc/%J"5cll 3 C-1 p1 5 3 h 5 j,
16. 6<-fr!l,,5 -4' 30o! 73 5--C(3(
J C*44P& 6�a--%a
17. S ; f�
18.
19. ` Cy -log v
C ly5K4:
20. E'
21. - 7
22.
23.