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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 10/13/1992 Brenda Ja9er 0 City Clerk Parks Committee Meeting October 13, 1992 Councilmembers Present: Jim Bennett, Chair; Jon Johnson and Christi Houser Staff Present: Barney Wilson, Helen Wickstrom, Robyn Baftelt, Jack Ball , Patrice Thorell , Lori Hogan, Norm Reger, Tony McCarthy, Doug Hemphill , Dick Thomas, Elvin North, Herb-Vests, Lea Bishop, Tom Brubaker, May Miller, Alana McIalwain, Rogor Lubovich, Carol Weston, Ron Spang, Mark Leigh, Pat Sims, Sue Allen, Tim Bond, Walter Bardsley, Joe Bartlemay, and Pam Rumer. Others Present: See attached list. GREEN RIVER TRAIL UPDATE Helen Wickstrom gave a brief history of the Green River Trail, and updated the Committee on current plans for the trail . The Parks Department now plans, as part of the King County Open Space Bond Issue, to develop the trail , beginning with an underpass under Washington Avenue and ending at the Auburn/Green River Road just south of 259th. Wickstrom said that drawings and specifications are complete and staff anticipate going out to bid on the project in approximately three weeks. The project will take approximately six months to complete, therefore allowing for bad weather, Wickstrom estimated that the project will be complete at theiend of June. Wickstrom added that she hopes to have the contract awarde&at the December 1 City Council meeting. KENT MEMORIAL PARK FIELD At a previous Parks Committee meeting, the Parks Committee, authorized Parks Maintenance staff and the American Legion to put turf at liealt l6l*ial Park field #1 to upgrade the facility for American Legion tournament play. Council member Bennett suggested that a meeting be hel-d at�thia lark to re-dedicate the field. Alana McIalwain said that City Administration will coordinate a re- dedication with the Parks Department. 1993 BUDGET Barney Wilson said that the Mayor's 1993 budget includes a 20% increase in all fees, with some type of rebate available for citizens who request it. He pointed out to the Committee that Parks revenues are usually ahead of itaff anticipation. He said that staff will do their best, but cannot guarantee that the Department will double its income from 10% to 20%. Staff are not caartiin if the increase in fees will reduce the fees collected as a result of participants dropping out Parks Committee Minutes October 13, 1992 Page Two of programs. He mentioned the recession and staff cutbacks as well . In response to Bennett's question, Wilson said that the fees which will be affected are those which have not been increased in the past year. Committee members agreed that golf course fees should be looked at separately. Councilmember Houser suggested that the City should watch revenues and participation figures next year to determine if participants are dropping out due to fee increases. ADDED ITEM: REMOVAL OF TREES AT FIRST AND TITUS James Cobb questioned why five-fifty year old maple trees are scheduled to be removed from the greenbelt at First and Titus. He asked if there isn't a more creative solution. Wilson explained that there is concern about maple tree roots disrupting the foundation of a business located adjacent to the park, the sewer system, and the sidewalk. He said that plans are to re-design and re-landscape the park. In return, the owner of the business next to the park has agreed to work with the Cultural staff on the possibility of a new mural . Wilson added that no work has been done to the park in the past thirty years. Cobb challenged the City's thinking and requested that the City create a new plan to leave some of the wildness and untameable part of the park in place. He said that he has ideas for an alternate plan. Houser pointed out the City's liability if someone is injured on the sidewalk, or if there is damage to the foundation of the building. Wilson suggested that staff can hold up work on the project until additional input is received from neighbors in the area. He said there is no set schedule for the project. Jack Ball added that there is no contract involved. Wilson will meet with Mr. Cobb. Bennett instructed staff to hold up work on the project until the first Parks Committee meeting in November. GOLF ADVISORY BOARD REPOLtT AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee listened to the recommendations as an information item at this meeting and will vote on them at the October 20 Parks Committee meeting. Bennett reported that if the Committee is in agreement at that time, the recommendations will be taken to the Council meeting for action that evening. If the Committee is not in agreement, the recommendations will be tabled until further action. Doug Schwab, Chairman of the Golf Advisory Board, reported that the Board was asked by the City Council and City Administration to make recommendations Parks Committee Minutes October 13, 1992 Page Three regarding a number of issues dealing with Riverbend Golf Complex: • evaluate merchandise sales; • make recommendations on financial , performance and financial reports; • help prioritize the Complex's, capital requests for 1993; and a make recommendations on faciliti i services and general course conditions. Schwab said the Advisory Board has met eight times since 3uot , and there have been numerous subcommittee meetings. According to him, mast,oO thi problem areas which need attention were brought to the Advisory Board's attdiltion by Riverbend staff. Among the Board's recommendations were: a a simplified financial operating statement which shows all costs, including the general 'bbligation debt. Board ' "eras felt that the golf complex should begin paying back its 4ebts as soon as realistically possible. ' • a re-prioritized list of capital items, resultitt in a savings of more than $100,000 than the original requested ampunts. • contracting out the merchandising to a Director af' Golf. The Golf Advisory Board reported that the golf complex lost $250,000 since operating merchandise the past two years. The BoaM l felt that under City management, the merchandise sales program drains vital resources at the golf complex. • hiring a Director of Golf through a professional services agreement or management contract who would oversee the golf related aspects of the Complex operation. The City would share merchandise profits with this individual . Schwab stated that the Golf Advisory Board feels these recommendations will best help the City, all citizens of 'the community, users of the! facility, and employees. Schwab said it is the Board's opinion that the problems 4t Riverbend are not personnel related but due to a weakness in organizatiesi ' No presented two possible organizational charts for the complex. One inti,uddo,,.g;olf maintenance and the snack bar operation in the Golf Director's co�ttr4ct and the other proposes that the snack bar and maintenance remain under City management. According to the Board's recommendations, employees working for the Golf Director would no longer be considered City employees, but existing employees would be considered for those positions first. Parks Committee Minutes October 13, 1992 Page Four Riverbend staff questioned a nationwide search for a Golf Director rather than looking at existing staff. Many members of the audience suggested shuffling existing complex staff. The Board's report suggests that contracting with a golf professional to operate all golf related aspects of the complex will save an estimated $250,000 and increase revenues by $100,000. Wilson said that the under the past administration the last three years, the golf course has never been in a comfortable position in the City of Kent. He said that he and Riverbend staff have felt that Administration has been challenging staff to fail . Wilson suggested that if Riverbend weren't in an ideal location and such a good course, the facility would not be in the financial condition that it is in now. He stated that the City has a great thing going, and it will get even better if the City lets staff work and develop a team at Riverbend. Steve Dowell expressed concern over the softness in the Board's figures. He urged the Parks Committee to study the report thoroughly and to ask questions. Both Tim Bond and Barney Wilson voiced their concern in the Board's report of a $250,000 loss in merchandise revenue at Riverbend. Bond said that he has sold more than $600,000 in merchandise, and brought in 42% more in revenues since he began working at Riverbend two years ago. He also reported that the Riverbend Pro Shop has been nominated as one of the top 100 pro shops in the nation. Bond asked for a fair shake. Some members of the audience suggested that perhaps the Golf Advisory Board has created some of the problems at Riverbend. Schwab responded to the crowd's concerns by saying that it is not the intention of the Golf Advisory Board to take away from golf complex staff, but to provide the tools necessary to create an environment in which existing staff can flourish. Schwab said that the system now does not allow golf professionals to be fully integrated into the operation of the Riverbend Golf Complex, and he felt that merchandise sales is one thing that prevents this. According to Schwab, the complex is burdened with a merchandise sales program that drains vital resources at Riverbend. Bennett requested that anyone with a plan different from that proposed by the Golf Advisory Board submit it in writing. Dowell pointed out that both Wilson and Robyn Bartelt have already submitted plans. Wilson said that he has another recommendation but would like to submit it at the October 20 meeting. d PARRS COMMITTEE MEETING October 131 1993 Attendance Name Addreee/Department Phone No. 1. FArAr Ge ?lfo,e.G��• f' KS — 3 4 9 7 2. �3IPC_ 1�OG y - .33Sb 3. NOaM 4. looj 5. 1xn ,* D 6. - S3 7 �- s. q- &&6&,6f 7,P6 10,11 4�-i213 . ✓'�/' s 5 2 3 oy, �° 3 3 ��t�,6 12. _/l/G�L ��`Z�K^i✓i, S �. /Z ,S�" S%G%/Y.C-� ,�%ic 7 Z� `/J 13. VIJ- 14. 1'a y-i e r �a��2� 3�ou Akl-D s 15. 16. 17. J f'�c-� ��Q,l t Pp o�� I�- c, 3 G. `1 18.� ev-2 ZDa wG / 21. L O GLLe, 6 GDlI A, ."V A ±2n 22. QAU ��� GtlGlli'1, �t1�t --4177 PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING October 13, 1992 Attendance Name AddreeejDepartment Phone No. 1. 7- 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.