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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 01/05/1993 Brenda J�ber City Cle Y Parks Committee Minutes January 5, 1993 Councilmembers Present: Jim Bennett, Chair; Jon Johnson, Christi Houser and Leona Orr. Staff Present: Tony McCarthy, Roger Lubovich, Alana McIalwain, Tom Brubaker, May Miller, Helen Wickstrom, Cheryl Fraser, Lea Bishop, Lori Hogan, Liz Gasper, Doug Siegert, Tim Bond, Jack Ball , Patrice Thorell , Norm Reger, Wayne McDonald, KR Schamber, Dave Owen and Pam Rumer. Others Present: Steve Dowell , Bill Doolittle, Ruth O'Brien, Doug Schwab and Jim Freitag. 1993 CITY ART PLAN The 1993 City Art Plan lists projects for 1993 specifically and other projects for the upcoming five years in general terms. Projects for 1993 include downtown murals, installation of a joint project between the Kent Corrections Facility and Neely-O'Brien Elementary at the new police station, the purchase of portable works at the Canterbury Faire Juried Fine Art Show, and artwork projects for east hill and west hill parks. Also included are funds for maintenance, supplies, etc. Liz Gasper said that the 1993 City Art Plan has been approved by the Kent Arts Commission and requested approval from the Parks Committee. Gasper pointed out for Councilmember Houser that the City Art Plan does not require additional funds, but is funded by the $2 per capita ordinance. Councilmember Johnson moved that the 1993 City Art Plan be approved and placed on the Consent Calendar for the January 19 City Council meeting. Houser seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 2-0 vote, as Councilmember Bennett had not yet arrived. GREEN RIVER TRAIL CONDEMNATION Tom Brubaker explained that for 2-1/2 years, the City has been trying to purchase property to complete the Green River Trail from Riverbend Golf Complex to the Auburn city limits. The only remaining easement to obtain is owned by John Stipek, and the City has not been able to come up with a satisfactory arrangement with him. Brubaker said the Parks Department needs to go out to bid and the only thing the City can do is condemn the property. Brubaker explained the condemnation process for the Committee, and distributed a draft copy of the condemnation ordinance. Johnson moved to proceed with condemnation of the Green River Trail . Houser seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 2-0 vote, as Councilmember Bennett Parks Committee Minutes January 5, 1993 Page Two had not yet arrived.* *Later in the meeting, Brubaker gave Bennett background regarding the Green River Trail Condemnation issue so Bennett could vote on the issue in order that it may be placed on the January 19 Consent Calendar. Bennett voted in favor of the motion, thus the motion passed unanimously. 1993 KENT PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WORK PROGRAM Helen Wickstrom opened by saying that the Parks Department is extremely proud that its work program maintains the same or even expanded levels of quality service with downsized staff and reduced resources. Wickstrom reported that Department revenues continue to grow, but expenditures have leveled off and have started to go down because of cuts the Department has made over the past few years. The Department continues to receive public and business support, and maximizes CIP dollars which has resulted in a 34% increase in park land since 1987. Wickstrom said that even though no matching funds are available in the 1993 CIP, more than $60,000 is available through the King County Conservation Futures program. The Department will apply for some of that money, which is available for acquisition only. Wickstrom requested input from the Committee regarding possible projects to submit for funding. Lori Hogan said that due to a reduction in staff in July, the City has had to close the Kent Commons on Sundays. She reported that 220,000 participants visit the Commons annually, and Commons staff receive 60,000 phone calls annually. Jack Ball pointed out that Park Maintenance had 16.75 employees to maintain 534 acres of park land in 1987, and in 1993, the Division has 17.18 employees to maintain 713 acres. This equates to 112 of a full time position to maintain an additional 179 acres. Ball also mentioned that the Street Tree program has increased 1,303 trees since 1987. Patrice Thorell reported that 1993 goals for Riverbend include improvements in leadership, accountability in golfer services, integration of professional PGA into all areas of the complex, and a maintenance work plan. Work plans were also presented by Cultural Arts, Senior Center and Resource Center. Councilmember Johnson moved to accept the 1993 Kent Parks and Recreation Department Work Plan. Houser seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Parks Committee Minutes January 5, 1993 Page Three GOLF ADVISORY BOARD CONTRACT/RFP City Attorney Roger Lubovich distributed copies of the first draft of the RFP and the latest version of the management contract which reflects changes made since December 1. Tony McCarthy announced that the Golf Advisory Board will meet on Saturday, January 9 to discuss the RFP, the latest version of the contract, and a proposal submitted by Patrice Thorell , and will then make a final recommendation. The issue will come back to Parks Committee on January 19 and on to the full Council on January 19. At that time, McCarthy said the Council will decide in concept whether the City is going the way the Golf Advisory Board recommends. McCarthy said that details will be worked out by the Parks Committee and Golf Advisory Board in subsequent meetings. He listed a timetable submitted by the Golf Advisory Board: 1/11 Input from PGA 2/01 RPF out 3/01 Responses due 4/01 Interviews completed 5/01 Transition period begins Houser made a motion to proceed with the timetable outlined by the Golf Advisory Board, and to take the issue to the full Council on January 19. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the structure of the merchandise issue and certain factors to be considered regarding bond covenant and IRS restrictions. City Attorney Lubovich explained that a determination has been made that, in this particular instance, merchandising can be factored out as a separate compensation item, outside of the fixed fee and percentage fee compensation limitations outlined in the management contract. Doolittle requested to see any modifications to the contract graphically represented. Steve Dowell expressed concern that Golf Advisory Board members would not have enough time to review the revised contract, the draft of the RFP, and the proposal submitted by Thorell before Saturday's meeting. Thorell explained that the proposal she submitted is the press itation of another option based upon Golf Advisory Board recommendations. She said it was not her intent to compete with the Golf Advisory Board, but to collaborate with what the Golf Advisory Board had in mind. Doug Schwab questioned whether Thorell 's proposal had been evaluated by the PGA Community Relations Committee to see if the option is feasible or cost effective for the City of Kent. He said this was the Council 's wish at the May 5 City Council meeting when councilmembers requested that the Golf Advisory Board look Parks Committee Minutes January 5, 1993 Page Four Thorell said that no contact was made with the PGA regarding her proposal . She pointed out that the elements of the proposal are feasible within the City of Kent, and have been evaluated by herself and others within the City. Thorell explained that her proposal is a continuation of what is already being done, with fewer staff, and through contracting employees rather than the potential of adding additional full time City employees. It was Thorell 's opinion that the May 5 Council request was based upon the fact that the Golf Advisory Board proposed contracting out to an independent contractor. Under her proposal , the Golf Director would be a City employee contracted by the City. McCarthy suggested that if it is necessary for Thorell 's proposal to go to the PGA, perhaps it can go on January 11 when the PGA reviews the RFP. Bennett asked Thorell if any other City is using the type of contract she is proposing. Thorell said she would do some research. She sand the City has contracted employees before, and pointed out that her proposal is more similar to contracting out to an independent contractor than hiring an actual City employee. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.