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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/06/1993 Parks Committee Minutes April 6, 1993 - Councilmembers Present: Jim Bennett, Chair, and Jon Johnson. Staff Present: Tony McCarthy, Barney Wilson, Don Wickstrom, Roger Lubovich, Tom Brubaker, A1ana McIalwain, May Miller, Bill Wolinski , Cheryl Fraser, Patrice Thorell , Helen Wickstrom, Jack Ball , Karen Ford, Ramona Fultz, Grady Kizziar. Others Present: Sue Goddard, Jean Parietti , Wayne McDonald, Dan Farmer, Bill Doolittle, Pat Curran, Sherri Ourada and Grace Hiranaka. CITY OF KENT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PRE-PLANNING. Pat Curran, Sherri Ourada and Grace Hiranaka, representing the Kent Arts Commission and the Mayor's Performing Arts Center Task Force, were in attendance to support this request. Curran, Task Force Chair, reviewed the history of the project noting that $35,000 had been raised for a Feasibility Study that showed through surveys that there was considerable public support for a center. The study was accepted by Council in August of 1991. Due to the tight financial situation, Curran proposed a scaled back project which would be down from a $20 million, 800 seat theater and 120 seat black box theater project to a 500-600 seat facility at a $10 million cost. She stressed that the center would promote downtown revitalization by attracting new, money and added that it is the number one priority of Council President Judy Woods, as stated at the Council Retreat. The center is visualized as one for children and families to gather to participate in the arts and become involved in the community. From the $50,000 budgeted in the 1991 CIP, Curran requested that $30,000 be released to contract with Becker Architects for Phase II for an architectural pre-plan and business plan, materials necessary for marketing to financial supporters and the public for a bond issue. Cur-ran explained that King County Hotel/Motel funds won't be available for -a mate— because of changed rules for pre-planning, but that Becker Architects can provide pre-plan materials for $30,000. Becker Architects is presently working on Kirkland's performing arts center. She thanked the Task Force members and advisors and Cultural Arts staff for three and one-half years of work. In response to a question from Bennett, Curran said a joint venture regarding other proposed facilities would be welcome. Patrice Thorell discussed funding sources for development. She clarified that the pre-plan would include schematic drawings, model of building, footprints on proposed sites, cost estimates, development plan, and impacts. Since the Becker firm has already completed a market study of King County for Kirkland, this does not have to be duplicated. For McCarthy, she expressed confidence in public support of a bond issue, but opined that it would be a lot of work and required materials and a model , as was done with the Senior Center. t -2- Thorell said that based on marketing the pre-plan materials, the Kirkland center went from no support to fighting about what site it would be- constructed on. She emphasized that with the group's approaching 4th year anniversary, approval of this phase would be a milestone for continuance. Due to Bennett's concern over cost of various studies, the request of Bennett to tour a number of cultural theaters in the next two weeks and absence of the third committee member, this item will be returned to the April 20th. Parks Committee Meeting. Tony McCarthy suggested this be discussed at the upcoming Council retreat, along with the possibility of combining centers. Thorell responded that Kent Elementary School could be expanded into one campus for a Performing Art and Teen Center so that each center would have its own identity, but this would probably require two different studies. McCarthy clarified that the $50,000 CIP amount is still earmarked for the cultural project. Thorell advised that City Attorney Roger Lubovich determined that although it was the legislative intent to have a funding match, it was not a mandate; so that with a changed project, the Council could change with it. In response to comments about survey support, Bill Doolittle stated that of the 401 people who were interviewed, 360 lived outside the City and of the 41 who were inside, 36% supported a tax increase to pay for a cultural center. EAST HILL PARKIWEST FENWICK PARK ARTWORK SELECTION. Thorell advised that visual arts jurors, site architect for East Hill Park, Parks Maintenance and Parks Administration staff met on March 22nd and recommended the artwork of internationally renowned Tucson artist Barbara Grygutis for the two sites. Selected for East Hill Park was the "WATER" artwork, a handmade stoneware tile sculpture composed of five letters six feet high and one foot wide which can be climbed upon. Recommended for West Fenwick is the "EARTH" artwork, a handmade ceramic tile on concrete sculpture with each letter measuring six feet by four feet which will be set into the hillside. The artworks were originally proposed for opposite sites, but due to site considerations such as size and vandalism, the proposals were reversed; the "EARTH" sculpture was also changed to be flush to the sod. Thorell displayed samples of tiles and a sample of the artist's work, explaining that this is a budgeted per capita-City Art project. Completion is scheduled for opening of the new East Hill Park. Jon Johnson moved to approve the East Hill 'Park and West Fenwick Park art selections by artist Barbara Grygutis. Bennett seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (2-0) and this item will be placed on the Council Consent Calendar. RIVERBEND GOLF COMPLEX RFP'S - GOLF ADVISORY BOARDICITY ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION. McCarthy reported that the Golf Advisory Board has been in existence for over a year and acknowledged the members in attendance. He noted that the group analyzed the golf operation and determined that an RFP should be developed, which was done under the guidance of Alana McIalwain. McIalwain noted that SSMD Enterprises, Inc. , was unanimously selected by the board in a 10-0 vote with Golf Northwest, Inc. , chosen as a backup. Sent out were 104 RFP's with a 10% return. Of the eleven returned, one was eliminated for not meeting preliminary criteria. r ' -3- McIalwain listed some of the RFP criteria for, the Committee, such as requiring the contractor to be an on-site manager, this being contractor's major source of income, experience in the golf industry, ability to serve the public and financial offering to the City. Reserved was the right to-negotiate with the successful proposer. The RFP was designed as a two phase process including a qualification and proposal evaluation phase and personal interview process phase. Mclalwain thanked board members for their work and introduced Sue Goddard, chair of selection committee who shared information on proposers. Goddard said it was significant that the vote ended in a unanimous �10-0 and stated that if negotiations are successful with SSMD, Keith Sanden will be Director of Golf. He is a Kent citizen and Class Eight Pro with extensive experience in the golf industry; he has management and business support groups behind him. She believes operational enhancement will occur and noted the proposal is very detailed covering all aspects of operation (except maintenance - operations) . She was impressed with their affirmative action policy and said the transition plan was outstanding. Sanden would leave his present job in April and be at the site for month of May and will do staff interviews. Goddard said SSMD's long range plans are an integral part of the proposal and speaks well to the five year contract. McCarthy explained the evaluation process. Candidates were evaluated on the 1993 budget, no growth proposal which equated to the 1992 actual and a growth proposal . From the financial ranking along with review of RFP's, five candidates were chosen for interviews which took place last Saturday. Some of the candidates came into the interviews as leaders, but SSMD came out of the interview process ahead based on interview results, enthusiasm and SSMD's long term ability to improve the facility. Although SSMD was not the top financial proposal by a few thousand dollars, it was the second provider when looking at the growth model . McCarthy reported that through a contract with SSMD, the City should generate from $100,000-200,000 due to savings in the manager's salary ($60,000) , City financial charge backs ($20,000) and the amount provided by provider. In addition, the City will receive an up front cash amount of about $167,000 for inventory. - _ - McCarthy added that staff have been notified of possible layoffs and their resumes have been requested for other job considerations either with the contractor or in vacant City positions. Layoff benefit packages will include one month's compensation, medical benefits and outplacement services. Next week the Executive Committee will be hearing a proposal regarding outplacement assistance. Johnson moved to negotiate a contract with SSMD, Enterprises,, Inc. , and in the event a contract cannot be successfully negotiated, to negotiate a contract with Golf Northwest, Inc. , subJect to Golf Northwest, Inc. , selecting a Golf Director acceptable to the City and that all contracts are further subject to City Council review and approval . Bennett seconded the motion Motion passed unanimously L2- 0) and will be placed on the Council Agenda. _ T -4- KING COUNTY CONSERVATION FUTURES GRANT PROGRAM. Because of low interest rates and available and disappearing property, Helen Wickstrom reported that King County has passed an ordinance making available $60,000,000 for open space grants for this year only, which is 50% of the future Conservation Futures Tax funds that will be collected over the next 25 years. The other half will be available on an annual basis. The -$60,000,000 will be divided into four categories of $15,000,000 each. The City of Kent is eligible for two categories, regional and local , but a compelling need must be shown that funds are needed now. She stated that this is the only open space grant funding available at this time and reviewed grant criteria, point rating system and calendar dates. Regional projects must benefit residents throughout King County and must have open space features important to King County. Properties must be obtained because of threatened development or limited avail-ability of matching funds. Matching funds are not a requirement but give the project a better chance of being funded. In ..order to apply, the property must be identified in an adopted park, open space or comprehensive plan in conformance with the state Growth Management Act, or have an accompanying City Council motion or resolution stating that the property is a high priority acquisition and that it will be included in the appropriate Growth Management Act plans when adopted. She introduced Bill Wolinski , Public Works Department, who gave a presentation on a proposed regional application for a Sewer Lagoon Wetlands/Wildlife Enhancement project in the amount of $1,000,000 for conversion of the abandoned - sewage lagoon into a regional flood control and storm water management wetlands and wildlife habitat area. The Public Works Department is initiating design and negotiating for purchase of the additional 210 acres of land west of the lagoon. The land is needed in order to construct the facility and to handle the lagoon dredge material . A specialty firm has been hired to create a dredging and disposal plan. The most favorable economic option would be to use the dredge material to enhance the habitat site for wetlands/wildlife. This project has been selected on the Metro short list. for $1,000,000 of mitigation funds for the West Point Sewage Treatment Plant. Wickstrom added that this project would tie in with Parks and Recreation by being next to Green River Corridor Trail and Van Dorm's Landing Park, which would allow for bonus points. For McCarthy; Wolinsk=i­responded that the property is comprised of 5,000 feet of river frontage and the land is undeveloped. Once completed, Wolinski concluded that this project would be of national significance because it integrates the issues of flood control , storm water treatment, wetlands management and wildlife habitat and would be an amenity to the City for passive recreation and public education and awareness. Wolinski clarified for McCarthy that other funding sources are available such as selling Drainage Revenue Bonds and reported that the entire project cost for acquisition and handling dredge material was estimated at $14,000,000, but land acquisition may be less costly due to the present valuation of wetlands. With Metro and possible Conservation Futures funds, the total cost would be defrayed by $2,000,000. For Bennett, Wolinski explained that this project addressed valley flooding. Johnson moved moved for approval of the King County Conservation Futures Grant application for a Sewer Lagoon Wetlands/Wildlife Enhancement project in the amount of $1,000,000 and approval of a resolution regarding the open space acquisition. Bennett seconded. The motion passed unanimously (2-0) and the item will be placed on the April 20 Consent Calendar in order to meet the regional application deadline. Tom Brubaker will provide a resolution, Wickstrom described the proposed local projects. The first is acquisition in the amount of $665,000 for two parcels in Mill Creek Canyon right off 104th. There are only two parcels left which would complete the park and also tie into the Public Works storm retention basin across 104th. Public Works will apply $100,000 toward matching funds which would generate some points (a total match would generate full points) . The second project is acquisition of a 13 1/2 acre wooded site off of 248th on East Hill . It is one parcel off of Benson and has five acres separating it from the existing East Hill Park site. If it could eventually be connected to East Hill Park, a 20 acre community park would be created. Wickstrom added that this is a very valuable piece of property, but may not score high. Another project possibility is Riverview Park which is on the regional trail system and on the Green River. Wickstrom requested input for other project ideas. Because local projects have a later application deadline and the scoring criteria was just received, she will evaluate the proposed local projects and return to the Parks Committee with a final report. PARK RENTAL HOUSES. As an informational item, McCarthy reported that Jack Ball recently met with the Executive Committee regarding the future of the rental houses. McCarthy reported other uses under discussion include demolition of the Golf Course house to provide Mini Putt expansion (with the possibility of the new Golf Director providing some funds) ; future conversion of the Neely house into a museum run by the Kent Historical Society; converting the corrections house and another house into homeless shelters for men or -families; and making the West Hill house an interpretive center. If houses are sold that have been purchased with grant funds, the money would have to go back into those projects. McCarthy compared maintenance time and expense and the present need Tor substantial repairs versus the revenue generated. He requested input and authorization to pursue options and return with an update. Bennett agreed with pursuing Qp1ipns and returning to the Parks Committee with a update; he questioned whether the City should be in the real estate business. INTRODUCTION OF GRADY KIZZIAR. PARKS DEPARTMENT INTERN. Cheryl Fraser introduced Grady Kizziar, a Western Washington University recreation student, who is donating internship hours through May assisting the Resource Center and Parks Administration. He will also serve as the summer Day Camp Director.