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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 09/14/1993 Parks Committee Minutes till September 14, 1993 Councilmembers Present: Jim Bennett, Chair; Jon Johnson and Christi Houser. Staff Present: Tony McCarthy, Tom Brubaker, Patrice Thorell, May Miller, Helen Wickstrom, Jack Ball,Lori Hogan,Karen Ford, Lea Bishop,Cheryl Fraser,Ramona Fultz,and Pam Rumer. Others Present: Keith Sanden, Riverbend Golf Complex; Bill Doolittle, 412 N Washington, 31; James Cobb, Kent, WA; Gary Fultz, Kent, WA; Frankie Ke es, 10216 SE 267th; and Brett Olson, 29847 45th Place South, Auburn. REPORT BY RIVERBEND GOLF DIRECTOR- KEFM SANDEN Painting at the driving range is completed with the exception of the logo; painting at the 18-hole facility is 60% completed. Mr. Sanden said that he and his staff have received several comments regarding the cleanliness and the lighting at the driving range, and that sales have progressed as anticipated since his group began at Riverbend. Councilmember Bennett raised an issue of some golfers not wearing shirts while patronizing the complex. He has received complaints regarding this issue and also agreed that it is distasteful. Mr. Sanden will check with the City Attorneys Office regarding limitations or restrictions on a public-owned facility in establishing a dress code requiring golfers to wear their shirts at all times when visiting the golf complex. 1994 BUDGET PRESENTATION Patrice Thorell said the Parks Department is aware that 1994 is a no-growth year. The Parks Department is submitting those requests which staff feels are urgent and preventative measures. One such request is funding in the amount of$65,741 to operate Project Lighthouse on a year round basis. Project Lighthouse will apply for a $36,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Fund in November. This combined$101,741 funds the recreational component of the program-the recreational leadership and operational costs. Project Lighthouse formally opened on September 4, 1993, and Cheryl Fraser reported that 80 kids attended opening night, and 98 youngsters participated in the program the following Saturday. When funding for this program passed through Council, Councilmember Bennett requested that an oversight committee be formed to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. He asked if this has been done. Fraser reported that the process of forming a group to do some evaluation of the program has begun. Another request of the Department is funding for restoration of the Kent Memorial Park Building and replacement of lights at Kent Memorial Park field #1. Thorell reported that the roof is sagging 4-6 inches and poses safety concerns. The lights at field #1 were installed more than 20 years ago, and also pose health and safety concerns. Thorell explained the Department's additional needs and requested that the Council keep these needs in mind as the fiscal status of the City improves in 1994: 1) Before and After School Daycare; 2) City-Wide Park Facility Maintenance; 3) Kent Senior Center Maintenance; 4) Architect of Consultant Fees and Other Profession0ervices; 5) Protective Coating for Downtown Murals. Councilimember Bennett raised the issue of the street tree program and voiced concern that street trees are taken care of by both the Parks Department and the Public Works Department. He commented that trees aren't pruned properly and interfere with the sign ordinance, and also uproot the sidewalks. Thorell said that the City does have a street tree ordinance which stipulates that the Parks Department is to approve street trees before they are designed and planted, but the Parks Department has not been giving input. Trees have been planned and planted by Public Works. Tom Brubaker informed the Committee that Roger Lubovich is currently drafting a street ordinance which puts maintenance and control of street trees entirely under the Public Works Department. McCarthy will have Raul Ramos report at the next Parks Committee meeting on where the City is with street trees. Mr. Ramos and other staff have been meeting with a Puget Power arborist. Lori Hogan explained to Mr. Doolittle that the Kent Memorial Park building generates approximately $25,000 per year in rental revenue. Councilmember Houser questioned why money from rental revenues can't be aside to fund renovation of the building. Thorell explained that those monies have already been spoken for to offset the general fund. Mr. Doolittle suggested that this would be a good project for the work release program established at the corrections facility. He also encouraged the City to seek voluntary maintenance in parks, particularly the neighborhood parks and tot lots where use is restrictive. McCarthy added that the Capital Facilities Plan should help the City determine the condition of some of its facilities and look to direct staff to set up funds for these repairs. He said that Administration will take the list and do what they can with the budget and with the other needs, and recommend something in the budget that is fair. He assured Mr. Doolittle that the work release program will be discussed at the next Department Head meeting. 1993 OPEN SPACE BOND INTEREST EARNINGS APPROPRIATIONS Each year three Parks Department Open Space Bond projects earn interest, and at the end of the year the County allocates back money which was earned the previous year. This year the County is giving $193,143 back to the City of Kent Parks Department. Staff has asked the County that $115,000 be allocated for the Interurban Trail project and$78,143 be earmarked for the Lake Fenwick Trail project. Helen Wickstrom requested acceptance of $193,143 of interest earned and to allocate the individual amounts to the Interurban Trail and Lake Fenwick Trail projects. Councilmember Johnson moved to accept the $193,143 of interest earned from the County, and to allocate $193,143 to the Interurban Trail budget and $115,000 to the Lake Fenwick Trail budget. Councilmember Houser seconded. The motion passed 3-0. INTERURBAN TRAIL BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS Staff has been working with Puget Power on a problem with a portion of the Interurban Trail between 228th and the Tukwila city limits. Three bridges are in very poor condition and have become a very bad hazard. Puget Power has agreed to contribute$42,000 toward the project. The Parks Department has received estimates of $60,000-$75,000 to install the three pre-cast concrete bridges. The City's portion of the funding will come from the bond interest earnings allocated for the Interurban Trail project. Wickstrom reported that the Parks Department has received authorization from the Department of Fisheries to replace the bridges as a winter project, but they would like for the City to complete the project as soon as possible. 0 3 r' Councilmember Johnson moved to accept the $42,000 from Puget Power:for the Interurban Trail project. Councilmember Houser seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Wickstrom stated that the project will be going out for bid,and requested authorization to take the bids directly to Council if they are within budget. The Committee granted such permission. TITUS RAILROAD PARK TREE REMOVAL At the October 16, 1992 Parks Committee meeting, it was decided to put this project on hold. Jack Ball requested authorization to proceed with removal of one cedar tree along the northern wall of the adjacent building, and to prune a maple tree which is overgrowing the building. Councilmember Johnson moved to authorize staff to remove one cedar tree and to prune a maple tree in the Titus Railroad Park. Councilmember Houser seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Frankie Keyes, owner of the adjacent building, said that the trees have been a detriment and have undermined the foundation. She said there is water under the building, some of which seeps from the low end of the park. Thorell reported that she met with Jack Ball, Raul Ramos, and Public Works staff regarding the sidewalk project to determine what work will be done at this park. Public Works will install a drainage system, and contour and elevate the soil to drain out toward the street. Ms. Keyes said she is willing to prepare the wall of the building for a mural site once the work has been done to the park. The motion passed 3-0. It was determined that this issue does not have to go before Council. CONDEMNATION OF LAKE FENWICK PROPERTY Two properties remain to be purchased as part of the Lake Fenwick Acquisition project funded by King County and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. One parcel is appraised at$2,500 and the other at$3,000. The parcels are owned by a brother and sister who are asking for$19,500 for the two parcels. Wickstrom reported that negotiations have broken down and requested authorization to commence condemnation proceedings. Wickstrom said that the City began condemnation proceedings for another Parks Department project and were fortunate to settle out of court. Councilmember Johnson asked what costs are involved if the City goes to court. Brubaker explained that the City will try to keep the litigation work in-house, however the City will have to pay for appraisal fees, expert witness fees, and if there is a trial and the jury awards a judgement in excess of the City's final offer, the City is to pay the owners' attorney fees. Brubaker said there is a risk that the costs could get as close as the owners' asking price, but that is a worst case scenario. Staff requested authorization to commence condemnation proceedings on each parcel. Councilmember Johnson moved to authorize staff to commence condemnation proceedings, Councilmember Houser seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Councilmember Bennett suggested that this item be placed under Other Business. FUNDING FOR 1994 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Wickstrom explained that the Council has authorized $36,000 in the 1994 C.I.F. for a Comprehensive Park Plan. Staff needs to generate information now in coordination with the work Henderson Young is doing for the Capital Facilities Plan so as not to duplicate efforts. Wickstrom requested authorization to begin expending those funds in 1993. 4 Councilmember Johnson moved to authorize staff to begin spending the $30,000 in 1993. $ Councilmember Houser seconded. The motion passed 3-0. METRO AND KING COUNTY GRANTS UPDATE Several months ago, the Parks Committee authorized Parks Department staff to apply for a Metro grant and a Conservation Futures grant for acquisition of property on the Green River known as Riverview Park, and for a Conservation Futures grant to purchase two small properties in Upper Mill Creek Canyon. Staff has been notified that both agencies have granted the City of Kent Parks Department some money. King County recommends$236,000 and Metro recommends $210,000 for Riverview Park. There is no City matching money for this project. King County has also recommended $71,000 for Upper Mill Creek Canyon Park. $71,000 from the Public Works budget will be used as the City's match. Both agencies will take these recommendations to the Metro Council and the King County Council for final approval. Wickstrom said that the grants will be coming through in the future and staff will be asking for approval of those funds. STEEL LAKE LITTLE LEAGUE UPDATE McCarthy reported that a meeting was held on August 27 with Seattle Solid Waste Department, King County Parks and Recreation Department, King County Regional Justice Center, and City staff. It was originally thought that the City could work out a trade of the Commons Playfield for property across the river, but McCarthy explained it was discovered at the meeting that the downtown property value is possibly ten times the value of property zoned agricultural on the other side of the river. The Regional Justice Center is not looking for additional property at this time, and McCarthy suggested the City may want to hold on to it as it could be more valuable as the Regional Justice Center develops. In addition, the County's property has wetlands on it and the City may not be able to develop it into enough additional fields to expand its program. Seattle Solid Waste will hire a broker to develop a marketing plan for the property. The broker will continue discussions with the City of Kent. In the meantime, McCarthy said the City is developing a Comprehensive Plan and a Capital Facilities Plan which will more closely define how many ballfields the City of Kent needs and identify the best location to have ballfields. McCarthy said the City of Kent has no answer for the Steel Lake Little League, but Kent will stay in touch. He said there is an interest here but at this time no one has the $7,000,000 to acquire the property. Brett Olson of the Steel Lake Little League asked if the City of Kent would be interested in a joint venture if there is enough land to be developed and if there is enough interest from the surrounding cities and the County. The Committee informed Mr. Olson that Kent would be interested in a regional site. Mr. Olson will approach other city councils to see if there is interest in multi-cooperation to purchase the property. Mr. Olson also mentioned that there appears to be some tension between the City of Seattle and the Steel Lake Little League. In support df the Steel Lake Little League's efforts, the City of Kent agreed to send a letter to the City of Seattle endorsing the concept of a joint venture with other cities and the County for the continued use of these fields and for exploring whatever options are available.