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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 10/12/1993 I 3. • 0 Parks Committee Minutes October 12, 1993 Councilmembers Present: Jim Bennett, Chair; Jon Johnson and Christi Houser. Staff Present: Tony McCarthy, Tom Brubaker, Ed Crawford, Patrice Thorel1 , May Miller, Jack Ball , Cheryl Fraser, Raul Ramos, Karen Ford, Lori Hogan, Julie Stangle, Jim McDonald, and Pam Rumer. Others Present: Sue Rahr, King County Police; Keith Sanden, Riverbend Golf Complex; Melvin Litate, Kent School District; Hans Rasmussen, Kent Youth and Family Services; Margaret Harto, Kent Community Council for At-Risk Children and Youth; and Rosemarie Clemente, P.O. Box 5803, Kent 98064. TUDOR SQUARE PARK UPDATE Jack Ball reported that staff delivered 30 yards of topsoil to the site for community members to fill holes, and that he and Joe Hanson prepared a rough layout of a ballfield to see how it would fit on the site. Staff has informed the residents that Park Maintenance will remove any rocks which the neighborhood stockpiles from the site. The Committee thanked Parks Department staff for their work with the Tudor Square neighborhood. REPORT BY RIVERBEND GOLF COMPLEX DIRECTOR Keith Sanden reported that the numbers are up for September and through mid- October. Aerification of the golf course took place three weeks ago, and Mr. Sanden said that he and his staff have received nice comments about the condition of the course. RUSSELL ROAD COMPLEX SNACK BAR WATER HEATER Councilmember Bennett helped serve a pancake breakfast at the R.V. Roundup held at Russell Road Park, and said he was surprised to learn that there is no water heater at the concession stand. He said that much time was spent heating water. The Committee directed staff to purchase a water heater for the facility. Funding will come from the Park Maintenance budget. UPDATE ON STREET TREESIDOWNTOWN SIDEWAKS Raul Ramos reported that the City is two weeks away from going out to bid on the downtown sidewalk rehabilitation project. This first phase of the three phase project is estimated to cost $175,000. Phase I involves projects at the Titus Railroad Park and the First Avenue Plaza. Ramos has been working with the Parks Department to take advantage of doing some C 2 additional work on the Titus Railroad Park, as the adjacent property owner has agreed to contribute the wall of her business for the City's mural program. The First Avenue project involves converting the brick-paved walkway to concrete. Work on the park will also resolve a potential drainage problem that would undermine the structural integrity of the adjacent buildings. Ramos announced that another collaborative effort is underway in the City involving street trees. The City has between four to six million dollars in trees, not including those trees located in City parks. Ramos said the City desires to develop a formal street management program similar to that of the cities of Seattle and Eugene, Oregon, which ensures the safety of pedestrians and encourages more pedestrain use of downtown. Ramos presented an outline of a street tree management program. Part of this program is to update the street tree list, and according to Ramos, perhaps deversify the list to minimize damage to utilities and sidewalks. He projected that the process of developing such a plan should be completed by spring of next year. Tony McCarthy explained for Councilmember Bennett that the $175,000 to fund Phase I will come from funds which have already been budgeted for sidewalks. Ramos estimated that the City will spend $300,000 on an annual basis for street tree maintenance and sidewalk rehabilitation. UPDATE ON PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE Cheryl Fraser introduced those members of the Project Lighthouse steering committee who were present. She then introduced Lt. Sue Rahr of the King County Anti -Gang Unit to give a history of Project Lighthouse. Lt. Rahr explained that Project Lighthouse began ten months ago when a cross- section of the community began brainstorming to determine the needs of the youth in our community. Since forming, the group has realized that it can offer the program more efficiently, both as individuals and as a group, if it joins the At- Risk Council and allow them to become the umbrella agency and the structure for the group. This should take place within the next week. Melvin Litate from the Kent School District has agreed to chair the, steering committee, and the committee will hire a Project Director in a few weeks. Rahr said that this is truly a collaborative effort. The group has applied for grants, and will focus on bringing in more contributing agencies in the next six months. Lt. Rahr said that the group has come a long way in a short time and hopes to keep that momentum going. She projected that as Project Lighthouse grows, it will become a nationally modeled program. Councilmember Houser commented that she read in the newspaper that teens are bringing younger sibilings to the program. She asked if there is an age limit or what the program is doing with these youngsters. Lt. Rahr explained that late Vol night teen programs throughout the County are experiencing the same thing, and these programs do not turn the youngsters away. She said that 'Project Lighthouse committee members discussed this going into the project. Julie Stangle informed the Committee that staff has adapted the program for the youngsters. Stangle estimated that on a daily basis, if 140 children participate in the program, at least 20 are under the age of ten. Councilmember Bennett said that he would like for the youth to be able to take advantage of opportunities at the golf course. Ideas which were mentioned include the PGA of America "Clubs for Kids" program, a fundraising golf tournament for to benefit Project Lighthouse, a potential caddy program for youth to earn money, and scholarships for youth to participate in Riverbend's summer golf camp. Sanden said that he will be happy to work with Project Lighthouse. UPDATE ON YOUTH/TEEN CENTER TASK FORCE Cheryl Fraser reported that the architectural firm of Miller Hull has been hired. The group began work in mid-September, and as per their contract, has 60 days to complete the plan. Fraser provided a copy of the work plan and a list of four sites being considered for the youth/teen center. She said the task force is trying to get a vision on paper, an analysis of the cost, and how credible it is to take it to the community and market it as a bond issue. The task force will provide more details to the Council at the October 19 workshop. SEATTLE WATER DEPARTMENT MIDWAY RESERVOIR PROPERTY UDPATE Patrice Thorell reported that based upon an inquiry at a previous meeting, Helen Wickstrom contacted the Seattle Water Department regarding the Midway Reservoir property. She was told they are looking at surplusing the property, but right now are sending information throughout the City of Seattle to see if there is any interest. The Water Department will keep the City of Kent apprised of any changes or when the property goes on the market. The assessed value of the property is $208,800. Thorell mentioned that the City of Seattle will probably have another assessment done if the property goes up for sale. BALLFIELD PROPERTY UPDATE Patrice Thorell said that staff received an inquiry regarding places to put ballfields in the valley. Staff looked at properties that may be purchased or leased agricultural properties, as these are cheaper to purchase or to develop. Staff assesssed through the Growth Management planning process that the City needs 80 acres of additional ballfields in the City of Kent in order to accommodate the need. Staff took a tour of the valley to see what is available and what potentials there are along the river. 4 Thorell reported that there is already a potential City project underway, and there may be some opportunities for Parks and Public Works to collaborate on more open space. Public Works is involved in an extensive wetlands project, and the Parks Department owns some properties along the river which have been donated. Staff spoke preliminarily with Public Works about sharing some properties. Thorell said that the property which the City may be purchasing is 35 acres of developable property. Staff will more than likely go to the citizens with a bond issue for development funds if land is acquired through a trade. The Parks Department would like to develop another complex like the one at Russell Road. Thorell asked if the Committee is open to the idea of collaborative uses and if staff should pursue this issue. Tony McCarthy explained that the City's desire is to leave money in the Capital Facilities fund for the future, so that once the Capital Facilities Plan is completed and the Council decides what to do in capital facilities, the funding will be available rather than spend the money on other projects now. The Committee assured staff that they will remain open-minded. ADDED ITEM Patrice Thorell shared a letter with the Committee complimenting the Recreation and Parks Maintenance divisions on assistance they provided for the Multiple Schlerosis Super Cycle Tour that took place in Kent. Staff helped set up the course and were very cooperative.