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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 02/08/19940 qdx-�D�l Parks Committee Minutes February 8, 1994 Councilmembers Present: Christi Houser, Chair; Jim Bennett and Paul Mann. Staff Present: Tom Brubaker, Patrice Thorell, Robyn Bartelt, Bill Wolinski, Jack Bali, and Pam Rumer. Others Present: Amiel and Janice Forshee, 4109 S. 243rd Place, Kent WA 98032; Kris and Vic Case, 3739 S. 243rd St., Kent, WA 98032; Mike Kelly, 20416 244th Ave. SE, Kent, WA 98032; Steve Pedegana, 13503 SE 251st Place, Kent, WA 98042; Rick L.igchty, 17303 SE 238th, Kent, WA 98042; Keith Sanden, Riverbend Golf Complex. PROPOSED PARK AT MIDWAY RESERVOIR SITE Over the past year and a half, it has been discussed at Parks Committee meetings and in various correspondence that the City of Seattle is interested in selling the Midway Reservoir site. At that time, approximately 200 West Hill residents signed a petition asking the City of Kent to purchase the property for recreational purposes. 100 of those residents were willing to participate in an Adopt -A -Park program to help take care of the park. Amiel Forshee explained that the property has been used for 30 years by children and adults for flying kites and other recreational purposes. Residents want children to have a safe place to play and feel a park would upgrade the neighborhood. Councilmember Houser explained that the City of Kent has been working with the City of Seattle and is interested in purchasing the property, depending upon the price and terms. Patrice Thorell reported that other groups have also expres,$ed an interest in purchasing the property: the City of Federal Way in interested in the property as a water reservoir site; the National Guard is interested in purchasing a portion of the property to expand their parking area; and Kiang County Planning and Development is interested in the land for low income housing. The property is appraised at $187,000. The City of Seattle is willing ts,agree to terms of 20% down and 7% interest over a 10 year contract. The Seattle Water Department has put all issues regarding t,e property on hold until May. In the meantime, Seattle will investigate all passible uses for the property and then meet with interested groups and discuss who,they want to sell the property to. Councilmember Mann moved to have staff continue to pursue purchase of this property. Councilmember Bennett seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Thorell added that the Parks Department has enough capital dollars in 1994 as matching funds from the CIP for park purposes. Some of those dollars can be reallocated for this project. 2 AMERICAN LEGION PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AT KENT MEMORIAL PARK BASEBALL FIELD Steve Pedegana explained that the American Legion organization is proposing to provide some enhancements to Kent Memorial Park. Those enhancements include an announcer/scorekeeper booth, covers for the dugouts, and foul poles on the outfield wall corners. Mr. Pedegana explained that this would be at no expense to the City. The Legion is proposing to provide all labor and materials. Patrice Thorell explained that the proper procedure is for the American Legion to work with City staff to work out the details. Once details have been worked out, the City would accept the enhancements. Councilmember Bennett moved to accept the American Legion's proposed enhancements to Kent Memorial Park once all details are worked out with City staff. Councilmember Mann seconded. The motion passed unanimously. LAKE FENWICK RESTORATION PROJECT REPORT The Public Works Department is addressing various water quality problems in Lake Fenwick. The land draining to the lake has degraded in quality and the lake's oxygen content has decreased resulting in insufficient oxygen. Public Works is looking at corrective measures to the inlet to the lake. They are constructing a wetland area to allow natural uptake of plants and installing an aerating system in the main body of the lake to correct the oxygen problem. Another part of the project involves stabilizing those areas affected by erosion due to high foot traffic. One specific problem slope area is the area known as the tree swing area. Because of high use, all of the vegetation in the area has been trampled. Other problems in this area include dumping, littering, and partying. Because recreation is one of the objectives of the overall project, -Public Works is proposing to use a phased approach to try to address the problem. If the area continues to be degraded, the City will have to take further action to restrict use of the area. Staff has talked with arborists, and the recommendation is to selectively remove branches of the tree which would eliminate the swing. Wolinski said that hopefully it will not come to this, but if the area continues to be degraded, the slope and tree will be washed into the lake anyway. Staff plans to visit the site and talk with users of the area to try and get the community to take ownership and police the area themselves on a voluntary basis. Tom Brubaker commented that because the City is aware that the tree swing is there and continues to leave it there, we are leaving ourselves open to be sued if someone is injured. He added that the City may be increasing its potential liability by adding controlled access and inviting users to the area. Councilmember Mann moved to instruct Public Works staff to remove selected branches of the tree according to the process deemed most appropriate by the Public Works Department. Councilmember Bennett seconded. The motion passed 2-1, with Councilmember Houser opposing. a 0 Councilmember Bennett moved to authorize staff to take acceptance of these projects directly to Council as soon as punch list items have been completed. Councilmember Mann seconded. The motion passed unanimously. It was discussed at the agenda meeting that once projects are accepted and the project is within budget, these items will not come to Parks Committee anymore but will be taken directly to Council as a Consent Calendar item. RIVERBEND GOLF COMPLEX DIRECTOR'S REPORT Keith Sanden reported that preliminary reports from Finance reveal that January revenues were up the largest in history. He said that the new Golf Course Superintendent, Pete Petersen, is very knowledgeable and very refreshing to work with. SSMD is working on a long range plan for complex improvements to update the complex's image. Mr. Sanden reported that a new driving range will be opening soon which will give the City some competition. Repairs to the back fence at the driving range have been completed. Customer credit files and inventory are now on the computer which will hopefully expedite customer service. All tournaments for Men's and Women's Clubs have been set up for the year. The golf course will sponsor a major tournament scheduled for July 31. More details will be provided at a later date. Councilmember Mann inquired if there is anything planned for the mini putt. Mr. Sanden said that the preliminary plan is to leave the existing mini putt in place and build an 18 hole in the grassy area not being used. He said this project would be his first priority because it is the most visible, would create more goodwill and exposure, and requires less money and time to complete. GREEN RIVER TRAIL FENCE PROJECT ACCEPTANCE Councilmember Bennett moved to accept the Green River Trail Fence Project as complete. Councilmember Mann seconded. The motion passed unanimously. INTERURBAN TRAIL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ACCEPTANCE Councilmember Bennett moved to accept the Interurban Trail Bridge Replacement Project as complete. Councilmember Mann seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Patrice Thorell said that staff will send a thank you letter to Puget Power for their $42,000 donation which paid for half of the project. Jack Ball complimented the construction company who did the work, Coluccio Construction Company. The company did a nice job, and completed the project on time and within budget. CHANGE IN MEETING TIME The Parks Committee will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.