HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 06/06/1995 C I CJJDQf,
PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 6, 1995
Council Present: Christi Houser, Chair; Paul Mann; Tim Clark
Staff Present: Helen Wickstrom, Tom Brubaker, John Hodgson, Jim McDonald,
Jack Ball, Lori Hogan, Fred Satterstrom, Tim LaPorte, Don Wickstrom,
Stephen Noeske, Teri Stump
Other: Colie Hough-Beck., Hough-Beck & Baird Landscape Architects, 1000
Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121; Jeff Mclain, 6221 237th Street, Q-
102, Kent, WA 98032; Linda Johnson, P.O. Box 557, Kent, WA 98035;
Percell Johnson. 2020 Meeker Street, Kent, WA 98032; Linda Van Nest,
13521 SE 266th Street, Kent, WA 98042; Jack 06cvar, 11617 SE 258th,
Kent, WA 98031; Toby Sells, 100 Railroad Avenue, South, Kent, WA
98032; Kathy Button, P.O. Box 644, Kent, WA 98035;
Chairperson Houser called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Councilmember Bennett was unable to
attend.
DIRECTOR OF GOLF:
John Hodgson discussed the proposed appointment of Brett Wilkinson as Director of Golf at Riverbend
Golf Complex. John reported that Brett has been Acting Director for the past two months and is
credited with improvements to the Marshaling program. John found that Brett's interview corroborates
with his references, he has proved to be a good teacher, problem solver, hard worker, and good with
people. John then recommended Brett Wilkinson to be appointed Director of Golf. Paul Mann made a
motion to approve Brett Wilkinson as Director of Golf for Riverbend Golf Complex, Tim Clark
seconded. The vote was 3-0.
SURPLUS HOUSES: John Hodgson shared with Council that the City has four homes that need to
be demolished. He informed the committee that each time we demolish a homme, it costs the City
$10,000. Councilmember Clark asked about the condition of the homes; are fty habitable. John
responded that each home will not take much to bring them up to code--betweon $5,000 - 7,000 in
repairs. Paul Mann moved to approve selling the houses located at 24623 Russell Road (Riverbend
Golf Complex); 8121 South 259th (Corrections Facility); 24615 26th Place'Soulth (Parkside Wetlands);
and 11459 SE 266th (Public Works). Tim Clark seconded, the vote was 3-0.
SIDEWALKS AND STREET TREES:
Pursuant to Council budget, Public Works Department has been working with the Parks Department to
replace damaged sidewalks in the central business district area. As a result of these damaged
sidewalks it was apparent the problem was due to the street trees and the type of trees planted. The
City Risk Manager and Law Department has received a number of complaints of trip and fall accidents
because of the damaged sidewalks. The streets involved are: 1st Avenue-Meeker Street to Titus
Street; Harrison Street- 2nd Avenue to 4th Avenue (north side); Harrison Street 2nd Avenue to 4
Avenue (south side); and Gowe Street- 2nd Avenue to 4th Avenue (north side).
Public Works would like to go to bid on the sidewalk repair and take the opportunity to replace the
street trees. The City of Kent, Street Tree Committee contacted Colie Hough-Beck of Hough Beck &
Baird Landscape Architects to conduct a survey of the street trees. Colie and an arborist found the
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tree species to be wrong for Sent sidewalk environment, due to thetall amount of planter space
available and problems with overhead power lines. A master plan was created from this research.
Through a previous study Colie conducted for Mercer Island and their street trees, a soil mix and
planting structure was developed. It is a successful system that maintains sidewalks, power lines and
future growth of trees; Colie suggests using the same strategy for Kent.
This research has created another opportunity - -to create custom designed tree grates, with a pattern
depicting the essence of the Kent area. Jim McDonald reported that an artist was selected by a jury
from the Arts Commission members. The designer was inspired by the hops plant, indigenous to the
northwest. Councilmember Clark asked about the material used for the grates Jim responded that they
meet ADA requirements and are made out of cast iron, the same material used in the durable street
grates. Councilmember Clark also asked about leaf dropage, since there will more replacement trees
than previous trees. Colie replied that it won't be any worse than the current trees.
Linda Johnson of the Kent Downtown Partnership referenced the completion of Phase I . Linda
recently took council members on a walk throughout the City to show them the mud holes and weedy
areas that she would like to see fixed from Phase 1. She also asked consideration for increasing the
sidewalk budget to accommodate the needs to do it right. Chair Houser asked when Phase I will be
done. Don Wickstrom responded that it will cost $260,000 to finish Phase I and the City does not have
the money. There was interest in finding a mechanism to obtain revenue for finishing Phase 1.
Jack Becvar of the Kent Historical Society asked about the cost of the grates and what happens now;
Tim replied that the grates installed cost $1,200 each and the City is purchasing the form, which will
save money. The sidewalks/street tree project will begin on Harrison Street - 2nd Avenue to 4th
Avenue.
PROJECT/PROGRAM REPORTS:
Skateboard Committee: The committee will consist of all youth and two staff members. They will visit
Seattle next week, touring other Skateboard Parks where they will take videos and pictures. The
committee will present a report to City Council.
Youth/Teen: The department received a youth employment grant and will be hiring 18 youth from Kent
Memorial, Thomas Jefferson and Kent West High Schools; some will be able to work year-round.
Chair Houser asked if anyone is dealing with the Futures Club. John responded that six apartments
that participate in the Youth/teen complexes and Future's Club is going to three of them. Chair Houser
recruited for more representatives for the Future's Club representatives; contact Mel Tate.
Development Reports Coloring our City- Corrections, Public Works and Parks is conducting an
inventory now, broken into three phases. Parks Maintenance needs more green houses to
accommodate this project. Two garden clubs will help re-do the Soames Home's garden. The lights
are up at West Fenwick and Glenn Nelson.
ADDED ITEMS:
John Hodgson shared that there will be 6 dedications in the next two weeks;
Mural "Desert Realities"Wednesday, June 7, 12:00 noon at Kent West High School
Mural "A Little Bit of Everything"Thursday, June 8, 5:00 p.m. at Campus Park
Mural "Underworks"Thursday, June 8, 6:00 p.m. at Earthworks Park
Sister City Yangzhou Pavilion: Wednesday, June 14, 5:00 p.m. at the International Park.
Riverbend Putting Links: Friday, June 16, 5:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
Kiwanis Tot Lot#1: to be announced.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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