HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 07/06/1995 PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
JULY 6, 1995
Council Present: Christi Houser, Chair; Paul Mann
Staff Present: Tom Brubaker, John Hodgson, Jim McDonald, Teri Stump
Chairperson Houser called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Councilmember Bennett was
unable to attend.
PARK SIGNAGE:
John Hodgson discussed the need to replace park signs. Staff has met with sign experts with
some options and whether to contract signs out or make them in-house. John asked for the
committee's approval to hire a consultant to develop a"plan that would standardize our signs
throughout the City . There is 1995 CIP money to pay for a consultant and signs. John added
that this might be considered for city-wide plan, especially with the upcoming annexation.
Councilmember Mann and Chair Houser agreed that the signage should be consistent.
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES:
John Hodgson distributed Parks and Recreation's current policy on re-naming parks and
asked permission to follow up on this process. John has recently receiveo,inquiries as to
changing certain park names either because the name does not clearly identify the area, or
dedicating a park name to a deserving local citizen. The committee supported John in his
request to research the process for changing park names.
Youth/Teen Program: The Youth Conservation Team has 24 members;end will be working in
the field soon. Chair Houser asked how many will be working for the City year-round; John
replied, 6-8 youth.
Skateboard Park: Staff members and nine skateboard committee members,went on a tour of
local parks and will be reporting to the Parks Committee and City Council later this summer.
Parks Development: The lights are on at West Fenwick and Glenn Nelson.
Riverbend Golf Complex: The new miniature golf course continues to be very busy with lines
extending out past the clubhouse.
John Hodgson recently toured Chair Houser throughout the Kent parks system and will be
touring Councilmembers Mann and Bennett to show them first-hand what an aging parks
system we have. John is asking the committee for input as to the direction the department
should take.
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Parks Committee Meeting Minutes
July 6, 1995
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Councilmember Mann stated that he is not available for a tour until August. Chair asked about
the driving range projects. John replied that the netting should be done Monday, July 10, and
the turf arrived on July 5. She also asked why Riverbend charges more than other local golf
courses. John replied that Riverbend is bigger than most local courses and is comparable to
the more developed private courses in the area. She also asked when it will be complete;
John said mid to late August.
APPOINTMENT OF ARTIST FOR THE PUBLIC ART PARTICIPATION PROJECT:
Jim McDonald reported that the Arts Commission decided to develop a program that
incorporates the public and professional artists in a community project. In the form of a jury,
Carolyn Law was chosen to fulfill this position. Carolyn has many years of experience as an
artist and Art Project Manager on numerous professional projects. Carolyn has chosen "The
River" as the theme for this community art project and the final pieces will be positioned at
various locations on the Green River Trail.
Carolyn's proposed art project will incorporate 1.) Photos from using pinhole cameras; 2.)
Photograms and/or Cyanotypes, a method which involves using light sensitive paper exposed
to the sun and processed in water. and 3.) Stories and words; which will be local citizens and
the historical society sharing short phrases that finish a leading sentence, relating an
experience, and/or telling a story from the past or present. Carolyn plans to take the words,
edit them and incorporate them into the piece, in conjunction with the images. The results of
these three mediums will be then translated into porcelain enamel steel tiles and located
throughout the Trail; specifically at Briscoe Park, where the Trail meets; at Russell Road; and
at Foster Park, where the Green River Trail and the Interurban Trail meet. The $21,000
budget from City Art Plan Ordinance funding and includes salary and materials.
Jim McDonald asked the committee for authorization to appoint Carolyn Law as artist for the
Public Art Participation Project. Councilmember Mann moved to accept, Chair Houser
seconded. Councilmember Bennett was contacted by phone and voted his approval, making
the vote was unanimous 3-0.
ADDED ITEMS:
There are 25 balloons lined up for the '95 Balloon Classic.
Friday, July 7 starts the Summer Concert Series.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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