HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 05/17/2007
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 17, 2007
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Bob O'Brien and Elizabeth Albertson for
Debbie Raplee
Added Item #8 to the Agenda: Mike Heinisch - Springwood
Item #1: Minutes of , 2007 – Approve
Bob O'Brien moved to approve the minutes of May 17, 2007. Elizabeth
Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #2: King County 2007 4Culture Grant Agreement - Authorize
Ronda Billerbeck, Manager of Cultural Services announced that 4Culture awarded the
Kent Arts Commission $15,000.00 in Sustained Support funding through a competitive
grant process. The funding will support 2007 Kent Arts Commission programs, including
Spotlight Series performances, Kent Kids’ Arts Day, Kent Summer Concert Series and
two Missoula Children’s Theatre residencies.
Motion: Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the
Mayor to sign the agreement, accept the Sustained Support funding in the
amount of $15,000.00 and approve the expenditure of funds in the Kent Arts
Commission budget. Bob O'Brien seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #3: Town Square Plaza Temporary Construction Easement - Authorize
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space reported that during construction
of Town Square Plaza there is a need to provide the contractor an area to stage for
construction and have an area for stock piling materials during construction of the plaza.
The one acre area identified is west of 4th Avenue behind Key Bank and fronts on both
Meeker and Harrison street.
The contractor is responsible for returning the site to the same or better condition than
when they started the project and is also responsible for securing the site. The city is
responsible for paying the taxes on the property during the period that it will be used by
the contractor, estimated to be approximately $7,300.00, depending on duration of the
project.
Elizabeth Watson questioned why the city is paying for this. Lori responded that the city
is only paying for property taxes.
Motion: Bob O'Brien moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to
sign the documents necessary to grant and record the temporary construction
easement with the Heart of Kent LLC for the property at Town Square Plaza,
upon approval of the City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the
motion carried 3-0.
Item #4: Assignment of Lease for the Fire Creek Grill - Authorize
Atlas Services Inc. is the current lessee of the FireCreek Grill at the Riverbend Golf
Complex. As landlord, the City of Kent entered into the current agreement with Atlas on
March 31, 2006. Terry Suzuki, owner of Atlas, notified the City of his interest to bring in
two partners into the operation of the FireCreek Grill. Washington Hospitality LLC is the
new company comprised of the three partners, with Mr. Suzuki as the majority partner. All
terms, conditions and obligations of the current lease agreement will be transferred.
Motion: Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the
Mayor to sign the Assignment of Lease between Atlas Service, Inc. and
Washington Hospitality LLC, upon approval of the City Attorney. Bob O'Brien
seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #5 Park Naming for East Hill Park - Accept
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space reported that the new skate park
located on the southwest corner of 116th Avenue SE and South 240th Street is scheduled
to open in June 2007. In compliance with City of Kent Resolutions 1049 and 1624 and
Parks Policy No. 1.14, staff solicited public nominations in 2005. Thirteen names were
nominated.
Arbor Heights Park was a leading candidate among the recommended names. As a
special use park, staff suggests that the park name associate with the use of the park
and not just the geographic location. Arbor Heights 360º represents a wide variety of
park elements (the full pipe, view from pinnacle, loop trail, multi-generations). The park
will be dedication on June 9, at 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Ranniger announced great pleasure with the decision of the name because it
denotes all the elements of the park - multi generational, multi use, and the panoramic
view. Debbie introduced Russ Hanskum, Director of Arbor Heights. Mr. Hanskum shared
the new "get to know" program developed since the park construction that links skaters
and park users with seniors at Arbor Village. He shared that everyone wins - kids find a
gramma/mentor and the Village gains friends for the seniors, as well as volunteers to
help with their garden bed and other projects. A great example of the success of this
program is Ester and Esther. Ester is a student taking sign language who wanted to
work at the center to use her skills for their sports programs. Esther is hearing impaired
and benefits from Ester's sign language skills.
Motion: Bob O'Brien moved to recommend approving Arbor Heights 360º as
the official name for the new skate park located on the southwest corner of
116th Avenue SE and South 240th Street. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and
the motion carried 3-0.
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 2
Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007
Item #6: Recreation and Cultural Programs Presentation - Informational
Superintendent Lori Hogan introduced the services that comprise the Recreation and
Cultural Programs division.
Senior Center - Manager Lea Bishop
Special events and concerts: Boomer Blast, Holiday Craft market
Cafe with 17,000 meals served
Social activities and games
Volunteer opportunities - 20,000 volunteer hours served in 2006
Dances and entertainment
Personal fitness through aerobics, yoga, strength and stretching
Classes: education, health, fitness, arts
Outdoor Adventures: fishing hiking, biking, golfing and skiing
Travel: locally, nationally and around the world
Kent Commons - Manager Doug Siegert
Adult soft ball has 136 teams signed up, youth softball 180 teams, and youth
basketball 123 teams.
Parks rentals and facility use. 60,000 visitors each year to the center - 30
weddings at KMP
Community education with 1,200 classes offered: ballet, martial arts, gymnastics,
Japanese classical dance, Super Sitters, ESL, piano and guitar lessons, home
school programs, yoga, aerobics, triathlon training
A comprehensive program guide is developed and mailed to Kent residents
quarterly
Generating support for a new Aquatic/Recreation Facility
Bob O'brien asked about the impact of the proposed event center to be constructed on
the Common's Playfield site. Doug Siegert replied that staff met with KSD and league
play has been relocated to school fields and other city fields will be used, such as Wilson
Playfields and Service Club Park. Mr. O'Brien questioned the impact on West Hill
residents and having to travel farther that Common's Playfield. Lori Hogan responded
that sites closer for West Hill residents will be used - such as Uplands, Russell Road and
KMP.
Resource Center: Youth and Teen Programs - Manager Julie Stangle
TOAC (Teen Outdoor Adventure Club): 41 trips and 500 teens per year
Camps: W.A.L.K.A.P.A.L.A.: 8 week camp, with 700 campers; Camp Waskowitz:
$20,000 raised to help send kids to camp each year, 40 volunteers utilized, with
160 campers involved
Blue Bus: computers on wheels program, impacting 8,000 kids
Teen Opportunity Expo Job Fair: thirty-four vendors, with 280 teens looking for
jobs and volunteer opportunities in the community.
Family events such as the annual fishing experience: 235 kids, 50 volunteers and
1,500 fish; Late Night Family Night at various elementary and middle schools
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 3
Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007
Partnership with King County Work Training Program: 16 youth employed in a
summer educational and first time job program
Summer Playground Program: 4,300 lunches provided through partnership with
Kent School District Food Services
After School Express: 8 elementary schools, with 8,200 participants
Resource Center: Adaptive Recreation - Manger Janet Hasselblad
Over 160 programs offered, with 3,000+ participants atending classes and
special events
Creative ArtSpace
Jabberwocky Jungle Theatre
Sports and fitness
Trips and travel
Classes: computer training classes, cooking skills, community volunteering,
support groups, social clubs, workout buddies
Cultural Programs - Manager Ronda Billerbeck
Top quality music, theater, dance and family programming, with 50
performances each year
Approximately 16 performances, September through April
Summer Concerts, 20 free concerts in four locations: Kent Station, Mill Creek
Canyon Earthworks Park, Lake Meridian Park, West Fenwick Park
Public Art: Funded by $2 per capital ordinance. Collection includes more than 300
pieces, portable collection, installations, and integrated pieces
Fourth of July Splash: fireworks, live music, games and family fun
Arts at Cornucopia Days - partnership with the Lions Club: main stage and family
stage entertainment, art show, fine crafts market place, and poetry readings
Community festivals and events: Christmas Rush Fun Run, Student Art Exhibit,
Halloween Party and Kids' Arts Day
Kent Arts Commission: citizen advisory board which is staffed by Cultural
Programs staff assist city staff in promoting and planning arts programs
Bob O'Brien asked how the art work was managed. Ronda responded that all the art
pieces are maintained by a life cycle program and reviewed accordingly.
Item #7: What's Happening in Parks - Informational
Director Jeff Watling announced upcoming events:
Fall youth soccer registration begins May 25. Fields have been relocated due to
construction
Arbor Heights 360 dedication on June 9
Creative ArtSpace Art Show on June 19 at the Resource Center
Added Item #8: Mike Heinisch, Executive Director of the Kent Youth and Family
Services reported that a consortium of four agencies (King County Housing Authority,
Puget Sound Educational Service District, Center for Career Alternatives and Kent Youth
and Family Services) was established to support the development of services to low-
income households in public housing and the surrounding communities on the East Hill
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 4
Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 5
Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007
of Kent. Facilities such as WIC, the Springwood Youth Center and the Kent Family
Center offer a wide range of services to assist with helping families succeed. Thus
supporting the theory that strong families mean strong communities. Numerous
amenities offered at the Kent Family Center and Springwood Youth Center are
highlighted in the "Building Better Futures" brochure which was distributed at the
meeting. In closing Mike gave thanks for the confidence and support the city has shown
for their programs.
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Recorder, Parks and Human Services Committee