HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 08/25/1998 CITY OF KENT
PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 26, 1998
Council Present: Chair Judy Woods, Connie Epperly, Tim Clark substituting for Rico
Yingling, Tom Brotherton in audience
Staff Present: John Hodgson, Tom Brubaker, Lori Hogan, Lori,Flemm,
Don Wickstrom, John Hillman, Jackie Bicknell, May Miller,
Dena Laurent, Teri Petrole
Audience: Norward Brooks, S.S.M.D.; Jim Stone, S.S.M.D.; D@' .Gibson, S.S.M.D.,
Brett Wilkinson, S.S.M.D.; S.L. Stone, 24232 — 135d' Street; W. jnger, 231 Burnett
Avenue North, Renton, WA 98055; Tla Exersole, 12624 SE 166 , ,Menton, WA 98055;
Joe Cox, 7735 27t" Avenue SW, Seattle, WA LeRoy Gmaael, 5700 390d' Avenue SE,
Snoqualmie, WA
The Minutes of July 21, 1998 were approved.
West Hill Skate Park Project:
A youth advisory committee was formed to discuss design feature*,:1br the new Skate
Park on west hill. The project location selected is West Fenwick Perk, at Reith Road
• and 42"d Avenue. Public meetings were held to receive input front-ithe neighbors on the
site selection. Staff addressed neighbor's issues such as parking, highttime park use,
pedestrian crossing and sani-can needs.
The project includes: constructing a sidewalk at Reith Road so Mans can safely
cross the street using the crosswalk and traffic light; installing a gale so the park can be
locked at night; and installing a bench, picnic table, and drinking fountain. The design is
made up of three bowls, T, 4.5' and 6' deep with a "volcano" in one of the bowls for
jumps. There will be 16 parking spaces and bollards to prevent cars from driving near
the skating area. The park is designed for beginners to use as well as advanced.
Ramps will be constructed for speed and tricks. Benches are designed with rails for
sitting and skating. The project cost is $130,000 and is 500 square feet smaller than the
downtown skate park. Funding is from the youth/teen capital account.
One more public meeting is scheduled in three weeks to receive floal comments.
Construction drawings will follow. The project will bid in Decembh with construction in
spring of 1999. The project should be done before school is out in,1999.
King County Community Services Grant—Accept and Amen Budget:
The King County Community Services Division of the Department,pf Community and
Human Services recently awarded the Kent Youth/Teen Program 0 $200.00 "mini-
grant." The funds will be used to promote leadership for youth tho0ugh a teen advisory
• Parks Committee Meeting Minutes
August 25, 1998
Page Two
Committee and project called "TIME Advisory/PEP" to be located 4,Meridian Junior
High. This program is not involved with the Lighthouse Program c rently, but will be in
the future.
Council member Tim Clark moved to accept and amend the Youth/Teen budget for the
$200.00 mini-grant from King County Community Services Division.,r Council member
Epperly seconded. Motion carded 3-0.
Added Item:
Handball Court at Garrison Creek Park:
Tad Eversole, Joe Cox, and LeRoy Gmazel are avid handball play"and have used
the court at Garrison Creek in Kent since the early 1970's. They aided the meeting
to ask that the handball court at the park not be demolished as inten0ed in the master
plan approved by Council. They explained they are a unique group of handball players
that prefer to play outside and Garrison Creek Park is the only outdoor handball court in
the area. The next closest court is in the City of Shoreline. They soared they have
• been maintaining the court for years and feel they discourage vandism by their
presence on the court. They have no doubt the City of Kent receives national coverage
because of their publicized tournaments. To protect and preserve the court, the players
offered to conduct free handball lessons for local youth.
John Hodgson and Lori Flemm responded that two years ago the master plan was
developed from professional and neighborhood input after many public meetings.
Handball court demolition has always been a part of the plan. The existing court walls
are located next to the reservoir and are shifting. They cannot be ached to the
reservoir wall and currently have little or no support. The City con acted Engineers to
perform a seismic study on the court. The report explained that thei0xisting walls can't
support the drilling necessary for any remodeling. No other sites at to park can
accommodate a handball court.
John assured the players a new handball court would be construct at an alternative
site in Kent. A location has not been decided as yet, but sites are currently being
investigated. If a suitable location is found soon, the court could built by summer of
1999.
Due to time constraints, the committee suggested scheduling a spiatl meeting to
discuss this issue further.
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Parks Committee Meeting Minutes
August 25, 1998
Page Three
Riverbend Golf Complex Operation --Second Quarter Report:
Jim Stone began by stating that S.S.M.D has accomplished a lot in tie second quarter
at Riverbend, but has also experienced some problems. Mr. Stone{ ten introduced Dr.
Brooks, who was hired to assist in the operation of the golf complex and improve
revenue. Dr. Brooks listed some of the improvements made in the Osoond quarter such
as: new staff uniforms; implementation of tee reservations and stars at Par-3; golf
merchandise; new carpeting at the 18-hole; vending machines; and, lie/junior golf
programs.
Pro Golfer Brett Wilkinson reported that promotional measures inc luxe national
exposure through Nevada Bob's 36 franchises; monthly advertising l the "Inside Golf
Paper," (a joint-effort with the City); hosting the " Dave Pelts Short School" and
the Toyota Golf Skills Challenge (a national event advertising $70,6i4Vorth of
promotional items with the Riverbend name and logo on it). Brett ac ` that Riverbend
runs the top junior golf program in the northwest and has establishe4 a great
relationship with the new Double Tree Inn. The hotel customers often come to play golf,
rent equipment and eat at the Riverbend restaurant.
• John Hodgson agreed that many of the programs and tournaments Wired by S.S.M.D.
staff have been very successful. He told the committee that the Dries Range used to
be the city's "cash cow," but due to local competition, it is not anymo"M' , John added
that because revenues are also down at the 18-hole and Par 3, the 01 ity's,Capital Fund
is greatly impacted.
Mr. Stone felt three issues have impacted the level of revenue at the;iigolf complex:
1.) The netting installed at the Driving Range negatively affects c by restricting
target availability and shot making. 2.) The mats, carpeting, and ba$tat the Driving
Range are in poor condition. 3.) Lingering new computer problems,!lave forced staff to
operate the old and new systems concurrently and with poor resufto+,.
Mr. Stone also felt that due to the late execution of the City contract! aJanuary 1998,
the first quarter was mostly set-up time and contract negotiations. pu#them behind
their proposed revenue schedule., �.
Chair Judy Woods voiced concern that the end of the year is near al.soknething needs
to be done quickly, even it means raising the fees.
It was agreed to schedule a workshop in September to discuss soluts to the revenue
challenges at Riverbend.
Parks Committee Meeting Minutes
August 26, 1998
Page Four
The overpopulation of geese at water sites in parks was discussed. City staff recently
experimented with dogs at Lake Meridian and Riverbend Golf Comlpx tq ward off
geese. They had positive results. Many other cities have used dogo with the same
positive results. John Hodgson recently met with the Waterfowl Mmement
Committee. They have a 12-year regional plan for geese problems *hich, include egg
addling for slowed growth, dogs on site, and lethal methods. Staff v l,i,continue with
research and testing for the best geese deterrent and will keep the doMmittee updated.
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Added Item: Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement
(from Engineering Department):
Dena Laurent, City Government Affairs Officer, reported that the Su urban Cities
Association (SCA) recently requested renegotiations of the Solid W.00te Interlocal
Agreement with King County. SCA has traditionally represented Kejifln these
negotiations and is requesting confirmation to represent Kent again..1I1(ing County
Executive Ron Sims suggests starting negotiations now for the yeai;,12003, as the
process has become very complex. To complete the confirmation ass SCA needs
to receive the authorization right away.
Councilmember Tim Clark moved to authorize the Mayor to designa6althe Suburban
Cities Association as Kent's representative in Solid Waste Interlocalireiement
negotiations with King County. In so doing, the City of Kent will re +ve the right to
negotiate with King County on its own should the best interests of I rt citizens be
served by doing so. Council member Connie Epperly seconded. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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