HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 01/17/2008City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of January 17, 2008
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Elizabeth Albertson, Ron Harmon
Item #1: Minutes of November 16, 2007 – Approve
Ron Harmon moved to approve the minutes of November 16, 2007. Elizabeth
Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #2: Ordinance to Amend Kent City Code 4.02 - Arts Commission Youth
Representative – Adopt
Cultural Programs Manager Ronda Billerbeck reported that the proposed ordinance
would amend chapter 4.02 of the Kent City Code to expand membership of the
Kent Arts Commission to include a youth representative with full voting rights.
Other housekeeping amendments clarify term lengths and appointment process.
Debbie Ranniger commented on what a great opportunity this is and asked how
applicants will know this membership exists. She suggested working with visual art
teachers for contacts. Ronda replied that she plans to get direction from the Mayor
on how to proceed.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council adopt the proposed ordinance
which amends chapter 4.02 of the Kent City Code to expand the membership of the
Kent Arts Commission to include a youth representative, and to make other
housekeeping amendments. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #3: 2008 WESTAF TourWest Grant - Accept and Amend Budget
Cultural Programs Manager Ronda Billerbeck stated that the Western States Arts
Federation (WESTAF) awarded the Kent Arts Commission a “TourWest” grant to
fund the presentation a touring performance and educational activities in the 2007-
2008 Spotlight Series season. The maximum amount of $2,500.00 has been
awarded to present one of India’s greatest slide guitarists, Debashish Bhattacharya,
in concert on April 19, 2008.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend accepting the $2,500.00 grant from Western
States Arts Federation and approving for expenditure of funds in the Kent Arts
Commission’s budget. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #4: 2008 King County Developmental Disabilities Division Grant –
Accept and Amend Budget
Superintendent of Recreation and Cultural Services Lori Hogan explained that King
County and Human Services Developmental Disabilities Division granted the Kent
Parks Adaptive Recreation Division $8,000.00 for calendar year 2008. The grant will
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January 17, 2008
support the inclusive day camp known as “WALKAPALA Too." The money is
provided in two $4,000.00 installments in July and December.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council accept the 2008 King County
Developmental Disabilities Division grant and approve expenditures in the Adaptive
Recreation budget. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #5: Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Regional Affordable
Housing Program (RAHP) - Authorize
Katherin Johnson and Jason Johnson of Housing and Human Services reported that
the Regional Affordable Housing Program (RAHP) is the countywide affordable
housing program that was created with the passage of Substitute House Bill (SHB)
2060 in 2002, and is now codified as RCW 36.22.178. SHB 2060 created a
surcharge on the document recording fee to support affordable housing projects at
the state and local level. The SHB 2060 revenue is administered by the King
County HCD Program in the Department of Community and Human Services.
Allocation decisions are made by the King County Consortium’s interjurisdictional
Joint Recommendations Committee. The RAHP has sub-regional allocation targets
for each of three sub-regions: City of Seattle (37.9%), South County (32.7%), and
North/East County (29.4%). The RAHP will continue to benefit our communities
through the provision of new affordable housing for many years to come.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Regional
Affordable Housing Program Interlocal Agreement. Elizabeth Albertson seconded
and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #6: Fee-In-Lieu Funds – Accept and Amend
Parks and Open Space Superintendent Lori Flemm informed the Committee that
between October and December 2007, the City of Kent received a total of
$117,750.00 from six developers who voluntarily paid fees in lieu of dedicating park
land to mitigate the development of single family homes in six subdivisions:
• Arbor Heights 360 Budget: $15,150.00 for Krueger Rodney.
• Turnkey Park Budget: $53,325.00 from TLT Development Lic.
• Eagle Creek Park Budget: $6,975.00 from 2R Development Group Lic.
• Wilson Playfields Park Budget: $6,750.00 from Pitzer Homes Inc.
• Wilson Playfields Budget: $15,675.00 from JP Holdings Lic.
• Garrison Creek Park Budget: $19,875.00 from Grison Reach Lic.
Ron Harmon asked for clarification of fee-in-lieu of vs. constructing parks and size
restrictions. Lori explained that we have 44 different neighborhood park service
areas. If there is a subdivision within that neighborhood, or we have a project
planned in our CIP, staff meets with developers to discuss expansion and
development, especially if under $10,000, which is usually a four lot subdivision.
These lots are too small to accommodate any park or open space park. Location is
also discussed because we are mandated to use the funds within six years of
collection. Certain PUD's are required to have on-site recreation elements, as well
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January 17, 2008
as multi-family developments. We do not collect a fee-in-lieu from multi-family
developments, just single family developments.
The developer has options. They can dedicate 5% of total subdivision. If the
property is too small, we usually ask for fee-in-lieu funds. They also can dedicate
park property, but for public parks only. Many subdivisions don't want a public park
in their neighborhood. The land is dedicated park and open space in closest to the
new construction sites. The fee is based on assessed land values, which works out
to 5-7% of the land valley only.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council accept the $117,750.00 fee-in-
lieu funds for the fourth quarter and approve the expenditure of funds in the Arbor
Heights 360, Turnkey Park, Eagle Creek Park, Wilson Playfields, and Garrison Creek
Park budgets. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #7: King County Youth Sports Facility Grant for Batting Cages at
Wilson Playfields – Accept and Amend Budget
Parks and Open Space Superintendent Lori Flemm stated that staff submitted a
Youth Sports Facility grant (YSFG) request to King County on June 29, 2007. The
grant request was approved by the King County Department of Natural Resources
and Parks on October 17, 2007. The funds will be used to construct the City’s first
two public batting cages at Wilson Playfields. The Kent Lions Club is our community
partner and will provide $4,000.00 for materials, as well as volunteer labor to
assemble site amenities. The work will be completed by Parks staff and volunteers
this summer. Lori added that the house on site has been demolished except for the
garage which will be used for storage.
Ron Harmon questioned light restrictions in parks. Lori responded that the lights
are turned off at 9:00 p.m., and parking lot lights are turned off at 9:30 p.m.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council accept the King County Youth Sports
Facility grant of $30,000.00 to fund the batting cages at Wilson Playfields project,
approve the expenditure of funds in the Wilson Playfields budget and authorize the
Mayor to sign the grant agreement. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion
carried 3-0.
Item #8: Agreement Amendment with Aquatic Management Group for
Kent Pool - Authorize
Parks Director Jeff Watling Jeff introduced the CEO of Aquatic Management Group
(AMG) Sean Hutchison. He explained that the original five-year agreement with
Aquatic Management Group (AMG) expires on March 6, 2008. This amendment
extends the agreement to 2011. This changes the end date to match the end date
of the lease agreement with the Kent School District and puts it on a year-to-year
basis. It also proposes to increase the city's operating contribution to $80,000.00,
which reflects the city's actual support over the past five years.
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Jeff announced that a work party consisting of pool user groups and staff will be
painting and cleaning the Kent Pool during the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend.
Ron Harmon asked about the pool's longevity. Sean responded that most of the
physical plant has been replaced, but the biggest concern is the HVAC system. It
was installed approximately 35 years ago and is no longer effective. The parts
would be challenging to find. The cost to replace is prohibitive. Improvements are
also needed in the shower area and lockers. There has been no direction from Kent
School District for plans after the lease ends in 2011.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
agreement amendment with Aquatic Management Group (AMG), subject to final
approval by City Attorney. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Item #9: Town Square Plaza Update
Parks Director Jeff Watling began his update of the Town Square Plaza Project with
slides showing project progress. Photos detailed the colored concrete work, the
lithocrete concrete treatment, and decorated drainage grating.
Jeff explained that the construction of this hardscape park was originally scheduled
as Phase III of the Town Square Plaza project, but was moved up to Phase I when
development stopped. Changes in design and unplanned utility needs, such as
sewer, water, storm drainage, and electrical, changed the scope of construction and
increased the budget.
Two current challenges have had an impact on the budget, as well as the schedule.
One is completion of mechanical/restroom building and the second is a condition
with the water feature. Since the hotel/condo project wasn't completed, we secured
an easement that allowed us to design and construct the restroom project. There is
a bond that the developer is responsible to pay if the project isn't completed. Staff
continues to work with the City Attorney's office to get bond funds. The original
price of the restroom was much higher than the bond funds, so we are working with
the designer and contractor to reduce the design, so it will fit well within our
budget.
The second item pertains to the water feature. The UL inspector interpreted the
water feature under a category that requires a specific UL stamping. This stopped
construction. The contractor has done all the concrete work up to the fountain area
until this issue is resolved. City staff, the designer, Labor and Industries staff, and
the UL inspector are in discussion. We filed an appeal and are expecting a comment
letter from UL soon. If the appeal is denied, our next step is to further discussion
with the State Labor and Industries Department.
The budget may increase further if UL requires a new inspection along with test and
if the junction boxes need re-designing. Currently, we are over the 10%
contingency amount of the original contract, but a budget adjustment request to
Council is not in order yet.
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Also for information, results from a recent soils test reported a substantial amount
of unsuitable soil under the excavation. The cost to clean up the site is $240,000.
Funds are available for this budget adjustment.
Project completion is set for early June, depending on the news from UL. Staff is
working with the Kent Lions Club to set up the Saturdays Market for this spring.
Construction for the water sphere will be this spring, along with installation of the
Sweet Gum pods art pieces along 2nd Avenue.
Ron Harmon suggested the next developer reimburse the City for laying the utilities
since it this was part of earlier phases and effectively the responsibility of the
developer. Elizabeth Albertson said she is glad we are putting in a restroom.
Item #10: Monthly What's Happening in Parks - Informational
Donations: The Home Depot donated a corporate gift card, materials, tools and
volunteer labor from four Home Depot stores for projects at Lake Fenwick Park
during National Public Lands Days. Additional corporate gift cards donated, valued
at $3,300.00 to purchase a 12-foot trailer that was loaded with a workbench valued
at $1,000.00.
Youth Basketball League has 120 teams, 140 participants from 3rd to 6th grade.
Each team has a local business sponsor. When scheduling play, 32 gyms are
utilized.
Green River Levee. Staff met with King County to discuss the impacts of the Green
River Levee Project. FEMA is funding the development with plans to complete key
projects along the Green River trail at the Riverbend Golf Complex. King County is
sending a map that illustrates accurate impacts to the trail and the golf course.
Phoenix Academy has received great feedback since opening in September.
Participants are involved in the Weed N Seed Program. The game room, gym and
kitchen are popular hangouts for basketball, dancing and homework. Hours are
Monday through Saturday 3:30 - 9:30 p.m. This has proven to be a great
partnership with the Kent School District, with involvement in the reclamation art
project, the start of a tutoring program and donated computers.
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole, Council Committee Secretary