HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/17/2008
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 17, 2008
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Elizabeth Albertson, and Ron
Harmon
Jo Thompson recording for Teri Petrole
Added Item: Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise Donation for Senior Center Fitness
Room - Accept and Amend Budget
Item #1 Meeting Minutes Dated March 20, 2008
Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of March 20,
2008. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #2 Conflict Council Agreement - Authorize
Jason Johnson explained that Housing and Human Services oversees the
contract for public defense, and is responsible for finding counsel to cover
when conflict of interest arises.
Stewart, Beall, MacNichols and Harmell is under contract with the city to
provide counsel to indigent defendants. The current conflict counsel process
has the city paying on a per incident basis to several different firms. This
process is complicated to manage and expensive. Staff reviewed best practices
from around Washington State and discovered that many municipalities
contract with a single firm for conflict counsel. Oversight of a single conflict
counsel contract is much easier to audit and eliminates the possibility of paying
for conflict counsel twice for one incident.
City staff selected Michael Jordan and James Feldman of Jordan Law Offices
P.S. Inc. to represent the city on roughly 250 incidents for per year for a total
of $37,200.00. This contract amount would be pro-rated for 2008, as the start
date for this work would begin in May.
Ron Harmon moved to authorize Mayor to sign the Agreement with Jordan Law
Offices P.S. Inc. for $37,200.00 per year for Conflict Council Defense Services.
Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #3 KaBOOM! Playground Grant Agreement - Authorize
Lori Flemm reported that on February 5, 2008, staff submitted a grant request
to KaBOOM! for new playground equipment, valued at approximately
$120,000.00. KaBOOM! looks for and matches qualified organizations with
corporate funding partners. The city is one of three finalists for this grant
award. The City’s financial match will be no more than $10,000.00 and is
available in the budget. KaBOOM! requires the city sign and return a final
contract within three days of notification of grant award. At this time,
KaBOOM! is requesting a signed Outreach Statement to show commitment and
ability to fulfill the grant requirements. The quick turn around process is
necessary to secure funding partnerships and get the equipment delivered in
time for a fall installation date.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign
the Outreach Statement signifying that the City of Kent has reviewed the draft
letter of agreement and is prepared to sign the final letter of agreement and all
other necessary documents with KaBOOM! for the acquisition and installation
of a community playground at Lake Meridian Park, subject to the selection of a
qualified funding partner, and upon final contract terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion passed
3-0.
Item #4 1st Quarter Fee-in-Lieu Funds - Accept and Amend Budget
Lori Flemm stated that between January and March 2008, the city received a
total of $14,100.00 from one developer, KBS Development Corporation, who
voluntarily paid fees in lieu of dedicating park land to mitigate the
development of single family homes in the subdivision Arbor Heights 360.
Funds will be used to complete a paved trail and install hand railing at Arbor
Heights 360 Park.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council accept the $14,100.00.00 fee-in-
lieu funds for the first quarter and approve the expenditure of funds in the
Arbor Heights 360 Park budget. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion
passed 3-0.
Item #5 2008 Recreation and Conservation Office Grant Application
Resolution for West Hill Park
Lori Flemm reported that each year staff pursues funding for park development
through the Recreation and Conservation Office. Award is based on need and
scope of the project. Staff is requesting authorization to submit the grant
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 2
Minutes of April 17, 2008
application to the RCO Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to fund a
future neighborhood park development at the undeveloped “West Hill” park
site on Military Road, north of the Armory. The Master Plan was adopted
through public meetings in the mid-nineties. The proposed project includes a
trail around the park, an open play field, play equipment, and parking. Ron
Harmon noted the need for parks on the West Hill and suggested putting up a
sign board to note the site's historical value.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council adopt the resolution authorizing
grant application to the Recreation and Conservation Office to fund the
development of West Hill Park. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion
passed 3-0.
Item #5 2008 Recreation and Conservation Grant Application
Resolution for Panther Lake Park
Lori Flemm is requesting authorization to submit the grant application to the
RCO Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to fund acquisition of two
parcels for a future community park in the Panther Lake potential annexation
area. Upon approval, staff will present a Purchase and Sales Agreement to
both property owners to secure the sale. Elizabeth Albertson complimented
staff on being well prepared for the potential annexation.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council adopt the resolution
authorizing grant application to the Recreation and Conservation Office to fund
the acquisition of Panther Lake Park. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion
passed 3-0.
Item #6 King Conservation District Reimbursable Grant for ReLeaf
2007 - Accept and Amend
Lori Flemm reported that on February 21, 2008, staff submitted an application
to King Conservation District (KCD) for a reimbursable grant to fund ReLeaf
2007. The grant request was approved by the King Conservation Board on
March 11, 2008. The funds were used to plant and mulch 250 native plants at
Clark Lake Park. This work was completed by Park staff and 59 volunteers
during ReLeaf 2007 on October 11, 2007. Other than staff time, the project
was no cost to the city. There are two more projects planned for Clark Lake -
with one scheduled for this Fall.
Based on the terms of the grant, the city will receive 90% of the contract
amount ($9,673.87) once the contract has been executed. The balance is
withheld until all terms of the contract have been fulfilled.
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 3
Minutes of April 17, 2008
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
King Conservation District grant of $10,748.75 to fund the ReLeaf 2007
project, and approve the expenditure of funds in the Clark Lake Management
Plan budget. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item#7 Boat Launch Fees
Lori Flemm stated that last Fall, staff presented a study conducted by staff on
local boat launch fees in the area. Kent was the only city in the county and
state not collecting launch fees. Charging a fee would not only assist in the
control of use, but would maintain consistency within the department for
charging all recreational services. An Ordinance needs to be adopted to
establish a city boating facility fund. The proposed fee is $5.00. Stickers placed
on vehicles will confirm payment. The fee machine accepts bills up to $20.00
and will make change. The cost to furnish and install the machine is expected
to cost $18,000-$20,000. If Visa/Debit is added, the handling fee would be
$90.00 per month. Staff plans to monitor cash transactions before adding the
card payment option. Programming the machine to accept cards is a simple
process. Senior discounts are not being recommended because the proposed
fee is low. Elizabeth Albertson encouraged staff to install a fee machine that
accommodates visa/debit cards because they are such a convenient method of
payment.
Funds will be collected by the Police Department. Enforcement will be handled
by VIPS, bicycle patrol, boat patrol, or parking enforcement officers. Violations
will constitute an infraction with a penalty of $50.00. The Parks Department
will manage the revenue and expense accounts. Funds will be used for boating
improvements. Debbie Ranniger suggested using the funds to cover expenses
for anything related to Lake Meridian Park, not just the boat launch. No annual
passes will be provided until 2009. Lori asked the Committee for support to
purchase the fee machine. Lori reminded the Committee that the new boat
launch dedication ceremony is Tuesday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Lake Meridian.
Walk On:
Item #8 Rotary Club Donation for the Kent Senior Activity Center
Lea Bishop reported that the Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise is supporting the
remodel to the Kent Senior Center’s Fitness Room by donating $11,340.85 for
new equipment. Funds will provide two treadmills, one recumbent bike, one
upper body exerciser and floor mats. The equipment was purchased at Club
Fitness Equipment of Redmond, WA and will be installed next week. Debbie
Ranniger asked how non profits contact the city to donate. In this case, the
Rotary Club contacted the Senior Center because of previous involvement in
programs and events. The Grand Opening is 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 29.
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 4
Minutes of April 17, 2008
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council accept the $11,340.85
donation for new fitness equipment and approve the expenditure of funds in
the Senior Activity Center’s Budget. Ron Harmon seconded and the motion
passed 3-0.
Item#9 1st Quarter Contributions Report
Jeff Watling reported that $40,000 in gifts and in-kind was donated during the
first quarter of 2008, through partnering in programs and services.
Item #10 1st Quarter Division Reports
Jeff Watling asked the Committee to read the First Quarter 2008 Division
Report to see all of the day-to-day services offered by the Parks Department.
Item #11 What’s Happening
Elizabeth Albertson announced that the CDBG grant applications will be
delivered to the Human Services Commission members to review and make
recommendations for funding. Jeff added that there are 62 applications
requesting just over $2M and there is $950,000.00 in available funds.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Committee Council Secretary
Parks and Human Services Committee Page 5
Minutes of April 17, 2008