HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 06/19/2008City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 19, 2008
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Ron Harmon, Elizabeth Albertson was
absent
Item #1 Meeting Minutes Dated May 15, 2008
Ron Harmon moved to approve the minutes of May 15, 2008. Debbie Ranniger
seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth Albertson's concurrence.
Item #2 DSHS Interlocal Contract Amendment for Safe Havens
Services - Authorize – Authorize
Katherin Johnson, Manager of Housing and Human Services informed the
Committee that this is an amendment to last years' agreement. The 2008/2009
State of WA DSHS Grant funds will be used to provide services to low income
families at the Safe Havens Visitation and Exchange Center. Funds will be used for
personnel costs from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
Debbie Ranniger asked what happens when the funds run out. Katherin responded
that the city is working with the state again this year and the city's lobbyist, Doug
Levy, is working with the governor's office for future funding.
Ron Harmon stated that originally this funding was set up for a block of time and
asked if the funding ends this year. Katherin said no, the city is entering the
second year of an additional five year extension, plus there is other funding.
Ron Harmon moved recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the State of
Washington, DSHS Grant Amendment, accepting the $50,000.00 to fund Safe
Havens services, and approving the expenditure of funds in the Safe Havens
budget. Debbie Ranniger seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth
Albertson's concurrence.
Item #3 H.O.M.E. Investment Partnerships Program Interlocal
Cooperation Agreement with King County - Authorize
Katherin Johnson, Manager of Housing and Human Services reported that this
funding must go through the county, not through the city. The current Interlocal
Cooperation Agreement for the King County HOME Consortium expires at the end
of 2008. The new agreement is for 2009 – 2011. It gives the city a seat on the
Joint Recommendations Committee. Participation in the HOME Consortium enables
the city and affordable housing developers serving Kent to apply for HOME funds
to help meet locally identified affordable housing needs, including affordable rental
housing and first-time homeownership programs, to support the rehabilitation and
preservation of affordable privately owned multifamily rental housing in our
jurisdiction. And, the city can participate in the Inter-jurisdictional Advisory Group
that helps develop recommendations for the inter-jurisdictional Joint
Recommendations Committee on specific projects to receive funds, as well as
program guidelines.
Ron Harmon asked if the program has actually built affordable houses in Kent.
Katherin responded yes, it has supported a great deal of affordable housing. The
biggest project is a $1M rehabilitation of the Appian Way Apartments on the West
Hill.
Ron Harmon moved recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the 2009-2011
HOME Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with King County for affordable housing
programs, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney.
Debbie Ranniger seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth Albertson's
concurrence.
Item #4 Lease Agreement with Around the Clock - Authorize
Jeff Watling announced that the city has rented the facility at 422 West Titus
Street to Around the Clock, a Property Management business, since November,
2000. Lease payments are scheduled on a progressive payment 3-year term.
Revenue received from the lease will reimburse the city for associated costs of
maintenance and operation of the leased premise. The facility is managed by our
Facilities Department.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the lease
agreement with Around the Clock to rent the city-owned building located at 422
West Titus Street. Debbie Ranniger seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with
Elizabeth Albertson's concurrence.
Item #5 King Conservation District Reimbursable Grant for ReLeaf
2006 - Accept and Amend Budget
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space said that on November 17,
2007, staff submitted an application to King Conservation District (KCD) for a
reimbursable grant to fund ReLeaf 2006 in the amount of $9,718.36. The grant
request was approved by the King Conservation Board on April 29, 2008. The
funds were used towards on-going maintenance, compost, tools and supplies and
planting 65 native trees at Clark Lake Park. This work was completed by Park staff
and 84 volunteers during ReLeaf 2006 on October 14, 2006. Based on the terms
of the grant, the city will receive 90% of the contract amount ($8,746.52) once
the contract has been executed. The balance is withheld until all terms of the
contract have been fulfilled.
Debbie Ranniger complimented staff on the remarkable number of volunteers who
participate in the city's events and programs. Lori commented that the volunteer
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Minutes of June 19, 2008
numbers have increased over the past few years and have noticed a much
younger volunteer interest.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council accept the King Conservation District
grant of $9,718.36 to fund the ReLeaf 2006 project, and approve the expenditure
of funds in the Clark Lake Management Plan budget. Debbie Ranniger seconded
and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth Albertson's concurrence.
Item #6 Easement Agreement with WV68 for Landscaping Puget Trail
Property - Authorize
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space reported that the owner of
West Valley 68 (WV68), property located at West Valley Highway at
approximately S. 223rd Street, directly north of the Puget Trail approached the city
because they intend to construct a new building. The building permit condition
requires that a seventeen foot wide landscape buffer be constructed around the
parking lot. The City of Kent property is covered with invasive plants, primarily
Himalayan blackberry. The City could grant an easement to WV68 to allow the
landscape buffer to be placed on city property in exchange for maintenance by
WV68. The landscape buffer will not impact the trail system, and will enhance the
area. This is similar to a landscape buffer granted to the Boeing Gateway
Business Park. The Committee discussed using goats for grass removal.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
easement agreement with WV68 for landscaping Puget Trail property subject to
final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Debbie Ranniger
seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth Albertson's concurrence.
Item #7 Easement Agreement with WV68 for Fire Truck Turn Around
on Puget Trail Property - Authorize
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space informed the Committee
that the owner of the WV68 property located at West Valley Highway at
approximately S. 223rd Street, directly north of the Puget Trail intends to construct
a new building. The building permit condition requires that a twenty nine square
foot easement protrude into the seventeen foot wide landscape buffer to provide
adequate turn around for the fire truck. The City of Kent property is covered with
invasive plants, primarily Himalayan blackberry. The City could grant an
easement to WV68 to allow the fire truck easement to be placed within the
landscape buffer/easement on city property in exchange for maintenance by
WV68. The fire truck turnaround will not impact the trail system, and will enhance
the area.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
easement agreement with WV68 for Fire Truck Turn Around on Puget Trail
property, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City
Attorney. Debbie Ranniger seconded and the motion passed 3-0, with Elizabeth
Albertson's concurrence.
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Item # 8 Maintenance Agreement with VW68 for Landscaping on Puget
Trail Property - Authorize
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space reported that the property
owner of the WV68, located at West Valley Highway at approximately S. 223rd
Street and directly north of the Puget Trail, intends to construct a new building.
The building permit condition requires that a seventeen foot wide landscape buffer
be constructed around the parking lot. The City of Kent property is covered with
invasive plants, primarily Himalayan blackberry. The owner has offered to
maintain the area north of Puget Trail and south of his property line in exchange
for granting the landscape easement.
Ron Harmon moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
maintenance agreement with WV68 for Puget Trail property, subject to review and
approval by the City Attorney. Debbie Ranniger seconded and the motion passed
3-0, with Elizabeth Albertson's concurrence.
Item #9 Kent Code Revision to Support the New Boat launch Fee at
Lake Meridian - Informational
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Space referred to the draft
ordinance, noting that this is an informational item and that staff will return to the
Committee in July to get approval for implementation of the new Ordinance. Staff
is requesting direction and consideration for charging boat launching at Lake
Meridian, just as all recreational services are charged a fee. Lori added that Kent
is the only local city that does not charge a boat launch fee.
All revenue generated by the launch fee program would be deposited into a
dedicated boating facility fund for expenses to operate, maintain, improve and
enforce boating activities and facilities within the city; to acquire land to expand
boating facilities; to purchase replacement equipment and supplies; and to
recover the cost to collect boat launch fees within the city. The creation of the
launch fee led to minor housekeeping changes within the code, including infraction
penalty amounts, swimming restrictions, and clarification of speed limits. Police
Department is in full support of increasing enforcement on the lake.
Lori thanked the Committee for encouraging the use of credit card machines at
the June 19 Committee Meeting. Staff researched credit/debit machines and
determined this is the most secure and cost effective method for collecting fees.
The purchase price of the machine is $13,000.00, with installation at $5,000-
7,000.00. Staff proposes a $5.00 per use fee and an annual pass for $50.00,
Passes will be available for purchase at Kent Commons. The cost to operate the
machine would be $90.00/per month. If a cash only machine is used, it would
exceed this charge to retrieve the cash and pay for operational costs. The annual
pass would be designed to have a different picture each year. The pass would not
be available for purchase until January of 2009. Payments would be deposited
directly to the bank from the machine. Bank of America is the city's current credit
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card provider and there would be a processing fee would be charged per
transaction.
Jeff and Lori met with the Lake Meridian Homeowners and addressed their
concerns. Lori thanked the Lake Meridian residents for suggesting the installation
of no parking signs (after dusk) on 152nd Way to handle the traffic congestion. A
letter will be mailed to the neighborhood outlining the proposed parking
restrictions. Staff will schedule a meeting with the neighborhood to get input. If
supported, the request will go to Public Works for implementation.
Another concern for neighbors is the Washington State Fish and Wildlife ramp,
located just north of the city's ramp. Boaters are required to have a vehicle use
permit and a fishing license to fish, but launching is free. Kent Police can check
vehicles and boaters for the passes, but can not enforce the Fish and Wildlife
vehicle use permit, but can provide assistances to the Washington State Game
Enforcement Officers. Staff is looking at the option of printing dual receipts. Each
boat with a trailer would have either the city's launch receipt, and/or the
Washington State Fish and Wildlife receipt, thus ensuring enforcement by boat
and land.
Residents suggested looking at a lake use sticker program. Preliminary study by
City Attorney's office determined that the city is not eligible for this program due
to the lack of full ownership and jurisdiction of the lake.
Debbie Ranniger asked what will stop boaters from launching at the Fish and
Wildlife ramp for free. Jeff responded that lack of receipts and/or permits would be
evident to the Police on their daily patrol and fines would be issued accordingly.
Lori reported that the Ordinance not only refers to charging a fee, but creates a
boating facilities fund. It also: clarifies the speed limit is 15 mph, updates the
penalty section to be in concurrence with state revisions by classes (not dollar
amounts), adds no swimming in the boat basin area, no remote control vessel
within 100' of the launch, and adds no moorage at the float.
Debbie Ranniger wants the city to consider expanding the Ordinance to include
water resources. Ron Harmon asked for confirmation that the fees will first pay for
the equipment, utilities and operating costs.
Michelle McDowell spoke on behalf of the Lake Meridian Homeowners Association
and suggested modifying the new Ordinance to include; a two part ticket, exclude
boaters with less than 25 HP engines from launch fee, have the city pursue
ownership of the Washington State Fish and Wildlife boat launch, and open earlier
for fishermen. Michelle voiced her concern with proposed increase in police
coverage on the lake. Knowing that the Police Department's services are already
stretched, the neighborhood is looking at a citizen patrol.
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Ron Harmon added the following suggestions; look into ownership of boat launch,
send a letter to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife asking for clarification on
their enforcement policy, make sure the year is on the pass card to make
identification easier, have transaction go through Kent Commons to save the user
fees, and adjust the fee to accommodate needs. Jeff noted Ron's comments and
responded that the Class System at Kent Common can not be used for payment
from Lake Meridian. The transactions must go directly from the machine to the
bank.
Item #10 Community Center at Phoenix Academy - Informational
Lori Hogan, Superintendent of Recreation and Cultural Services, shared some
background on the youth/teen program. Lighthouse started in 1993, in
collaboration with Parks staff, the Kent School District, Kent Youth and Family
Services, the King County Police Department and the Kent Police Department.
Soon after, a portion of the utility tax revenue was dedicated to youth and teen
services. Kent School District was invited to participate in 2007. The program
originated at Sequoia Middle School and transitioned to the Kent Phoenix
Academy. The Community Center opened in the fall of 2007, with a focus on
families. Staff noticed the shift in community needs and changed the focus to
teens.
Julie Stangle, Manager of the Youth/Teen Programs said the center officially
opened on September 17, 2007, for six days/week, with summer hours Monday
through Thursday. It will be open for the month of July on Tuesday, Wednesdays
and Fridays, but closed in August for Kent School District maintenance. The age of
participants range from 7th grade to 19 years old. Identification is required. The
Class System will be initiated in July, enabling all contact information and pictures
to be placed in a database. There is secure check-in for bags, coats and personal
items. The average night for attendance is in the fifties. Since opening on
September 17, there has been over 9,000 visits.
Police statistics indicate through "Project Neighborhood," a nation-wide program to
reduce gun crimes, that 29% of fire arm possessions in Kent are held by residents
21 years or younger. Staff maintains an awareness of these statistics at the
center. Juvenile arrests are down from 129 in 2006, to 98 in 2007. Demographics
show that crime in Washington is up, but down in Kent by 10%.
Activities and highlights include mentoring life skills, cooking, computer lab,
homework, tutoring, art, family nights, employment workshops. The local youth
committees meet in the building. The program provides a place for positive role
models.
Challenges exist with transportation, food, collaborations with the Kent School
District, programmable space, security, funding, marketing, changing the "At Risk
Youth" label, building community partnerships, identifying what teens want to do.
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Opportunities include sharing a vision, community hub, safe place for teens and
families, after hours facility, safe haven for Weed & Seed Program, meeting place
for teens and family, provide traditional and non-traditional recreation, and
educational enhancements.
Youth/Teen Program Coordinators Brian Steward and Dave Hobbs were recognized
and introduced Bradley, Zack, and Kalvin participants of the community center.
The teens offered their appreciation to the city for opening the community center
so they have a safe place to go. Along with being thankful for the great staff, they
appreciate the programs and assistance as well. They all felt the food supply could
be increased though!
Biking and walking are the current modes of transportation to and from the
center. Lori Hogan shared that staff is working on the transportation issues.
Lori Hogan noted that staff will return to the Committee in September for the first
annual review and request Council's approval to continue the program by
authorizing the agreement with the Kent School District.
Ron Harmon stated that the Kent School District's biggest concern with the facility
is maintenance. Ron encouraged the development of a community center on West
Hill too.
Debbie Ranniger thanked Bradley, Zack and Kalvin for letting the Committee
understand the positive impact this program has had on their lives. Debbie said it
helps Council become more aware and encourages their support. She noted the
need to increase funds in the budget for necessities at the center. Debbie also
suggested connecting the center to the city's initiative - Kent4Health to provide
healthy cooking classes.
Item #11 What’s Happening
Community Garden on James Street and 64th. Staff may be relocating the
garden to eliminate challenges experienced with the current land owner. Proximity
to the same downtown area will be key in determining a new site.
Bereiter House Museum. The Facilities staff painted the museum using 150
gallons of paint. The color was chosen for its historical value.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Committee Council Secretary
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