HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 07/17/2008City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of July 17, 2008
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Elizabeth Albertson. New Councilmember
Jamie Danielson was welcomed.
Item #1 Meeting Minutes Dated June 19, 2008
Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of June 19, 2008. Jamie
Danielson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #2 Park Impact Fees - Informational
John Hodgson, CAO attended the meeting to encourage the Committee to look at
the possibility of park impact fees as they consider traffic impact fees, recently
introduced at the Public Works Committee.
Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services provided
information on impact fees. The Growth Management Act and RCW 82.02 are
mechanisms for government bodies to introduce impact fees. Impact fees are a
one-time flat rate payment. They need to be a fair share and proportional to what
the impact of development. They cannot be used as a revenue tool to pay for
deficits. Government bodies chose to go with impact fees because it's revenue for
public facilities, growth pays a portion of growth cost, and public facilities keep up
with growth.
Fees are calculated at the time of building permit issuance. They can only be
charged for residential development, not commercial. The city would need to
conduct a rate study and be very clear in stating what our level of service would be.
The traditional method take acres per one thousands. A more current look would
be as an investment per capita. This approach looks at the city's measurement of
the current value attached to the parks system, As explained in Exhibit B "Example
of Investment Per Capita," a detailed sheet on what the level of service value is per
person in Kent, based on the current population.
Committee members asked for further clarification on regulations and distribution
of fee-in-lieu and impact fees. Per Ordinance 2975, developers are charged fees as
an alternative to donating land. The funds are used to create parks in proximity to
the development and the fee is based on assessed land value. The city can ask for
cash or land. If the developer chooses the fee-in-lieu term, funds can go toward a
community park, neighborhood park, or trail. Developers tend to pay the fees
instead of giving up land.
Impact fees would be utilized at a broader level, toward the entire park system.
They can be used as a mechanism to require pocket parks. The impact fee would
replace fee-in-lieu of charges. Assessment would be per dwelling, ending up with a
single family residential fee and a multi family residential fee. At that time, the
Committee reviewed Attachment A "Impact Fees Single Family Residence," a chart
summarizing school, traffic, parks, and fire impact fees from local cities.
Debbie Ranniger voiced her concern of the affect fees may have on residents and
house sales. John Hodgson responded that staff will continue to share issues
pertaining to growth and fees with Council at committee meetings and
Administration staff will return for recommendation at a future Council meeting.
Item #3 2008 Second Quarter Fee-in-Lieu Funds – Accept and Amend
Budget
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Spaces reported that between April
and June 2008, the City of Kent received a total of $28,417.00 from three
developers who voluntarily paid fees in lieu of dedicating park land to mitigate the
development of single family homes in three subdivisions:
• Seven Oaks Park Budget: $6,975.00 from Mental Health Housing Foundation
• Wilson Playfields Park Budget: $10,042.00 from HS Homes & Development, Inc.
• Turnkey Park Budget: $11,400.00 from Main Street Builders, LLC.
Ordinance 2975 requires developers to dedicate park and open space land in
proximity to new construction sites or to pay “fee-in-lieu” funds. The fee is based
on assessed land values.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council accept the $28,417.00 for fee-in-
lieu funds for the second quarter of 2008, and approve the expenditure of funds in
the Seven Oaks Park, Wilson Playfields Acquisition and Development, and Turnkey
Park budgets. Jamie Danielson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #4 Kent Code Revision to Support the New Boat Launch Fee at
Lake Meridian- Adopt
Lori Flemm, Superintendent of Parks and Open Spaces described the proposed
launch fee program including amounts and method of collection -- recommending
that all revenue generated by the launch fee program be deposited into a dedicated
boating facility budget. The $5.00 daily pass and/or $50.00 annual pass will pay to
operate, maintain, improve and enforce boating activities and facilities within the
city; as well as, to acquire land to expand boating facilities, purchase replacement
equipment and supplies, and recover the cost to collect boat launch fees within the
city. The creation of the launch fee would also cover some minor housekeeping
changes within the code including infraction penalty amounts, swimming
restrictions, and clarification of speed limits.
Lori confirmed that funding allocations in the Ordinance were expanded to include
"aquatic resources," directed toward water quality, fish habitat, milfoil removal, etc.
Funds generated from the boat launch fee will be managed by the Finance
Department.
Jamie Danielson moved to recommend Council adopt the proposed ordinance
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Minutes of July 17, 2008
amending the city code to establish a boat launch fee at Lake Meridian Park, to
establish a boating facility fund for the launch proceeds, and to make minor
housekeeping amendments, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the
City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #5 Amended Street Tree List – Approve
The Approved Street Tree list was changed to be reviewed every four years instead
of five, and to address trees that are posing problems to the infrastructure,
attracting pests, and prone to disease. City Council approved the last revisions on
May 19, 2004.
Lori Flemm informed the committee that the city's Street Tree Certified Arborist is
recommending that the Approved Street Tree List be amended to include trees that
are readily available in wholesale tree nurseries. Some of the street trees on the
approved list are unavailable and others do not thrive in this climate. Lori
addressed Debbie Ranniger's concerns with certain species listed, and suggested
using the Ash and Crabapple trees. Staff will also look into the Alaska Blue and the
Start Magnolia in regard to bio swale species. A binder of all city trees is located for
viewing at the Parks Maintenance Shops.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council approve the amended street tree
list to include tree species that are available on the wholesale market. Jamie
Danielson seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #6 King County 4Culture 2008 Sustained Support Grant - Accept
and Amend Buget
Ronda Billerbeck, Manager of the Cultural Programs announced that 4Culture has
awarded the Kent Arts Commission a $17,000.00 Sustained Support grant. The
funding will support 2008 programs, including Spotlight Series performances, Kent
Kids’ Arts Day, Kent Summer Concert Series, and two Missoula Children’s Theatre
residencies. Ronda clarified that Kent is one of the top three cities funded for this
grant.
Jamie Danielson moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement
for the Sustained Support grant in the amount of $17,000.00 from 4Culture to
support 2008 Kent Arts Commission programs and approve the expenditure of
funds in the Kent Arts Commission budget. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the
motion passed 3-0.
Item #7 Second Quarter Contributions Report - Informational
Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services gave a
snapshot of the donations, materials, and supplies that the Parks Department
receives with a value less than $5,000.00 and not required to go to Council for
approval. The total cash amount for the second quarter of 2008, equaled
$46,000.00. In-kind materials were just under $3,000.00. Jeff explained that funds
are deposited through the department, as well as through the Kent Parks
Foundation.
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Minutes of July 17, 2008
Item # 8 Second Quarter Report - Informational
• Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services,
highlighted some programs and events from the second quarter.
• The Senior Activity Center changed the yearly "Boomer Blast" to an
"Evening of Jazz and Art" this year. The response was very positive and
staff received great feedback.
• On May 1, 2008, Parks Maintenance took over the downtown landscape
responsibilities from Public Works with great results. The committee
commented on the cohesiveness and flow of the flowerbeds.
Item #9 What’s Happening
• Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
reported that in the midst of the 2009 budget season, staff examined
details of the many services offered by the Parks Department. For an
investment of $10.00 per resident/per month some of the services offered
include summer camp at six different locations each week, playground
programs with free lunches through KSD and the USDA meal program,
three concerts per week catering to all age groups, 32,000 visits to Lake
Meridian, including the Fourth of July Splash, and the lifeguards on duty
seven days per week from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Labor Day through
September 1, have handled 39 incident responses.
• Staff continue to pursue a partnership with King County to develop an off
leash dog park.
• Human Services staff and the Human Services Commission awarded
$900,000 in CDBG contracts to fund local human service programs.
• Two large levee projects are underway at the Riverbend Golf Complex.
Jeff and Pete met with King County staff today to discuss golf course
reconfiguration and to review compensation for revenue affected by the
construction.
• Three hundred volunteers attended the Volunteer Appreciation Event at
the Ice Arena on July 16.
• Mill Creek Park is under construction for flood control. The project is
managed by Public Works and is scheduled to be completed this fall.
The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Committee Council Secretary
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Minutes of July 17, 2008