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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/16/2009 (3)City of Kent nt Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes of April 16, 2009 Minutes of April 16, 2009 Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Council Committee Members Present: Debbie Ranniger, Tim Clark and Jamie Danielson for Elizabeth Albertson. Council Committee Members Present: Debbie Ranniger, Tim Clark and Jamie Danielson for Elizabeth Albertson. Item #1: Meeting Minutes Dated February 19, 2009Item #1: Meeting Minutes Dated February 19, 2009 Jamie Danielson moved to approve the minutes of March 19, 2009. Tim Clark seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Item #2: Right-of-Way Dedication Deed for South 268th Street – Authorize City staff applied for and received a grant to widen South 268th Street, located between Military Road and Princeton Avenue. The street was widened in 1971, but the required 30 feet of right-of-way along the south side of Glenn Nelson Park was never dedicated. Staff is requesting authorization at this time. Tim Clark moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the deed dedicating the right-of-way for South 268th Street. Jamie Danielson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Tim Clark commented that the park is one of his favorites, but lacking in shaded areas, especially for the elderly. Mr. Clark recognizes that current budget conditions inhibit new projects and suggested using volunteers. Item #3: Right-of-Way Dedication Deed for Military Road – Authorize As part of the pedestrian sidewalk improvements project, a sidewalk is being added at the northeast corner of Military Road and S. 268th Street. An additional three feet of right-of-way and a triangular section at the corner is required for the sidewalk. This right-of-way is within Glenn Nelson Park, a city-owned site. Tim Clark moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the deed dedicating the right-of-way for Military Road. Jamie Danielson seconded. The motion passed 3- 0. Item #4: Amendment to Community Development Block Grant 2008 Action Plan – Authorize The city originally allocated funding to a Housing Rehabilitation Project (Kent Youth and Family Services-Watson Manor Roof Replacement Project) through the City of Kent’s 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) One Year Action Plan. KYFS was unable to secure additional funding that was needed to start the project in 2008, and funds were not spent. Recently, the city was notified of award of CDBG Stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The roof project is underway and can be completed expeditiously with these funds. Therefore, it would be sensible to re-allocate the original roof project funds to the Kiwanis Tot Lot #1 Project. The building is in dire need of roof repair. Staff also wants to recapture funds from the Green River Community College Micro- enterprise Project that Green River Community College decided not to accept, and award them to the Kent Parks Kiwanis Tot Lot #1 Project. A Public Notice regarding the Amendment was published on April 8, 2009. In addition, the Amendment is posted in public buildings and available for public comment for 30 days. Council action is required to approve the amendment reallocating the funding. Jamie Danielson moved to recommend approving the proposed First Amendment to the 2008 Community Development Block Grant One-Year Action Plan, including funding allocations. Tim Clark seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Tim Clark suggested re-wording the motion to be more detailed with account numbers and amounts before the it goes to Council. Item #5: Amendment to Community Development Block Grant 2009 Action Plan – Authorize Originally, funds through the 2009 CDBG One Year Action Plan were allocated to Kent Youth and Family Services for the Watson Manor Roof Replacement Project. Recently, the city was notified of a larger award of CDBG Stimulus Funds and determined that it would be more prudent to dedicate the stimulus funds to Kent Youth and Family Services-Watson Manor. The project fits the CDBG grant requirements because it is underway and will be completed expeditiously. The $60,000 in CDBG funds that were originally allocated to KYFS will be reallocated to the Parks Project, Kiwanis Tot Lot #1. A Public Notice regarding the Amendment was published on April 7, 2009. In addition, the Amendment is posted in public buildings and available for public comment for 30 days. Council action is required to approve the amendment reallocating the funding. Tim Clark moved to recommend approving the proposed First Amendment to the 2008 Community Development Block Grant One-Year Action Plan, including funding allocations. Jamie Danielson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Item #6: Neighborhood Stabilization Program – Informational Congress passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, as a response to the large number of foreclosures throughout the nation. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was established through this legislation and funding is provided for the project through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funding is restricted to a limited number of activities. The State of Washington received $28.16 million in funding through its State CDBG Program, which will contract with local jurisdictions that are eligible for funding. The City of Kent is eligible for $475,264 and will use NSP funds to purchase and rehabilitate a single-family residential property that has been foreclosed in a Kent neighborhood that has a high LISC zip code level foreclosure and need score. After rehabilitation, Parks and Human Services Committee Page 2 Minutes of April 16, 2009 the property will be sold to a family with an income at/below 50% of area median income. Funding will be used for two activities: (1) Establish financing mechanisms for the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties; i.e., 0% or low-interest loans and for down payment assistance; and (2) Purchase, rehabilitate and sell a foreclosed residential property. The City’s sub-grantee will purchase up to two homes and assist up to two families. The first homebuyer will be a family with an income at/below 50% of area median income, based on HUD income qualification system. If two homes are purchased, the second homebuyer will be a family with an income at/below 120% of area median income. Information on family size & income will be documented in files. The proceeds will be used to purchase additional homes. The plan is to keep turning over houses and use the proceeds to purchase more houses. Applicants must attend financial literacy class. A contract agency will be hired to run the program, so an RFP will be advertised. Tim Clark shared his concern over diminishing proceeds from the house as the economy is restored and values increase. He questioned how the program will continue if there aren’t enough funds. Jeff responded that the program is not expected to be ongoing. As directed by the administrator, funds must be spent entirely and in an expeditious manner. Item #7: First Quarter Division Reports and Contributions Report As evidenced by the quarterly division report, many activities and programs occurred during the first three months of the year. Athletic team registration is still strong and sponsorships take care of reduced fee needs. The Contributions Report reflects $26,138.00 from donations of in-kind items, materials, supplies and cash. This report shows the total in donations/contributions less than $5,000.00 and Council approval is not required to expend. Debbie Ranniger asked for an update on the final art piece along 2nd Avenue at Town Square Plaza. Jeff responded that the artwork is still in fabrication and he will get back to her with an exact date. Tim Clark inquired if the city still has a bicycle re-distribution program. Impounded bikes were offered at the city’s auction during Cornucopia Days, but that event was cancelled a few years ago. Lori Flemm suggested contacting the Police Department because they have sponsored a bicycle program in the past. Item #8: Director’s Report There are 83 teams playing at the T-Ball/Toss Ball Jamboree at Wilson Playfields on Saturday. Earth Day is April 25, from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at Lake Fenwick Park. 150 volunteers have registered to assist in the park clean up. Parks and Human Services Committee Page 3 Minutes of April 16, 2009 Arbor Day is April 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at West Fenwick Park. The Parks Department is currently conducting a brief on-line survey to let us know how the citizens would like to see Kent Parks develop over the coming years. Citizens can offer input on the Parks web site through early June. There have been 316 responses so far. The focus is on parks needs, use programs, and maintenance. The survey is available on the city’s website at www.kentparks.com, or hard copies at Kent Commons, the Senior Activity Center, Resource Center and Parks Administration Offices. Comments will help shape the future of our parks in the next version of the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan. The last time this survey was done, it lead to our ice arena, so input really matters and can lead to dramatic changes for the citizens of Kent. In an effort to discourage graffiti, staff advertised a request for applications from artists to paint the bowl of the West Hill Skatepark. The deadline for applications is April 30. For more information, call 253-856-5110. An Off Leash Dog Park Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Phoenix Academy (11000 SE 264th St.). Public input will assist in narrowing down to two sites from six potential sites on East Hill. The Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) selected Town Square Plaza as “Best Park for 2009” in its class (population 35,000+). The award will be presented at the association’s annual awards banquet, Thursday, April 30, at the Spokane Conference Center. Jeff thanked the Rotary Club for their assistance in purchasing the granite water sphere, and to Council and Parks staff for their contributions. Housing and Human Services Division staff, City of Renton staff and South King Council of Washington, hosted a meeting to bring South King County agencies together to discuss the current funding situation for human service programs. A full report will be presented at the City Council Meeting on April 21. Safe Havens Supervised Visitation Center is at risk due to lack of 2010 funding from the County and State. Existing funds will last until September 30, 2009. Staff has put out an “all call” to courts, advocates of courts, and agencies to work together to find a solution to keep this valuable center in operation. Tim Clark asked about the status of the Riverbend Golf Complex since construction. Jeff responded that the entire course has officially been open since April 1. The trails have been open since construction was completed in fall 2008. Staff continues to receive rave reviews from players, which is reflected in the high course numbers. The Rainier Symphony will not be performing this year at the 4th of July Splash Celebration, but recorded music will be provided. Council suggested using the Splash event to promote the “I can” campaign. Parks and Human Services Committee Page 4 Minutes of April 16, 2009 Parks and Human Services Committee Page 5 Minutes of April 16, 2009 Jeff shared some of the free events offered to the public throughout the summer: Summer Concert Series provides four concerts per week, Big Blue Bus provides access to PC’s, and there are three movie nights this summer at Town Square Plaza. All events are posted on the city’s web site, in the Summer Guide, and on posters distributed throughout the city. The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole Committee Council Secretary