HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 05/21/2009
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 21, 2009
Council Committee Members Present: Debbie Ranniger, Tim Clark and Elizabeth
Albertson
Debbie Ranniger announced that the open house for the interim Off Leash Dog Park
is on June 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kent Phoenix Academy.
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Item #1: Meeting Minutes Dated April 16, 2009
Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of April 16, 2009. Tim Clark
seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Item #2: 2008 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan
Amendment Two - Authorize
The city was awarded $211,080.00 in CDBG recovery funds (CDBG-R) through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. To receive these funds, HUD is
requiring that grantees provide a substantial amendment to their Program Year
2008 Annual Action Plan. The Council approved the First Amendment to the 2008
One-Year Action Plan on May 5, 2009. Although the First Amendment included
allocation of CDBG-R, the city had not received HUD guidance on providing a
substantial amendment and did not deduct 10% out of the award for administration
and planning activities. Consequently, the city is submitting this Second
Amendment to the 2008 One-Year Action Plan to address these issues. The city
wishes to allocate CDBG-R funds to the Kent Youth and Family Services (KYFS)
Watson Manor Roof Replacement/Parking Lot Repair Project and the Kent Parks
Department, Human Services Division for planning and administration activities.
Tim Clark moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign Amendment
Two to the CDBG One-Year Action Plan accepting $211,080.00 in additional CDBG
funds, allocating $189,972.00 to the KYFS Watson Manor Roof Replacement Project
and $21,108.00 to planning and administration tasks. Elizabeth Albertson
seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
The Watson Manor house is a transitional housing program for parenting homeless
teens for up to two years. They provid an apartment, parenting classes, education
classes, case management and support systems, as well as opportunities to explore
their own education and employment. The eight rooms provided are always full and
there is always a waiting list.
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Minutes of May 21, 2009
Council asked for an update on human services. Katherin Johnson provided
information based on a report given at the Human Services Commission by Mike
Heinisch of Kent Youth and Family Services.
The state was asked by the counties for some different funding opportunities to
cover human services costs. They didn’t get most of what they asked for. The state
did say yes to using the .3% sales tax option and noted that counties may supplant
with that, but it must have public vote.
They were given supplantation language with the mental health money. They can
use these funds to backfill, but it is time-limited: 50% year one, 40% year two,
30% year three, then down to zero and a non-supplanting state. They were told
they could have a property tax levy lift, but it must go to the voters. Now it’s back
to the County Council to decide what to do.
Impacts to Kent: July 1, the “Lifeboat” agencies will no longer be funded by King
County. That represents approximately $2M county-wide. For the City of Kent direct
services to Kent residents is $180,000 for the balance of 2009. The second part of
the lifeboat strategy is that King Co gets out of the human service business. That
means by the year 2010 funding will be reduced by 50%, and by 2011 the
remaining balance. For Kent, that means $400,000 in 2010 and another $400,000
in 2011. The agencies that serve residents in our city will lose that money. In
comparison, to the amount of money that we fund, you will see it’s South King
County - there are 10 agencies put funds into human services at approximately
$2.5M. King County invests $ 2.2M in South King County agencies. It’s almost an
equal amount of money, and we’ve always relied on that match to help support the
community. For agencies, this means a tremendous impact to their budgets.
To start working on these issues, Kent partnered a joint-summit with the City of
Renton and local agencies to meet and discuss: what they are planning, what are
their strategies, and to find out if they are they working with their Boards yet. A
noteworthy point of the meeting is the work already done by Jewish Family Services
to cut costs and maintain service levels. It started a good conversation. The
agencies realized how they can rely on each other for advice and how to improve
working with their Boards. They want to continue the dialogue. A second meeting
will be scheduled in June.
Katherin went on to say that there has been a 30% increase in temporary
assistance to needy families who’ve never used our services before. Tim Clark
asked if the budget cuts in Seattle will cause people to shift south. Katherin
responded that South King County is very limited in transitional housing. The Multi
Service Center is turning away forty families per month. Families are being referred
to other cities. The migration south is occurring, but homeless families are looking
for anywhere they can stay. The number of families living in their cars has grown
significantly. They aren’t always letting the school district know for fear of losing
their children. Elizabeth noted that the Phoenix Academy had a food drive for their
own classmates and families.
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Elizabeth Albertson asked if we know of any agencies to be concerned about.
Katherin replied that sole providers like King County Sexual Assault Agency may
lose their funding and they are the only agency providing that service. Tim Clark
asked about King County Public Health in regard to health and dental. Katherin
responded that King County Public Health is actually in worse shape than Human
Services, but no new information is coming out. The only news is that the Kent
Teen Clinic will become a Family Medical Center.
Item #3: 2009 4Culture Sustained Support Grant Agreement - Authorize
4Culture has awarded the Kent Arts Commission $17,000.00 in Sustained Support
funding through a competitive grant process. The funding will support 2009
programs, including Spotlight Series performances, Kent Kids’ Arts Day, Kent
Summer Concert Series and two Missoula Children’s Theatre residencies.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
Sustained Support grant agreement in the amount of $17,000.00 from 4Culture to
support 2009 Kent Arts Commission programs and approve the expenditure of
funds in the Kent Arts Commission budget. Tim Clark seconded. The motion passed
3-0.
Item #4: Lake Fenwick Floating Dock Project Agreement - Authorize
Staff discovered that the loss of flotation and freeboard on the floating walkway and
fishing float at Lake Fenwick is due to age-related deterioration of the dock. Since
replacement is necessary, the plan is to replace the floating systems in the same
location, with like-systems, and with the same or very similar dimensions. The
current floats are anchored by abutments where they meet the shore and by
anchors in the lake. The existing floating walkway has a short bridge that will be
replaced. The city will prepare and obtain permits for the project. Staff recommends
contracting with Berger/Abam to prepare construction documents for the demolition
and replacement of the floats.
Tim Clark moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement
for $29,700.00 with Berger/Abam Engineers, Inc. to complete services for the
Floating Dock Project at Lake Fenwick. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion
passed 3-0.
Item #5: Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
Reimbursement Grant Agreement for Clark Lake Park - Authorize
Staff submitted a grant request to acquire two parcels of land at Clark Lake Park to
the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development in June, 2003
and the contract was signed on July 8, 2003. The first parcel was acquired in 2004,
and reimbursement received. The second parcel was acquired in 2007. The
contract expired before the reimbursement request was processed, so a new
contract needs to be signed. This grant request was approved by the Department
of Community, Trade, and Economic Development on April 3, 2009. The
$217,809.00 in funds awarded under this contract will be used to reimburse the
2007 land acquisition from the purchase of the Dr. Melvin Lake rental property at
Clark Lake Park.
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Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
Grant Agreement with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic
Development for $217,809.00 to reimburse land acquisition budget. Tim Clark
seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Item #6: Quota International Donation for Service Club Ballfields – Accept
and Amend Budget
In 1999, all Kent service clubs were invited to pledge money for naming rights on
the fields and playground that became Service Club Ballfields. Quota International
of Kent Valley pledged $35,000.00 for the playground equipment and helped
construct picnic tables. The park was dedicated in November 2006. This $10,000.00
donation represents the final payment of the club’s pledge.
Tim Clark Moved to recommend Council accept $10,000.00 from Quota
International of Kent Valley, for final payment o playground equipment at Service
Club Ballfields, and approve the expenditure of funds in the Service Club Ballfields
budget. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Item #7: Retaining Wall and Access Easement at Arbor Heights 360 –
Authorize
The owner of the Arbor Village Assisted community property, Health Care REIT,
Inc., located directly west of Arbor Heights 360o at SE 240th Street and 116th
Avenue SE, has constructed a retaining wall on city property, which they will
maintain. Health Care REIT, the “ Grantee” requests a retaining wall and
maintenance easement. City Council approved the easements on September 18,
2007, but the easement was never recorded. Since that approval, Arbor Village
was sold to Health Care REIT, so it is in the best interests of the City to record the
easement with the current owner of the property as grantee.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
Retaining Wall and Maintenance Access Easement for property at Arbor Heights
360o, upon approval by the City Attorney. Tim Clark seconded. The motion passed
3-0.
Item #8: PSE Resource Conservation Manager Program Grant Agreement –
Authorize
The City Council identified a new strategic goal centered around energy
conservation and sustainability. One of our targets is to partner with public and
private agencies. The partnership with Puget Sound Energy and the Resource
Conservation Manager (RCM) Program illustrates the city’s commitment to finding
additional efficiencies in energy consumption within the city’s infrastructure.
The RCM Program focuses on the development and implementation of a Resource
Management Plan. This opportunity honors a necessary component of federal
stimulus funding by demonstrating collaboration with our local utility provider, as
well. Per the agreement, the city is committing a portion of existing staff time, as
this program fits within our work plan. The city will be awarded grant funds each
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Minutes of May 21, 2009
year for achieving the identified energy efficiencies (up to $44,000.00 over the
three year period).
Tim Clark moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement
with PSE to implement the Resource Conservation Manager Program. Elizabeth
Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Tim Clark asked if we are also looking at garbage and recycling. Jeff responded that
this grant focuses on energy efficiency. Jeff continued that a city team has been
formed to work on information for the application that is due by June 25. The city’s
failing HVAC systems are potential projects for funding. In addition, a consortium of
local cities plans to donate a portion of their eligible funds to provide regional
conservation efficiencies if awarded.
Item #9: Lake Meridian Boat Launch Update – Informational
The boat launch on Lake Meridian was renovated, adding a boarding float. The City
of Kent initiated a $5.00 boat launch fee at Lake Meridian Park. On February 19,
2009, the first daily fee was collected. As of April 30, 205 daily tickets were sold,
and a total of 10 annual passes have been sold. Of these passes: 1 lives in
unincorporated King County, 1 lives in Pacific, 2 live in Covington, 2 live in Kent,
but not on Lake Meridian, 3 live in Auburn, and 1 in Renton. On July 1, the fee
goes to $25.00 for the rest of the year.
Staff attended Homeowners Association meetings, conducted public meetings at the
park and spoke to the Kent Police Department regarding issues on the lake.
Excessive speed that leads to dock, boat and shoreline erosion and damage. There
are two boat launches at Lake Meridian; one is operated by Park Maintenance and
the other, north of ours, is owned and operated by the Washington State
Department of Fish and Wildlife. That agency requires a Vehicle Use Permit,
whether you fish from the bank, or launch your boat from that site. If you buy a
fishing license, you get the license automatically, or it can be purchased or
separately.
Some of the problems at the lake have been associated with that launch site
because it is unlocked at night. Some of the problems occurring are: dumping after
dark, parties on adjacent docks that are owned privately, use of private boats on
that site, and the potential entry for boat theft. Maintenance locks the city’s boat
launch gate each evening and opens early in the morning for fishing.
Staff spoke with Fish and Wildlife staff and discussed resolution to these problems.
They are willing to entertain the thought of the city taking over the operation and
maintenance of the boat launch, as we do with Lake Fenwick. Some of the
underlying principles associated with that ramp would still have to be upheld. We
could not charge the $5.00 launch fee, and it would have to be maintained as a
Fisheries Vehicle/Recreational Use Permit site. The maintenance and operations
agreement could be as simple as just locking and unlocking the gates. Since Lake
Fenwick and Lake Meridian are open year-round, the city should not be bound by
the regulation that requires gates opened 24 hours preceding the opening day of
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Minutes of May 21, 2009
fishing season.
This will obviously be an additional cost to the city. The state launch site is in need
of repair. If the state gets a grant for boating projects from Recreation and
Conservation Office, the city has to pay a 25% match for that grant, but the state
gets 100% of that grant. The hope is to enter into a partnership with the state to
get grant funds to upgrade the launch site before the city takes over maintenance
and operation of it. Lori added that the Washington State legislature just deferred
the next two years of grant funds from the boating program to keep Washington
State Parks open. That means we are two years out form getting any renovation
funding.
Elizabeth Albertson referenced the city’s $25.00 fee and the state’s $10.95 fee for
lake access. Lori confirmed and added that the city’s annual pass is $50.00, and as
of July 1, it is $25.00, or the daily pass can be purchased at $5.00 for each launch.
Elizabeth Albertson asked how many tickets are issued from the fee machine.
Currently, the ticket machine is programmed to generate one ticket per customer.
Staff plan to implement a two-stub ticket upon compliance with the city’s cash
handling policy and approval by the Finance Department to reduce the likelihood of
fraud. Hopefully that system will be implemented shortly. One ticket will be
displayed in the vehicle and the other in the boat. The fee machine is solar
operated and the screen is touch activated. Lori added that some of the Lake
residents prefer the two ticket system. Staff will continue conversations with the
state and come back with some options.
Item #10: Director’s Report
• There were two successful volunteer events this month: Earth Day with 100
volunteers at Lake Fenwick, and Arbor Day, 127 volunteers at West Fenwick.
• Kiwanis Tot Lot #1 was refurbished, funded by CDBG funds. New play
equipment was installed on May 20. More upgrades are planned. Dinah Wilson
did a terrific job working with all the Federal requirements for this project. It will
be ready for a summer camp program in June.
• The second Graffiti removal event is June 20. Contact Sara Wood in the Police
Department at 253-856-5851.
• East Hill Off Leash Dog Park Open House is June 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
at the Kent Phoenix Academy. The goal is to gather information from interested
participants and narrow down the choices from five potential interim sites to two
on East Hill.
• National Trails Day is June 6, at Glenn Nelson Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m.
• Artists for the mural at West Hill Skate Park will be selected on May 28. The
mural will be unveiled on June 30. Working with Police to address the graffiti
problems. There were two entries from local artists.
• The carousel will be up and running in the gravel area next to Town Square
Plaza from July 17/18, through Labor Day. It will be a great addition to the
activities in the Plaza and downtown, such as the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
Three groups are operating the Carousel this summer and will receive a portion
of the proceeds. If interested in using the Carousel as a fund raiser, call Kent
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Parks Foundation at 253-856-5099 or Parks Administration at 253-856-5100.
• The Kent Parks Foundation Gift Catalog is available. For information call 253-
856-5099. Along with providing support for giving, it tells a story of the diversity
of Park’s programs.
• Junior Olympics was May 9, with 1,400 athletes and 5,000 spectators.
• The “Free Family Fun Summer 2009” brochure promotes free events offered by
the Parks and Recreation Department. It will be available soon.
• The Summer Guide of programs, services and events is in the mail to Kent
citizens and available at city facilities.
The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Committee Council Secretary