HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 09/17/2009Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
September 17, 2009
Council Committee. Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Tim Clark.
Absent: Elizabeth Albertson
Changes to the Agenda: No items were changed and no items were added to the
agenda.
Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
I. Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2009
Tim Clark moved to approve the minutes of August 20, 2009. Debbie
Ranniger seconded with prior concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
II. Washington State Arts Commission 2010 Organizational Support Grant -
Accept
Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) has awarded the Kent Arts
Commission a general operating support grant. This grant is for the first
year of the 2010-2011 funding cycle. Kent Arts Commission will use the
funding to support the presentation of arts and cultural activities at Kent’s
2010 Cornucopia Days.
Tim Clark moved to recommend accepting the grant of $6,000.00 from
Washington State Arts Commission and approving the expenditure of funds
in the Kent Arts Commission budget. Debbie Ranniger seconded with prior
concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
III. King Conservation District Grant for the Green Native Plant Maintenance
Intern program - Accept
Staff submitted and received a grant from the King Conservation District to
hire someone to weed and water over 450 native trees and shrubs planted at
Clark Lake Park, and 200 native plants in the cleared north trail area of Lake
Fenwick Park in fall 2008. Derek Nanninga, a community volunteer since
2007, would receive a stipend of $10/hour, plus gas mileage reimbursement
for his personal vehicle. The schedule is for 10 hours per week of service
through the end of December 31, 2009. Staff will provide tools and
supervision.
Tim Clark moved to recommend accepting the grant of $3,800.00 from King
Conservation District for the Green Native Plant Maintenance Intern Project
and approving the expenditure of funds in the Adopt-a-Park budget. Debbie
Ranniger seconded with prior concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
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IV. King Conservation District Grant for 2009 Restoration Projects at Clark Lake
Park - Accept
Staff applied for funds from King Conservation District to plant 430 native
trees and shrubs to provide shade and habitat at Clark Lake Park. The plants
were installed at two fall community volunteer events by elementary school
children during five field trips, in connection with the Youth Tree Education
Program.
Tim Clark moved to recommend accepting the King Conservation District
grant of $9,998.20 to reimburse 2008 restoration projects at Clark Lake Park
and approving the expenditure of funds in the Clark Lake budget. Debbie
Ranniger seconded with prior concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
V. Energy Savings Performance Contract for Kent Pool - Authorize
Staff informed Council of equipment issues at Kent Pool over the past few
years. An appraisal of the pool was performed by McKinstry Essentiion, Inc.
to see what improvements can be done, and a plan to initiate these
investments to ensure efficient operation of the pool for the next five+ years.
This Energy Savings Company (ESCO) project would work to implement
these improvements.
Staff suggests entering into an agreement with McKinstry to replace and
install an AHU component, sump pump and float control, direct digital
controls, and a pool blanket at the pool. Utility incentives gained by installing
a pool blanket should decrease the project cost.
Tim Clark moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Energy Savings
Performance Contract with McKinstry Essention, Inc. in the amount of
$265,385.00, plus WSST to complete projects at Kent Pool, subject to final
terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Debbie Ranniger
seconded with prior concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson
VI. Parks Open Space Plan Update - Informational
Park Planner Lydia Moorehead shared that she is currently updating the Kent
Park & Open Space Plan. The plan is used to direct future development,
acquisition and renovation of parks and open spaces. The City’s previous
plan was adopted in June 2000 and due for an update. Pursuant to the
Growth Management Act, the plan must be incorporated into the City’s
Comprehensive Plan in order for it to be used as a policy document for
implementation purposes. Therefore, it is intended to update the Parks &
Open Space Element of the Comprehensive Plan as well. An updated plan
must be adopted by June 2010 to remain eligible for State grant funds.
Lydia explained that the update process is also an opportunity to re-examine
our vision for Kent parks, and prioritize our next steps for the short and long-
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term future. Integral to this is engaging citizens and park users in order to
gauge changing community needs and priorities. Thus far, the information
staff has gathered from the community is nearly complete, and a survey was
conducted to measure how citizens and park users would like to see Kent
parks develop over the coming years (see the detail below). Staff plan to
continue to connect with the community during the update process.
Lydia explained the purpose of the plan:
Solidify vision for Kent Parks.
Prioritize Short & Long-Term “Next Steps.”
Retain eligibility for State grant funds – June 2010.
Part of the Growth Management Act.
A total of 45% of Kent residents participated in a community based survey
with the following results:
The Top Four Activities in Kent Parks:
1. Walking
2. Biking
3. Use of Play Equipment
4. Organized Recreation
Community Needs:
1. Swimming Facility
2. Off Leash Dog Park
3. Security & Maintenance
4. Biking & Walking Trails
5. Non motorized access to parks
6. Mountain Biking Trails
7. Frisbee Golf
8. Athletic Fields
The Key Themes of the plan include:
1. Our Legacy
Build upon & maintain
Maximize & reinvest in existing system
2. Green Kent
Summer 2010
Vision for Forest Restoration
3. Athletic Fields
Multi use development
Maximize acreage
Create Partnerships
4. Connectivity
Urbanizing our system – connect people, greenways, parks, etc.
Work with existing plans – Transportation Master Plan
Conceptual corridor map
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The Next Steps are:
Public Workshop Sept 29, 2009
Draft Plan November 2009
Parks Committee Nov 19, 2009
Public Hearing February 2010
Adoption April 2010
Tim Clark asked what is being done with modern technology to improve the
carbon foot print, and how does the “Green Kent” Program affect the Park
Plan. He said to make sure we are shaping a system to accommodate the
future and changing times. He continued that this is part of our goal for
health and education -- to prepare for smaller cars and more bicycle use. Tim
also recommended that each time a company puts down fiber optics, that
fiber optics are laid down for the city as well. Jeff responded that staff is in
contact with the Information Technology Department relating to technology
and park safety pieces, such as upgrading alarms and unifying gate closures
in the park system. Debbie Ranniger agreed that staff should continue to
work on connecting the city to the existing park system - and maintaining
ease of access to park spaces.
VII. Community Sports Field Concepts - Informational
Jeff reported that Parks staff continue to seek ideas for the long-term
replacement of the Commons Playfields, including underutilized space in the
Kent School District, and the concept of a joint development of a community
sports field.
Conceptual designs were created for the development of a sports field project
at Kent Meridian High School. Jeff provided an update and three conceptual
designs for discussion and feedback. He stated that within the concepts, the
parking needs have to be resolved. He added that all of the options provide
space for a combination of softball, baseball, and/or soccer field(s), as well
as, space for tee ball. Option One backs up to Campus Park. Option Two
looks at parking with a smaller footprint for the field. Option Three has more
parking and less field. Accommodations will be made for synthetic turf and
track and field elements. Tim Clark commented on maintaining flexibility
throughout the planning. Debbie suggested staff continue discussion with
KSD regarding the future of the pool and impacts to the city if the pool is
gone, as well as identifying funding for the project.
VIII. Director’s Report - Informational
Parks Planning and Development/Parks Operations
• Community Pride Day: September 19, painting graffiti from 8:00 a.m.
to Noon. Meet at Town Square Plaza.
• National Public Lands Days: September 21 - 26 at Lake Fenwick Park.
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• Releaf: October 10, 9:00 a.m. to Noon at Clark Lake Park.
Housing and Human Services
• Financial and Resource Exp (combined events with Human Services
and the Resource Center) October, 3, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the
Kent Senior Activity Center
• Home Repair was highlighted on Channel 21 through the “I Can”
campaign. The additional advertising initiated fifteen new applications
for home repairs in the last three weeks. Seniors and certain financial
challenges can qualify for moderate home repairs.
Recreation and Cultural Services
• Participation in the soccer program is high.
• The city hosted the World USSSA Tournament at Russell Road Park.
• The city is partnering for the first with ShoWare to present two
Spotlight Series in 2010 - Arlo Guthrie and The Pink Floyd Experience.
• The Holiday Carousel needs operators for the 2009 Holiday Season.
Please contact Jeff Watling, if you are interested (253-856-5100).
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Teri Petrole, Council Committee Recorder