HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 11/19/2009City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 19, 2009
Council Committee Members Present: Debbie Ranniger, Elizabeth Albertson,
and Tim Clark
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Item #1: Meeting Minutes Dated October 15, 2009
Tim Clark moved to approve the minutes of October 15, 2009. Elizabeth Albertson
seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Item #2: Safe Havens Program Update - Informational
Director Jeff Watling reminded the Committee that last month the Dept of Justice
OVW grant was approved to give staff an opportunity to reach out to the broader
human services community and those agencies working in the domestic violence
field to come up with a regional solution. A working group has been formed and
chairing this group is Merrell Cousin, Director of King County Alliance Against
Domestic Violence and leader the domestic violence community. An initial
meeting to begin mapping out how we want to work toward this solution and
indentify a timeline. We have until the end of 2010 to find a solution. Meetings are
scheduled for December 2, and December 9, is a half day working session that
will get into nuts and bolts of what opportunities exist in other non-profit agencies
and what are some ways we can look at Safe Havens budget to see if it will fit into
an existing non-profit agency. As well as realistically look at a city operation
service and how to transition to a non-profit type of agency.
Staff spoke with the building owner of Safe Havens and they have agreed to
reduce the rent for the year 2010.This will assist in keeping the center open. Jeff
will come back to the Committee with an update.
Elizabeth Albertson thanked staff for getting agencies together for discussion, as
well as biding some time until resolution.
Item #3: Park Plan Update - Informational
The Park Plan draft is 90% complete. A copy of the draft plan will be sent
electronically to Committee in December, with discussion at the Parks and Human
Services Committee meeting on January 21. The final Public Hearing will be held
in February 2010. The plan must be adopted by June 2010.
Jeff reiterated that the Park Plan focuses on four core themes:
To maximize & reinvest in the existing park system.
To develop a vision for urban forest restoration.
To create multi-use development, maximize acreage, and create
partnerships.
Connecting people, greenways, parks.
Item #4: Off Leash Dog Area Update - Informational
Jeff reported that a follow-up public open house meeting was held at Daniel
Elementary on October 27, in order to get feedback on the proposed two sites
chosen on East Hill. Based on the comments received at the meeting and through
other public communications, the parcel between Morrill Meadows and East Hill
Park (Backus property) was chosen as the preferred site. This parcel nets the
biggest area at 3 acres fenced and has existing parking and sidewalks for access
from 248th. The plan is to build a smaller, off leash area modeled after what other
cities have done. A small dog area is under consideration in the design. Drinking
water will be offered, but no large ponds are available in the area for the dogs to
swim.
A work group was created that will kick off the first week in December and will
meet regularly, beginning in January. Sub groups will be created to concentrate
on operation, rules, and fund raising. Construction is planned for next spring.
Council was pleased with the progress and commented on the long standing,
popularity for additional off leash dog areas in Kent. Elizabeth Anderson
complimented staff on the public meeting set up.
Item #5: Director’s Report
Budget. The Committee asked Jeff to outline how the budget reductions were
determined. Tim Clark referred specifically to the City Council meeting in
November when citizens attended to comment on program reductions and staff
layoffs in the TOAC Youth/Teen program.
Jeff responded that due to diminished resources, services were reviewed and
decisions were made on what to eliminate. The process started last February
when staff conducted a budget exercise . A chart was developed to evaluate each
service based on three Basic Program Attributes and five Results/Outcomes. Basic
Program Attributes: Mandated Service (federal, state, county), Degree of Self
Support, and Demand for Service. Results/Outcomes were based on our Mission
and Strategic Goals developed by City Council: Healthy Community, Maintain
Current Public Infrastructure, Safety/Safe Community, Economic Benefit to the
Community, Quality Customer Service. The final task was classifying each
program as an A,B,C priority. As staff went through the exercise, unfortunately
TOAC did not score as highly as other services.
Tim Clark referred back to the TOAC program reductions and that citizens
attending the Council meeting made it clear that they went through personal
growth because of the TOAC program. It’s a program where leadership and skill
building was learned. Tim added that it was very painful to reduce and delete
programs, but critical to meet as many needs as possible, while being practical.
Elizabeth referenced how tough it was to come to these decisions and see the
impacts to the community. Jeff commented that those speaking at the City
Council meeting certainly reflected on the quality of staff we have in the
youth/teen program.
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Soccer fields. As mentioned in the Parks Plan, some resourceful solutions are
being explored to create new capacity for athletic fields in the community.
Productive and positive conversations are being held with Kent School District to
review either city-owned or school district owned land and ways to create new
capacity on existing land instead of purchasing new land. It is agreed that sports
fields space can be used in multiple formats.
The model/concept for Kent Meridian High School is being pursued vigorously.
Staff has already approached the subject of annexation with the Kent School
District with the idea of duplicating the Kent Meridian model at Kentridge High
School. Attention is going to scheduling and working with the KSD, Kent Youth
Soccer Association, and Kent Little Leagues, for the best use of the fields and
maximizing field availability.
The one hurdle that remains is how to fund the project. Since Capital funds and
REET funds are low, creative financing is necessary. Some private groups are very
interested in assisting with this objective.
Tim Clark asked how the turf condition was at Wilson Park. Jeff responded that it
is good and in its tenth year of use. Due to the specialized maintenance by Parks
Operations staff, the turf is lasting much longer than anticipated.
Carousel
Three non-profit groups were contracted to operate the Carousel this year during
the Holiday season. They are teens from the Kentwood Honor Society, The
Rainbow Girls and the Kent Meridian Pilipino/American Club.
Events
The Holiday Bazaar is December 4th and 5th. Magical Strings Concert is Sunday,
December 6, and Late Night Catechism is Saturday December 12.
Magical Strings plays their Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert on December 6.
Late Nite Catechism is Saturday, December 12.
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration is December 15, at Town Square
Plaza at 5:30 p.m.
The Christmas Rush Fun Run is on Saturday, December 12. The route was
changed to begin and end at the Riverbend Golf Complex parking lot because of
the sand bags on the trail.
Demo Days takes place on at the Driving Range at Riverbend on Saturday,
December 12.
Kent was awarded the 2011 ASA Girls Fast Pitch Western Regional Tournament. It
will be held at Russell Road Ballfields.
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Jeff acknowledged that Tim Clark is retiring from the City Council and this is his
last Parks and Human Services meeting. He extended many thanks to Tim for the
years of service to Kent and his commitment to parks, recreation, and human
services. Tim responded that in working with the Parks Committee and spending
his career in public education, it is encouraging to see the efforts on both public
institutions to create opportunities for the youth -- to learn, explore, grow, and
discover leadership. Tim expressed his appreciation for the common commitment
by Parks employees to the mission. He also commented on the “absolutely
phenomenal” efforts of Parks staff to take risks, while paying attention to the
wide-ranging needs of the population, and catering to the younger clientele and
their challenges. He added that the taxpayer’s money is well spent, and when
speaking to the quality of life, it’s about opportunity and what we have done for
the young people.
Elizabeth commented that Council is excited that Tim will be on the School Board
because he will be a great contact as future partnerships are established. Debbie
Ranniger thanked Tim for the many years of service and his part on the Parks
Committee. She continued that he has been a point of wisdom and advice to the
entire Council, pointing new members in the right direction.
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Committee Council Secretary