HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 11/20/20101
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2010
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Dennis Higgins, Elizabeth Albertson
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
1. Minutes of October 21, 2010 - Approve
Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of October 21, 2010.
Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
2. 2011 Parks and Human Services Agenda Topics - Informational
Jeff asked the Council Committee what key informational topics they want to
discuss at Parks and Human Services Committee meetings in 2011. Jeff
recommended Mill Creek Greenway Master Plan and Wilson Playfield Lighting
for future agenda topics for discussion.
Human Services. Debbie Ranniger suggested a broad-brush overview of the
Human Services Division. Specifically, what are the services we provide,
what are the impacts from the State and County budget cuts in South King
County, what we are doing to respond and do we need to change the way we
do things. Elizabeth Albertson wants to stay ahead of human services issues.
She wants to be prepared for next year’s budget, to be proactive, and keep
Council informed. As a new Council member, Dennis Higgins would
appreciate knowing the history of Human Services, what are the main
programs and how do we fund them.
Fields. Dennis wants information on the history of current fields and facilities,
and Master Plans for new fields - along with a timeframe, given current
financial realities. He’s also interested in re-visiting replacement of the
Common’s Playfield.
Kent Parks Foundation. Debbie Ranniger wants to invite members of the Kent
Parks Foundation to share their vision, review the current project list, and
identify how they could potentially support the city in other areas.
Senior Lunch Program. Elizabeth Albertson is interested in an update on the
financial status of the Senior Lunch Program and subsidizing lunches for
seniors. Debbie Ranniger requested a conversation on marketing plans, fund
raisers, and finding creative revenue sources for the program.
Youth/Teen Programs. Dennis suggested an overview on the Youth/Teen
Program - highlighting the history of services, how the utility tax fund
works, and discussion on potential opportunities for making changes or
enhancements.
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Riverbend Golf Complex. The Committee asked for a more complete analysis
of the expenditures and revenues at Riverbend Golf Complex. See Director’s
Report for further detail.
Attendees from the Audience:
Attending the meeting, was Pat Colgan, a volunteer who lives at 2451 So.
249th Place, Kent and Linda Maser from 4755 35 Ave SW, in Seattle, who
works with homeless families for Solid Ground in South King County. Ms.
Colgan is concerned with the increase in homelessness in Kent. She and
other volunteers feed the homeless lunches in Kaibara Park every other
Friday. Debbie Ranniger asked about homeless numbers. Ms. Colgan stated
that the number has doubled in the past two years and they now provide
lunches for 40 homeless. In conversations with the homeless, Ms. Colgan has
noted their desire for a drop-in center, with a library, food, showers and a
place to wash clothes -- where membership to a church isn’t required as in
use of the mobile showers. Ms. Maser added that data can be provided from
a recent study conducted by the Multi Service Center. Calls and requests
were recorded and/or tracked, with the exception of the homeless who live
out of their cars, or go from friend to friend to stay. They are referred to as
“hidden homeless.” They don’t want to be registered anywhere, usually for
fear of losing their children. Ms. Maser shared that Human Service workers
are feeling overwhelmed with the needs of the homeless. The Council
Committee thanked both of them for their commitment to this cause.
Comprehensive data on the homeless in Kent will be provided at a future
meeting by city staff.
3. 2010 Third Quarter Reports - Informational
Jeff presented a summary of programs and services from the Third Quarter
2010, starting off with statistics from the Cultural and Athletic Programs.
Cultural Services
• Summer Concerts: 8,200 people attended
• Summer Nights Outdoor Movies: 700 people attended
• Corn Days Fun Run: 575 participants/finishers
Youth/Teen Programs
• Summer Playground Program: 5,600 participants
• Big Blue Mobile Recreation: 257 Stops/3,300 participants
• Youth Work Training Program: Very successful mural project
Athletics/Aquatics
• Lake Meridian Beach: 70,000 Visitors
• Fall Youth Sports Jamborees: 100 Teams/1,520 participants
• Softball: 177 teams
• Kickball: 15 teams
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Human Services
• Resource and Referral: Experiencing a substantial increase in calls and
requests for services.
• Contracts to Funded Agencies: 100% of outcomes have been met.
• Home Repair: 57% increase in calls, primarily from the new annexation
area. This HUD funding is a way for us to complete minor home repairs
for City residents.
Park Operations
• Town Square Plaza Fountain. Jeff and Garin shared details of the
complexities of the computerized portion of the water features. Switches
and filters function collectively to keep the 6 1/2 ton sphere afloat, control
water quality and maintain normal water pressure. To keep the system
working efficiently, it is taken down weekly for cleaning, as well as
throughout the week, as the filtration system gets clogged. The dedicated
maintenance position was not filled in 2010 and so the responsibilities
have been absorbed by staff. Jeff spoke to the time and expense involved
in keeping the fountains running. Debbie Ranniger suggested contacting
the Rotary Clubs who assisted in the purchase of the floating sphere. They
could create an operational endowment that could sustain the specialized
maintenance position for Town Square Plaza, or some other sustainable
source to pay for the maintenance of the fountains.
• Heavy Park Use. Many families continue to enjoy our park system.
• Tournament Support. Our fields are fully booked from May through
September.
Parks Planning and Development
• Property Acquisition. We’ve had success in two key acquisitions in the
Panther Lake Annexation area.
• Wilson Playfield Addition opened on October 2. The play area gives kids a
place to play after the game. The NEOS Interactive Play Structure and the
Web are very popular additions to the park.
• Volunteer Support: Donating 1,441 hours of time is proof that this
community loves it’s parks and they are allies in stewarding the park
system.
4. Director’s Report - Informational
Off Leash Dog Park Grand Opening
Over 100 Dogs Attended the Grand Opening on October 23. The committee
met to celebrate the opening and to discuss new amenities and next steps.
Green Kent
“Green Kent” is our partnership with Cascade Land Conservancy - a Seattle
based non-profit group that works to conserve acres of forests, farms,
shorelines, park and natural areas throughout western Washington. The 20-
Year Plan is currently going through SEPA and will be presented for Council’s
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recommendation to approve at the Parks Committee Meeting in January.
Recruitment for the Stewardship Program has begun. Stewards will help to
restore 1,100 acres of public land over the next 20 years. The program
involves volunteers who will basically steward an acre of property in Kent and
keep invasives out. Nine stewards have signed up so far. A Business
Outreach has also begun. This program gives business owners an opportunity
to partner with in-kind support or cash. Dennis said CLC and City staff and
volunteers helped not only to participate in creating a healthier environment,
but were a big part in Kent receiving the King Conservations District 2010
Local Government of the Year Award for the Best City Combating Invasive
Species.
Riverbend Golf Course
Jeff advised the Committee that the Riverbend Golf Complex budget may be
overextended in 2010. One reason is a budgeting/staffing situation in 2010,
when a key mechanic position was taken out of the Enterprise budget.
Another impact is the unexpected expense to purchase water for irrigation,
as water in the well continues to dry up. It looks like the budget could be
extended by approximately $50,000 - $100,000. Jeff is looking at a
partnership with Public Works to work out a water service solution for both
enterprises. Dennis Higgins asked about an Enterprise Fund Reserve. Jeff
responded that because it’s the last year of debt service there will be a
partial back fill but there are still loan payments to make. Debbie Ranniger
suggested adding Riverbend Golf Complex to the 2011 Agenda List. She asks
that staff provide a historical overview of the golf course operation, future
goals, and an analysis of the revenues and expenditures.
Contributions Report
The contributions for the fourth quarter is over $34,000. Elizabeth Albertson
commented that the Contributions Report is a great reminder of the
generosity of volunteers and local businesses.
Debbie Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Teri Petrole
Council Committee Recorder