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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 08/18/2011 Kent Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2011 Council Present: Elizabeth Albertson, Dennis Higgins and Debbie Ranniger - Chair Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. 1. Meeting Minutes - Approve Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of June 16, 2011. Dennis Higgins seconded and the motion passed 3-0. 2. Interlocal Agreement for the Regional Affordable Housing Program - Authorize Jeff Watling, Parks and Human Services Director, reported that this Interlocal Agreement is for the state-authorized document recording fees for affordable housing, governed by RCW 36.22.178. It is for all cities and towns in King County, including the City of Seattle. The parties to this agreement have agreed to two updates: 1) the first update is to move the Regional Affordable Housing Program (RAHP) Agreement onto the same three year schedule as the HOME agreements, and to add an automatic renewal clause to the agreement for successive three year periods, if the parties agree that no changes are needed prior to the renewal date; 2) the second update is to add a section regarding consortium coordination in the event of a declared disaster or emergency that displaces consortium residents from housing. Any cities that did not sign a RAHP Agreement for 2007 – 2011 will have the opportunity to sign the updated agreement this year. Council member Higgins asked where the funds come from. Katherin responded they are document recording fees that are charged at the time of the sale of all homes. Fees are used to develop, rehabilitate, or acquire affordable housing in communities. A portion of the fees are also used for maintenance and operations. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Agreement with King County for the Regional Affordable Housing Program, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Parks Director. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Page 1 3. Goods & Services Agreement for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Support Services - Authorize Jeff Watling reported that the current three-year agreement with Siemens Business Technologies to maintain and support the HVAC controls software system in city buildings is close to the termination date. Council asked about the procurement waiver. Jeff explained that HVAC equipment throughout the city has been provided by Siemens for a number of years, making it more cost effective to continue to purchase Siemens equipment and software. Jeff added that when the contract has reached the end of their life cycle, the city will go out to formal bid. The amount of the contract is $50,830.00, which equals $17,000 per year and the funding is within the Facilities budget. Mayor Cooke signed the written determination, approving the purchase and waiving the bidding requirements. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement with Siemens Business Technologies to provide HVAC support services in an amount not to exceed $50,830.00, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Parks Director. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 4. National Recreation and Park Association Grant - Accept Lori Hogan, Superintendent of Recreation and Cultural Programs, reported that the National Recreation and Park Association awarded the youth and teen program a $15,000 “Take Me Fishing” grant. This is a re-grant with funds originating from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Youth Boating and Fishing Initiative. For many years, in partnership with Rotary, the annual fishing derby has been organized at the Old Fishing Hole. This funding offers the opportunity to enhance this program and others to include boating, fishing and water safety education, as identified by the grant agreement requirements. The award and acceptance of these grant funds do not commit the city to sustaining or continuing these programs once the grant period ends. Debbie Ranniger asked how many more kids will be served with this grant and how it will be laid out. Lori responded that the grant program is focused on kids and their families, ages 6-15, with attention on minorities. Related programs at the Splash Event and camps could impact into the thousands. The Old Fishing Hole Experience could double to 400 by making it a day-long program. Dennis commented on what a great time he had this year at the Fishing Derby and commended staff on going after the grant. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend accepting the grant from the National Recreation and Park Association in an amount not to exceed $15,000 to fund the “Take Me Fishing” program, amending the budget, and approving the expenditure of funds in accordance with the grant terms. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Page 2 5. Fee-in-Lieu Program Update - INFO ONLY Debbie Ranniger opened by saying that as at the last council meeting, council member Ron Harmon had specific questions regarding the fee in lieu program and at that time, she requested the topic come back to the Parks Committee for discussion with the goal to encourage developers to develop local pocket parks. Jeff reported that staff, along with Planning Department, reviewed the development regulations while looking at the potential of a park impact fee. Through that conversation, staff established and confirmed some goals to achieve within the development regulations. Specifically, how do we encourage on-site recreation, how do we balance the size of the proposed development, and how do we confirm that the type of on-site recreation is going to be appropriate and have some variety for the age groups. Jeff referred to section of the Ordinance - 12.04.065: Fee in lieu of Recreation Space. Staff wanted to ensure that the city has the flexibility to make the decision when to accept fee in lieu of funds. The regulations have been modified to state that with short sub divisions (nine lots or more); the city prefers the development of recreation space. In cases where it is less than that, the city will consider the fee, based on proximity and location to a community/neighborhood park. Another revision was to provide more clarification to the developer as to what is expected to the recreation space - with the goal to add some flexibility and variety to the development. Jeff confirmed that this 2009 modification to the Ordinance was pre- dated. Elizabeth Albertson referred to the section for signing off on the Platt Maps and asked if the Parks Department is involved. Jeff confirmed that applications are routed and reviewed by Parks Department staff. Council was pleased with the modifications. 6. 2011 Second Quarter Reports - INFO ONLY Jeff highlighted stated that staff continues to look at new programs, facility maintenance and the innovative ways to deliver our programs. These are some of the highlights of the second quarter: • The 2011 Teen Job Fair had over 300 in attendance with 1,200 jobs represented. • A new spring league volleyball program was introduced and it was a huge success. • The Senior Center numbers continue to rise. From trips to fitness classes, everything is full and the center is constantly busy. • We continue to see great momentum with the “Green Kent” Program. Page 3 • $21,800.00 in contributions was received in the second quarter as cash and in-kind donation, represented from residents and businesses in Kent. Many thanks to our supporters and to staff for their creativity in reaching out in finding funding partners. Debbie Ranniger asked for an update on the luminaries that are to be installed in the metal Sweet Gum art pieces located on Second Avenue and Harrison. Jeff will report back at the September meeting. 7. Director’s Report - INFO ONLY Lake Meridian Play Area Renovation The new play area at Lake Meridian Park had a grand opening during the Fourth of July Splash festivities. The contractor and Operations staff did a fantastic installation and it has become a great gathering place connecting people and places. Lion’s Skate Park Mural Installation Volunteers, city staff and the designer, Lee Schlosser, completed the mural at the Lions Skate Park. This is the second mural painted at one of our skate parks in hope of discouraging vandalism/graffiti, as it has at West Fenwick Skate Park. ASA 16-Under Girls’ Fast Pitch Tournament Host This is a week-long tournament with many participants utilizing local hotels and restaurants. There were 44 teams from throughout the Western United States and it was one of fifty six tournaments hosted at one of our fields this season. Town Square Plaza Fountain Update In June the fountain system was turned on to test for the summer months. The automatic shut down system started acting up and we started experiencing some water loss. It was quite a process to find the leak with the two feet of concrete between staff and the plumbing. The crew and contractor discovered through trial and error that the joints were leaking water. Staff is working with the contractor to begin the process of applying a waterproof seal over every joint on the concrete. Community Center at Phoenix - A New National Night Out Site For the first year, the Community Center at Phoenix hosted a National Night Out event. Over 300 people attended and everyone enjoyed the bouncy toys, go carts, games and food. It was wonderful event. Page 4 Page 5 Park Asset Analysis Underway • The goal is to establish a baseline for the condition of existing park assets (assets are items greater than $10,000) which includes restrooms, picnic shelters, bleachers, and basketball hoops. • An inventory is underway. • There are 239 assets that have been looked at so far and 79 (33%) are ranked 1 or 2. A park rated 1 or 2 is considered in decline and of little or no useful life. • A complete asset report will be completed during the 4th quarter of 2011 and presented to council. • Next, the list will be prioritized. • Jeff confirmed that this will be coordinated with the Park Resource Management Plan which is part of the Strategic Plan. • Jeff suggested a tour with council members in September/October. Kaboom Grant - Tudor Square • Kaboom is an organization that matches sponsors with agencies to fund play equipment projects. • A $60,000 grant from Kaboom has been awarded to build a new play area at Tudor Square. • The community installation will be scheduled this October. Upcoming Events y Neely-Soames Historic Home Open House is on August 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. y Outdoor Movies are the next two Fridays at Town Square Plaza. The movies start at dusk. y Fall Program Guide - Registration is Underway. Debbie Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole Council Committee Recorder