HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 10/20/2011
Kent Parks and Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2011
Call to Order: Chair Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Council Present: Debbie Ranniger - Chair, Dennis Higgins.
Elizabeth Albertson was absent.
Item 1. Meeting Minutes - Approve
Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of September 15, 2011.
Debbie Ranniger seconded. The motion passed 3-0 with subsequent
concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
Item 2. Resolution to Endorse the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness -
Adopt
Jason Johnson, Human Services Coordinator reported that the Ten-Year Plan to End
Homelessness (10YP) is a collective commitment to seek long-term and sustainable
solutions to the issue of homelessness, rather than continuing to manage episodes
of homelessness as they occur. The city of Kent has been closely involved in this
collaborative effort to end homelessness since the 10YP was created. City of Kent
staff and many agencies that serve Kent residents have been active participants in
the governing bodies of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County
(CEHKC) and the activities called out in the 10YP.
Housing and Human Services staff was not prepared to recommend endorsement of
the 10YP when it was released five years ago for two primary reasons, 1.) it needed
a greater focus on families and 2.) it needed more local strategies that matched the
needs of our city and region, such as creating additional shelter beds. Both these
concerns have been remedied over the years by 1.) the Family Homelessness
Initiative sponsored by the Gates Foundation, Building Changes, and King County,
and 2.) the adoption of the South King County Response to Homelessness.
Housing and Human Services staff continue their commitment to this work and to
aligning the strategies and goals of the 10YP with the Kent Human Services Master
Plan and Kent Human Services General Fund allocations to reduce homelessness in
our city. Significant changes have been made to the polices; better access to
human services, increased beds for the homeless, mobile hygiene units, three cities
now have cold weather shelters and the process for application has been refined.
Dennis asked for a presentation at the City Council meeting on November 1.
Dennis Higgins moved to recommend Council adopt the resolution
endorsing “A Roof Over Every Bed in King County: Our Community’s 10-
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Year Plan to End Homelessness.” The motion passed 3-0 with subsequent
concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
Item 3. 2012 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan -
Authorize
Dinah Wilson, Human Services Planner, explained that the city of Kent receives
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an Entitlement city. To receive this
funding, the city is required to submit a Five-Year Consolidated Plan for Housing &
Community Development. The city’s Consolidated Plan is in effect from 2008-2012.
Prior to the beginning of each year of the Consolidated Plan, the city must inform
HUD and the community of the specific actions that the city will execute to
implement the objectives and strategies of the Consolidated Plan; this is outlined in
the 2012 Action Plan. The Action Plan also includes the allocation of estimated
resources that will be used to carry out the objectives and strategies, and a
description of each program that will receive funds. The city recommended that a
major portion of CDBG funds be used to support the city's Home Repair Program.
This program serves many low-income, disabled and senior homeowners in Kent by
providing needed repairs. The program also ensures that a portion of Kent's
low/moderate-income housing stock is maintained and preserved.
On September 22, 2011, Kent published a public notice letting the community know
the Draft 2012 Action Plan was available for review and comment for a period of
thirty (30) days. On October 20, 2011, the Human Services Commission held a
public hearing for the purpose of taking comments on the 2012 Action Plan. The
Human Services Commission reviewed and approved recommendations for CDBG
funding for 2012.
Dennis Higgins moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign
the appropriate certifications and agreements for the proposed Community
Development Block Grant 2012 Action Plan, including funding allocations
and contingency plans. The motion passed 3-0 with subsequent
concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
Item 4. Yamaha Golf Cart Lease Agreement - Authorize
Pete Petersen, Superintendent of Riverbend Golf Complex reported that since 2008,
the Riverbend Golf Complex has managed two agreements leasing golf carts from
Yamaha Golf Cart U.S.A. - each with different end dates. Lease #1: the original
lease included fifty carts, plus two marshal carts, and two utility carts, and Lease
#2: added twenty-four carts to satisfy demand. As part of this action, the two
leases have been combined to have one end date and the agreement will be
extended by thirteen months.
The existing carts are in very good condition and were serviced by Yamaha factory
technicians in September 2011. Extending the lease and not leasing new carts will
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save the golf complex $8,858 in 2012. It will also give the golf complex time to
continue research for possible grants and/or funding to convert to electric carts.
Dennis asked if the contract can be extended to a year by year.
Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the
agreement with Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. to extend the lease of
golf carts at Riverbend Golf Complex, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney and the Parks Director. The motion passed
3-0 with subsequent concurrence from Elizabeth Albertson.
Item 6. Third Quarter Division Reports and Contributions Report - INFO
ONLY
Tournament Season
There were lots of tournaments this year. The Western Regional 16 year old Fast
Pitch ASA tournament was a great success. They are so supportive of us that they
donated $2,000 to purchase outfield fencing.
Safe and Sound
Housing and Human Services is navigating through tough funding cuts. The
contract for Safe and Sound (Safe Havens) ends in mid-2012. Staff continues to
monitor that contract. A “Friends of Safe and Sound” is being formed.
Contributions
These are contributions that equal less than $5,000 made by individuals and
businesses. The third quarter total was $19,130, making the year-to-date total of
$53,000. The 2011 Summer Concerts brought in $8,500.
Debbie received call from a senior concerned about the lunch program at the Senior
Center and is very happy to see the collaborative effort to support the program.
Dennis referenced the 61 meals per day average. He asked what was the break-
even dollar amount needed to support the lunch program. Jeff responded that it
would be 80 meals per day, but the program is subsidized and well within the
budget for the program.
Item 7. Director’s Report - INFO ONLY
Free and Reduced Lunch Program Update
Jeff distributed a copy of the outline on Free and Reduced Lunch Program statistics
for elementary schools within the Kent School District. Staff will get the entire
school district data in the future. Debbie Ranniger noted that out of twelve
elementary schools, 60% of youth participated in the free and reduced lunch
program. Jeff shared that 49% of all kids qualify for the reduced and free lunch
program in the Kent School District - adding that staff tries to target those schools
with our programs and services.
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Human Services Funding Update
Jeff reported that staff is looking at the Human Services Commission and working
with them to explore options and looking at what other cities are doing. Some
options will be presented to the Committee in the first quarter of 2012. Dennis
reminded everyone that the Mayor wants to keep the same 2010 funding levels so
we can maintain applications as they were awarded.
Outcomes and Measures
Jeff shared copies of the budget narratives, organized by division and program
types, as they were presented to Administration for the 2012 budget. Within these
measures, three core questions were addressed: How much did we do, How well did
we do it, and is anyone better off. Jeff stated that we are beginning to look at what
new data looks like in 2012 and will launch this as a measurement tool.
Dennis and Debbie complimented Jeff on the narratives. Dennis asked if the Mayor
is willing to roll this format into other departments. Debbie stated that it goes in
line with the Council retreat results and their request to be data driven with
associated performance measures. Dennis reiterated that he wants to see this
format in other departments.
KaBOOM! Grant
Jeff thanked Debbie Ranniger for attending the KaBOOM! event at Tudor Square
Park. There were 300+ volunteers helping to create the new play areas. Jeff
thanked the Tudor Square neighborhood because their enthusiasm and investment
in the project, and sent a special thank you to Operations and Park Planning and
Development staff because it wouldn’t have happened without them.
Asset Analysis
Staff will present the Park Asset Analysis Report at the November Parks Committee
meeting. The report evaluates the current condition of all assets within Kent parks
in order to establish a baseline for reinvestment needs and to help create a strategy
for addressing the aging infrastructure within our park system and to prioritize.
Item 5. Community Center for Education Results “Road Map to
Success” Overview - INFO ONLY
Debbie Ranniger introduced Anthony Shoecraft, Community Network Coordinator
and Nathan Phillips, Director of South King Council of Human Services - attending
the meeting to present an overview of the “Road Map to Success” Project.
The Road Map Project is a new collective impact initiative aimed at getting dramatic
improvement in student achievement - cradle through college/career in South
Seattle and South King County. Their goal is to double the number of students who
are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020. The
program is committed to closing the achievement gaps for low income students and
children of color. Proposed education results are: Healthy and ready for
Kindergarten; Supported and successful in school; Graduate from high school,
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College and career ready; Earn a college degree or career credential. Measures will
be defined by percentage of students meeting readiness standards, reading and
math proficiencies, graduation data, placement tests, and post secondary
credentials sought by graduates.
Three Phases
• Phase I: Building the Road Map - 2010. Establish common goals; select
indicators to measure progress; have preliminary conversations with funders;
gather baseline data; conduct community outreach.
• Phase II: Strategies for Action - 2011. Support projects/organizations
committed to Road Map goals and detailed action areas; set interim progress
targets; align public and private funders; develop data infrastructure;
develop community engagement and building public will. They are now in
Phase II of the project. Part of the work in Phase II is to refine the goal with
explicit metrics for measuring “on-track” and “closing the achievement gap.”
• Phase III Collective Action - 2012. Provide support to projects and
organizations and networks to innovate, scale, and improve; actively
promote learning from results to guide course corrections; continue to align
public and private funders; track/report progress; address ongoing data
needs; engage the community; build public will and advocacy.
Kent School District has seven schools signed up. Out of 1,062 students, 986 have
signed up.
It takes a team.
The Project Team includes: Project Sponsors; Education Results Network,
Community Network and Advocates Caucus, K-12 Superintendents and Community
College Presidents, Road Map Aligned Funds and Community Center for Education
Results. Work groups include: Birth to 3rd Grade; Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math; Data Advisors; High School to College, English Language Learners; Youth
Development Organizations.
Debbie spoke of the mutual desire in education to strengthen long term solutions to
encourage students to stay in school and to obtain a post high school education.
Community Network: Ensure authentic community input into the development of
the Road Map Project and strengthen collaboration, mobilization and capacity-
building efforts aimed at improving education results.
Advocates Caucus: Educate and advocate for policies, resources and practices that
can advance the work in communities and strengthen political will to pass,
implement, and sustain effective long-term solutions.
Small Grants Fund: Fund projects that build the capacity and leadership of local
grassroots organizations and community stakeholders to participated in improving
education results across the region.
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Jeff stated that the data that drove home the purpose of this program can be found
online and looking at the two pipelines of data. Rather than have two separate
paths that people of the community are on, let’s even out the pipeline for students
and families. Jeff shared that he’s very interested in aligning with the program to
support kids and families.
Dennis Higgins wants to be involved in the program and asked for their contact
information. For more information contact Anthony Shoecraft at 206-388-1657/
ashoecraft@CCERresults.org, or Nathan Phillips at 206-462-6643/
nathanphillips@SKCHS.org.
Anthony and Nathan closed by saying that the City Council and Kent School District
have been incredible allies and partners to CCER and the Road Map Project and
they look forward to continuing this alliance.
Debbie offered her time to the Advocates Caucus or any other way she can support
the program.
Chair Debbie Ranniger closed the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Submitted by:
Teri Petrole
Teri Petrole
City of Kent Council Committee Secretary