HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 11/17/2011
Kent Parks and Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 17, 2011
Call to Order: Chair Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
Council Present: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Dennis Higgins, Elizabeth Albertson
Item 1. Meeting Minutes - Approve
Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of October 20, 2011.
Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
Item 2. 2011 Art Plan Reassignment of Funds
Jeff Watling, Parks Director stated that on October 25, 2011 the Kent Arts
Commission recommended that funding be reassigned within the existing 2011 City
Art Budget. These recommendations were made in order to support a Youth Media
Art Program and to add an art element to the Municipal Court Remodel.
The proposed projects were explained:
Youth Media Art Project
This art project would raise awareness about food security issues in Kent. The Kent
Arts Commission believes that this media art project could empower the youth who
are being impacted by food scarcity during these difficult economic times, while
simultaneously empowering the broader community.
In October, new statistics revealed that 25% of Kent residents are living below the
poverty line. Furthermore, FEMA is no longer funding the Kent Food Bank because
unemployment across King County is lower than some of our nation’s other
counties.
This project would provide Kent youth the opportunity to take the lead on producing
artful, meaningful and professional quality video segments. The video could be
broadcast on Kent TV 21, KCTV channel 22 and other publically operated stations.
Segments could also be shared through social networking - with the express intent
of creating meaningful connections between the Kent community and other
communities in King County.
Housing & Human Services would be the city partner on this project. An open “Call
for Artists and Producers” would be issued to contract for $9,500. The selected lead
artist and production company would work with Kent youth to produce professional
quality media artwork. The $9,500 in funding would be reassigned from Parks
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Planning Capital Projects that are on hold. The goal would be to have this digital art
project ready for viewing in spring 2012.
Municipal Courthouse Artwork
Working with the architect and Facilities staff, artwork has been identified. It is
referred to as the “Center Separation Barrier Artwork.” This barrier would be
located at the main entry where there is currently a rope and stanchions in place.
The proposed integrated artwork would prevent someone from stepping out of line
and avoiding the metal detector. It would also keep the exit aisle clear from the
people entering the building. The artwork would be designed to maintain visibility
for police and security guards, allowing them to keep tabs on who is leaving the
building. The barrier would be about 15 feet long and between 36 - 54 inches high.
It could be made of metal, metal mesh, or thick safety glass. It could take the form
of a screen or a railing.
Facilities would be the city partner on this project. An invitational “Call for Artists”
would be issued using 4Culture’s Roster of artists who have already been through a
public selection process. A city councilmember and Judge would be invited to serve
on the selection panel, along with other key team members, as per our normal
process. The selected Artist would design, fabricate and install the artwork for
$32,500. This funding ($2,400) combines construction credits with city Art funds
that were previously assigned to Parks Planning Capital projects that are on hold.
The goal would be to have the “Center Separation Barrier Artwork” completed by
March 2012, but everyone on the project team understands that this is a very tight
timeline. Rope and stanchions can continue to be used in the interim.
Debbie Ranniger suggested having youth tell their own art project story on You
Tube, the city’s Facebook and Twitter. Cheryl confirmed that the project will include
multiple social networking, including Channel 21.
Elizabeth Albertson suggested giving the video to the Kent School District to use as
a resource to middle schools and high schools in order to get the message out.
Dennis Higgins asked about the three projects that were deferred and/or removed
to accommodate the two new proposed projects. Jeff responded that they were
deferred due to lack of Capital funding and will be back on the active list when
funding is available. Dennis asked about the community park reinvestment program
and asked if it related to the KaBOOM project at Tudor Square. Jeff said it is
completely independent and coincides with our Park Asset Analysis and will be
incorporated into the work plan when revenue is available.
Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend approving the reassignment of City Art
Plan funds. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
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Item 3. Park Asset Analysis Update - INFO ONLY
Jeff Watling presented the Park Asset Analysis Report. The report evaluates the
current condition of all assets within Kent parks in order to establish a baseline for
reinvestment needs. The report helps to create a strategy for addressing the aging
infrastructure within our park system. Assets are facilities and property at a value
of $10,000 or more. This asset report looks at park inventory; at how much we
have and then applies a score to the asset, based on what condition it is in. Rates
begin at 1 for little or no life and end at 5 with maximum useful life remaining. Out
of 37 parks (or 63%) assessed, at least one asset is rated 1 or 2. Prior to this
report, there was no comprehensive look at the overall health of the system. The
report reflects an estimated cost projects that are backlogged. It also provides
detailed data that helps to make more informed decisions with shrinking resources.
The decline of major park features tends to happen slowly, over a course of many
years. Deferring these expenses is not the same as eliminating the need for them.
If we don’t keep up on maintenance and lifecycle, it just gets worse. In the Asset
Analysis spreadsheet that was distributed, it showed the 59 parks that were
inspected with staff determining replacement costs and rating the condition at a
total of 240 major assets. Estimated replacement cost of items that ranked 1 or 2 is
just over $10M. Estimated cost for all of the parks, including sales tax,
contingencies, design, permitting and other soft costs, totals over $16M. The
current rate of capital revenue is not allowing us to keep up with our aging assets.
As assets fail we begin lose park function.
The next step is to go out to the residents and form a 20-25 person citizens group.
The goal is geographic diversity, and addressing diversity of interests, as well as
cultural diversity within our community. The group would be asked to review the
analysis and then help with prioritizing. This will include examining the functionality
of the system as a whole, as well as exploring funding options for taking the
recommended actions and prioritizing projects. The results of the advisory group
will be summarized and presented to the Parks Committee at a future date.
Debbie Ranniger said that it’s good strategy to form the advisory group and have
them look at asset replacement and to analyze the best use. She also feels it is
important to make it convenient for students to be represented on the committee.
Elizabeth wanted to note that some levies do pass -- even during tough economic
times. Case in point, the recent Veterans and Housing Levy. She said she would like
to see new faces on the advisory committee. Elizabeth suggested being specific
with the issue on a ballot in order to be favorable with voting residents.
Dennis Higgins agrees with forming a community group but asked that staff present
a proposal to form the committee before taking any action and include timelines.
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Dennis agreed that if you present a package that is very specific and clear to the
voters, there will be positive results, and he will support it as a potential voter
approved bond. He asked that the bond includes fields.
Debbie Ranniger suggested coordination with the Kent School District timeline for
their levy which is scheduled for 1-1/2 years from now.
Elizabeth agreed that we should be looking at future assets as well as past assets.
Jeff confirmed that staff will put together plan and come back in January with what
the outreach portion will entail with core tasks and timelines.
Item 4. Director’s Report - INFO ONLY
The new Winter Guide is out and registration begins on November 28.
The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Teri Petrole
Parks and Human Services Committee