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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 05/16/2013 KEN-- Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes May 16, 2013 Council Committee Members: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Dana Ralph Elizabeth Albertson was unable to attend the meeting and sent her concurrence on all action items. Chair Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Item 1: Minutes of April 18, 2013 - Approve Committeemember Ralph moved to approve the minutes dated April 18, 2013. Chair Ranniger seconded. The motion passed 3-0, including concurrence from Committeemember Albertson. Item 2: Kent Lions Acknowledgement - INFO ONLY Lori Hogan, Superintendent of Recreation and Cultural Services reported that the Kent Lions Foundation is an all-volunteer community service organization. They are a group of individuals dedicated to helping those in need, providing enhancement to our community through hands-on projects and grants, as well as creating an environment that allows their members to enrich their own lives by selflessly serving others. Their motto is "WE SERVE." Kent Lions has served the greater Kent Community since 1938! Kent Cornucopia Days Festival, Farmers Market, Miss Kent Scholarship Pageant, and Dragon Boat Races are just a few of the many special events hosted and organized by the Lions. They are long time supporters of Kent Parks Programs and Services, sponsoring 8-10 youth sports teams annually as well as sponsoring/hosting Kent Senior Center programs and other special events. Celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year, the club wanted to do something special for Kent Parks Youth Sports teams. They provided hot dogs, chips and drinks to all participants and their family members at this year's boy's 3rd _ 6th grade baseball jamboree on Saturday, May 4. Over 1,500 people were served. The Lions Club will do it again on Saturday May 18th at the Girls Fast Pitch jamboree. Hogan thanked Kent Lions for all they do for the community. Chair Ranniger commented that the successful collaboration between the city and Kent Lions is equally matched. Lions Club President Brandon Davey attended the meeting and shared his appreciation of the Parks Department and their assistance with events the club coordinates in the Kent such as Kent WinterFest and Cornucopia Days. Mr. Davey announced that November 2 is the actual 75th Anniversary and they are planning to give something big to the City of Kent! Page 1 Item 3: 4Culture Playground Eauioment Agreement for Turnkey Park - Authorize Ronda Billerbeck, Manager of Cultural Services announced that King County 4Culture has awarded the Kent Arts Commission $17,000 in Sustained Support funding through a competitive grant process. The funding will support 2013 programs, including Spotlight Series performances, Kent Kids' Arts Day and Kent Summer Concert Series. The Summer Concert Series begins July 9. The schedule is as follows: Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. at Kent Station, Wednesdays are concerts for kids at Town Square Plaza at 12:00 p.m. and Thursday concerts are at Lake Meridian at 7:00 p.m. The concert series runs through mid August. Committeemember Ralph commented on the great partnership with 4Culture and gratitude for their assistance in supporting the arts in this community. Committeemember Ralph moved to recommend accepting the Sustained Support grant from 4Culture to support 2013 Kent Arts Commission programs in the amount of $17,000, authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents and approve the expenditure of funds in the Kent Arts Commission budget. Chair Ranniger seconded and the motion passed 3-0, including concurrence from Committeemember Albertson. Item 4: Northwest Playground Eauioment Agreement for Turnkey Park - Authorize Hope Gibson, Manager of Park Planning and Development reported that through a partnership with KaBOOM!, Disney, and the community, the city is renovating Turnkey Park playground this summer. Some of the play features require the installation of poured-in-place rubberized safety surfacing. This contract with Northwest Playground Equipment, Inc. is to furnish and install this safety surfacing. The product to be used is a well-regarded product, and the company is a well-regarded company with extensive experience in the provision of play equipment and park furnishings. The contractor was selected through the King County Director's Association's Cooperative Purchasing program, with the cost set at a pre-qualified unit price. Watling spoke to the investments we've made at Turnkey Park Picnic over the past couple years with the new picnic shelter and the expansion of the parking lot area. Staff is excited that because of this project we will end up with a totally revitalized park for the community. Chair Ranniger asked about the life span of the rubberized safety surfacing. Gibson responded that it lasts between 10 and 15 years. Watling added that it lasts much Page 2 longer than wood chips and this provides a more accessible experience in terms of wheelchairs and other participants. Committeemember Ralph asked if this surface will be installed under the entire play structure. Gibson said this product will be used for the climbing feature due to the slope and at the slide due to the 8' grade. Fibar is used under the entire play structure. Committeemember Ralph moved to recommended authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement with Northwest Playground Equipment, Inc., for $46,063.77 for the playground restoration project at Turnkey Park, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and the Parks Director. Chair Ranniger seconded. The motion passed 3-0, including concurrence from Committeemember Albertson. Item 5: Berger Partnership Consultant Agreement for Kent Valley Loop Trail - Authorize Director Watling shared that this project is born out of the Council's strategic plan goals. In 2012, work was done through a Public Health grant looking at connectivity on a city-wide basis. The regionally significant Green River and Interurban trails intersect near the southern tip of the city. Their proximity to several other significant local destinations contributes to the potential for a loop trail experience unique to the Puget Sound area. Gibson noted that the consultant was selected from a field of eleven landscape architecture firms who responded to the Request for Qualifications. The selection panel included representatives from Parks, Public Works, Economic and Community Development, the Arts Commission, and Kent Parks Foundation. Berger Partnership was unanimously selected by the panel. Watling added that funding is through King County Levy proceeds and limited in scope to funding trails and open space. King County is very excited about the project and staff will continue to keep them informed of progress. Chair Ranniger asked about the timeframe for completion of the Master Plan. Gibson responded that the kick off meeting is the first of June and a report will be completed by the end of the year. Watling added that staff will come back to the committee in the fall with an update. He shared that staff is eager to work with Economic Development in regard to this business outreach as well - recognizing this is not only an asset to be of service to residents, but can be an attractive asset to the recruitment and retention of businesses. Page 3 Committeemember Ralph shared that the Arts Commission Selection Panel conducted interviews for the art-planning component of this project. There were many talented applicants and the final three artists will be interviewed next week. Committeemember Ralph moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Consultant Agreement with the Berger Partnership for $98,550.00 to develop a master plan for the Kent Valley Loop Trail, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and the Parks Director. Chair Ranniger seconded. The motion passed 3-0, including concurrence from Committeemember Albertson. Item 6: Director's Report • Director Watling thanked Kent School District staff and Parks staff for another successful track season this spring. This year, 28 teams from 28 elementary schools with over 1,200 fourth through sixth grade kids participated in the program. It was a great opportunity for kids to learn how to be on a team. The Recreation staff did a great job of leading this endeavor. • The Disney sponsored Ka BOOM! Project is June 7, at Turnkey Park. These community assisted projects really encourage ownership within the neighborhood and the school district. We anticipate 200-250 volunteers. • The Girls Fast Pitch Jamboree is at Service Club Ballfields this weekend. • In partnership with the Rotary Club, our Youth and Teen staff is hosting the Fishing Experience at the Old Fishing Hole this weekend. Approximately 250 participants have registered for the event. • Watling recognized Coach Helgeson, longtime basketball coach and teacher from Kentridge High School who is celebrating his 70th birthday. Coach Helgeson meant a lot to him and had a positive impact on many students at Kentridge - not only as a coach, but also as a teacher of leadership classes. A big get together has been scheduled for this Saturday. Happy birthday Coach! • National Trails Day is this Saturday at Lake Fenwick Park. Chair Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 7'011 J'etrlol� Teri Petrole Council Committee Secretary Page 4