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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 01/22/2015 4^4 K ENT Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes Council members: Deborah Ranniger, Chair • Dennis Higgins • Brenda Fincher Jeff Watling, Director January 22, 2015 - 5:OOp.m. Call to Order: Committee Chair Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chair Debbie Ranniger, Committee members Dennis Higgins and Brenda Fincher were in attendance. Changes to agenda: None 1. Minutes Dated November 25, 2014 - Approve Committee member Higgins MOVED to approve the minutes dated November 25, 2014. Committee member Fincher SECONDED. The motion PASSED 3-0. 2. Goods and Services Agreement with KOMPAN, Inc. for Play Eguioment at Kent Memorial Park - Authorize Parks Planning and Development Planner Brian Levenhagen reported that in addition to its primary use for baseball, Kent Memorial Park serves as a neighborhood park for the 1,622 children under the age of 14 in its census tract. Many of the park users live in the over 1,000 multi-family housing units within a half mile of the park. The existing playground was installed in 1997 and it is heavily used and in a state of deterioration. Typical playgrounds have a useful life of 15 years in a public park setting. A number of play elements have broken and been removed from the playground. This "Explorer Dome" will be the anchor piece of equipment in the re-development of the play area this year, providing an opportunity for children to participate in safe, creative, unstructured play. A later phase planned for the park is to build a bridge across the creek for safer access. Jeff Watling, Director, stated that the price of the equipment, when purchased through a co-operative purchasing agency, such as the U.S. Communities Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, reduces the price significantly. Page 1 Committee member Fincher referenced the September project date and asked if it can be completed earlier. Levenhagen responded that the date was chosen based on the work plan and Watling added that scheduling the installation in the fall greatly lessens the impact to the heavy tournament season at Kent Memorial Park throughout the summer. Committee member Fincher moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement with KOMPAN, Inc. in the amount of $42,571.00, including Washington State Sales Tax, for the purchase and delivery of new play equipment for Kent Memorial Park, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and the Parks Director. Committee member Higgins SECONDED. The motion PASSED 3-0. 3. 2014 Fourth Quarter Fee-in-Lieu Funds - Accept Park Planner Brian Levenhagen reported that, between October and December 2014, the City of Kent received a total of $11,625.00 from developer Jarnail Singh, who voluntarily paid fees in lieu of dedicating park land to mitigate the development of single family homes in local subdivision. The $11,625.00 in fees will go toward a project at Springwood Park in the future to increase the performance of the park. Higgins asked how the funds get earmarked. Levenhagen replied that, per fee-in- lieu regulations, funds have to be spent within five years of acceptance and at a park closest to the development. Staff would rather have the investment go into the recreation space but, with a small development, it doesn't make as much sense as receiving the fee. Committee member Higgins wants to know what other fee-in-lieu funds are reserved and when the funds be spent. Watling offered to create a report for the committee with the requested fee-in-lieu information. To Committee member Higgin's question, Watling confirmed that the field behind Millennium Elementary is owned by the Kent School District. Committee member Fincher asked what improvements will be made at the park and for some examples. Watling said that site work at Springwood is critical, specifically addressing the large mounds in the landscape that impact site lines and safety. Some drainage work needs to be done to increase use of the field as well. Watling also feels that Springwood Park is great candidate for development of a pick-up soccer court. For funding, staff will leverage fee-in-lieu funds with grant money. Committee member Higgins moved to recommend City Council accept $11,625.00 for Fee-in-Lieu-of funds, amend the Community Parks Reinvestment Program budget and approve future expenditures. Committee member Fincher seconded. The motion PASSED 3-0. Page 2 4. Severe Weather Shelter - INFO ONLY Jeff Watling acknowledged Merina Hanson's first public appearance as Manager of the Housing and Human Services Division and congratulated her on the new position. The committee asked for a follow up to the discussion in December and what it may look like if there were adjustments to the temperature threshold for opening the severe weather shelter in Kent for the homeless. Hanson reported that the city relies on the generosity of Kent Lutheran Church to provide the space, staff, and consumable goods, and Catholic Community Services provides the 24-hour staffing. The city averages seven shelter openings per year and spends an average of $3,000 per year. If the threshold for opening the shelter was lowered to 32 degrees, that would impact the funds dramatically and we are not positive that our partners could provide the services at that rate. As far as the question about the number of attendees at shelters, there is movement between shelters, so the numbers shift. It is hard to get an accurate number. Merina told the committee that staff continues to ask agencies to reach out to Housing and Human Services and the Police for their support any time of the day or night. S. Director's Report Riverbend Golf Complex As adopted in the 2015/2016 budget, the well at Riverbend will be addressed this year with diagnostics and assessment work being conducted. Hopefully, the reports will show that the current well can be refurbished and there would be a substantial savings for the city. Staff will share the results of the diagnostics at the next Parks Committee meeting. Committee member Higgins asked about the savings. Watling responded that, if the well is refurbished instead of enduring the cost of digging a new one, there is an estimated one-time project cost of around $150,000, which is the same amount the city pays for water per year. 2015 Work Plan Watling distributed the 2015 Work Plan, advising the committee that some of the items on the plan can be used as Parks Committee agenda items for 2015. • Staff will look at capital funding needs and continue to spend funds creatively, using leveraging skills and grant funds. • A Green River Corridor update will be presented at a future Council Workshop. • Clark Lake Park acquisitions. • The Riverbend Golf Complex at the 18-Hole will get at a new HVAC system. Page 3 • The restaurant tenants lease agreement at Riverbend is up for renewal this year. New options for the restaurant have been proposed and will be reviewed. Staff will bring the results back to the committee. Committee member Higgins asked if the current tenant is interested in exploring renewal of their lease agreement. Watling responded that Law is sending a letter to the tenant to get their intention. • The Parks and Open Space Plan will be updated this year. One element of the update will be strategic planning and positioning our recreation facilities. • Watling reported that the YMCA is prioritizing what projects will be on their capital campaign. The city should have a formal announcement sometime during the spring or summer. Staff and the YMCA will continue with ongoing conversations. The topic will be covered at a future Council Workshop. Committee member Higgins reported that there is funding at the state level and encouraged everyone to contact their state legislators to voice their support. • The newly appointed Parks Commission will meet the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The first meeting on January 27 and will include appointing a chair and a vice chair, as well as diving into The Parks and Open Space Plan Update. Also on the agenda is discussion of park tours for the commissioners. • Parks Planning and Development Division sent out a postcard highlighting their volunteer efforts. As an example of the magnitude of volunteer assistance. As an example, the equivalent 60 truckloads of invasives have been removed from our parks by volunteers, which is about $155,000 worth of work. The volunteer program is overseen by Parks Planning and Development and Parks Operations staff. Committee member Fincher asked about what's happening at Green Tree Park since the renovation. Brian Levenhagen responded that the park is getting lots of use, even though it was opened in the fall / winter. Part of phase two for the park is to get the basketball court resurfaced - hopefully this summer. Watling spoke to Brian's innovativeness in creating signage for the park that used current sidewalks to form a quarter mile loop trail through the neighborhood. Chair Ranniger asked about the 125th Anniversary celebration. Watling explained that, instead of focusing on one event, the celebration will be incorporated into many events throughout the year - from the Fourth of July Splash to concerts and Cornucopia Days. Parks Planning and Development staff is working in partnership with the Kent Historical Society on historical recognition at Earthworks Park and Van Doren's Park through interpretive signage. Page 4 Announcements You Me We is January 30 at ShoWare from 6-8pm. There will be booths, activities, and performances. New this year is the addition of a health piece and a community interactive art piece that will be displayed on portable panels and moved around the city for viewing. Chair Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, T,� AemI& Teri Petrole Council Committee Recorder Page 5