HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks & Recreation Commission - 07/23/2019
Unless otherwise noted, the Parks and Recreation Commission meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of
each month in Kent City Hall Campus, Centennial Building - Room 402
400 West Gowe, Kent 98032.
For additional information, please contact Ron Lashley by email at rlashley@kentwa.gov.
Any person requiring a disability accommodation should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-
856-5725 in advance. For TDD relay service, call Washington Telecommunications Relay
Service at 1-800-833-6388.
Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda
Commissioners: Chair Richard Minutoli, Vice-Chair Annie Sieger
Director: Julie Parascondola, CPRE
Deputy Director: Brian Levenhagen, CPRP
July 23 2019
6:00 p.m.
Item Description Action Speaker Time
1. Roll Call / Call to order
- Chair Minutoli 01
2. Changes to the Agenda
- Chair Minutoli 01
3. Approve Minutes Summary dated June
25, 2019
YES Chair Minutoli 01
4. Welcome New Commissioners NO Chair Minutoli 10
5. August 27, 2019 Meeting Options YES Chair Minutoli 10
6. Park & Open Space Plan – Potential
Recreational Value of Properties
NO Brian Levenhagen 30
7. Kronisch Property Land Surplus NO Brian Levenhagen 20
8. 2019-2020 Mid Biennium Budget Process
Update
NO Julie Parascondola 05
9. Public Safety – Roles and Responsibilities
NO Julie Parascondola 20
10. Discussion: Definition of a “Partner” NO Julie Parascondola 40
11. Director/Commission Updates NO All 10
12. Adjournment NO Chair Minutoli 01
Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
Date: June 25, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Centennial Bldg. Room 402
Attending: Chair Richard Minutoli, Vice-Chair Annie Sieger, Jennifer Ritchie,
Kathleen Roberts, Scott Taylor, Zandria Michaud, Director Julie
Parascondola, Deputy Director Brian Levenhagen
Absent: Kristie Duggan, Randy Furukawa, Tim Wilson, Todd Minor
1. Call to Order/Roll Call:
Commission Chair Minutoli called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. Changes to Agenda:
Change in order of presentation by Deputy Director Levenhagen.
3. Minutes dated May 28, 2019:
Approved Unanimously
4. Update on Recreation Program Plan to City Council June 18, 2019,/
Feedback and Next Steps
Director Parscondola along with Commissioners who attended the June 18 City
Council meeting shared feedback from the meeting. November 17 Director
Parascondola will be going back to City Council to present on both the Marketing
Plan and the Recreation Plan recommendation. Chair Minutoli reminded
Commission and members of the public in attendance of the Parks Commission
meeting, to take the current survey. Deputy Director informed the Commission of
the change in of the Workshops topics. Chair Minutoli asked for upcoming City
Council Workshop and Council Agenda items be sent to the Commission.
5. Public Comment:
Public Comment was allowed by Chair Minutoli. Kent Residents from Scenic Hill:
Anita Veen and Wendy Datzel along with Tim Brown all spoke regarding Agenda
Item #9 in support for keeping the “Gowe Street Park” instead of demolishing the
property.
6. Update on Kent’s Transportation Master Plan Process / Commission Rep
Parks Commission Vice-Chair Sieger will be the Commissions Rep. on the
Transportation Advisory Board for the Transportation Master Plan Project.
7. Final Approach to RCO Conversion from Loss of property at Morrill
Meadows Park
Deputy Director Levenhagen provided a powerpoint presentation updating the
Commission on the conversion loss of property at Morrill Meadows Park. A
hearing in Olympia will be held Thursday, June 27, for final approval for the
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conversion. The Lannoye and Ransom, properties are two of the site locations
for potential land replacement currently in discussion. The estimated
recreational and potential recreational value of Van Doren’s Landing are
increasing because of the Morrill Meadows land loss
8.Update on 2019 Capital Projects (including new grants awarded)
Deputy Director Levenhagen shared the current and upcoming Capital Projects
with the Commission. Lower Russell Levee Project Phase 1 scheduled to begin July
1, 2019, thru April 2020. Phase 2 begins 2020 to 2021. Concern over bike trail
was brought up; Deputy Director explained that a separate trail from Russell
Woods would cross Russell Road. He will provide an update to the Bicycle Advisory
Board. Lake Meridian restroom opens Mid-July 2019. Service Club Ballfields
Drainage Improvements scheduled to begin construction on remaining three fields
on August 19. Meridian Glen Park improvements to be completed late summer of
2019. Kherson Park redevelopment project kickoff begins June 26. West Fenwick
Park Phase 2 renovation planned for 2020 construction.
9. Update on Green River Park Projects
Deputy Director Levenhagen presented a powerpoint presentation on Green
River Park Projects. Q&A occurred for each project mentioned.
10.Gowe Street Traffic Median
Deputy Director Levenhagen presented a powerpoint presentation on Gowe
Street Traffic Median and addressed concerns of citizens who spoke at public
comment regarding what they call the “Gowe Street Park.” Capital and
operational funding needs are a challenge. The plan to demolish it is not
imminent due to cost.
Director Parascondola added more history, including the 2016 Park and Open
Space Plan. The current concern is rotting benches and the actual location of the
traffic median. An agreement with the City and citizen involvement of
maintenance of the area must be addressed with union negotiations of the
maintenance contract. Parks as exceeded that maximum union allotment of
citizen involvement. There are legality issues of having citizens maintain city
property due to Union Labor contracts, which opens a conversation for the Parks
Commission regarding open spaces. The definition of a “Park” does not apply to
what the citizens have titled Gowd Street Park. Vice-Chair Sieger expressed a
process is needed and should be council facing because funding for pocket open
spaces is not available.
11.Director/Commission Updates:
Commission member Michaud attended the Bicycle Advisory Board. For May
2020 Bike ride they would like to organize an event.
12. Adjournment:
Commission Chair Minutoli concluded the meeting at 07:38 p.m.
Ronald Lashley Jr
Ronald Lashley Jr.
Parks and Recreation Commission Secretary