Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 3/29/2017Joint Special Meeting - Kent City Council and Kent School District Minutes March 29,2OL7 Approved April 18, 20t7 March 29,2OL7 5:30 p,m. Centenn ia I North/South CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT Suzette Cooke, Mayor Bill Boyce, Council President Jim Berrios, Councilmember Tina Budell, Councilmember Brenda Fincher, Councilmember Dennis Higgins, Councilmember Dana Ralph, Councilmember Les Thomas, Councilmember Kent, Washington BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE KENT SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF THE KENT SCHOOL DISTRTCT NO. 415 Karen DeBruler, President Agda Burchard Russ Hanscom Debbie Straus Maya Vengadasalam Date: Time: Place: Attending: Agenda: 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.ñ,, with Council President Boyce presiding. Council President Bill Boyce welcomed the members of the Kent School District Board of Directors, the Kent City Council, City of Kent staff, and members of the public. President Boyce detailed the agenda items, the timeframe for discussion of each item, and the meeting timeline. 2. New Elementarv School Dr, Watts provided information on the District's plans for locations for new schools. New elementary school in Covington - Ground breaking in one month. New elementary school in the valley - The District is exploring options, with the assistance of City staff and are looking for the most suitable K-6 model for the elementary. Viable options include the Kent Mountain View Academy and the Kent Valley Early Learning Center. The District may consider selling the Early Learning Center. Tim LaPorte, City of Kent Public Works Director, indicated that the Mountain View site is located within the City of SeaTac, that there is no sewer service, and that the City is considering forming an LID, Over the next six to nine months, the District will continue to explore sites in the valley that will include the possibility of relocating programs and building a multiple-story school. The District anticipates opening the school in the valley in 2022. Ben Wolters, Economic and Community Development Director, advised that City staff is working with the District to determine the needs and identify potential sites. The message conveyed by the City is that given the land limitations, the District should look hard at a multi-story solution. Ben indicated that the City and District are jointly funding a market data consultant for a market study. Follow-up: Dr. Watts will provide the expected student population that may come out of the Grandview Apartments. Page 1 of 5 Joint Special Meeting - Kent City Council and Kent School District Minutes March 29,20L7 Kent, Washington Approved April 18, 2OL7 Mayor Cooke spoke regarding the design of future schools and requested the District take into consideration allowing for access for community activities at their facilities. Dr. Watts indicated that there is a public benefit when schools are open to the public, but that the challenge is ensuring there are adequate resources to ensure the security of the facilities. {. Mayor Cooke recommended the District formally explore what it would take to make the District facilities more accessible for use by the public. She requested that consideration be given to providing access for adult learning. Follow-uo: Mayor Cooke advised that Julie Parascondola, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department Director will contact the District for follow-up. Brenda Fincher suggested that since the District requires six to eight acres for a site, that they should use the new Panther Lake Elementary as the model in addition to considering ADA compliance for multi-story schools. Ben Wolters advised that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America site is currently under contract with a developer and may not be a viable future site for the District and indicated that the former REI facility is for sale. Dr. Watts advised that, when building new facilities, the District considers preserving land, and community growth/decline. The District also considers marketing facilities when they are no longer needed as a school, 3. Mariiuana Challenges in Schools Dr. Watts spoke regarding statewide impacts and indicated that marijuana provides a viable revenue stream for municipalities. The District has not seen a major spike in negative impacts in schools. There is an increase in students bringing marijuana-infused products into the schools that may increase access to the products. The reality is that the pressure is on the cities to regulate marijuana. Dr. Watts expressed his concern over student access to anything that could cause harm by impairing decision-making. Members discussed the increase in perception of harm, that there is an increase in use, and that the message has changed to it being okay to use marijuana. Councilmember Berrios requested that the District and City work together to convey the same message. Maya Vengadasalam suggested expanding the Game of Life program. Councilmember Ralph advised that it has been hard to get the program into the schools because school staff is not willing to take advantage of the program. Assistant Chief Rafael Padilla advised that there has been an increase in daytime DUI marijuana arrests, but there are no statistics directly relating to students. There are concerns over student Page 2 of 5 Joint Special Meeting - Kent City Council and Kent School District Minutes March 29,2Ot7 Kent, Washington Approved April 18, 2OL7 safety since marijuana impairs judgment. Assistant Chief Padilla indicated the District and City should have a consistent message to restrict access. Russ Hanscom advised that the data-driven public health study indicated that marijuana use causes less harm than alcohol or carbonated drinks. He indicated that the access to marijuana is available and will not go away. Russ Hanscom indicated students can go to surrounding communities to gain access to marijuana and that the City is missing out on a revenue opportunity. He suggested that there may be an opportunity in the future to legalize marijuana and educate the youth and that there should be a coordinated effort between the City and District. Councilmember Ralph advised that there is no current information as to whether marijuana would provide a solid revenue source if the City were to lift its ban, Follow-uo: Dr. Watts will provide the Healthy Use survey to the Council. 4. Strategic Plan Alignment City of Kent Strategic Plan. Derek Matheson, Chief Administrative Officer, provided details regarding Kent's Strategic Plan. Derek Matheson indicated that the emphasis is on government performance. The City added a position for strategic planning Lean continuous improvement, and performance measurement. The City refreshed its 20L2 plan and reaffirmed the vision statement, revised the goals, and will flesh out the goals using a process called "Strategic Mapping". The City anticipates implementing a visual management board that can be updated in real time. The City kicked off a Lean training program that included Lean basic, Lean for practitioners, and Lean for leaders. Lean exercises followed. The City's shining example is the Lean for the code enforcement program. It is anticipated that the Strategic Plan will be rebuilt after the election of a new mayor and council. Vision: Kent is a safe, connected and beautiful City, culturally vibrant with richly diverse urban centers. Goals: Innovative Government, Authentic Connectivity and Communication, Thriving Neighborhoods and Urban Centers, Sustainable Funding, Inclusive Community Russ Hanscom suggested the City and District partner on capital improvements, including improving school neighborhood walkways. Kent School District Strategic Plan - "Blueprint: Leaning Forward Together 2OL6-2021." Dr. Watts indicated that the development of the Strategic Plan was a collaborative process involving the community. Mission Statement: "Successfully preparing all students for their futures," answers the question of why the District exists. Page 3 of 5 Joint Special Meeting - Kent City Council and Kent School District Minutes March 29,2Ot7 Kent, Washington Approved April 18, 2OL7 Vision Statement: "The Kent School District produces graduates who are globally competitive learners. Through equitable access to high quality academic, social, and applied learning, students are ready to excel in college, careers, and an in life," tells us where do we see ourselves in 3-5 years and how do we get there, Core Values: (1) Equity: all students have equal access to quality staff, courses, activities, services, and resources based on their individual needs; (2) Excellence: student excellence is a balance of rigorous academic, social, and career-readiness skills; and (3) Community: community engagement is proactive involvement of stakeholders in school District priorities and partnerships. The District recognizes that there needs to be two-way, effective communications, organizational effectiveness, and the need for a premier and diverse workforce. Objectives: The public is invited to attend a public presentation of the District's new strategic plan on April 6 and 8. Twice per year the District will seek input from the community for accountability. 5. School Parking Challenoes Kelly Peterson, City of Kent Transportation manager, presented information regarding the safety of students walking to and from school. Kelly is working in cooperation with Justin Dennison, Kent School District Director of Transportation. There has been an increase in the number of parents driving their students to and from school and this has created parking challenges. Kelly shared photos and video of dangerous situations currently taking place every school day at both Panther Lake Elementary and Soos Creek Elementary. Kelly advised of the proposed road improvements that are planned for the S,E. 218th Street project. Kelly indicated that Officer Schanbacher recently coordinated a cooperative agreement between George T. Daniel Elementary and the surrounding churches. By parents queueing up in the local church parking lots, parking issues have been resolved. It was suggested that as the District considers sites for future schools, that they take into consideration potential parking issues and student pickupldrop off areas, The City and District should collaborate on this process. Councilmember Higgins indicated that the City should step up and fund capital improvement pro9rams. 6. Immigration Issues Dr. Watts provided information regarding a recent meeting held at the Golden Steer Restaurant that focused on immigration. Presenters included the Deputy Field Director from Homeland Security, representatives from Green River Community College, the School District, City of Kent, and Puget Sound ESD. Information was discussed regarding what could be expected as a result of the Executive Orders. Page 4 of 5 Joint Special Meeting - Kent City Council and Kent School District Minutes March 29,2OL7 Kent, Washington Approved April 18, 2OL7 Dr. Watts indicated that families in communities are in fear/stress/anxiety and believe they are unwanted. The District sent letters to students and the community expressing care, concern, and expressing the District's commitment to ensuring all families feel safe. Mayor Cooke expressed her frustration with the day-to-day changes regarding Executive Orders. Assistant Chief Padilla advised that the Police Department will work cooperatively with the District if there is ever a need for Homeland Security to remove a student from campus. Follow-uo: Maya Vengadasalam requested that members email any ideas they have for long- term solutions to help make families feel comfortable. Creating a task force will allow for the District and City to come together to do good work. Councilmember Higgins indicated that although we cannot control what is happening in Washington D.C., we can control what we say and how we represent ourselves as community leaders. Resolutions are important and the community needs to hear from us. Follow-uo: Mayor Cooke requested the District's Cultural Ambassador work with Satwinder Kaur, Chair of the Cultural Communities Board. Council President Boyce expressed his appreciation for the opportunity for the City and District participate in this first forum. Next Steps: Council President Boyce and Derek Matheson will meet to document what was discussed, determine what needs to be accomplished, and will send a proposal to the District. After issues are identified, a team will be formed and meetings will be scheduled. 7. Adjournment At7:35 p.m., Council President Bill Boyce adjourned the meeting. {.^l*lw( ^,úr,M Kimberley f,. fomoto, City Clerk City of Kent March 29,20L7 S:\PUBLIC\C¡ty CI€rk's Otrce\C¡ty Counc¡l\City Council MeeUngs\20r7\Minutês\0329 loiñt KSO KCC\Mi.utes.docx Page 5 of 5