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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks & Recreation Commission - 05/23/2017 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes May 23, 2017 Kent, Washington Approved Date: May 23, 2017 Time: 6:00 p.m. Place: Centennial Building, First Floor Conference Rooms Attending: Chair Zandria Michaud, Annette Bailes, Dan Barrett, Kalika Carver- Cox, Kari Hedrick, Richard Minutoli, Erika Overall, Jennifer Ritchie, Wayne Jensen, Lacey Seaton, Tye Whitfield, Parks Director Julie Parascondola, Staff/Recorder Teri Petrole 1. Call to Order: Commission Chair Zandria Michaud called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Commissioners absent: Randy Furukawa, Kendrick Glover, Annie Sieger, Jaleen Roberts 3. Changes to Agenda: There were no changes to the agenda. 3. Approve Minutes: The minutes dated April 20, 2017 were approved by unanimous vote. 4. Tobacco Policy Update On May 18, the Parks and Human Services Committee recommended that Council adopt the ordinance that supports a smoke and tobacco-free park system. The ordinance goes to City Council for adoption on June 6, with an effective date of August 15, 2017, if approved. The new ordinance, within Chapter 4.01 of the Kent City Code, establishes a $50.00 penalty, adds a definition section clarifying what "park property" encompasses, and contains a section listing the different methods of restricted smoking and tobacco use within park property. Parks staff is currently working through an implementation timeline that includes updating staff, contractors and park renters, revising programming and user forms, and communicating the message through information cards, signage, official publications and through web and social media. 5. "Why Parks?" Investing in Kent's Quality of Life Presentation J. Parascondola shared the PowerPoint "Why Parks? Investing in Kent's Quality of Life," and explained how parks and recreation has four primary functions that create essential services for the city and the community. 1. Contributes to economic viability. 2. Fosters health and community wellness. Page | 2 3. Stewards and protects public lands. 4. Creates social equity and connection. The city's approach to park planning was outlined by using highlights from the award winning parks and open space plan. The plan has four core themes: 1. Quality public spaces. 2. Performance-based approach - a nontraditional approach to determining Level of Service (LOS). 3. Transformation through reinvestment. 4. Sustainable funding. The plan shows how intentionally investing into the park system by implementing strategic projects creates a system that provides greater value to the community. The parks asset analysis, completed in 2012 and updated in 2016 for the park plan, illustrates a consistent decline in park assets and amenities. Data on investment shows that existing funding does not support the community's current and future needs. Sustainable funding requires the community's support. Public outreach and education will be a huge component in that effort. The Commissioners can participate by forming a focus group that creates a marketing plan. Current projects for 2017/2018 from the park plan's project list include: • Kent Memorial Park Renovation - Wiffco Ball field and new play equipment. • West Fenwick Park Renovation - Futsal field and Chutes and Ladders play equipment. • Downtown Placemaking Projects - Lunar Rover replica at Kherson Park. • Van Doren's Landing Park Relocation - Lookout tower. • Lake Meridian Park Dock Replacement. 6. Future Agenda Topics The Commissioners reviewed the draft Planning Calendar for upcoming agendas and made suggestions for additional topics. Future topics: • YMCA/Recreation Update • CAPRA Gap Assessment • Recreation Division Programming and Operation • Park Operations Overview • Russell Road Levy Project Update • Policies and Procedures • Park Tours • Adaptive Recreation Presentation • Commission Orientation • Quarterly Capital Updates • Regular YMCA Updates - including programming Page | 3 • Human Services Overview • Marketing Multi Media Plan • Maintenance Standards Unrelated suggestions: • Schedule social gatherings. • Provide profile-raising information to the community on the Commissioners so they can effectively market parks and recreation services. 7. Announcements The Parks Committee recommended Council initiate the process to surplus property at Morrill Meadows Park for construction of the YMCA facility on East Hill. If approved by City Council on June 6, public meetings will begin in November/December. Discussion followed on the YMCA project footprint and property ownership. The new Youth Initiative Coordinator Willie Seals begins his employment on June 16 on an intermittent schedule, proceeding to full-time in August. Julie to provide the Commissioners a list of ingredients in the pesticides and herbicides used by the city, as well as the spraying schedule. The meeting concluded at 8:57 p.m. Teri Petrole Teri Petrole, Recorder 1 Amend Ch. 4.01 Kent City Code Re: Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, amending various sections of Chapter 4.01 of the Kent City Code to prohibit smoking, vaping, or the use of tobacco products in or on any park property or park facility, and establishing a monetary penalty for all violations of that prohibition. RECITALS A. One of the primary purposes and functions of a public park is to provide safe, welcoming places for all to enjoy and pursue physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and leisure experiences through nature, which contribute to a healthier Kent community. However, smoking or the use of other tobacco products in public parks is contrary to this fundamental purpose. B. While the Parks Department has an existing policy that prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products on or near any City athletic field, this policy applies only while youth games or practices are in session. This existing policy does not apply generally to all park property. C. Several other cities in King County have made their parks smoke and tobacco free, including the cities of Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Seattle. Kent’s Parks and Recreation Commission and the Parks and Human Services Committee have both recommended that Council adopt an ordinance similarly making Kent’s parks and facilities smoke and tobacco 2 Amend Ch. 4.01 Kent City Code Re: Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited free. Council agrees and finds that it is appropriate to adopt a smoke and tobacco free policy that applies in and on all park property and park facilities. Violation of this ordinance could result in the issuance of a fine in the amount of $50, plus statutory costs and assessments. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: ORDINANCE SECTION 1. – Amendment - New KCC 4.01.005. Chapter 4.01 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Parks and Recreation,” is amended to add a new section 4.01.005, entitled “Definitions,” as follows: Sec. 4.01.005. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below: A. “Park property” or “park facility” shall mean and include all City- owned or controlled parks, public squares, public gardens, playgrounds, athletic complexes, community centers, museums, trails, and all drives, parkways, bodies of water, docks, piers, moorage floats, beaches, and parking lots or garages contained therein. “Park property” or “park facility” shall also include all other parks and recreational areas, developed or undeveloped, owned by the City of Kent or under the management and control of the City of Kent for park purposes. SECTION 2. – Amendment - New KCC 4.01.135. Chapter 4.01 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Parks and Recreation,” is amended to add a new section 4.01.135, entitled “Smoking, Vaping, or Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited” as follows: Sec. 4.01.135. Smoking, Vaping, or Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to smoke, vape, or use tobacco products in or on any park property or park facility, excluding the 3 Amend Ch. 4.01 Kent City Code Re: Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited Riverbend Golf Course facility. This prohibition includes both non- combustible products, like e-cigarettes or other vaping devices that produce smoke or vapor, and dipping tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus; and combustible products, like paper cigarettes, cigarillos, or cigars, pipes, and hookahs. If the product emits smoke, or vapor, or contains tobacco, it is prohibited. SECTION 3. – Amendment – Revise KCC 4.01.220. Section 4.01.220 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Penalties,” is amended as follows: Sec. 4.01.220. Penalties. A. Civil infraction. 1. Except as provided in subsections (A)(2) and (B) of this section, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a class 1 civil infraction in accordance with RCW 7.80.120(1)(a), as currently enacted or hereafter amended. 2. A violation of either KCC 4.01.080(B) or KCC 4.01.135 shall constitute a class 3 civil infraction in accordance with RCW 7.80.120(1)(c), as currently enacted or hereafter amended. 3. Each separate day, or portion thereof, during which any violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation. B. Misdemeanor. Any person who violates KCC 4.01.020 or 4.01.040 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each separate day or portion thereof during which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation. SECTION 4. – Severability. If any one or more section, subsection, or sentence of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such 4 Amend Ch. 4.01 Kent City Code Re: Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 5. – Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon approval of the city attorney, the city clerk and the code reviser are authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors; ordinance, section, or subsection numbering; or references to other local, state, or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations. SECTION 6. – Effective Date. While this ordinance shall take effect 30 days from and after its passage as provided by law, the City will not enforce the ordinance until August 15, 2017, to allow for public outreach and education. SUZETTE COOKE, MAYOR ATTEST: KIMBERLEY A. KOMOTO, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM: TOM BRUBAKER, CITY ATTORNEY 5 Amend Ch. 4.01 Kent City Code Re: Tobacco Use in Parks Prohibited PASSED: day of , 2017. APPROVED: day of , 2017. PUBLISHED: day of , 2017. I hereby certify that this is a true copy of Ordinance No. passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, and approved by the Mayor of the City of Kent as hereon indicated. (SEAL) KIMBERLEY A. KOMOTO, CITY CLERK P:\Civil\Ordinance\4.01.135-Tobacco Use in Parks.docx Investing in Kent’s Quality of Life. Public recreation, parks, trails and open spaces improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our community, and make Kent a more attractive place to live and work. City Council Workshop | May 2, 2017 Kent’s Quality of Life •Kent Parks and Recreation currently serves several million park visitors annually and has four primary functions that make them essential services to the city and community: o Contribute to economic viability o Foster health and community wellness o Steward and protect public lands o Create social equity and connection •The City of Kent cannot fully pride themselves on their quality of life, promote themselves as a desirable location for businesses and people to relocate, or maintain that they are environmental stewards of their natural resources, without its community having a robust, active system of parks and recreation programs for public use and enjoyment. Economic Contributors •Kent parks improve the local tax base and increase property values. It is proven across the nation that private property values increase the closer such land is to parks. This increase in private property value due to the proximity to parks increases property tax revenues and improves local economies. (National Recreation and Parks Association) •Kent parks help save the City in storm water retention facility costs. •Quality parks and recreation are noted in a number of studies as one of the top three reasons business cite in their relocation decisions. (National Recreation and Parks Association) •Parks and recreation programs generate revenue directly from fees and charges, but more importantly, provide significant indirect revenues to local and regional economies from sports tournaments and special events such as arts, music, and holiday festivals. Health and Community Wellness •Kent parks are where Kent residents, visitors and business employees go to get healthy and stay fit. •Kent parks are essential partners in combating some of the most complicated challenges our nation faces – stress, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc., by providing opportunities to increase rigorous physical activity in a variety of forms. •Kent parks provide a connection to nature, which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health. •Kent parks foster overall wellness and healthful habits and engaging in enrichment opportunities that add balance to life. Stewardship of Public Lands •Kent Parks promotes sustainable practices that address: o the effects of climate change o preserving wildlife o growing a next generation of environmental stewards o encouraging a commitment to conservation •Kent parks help cleanse our air and water, replenish aquifers, reduce storm water runoff, and protect wildlife habitat. •Kent parks provide an essential connection for Kent residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to the life‐enhancing benefits of nature and the outdoors by providing safe access to experience and appreciate nature. Social Equity and Connection •Kent parks and recreation are a tangible reflection of the quality of life in a community. They provide identity for citizens and are often cited as one of the most important factors in surveys of how livable communities are. (National Recreation and Parks Association) •Parks provide gathering places for families and social groups, as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of their ability to pay for access. •Kent parks provide places for health and well-being that are accessible by persons of all ages and abilities. •Parks have a value to Kent that transcend the amount of dollars invested or the revenues gained from fees. Kent parks provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to this community, which is a valuable return on investment. Parks and Open Space Plan •Four Core Themes: •Quality Public Spaces: Provide a high quality park system that promotes Kent as a livable city. •Performance-based Approach: Plan and maintain the system with the help of a performance-based set of assessment tools. •Transformation Through Reinvestment: Reinvest in the existing system to successfully transform it into a vibrant and relevant urban park system. •Sustainable Funding: Implement a funding model which adequately supports a Level of Service that reflects the community's priorities. Parks and Open Space Plan Map of Park Asset Analysis Parks and Open Space Plan Map of Park Asset Analysis Parks and Open Space Plan Map of Park Asset Analysis Declining Quality Public Spaces •2012 – 32% of 240 park assets at or near end of useful life. •2017 – 43% of 240 park assets at or near end of useful life. •Since 2011, only addressed 13 total assets. •Overall quality continues to diminish throughout Kent’s Park System. 2012 2017 Failure of Park Assets/Amenities old, uninviting and uninspiring play equipment Salt Air Vista Park Meridian Glen Park cracked, uneven, root damaged walking paths system wide Failure of Park Assets/Amenities closed, damaged or eroded docks, bridges, launches, raised pathways – limiting access to water, nature and habitat exploration Failure of Park Assets/Amenities Lake Fenwick Van Doren’s Lake Fenwick Failure of Park Assets/Amenities missing/damaged irrigation, grass …. difficult to picnic, recreate or rest damaged, worn, rusty, old park amenities Failure of Park Assets/Amenities closed, eroded, unusable trails throughout natural areas Failure of Park Asset/Amenities Performance Based Approach •Traditional approach to determining Level of Service (LOS) cannot differentiate between well-performing vs. poorly performing properties and also cannot capture the declining condition of a park system. •Kent’s approach to determining Level of Service (LOS) focuses on: o maintaining high-performing recreational opportunities o promoting responsible reinvestment into existing parks o strategically expanding the system by first assessing current performance, then optimum performance, and, finally, cost for achieving optimum performance Performance-Based Approach LOS is assessed by geographical region to measure the park system’s accessibility to its residents and businesses. City regions are determined by population density, job density and physical barriers. Planning for the Future of Parks Strategically investing into the park system by implementing strategic projects creates a system that provides greater value to the community. Transformation Through Reinvestment Current vs. Future Investment •Current investment: o $1 million annually using real estate excise tax (REET) funds ½ of the City’s REET funds goes toward parks capital; the other ½ goes toward debt payment and streets. o One-time funding allocated by the City Council for 2017-2018 $2 million in 2017 and $2 million in 2018 for a total investment of $3 million annually. •Financial need: o Capital infrastructure backlog = $60 million (in 2012) o Every year the backlog increases due to the continuing decline of unaddressed assets •The City and Parks Department leverages capital investment through grants, donations, partnerships, sponsorships and other sources. OBJECTIVE AVERAGE ANNUAL INVESTMENT 10 YEAR COST 20 YEAR COST 10 YEAR PERFORMANCE 20 YEAR PERFORMANCE Current Level of Investment $1M $10M $20M 1.15 .75 Maintain Current LOS $3M $30M $60M 1.62 1.62 Strategic Projects in 20 years $4.5M $45M $90M 2.04 2.44 Strategic Projects + 5 Rec Value per year $6M $60M $120M 2.42 3.16 Strategic Projects in 10 years then maintain* $9M* $90M $120M 3.20 3.20 Current vs. Future Investment cont. Note: Current 2012 LOS is 1.62 *Annual cost for just the first 10 years, $3,165,000 for the second 10 Years. 2017 – 2018 Reinvestment Projects •Morrill Meadows Park Expansion / YMCA •Hogan Park Field 1 Synthetic Turf Conversion •Green River Trail/Van Doren’s Landing Park Design •Kent Valley Loop Trail Implementation Phase 2 •Downtown Place-making Program Phase 1 •Lake Fenwick Park Renovation Phase 1 (Boardwalk Replacement Only) •West Fenwick Park Renovation Phase 2 (Playground, Picnic Shelters, Parking) •Service Club Park Loop Trail / Drainage •Kent Memorial Park Renovation Phase 1 (Playground and Wiffleball Field) •Kent Memorial Park Renovation Phase 2 (Restroom, Park Drive, etc) •Neighborhood Park Reinvestment – Salt Air Vista Playground •Springwood Park Renovation (Design Only) Some Assets Being Addressed Even as we talk about addressing assets, we know that our ultimate goal is not just to build things. What we do is create places where people want to go. Recreational Value Project Sheet West Fenwick Park Renovation Phase 2 Recreational Value Project Summary Current Recreational Value 7.35 Projected Recreational Value 17 Current Tier 4 Projected Tier 6 Current Average Asset Rating 2.5 Projected Asset Rating 4.6 Projected Added Recreational Value 9.65 Project Components Asset Current Asset Rating Projected Asset Ratings Projected Recreational Value Large Playfield 2 Drainage 1 5 Irrigation 1 5 Loop Trail Pathways 2 4 1 Lighting 1 5 1 Parking Lot Parking Lot 3 3 0.5 Expanded Parking NA 5 0.5 Play Equipment Play Equipment 1 5 3 Handball Court Handball Court 1 0 Tennis Court Tennis Court 3 3 1 Basketball Court Basketball Court 4 4 1 Restrooms Restrooms 5 5 1 Adult exercise equipment Adult exercise equipment 5 5 1 Futsol Futsol NA 5 1 Picnic Shelters Picnic Shelters NA 5 2 Place-Making Place-Making NA 5 1 View NA NA 1 Average Asset Rating Projected Asset Rating Total Projected Rec Value Added Recreational Value 2.5 4.6 17 9.65 Adding Recreational Value Future Kent Residents? •Seattle Weekly, March 2017. “Priced Out of Seattle, a New Generation Looks to the ‘Burbs.” Seattle Times, February 2017, “Nearly half of local millennials consider moving as Seattle-area home costs soar again.” •The Livability Survey for Puget Sound Millennials (between the ages of 18 and 35), April 2017. 240,000 millennials in King County, 2nd in the United States (Brooklyn, NY first). 1,168 Puget Sound millennials were surveyed by EMC Research/Forterra. Following are some responses when asked what influenced where they live: •Like it in Puget Sound, but are worried about the high cost of living •Want more green, are concerned about equity, want to live in a diverse community, are more optimistic about effecting change at the local level •Point to the outdoors and nature as most-favored destinations •Love greenspace and open space both close at hand and farther afield •65% of millennials say we need more parks and greenspace Health of Kent Residents •Public Health of Seattle and King County, March 2016. Measures health indicators and their determinants of the population health within the City of Kent, Wa. 25 King County areas/cities measured: •Kent ranks 7th worst where citizens rank their health as fair or poor. •Kent’s top two causes of death are cancer and heart disease. •Kent’s top three health risk factors are high cholesterol, obesity and lack of physical activity. •As Kent’s residents continue to face serious health issues including rising rates of chronic disease, an increased prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition habits, parks and recreation offer an affordable and accessible solution. Policy Questions In the 80s and 90s, Kent Parks was an award winning parks and recreation system, winning six (6) highly coveted national gold medals by demonstrating excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices. Re-investing in Kent’s park system by increasing accessibility, relevance and quality of its outdoor spaces and recreational amenities, Kent can become the top desirable city to live, start a business or work in South King County. Decisions made today will greatly impact generations to come. We must ask ourselves ….. •How much are we, as a city and community, willing to re-invest in the livability, health and quality of life for our residents, both current and those yet to arrive? Questions / Discussion Julie Parascondola, CPRP Director Parks , Recreation and Community Services Department 400 West Gowe Street, Kent, WA 98032 Phone 253-856-5007 | jparascondola@KentWA.gov Hope Gibson, Park Planning and Development Manager Parks , Recreation and Community Services Department 400 West Gowe Street, Kent, WA 98032 Phone 253-856-5112 | hgibson@KentWA.gov Brian Levenhagen, Park Planning and Development Senior Planner Parks , Recreation and Community Services Department 400 West Gowe Street, Kent, WA 98032 Phone 253-856-5116 | bjlevenhagen@KentWA.gov