HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services Committee - 03/16/2017Page | 1
CITY OF KENT
PARKS AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting
March 16, 2017
5:00 p.m.
Kent City Hall
Council Chambers East
Kent, Washington
Approved
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilmember Dennis Higgins
presiding until the arrival of Committee Chair Brenda Fincher.
2. Roll Call
Councilmembers Dennis Higgins and Tina Budell were present.
3. Changes to the Agenda
Councilmember Dennis Higgins indicated there were no changes to the agenda.
4. Approval of Minutes, dated February 16, 2017
Councilmember T. Budell moved to approve the minutes of February 16, 2017 and
Councilmember D. Higgins seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 2-0.
5. 2017 City Art Plan and Five Year City Art Plan – Recommend
Manager of Cultural Programs Ronda Billerbeck detailed the City Art Plan projects
for 2017 and art expenditures planned for 2017-2021. The budget for 2017 is
$248,000 and funded by $2 per capita by Ordinance 2552.
The plan shows planned projects for 2017, administrative expenses and previously
approved projects carried forward for completion. Highlights of the plan include
"Kent Creates," portable art purchases, collection maintenance and programming,
Morrill Meadows/East Hill artwork, and artistic vinyl wraps for utility boxes in
partnership with the Police. An opportunity fund exists to accommodate Economic
Development projects that include artwork. The Five-year Plan is set up to show
responsible use of funds, but also be flexible for adjustments and improvements.
T. Budell moved to recommend Council approve the 2017 City Art Plan and Five-
Year Plan. D. Higgins seconded.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 2-0.
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6. Right of Way at 132nd Avenue Park Property – Recommend
Public Works Project Engineer Drew Holcomb explained that the 132nd Ave
Pedestrian Improvement project, scheduled to begin this July through September,
will construct a pedestrian path along the west side of 132nd Ave SE, from SE 240th
St to SE 282nd St, which includes frontage along the 132nd Ave Park. The right of
way (ROW) in front of the park property is only 20’ wide, so extra ROW is needed
to construct a walkway.
Additionally, as part of the Transportation Master Plan, multiple projects would
widen 132nd Ave SE to five lanes, and include curb, gutter, sidewalks and bicycle
lanes. These future projects require 47’ of ROW along each side of the roadway.
The Quit Claim Deed would dedicate the east 27’ of the park property as ROW to
allow for the future construction of the full 5-lane roadway project as well.
D. Higgins moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Municipal
Quit Claim Deed to dedicate the east 27’ of the Future 132nd Ave Neighborhood
Park as Public Right of Way, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the
Parks Director and City Attorney. T. Budell seconded.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0.
7. Youth Sports Facilities Grant Agreement for the Futsal Court at West
Fenwick Park – Recommend
Park Planner Brian Levenhagen reported that a futsal court is proposed for West
Fenwick Park, as part of the park renovation scheduled for 2018. “Futsal” is a
popular form of soccer that requires less space and fewer players. Staff applied for
and received a $75,000 Youth Sports Facilities Grant through King County and a
grant match of $10,000 from the Lion's Club to fund the project.
T. Budell moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign a grant
agreement with King County to accept the Youth Sports Facilities Grant funds for
$75,000 to help fund the installation of a Futsal court at West Fenwick Park, subject
to final terms and conditions acceptable to the Parks Director and City Attorney. D.
Higgins seconded.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0.
8. Agreement with MacLeod Reckord for Morrill Meadows Park
Construction Documents - Recommend
Parks Planning and Development Manager Hope Gibson explained that Parks staff
recently completed a final Master Plan for the renovation of East Hill and Morrill
Meadows Parks. This Master Plan combines these parks into a single park, proposes
a number of new amenities for the park and accommodates a new YMCA facility.
Staff recommends hiring the consultant MacLeod Reckord to develop these concepts
into a set of documents that will allow the city to permit, bid and construct the new
park.
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D. Higgins moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign a consultant
services agreement with MacLeod Reckord, LLC, in an amount not to exceed
$689,837.58, to create construction documents for the Morrill Meadows Park
Renovation Project, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City
Attorney and Parks Director. T. Budell seconded.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0.
9. Grant Agreement with the Department of Commerce for the Morrill
Meadows Park Renovation - Recommend
Parks Planning and Development Manager Hope Gibson reported that the city
applied for and received a grant award from the Washington State Department of
Commerce for $485,000. The funds will help pay for capital expenditures to bring a
new YMCA facility within Morrill Meadows and East Hill Parks. The first phase of
preconstruction includes site planning to combine and renovate the properties into
a single community park and to complete site preparation work for the new YMCA
facility.
T. Budell moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign a grant
agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce in the amount of
$485,000 for the design and site preparation work at Morrill Meadows and East Hill
Parks, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the Parks Director and
City Attorney. D. Higgins seconded.
The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0.
10. Tobacco Use in Parks - Informational
Parks Director Julie Parascondola reported that one of the primary purposes and
functions of a public park is to provide safe, welcoming places for all of the
community to enjoy and pursue physical activity, healthy lifestyles and leisure
experiences through nature. Parks and open spaces contribute to a healthier Kent
community. Smoking and tobacco use in parks is contrary to this goal. A number of
cities in the region have had smoke free ordinances for a number of years, so Kent
is a little behind.
J. Parascondola presented background information and implementation options for
committee discussion on smoking and tobacco use, as well as relevant statistics
from King County (see attachment). Pros and cons of a smoking ban were
summarized and consideration was given to the perception that a smoke-free policy
affects individual rights. The Police Department and the Parks Commission is in
support of a smoke-free, system-wide ordinance with penalty.
J. Parascondola outlined positions for council to consider: 1.) Type of products to
restrict: cigars, chew and vaping, 2.) Logistics: enact system-wide ban, or start
with gathering places such as shelters and playgrounds, and 3.) Fine/fee structure:
define what level of fines. J. Parascondola also offered the option of taking no
official action, but encouraging no smoking in parks through signage.
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Staff will further explore extending the policy to include park boundaries and park
parking lots. Staff will also review policy exceptions for the Riverbend Golf Complex.
The Parks and Human Services Committee voiced their support for implementation
of a tobacco / smoke-free ordinance and directed staff to move forward.
11. Director's Report
The Student Art exhibit is currently on display at the Centennial Building Gallery.
The Spotlight Series performance Kahulanui is Friday, March 17 at Kent Meridian
High School at 7:30 p.m.
At the City Council Workshop on March 21, staff will present updates on the City
Hall Space Study, the Shops Space Study and the YMCA project.
J. Parascondola announced that Leon Younger from PROS Consulting will assist in
the plan to build long-term sustainability at the Riverbend Golf Complex. Mr.
Younger will perform an operational audit, ending with a six-year operating
business model and a financial pro forma, including a capital improvement plan.
B. Fincher referenced her request for high school and adult soccer leagues.
At 6:10 p.m., Committee Chair Fincher adjourned the meeting.
Teri Petrole
Teri Petrole
Parks and Human Services Committee Secretary