HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services Committee - 06/16/2016 (2)Unless otherwise noted, the Parks and Human Services Committee meets at 5 p.m. on the third Thursday
of each month in Kent City Hall, Council Chambers East, 220 4th Ave S, Kent, 98032.
For additional information please contact Teri Petrole at 253-856-5101 or via email at
tpetrole@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 & Human Services Committee Meeting - Agenda
Councilmembers: Brenda Fincher, Chair - Dennis Higgins - Tina Budell
Jeff Watling, Director
Teri Petrole, Recorder
June 16, 2016 - 5:00 p.m.
Item Description Action Speaker Time Page
1. Call to Order - Chair Fincher 01 -
2. Roll Call - Chair Fincher 01 -
3. Changes to the Agenda - Chair Fincher 01 -
4. Minutes, dated May 19, 2016 - Approve YES Chair Fincher 01 01
5. Naden Avenue Property Surplus
Consideration - Recommend
YES Jeff Watling,
Kurt Hanson
15 05
6. Director's Report - INFO ONLY NO Jeff Watling 15 09
Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Council members: Dennis Higgins - Tina Budell - Brenda Fincher,
Chair
Jeff Watling, Director
May 19, 2016 - 5:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
Committee Chair Brenda Fincher called the meeting to order at 5:58 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Committee members Present: Dennis Higgins, Tina Budell and Brenda Fincher, Chair.
3. Changes to the Agenda
No changes to the agenda.
4. Minutes, dated April 21, 2016 - Approve
D. Higgins moved to approve the minutes dated April 21, 2016. T. Budell
seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
5. Adoption of the 2016 Parks and Open Space Plan - Recommend
Parks Director Jeff Watling recognized the dedication shown by many individuals in
producing the updated Parks and Open Space Plan, including Parks Planning and
Development Manager Hope Gibson, Park Planner Brian Levenhagen, Berger
Partnership consultant Greg Brower, and the Kent Parks and Recreation
Commissioners. He also thanked the more than one thousand residents and park
users who provided input through surveys.
Parks Planning and Development Manager Hope Gibson gave a brief history of the
parks system and the challenges it has experienced in recent years. She described
how feedback from the public informed the plan’s development and that the essence
of the plan centers on transformation of the park system. The four themes of quality
public spaces, a performance-based approach, transformation through reinvestment,
and sustainable funding, center around that aim with each playing a unique yet
integral part of the overall transformation envisioned.
Park Planner Brian Levenhagen continued by elaborating how long-term planning,
acquisition and prior development have established a quality system, now
deteriorating, which can be significantly improved through purposeful reinvestment.
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The five park regions of West Hill, Green River, Downtown, East Hill North, and East
Hill South provide a framework for prioritizing needed reinvestment. He noted the
potential of each region and cited previous park plans which encouraged a similar
long-range perspective. Finally, he reviewed the aims and the inclusive intent and
philosophy of the Parks Department's goals and policies.
D. Higgins asked H. Gibson for background on the Level of Service (LOS) component
of the plan. She related the standard method of defining LOS and gave the new
approach this plan takes that replaces a quantity-based assessment with a
performance-based assessment. D. Higgins asked if the city could resume using the
standard method in the future, if desired. H. Gibson responded affirmatively, adding
that the plan can also be revised and improved, based on specific feedback over time.
D. Higgins asked about the input of the Parks and Recreation Commission. J. Watling
responded that their diligent involvement was an important element as the plan was
developed. Their perspectives provided many relevant insights. T. Budell noted the
challenge of funding in light of the current budget. J. Watling clarified the long timeline
of the aims presented and said that, over time, the goals are achievable.
Chair Fincher expressed her support for the plan, recalling her experience on the
Citizens Advisory Board of 2012 and the discussion of these issues at that time, noting
that the plan provides a guide for the city to follow as it continues to grow. She
described the changes over time in the way the public uses parks and Kent’s ongoing
efforts to meet those evolving needs.
Chair Fincher invited input from the public. Guest Sandi Lynden gave her views on
future development goals as the plan frames them. Guest Kristine Herrick addressed
funding for capital goals versus maintenance needs. Parks Commissioner Dan Barrett
offered his personal perspective and support for the plan and its goals. Fincher then
spoke about funding for capital improvements and recent achievements attained
through prior planning efforts. J. Watling noted that a public process will precede all
major projects.
D. Higgins acknowledged the guests’ comments and stated a desire that the full
comments and recommendations of the Parks Commissioners be placed on the next
City Council agenda as Other Business.
Chair Fincher stated her disappointment that Parks was not a higher priority in the
recent Financial Sustainability Task Force preliminary report. She described how parks
contribute to the community’s safety, economic development and overall quality of
life. T. Budell added her own observations of how proximity to a park has affected
property for sale in her own and other Kent neighborhoods.
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T. Budell moved to recommend council approve the 2016 Park and Open Space
Plan. D. Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
6. Director's Report - INFO
The 2016 Kent Track Program recently concluded another season with 1,400 fourth
through sixth-graders from 26 schools. Regular meets were held at Wilson Playfields.
The program culminated in the Junior Olympics at French Field. The track program is
managed by Athletic staff at Kent Commons in coordination with the Kent School
District.
Youth Baseball Season has kicked off with several jamborees at Service Club
Ballfields. The program is offered to youth from T-ball at age five through high school
baseball, engaging sixty teams and nine hundred participants. More jamborees are
coming up.
The Lake Meridian Restroom & Plaza Restoration project has resolved plumbing issues
in restrooms, just in time for busy summer.
Drilling for the new irrigation well at Riverbend Golf Complex is underway.
The merry-go-round in the play area at Service Club Ballfields has been replaced due
to increased use and the overall popularity of the play amenities with local residents.
The annual Youth Fishing Experience at the Old Fishing Hole Park will be held this
weekend. The event is fully booked with 150 participants. Rotary Club volunteers will
be on hand to help the kids with catching and cleaning the fish. This very popular
event is for youth up to fourteen years and run by our Youth and Teen division.
Chair Fincher adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Teri Petrole
Kent Council Parks and Human Services Recorder-
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PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Jeff Watling, Director
Phone: 253-856-5100
Fax: 253-856-6050
Address: 220 Fourth Avenue S.
Kent, WA. 98032-5895
TO: Kent City Council Parks and Human Services Committee
DATE: June 16, 2016
FROM: Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Kurt Hanson, Deputy Director of Economic and Community
Development
SUBJECT: Naden Avenue Property Surplus Consideration - Recommend
MOTION: I recommend that council determine that the properties generally
bordered by West Meeker Street, Naden Avenue South, Willis Street and the
Interurban Trail, collectively known as the Naden Property, be considered for
surplus, and that an informational public meeting be scheduled and proper notice
be issued, in order to receive public comment prior to determining whether the
Naden Property will be surplused.
SUMMARY: In 2006, the city began purchasing properties for the Naden Avenue
area. This was done in an effort to assemble a campus for a future Kent Aquatics
Center. Following the completion of the aquatic center concept design process in
July 2008, the City Council determined that the project would not move forward
due in part to the onset of the recession.
As the region began to recover from the recession, the city began to seek
alternative ways to provide a community aquatic facility. Currently, the city is in
partnership with the YMCA to construct a facility that would include a community
aquatic center.02
The Naden properties (as identified by parcel number and on the attached map) are
no longer needed for their originally intended purpose. This motion and discussion
is proposed to formally determine if the City Council wants to consider these
properties to be surplused.
EXHIBITS: List of parcel numbers and map attached
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A
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PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Jeff Watling, Director
Phone: 253-856-5100
Fax: 253-856-6050
Address: 220 Fourth Avenue S.
Kent, WA. 98032-5895
TO: Kent City Council Parks and Human Services Committee
DATE: June 16, 2016
FROM: Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
SUBJECT: Director’s Report
MOTION: Information only
SUMMARY: Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services,
will inform the committee of noteworthy information on programs and upcoming
events.
EXHIBITS: N/A
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A
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