HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services Committee - 02/25/2016
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Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting
Council members: Dennis Higgins - Tina Budell - Brenda Fincher, Chair
Jeff Watling, Director
February 25, 2016 - 5:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
Chair Fincher called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Present: Committee Chair Brenda Fincher, Committee member Tina Budell
Absent: Committee member Dennis Higgins
3. Changes to the Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
4. Minutes, dated January 28, 2016 - Approve
Committee member Higgins moved to approve the minutes dated January 28,
2016. Committee member Budell seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
5. Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report - Recommend
Human Services Planner Dinah Wilson explained that the 2015 Consolidated
Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the City of Kent is an
annual report on using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and
other funds during 2015 that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) on the City’s activities and accomplishments.
The $969,886.00 received in 2015 is based on population and divided between
public service, planning and administration, and capital programs. Primarily, capital
funding goes to the home repair program, which supports small home projects for
qualifying low income and disabled residents.
Fincher commented that staff does a great job with funding for the community and
provides a lot of services.
Higgins commended Housing and Human Services staff on doing a really good job
of tracking and reporting it back to council.
Budell shared that she has seen the program in action in her neighborhood. A newly
disabled senior needed a ramp at his house and the Home Repair crew had it done
in four hours.
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Fincher asked how to access these services. Wilson responded that Housing and
Human Services staff can assist residents. An application is necessary to check on
Federal guidelines for eligibility. Upon acceptance, the Home Repair Manager
inspects the home to determine the work to be done and then the crew is
scheduled to complete the work. The crew always receives great feedback and
often develops relationships with the residents.
Committee member Budell moved recommend council approve the 2015
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report and authorize the
mayor to submit the report to HUD. Committee member Higgins seconded
the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
6. Consultant Agreement with Housing Development Consortium for
Sub-regional Planning Efforts - Recommend
Housing and Human Services Manager Merina Hanson reported that the City of Kent
has joined with other cities, agencies, and funders in South King County to work
with Housing Development Consortium to hire a South King County Housing Planner
to help manage the coordination of a network of South King County stakeholders on
issues related to affordable housing and homelessness. This partnership is known
as the South King Housing & Homelessness Partnership (SKHHP).
This position will disseminate information about regional funding and comment
opportunities and catalyze progress on the implementation of local comprehensive
plans and the South King County Response to Homelessness. Support for this work
will help align South King County interests with needed homeless and affordable
housing interventions, resources, and promising practices. As a result, South King
County communities will be able to speak with a united voice to attract resources
for locally supported housing solutions.
The Homeless Action Committee meets monthly and has worked to keep
stakeholders up to speed on regional work, such as the All Home Strategic Plan
update. However, in the absence of dedicated staff capacity, South King County lost
momentum toward achieving local goals and connection to countywide priorities
and planning. While South King County representatives do participate in regional
committees, these individuals often lack the time and capacity to coordinate across
jurisdictions and, without the appropriate outreach, are unable to speak on behalf
of the entire region.
The contract will be for $10,000 per year for a total of $20,000 and funded with
2015 year-end salary savings in Human Services General Fund operating account.
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Kent committed for two years but hopes to fund the program for three years. It is
currently housed at the City of Renton and supervised by the Housing and
Development Consortium.
Higgins felt it made sense to use salary savings to pay our part of this position. He
asked if there are other funding options. If not authorized, Hanson responded that
there are “to be determined” funds set aside in last cycle not yet allocated, but staff
would prefer to use these funds for another program.
Fincher commented that this is a regional problem so all cities are putting in funds.
Coming up with a regional solution is going to be beneficial to the whole region.
That rate was set so that it wasn’t a hardship on any one city. This position will look
at the issues from a sub regional level and that will allow them to see what's
happening with no redundancies in services. This will also free up city staff time
with so many meetings to attend.
Watling said this position will allow cities to maximize their effort and staff time. It
represents our regional voice and it's an efficient way to get a more cohesive
regional collaboration with other cities.
Higgins asked if there is any concern on how the planner's time is tracked when
working for multiple cities and how their advocacy is determined. Hanson said the
planner will have an individual scope of services for each city that is funding the
position. In terms of a regional facility, city staff will continue participate on that
level of discussion and the planner would not replace city staff.
Higgins asked if there is a way to measure our return on this investment. He asked
if a baseline can be set this year and then track what it does after they are hired.
Merina affirmed that staff can track investments and successes and bring updates
back to the committee.
Higgins said it is important to have a voice at the table, especially in this area
where the city is not seeing equitable funding for the needs of the community.
Hanson responded that that this expectation is built into the agreement.
Fincher referenced the proposed study, asking if there will be suggestions on
possible facility types and sites and if a facility has been identified for women,
families, or men. Hanson said it would be determined by what the agencies discuss.
She is aware of the discussion for more permanent housing and notes there is some
interest in Kent. Agencies will have to determine that on their own. There are
discussions with other cities on efficiency in services so there won't be duplication
in services.
Hanson clarified that the 2015 salary savings to fund this position come from her
predecessor retiring last year.
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Committee member Higgins moved to recommend amending the budget to
move $20,000 in year-end savings from the 2015 biennium budget to the
2016 biennium budget, authorize the expenditure of those funds, and
authorize the mayor to sign a Consultant Services Agreement with Housing
Development Consortium of Seattle—King County, in an amount not to
exceed $20,000, for sub-regional planning efforts, subject to final
agreement terms and conditions acceptable to the parks director and the
city attorney. Committee member Budell seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
7. Consultant Agreement with D.A. Hogan for Synthetic Turf Field
Conversion Project at Hogan Park - Recommend
Parks Director Jeff Watling reported that the Parks Department was successful in
being awarded grant funding from RCO for three major projects: Morrill Meadows
Park Expansion, the dock at Lake Meridian and synthetic turf conversation at Hogan
Park.
Parks Planning and Development Manager Hope Gibson reported that the
agreement with D.A. Hogan in the amount of $136,195.00 is for design of Hogan
Field #1 at Hogan Park. D.A. Hogan is a nationally respected firm who worked with
the city on the synthetic turf replacement project at Wilson Playfields. Construction
is anticipated to take place in 2017. Approval for construction in the form of a bid
award will likely come before City Council in early 2017.
Watling explained that staff is looking to maximize the use of our athletic
complexes and this project makes a significant reinvestment into Field #1 at Hogan
Park. It will expand its functionality beyond the current single-activity baseball field
from being available only in the summer months to becoming a year-round multi-
use synthetic turf field.
Fincher asked if there will be a drainage system. Gibson responded that a drainage
system is part of the project.
Higgins asked if the fields are already lit and fenced, and if there are any staff costs
as far as security. Watling responded that management of Field #1 is limited
access, so nothing would change. Maintenance and Operation (M&O) would actually
diminish due to the change from a grass field to synthetic turf.
Gibson added that lighting will be reviewed with the new reconfiguration and
multiple use of the field.
Fincher asked about the life span of the turf. Hope replied that, with this generation
of turf, the life span is generally around fifteen years.
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Higgins asked if there will be enough REET by the 2017 construction timeline.
Watling confirmed that the project is fully funded and part of the mid biennium
budget.
Committee member Budell moved to recommend council authorize the
mayor to sign a consultant services agreement with D. A. Hogan &
Associates, in an amount not to exceed $136,195.00, for the conversion of
Field #1 at Hogan Park to synthetic turf, subject to final terms and
conditions acceptable to the parks director and city attorney. Committee
member Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
8. Consultant Agreement with Reid Middleton for the Dock Replacement
Project at Lake Meridian Park - Recommend
Hope Gibson reported that, as the committee is fully aware, the condition of the
dock at Lake Meridian Park is very poor. The dock is listing and the load capacity is
limited. The new design is staying with the existing dock’s footprint to minimize
permitting and reducing project costs. Demolition and installation will begin after
the summer season and the project will be completed before the storm season this
year. Reid Middleton will provide project design, engineering services, permitting
services, plan drawings, and construction oversight of the new dock.
Higgins confirmed with Watling that matched funding is in place with the $500,000
grant from RCO.
Watling said that the scheduling is critical with over 100,000 visits during the
summer season.
Fincher asked how many people attend the annual Splash Fourth of July event at
Lake Meridian. Watling said that approximately 15,000 people attend the event.
Committee member Higgins moved to recommend council authorize the
mayor to sign a consultant services agreement with Reid Middleton Inc., in
an amount not to exceed $197,660 for the Floating Dock Replacement
Project at Lake Meridian Park, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the parks director and city attorney. Committee member
Budell seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
9. Director's Report - INFO
As requested by the committee, Watling invited Volunteer Coordinator and recently
retired Victoria Andrews to attend the meeting so they could convey their thanks
for her services. Watling stated that, through the Green Kent Partnership Program,
Victoria took the idea of managing our open and green spaces in a more organized
fashion to amazing heights. He said her work reflected her passion within the
community and her legacy will remain.
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Victoria felt it takes a certain kind of person to be a cheerleader for the community
and she is sorry that the volunteer coordinator positon is being redefined as a
Project Manager position.
Fincher said she hopes the program continues to grow. She felt Victoria’s infectious
spirit is why she volunteered at numerous events. Fincher enjoyed learning about
plants and nature. She also thanked Victoria for running the Community Garden
program and shared her appreciation for Victoria's consistent availability.
Victoria spoke to the hard working volunteers that want to keep the program going.
Budell shared that after moving to Kent and wanting to get involved she
volunteered for a number of clean up events. She motivated her neighborhood to
get involved in a large trail cleanup and some neighbors continue the effort by
picking up garbage along the trail during their walks. If she hadn't found the
program on the website, she doesn’t think any of this would have happened.
Victoria expressed her concern again for losing the volunteer coordinator position.
Watling stated that the intention is to keep the work, the opportunities and the
activities going.
Higgins hopes to volunteer alongside Victoria some day. He said Victoria stood out
to him because of the passion she displayed at volunteer events. Her energy and
efforts made him care even more and want to do more. He thanked Victoria for all
of the energy she put into her work and the example she set.
Victoria said she got back so much more than she could have given. Her
enthusiasm was genuine and the volunteers felt the teamwork.
Fincher added that Victoria was recognized at a recent King Conservation District
meeting for her efforts with the Green Kent Stewardship Program.
Victoria commented that Kent is known as a leader.
Executive Director of the Kent Parks Foundation Sandy Pedersen attended the
meeting to donate a check in the amount of $6,433.36 to the "Access to
Recreation" scholarship program. This funding came from service club individuals
and local businesses. In 2015, the program provided 1,700 scholarships, which is
an 11% increase since 2014.
Fincher said this shows the value that Kent places on its recreational services and
those financial challenges will not hinder anyone from participating in our programs.
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The "You Me We" event is Friday, March 4 at ShoWare Center from 6:00 - 9:00
p.m. with 4-5,000 anticipated participants. This free family event features 50+
vendor booths and entertainment provided by local teens and youth. Watling
invited the committee members to introduce entertainment on stage throughout
the night and to contact Julie Stangle if they are interested.
Recreation staff will be unveiling the re-launch of the mobile recreation vehicle. The
new curriculum features the HERO Program that focuses on healthy eating and
active living. Staff will take this program to mobile home parks, apartments and
schools.
Watling is presenting the Park and Open Space Update at the City Council
Workshop on March 15. He wants to meet with the committee members prior to the
presentation to introduce them to the new approach to level of service (LOS). The
proposed plan is setting the road map and a transformation plan of the city's parks
and trails system.
The restaurant lease agreement at Riverbend Golf Complex with Scotch and Vine is
going to both the Operations Committee and City Council on March 1. The lease
encompasses a percentage-based approach. Consultant Arnold Shain has been
invaluable in helping staff select the right restaurateur for Riverbend. He is also
assisting staff with renovation ideas for the remodeled restaurant area.
The beginnings of the new entrance at the Riverbend clubhouse are taking shape.
The bid request for the new well design at Riverbend will go out to seven
consultants. Award of contract should go to council on March 15. Drilling will begin
in April and construction will be completed for this year’s irrigation season.
City staff has been working with JLL on the sale of the Par 3 property. Bid
solicitation officially closes on February 29. A mix of council, staff and residents will
participate in the first phase of the review.
Over $19,000 was received in the fourth quarter of 2015 from sponsorships,
donations and in-kind goods and services. The 2015 year-end total was over
$198,000.
Fincher asked how contributions can be made. Watling explained that contact
information is on the city's web page and donations can be made to any division in
the Parks and Recreation Department, as well as through the Kent Parks
Foundation.
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Public Comment:
Bill Doolittle of 412 Washington Avenue North, Kent, WA.
• Mr. Doolittle was disturbed by an episode of “FrontLine” featuring the
nation’s heroin epidemic because fifteen minutes into the show, they were
talking about Kent.
• He was surprised at the high cost of the dock replacement at Lake Meridian.
• He doesn't understand why the city doesn’t solicit advertising in the quarterly
program guide. Also, he would like to see ShoWare and Kent Commons
events listed in the guide.
• He asked how much Kent pays for the fireworks show at Lake Meridian.
Watling responded the city contributes $6,000.
• He acknowledged the homeless problem in Kent. He would like to see Kent
accommodate the homeless in RV’s and offer opportunities for them to
charge their phones. He noted the empty apartment building on Second
Avenue that could accommodate the homeless.
Chair Fincher adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teri Petrole
Teri Petrole
Kent Council Parks and Human Services Recorder