HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 03/06/2018Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
March 6, 2018
Kent, Washington
Date:
Time:
Place:
Attending:
Approved March 20,2OL8
March 6, 2018
5 p.m.
Council Chambers East/West
Mayor Dana Ralph
Bill Boyce, Council President
Tina Budell, Councilmember
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember
Satwinder Kaur, Councilmember
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember
Les Thomas, Councilmember
Toni Troutner, Councilmember
Council President Boyce opened the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Aqenda:
Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance Management
Julie Parascondola, Parks Director, provided a review of the Parks and open space
maintenance and operations goals of evolution, and strategic alignment to the City
goals identified in the Vision 2025 framework, City Comprehensive Plan, Economic
Development Plan, Green Kent 2O-year Natural Area Management Plan, and the
Park and Open Space Plan.
Details regarding park performance tiers and maintenance service levels were
reviewed in addition to striving for excellence through Parks and Recreation
National Accreditation (CAPRA) that includes best practice standards.
Garin Lee, Parks Operations Superintendent, provided information regarding
equitable delivery of parks and open space, including the documentation of the
maintenance level of services. Comparisons between routine vs. preventative
maintenance were provided, including the realignment of staff.
Garin advised of the work that was done to create equitable delivery, including the
creation of peak and non-peak maintenance seasons.
Details were provided regarding the park and open space continued progress
regarding the management of natural areas, urban forestry/tree care, athletic
complex operations, and developing best management practice standards.
Lori Hogan, Recreational and Cultural Superintendent, advised that an annual
comparison of the City's fees, if not quarterly, compare recreational fees with
surrou nding jurisd ictions.
Julie Parascondola advised that the City will be able to provide performance
management that will include tracking the frequency of annual maintenance, cost
per acre, number of customer complaints/concerns/appreciations.
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Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
March 6, 2018
Kent, Washington
Approved March 20,20L8
Julie provided details regarding challenges and pending solutions, including
balancing the high demand of maintenance with limited resources, continued aging
of the system, and continuing to learn about and engage Kent's diverse culture and
to remove barriers.
Julie provided options for implementing a tiered system of maintenance. She
sought direction from the mayor and council on how to approach reductions on
levels of service.
Next steps include the implementation by finalizing new level of service, train staff,
and begin implementation in April.
Planning will work on the creation of a preventative maintenance plan, creation of
long term work plan for best practices, finalize maintenance standards and
performance management procedures and processes.
Julie advised that the Park and Open Space Plan has identified strategic projects
including new parks.
Cultural Arts and Special Events
Ronda Billerbeck, Program Manager, provided information regarding the City's
Cultural Programs division.
Ronda advised that the cultural arts program brings people together at festivals and
events to build community and a strong economy. Funding comes from the general
fund, earned income, sponsorships, and grants.
Ronda provided details regarding the Kent Arts Commission, performing arts, public
art, arts funding programs, festivals and community events, and "Kent Creates,"
the City's new web platform for sharing art.
Mayor Ralph expressed her appreciation for bringing the community together to
celebrate art and be together as families, grateful that council has supported the
arts.
On behalf of the City Council, President Bill Boyce, expressed his and the council's
appreciation of Jennifer Hays, for her support of the City Council over the past few
years. Jennifer is leaving the City to pursue a new career at King County.
The eeting conclu at 6:3p.m
Kimberley
City Clerk
Komoto
March 6, 2018
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