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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 02/18/2010 City of Kent Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2010 Council Committee Members Present: Debbie Ranniger, Elizabeth Albertsons and Dennis Higgins Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. 1. Minutes of January 21, 2010 - Approve Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of January 21, 2010. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 2. Consolidated Annual and Performance Evaluation Report Dinah Wilson reported that the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is a report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the City’s activities and accomplishments using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other funds. The report is required by HUD annually and must be submitted by March 31, of each year. The report includes information on how CDBG funds were used to further the goals and strategies of the Consolidated Plan, as well as other activities executed by the City. Dennis Higgins complimented Dinah on a well written and organized document. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend approving the 2009 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report and authorizing the Mayor to submit the report to HUD. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 3. 2010 City Art Plan and Five-Year Art Plan - Approve Cheryl dos Remedios explained that the City Art Plan details projects for 2010 and lists art expenditures planned for 2010-2014 as part of the 5 year plan. The Visual Arts Committee worked with staff to craft the plan which was approved by Kent Arts Commission on December 15, 2009. This art plan is based upon existing funding levels, with the understanding that with the July 1, 2010 Annexation, a budget amendment will identify any additional appropriation. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend approving the 2010 City Art Plan and Five Year Plan. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 4. Energy Savings Performance Contract for Centennial HVAC Systems - Authorize Charlie Lindsey stated that two years ago McKinstry was hired as an Energy Services Company to audit several city buildings and to provide a guaranteed cost for replacement of HVAC systems in each building. The proposal was analyzed and Page 1 a mixed services approach was adopted. It was decided to contract out for the replacement of 85 heat pumps and associated equipment in Centennial Center, as well as replacement of the system at the Riverbend 18 Hole Clubhouse with a Ground Source Heat Pump system. Funding was requested to complete energy efficient projects at the Centennial Center and Riverbend and grants were solicited. In November, 2009 the city was awarded a $845,400 Federal grant from the Energy Efficiency Community Development Block Grant program. Block Grant money cannot be used for golf courses and swimming pools, so funds were relevant to the Centennial Center HVAC project. The cost to complete this replacement in the Centennial Center is $1,435,208, with the $845,400 from energy grant funds, and $589,808 from the HVAC project budget in the Capital Plan. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Energy Savings Performance Contract with McKinstry Essention Incorporated for $1,435,208.00, to replace the HVAC system components in the Centennial Center, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 5. Green Kent Update with Cascade Land Conservancy - Informational Norah Kates of the Cascade land Conservancy reported that over the past few years, Kent’s dedicated volunteers have worked with Parks staff on large environmental restoration projects at several parks, notably at Lake Fenwick, West Fenwick, Clark Lake and Earthworks. The Green Kent initiative is “the next step.” It’s a systematic way to restore and maintain all our urban forests and open spaces over time. Staff applied for $95,000 in available funding from King Conservation District to underwrite the first phase of Green Kent. The project is based on a successful model for mapping, restoring and maintaining urban forest lands, developed by Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC). For efficiency, Kent Parks and Public Works are partnering so that all city-owned urban forests and open space can be included in a 20-year restoration plan that CLC will develop with city staff and our community. Mapping has been completed and public input is being solicited. Jeff acknowledged Matt Knox from Public Works in the audience. Norah confirmed that GIS data will be included in her report to Council. As part of the field study, every acre in the city of open space and ground inventory will be reviewed. 6. Director’s Report • Jeff referred to public comments made by Larry Tukes at the Committee meeting in January. He pointed out that some of the information Larry shared was untrue. Jeff has been reaching out to meet with Larry and have opportunity for discussion. A meeting has been scheduled for March 4, with Page 2 3 Jeff Watling, Larry Tukes, Marty O’Neil, Pete Petersen and Elizabeth Albertson, plus anyone Larry wishes to invite. The meeting will provide the opportunity to discuss specific issues in order to find a resolution. Jeff reiterated that city staff want the Douglass Youth Golf Club to have every chance to succeed in this program, and staff look forward to continuing to host the Douglass Youth Golf Program at Riverbend. Staff will report back in March. • As part of the budget process, programs and staff from the Resource Center are being consolidated with Kent Commons. Facilities and Recreation staff have worked hard to accomplish this goal. The space is coming together and real efficiencies and synergy is beginning to show. Staff and Council will meet to get feedback and discuss policies on what should/could happen with the vacated Resource Center building, and how best to use this public space in the future. • As stated in the Draft Park Plan, one of the goals is connectivity. A Feasibility Study has been initiated with OTAK, an architectural and engineering firm, using some of the King County Levy trails money that the city receives every year. The study will look at the entire greenway and ways to create a recreational trail, utilizing some of our natural spaces greenway for mobility, walk ability, and bike paths. More to come as the study comes together. • Citizen groups associated with the interim Off Leash Dog Park on East Hill have met twice. On February 27, staff will join them to pull some invasives at the park. At the end of March a community-wide volunteer project will be held on site. The Funding Outreach group is looking at financial partners and provisions for in-kind services. • Each year, Recreation staff provides the Youth Track Program in cooperation with elementary schools throughout the Kent School District. There are 150 scholarships provided each year and approximately 900 kids participating. Special thanks to Saucono Shoes, who donated $2,190.00 to offset scholarships requests. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole Teri Petrole Council Committee Secretary Page 3