HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 03/17/2011
City of Kent
Parks and Human Services Committee
Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2011
Council Present: Dennis Higgins, Elizabeth Albertson, Debbie Ranniger.
Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
1. Minutes of February 17, 2011 - Approve
Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of February 17,
2011. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
2. Partners in Preservation Grant Agreement - Accept
Cheryl dos Remedios reported that during the spring of 2010, the City of Kent
successfully competed in the Partners in Preservation grant program by raising
community awareness about the Herbert Bayer Earthwork via an online voting
competition and a series of events. This restoration of the Herbert Bayer
Earthwork is to be supported by a $70,000 grant from the American Express
Partners in Preservation program, and managed in partnership with the
National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Express Foundation.
The National Trust awarded the grant on July 29, 2010. Since that time, in
coordination with the grantors, Cultural staff has been verifying the budget and
timeline for the restoration work with Parks Planning and Development staff
and receiving bids from contractors to match the amount of funding received.
Our City team is now ready to move forward with restoration work during the
months of July – September 2011.
There are seven things to complete during the construction season - July
through September 2011.
1. Restore the channel that runs through the split rings.
2. Drainage issues including repair in bowls.
3. Control erosion by removing existing sod and irrigation restoration.
4. Re-pave pathways.
5. Re-grade double ring pond.
6. Address circular cone on large berm, height re-grade.
7. Contain invasive vegetation and encourage vegetation that enhances
salmon habitat and an open viewpoint.
This project is funded through Partners in Preservation funds, 4Culture funds
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and matching funds using staff and volunteer labor.
Dennis Higgins asked if the project includes all pathways at the park? Cheryl
responded that this plan only includes pathways impacted by fixing the
drainage and the bowls area.
Jeff explained the funds need to be expended this year and two of the key
goals for the design are to restore the art piece but to reduce the maintenance
of the park. To make the art piece feel more interactive for the community
rather than just visual. A construction agreement will be presented to Council
by June.
Dennis asked if this project interferes with the Master Plan process? Jeff
explained that the work from the Master Plan and this project will complement
each other.
Dennis Higgins moved to recommend accepting the grant from
Partners in Preservation in the amount of $70,000.00 to restore
sculptural elements at Earthworks Park, amend the budget, approve
expenditure of funds in accordance with the grant agreement, and
authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents. Elizabeth
Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
3. Playground Equipment Purchase for Lake Meridian Park - Authorize
Jeff explained that the Lake Meridian Park playground structure is at the end of
its lifecycle and is becoming a safety concern. In replacing the playground, we
wanted to ensure that the size of the play structure met the demand of this
park and provided a draw to the park year-round, creating a destination play
area. We have had great success with new play structures at Service Club
Ballfields and Wilson Playfields, attracting parents and kids during nonpeak use
hours. This playground will provide direct wheelchair access onto the play
structure and become our most inclusive and accessible playground. It will offer
a creative, engaging, and challenging environment to all children who come to
the park. It’s designed to encourage imaginative, social, and natural play - all
are crucial to child development.
The Mayor authorized waiving the bidding requirements in compliance with City
Policies. The purchase by NW Playground, Inc. is through King County
Director’s Association (KCDA), a Purchasing Cooperative owned by
Washington's public school districts that helps members save money by
creating volume purchasing, while fulfilling bid law requirements. Included in
the proposal is a 15% discount from National Purchasing Partners (NPP), a
group purchasing organization, and a 10% discount from NW Playground
Equipment, Inc. for a total cost of $177,421.08, including state sales tax and
delivery. The playground will be open by mid-June with a dedication at the
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fourth of July “Splash.”
Elizabeth remarked on the benefits of saving money by utilizing the KCDA
purchasing cooperative.
Dennis Higgins asked about labor. Jeff responded that staff handled the old
playground demolition and will be installing the equipment. This project works
within the Work Plan and does not impact work schedules.
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Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the
Goods and Services Agreement to purchase play equipment for Lake
Meridian Park, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the
City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
4. Youth/Teen Data
Jeff stated that, in recent months, a number of questions have risen about the
youth/teen fund and the programs/services/projects that have been offered.
Staff felt it best to pull data from reports and Finance to explain the two levels
of funding.
The spreadsheet provided at the meeting presented a historical picture of the
funds, staffing levels, and program data collected over the past ten years. A
second budget sheet identifies the budget history of the youth/teen utility fund
and the youth/teen division general fund accounts. The second level reflects
the allocation of funds in the utility budget.
Staff met with residents two weeks ago to share this information and are
meeting again at the end of March to answer questions. Staff anticipates some
differences in opinions on the best use of funding. Jeff reminded Council of
other general fund expenses not tied to funds, such as: skate parks, sports
leagues, athletic complexes, Town Square Plaza, and lifeguards. These are all
youth and teen investments that are not pulled out of this youth and teen pot
of money.
Debbie Ranniger commented that nothing can be done to funds already spent,
but moving forward, she feels it’s important to continue the communication in
planning the 2012 budget. If the public wants to make changes, they have the
opportunity at budget meetings to share how they feel funds should be used.
Debbie added that the You Me We event showed the need for different types of
activities, branching out and trying new things, embracing the teen population
to become an active participant in the community and develop leadership
opportunities.
Elizabeth Albertson talked about how people bring so much into the programs.
They leverage resources in the community like writing grants, as well as
coordinating and staffing the programs and services. It takes people to make it
happen.
Dennis Higgins wants updates. He likes the idea of reviewing the budget
annually and receiving periodic reports.
5. Director’s Report
Jeff introduced Hope Gibson, the new Park Planning and Development Manager.
Hope is a Landscape Architect and comes from State Parks, with previous
employment at MacLeod Reckord Architects and the City of Sammamish. Hope
is a great addition to the department. Her skills in place making will fit in well
as an important component of our work plan. Debbie Ranniger welcomed Hope
and noted that she will be very busy with “Beautifying Kent” which is one of the
City’s new Visions.
The Request for Qualifications on the Mill Creek Master Plan is out. The Mill
Creek Greenway pre-submittal meeting is coming up. Public outreach will be
very important. Submittals are due the end of this month. Selection will be in
April. The agreement should be to Council in May.
Two grants have been awarded for the Green Kent Initiative. One from the
Department of Natural Resources for $10,000, which allow us to map the
Panther Lake area. We were just notified of a $50,000 grant from King
Conservation District to help us with annual implementation. This will assist our
relationship with the Conservation for Land Conservancy (CLC), an intern, and
furthering the Stewardship Program.
Wilson Playfield Turf Rehabilitation project out to bid. An agreement is coming
for turf cleaning and repair Staff want to get as much life out of the turf as
possible. Replacement is normally 3-4 years. We could possibly stretch it to 5
years. New turf will be an $800,000 - $1M investment.
Kent Pool 40-year land lease expires at the end of May. We are bringing the
lease agreement to Council to amend it to a year-to-year renewal over the next
10 years.
The You Me We was a fantastic event. Thank you to Council for attending.
Many thanks again to Julie Stangle, Lori Hogan and Youth/Teen staff for their
coordination of the event. The event was a success in fostering more energy in
the community, with a focus on youth and teens.
Along the same line of encouraging enthusiasm in the community, Debbie
Ranniger spoke of the event, “Be the Spark” that was announced at a Rotary
Club meeting in Tacoma. The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is
bringing Desmond Tutu to speak to youth leaders at the Tacoma Dome on May
13. The message is, how to make a difference in the community. Debbie spoke
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with Kent’s Chamber Executive Director to partner in getting local youth to this
event. The Youth and Teen Program Division purchased a block of 65 tickets to
take local youth leaders to the event. Transportation is being pursued so that
everyone can go together. There will be a collective meeting ahead of time.
Debbie Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted from notes provided by Lori Hogan,
Teri Petrole
Council Committee Recorder