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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/21/2011 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 1 City of Kent Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2011 Council Present: Dennis Higgins, Elizabeth Albertson, Debbie Ranniger. Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m. and announced that public comment is heard after the agenda has been completed. Added Item: Number 7: Director’s Report 1. Minutes of March 17, 2011 - Approve Elizabeth Albertson moved to approve the minutes of March 17, 2011. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 2. King Conservation District Grant Agreement for Green Kent - Authorize Jeff Watling informed the committee that staff applied for and received a $50,000 grant from the King Conservation District to implement with the Green Kent Partnership. Specifically, this grant will fund project coordination from Cascade Land Conservancy to collect and track the field work being done by the volunteer stewards, to create annual steward work plans and provide technical input, recruitment outreach and leadership as needed. A portion of the grant ($18,000) will also fund a Green Kent intern to supplement available Parks personnel and provide support the stewards in the field. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend accepting the King Conservation District grant in the amount of $50,000, approving the expenditure of funds, amending the Adopt-a-Park budget, and authorizing the Mayor to sign all necessary documents. Elizabeth Albertson second. The motion passed 3-0. 3. Department of Natural Resources Grant Agreement for Green Kent - Accept Jeff stated that staff submitted a Community Forestry Assistance Grant request to the Washington Department of Natural Resources for $9,984.00 for the Green Kent Partnership. The funding will be used to: hire consultants to assess 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 2 City-owned parks and natural areas in the Panther Lake area, update the 20-year management plan with the new information, and create community outreach materials for the Green Kent Partnership, including how to recognize and remove invasive plants. The grant contract runs through June 30, 2012. The grant amount in the Motion statement was corrected to $9,984.00. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend accepting the grant from the Washington Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,984.00 and authorizing the expenditure of funds in the Green Kent Partnership budget. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 4. Kent Pool Sublease Agreement with Aquatic Management Group - Authorize Jeff reported that since King County’s transfer of the Kent Pool to the City in 2003, the Aquatics Management Group (AMG) has been the contracted to operate the facility. The current lease agreement with is scheduled to expire on May 25, 2011, which coincides with the expiration of the current land lease with the Kent School District which includes operation its current capacity on a year-to-year basis for up to 10 years. City staff recommended that the operational agreement with AMG is continued. The terms of this agreement with AMG are consistent with the Lease Extension Agreement that the City is entering into with the Kent School District for the portion of land where the Pool resides at Kent Meridian High School. The operational support is $90,000, as well as some Capital support. This amount is much less than many pools in the area. Dennis Higgins asked about the liability insurance required. Jeff confirmed that the amount is $2M aggregate for personal injury and it is a standard amount. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Kent Pool Sublease Agreement with Aquatic Management Group, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the Parks Director and City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 5. Kent Pool Lease Extension Agreement with Kent School District - Authorize Jeff shared that King County and the Kent School District (KSD) entered into a lease agreement 40 years ago for a pool to be built by the County at Kent Meridian High School. In 2003, the pool was transferred from King County to the City of Kent. As part of the transfer, this original lease with the KSD was assigned to the City of Kent. This original lease expires on May 25, 2011. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 3 The lease extension agreement expands the lease so that the pool can continue operating in its current capacity on a year-to-year extension for up to 10 years. Dennis Higgins asked about the $5M liability insurance requirement by the Kent School District and asked if there was push back by the City. Jeff said that this is standard language from the original lease agreement and speaks to the City’s insurance rider. Dennis asked if there was a settlement against the City from a claim at the pool that exceeded $2M that AMG would handle the first $2 M and the City would pick up the difference. Jeff stated that he believes that is true, but will confirm with the City’s Risk Manager and the City Attorney’s office before the item goes to the next City Council meeting. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Kent Pool Lease Extension Agreement with the Kent School District, pending Kent School Board approval, and subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the Parks Director and City Attorney. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 6. Director’s Report Resource Center Request for Proposal. Jeff stated that the RFP for the Resource Center was released earlier this week. The RFP was consistent with the budget reality and the goals discussed at previous meetings. In case of any confusion with interpretation of the RFP, Jeff wanted to explain the balance with public lease requirements and state requirements for use of a public building. Finance and Law departments both assert that the City must show that the market value is covered for leases of public land. Within the RFP there is reference to market appraisal for the land and building. Appraisals were completed on the land and the building. He noted that the market value is high in the RFP, and it must be shown that the value is being achieved, which can be covered by monetary and non-monetary compensation. Debbie Ranniger asked for clarification on the numbers in the RFP - one is utility and one is market value. Jeff replied that market appraised value is the basis of what the rent would be. The rent of $5,000 can be covered through both monetary and non monetary compensation - either through cash or non monetary means. As a public entity, we need to show a public benefit / community asset. Debbie asked if compensation for rent could be shown through community service / in-kind services. Jeff responded yes, if the services equal the market value of $5,000 per month. He added that the City is looking for creative proposals that augment City services, or that show a public benefit. He used 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 4 the Kent Pool lease agreement as an example. The lease amount is $1.00 per year because the market value is being achieved by the operator through public services. The lease agreement with the Resource Center building may look very similar. Jeff announced that two non-mandatory tours set up for the Resource Center, on May 4, and May 18, both at 3:00 p.m. Proposals will be accepted through the end of May. Elizabeth Albertson stated that the City owns other buildings that are leased at fair market value. She appreciated the fact that non profits are being given the opportunity to lease this building using creativity in their proposals. Elizabeth spoke of the budgeting reasons why the building was closed and that it is a shame to have it empty. She shared that copies of the RFP were handed out to non-profits at the Human Services Commission meeting. She reiterated that interested parties need to be creative and bring their best ideas. Debbie Ranniger asked about a going volunteer rate that non profits can use to develop their proposals. Jeff said they can use a number identified in their organization. There are different wage rates, so they would be comparable to the type of work they are doing. Dennis Higgins stated that he was troubled when he read the RFP, but now understands the flexibility that was worked into the document, using a non monetary public benefit. Debbie Ranniger asked if the actual cash an organization would have to come up with only be the cost of utilities at $15,000/year. Jeff responded that the City wants to see how the tenant is going to cover the operational costs for the building; staff, supplies and equipment, rent, and utilities. He referenced the budget reductions, i.e., the consolidation of Resource Center staff and operations to Kent Commons and that there are no funds budgeted in 2011 for operational support of the Resource Center. Debbie asked if the issue of operational support were to become a priority in the community, could the City consider some level of support for this building in the 2012 budget. Jeff said that it could be budgeted, but then something else would need to be cut from the budget. Debbie invited public comment to the budget process. Elizabeth was sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but reminded everyone that the budget is down about $4M this year. She said that Utility Tax and Sales Tax is down, among other revenue sources, and there is the possibility of budget cuts. Elizabeth also voiced her concern about maintenance and upkeep of the building. Jeff responded that, as the owner of the building, the City will have some responsibility for the structure of the building, as will the Operator. Maintenance specifics will be defined in the lease agreement. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 5 Jeff reminded everyone that the RFP is online and to contact him with any questions. Events 1 The Baseball Jamboree is on May 7, at Service Club Ballfields. There are about 1,000 kids playing baseball and T-Ball. 2 The Softball Jamboree is on May 21, at Service Club Ballfields. Softball has approximately 600 kids. 3 The Elementary School Track Program has about 2,000 kids involved from every Kent elementary school except one. 4 Junior Olympics is on May 14, at French Field and usually has about 2,000 kids participating. Parks and Recreation Commission Jeff shared that he’s had conversations with City Administration about creating a Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission. The Board would be a citizen’s advisory group that would serve as a sounding board and an advocacy group. They would work as an oversight group for the myriad of decisions on programs, services, parks, and development projects. Jeff asked for Council’s feedback in future discussions. Debbie Ranniger asked about the next steps. Jeff explained that the next steps would involve the development of an Ordinance that would shape the organization, approval from Administration, and a solicitation / application process for Board Members, much like the Arts Commission or Human Services Commission. Debbie Ranniger shared that she feels it’s time because we’ve become a larger and more diverse City and we need more input. 7. Youth and Teen Programs Update - Informational Jeff reminded Council of his request in 2010 for agenda topics of interest and that an update on the Youth and Teen Program was one of the subjects they had listed. Lori Hogan introduced the Youth and Teen Program staff who provided an overview of programs and services made available through the youth and teen Utility Tax funding. The presentation included participant impacts and outcomes, challenges and opportunities, partnerships, and a look to the future, as follows: Program History and Goals • Council enacted by ordinance a Utility Tax of 3/10 of 1% in 1994 • Fund earmarked for youth and teen programs • Goal to build a program that provides a safe place with positive role models that supports youth and teens to make good life choices 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 6 • Take the services into the neighborhood • Empower youth to get involved • Capital projects which benefit youth • Provide free or low cost programs Demographics • Over 120 languages spoken in the Kent School District • 48% of Kent School District students are Caucasian and 52% are identified as minority (statistics from American Community Survey Data 2009) • Program at 12 schools where 59% of the students are on free or reduced lunch • 2009 - 14% of families and 16% of Kent households were living in poverty • 2010 - $16,450 in scholarships for summer camps and after school programs Benefits and Outcome • Empowered • Greater self-esteem • Increased leadership skills • Consistency and reliability • Leads to better preparation to stay in school • Make good choices about health and life • Program design – based on research as well as youth/teen and parent/guardian feedback • Availability of services – times, days, location at places where kids are located • City’s service operated in concert with other community services Developmental Assets Model Focuses on: • Youth as resource • Building qualities in youth • Building self-esteem • Adult support Research shows the more developmental assets young people have: • The more likely they will engage in positive behavior • The less likely they are to engage in problem behaviors Youth and Teen Staff Youth and Teen staff shared the challenges in their lives that they have overcome. These self-chosen words describe their many backgrounds. • Orphanage • Runaway • Raised by single parent 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 7 • Low income • Homeless • Drug addict mother • Teen domestic violence • Suspended from school • Adopted • Gang affiliation Youth and Teen Staff Youth and Teen staff shared the accomplishments they’ve made in their lives through the help of mentors, coaches, teachers and parents. These self-chosen words describe them now. • College graduates • Past and present board members of a variety of organizations and service clubs in Kent • Mentors for Communities in Schools of Kent • Youth athletic coaches • Community volunteers • Parents • Invested in the community • Community partners Kent Parks Community Center & Meridian Late night • Free drop in program for teens 7th grade – 19 years of age • Recreation: basketball, break dancing, music lab, game room and dances • Attendance: 11,700 duplicated visits in 2010, 501 unduplicated teen visits • Attendance: January 2011 to date is 4,804 Developmental asset: Youth Programs. Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school or in the community. Summer Playgrounds • Located at: West Fenwick Park, Morrill Meadows Park, Kiwanis Tot Lot 1, Kiwanis Tot Lot 2 and Chestnut Ridge Park • Monday thru Thursday 10:30am – 4:30pm • Partnered with the Kent School District and USDA Meal Program to serve 5,638 lunches in 2010 (970 more than in 2009) Developmental asset: Community Values Youth. The young person perceives that adults in the community value youth. After School Energy • After School program for ages 6-12 years old • Millennium 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 8 • Meadow Ridge • Park Orchard • Scenic Hill • Panther Lake • Horizon • Kent • Pine Tree • East Hill Developmental asset: Planning and Decision Making. The young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices. Camps • Camp W.A.L.K.A.P.A.L.A. • Holiday Camp • Spring Break Camp • Presidents Week Camp • Camp Waskowitz Developmental asset: Other Adult Relationships. The young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults. Teen Employment • Partnership with King County Work Training Program hiring 10-14 students. • Teen Employment workshops, job fair and one-on-one resume’ building. • Placement of teens in City departments for the Teen Internship Program from 12 to 20 students hired in positions outside the program. • Interviews and placement with businesses. Developmental asset: Youth as resources. Young people are given useful roles in the community. Meridian and Mill Creek - Middle School All Stars. 2 days/week • Art, Cooking and Sports Clubs keep kids engaged and active. • Promotes healthy activities and nutrition in cooking club. • Partnership with Century 21 Program at Mill Creek Middle School. • Provides a safe place during a time when students are most at-risk (3-6pm). • Promotes positive social interactions with peers and adults. Developmental asset: Creative activities. The young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons of practice in music, theater or the arts. Mobile Recreation and Computer Technology Bus • “Big Blue” 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 9 • 449 site visits in 2010 • Serving 6,343 youth/teens (duplicated visits) Developmental asset: High Expectation. Both parents and the community. Encourages the young person to do well. Events • Fishing Experience. Annual event in partnership with Kent Rotary – 151 youth • You Me We – 4,000+ participants • Teen Job Fair – 300+ teens and parents • 4th of July Splash • Toys for Joys – 250+ kids receive gifts for past 5 years • Backpack Giveaway – over 500 distributed in 2010 through a partnership with Kiwanis and Communities in Schools of Kent • Book Drive – 1000’s of books distributed to young readers • Camp Waskowitz Fundraiser - $15,000 annually Issues & Challenges • Transportation • Food • Space - Gym, class space is a challenge to reserve • Funding - the economy has changed and so has donations • Identifying what teens want to do. A teen web page has been added. Partners - 100 Best Communities Partnership Many partners from the community were a part of the “100 Best Communities for Youth” celebration. • Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services • Kent School District • Kent Cobra’s Football • Glory House Church • East Hill Neighborhood Council • Soul’d Out Christian Church • Kent Police Youth Board/Police Dept • Kent 4 Health • Valley Medical Center • Project U(th) • Big Brothers, Big Sisters • Cascade Challenge • Boy Scouts • Allegro Dance • Michael Smith Sr. Training and Development • Kent Fire/Emergency Management • Communities in Schools of Kent • Cinderella Closet 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 10 • Camp Fire • Kent Downtown Partnership • The Lakes Neighborhood Council • Kent Youth and Family Services • The Institute for Community Leadership • Washington Rainbow Girls • Lisa Russell • Kent East Hill Kids Boxing Club • Kent Kiwanis • Catholic Community Services • Rotary Youth Service Group • Holy Spirit Parish – Teen Leadership Group • Girls Scouts • Kent Knights Football and Cheer • Allied Waste – kids recycling education program • Blessed Beginnings Preschool • Kent Little League • Irvine, Hanis and Prothro • Kent Youth Soccer Association • Valley Ice Centre • Sylvan Learning • Quota International of Kent Valley Guest Speakers Megan Fitzgerald, of Mercy Housing Northwest Apian Way Apartments on the West Hill, serving the Appian Way community and other large apartment complexes nearby. Megan has been with Mercy Housing for three years managing the community center. It’s a newly renovated 5,000 square foot building. She thanked Dave Hobbs for his mentorship and help with programs, for example the Holiday Giveaway Program and a yearly backpack giveaway. In 2010, just over 160 backpacks filled with supplies were given out to low income youth. She is very excited about the possibility of the Late Nite Program coming to the West Hill. The community center does not have the staff or time to fill the programs, so they are very grateful for the partnership with the City. Moncef Belgacem, Case Manager with the King County Work Training Program. Mr. Belgacem came to the meeting to talk about the 10 year partnership with the City, serving Kent Meridian High School, the Phoenix Academy and Kent Mountain View. Successful programs with the Youth and Teen staff include employment and training. Funded by the Department of Work- Force Investment Act, the kids are taught job search skills, job readiness skills, work skills, and life skills. The kids are recruited to give back to the community by completing services in the parks in the summer. The skills training has been increasing and the kids have even done murals on buildings throughout Kent. The program poverty guidelines are pretty strict for this program and students qualify by: income family size, disability, being foster kids, and kids 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 11 living on their own, or living with non-parents/relatives. The good news for this year is that the program will continue to be funded by the Work Force Investment Act. Next Steps In the Annexation, looking to add more schools in the Kentridge area, five other elementary schools, as well as Meeker Middle School. Identify staff core areas, restructuring, assigning one staff to High Schools, middle and elementary, apartments and special events. Create a regional liaison by dividing staff and structuring programs to churches, apartment managers and schools on the East, West and downtown core. And in summary, furthering the partnership with the Federal Way School District and potentially opening a Late Nite Program. Lori Hogan, Superintendent of Recreation and Cultural Services, voiced her appreciation and pride for the Youth and Teen staff. She talked of their passion, energy and level of competency. She said they come with skills and life foundations that equip them to do the work they are doing. She invited the community to come out and participate - to join staff in the afterschool programs or community centers. She said they are always looking for partners because the programs and services are not the be all, end all. Lori is very encouraged by the meetings with the Federal Way School District for programs on the West Hill. Lori said the idea of the community liaison is for staff to split up the community into sections and connect with schools, churches, businesses, apartments, neighborhoods and service providers to get a firm concept of the needs of the community and come back to the table to develop specific services in those areas. Jeff commended the staff on their presentation and applauded them for taking on the community liaison role. He referenced the recent budget adjustments and spoke to working with finite resources. He said the bar has been set high for reaching and impacting as many lives as we can and that the money in the Utility Tax Fund is not enough to cover all the needs of the community. Jeff added that we also need to take on the role as liaison, partners, brokers, and relationship builders. Debbie Ranniger felt that You Me We event was an example of a new direction that the City is headed in reaching out and engaging all our community partners to help meet the growing needs. She thanked staff for their personal stories. She felt it was heartwarming to see how staff have overcome their challenges, and how it’s a big part of the passion they bring to their jobs. She appreciated them tying in the programs to the developmental assets - carefully considering youth development needs and targeting programs to meet development stages and helping the youth grow into leaders. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 12 Dennis Higgins thanked staff for the presentation and felt it was very informative. He hopes the hard copies of the presentation will be posted on the web site. Elizabeth Albertson thanked Meagan for coming to the meeting and for her collaboration of services on the West Hill. Public Comment: Dale Smith, 837 Maplewood Ave., Kent. Boeing Community Investor. Mr. Smith acknowledged the Council for the opportunity to participate, but complained that he was under the impression that they were able to speak earlier and that comments should have been earlier on the agenda because some people had to leave. He also suggested having a longer dialogue with Council and staff regarding their concerns, without such restricted timing. Mr. Smith voiced concern with the RFP in regard to culturally competency. He felt it was great to hear there is more latitude to address the costs, but that information should have been in the RFP. He said there are people who could potentially provide these services, but the language in the proposal was confusing. He feels the RFP should be re-issued with more detailed information, including the options that are available, including something to address the hourly rate. He said has no idea how to measure public benefit / proposed use. He was a Community Investor for almost 10 years at Boeing and for five years he managed a $5M portfolio for Arts/Culturally/Civic and Environment. He feels he knows about outcomes and stated that the development asset model is extremely outdated. He said it’s not an outcome model. Mr. Smith stated that outcome measures are not anecdotes, pictures, bullets and stories or even passion - it’s about numbers and demonstrated effectiveness and demonstrated outcomes. He felt that given the money involved with a city of this size, it wasn’t shown in the presentation and feels it needs to be extremely specific. He said numbers need to be compared to things, the concept of opportunity costs, what you should be getting out of these numbers, what kinds of investment are other cities making with these same dollars and what are their returns, how do ours compare. He stated that there’s a whole lot more that needs to go into all that. He also feels there are no measurements regarding the impacts of these programs and asked how the City can require measurements on the RFP. He claimed there is no accounting to show how much money is spent each year in these programs, adding that they want the opportunity to address these issues. He said they have an issue with the $284,000 designated Utility Tax money. He alleged that over the last three years, it was returned to the general fund without any accounting of how it was spent, or if it was spent on Youth and Teen Programs. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 13 Leslie Hamada, of 28026 189th Ave SE, 98042, with eight years as Emergency Assistance Director at Kent United Methodist Church, 42 years of mentoring in high risk Elementary Schools and on her 43rd year mentoring at Phoenix Academy. She said that this is not a contest of him, her, and it and that we are all working together. She shared news from Jeff Watling regarding a contract being finalized for the Kent Boxing program. She is also representing Kent Youth and Teens Community Action Committee and said they are looking for more teen centers and more input on the Utility Tax budget and feels they have a right to have their voice heard. She stated that there was good programming going on, but a lack in programs for teens of diverse and marginalized communities. She was disappointed that the teens who wanted to speak that night had to go home to do homework. Bailey Stober, 24911 38th Ave. So., Kent, shared recent census numbers. He cited that 27.7% of the population in Kent are under age of 18, and 16.7% of them are below the poverty level in Kent. He stated that this doesn’t reflect the number of services in Kent. He said the City passed a Utility Tax in 1993 and City Code states that .03% of that money was going to be used for youth teen programs, and claimed that the $11M over the 16 year time period can’t be accounted for. He alleged that the Finance Director and the Parks Director can’t show exactly how much every program costs, or the outcomes / results. He said it was not only sad but illegal. Mr. Stober stated that when he is out feeding the homeless he doesn’t see Council or leaders in the City there. He said that putting the $284,000 back into the general fund is illegal and a violation of City Code. He continued that it is a violation of what the City told the tax payers. He said they tried to work with the City to address these issues and it’s not being addressed. He said it’s going to be turned over to the State Auditor’s office. He felt the only reason these documents have come out is because community groups had to push and fight for it. He said the City talked about it for 16 years and the RFP finally came out. Mr. Stober felt the Council should be ashamed of themselves. Staff is passionate and does an amazing job and he commends them for it, but they can only do what their leadership allows them to do - they can only do so much. He said it’s sad, all these kids are homeless, and that there are unaccompanied minors in cold weather shelters. He felt the City is doing nothing about it. He said we can do better as a City, better as a community. He called on the Council to actually walk the talk and join him in doing that. Mr. Bailey referenced the loss of Common’s Playfield to the ShoWare building and said we are still waiting for replacement fields. He said it was a sad day in Kent when other smaller cities such as Auburn are recruiting our non profits to go down there. He stated that the City of Auburn is sponsoring a boxing program that’s based in Kent because the City of Kent won’t step up. He closed by saying, either do something 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 14 about it or go home. Barry Fretwell, 738 Prospect Ave. No. Kent, Project U(th) Mr. Fretwell spoke for the teens of Project U(th). He said they want a safe space in the valley that’s bigger than the 1,100 square feet they are currently using at Kent Station. Deborah Jones of 10027 SE 247th, Kent, asked about a charge of $7+ on her Utility Tax bill and wanted to know what it’s for and why she has to continue to pay it. Jeff will give her information to the Finance Department. Director’s Response to Public Comments Jeff addressed the comments regarding the Utility Tax Fund. In conversations with Dale, Leslie, Bailey, Barry and others, he shared with them the City was faced with the choice of investing money in construction, or investing in numerous programs and services. The referenced $11M is rounding up what has been collected into the Utility Tax Fund. He said that if the City would have built a teen center, a majority of the money would be gone and there still wouldn’t be operational money, or money for the services that have been provided to the community over the past 16 years. Jeff said the opinion is valid, but the City had tough choices to make. The implication that the City has misappropriated funds because the City doesn’t have a youth center, is wrong. The choices have been made to invest in programs and services and utilize existing facilities. In reference to general fund allocation, Jeff explained that he shared youth and teen budget sheets with Council and with Dale, Barry, Bailey and others, accounting for every single dollar spend in the Youth/Teen Utility Tax Fund. Jeff explained that Finance takes the collected Utility Tax and allocates money into the general fund. All the monies that are spent on youth/teen programs and services are funded out of the general fund. Regarding the surplus of $284,000, it went into the bottom line of the Parks and Recreation budget, not into the City’s general fund. Jeff has explained to the group that over 70-80% of what the City offers is for youth and teen programs and services. He added that he would be happy to have further conversations. In addition, the previous 7-8 years had a deficit. Meaning, the money that Finance put into the general fund did not pay for all the youth and teen services expended. The rest of the Parks and Recreation Department general fund subsidized those programs and services. We are working with Finance for more communication on allocation numbers. Jeff reiterated the all the money is accounted for. Regarding the reference on waiting 16 years for a youth center, Jeff spoke with Barry previously about spaces for Project U(th) to meet and had suggested sites at Kent Commons and the Community Center at Phoenix Academy. Jeff added that maybe these recreation spaces aren’t perfect, but they are spaces we choose to program. He looks forward to conversations about the opportunity at the Resource Center and to see what public use can be created in that space. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 15 As far as the comment on the loss of the Common’s playfield, Jeff said that staff worked on a short-term solution with the school district and non-profit youth sports providers and came up with a number of replacements. No games were lost, they were re-scheduled to other fields. There are a number of long-term solutions with the school district. Discussions include the creation of community sports fields at Kent Meridian and Kentridge High Schools, utilizing their practice space and upgrading the fields with lighting and synthetic turf. They could be utilized by the school district during the week and by the City programs on weekends. Jeff said there are also some opportunities to replace existing park facilities with synthetic turf. He said the Capital budget is not in a place where this can happen, but look forward to the day when it can. Elizabeth commented on opening the Phoenix Academy and how it has become a model. She said that the building is paid for by tax payers, as many other buildings are in Kent and she feels that it makes sense to use existing buildings. She also commented on Common’s playfield and that it was purchased for future municipal purposes and its use for many years as a sports field was temporary. Elizabeth spoke of ShoWare and how Council considers it a municipal purpose and a wonderful asset to the community. The City doesn’t have the money to go out and buy soccer fields and she doesn’t feel that people are in the position to be taxed higher for soccer fields. Right now the focus is on keeping the City’s operation going, taking care of what we have, and working with the school districts to improve their facilities and use them. We are trying to spend the money wisely. She also invited the public to participate in the budget meetings and see where the money goes and how few dollars there are to go around. The Council spoke of confusion with the RFP and asked Jeff to re-issue it with clarification on the cultural competency segment. They want more information on how to offset through public benefit and how to measure public service in compensation for the rent. Jeff will re-issue the RFP, with more clarity in defining the public benefit, while working within the boundaries of leasing public space. Commenting to statements on demonstrated outcomes and measures, Jeff agrees, it’s an area that needs to be worked on. Measures require data and we are only as good as the data we collect. He said staff is going to look at creative ways to ask our participants for demographic information and data that will allow us to move toward outcomes so that we can work on areas that we need to improve upon. Regarding Barry Fretwell’s comment about the need for space in downtown for youth, Jeff said that the RFP is an opportunity and we are reaching out and engaging the public to respond. Jeff and staff have mentioned buildings that are available to possibly meet their program needs; Kent Commons, the Kent Memorial Park building and the Phoenix Academy. 4/21/11 Meeting Minutes Page 16 Mr. Smith asked about more open dialogue. Debbie Ranniger acknowledged the passion and concern for the community. She said the City has been impacted by the many changes in growth and diversity, as well as the recession. She stated that we need to re-think how we program to match a changing and diverse community. She feels this is the beginning of the discussion. The dialogue will continue, if not at future Parks Committee meetings, but at breakout sessions or some other form of meeting. She said the door is open and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. She asked interested citizens to leave their contact information so that they can be included in any ongoing dialogue. Debbie Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole Council Committee Recorder