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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 06/16/2011 Kent Parks and Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2011 Council Present: Elizabeth Albertson, Dennis Higgins and Debbie Ranniger - Chair Call to Order: Debbie Ranniger called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. 1. Meeting Minutes - Approve Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of May 19, 2011. Elizabeth Albertson seconded and the motion passed 3-0. 2. National Endowment for the Arts Grant - Accept Jeff Watling, Parks and Human Services Director, reported how this project links to the Council’s Strategic Goal - Connecting People and Places. The City of Kent was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant that will be used to locate and install signage to create a bicycle route connecting four properties in the South Sound that encouraged multi-agency and non-profit partnerships. The location of the four properties allows the City of Kent to collaborate with King County and the cities of SeaTac and Renton, as well as 4Culture and the Cascade Bicycle Club. An inaugural ride is being planned to take place in June 2012, after the project has been completed. The request for an extension of time has been approved. Council asked about the impact of sandbag removal and how the route will be marked. Staff replied that the final route has not been identified and will be coordinated with Public Works and the Army Corps of Engineers timelines, adding that the grantor may be involved if the timeline is changed as well. The grant funds are identified to pay for way-finding signage and, as part of an Economic Development tool, include signage to downtown businesses. The funding was clarified as $25,000, plus matching funds. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend accepting the grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in the amount of $25,000, approving the expenditure of the funds, and amending the City Art Budget. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Page 1 3. Perkins Building Lease Agreement - Authorize Charlie Lindsey, Superintendent of Facilities, reported that this lease renewal is for The Perkins Building, located at 715 W. Smith Street, a 6,350 square foot storage space and 25,000 square foot lot. He explained that the City began leasing this building 5 years ago when the "Red Barn" on Railroad Avenue was sold. The space provides three buildings that store materials and supplies for Facilities, Home Repair, Cultural Arts and a sublease to Kent Lions Club. The new lease is for two years to create flexibility, providing the opportunity to explore other options. An out clause was incorporated into the new contract to keep the city’s options open. Council questioned the lease amount and if price reflected the current competitive market. Staff responded that the lease amount was reduced to $4,750 per month from $5,000 and that Kent Lions Club rents a portion of the building for $1,000, reducing the lease amount to $3,750. Council asked if other sites were considered. Staff reported that other properties were inspected with no competition in space or price. Council asked staff to report back to them with any economical storage options as they become available. Dennis Higgins moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the lease agreement with Charlie and Shirley Perkins for the property location at 715 W. Meeker Street in Kent for $4,750.00 per month, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Elizabeth Albertson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 4. King County Conservation Futures Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Amendment for Panther Lake Acquisition - Authorize Brian Levenhagen, Park Planner, reported that this is the city’s ninth agreement with King County Conservation Futures. This amendment to the Interlocal Agreement reimburses the City for the purchase of 6.6 acres and 400’ of waterfront at Panther Lake. Council commented on how great it is when land acquisition can be paid in full with grant funds, including funds from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). Council asked about the purchase price. Staff confirmed that the purchase price is exactly the same amount approved by Council for the original acquisition. Council questioned RCO funding restrictions. Staff reported that the RCO continues to restrict their funds to land acquisition and development, not allowing funds for maintenance costs. Any alteration to the Ordinance would involve changes at the state level. Staff will continue to explore this issue and keep the Committee informed. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend accepting the grant from King County Conservation Futures in the amount of $1,150,000.00, amending the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, approving expenditures in accordance with the grant agreement, adjusting the Page 2 Park Land Acquisition budget, and authorizing the Mayor to sign all necessary documents, subject to terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Dennis Higgins seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 5. Kent Memorial Park Ballfield Light Pole Replacement Agreement - Authorize Garin Lee, Parks Operations Superintendent, stated that this agreement is to replace the ball field light poles at Kent Memorial Park (KMP). The light pole at Kent Memorial Park was inspected and failed the test due to structural integrity. The electrical inspector recommended that it be replaced. The pole illuminates the first base line and a portion of the right field, allowing evening programming. Quotes were solicited prior to this proposal, but the contractor wasn’t able to deliver the services. The second call for bids resulted in one proposal submitted by Transportation Systems Inc. Council had a number of issues with the purchase of a wood pole versus a metal pole. Staff responded that metal poles have a life span of approximately 50+ years and wood have a 20-30 year span, with metal poles costing 15-20% more. A metal pole would require that all of the lights be replaced at a higher cost. And, if a metal pole is purchased, the entire park system would have to be re-lamped at a cost of over $400,000. The fabrication of a metal pole and lights would also extend the timeline of the project into next year. The remaining poles and lights at Kent Memorial Park are on the lifecycle schedule for future replacement, but not high on the priority list. Staff feel it is more responsible to purchase a wood pole at this time because it satisfies budgetary constraints and eliminates the current risk factor. After discussion, Council agreed to the purchase of a wood pole. Elizabeth Albertson moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Transportation Systems Inc. in the amount of $38,687.00, plus Washington State Sales Tax, to complete the Kent Memorial Park Ballfield Light Pole Replacement Project, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Debbie Ranniger seconded. The motion passed 3-0. 6. Director’s Report Resource Center Request for Proposals Six proposals were received for the Resource Center Request for Proposals. A panel of seven local community leaders, citizens, and city staff was chosen to evaluate the proposals. The panel will review and score the proposals prior to the consensus meeting on June 22. A number of proposals were submitted in collaboration and there is a good mix of human service agencies and churches. Lake Meridian Playground The new play area is really taking shape. A couple of volunteer projects have been completed. We anticipate having the play area open in the next two weeks. There Page 3 Page 4 will be no formal ribbon cutting; it will be open for use as soon as soon as the installation is complete. The Council and the community are invited to an open house at Lake Meridian to commemorate the new play area at 2:00 p.m., during the Fourth of July Splash event. Lion Skate Park A mural designed by Lee Schlosser, a student from Green River College, will be painted on the Lions Skate Park by volunteers next week. Lifeguards The Lake Meridian Beach will open June 18 through Labor Day with lifeguards on duty 7 days per week, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Splash The Fourth of July Splash is from 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park. Summer Playgrounds The playground program begins on June 29, at West Fenwick, Morrill Meadows, Chestnut Ridge and Kiwanis Tot Lots 1 and 2, from Monday through Thursday, with extended hours - 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Kent School District provides over 18,000 lunches each summer at various sites throughout the city. Approximately 6,000 lunches will be served at these five playground sites over the summer months. Summer Concerts The Summer Concert Series begins on Thursday, July 7, with performances slated for Kent Station on Tuesdays, Town Square Plaza on Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings at Lake Meridian. Vets and Human Services Levy The Veterans and Human Services levy was approved by the King County Council and will be on the ballot. Jeff distributed King County’s Annual Report and information on the Veterans and Human Services Levy, specific to residents served in South King County. The Committee Council wants to invite King County staff to attend a Council Work Shop to explain potential impacts to South King County, if the levy doesn’t pass. Debbie Ranniger adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teri Petrole Council Committee Recorder