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Home My WebLink About03/08/2022 - MinutesMINUTES Wheelchair Accessible. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter available upon request. For this or other assistance, please call 48 hours in advance: 711 (TDD) or 425-430-6600 (voice). City of Renton Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 4:30 pm Virtual Meeting on Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Shun Takano called the meeting to order at 4:31pm. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Cynthia Burns, Al Dieckman, Tim Searing, Shun Takano, Troy Wigestrand and Marlene Winter Members Absent: Larry Reymann City Staff Present: Kelly Beymer, Parks and Recreation Administrator, Cailín Hunsaker, Parks and Trails Director; Carrie Nass, Recreation Director, Elizabeth Stewart, Renton History Museum Manager, Steve Meyers, Maplewood Golf Course Manager, and Roberta Graver Administrative Assistant Tim Searing motioned to excuse Larry Reymann’s absence, motion seconded, all in favor, motion carried. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Al Dieckman motioned to approve the agenda as presented, motioned seconded, all in favor, motion carried. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Marlene Winter requested the February 8, 2022 meeting minutes be amended to include the word ‘not’ in the following sentence under section 6a, “Board member shared that there may be neighborhood concern if the north-end pedestrian gate will [not] remain open after the construction.” Marlene motioned to approve the February 8, 2022 meeting minutes as amended, motion seconded, all in favor, motion carried. 5. BOARD COMMUNICATION None 6. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS a. 2021 - Department Year-end Review – Kelly Beymer provided the presentation she gave to the Committee of the Whole on February 28, 2022 on the Parks and Recreation Department’s 2021 events, activities, accomplishments, and goals for 2022 . See attached presentation slides. Comments and questions from the board members and staff responses are summarized: i. When the Facilities division moved to Public Works, did the move up to the Public Works shops? No. ii. What’s the status of the Family First Community Center? The operating agreement is complete between the city and the Renton School District and the one with Health Point is being finalized. Construction has started on the site. Anticipated completion is spring of 2023. iii. Is the increase in encampment removal costs due to third-party contractors? Yes, that’s the majority of the cost increases, as vendors are able to use specialized treatments. Removals also follow city policy regarding the removal of property from the encampment and making items deemed ‘personal property’ available for pickup. iv. Roberta will forward out to the board members the staff training information (Renton 101) that Erica Schmitz will be presenting on the Parks Planning and Natural Resources Capital Improvement Project Process. (This training has not been scheduled yet.) Parks Commission Meeting March 8, 2022 Page 2 of 3 Wheelchair Accessible. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter available upon request. For this or other assistance, please call 48 hours in advance: 711 (TDD) or 425-430-6600 (voice). v. Board Comment: One board member expressed a safety concern about taking her grandchildren to Liberty Park. Kelly says she is in constant communication with the Police and the Parks Maintenance is not placing picnic tables and benches out in the park yet, so homeless people don’t monopolize them. vi. Is the current ‘concrete labor strike’ affecting current projects? Yes, certainly the downtown street projects and Kelly will check with department capital project coordinators if they’re seeing an impact on current projects. vii. What is the status of the ‘pool’ or beach behind the community center on the river? This is not identified as a pool or beach area, it’s a passive water shoreline. Parks maintenance do not do anything in the water but maintain the shoreline. The public tends to flock to this area during hotter weather, and Parks is looking at barriers to prohibit cars from being driven down on and parking on the grass near this area. viii. What’s the status of Renton River Days? Staff are working event details which include focusing on the activities in the downtown area and limiting it to possibly a Friday evening concert or movie, and the parade and activities on Saturday. More information to come. ix. Will the Renton River Days include closing some downtown streets for pedestrian flow? Logan is currently closed for this purpose during Farmers Market, no definitive answer for River Days. Doing this requires coordination with Public Works/Streets division and King County Metro for busses. x. Board Comment: Increased play at Maplewood Golf Course is because the course in in excellent condition. xi. How’s the River Rock restaurant doing? The concierge lease was amended during the pandemic to account for limited operating hours. They are getting back to more normal levels of activity, but also experiencing the challenge of hiring staff. One board member comments on ‘kudos’ to the restaurant manager and staff service they provided for a recent private event. xii. Will the turf be replaced in the Driving Range? Not this year. Replacing the netting is a higher priority at this time, but it remains on the list. xiii. Has there been any issues at the community centers during vaccine verifications? No, most people were aware of what to expect. xiv. Is the Family First Community Center [construction] fully funded? Yes, at the current level. xv. In the recent park improvement design presentation, some of the park activity centers are being eliminated. Why? The Philip Arnold and Kiwanis activity buildings have not been able to be programmed due costs to manage, vandalism, and being outdated. The Highlands Community Center temporarily housed the REACH family shelter during the pandemic, but this building and others are not slated for removal. xvi. Has the Museum considered having a Jimmy Hendrix exhibit? No, there’s no items in the Renton collection to support an exhibit, although they’ve been collecting stories of Renton musicians. b. 2022 Meeting Minute Topics i. Department division leads provided a list of presentation topics. Topics list will be sent to the board to review and return to Roberta with suggestions. c. Park Rules and Regulations Update – these are still under legal review and will be brought to Parks Commission at an upcoming meeting. 7. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ParksCommissionMeetingMarch8,2022Page3o13a.Discussionontheboardmeetingsmovingforwardtohybridvirtual/in-personformat.Nodecisionbutboardfeedbackincludedcontinuingtoofferazoomoption.Logisticswillbeworkedoutforpossibleformatoptions.8.ADJOURNMENTCynthiaBurnsmotionedtoadjourn;motionseconded,allinfavor,motioncarried,adjournedat6:00pm.Recordedby:RobertaGraver,ParksandRecreationAdministrativeAssistant,March8,022Minutesapprovedby:RobertaGraver,AdministrativeAssistantDateNEXTMTG:April12,2022WheelchairAccessible.AmericanSignLanguage(ASL)interpreteravailableuponrequest.Forthisorotherassistance,pleasecall48hoursinadvance:717(TDD)or425-430-6600(voice). 4/12/2022 1 Parks and Recreation Department 2021 Overview Committee of the Whole February 28, 2022 Department Divisions •Parks and Trails •Parks Planning and Natural Resources •Recreation •Maplewood Golf Course •Renton History Museum 2 1 2 4/12/2022 2 Recapping the year includes divisions that were transferred to other departments Fall 2021 •Facilities Now in Public Works Dept. •Human Services Now in Equity, Housing and Human Services Dept. •Neighborhood Program (was in Recreation) Now in Executive Services Dept. 3 Facilities City Hall Major Maintenance/Replacements •Fire Pump •Boilers •Generators •IT Server Room HVAC 4 3 4 4/12/2022 3 Family First Community Center •Finalized project development –to begin construction •Finalized Operating Agreements –in partnership with other City Depts. Facilities 5 •Began Bi‐monthly Pop‐Up Lunch program •Implemented 2 rounds of CDBG‐CV Cares funding to agencies •New Social Services Guide Human Services 6 5 6 4/12/2022 4 Parks and Trails Division 7 Parks & Trail Maintenance Sports Fields Encampment removals Farmers Market SNAP Benefits Community Gardens Volunteer Program Outdoor Education •Assisted w/installation of AARP Outdoor Fitness Area •Maintenance Shop Temporary Relocation •Encampment Removals 8 Parks Maintenance 7 8 4/12/2022 5 Encampment Management 9 •Two‐person patrols identify locations, coordinate cleanups only for: •Already vacated camps •If posing a possible health risk •Received multiple complaints 2021 costs increased by 26% over prior year 9 COVID‐19 Banner at the Cedar River Dog Park 10 Safe Parks and Trails Cedar River Trail Bank Stabilization Project 9 10 4/12/2022 6 •Vendor Sales up 49% from 2020 •SNAP Benefit Usage up 43% from 2020 •4,677 pounds of fresh produce donated 11 Renton Farmers Market •Revised Safety Protocols •28 Volunteer Projects •Story Walks at Sunset and Liberty Parks 12 Volunteer Program 11 12 4/12/2022 7 13 Parks and Trails Plans for 2022 •Secure location for new Parks Maintenance facility •Return Renton Farmers Market to Piazza Park •New TRACK Trail at Heritage Park Acquisition Development Urban Forestry and Natural Resources and more…….. Parks Planning and Natural Resources Division 14 13 14 4/12/2022 8 •Sunset Neighborhood Park, Phase 2 •(Partially funded by state and federal grants) •Cedar River Trestle Bridge repairs •Coulon Park Playground (100% grant funded) •Teasdale Park Basketball Court Replacement •Liberty Park Playground Replacement 15 2021 Accomplishments http://www.rentonforestryplan.com 16 By the numbers ‐totals for all work done by staff, contractors, and volunteers: Trimmed Trees Removed Trees Planted Trees Trees Watered Added Cable Support Stumps Ground Removed Stakes Added Water Bag Inspected Trees 433 165 140 64,675 3 33 134 148 1,329 Urban Forestry Work in 2021 15 16 4/12/2022 9 17 •Coulon Park North Water Walk Improvements –Starts Summer 2022 •Coulon Park Trestle Bridge Replacement –Starts Summer 2022 Bond Projects: 2022 - a Year of Growth 18 Snippets of Conceptual of new design plans. •Philip Arnold Park Improvements –Starts Spring 2022 •Kiwanis Park Improvements –Starts Spring 2022 More Bond Projects 17 18 4/12/2022 10 Cascade Park Starts Spring 2022 Kennydale Beach Park Starts Spring 2022 19 Capital Improvement Projects Senior Activity Center •Paving Repairs •ADA Access Improvements 20 Construction tentatively begins 1st quarter 2022 Capital Improvement Projects 19 20 4/12/2022 11 Senior Center Bocce Court Improvements –Spring 2022 21 Capital Improvement Projects 2022 Arbor Day Event is April 23rd, from 9 A.M. ‐12 P.M. site to be announced soon 22 2022 Urban Forestry Projects 21 22 4/12/2022 12 Recreation Division 23 Aquatics Athletics & Fitness Events and Event Permitting Planning & Partnerships Recreational Facility Management & Operations Senior & Adaptive Recreation Youth & Family Enrichment and more….. 24 •Completed Recreation Strategic Plan •Updated Cost Recovery Policy •Secured Multiple Grants •Met Community Needs: •Served over 55,000 senior meals •Partnered with RFA on COVID‐19 Mobile Vaccine Unit •Hosted multiple blood, food, clothing, and vaccine drives Key Successes in 2021 23 24 4/12/2022 13 25 More Successes in 2021 •Safely reopened recreation & aquatic centers •Activated two new park amenities •Activated Virtual Recreation Desk •Initiated Age Friendly Initiative & Action Plan 26 25 26 4/12/2022 14 27 Recreation Plans for 2022 •Fully activate buildings and programs •Implement Age‐Friendly Renton •Update Special Event Permit Process •Update all finance/cash handling procedures •Activate Liberty Park building with recreation programming Golf Course Maintenance Pro Shop Operations Driving Range Operations Restaurant and more… Maplewood Golf Course 28 27 28 4/12/2022 15 29 •Open Every Day •Online improvements •Replacing 60 Aging Golf Carts 2021 Accomplishments 30 Updated lighting, heaters and sections of the fire suppression system in driving range More 2021 Accomplishments 29 30 4/12/2022 16 31 2022 Upcoming Projects Exhibits Programming Research, Curricula Extensive Material Collection and more… Renton History Museum 32 31 32 4/12/2022 17 33 2021 Accomplishments “Facing the Inferno” Exhibit “When You Can’t Go Home” Exhibit and an Art Exhibit in Partnership with the Brain Injury Alliance of WA More 2021 Accomplishments Reopened Museum and Renovated the North Gallery 34 33 34 4/12/2022 18 “With This Ring” Exhibit “Sap In Their Veins” Exhibit 35 Plans for 2022 Grants! The following divisions, over the past three years (2019–2021), applied for, was awarded, and now manages over $6,737,000 in grant funding •Parks Planning and Natural Resources •Parks and Trails •Recreation •Museum 36 35 36 4/12/2022 19 Enhancing the Quality of Life in Renton Questions? Parks and Recreation Department 37 2022 PARK BOARD MEETING TOPICS – FROM DIVISION LEADS MUSEUM: 1. Fall (Oct.) , present on the Sap in Their Veins exhibit— a. this is the photography/oral history exhibit about the spotted owl controversy in the 1980s from the loggers' perspective. It sounds as if the artist is willing to do a Zoom talk--he's in California--so I'd love to make sure everyone who might be interested knows about it, because we'll only have it for 8 weeks. REC 1. May – Update on summer programs and events 2. Late Fall update - Age-Friendly Renton 3. End of Summer - HMAC & beach updates PARKS 1. CRT embankment repair update – September/October (site visit) 2. Park Ave Parks Shop update - November 3. Encampment Removal stats 4. Park Rules Review PPNR 1. Ian’s Historic Tree Tour Story Map – site tour (June, July or August) 2. Bond project/playground replacement/senior center project updates – site tour end of summer 3. May - Share the Renton 101 on the process of a capital project GOLF COURSE 1. Traditionally – June site visit Update on projects Concessionaire update – coming out of Covid restrictions