Bobbie Moore, executive director of the Kingston Community Center Foundation, started her presentation on the development of the planned community center presentation off with a rousing game of Metropolitan Park District “Jeopardy” based on the popular game show. KCAC members were quizzed on their knowledge of community center details, Village Green concept plans, and sources of funding.
Some things the panel learned about the Village Green proposed for the old Navy housing area on West Kingston Road:
a.The Village Green project totals 14 acres.
b.The library will be 8,000 square feet.
c.The concept plans were paid for by the county Recreation and Parks Department.
d.The annual operating budget for the Community Center is estimated at $215,000.
e.Establishing a Metropolitan Park District requires a simple majority of votes cast.
Moore also said the foundation is circulating a survey to find out how best to pay for the maintenance and operation of the center and what the usage would be. Surveys are available at the Chamber of Commerce, the Kingston Library, town businesses and online at Kingston98346.com. Every resident is being urged to complete a survey
Moore explained to the committee that a Metropolitan Park District, a special voting district that would levy a property tax to fund the Community Center, is the most effective way to sustain the operating budget. Research has shown that rents and program fees cannot provide continual funding because they fluctuate with the times and would have to be too high to guarantee money would be available for operations and maintenance, she said.
Although state law allows such a district to assess up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, the Kingston Community Center Foundation would seek about a levy that would equal about $50 a year for the average household in the Kingston area. Once set, if the MPD, which would be led by five locally elected commissioners, ever wanted to increase the levy, it would have to be approved by voters.
“Without and MPD,” she said, “we’d have to charge rent to the library and scale down expectations of what the community center building would be and provide.”
The survey, she added, will also help the foundation determine where to draw the boundaries for an MPD. If the MPD were set using the Port of Kingston boundaries and a levy of 20 cents per $1,000 valuation, it would raise about $216,222 a year,, enough to cover the anticipated operating and maintenance expenses, said Moore.
Kitsap County commissioners have said that the Village Green Community Center is a lead public project for the county’s attention this year, Moore reported. State representatives support the project and are seeking appropriation money.
Subcommittee Reports
Ferries – Walt Elliott submitted a written report. He mentioned that:
a.Senior, youth, and disability ferry fares will have to be purchased at the tollbooth and ID is required.
b.Expect changes to the spring/summer ferry schedules stemming from labor negotiations.
c.Kingston will not lose its night service.
d.Ferry loading will stop two minutes before scheduled departures.
e.The far left booth in the Kingston terminal is now for pre-ticketed passengers.
Communications – Greg Platz said that next month’s meeting would feature an update of trail maintenance and other work by the North Kitsap Trails Association.
Downtown Kingston Master Plan – Rick Lanning reported the design standards of urban village core would be as put forth in the Sub-Area Master Plan with pertinent changes to details as needed.
Community Reports
Garden Club – Nancy Martin announced a plant sale on May 2 at the Community Center.
Downtown Business Association – Martin reminded everyone of the Kites Over Kingston event on from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. March 28. There will be a kite parade, vendors, and a demonstration by international kite-flying champion Ray Bethell.
Rotary – Clint Boxman announced that club members from Australia will be coming to Kingston and that the local annual golf tournament is June 19 at White Horse. He also said the Rotary will have a beer garden at all the Concerts at the Cove events this August.
Friends of the Library – Jan Richards said the January sale made about $1,500. The next sale is April 18. Books are needed.
Farmers Market – Liz Henden said the market opens on May 2 and more vendors are welcome.
Carpenter Lake/Creek – Steve Heacock said the committee is working with the parks department and the school district on the Gordon boardwalk that has been permitted for nine months. It is completely funded and should be built this spring
Stakeholders – Refurbishing of the planting strips along West Kingston Road continues. Old thorn trees are being removed because as they got older they became a danger to cyclists, said Martin. New trees will be planted. Lanning said the group would need two tables at the Kingston Open House.
