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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 12/20/1965Kent, Washington December 20, 1965 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Thornton, Councilmen: Armstrong, Durand, Rooney, Pozzi, Strain and Woodworth, City Engineer Sherwood, City Attorney Bereiter Minutes of the last meeting approved as printed and accepted by motion, Clerk's, Treasurer's and Budget Reports submitted, accepted and placed on file by motion. STREETS James Street. The City Engineer reported that the low bid for repairing the sewer line had been submitted by Tri—State Construction and that risers were necessary. It was noted that the Milwaukee signals are in and that the side— walk will be replaced on First Ave. No answer has been received from the State regarding our request for a light at the "Jest Valley Highway and James. Traffic Control. Woodworth reported he had received a letter signed by six Street to the Trade — people requesting an entrance and a crosswalk from Clark well Shopping Center. It was noted that there were complications connected with the channelization of the street and that parking spots would be sacrificed for a new entrance. Woodworth stated he would check it out and report next meeting. Woodworth noted that before parking places could be removed from West Smith Street, the State Highway Department would have to give their approval, and further noted that the possibility of eliminating parking from 4 to 6 on Central should be further discussed. Pozzi replied that this subject could be taken up j at an informal meeting during the week. He suggested that such meetings could be held periodically. Vacation. A public hearing was opened on the request for the vacation of a portion of 28th Street, located on the West Hill. It was noted that the Planning Commission recommend the request be denied. Mr. Zolezzi, the petitioner, complained of cars driving through 28th next to his trailer court at high rates of speed in the early morning hours. The Mayor opined that this seemed to be a police matter rather than one to be solved by vacating the street. Discussion was had on the merits of reducing the speed limit or fencing the area behind the QT Restaurant so that 28th could not be used as a thoroughfare. The public hearing was closed by motion. Woodworth moved that the action of the Planning Commission be upheld and the vacation request be denied. Motion passed. Woodworth stated that his committee would seek a solution to the problem. Parking. Ordinance No. 1328 providing for payment of overtime parking violations to the Traffic Violations Bureau rather than to the "Police Officer in Charge" was read and passed by motion. Freeway. A letter was read from the State Highway Commission in answer to our request for a traffic Light at the East Valley Highway and the freeway inter— section at So. 22Bth. Woodworth noted that there were several things to be taken up with the Highway Department and requested that the Mayor arrange a meeting with them. It was noted that more lights and a channelization divider should be added and that a light pole which leans into roadway be replaced. A motion was passed for the City Engineer to send a letter to Puget Power advising them of this situation and also calling their attention to the fact that the pole at the Ford Garage is also leaning, causing a dangerous situation. Also noted for further discussion was the possibility of yellow lines at the intersection of James and Central, the channelization of 212th and the Green River Cheese Co. problem and the shrub work and beautification on 4th Ave. The Mayor reported he would endeavor to arrange a meeting with the Highway Department as soon as possible. Arterial Street Plan. Upon the City Engineer's recommendation, a public hearing for updating the Arterial Street Plan was set for the January 17 meeting, by motion. Ordinance No. 1329 restricting parking on certain streets and directing the f City Engineer to obtain the approval of said action from the Washington State Highway Commission and to supervise the placement of appropriate signs and im— posing penalties for violation thereof was read and passed by motion. A letter was read from the Kent Safety Council recommending that all parking be removed from Central Avenue, that parking be removed from both sides of Smith Street from Central Ave. to Kennebec, that left —turn signals be installed on Central Ave. for turns onto James, Smith and Meeker Streets. The letter was referred to the Police Committee. WATER Water District #75. A letter was read from the City of Seattle Water De- partment assuring the city that in looking for a site for a water reservoir in'the WD75 area, the Department has no intention of infringing upon Kent's administration. Mooney moved for the City Attorney to review the contract with WD75 and report back to council. Motion passed. Strain noted that there were adequate sites on the West side of freeway for a reservoir in WD75's territory. Mooney noted that Kent residents in the WD75 area were still eligible to vote in WD matters since the district had not de -annexed them. This would place these people in jeopardy if the dis- trict should pass G. 0. bonds. Discussion was had on the amount of money.still owed Water District 075. Sherwood noted that the amounts appeared to be correct. A motion was passed for the City Clerk to write to Water District #75 requesting a statement as to the status of the contract, and the voucher will be held until the matter is clarified. LID 246. The City Attorney noted that four attorneys representing•some 15 people, had filed notices of appeal. East Hill. Strain moved for approval of Change Order #I for Shoreline Construction Co. on the East Hill Water Main Project. The motion was seconded. Discussion was had wherein the City Attorney opined that change orders in this amount ($9,685.50) should be discouraged, though he felt it was submitted in good faith. Armstrong reported he had thought that this portion of the water system was to be -included. Sherwood noted that it was considered at the time of the bid call but it wasn't felt that there would be enough money to cover it. It was noted that Shoreline's original bid was lower than had been expected. A motion to approve Change Order #i passed with Armstrong voting nay. Fluoridation. Mr. Levesque objected to money being spent on more fluoride equipment. Strain noted that last year the city didn't use the full amount of money that was set aside for fluoride. Mooney advised Mr. Levesque that he could check with the County as to the proper procedure to follow to get the fluoridation issue on the ballot. HEALTH & Garbage. Mooney noted that the City Engineer's office had had favorable SANITATION responses to the questionnaire proposing dumpster-type collection. After Buxton returns, the committee will come back with a recommendation. Lagoon Site. Armstrong noted that it is agreeable with Mr. Reano for the Street Department to store equipment in the barn on the property he is leasing from the city. He opined that the city should check with the Insur- ance carrier. Plant. Mooney reported that the state had conducted an analysis of the treatment plant and that it is operating above normal efficiency. He noted that the Mayor and Councilmen had met with Mr. Blunt of the Pollution Control Commission to discuss problems new industries would encounter coming into Kent. Discussion was had and a meeting with Metro Officials was set for Thursday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent City Hall. Mayors, Councilmen, Engineers Consulting Engineers and Financial Advisers from Kent, Tukwila, and Auburn will be present to see what Metro has to offer the valley cities and the probable cost of same. Woodworth noted that this was strictly an informational meeting. North. A letter from the Milwaukee Land Co. was read expressing appreciation for Mooney's help in supplying sewer information needed for a proposed new industry. Mooney noted that the Milwaukee was advised of the sewer system plans and that public hearings would be held. The proposed new industry would employ from 400 to 500 people. Central. Mooney noted that residents on Central had requested that the Power Co.. and Telephone Co. bury their lines at the tdme the sanitary sewers were put in. A motion was passed for the City Engineer to send a covering letter to Puget Sound Power and Light and Pacific NW Bell. LIGHTS Durand moved for the installation of 20,000 lumen lights on James Street from Ist Ave. to and including the West Valley Highway. Motion passed. A motion was passed for the City Clerk to write a letter to Puget Sound Power and Light requesting approximate cost of lighting on Highway 99 within the city limits of Kent, with a copy to Shinner. It was noted that if ornamental fixtures were desired, the program could be handled on an'LID basis. BIDS FI_uori,dation Equipment. Bids on the fluoridation equipment were received from Shoreline Construction, W. W. Hoagland and Mottner and McCutchen, each firm bidding on both Wallace & Tiernan and on BIF equipment. Discussion was had on the merits of both types of equipment and upon the recommendation of the City Engineer and the Water Superintendent, the bid was awarded to M & M on the Wallace & Tiernan equip- ment at $7278.37, including tax. PARK A motion was passed directing the City Attorney to draft the lease for the Rugg property. Strain noted that the Park Department had sent a letter to Yates of the State Highway Commission noting that they objected to any plans which would take 60 acres from the Mill Creek Canyon, a proposed new park area. Upon the City Attorney's recommendation, a motion was passed for the Mayor and City Clerk to be authorized to sign the contract with King County for the Recrea- tion Director's salary for 1966. PLANNING A letter of resignation from Marvin E. Beckmen was accepted with regret and the COMMISSION City Clerk was instructed to prepare a certificate of meritorious achievement. ZONING Parks. A committee from the Planning Commission was read recommending that Mr. Parks application for a rezone from C-3 to M-1 be denied. By motion a public hearing was set for January 17. Ybarra. Ordinance No._1327 approving the rezone request by Ybarra from 1AHR to C-3 was read and passed by motion. CAMBRIDGE Ordinance No. 1326 approving the plat of Cambridge #3 was read and passed by motion. #3 FAIR A letter from 0. L. Montgomery, Chairman of the King County Fair was read revealing plans for next years' fair. A motion was passed to reappoint Mr. Buxton as Kent's representative and for Kent's display to be brought up to date for use at the fair. CLAIM A letter was read from the City Attorney regarding a claim of Humble Oil Co. for damage done to a sign by a city employee in August. Upon Bereiter's recommendation a motion was passed to send a letter to Humble Oij denying the claim since state statutes require claims be filed within 90 days. TAX B&O Discussion was had on the feasibility of rescinding the B&O tax and replacing it with a utility tax. It was noted that under B&O, ten or so businesses were carrying the load and with the utility tax, the burden would be spread over the entire city. The Mayor noted that the business license would remain at $12.00. The City Attorney was instructed to prepare an ordinance providing for a utility tax. Mooney 'noted that the demand for more services from the city made the utility tax necessary. Mayor Thornton reported that he had received complimentary messages regarding the Christmas lights and decorations and requested that the City Clerk write letters of appreciation to: Kiwanis, TOPS, Pacific NVI Bell, Puget Sound Power & Light, Valley Grandmothers Club and Fire Department. CLAIMS PRESENTED AND ALLOWED AS FOLLO%'JS, BY MOTION: Current Expense 1625.82 Water 257.78 Water Construction 242.00 Street 243.76 Arterial Street Fund 92.64 Sewer 129.43 Garbage 574.49 Library 192.15 Park 5940.17 9298.24 MEETING ADJOURNED: 10: M. Alex Thornton Mayor Respectfully submitted, Maria Jens4i City Clerk