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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 12/28/1977 Kent, Washington December 28, 1977 Mayor Hogan called this special meeting of the Kent City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. Present at that time: Mayor Hogan, Councilper_sons: Carey, Johnson, Kitto, Masters, Storment, City Attorney Mirk, City Administrator Street, Director of Public Works Ulett. Also present: Fire Chief Foster, Lt. Opel, Parks Director Wilson, Councilman-Elect Jon Johnson, Wini Carter of the Kent News Journal, and Ted Bower. KENT COMMONS Mayor Hogan noted that the special meeting was called by Carey. CAREY MOVED to reconsider the matter of sprinkler systems for Kent Commons, Phase I and Phase II. Johnson seconded. Kitto stated that he objected to voting on any motions since Just and McCaughan were not in attendance. It was noted that a quorum was present, and Kitto stated that the special meeting had not been called according to methods outlined in State statutes. Mirk explained that a special meeting could be called by the Mayor or by three councilpersons and that written notice of such meeting was to be given to the Council at least twelve hours prior to the time set for the special meeting. He pointed out that the Council had in the past waived the requirement of written notice, and that since they were present, he assumed that this requirement had been waived. It was then determined that the requirement that three councilpersons must request a special meeting had been fulfilled when Masters, Carey and Storment stated that they had asked for the special meeting. Kitto conceded that the written notice requirement might be considered to be waived, but opined that no voting should take place without the full Council present. Carey withdrew his motion and Johnson withdrew the second. JOHNSON MOVED to adjourn, Carey seconded. The motion FAILED with Storment, Kitto and Masters voting against. It was determined that McCaughan and Just had indicated they would attend this meeting, although Just had stated that he might be late. Masters opined that the purpose of the meeting was to gather more information. Storment and Kitto stated that they were concerned over any possible reaction by Just and McCaughan to any motion which might be passed now in their absence. Mirk stated that they could always ask to have such action reconsidered at a future meeting. He further noted that if the purpose of this meeting was to gather information, that action on such information could be delayed to a future meeting when all were present, if the Council so wished. Masters suggested that written notice could be sent out tonight for a special meeting for 5:00 p.m. either on Thursday or Friday of this week. It was deter- mined that this could be done. Just entered the chambers at 5:12 p.m. Kitto suggested that the input be received and that no voting take place at this meeting. Mirk clarified for Just that he had determined that the requirement for written notice had been waived by the councilpersons, and that the meeting was legal. It was determined that the press and the radio stations had been notified of the special meeting. A recess was called at 5:17 so that it could be determined by telephone whether or not McCaughan would attend this meeting. The meeting reconvened at 5:25 p.m. Just stated that he protested this special meeting, that he was not properly informed. He noted that he was informed by telephone by Street's secretary that there would be a meeting to discuss the sprinkler system for the Commons, but that he did not realize that it was to be a special meeting of the City Council. He noted further that written material distributed at this meeting had not been given out in advance. Upon the Mayor's question as to whether the meeting could continue, Mirk stated that it could not in view of the protest made by Just. Storment noted that if written notice was made by the councilpersons who originally requested this meeting and such notice delivered to the Mayor and all Council members, a proper special meeting of the Council could take place on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. or on Friday at 5:00 p.m. He further stated that such a meeting would be legal if all councilpersons were so notified even if some chose to not attend. Mirk concurred with this. McCaughan entered the chambers at this point. STORMENT MOVED to adjourn at 5:27 p.m. Carey seconded. Motion carried. Just pointed out that he did not vote on this. espectfully submitted, F' n Marie Jens(, CMC City Clerk