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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 04/02/1984 Kent, Washington April 2, 1984 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7 : 00 o'clock p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Johnson. Present: Council- members Bailey, Biteman, Johnson, Kelleher, Woods, City Adminis- trator Cushing, Planning Director Harris, and Public Works Director Wickstrom. Assistant City Attorney Heavey attended in place of City Attorney DiJulio and Council President Johnson presided as Mayor Pro Tem in place of Mayor Hogan. Councilmembers Leahy and White were absent. Also present: Assistant City Administrator Webby, Finance Director McCarthy and City Treasurer Drotz. PERSONNEL Mayor Pro Tem Johnson noted that Assistant City Attorney Barbara Heavey would be leaving the City to accept a position with a Seattle firm. He pointed out that Ms. Heavey had served as Assistant City Attorney since 1981 and as Acting City Attorney during 1982 . He commended Ms. Heavey on behalf of the P4ayor, City Council and staff for her dedicated service on behalf of the City and best wishes were extended by all present for the continued development of her legal career. PROCLAMATIONS National Building Safety Week. Mayor Hogan ' s proclamation was read by Mayor Pro Tem Johnson declaring the week of April 8 through 14 , 1984 as Building Safety Week in the City of Kent. Earthquake Awareness Week. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson read Mayor Hogan ' s proclamation declaring the week of April 8 through 14 , 1984 as Earthquake Awareness Week in the City of Kent. TRANSPORT- Transportation Plan. The hearing on the Trans- ATION PLAN portation Plan has been continued to this date. Action on the pedestrian, bicycle and truck elements have been deferred to this meeting. Also to be discussed are the financing alternatives. The continued public hearing was opened by Mayor Pro Tem Johnson. The Clerk noted that three letters had been received since the last meeting from the following: * Mr. and Mrs. G. C . Anthony 22224 - 104th Place S. E. * Ms . Audrey Lyon 10616 S. E. 224th i - 1 - April 2 , 1984 TRANSPORT- * Victor E. Bradley ATION PLAN 10602 S. E. 224th.) all supporting the elimination of S. 224th Street from the proposed Kent Transportation Plan. BITEMAN MOVED to accept the letters for the record, Woods seconded . Motion carried. Poston noted that in response to White' s request, he had compiled figures on the cost of providing a full bicycle lane as opposed to widened traffic lane. Poston stated that a widened curb lane with additional three feet built for bicycles would cost $53 , 000 per mile and a full bicycle lane of five feet with a pavement stripe would be $91 , 000 per mile and that for 20 miles of arterial streets the cost for the full bicycle lanes would be $760, 000 more than the widened curb lane. Poston pointed out that the widened traffic lane is only intended to provide a relatively safe convenient route for bicycle traffic and not as an inducement to attract bicyclists. Poston noted that the second portion of the hearing tonight was on the financing alternatives and noted that the recommendation had been made that the financing alternatives be explored on an informational basis and that no action be taken until participating agreements were re- ceived with other agencies, particularly King County. He referred to Table I of the information packet noting that Kent' s portion of the Trans- portation Plan would be $23 million dollars, coupled with a maintenance cost of $18 . 6 million dollars, resulting in a total of $41 million dollars . Poston clarified that the City ' s exist- ing street and transportation funds would generate approximately 25 million dollars to the year 2000 , resulting in a $16 million dollar shortfall. He noted, however, that the consultant had made esti- mates of funds that could be generated from several financing sources at $52 million dollars, pointing out that this exceeds the amount needed for Kent' s share of the Transportation Plan. Poston noted that this meant that the alternatives could be - 2 - April 2 , 1984 TRANSPORT- explored, that the City would have an idea of the ATION PLAN amount of money which would be available from each of the sources and several of the sources could then be chosen if the funds should be needed. Poston also pointed out that at the present time approximately 12% of the general revenue was allocated to transportation purposes and it was anticipated that this would continue in the future. Referring to the handout presented at tonight ' s meeting , he noted that it contained a list of all the projects recommended by the con- sultant showing which jurisdiction would actually be responsible for each of the projects. He referred to the column showing the amount of local funds which would be needed for Kent' s share of the projects for a total of about $1. 8 million dollars over the next 20 years , excluding the new arterials. Poston summarized that the intent of the handout was to show that without the new arterials there was really no need for the new funding sources and unless cooperation was re- ceived from adjacent agencies the roads would probably not be built by the City. Biteman raised questions as to Reith Road. Poston clarified that one thing that was not shown on the list were projects that the City had funded either on its own or some that never appeared on the consultants list. He pointed out that the City has Reith Road funded for this year. Kelleher noted that one of the proposed motions indicated that the Council would adopt the pedestrian, bicycle and truck elements as modified by the Public Works memo of March 2. Poston clarified that the pedestrian and bicycle elements contained two portions, one being the improvements which would correct existing defi- ciencies and the second portion relating to new standards which would apply to new arterials. He noted that there were several standards in each element. Referring to the truck element, Poston noted that this consisted of signed truck routes, which trucks would be encouraged to use. "No Truck" routes would be those from which all trucks would be prohibited, particularly in residential areas; - 3 - April 2, 1984 TRANSPORT- and third, streets where trucks would neither be ATION PLAN encouraged or discouraged. Poston clarified for Kelleher that the bicycle element of the plan listed the staff ' s original proposals and did not include input from the audience. Suzette Cooke of the Chamber of Commerce noted that the Chamber had already given it ' s position on the truck element, the bicycle element and the pedestrian element portions of the Plan. She noted that the Board of Directors supported the staff recommendation to hold off action on evaluating or recommending any new financing alternatives until the time when the concept of the new East/West arterial comes closer to reality. She noted further that clarification was needed with regard to the oil matte streets, particularly as to whether truck traffic would be prohibited on oil matte streets. She pointed out that there were a number of such streets in the industrial district at this time. Poston noted that these would not be initially included in the prohibited streets. He referred to the streets that were in danger of requiring major rehabilitation and noted that it might be that such streets would be posted for no truck traffic until necessary improvements were made. Poston further pointed out that the City was currently in the process of developing a Comprehensive Capital Improvement Program and it was felt that it would be more appropriate to develop financing alternatives in conjunction with this program rather than isolate transportation improvements. KELLEHER MOVED that the pedestrian, bicycle and truck elements be approved as modified by the Public Works memo of March 2, 1984 . Woods seconded. Motion carried. KELLEHER MOVED that testimony provided at tonight' s hearing be accepted for informational purposes only and that action on developing financing alternatives be deferred until participating agreements with interested agencies are developed and until the City develops a Comprehensive Capital - 4 - i April 2, 1984 Improvement Financing Program. Biteman seconded. TRANSPORT- g P ATION PLAN Motion carried. KELLEHER MOVED that the hearing on the Transport- ation Plan be continued until April 16, 1984 at which time a proposed access policy and a six year transportation improvement program will be discussed. Woods seconded . Motion carried. ZONING OF Amendments to Procedures for Zoning Annexations. ANNEXATIONS A draft ordinance to change procedures for zoning annexations was reviewed by the Public Works and Planning Committee and further reviewed at the workshop of February 27 . This date has been set for a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance which will amend portions of existing City Codes . Mayor Pro Tem Johnson opened the public hearing. Planning Director Harris noted that the City has had no annexations since 1979 and that the proposed ordinance was an attempt to clarify the procedures for zoning of annexations. He noted that the new ordinance provided for the Hearing Examiner to hold a hearing on the final zoning designation, something handled by the Planning Commission at the present time. He noted that the ordinance also designates a zoning classifi- cation that will be automatically applied to all land as it is annexed to the City, called Interim Zoning. He clarified that this meant that the zoning process of annexations would go to the Hearing Examiner and anything dealing with Com- prehensive Plans would go to the Council, noting that the Planning Director would determine if the Comprehensive Plan covering the area is current. Harris pointed out that the East Hill Plan was just recently completed and that the West Hill Plan was in the process of completion and that these would most likely be considered current. He noted that the CBD Plan and the Valley Floor Plan could come up for consideration under the new ordinance. If the Plan is considered current, the Planning Department would prepare the request for initial zoning . Referring to the interim zoning to be placed on properties at the time of 5 - April 2, 1984 ZONING OF annexation, he clarified that the zoning classi- ANNEXATIONS fication would be governed by provisions appli- cable to R1-20, Single Family Residential District. Kelleher noted that concern had been expressed regarding ulacina this residential zoning classification on these areas newly annexed. He noted that some of the Council were not in favor of such a designation. Harris clarified this was only "interim zoning" . Kirk Anderson, 25326 S. E. Miramont Boulevard, Issaquah, addressed the Council, noting that he was involved in a number of sales of real estate on the East Hill. He expressed concerns about the status of the annexations currently in progress on the East Hill and how the zoning would be treated under the new ordinance. He referred to the recently completed East Hill Comprehensive Plan which states that properties along the Benson Highway would be zoned Office/Commercial and questioned whether this designation would stand. Harris explained that the East Hill Plan was adopted approximately one year ago and added that two of the annexations would be before the Council at its next regular meeting on April 16 . He pointed out that the annexed areas would have interim zoning initially but that the individual property owners (approximately 16) would be con- tacted and a meeting scheduled to discuss the zoning of the properties . Harris further pointed out that another annexation involving about six property owners would aiso be contacted. In response to Questions from Anderson, Harris noted that the meeting with the property owners would be held in City Hall and that most likely all would not be in agreement, and the zoning classification would have to be worked out . Harris further noted that at this time the City was also in favor of Office and Commercial along the Benson Highway, and that the East Hill Plan did give such a designation 300 feet back from the street. Kelleher clarified that the ordinance was mainly concerned with the procedures for handling zoning for annexations and not concerned with the final zoning of any particular parcel of 6 - April 2, 1984 ZONING OF property. He further clarified that the ordinance ANNEXATIONS proposes that the zoning will be determined after a hearing before the Hearing Examiner and if not in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan it will be treated accordingly, but that the Compre- hensive Plan would not be changed. Johnson responded to Mr. Anderson ' s concerns that the ordinance was a step toward speeding up the pro- cess of the annexation zoning. Harris explained that the initial process might be slowed down at first until the new system was implemented. He noted that the two annexations should be approved at the next meeting, after which meetings with property owners would be held to discuss zoning. Glen Crow, 13616 S.E. 251st, asked about the time frame and Harris noted that it could take two to three months to finalize the zoning. There were no further comments and BITEMAN MOVED to close the public hearing, Woods seconded. Motion carried. KELLEHER MOVED to approve the proposed amendments to the City Code relating to zoning of annexations and to direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance. Johnson seconded. Motion carried. CONSENT WOODS MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through CALENDAR M be approved. Biteman seconded. Item N, Revoca- tion of Business License, was removed at the request of Councilmember Bailey. Motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5A) Approval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 19, 1984 . REVOCATION (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5N) OF BUSINESS REMOVED AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILMEMBER BAILEY. LICENSE Revocation of Business License. May 7 , 1984 has been selected as the date for a public hearing on the proposed revocation of the business license of the Century Motel as recommended by the Public Safety Committee . Bailey noted that he had not been in attendance at any of the discussions over the proposed revocation and would therefore abstain from voting on the issue. KELLEHER also expressed concern and MOVED to refer the matter to the work- shop of April 9 , 1984 . Woods seconded. Motion carried . - 7 - April 2, 1984 STREETS (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5L) North Central Avenue Improvement Project. AUTHORIZATION for Mayor to sign the agreement for a UAB Grant for design and right-of-way appraisals of the North Central Avenue Improvement Project. ALLEY (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5M) VACATION Vacation of Alley. AUTHORIZATION for the City Attorney to prepare a resolution setting a public hearing for May 7 for the vacation of a portion of an alley, as requested by Valley Medical Center. POLICE (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5K) 1984 Contract - Health Services for City of Kent Jail . AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign a con- tract with the Seattle/King County Health Depart- ment for 1984 for health services for the City Jail. FIRE (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5C) Contract for Fire Protection Services to State Facilities . AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign a Fire Protection Service Agreement with the State under which the City will provide basic fire pro- tection services to State owned facilities located within the City. The Agreement shall remain in force until cancelled by either party. Compensa- tion provided for such services during the current year will amount to $326. 00 . (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5D) IAFF Local 1747 (Firefighters) Agreement. AUTHORI- ZATION for the Mayor to sign a Labor Agreement between the City of Kent and IAFF Local 1747 . The three year agreement is effective between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1986 . PARKS Property Acquisition - Parks . As discussed at the DEPARTMENT March 28 , 1984 Parks Committee meeting, the Parks Department requests authorization to combine $28, 500 in King County Forward Thrust Funds with $151, 500 of the State Parks monies to acquire 6. 44 acres along the Green River. The State will assign all management responsibilities to the City through a - 8 - i April 2 , 1984 PARKS cooperative agreement. WOODS MOVED that the City DEPARTMENT be authorized to spend $28 , 500 of King County For- ward Thrust Funds to acquire 6.44 acres along the Green River as a joint venture with the State Parks Department, and authorization for the Mayor to sign the cooperative agreement with the State. Bailey seconded. Motion carried. WEST HILL West Hill Comprehensive Plan. On March 19 , 1984 COMPREHENSIVE the City Council approved the West Hill Comprehen- PLAN sive Plan with the exception of that portion of the West Hill designated as the Kent Highlands property. On March 27 , the Public Works & Planning Committee reviewed written comments submitted by Council President Jon Johnson, copies of which were furnished to the Council and staff. Jim Hansen pointed out the area in question, consisting of approximately 355 acres, of which 248 acres is covered by the Kent West Hill Comprehensive Plan. The remainder of the property is covered by the Valley Floor Plan, and is in the process of being considered under Agricultural Zoning Alternates, presently under consideration by the Planning Commission.' Hansen briefly explained Class I, Class II and Class III constraint areas, noting that these were referred to in Kent' s Water Quality Ordinance as Moderate, High and Severe constraint areas. He also pointed out the area which was to be conveyed to the City when the landfill was closed, to be utilized as park pro- perty at some time in the future, when appropriate. Hansen referred to the proposal submitted by J. Johnson and clarified that the zoning currently in place was approximately 9 acres of commercial zoning and 8 . 2 acres of MRM, 23 units per acre, and the remainder of the land is mostly zoned RA, or one unit per acre. JOHNSON MOVED to approve a land use designation for the Kent Highlands portion of the West Hill Plan as single family, with one unit per acre. Kelleher seconded, and upon his question, Johnson clarified and included in the motion that this proposal did not include the areas already zoned Commercial and MRM as it was not his intention to change these classifica- tions in the Comprehensive Plan. Kelleher concurred with this addition. Johnson noted that in 1982 9 - April 2, 1984 WEST HILL the property owned by Kent Highlands, Inc. was COMPREHENSIVE proposed for 4 , 000 multi-family units and a PLAN mixture of commercial uses. An Environmental Impact Statement was prepared for the proposed change to the Comprehensive Plan and the City Council denied the requested change. At the time of denial, reference was made to the West Hill Plan and the need for reevaluation at the time the plan was considered. Johnson stated that as a follow-up to this previous action, the Highlands property has been recommended for Planned Unit Development, as outlined in Alter- native #3 of the West Hill Plan. He noted that he had expressed concern over what legal liability the city might incur if the landfill area was developed. He noted that it had been determined that the city would not be held liable. Johnson noted that the comment had been by the property owners that it is not their intent to build on the landfill site but noted that the purpose of his proposal would address the con- cern of many of what would happen if the landfill site were sold to a developer, at which time a developer could proceed to build, providing that he could offset the mitigating impacts at the landfill site. Another concern addressed by Johnson referred to the impacts on existing and future residents and businesses to which the City has made a commit- ment. He pointed out the numerous complaints from West Hill residents regarding existing levels of service and the general feeling of being unwanted by the rest of the City. He suggested that by allowing a development of the magnitude proposed,would, in essence, be telling these people that the City really didn' t care about the existing problems. He stated that his final reason for coming up with his proposal was because of the concern expressed by some of the council members over the lack of a variety of housing types in our community, and their feelings that there was too much multi-family housing and therefore a need for different housing types , density and price range. - 10 - April 2, 1984 WEST HILL Biteman opined that this particular piece of COMPREHENSIVE property was long overdue for development and PLAN noted that some of it, particularly the northern area, commanded a spectacular view of the Valley. He agreed that the motion which Johnson had made with regard to the single family residential zoning on the large lots would provide an enhance- ment to the entire community. Kelleher noted that he had decided to support Johnson' s proposal and referred specifically to the Affordable Housing study presently underway by the City and referred particularly to the lack of housing in the $125 , 000 - $250, 000 price range. He pointed out that this was a subject which needed to be addressed and that the motion proposed by Johnson would result in large lots with a view. Woods referred to the letter from Mrs. Pottsmith expressing her concerns over any type of develop- ment in the landfill site. She noted that the letter on the one hand expressed appreciation with regard to Johnson' s proposal to limit the building to one home per acre at the same time being very concerned about allowing any type of development on a landfill . Woods stated that she felt Mrs. Pottsmith expressed the feelings of many people le on the West Hill about whether or not any type of construction should be allowed in the reasonable near future on either of the landfills, particularly Kent Highlands. She noted that the Council could push it to the degree that no construction at all would be allowed and that she would be in favor of such a plan. She pointed out, however, that Johnson' s proposal might be the most reasonable alternative as a compromise. At Bailey' s request, she clarified that her first alternative would be to agree with the comments coming from the West Hill that no development be allowed in the interest of the on-going long term and short term health of anyone in such environments,but perhaps Johnson' s idea was the best compromise at the present time. Bailey questioned whether future Councils would be able to change the zoning recommended by this - 11 - April 2, 1984 WEST HILL Council and Heavey clarified that the zoning COMPREHENSIVE could be changed at some time in the future PLAN by some other Council. Bailey stated that in order to protect the environment it would be proper and more desirable to go along with Johnson' s motion, since the latitude existed to amend it at a later date. Johnson' s motion carried. KELLEHER MOVED to accept the letter from Mrs. Pottsmith for the record, Woods seconded. Motion carried. At Mr. Harris ' s suggestion, BAILEY MOVED to direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary resolution to adopt the West Hill Comprehensive Plan for presentation. lin approximately one month, Woods seconded. Motion carried. Bailey suggested to Harris that at some time in the future when development is brought to the Planning Department that there be a clarification and that the proposal be studied carefully in the Kent Hiqhlands area. He noted his concern had to do with the streets which had very steep grades and referred particularly to access by emergency vehicles. Harris noted that this was a matter which would be reviewed by his office and Public Works as well as the Fire Department. Johnson expressed appreciation to the Citizens Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission and staff for the many hours devoted to completion of- the Plan . FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5E) Adoption of Interim Financing for LID 308 . ADOPTION of Ordinance 2460 providing for interim financing for LID 308 in the amount of $394 , 687 . 50 . A Bond Anticipation Note will be provided by Peoples National Bank at 7-3/4% interest for a period of seven months. This item was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on March 30, 1984 . (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5F) Interim Financing for LID 310 . ADOPTION of Ordinance 2461 for interim financing for LID 310 in the amount of $343, 932 . A Bond Anticipation Note will be provided by Peoples National Bank at 6-3/4o interest for a period of 364 days. This item was discussed at the Finance Committee meet- ing March 30, 1984 . 12 - April 2, 1984 FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5G) Interim Financing for LID 314 . ADOPTION of Ordinance 2462 for interim financing for LID 314 in the amount of $82, 813. A Bond Anticipa- tion Note will be provided by Peoples National Bank at 6-3/4% interest for 364 days. This item was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting March 30, 1984 . (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5H) Golf Course Expansion - Ordinance - Bonds , BAN. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2463 authorizing the sale of limited GO Bonds for the acquisition of pro- perty for the expansion of the golf course and for the issuance of a Bond Anticipation Note in the amount of $1, 650 , 000 . The Bond Anticip- ation Note will be provided by Foster & Marshall/ American Express at 6 . 771% interest for a period of seven months. This matter was discussed at the March 26 workshop. (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5I) Senior Center - Ordinance - Bonds, BAN. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2464 authorizing the issuance of $1, 160, 000 limited GO Bonds and for the issuance of $1, 160 , 000 Bond Anticipation Note for the acquisition of property for the Senior Center. The Bond Anticipation Note will be provided by Foster & Marshall/American Express at 6. 771% interest for seven months. This was discussed at the March 26 workshop. I (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5J) Jail Project - Ordinance - Bonds, BAN. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2465 authorizing the issuance of $1, 933, 000 limited GO Bonds for the City' s portion of a $4 , 063, 000 jail project and for the issuance of $465, 000 Bond Anticipation Note to be purchased by Foster & Marshall/American Express at 6. 771% interest for seven months . This was discussed at the March 26 workshop. (CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 5B) Approval of Bills . APP'_'OVAL of payment of the bills received through April 3, 1984 after auditing by the Finance Committee at its meeting at 4 : 00 p.m. on April 13, 1984 . 13 -