HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 12/05/1989 Kent, Washington
December 5 , 1989
Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7 : 00
p.m. by Mayor Kelleher. Present: Councilmembers Dowell , Houser,
Johnson, Mann, White and Woods, City Administrator Chow, City Attorney
Driscoll, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom,
Finance Director McCarthy, Police Chief Frederiksen, Fire Chief
Angelo, Assistant City Administrator Hansen, Interim Personnel
Director Olson, Information Services Director Spang, Parks Director
Wilson and Councilmember-elect Orr. Councilmember Biteman was absent.
Approximately 50 people were in attendance.
PRESENTATIONS (PRESENTATIONS - ITEM 1A)
Employee of the Month. Mayor Kelleher announced
that Gene Bridge of the Engineering Department has
been chosen as Employee of the Month for December.
The Mayor noted that Bridge is an extremely
qualified inspector and commended him for his
service.
(PRESENTATIONS - ITEM 1B)
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.
Mayor Kelleher read a proclamation declaring the
week of December 10 - 16, 1989, as National Drunk
and Drugged Driving Awareness Week in the City of
Kent. The proclamation was presented to
Councilmember Houser, Chair of the Drinking Driver
Task Force.
! (PRESENTATIONS - ITEM 1C)
Soroptimist International Week. Mayor Kelleher
proclaimed the week of December 10 - 16, 1989, as
Soroptimist International Week in the City of Kent,
noting that many local Soroptimist members give
countless hours to the community and support a
variety of programs benefitting the citizens of
i Kent.
CONSENT WHITE MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through N
CALENDAR be approved with the exception of Item K, which he
! removed. Mann seconded and the motion carried.
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MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A)
Approval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the
regular Council meeting of November 21, 1989 .
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December 5, 1989
HEALTH AND (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3L)
SANITATION Tracey Water Main. ACCEPTANCE for continuous
operation and maintenance the bill of sale and
warranty agreement of approximately 171 feet of
water main constructed in the vicinity of
80th Pl . S. and S. 184th and release of cash bond
after expiration of the one year maintenance period.
STREET (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2B)
VACATION Old West Willis Street - Street Vacation No.
STV-89-6 . This hearing will consider an application
from Taki and Haru Kagasawa and Signature Pointe
Limited Partnership to vacate a portion of Old West
Willis Street between SR 516 and West Valley
Highway. The Mayor opened the public hearing.
There were no comments from the audience and WHITE
MOVED that the hearing be closed. Woods seconded
and the motion carried. WOODS MOVED to approve Old
West Willis Street Vacation No. STV-89-6 with the
three conditions as recommended by staff. Houser
seconded. Wickstrom determined for White that the
applicant has ninety days to meet the conditions,
and that the City will receive from the applicant
half of the appraised value of the property. He
also noted for Dowell that an appraisal is done at
the time of the vacation. The motion then carried.
ANNEXATION (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3M)
Overlook Annexation. ACCEPTANCE of the 10%
annexation petition for a proposed annexation of
approximately 35 acres in the vicinity of
So. 228th St. and 94th Ave. So. and authorization to
set January 2 , 1990, as date to meet with the
petitioners of the annexation.
BURLINGTON (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A)
NORTHERN Burlington-Northern Design Study. The City has
DEPOT funded the above noted study with CDBG monies from
the 1987 and 1989 programs. The study has developed
four alternatives for reuse of the depot and
provides some preliminary cost estimates for the
alternatives along with estimated maintenance costs.
The study is now presented to Council for selection
of a preferred alternative for which bid documents
will be prepared. A copy of the study has been
filed as a part of the record.
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December 5 , 1989
BURLINGTON Greg McCormick of the Planning Department explained
NORTHERN that HUD requires that this study be a part of the
DEPOT development of the bid documents which will be
completed once an alternative is selected by the
Council. He pointed out that the original depot was
constructed in approximately 1880 and was replaced
with the current structure in 1926 . He said the
King County Historic Sites Register lists the depot,
and that the State Department of Historic
Preservation has issued an opinion that this
structure is eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places . He noted that on November 7 , 1988 ,
the Council Planning Committee voted to recommend
Alternative 2 . He said Johnson/Mortenson Associated
Architects had been hired to develop the site plans
and complete the design setting.
McCormick introduced Steve Johnson who noted that
the depot is in deteriorating, but sound condition
and is worth rehabilitating. He said he feels the
depot should be preserved on the present site, it
should maintain its significant historical
integrity, and it should incorporate the uses
outlined in Alternative 2 . This would include
public restrooms, commuter service, retail uses and
community services uses. Johnson noted that
Alternative 2 has been the unanimous choice of
staff, committees and the public. Upon Dowell ' s
question, Johnson noted that his firm had been asked
by the City to prepare rehabilitation documents for
the preferred alternative which could be used in the
call for bids process to achieve the stated goals.
This would be for the shell of the building, not for
a specific inside use. He said the bid documents
. would incorporate public restrooms and emphasized
that the bid documents would be held until the
Council is ready to take action. Harris noted that
the recommendation from the Planning Committee is in
two parts, as follows:
1. ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE 2 AS THE CITY COUNCIL'S
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN
DEPOT DESIGN STUDY.
2. DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH BURLINGTON NORTHERN ON
ACQUIRING THE DEPOT PROPERTY, TO COORDINATE THIS
STUDY WITH METRO'S COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT, AND TO
EXPLORE POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR FUTURE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE.
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December 5, 1989
BURLINGTON Johnson noted that they have tried to match the
NORTHERN existing on-site parking, so there would be no loss
DEPOT of parking in the area. He noted that if the site
were used for commuter service, there would be space
for drop off and bus connections, but no long term
parking.
Upon Dowell ' s question, Johnson noted that uses such
as a museum would not impact traffic, and that this
site is not intended to provide parking for weekends
and festivals. Johnson noted for White that there
would be a net loss of a couple of on-street parking
stalls, and that there may be a conflict with
merchants across the street on weekends if the site
housed a successful non-profit facility, such as a
museum. Police Chief Frederiksen verified that
Burlington-Northern has been towing cars away
because of abandoned vehicles and complaints from
merchants. Jim Hansen noted he is working with the
Public Relations Department of Burlington-Northern
regarding parking, and it is not yet resolved. It
was pointed out that a parking plan had been
presented earlier this year, and Mayor Kelleher
stated that that is still a possibility although it
is very expensive. Upon Dowell ' s question, Harris
stated that this site has been used for parking for
at least 20 years . Bill Puaerude said that several
merchants had donated funds for asphalting the
parking area approximately 35 years ago.
Hansen clarified for Houser that although some of
the leases with Burlington-Northern in the past had
been for $1 a year; they are now taking a more
aggressive attitude toward earning revenue. Upon
the Mayor' s question, McCormick noted that if the
City were not interested in this property, it would
probably remain vacant, and after deteriorating it
would be demolished. White voiced concern about the
process used, and recommended determining first
whether the property can be acquired and at what
price before planning improvements for the site.
Harris pointed out that in the past, Burlington-
Northern had lead the City to believe they could
probably obtain the depot for $1, but that things
have changed radically within Burlington-Northern.
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December 5, 1989
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BURLINGTON Harris noted for Mann that he is uncertain as to how
NORTHERN condemnation of the property could occur, but that
DEPOT it would be better to rehabilitate it. WOODS MOVED
to select Alternative 2 as the Council ' s preferred
alternative and to direct staff to work with
Burlington-Northern on acquiring the depot, to
coordinate the study with Metro' s commuter rail
project and to explore possible funding sources for
future implementation of the preferred alternative.
White seconded and the motion carried.
HOUSING (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4B)
Single Family Housing Committee Report This report
is the final work product of the Mayor' s advisory
committee on single family housing. The committee ' s
report contains a set of recommendations and
identified opportunities for fostering the
development of single family housing in Kent. These
recommendations and opportunities are organized into
an action agenda for the purpose of establishing a
framework within which recommended actions will be
carried forth. A copy of the report has been filed
for the record.
Janet Shull of the Planning Department noted that
the committee had studied ways in which single
family housing could be fostered in Kent. She said
they looked at local housing stock, local
development trends and available land zoning for
single family development, as well as home ownership
trends and trends in single family development
nationally. The six key areas identified are as
follows:
1. Land Availability
2. Zoning/Subdivision Regulations
3. Neighborhood Image, Character and Quality
4. Housing Market and Affordability
5. Project Feasibility
6. Administrative Procedures
Shull noted that the committee then developed the
opportunities and recommendations into an action
agenda, as follows :
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December 5, 1989
HOUSING 1, Develop an annexation program which targets areas with strong single-family
development potential.
2. Conduct a review of development regulations, both existing and proposed, which
would foster single-family development.
3. Develop a Public Policy Program aimed at strengthening existing single-family
neighborhoods requiring co-involvement of citizens and City Officials.
4. Implement an Housing Education Program - A forum Involving local homebuiiders,
housing experts, City Officials and citizens who will explore single-family housing
Issues together.
5. Develop Interdepartmental programs aimed at In
communication and
understanding of housing development issues among the City departments which
deal with housing construction.
Regarding the aggressive annexation plan, Shull
noted for White that land availability is the #1
issue, and that annexation is the best way to obtain
land for single family development. She said that
the parcels which are currently available are very
small in size, and that other property which could
be rezoned is scarce. Hansen noted that he had been
meeting with citizens from the West Hill regarding
annexation, and suggested that this subject be
discussed at the Council retreat in January. Shull
noted for Dowell that none of the items on the
action agenda will have an impact on the 1990
budget. Johnson voiced concern that annexation
could decrease the level of police and fire service
to residents within existing boundaries.
Councilmember-elect Orr, Chair of the Single Family
Housing Committee, commented that the committee
feels strongly that annexation is a good way to
acquire land for single family development. She
noted that the committee is concerned about the
5, 000 square foot lot zoning, as well as PUD and
zero lot line requirements for minimum lot size, and
recommended caution. WOODS MOVED to accept the
report of the Mayor' s Single Family Housing
Committee. Johnson seconded. Dowell pointed out
that in accepting the report, the Council is not
necessarily agreeing with all parts of the study.
The motion carried.
DEPARTMENT OF (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3K)
ECOLOGY REMOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WHITE
State Department of Ecology Grant for Wetlands
ORRECTEU - REFER TO Inventory. The Planning Committee has recommended
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December 5, 1989
DEPARTMENT OF conduct a wetlands inventory in 1990 . This grant
ECOLOGY will be matched on a 50-50 basis by the City of Kent
from funds set aside in the 1990 Planning Department
budget.
Upon White' s question, Harris noted that the staff
will study ways to protect the wetlands, and make
suggestions to Council. He assured White that it
could not go into the SEPA process without Council ' s
approval . WHITE THEN MOVED to adopt Item 3K. Woods
seconded and the motion carried.
ECONOMIC (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A)
DEVELOPMENT Continental Mills. Continental Mills ' application
CORPORATION to the Economic Development Corporation for
industrial revenue bonds to expand their Kent
operation has been withdrawn and this item has
therefore been deleted from tonight' s agenda.
APPOINTMENT (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D)
Planning Commission. CONFIRMATION of the Mayor' s
reappointment of Anne Biteman to the Planning
Commission. Her new term will expire 12/31/92 .
BUDGET (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEMS 4E AND 4F)
1990 Budget. Mayor Kelleher noted that the workshop
meeting prior to the Council meeting tonight
considered means of balancing the budget for 1990
and also requests made by the Parks Department. It
was agreed that these two items would now be
discussed together. HOUSER MOVED to approve the
1990 budget as known in Scenario A in the budget
packet handout and for the attorney to draft the
ordinance for the December 19 Council meeting. Mann
seconded. (It was later determined that the intent
was for Administration to determine which options
would be employed to bring the budget into balance. )
WOODS MOVED to amend the motion to include
Scenario C, the Parks Department proposal, in
addition to Scenario A. White seconded and on his
question McCarthy noted that the combination of
Scenarios A and C resulted in the total additional
Parks Department request standing now at $57 , 110
instead of $28 , 964 .
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December 5, 1989
BUDGET Johnson noted that the Parks Department produces
revenue through various fees, events, etc. He
opined that additional personnel were needed to
produce the additional revenue.
White noted that over the past three years the
Police Department had had approximately 28 new
employees and the Fire Department approximately 25
and that he would support Woods ' amendment. Houser
noted that in addition to the $57 , 110, the Parks
Department has asked for a 1/2 person for the
Special Populations program and some additional
hours for the Senior Center, so that now the total
is $70, 000 not shown in the original budget. She
pointed out that there was not enough money to
balance the budget now, so how could we be thinking
of adding $70, 000 in expenditures. If extra revenue
is received, adjustments could be made later. It
was clarified for Dowell that the funding for
Special Populations was in the original motion
before the amendment was proposed. White noted that
he would support the amendment which speaks to
projected changes in revenue. In answer to Mann' s
request, Fire Chief Angelo noted that unfortunately,
emergency response time was going up. Woods noted
that she respected the concerns for Public Safety
budgets but that she endorsed the Parks Department' s
request and that significant return would be
received from this modest request for funding. She
noted that this was a high profile department.
Dowell commented on the City' s award winning program
and agreed with Woods. He asked Parks Director
Wilson to speak.
Wilson clarified that the golf course, as an
enterprise fund, has a separate budget from the
Parks Department. He stated that in 1985 the Parks
Department took in $700, 000 and in 1989 $1, 400, 000
with probably only 5 additional employees, counting
the 3/4 time people. He stated further that he had
just learned that the Finance Director had used
Parks Department anticipated revenue to balance the
budget; the first time such a thing had been done in
a city this size.
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December 5, 1989
BUDGET At the Mayor' s request, Finance Director McCarthy
explained that based upon past records, the Parks
Department will generate $833 , 240 in 1989 in
recreation fees; 1990 ' s budget for like revenue is
$791, 759 . The Finance Department projects that an
additional $41, 000 could be picked up which would
make the 1990 budget the same as the 1989 budget
with an estimated actual of $833 , 240 in revenue.
Mayor Kelleher concluded that of the $75, 000 Wilson
plans to bring in in revenue, $41, 000 would come in
whether or not his budget request is granted.
McCarthy agreed.
White asked that the Council vote on the issue.
Chow stated that the Administration and the Internal
Budget Committee stands by the submitted budget and
will study this new proposal but cannot guarantee
that a veto will not be recommended to the Mayor.
Houser pointed out that two people had been funded
for the Parks Department and that her objection was
to the extra money for printing, graphics and
postage.
John Lindseth, President of the Chamber of Commerce,
spoke in favor of the parks budget, noting that
flyers requiring postage would generate registration
fees .
Woods ' motion to amend carried with Houser and Mann
voting against it. WHITE MOVED to further amend to
implement a hiring freeze for 2 . 6 months, to
eliminate the management study and to use the
management study money to fund police and fire
requests . Johnson seconded. Mann noted that
Administration did not have time to do the
management study themselves. White noted that the
funds which would be allocated to Police and Fire
would not have to be only for personnel . He noted
that department heads and Administration should be
able to handle the management study without hiring
consultants. Dowell suggested that large companies
might lend executives to assist in this. This
amendment failed with Woods, Houser and Mann voting
against it.
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December 5, 1989
BUDGET WHITE MOVED to initiate a hiring freeze of
approximately 2 . 6 months, or longer, depending on
some of the budget variables with the intent of
balancing the budget. Woods seconded. The motion
was defeated with Houser, Mann and Johnson voting
against.
White asked how the budget would be balanced. Chow
stated that he would restudy the issues with the
Finance Director and propose to balance it
administratively.
The mayor restated the motion: to implement
Administration' s recommendations with an amendment
to incorporate the Parks Department increases.
White commented that this budget process has been
one of the most confusing and that he hoped that
next year a balanced budget would be presented by
Administration.
The motion, as amended, then carried with Houser and
Mann voting against it.
The Mayor noted that the City Attorney had been
directed to present the budget ordinance at the
December 19 Council meeting.
POLICE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C)
Drinking Driver Task Force. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of
donation of $10 from Vallee Floral for use as an
award for the 1990 Design Contest.
EQUIPMENT (BIDS - ITEM 5A)
RENTAL Elgin Eductor. The Equipment Rental Division of
Public Works advertised for offers to purchase the
1968 Elgin Eductor which is no longer in use by the
Department. One bid was received in the amount of
$502 from Town and Country Motors. The Public Works
Director recommends this offer be accepted and the
equipment sold to Town and Country Motors. JOHNSON
SO MOVED. Woods seconded and the motion carried.
(BIDS - ITEM 5B)
Engine Analyzer. Bid opening was 11/27 with one bid
received. This bid was submitted by Bear Automotive
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December 5, 1989
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EQUIPMENT Service Equipment in the amount of $18,932 . 63 . It
RENTAL meets the specifications and needs of the
department. The Public Works Director recommends
the bid be accepted. DOWELL SO MOVED. Houser
seconded and the motion carried.
PARKS AND (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C)
RECREATION Seven Oaks Park. AUTHORIZATION is requested to
accept as complete Seven Oaks Park and to release
retainage to Terra Dynamics upon receipt of state
releases. The project was completed in a timely
manner and within budget at $78 , 176. 70. DOWELL
MOVED to accept the contract as complete. Johnson
seconded and the motion carried.
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B)
Approval of Bills. APPROVAL of payment of the bills
received through December 7 , 1989 after auditing of
the Operations Committee at its meeting at 3 : 00 p.m.
on December 15, 1989 .
Approval of checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
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10/31 /89 - 11/9/89 85365-85376 424,223.94
11/13/89 85377-85691 1 ,224,524.22
1 ,648,748.16
11/15/P9 - 11/28/89 85692-85712 206,447.26
11 /29/89 85713-86289 796,673.44
1 ,003,120.70
Approval of checks issued for pavroll:
Date Check Numbers Amount
11 /20/89 127553-128206 718,778.60
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E)
Flash Account. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2876 creating
a "Flash" account for use by the Police Department
in narcotic undercover law enforcement activities.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F)
Controlled Substance Buy Account. ADOPTION of
Ordinance 2877 to create an account funded in the
amount of $2 , 000 as a minimum and $20, 000 as a
maximum for use by the Police Department for
undercover narcotic law enforcement activities.
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December 5, 1989
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G)
Travel Expense. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2878
repealing Ordinance 1630 which created the Travel
Expense Revolving Fund for the City of Kent, as
amended by subsequent Ordinances 1818 , 2490 and
2826. As travel expenses are now paid by the use of
City credit cards, this fund is no longer needed.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H)
Gambling Buy Fund. ADOPTION of Ordinance 2879 to
create an account funded in the amount of $2 , 000 for
use by Police Department for gambling law
enforcement activities.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I)
Special Investigation Fund. ADOPTION of Ordinance
2880 to establish a Special Investigation Fund to be
funded by the proceeds of law enforcement narcotic
seizures and forfeitures. Revenues of this fund
shall be used for expansion and improvement of
narcotic enforcement services.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3J)
Workers Compensation Account. ADOPTION of
Ordinance 2881 to create a bank account to be funded
by general account for payment of City of Kent
compensation claims.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3N)
Ordinance Amending Amount of Change Account.
ADOPTION of Ordinance 2882 amending Ordinance 2825
by increasing the amount authorized for the change
account.
(OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4D)
Tax Levy Ordinance. The Mayor noted that as
discussed at the workshop earlier this evening, an
ordinance has been prepared fixing the property tax
levy for 1990. Final information needed to compute
the levy was not received from King County until
November 28 . The ordinance must be adopted at this
meeting, as the deadline for submission to King
County for inclusion in their county-wide levy
j ordinance is December 13 , 1989 .
The total City of Kent levy rate for 1990 is $3 . 16
per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, up from
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December 5, 1989
FINANCE $3 . 03 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation in
1989 . As is standard procedure, the general fund
levy rate is at its maximum. The General Fund levy
rate is computed by the County at its maximum
allowable level within State law.
White noted that the City had stated that taxes
would not be raised and upon his question, McCarthy
stated that the levy rate is the result of the
amount of money which can be generated divided by
the assessed valuation. This is tied into the
highest of the three previous years plus the impact
of new construction. The preliminary budget figures
reflected a rate of $2 . 99 . McCarthy stated that the
City thought that the County had underestimated the
value of new construction and John Marchione
clarified that a higher value would result in a
decrease in the tax levy. He pointed out that these
are the county ' s preliminary figures and if an error
was found it could be corrected in the final figures
in January. McCarthy stated that if the City
adopted a lower tax rate levy, we would be tied to a
lower rate for years because of the way the state
law was written. HOUSER MOVED to adopt Ordinance
2883 , fixing the City' s tax levy for 1990 . Johnson
seconded and the motion carried with White
dissenting.
REPORTS (REPORTS - ITEM 6C)
Public Works Committee. Johnson noted that the
Public Works Committee would meet Tuesday at
3 : 00 p.m. in the Engineering Conference Room.
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(REPORTS - ITEM 6G)
Administrative Reports. Mayor Kelleher acknowledged
Dick Stredicke, Renton Councilmember, who was in
attendance at tonight' s meeting.
EXECUTIVE At 9 : 30 p.m. the City Attorney requested that an
SESSION executive session of approximately 20 minutes be
held to consider the minimum price at which real
estate would be offered for sale. She noted that
the Council may consider final action on this after
the executive session. (It was noted that the above
information was contained in the summary agenda) .
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EXECUTIVE The meeting reconvened at 9 :55 p.m. Driscoll noted
SESSION that as the Council is aware, the purchaser of
certain City property adjacent to the golf complex
has requested an extension of the closing date for a
30-day period originally scheduled to close on
December 12 . Staff recommends to Council that the
request for extension be granted with these
conditions: that this be the final extension, that
the purchaser give the City a $10, 000 non-refundable
deposit to be applied to the purchase price and that
the City retain the interest. It was determined
that this was in accordance with the earlier
arrangement related to the T-bill rate. WHITE SO
MOVED. Mann seconded and the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting then adjourned at 10 : 00 p.m.
Marie Je en, CMC�
City Clerk
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