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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 07/16/1991 i Kent, Washington July 16, 1991 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m. by Mayor Kelleher. Present: Councilmembers Dowell, Mann, Orr, White and Woods, City Administrator Chow, City Attorney Lubovich, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Fire Chief Angelo, Police Chief Crawford, Finance Director McCarthy, Assistant City Administrator Hansen, Information Services Director Spang and Personnel Director Olson. Councilmembers Johnson and Houser each arrived at approximately 7 : 30 p.m. Parks Director Wilson was not in attendance. Approxi- mately 60 people were at the meeting. PUBLIC Oath of Office. Police Chief Crawford introduced COMMUNICATIONS four new Police Officers: Patrick Ellis, Thomas Reiner, Mica Smith and Christopher Sprague. He stated that he is very pleased to have these new officers, and the Oath of Office was administered by the Deputy City Clerk. Murals. At the Mayor' s request, Liz Carpenter of the Parks Department displayed designs for murals to be placed in three parks within the next six months. The Mayor noted that Japanese artists submitted artwork depicting Kent' s Sister City, Kaibara, and that the artwork selected is of a bridge which is over 1000 years old. This mural will be located in Kaibara Park. The artist will , be brought to Kent for the opening. Ms. Carpenter noted that there will be two murals 'at First_- Avenue Plaza, one on each side of the narrow park. The murals will be of a garden with a view of Mt. Rainier. The third mural will be placed on the Rasmussen Building. This mural by Danny Pierce deals with the history of the building, which has been a blacksmith shop and an auto dealership. CONSENT WOODS MOVED that Consent Calendar items B through CALENDAR L be approved. Mann seconded and the motion car- ried. Item 3A, Approval of Minutes, was removed at the request of Bill Doolittle. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A) REMOVED AT THE REQUEST OF BILL DOOLITTLE Approval of Minutes. Bill Doolittle, 412 N. Washington, stated that the minutes of the last Council meeting did not accurately reflect his position regarding the municipal court. He clarified that his suggestion to study Auburn was 1 July 16, 1991 MINUTES a side issue, and that his point was that there was no demonstrated need to break away and form a municipal court; also, that there were so many open-ended cost figures that the issue should be looked at closer before voting to break away and form a municipal court. Doolittle pointed out that at the same meeting where the Council voted to establish a court with the idea of locating it in the Council Chambers, they approved a piece of artwork to go on one of the walls of the Chambers. He requested that the cost of the artwork for the Council Chambers, which will be remodeled into a municipal court, be a part of the minutes. WHITE MOVED that the minutes be adopted with Mr. Doolittle's suggested changes. Dowell seconded. Liz Carpenter of the Parks Department noted for Woods that the cost of the artwork for the Chambers is $10, 000. The motion carried. HEALTH & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3L) SANITATION Foremost Tools. ACCEPTANCE of the bill of sale and warranty agreement submitted by Don Johnson/ Foremost Tools for continuous operation and main- ORRECTED • REFER TO tenance of approximately 231 lineal feet of 8" sanitary sewer and 2 catch basins in the vicinity INUTESOF 1 4- v of Bridges Avenue and Russell Avenue and release of cash bond after expiration of the one-year maintenance period. WATER (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3J) Water Comprehensive Plan - Conservation Element. APPROVAL to develop and include as an Addendum to the City' s Water Comprehensive Plan, a Water Con- servation Plan and Program meeting the elements of King County Ordinance #9461, as recommended by the Public Works Committee. STREETS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A-2) Street Closures - Canterbury Faire. City Attorney Lubovich noted that Canterbury Faire will be held on August 17 and 18 , 1991, and that some streets will have to be closed for the event. He sug- gested that an ordinance authorizing such street closures be adopted, and added that passage of the 2 j July 16, 1991 STREETS ordinance would provide for public notice of the closures. WHITE MOVED to adopt Ordinance 2987 relating to the closure of certain public streets. Dowell seconded and the motion carried. TRANSPORTATION (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A) IMPROVEMENT Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan. This PLAN date has been set for a public hearing on the City' s Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Ed White, Transportation Engineer, noted that this year' s TIP consists of 44 projects, 5 of which are corridor projects, 16 are street/roadway improve- ment projects, 8 are intersection improvements, 9 are signalization improvements and 6 are other transportation system needs. He said that the total capital construction cost is $94 million, and that $51 million is for first-year projects. He noted that 16 of the TIP projects are earmarked for funding in full or in part through this year' s Capital Improvement Program. He noted that the 2nd and 3rd year projects were considered highly but did not make the annual element list because of revenues. He added that the 4th, 5th and 6th year projects are long-term projects, or funding for them is obscure. White noted for Mann that the signal improvement on Military and Reith Road is part of the 1990 plan and will be modified within the next several months. The Mayor declared the public hearing open. Suzette Cooke of the Chamber of Commerce requested that they be involved in updating the Transporta- tion Comprehensive Plan and asked that bicycle routes be considered, possibly using sidewalks. She also asked that the signalization improvements on 4th Avenue and Smith Street take place before the Senior Housing opens . Mann noted that a hearing will be held in the near future regarding the possibility of developing a City-wide compre- hensive biking policy. Charles Kieffer noted that because of traffic, pedestrians have trouble crossing streets, and asked whether pedestrian by-passes are included in the plan. White explained that they do not appear in the plan because an inventory of pedestrian- oriented systems has not been done. He noted for John Kieffer that the City has been working with 3 July 16, 1991 TRANSPORTATION Metro on light rail alternatives but that they IMPROVEMENT have not come up with any concrete alignments PLAN through the City. He noted that when such devel- opments occur, they will appear in the TIP. Chris Grant, 26302 Woodland Way South, suggested synchronization of signal lights on Central Avenue, Smith Street, Willis Street, Washington Avenue and possibly S. 212th, as a way of moving traffic without building new streets. He also mentioned building an underpass at S.E. 256th and 104th Avenue S.E. There were no further comments and WHITE MOVED to close the public hearing. Mann seconded and the motion carried. WHITE MOVED that Resolution 1288 be adopted. Dowell seconded and the motion carried. GREEN RIVER (BIDS - ITEM 5A) LEVEE Green River Levee Improvement. The bid opening for the Green River Levee Improvement Project was held on July 16, 1991 . Public Works Director Wickstrom noted that two bids were received and that the low bid was submitted by JLR, Inc. in the amount of $263 , 397 . 21. He recommended that the project be awarded to the low bidder. He noted for White that funds are available for the project. WHITE THEN MOVED that the project be awarded to JLR, Inc. in the amount of $263 , 397 . 21. Woods seconded and the motion carried. MOBILE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C) HOME CODE Mobile Home Code Amendment. AUTHORIZATION to set AMENDMENT August 6, 1991, for a public hearing to consider an amendment to the Mobile Home Code. PLANNED (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D) UNIT Planned Unit Development (PUD) . AUTHORIZATION for DEVELOPMENT the Planning Commission to review the section of the PUD ordinance which permits multi-family type development in single-family zones, as recommended by the Council Planning Committee. HAZARDOUS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3K) WASTE Metro YMCA Proposal - Hazard Free Community. j AUTHORIZATION for the Public Works Director to advise Metro YMCA that, due to staff limitations 4 July 16, 1991 HAZARDOUS attributed to the present budgetary constraints, WASTE the City declines involvement in the Metro YMCA Hazard Free Community Program, as recommended by the Public Works Committee. BUDGET (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2B) 1992 Budget Priorities. Tonight' s meeting has been set to receive public input on the 1992 budget priorities. This meeting is held prior to Council prioritization of departmental proposals in August so that input received can be used in that prioritization process. The process has been established over a number of years but this year the budget scenario is different. Over the last number of years the City has had additional funds to allocate but this year departments have been asked to propose 10 percent cuts in their depart- mental budget as a possible budget balancing alternative. Finance Director McCarthy noted that the budget is projected to be out of balance by nearly $4 million by the end of 1992 . He stated that although revenues for next year are projected to be 5.7% above this year' s, costs related to labor contracts, health coverage, etc. , are also increasing. McCarthy noted that some options are to use some of the General Fund contingency, to make one-time transfers from other funds, and to increase the utility tax. The Mayor declared the public hearing open. Peter Maurer, representing the Human Services Commis- sion, noted that because of the economic downturn, agencies are seeing many more people in need of food, emergency shelter and other vital programs. He stated that it is more important than ever to maintain the 1% funding for the Human Services Commission for 1992 . There were no further comments and WOODS MOVED that the public hearing be closed. Mann seconded and the motion carried. The Mayor pointed out that no action is required at this time. CAPITAL (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2C) IMPROVEMENT 1992-1997 Capital Improvement Program. This date PROGRAM has been set to receive public input on the 1992- 5 July 16, 1991 CAPITAL 1997 Capital Improvement Program. The program is IMPROVEMENT balanced over a six-year period based on Mayor/ PROGRAM Council target issues, community input, and de- partmental priorities. Based on projected available revenue, approximately $30, 000, 000 in projects are proposed for funding out of $120, 000, 000 in net project requests. Finance Director McCarthy explained the sources of revenue and the type of projects they could be used for. He noted that a questionnaire was mailed out with utility bills and that the results indicated interest in preservation of streams and wetlands, preservation of farmlands and open space, expanded recycling, commuter rail , East/West arterials, improved storm drainage, and preservation of critical wildlife. He noted that the Parks Department Comprehensive Plan could be added to the list of projects, as well as matching funds for a Cultural Arts Center. McCarthy explained that alternatives include deferring action until budget decisions have been made, re- prioritizing the projects, issuance of council- manic debt, having a voted bond issue, and in- creasing taxes. He noted for White that $5, 000 will be funded in 1992 to upgrade the signal com- puter and that the rest will be funded in 1993 . The Mayor declared the public hearing open. Bill Doolittle, 412 N. Washington, noted that at the last Council meeting, action was taken to withdraw from Aukeen Court and establish a municipal court. He indicated that the operating cost would be about $280, 000 a year, based on locating the Court in the Council Chambers. He noted that the proposed remodeling of the Chambers to accommodate the Court is estimated to cost $50, 000-100, 000, and that the remodel could not take place until the Police Department has moved into the remodeled library, which would be in late 1992 or early 1993 . He questioned what makes up the $1, 015, 000 CIP request for 1992 and 1993 since the Court has been presented as not being viable before 1993 . McCarthy responded that the CIP list of projects was developed several months ago, at which time the proposal was to have the municipal court in the downtown area. He noted that the figure has not been changed so that as analysis continues and 6 July 16, 1991 CAPITAL decisions are made, the funds will still be avail- IMPROVEMENT able. Doolittle voiced concern about the survey PROGRAM which was sent out with utility bills, noting that people who live in apartments did not receive the survey. He pointed out that apartment dwellers comprise two-thirds of the population of the City, and, therefore, two-thirds of the population was automatically eliminated from participation. He ' added that the CIP projects were weighted because of the survey results and that if feedback from the survey was taken out, the positions would change. He stated that prioritization of these projects should either be done without the results of the survey or with input from 100% of the citi- zens of Kent. McCarthy explained that a bulk mailing to all addresses would cost about $4, 000 and that this mailing was free since it went with utility bills. He noted for White that 508 people responded to the questionnaire. White pointed out that that means less than 1% of the population is determining the CIP priorities. McCarthy noted for Woods that the responses received were not from City of Kent residents only. Woods pointed out that much of Kent' s utility service area is outside the city limits and the survey results do not reflect that. McCarthy noted that the projects could be reprioritized deleting the survey results, and the Mayor agreed that such a list should be prepared. Charles Kieffer noted that the City has applied for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers re- garding the Kent Springs Transmission Main project. He distributed copies of various letters requesting that the permit be denied, and asked that the Council consider these letters when dis- cussing the CIP. WOODS MOVED to make the letters a part of the record. White seconded and the motion carried. John Kieffer requested a copy of the CIP and the priority list which excludes the survey results. Hugh Leiper spoke regarding the proposal for a Cultural Arts Center. He pointed out that Bellevue is currently building a 4-level conven- tion center and 400-seat theater at a cost of $99 . 66 sq. ft. He urged the Council to develop a complete plan before considering funding. 7 July 16, 1991 CAPITAL Chris Grant, 26302 Woodland Way South, urged con- IMPROVEMENT tinued support for the Police and Fire depart- PROGRAM ments. He voiced concern about the amount of water available in the future and suggested doing a study of water usage and possibly starting the budget process to acquire a new reservoir or holding tanks. He also suggested allocating funds to study improving water transmission. Grant urged the Council to consider purchasing land for a park and ride lot to use in conjunction with commuter rail . There were no further comments and WOODS MOVED to close the public hearing. Houser seconded and the motion carried. McCarthy noted that the prioriti- zation list without the survey results would be ready for discussion at the work session on the budget. No further action was required. FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) Approval of Bills. Approval of payment of the bills received through July 15, 1991 after audit- ing by the Operations Committee at its meeting at 4 : 45 p.m. on July 23 , 1991. Approval of checks issued for vouchers: Date Check Numbers Amount 6/29-7/15/91 107030-107115 $2 , 238 , 683 .77 Approval of checks issued for payroll : Date Check Numbers Amount 7/19/91 01157862-01158655 $ 654 , 634 . 69 PARKS & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E) RECREATION East Hill Neighborhood Park - Landscape Architect Contract. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to enter into a contract with Colie Hough of Hough Beck & Baird to do the design, bid documents and con- struction administration of East Hill Park. 8 i I July 16, 1991 PARKS & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F) 'n RECREATION Rasmussen Building Mural. APPROVAL of the selection of Kent artist Danny Pierce to create an oil painting dealing with Kent history which will then be painted as a mural on the south wall of the Rasmussen Building (facing Meeker Street) in downtown Kent. The painting and mural will be the property of the City of Kent. The wall owners will sign a lease agreement not to remove or destroy the mural. The painting will be displayed as part of the City' s portable art collection. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G) Old Fishing Hole Park. AUTHORIZATION to purchase a totem pole by David Boxley to be installed at the Old Fishing Hole Park. The totem pole was created by Tsimshain Master Carver David Boxley for the Museum of History and Industry. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H) First Avenue Plaza Mural. APPROVAL of the selection of Don Barrie to paint a mural at First Avenue Plaza Park. The mural will be painted on sections of the north and south walls. The theme of the mural is a tromp 1 'oeil ("food the eye" realism) garden that will also include landscaping (done separately) to give the park a feeling of more space. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I) Kaibara Park Mural. APPROVAL of the selection of artwork by a Kaibara artist to be made into an enamel panel mural for Kaibara Park in downtown Kent. A professional enamel artist and sign com- pany will transform the original art into durable enameled panels which will be mounted on a sign framework that resembles a torii, the traditional Japanese gate/archway. The winning Kaibara artist will come to Kent for the mural dedication and will receive round trip airfare in lieu of payment for their design, as was done in the case of the Kherson mural . (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A-1) Golf Course Study, The Parks Committee met earlier this date to discuss the Golf Course Study. Council President Woods noted that the Parks Committee did not take action on this item 9 I i July 16, 1991 PARKS & and asked that the item be removed from tonight' s RECREATION agenda. Upon Houser' s question, Dowell explained (Golf Course that the Committee wishes to discuss this issue Study) with the Parks Director, who has been unavailable. He noted that a meeting with him is not scheduled at this time. FIRE (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4B) DEPARTMENT Fire Station Construction. Martin Kist, President of Mar Jon Contractors, builders of the North End Fire Station and the Headquarters Training Sta- tion, noted that he and approximately 20 subcon- tractors in attendance tonight are concerned about the length of time it has taken for the two projects to be accepted. He noted that it took eighteen months to accept the North End Fire Sta- tion and start the one-year warranty period, and that the Headquarters Training Center has been in use for one year and has not yet been accepted. Kist explained that they have received approxi- mately 25 punch lists for each project, and that the contractors are being used as maintenance men. He noted that this is very costly to the contrac- tors, who did not allow for maintenance in their bids. Linda Bowman of Tacoma Door and Frame noted that most of the punch list items were adjustments of doors, which is a maintenance item. Mayor Kelleher suggested that the issue be looked at by the Public Safety Committee. Dowell pointed out that it would be difficult for the contractors to attend a committee meeting during business hours and suggested discussing this issue after tonight' s Council meeting. Public Safety Commit- tee members Mann and Orr noted for the Mayor that a special meeting could be scheduled. City Attor- ney Lubovich stated that representatives from the Law Department and Administration would be avail- able to meet with the contractors on Friday morning. The Mayor agreed, noting that if that time is not convenient for all concerned, a special committee meeting should be scheduled. 10 July 16, 1991 REPORTS Operations Committee. Mayor Kelleher noted that the recommendations of the Management Study had been approved at the last Council meeting. He stated that the first recommendation involves the creation of the Office of the City Clerk. He noted that this item will be discussed at the next Operations Committee meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 40 p.m. Brenda Jacober, CMC Deputy City Clerk 11