HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 01/21/1992 Kent, Washington
January 21, 1992
Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at
7: 00 p.m. by Mayor Kelleher. Present: Councilmembers Bennett,
Houser, Johnson, Orr, White and Woods, City Administrator Chow,
City Attorney Lubovich, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Planning
Director Harris, Assistant City Administrator Hansen, Fire Chief
Angelo, Parks Director Wilson, Personnel Director Olson, Finance
Director McCarthy, Information Services Director Spang and Police
Captain Byerly. Approximately 40 people were at the meeting.
Councilmember Mann was not in attendance.
PUBLIC East Hill Annexation. Charles Kieffer requested a
COMMUNICATION copy of the 10% petition filed at the Council
meeting of August 6, 1991. Wickstrom agreed to
provide it to him.
BMX Track. A young man from the audience asked
whether a BMX track will be built in the area.
Mayor Kelleher suggested that he take the matter
before the Parks Committee and that he speak with
Parks Director Wilson regarding the date and time
of the next meeting.
Need for Communication. Gary Volchok, First Vice-
President of CB Commercial Real Estate Group, Inc. ,
addressed the Council on the need for more
communication and cooperation between and within
City departments. He suggested that the City work
with its departments so that when a government
employee has given specific, definite directions
to a permit applicant, who carries out these
directions by spending time and money to comply
with the government requests, the same department
does not negate that time and money expended by
refusing the applicant' s documentation and
changing its direction. He noted that new jobs
and business expansion are mandatory and that
sanity, cooperation and communication in
government offices must be restored.
Kent Jaycee Week. Mayor Kelleher read a proclama-
tion declaring the week of January 19 to January
25, 1992 as Kent Jaycee Week in the City of Kent
and encouraging citizens to recognize and appre-
ciate the past and continuing service provided by
the Kent Jaycees. The proclamation was presented
to Dawn Jackson.
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January 21, 1992
PUBLIC State of the City. Mayor Kelleher noted that
COMMUNICATION great things are being accomplished in the City
during one of the most dismal economic periods of
j recent memory. He stated that the City' s efforts
to achieve its goals has clearly been successful,
while resisting the temptation to raise taxes. He
noted that almost every goal set for the community
is related to growth. A copy of the Mayor' s
statement is attached to the minutes.
CONSENT WOODS MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through
CALENDAR H be approved. Johnson seconded and the motion
carried.
MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A)
Approval of Minutes. Approval of the minutes of
the regular Council meeting of January 7 , 1992 .
STREET (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G)
UTILITY Street Utility. ADOPTION of Resolution No. 1306
setting February 18 as the date for a public
hearing on the formation of the street utility and
implementation of the street utility charge.
I STORM (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H)
DRAINAGE Storm Drainage Utility. ADOPTION of Resolution
UTILITY No. 1307 setting February 18 , 1992 as the date for
a public hearing on proposed rate changes for
drainage utility.
PROCUREMENT (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4F)
Procurement and Contract Authorization Ordinance.
This ordinance establishes rules and procedures
for entering into procurement contracts for the
purchase, lease or rental of supplies, material,
j equipment or services, excluding public works
improvements. This ordinance, as well as the
j related public works improvements ordinance and
the Planning Department consultant contract ordi-
nance, which are also being considered on this
agenda, was discussed at the December 3 , 1991
Council meeting and referred to committee for fur-
ther review. The ordinance provides for informal
and formal bidding procedures at specific bid
level amounts as well as rules for authorization
by the Mayor and Council . The City currently does
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not have any formal procedures for these types of
contracts.
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January 21, 1992
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PROCUREMENT Lubovich noted that this ordinance would bring the
City up-to-date with State law and would provide
general guidelines for procurement. He explained
that under the proposed ordinance, departments
could purchase items under $7500 without going
through a formal process; that purchases between
$7500 and $15, 000 would require an informal
process of three telephone or similar quotations;
and that purchases over $15, 000 would require a
formal bid process, publication of notice, and
acceptance by Council . He pointed out that pro-
fessional contracts, emergencies and sole source
procurements are excluded.
HOUSER MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance No.
3024 establishing rules and procedures for non-
public works purchases, rentals and leases. Woods
seconded. Bill Doolittle stated that he has not
seen many items regarding hiring consultants on
the agenda for Council approval. He noted that
there are currently frozen positions in the City
and that having the Mayor sign for consultants
without Council approval may not be the right pro-
cedure. He also noted that he has not seen many
items regarding the purchase of major items such
as police cars and heavy machinery come through on
the agenda for Council approval.
There were no further comments and the motion to
adopt Ordinance No. 3024 carried with White
opposing.
PUBLIC (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4G)
WORKS Public Works Improvements Ordinance. This
ordinance amends the City Code to bring the public
works authority section in conformance with the
current State statutes. Pursuant to State law,
cities with a population of over 20, 000 are
required to follow public works procedures set
forth in RCW 35. 2 . 620 . Our current code refer-
ences RCW 35 . 23 . 352 for cities under 20, 000 popu-
lation. This matter was considered at the
December 3 Council meeting and sent back to Com-
mittee for further consideration.
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January 21, 1992
PUBLIC Lubovich explained that since the current City
WORKS Code references cities under 20, 000 in population,
it is invalid and needs to be updated since Kent' s
population is over 20, 000.
HOUSER MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance No.
3025 amending the City Code to bring the City in
conformance with State law regarding public works
improvements. Woods seconded. The motion
carried.
PLANNING (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4H)
DEPARTMENT Planning Department Consultant Contracts
Ordinance. This ordinance would delete a para-
graph in the existing City Code that requires the
City Council to establish the terms of compensa-
tion for all consultants hired by the Planning
Department. Deletion of this paragraph would
require the Planning Department to hire consul-
tants pursuant to the rules and procedures estab-
lished in the Procurement and Contract Authoriza-
tion Ordinance. This matter was considered at the
December 3 Council meeting and sent back to
Committee for further consideration.
Lubovich recommended adoption of this ordinance in
order to be consistent with the procurement ordi-
nance. HOUSER MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance
No. 3026 amending the City Code to establish pro-
cedures to be followed by the Planning Department
in contracting for consultant services under the
Procurement and Contract Authorization ordinance.
Woods seconded. The motion carried with White and
Bennett voting nay.
FINAL (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C)
PLAT Canterbury Place Final Plat No. SU-89-4. Authori-
zation to set February 4 , 1992 for a public
meeting to consider Canterbury Place Final Plat
map. The property is approximately 4 . 5 acres in
size and is located north of S.E. 248th Street
between 98th Avenue South and proposed 100th
Avenue South (extended) .
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January 21, 1992
GROWTH (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E)
MANAGEMENT Growth Management Planning Council Interlocal
Agreement. Approval of and authorization for
Administration to execute the Growth Management
Planning Council Interlocal Agreement. The City
Council Planning Committee has recommended
approval of the proposed Growth Management Plan-
ning Council Interlocal Agreement in response to
the Growth Management Act. The legislature
requires that county planning policies be ratified
or adopted by July, 1992 . King County, in con-
junction with county cities, proposes to create
the Growth Management Planning Council which will
be composed of representatives from Seattle, King
County and Suburban Cities. This item was origin-
ally on the City Council Agenda for December 17,
1991, but was pulled because of a revision to the
agreement.
PERMIT (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A)
FEES Fire Permit Fee. At the present time, the permit
fees are issued under the Uniform Fire Code. The
adoption of this ordinance would remove the fee
schedule from ordinance form and authorize the
Fire Chief to prepare a fee schedule commensurate
with the cost of administration and inspection
involved in the processing, issuance and renewal
of such permits and certificates, which schedule
would be approved by Council resolution.
The fee schedule shall govern the amount of fees
for any permit or certificate authorized under the
Uniform Fire Code.
Lubovich noted that this item, as well as plumbing
permit fees, building permit fees, mechanical per-
mit fees and a resolution regarding all fees was
returned to committee for further consideration on
December 3 , 1991. He explained that the ordi-
nances take the fee schedule out of the ordinance
form and put it in fee resolution form. He added
that it would modify the plumbing and fire permit
fees.
Upon White' s question, Fire Chief Angelo noted
that raising the fees would not enhance the level
of service, that it is an update of the fees rela-
tive to other jurisdictions in the area. He
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January 21, 1992
PERMIT explained that he looked at fees as a part of the
FEES budget process and that the fees have not been
raised for ten years or more. Steve Dowell stated
that the increases in the fee structure are too
great and pointed out that the City has $1. 3
million more in income than expected. He noted
that other fees such as the garbage fee, will be
increased and asked that the Council consider a
smaller increase in permit fees. He suggested a
maximum 20% increase. Russ Stringham, owner of
The Hungry Bear, noted that the fire permit fee
would increase 100%. He pointed out that other
fees are also being raised, as well as utility
rates and property taxes. He said that lower fees
would send a message that this is a pro-business
community. Don Rust, owner of The Bagman Sandwich
Shop, agreed that the proposed increases are too
high, noting that he would not be opposed to a
moderate increase. ORR MOVED for the adoption of
Ordinance No. 3020 related to the Kent City Code
Section 13 . 02 . 020 . Woods seconded and the motion
carried with White opposed.
(OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4B)
Plumbing Permit Fees. At the present time, the
permit fees are issued under the Uniform Plumbing
Code. The adoption of this ordinance would remove
the fee schedule from ordinance form and would
authorize the Fire Chief to prepare a fee schedule
commensurate with the cost of administration and
inspection involved in the processing, issuance
and renewal of plumbing permits, which schedule
would be approved by Council resolution. This
matter was considered at the December 3 Council
meeting and sent back to Committee for further
consideration.
The fee schedule shall govern the amount of fees
for Plumbing Permits authorized under the Uniform
Plumbing Code.
ORR MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance No. 3021
related to Kent City Code Section 14 . 16. 070.
Woods seconded. Lubovich clarified that this
action will take the fees out of the Kent City
Code and place it in resolution form. The motion
carried with White voting nay.
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January 21, 1992
PERMIT (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C)
FEES Building Permit Fees. At the present time, the
permit fees are issued under the Uniform Building
Code. The adoption of this ordinance would remove
the fee schedule from ordinance form and would
authorize the Fire Chief to prepare a fee schedule
commensurate with the cost of administration and
inspection involved in the processing, issuance
and renewal of building permits, which schedule
would be approved by Council resolution. This
matter was considered at the December 3 Council
meeting and sent back to Committee for further
consideration.
The fee schedule shall govern the amount of fees
for Building Permits authorized under the Uniform
Building Code.
ORR MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance No. 3022
related to Kent City Code Section 14 . 04 . 010 .
Woods seconded. The motion carried with White
opposed.
(OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4D)
Mechanical Permit Fees. At the present time, the
permit fees are issued under the Uniform Mechani-
cal Code. The adoption of this ordinance would
remove the fee schedule from ordinance form and
would authorize the Fire Chief to prepare a fee
schedule commensurate with the cost of administra-
tion and inspection involved in the processing,
issuance and renewal of mechanical permits, which
schedule would be approved by Council resolution.
This matter was considered at the December 3
Council meeting and sent back to Committee for
further consideration.
The fee schedule shall govern the amount of fees
for Mechanical Permits authorized under the Uni-
form Mechanical Code.
ORR MOVED for the adoption of Ordinance No. 3023
related to the Kent City Code Section 14 . 14 . 020.
Woods seconded and the motion carried with White
opposed.
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January 21, 1992
PERMIT (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4E)
FEES Fees for Permits under the Fire, Plumbing.
Building and Mechanical Codes. This resolution
will enable the City of Kent' s administrative
authority in charge of enforcing the codes to
prepare a schedule of fees applicable to the
various types of permits.
The schedules adopted by this resolution shall
govern the amount of the fee.
ORR MOVED for the adoption of Resolution No. 1308
adopting a schedule of fees for permits under the
Kent City Code Section 14 . 04 . 010. Woods seconded.
White noted that comparing fees and salaries with
other cities causes fees and salaries to become
excessive. He agreed with the comments from busi-
ness owners that the fees should not be raised as
high as proposed. HE MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION by
changing the resolution to show a 20% increase
over existing fees. Bennett seconded. Lubovich
clarified that only the fees on fire and plumbing
permits are being changed, not on building or
mechanical permits. Orr pointed out that the
Chamber indicated they are comfortable with this
resolution and questioned whether reducing the
fees would produce a negative effect. Angelo
responded that the total budget impact for all
permit fee changes as proposed would have been
$49, 000. Woods suggested that fees be considered
more systematically and Orr noted that the commit-
tee had discussed reviewing fees periodically.
Stringham stated that he supports the amendment
and noted that not all businesses are members of
the Chamber of Commerce. Upon a question from
Dowell, Angelo explained that the budget was
ORRECTED • REFER TO balanced with the proposed fee increases. The
IN UTES OF 2-4- 9� amendment to change the fees in the resolution to
20% over the existing fees (in cases where fee
increases are called for) carried. The motion to
adopt Resolution No. 1308 as amended then carried.
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January 21, 1992
POLICE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F)
1992 Public Defender Contract. AUTHORIZATION for
Administration to execute the public defender con-
tract with Sampson & Combs. The City of Kent
annually contracts for public defense services for
Aukeen Court. Submitted for Council consideration
and approval is the public defender contract for
1992 with the law firm of Sampson & Combs. This
is a professional services contract providing for
two full-time dedicated attorneys, one backup
attorney, one paralegal, one clerk, and one secre-
tary to handle the City' s caseload at Aukeen.
Sampson & Combs had the City' s contract during
1991. The fee negotiated is $11, 500 per month for
these services, for a total expenditure of
$138, 000 annually. This year' s contract adds one
additional public defense attorney to meet the
demands of the caseload at Aukeen District Court.
HUMAN (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D)
SERVICES Human Services Commission. Confirmation of the
COMMISSION Mayor' s reappointment of Father Peter Duggan to
the Kent Human Services Commission. Father
Duggan, whose term of office recently expired,
will begin his new term immediately and continue
through 1/1/95 .
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B)
Approval of Bills. Approval of payment of the
bills received through January 21, 1992 after au-
diting by the Operations Committee at its meeting
at 5: 30 p.m. on January 28 , 1992 .
Approval of checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
1/1-1/15/92 113584-114137 $2 , 443 , 260. 31
Approval of checks issued for payroll:
Date Check Numbers Amount
1/17/92 01166803-01167477 $ 661,934 . 18
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January 21, 1992
COUNCIL (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4I)
Council President Selection. City of Kent
Resolution No. 1094 requires that the President of
the Council be selected by the Council in January
of even numbered years.
Orr nominated Woods as Council President for the
next two years. There were no further nominations
and ORR MOVED for approval of Woods as Council
President. Houser seconded and the motion car-
ried.
REPORTS Council President. Council President Woods
announced Council Committee assignments for 1992-
94, noting that the assignments include one speci-
fic committee request per councilmember, made in
reverse order of seniority, as agreed to at the
last retreat. The Committees are as follows:
OPERATIONS PUBLIC SAFETY
Christi Houser, Chair Paul Mann, Chair
Leona Orr Leona Orr
Jim White Jon Johnson
PARKS PUBLIC WORKS
Jon Johnson, Chair Jim White, Chair
Jim Bennett Jim Bennett
Christi Houser Paul Mann
PLANNING
Leona Orr, Chair
Jim Bennett
Jon Johnson
Woods asked that meeting times be determined and
made known to the City Clerk and Administration.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 30 p.m.
__._✓ ��(L �-�cam' �C�~E='`�-'�
Brenda Jacob r, MC
City Clerk "
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STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH ALMOST EVERY GOAL THAT WE SET FOR OUR COMMUNITY IS RELATED DIRECTLY OR
MAYOR DAN KELLEHER INDIRECTLY TO GROWTH.INDEED,MANY OF THE EFFORTS WE WILL MAKE TO IMPROVE OUR
JANUARY 21,1992 COMMUNITY DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BE AFFECTED BY
THE STATE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT. THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT,OF COURSE,
REQUIRES LOCAL OFFICIALS TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR THE DELIVERY OF CRITICAL MUNICIPAL
GOOD EVENING,I AM HAPPY TO ONCE AGAIN COME BEFORE YOU TO DISCUSS THE SERVICES SUCH AS ROADS,SCHOOLS,PARKS AND WATER AND SEWER;AND IT REQUIRES
PROGRESS WHICH WE HAVE BEEN MAKING TOWARD THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR THAT WE DEVELOP THESE PLANS,AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THESE PLANS,IN A MANNER
MUTUAL GOALS FOR IMPROVING OUR CITY,AND TO DISCUSS THE SUGGESTIONS AND WHICH WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO SERVE THE DEMAND FOR SERVICE WHICH WILL BE
PROPOSALS I WOULD OFFER FOR THE CONTINUATION OF OUR SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO GENERATED BY THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WE ALLOW UNDER OUR LOCAL LAND USE PLANS.
ACHIEVE THESE COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES. A SIMPLE CONCEPT. YOU WOULD THINK THAT NO ONE WOULD NEED TO BE TOLD TO DO
THIS. YOU WOULD THINK THAT PLANNING FOR AND FUNDING ADEQUATE SERVICES TO
MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF THE FACT THAT KENT FACED A DIFFICULT YEAR IN 1991. MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY GROWTH WHICH WE CHOOSE TO ALLOW WOULD
EVEN OUR THRIVING COMMUNITY HAS FINALLY BEEN AFFECTED BY AMERICA'S SLUGGISH BE SUCH AN OBVIOUS NECESSITY THAT EVERY COMMUNITY WOULD DO IT.
ECONOMY;AND LAST YEAR OUR 1992 FINANCIAL FORECAST WAS OUT OF BALANCE BY
ALMOST$6 MILLION. UNFORTUNATELY THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. LIKE THE SHORTSIGHTED CONGRESSMAN
WHO VOTES YES'TO SUPPORT EVERY NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAM,AND-NO-TO OPPOSE
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP SUCH A SHORTFALL IN PERSPECTIVE HOWEVER. EVERY NEW TAX TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS; SHORTSIGHTED LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE
YOU KNOW EVEN THOUGH OUR 1991 REVENUE PROJECTIONS WERE GREATER THAN ACTUAL VOTED YES'TO ALLOW TOO MANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS,AND-NO-TO OPPOSE TAXES AND
REVENUES,KENT STILL ENJOYED AN INCREASE OF$700,000 OVER 1990. IF YOU HAVE TO FEES TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE THESE DEVELOPMENTS.
HAVE A BAD YEAR,ONE LIKE THIS IS THE KIND WE WANT TO HAVE.
CONGRESS'SHORTSIGHTEDNESS HAS CREATED A HUGE FEDERAL DEFICIT.YOU CAN
ALSO,I AM AMUSED TO READ NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS EVEN NOW OF SOME OF OUR SEE OUR'LOCAL DEFICIT' EVERY TIME YOU SIT IN A TRAFFIC JAM AT ONE OF OUR
NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY LEADERS STILL COMMENTING ON THE TROUBLESOME $6 INTERSECTIONS WHICH ARE RATED AT LEVEL OF SERVICE'F'- GRIDLOCK-SYSTEM
MILLION SHORTFALL NOW BEING FACED BY KENT. OF COURSE,STATE LAW WILL NOT FAILURE, YOU CAN SEE OUR -LOCAL DEFICIT EVERY TIME YOUR CHILDREN SIT IN
ALLOW A CITY TO PASS THROUGH A BUDGET CYCLE WITH A DEFICIT,SO KENT HAS NO OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS OR PORTABLE CLASSROOMS USED NOW EXTENSIVELY
BUDGET SHORTFALL TODAY. IN FACT,I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT BECAUSE OF BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T BUILD ENOUGH SCHOOLS TO MEET THE DEMAND WHICH WE
OUR DECISION LATE LASTYEAR TO REVISE OUR FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS IN THE DIRECTION OURSELVES HAVE GENERATED THROUGH OUR LOCAL LAND USE DECISIONS.
'Q CAUTION AND CONSERVATISM,OUR ACTUAL CASH CARRY FORWARD FOR 1991 IS
2ECTED NOW TO EXCEED PROJECTIONS BY APPROXIMATELY$1.3 MILLION. THIS CASH SOME PEOPLE THINK ITS TERRIBLE THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD USURP
CARRY FORWARD WILL FUNCTION AS A NEEDED CUSHION FOR OUR BUDGET IF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY BY DICTATING TO CITIES HOW THEY MUST PLAN. 1 FOR ONE THINK ITS
ECONOMY SLOWS EVEN FURTHER, OR IT WILL PROVIDE A WINDFALL OF FUNDS TO TERRIFIC-ONE OF THE BEST MOVES EVER MADE BY OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.
REPLENISH OUR CONTINGENCIES OR FUND OTHER COUNCIL PRIORITIES IF OUR ECONOMY
MAINTAINS AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS BENEFIT OF FORCING CITIES TO PLAN PROPERLY,THE
PRESSURES WHICH ARE BEING BROUGHT ON BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GROWTH
ALSO IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR BUDGET WOES IN PERSPECTIVE,I THINK IT IS MANAGEMENT ACT ARE CAUSING POLITICIANS,ARCHITECTS AND URBAN PLANNERS TO
IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES,WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH, RETHINK SOME OF THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WE HAVE HELD ABOUT THE GENERAL
GOVERNMENT PROGRAM ACTIVITY GRINDS TO A HALT. IN KENT,OUR LOCAL ECONOMY IS DEVELOPMENT PATTERN FOUND IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES,.kND TO
SO STRONG,THAT EVEN IN TOUGH TIMES LIKE THESE,WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP GOOD RECONSIDER WHET'HERTHAT'SUBURBAN"AUTO-ORIENTED-,'SINGLEFAMILYSUBDMSION-
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS RUNNING,AND WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO TAKE GIANT AND'STRIP-COMMERCIAL'BASED DEVELOPMENT PATTERN WILL SERVE US WELL AS WE
STEPS TOWARD ACHIEVING OUR GOALS OF BUILDING NEW ROADS TO IMPROVE OUR MOVE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.TWO MONTHS AGO WAS INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, AND BUILDING A HEALTHIER, PRETTIER, REVITALIZED DEALING`A9TH THESE ISSUES CO-SPONSORED BY THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND
DOWNTOWN,AND DOING THE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WE THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR URBAN PLANNING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY,AND THE NATIONAL
KENT. ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.
AS I DISCUSS SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS WE HAVE TOGETHER DONE FOR KENTTHIS I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED TO HEAR SOME OF THE PROMINENT URBAN PLANNERS
LASTYFAR,AND AS I DISCUSS SOME OF THE THINGS I THINK WE REALISTICALLYCAN EXPECT IN ATTENDANCE SUGGEST THAT THEY THEMSELVES, AND THEIR COLLEAGUES WHO
TO DO IN THE COMING YEAR; I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT TOGETHER WE ARE PRECEDED THEM AND WHO HELPED ESTABLISH OUR WEST COAST DEVELOPMENT PATTERN
ACCOMPLISHING GREAT THINGS FOR KENT DURING ONE OF THE MOST DISMAL ECONOMIC 30 TO 40 YEARS AGO,WERE AT LEAST PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FACT THAT IN SOME
PERIODS OF RECENT MEMORY. AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO REMEMBER WITH PRIDE THAT VERY IMPORTANT WAYS,WE ARE NOW FINDING THAT THIS SUBURBAN-SPRAWL AND AUTO-
IN SPITE OF THE FACTS THAT TIMES HAVE BEEN TOUGH,AND THAT WE ARE DETERMINED ORIENTED COMMERCIAL STRIP DEVELOPMENT PATTERN DOESNT WORK WELL OF COURSE
AND TENACIOUS ABOUT ACI IIEVING ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY GOALS;WE NEVERTHELESS THERE ARE SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT OUR WEST-COAST-STYLE OF LIVING,BUT SOME OF
RESISTED THE OBVIOUS TEMPTATION TO RAISE TAXES--AND YET STILL--OUR THE PROBLEMS WHICH THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS ARE
. )RTS TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS HAVE CLEARLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL
DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OUR WEST-COAST DEVELOPMENT PATTERN.
IF I MAYTHEN,I WOULD LIKETO TALK A BIT ABOUT THESE GOALS-WHAT THEYARE. THE BASIC PROBLEM IS THAT UNLIKE EUROPE AND JAPAN,WHICH 40 YEARS AGO
--WHY WE CARE ABOUT TIIEM-AND TILE CONCRETE STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO ACHIEVE CHOSE FOR ECONOMIC REASONS TO CLUSTER THEIR CITIES AND TOWNS AROUND
THEM.
AVAILABLE INFRASTRUCTURE; AMERICAN COMMUNITIES HAVE FOR THE MOST PART
AVOIDED CLUSTERING IN FAVOR OF LOW DENSITY,AUTO-ORIENTED,SUBURBAN SPRAWL COMMUNITIES TO CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AROUND NARROWLY DRAWN
NOW THERE ARE SOME GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS SORT OF NON-CLUSTERED APPROACH; INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE AREAS THUS LEAVING VAST AREAS OPEN AND
BUTTI HIRE ARE.4 DYSFUNCTIONAL.ASPECTS TO OUR PRESENT DEVELOPMENT PATTERN. UNDEVELOPED.
1.T111S SU➢URBAN SPRAWL DFVFI OPMFNT PATTf:RN IS INEFFICIENT.THIS PATTERN WE CAN APPLY THIS SAME PRINCIPAL BY CONTINUING OUR EFFORTS TO
IS AN INEFFICIENT USE OF THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THE STATUTORILY RESTRICT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE OF OUR DOWNTOWN
ROADS,PARKS AND OTHER SERVICES NEEDED BY RESIDENTS. THIS IS THE MOST REDEVELOPMENT ZONE,AND TO DISCOURAGE KING COUNTY FROM APPROVING NEW
OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS PATTERN. THE CONCEPT IS EXTREMELY SIMPLE IF DEVELOPMENT EAST OF OUR BORDERS.
YOU PUT ONE HOUSE ON 1,000 FEEL'OF ROAD WITH 1,000 FEET OF WATER AND
SEWER LINES AND WTTII ONE PARK THEN THE COST PER FAMILY(BE IT PUBLIC OR 3. TI IIS SUBURBAN SPRAWL PATTERN HURTS SUBURBAN DOWNTOWN AREAS.
PRIVATE)TO PROVIDETHESE SERVICES IS WHATEVER I('COSTTO BUILD THE ENTIRE THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN U.S.A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SUBURBAN CITIES
ROAD WITH UTILITIFS AND THE PARK IF YOU PUT 100 FAMILIES ON THE SAME IS DOWNTOWN DECAY. IN KENT, AUBURN AND PUYALLUP FOR EXAMPLE,
STREET,THEN THE COST PER FAMILY IS REDUCED TO ONLY THE COST OF 10 FEET OF DOWNTOWN AREAS GREW UP AROUND RAIL DEPOTS.WHEN AUTO-ORIENTED STRIP
ROAD AND UTILITIES,AND 1/100 OF THE PARK DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED IT BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR SUBURBAN
DOWNTOWN AREAS TO COMPETE WITH THESE STRIP DEVELOPMENTS AND SHOPPING
NOW,YOU MIGHT RIGHTLY OBJECT THAT IF WE CARRIED THIS PRINCIPLE TO ITS MAILS.
LOGICAL CONCLUSION THEN WE WOULD PUT ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS IN HIGHRISE
FLATS. THAT 1S OF COURSE NOT THE CORRECT COURSE. BUT WE DO NEED TO WE IN KENT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PROVING THAT BY ENCOURAGING DENSER
ACCEPTTHE FACTTHAT OUR REGIONAL POPULATION WILL GROW IN COMING YEARS, DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS DOWNTOWN,AND THROUGH BFAUTIFICATION EFFORTS,
AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTWILL BE MORE AND BY FOCUSING PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AND BY ENCOURAGING PRIVATE
EXPENSIVE TO SERVE THAN OTHERS. DEVELOPMENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN,A REAL TURN-AROUND IN A DOWNTOWN
DIST'RICI CAN BE ACHIEVED.
NATURALLY WE CAN PAY FOR THE HIGH COSTS OF SERVING OUR SUBDIVISIONS BY
CHARGING FEES TO DEVELOPERS AND HOMEBUYERS,BUT THAT SOLUTION WILL NOT
WORK FOR ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.DURING THE SEMINAR I ATTENDED OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS OVER$20 MILLION WORTH OF DOWNTOWN PUBLIC AND
AT BERKELEY,I HEARD ONE MAYOR OFFER AN OMINOUS PREDICTION ABOUT HOW PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT HAS OCCURRED DIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF YOUR VOTES AS
HIGH THESE FEES MIGHT ULTIMATELY RISE. SHE SAID 1N HER CALIFORNIA CITY- COUNCILMEMBERS. Ti IE$8 MILLION CENTENNIAL BUILDING IS ALMOST FULL NOW
WHERE THEY HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED A GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROCESS AND ITS OWNER-• SOUND VENTURES INC. IS CONSIDERING BUILDING A TWIN
SIMILAR TO THE ONE NOW BEING FACED BY US,THE AVERAGE TOTAL OF ALL FEES S'I'RUCIVIIII ON TI IE SITE 01:IT IE OLD PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING IF II LEY FILL THE
ASSESSED ON A NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IS$28,000. THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY CENTENNIAL BUILDING COMPLETELY.
HIGH FIGURE BUT IF YOU SIT DOWN AND TALK TO OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR
DEVELOPING OUR ROADS AND PARKS AND SCHOOLS CAPITAL PLANS FOR THE NFXI LAST OC 0BER WE OPENED OUR NEW$7 MILLION PUBLIC LIBRARY WHICH YOU
30 YEARS;AND IF YOU CONSIDER THAT IN THE SEATTLE AREA ALONE WE MAY NEED CHOSE TO LOCATE IN THE HEART OF KENTS DOWNTOWN.
THE EQUIVALENT OF A NEW INTERSTATE 5 AND A$10 BILLION RAIL SYSTEM TO
ACCOMMODATE PROJECTED GROWTH BY THE YEAR 2020; THEN YOU WILL LAST WEEK SEVERAL OF US PARTICIPATED IN A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR
UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH EXORBITANT FEES COULD BE REQUIRED. OUR NEW$7 MILLION SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT WHICH WILL PROVIDE LOW COST
HOUSING,MEALS AND HUMAN SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 100 KENT SENIORS;IT
THERE MAY BE NO WAY TO AVOID ASSESSING HIGH FEES IN FUTURE SUBURBAN WILL BE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN AND WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS BY
DEVELOPMENTS BUT WE MUST ALSO ACCOMMODATE AND ENCOURAGE COST- THE END OF THIS YEAR. -
EFFICIENT DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS CONSISTENTWITH OUR COMMUNITY GOALS AND
WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT DENSE ALSO A$1.8 MILLION REMODELING PROJECT IS NOW UNDERWAY TO PREPARE THE
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A NARROWLY DRAWN URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY 4 TO 6 OLD KENT LIBRARY TO RECEIVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF.
BLOCKS FROM THE CENTER OF KENTS DOWNTOWN WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AND
SUCH EFFICIENTAND BENEFICIAL DEVELOPMENT COULD BE ACCOMMODATED BY THE IN ADDITION,COUNCILMEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATION HAVE PROVIDED QUALIFIED
COUNCIL--BY APPROVING THE LIBERALIZED ZONING RULES FOR DOWNTOWN NOW SUPPORT FOR THE SITING OF A NEW REGIONAL COURT CENTER IN DOWNTOWN
PENDING BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION;AND COULD BE ENCOURAGED BYTHE KENT. KING COUNTY 1S NOW CONSIDERING 4 FINALIST SITES FOR THIS PROJECT.
COUNCIL--BY FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WI ITCH COULD REDUCE TWO OF THESE SITES ARE IN KENTS DOWNTOWN.
THE NEED FOR EXORBITANT FEES IN THE SAME DOWNTOWN DISTRICT.I WOULD
SUGGEST THAT IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FOR US TO REWARD DEVELOPERS WHO IF A DOWNTOWN SITE IS SELECTED,THE PROJECT WILL BRING A MULTIMILLION
BUILD EFFICIENTLY WITHIN AN ESTABLISHED URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY,AND TO DOLLAR PAYROLL AND 800 NEW EMPLOYEES INTO KENTS DOWNTOWN-EMPLOYEES
CHARGE HIGHER FEES TO DEVELOPERS WHO BUILD LESS EFFICIENT DEVELOPMENTS WHO WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR KENT DOWNTOWN
OUTSIDE OF OUR TARGET REDEVELOPMENT AREA RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS.ALSO THE COURT PROJECT WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY
INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE SINCE LAWYERS AND
2.THIS SUBURBAN SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT PATTERN CONSUMES TOO MUCH OPEN OTHERS WHO USE THE COURTS WOULD FIND DOWNTOWN KENT A CONVENIENT
SPACE. VISITORS TO EUROPE AND JAPAN ARE OFTEN STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT OFFICE LOCATION. THIS INCREASE IN DEMAND WOULD DEFINITELY ATTRACT
THESE DENSELY POPULATED LANDS SEEM TO HAVE MORE OPEN SPACES THAN WE DO ADDITIONAL PRIVATE INVESTMENTS INTO KENTS DOWNTOWN.
HERE IN THE U.S.AGAIN,THE REASON 1S THAT ECONOMIC FACTORS HAVE FORCED
ALSO, 1 THINK WE ALL REMAIN CONSTANT IN OUR SUPPORT FOR THE AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,YOU AND OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS WILL BE
COMMENCEMENT OF COMMUTER RAIL TRANSIT SERVICE TO KENT AND THE OTHER FACED WITH SOME HARD CHOICES.THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS AND SERVICE SOLUTIONS
VALLEY CITIES.SENATOR BROCK ADAMS HAS COMMITTED$25 MILLION IN FEDERAL WHICH SERVED THE LAST 2 GENERATIONS OF WEST COAST AMERICANS WILL JUST NOT
FUNDS AND A FAVORABLE VOTE ON AN UPCOMING BALLOT MEASURE COULD WORK FOR COMING GENERATIONS. IN 10 OR 20 OR 30 YEARS KENT AND RENTON,AUBURN
PROVIDE THE MATCHING FUNDING NEEDED TO PROCEED WITH THIS IMPORTANT AND OTHER SUBURBAN CITIES WILL GROW FROM 40,000 TO 100.000,TO 1S0,000. THE DAY
TRANSIT PROJECT, WHICH WILL, INCIDENTALLY, HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT OF THE SUBURB IS COMING TO AN END;THE DAYOFTHE'MINI-URB'OR SMALL URBAN CITY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SIDE EFFECTS. IS DAWNING. WE MAY LIKE IT OR NOT BUT ECONOMIC FACTORS ARE NOW RESTRICTING
THE UNIVERSAL AVAILABILITY OF SINGLE FAMILY SUBDIVISION TYPE HOMES.70%OF KENTS
IN ADDITION, SEVERAL NEW DOWNTOWN MURALS HAVE BEEN PLACED AND RESIDENTS WILL TELL YOU-THEY DON'T LIVE IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. THEY MIGHT
DEDICATED THIS YEAR INCLUDING THE MURAL 'TREE ROOT BRIDGE' BY A WANT TO-PERHAPS THEY CANT AFFORD TO. WE CANT JUST BLOCK THIS SORT OF
WONDERFULYOUNG JAPANESE ARTIST WHO WON A MURAL CONTESTTO EARN THE CHANGING LIFESTYLE. BUT WE CAN MANAGE IT SO THAT WE MAXIMIZE THE QUALITY OF
RIGHT TO DISPLAY HER WORK IN KENT;AND THE MURAL PROJECT`TRANSITIONS', LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHOSE FAMILIES ARE GROWING UP IN AN
A BEAUTIFUL MURAL LOCATED NEAR SECOND AND MEEKER STREETS,BY DANNY EVOLVING LIVING ENVIRONMENT. I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN THIS EFFORT.
PIERCE. WATCH FOR SEVERAL MORE DOWNTOWN MURALS TO BE COMPLETED IN
THE COMING YEAR. IN ADDITION TO THESE REMARKS,I AM SUBNUT ING TO YOU A WRITTEN OUTLINE
OF MANY OF OUR OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR,AND GOALS FOR NEXT
ALL OF THESE EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH 15 YEAR THAT I DID NOT INCLUDE IN MY REMARKS.
ATTRACTIVE TO PRIVATE INVESTORS AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WHO,WE HOPE,
WILL HELP US BUILD THE KIND OF DOWNTOWN DISTRICT THAT WILL GENERATE
SUFFICIENT DEMAND TO SUPPORT OUR DOWNTOWN RETAILERS,AND HELP US BUILD
THE KIND OF CLUSTERED DEVELOPMENT WHICH EFFICIENTLY USES OUR SCARCE
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES.
4.THIS LOW DENSITY SUBURBAN SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT PATTERN GENERATES
INSIIFFICIRNTTRANSIT RIDRRSI IIP TO JUSEIFYTI IE KIND OF HIGH CAPACITYTRANSIT
SYSTRMS THAT WF.NE FOR OUR COMMUNITY,THE MOST COMMON CRITICISM OF
THE PROPOSED COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT FOR EXAMPLE IS THAT SUBURBAN
DENSITIES GENERATE INSUFFICIENT RIDERSHIP. AGAIN, CLUSTERING DENSE
DEVELOPMENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN WILL ENABLE US TO AFFORD AND JUSTIFY
HIGHER QUALITY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES THAN COULD OTHERWISE BE
AFFORDED OR JUSTIFIED UNDER A LOW DENSITY, SPRAWL PATTERN. METRO
OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED ON COMMUNITIES ALONG THE COMMUTER RAIL ALIGNMENT
TO ACCEPT HIGHER DENSITY DEVELOPMENT AROUND STATION LOCATIONS. I HOPE
YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL COMPELLING REASONS TO
SUPPORT THAT REQUEST.
CLEARLY THEN,COOPERATION WITH THE INTENT OF THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT
ACT AND PROMOTING CLUSTERED DEVELOPMENT WITHIN URBAN GROWTH
BOUNDARIES,WILL HAVE 4 DISTINCT ADVANTAGES:
1.IT WILL RESULT IN A MORE EFFICIENT USE OF SCARCE INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.
2.IT WILL RESULT 1N INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESERVE OPEN SPACE.
3.IT WILL RESULT IN DENSITIES SUFFICIENT TO ACHIEVE A"CRITICAL MASS'
OF ACTIVITY IN OUR DOWNTOWN SO THAT THE MARKET DEMAND WILL
SUPPORT OUR PRESENT RETAILERS,AND EVEN SUPPORT AN EXPANSION OF
OUR DOWNTOWN RETAIL ACTIVITIES.
4.IT WILL RESULT IN DENSITIES SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT HIGH CAPACITY
TRANSIT SERVICE IN KENT.