HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 11/03/1992 Kent, Washington
November 3 , 1992
Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at
7 : 00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Johnson. Present: Councilmembers
Bennett, Houser, Mann, Orr and White, Acting Chief Administrative
Officer McCarthy, City Attorney Lubovich, Planning Director
Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Fire Chief Angelo,
Police Chief Crawford, Information Services Director Spang and
Human Resources Director Olson. Councilmember Woods was excused
from the meeting. Approximately 40 people were at the meeting.
PUBLIC Employee of the Month. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson
COMMUNICATION announced that Joye Honeycutt of the Information
Services Department has been selected as Employee
of the Month for November. Director Ron Spang
explained that she is responsible for tracking all
of the computer hardware throughout the City, as
well as other functions of the department. He
noted that Joye always has a smile for everyone,
and offered his congratulations. Ms. Honeycutt
said she appreciates the recognition and enjoys
working at the City.
Human Services Month. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson read
a proclamation declaring November as Human Ser-
vices Month in the City of Kent. He noted that
the population growth in Kent and the increasing
complexity of pressures that impact individuals
and families continue to present human service
needs that far surpass our capacity to provide
support, and encouraged all citizens to recognize
and support Human Services Month. The proclama-
tion was presented to Lucille Wooden of the Human
Services Commission.
CONSENT WHITE MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through
CALENDAR K be approved. Orr seconded and the motion car-
ried.
MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A)
Approval of Minutes. Approval of the minutes of
the regular Council meeting of October 20, 1992 .
HEALTH & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F)
SANITATION Canterbury 401. ACCEPTANCE of the bill of sale
and warranty agreement submitted by Canterbury 401
for continuous operation and maintenance of
approximately 1, 088 feet of water main extension,
1, 038 feet of sanitary sewer extension, 901 feet
of street improvements and 2 , 180 feet of storm
sewer improvements constructed in the vicinity of
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November 3 , 1992
HEALTH & 100th Avenue S.E. & S.E. 248th St. and release of
SANITATION bonds after expiration of the maintenance period,
as recommended by the Public Works Committee.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G)
Eastwood 403. ACCEPTANCE of the bill of sale and
warranty agreement submitted by Eastwood 403 for
continuous operation and maintenance of approxi-
mately 1, 200 feet of water main extension, 1,410
feet of sanitary sewer extension, 1, 134 feet of
street improvements and 1, 634 feet of storm sewer
improvements constructed in the vicinity of 100th
Avenue S.E. & S .E. 244th St. and release of bonds
after expiration of the maintenance period, as
recommended by the Public Works Committee.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H)
Meridian Green II Apartments. ACCEPTANCE of the
bill of sale and warranty agreement submitted by
Meridian Green II Apartments for continuous opera-
tion and maintenance of approximately 1, 058 feet
of water main extension, and 646 feet of sanitary
sewer extension constructed in the vicinity of
114th Avenue S.E. and Kent-Kangley and release of
2bonds after expiration of the maintenance period,
as recommended by the Public Works Committee.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I)
Rainier Properties Remodel. ACCEPTANCE of the
bill of sale and warranty agreement submitted by
Rainier Properties Remodel for continuous opera-
tion and maintenance of approximately 220 feet of
storm sewer improvements constructed in the
vicinity of 310 N. Washington Avenue and release
of bonds after expiration of the maintenance
period, as recommended by the Public Works Com-
mittee.
UTILITIES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3J)
Utility Tax Ordinance. ADOPTION of Ordinance No.
3074 amending Chapter 3 . 04 of the Kent City Code
to change the quarterly tax remittance of 3 . 04 . 080
to a monthly tax remittance; and to add Section
3 . 04 . 090 to require taxpayers to keep and provide
records; and to add Section 3 . 04 . 100 to authorize
the Finance Director to make assessments when tax-
payers fail or refuse to pay taxes; and to add
Section 3 . 04 . 110 to provide a credit for any
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November 3 , 1992
UTILITIES overpayment; and to provide Section 3 . 04 . 120 to
provide an appeal procedure; and to add 3 . 04 . 130
to make it unlawful to file a false return; and to
add Section 3 . 04 . 140 to provide a civil penalty
for non-compliance, as recommended by the Opera-
tions Committee.
TRAFFIC (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E)
CONTROL Signal Coordination Plan Interlocal Agreement.
AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign an Interlocal
Agreement with Tukwila, Renton, King County and
WSDOT for the development of a coordination plan
for traffic signals in the Green River Valley.
This agreement has been prepared to approve Phase
I of this joint effort.
(ADDED ITEM)
Traffic Concerns at 240th and 94th. Walter
Susanj , who lives on the corner of 240th and 94th,
noted that there have been quite a few accidents
at that location, the last of which occurred in
the middle of the day on October 2nd. He noted
that cars end up in yards, wreck shrubbery and
nearly hit houses. He said that a crosswalk
signal was knocked down in the last accident, and
the school children could not tell when to cross
the street. He asked whether a guardrail could be
erected for pedestrians' protection. White sug-
gested that this issue be discussed by the Public
Works Committee and asked that Mr. Susanj be noti-
fied of the date.
URBAN (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C)
GROWTH Revision to Urban Growth Areas. APPROVAL of
AREAS Resolution No. 1334 adopting an Interim Urban
Growth Area for the City of Kent, as recommended
by the City Council Planning Committee on October
20, 1992 .
VISIONING (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A)
PROGRAM Visioning Program Implementation Plan. Resolution
1318 dated July 21, 1992 , directed the Planning,
Parks and Public Works Departments to collaborate
on an implementation plan to carry out the Kent
Visioning Program and specific recommendations of
A. Nelessen Associates, within ninety (90) days.
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November 3 , 1992
VISIONING Janet Shull of the Planning Department explained
PROGRAM that the Implementation Plan has two primary com-
ponents: actions which can be implemented through
the comprehensive planning process and actions
which must be implemented through special pro-
grams. She said that after the reports and recom-
mendations have been added to the comprehensive
plan, it would be used as a guide in updating
regulations which would then implement the
visions. She pointed out that special programs
consist of a design competition program, incen-
tives through development regulations, the power
of paint program, a downtown formal parks program
and a water-oriented recreation program. She
noted that staff recommends that the special pro-
grams component be deferred until the comprehen-
sive plan is concluded and more staff and
resources are available. Shull then asked that
Council approve the Implementation Plan.
Upon Mann' s question, Planning Director Harris
explained that they anticipate strong input from
groups, organizations and individuals on the com-
prehensive plan, and that the Bicycle Advisory
Board will play a strong role in an element of the
transportation plan. He added that it is impossi-
ble to know at this time whether there will be a
conflict between policies, and asked that the
Bicycle Advisory Board provide early input. White
encouraged everyone to work together on all the
plans, since everyone is headed in the same direc-
tion. Orr noted that the plan before the Council
tonight is not cast in stone, but rather is a
guideline, and noted that concerns will be
addressed during the process.
ORR MOVED to approve the Visioning Program Imple-
mentation Plan as recommended by the Planning Com-
mittee. White seconded and the motion carried.
REZONE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D)
APPEAL Stratford Arms Phase II Appeal (RZ-92-1) .
AUTHORIZATION to set November 17, 1992 as the date
for a public hearing to consider an appeal by SDM
Properties of the denial by the Hearing Examiner
of the Stratford Arms Phase II Rezone application
RZ-92-1. The property is located 660 feet north
of SE 256th Street at 113th Avenue SE. A public
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November 3 , 1992
REZONE hearing on the application for this rezone was
APPEAL held on August 19, 1992 by the Hearing Examiner.
REZONE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3K)
Stratford Arms Phase II Rezone (RZ-92-1) .
AUTHORIZATION to set November 17, 1992 as the date
for a public meeting to consider the Hearing Exam-
iner' s recommendation of denial for an application
by SDM Properties of the Stratford Arms Phase II
Rezone Application (RZ-92-1) . The property is
located 660 feet north of SE 256th Street at 113th
Avenue SE. A public hearing on the application
for this rezone was held on August 19, 1992 by the
Hearing Examiner.
BUDGET (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A)
1993 Budget Including Capital Improvement Program.
This date has been set for a public hearing on the
1993 Budget. Input will also be taken on the 1993
component of the Capital Improvement Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson declared the public hearing
open. Acting Chief Administrative Officer
McCarthy noted that the Budget Committee will meet
at 4 : 00 on Monday, November 23rd regarding any
changes to the Budget and that an ordinance could
be brought to Council on December 1st or 15th.
Councilmember White noted that at least one Coun-
cilmember will not be available on the 1st, and
others will be gone on December 15th. He sug-
gested holding a special Council meeting on
December 8th to adopt the budget. Johnson sug-
gested holding a workshop on the Budget at 5: 30
p.m. on November 23rd, after the Budget Committee
meeting. It was agreed to hold the workshop on
November 23rd and the special Council meeting on
December 8th.
McCarthy then explained the four actions included
in the 1993 Preliminary Budget which are balancing
the operating budget, reestablishing the Capital
Improvement Fund, enhancing the Contingency Fund,
and planning for the future. He noted that the
Contingency Fund is increased by 3 . 5% and assumes
that the City annexes to the King County Library
District. He clarified for White that by
annexing, the City would save $292 , 874 in 1993 .
He then distributed an analysis showing which
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November 3 , 1992
BUDGET human service agencies are funded in the budget
and the recommended amount of funding.
Rev. Marvin Eckfeldt, member of the Human Services
Commission, pointed out that the agenda packet
contains letters from several agencies who receive
funding from the City, who together sponsor twenty
programs for Kent residents. He added that they
have had requests for $160, 000 more than the rec-
ommended funding level because needs continue to
escalate. Lucille Wooden and Marjean Heutmaker
then introduced representatives from the following
agencies, who expressed their appreciation for the
City' s past support: Catholic Community Services,
Child Care Resources, Childrens Home Society,
Childrens Therapy Center, Community Health Centers
of King County, DAWN, Kent Community Center Food
Bank, Kent Youth & Family Services, King County
Sexual Assault Resource Center, Pregnancy Aid,
South King County Multi-Service Center, Washington
Women' s Employment & Education, and Valley Cities
Mental Health.
Russ Stringham, owner of The Hungry Bear Cafe, 524
W. Meeker, noted that the preliminary budget con-
tains a total expenditure increase of 14 . 3%. He
added that a 1. 6% increase is budgeted in
increased sales revenue tax while the budget says
the 1992 amount will come in at 9/10 of a percent
decrease. He expressed concern about the $760, 500
figure in the cash and investment section and
McCarthy explained that that is the General Fund' s
interest income only, and that the other funds
also earn interest. Stringham noted that the
Mayor' s letter states that the budget has been
balanced without raising taxes, but that business
license fees, recreation fees, permit fees, etc.
are to be increased. He said that as a small
business owner he is aware of what is going on in
the economy and that the economy is not going to
change very soon. He said Administration should
not anticipate any kind of increases in revenue,
but should establish the budget based on decreases
in revenue. He pointed out that the City has
539. 5 full time employees in the 1993 budget, with
an average salary of $39, 000 a year. He said that
while many of the employees are worth it, it looks
like an attempt by Administration to buy loyalty,
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November 3 , 1992
BUDGET which cannot be done. He added that he has heard
the comment that people do not like working for
the City but can't get that kind of money any
place else. He said that he had studied the
staffing levels in the Finance Department and
Human Resources since they are departments that
private industry also deals with, and that
businesses of comparable size employ far fewer
people. He emphasized that he is not advocating
further layoffs, but that there is no need to
enlarge the staff. He said that he resents the
City' s cavalier approach to managing his tax
dollars, and pointed to the preliminary budget as
an example, noting that it is a beautiful bound
document. He closed by saying that this budget is
not conservative enough and the City should face
next year's budget with pessimism. There were no
further comments and ORR MOVED that the hearing be
continued to the November 17th meeting. White
seconded and the motion carried.
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B)
Approval of Bills. Approval of payment of the
bills received through October 30, 1992 after
auditing by the Operations Committee at its
meeting at 3 : 00 p.m. on November 3 , 1992 .
Approval of checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
10/16-10/30/92 123832-124387 $1, 157 , 604 . 91
Approval of checks issued for payroll :
Date Check Numbers Amount
11/5/92 1177405-1178525 $ 326, 222 . 63
Direct Deposit 307 , 233 .87
$ 633 , 456. 50
REPORTS Town Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson announced that
the Annual Town Hall Meeting and Open House will
be held on Thursday, November 12th at the Kent
Senior Activity Center. He noted that Exhibit
Hour will be from 6: 00-7 : 00 p.m. and the meeting
from 7 : 00-8 : 30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8 : 00 p.m.
Brenda Jacober, CMC
City Clerk
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