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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 10/15/1996 Kent, Washington October 15, 1996 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7 :00 p.m. by Mayor White. Present: Councilmembers Bennett, Epperly, Houser, Johnson, Orr and Woods, Operations Director/ Chief of Staff McFall, City Attorney Lubovich, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Police Chief Crawford, Fire Chief Angelo, Parks Director Hodgson, Human Resources Director Viseth and Finance Director Miller. Councilmember Clark was excused from the meeting. Approximately 40 people were in attendance. PUBLIC Kent Affordable Housing Task Force RfRort. The COMMUNICATIONS Kent Affordable Housing Task Force Report shown as Item 1B was removed from the agenda by Council President Houser. George McIntyre Presentation. Chief Crawford noted that Mr. McIntyre owns GM Collision in Kent, has been in business for 15 years, and does the repairs on the police vehicles. He explained that the City of Kent had purchased an armored transport from Armored Transport Northwest to be used by the Emergency Response Team in assisting officers. Crawford noted that George McIntyre, Officer Laine Farr, and Sgt. Brian Jones had worked on this vehicle for the past year, and made it something that the City can be proud of. Mayor White then presented plaques to George McIntyre and Laine Farr for their exemplary work. Mr. McIntyre said he enjoyed working with the Police Department on this project. Regional Justice Center URdate. Captain Tom Brown explained that the report distributed to the Council covers the 16th month of construction activity at the Regional Justice Center. He noted that the project remains within scope, on schedule, and within budget, and that the contractor is still on schedule to meet the March 12 , 1997, date of substantial completion. He explained that low voltage was one of the major concerns last month, but that the retest had passed. He also noted that the security equipment which is presently being shipped to the site is back on schedule. Brown noted that the buildings and the central plant are all enclosed, and that the emphasis for the remainder of winter will be on the interiors of the buildings. He stated that the parking structure is receiving deck coating and some of the security fencing is finished. He noted that the light poles for the project are on site and are being prepped for placement, the 1% for art and integrated 1 October 15, 1996 PUBLIC materials are currently on site or being COMMUNICATIONS installed, and the railings on the second and fourth floors have been fabricated and are being installed. He mentioned that the footings for the security screen on the first floor of the lobby have been installed, and that some of the interior niches in the dry walls are completed so that different portions of portable art can be displayed. He explained that the integrated pathway which leads to the front lawn is being done now, and that Unit K is nearing final completion with all the flooring finishings in place, all the light fixtures in, all the security hardware installed, and the associated staff case work being installed. He explained that that unit will be held as the standard for the life of the project. (ADDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUSER) Connecting Communities. Bob Whalen, Chair of the Kent Transit Advisory Board, noted that he has been serving as a citizen representative on a coalition with 14 cities which will be served by commuter rail after a successful RTA ballot. He explained that the formation of this coalition was spear-headed by the Chambers of Commerce from Edmonds and Ballard, and that Mahlon Clements from the Ballard Chamber has worked with other coalition members to develop a slide presentation which addresses the importance of connecting communities. Mr. Clements presented a brief slide show and explained some of the things the communities can share if the RTA ballot passes. He noted that the freeway is not always the most reliable way to get from one point to another. He explained that it was never a way for all citizens to get around, and that in order to bring communities back together, a recognition of the existing infrastructures is necessary. He noted that the communities have many underutilized infra- structures which are expensive to build new. Mr. Clements explained that the rail stations will be required, by law, to look at all transportation connections and work with each community to achieve individual goals. He noted that the regional commuter rail will also support the downtown business districts and will be a connection to the whole RTA system with many destinations along it. He stated that the rail 2 October 15, 1996 PUBLIC line will be a connection to the State invest- COMMUNICATIONS ments which have already been made in rail which will allow people from Kent, Ballard and other places to make connections without a car to places like Vancouver, Portland, Olympia or perhaps the Skagit Valley. He stressed that the RTA Plan is a good one which has undergone multiple meetings and is a prudent investment into the future, and that it is a wise choice to protect the economic health of this area. Mayor White offered an opportunity for anyone at the meeting or in the viewing audience to express a different viewpoint on this subject. There was no response from anyone at the meeting. Kent Civic & Performing Arts Center Update. Mr. Don Campbell, Vice-Chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee for the City of Kent Performing Arts Center Task Force, noted that the committee is in the process of forming a 501C3 organization. He explained that an employer identification number has already been assigned and that a Board of Directors has been appointed. He explained that Campbell & Company of Orange, California was hired to conduct a four month Capital Feasibility Study, and that they want to accomplish the following: (1) Provide counsel and assist in the organization and operation of a Capital Planning Committee; (2) Conduct a Philanthropic Market Study interview process to evaluate the key elements of any fund-raising program; and (3) Prepare and present a Comprehensive Philanthropic Market Study Report and Recom- mendations which will share their findings and provide specific operational recommendations. Mr. Campbell explained that the study will reveal whether everything from the donor base to the support base in the Greater Kent area is there. He noted that the cost of the feasibility study is $30, 000 and that it is being funded through donations from the Boeing Company, a Kent citizen, and the Board of Directors. He explained that the Kent Community Foundation serves as an umbrella for the committee until their 501C3 credentials are received. He noted that an update will be given to Council in the future, possibly by February. 3 October 15, 1996 PUBLIC Make a Difference Day, Mayor White read a pro- COMMUNICATIONS clamation declaring October 26, 1996 as Make a Difference Day in the City of Kent. He noted that the country's volunteer force of 89.2 million people can stem the tide of poverty, hunger, homelessness, spouse and child abuse, and other problems that afflict society. The Mayor urged all citizens to recognize the benefits to the community from those who volunteer, and he encouraged each person to join with friends, fellow employees, church, schools and civic groups to engage in projects benefiting their community. Parks Director Hodgson thanked the Council for the proclamation, and accepted it on behalf of the City. He noted that last year the City had 400 volunteers who helped to plant over 10, 000 bulbs, and he invited everyone to join again next week to help plant bulbs and trees, do shoreline cleanup at Lake Meridian and Lake Fenwick, do some finishing up at West Fenwick Park, or do some work around the Old Fishing Hole. Kentshire Miniature Cattle Day. Mayor White read a proclamation declaring October 19, 1996 as Kentshire Miniature Cattle Day in the City of Kent. He noted that Happy Mountain Farm is the home of a new breed of miniature cattle being developed by Richard and Arlene Gradwohl. He also noted that the new breed is a cross between a miniature Hereford and a Dexter, and that the Gradwohl's decided to name the new breed "Kentshire" in honor of the City of Kent where they were developed. The Mayor urged all citizens to recognize this Hereford/Dexter blend as "Kentshire", the official breed of miniature cattle in the City of Kent, and presented the proclamation to the Gradwohls. A short video featuring "Springtime, " the first of the breed, was then shown. Mr. Gradwohl noted that the City of Kent is the only city in the United States to have a breed of cattle named after it. (ITEM ADDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUSER) Asia Pacific Trade Exchange. Barbara Ivanov, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, extended a special invitation to the Mayor and City Council to attend the 1996 Asia Pacific Trade Exchange. She noted that there will be 50 U. S. exhibitors and a similar number of International delegates attending, with a high 4 October 15, 1996 PUBLIC percentage of trading companies involved who have COMMUNICATIONS multiple interests which would be most useful to local companies. She noted that participants will be coming from Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Shanghai. Ms. Ivanov distributed invitations and other information to the Council, and noted that the exhibit area will be at Emerald Downs on the 5th Floor, and that it will be all day long on Wednesday, November 6th. She thanked the Mayor and Council for their support and congratulated the Mayors delegation on their recent trip to Yangzhou. She noted that the event is open to the public and that information can be obtained by contacting the Chamber of Commerce. CONSENT HOUSER MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A CALENDAR through K be approved. Orr seconded and the motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A) A_RRroval of Minutes. Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of October 1, 1996. TRAFFIC (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E) CONTROL Neighborhood Traffic Control Plan. Concurrence with the threshold criteria utilized in the Neighborhood Traffic Control Program. The City has an established Neighborhood Traffic Control Program which is an outreach to neighborhoods for resolving their traffic related concerns. Community meetings are conducted and educational materials are distributed. This was presented to the Public Works Committee to assure awareness of the Program and solicit support of the criteria therein. The Public Works Committee recommended that Council concur with the threshold criteria utilized in the Program. SIDEWALKS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F) Meeker Street Sidewalks. ACCEPT as complete the contract with Gary Merlino Construction for the Meeker Street Sidewalks project and release of retainage after State releases, as recommended by the Public Works Committee. The original contract amount was $272 , 337. 00. The final construction cost was $300,870.41. The overage is due to excessive excavating after old gas tanks were found buried underground. Adequate funds exist within the project budget to cover this overage. 5 October 15, 1996 PUBLIC WORKS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A) Utility Tax/Sunset Extension, The Public Works Committee has recommended amending Chapter 3. 18 of the Kent City Code to extend the Sunset pro- vision of the one (1.0) percent interim tax for street improvement programs to December 31, 2006. Ordinance No. 3314 as adopted was incorrectly presented to Council during its October 1, 1996, meeting to implement the Public Works Committee recommendation. Therefore, staff recommends that Ordinance No. 3314 be repealed and the proposed ordinance be adopted to implement the Committee's recommendation. Orr explained that she originally voted against the utility tax extension to the year 2002 because of disappointment that only one option for carrying out the street projects was given. She expressed concern that the City, in her opinion, is taking the easy way out by increasing taxes to pay for the program. She noted that under the Growth Management Act the City must show that options are in place to pay for the projects. Orr challenged the Council, Administration, and staff to set priorities and look into additional options or other alternatives by the end of the year 2002, rather than continue with the 1% utility tax increase. She expressed support for the motion tonight because she doesn't want to see the City lose its grant funds or other things which are essential to continuing the road projects. Mayor White noted for Orr that the City had gone out to the community and had a number of people from the Chamber of Commerce look at this proposal, and at the time this was the best the City had to offer. He further noted that Administration is willing to look at anything that is offered as an alternative. Orr reiterated that in four years, at the time of the original sunset, she would like to see a better plan. The motion then carried. 6 October 15, 1996 PLAT (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D) Canterbury Greens Preliminary Plat SU-96-4. Set November 5, 1996, as the date for a public meeting to consider the Canterbury Greens Preliminary Plat. REGIONAL (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C) JUSTICE (ADDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ORR) CENTER Regional Justice Center. Orr noted that several attorneys have expressed concern as to whether the Regional Justice Center will be fully func- tional at the time of opening, and that a suggestion was made that the City adopt a resolu- tion encouraging King County to ensure that it is. She noted that the resolution was discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting today. ORR MOVED to approve Resolution No. 1485 urging Metropolitan King County to implement a fully functional and operational judicial facility upon opening the Regional Justice Center in the City of Kent. Woods seconded and the motion carried. COUNCIL (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3K) Council Absence. APPROVAL of an excused absence from the October 15, 1996, City Council meeting for Councilmember Clark, as he is unable to attend. POLICE (PUBLIC WORKS - ITEM 4B) (ADDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ORR) Changes to the Contract with Federal Way regarding the Corrections Facility. Orr noted that it was brought to her attention today that Federal Way had asked for some changes to a contract that the City is about to sign with them. ORR MOVED to amend the interlocal agreement between Kent and Federal Way regarding Corrections Facility services to correct the effective date and the time for implementation and billing of services and to modify the insurance requirements to accommodate the City of Federal Ways Self-Insurance Program. Woods seconded and the motion carried. PARKS & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G) RECREATION Boeing Donation. ACCEPT and establish a budget for $2, 500 donated by the Boeing Management Association for the Boeing Rock site, as recom- mended by the Parks Committee on October 1, 1996. 7 October 15, 1996 PARKS & On July 10, 1996, Boeing donated three spruce RECREATION trees and $2 ,500 to celebrate the 50th anniver- sary of the Boeing Management Association (BMA) . Staff is working with BMA to develop the small site referred to as the "Boeing Rock, " located west of the Boeing plant, adjacent to the Green River. The funds provided will enable the purchase of a picnic table, trash receptacle and small bedding plants. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H) Master Gardener Grant. ACCEPT and establish a budget for the $3 , 000 grant from the Master Gardener Foundation of King County to restore the landscape of the Neely Soames Homestead, as recommended by the Parks Committee on October 1, 1996. The Parks Department is actively working with community partners to restore the home and gardens at the historic Neely Soames Homestead located in the Kent Valley. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I) Firearms and Weapons in Parks. ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3318 amending Section 4. 01. 040 of the Kent City Code relating to weapons in the City parks, as recommended by the Parks Committee on October 1, 1996. Recent state legislation prohibits municipalities from regulating the possession of firearms, however, they may still regulate the discharge of firearms. The Kent City Code currently prohibits the carrying of firearms in City parks. This ordinance amends the Kent City Code relating to the possession of firearms in parks, in order to be in compliance with state law. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3J) Surplus House Demolition. ACCEPT as complete the demolition of surplus houses located at 120 Kennebeck, 26423 Russell Road, and 10134 SE 264th Street, and release retainage to Shear Transport Inc. upon receipt of state releases, as requested by Parks Administration. BUDGET (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C) 1997 Budget. Set November 5, 1996, as the public hearing date for the 1997 Budget. Preliminary Budgets will be available in the City Clerk's office after October 15 . 8 October 15, 1996 FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) ARRroval of Bills. APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through September 30 and paid on September 30 after auditing by the Operations Committee on October 2, 1996. Approval of checks issued for vouchers: Date Check Numbers Amount 9/30/96 174396-174999 $4,281,831.51 Approval of checks issued for payroll for September 16 through September 30 and paid on September 30, 1996: Date Check Numbers Amount 9/30/96 Checks 214766-215075 $ 250, 072 . 60 9/30/96 Advices 38660-39111 $ 579, 037.54 $ 829, 110. 14 REPORTS gRerations Committee. Johnson noted that the next meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 : 30 p.m. Public Works Committee. Orr noted that the next meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 : 30 p.m. Planning Committee. Orr noted that the next meeting will be held on November 19th at 4 : 00 p.m. EXECUTIVE Administrative Reports. At 7: 50 p.m. , Operations SESSION Director McFall noted that an executive session is scheduled to discuss pending litigation, but that labor negotiations and property acquisition need to be added also. ADJOURNMENT The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 8 : 25 p.m. Brenda Jacob C City Clerk 9