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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 .
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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
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