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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 08/18/1998 Kent, Washington August 18 , 1998 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m. by Mayor White . Present : Councilmembers Amodt, Brotherton, Clark, Epperly, and Yingling, City Attorney Lubovich, Fire Chief Angelo, Police Chief Crawford, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Finance Director Miller, Parks Director Hodgson and Information Services Director Mulholland. Approximately 20 people were at the meeting. Council President Orr and Councilmember Woods were excused from the meeting. PUBLIC Introduction of Visiting Students from Yangzhou COMMUNICATIONS China, Finance Director Miller introduced Xu Xuan and Zong Xing, students who are visiting from Kent' s Sister City Yangzhou, China. Miller noted that this is the fourth year of the student exchange program, and invited everyone to attend the next Sister City meeting at 5 : 30 Tuesday night at City Hall . Miller stated that the students will be here until Wednesday and that the City is happy to have them here . Zong Xing thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to come to Kent, and said he has felt welcome . He described the Kent Garden which was built in Yangzhou, and noted that many people visit the garden. He noted that Yangzhou is developing very fast and welcomed all to visit . He said that the world is becoming smaller, so it important to develop friendships . He said he had had a wonderful day in Kent , and to express his feelings, he read a poem entitled "A Perfect Day" . Xu Xuan thanked the Mayor and Council for their assistance in making this trip possible, and said she has had a wonderful visit . She listed the many places they have visited and things they have done. She said that Americans are friendly, humorous and have good manners . She said she considers Kent her second hometown, and invited everyone to visit Yangzhou and make it their second hometown. Mayor White welcomed the students and said he looks forward to seeing them in Yangzhou in the future . 1 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 PUBLIC Introduction of Mayor' s Appointee Mayor White COMMUNICATIONS announced that he has appointed Reverend John Jendresen to serve as a member of the Kent Human Services Commission, and noted that Reverend Jendresen cannot be in attendance tonight . Diversity Task Force. Arthur Harvev, Kent Citizens Association, asked about implementation and publication of the Diversity Task Force recommendation. Mayor White explained that volunteers are being sought to serve on the task force and that citizens have until the end of August to contact his office . He added that appointments will be made in September. He noted that the document has been published and is available in his office . CONSENT CLARK MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through CALENDAR I be approved. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A) Approval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of August 4 , 1998 . PUBLIC WORKS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F) West Valley Highway Storm Drainage ACCEPT the West Valley Highway Storm Drainage Repair project as complete and release retainage to RJC, Inc . upon standard releases from the State and release of any liens, as recommended by the Public Works/ Planning Committee . The original contract amount was $76, 734 . 59 . The final construction cost was $86, 884 .23 (13 .23% over) . The contract exceeded the bid amount because a section of pipe had to be re-laid due to unforeseen poor soil conditions . Adequate funds exist within the project budget to cover this overage . 2 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 PUBLIC WORKS (BIDS - ITEM 5C) S. 277th Street Interceptor Phase 2 The bid opening for this project was held on August 12th with eight bids received. The apparent low bid was submitted by Robison Construction, Inc . in the amount of $939, 694 . 08 . The Engineer ' s estimate was $1, 139, 982 . 89 . The Public Works Director recommends that upon his concurrence, the Mayor be authorized to either award the contract to the most satis- factory responsible bidder or to reject all bids . Wickstrom noted for Clark that Kent is an agency for King County on this project, and is waiting for the official award from them, as they are paying the bill . CLARK MOVED that upon the Public Works Director' s concurrence, the Mayor be authorized to either award the contract to the most satisfactory responsible bidder or to reject all bids . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. (BIDS - ITEM 5D) (ADDED ITEM) 1998 Mill Creek Fiah Habitat Improvement Project The bid opening for this project was held on August 17 with two bids received. The low bid was submitted by Subdivision Management of Bothell in the amount of $185, 855 . 22 . The Engineer' s estimate was $135 , 714 . 16 . The dif- ference therein relates primarily to a quantity error in the bid documents . Were the low bid adjusted for same, the revised amount would be $148 , 877 . 14 . CLARK MOVED that the Mayor be authorized to award Schedules I , III and IV of the Mill Creek Fish Habitat Improvement Project to Subdivision Management and be further authorized to award Schedule VI upon receipt of the HPA permit in a timely manner, as determined by the Public Works Director. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. 3 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 PLATS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G) Pheasant Ridge Short Plat.. ACCEPT the bill of sale for Pheasant Ridge Short Plat submitted by Kenneth Walker for continuous operation and maintenance of 240 feet of sanitary sewer, 241 . 63 feet of curb, gutter and sidewalk, and 163 . 10 feet of storm sewer improvements and release of bonds after the expiration period, as recommended by the Public Works Director. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H) Fox Ridge Addition No 1 Final Plat FSU-96-14 SET September 1, 1998 , as the date for a public meeting to consider the final plat application submitted by DMP, Inc . , for the Fox Ridge Addition No. 1 Final Plat . The City Council approved the preliminary plat with conditions on November 18, 1997 . COMMUNITY (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I DEVELOPMENT (ADDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK) BLOCK GRANT 1999 Community Development Block Grant Program Set September 1, 1998, as the date for a public hearing to consider the proposed 1999 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Clark noted that this was discussed by the Public Works/Planning Committee yesterday. FACILITIES (BIDS - ITEM 5A) Construction Of Additional Municipal Court Parking Lot. As a condition of the City' s lease with King County, the City agreed to construct approximately 21 additional parking spaces at Aukeen Court . Bids were solicited and Mer-Con, Inc . submitted the lowest base bid and Alternate No. 1 at $207, 388 , plus Washington State Sales Tax. The Architect ' s estimate is $240, 000 . Amodt noted that the bid is lower than the estimate and expressed appreciation to the staff for keeping an eye on taxpayer ' s dollars . CLARK MOVED to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with Mer-Con, Inc . to construct 4 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 FACILITIES additional parking at the Aukeen Court parking lot for the bid amount of $207, 388 . Epperly seconded and the motion carried. TECHNOLOGY (BIDS - ITEM 5B) PC Purchase Request for Quotes, This purchase replaces 75 of the older 486-class personal computers in the City. The Operations Committee authorized the final Request For Quotes process on August 4 , but due to the change in the schedule of the Operations Committee, results will be presented tonight . Twelve quotes were received from eight different vendors . Staff recommends award of the con- tract to Technology Express in the amount of $159, 886 . 50 . Information Services Director Mulholland explained that the need to make this purchase was established in the Technology Plan. She noted that the City has worked with Technology Express in the past and has been pleased with them as a supplier. She pointed out that the lowest quote did not meet the criteria and that the quote from Technology Express was the second lowest quote . She added that because of the reduction in PC prices that has taken place in the last several months, the City is able to purchase better, faster machines with twice the memory and larger monitors, and still stay below the identified budget of $165, 000 . Amodt stated that the pricing is excellent, but inquired about the need for 17" monitors . She suggested getting 15" monitors and saving the approximately $12 , 000 difference for emergencies . Mulholland explained that she has received more and more requests for 17" monitors for usability reasons and expressed a desire to have the most uniform purchase possible in this case . She added that the remaining 486 machines will be replaced later and that a more exact count of 15" and 17" monitors will be required at that time . Finance Director Miller stated that the Finance 5 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 TECHNOLOGY Department will receive some of the 17" monitors for people who use their PC ' s all day long, and that one of the advantages is the ability to do several things at once on the screen. She added that they also help reduce eye strain. Mulholland clarified for Amodt that the number of 17" monitors in this purchase is half of the number of PCs, and that department heads must approve all requests for machines . Amodt stated that since everyone is getting a 300 instead of a 233 as originally proposed, that not everyone should get a 17" monitor and that the extra money should be spent where it is really needed. CLARK MOVED to authorize the purchase of 75 specified Hewlett-Packard personal computers from Technology Express in the total amount of $159, 886 . 50 and to authorize the Mayor to sign the documents necessary to complete the purchase . Epperly seconded. Clark pointed out that as the capacity of machines increases, so does the user ' s capacity to get work done. He noted that annexations have resulted in more citizens to serve, that person- nel has not been expanded comparable to that, and that existing personnel need the best equipment possible . He complimented Mulholland on her efforts and stated that this purchase is appro- priate. His motion then carried with Amodt opposed. COUNCIL (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C) Council Absences. APPROVAL of excused absences from tonight ' s meeting for Council President Leona Orr and Councilmember Woods, who are unable to attend. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E) Code Of Ethics Policy. ADOPTION of Resolution No. 1512 relating to a Code of Ethics for City Councilmembers, expressing the Council ' s com- mitment to operate and conduct itself in an 6 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 COUNCIL open and impartial manner and to a standard that ensures public confidence in the conduct of its members, as recommended by the Operations Committee . APPOINTMENTS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D) Human Services Appointment. CONFIRMATION of the Mayor' s appointment of Reverend John Jendresen to serve as a member of the Kent Human Services Commission. Rev. Jendresen is the minister at Kent Christian Center. In addition to his ministerial duties, he is involved with a pro- gram to feed and clothe the homeless, works with single parent families, and is involved with a program that provides gospel concerts for the community. He and his family will represent the religious community and will replace Pastor Johnny Williams who resigned. His term will continue until 1/1/99 . FINANCE (PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM 2A) 1999 Budget. This date has been set for the first public hearing on the 1999 Budget . Public input is desired and welcome as the City begins to prepare for the 1999 budget . Finance Director Miller explained that sales tax, which comprises 29% of the revenue, is a volatile revenue source and that she expects sales tax growth to remain flat . She stated that the budget is approximately $100, 000 , 000 , $85, 000, 000 of which is operating expense and $15 , 000 , 000 of which is capital . She added that, looking at the entire city, transportation is the largest part of the budget, and that public safety is 60% of the operating budget . Miller noted that although there has been a good deal of growth in the valley, the revenue does not support growth in the number of positions that can be added. Upon the Mayor' s question, Miller explained that on the revenue side there is a very slim amount of property tax that can be increased and on the 7 Kent City Council Minutes August 18 , 1998 FINANCE expenditure side there is a higher amount in COLAs . She added that figures will be fine-tuned and adjustments made by October 20th, and that there will be further opportunities for Council to look at changes . She clarified that the fiscal year for the city is from January through December. Miller noted that revenue estimates are 1 . 3 over, which is almost entirely one-time-only sales tax. She said she expects that revenues next year will be slightly increased, but that expenditures will also be up. Mayor White clarified that while over-all revenues on property tax can increase 1%, house evaluations are going up more than that , so the net effect will be a decrease to most property owners . Mayor White opened the public hearing. Wayne Thuringer, 858 1st Avenue North, Kent, asked whether annexations are scheduled to coincide with the fiscal year. Miller explained that detailed revenue and expenditure studies are done regarding annexations, as well as month-to-month forecasts . She added that employee hiring may lag to match incoming revenue . There were no further comments and CLARK MOVED to close the public hearing. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) Approval of Bills . APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through July 31 and paid on July 31, after auditing by the Operations Committee on August 4 , 1998 . Approval of checks issued for vouchers : Date Check Numbers Amount 7/31/98 203547-203788 $ 231, 676 . 27 7/31/98 203789-204226 2 , 301 , 459 . 79 $2 , 533 , 136 . 06 8 Kent City Council Minutes August 18, 1998 FINANCE Approval of checks issued for payroll for July 16 through July 31, and paid on August 5, 1998 : Date Check Numbers Amount 8/5/98 Checks 229340-229700 $ 287, 905 . 61 8/5/98 Advices 68656-69224 748 , 782 . 96 $1, 036, 688 . 57 REPORTS Public Safety Committee Epperly stated that Council President Orr has requested Council concurrence to revisit the north frame district during the annual review of the Comprehensive Plan, as there has been considerable interest expressed in the changes that were made and a number of residents would like the opportunity to have their concerns addressed. There was no objection. Public Works/Planning Committee Clark noted that due to the Labor Day holiday, the Committee will meet on September 14 and 21 . He also stated that residents of Chestnut Ridge had attended the meeting yesterday and that every effort will be made to slow down traffic on 203rd as soon as possible . Administrative Resorts Mayor White reiterated that names are still being taken for the Diversity Task Force, that any citizen is welcome to send a letter to the Mayor ' s Office, and that appointments will hopefully be made in early September. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7 : 55 p.m. -aJ a..-c o /i/ Brenda Jaco e , CMC City Clerk 9