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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 08/04/1998 Kent, Washington August 4 , 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, Orr, Woods and Yingling, Operations Director/Chief of Staff McFall , City Attorney Lubovich, Fire Chief Angelo, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Finance Director Miller and Parks Director Hodgson. Approximately 50 people were at the meeting. PUBLIC Employee of the Month. Mayor White announced COMMUNICATIONS that Jeanne Alexander, Specialized Recreation Instructor, has been named Employee of the Month for August . He noted that Ms . Alexander is one of the co-founders of the Sunshine Factory Club, a social club for developmentally disabled adults . He stated that her ability to be extraordinarily patient and understanding makes her a perfect choice to work with a diverse group of individ- uals, and thanked her for her contributions . Cheryl Fraser, Recreation Facility Manager, said that Ms . Alexander is very well respected by her co-workers and has made a tremendous difference in the quality of life of many people . She thanked her for her compassion, caring and commitment . Mayor White presented Ms . Alexander with the Employee of the Month plaque, which she said she is honored to receive . Regional Justice Center Update. Commander Coleman of the Regional Justice Center distributed copies of a brochure and reported that the RJC has been operating very well and that he is pleased with the progress which has been made . He noted that video court is operating for three municipal courts, that two additional court rooms will open in September, that the Kent School District will provide juvenile education, and that Renton Technical College has begun a janitorial program for inmates and will begin a baking program later. He noted that substance abuse counseling is available and that Catholic Community Services will provide transition services upon release . He noted that over 180 volunteers work with inmates at the center, and expressed appreciation to them. 1 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 PUBLIC Commander Coleman noted that 781 of the 896 beds COMMUNICATIONS are full and that two units are available for expansion. He said that the RJC is recognized as a model jail facility and has been toured by representatives from other states and countries . He invited Councilmembers to tour the facility. Upon questions from Yingling and Orr, Coleman said they have received enormous community support and that they do not expect to use the vacant units until next year. He said that double bunking has always been anticipated and that all support facilities were designed to accommodate that population. He pointed out that the RJC has a large meeting room for use by the community. Orr commented on the beautiful artwork in the facility and Coleman noted for Amodt that nutritious meals are prepared for approximately 60 cents each. Commander Coleman invited anyone who would like to tour the facility to contact him and made brochures available . Report from Citizens to Save the South Station Site• Walter Haz n, 11235 137th Avenue SE, noted that they are in the process of gathering funds for any future litigation which may be necessary, and that they will be meeting with members of the Sound Transit staff . He recommended that the Council invite members of the RTA staff to visit both sites . He thanked all who have helped. Jan Redding, 9511 S . 207th Place, Kent, said that invitations have been sent to Sound Transit Boardmembers to visit both sites on August 13 and encouraged City Councilmembers to attend. She explained that staff has been instructed to revisit the north station site issue . She noted for Orr that a few of the members want to see the site, and that the visit was coordinated with the Chairman of the Sound Transit Board. 2 Kent City Council Minutes August 4, 1998 PUBLIC Carol Schneider, manager of the St . James Thrift COMMUNIATIONS Shop at 232 S . Railroad Avenue, urged the Council to save the south site for the shop and to stay with the north site for the RTA station. She explained that the shop supports the food bank, suppers at the Lutheran church, Catholic Community Services, and contributed $42 , 000 to charities last year. She questioned whether the merchants have contributed to these charities . She said that if the shop is closed, they would not be able to find another location with reasonable rent and that Kent will lose the funding that they provide to charities . She reiterated that it is her hope that Sound Transit will stay with the north site. CONSENT ORR MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A through O CALENDAR 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 July 21, 1998 . WATER (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G) Water District #111 Easement AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the agreement with Water District #111, as recommended by the Public Works/Planning Committee . The Public Works Department has received an Easement Agreement from Water District #111 for the purpose of granting the District an easement to install a waterline through the plat of Seven Oaks . STREET (CONSENT CALENDAR - .ITEM 3F) VACATION 32nd Avenue South Street Vacation ADOPTION of Resolution No 1510 setting September 15 , 1998 , as the public hearing date for the 32nd Avenue South Street Vacation, as recommended by the Public Works/Planning Committee . 3 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 PUBLIC WORKS (BIDS - ITEM 5A) 1998 Asphalt Overlay & Central Avenue Right Turn Lane (Northbound South of S 228th Street) - Russel1 Road Asphalt Walkway (James Street to 1,400 ' South) , Bid opening for this project was held on July 30th with four bids received. The low bid was submitted by Lakeside Industries in the amount of $536, 820 . 20 . The Engineer ' s estimate was $564 , 004 . 50 . The Public Works Committee has reviewed the project budget and recommends transferring unencumbered monies from another project fund. As such, the Public Works Director recommends that the contract be awarded to the low bidder. CLARK MOVED that the remaining balance in Fund R52 be transferred to the R11 Fund and the 1998 Asphalt Overlay & Central Avenue Right Turn Lane (Northbound South of S . 228th Street) - Russell Road Asphalt Walkway (James Street to 1, 400 ' South) contract be awarded to Lakeside Industries in the amount of $536, 820 . 20 . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. TRANSPORTATION (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4D) Transportation Improvement Board Grant The Public Works Department has received a grant of $1, 320, 577 from the Transportation Improvement Board for the construction phase of the 196th. Street Corridor project . The Public Works/ Planning Committee has recommended that the Mayor be authorized to sign the grant agreement, direct staff to accept the grant and establish a budget for $1, 320, 577 . It was determined that the contract can be executed even though the Mayor serves as a member of this Board. CLARK MOVED that the Mayor be authorized to sign the grant agreement and direct staff to accept the grant of $1, 320 , 577 from the Transportation Improvement Board, to establish a budget for same and to use the funds for the S . 196th Street Corridor project . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. 4 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 PLATS CLARK MOVED to approve the Hearing Examiner ' s recommendation of approval with conditions of the Stone Wood preliminary plat . Woods seconded and the motion carried. DIVERSITY (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I) Diversity Advisory Board Establishment, ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3414 establishing a Diversity Advisory Board. The Mayor' s Multi-Cultural Diversity Task Force has recommended the creation of a Diversity Advisory Board. This ordinance creates such a board of seven members to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council . The Board will advise the Mayor and Council on matters pertaining to diversity in City policies, employment, contracting, and the like . Yingling stated that this is a significant achievement for the City and that an advisory board will be developed to oversee the recommenda- tions made by the Mayor ' s Diversity Task Force . The Mayor noted that letters of interest should be mailed to his office by the end of August . LODGING TAX (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C) Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Due to changes in state law, the City of Kent now has authority to levy a 1% lodging tax, the proceeds of which must be used for tourism promotion. The first step in consideration of such a tax is the establishment of a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee . The commit- tee will be composed of seven members : three representatives of the lodging industry, three representatives of potential beneficiaries of the tax, and the chair of the Council Operations Committee who shall serve as chair. The committee will review proposals for levying such a tax, and proposed expenditures of such tax, and shall make recommendations to the City Council . McFall noted that City Council has struggled with the issue of whether or not to proceed with a performing arts center, how property for a site 6 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 LODGING TAX would be acquired, how to finance construction, and how to deal with any operating deficits which might occur. He explained that the lodging tax could be used to partially address some of these issues . He pointed out that the City Council cannot act on a proposed lodging tax until at least 45 days from the first date that this committee would consider the subject . McFall stated that the proposal is to adopt an ordinance establishing the committee so that this option can be analyzed more thoroughly and a recommendation can be brought back to Council . He noted that the terms of committee members would be for three years, but that initial appointments would be for one, two, and three year terms in order to establish a rotation. McFall noted that there is a sunset clause in the ordinance, in the event that a lodging tax is not implemented by the City Council by January 1, 1999 . He said in that case the ordinance and the lodging tax advisory committee would cease to exist . The City Attorney clarified that it is the duty of the City Council to appoint the committee members . WOODS MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3417 creating a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and to direct staff to prepare a proposal for a 1% lodging tax for submission to the committee . Clark seconded. Woods said that this is an opportunity to examine a possible direction and that until recently it was not possible for the City to consider this as a potential funding source . Upon Amodt ' s question, McFall explained that Kent and other cities in King County are subject to the state sales tax and the county-wide lodging tax. He added that some cities have now adopted the additional 1% . Amodt said she has heard concern from hotel/motel owners in Kent . Woods pointed out that the issue before Council tonight is 7 Kent City Council Minutes August 4, 1998 LODGING TAX whether to establish a committee and that if action is not taken by the end of the year, the issue will disappear. She added that meetings will be held over several months . Amodt questioned why a committee should be created to look at the tax if citizens are concerned about it and it probably will not be implemented; McFall responded that State law requires it . Barbara Ivanov, Executive Director of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, said they do not have a formal position at this time . She distributed a handout showing comments from local hotel/motel owners, and noted that most of the owners were concerned whether or not a performing arts center would generate overnight stays . She suggested that of the three recipients on the committee, if two are from the performing arts center, the other be someone who could represent other avenues of general tourism. Orr spoke in favor of the motion and said it is a good way to gather information from an objective group of people and find out the impacts . She said it is critical that a good share of the funds be spent to attract people who will stay overnight in Kent . Epperly noted that the current tax is 11 . 4%, and McFall explained that that is the sales tax and the King County lodging tax. He noted for Orr that that tax is divided among several uses and is not a specific amount . Brotherton spoke in favor of the motion to establish a committee . Amodt noted that one of the 1998 target issues is to reduce taxes, and that although the action tonight is only to establish a committee, it is the first step . McFall noted for Epperly that the County cannot assess any more, as they are at their limit . Yingling spoke in favor of the motion and pointed out that this would bring in revenue from non-Kent residents . He voiced con- cern about the competitive nature of the lodging business and agreed that it would be good to bring in someone from another part of the beneficiary 8 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 LODGING TAX community. He pointed out that this is a good opportunity to sell the performing arts center to a broader committee . There were no further comments and the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3417 then carried, with Amodt and Epperly opposed. PARKS AND (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C) RECREATION King County Work Training Program Grant ACCEPTANCE of a King County Community Services Division grant awarded to the Parks and Recreation Youth/Teen Program Work Training Program in an amount not to exceed $12 , 380 and amendment of the budget . The project is titled Kent Youth Conservation Corps and involves teens cleaning, maintaining and developing parks and rails, and other special projects as assigned. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D) King County Arts Commission Grant. Acceptance of a $6, 625 grant from the King County Arts Commission 1998 Sustained Support Program to Kent Parks and Recreation Cultural Division, and amend- ment of the budget . Funds will provide artistic services and opportunities for a variety of special event programs, including summer concert series and Kids ' Arts Day. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E) Kent Rotary Donation. ACCEPTANCE of a donation in the amount of $1, 489 from the Kent Rotary, and amendment of the budget . The annual Kent Rotary auction donates half of the dollar amount of purchases from each table designated to an organization back to that organization. This year the Kent Parks and Recreation Department table purchased $2 , 978 in auction items, resulting in a Kent Rotary donation of $1, 489 back to Kent Parks and Recreation to be used for the Meridian Glen Park play equipment purchase . 9 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 PARKS AND (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3N) RECREATION Riverbend Driving Rance Netting Project. ACCEPT the Riverbend Driving Range Netting Project as complete and release retainage to Driving Ranges Inc . upon receipt of state releases . (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 30) pringwood Park Trail Damage Repair. ACCEPT the Springwood Park Trail Damage Repair Project as complete and release retainage to Ohana Nursery upon receipt of state releases . FINANCE (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A) 1999-2004 Capital Facilities Plan. This date has been set to receive public input on the 1999-2004 Capital Facilities Plan. The Plan includes all expenditures for the next six years as described in the City' s Capital Facilities portion of the Comprehensive Plan. Each year the CFP is updated before adoption of the City' s budget , in order to incorporate the capital improvements from the updated CFP into the budget . Finance Director Miller displayed a graph showing revenue sources, the largest of which is grants . She noted that the second largest source is utili- ty revenue, and that specific shared money is received from the state . She said that the largest expenditure is for public works projects for transportation. She then explained the timeline for submitting projects . Mayor White opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the audience and WOODS MOVED to close the public hearing . Orr seconded and the motion carried. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) Approval of Bills . APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through July 15 and paid on July 15 after auditing by the Operations Committee on July 21 , 1998 . 10 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 FINANCE Approval of checks issued for vouchers : Date Check Numbers Amount 7/15/98 202777-203059 $ 651, 749 . 68 7/15/98 203060-203546 3 , 230 , 301 ._93 $3 , 882 , 051 . 61 Approval of checks issued for payroll for July 1 through July 15 , and paid on July 20 , 1998 : Date Check Numbers Amount 7/20/98 Checks 228977-229339 $ 292 , 553 . 35 7/20/98 Advices 68109-68655 797 , 590 . 97 $1, 090, 144 . 32 (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H) LID 347 & 348 Consolidated Bond Contract. ADOPTION of Ordinance No . 3413 for the issuance of $942 , 617 in CLID 347/348 bonds and authorization for the Mayor to sign the bond purchase contract with Dain Rauscher, Inc . , as recommended by the Operations Committee at their July 21, 1998 meeting. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3L) 1998 Budget Adjustment. ADOPTION of Ordinance No . 341E totaling $35, 703 , 185 for budget adjust- ments made from January 1 through June 30 , 1998 , as recommended by the Operations Committee at their July 21, 1998 meeting. This ordinance is primarily a housekeeping adjustment, consolidating individual budget items into one adjusting ordinance . (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3M) 1999 Budget. SET August 18 , 1998 , as the date for a public hearing on the 1999 Budget . REPORTS ,Council President. Orr announced that the Suburban Cities meeting originally scheduled for August 12th has been cancelled. 11 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 REPORTS Orr noted that tonight is National Night Out and provided Councilmembers with a list of the Block Watch locations and invited them to attend. Operations Committee. Woods noted that the next Committee meeting has been changed from August 18 to August 25 at 3 : 30 p .m. Public Safety Committee. Epperly noted that the Committee will meet at 5 : 00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11 . Parks Committee. Woods said the Committee meeting has been changed to August 25 as necessary. EXECUTIVE At 8 : 00 p.m. , McFall reminded Councilmembers of an SESSION Executive Session of approximately 15 minutes . The meeting reconvened at 8 :25 p.m. PARKS AND Ice Arena, WOODS MOVED to authorize the Mayor to RECREATION execute the proposed Letter of Agreement with Urban Trademark Corporation for development of an ice arena on park land; to authorize the Mayor to negotiate and enter into a lease and related agreements upon terms and conditions similar to those set forth in the Letter of Agreement ; and to make the Letter of Agreement part of the record. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. TRAFFIC Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Settlement CONTROL Agreement, CLARK MOVED to authorize the Mayor to sign the proposed Settlement Agreement between the City and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, subject to approval by the Public Works Director and the City Attorney of the terms and conditions of a Construction and Maintenance Agreement with BNSF for the construction of the 196th Street Corridor above-grade railroad cross- ing by the City Attorney; to further authorize the City Attorney to execute any additional documents 12 Kent City Council Minutes August 4 , 1998 TRAFFIC necessary to fulfill the settlement conditions; CONTROL and to make the proposed Settlement Agreement between the City and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad a part of the record. Woods seconded and the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8 : 27 p .m. Brenda J co er, CMC City Cl 13