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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 03/16/1999 Kent, Washington March 16, 1999 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 McFall, City Attorney Lubovich, Fire Chief Angelo, Planning Director Harris, Finance Director Miller, and Parks Director Hodgson. Approximately 30 people were at the meeting. CHANGES TO Chief Angelo' s. discussion._of the Community AGENDA Emergency Response Team Program was added to Public Communications . A map was added to Consent Calendar Item 6D by the City Attorney. PUBLIC Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Mayor White read COMMUNICATIONS a proclamation declaring March 18 , 1999 as Absolutely Incredible Kid Day in the City of Kent . He explained that Camp Fire Boys & Girls teaches boys and girls self-reliance, good citizenship and leadership, and encouraged citizens to take the time to communicate to a young person by note or letter how important they are, and let them know they are special and appreciated. He presented the plaque to Cheryl McGowen, Adventure Group Co-Leader. Castlereagh, Northern Ireland Delegation Mayor White welcomed a delegation from Castlereagh, Northern Ireland to the meeting and noted that Kent and Castlereagh will formally become sister cities during special ceremonies in May. He noted that this delegation is visiting Kent to explore specific exchange and information sharing opportunities . He then introduced the lead official from the delegation, Alderman Mrs . Chambers . Alderman Mrs . Chambers thanked the Mayor, Council and staff for the wonderful welcome they have received, for the planned itinerary and for their hospitality. She introduced the other members of the delegation. Mayor White expressed apprecia- tion for their visit . 1 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 PUBLIC Community Emergency gosvonse Teams Fire COMMUNICATIONS Chief Angelo pointed out that this area has the potential for natural and man-made disasters and that citizens should be able to survive for at least 72 hours on their own. He announced a class dealing with disaster preparedness, disaster fire extinguishment, disaster medical operations, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and team organization, so that citizens will be familiar with basic skills and will be able to help their neighbors . He noted that the first citizens academy will be on April 6 , 1999 and that a business academy will be held in the fall . State of the City Address. Mayor White gave his State of the City address, noting that the City is in the best condition in its history. He stated that the City is financially sound, that substantial reserves have been established, that property tax rates have been lowered, and that the City' s credit rating has been upgraded to AA status . He added that construction has continued on two transportation corridors (196th St . and 277th St . ) , bridges and roads have been built and other transportation improvement projects have been undertaken. He noted that the City has acquired and developed parks, managed annexa- tions, opened a Family Violence Unit, and delivered quality local government services and programs . White stated that the City will work on imple- menting changes in the land use and construction permit process, space planning, developing infrastructure for the future, developing the community rail station, redevelopment of the downtown area, and will make decisions regarding the Civic and Performing Arts Center. The Mayor pledged his continued support for police and fire services and prevention, and said the City must continue its ongoing commitment to strong and prudent financial management . He thanked the Council for their support . 2 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 CONSENT ORR MOVED to approve Consent Calendar Items A CALENDAR through I , including an amendment to Item D. Woods seconded and the motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6A) AR=oval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 2 , 1999 . WATER (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6I) King County Water District No. 111 Franchise Agreement Ordinance AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the King County Water District #111 Franchise Agreement Ordinance No. 3447 which grants Water District #111 authority to operate and maintain a domestic water supply system for Water District #111, s customers residing within the City limits of Kent, upon concurrence by the City Attorney with the language . This franchise ordinance was introduced at the March 2 , 1999 Council meeting. SEWERS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6C) LID 349, S E 223rd Sanitary Sewers, Final Assessment Roll. ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3446 establishing the final assessment roll for LID 349, S.E. 223rd Street Sanitary Sewers, as recommended by Council . (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6G) Mental Health Housing Foundation Sewer Extension. ACCEPTANCE of the Bill of Sale for the Mental Health Sewer Extension submitted by Mental Health Housing Foundation for continuous operation and maintenance of 140 feet of sanitary sewers and, release of bonds after the expiration period, as recommended by the Public Works Director. The project is located at 26824 108th Avenue Southeast . (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6H) Sewer Rate Increase - Authorization. DIRECT the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance for adoption of the sewer rate increase, as recommended by the Public Works/Planning Committee . 3 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 SEWERS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7C) East Hill Sewer Interceptor. For the past several years, the Public Works Department has been developing the East Hill Sewer Interceptor project, which consists of a new lift station and an accompanying interceptor. The City has acquired many of the necessary easements, however, there are some which may require condemnation. Therefore, staff recommends that condemnation proceedings be authorized. This matter went to the Public Works and Planning Committee on Monday, March 5th, and is on a fast track to complete construction during this summer' s dry season. The City Attorney distributed a packet of legal descriptions for the properties, Exhibits A-N, and noted that within the last 24 hours two of the properties have been settled. ORR MOVED that the legal descriptions be made a part of the public record. Woods seconded and the motion carried. CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3445 authorizing condemnation proceedings for the East Hill Sewer Interceptor. Woods seconded. Clark pointed out that this system must be restruc- tured, and is critical to the health of the City. His motion then carried. PLAT (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7B) Emerald Ridge II Final Plat FSU-98-10 . This date has been set to consider the final plat application submitted by Tom O ' Conner, for the Emerald Ridge II Final Plat . The City Council approved the preliminary plat with conditions on January 19, 1999 . CLARK MOVED to approve the Emerald Ridge II Final Plat and to authorize the Mayor to sign the final plat mylar. Orr seconded and the motion carried. 4 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 RAILROAD (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6D) UPRR Toys R Us Spur Franchise Ordinance INTRODUCTION of an ordinance granting to the Union Pacific Railroad Company the right, privilege and authority to construct, maintain and operate a railroad spur track upon and across S . 196th Street . The City and Union Pacific Railroad Company have been through extensive negotiations and litiga- tion over the terms and conditions of a prior franchise agreement granted by the City that has allowed UPRR to cross 196th Street near the Toys 'R Us warehouse, just east of the Green River. All parties have finally agreed on renewal franchise terms . Under state law, a franchise cannot be passed by the Council until five days after its initial introduction. This franchise must also be published. Accordingly, the franchise is being introduced at this meeting, and will be scheduled for final passage at the next regular Council meeting on April 6, 1999 . The City Attorney provided a map to be included with the ordinance as an exhibit . ORR MOVED to make the map an exhibit to the ordinance. Woods seconded and the motion carried. TECHNOLOGY (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6E) PLAN Minicomputer Purchase AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign a purchase agreement with R & D Industries for the purchase of a HP-9000 mini- computer in the amount of $146, 289 . 18, subject to City Attorney approval of purchase terms. In the Technology Plan, the need for new mini- computers was clearly identified. This is the City' s first major mini-computer under the plan. This HP-9000 will immediately be used to store database systems for Permitting, Public Works, G. I . S . and Parks software projects. It will have significant capacity for those systems to grow. 5 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 TECHNOLOGY On March 2 , 1999, the Operations Committee PLAN recommended purchasing a HP-9000 minicomputer from R & D Industries for $146, 289 . 18 . The City is saving approximately 20% on this purchase by utilizing an existing bid conducted by a state agency called the Communications Technology Consortium. In addition to saving approximately 20% or more from list prices, costs of conducting and advertising bids are saved. City Code Section 3 . 70 . 030 allows the City to use other agency' s bids in place of conducting its own bid process . EMPLOYEE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6F) SERVICES Premera Blue Cross Contract. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the Premera Blue Cross Contract Renewal for 1999, as recommended by the Operations Committee on March 2 , 1999 . This is an administrative agreement with Premera Blue Cross whose sole function is to provide claims administration services for the City of Kent . The renewal lists the 1999 State Mandated Benefit program changes that the City shall be incorpora- ting into the self-insured program. FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6B) ADDroyal of Bills . APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through February 26 and paid on February 26, after auditing by the Operations Committee on March 2 , 1999 . Approval of checks issued for vouchers : Date Check Numbers Amount 2/26/99 213196-213576 $ 229, 317 . 70 2/12/99 213577-214032 2 , 083 , 109 . 76 $2 , 312, 427 .46 (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7A) 1999 Councilmanic Bonds, Bond ordinance and Purchase Contract, On March 2 , 1999, the Operations Committee recommended adoption of the formal Bond Ordinance and authorization for the Mayor to sign the Bond Purchase Contract for the 1999 LTGO. May Miller, Finance Director 6 Kent City Council Minutes March 16, 1999 FINANCE explained the difference between the City' s previous credit rating and the new AA rating. Dick King of Lehman Brothers noted that the bonds were priced today at 4 . 65%, which is a savings of approximately $50, 000-60, 000 because of the upgrade in rating. Miller added that $12 , 500 would be saved in insurance costs . King noted for Yingling that Boeings -.employment f-igures in Kent are not expected to change. McFall added that the City was able to provide evidence that the consolidation of Boeing' s space and defense activities would benefit the City. King noted for Amodt that about six cities in the region have AA ratings . WOODS MOVED to adopt bond Ordinance No. 3444 for the issuance of $20, 858, 000 plus issuance costs in 1999 Councilmanic Bonds and to authorize sign- ing of the bond purchase contract with Lehman Brothers . Amodt seconded. Clark noted that teamwork is required for projects such as this, and commended those involved. Orr agreed, noting that this will be a financial benefit to the citizens of Kent . Woods ' motion then carried. REPORTS Council President. Orr reminded Councilmembers of the Citizens Summit on March 18 , and of their retreat on March 26 and 27 . Overations Committee. Woods noted that the next meeting will be held on April 6 at 3 : 30 p.m. Public Safety Committee. Epperly noted that the next meeting is on March 23 at 5 : 00 p.m. Public Works & Plannina Committee. Clark noted that the next meeting will be on April 5 at 3 :30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7 :35 p.m. Brenda Jaco er CD City Clerk 7