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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 11/16/1999 Kent, Washington November 16, 1999 The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order to 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, Police Chief Crawford, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Planning Director Harris, Parks Director Hodgson, Finance Director Miller and Employee Services Director Viseth. Approximately 100 people were at the meeting. CHANGES TO Billboard Regulation Amendment/Off-Premises Signs AGENDA Amendment. Councilmember Orr removed this item (7K) from the agenda to be brought back at a later date . Special Council Meeting. McFall requested the addition of an item setting a special meeting regarding the property tax and the 2000 budget (7L) . Labor Negotiations. McFall requested the addition of labor negotiations to the executive session. Sale of Property. At the request of Public Works Director Wickstrom, the Mayor added an item regarding the sale of property (7M) . Kent Library. Jim Flick, S . 218th, Kent, requested a discussion of the goings-on at the Kent Library. Mayor White explained that the City has no control over the library and referred Flick to the King County Library System. PUBLIC Introduction of Appointees. Mayor White intro- COMMUNICATIONS duced Ellen Gimenez, Lilly Kato, Charlene Shaw, Greg Worthing, and Carol Vass, his reappointees to Arts Commission. Mayor White introduced Bohan Basisty, his appointee to the Diversity Board. State Representative Christopher Hurst. Hurst explained that he is the representative for the 31st Legislative District . He spoke about current issues such as transportation, unfunded mandates, 1 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 PUBLIC businesses, Metro services in South King County, COMMUNICATIONS and Initiative 695 . American Education Week. Mayor White read a proclamation noting that it is the responsibility of public schools to prepare students to success- fully meet emerging challenges and opportunities and that the success of the public schools is reflected in the support given them by their community. He declared the week of November 14- 20, 1999 as American Education Week in the City of Kent and encouraged all citizens to extend their commitment to public education by supporting schools through the contribution of time and energy. Becky Hanks of the Kent School District accepted the proclamation and expressed apprecia- tion to the City for their help on many projects . Bible Week. Mayor White read a proclamation noting that the Bible has a unique place in American life, and proclaimed November 21-28, 1999 as Bible Week in the City of Kent . 1999 Employee Donation to Kent Food Bank. The Mayor noted that City employees raised money for the Food Bank and presented a check in the amount of $921 . 50 to Food Bank Director Mary Lou Becvar. Becvar thanked the employees for their support . CONSENT ORR MOVED to approve Consent Calendar Items A-M. CALENDAR Woods seconded and the motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6A) Approval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of November 2, 1999 . HEALTH & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6I) SANITATION Stonebrook Suites Bill Of Sale. ACCEPT the Bill of Sale for Stonebrook Suites submitted by Stonebrook Kent LLC for continuous operation and maintenance of 1, 153 feet of watermain, 707 feet of sanitary sewer, 1, 378 feet of storm sewer and 1, 740 feet of street improvement and release of bonds after the expiration period, as recommended 2 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 HEALTH & by the Public Works Director. The project is SANITATION located at the southwest corner of S . 180th Street & 72nd Avenue South. SEWER (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6D) King County Agreement For Inflow/Infiltration Program Study. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the King County Agreement for Inflow/ Infiltration Program Study which provides the County contractors entry into the City' s sewer lines to collect information and analyze condi- tions, as recommended by the Public Works/ Planning Committee. SOLID WASTE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6G) Change In Control Of Tri-Star Disposal. PASSAGE of Resolution No. 1557 ratifying approval of a change in control of Tri-Star Disposal, as recommended by the Public Works/Planning Committee. TRAFFIC (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6C) CONTROL Interagency Agreement/Traffic Signal. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the Interagency Agreement for the traffic signal at the intersection of 120th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 240th Street, upon concurrence of the language therein by the City Attorney, as recommended by the Public Works/Planning Committee. TRANSPORTATION (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6F) Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Grant. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the grant agreement, direct staff to accept the grant and establish a budget for the funds to be spent within the S .E. 256th Street road improvement project, as recommended by the Public Works/ Planning Committee . The Public Works Department has received a grant from the TIB for the construction phase of Southeast 256th Street from 116th Avenue SE to 132nd Avenue SE . 3 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 TRANSPORTATION (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6M) 277th Corridor LID 351 - Notice Of Intent To Form. PASSAGE of Resolution No. 1558 setting December 13th as the public hearing date on the formation of LID #351, 277th Street Corridor and that the Public Works/Planning Committee be the hearing body for that Public Hearing, as recom- mended by the Public Works Committee . PARKING (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7D) No Parkin Zone. The City Council has previously established no parking zones as set forth in Section 9 . 38 . 020 of the Kent City Code . This Code currently has provisions which are repetitive and out of date . The proposed ordinance establishes a new Section 9 . 38 . 020 removing the repetitive pro- visions and adding additional no parking zones necessary for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public . Public Works Director Wickstrom stated that the signs are not being changed, and that the proposed ordinance would match existing signs . He noted for Orr that the ordinance could be amended in the future . CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3485 establishing a new no parking zone code . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. CONDEMNATION (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6E) Condemnation On S.E. 256th Street. ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3492 condemning necessary properties for the road construction project on Southeast 256th Street, as recommended by the Public Works/ Planning Committee. ANNEXATION (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7A) Nelson Annexation, 10% Petition AN-99-1. The City has received a Notice of Intention to commence annexation proceedings from owners of not less than 10 percent in value of property adjacent to Kent . The proposed 23-acre annexation is located between the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroads and north of S . 277th Street . 4 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 ANNEXATION Jack Nelson, 601 W. Gowe Street, Kent, one of the petitioners, asked that this item be continued to a later date, and agreed to the second meeting in January. CLARK MOVED that the Nelson Annexation notice of intention to commence annexation pro- ceedings be continued to the second meeting in January. Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. ANNEXATION (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6H) ZONING Horseshoe Acres Annexation Zoning. ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3483 amending the Zoning map to reflect the approved initial land use and zoning designation of M-1 : Industrial Park zone for the Horseshoe Acres Annexation Area. SALE OF (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7M) PROPERTY (ADDED ITEM) Sale of Property. Public Works Director Wickstrom noted that as part of the 277th corridor financing plan, it was anticipated that associated property would be sold. He explained that an offer of $240, 000 has been made for the property located on the northwest corner of the corridor and 108th. He asked that Council approve the sale . WOODS SO MOVED. Orr seconded and the motion carried. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7N) (ADDED ITEM) Sale of Property. Deputy City Attorney Brubaker noted that Council authorization is required to sell the property at the southwest corner of the 277th corridor and 108th to Valley Com for a purchase price of $210, 000 . CLARK MOVED to direct Administration to approve the sale. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. FEES (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7B) Continuation Of School Impact Fees. The City Council recently updated its Comprehensive Plan to include the Capital Facilities Plans of the Kent and Federal Way School Districts and further updated the School Impact Fee Schedules for these school districts . The School Impact Fee Program, 5 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES however, expires on March 31, 2000 . The proposed ordinance would repeal the sunset provisions of the School Impact Fee Program. AMODT MOVED that the sunset provision not be removed and be left as is for voter approval in March 2000 . Epperly seconded. Clark spoke in opposition to the motion, noting that this program is primarily aimed at new housing and is caused by the increase in population. Orr stated that she is opposed to the motion and that the public demanded this impact fee . Epperly agreed with Orr. Amodt said that the impact fees will not help with class size or education, and that the voters should be trusted to make the decision. Clark noted that the City has no control over the number of students in a classroom, but does have a responsibility to see that all students have a seat . The motion failed with only Amodt in favor. WOODS MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3484 repealing the sunset provisions of the School Impact Fee Program. Orr seconded and the motion carried with Amodt opposed. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7E) Water Rate Adiustment. The Mayor noted that the Public Works and Planning Committee has recom- mended adoption of an ordinance increasing the City' s water rate fees . Public Works Director Wickstrom noted that the committee was interested in some revisions . He displayed a map outlining the city limits and noted that the entire city is not serviced. He explained that the issue is the water supply. He noted that the system is a good one, but that there is no additional supply. He then explained the history of the water supply and the current situation. Wickstrom stated that a new agreement would implement a second supply project which would be paid for over a thirty-year period. He displayed an overhead showing system development charges and explained the proposed rate change . 6 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES Upon Brotherton' s request, Wickstrom explained that Clark Springs, one of the City' s principle sources, is affected by the Endangered Species Act . McFall clarified that if the Tacoma water source is not secured, some type of a moratorium would be triggered, resulting in an over-committed situation, a loss of revenue, a reduction in staffing and service levels, and an impact on the revenue bond capacity. Amodt noted that the new proposal is for a 15 . 8% increase rather than 39 . 2%, and asked which other funds could be used for water. McFall explained how utility improve- ments and operations are normally funded and said there is no prohibition against utilization of General Fund and Capital Improvement Funds revenues, but that other activities and projects would be impacted. Upon Brotherton' s question regarding the use of General Fund revenues on this particular project, McFall emphasized that funds shown in the budget, such as $15, 000, 000 for a performing arts center, are not actually available because they are based on things such as fund raising and voter-approved bond issues. He said operating expenses and other funded capital pro- jects would have to be looked at, as well as a variety of other sources . He pointed out that other utility funds of the city could not be used. CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3486 authorizing an increase in the City' s water rate as reflected in the new document distributed tonight and as per the discussion just held. Brotherton seconded. Epperly spoke in opposition to the motion, stating that even though the project is needed, citizens have the right to make the decision. Clark thanked the citizens for their input and agreed that there is conflict . He said the Council must look at the future and if this commitment is not made, an immediate negative impact on the community is triggered. AMODT MOVED to amend the motion by remanding back to zero the increase of the City water rate fees section of the budget which includes tax and fee increases to Kent residents, businesses and developers, and 7 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES sending it back to staff to reprioritize funds from non-essential services such as parks and arts to essential services such as water, police, fire, public works and planning. This was not agreeable to the maker of the motion and therefore the motion died. AMODT OFFERED A SUBSTITUTE MOTION to not increase the City water rate fees at all . Epperly seconded. Clark opined that this is inappropriate . Barbara Ivanov, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, 524 W. Meeker, thanked the Council for fiscal responsibility shown in the past, and expressed concern about large tax shifts from one special group to another. Wickstrom responded to Ivanov' s questions regarding system development charges . George Smith, 9505 S . 241st Street, said the second tier of the two tier schedule should start a bit higher than the average usage. John Saunders, 25609 29th Avenue South, asked how those on Highline water would be affected, and Wickstrom said that the heavy user will be impacted most . Bill Young, 1005 E. Guiberson Street, agreed that the project is necessary and suggested cutting other projects as well as the Parks Department, and using those funds . Ron Harmon, 20627 95th Avenue South, noted that Soos Creek water is more expensive than Kent ' s and urged citizens to determine which district they are in. Jim Flick, Kent, referred to page I-23 in the budget, and suggested putting the difference in rates in abeyance. Don Baer urged the Council to look at the costs of managing this program in Kent, not at the costs in other cities, and voiced concern about paying for new development . Lily Whitson, East Hill, suggested stopping building so that more water is not needed. Donna Young agreed with Whitson, saying resources should be con- served. She suggested using the open space and empty buildings already existing. Charlie Kieffer spoke about storing the water in an impoundment reservoir and said that the City' s Comprehensive Plan needs to be revisited because there are 8 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES conflicting elements . Upon a question from Bret Sherman, Orr explained that there is enough water for the existing residents of Kent . When Sherman asked about property on 124th, Wickstrom noted that that is the location for the impoundment reservoir. Sherman said there should be a vote of the people on this issue . Joe Rubio suggested deferring the remodel of the Centennial Building, and spending money on water rather than property acquisition. Jeff Wigginton, Kent, said any needs must be prioritized with income, and if water is the most important, some- thing else should be cut . He said the citizens don' t need to vote on every item, only when there is a shortfall . Bret Sherman submitted a petition. ORR MOVED to make the petition a part of the public record. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. Tod Stewart, East Hill, opined that with more thought the Council and staff could finance the project . Ted Koaita, said the Mayor and Council are being smug and cruel . Mayor White explained for John Saunders of West Hill that the shortfall amounts to $1 million to the General Fund, $1 million to transportation and $200, 000 to Public Safety, which is 2% of the budget . Eric Crispin, East Hill, said there had not been enough notice and that the decision should be postponed until there is more input . Leah Gaskill, 1510 Maple Lane, asked that the budget be redone and brought back to the next Council meeting for input . She also suggested conserving water by using rain water. Jim Flick suggested voting on all items affecting the budget at one time. Mayor White explained that they must be voted on separately. Upon a roll call vote, Amodt ' s substitute motion to have no water fee increase failed with Amodt and Epperly in favor and Brotherton, Clark, Orr, Woods and Yingling opposed. Orr expressed appreciation for the input and concern about the impacts of the new rates to the 9 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES business community and homeowners . She added that the new proposal was received just prior to this meeting and most people haven' t seen it . The main motion to adopt water rate fees as amended then carried 4-3 , with Brotherton, Clark, Woods and Yingling in favor and Amodt, Epperly and Orr opposed. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7F) Sewer Rate Adiustment. The Public Works and Planning Committee has recommended adoption of an ordinance which will increase the City' s sewer rate fees . The Public Works Director stated that the total proposal is an approximate 6 . 3% increase in the sewer rate, the bulk of which is related to a pass-through Metro rate . He added that there is a 2 . 9% increase in the City' s rate to compensate for an expected shortfall in the construction of the East Hill Interceptor project which would relieve the sewerage overflow problem. He said that if the City did not pass the Metro sewer rates on to the citizens, the reserves in the existing funds would be eaten up. CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3487 authoriz- ing an increase in the City' s sewer rate fees . Brotherton seconded. Clark acknowledged that this is a burden on the taxpayers but that the infra- structure has to be taken care of . The motion then carried with Amodt opposed. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7G) Drainage Rate Adiustment. The Public Works and Planning Committee has recommended adoption of an ordinance which will increase the City' s drainage rate fees. Public Works Director Wickstrom ex- plained that this is limited to the Soos Creek Basin. Epperly clarified that this does not affect the entire city, only those in the Meridian Annexation. Orr pointed out that the rate is lower than King County' s and that residents will see improvements . 10 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3488 authoriz- ing an increase in the City' s drainage rate fees . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried with Amodt opposed. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7H) Reveal of Street Utility Tax Sunset Provisions. Pursuant to Section 3 . 18 . 020 of the Kent City Code, a tax of one percent (1%) of utility taxes assessed is dedicated to City street improve- ment programs . This interim tax expires on December 31, 2006 . The proposed ordinance would repeal the sunset provisions of the utility tax relating to street improvements . Wickstrom outlined which projects are funded by this tax and explained the implications of the proposed ordinance. He noted that if there were a one-year extension, work on the S . 228th corridor could continue and more would be known about Initiative 695 . He added that changing the date from 2006 to 2007 would take care of an upcoming concurrency issue. Mayor White expressed concern about cutting the transportation program. CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3489 amending Section 3 . 18 . 020 of the Kent City Code relating to an interim tax for street improvements by extending the sunset provisions for street improvements for one year. Woods seconded. Clark said the long term impacts are to destroy the six-year con- currency required under the Growth Management Act and if funding resources are not available, it undercuts keeping some of the major improvements under way. McFall noted that Sound Transit has funding in their 2000 budget to fund their portion of the parking, and that the City would have to look at other sources of supporting the garage . Brotherton noted that citizens would be able to vote on this in 2007 and spoke in favor of the extension. Epperly was opposed to the extension, noting that it is still six years away. Orr spoke in support of the extension, noting that it could be altered later. 11 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES The motion then carried with Amodt and Epperly opposed. Mayor White requested that a meeting be scheduled in January with the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the business community to address the issue of how to fund the 228th corridor. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7I) Public Works Improvement Plan Review and Inspection Fees. This ordinance increases the City' s fee for public works improvement plan review and inspection fees from four percent (4%) to six percent (6%) . If the developer elects to hire an outside consultant to conduct the plan review work, the fee remains at four percent (4%) . Public Works Director Wickstrom noted that this item was supported by the Public Works and Planning Committee and explained which fees would be included. He clarified that outside con- sultants can be used and that the fee would then be four percent . CLARK MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3490 increas- ing public works improvement plan review and inspection fees to six percent, as specified. Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7J) Fire, Building Codes And Fireworks Fee Schedule. The City Council has, by Resolution 1511, previously adopted a schedule of fees for permits under the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the Uniform Fire Code . The proposed Resolution would establish a new schedule of fees, consoli- date those fees with other related Fire Code fees, and establish uniform hourly rates as set forth in the Uniform Codes . The proposed ordinance relat- ing to fireworks removes the established fireworks fee set forth in the Kent City Code, which is now included in the proposed resolution, and makes other changes to the Fireworks Code relating to 12 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FEES penalty provisions for unauthorized discharge of fireworks . The proposed ordinance and resolution are considered together due to the re-establish- ment of the fireworks fees from the City Code to the fee schedule resolution. Angelo summarized the impacts of the proposed ordinance and resolution. Barbara Ivanov of the Chamber of Commerce said their Local Government Committee reviewed this proposal and supports it as written. EPPERLY MOVED to pass Resolution No. 1559 adopting a new schedule of fees for permits under the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, the Uniform Fire Code, and other related codes . Orr seconded and the motion carried. EPPERLY MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3491 amending Chapter 13 . 05 of the Kent City Code relating to the fees for fireworks and making other related amendments . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. POLICE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6L) Kent Drinking Driver Task Force Grant Funding. Acceptance of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Grant Funding and establishment of budget documents, as required. A maximum of $84, 150 . 00 of ATOD Funds has been awarded to the City upon successful negotiation and completion of a King County Contract . Seattle King County Health Department Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Division Category 1, ATOD Prevention Project Two Year Youth Conference Support for Kent and eight South County School Districts ' Junior and Senior High Youth 7/1/99 through 6/30/99 13 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 PARKS & (BIDS - ITEM 8A) RECREATION Garrison Creek Park Reservoir LID Improvement Project. Ge of Seheel lumaet Fees The bid opening for the Garrison Creek Park Reservoir Lid Improvement Project , which includes resurfacing the tennis courts and replacing the basketball pole, was held on November 2 , 1999 . Four bids were received. The Parks and Recreation Director recommends awarding the contract to Bell Contracting, LLC, for base bid and Alternates A & B totaling $40, 036 . 72 , plus Washington State Sales Tax. WOODS MOVED to authorize an agreement with Bell Contracting, LLC, for $40, 036 . 72 , plus Washington State Sales Tax to make reservoir lid improvements at Garrison Creek Park. Orr seconded. Hodgson outlined Alternates A and B. The motion then carried. LEGISLATIVE (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7C) AGENDA Year 2000 Legislative Agenda. The City of Kent ' s Year 2000 Legislative Agenda communicates the City' s legislative priorities to elected state officials and provides a workplan for staff tracking and advocacy efforts during the Legislative Session. The document was presented to the City Council during its October 19 work- shop. Two rounds of amendments were suggested by City Council and those amendments have been incorporated in the final draft . ORR MOVED to approve and adopt the proposed legislative agenda as the City of Kent ' s Year 2000 Legislative Agenda. Clark seconded and the motion carried. APPOINTMENTS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6J) Arts Commission Reappointment. CONFIRMATION of the Mayor ' s reappointments of Ellen Gimenez, Lilly Kato, Charlene Shaw, Greg Worthing, and Carol Vass to continue serving as members of the Kent Arts Commission. Their new appointments will continue until 10/31/2003 . 14 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 APPOINTMENTS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6K) Diversity Board Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor' s appointment of Bohdan Basisty to serve as a member of the Diversity Advisory Board. Mr. Basisty was born in the Ukraine and has been a resident of Kent for five years after immigrating to this country ten years ago. Mr. Basisty is employed at the King County Regional Justice Center and is active in selling real estate in the Kent area. He and his family live in Kent . Mr. Basisty will replace David Daniels, who resigned, and his term will continue until 9/30/2002 . FINANCE (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 5A) Year 2000 Budget and Tax Levy. This is the third public hearing on the Year 2000 Budget and the first on the Property Tax Levy. The 2000 Preliminary Budget is in balance and totals approximately $120, 945, 678 . Adoption is scheduled for the December 14 , 1999 Council meeting. Finance Director Miller noted that since new construction figures came in higher, the property tax levy could be reduced to 0% over the highest allowable levy since 1986 . She displayed a graph showing property taxes over the last four years and noted that the City' s portion of the property tax bill has been coming down. At the Mayor' s request, Miller explained that citizens ' property tax bills can go up even though the City has lowered the bill because the tax is collected by King County who gives a portion (20%) to the City. She added that the City has control only over the rate of collection, and that the County Assessor determines the value of houses . She confirmed for Amodt that there will be 0% increase over the amount the City is allowed to assess, and that the City may still receive more money because of new construction and increased valuation. McFall 15 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FINANCE clarified that the property tax is based upon assessed value of individual properties and the City has no control over that . Miller explained that City departments have been working on ways to meet the intent of Initiative 695, and that they will be discussed at upcoming Operations Committee meetings . Mayor White opened the public hearing. Joe Rubio, West Hill, requested that staff over go the budget again and redo it to be I-695 compliant . Charlie Kieffer, East Hill, suggested hiring more attorneys, as the Legal Department is very busy. He noted that the City has grown considerably and that the Legal Department has not grown accord- ingly. Upon a request from Jim Flick of Kent, the budget process was explained. Flick opined that the process should be changed. Bret Sherman, 27026 124th Avenue SE, Kent, said the budget contains increases and that the message of I-695 is to reduce spending. He suggested that the Council reject the budget and work with the community. Upon a question from Lawrence Osborne, 4122 S . 240th Street, it was noted that 2% of the budget is affected by I-695 . Duncan Anderson, 25838 68th Avenue SE, urged the Council to trim the fat . Bill Young, 1005 E. Guiberson Street, said much money could be cut from the budget and that the Performing Arts Center property could be sold for $2 . 5 million and the money used for water and sewer projects or employees for the Legal Department and the Police Department . Don Baer, 918 E. Laurel, stated that the City currently has too many employees and that a Performing Arts Center is not needed. Daniel Cottrell, 822 E. Chicago Street, said the budget has enough money to fund I-695 shortfalls . He was opposed to cutting services while funding a Performing Arts Center, and said the City is ignoring the will of the people . Steve Johnson, State Legislator, urged the Council not to raise 16 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FINANCE taxes within the next 45 days, to scrub the budget for the next 45 days and see if there is room to do important projects such as water, and if not, submit it to the people. John Perry, 14150 152nd Place SE, Renton, urged the Council to reject the ordinances eliminating the sunset provisions of the school impact fees and the street utility because they would eliminate the chance for people to vote on them. Donna Young, East Hill, displayed page I-29 of the Budget Summary and read the following letter from many citizens to the Council, Mayor and staff : "We, the citizens of Kent, supported and voted for Initiative 695 because we believe our government has become too large and is not spending our tax dollars where they are needed. We believe that the only way to reduce the size of our government and its control over our lives is to reduce its funding. Nothing else has worked in the past . As you are aware, on November 2nd the people of the State of Washington and the City of Kent sent a clear message to reduce our state and city funding by passing 695 . We do not want any more taxes imposed upon us without voter approval . Do you really believe that the citizens who elected you to represent them in a position of trust would approve of your intent to levy new taxes before January when 695 becomes effective? If you vote to approve these city increases, you are, in our eyes, circumventing the will of the people and the spirit of 695 . You are clearly ignoring the message we have sent you. We have empowered you for many years to make decisions for us and as a result we have received higher price tags for services, lower response times, and at times, no response . Is this how a business would survive in the private sector? Absolutely not . Those businesses would go out of business . You, the City of Kent, have claimed that Kent cares, and want to have a responsible and effective govern- ment . Increasing our costs will not achieve that goal . The citizens of this community have 17 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FINANCE empowered you with their votes and entrusted you with the welfare of this city. The city means us, the voters . We make up the city, not the city government . We pay the bills, not the city government . You represent us, not the city government . Please remember that we will not forget the decisions made here tonight . We want essential services provided for first, not cut, so that we can make the extra unessential fluff such as arts programs . Those programs only benefit the few. Since you are spending our money, we are informing you that we prefer to pay for the Senior Shopper Shuttle at $70, 000 a year which I notice has been cut on page I-45 of the preliminary budget, yet on page I-51, you have allotted $15, 090 , 000 for a Performing Arts Center of which we are presently paying $80, 000 a year to a director for this performing arts center that isn' t even in existence yet . You do the math. our seniors need to be able to get to the store for food and medication before they need per- forming arts centers . Now we are asking you to listen to our wishes as the taxpayers and customers of the services. We are capable of making decisions for the good of our own com- munities and we are choosing to keep more of our hard-earned dollars . In the 2000 preliminary budget, there are several imposed rate increases due to the 695 passing. To name a few which will affect homeowners, businesses and apartment renters, you are opting to raise our water by 39 . 2%, sewer by 6 . 1%, storm drainage by 260W and children' s athletics by 165% . Garbage is up and much more. What you are actually taking from us is our time from our families . We either have to work more hours to recapture those dollars lost to Kent government, or cut back in our personal budgets . It has always been the taxpayers who have had to cut back while the government has become bigger and bigger, demanding more and more of our money. We are the customers, therefore we are asking you to stop raising our taxes and costs for essential services so you can allocate funds from those service accounts to fund accounts of 18 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FINANCE your choice where you are falling short . You must stop putting the governments wants before the citizens needs. The biggest problem is that the citizens do not know what is happening because the government does not inform them. I urge every citizen here to seek out the truth and to share it with everyone you know that will be affected because they all have the right to know. The more of you that become involved now before the nega- tive impact, the better chance we all have of making Kent a better place . Thank you for your attention. " Ted Kogita, West Hill, suggested splitting the water and sewer on the bill and said he has gotten conflicting reports on property. ORR MOVED to close the public hearing. Woods seconded and the motion carried. (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6B) Approval of Bills. APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through October 29 and paid on October 29, 1999, after auditing by the Operations Committee on November 2, 1999 . Approval of checks issued for vouchers : Date Check Numbers Amount 10/29/99 225135-225457 $1, 700, 861 . 12 10/29/99 225458-225978 2 , 974 , 694 . 88 $4, 675, 556 . 00 APPROVAL of checks issued for payroll for October 15 and paid on October 20, 1999 : Date Check Numbers Amount 10/20/99 Checks 239276-239597 $ 271, 187 . 17 10/20/99 Advices 85950-86549 876, 333 . 97 $1, 147, 521 . 14 FINANCE (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 7L) (ADDED ITEM) Tax Levy and Budget. McFall recommended holding a special meeting of the Council at 5 : 00 p.m. on 19 Kent City Council Minutes November 16, 1999 FINANCE November 30th to discuss the tax levy ordinance and budget . WOODS SO MOVED. Clark seconded. McFall explained that the budget is included because Council could pass it if ready, but that that action is not anticipated. Brotherton noted that he is not available on November 30th and woods suggested holding the special meeting at 5 : 00 p.m. on November 23rd. Clark agreed and the motion carried. REPORTS Council President. Orr noted that Kent will host the Suburban Cities Association in December at the Senior Center and urged Councilmembers to attend. Operations Committee. Woods noted that the Operations Committee will meet at 3 :30 p.m. on November 23 , November 30 and possibly December 7, in Chambers East . Public Works and Planning Committee. Clark reiterated on behalf of the majority of the Council that they do not condone the endorsement of a particular religion as a part of City policy. Clark noted that the Committee will meet on the first Monday in December. EXECUTIVE At 11 : 07 p.m. , McFall announced an executive SESSION session of approximately fifteen minutes . The meeting reconvened at 11 : 19 p.m. Labor Negotiations. EPPERLY MOVED to authorize the Mayor to sign a three-year labor agreement with the Firefighters Local 1747 effective January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001 . Brotherton seconded and the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11 :20 p.m. Brenda Jaco e CMC City Clerk 20