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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 01/04/1994Kent, Washington January 4, 1994 Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order by Mayor White at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Clark, Houser, Johnson, Mann and Woods, Chief Administrative Os, Publicer CWorks, City Attorney Lubovich, Planning Director Harris, Director Wickstrom, Fire Chief Angelo, Police Chief Crawford, Acting Finance Director Miller and Acting Parks Directorroxorell. Councilmember Bennett was excused from the meeting. App mately 90 people were at the meeting. PUBLIC Oath of Office. The City Clerk administered COMMUNICATION the Oath of Office to newly elected Mayor White and Councilmembers Clark, Houser and Johnson. (Mayor White and Councilmembers Clark and Johnson were officially sworn in on December 30, 1993, and Councilmember Houser was officially sworn in on January 3, 1994.) Rae Reitan Day. Mayor White noted that Rae Reitan became Kent's City Historian in 1982 and that she came from a pioneer family who moved to this area in 1875 when it was still the Washington Territory. He said Mrs. Reitan was a driving force in preserving the history of Kent and gave walking tours of downtown Kent and visited schools dressed in a long dress and bonnet to present a slide show and tell stories to school children in an effort to help them understand the place and people from which they came. He noted that she recognized the value of preserving the past and was a charter member of the White River Historical Society and played a significant role in the formation of the Greater Kent Historical Society. He added that Mrs. Reitan spent every Monday morning as a volunteer at the Information Desk at City Hall where she provided information and a cheerful and friendly welcome to those calling or visiting. He then declared January 5, 1994, as Rae Reitan Day in the City of Kent. Mrs. Reitan's son, Ed Reitan, Jr., thanked the Mayor for the proclamation and noted that she had a very positive impact on the citizens of Kent. 1 January 4, 1994 PUBLIC Employee of the Month. The Mayor announced that COMMUNICATION James Merritt of the Fire Department has been named Employee of the Month for January. He noted that Merritt is a highly motivated, positive person and an excellent team leader. He added that in addition to fire fighting, he has taken on extra projects such as emergency medical training, defibrillation, truck opera- tions, and the dive team. Chief Angelo stated that Merritt is one of the best cut men, which takes great courage and skill. He expressed his pride and appreciation and offered his congratulations. Regional Justice Center Update. Wendy Keller, Project Director, noted that they are currently working on code issues and so forth on the inside of the building, that a remediation plan has been submitted, that they are developing a demolition plan, and that the technical com- mittee will meet at the end of January. She noted that by the end of the month they will have new information for the City in regard to parking and traffic. She noted that demolition is still scheduled for May of this year, and construction is scheduled for April of 1995. Keller offered to brief the new Councilmembers on the project if desired. CONSENT WOODS MOVED that Consent Calendar Items A CALENDAR through E be approved. Houser seconded and the motion carried. MINUTES (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3A) Approval of Minutes. APPROVAL of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of December 7, 1993. STREETS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A) LID 343 - Street Improvements on 111th Avenue S.E. The Public Works Committee, has recom- mended adoption of a resolution setting February 1st as the public hearing date for LID 343 - Street Improvements on 111th Avenue S.E. from Kent-Kangley Road to Sequoia Junior High School. 2 January 4, 1994 STREETS Wickstrom noted that Councilmember Bennett requested that this item be placed under Other Business, and that Bennett is not in attendance tonight. He asked that this item be continued to the next meeting so that Bennett can provide input. There was no objection and it was so ordered. STREET (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2C) VACATION S. 231st Street (Landing Way) Street Vacation STV -94-1. This public hearing has been set to consider an application by Birtcher VDL Land Partnership to vacate a portion of S. 231st Street (also known as Landing Way S.), as referenced in Resolution No. 1374. Due to an error in the resolution setting the hearing date, after public testimony is taken on this issue tonight, the hearing will be continued to the January 18, 1994, City Council meeting in order to provide City staff enough time to research and provide Council a report on this proposed street vacation. Mayor White declared the public hearing open. Dan Ivanoff, representing Birtcher Frank Properties, noted that he will be available to discuss this issue at the next Council meeting. WOODS MOVED that the public hearing be continued to January 18, 1994. Johnson seconded and the motion carried. TRAFFIC (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A) CONTROL LID 344 - Traffic Signal at 108th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 240th St. This date has been set for a public hearing on LID 344, Traffic Signal at 108th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 240th Street. Public Works Director Wickstrom pointed out the loca- tion and noted that the project consists of the installation of a fully actuated 8 -phase traffic signal with pedestrian detection and crossing indications. He noted that the City proposes to fund $79,006.45 of the project and that the balance of $71,702.75 shall be funded by the LID. He explained the method and payment of assessments, and noted that property owners representing 34.81% of the LID assessment are committed to the LID via LID no protest covenants, and that 6.58% of property owners 3 January 4, 1994 TRAFFIC without covenants expressed support, giving a CONTROL potential support level of 41.39%. Mayor White declared the public hearing open. There were no comments from the audience and WOODS MOVED to close the public hearing. Houser seconded and the motion carried. WOODS THEN MOVED to direct the City Attorney to prepare the ordinance creating LID 344. Johnson seconded and the motion carried. ANNEXATION (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2B) Everson Annexation. This date has been set for a public hearing on the final Council action necessary for completion of the Everson Annexation. Public Works Director Wickstrom pointed out the location of the annexation and noted that it contains approximately 60 acres. He stated that the assessed valuation is with $2,590,846 and that it involves 28 parcels, a population of 57. He noted that the Boundary Review Board approved this on November 12, 1993. Mayor White opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the audience and WOODS MOVED to close the hearing. Johnson conded and the motion carried. WOODS THEN MOVED to direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance on the Everson Annexation. Houser seconded and the motion carried. PERMITS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4D) Vesting of Development Permit Applications. State law mandates that certain development standards lock -in, or "vest", upon filing a completed building permit or subdivision appli- cation. This ordinance specifically establishes the City's requirements for a completed building permit or subdivision application, as authorized by State law, in order to resolve any questions or ambiguities as to what constitutes a com- pleted application and, hence, when development rights vest. City Attorney Lubovich stated that this ordi- nance was drafted to define what a completed building application is, which would allow for vesting of land use regulations. He clarified that it does not constitute an approved project 4 January 4, 1994 PERMITS or a completed application, and explained that it allows a developer to have the option to do discretionary review before submitting an application. HOUSER MOVED that Ordinance No. 3149, determin- ing the specific requirements or vesting certain development permit applications, be adopted. Woods seconded and the motion carried. REORGANIZATION (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4E) PLAN (ADDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT WOODS) City Reorganization Plan. City Attorney Lubovich distributed copies of a proposed ordinance and explained that the combined Budget and Operations Committee yesterday voted to recommend adoption of a portion of the Mayor's proposed reorganization plan. He noted that this would create a Department of Operations and delete the existing Human Resources, Finance, and Information Services Departments and make them divisions of the Operations Department. He said it would also create a Public Information/ Ombudsman division, and that the City Clerk's Office and the Municipal Court would also be a part of the Operations Department. He said that the committee decided not to make any changes to the Police and Fire Departments, and held off at this point on the Community and Economic Development Department. He said the proposed ordinance creates managers positions within the Operations Department and removes the Police and Fire Chiefs from Civil Service, with the excep- tion of the incumbents, and it provides for the appointment of the Court Administrator by the Mayor without confirmation by the Council. JOHNSON MOVED to approve Ordinance No. 3150. Houser seconded. JOHNSON THEN MOVED to amend a portion of Section 2.17.020 to read as follows: "The operations director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the mayor. The division managers shall be appointed by the operations director subject to the approval of the mayor and shall serve at the pleasure of the 5 January 4, 1994 REORGANIZATION operations director. The city clerk shall be PLAN confirmed by the city council. All appointees to the position of operations director are terminable at will by the mayor. All appointees to the division manager positions are terminable at will by the operations director except for those positions currently covered by collective bargaining agreements." Houser agreed to the friendly amendment. JOHNSON THEN MOVED to amend Section 5 by adding the following words to the end of the last sentence: "and shall be terminable at will by the Operations Director". Lubovich clarified that the sentence would read "The Court Adminis- trator shall be appointed by the Operations Director subject to approval of the Mayor and shall be terminable at will by the Operations Director". Houser agreed to this friendly amendment as well. Councilmember Clark noted that at a recent Council meeting, a citizen urged the Council to look for greater efficiency, and said he feels that this proposal is a solid one. He urged Councilmembers to support the proposal. White emphasized that they will continue to look at the City organization and find ways to do things better. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3150, as amended, then carried. COUNCIL (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E) (ADDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WOODS) Excused Absence. APPROVAL of a request from Councilmember Bennett for an excused absence from tonight's meeting, due to illness. (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C) Council President. City of Kent Resolution No. 1094 states that the City Council must elect its president, who shall also serve as Mayor Pro Tem, in January of this year for a two-year term. MANN MOVED that Dr. Judy Woods be the City Council President for a two-year term until January, 1996. Johnson seconded and the motion carried. 10 January 4, 1994 SISTER CITY (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4B) POLICY Sister City Affiliation Policy. The Operations Committee has recommended adoption of a resolu- tion which establishes the Kent Sister Cities Association (KSCA) which will provide structure and continuity to Sister City Affiliates under a 501-C3 nonprofit organization. This nonprofit organization is a collaborative effort between the Kent Chamber of Commerce, the Kent School District, Green River College, and the City of Kent. The City has three sister cities, Kaibara, Japan; Kherson, Ukraine; Yangzhou, China; and a friendship city in Maanshan, China. HOUSER MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 1380 establishing the Kent Sister Cities Association (KSCA) which will provide continuity and structure for sister cities affiliated with the City of Kent. Mann seconded and the motion carried. POLICE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C) DEPARTMENT Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3148, relating to the issuance and enforcement of "Stay Out of Prostitution Areas" orders. This ordinance provides for the issuance of "Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP)" orders, which are intended to keep certain offenders out of high risk prostitution areas. SOAP orders can be issued to anyone charged with prostitution, permitting prostitution or patronizing a prostitute as a condition of probation or pre-trial release. Further, this ordinance also allows police officers to arrest violators of SOAP orders without a warrant once they determine that probable cause for such arrest exists. Finally, any person found in violation of a SOAP order shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment or fine or both. FIRE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D) DEPARTMENT Fire Department Medical Physicals - Contract. AUTHORIZATION for the Mayor to sign the Medical Examinations Services Contract with Occupational Health Services Valley Medical Center. 7 January 4, 1994 FIRE The Fire Department plans to solicit RFP's for DEPARTMENT medical physicals every three (3) years in order to keep costs at a minimum. RFP's were received from Occupational Health Services Valley Medical Center and Virginia Mason Hospital for the years 1994 through 1996. After reviewing the RFP's for services, respon- siveness, flexibility, scheduling, cost and program management, the Fire Chief and Public Safety Committee recommend that the contract be awarded to Occupational Health Services Valley Medical Center. An annual budget has been established. Since the account exceeds $15,000, an RFP and a contract are required. FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) Approval of Bills. APPROVAL of payment of the bills received through December 31, 1993 after auditing by the Operations Committee at its meeting on January 4, 1994. Approval of checks issued for vouchers: Date Check Numbers Amount 12-1/12-15 136882-137420 $5,506,581.26 12-16/12-30 137420-137900 2,391,652.73 Approval of checks issued for payroll: Date Check Numbers Amount 12-20-93 Check # 188842-189156 $ 276,172.15 Advice # 11380-11724 396,182.62 Check # 189157 thru 119160 "voided" 1-5-94 Check # 191601-191893 258,114.62 Advice # 12051-12380 371,963.17 FIE January 4, 1994 REPORTS Council President. Woods thanked her colleagues for their confidence in re-electing her as Council President, and said committee appoint- ments will be made after the Council vacancy is filled. She asked Councilmembers to provide input as to what committees they would be interested in serving on. Woods announced that the Suburban Cities Association will host the new Metro/County Council officials, including County Executive Gary Locke, next Wednesday, and encouraged Councilmembers to make reservations as soon as possible. Public Safety Committee._ Mann announced that the date for their regularly scheduled meeting is a holiday, January 17, and therefore they will not meet again until February 7. He added that if issues arise which need to be addressed, a meeting time and place will be announced. EXECUTIVE At 7.50 p.m., Mayor White announced an executive SESSION session of approximately 15 minutes to discuss property acquisition issues. PROPERTY The meeting reconvened at 8:02 p.m. Lubovich ACQUISITION announced that discussion was held regarding property acquisition for the Community Health Clinic, and noted that approximately $150,000 is available in the 1994 budget for property acquisition. He stated that the proposal is to transfer those funds to the Community Health Clinic for the purpose of development and property acquisition for the local clinic, to enter into an agreement with them, and if the properties are not acquired, to receive either the funds back or the title of the property. WOODS MOVED to grant the funds to the Community Health Clinic and to enter into an agreement subject to the approval of the Mayor. Johnson seconded and the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Brenda Jacq e , CMC City Clerk