HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 10/18/1994Kent, Washington
October 18, 1994
Regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at
7.00 p.m. by Mayor White. Present: Councilmembers Bennett,
Clark, Houser, Johnson, Orr and Woods, Operations Director/Chief
of Staff McFall, City Attorney Lubovich, Public Works Director
Wickstrom, Fire Chief Angelo, Parks Director Hodgson, Finance
Division Director Miller, Human Resource Division Director
Viseth, and Governmental Affairs Division Director Martin.
Councilmember Mann was excused from the meeting. Approximately
40 people were at the meeting. Members of Boy Scout Troop 408
presented the colors and led the audience in the flag salute.
PUBLIC Asia Pacific Trade Conference. Councilmember
COMMUNICATIONS Bennett noted he attended the Asia Pacific Trade
Conference recently and complimented Arthur
Martin for his efforts. He also thanked the
Mayor and his staff. Mayor White noted that the
Trade Exchange was very successful.
Human Services Month. Mayor White read a pro-
clamation declaring November as Human Services
Month in the City of Kent, and encouraged all
citizens to recognize and support its obser-
vance. He noted that population growth and
increasing pressures impact individuals and
families, and that the City must continue to
provide support through the Human Services
Commission's management of the City's funds. He
presented the proclamation to Lin Ball, who
thanked him and the Council for their support.
Ball noted that there will be a display at the
library during November so that citizens can see
how these needs are being addressed.
Red Ribbon Week. Mayor White noted that alcohol
and drug abuse has reached epidemic stages and
that prevention education efforts must be
launched to reduce the demand for drugs. He
read a proclamation declaring the week of
October 23 through 31, 1994, as Red Ribbon Week
in the City of Kent and encouraged citizens to
participate in drug prevention education activi-
ties. The proclamation was presented to Police
Officer Paganucci.
Make A Difference Day. The Mayor noted that
many citizens from every age group and from
every walk of life give selflessly of themselves
to others through volunteer work, and that the
people of Kent can make a difference by donating
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October 18, 1994
PUBLIC a day or an hour doing an activity that will
COMMUNICATIONS help a group, agency, community or someone in
need. He proclaimed October 22, 1994, as Make A
Difference Day in the City of Kent, and encour-
aged all citizens to recognize the importance of
working together for the common good by giving
of oneself in service to another.
Transportation Comprehensive Plan. Public Works
Director Wickstrom noted that the Comprehensive
Plan is presently going through the review
process before the Planning Commission, and that
the Transportation element is an important ele-
ment of that plan. He explained that a number
of issues were examined, including improvements
to the street system, transit, parking, pedes-
trian and bicycle facilities. He noted that one
of the key tools of the examination was the
development of a computer model that simulated
that City's transportation system. He explained
that land use must be tied to transportation,
and that the transportation system must have the
capacity to handle the land use plan.
Wickstrom noted that zonal service levels
become the threshold that controls develop-
mental growth, and since zonal service levels
are averages of the individual street and inter-
section service levels within the 22 zones,
congestion of our streets in the future will
increase. He noted that critical assumptions
were incorporated into the modeling effort,
which include 1) that commuter rail with a
station in CBD area would be operational in
1997, 2) that the City would achieve its commute
trip reduction goal of 35%, and 3) that the
level of transit/carpool ridership would be
achieved. He noted that the 6 year TIP reflects
$72,000,000 of improvement program, of which
$50,000,000 is related to corridor projects,
$17,000,000 to arterial improvements, $800,000
on intersection improvements, and $4,250,000 on
other improvements including sidewalks, path-
ways, bus services, neighborhood traffic
control, and rehab projects. He noted that
$31,000,000 of the funding would be from grants,
$17,000,000 from LIDS, and $21,000,000 from
cash, fees, and taxes. He stated that the plan
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October 18, 1994
PUBLIC is financially balanced with no new revenue
COMMUNICATIONS sources required. He said that the committed
improvements must be implementable in six years
and that the 196th Street Corridor, Orillia to
West Valley Highway and West Valley Highway to
East Valley Highway and the 272nd Street
Corridor are anticipated to be opened in 1998,
2000 and 1999 respectively. Wickstrom noted for
Houser that the various cities will be responsi-
ble for HOV lanes on Pacific Highway South.
Mayor White added that there is the possibility
of light rail in that area.
CONSENT WOODS MOVED that Consent Calendar A through
CALENDAR I 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 October 4, 1994.
HEALTH & (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3H)
SANITATION CPI 135 Green River Square. AUTHORIZATION to
accept the bill of sale and warranty agreement
for CPI 135 Green River Square (aka Alderra
Corp. Park) submitted by Corporate Property
Investors for continuous maintenance and opera-
tion of a five phase, fully activated traffic
signal and release of bonds after expiration of
the maintenance period, as recommended by the
Public Works Director. The project is located
at S. 212th Street and 66th Avenue South which
is interconnected to the signal controller at S.
212th Street and West Valley Highway.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3I)
Alderra Private Road (CPI 135 Green River
Square). AUTHORIZATION to accept the bill of
sale and warranty agreement for Alderra Private
Road (CPI 135 Green River Square) submitted by
Boeing Oregon Mesabi Trust (Alderra Management
Co.) for continuous maintenance and operation of
302 feet of water main and 721 feet of sanitary
sewer extension, and release of bonds after
expiration of the maintenance period, as recom-
mended by the Public Works Director. This
project is located at 66th Avenue So., south of
S. 212th Street.
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October 18, 1994
STREET (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3F)
VACATIONS St. Anthony's Church Alley Vacation STV -94-2.
ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3194 vacating an
unopened alley that directly abuts Saar Street
along the north margin and between Second and
Third Avenues in the City of Kent.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3G)
45th Place So. Street Vacation STV -94-3.
ADOPTION of Ordinance No. 3195 vacating a
portion of 45th Place South, a dedicated and
open street in the City of Kent.
STREETS (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4A)
LID 345 S. 218th Street Improvements. This
matter was referred back to the Public Works
Committee at the Council meeting of October 4,
1994. On October 10, the Public Works Committee
reviewed the issues and recommended proceeding
with the project as originally proposed. The
Committee, however, recommends that the City
financially participate in the project in the
amount of $167,377 (14.37% of total project
cost), as outlined in the Public Works
Director's October 10th memorandum. The Com-
mittee also stipulated that additional traffic
counts be provided.
Public Works Director Wickstrom pointed out the
location on the map and noted that a traffic
count indicated that approximately 548 vehicles
per day, 212 of which were trucks, use the road.
WOODS MOVED to direct the City Attorney to pre-
pare the ordinance creating LID 345 for the
improvement of S. 218th Street and to authorize
participating in the project in accordance with
the Public Works Director's October 10th memo-
randum. Johnson seconded.
Clark stated that Mr. Wickstrom's revision is
the best solution that the Committee would come
up with. Bennett pointed out that he voted
against this item at committee, that he has
visited the area and spoken with residents, and
that he feels that this will be a big expense
however it is done. He noted that this is a
dead-end road and said that he had never seen
any pedestrians in the area. He noted that only
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October 18, 1994
STREETS a few people live there and it will never be a
residential area. He suggested that the s -curve
could be dealt with in a more cost efficient
way. Clark noted that he has also visited the
area and that the problem is the increased
traffic on the 90 -degree s -curve. He pointed
out that the area is now industrial and with the
increased employment in the area, foot traffic
will increase. He said that this is a public
safety issue and the City will be liable if the
turn is not improved and there is an accident on
that road. Wickstrom noted for Orr that there
will be purchases of right-of-way, and that some
have been deeded. He also explained that the
value would be based on the land as it presently
exists. Orr noted that the s -curve is dangerous
but questioned whether widening the street and
putting sidewalks on both sides of the street
would be beneficial to the people there. She
pointed out that it is a short, dead-end road,
and suggested a compromise which would improve
the s -curve and solve the safety issue. She
expressed concern about allowing development
that creates a safety issue, and noted that some
of these improvements should have been done at
the time of development. Clark pointed out that
curbs must be put in, and that it might be
prudent to put in sidewalks at the same time.
Wickstrom explained that they considered widen-
ing the street to 24' (two 12' lanes), taking
out the s -curve, putting in drainage, and buying
the rights-of-way, which amounts to $167,000.
He added that assessors will view the properties
and may not be able to determine benefits to
them, and that adding curbs and sidewalks would
make it easier. He said that dropping off the
sidewalks on the south side results in a small
savings in terms of the assessment.
Woods voiced concern about the LID process, and
noted that it results in spotty development.
She suggested looking into changing the policy
and not allowing any new development that does
not include improvements at the time. Bennett
and Orr concurred. Mayor White directed staff
to look at rewriting the policy and to present
their findings to the Public Works Committee,
with copies to all Councilmembers.
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October 18, 1994
STREETS The motion to prepare the ordinance creating LID
345 then carried with Clark, Johnson and Woods
in favor, Houser, Orr and Bennett opposed, and
Mayor White breaking the tie by voting in favor.
WOODS MOVED to make a letter from James W.
Pettit, owner of Lot 2, a part of the record.
Orr seconded and the motion carried.
Tom Graham, 8605 S. 218th, voiced concern about
losing property for sidewalks and losing more
property to setbacks at a later date, and sug-
gested that City departments be instructed as to
how to handle this in the future. He opined
that sidewalks on both sides of the street is
not cost effective. He said that the access
road is open, though it was his understanding it
would not be. He noted that because that road
is open, it adds to the traffic count, and
suggested putting up a sign discouraging usage
except for emergency vehicles. He pointed out
that there have not been any accidents in the
area, and said the developer of the Kent East
Corporate Park should have paid for this.
Jim Rust, 8619 S. 218th Street, said the road is
not a farm road, that it was formerly a through
street to Benson Highway, and that it was not a
dead-end street until the freeway went through.
He said that people slow down when they come to
the s -curve but they will not slow down for a
sloping curve. Don Rust, 12719 SE 256th, said
he recently inspected all streets of similar
configuration in the area and found that no
other street has more than one sidewalk, and
that some which have greater traffic flow have
no sidewalks. He also compared corners and
turns, and said his findings indicate the City
could and should spend their time looking at
other projects which may have a greater benefit
to the citizens of Kent. He questioned why the
City has pushed this project with such vigor,
and said the only reason given at a recent com-
mittee meeting was the City's liability. Rust
said it appears to him that since the City is
self-insured, individual land owners are ex-
pected to underwrite the City's liability. He
said that this should be a bond issue, not an
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October 18, 1994
STREETS LID, because it affects not only the property
owners on 218th. Rod Bailey, representing
Parcel #6 at 3605 S. 218th, pointed out that the
small property owner loses something if the
ordinance does not contain departmental guidance
that future setback requirements on the property
should not be impacted.
TRAFFIC (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4C)
CONTROL (ADDED)
James Street Traffic. Jerry DePinto, 731 N.
Jason, showed a 4 -minute video showing the
amount and speed of traffic on James Street. He
noted that school children use the sidewalks in
the area and that people have difficulty cross-
ing the street. He suggested that patrols are
needed during school hours. DePinto noted that
an elderly man was killed while trying to cross
the street, that a vehicle ran into a house last
summer and that drivers run red lights. Mayor
White offered to meet with Mr. DePinto, the
Chief of Police, and the Public Works Director
to try to come up with a solution. Council
agreed and the Mayor asked that an appointment
be set up as soon as possible.
PUBLIC WORKS (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3D)
Reiten Road Landslide Repair. AUTHORIZATION to
transfer $6,800 from the completed Central
Avenue Green River Bridge Project Fund to the
Reiten Road Landslide Repair project.
The City has received a bid from Pile Contrac-
tors Inc. for $24,400.00 for this project. The
costs will total $28,400.00 which includes
$4,000 for work required by City crews. The
budget for this project is from the Reiten Road
Landslide Repair at Maclyn Street, which is
being used to construct two repair projects out
of a budget established for one. The Public
Works Committee has recommended the transfer of
$6,800 from the completed Central Avenue Green
River Bridge Project fund (R96) to the Reiten
Road Landslide Repair project.
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October 18, 1994
FINAL PLAT (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3E)
Lexington Square Final Plat (FSU -94-5).
AUTHORIZATION to set November 1, 1994, as the
date for a public meeting to consider a final
plat application made by Lakeridge Development
Company (FSU -94-5). The preliminary subdivision
was approved in King County, and upon the East
Hill/Ramstead Annexation, the final plat came
under Kent's jurisdiction. This plat is 5.46
acres in size, consists of 17 lots, and is
located at 114th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 267th.
ANNEXATION (PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 2A)
Jones/Hobbs Annexation (AN -94-1). This date has
been set for the public hearing on the final
Council action necessary for completion of the
Jones/Hobbs Annexation. The City Council ac-
cepted the 60% petition on May 17, 1994 and
filed the Notice of Intent document for review
and approval by the Washington State Boundary
Review Board (BRB) for King County. The
Boundary Review Board notified the City of their
approval as of September 23, 1994. This annexa-
tion is approximately 25 acres and is located at
the N.W. corner of 100th Avenue S.E. and S.
222nd Street. The proposed ordinance would take
effect on November 1, 1994.
The Mayor opened the public hearing. Brett
Monroe, 22120 100th Avenue SE, asked about
public notices and what the ramifications of the
annexation are. Wickstrom responded that this
annexation was initiated by property owners,
that a 10% petition was received, and that
Council authorized circulation of a 60% peti-
tion. He noted that everyone in the area was
notified at that time and that residents at-
tended the meeting on the 60% petition. He
added that the Boundary Review Board then
published notice and no comments were received.
Wickstrom stated that taxes in the City are
typically a bit lower than the County's. Mayor
White added that police protection will be at a
higher level than the County, that there will be
City utility taxes to pay, and that Parks pro-
grams will cover the area. McFall noted that he
will provide Mr. Monroe with a fact sheet.
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October 18, 1994
ANNEXATION There were no further comments from the audience
and WOODS MOVED to close the public hearing.
Houser seconded and the motion carried. ORR
MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3193 annexing
certain contiguous lands commonly known as the
Jones/Hobbs Annexation. Woods seconded and the
motion carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY (OTHER BUSINESS - ITEM 4B)
Referendum 43. A resolution has been prepared
supporting Referendum 43 extending taxes on
sales of cigarettes, liquor and pop syrup to
fund violence reduction and drug enforcement
programs under the 1989 Omnibus Alcohol and
Controlled Substance Act. Woods explained that
Nancy Mathews of the DWI Task Force has asked
that this be on the Council agenda, and that it
has not gone through committee due to lack of
time. She noted that the D.A.R.E. program and
others receive funds and that Mothers Against
Violence in America, The Children's Alliance,
Catholic Community Services, Washington State
Council of Police Officers, Suburban Cities,
Association of Washington Cities, Association of
Washington Counties, and the Washington State
Patrol Troopers Association have endorsed the
referendum. She stated that because of the
passing of Initiative 601, approving funds will
be more difficult. She explained that the pro-
grams would be impacted by the loss of funds and
asked Councilmembers to consider supporting the
resolution. Captain Dave Everett of the Police
Department noted that programs which are funded
at the State and County levels affect our local
level, such as drug prosecutors, juvenile boot
camps, and training and equipment for the
D.A.R.E. program. He emphasized that this is
not a new tax, but reauthorization of existing
taxes. He added that $50,000,000 in matching
funds at the State level could be lost. He
heartily endorsed Referendum 43.
WOODS MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 1412
supporting Referendum 43. Orr seconded. Houser
voiced concerns regarding increasing taxes.
She said that the City of Kent has done an
exceptional job with their programs, and that
citizens need to be aware of this issue.
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October 18, 1994
PUBLIC SAFETY Bennett said he agrees with the mission, but
not necessarily with the method. Mayor White
noted that the Association of Washington Cities
does not agree that there is a tax increase.
The motion then carried.
COUNCIL (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3C)
Council Absence. APPROVAL of a request from
Councilmember Paul Mann for an excused absence
from the October 18, 1994 City Council meeting.
He will be out of town and unable to attend.
FINANCE (CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 3B) payment of the
Approval of Bills. APPROVAL of payor
bills received through September 30, 1994 and
paid on September 30, 1994 after auditing by the
Operations Committee members on October 12, 1994
on October 12, 1994.
Approval of checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
9/16/94-9/30/94 147389-147858 $870,139.29
Approval of checks issued for payroll for
September 16, 1994 through September 30, 1994
and paid on October 5, 1994:
Date Check Numbers Amount
10/5/94 Checks 198059-198393 $255,464.44
10/5/94 Advices 18435-18810 438,867.12
$694,331.56
REPORTS Planning Committee. Orr announced that the
Planning Committee will hold a special meeting
on November 1, 1994, at 4:00 p.m., which may be
the only meeting in November.
Administrative Reports. McFall noted that there
will be a continuation of the public hearing on
the proposed 1995 budget at the November 1,
1994, meeting.
The Mayor thanked Finance Division Director
Miller for an excellent presentation on the
budget at the workshop earlier today.
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October 18, 1994
EXECUTIVE At 8:20 p.m., McFall announced an executive
SESSION session regarding labor negotiations.
HUMAN The meeting reconvened at 8:43 p.m. JOHNSON
RESOURCES MOVED that the Mayor be authorized to enter into
a contract with Teamsters Local 117 regarding
wages and benefits as outlined in the proposed
agreement, and to make the document a part of
the public record. Woods seconded and the
motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Brenda Jaco r CMC
City Cler
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