HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 04/02/2002 Kent, Washington
April 2 , 2002
The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at
7 : 00 p.m. by Mayor White . Councilmembers present : Clark, Epperly,
Orr, Peterson, White, Woods, and Yingling. Others present : Chief
Administrative Officer Martin, City Attorney Brubaker, Police Chief
Crawford, Interim Fire Chief Hamilton, Public Works Director
Wickstrom, Community Development Director Satterstrom, Finance
Director Miller, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director
Hodgson and Information Technology Director Mulholland.
Approximately 85 people were at the meeting (CFN-198)
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor White added Employee of the Month and a pro-
clamation on Disaster Preparedness Month to the agenda.
At the request of citizens, Riverbend Golf Course Pro
Shop and the Borden Site were added as Continued
Communications Items 11A and 11B. (CFN-198)
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Employee of the Month. Mayor White announced that Cindy
Jones has been chosen as Employee of the Month for April .
He noted that as Custodial Lead, Ms . Jones is responsible
for performing supervisory duties, and leading staff and
community service work-time credit workers in maintaining
a high level of appearance at the Kent Commons Facility
He added that whether she is offering information or
direct assistance to the many people she comes into
contact with, or providing a clean meeting room for
staff , Cindy is always willing to serve the public and
staff in a professional and friendly manner.
Parks Director Hodgson said Jones is very deserving of
this award and offered his congratulations . (CFN-147)
Sexual Assault Awareness Week. The Mayor read a pro-
clamation noting that the Washington Coalition of Sexual
Assault Programs promotes services for survivors of
sexual assault through Community Sexual Assault programs
and other providers, and encourages every community to
help eliminate sexual violence by working together to
promote social change . He proclaimed the week of
April 7-13 , 2002 , as Sexual assault Awareness Week in
the City of Kent and urged all individuals to join him in
this special observance . Reverend Marvin Eckfeldt
accepted the proclamation and said that although it is
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
not likely that sexual assault will end, it is possible
to end the silence. (CFN-155)
Government Finance Officers Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report Award. Mayor White noted that this
award is being presented for the City' s report ending
December 31, 2000 . He then presented it to Assistant
Finance Director John Hillman. Finance Director Miller
commended Hillman for excellence in his work.
(CFN-155&186)
Disaster Preparedness Month. Mayor White noted that the
loss of life and property can be greatly reduced if
appropriate disaster preparedness measures are taken
before, during and after a disaster, and that City
departments and employees should be prepared so they
can continue to provide vital City services following
a disaster. He proclaimed April 2002 as Disaster
Preparedness Month in the City of Kent and encouraged all
citizens to increase their knowledge and awareness of
proper safety measures to follow before, during and after
a natural or man made disaster. Interim Fire Chief
Hamilton encouraged everyone to participate in the
statewide earthquake drill on April 18 at 9 .45 a.m.
(CFN-155)
CONSENT CALENDAR
CLARK MOVED to approve Consent Calendar Items A through
H. Woods seconded and the motion carried.
MINUTES
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6A) (CFN-198)
Approval of Minutes. Approval of the minutes of the
regular Council meeting of March 19, 2002 , and approval
of a correction to the minutes of March 5 , 2002 , as
follows : Consent Calendar Item 6B, date of advices should
be 2/19/02 rather than 2/10/92 .
STREET VACATION
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6D) (CFN-102)
Street Vacation, 48th Place South. Passage of Resolution
No. 1611 setting a public hearing date of May 21st for
the street vacation located along a portion of 48th Place
South, west of SR516, as recommended by the Public Works
Committee .
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
PUBLIC WORKS
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6C) (CFN-171)
SW Quadrant S. 260th Street/Pacific Highway South.
Adoption of Ordinance No. 3596, should negotiations fail
on the purchase of a portion of property at S . 260th
Street and Pacific Highway South, as recommended by the
Public Works Committee. Said property is associated with
the SR99 Street widening project .
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6E) (CFN-136)
Sale of Surplus Public Works Equipment. Declare the
Equipment Rental vehicles no longer needed by the City as
surplus and authorize the sale thereof at the next public
auction, as recommended by the Public Works Committee .
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6H) (CFN-1259)
2001 Traffic Striping Contract. Accept the 2001 Traffic
Striping project as complete and release retainage to
Stripe-Rite upon standard releases from the state and
release of any liens, as recommended by the Public Works
Director. The original contract amount and final con-
tract amount was $50, 704 . 53 .
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
(PUBLIC HEARINGS - ITEM 5A) (CFN-1240&377)
DeMarco Annexation Zoning and Comprehensive Plan - First
Hearing. On March 11, 2002 , the Land Use and Planning
Board held a public hearing on both the annexation zoning
map amendments and the comprehensive plan land use map
amendments for the DeMarco Annexation area. The second
hearing on this matter will be held on May 7, 2002 .
Charlene Anderson of the Planning Department explained
that the process for establishing initial zoning and
comprehensive plan amendment is being repeated, based on
a settlement agreement entered into in November 2001
between the City of Kent and the Lotto Toppano peti-
tioners . She noted that the Board deliberated on six
options, four of which were looked at previously, one was
the option Council had approved and repealed, and the
other was a compromise proposal from the Lotto Toppano
group. She said the Board recommended an amended version
of Option Five, which is what the Council had initially
adopted, the amendments being zoning the entire annexa-
tion area as 6 units per acre with one exception which is
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
a two acre square at the northeast corner of the
intersection of 116th and 240th which is proposed for
Neighborhood Convenience Commercial zoning.
Mayor White opened the public hearing. Michael Lotto,
11644 SE 240th, said he was told by the City that if
annexed, he would be able to keep the same zoning as
when it was in King County. He said Alternative 1 is
his preferred alternative, but in order to make zoning
more sensitive to single family home owners, he pro-
posed Alternative 6 to the Board. He then proposed
Alternative 7 which would voluntarily down zone the
multifamily portion of the site to SR6 . He asked the
Council to let him keep the NCC and MRT zoning he had in
the County or accept Alternative 7 . Brent Carson, Buck &
Gordon, representing Mr. Lotto, said it is unfair to down
zone the site and said two acres is infeasible at the
corner for a variety of reasons . He displayed a drawing
of Alternate 7 and explained that it proposes SR6 zon-
ing on the bulk of the property other than the eight
acres on the corner that would be considered Neighborhood
Commercial . David Markley, Traffic Engineer representing
Mr. Lotto, noted that a preliminary review of traffic
conditions has been done and that the results show the
intersection is operating at a very good level of service
and that with Alternative 1 the level of service would
stay the same . He said it makes sense to distribute
commercial space so that traffic volume is also distri-
buted, which the proposal would do. He said that the
City' s driveway spacing requirements would preclude
access to a two acre parcel . Maggie Potter, Buck &
Gordon, 1011 Western Avenue, Seattle, said she has inter-
viewed citizens regarding their views on Mr. Lotto ' s
proposed zoning, and that the overwhelming indication is
that they support his ability to use his property for
commercial and multifamily townhouse zoning. She
reiterated that Lotto ' s compromise is to not ob3ect to
down zoning the balance of the property to SR6 if he is
able to keep his eight acres NCC. She also noted that
482 letters of support have been submitted and submitted
an additional 108 . ORR MOVED to make the letters part of
the public record. Woods seconded and the motion
carried.
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Ted Nixon, 420 W. Harrison Street, Suite 202 , said that
the City' s vision for future growth and other documents
state that commercial areas will become neighborhood
focal points, with a mix of uses so that stores, offices
and housing are in close proximity. Ted Kogita, 25227
Reith Road, said those who don' t fit into the City' s
grandiose plan don' t get support . He said people should
be able to use their land as they see fit . Tony Arnone,
15861 SE 132nd Place, Renton, spoke in support of putting
residents within walking distance of neighborhood
services, and said it is only fair that Mr Lotto be
given back the zoning he had in the County.
Gina Martin, stated that 552 of the names on the list of
Lotto supporters appear to be outside Kent or are listed
as occupant rather than by name . She asked the Council
to consider the value of the home owners nearby, and
said it was her impression that the City is focusing on
revitalizing downtown Kent . Betty Swanson said the area
should remain single family and that business malls are
not needed. Dan Withun, 12346 SE 236th Place, provided a
list of 125 businesses in the area and said no more are
necessary. Sandra Matthews, 11828 SE 231st Place, said
that Maggie Potter' s comments on the phone were deceiv-
ing. She urged the Council to support the recommendation
voted on by the Planning Board on March 11, which allows
for 2 acres to be set aside for commercial and the
remaining land would be zoned SR6 . She also voiced
concern about traffic . Jean Lambert, 12451 SE 235th
Street, spoke in support of the Land Use and Planning
Board' s recommendation. Don Huling, 12320 SE 235th
Street, outlined the history of the zoning in the area
and spoke in opposition to strip malls and apartments .
He submitted a letter and ORR MOVED to make it and the
list of businesses a part of the record. Woods seconded
and the motion carried
Kathy Withum, 12346 SE 236th Place, said she could live
with the Planning Board' s recommendation and that she
does not frequent businesses in strip malls . Tom
Bankord, 23702 116th Avenue SE, said he has experienced a
drainage problem and that there is an eminent domain
situation which needs to be resolved He added that
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
traffic would increase and said the rezone should remain
at 4 or 4 . 5 McKenna Martin, expressed concern that
higher zoning would result in overcrowded schools, danger
to children because of the crime rate in apartments and
commercial areas, and loss of wildlife. She urged the
Council to vote for SR6 or less .
Lena Teeter, 23607 120th Avenue SE, spoke in support of
Mr. Lotto ' s request to restore the zoning he had in the
county. She said he has followed all the rules and yet
lost the value of his investment . She asked the Council
to return the original King County zoning or to vote for
Alternative 7 . Joe Rubio, 3831 SE 248th, said Mr. Lotto
should not have to compromise and that the taking of
property by government is unconstitutional . Ron Harmen,
P.O. Box 1384 , Kent, member of the Land Use and Planning
Board, explained how the compromise was arrived at and
said two acres is adequate for ingress and egress .
There were no further comments and CLARK MOVED to close
the public hearing Woods seconded and the motion
carried.
ORR MOVED to make the map of Alternative 7 a part of the
record. Woods seconded and the motion carried.
Upon Woods ' request, Satterstrom explained that after an
area is annexed, interim zoning holds it in a low density
zoning until permanent zoning is applied. He emphasized
that staff is very careful about what is said regarding
future zoning because there is a process to go through to
determine the zoning.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6F) (CFN-1155)
Council Chambers Audio And Visual Equipment Purchase And
Installation. Authorization to award the equipment
purchase for Council Chambers audio and video equipment
to VMI Inc . in an amount of $53 , 000 and to award
installation of the equipment to J.W. Teltronics in an
amount of $33 , 000 , subject to review and approval of the
contract documents by the City Attorney.
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
FINANCE
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6G) (CFN-318)
Copier Contract. Approval for the Mayor to sign a three-
year lease, with two one-year extensions, with Copiers
Northwest Corporation, as recommended by the Operations
Committee at their March 19, 2002 meeting. The lease is
under the State contract and will provide for the new
fleet of 30-37 digital Panasonic copiers . These replace
the current analog copiers for the city departments which
are at the end of the current five-year copier lease
period.
(CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 6B) (CFN-104)
Approval of Hills . Approval of payment of the bills
received through March 15 and paid on March 15 after
auditing by the Operations Committee on March 19, 2002 .
Approval of checks issued for vouchers .
Date Check Numbers Amount
3/15/02 Wire Transfers 1133-1141 $1, 034 , 075 . 21
3/15/02 Prepays & 530475-530649 626, 455 . 46
3/15/02 Regular 530650-531186 $1 , 254 , 312 . 28
$2 , 914 , 842 . 95
REPORTS
Council President. Clark noted that the annual curb-
side cleanup event will be April 15-19 . He reminded
Councilmembers of a workshop on water systems on
April 30 (CFN-198)
Public Safety Committee. Epperly noted that the next
meeting will be held at 5 : 00 p.m. on April 9th. (CFN-198)
Public Works. Orr noted that the next meeting will be on
April 15th at 5 : 00 p.m. (CFN-198)
Planning Committee. Orr noted that the next meeting will
be held at 3 : 00 p m. on April 16 . (CFN-198)
Parks Committee. Woods noted that the next meeting will
be on April 9 at 4 : 00 p.m. (CFN-198)
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
RIVERBEND GOLF COURSE PRO SHOP
(CONTINUED COMMUNICATIONS - ITEM 11A) (CFN-118)
Riverbend Pro Shop. Bob O'Brien, 1131 Seattle Street,
said when he recently asked for a profit and loss
statement, he got differing answers as to whether it was
available . He said Public Golf Management is in viola-
tion of their agreement with the City regarding payment
of taxes and fees, and that the City should cease all
payments to them
CAO Martin reminded Council members that two months ago
the City got an absolutely clean audit from the State,
which included an emphasis on the golf course . He added
that the award presented to Assistant Finance Director
Hillman tonight shows that the City' s accounting
standards and budgeting practices meet the highest
standards in the state.
Martin stated that he was not aware of any tax pro-
blems with the contractor at Riverbend. Parks Director
Hodgson explained the information which was provided to
Mr. O' Brien, noted that the year 2001 closing is not yet
complete, and said when it is he will share the informa-
tion with O'Brien.
Finance Director Miller agreed to provide the Mayor with
information on the monthly debt service on the golf
course and when the bonds will be paid off .
Joe Rubio, 3831 S . 248th, said the Saturday Market is
dismal, Nevada Bobs went broke, the golf course is
delinquent on their taxes, and that there are no figures
available regarding Kent Station He concluded that
better control is needed.
CAO Martin pointed out that the Saturday Market is being
closed and that most of the funding will be recovered,
that Nevada Bob ' s was not a City business when it failed,
and that the issue of taxes related to Kent Station was
discussed at the Community forum, at which time it was
noted that there would be no new taxes caused by the
project .
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Kent City Council Minutes April 2 , 2002
BORDEN SITE
(CONTINUED COMMUNICATIONS - ITEM 11B) (CFN-1247)
Borden Site. Ted Kogita said he had attended the recent
open house at the Borden Site and expressed concern about
taxes .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8 :30 p.m. (CFN-198)
Brenda Jacober, CMC
City Clerk
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