Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 10/06/2009 Kent City Council Meeting KENT October 6 2009 W A S H I N 6 T O N / The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Cooke. Councilmembers present: Albertson, Clark, Danielson, Harmon, Ranniger, Raplee, and Thomas. (CFN-198) CHANGES TO THE AGENDA A. From Council, Administration, Staff. (CFN-198) Other Business Item 7B regarding changes to a recent ordinance, and Executive Session Item 11A regarding a lease agreement, were added at the request of staff. B. From the Public. (CFN-198) Two audience members asked to speak regarding the Neighborhood Council Program. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS A. Public Recognition. (CFN-198) Albertson announced that Joshua Albertson is leaving to serve in the Armed Services. B. Community Events. (CFN-198) Ranniger outlined the upcoming ReLeaf Event, Make A Difference Day, and Spotlight Series events. C. Introduction of Appointees. (CFN-198) Mayor Cooke introduced the appointees who were in attendance. D. Make A Difference Day Proclamation. (CFN-155) Mayor Cooke presented a Make A Difference Day proclamation to Victoria Andrews of the Parks Department, who explained the project. E. ReLeaf 2009 Proclamation. (CFN-155) Mayor Cooke presented a proclamation regarding ReLeaf 2009 to Victoria Andrews of the Parks Department. Andrews then described the event. F. Employee of the Month. (CFN-147) Mayor Cooke announced that Neighborhood Program Coordinator Toni Azzola has been named as Employee of the Month for October, and Azzola's supervisors commended her on her work. Neighborhood representatives Bob Loeliger and Simon Yang offered congratulations and thanked her for the resurgent sense of community and decline in crime which have resulted from the neighborhood program. G. Economic Development Report. (CFN-825) Economic Development Director Wolters noted that the threat of flooding in the valley has resulted in the loss of some businesses who have chosen to relocate, as well as the loss of some home sales. He pointed out that other businesses are opening and expanding existing facilities, and _that there is the possibility of a new hotel being built. 1 Kent City Council Minutes October 6, 2009 PUBLIC HEARINGS A. 2010 Operating Budget. (CFN-186) Mayor Cooke explained that comments on programs, services and other budget issues are welcome. Finance Director Nachlinger noted that comments from the public will be considered in developing the 2010 budget, and gave an overview of the current budget. His presentation included information on the source of revenues, the breakdown of funds, and expenditures. Mayor Cooke then opened the public hearing. Dave Mortenson, 21737 96th Place South, urged the Council not to forget programs such as Kent Sister Cities when considering funding. Denton Hanford, 24736 136th Avenue SE, voiced concern about an approximate $11,600,000 difference between management and staff projections. Jim Berrios, 9506 S. 234th Place, voiced concern about the sales tax revenues shown on the monthly reports from staff to Council, and questioned whether what is happening is fiscal mismanagement or deception. He also asked who holds administration responsible, since there is no longer a citizens budget oversight committee. Sissi Longthorpe, 25421 114th Avenue SE, said her greatest concern is public safety and urged the Council to take that into consideration. Geraldine Wilfore, 23411 130th Avenue SE, asked which departments would be impacted by the proposed job and service cuts, especially regarding the City's ability to clean up if there is a flood. Michelle Campbell, 11018 SE 244th, expressed concern about cuts in services and employees, and the possible use of capital funds for streets, sidewalks, flood relief, and so forth. She said the community and City staff will suffer because the sales tax revenue was projected incorrectly early on. Linda Wagner, 14661 SE 276 Place, representing the Kent Historical Society and Museum, asked for support from the City, noting that heritage attracts tourism. Joe Rubio, 3831 S. 248th, suggested tightening up on spending, putting Arts Commission money in the General Fund, and letting citizens vote on important issues. Simon Yang, 25653 32"d Place South, encouraged the Council to take a long view. Raplee moved to make the documents from Jim Berrios, and a letter from Mike Heinisch requesting continued funding for human services, a part of the record. Clark seconded and the motion carried. Mayor Cooke explained that the City Council is the budget oversight committee, and that Administration oversees management of the budget. She noted that a budget advisory committee had been formed to advise the Mayor about certain principles. CAO Hodgson said he and Finance Director Nachlinger would like the opportunity to meet with Mr. Hanford to discuss reductions, including those in employee compensation and layoffs. In response to Ms. Wilfores' question, he said the list of further reductions will be presented to the Council on October 22. Raplee moved to close the public hearing. Clark seconded and the motion carried. B. 2010-2015 Capital Improvement Plan. (CFN-775) Finance Director Nachlinger explained that of the current $141,000,000 Capital Improvement Plan, 9% of it goes for transportation, 23% for public safety, 20% for parks, 12% for general government and 36% for utilities. He said the plan does not include any capital related to the potential annexation, and that if the annexation does occur, $45,000,000 would be needed for a Police Headquarters, jail renovations, and City Hall campus improvements. Thomas noted that the Panther Lake Annexation would 2 Kent City Council Minutes October 6, 2009 increase the City's population by 20-25% and emphasized that the proposed improve- ments would be needed for that reason. Mayor Cooke opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the audience and Raplee moved to close the public hearing. Clark seconded and the motion carried. CONSENT CALENDAR Raplee moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through L. Clark seconded and the motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes. (CFN-198) Minutes of the regular Council meeting of September 15, 2009, were approved. B. Approval of Bills. (CFN-104) Payment of the bills received through August 31 and paid on August 31 after auditing by the Operations Committee on September 15, 2009, were approved. Checks issued for vouchers were approved: Date Check Numbers Amount 8/31/09 Wire Transfers 3854-3871 $1,619,875.38 8/31/09 Regular Checks 635515-635907 3,372,532.15 10,164.85 Use Tax Payable $5,002,572.38 8/26/09 Void 309844 & 310607 ($613.31) 8/26/09 Reissue 313761 & 313762 $613.31 Checks issued for payroll for August 16 through August 31 and paid on September 4, 2009, were approved: Date Check Numbers Amount 9/4/09 Checks 313763-314040 $ 216,365.58 9/4/09 Advices 254323-255105 1617,656.10 $1,834,021.68 C. Public Facilities District Board Vacancy. (CFN-1305) Council President Raplee's re-appointment of Mike Miller to the Special Events Center Public Facilities District was confirmed. Mr. Miller's new term will expire on October 31, 2013. D. Arts Commission Reappointments. (CFN-839) The Mayor's re-appointments of Susan Machler, Dana Ralph, Sherri Ourada, Linda Denny, and Linda Mackintosh to the Kent Arts Commission, were confirmed. They will serve four-year terms from October 31, 2009 through October 31, 2013. E. Live Scan Unit Purchase. (CFN-122) The Kent Police Department was authorized to purchase a Live Scan unit and the Mayor was authorized to sign all 3 Kent City Council Minutes October 6, 2009 documents related to the purchase from the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) for the amount of $13,163.40. F. Joint Funding Agreement for the Cooperative Data-Collection Program with the U.S. Geological Survey. (CFN-1038) The Mayor was authorized to sign the Joint Funding Agreement for Water Resources Investigations between the City of Kent and the U.S. Geological Survey in the amount of $91,360, which includes the City's contribution of $48,000. G. Washington State Arts Commission 2010 Organization Support Grant. (CFN-839) The grant from the Washington State Arts Commission in the amount of $6,000 was accepted, the expenditure of funds in the Kent Arts Commission budget was approved, and the Parks Director was authorized to sign all necessary documents. H. King Conservation District Grant for the Green Native Plant Maintenance Intern Program. (CFN-118) The grant from the King Conservation District for the Green Native Plant Maintenance Intern Project in the amount of $3,800 was accepted, the expenditure of funds in the Adopt-a-Park budget was approved, and the Parks Director was authorized to sign all necessary documents. I. King Conservation District Grant for the 2008 Restoration Projects At Clark Lake Park. (CFN-118) The King Conservation District grant in the amount of $9,998.20 to reimburse 2008 restoration projects at Clark Lake Park was accepted, the expenditure of funds in the Clark Lake budget was approved, and the Parks Director was authorized to sign all necessary documents. J. Energy Savings Performance Contract for Kent Pool. (CFN-118) The Mayor was authorized to sign the Energy Savings Performance Contract with McKinstry Essention, Inc. in the amount of $265,385, plus WSST and to complete improvement projects at the Kent Pool, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. K. Network Core Infrastructure Equipment Replacement. (CFN-818) The Mayor was authorized to approve a contract not to exceed $70,000, to purchase data network equipment from Right! Systems, Inc., under the terms of the Washington State Data Information System (DIS) Master Contract. L. West James Street/4t" & Cloudy. (CFN-1067) The West James Street/4t' & Cloudy Project was accepted as complete and release of retainage to Sanders General Construction, upon the City's receipt of standard releases from the state and release of any liens was authorized. The original contract amount was $3,216,275.71. The final contract amount was $2,961,210.24. OTHER BUSINESS A. Green River Levee Protection Additional Funding Advanced Measures. (CFN-1318) Acting Public Works Director Tim LaPorte explained the levee system and the work currently taking place. He noted that contracts had previously been 4 Kent City Council Minutes October 6, 2009 authorized up to a maximum amount of $1.5 million for the purchase of flood protection structures, including all necessary equipment and contracts to install and protect those structures, and that after further analysis of design, installation, monitoring, and maintenance required, it was estimated that an additional $1.5 million would be needed for giant sandbags, the equipment and contractors required to place them, and miscellaneous supplies. Staff then answered questions from Council members about sandbags, access to trails, and new plantings along the levees. Raplee moved to amend the August 18, 2009, authorization for the Acting Public Works Director to execute contracts for the purchase of flood protection structures and all necessary equipment and contracts to install and protect said structures from $1.5 million to $3 million. Harmon seconded and the motion carried. ADDED ITEM B. Flood Preparation Ordinance. (CFN-1318) The City Attorney noted that recently adopted Ordinance No. 3932 recognized the needs of individual property owners in the valley to protect their property and allowed them to create flood protection structures around their homes and businesses without having to get a permit from the City. He explained that the proposed ordinance would amend Ordinance No. 3932 and addresses the placement of berms, expands the definition of"critical facility", deletes repetitive language, and addresses the permitting of permanent structures. Clark then moved to adopt Ordinance No. 3933 which amends Ordinance No. 3932 waiving permitting requirements for temporary flood protection structures constructed for flood protection purposes due to the threat posed by the diminished flood control capabilities of the Howard Hanson Dam. Raplee seconded and the motion carried. ADDED ITEM C. Local Preference Ordinance. (CFN-198) Council President Raplee sent a proposed ordinance relating to local purchase to the Operations Committee for review of comments from the Chamber of Commerce before being brought to the full Council for a vote. BIDS A. Lower East Hill Sanitary Sewer & Water Main Improvements and Union Pacific Railroad Storm Outfall Relining. (CFN-1038) The bid opening was held on August 19, 2009, with twelve bids received, and that the low bid was submitted by Kar-Vel Construction in the amount of $1,121,189.15. LaPorte explained the project and Raplee moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract awarding the Lower East Hill Sanitary Sewer and Water Main, Scenic Hill Improvements and Union Pacific Railroad Storm Outfall Relining project to Kar-Vel Construction in the amount of $1,121.189.15. Harmon seconded and the motion carried. B. Sun Meadows Storm Repair. (CFN-1038) The bid opening was held on September 29, 2009, with 24 bids received. The low bid was submitted by Scotty's General Construction in the amount of $296,847.77. LaPorte explained the project and Raplee moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract awarding the Sun Meadows Storm Repair project to Scotty's General Construction in the amount of $296,847.77. Harmon seconded and the motion carried. 5 Kent City Council Minutes October 6, 2009 REPORTS A. Council President. (CFN-198) No report was given. B. Mayor. (CFN-198) Mayor Cooke reported on the results of several meetings she has attended relating to the threat of flooding. C. Operations Committee. (CFN-198) Clark said the Council is having difficulty with the financial reports in terms of the revenue projections for next year, that they have concerns about their ability to backfill reserves, and that they are having difficulty with the continued rosy picture being painted in terms of sales tax. He said they are disappointed that the reports do not seem to reflect conversations about sales tax projections, offsets for Christmas sales, and reserves. D. Parks and Human Services Committee. (CFN-198) No report was given. E. Planning and Economic Development Committee. (CFN-198) Danielson reported that the cottage housing issue is moving forward and that the next committee meeting will be held on Monday, October 12, at 5:00 p.m. F. Public Safety Committee. (CFN-198) Harmon noted that the next meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. G. Public Works Committee. (CFN-198) No report was given. H. Administration. (CFN-198) Hodgson announced two meetings at which Council will review the budget to be held on October 22 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and on October 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. He said there will be an Executive Session regarding labor negotiations which will take approximately 30-40 minutes with no action expected. ADDED ITEM Municipal Parking Garage. (CFN-198) City Attorney Brubaker gave an update on the status of the municipal parking garage, noting that the property remains tied up but that things may be clearing up a bit. He said the City is working hard on this issue and that there is hope something will happen within the next few months. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting recessed to Executive Session at 9:18 p.m., and reconvened at 9:48 p.m. (CFN-198) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m. (CFN-198) Brenda Jacober, City Clerk 6