HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 07/05/2011 Kent City Council Meeting
KENT July 5, 2011
WASHINGTON
The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Mayor Cooke. Councilmembers present: Albertson, Harmon, Higgins, Perry,
Ranniger, Raplee, and Thomas. (CFN-198)
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
A. From Council, Administration, Staff. (CFN-198) No changes were made.
B. From the Public. (CFN-198) Public Comment Item A was added at the request
of an audience member,
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Public Recognition. (CFN-198) Perry commended everyone involved in putting
on the 41h of July Splash.
B. Community Events. (CFN-198) Ranniger announced upcoming community
events, and Raplee announced events taking place at ShoWare.
PUBLIC COMMENT
A. Morrill Meadows Dog Park. (CFN-118) Amanda Nelson, 9420 S. 242"d Street,
Kent, voiced concern about the lack of maintenance at the dog park, noting that the
grass has not been mowed for seven months and that there is no place to sit. Mayor
Cooke pointed out that there are finite resources, and Albertson confirmed that
mowing the dog park is a service Nelson expects the city to provide. Parks and
Community Services Director Watling agreed to check into the mowing schedule, and
explained that one issue is the type of mower required for the dog park.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Perry moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through K. Thomas seconded and
the motion carried.
A. Approval of Minutes. (CFN-198) Minutes of the workshop and regular Council
meeting of June 21, 2011, were approved.
B. Approval of Bills. (CFN-104) Payment of the bills received through June 15 and
paid on June 15 after auditing by the Operations Committee on June 21, 2011, were
approved.
Checks issued for vouchers were approved:
Date Check Numbers Amount
6/15/11 Wire Transfers 4645-4661 $1,593,795.48
6/15/11 Regular Checks 654005-654479 1,633,290.22
Void Checks 654427 & 654128 (139.00)
6/15/11 Use Tax Payable 2,310.88
$3,229,257.58
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Kent City Council Minutes July 5, 2011
Checks issued for payroll for June 1 through June 15 and paid on June 20, 2011, were
approved:
Date Check Numbers Amount
6/20/11 Checks 323507-323724 $ 155,673.73
Voids & Reissues 323725 & 323726 388.99
6/20/11 Advices 284362-285017 1,261,093.04
$1,417,155.76
C. National Endowment for the Arts Grant. (CFN-118) The grant from the
National Endowment for the Arts in the amount of $25,000 was accepted, the
expenditure of the funds and amendment of the City Art Budget were approved.
D. Perkins Storage Building Lease Agreement. (CFN-118) The Mayor was
authorized to sign the lease agreement with Charlie and Shirley Perkins for the
property located at 715 W. Meeker Street in Kent for $4,750 per month, subject to
final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney.
E. King County Conservation Futures Grant Agreement Amendment for
Panther Lake Acquisition. (CFN-118) The grant from King County Conservation
Futures in the amount of $1,150,000 was accepted, amendment of the Interlocal
Cooperation Agreement, approval of the expenditures in accordance with the grant
agreement, and amendment of the Park Land Acquisition budget were approved, and
the Mayor was authorized to sign all necessary documents, subject to terms and
conditions acceptable to the City Attorney.
F. 2011 Miscellaneous Sewer & Water Projects Contract. (CFN-1186) The
Mayor was authorized to sign a Consultant Services Agreement with Jason
Engineering & Consulting Business, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $80,965 for
Materials Testing and Inspection, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to
the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
G. Stormwater Ponds Maintenance Agreement Amendment. (CFN-1038) The
Mayor was authorized to sign an Amendment to the City's Interlocal Agreement with
King County to perform maintenance on the City's Stormwater Ponds, subject to final
terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
H. S. 228th Street Improvements Agreement. (CFN-1269) The Mayor was
authorized to sign a Goods and Services Agreement with Fox Electric Co., to relocate
power service for the S. 228th Street Improvements project in an amount not to
exceed $15,890, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney
and Public Works Director.
I. Hawley Road Levee Contract. (CFN-1318) The Mayor was authorized to sign a
Consultant Services Agreement with GeoEngineers Inc., in an amount not to exceed
$22,250 to provide Additional Design Recommendations for the Hawley Road Levee,
subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works
Director.
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Kent City Council Minutes July 5, 2011
J. Horseshoe Bend Levee Contract. (CFN-1318) The Mayor was authorized to
sign a Consultant Services Agreement with GeoEngineers Inc., in an amount not to
exceed $30,820 to provide Additional Design Recommendations for the Horseshoe
Bend Levee, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and
ti Public Works Director.
K. Pavement Grinding Agreement. (CFN-171) The Mayor was authorized to sign
a Goods and Services Agreement with Pyramid Grinding for Asphalt Grinding Services,
in an amount not to exceed $29,400, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable
to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Emergency Six-Month Moratorium on Medical Marijuana. (CFN-1320)
Deputy City Attorney Fitzpatrick outlined the history of the medical use of marijuana,
and explained that actions taken during the 2011 legislative session, including the
Governor's partial veto of Senate Bill 5073, resulted in a confusing legal situation
which cities must now negotiate. He explained that part of that bill, which goes into
effect on July 22, provides for collective gardens for qualified patients to produce,
process, transport, and deliver medical marijuana under certain conditions. He noted
that cities are permitted to regulate collective gardens through zoning codes, business
licensing, health and safety requirements, and business taxes.
Fitzpatrick stated that the number of marijuana dispensaries in Kent, and the number
of inquiries about opening them, has grown substantially in the past year. He noted
that such businesses are not legal now and will not be legal after July 22, but that
collective gardens will be lawful after July 22. He said there are no guidelines in state
law regulating collective gardens, and that adoption of the proposed ordinance would
give staff a six-month period of time to look closely at the issue. He recommended
having the Planning Department look at zoning issues during that time and make
recommendations to the Council. He voiced concern about the possibility that a
number of collective gardens would be combined under one roof, forming a massive
collective garden facility, and that people could be considered members of the
collective garden for mere moments at a time. It was clarified that the collective
gardens would be indoors, not outdoors. Fitzpatrick said there are a lot of questions
and a lot of uncertainty in the law, and that the moratorium would allow time for staff
to confer with associates in other cities to try to create a consistent approach to
regulation. He pointed out that Federal Way, Auburn, Fife, Sumner, Edmonds,
Issaquah, North Bend, Mountlake Terrace, Hoquiam, Gig Harbor, Normandy Park,
Poulsbo, and Port Orchard have already passed medical marijuana moratoriums. He
also pointed out that the City of Kent has enacted moratoria in the past regarding
water and sewer service outside the city limits, wireless telecommunication facilities,
adult retail establishments, social card games, billboards, urban separators,
agricultural land, and residential rezones.
Fitzpatrick then outlined the process, noting that, if passed, the ordinance would
become effective immediately, and that a public hearing would be held at the City
Council meeting on July 19.
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Upon a question from Councilmember Albertson, Fitzpatrick said potential future
actions include an initiative to abolish Senate Bill 5073 and a referendum to legalize
marijuana. He also confirmed that the moratorium would not impact people with
medical conditions who grow marijuana for their personal use.
Perry moved to adopt Ordinance No. 3999 declaring an emergency and adopting a
six-month moratorium within the City of Kent on the establishment, location,
operation, licensing, maintenance or continuation of medical marijuana collective
gardens or dispensaries and setting a date for a public hearing on the moratorium.
Thomas seconded.
Higgins spoke in opposition to the moratorium, noting that the federal government
lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 narcotic and urging Councilmembers to join him in
working the issue at the federal level. He said a moratorium is unnecessary since
zoning action can be taken without it; Albertson concurred. Perry stated that collec-
tive gardens are a new access point which should be analyzed so that zoning is done
correctly. She expressed concern that existing businesses would be able to vest
under current regulations. Raplee emphasized that marijuana is currently illegal and
said the City must uphold the law.
The motion then carried on a vote of 5-2, with Harmon, Perry, Ranniger, Raplee and
Thomas in favor, and Albertson and Higgins opposed.
BIDS
A. Kent Memorial Park Ballfield Light Pole Replacement Agreement.
(CFN-118) Parks & Community Services Director Watling explained the project and
pointed out that light pole replacement projects are funded by cell tower lease
revenues. He noted that one bid was received, and that the Parks Committee
recommends award.
Ranniger moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Public Works Agreement with
Transportation Systems, Inc., for the Kent Memorial Park Ballfield Light Pole
Replacement project in the amount of $38,687, plus Washington State Sales Tax,
subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. Albertson
seconded and the motion carried.
B. 2011 Citywide Large Culvert & Storm Pipe Cleaning. (CFN-1038) Public
Works Director LaPorte described the project and location, and recommended
proceeding. Raplee moved to award the 2011 Citywide Large Culvert & Storm Pipe
Cleaning project contract to Ventilation Power Cleaning, Inc., in the amount of
$986,847.95, and to authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents, subject to
final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
Harmon seconded and the motion carried.
REPORTS
A. Council President. (CFN-198) Perry announced that Councilmember Raplee will
Chair the Operations Committee for the rest of the year.
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Kent City Council Minutes July 5, 2011
B. Mayor. (CFN-198) Mayor Cooke gave a report on her recent trip to Denmark on
a "Bikes Belong" Study Tour, said she is looking into bicycling opportunities in Kent,
and invited interested Councilmembers to contact her.
The Mayor talked about the effects of fireworks in the City of Kent and stated that she
will be proposing an ordinance relating to them. She said she looks forward to
working with any Councilmember who is interested in drafting such an ordinance, and
noted that it could include the option of sending the issue to a vote of the people.
C. Administration. (CFN-198) CAO Hodgson announced that there will be an
Executive Session of approximately thirty minutes to discuss at least two items of
property negotiations, with action when the meeting reconvenes.
D. Economic & Community Development Committee. (CFN-198) No report was
given.
E. Operations Committee. (CFN-198) No report was given.
F. Parks and Human Services Committee. (CFN-198) No report was given.
G. Public Safety Committee. (CFN-198) Harmon announced that there will be a
fireworks after-action report at the next meeting which will be on Tuesday, July 12.
He pointed out that there is already a ban on certain types of fireworks.
H. Public Works Committee. (CFN-198) Raplee explained that the regularly
scheduled meeting of July 4:h was rescheduled due to the holiday; therefore there will
be a special meeting on July 11, as well as the regularly scheduled meeting on
July 18. She said the first report from the TMP citizen committee will be heard at the
July 11 meeting.
I. Regional Fire Authority. (CFN-198) Raplee noted that the July 6th meeting has
been cancelled.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The meeting recessed to Executive Session at 7:56 p.m., and reconvened at
8:16 p.m.
A. Property Negotiations. (CFN-239) Public Works Director LaPorte recommended
that Council authorize acquisition of the Lorang property for the purpose of watershed
protection. Raplee moved to authorize the purchase of two parcels located at 26128
SE Kent Kangley Road (Parcel No. 252206-9055) and the vacant property located
immediately to the east (Parcel No. 252206-9127), and to authorize the Mayor to sign
the Purchase and Sale Agreement and all other necessary documents to purchase the
property, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the Public Works Director
and the City Attorney. Harmon seconded and the motion carried.
B. Property Negotiations. (CFN-239) CAO Hodgson recapped the history of
municipal court services, and explained that if the purchase of Aukeen Court is
approved, the probation office, prosecuting and defense attorney services, and Juror
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Kent City Council Minutes July 5, 2011
services would be housed there, and that District Court would move their services to
the Maleng Justice Center. He added that the sale would be approved at the end of
August.
Perry moved to authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents to complete the
purchase and sale of the Aukeen District Court properties, with the purchase price not
to exceed established budgets, and subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to
the City Attorney. Thomas seconded and the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. (CFN-198)
Brenda Jacober, M
City Clerk
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