HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 10/18/2011 i
KENT Kent City Council Meeting
October 18, 2011
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) It was noted that Council °
member Albertson arrived at 7:03 p.m. and Consent Calendar Item C, her excused
absence from this meeting, was therefore removed from the agenda.
B. From the Public. (CFN-198) Public Comments were added at the request of
audience members and Council member Albertson.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Public Recognition. (CFN-198) There were no items for public recognition.
B. Community Events. (CFN-198) Ranniger announced upcoming community
events and Raplee announced upcoming events at ShoWare.
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C. First Annual Kent Turkey Challenge. (CFN-198) Candice Boutilier of Torklift
Central explained their efforts to help the Kent Food Bank feed 1,500 families by
challenging Kent businesses to compete to collect the most turkeys and canned foods.
D. Economic Development Report. (CFN-198) Economic & Community
Development Director Wolters gave a report on recent economic development issues
including the railroad depot, the red barn, the Springboard garage and its replace-
ment project, and new residential opportunities. ;
PUBLIC COMMENT
Homeless Update. (CFN-118) Wade Schwartz, 22403 129th Place SE, suggested
that the city promote tourism, and expressed hope that the homeless action
committee will move quickly due to the upcoming cold weather.
100 Small Things. (CFN-198) Mark Albertson, 302 Summit Avenue North, asked
the Council to pass an ordinance reducing the permit fees for any builder who is
willing to build using 50% made-in-the-USA products; he also asked them and others
to do 100 small things to help the country.
Kent Black Action Commission. (CFN-198) Gwen Allen, 24914 109th Place SE,
announced formation of the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) and invited those
interested to attend upcoming events on October 22'd and October 24ch
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Sidewalk Safety. (CFN-171) Bob Cisney, 615 W. Harrison, said he is concerned
about the safety of sidewalks near the senior housing on Harrison Avenue. Public
Works Director LaPorte agreed to speak with Cisney about the issue.
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Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011
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Kent Arts Commission. (CFN-839) Dana Ralph, 23307 98th Avenue South, Chair of i
the Arts Commission, announced upcoming Arts Commission events.
Property Taxes. (CFN-186) Bailey Stober, 24911 38th Avenue South, said during
his doorbelling many people expressed thanks for the recent demolition of the parking
garage, and many are asking why the city is keeping the $4.9 million from the RFA
and why they are being overcharged. He asked that Council have another conversa-
tion about the property tax reduction. Michele Campbell, 11018 SE 244" Street,
expressed concern about the ethics involved in keeping the RFA funds. Julie Albrecht,
24220 112th Avenue SE, expressed concern about the lack of transparency and ethics
involved with the property taxes and requested that the city treat taxpayers with
respect. Jim Berrios, 9506 S. 234th Place, stated that $4.9 million in RFA money is in
the proposed budget for 2012. He noted that three Council members are up for d
election on November 8, but that the public doesn't have an opportunity to comment
on the budget until the public hearing on November 15. Berrios said two Council
members have told him that taking the money last year was unethical, and that that
concerns him. I
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Council member Albertson said many of the statements made about the collection and
use of the property taxes are false, and noted that in 2010 voters approved the
formation of the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) by 70%. She said this resulted in two
major changes on property tax bills: 1) a transfer of the $1 per thousand of the 1
assessed value from the city to the RFA, and 2) the collection of a new revenue
charge called a Fire Benefit Charge which is charged by the RFA and which the city
has no control over or connection to, and which is based on the amount of risk to the ,
property.
Albertson then pointed out that the taxes shown on property bills go to many
agencies and that only a small portion, approximately 11.2%, comes to the city. She
explained that property tax revenues have always gone into the general fund to pay ;
for general government, but that it covers only 25% of those costs. She stated that
in 2010 the city received $2.36 per assessed valuation for all general government
services, and that when the RFA was formed the city gave up to $1.00 of that $2.36,
which equated to a reduction of $11.7 million in property taxes that formerly went
into the city's general fund but now goes to the RFA. She noted that that is well over
the $8.9 million in property taxes that funded the fire department in 2010. She
added that this year the county, not the city, set the property tax rate at $1.48 per
one thousand in assessed valuation. She emphasized that the needs of the fire
department vary from year to year, and that the $1.00 redistribution from the city to
the RFA is a wash to taxpayers. She stated that the $1.00 still received by the city in
property taxes was not stolen, kept, or taken but was, and always has been, received
and deposited into the city's general fund to provide general government services, not
to pay solely for the fire department. She concluded by saying that on an average
$300,000 home, the refund would be $114, which equals a layoff of 60-70 employees
and major reductions in programs, which would be unconscionable.
Thomas stated that the Regional Fire Authority is its own entity which collects money
and has a Fire Benefit Charge, and that it is separate from the city. He said it was
unknown how much the costs would be and that the city received $4.9 million more
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than anticipated. He said the question is whether or not to continue collecting that
amount for the next five years, and if so, questioned what taxpayers will say when
the RFA has to be redone every six years. He said a decision has to be made this
year as to whether the $1.48 should go down to $1.10 to be more in line with what
taxpayers believe they voted for. It was clarified that if the RFA vote does not pass in
six years, the fire department would not come back to the city but would remain its ;
own entity which would have to survive and function on far less. Perry pointed out
that in 2010 the city spent only $8.9 million of property taxes on the fire department,
and that when the city gave away $1.00 per thousand of assessed value it equated to
$11 million which is far greater. She said that saying the city kept excess property
taxes is simply incorrect.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Perry moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through J, with the exception of
Item C which was removed from the agenda. Raplee seconded and the motion
carried.
A. Approval of Minutes. (CFN-198) Minutes of the workshop and regular Council
meeting of October 4, 2011, were approved.
B. Approval of Bills. (CFN-104) Payment of the bills received through August 31
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and paid on August 31, after auditing by the Operations Committee on October 4,
2011, were approved. 5
Checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
8/31/11 Wire Transfers 4736-4753 $1,706,652.40
8/31/11 Regular Checks 656147-656600 3,623,285.60
8/31/11 Use Tax Payable 3,708.53
$5,333,646.53
Payment of the bills received through September 15 and paid on September 15, after
auditing by the Operations Committee on October 4, 2011, were approved.
Checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
9/15/11 Wire Transfers 4754-4772 $2,039,698.16
9/15/11 Regular Checks 656601-657147 2,906,604.64
9/15/11 Use Tax Payable 5,201.26
$4,951,504.06
Checks issued for payroll for September 1 through September 15 and paid on
September 20, 2011, were approved:
Date Check Numbers Amount '
9/20/11 Checks 324763-324946 $ 145,113.85
9/6/11 Voids & Reissues 324762 0.00
9/20/11 Advices 288327-288977 1,266,352.64
$1,411,466.49
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D. Public Facilities District Board Re-appointments. (CFN-1305) The Mayor's
re-appointments of Cass Prindle and Lew Sellers to the Kent Events Center Public
Facilities District for additional four year terms were confirmed.
E. Contract Amendment 228th Street Improvements. (CFN-171) The Mayor
was authorized to sign an amendment to the consultant contract with Jason
Engineering and Consulting Business, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $22,950, for
the purpose of providing materials testing and inspection services related to the South
228th Street Improvements project, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable
to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
F. Amendment to Corrections Facility Medical Services Agreement. (CFN-122)
The Mayor was authorized to sign the Fourth Amendment to the Corrections Facility
Medical Services Agreement, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the
City Attorney and Police Chief.
G. Possession of Graffiti Tools Ordinance Amending Kent City Code 9.02. a
(CFN-122) Ordinance No. 4005 amending Ch. 9.02 of the Kent City Code, by adding
a new section 9.02.193 entitled, "Possession of Graffiti Tools," making it unlawful for
any person to possess graffiti tools within the City of Kent was adopted. ;
H. Washington Traffic Safety Commission Grant. (CFN-122) The Washington
Traffic Safety Commission Grant in the amount of $5,000 was accepted, and the
Police Chief was authorized to sign all necessary documents, amend the budget, and
expend the funds consistent with the terms and conditions.
I. Centennial Center HVAC Systems. (CFN-118) The Energy Savings
Performance Project was accepted as complete and release of retainage to McKinstry
Essention, Inc. upon receipt of standard releases from the state and release of any s
liens was authorized.
J. Legend Short Plat Bill of Sale. (CFN-484) The Bill of Sale for the Legend Short
Plat, permit No. 2062335, for 1 gate valve, 1 hydrant, 210 linear feet of waterline,
200 linear feet of frontage improvements, 2 catch basins, and 28 linear feet of storm
sewer line was accepted.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Sanitary Sewer Easement & Covenant. Scoccolo Property. (CFN-1038)
Public Works Director LaPorte gave a summary of the residential development and
explained the history of the agreement. Raplee moved to authorize the Mayor to
sign a Sanitary Sewer Service Agreement and Covenant with ST Multi 2 L.L.C.,
subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works
Department. Harmon seconded and the motion carried. Council President Perry and
Council member Albertson were out of the room when the vote was taken.
B. Consolidating Budget Adjustment Ordinance. (CFN-186) Finance Director
Nachlinger summarized budget adjustments from January 1, 2011, through June 30,
2011, and requested that Council authorize a $2,351,709 reduction in the total 2011
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Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011
budget. It was noted for Harmon that this was thoroughly discussed by the
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Operations committee, who requested that it then go to the full Council.
Raplee moved to adopt Ordinance No. 4006 consolidating budget adjustments made
between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, reflecting an overall budget reduction
of $2,351,709. Thomas seconded and the motion carried.
REPORTS
A. Council President. (CFN-198) No report was given.
B. Mayor. (CFN-198) Mayor Cooke reported on Career Day at Meridian Middle
School, her participation on a panel discussing the Port of Seattle's Strategic Plan, and
Judge Robert McSeveney's retirement. She added that she has signed proclamations
on Make A Difference Day and American Diabetes Month. She also welcomed Boy
Scout Troop 480 to the meeting.
C. Administration. (CFN-198) No report was given.
D. Economic & Community Development Committee. (CFN-198) No report was
given.
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E. Operations Committee. (CFN-198) Raplee noted that the next meeting will be
at 4:30 on Tuesday, November 15t
F. Parks and Human Services Committee. (CFN-198) Ranniger encouraged
others to do small things that will help the country and suggested ways to do so. She
said the next committee meeting is at 5:00 p.m. on October 20.
G. Public Safety Committee. (CFN-198) Harmon announced an upcoming
basketball event at ShoWare.
H. Public Works Committee. (CFN-198) Raplee announced a special meeting to
be held on Monday, October 24, and noted that the Six Year Transportation
Improvement Plan will be discussed.
I. Regional Fire Authority. (CFN-198) Raplee said the budget is still being
developed, and that it should be completed in early November.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. (CFN-198)
Brenda Jacober, CM�C
Gty Clerk
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