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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. i 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 e 1 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. 1 , Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011 N 4 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 a 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 2 Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011 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 a 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 3 Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011 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 4 Kent City Council Minutes October 18, 2011 budget. It was noted for Harmon that this was thoroughly discussed by the i 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. a 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 5 n