HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 06/19/1995 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
June 19, 1995
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser- Acting Chair, Leona Orr
STAFF PRESENT: Tom Brubaker, John Hillman, Bob Hutchinson, May Miller, Kelli
O'Donnell
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Dan Ivanoff, Jeff McLean
The meeting was called to order at 9:32 a.m. by Acting Chairperson Houser.
Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending May 31, 1995, in the amount of
$1,749,548.21 were approved for payment.
Adoption of 1994 Editions of Uniform Building Code: Uniform Mechanical Code and
Related Fee Schedules - Ordinance/Resolution
Building Official Bob Hutchinson explained the need to adopt the new code to be up to date
with the State who has recently adopted the 1994 edition of the Uniform Building Code and
Uniform Mechanical Code. In reviewing the need to update the fees, Hutchinson stated that the
fire and plumbing fee schedules are not being changed but are included to consolidate all of the
related fee schedules into one resolution. He explained that the increases in the building and
mechanical fee schedules will enact the first increase since the 1985 edition was adopted. The
increase will be approximately 40% which is in keeping with the CHI for the time period.
Hutchinson added that the Washington Association of Building Officials are surveying cities
on plans to adopt these increases and though the survey is incomplete to date two thirds of those
responding have or plan to adopt the new rates.
Committeemember Leona Orr asked if the cities surrounding Kent plan to adopt these fees.
Hutchinson responded that he hasn't checked but is aware that Federal Way is planning to adopt
them. Acting Chair Houser noted her concern that 40% in one increase seemed extreme. Orr
agreed asking if there was a way to do it a little at a time in the future. Hutchinson agreed
stating that he would like to look at it annually with permit fees. Orr asked when the last
increase was adopted. Hutchinson replied that the 1985 edition and fees was adopted in June
of 1986.
Orr moved to recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance amending the Kent City Code
relating to the Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code to adopt the 1994
editions and the proposed resolution adopting the fees for permits under the Uniform Building
Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code,the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Fire Code
and recommended that fees be looked at annually to avoid large increases in the future.
Added Item - Permit Review Staffing
Dan Ivanoff of Bircher Northwest asked to address the Committee on the permit process.
Acting Chair Houser asked him to come forward. Ivanoff stated that as a developer he has
worked on such projects as Van Doren's Landing in Kent and is currently working on moving
Magnolia Hi Fi into Kent. He noted that in marketing one of the selling points has been how
smooth the permitting process in Kent has been. Ivanoff explained that this year the industrial
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OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, Cont.
Special Meeting
June 19, 1995
market has been high and Building/Public Works has been contracting out their overload
permits to ICBO. He noted that in the normal process meetings would be held with permitting
staff and developers and the permits are received in 7 '/z to 8 weeks. With the addition of
sending permits out to ICBO, 3 to 4 weeks has been added as well as increasing the uncertainty
of how permits will be handled. He noted that his company is used to working with City staff
and the end result of contracting out is a new learning curve.
Mr. Ivanoff reviewed the current marketing conditions for industrial property in the area with
the committee. He noted that volume is substantially up and appealed to the committee to
consider the resources used for permit review internally versus externally stating that he did not
feel that the volume would drop off. Ivanoff suggested that it would-be better for permitting and
business if staff was added.
Houser asked if the permit person had been added for the Regional Justice Center. Hutchinson
replied that an inspector position had been filled which does not impact plan review. Orr and
Houser asked what the cost of sending out permits has been. Hutchinson stated that since
February the City is obligated approximately$60,000 worth of permits adding that he wasn't
certain if the overload would continue. After further discussion, the committee asked
Hutchinson to bring back some proposals on additional staff to the next Operations Committee
meeting.
Assistant City Attorney Tom Brubaker noted that SB 1724 known as the regulatory reform act
had passed which has some consolidating measures which will alter our permitting process and
require amendments to City ordinances in the near future.
There being no fiu-ther business,Acting Chair Christi Houser adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
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