HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 03/16/2010 KENT
WASHINGTON
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 16, 2010
Committee Members Present: Debbie Raplee, Jamie Perry and Dennis Higgins
Jamie represented Committee Chair, Les Thomas, in his absence. The meeting was
called to order by Jamie Perry at 4:00p.m.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MARCH 2, 2010
Raplee moved to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2010 Operations
Committee meeting. Higgins seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
2. MOVE TO APPROVE THE VOUCHERS DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2010
Higgins moved to approve the vouchers dated February 28, 2010. Raplee seconded
the motion, which passed 3-0.
3. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE, -GRAN DFATHERING" OF HOUSE-
BANKED SOCIAL CARD GAME ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE ANNEXATION AREA
The Panther Lake annexation becomes effective on July 1, 2010. Beginning on this date, all
City of Kent regulations will apply to the newly annexed area. Located in the annexation area
at 20500 108th Ave SE is the Great American Casino, a gambling establishment, which is
licensed by the Washington State Gambling Commission for house-banked social card games,
punchboards and pull-tabs. According to the Kent City Code, Section 3.21.010(D), social card
games such as those featured at Great American Casino are prohibited in the City of Kent.
Therefore, absent a change in Kent City Code, card games at Great American Casino will cease
to be legal and that aspect of their business will be forced to close on the date of annexation.
This does not allow additional casinos and card game establishments to move or be allowed to
operate in Kent nor can Great American Casino move to another location in the city. If Council
wanted to change the ordinance, it would allow the gambling commission to determine other
locations and the number allowed in the city of Kent.
Council member Raplee visited the casino and found it to be clean and well monitored. There
has been no known secondary crime as a result of the casino.
Shannon McClure of the Great American Casino testified on behalf of the casino and it's
regulation, also noting it employs 120 staff. Their future wish is to expand their food and
beverage banquet area. Shannon is available for questions.
Perry took the opportunity to note in this economic time it is good for businesses to take away
other businesses.
Raplee moved to recommend adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 3.21 of the Kent
City Code to allow the "grandfathering" or continuation of house-banked social card games
establishments licensed by the State in the newly annexed areas, and making other related
changes to gambling tax rates and reporting requirements. Higgins seconded the motion,
which passed 3-0.
Operations Committee Minutes
March 16 2010
Page: 2
4. MOVE TO RECOMMEND COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSOLIDATING BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT ORDINANCE FOR ADJUSTMENTS MADE BETWEEN JULY 1, 2009
AND DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTALING $49,803,177.
Authorization is requested to approve the technical gross budget adjustment ordinance totaling
$49,803,177 for budget adjustments made between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. The
net amount, excluding transfers and internal service charges, is $48,372,778. Please note that
$48,369,155 was previously approved by Council. These were primarily for 2009 Water and
Drainage revenue bonds, as well as refunding the 1999 bonds.
This item was removed from the agenda. No motion was made.
S. KING COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL — INFORMATION ONLY
Jeff Watling, Director of Parks, Recreation and Human Services provided an update on the status of
Kent's involvement with animal control. He noted that a full presentation was given last month at council
workshop. King County notified all cities that they are looking at modifying their involvement or requiring
cities to pay their share of provisions for service whereas in the past they have subsidized the service. A
small work group has been formed consisting of 7 cities to come up with a regional model where the
county would remain the regional provider of services and the cities would contract. The group is now at
the point of looking at cost models/allocations and a final model is due by March 31 for review by all
cities. The suggested cost allocation models will be expensive for Kent and would come from the general
fund. A sub group of South King County cities has been meeting weekly looking at other options locally or
partnering sub regionally for field services and/or sheltering. With all the details involved, there may be
a need to bring in a contract expert/consultant short term for assistance. The expense would be shared
by cities for a 6-week period. The goal is to find a model that will be funded through license revenues
and not be subsidized. April 30 is the deadline to give the county a response to the plan. Jeff reminded
council that as of June 30, all the contracts the cities have with the county will be terminated. Jeff
verified Perry's comment that Federal Way announced they would not be a part of the regional solution.
She asked if that increases the expense for the cities that may contract with the county. Jeff stated that
the sheltering piece is a deciding factor for some of the cities regarding the regional solution if they have
the ability to partner with a sheltering provider, such as Tacoma-Pierce Humane Society or PAWS. This is
a challenge for Kent. Hodgson stated the process is complicated and defining what animal control is is
important if we are going to provide the service. The city of Des Moines model was discussed. It cost
more to run than the revenue they bring in and they are a smaller city. Hodgson shared there is a lack of
education in South King County that contributes to animal control needs. For example, 75% of Kent's
sheltering is for cats. The intent is to return to Operations Committee in April with more information and
potentially some way to contract with someone to get more information. That would be in partnership
with the other cities around us for a short period of time.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. by Perry.
Pamela Clark
Operations Committee Secretary