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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 08/18/2015 l A'ENS � WASHINGTON Kent City Council Meeting Minutes August 18, 2015 The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Mayor Cooke. Councilmembers present: Ralph, Berrios, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, Ranniger, and Thomas. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA FROM COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION OR STAFF. None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS A. Historical Note from Kent's 125th Anniversary - Zachary E. Vantassel, on behalf of the Greater Kent Historical Society shared the influence of the Klondike Gold Rush on the City of Kent. B. Public Recognition - Councilmember Higgins introduced Jesse Alexander from Queensland, Australia. He noted that he is an active politician in Australia. C. Community Events - Council President Ralph announced the upcoming events at the ShoWare Center. D. Proclamation for Women's Eguality Day - Mayor Cooke proclaimed August 26, 2015 as Women's Equality Day in the City of Kent. Council President Ralph accepted the proclamation. E. Public Safety Report - Police Chief Ken Thomas presented his Public Safety Report. Thomas introduced Officer Barney Gilliam, Officer Audra Stafford, and Officer Jeffrey Reeves. Mayor Cooke swore them in as City of Kent Police Officers. F. Intergovernmental Reports - Council President Ralph communicated that many of the regional meetings are in recess and there will be no reports tonight. PUBLIC HEARING A. Russell Road Upper Levee - North and South Reach Condemnation Ordinance - Public Hearing. Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director introduced Tobias Hallock, Design Engineer. Hallock discussed the Russell Road Upper Levee, North and South Reach Condemnation Ordinance. He visually displayed what the levee would look like after construction and gave examples of the levee work that has been completed north of this site. Hallock added that the city is purchasing property from the homeowner's association (HOA), not individual homeowners. He further explained that an easement is required to inspect and maintain the levy. The easement will be transferred to the King County Flood District to maintain the levy and complete repair Kent City Council Meeting Minutes work as necessary, he confirmed. Mayor Cooke confirmed that an easement means that the King County Flood District staff can enter the property to inspect the levee anytime, Councilmember Higgins clarified with Hallock that the purpose of the condemnation is in the event negotiations with the HOA and the city falter. However, he noted that the negotiations have gone well and it is highly unlikely that there will be issues going forward. Councilmember Berrios discussed the northern levees and confirmed that there are no issues with them. Hallock confirmed that there would be a gravel trail twenty to thirty feet from the homes and that the city has listened to the security concerns of the homeowners regarding this trail. He added that there have been discussions with Marina Point and Riverplace about placing a screen between the trail and the homes. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Cooke opened the public hearing. 1) Larry Tobin, Kent - Tobin said he is a resident of Marina Pointe and appreciates the protection from flooding. However, there are concerns about security and people being able to see into the properties. He stated that there have been trees planted by homeowners that will be removed. He is concerned about the loss of property and the HOA is worried that the area will not be maintained by the city. He wants the HOA to keep the area as close to how it looks now. He appreciated the work of Toby, Alex, and Ingrid. 2) Kathi ]ones, Kent - Jones said she is also a resident of Marina Point and discussed the buffer between the levee and her property. She stated she is concerned about residents being able to maintain the quality of life they have grown used to in the area and discussed design continuity. She noted that all of the trees are being removed and they contribute to the land value and privacy. Additionally, she stated that the drawings have shown that the easement may be a road and right now it is a gravel path for people to walk on. 3) Rick Mauser, Kent - Mauser, a resident of Marina Point, discussed communications with the staff and said they went well. He stated that the condemnation letter sounds like a threat and was afraid about his property being taken. He stated that Marina Point is pleased about the levee going in. He agrees that inspections should take place if they are necessary, as long as King County understands that it is still his property. He stated that he understood that in the future the existing trail would be taken away so there would be more of a slope. 4) David Weigelt, Kent - Weigelt communicated that he is a part of the north reach and wanted to know why the condemnation has to be handled by the homeowner's association. 5) Marla Weigelt, Kent - Weigelt communicated that people who walk on the trail can see into her home. She communicated that she didn't receive the condemnation 2 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes letter and wasn't notified. She stated that this was supposed to have taken place a few years ago and affects property values. City Attorney Tom Brubaker stated that the river side part of the property is owned by the homeowner's association and is common area. Ingrid Willms-Dixon, Project Analyst highlighted that the Weigelt property has limited common element and according to their covenants, conditions, and restriction (CCR) limitations, the homeowner's association is to act on behalf of their property. She noted that theirs is a single, free-standing home within the condominium property. Alex Murillo, Environmental Engineering Supervisor commented that the vegetation maintenance of the easement would be transferred to the King County Flood Control District. He noted that they would be maintaining these areas as they have maintained them along the river prior to flood season. He stated that there should be an agreement between the flood control district and the homeowner's associations to maintain the property. Council President Ralph clarified that the HOA owns the property and the county has access to maintain it. She inquired if the HOA or property owners can maintain the property as they do now. Murillo confirmed that the community members can do vegetation maintenance and weed pulling as they wish. She also inquired if King County would have access to remove vegetation and shrubbery, and Murillo replied that they will work around what is in place with the homeowners. He noted that if there is an area that they can't inspect they will work with the HOA and homeowners so all parties are satisfied. Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director communicated that the County has no intention to build a road on the easement. However, if there are flooding issues they may build a temporary road to bring equipment in to fix it. Higgins moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Motion carried 7-0. Alex Murillo confirmed that negotiation with KCFCD and the property owners should take place and the City would assist. Councilmember Berrios appreciated the community communicating to the Council on this. He noted that privacy, property values, and what this is going to look like are the three issues. He discussed the screens at Marina Pointe and asked if there were more options negotiated. He stated that it seems the HOA is communicating with the staff and not with the community. Additionally, has asked if there has been a study on the property value impacts. Murillo communicated that the City has met with the HOA members of Marina Pointe and there were residents at the meetings. He stated that the privacy issue was discussed and there wasn't a real consensus on what should be done about it. He also stated that when securing the easement there was a value associated with the impacts of the properties and it was considered as a part of the process. Councilmember 3 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes Berrios inquired if the homeowners received any compensation for the properties and Williams-Dixon stated that there has been an offer on the table, but it hasn't been accepted by the HOAs. Councilmember Berrios inquired if not having the secondary trail paved could be put in writing to the KCFCD. Mayor Cooke discussed the easement. She stated that although the top portion of the levy isn't supposed to be walked on, people do, and it is hard to control. LaPorte communicated that the surface was requested by KCFCD and is only utilized in case there is a flood emergency for vehicles and inspection purposes. Council President Ralph inquired if there is a way to add language concerning easement maintenance to allow homeowners the freedom to take care of the area themselves. Willms-Dixon replied that an easement isn't ownership and property owners have the ability to maintain them. Councilmember Boyce stated that he didn't want to instill any false expectations and add verbiage to the letter concerning a paved road. LaPorte noted that the County would need to obtain a permit from the City prior to paving a road on the site. Councilmember Higgins moved to adopt Ordinance No. 4161, providing for the acquisition by condemnation of certain property and/or property rights for the Russell Road Upper Levee Improvement Project, seconded by Council President Ralph. Councilmember Higgins noted that the City has heard all of the homeowners, and FEMA has communicated that the levees need to be repaired. He appreciated the conversations about security, maintenance, and property values and said that the intent is not to have the City bulldoze everything out there. It is a commitment to fix the flooding issues. He stated that he is going to track this process and ensure that this is as good as it can possibly be. Council President Ralph stated that the adoption of this ordinance doesn't stop the conversations. She stated that she wants to continue this discussion at the Public Works Committee meetings and that King County, the City, and KCFCD are involved. The discussion needs to continue until the issues are resolved, she said. Councilmember Ranniger thanked everyone for coming out to testify on this because it helps the City when it comes to working with KCFCD. She explained that sometimes KCFCD moves as if they are engineers and they forget the quality of life issues. She encouraged the homeowners to work with KCFCD to resolve the issues. Councilmember Berrios thanked everyone for speaking and stated that his vote will be yes to protect the homeowners. He said he is glad the conversations will continue to mitigate resident concerns. A vote was taken on the motion on the table which carried 7-0. 4 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes PUBLIC COMMENT 1) Toni Troutner, Kent - Troutner thanked the Council and City staff for the work on the roads and sidewalks along James Street. CONSENT CALENDAR Council President Ralph moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through J, seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Motion carried 7-0. A. Approval of the Minutes - Approve. The minutes of the special council meetings of July 28 and August 15 were approved. B. Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Interlocal Agreement - Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign an interlocal agreement for the watershed basins within Water Resource Inventory Area 8. C. Grant Acceptance for 2015-2017 Commute Trip Reduction Program - Approve. The Mayor was authorized to sign the Federal/State Transportation Demand Management Implementation Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. D. Contract Amendment to Extend 913 Bus Service for Five Additional Years - Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Transit Service Direct Financial Partnership Agreement with King County Metro, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. E. Riverview Park Channel Restoration - Grass Field Improvements - Accent as Complete. The Mayor was authorized to accept the Riverview Park Channel Restoration - Grass Field Improvements project as complete and release retainage to Hoffman Construction, Inc. upon receipt of standard releases from the state and the release of any liens. F. Malik Ridge Bill of Sale - Accept. The council was authorized to accept the Bill of Sale for the Malik Ridge Sanitary Sewer Improvements, including 5 manholes, 793 linear feet of 8" sewer pipe, and frontage improvements that include 780 square feet of driveway approach along 133rd Place SE. G. 2014 Residential Traffic Calming Project - Accept as Complete. The Mayor was authorized to accept the 2014 Residential Traffic Calming project as complete and release retainage to R.W. Scott Construction Co. upon receipt of standard releases from the state and the release of any liens. H. Sport Court Repair and Resurfacing Proiect with Pacific Ace LLC - Accept as Complete. The Mayor was authorized to accept as complete, the sport court resurfacing projects with Pacific Ace LLC and release retainage upon receipt of standard releases from the state and the release of any liens. 5 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes I. Genesis Marketing - Consultant Services Agreement - Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign the Consultant Services Agreement with Genesis Marketing to develop and implement a TV and radio ad campaign to bring visitors to Kent, not to exceed $150,000, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney. J. Re-appointment to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - Confirm. The Council confirmed the re-appointment of David Kwok and John Casey to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and ratifies all acts consistent with this motion. OTHER BUSINESS None. BIDS A. Riverview Park Trail Relocation Proiect - Award. Jeff Watling, Parks and Recreation Director highlighted that this project enhances the trial and that R.W. Scott Construction Company was the lowest bidder. Councilmember Ranniger moved to award the Riverview Park Trail Relocation Project to R.W. Scott Construction Company in the amount of $144,920.00 and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Parks Director, seconded by Higgins. Motion carried 7-0. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, STAFF AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES A. Council President. - Council President Ralph communicated that Doug Levy from Outcomes by Levy gave his legislative wrap-up for the 176 day legislative session at the Council workshop. She highlighted that streamlined sales tax dollars will still be coming into the City, and that the legislation passed a budget containing funding for the Interurban Trial, 228th, and an East Hill YMCA. She discussed the YMCA facility and what it would do for the community. She noted that a memorandum of understanding will be executed by the Mayor and fundraising will begin for it. B. Mayor. - Mayor Cooke highlighted a group of visitors from China. C. Chief Administrative Officer. - Chief Administrative Officer Derek Matheson reported that the Chief Administrative Officer Report was in the packet and there is no executive session. D. Economic & Community Development Committee. - Councilmember Boyce stated there would be two meetings on the City's Comprehensive Plan. E. Operations Committee. - In the minutes. 6 i i Kent City Council Meeting Minutes F. Parks and Human Services Committee. - Councilmember Ranniger thanked the YMCA supporters and residents who assisted in keeping the Kent Meridian Pool open in order to have a swimming facility in Kent. She noted that the group has grown over the years and the vision to have a youth community and aquatic facility in Kent is closer than ever. She announced that the Parks Committee meeting is on August 27 and a poop scoop and leash law will be discussed. Additionally, she said she will not be at the September Council and Parks Committee meetings because she will be in Bolivia. G. Public Safety Committee. - No report. H. Public Works Committee. - Councilmember Higgins communicated that at the last Public Works Committee meeting it was announced that there will be more crosswalk restriping done in the City. Secondly, he stated that there was discussion about stormwater utility rates and that the City is on the high end of rates when compared to local jurisdictions due to the Green River. He stated that there are cities that offer incentives and those are being researched. I. Regional Fire Authority. - No report. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Ronald F. oore, MC r' City Clerk 7 1 1 Is KENT xFNt�� WASHINGTON Public Hearing Sign Up Sheet Russell Road Upper Levee - North and South Reach Condemnation Ordinance For the Kent City Council Meeting of: August 18, 2015 NAME Street Address Email Address Ex Jane Doe 1234 Main Street, Kent, WA jdoe@hotmail.com 98032 1 � � �C)`j�/ �/ 50 2-y' S�L33�-�1� y, 4�3 d'' '3YS@�'OnC/fSTr WO 2 4h.4 � e' I " X),eJ' 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 WASH IH('J Public Comment Sign Up Sheet For the Kent City Council Meeting of: NAME Street Address Email Address Topic # Jane Doe 1234 Main Street, jdoe@hotmail.com Comprehensive Kent, WA 98032 Plan --�- 22712.5 9L bfkkf-r-OixfR)Vah 00- rOMMerlt on Tf 1 I i;iII Oid nIr Ktr-#, LVA 9 0.21) tom Side✓AilLs 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Kent City Council Meeting August 18, 2015 7pm. Kent City Hall 220 4th Ave S. Kent, WA 98032 Marina Pointe at the Lakes Owner/Resident Robert & Christine Marshall Re: River Protection Easement Dear Council, Since 2009 the residents of Marina Pointe have had substantial changes to their property views and privacy due to the construction of the Green River Levee, especially the 33 units directly facing the levee site. In that time we have seen our property values decrease, our landscaping (trees and shrubs) removed and the buffer from our property lines reduced to, in some cases, 15 feet from our living room and bedroom windows. When we purchased our condominium, the proximity to the trail was both a plus and aesthetically pleasing. The view from our living room windows has now been reduced to a high hill of dead grass and people looking in and coming onto our property. At every levee meeting we attend we are assured by the city and the county that our very valid concerns of loss of privacy, safety and drainage issues would be addressed. Hundreds of people use the trail every day and we now have many of those pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and dogs using the 'maintenance road' at the top of the levee directly in front of our homes. No signs have been posted stating to stay on the paved pathway, no bollards have been erected to keep cars off the pathway and the promised drainage has been scrapped because the community does not wish to lose any more trees or shrubs since that is what the city states would have to happen to install drainage at the bottom of the hill. We as a community now spend our own funds dealing with the drainage problems. The steep levee has weeds and grasses that grow tall and present a very real fire danger so close to our homes. It has taken our community months since the completion of the levee to get it maintained regularly as promised and we as a community are spending our own community funds to maintain what the city does not at the bottom of the 'hill'. At this point in time the city states that they need a permanent easement to 'maintain the levee'that would result in 33 of our units that directly face the river levee losing the remaining trees and vegetation that is a small buffer between us and the trail along with the city owning all property up to our patios. We would like the city to reconsider negotiating the terms of the easement with our Association so that our homeowners are not left with even more loss of privacy, no buffer and reduced investment in their homes. An ingress and egress access easement to maintain and or repair the levee without giving up rights or ownership to our property would allow the levee to be repaired without homeowners losing more than we already have. s CHANGES IN VIEW AND PRIVACY FROM 2013 - 2015 w= .,- ._ •�7,"_ - -tip ___ . o View from living room windows before levee reconstruction started - • ff �4 _ R 3 Cars and pedestrians immediately using levee directly in front of our living rooms Current view from our living room of dead grass on levee Concerns Relative to Proposed Easement I'm John Brook — I own Unit 20-4 in Marina Pointe at The Lakes. I have lived there for 18 years and have the misfortune of owning a condo with my patio edge less than 13 ft from the property line. The base of the levee rises just 2 ft from that line. The close proximity of the levee to our property line will cause a reduction in potential sales value when compared to like properties not on the levee. Now we are told an easement is required on our properties to inspect the levee. This obviously will further degrade our property values. My main concerns, in regard to the easement, are as follows: 1. The potential removal of existing vegetation including trees, shrubs, and grass. Who will maintain this strip to prevent the intrusion of noxious shrubs and weeds such as blackberries and Canadian thistles? The City had a poor record of maintaining the previous City Property between the old levee and our properties. 2. Lack of privacy for our patios and rear yard. Many people already exit the paved trail to walk on the graveled top of the new levee, resulting in a loss of privacy. And now, the proposed easement will further degrade our privacy. Is the public going to be allowed to also traverse this strip and walk right past our windows? This long 10 ft wide strip will become a perfect access for burglars, prowlers, kooks, etc. to survey our properties by day and night. My concerns as listed can only be mitigated by leaving all vegetation—trees, grass, and shrubs as they are now and allow the Association to be responsible for maintaining the easement areas. The City could still inspect and maintain the levee as needed. This should become a written agreement between both parties. Thank you for the opportunity to air my concerns. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 4th Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: a My name is . I own unit#/Egat Marina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association - Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 41h Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: r M namz � `.'own unit# at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. Y — We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas,resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 41h Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: MY own is . n unit#j lj arina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 41b Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: N'�V My name is I own unit#_at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 4th Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: . X��' ✓ My name is I own unit# at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 4th Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: Xu% My name is . I own unit#_at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association - Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 41h Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 De r Council• �Yn me i . I own unit i :Larina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association- Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall 220 4th Avenue South,Kent,WA 98032 Dear Council: 6,21 S. a33rd %o1 My name is . I own unit#_at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. t=..�►�r���r� ��-ICY We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now,a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. t Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening. Marina Pointe at the Lakes Homeowners Association - Owner/resident talking points re: River Protection Easement Kent City Council Meeting,August 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Kent City Hall ��- 220 41h Avenue South, Kent,WA 98032 ILI Dear Council: 0� - My name is I own unit#_at Marina Pointe at the Lakes. We appreciate the protection the levee provides us from flooding, and we understand the City needs to acquire the easement to protect the levee. Our concern is that the easement will result in a loss of privacy and negatively affect our quality of life and property value. The easement area is now a landscape buffer between homes in our Association and the levee, with the Green River Trail located on top of the levee. A gravel path connects the Association's property with the trail. Hundreds of people use the trail every week. Our Association has planted trees and shrubs to provide privacy from the trail for the homes in our Association. The easement will run right through yards and up against some patios. Some trees on the City's property bordering our Association have already been removed, resulting in a loss of privacy. With the easement, the City will be allowed to remove all of the existing vegetation, including in peoples'yard areas, resulting in even more loss of privacy. We know the City does not want the area to become overgrown with blackberries and invasive weeds because it would make it harder to maintain the levee. Our Association does not want the area becoming overgrown with unwanted and invasive vegetation either. Our Association is worried that the area will end up not being maintained by the City and will become an eyesore. We would like it if the Association can continue maintaining the easement area and keep the area as close to the way it is now as possible, while allowing the City to inspect and maintain the levee when needed. We would like it if the City government were more willing to negotiate the terms of the easement with our Association. Thank you for listening.