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Kent City Council Workshop Minutes
October 6, 2015
The workshop meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Council President Ralph.
Councilmembers present: Ralph, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, and Thomas.
Budget Baseline Discussion — Finance Director Aaron BeMiller discussed the
Questions/Requests log and confirmed that the Council had a copy of the Capital
Improvement Fund.
BeMiller reviewed the specific baseline budget adjustments to the 2016 Adopted
Budget.
Council President Ralph noted that a conversation concerning the 2018 Cadillac Tax
will be on a future Council workshop agenda.
Councilmember Boyce confirmed with Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
Jeff Watling that the City needs to notify the Washington State Recreation and
Conservation Office (RCO) that the City has a local match on the Lake Meridian Park
project and when the project is completed.
Councilmember Thomas confirmed that if the $0.50 fire benefit charge was to fail, the
Regional Fire Authority (RFA) governance board could put a measure to the voters to
levy additional funds, thus reducing the City's property tax share.
Council President Ralph communicated that the Council noted that the Street Fund has
been paying the debt service on the 2008 bonds. However, Parks would now be paying
about $50,000 per year for ten years into the Street Fund.
Council President Ralph confirmed with BeMiller that there would be about $2.5 million
in reserves at the end of 2016 which would address any emergency needs.
Public Works Director, Tim LaPorte communicated the City's Capital budget additions
which included a quieter zone study, Meeker Street design, a Public Works Asset
Management System (street portion), the Naden/Willis intersection, fiber conduit on
South Central Avenue, and 132"d Avenue pedestrian improvements.
Councilmember Higgins verified that the conduit may increase the ability to install the
flashing yellow lights in the downtown core. He also confirmed with LaPorte that the
widening of 277th along Central Avenue is scheduled for next year in Auburn.
Watling reviewed the 2008 bond proceeds that are being reallocated to Parks and
noted that this involves $1 million going to the Lake Meridian dock project. He
discussed the use of the REET2 fund balance for the Hogan Park at Russell Road Park
field conversion and the YMCA/Morrill Meadows expansion project.
Kent City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
Information Technology Director Mike Carrington highlighted the funding for IT capital
projects, the document routing system, and the website content management system.
He specifically discussed which software systems the City needs to update or replace.
BeMiller reviewed, in detail, the Capital Improvement Fund, to include general capital
and Parks REET2 capital.
"Meet Me on Meeker" Project — Hayley Bonsteel, Long Range Planner/GIS
Coordinator communicated the results of the project and highlighted what properties
were included in the scope. She noted that staff interviewed all businesses located
along Meeker and what the consensus was amongst them. She noted that there were
workshops conducted, and highlighted some of the potential impactful options for
redesign along Meeker. She reviewed the conclusions that resulted from the
workshops and how the City could proceed in the future. She noted that the City owns
40 acres along Meeker Street and it is an exciting opportunity for the City.
Councilmember Fincher added that lighting among Meeker is a concern, to which
Bonsteel verified that pedestrian scale lighting is not located along most of Meeker.
Councilmember Ranniger verified with Economic and Community Development Director
Ben Wolters that $150,000 is budgeted for the design and that $500,000 is budgeted
for any match grant funds. Wolters also noted that the Transportation Improvement
Board (TIB) has grant funds and funds under "Complete Streets" that are available. He
added that there are funds through the Puget Sound Regional Council and grant
opportunities concerning bicycling.
Councilmember Boyce encouraged the other Councilmembers to walk Meeker Street
from the golf course to downtown Kent. He stated that he is encouraged by this and is
excited for the future.
Councilmember Higgins encouraged more short term work such as keeping the
overpass on Meeker clean, increase litter patrols, etc.
Councilmember Thomas reviewed parking concerns, lighting, and pedestrians. He said
the Kent Downtown Partnership is working on a plan for the Meeker overpass.
Council President Ralph said she walked Meeker and noted that the workshop went
well. She added that there are some low cost things that can be done now to improve
Meeker Street and is looking forward to this in the future.
Meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
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