HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 04/02/2013 \1117
ICEMT
Kent City Council Workshop
April 2, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 5:36 p.m. by Council President Higgins.
Councilmembers present: Higgins, Thomas, Boyce, Perry, Ranninger, Ralph, and
Albertson.
Gaming/House Banked Social Card Rooms. Council President Higgins discussed
that Great American Casino presented a letter to lower the gambling tax rate from 11
to 4 percent. A reduction in the gambling tax rate from 11 to 7 percent passed by a
vote of 2-1 in the Operations Committee.
Chief Administrative Officer Hodgson introduced the item. He noted that the Great
American Casino was annexed into the City with the Panther Lake annexation. There
has been discussion concerning their moving within and outside the annexation area.
He added that the City has done research concerning both options and based on the
Gambling Commission, if the City allows Great American Casino to move, the City is
allowing other gaming/social card rooms to exist throughout the community.
However, he noted that they haven't been doing well in this economy. He discussed
different ways of controlling the number of casinos the City could have, such as
having a base tax rate and an increased rate for any new establishments.
City Attorney Brubaker stated that there are two follow up items that the Council left
with him. One was creating a gambling zone and based on his research, the attorney
with the Gambling Commission wasn't too favorable on the zone idea, but stated
there could be an area in the City where the tax code could be amended and an area
could be identified with a higher tax rate. He stated that the Gambling Commission
wouldn't necessarily support this, but they wouldn't fight it either, However, he noted
that if a new casino located there and challenged the rate and if the City lost the
"switch" to have unlimited casinos locate anywhere would be turned on. The next
option would be for the Great American Casino to continue to operate in its current
location where it was annexed. However, again if they are allowed to move, the City
would have to allow other casinos in.
City Attorney Brubaker explained the options which is to do nothing; do a Tukwila
type ordinance that allows five or three year and the tax goes up; to formulate a
zoning concept; to do nothing and say the law is not clear under the annexation
statute, let Great American Casino relocate with the knowledge that down the road
that we would have to shut them down. Additionally, the City could pass an ordinance
turning the switch off effective five years hence and they would have to close their
door in five years.
Councilmembers discussed the pros and cons of this issue and their concerns.
Council President Higgins noted that there is no direction to the City staff at this time.
Puget Sound Gateway Proiect. Councilmember Ralph noted she attended an
information meeting at the Highline Forum and discussed the project known as the
Puget Sound Gateway. She explained it was a combination of connections which
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes April 2, 2013
would be done in phases. She noted it is currently in the transportation package
costing $1 billion. She noted it would be a huge impact to Kent and it was suggested
that we sign a letter of support to the Transportation Committee.
Councilmember Thomas moved to sign the letter in support and
Councilmember Perry seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Sales Tax Fairness. Council President Higgins noted that last year Council signed a
letter in support of the marketplace fairness act and it failed in Congress last year. He
stated that he would like to redraft the letter and bring it back to workshop.
The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
r ,r
Ronald F.,AM`oore,'1C
City Clerk
2