HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 06/03/2014 KENT
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes
June 3, 2014
The workshop meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. by Council President Ralph.
Councilmembers present: Ralph, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, and Thomas.
Budget Calendar for 2015 - 2016 Biennial Budget
Interim Chief Administrative Officer Tom Brubaker discussed the compressed budget
calendar. He noted that a "status quo" budget would be presented with discussion of
a possible franchise fee and/or transportation benefit district. He communicated that
the Mayor will ensure the Council stays informed as the budget process proceeds.
Councilmember Ranniger arrived at 5:30 p.m.
Sound Transit Link Rail Environmental Impact Statement Options
Planning Manager Charlene Anderson presented what has occurred thus far, project
alternatives, the current timeline, and lessons learned with the Sound Transit Federal
Way Link Extension process.
Councilmembers communicated their preferences for the location of stations.
Anderson noted that final design and construction begins in 2018 and it is likely to be
a design-build process, so the City needs to ensure the staff is prepared to make
quick decisions and the system is scheduled to be fully operational in 2023.
Council President Ralph communicated that Sound Transit has made her feel better
about all of this because of their high level of customer service and community
outreach concerning the project.
Anderson suggested the City be clear in what it desires to ensure all the needs of the
City are met and reviewed specific items the City should pay attention to such as
structured or surface parking, design elements, alignment/station location, etc.
Economic and Development Director Ben Wolters communicated that this is coming to
Kent at a fast pace and the City will have an opportunity to influence the design if
preferences are communicated to Sound Transit early.
Council President Ralph thanked the Economic and Community Development
Committee for getting the awareness out about this early.
Brubaker urged the Council to have a thoughtful discussion so there is a clear
message that will influence and change the face of the community.
Ralph suggested the Council set up meetings with Sound Transit and Planning
Manager Anderson.
Parks and Police Department Youth and Crime Prevention Programs
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes June 3, 2014
Jeff Watling, Parks and Cultural Services Director and Ken Thomas, Police Chief gave
an overview of the presentation. Both highlighted their partnership and goal to
prevent crime and keep the community safe. Watling introduced Garin Lee and Lori
Hogan, from the Parks Department and Chief Thomas introduced Sergeant O'Reilly
and Stacey Judd from the Police Department.
Hogan communicated that this is a partnership and reviewed the recreation programs
to include community events, youth sports leagues, camps, tournaments, and
community education.
O'Reilly discussed the Fourth of July Splash event and what the police will be
responsible for at the event.
Judd and O'Reilly highlighted police crime prevention programs such as National Night
Out (August 5), the Police Youth Board, Kent Cops in Schools, Business Watch, and
Block Watch. Judd noted that there are over 150 neighborhood Block Watch groups
in Kent. Both presenters also discussed the police education/training programs such
as the Kent Cornucopia Days education booth, Gang Resistance Education and
Training (G.R.E.A.T.), and the Police Science Class.
Hogan reviewed the Senior Center classes, to include being safe at home and scam
alert classes. She also highlighted the safety classes for staff at the Senior Center.
Lee highlighted crime prevention in public spaces and programs such as Eyes on the
Parks and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) which is made up
of natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement.
The group concluded and discussed management practices for public spaces. Judd
noted that the areas where these practices have been applied to police programs is on
block watches, bike/boat patrol, and Kent Cornucopia Days. Lee and Hogan
communicated that when it comes to parks, management practices have been applied
to landscaping, litter/graffiti, the condition of park assets, and downtown parks,
Judd communicated that there is a Police Chief Community Meeting this Thursday at
Totem Middle School.
Hogan responded to Councilmember Boyce's inquiry and noted that the department
does contacts the schools directly. She stated that the attendees of the programs are
very diverse and based on the number of repeat customers the programs are
successful.
The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
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Ronald F. Mtiore, !,AMC
City Clerk
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