HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 02/05/2013 Kent City Council Meeting
KENT February 5, 2013
The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Mayor Cooke.
Councilmembers present: Albertson, Boyce, Higgins, Perry, Ralph, and Ranniger.
Councilmember Thomas was excused from the meeting.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
A. From Council, Administration, Staff. Council President Higgins proposed an
excused absence for Councilmember Thomas be added under Item 7(L). Council-
member Perry proposed removing Consent Calendar Item I and placing it on Other
Business Item C. Council President Higgins also proposed adding Intergovernmental
Reports as Item 4(D).
B. From the Public. No changes were made by the public.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Public Recognition. Mayor Cooke recognized Reese McGuire for his accomplish-
ments in baseball. Councilmember Perry noted that Cindy Marlowe is appearing on
the television show "Project Runway" and is into the third episode on the show.
B. Community Events. No community events were given.
C. Legislative Report. Communication and Public Affairs Manager Michelle Wilmot
noted that the City is entering the fourth week of the legislative session. She added
that the top items concern the State budget and the City won't know exactly what it
will look like until the April 17. She discussed committee meetings and reported on
bills that are of concern to the cities. She mentioned that Doug Levy is working with
King County Councilmembers to express the City's concerns. She also noted that
residents can go to www.leg.wa.gov is to comment on the bills.
D. Intergovernmental Reports. Council President Higgins gave a brief update on
the Regional Policy Committee meeting regarding the potential renewal of the EMS
Levy that supports Medic One which will be coming up for renewal this year. He noted
another item discussed concerning the extension of the interlocal agreement with
King County Solid Waste Division. . He gave a brief update on the Regional Transit
Committee and the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency board meeting on the 21st.
Councilmember Albertson noted that she was in Olympia and testified on SB5103,
met with Senator Faine, Representative Sullivan, and Representative Maxwell
regarding the City's legislative agenda. She stated that the Regional Water Quality
Committee will meet to set up the yearly work plan. She will be meeting with Debra
Entimen from Senator Adam's office concerning the Briscoe Desimone levy. She has
a Flood Control District Board of Supervisors Executive Committee meeting on
February 7.
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
Councilmember Perry noted that she will attend the Public Issues Committee of the
Sound Cities Association meeting on February 7 and they are forming an Economic
Development Committee and she has been asked to sit on the Events Committee.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council President Higgins moved to approve the revised Consent Calendar
Items A through L, excluding Item J, seconded by Councilmember Perry.
Motion carried 6-0 and the following items were approved:
A. Minutes of the workshop and regular Council meeting of January 15, 2013
B. Payment of the bills received through December 31 and paid on December 31,
2012 after auditing by the Operations Committee on January 15, 2013.
Checks issued for vouchers:
Date Check Numbers Amount
12/31/12 Wire Transfers 5287-5337 $1,646,517.81
12/31/12 Regular Checks 669544-669970 3,655,157.03
12/31/12 Use Tax Payable 1,738.55
$5,303,413.39
Checks issued for payroll for December 16 through December 31, and paid on
January 4, 2013:
Date Check Numbers Amount
1/4/13 Checks 330195-330333 $ 70,618.70
1/4/13 Advices 308264-308890 1,180,580.62
$1,251,199.32
C. Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Human Services Application/
Grant Management. The Mayor was authorized to sign the Memorandum of
Understanding between the city of Kent and 18 local cities for management of online
grants subscription services, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the
City Attorney and Parks and Human Services Director.
D. Addendum to "Go Grants" Online Subscription Service Agreement. The
Mayor was authorized to sign the addendum to the "Go Grants" Online Subscription
Service Agreement between the city of Kent and Western States Arts Federation,
subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Parks and
Human Services Director.
E. Recreation and Conservation Office Grant Agreement. The Mayor was
authorized to accept and sign the grant agreement with the Recreation and
Conservation Office for $125,120.00 to assist in funding land acquisition at Clark
Lake, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Parks
and Human Services Director.
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F. Green River Flood Protection Sandbag Removal. The Green River Flood
Protection Sandbag Removal Project was accepted as complete and release of
retainage to AGR Contracting, Inc. upon receipt of standard releases from the state
and release of any liens. The original contract amount was $894,628.03. The final
contract amount was $668,599.95.
G. Local Hazardous Waste Management Program Grant. The Mayor was
authorized to accept the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program Grant in the
amount of $31,442.22 for 2013 and establish a budget accordingly, subject to final
terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
H. Olympic Environmental Resources Recvclina Contract. The Mayor was
authorized to sign a consultant services agreement with Olympic Environmental
Resources for Waste Reduction and Recycling Activities and Programs for 2013 in an
amount not to exceed $93,392.25, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to
the City Attorney and the Public Works Director.
I. 64th Ave. S. Channel Improvements Consultant Contract with AMEC. The
Mayor was authorized to sign a consultant contract with AMEC in an amount not to
exceed $19,096.15 to provide geotechnical engineering services for the 64th Avenue
South Channel Improvements Project, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
K. Upper Johnson Creek Restoration, Phase II. The Upper Johnson Creek
Restoration — Phase II Project was accepted as complete and release of retainage to
Restoration Logistics, LLC, upon receipt of standard releases from the State and
release of any liens. The original and final contract amount was $59,903.55.
ADDED ITEM
R. Excused Absence. An excused absence for Councilmember Les Thomas, who was
unable to attend the February 5, 2013, meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Proposed SE 256th Street Local Improvement District 364 — Resolution of
Intent. Design Engineer Manager Mark Howlett gave a brief overview of the proposed
256th Street Local Improvement District 364 and stated that the Washington State
Transportation Improvement Board has made it clear that construction must be
started by July 1 or the $2 million grant will be taken away. He gave an overview of
the project and explained the improvements that would be made.
Councilmember Boyce inquired if the City knew the funds would go away by July 1
and Mr. Howlett confirmed that we did.
Councilmember Albertson moved to adopt Resolution No. 1869 setting a
Public Hearing date for March 5, 2013, regarding the formation of Local
Improvement District 364, seconded by Council President Higgins.
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
Councilmember Albertson discussed the area and stated that this project is a long
time coming. She noted that there are children and significant pedestrian traffic in the
area and it will provide much needed safety to the area.
A vote was taken on the motion on the table which carried 6-0.
B. Human Resources Community Outreach Position. Human Resource Director
Lorraine Patterson gave an overview of the position.
Council President Higgins moved to approve the .60 part-time benefitted
position for the Human Resources Department, seconded by Councilmember
Albertson. Motion carried 6-0.
C. Briscoe Desimone Levee Contract with GEI. Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director
discussed the levee and noted that it would be difficult to accomplish the work if this
item is delayed any longer.
Councilmember Perry inquired if setting the item back two weeks would hurt the
timeline and Mr. LaPorte responded that it would be difficult but could work.
Councilmember Perry moved to postpone the item to the February 19, 2013
Council meeting, seconded by Councilmember Albertson.
Councilmember Perry stated that the City should wait to see what the King County
Flood Control District's decision is and that WRIA-9 and Sound Cities Association will
be making recommendations. She feels this item should wait for two weeks.
Council President Higgins noted how the motion was written and said the project
needs to move forward as soon as the King County Flood Control District approves
Kent's plan. He felt it shouldn't be moved back to committee or wait two weeks.
Councilmember Albertson noted that it shouldn't be brought to committee and a
workshop should be held on this very issue and will support waiting.
Councilmember Ralph noted that this item has been discussed several times in
committee and the language has been carefully selected because the City is waiting
on final approval of the King County Flood Control District. She noted she will not be
voting in favor of this motion.
Councilmember Boyce stated that he heard what Councilmember Albertson has said,
but doesn't understand what the Council is waiting for. He stated that he doesn't see
anything that locks the City into anything and doesn't understand why the Council
should wait. He felt moving forward would be proactive.
Councilmember Perry stated Council as a whole hasn't discussed reports from other
agencies and the City needs to work with other agencies and cities to move forward.
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
Councilmember Albertson stated that there are questions because the Council hasn't
had the time to consider this item as a whole before moving forward. She said that all
councilmembers don't have all the information.
Councilmember Boyce noted that the purpose of committees is to do the work and
bring the work back to the Council and usually there isn't any issue. He noted that
this is the process the Council has followed since he has been a councilmember.
Councilmember Perry replied that there are a host of players involved that could
jeopardize this in the future. She said there should be a workshop and this deserves
one.
Council President Higgins stated that a workshop is a good idea and that previous
related matters have been approved on consent calendar. He noted that the Public
Works Director has conveyed that this levee is in dire need of repair and that
businesses in the valley are in jeopardy.
Council President Higgins said he will vote no.
Councilmember Ranninger stated that this levee does need repair and regional
consensus building is important. She felt the City needs the good will of the other
entities involved and holding off for 14 days to hear what WRIA-9, King County and
others have to say will not make that much difference. She was in favor of the
motion.
Councilmember Albertson stated that Councilmember Ranniger summed it up and this
is a very important decision. She felt it is critical for everyone to have all the
information before making a decision.
Councilmember Ralph stated that this isn't the City charging forward, it is letting King
County know that the City is in a position to move forward immediately. She noted
that time is of the essence and the prudent thing to do is address the deficiencies
immediately. This simply says if King County Flood Control District approves the Kent
plan, the City is ready to move forward.
Councilmember Boyce asked how much impact waiting two weeks will have. Public
Works Director LaPorte noted that the City needs to obtain permits and get things in
order and that's why staff recommended that this be brought to Council in January.
He stated that waiting makes it incrementally more difficult to get this done.
Councilmember Boyce then asked if the City doesn't move forward will this offend
other agencies we work with. Councilmember Perry replied that it will offend other
agencies.
Public Works Director LaPorte, answering Councilmember Perry's question, replied it
would be difficult to wait two weeks.
Councilmember Albertson reitered that there may not be a consensus on this because
it hasn't been voted on and that it is prudent to wait.
Council President Higgins took the gavel.
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
Mayor Cooke stated that as Chair of the Flood Control Zone District Advisory
Committee, she has gone to a lot of meeting and heard many opinions. She gave an
overview of the specifics of the project and stated that this simply allows the
contractor to get ready. She stated that Council doesn't want to lose the opportunity
to move forward on this levee.
Councilmember Boyce said this has been a great conversation and felt that Council
should move forward and will not support the motion.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion, Councilmember Perry,
Councilmember Albertson, and Councilmember Ranniger voted in the
affirmative. Council President Higgins, Councilmember Ralph,
Councilmember Boyce dissented, making the vote a 3-3 tie. Mayor Cooke
utilized her tie-breaking authority, dissented and the motion failed 3-4.
Council President Higgins moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a consultant
services contract with GEI Consultants Inc. in an amount not to exceed
$736,544 to provide structural and geotechnical engineering services for
final design of the Briscoe/Des imone Levee Project, subject to approval by
the King County Flood Control District of the City's sheet pile wall proposal,
and approval and release of $7 million grant funds from the District to the
City of Kent, and obtaining an acceptable agreement with the City of Tukwila
for work within Tukwila, and final terms and conditions acceptable to the
City Attorney and Public Works Director. Councilmember Ralph seconded.
Councilmember Perry stated that Council should have voted to wait in the last motion
and is concerned about not hearing from all the other agencies.
Councilmember Ralph inquired if the sheet pile wall would provide an immediate
solution until funds are available. Mr. LaPorte said that the sheet pile wall has been
vetted through four consulting firms and a national expert by the County. He added
that the walls can be removed in the future.
Councilmember Ranninger noted this issue should have been at workshop tonight.
She is worried about consensus and said her position stands.
President Higgins communicated that he didn't think it would be contentious and said
it will be scheduled in the future as a workshop. He noted that nothing will transpire
unless the King County Flood District acts in the City's favor. He noted that the
Council's obligation is to the City and should protect the interests of Kent, not King
County or WRIA-9. He noted that the cost of doing business, economic development
is high and when the City staff says if this was a bridge it would be closed the City
should act.
Councilmember Perry noted that more information is needed and two weeks isn't
much to get more information. She felt having more information is in the best interest
of the citizens.
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
Councilmember President Higgins stated that a $17 million investment to put a sheet
pile wall in when what the County is proposing will cost millions of dollars is a prudent
expenditure of money to address a need. He noted that the City needs to be able to
protect businesses and roads and let economic development continue.
Councilmember Albertson noted that as information is being uncovered the pile wall
may not be the best decision and expressed concerns. She stated that more
information needs to be uncovered.
Councilmember Perry commented that the City has one plan that would cost $17
million and King County has a long term and short term plan, one is $200-900 million
and the other is $63 million.
Councilmember President Higgins noted that the short term plan wasn't discussed at
all when this first was introduced.
Councilmember Boyce confirmed that the Kent plan is $17 million and if KC decides to
move forward with their $63 million plan the Kent plan won't be adopted. He states
that the City isn't locking itself into anything.
Councilmember Perry agreed with Councilmember Boyce. However, she said if the
King County Flood District says yes, and its partners are suggesting moving to the
higher cost plan, the City is stuck.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion, Council President Higgins,
Councilmember Ralph, Councilmember Boyce voted in the affirmative.
Councilmember Perry, Councilmember Albertson, and Councilmember
Ranniger dissented, making the vote a 3-3 tie. Mayor Cooke utilized her tie-
breaking authority, voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried 4-3.
BIDS
A. Hawley Road Levee Improvements. Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director, gave a
brief description of the project.
Councilmember Albertson moved to award the Hawley Road Levee
Improvements Project to SCI Infrastructure, LLC, in the amount of
$541,925.36 and the Mayor was authorized to sign all necessary documents,
subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and
Public Works Director, seconded by Councilmember Ralph. Motion carried 6-
0.
REPORTS
A. Council President. None.
B. Mayor. Mayor Cooke noted that Valley Cities Mayors are working on the
prioritization of road projects that have gone before the state as well as other entities.
She went on to explain the road projects and has been asked to sign a letter of
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Kent City Council Minutes February 5, 2013
support. She mentioned that Mike Moran is a speaker at the Chamber of Commerce
meeting tomorrow and will speak on LEAN. She noted that Marcus Shelton who lives
here in Kent has started movement to dedicate a roadway to veterans.
C. Administration. Chief Administration Officer John Hodgson noted that he is
representing South King County Cities which will look at low income fare subsidies. He
noted that the twenty representatives have a mission to formulate options for low
income riders and have a response done by the first of July. He asked for feedback
from the Council. He stated that most low income subsidies are handed out by non-
profit agencies. He also noted there will be no executive session.
D. Economic & Community Development Committee. Councilmember Perry
noted that the next Economic & Community Development Committee meeting is
February 11.
E. Operations Committee. No report was given.
F. Parks and Human Services Committee. No report was given.
G. Public Safety Committee. Councilmember Boyce noted that the next meeting is
February 12.
H. Public Works Committee. Councilmember Albertson noted that the February 18
meeting is cancelled.
I. Regional Fire Authority. No report was given.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:30 p.m., Mayor Cooke declared the regular meeting adjourned.
Ronald F. Moore, MMC
City Clerk
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