HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 05/01/2012 �✓ KENT
Kent City Council
Workshop
May 1, 2012
Council Members Present: Albertson, Boyce, Higgins, Perry, Ralph, and Thomas.
Council Member Ranniger arrived at 6:05 p.m.
Council President Higgins opened the special meeting at 5:00 p.m. and
expressed appreciation to the citizens who have worked on the infrastructure
funding committees.
Infrastructure Funding. CAO Hodgson explained that two citizen groups were
formed to consider parks and streets infrastructure needs and funding options,
to prioritize the projects, and to make funding recommendations for them.
Parks. Parks Director Watling introduced Mike Price, Mark Prothero and Jim
Shaffer, members of the Parks Citizens Advisory Group. Price noted that many
parks assets are in dire need of repairs, replacements, or improvements, and
that funding sources have decreased. Prothero then described the work of the
Citizens Advisory Board including the criteria for prioritizing the projects and
funding options, and outlined the recommendations they brought forward.
Members of the citizens group responded to questions from Council members
throughout the presentation, and Watling provided a summary of project
estimates.
Transportation. Public Works Director LaPorte introduced those members of the
citizens group who were in attendance. The chair of the group, Suzanne Smith,
gave an overview of the committee's work, current and potential funding
sources, and their recommendations.
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There was a brief discussion about whether, in the event of a ballot issue, there
should be separate votes for parks and for transportation, or whether they
should be combined.
Funding Options. Finance Director Nachlinger provided financial information on
potential funding sources.
Next Step. Higgins announced the formation of an ad hoc committee made up
of himself and Council members Ralph and Albertson, who will consider the
recommendations separately and together, and formulate a recommendation to
be taken to the full council by mid June. He noted that the meetings will be open
to the public and invited anyone who is interested to attend.