HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 11/7/2017Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2Ot7
Kent, Washington
Approved Lt/2L/t7
Date: November 7, 2OL7Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers East/West
Attending: Suzette Cooke, Mayor
Bill Boyce, Council President
Tina Budell, Councilmember, arrived at 5:23 p.m.
Jim Berrios, Councilmember
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember
Dana Ralph, Councilmember
Les Thomas, Councilmember
Agendal
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. with Mayor Cooke presiding.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Cooke - Present
Council President Boyce - Present
Tina Budell, Councilmember - Absent during roll call, arrived at 5:23 p.m.
Jim Berrios, Councilmember - Present
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember - Present
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember - Present
Dana Ralph, Councilmember - Present
Les Thomas, Councilmember - Present
3. Changes to the Agenda
Councilmember Boyce moved to approve the agendas presented, seconded
by Thomas. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 6-O.
4. PublicCommunications
A. Public Recognition
Mayor Cooke recognized and observed a moment of silence for Linda Sweezer, a
board member of the Kent Black Action Commission, reportedly killed inside herhome. Mayor Cooke conveyed that Linda has left a lasting legacy in this
community by adding value to people's lives by helping and supporting residents.
Mayor Cooke recognized Paul Scott, Accounting Manager in the Public Works
Department, as November's Employee of the Month. Paul expressed his
appreciation of his past and present staff. Paul indicated one of the keys to good
management is the good people that work for you.
Councilmember Higgins recognized the Eastern Washington University women's
soccer team, that includes M'Kenna Hayes, a graduate of Kentridge High School,
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2Ot7
Kent, Washington
Approved LLI2L|L7
Abby Klinkenberg, a graduate of Kentridge High School, Grace Klinkenberg, a
graduate of Kentridge High School, and Lexi Klinkenberg, â graduate of Kentridge
High School. The team is headed to the NCAA final 16 in Orlando.
B. Appointment to the Kent Human Services Commission
Mayor Cooke provided a brief background of Rickie Robinson. Rickie expressed his
appreciation for being appointed to the Kent Human Services Commission and is
excited to be a part of shaping what human services can look like for Kent,
C. Appointment to the Kent Arts Commission
Mayor Cooke provided a brief background of Martha Cunningham. Martha
expressed her desire to serve on the commission. She indicated she wants to be
involved in bringÍng different cultures together in an inspiring way.
D. Proclamation for Arbor Day
Mayor Cooke presented Bryan Higgins, Parks, Planning, and Community Services
Development Coordinator, with the Proclamation for Arbor Day. Mayor Cooke
indicated that the City of Kent has been named Tree City USA every year since
2003. Bryan indicated they will be planting 15 large trees at Riverview Park and will
also be rescuing cottonwoods on the riverbank that are engulfed in blackberries in
addition to spreading mulch. Riverview Park is located off of 68th Avenue South on
Hawley Road. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 1Bth,
20L7.
E. Proclamation for Soka Gakkai International Day
Mayor Cooke presented Billynda Anderson with the Proclamation for Soka Gakkai
International Day. Billynda Anderson invited the public to attend the celebration
that will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m., at the Seattle Culture Center located at
3438 South 148th Street in Seattle.
F. Proclamation for Veterans' Day of Remembrance
Mayor Cooke presented Marcus Shelton with the Proclamation for Veterans' Day of
Remembrance. Marcus expressed his appreciation for the honor of accepting the
proclamation.
Council President Boyce and Thomas expressed their appreciation for all those that
have and continue to serve in the armed forces.
Mayor Cooke suggested Councilmember Thomas work with Marcus Shelton on a
project to have a veterans'wall built in Kent.
Mayor Cooke read a letter from Shinichi Taniguchi, Mayor of Tamba, Japan, a sister
city of Kent, expressing his appreciation of his team's meeting with the Mayor on
November 7, 2OL7.
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G. Community Events
Council President Boyce provided information regarding past attendance at the
accesso ShoWare Center. Additional details were provided regarding upcoming
events. Visit accessoShoWare.com for event and ticket information.
Councilmember Ralph invíted the public to attend the Magical Strings 31't Annual
Celtic Yuletide concert that will be held at the Kent Meridian Performing Arts Center
on December 3'd. Tickets are available at KentWA.gov
Councilmember Fincher advised that new Kent Creates website ís open and invited
the public to share holiday traditions and learn about and discuss cultural traditions
at Kentcreates.com.
Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Councilmember Fincher invited the
Riverview Park.
November 7, 2OL7
Kent, Washington
public to attend the Arbor Day event at
H. Economic and Community Development Update
Ben Wolters, Director of Economic and Community Development, provided an
update on Economic and Community Development throughout Kent.
Ben advised that Michelle Wilmot, Economic and Community Development Project
Manager, recently joined the department and is making great progress in marketing
and promoting Kent.
Ben índicated the Puget Sound Business Journal recently highlighted tremendous
opportunities in Kent and South King County communities. Additionally King 5 is
preparing a story regarding the growth in Kent. Interviews will take place on
November Bth. Additionally, Kent submitted an advertorial to the Puget Sound
Business Journal highlighting Kent's attributes.
Ben indicated the soft launch is underway for the new website "VisitKent.com." Ben
invited everyone to visit VisitKent.com. The new website presents Kent in a fresh,
unique and authentic manner.
Ben indicated Jeff Bezos has backed "Plenty," a 100 square foot indoor farm in Kent
that is located close to Amazon Fresh.
I. fntergovernmentalReports
Council President Boyce serves on the Sound Cities Association Policy Board
Public Issues Committee. No repoft.
Councilmember Budell serves on the Sound Cities Association Domestic Violence
Initiative Committee. No report.
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 20t7
Kent, Washington
Approved tL/2L/L7
Councílmember Higgins serves on the King County Regional Transit Committee. No
new information since the October meeting.
Councilmember Berrios serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council Economic
Development Board. No new information since the last meeting.
Councilmember Ralph will be attending the Watershed Ecosystem Forum meeting
that will work on the Salmon Habitat Plan.
Councilmember Ralph serves on the Sound Cities Association Board. No report
Councilmember Ralph serves on the South County Area Transportation Policy
Board. No report.
Councilmember Fincher serves on the King Conservation District Advisory
Committee. There are currently openings for advisors for urban and rural land
owners. Visit KingCD.org for more information. Additionally, you can visit
KingCD.org to file for an application to be a supervisor or to request a ballot.
Councilmember Fincher serves on the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Council.
The Council recently discussed pilot programs regarding treatment in correctional
facilities.
Mayor Cooke expressed her desire to have a councilmember serve on the Regional
Transit Committee, in addition to including Uriel Varela, the City's Community
Engagement Coordinator in information that the committee discusses.
5. Public Hearinq
None.
6. Public Comment
Megan Turner, a Kent resident requested the City repair and maintain Adams
Avenue, located off of James Street.
Simranjeet Sindu, a Kent resident and student at Kentwood High School, indicated
she is attending tonight's meeting as a part of her civics project. Ms. Sindu
expressed her interest in having recycle bins be installed in the City parks.
Kirk Nelsen, a Kent resident, provided public comment regarding multiple topics,
including his recent request for public records.
Shana Sourish, a Kent resident and Kentwood High School student, indicated she is
attending tonight's meeting as a part of her civic project and expressed her
appreciation for the Green Kent events and city trees.
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 20L7
Kent, Washington
0e/30/L7
Amount
$2,433,225.34
$4,956,072.29
$ 186,901.03
($121,877.80)
sL,649.97
$7,455,970.92
Approval of checks issued for payroll for September 16 through September 30
and paid on October 5,2Ot7:
Approved tt/2L/L7
Councilmember Budell suggested the students that spoke tonight should consider
applying for positions on the Parks Commission.
7. Consent Calendar
Council President Boyce moved to approve the Consent Calendar items A
through I seconded by Councilmember Thomas. The motion passed
unanimously with a 7-O vote.
A. Minutes of October L7,2OL7t Workshop and Council Meeting, and the
October L9,2OL7 Workshop - Approve
The minutes of October t7, 2017, Workshop and Council Meeting, and the October
t9, 2Ot7, Workshop were approved.
B. Payment of Bills - Approve
The bills received through September 30, 20t7, and paid on September 30, 20L7.
The Operations Committee audited the payment of bills on October L7, 2OL7, were
approved.
Approval of checks issued for vouchers:
Date
09/30/L7
os/30/L7
oe/30/L7
Date
LOls/20L7
Wire Transfers
Regular Checks
Payment Plus
Void Checks
Use Tax Payable
Check Numbers
7250-7265
7L7788- 7L8t99
AmountCheck Numbers
Checks 0
Voids and Reissues
Advices 395381-396268LO/s/20t7 $1,594,896.91
$1,594,896.91
C. Appointment to Kent Human Services Commission - Confirm.
Council confirmed the Mayor's appointment of Rickie Robinson to the Kent Human
Services Commission filling a vacancy through the remainder of a three-year term
that will expire December 3t,2OL9.
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2OL7
Kent, Washington
Approved LtlzLlL7
D. Appoint Martha Cunningham to the Kent Arts Commission - Confirm
Council confirmed the Mayor's appointment of Martha Cunningham to the Kent Arts
Commission for a four-year term that will expire on October 3t, 2O2L.
E. Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant - Letter of
Support to Washington State Department of Transportation - Authorize
The Council authorized Council President Boyce to sign a letter of support for the
Washington State Department of Transportation's Puget Sound Gateway Program
application for the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant.
F. Quiet Zone Union Pacific Railroad Agreement - Authorize
The Mayor was authorized to sign the Authorization for Crossing Improvements
Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney and the Public Works Director.
G. South King County Area Transportation Board Agreement - Authorize
The Mayor was authorized to sign the South King County Area Transportation Board
Agreement subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and
Public Works Director.
H. Briscoe Desimone Levee fmprovements Reach 2 and 3 - Accept as
Complete.
The Mayor was authorized to accept the Briscoe Desimone Levee Improvements
Reach 2 and 3 project as complete and release retainage to Tapani, Inc., upon
receipt of standard releases from the state and the release of any liens.
I. Port of Seattle Partnership and Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship
Committee Consultant Services Agreements - Authorize
The Mayor was authorized to enter into a Partnership Agreement with the Poft of
Seattle and a Consultant Services Agreement with the Aerospace Joint
Apprenticeship Committee to support establishment of a manufacturing resource
center, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and
Economic and Community Development Director.
8. Other Business
None
9. Bids
None.
10. Reports from Standing Committees, Council and Staff
Council President's Report - Council President Boyce - No report.
Mayor Cooke - Mayor Cooke thanked Councilmember Higgins for his report to the
Kent Reporter. Councilmember Higgins provided clarification regarding his
comments to the recent articles.
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 20t7
Kent, Washington
Approved LL|ZL|t7
Mayor Cooke advised that the Council will receive a letter from the King County
Flood Control District regarding Van Doren's park and lower Russell Road levee.
Mayor Cooke advised that critical decisions need to be made regarding the trail.
Administration - Derek Matheson, Chief Administrative Officer, indicated there
are two budget workshops left in 2Ot7. There is a special workshop on November
L4,2OL7, at 5 p.m., followed by a regular workshop on November 2L,2Ot7. Some
of the remaining budget issues include: property tax, quiet zone funding, square
footage tax for parks capital, and the police and criminal justice levee.
The Operations Committee will take up the budget on December 5,20L7, and the
Council will take action on December 12, 2OL7.
Derek indicated the YMCA project is moving quickly, and staff is working to finalize
agreements to be presented to the Operations Committee and City Council.
Derek advised that there will be a brief executive session tonight to discuss
collective bargaining. The session is expected to last 10 minutes with no
anticipated action afterwards.
Economic and Community Development - Council President Boyce advised that
the next meeting ís scheduled for November 13, 2OL7.
Operations Councílmember Ralph advised that during today's meeting, the
committee recommended the council accept a grant for emergency management,
recommended the refunding of bonds, and recommended, by a vote of 2-1,
adoption of and ordinance increasing the B&O square footage tax.
Parks and Human Services - Councilmember Fíncher indicated the committee
heard an update on the contributions report and fee-in-lieu of funds.
Public Safety - Councilmember Berrios advised the next meeting is cancelled.
Public Works - Councilmember Higgins advised his report is in the minutes and
also advised that the committee discussed the renaming of South 238th to "Oberto
way."
Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority - Councilmember Thomas indicated the
next meeting will be held on December 6, 20t7, at 5:30 p.m. at station 78 in
Covington.
At 6:15 p.m., the Council went into Executive Session
At 6:25 p.m., the Council came out of Executive Session
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Kent City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
12. Adjournment
There being no action followin
meet ing at 6:36 p.m.
û.
Kimberley
City Clerk
Komoto
November 7, 20L7
November 7, 2Ot7
Kent, Washington
Approved LL/2L/L7
executive session, Mayor Cooke adjourned the
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