HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations Committee - 03/07/2017Operations Committee March 7, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
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Date: March 7, 2017
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Chambers East
Attending: Bill Boyce, Les Thomas, and Dana Ralph, Chair
Agenda:
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Changes to the Agenda.
There were no changes to the agenda.
4. Approval of the Check Summary Reports dated 1/16/2017 thru
1/31/2017 and 2/01/2017 thru 2/15/2017.
L. Thomas moved to approve the check summary report dated 1/16/2017
thru 1/31/2017 and 2/01/2017 thru 2/15/2017. B. Boyce seconded the
motion, which passed 3-0.
5. Approval of Minutes dated February 7, 2017.
B. Boyce moved to approve the Operations Committee minutes dated
February 7, 2017. L. Thomas seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
6. Temporary Limited Term Position – Recommend.
Kent Police Chief Thomas requested a change in an existing position that
supports the Traffic School Program. The current temporary variable hour
position assists with administrative support tasks such as scheduling of
classes, processing traffic school applications, background checks and public
customer support. The Department would like to expand the traffic school
services with additional classes to increase accessibility to Kent residents, and
contract with surrounding municipalities that do not offer the program. This
expansion would be a trial project for the next two to three years and the
program would be monitored by Police Administration to determine if the
increase in classes offered results in increased demand for participation.
This work is designated as AFSCME (union) work and the current collective
bargaining agreement does not allow the City to maintain this position in its
current structure. The City is requesting the establishment of this new position
Operations Committee March 7, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
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to both meet the community need for the Program and address union
concerns.
This item was previously discussed during the February 14, 2017 Public Safety
Committee meeting. For final approval, it was on the consent calendar during
the March 7, 2017 Council meeting.
L. Thomas moved to recommend that the Council authorize the Mayor to
establish a project temporary limited term AFSCME position to replace the
current temporary variable hour position that provides support to the Traffic
School Program, to be funded out of the Traffic School Program budget, and
adjust the budget accordingly. B. Boyce seconded the motion, which passed
3-0.
7. School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program Fund Expenditures -
Recommend.
Chief Thomas’ asked for permission to disburse funds from the program for
criminal justice-related purposes. The approximate expendable amount being
requested is $479,200 to cover the cost of:
$57,000 - installing substation security upgrades (three locations total),
$50,400 - purchasing unmanned aerial vehicles (two with associated
software, hardware, and training),
$106,000 - purchasing a 3D crime scene scanner,
$85,000 - technology updates (photo identification app and software
patches),
$60,800 - establishing and implementing the department marketing and
communication plan,
$20,000 - purchasing portable surveillance equipment (two mobile
cameras), and
$100,000 - setting aside funds for City Administration/City Council
emergent needs (committee members asked to be updated if/when this
amount is ever needed to be used.)
This item was previously discussed during the February 14, 2017 Public Safety
Committee meeting. For final approval, it was on the consent calendar during
the March 7, 2017 Council meeting.
B. Boyce moved to recommend Council authorize the expenditure of $479,200
from the School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Fund, amend the budget, and
authorize the Mayor to sign all documents necessary to complete these
projects, subject to final terms acceptable to the Police Chief and City
Attorney. L. Thomas seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
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8. Ordinance Amending Chapter 9.83 of the Kent City Code “Parking” –
Recommend.
Parks Facilities Superintendent Alex Ackley asked members to approve an
ordinance that amends various sections of the City’s existing code for parking
lots and garages that serve city buildings and parks, including those located
near the City Hall campus. Due to growth in the downtown area, a number of
parking spots within the City Hall lot and the Centennial parking garage are
being used by visitors to downtown businesses. This non-City business use
makes finding parking difficult in the immediate area for those who are
conducting business at the City, as well as City employees.
If Council adopts the ordinance and policy the Parks Facilities Superintendent
will have the authority to:
Assign and designate parking within city parking lots and garages,
reserve the City Hall parking lot and portions of the first floor of the
Centennial Center parking garage, during the hours of 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, for use by those visiting the City Hall campus
to conduct city business or take part in city activities, and
designate, assign, and restrict parking as necessary, and to create a
system of permits to assist in regulating parking.
L. Thomas moved to recommend council adopt an ordinance amending
various sections within Chapter 9.38 of the Kent City Code to address parking
in the City of Kent. B. Boyce seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
9. Water District #111 Franchise – Recommend.
City Attorney Tom Brubaker requested approval of a negotiated franchise
agreement between the City and King County Water District #111. The 10-
year agreement will allow an opportunity for a one five-year extension and
includes the following:
The franchise fee is six percent of the District’s gross revenues. Gross
revenues is defined and limited in the franchise to be essentially the
same revenue sources the City imposes on its own water, sewer, and
storm utilities,
in exchange for this franchise fee payment, the City further agrees not
to impose any utility tax during the franchise term,
the franchise addresses and resolves a number of lesser issues
regarding street widening and relocation or abandonment of system
pipes and other facilities, and
the core reason for this franchise is the payment of the franchise fee in
exchange for the city’s promise not to impose a utility tax.
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The reasons for this franchise are complex, but recent case law developments
in Washington Supreme Court have created new issues relating to the City’s
ability to impose a utility tax on the District’s operations within city boundaries.
Until these recent developments, it was generally understood that cities could
not impose a utility tax on special purpose districts.
B. Boyce moved to recommend the Council approve an ordinance establishing
a 10-year franchise agreement with King County Water District # 111, and
adjust the general fund budget accordingly. L. Thomas seconded the motion,
which passed 3-0.
10. Interlocal Agreement with King County for Animal Services –
Recommend.
Finance Director Aaron BeMiller asked members to move forward a five-year
agreement that will take effect January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022
unless extended. The 2018 estimated payment calculation to Animal Services
is $363,000. This budget used to be in the Parks Department budget but has
moved to the non-departmental budget but still in the general fund.
Key elements and changes include:
Services, service levels and service districts to remain the same.
Cost allocation methodology for Control Services will be changed to
reflect a single cost pool and will align with the existing methodology for
both shelter and licensing services.
Five year term with an additional five year automatic extension; opt out
of automatic extension by providing notice by June 30, 2021.
Limited re-opener upon notice of termination, if any city or cities opts
out of the second term, and the resulting cost impact to any remaining
party is not estimated to exceed ten percent, the agreement shall
automatically extend for a second five year term, to December 31, 2027
subject to agreement adjusting the ILA as necessary based on parties
departing the system.
Latecomers, allowed prior to the termination or expiration of agreement,
but only if the additional party will not cause an increase to any City’s
net costs payable to the County or decrease in service levels provided
under this agreement.
Retain shelter credits, retain transition credits, - eliminated licensing
support credits. For cities receiving credits, any refunds resulting from
an increase in revenue shall be used to first offset the shelter credit
and/or transition credit. The County retains the right to conduct
additional marketing efforts, including pet license canvassing, in
jurisdictions receiving credits.
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Jurisdiction revenue in excess of jurisdictions costs – will be used to
reduce regional model support expenses that are now County general
fund expenses that are not charged to model.
L. Thomas moved to recommend council authorize the mayor to sign the
interlocal agreement with King County for animal services beginning January
1st, 2018 through December 31st, 2022, so long as the number of
participants does not decrease, subject to terms and conditions acceptable to
the finance director and city attorney. B. Boyce seconded the motion, which
passed 3-0.
11. City of Kent Investment Policy – Recommend.
Mr. BeMiller’s next request is to approve an ordinance that would repeal
current language in Kent City Code 3.02 “investment policy” and
replace/amend the code with the new language in the ordinance. The
Washington State Investment Board has made available new types of
investment opportunities in which governments can invest funds. The
ordinance provides for those new opportunities and gives guidance to the City,
and current and/or potential new investment advisors, on allowable
investments.
Three guiding principles will continue to determine the size and make-up of the
City’s investment portfolio, they are:
Safety of the principal amount invested,
liquidity to allow the City to meet payment obligations, and
yield or investment returns of the City’s portfolio.
The new investment language/policy has been unanimously approved and
certified by the Washington Public Treasurers Association.
B. Boyce moved to Recommend Council adopt an ordinance that repeals and
replaces Chapter 3.02 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Investment Policy.” L.
Thomas seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
12. Director’s Report – Information Only.
Mr. BeMiller’s final report includes three updates, they are:
A few weeks ago, Deputy Director Barbara Lopez presented what was
thought to be the final supplemental budget adjustment for 2016. The
item will be brought back to the Operations Committee during the March
21 meeting due to B&O revenues coming in much higher than expected
and the 2016 refunding debt.
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Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
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Moody’s recently revised their rating methodology for how they rate
local government general obligation debt. As a result, Moody’s has
increased the City’s general obligation bond rating from an A2 to an A1.
13. Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:37 p.m. by D. Ralph.
J. Hays
Jennifer Hays
Operations Committee Secretary
March 7, 2017