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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations Committee - 03/07/2017Operations Committee March 7, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 1 of 6 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 Page 2 of 6 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. Operations Committee March 7, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 3 of 6 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. Operations Committee March 7, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 4 of 6 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. Operations Committee March 7, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 5 of 6  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. Operations Committee March 7, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 6 of 6  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