Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 5/17/2016 KENT XENI�� W A S H I N G T O N Kent City Council Workshop Minutes May 17, 2016 The workshop meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. by Council President Boyce. Councilmembers present: Berrios, Boyce, Budell, Fincher, Higgins, Ralph and Thomas. Washington State Housing Finance Commission — Rich Zwicker, Senior Policy Analyst with Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) spoke about the make-up and function of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. It is a state agency not under legislative or federal control that is the funding mechanism with tax credit financing that helps affordable housing to be built. The WSHFC has partnerships with banks, non-profits, insurance companies, law firms and cities. Zwicker spoke about the home ownership program that may be of interest to Kent, as well as the energy spark, farmer rancher and nonprofit facilities programs. He spoke highly about the partnerships that the Washington State Housing Finance Commission has made. Zwicker spoke about tax credit projects that may appeal to the City (homeless, senior housing, veteran housing, mental illness facilities), and the opportunity to ensure long term affordability. Lastly, Zwicker spoke about municipal participation and highlighted some of the opportunities the City would have if they were to get involved with the WSHFC. Councilmember Berrios requested further discussion with members of the Economic and Community Development Committee in the near future. 2016 Legislative Session Recap — Doug Levy provided a wrap up of the 2016 legislative sessions and spoke about Kent's agenda. Levy spoke about the narrowly divided government in Washington which has a dramatic impact on negotiating budgets and views on how to shape policy. He noted that we are a few years removed from the great recession, so revenues are beginning an upswing, but due to the severe season of wildfires it offset the revenue. Levy spoke about the Governors push for funding mental health and increased teacher pay. Ultimately, budgets were fine-tuned and a lot of"punting" happened with no major changes to the budget or policies. Issues not addressed this year, will need to be addressed in the following year. He spoke about there being a fix to the charter school case, which was a bill that went into law without a signature by the Governor. Legislature also came up with a game plan for K-12 funding, and developed a task force to create recommendations for 2017. Levy also mentioned that the streamline sales tax mitigation account was left intact, but will continue to be a challenge. Levy stated that Kent specific items were kept to a minimum during this legislative session. There was progress made in regards to changes to the Public Records Act, however, the policy did not make it all the way through and continues to be a frustrating topic. Code Enforcement Lean Update — Matt Gilbert, the Planning Manager from Economic and Community Development spoke about the progress of the Lean workshops in regards to Code Enforcement. Gilbert highlighted how Lean has positively May 17, 2016 Kent City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes influenced the department. Some of the major changes were centered on making work visible, bringing structure to the way things are done and developing meaningful ways to assess performance. The end result has been improved time management, quality improvements and increasing the teams capacity equivalent to approximately 1 FT'E. Gilbert discussed quality improvements in regards to Code Enforcement such as developing a priority list based upon the needs/wants of the community and a revision of the verbiage used in admonishment letters. He also discussed the visual management board that is being used to track each and every code violation, who is managing it and where it is at in the entire process. A goal of the department now is to take a proactive approach to code violations, and focusing on high impact areas during high impact seasons. Gilbert ended by recognizing the time commitment that Lean has been, but spoke about how great the continuous improvement that comes along with the changes will be. Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. S'4� 4000-- Sue Hanson Interim City Clerk 2 KENt�� WASHINGTON Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Cooke. Councilmembers present: Boyce, Berrios, Budell, Fincher, Higgins, Ralph, and Thomas. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA FROM COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION OR STAFF — Chief Administrative Officer Derek Matheson added an item, 4I2 which is a Proclamation for Police Memorial Week. He also made mention that item 73, regarding the Building and Fire Code adoption contains a revision that was sent by email last week and hard copies were provided for Council on the dais. NONE PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS A. Historical Note from Kent's 125th Anniversary — Mayor Cooke read a congressional record insert done by Congressman David Reichert recognizing Kent as it celebrates its 125t" anniversary. Allan Reitan, board member and treasurer of Greater Kent Historical Society presented the history of The Robbins Company. Mayor Cooke recognized Zachary Vantassel and team for all of their hard work in bringing our history to life, and wished Vantassel luck in the future as his last day as the Executive Director of Greater Kent Historical Society will be May 21st. Sharon Bersaas discussed the Dvorak Barn on Russell Road and how it was added to the Washington Trust's 2016 Most Endangered Historic Properties List. A short video was played discussing the history of this barn and the impact it had on the farming community. B. Public Recognition — Aaron BeMiller, City of Kent Finance Director reported on the successful refunding of the 2008 General Obligation bond and a Public Facilities District bond which will save Kent just under $10.7 million in 22 years. Mayor Cooke recognized the employee of the month for the month of May, Ian Warmington from the Kent Police Department. C. Washington Women in Trades Job Fair Award — Marty Fisher, Human Resources Director for the City of Kent accepted the 3rd place indoor exhibit award from the Washington Women in Trades job fair in Seattle. He thanked his team for their hard work and being so engaged during this job fair. D. Appointments to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee — Mayor Cooke recognized Brian Powell and Andrea Keikkala as they were appointed to the Lodging Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 Tax Advisory Committee. Neither of them were present to speak to their appointments. E. Proclamation for Women's Vascular Screening Week -Dr. Mitchell Cahn from the vein clinic accepted the proclamation and spoke to the importance of this screening. F. Proclamation for Affordable Housing Week - Rich Zwicker from Washington State Housing finance Commission received the proclamation for affordable housing and noted the significance of affordable housing locally as well as nationally. G. Proclamation for National Trails Day at Clark Lake Park - Mayor Cooke noted that she has a proclamation for National Trails Day at Clark Lake Park. H. Proclamation for Relay for Life - Natasha Daley accepted the proclamation, and reminded residents and employees of Kent that the Relay for Life event will be held at French Field June 3rd and 4t". I. Community Events - Mayor Cooke mentioned the Khalsa Day event at Showare during the upcoming weekend. She also made mention of the Kent International Festival on June 4t" Councilmember Higgins reminded the public about the Kiwanis Club's annual crab feed at the Senior Center on the 21St, as well as Public Works Day on May 19tn Council President Boyce congratulated the Thunderbirds on their phenomenal season they wrapped up and spoke on other upcoming events at the Shower Center. Councilmember Thomas noted a Sister Cities fundraising event at The Golden Steer Friday May 20t", and also spoke about the Juneteenth event on June 19t" J. Public Safety Report - Mayor Cooke read a proclamation designating May 15t" through 21St as Police Memorial Week in Kent. Police Chief Kent Thomas accepted the proclamation and spoke about what makes the Kent Police Department so great. Chief Thomas handed out six lifesaving awards in regards to two separate events that took place in the city. These awards were given to Steven Letter, a Volunteer in Police Services, Sergeant Grove, Officer Cortinas, Officer Reed, Officer Reeves and Officer Rios of the Kent Police Department. K. Intergovernmental Reports - Council President Boyce spoke about ST3 being endorsed by Public Issues Committee (PIC) meeting and will make a recommendation to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. Councilmember Tina Budell, member of the Domestic Violence Initiative Committee noted that their next meeting will be June 9t" at Renton City Hall. 2 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 Councilmember Dennis Higgins, member of the King County Regional Transit Committee noted that they meet tomorrow, May 18th and will be discussing the Access to Transit study and Metro Connects. Councilmember Jim Berrios, who serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council, noted that their next meeting will be held on June 1st Councilmember Ralph discussed the two transportation committees that she serves on and how their meetings were both cancelled for the month. Councilmember Ralph discussed the WRIA 9 meeting and the awarding of grants for different habitat restoration projects and how involved Kent is in those grants. Councilmember Fincher, member of the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Group will meet in the following week. .She is also a member of the King Conservation District. PUBLIC HEARING - None. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Richard Wilkenson, Kent - Wilkenson discussed fireworks in the coming years and what it will take for the Police to manage the ban in 2017. He requested leaflets explaining the rules, and regulations for fireworks displays. He also encouraged everyone to attend the Financial Sustainability Task Force meeting. 2. Anita Veen, Kent - Veen spoke to the new surplus policy enacted by the City. She believes a new policy should be crafted by the Council, based upon the lesson learned from Pine Tree Park. 3. Sandi Lynden, Kent - Lynden spoke about her concerns about the surplus policy. She believes this policy does not provide protection to public treasury and gives power to only a few. 4. Kristy Herrick, Kent - Herrick spoke about the surplus policy. She urged the council to consider the reason for the procedures, may it be legal or to protect the rights of the owners of the city property - the residents. CONSENT CALENDAR Council President Boyce moved to approve Consent Calendar items A through 3, seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Motion carried 7-0. A. Minutes of Previous Meetings and Workshops - Approve. The minutes of the regular council meeting of March 1, the workshop and regular council meeting of March 15th and the workshop of April 5, 2016 were approved. B. Approval of Bills - Approve. Bills received through April 15 and paid on April 15 after auditing by the Operations Committee on May 3, 2016. 3 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 Approval of checks issued for vouchers: 4/15/2016 Wire Transfers 6626 - 6645 $2,190,184.35 4/15/2016 Regular Checks 702527 - 702917 $11656,591.07 Void Checks ($1,644.34) 4/15/2016 Use Tax Payable $4,697.35 $3,849,828.43 Approval of checks issued for payroll for April 1 through April 15 and paid on April 20, 2016: Date Check Numbers Amount 4/20/2016 Checks $0.00 Voids and Reissues 4/20/2016 Advices 365003 - 365877 $1,441,918.95 $1,441,918.95 C. Surplus of Utility Equipment and Materials — Set Hearing Date. Council authorized setting June 7, 2016 as the public hearing date to consider comments on the declaration of certain public utility equipment and materials as surplus. D. Consultant Services Agreement with AMEC Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. for Soils Testing at Leber Property — Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign a Consultant Services Agreement with AMEC Foster Wheeler Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $89,200.00 for inspection and soil testing on the Leber property, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. E. Consultant Services Agreement with Landau Associates for Geotechnical & Environmental Services During Construction of the 72"d Ave S. Extension Project — Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign a Consultant Services Agreement with Landau Associates to provide geotechnical and environmental services during construction of the 72nd Avenue South Extension Project in an amount not to exceed $123,150.00, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. F. ICMA-RC Three Year Administrative Services Agreement — Authorize. The Mayor was authorized to sign the ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation three-year Administrative Services Agreement subject to approval of final terms and conditions by the City Attorney. G. Bill of Sale for Stryker Business Center at Pacific Gateway — Accept. Council accepted the Bill of Sale for Stryker Business Center at Pacific Gateway, for: Watermains, including 12 gate valves, 4 hydrants, 720 linear feet of 12" ductile iron, and 118 linear feet of 6" ductile iron; new streets, including; 624 linear feet of industrial street; frontage improvements, including 624 linear feet of lights, trees and landscaping; storm sewers, including 325 linear feet of 12" PVC sewer line and 27 linear feet of 15" PVC sewer line, along with 6 catch basins. 4 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 H. Appointments to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - Approve. The Mayor was authorized to approve the appointments of Bryan Powell and Andrea Keikkala to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee as new members serving a new 3 year term. I. Countywide Planning Policies, Strategies for Affordable Housing - Resolution - Adopt. Resolution No. 1927 was adopted, ratifying an amendment to the King County Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) to provide that jurisdictions can consider the full range of programs that will assist in meeting their share of the countywide need for affordable housing. J. Building and Fire Codes Adoption and Amendments - Ordinance - Adopt. Ordinance Nos. 4201 and 4202 were adopted, amending various sections of Chapters 13.01 and 14.01 of the Kent City Code to adopt the 2015 editions of the International Building, Existing Building, Residential, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, Property Maintenance and Fire Codes, and the Uniform Plumbing Code, together with the City's local amendments to those codes as depicted in these ordinances, to revise Section 14.08.020 to refer to changes to the adopted codes, and to make other housekeeping amendments. OTHER BUSINESS A. Real Property Surplus Policy - Ordinance - Adopt. Tom Brubaker, City Attorney for the City of Kent presented the ordinance for the real property surplus policy. He spoke to some of the details of the policy and compared policy to those of other cities. Councilmember Ralph inquired about providing online, a list of properties that are considered surpluses. Mayor Cooke will have staff review that request. Councilmember Berrios asked about the 15 day notice requirement. Brubaker stated that the standard notice time was between 10 and 25 days, but 15 days seemed reasonable. Councilmember Ralph moved to adopt Ordinance No. 4203, enacting a new chapter 3.12 of the Kent City Code to establish a public participation process before deciding to sell, transfer or exchange city-owned real property, seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Budell moved to amend section 3.12.050 subsection C to replace '"300 feet" with "1000 feet", seconded by Councilmember Berrios. Motion carried 7-0. Councilmember Budell summarized her statement by stating that 300 feet would not give potentially concerned residents enough notice about the sale of surplus property. She would like to be more transparent, to make sure we do not encounter another issue similar to that of Pine Tree Park. Councilmember Berrios moved to amend section 3.12.050 subsection A to replace "15 days" with "20 days", seconded by Councilmember Budell. 5 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 Councilmember Berrios spoke to his motion. He believes this additional time would allow for more transparency and that is what the residents want. Councilmember Thomas spoke about concerns with the 20 day notice, and the potential for people to forget about it. Councilmember Ralph discussed the consistency with the policy, and indicating that the policy currently reads 15 days across the board. Councilmember Higgins moved to amend the previous amendment, the term ""15" to "20" section 3.12.050 subsection A, B, C and D, seconded by Councilmember Berrios. Motion carried 6-1. Councilmember Fincher called for a point of information. She is requesting that this notice be posted in two newspapers, but would like to come back to this option in the future as the communications survey is currently underway. Mayor Cooke confirmed that this can be reviewed at a later date. BIDS A. 2016 Crack Sealing - Award. Public Works Director, Tim LaPorte briefly discussed the crack sealing project, previously approved on the B&O Tax list. Councilmember Higgins moved to award the 2016 Crack Sealing Project to BCV Inc. in the amount of $148,050 and authorize the Mayor 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 7-0. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, STAFF AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES A. Council President. - President Boyce discussed the workshop involving the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the opportunities available to the City. He discussed the presentation by our Lobbyist Doug Levy and the items that came out of the recent legislative session. Finally, in workshop Council heard about the Code Enforcement Lean update from Matt Gilbert. B. Mayor. - No report. C. Chief Administrative Officer. - CAO Report is in the packet, no executive session. D. Economic & Community Development Committee. - In the minutes. E. Operations Committee. - Councilmember Ralph indicated that the main topic this evening was the five year amendment to the lease agreement for the Woodmont police substation. Operations Committee approved 10 term limited temporary 6 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 employees in Public Works Department. Councilmember Ralph discussed the importance of these temporary positions. F. Parks and Human Services Committee. - Councilmember Fincher noted that the main topic of conversation right now is the parks and open space plan update. G. Public Safety Committee. - Councilmember Berrios indicated that the notes are in the minutes. He did however want to note that on the 10t" it was reported that car theft numbers are increasing and wanted to remind the public to remove valuables from vehicles. He also made mentioned that even with the school zone safety cameras operating, the number of speeders in those areas are still high. He is concerned about the safety of children in these areas. H. Public Works Committee. - Councilmember Higgins wanted to bring to light the sewer maintenance backlog and the rate structure. The committee would like a proposal to fix the sewer system, especially the lines that are in danger of failing. I. Regional Fire Authority. - No report. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Sue Hanson Interim City Clerk 7