HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations Committee - 11/15/2016
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 15, 2016
Committee Members Present: Jim Berrios and Dana Ralph, Chair.
1. The meeting was called to order by Dana Ralph at 4:03 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL.
Council President Bill Boyce and Councilmember Les Thomas had excused absences.
3. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA.
There were no changes to the agenda.
4. APPROVAL OF THE CHECK SUMMARY REPORT DATED 10/16/2016 THRU
10/31/2016.
J. Berrios moved to approve the check summary report dated 10/16/2016 thru
10/31/2016. D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2016.
J. Berrios moved to approve the Operations Committee minutes dated November 1, 2016.
D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
6. Public Works Agreement with Christensen Inc. General Contractor for the
Centennial Center Garage Glazing Project – Recommend.
Facilities Superintendent Alex Ackley and Assistant Chief Derek Kammerzell made a
request to add a ballistic barrier (laminated glass) that will deter an individual from
shooting or throwing objects from the upper levels of the Centennial Center parking
garage. The glass, on impact, will ricochet back into a shooter’s face at a high velocity
causing the individual to lessen their ability to continue the attack.
The cost of the needed safety improvements will be taken from the School Zone Traffic
Safety Camera budget.
J. Berrios moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to accept the bid and enter
into an agreement with Christensen Inc. General Contractor in the amount of
$118,506.38 including Washington State Sales Tax, to perform all work necessary for the
Centennial Center Garage Glazing Project, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the Parks Interim Co-directors and the City Attorney. D. Ralph seconded
the motion, which passed 2-0.
7. ORDINANCE AMENDING CH. 7.12 KCC – CABLE TELEVISION COMMUNICATIONS
– RECOMMEND
Information Technology Director Mike Carrington asked members to move forward an
ordinance amending the City’s current cable code in order to proceed with franchise
negotiations. Three companies were invited to make comment to the ordinance, they
are Comcast Cable Communications, LLC (Comcast), Goldfinch Communications, LLC
Operations Committee Minutes
November 15, 2016
Page: 2
and CenturyLink; Comcast and CenturyLink provided comment, many of which resulted
in changes meeting their satisfaction.
A cable franchise is a contract between the cable operator and the City that the cable
operator serves. In order to provide cable services to subscribers, cable companies
must locate facilities within public rights-of-way, either on utility poles or underground.
In consideration for a cable operator’s right to utilize the City’s rights-of-way, the City
requires the cable operator to enter into a franchise agreement. Federal law governs
what issues can be addressed in that contract.
There is no budget impact to amending the current city code.
J. Berrios moved to recommend Council adopt an ordinance that repeals and replaces
Chapter 7.12 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Cable Television Communications”. D. Ralph
seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
8. LODGING TAX COMMITTEE RE-APPOINTMENT OF TIM HIGGINS – RECOMMEND.
Economic and Community Development Director Ben Wolters asked that ShoWare
Center’s General Manager Tim Higgins be re-appointed for an additional four-year term, to
expire September 5, 2020. The position he currently holds is to be filled by a
representative whom represents activities funded by lodging tax.
J. Berrios moved to recommend Council approve the re-appointment of Tim Higgins to
the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for an additional four-year term. D. Ralph seconded
the motion, which passed 2-0.
9. LOBBYING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH OUTCOMES BY LEVY - RECOMMEND.
Community and Public Affairs Manager Michelle Wilmot asked members to approve the
consultant services agreement to provide legislative lobbying services by Doug Levy of
Outcomes by Levy. Mr. Levy has proven himself to be a strong advocate in advancing the
City’s legislative agenda. In the last biennium (2015-2017), he has brought back to the
Kent and surrounding region an upward amount of $1.2 billion that includes:
Funding for the 509 Corridor - $850 million (Connecting Washington package)
Streamlined Sales Tax mitigation - $5 million
228th Grade Separation - $15 million
Lake Meridian dock replacement - $500,000
Bike lane on 228th - $500,000
Funding for the East Hill YMCA - $1 million
In addition to expenses, Mr. Levy’s 2017 consulting costs will be $69,600 with a slight
increase in 2018 in the amount of $72,000.
J. Berrios moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the government
relations consulting services agreement with Outcomes by Levy in the amount of
$69,600.00 for 2017 and $72,000.00 for 2018, plus expenses, subject to final terms and
conditions acceptable to the Chief Administrative Officer and City Attorney . D. Ralph
seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
Operations Committee Minutes
November 15, 2016
Page: 3
10. MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TAX EXEMPTION RESOLUTION – INFORMATION
ONLY.
Economic and Community Development (ECD) Planning Manager Matt Gilbert updated
members on tax exemption resolution that was approved by ECD committee members at
the November 14, 2016 meeting. Highlights from the resolution include:
Establishes an “urban area” under the residential multi-family tax exemption laws,
Declares the council’s intent to designate the Riverbend Gateway project area as a
“residential targeted area” under those laws, which makes only that specific area
eligible to receive the tax exemption, and
Sets a public hearing for December 13, 2016 to allow the public to comment on
Council’s intent to designate this residential targeted area.
It was noted that the existing Colony Park Apartments would not be eligible for the tax
exemption unless considerable improvements were made to their current footprint.
11. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – INFORMATION ONLY.
Finance Director Aaron BeMiller, PFM Group Asset Management (PFM) Director Luke
Schneider and Managing Director Lauren Brant presented information to members
regarding the organization including: how they benchmark results; the transaction
process; their process for ensuring safety, liquidity and yield; and information about their
operations.
In recent months, committee members have heard about the work PFM can offer under a
professional services agreement to actively manage the City’s investment portfolio. Under
the advice of PFM, the City will invest $25 million taking the City from zero investment
outside the LGIP to $43 million by the end of this year. The agreement will have a set fee
of $25,000 annually.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m. by D. Ralph.
J. Hays
Jennifer Hays
Operations Committee Secretary