HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 04/03/2018Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
April 3, 2018
Kent, Washington
Date:
Time:
PIacer
Attending:
Approved April L7,2018
April 3, 2018
5 p.m.
Council Chambers East/West
Mayor Dana Ralph
Bill Boyce, Council President
Tina Budell, Councilmember
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember
Satwinder Kaur, Councilmember
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember
Les Thomas, Councilmember
Toni Troutner, Councilmember
Council President Boyce opened the meeting at 5:01 p.m.
Aoenda:
Capital Investment Strategy
Barbara Lopez, Deputy Finance Director, provided a recap of the February City
Council retreat including the lack of city-wide strategies for prioritizing capital
needs, allocating limited resources, and maintaining existing infrastructure. An
effective strategy requires a solid policy foundation.
Finance and ECD are working to draft policies
Hayley Bonsteel, Long Range Planner, indicated decisions need to be made
regarding what projects make it on the list, and that each division creates master
plans. Bonsteel conveyed that there is a need to create a cohesive project list that
reflects citywide goals.
Lopez reviewed Capital Investment Criteria examples that were modeled after the
City of Redmond:¡ Infrastructure Preservation, Replacement, Risk Mitigation, and Facility Needs. Scope of impact on Kent residents. Subarea Action Plans (Downtown or Midway). Bonsteel provided additional
clarification regarding the subarea plans and indicated there is a need to
reflect the investment into those plans.. Health & Safety¡ EnvironmentalQuality. High Priority
Councilmember Budell provided feedback regarding the scoring criteria and Lopez
provided clarification.
Councilmember Higgins indicated Kent should research why Environmental Quality
is included in the scoring criteria.
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Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
April 3, 2018
Kent, Washington
Approved April L7,2018
Lopez indicated that all projects, including projects funded by enterprise funds will
be scored to maintain a cohesive planning process.
Scoring Projects Weighting. Lopez reviewed hypothetical criteria weighting
scenarios with 30 capital projects funded in 2018 using equal criteria ranking, high
priority ranking, sub-area priority ranking, and infrastructure priority ranking.
Council President Boyce suggested the department directors provide
recommendations to the Council regarding the percentages they would like used for
the scoring criteria.
Bonsteel reviewed funding strategies and how Kent might use this tool, including:. Set policy direction on how to use this. Many policy options are available. Start with infrastructure maintenance¡ Start with downtown. Consider high cost projects differently
Bonsteel clarified that the Council will need to provide guidance on how the funding
strategy will be drafted to address how limited resources might be allocated to the
highest priorities for the city.
Derek Matheson, Chief Administrative Officer, provided next steps, that include
having the Mayor and directors meet and come up with scenarios to bring back to
the Council for guidance.
Matheson clarified that the list that comes from the scoring criteria, is not binding
on the Mayor and the Council. It becomes a guidepost and the Mayor has the right
to propose the capital budget to the council.
Lopez reviewed the Capital Investment Strategy next steps and timeline, including
drafting capital planning policies, updating the project lists, project scoring and
prioritization, develop funding forecasts, and development Capital Investment
Strategy report.
The Government Finance Officers Association best practice for Capital Planning
Policies was provided to the councilmembers that includes the recommendation that
a description of how an organization will approach capital planning, including how
stakeholder departments will collaborate to prepare a plan that best meets the
operational and financial needs of the organization.
Small Cells (5c) Update
Christina Schuck, Assistant City Attorney, presented details regarding small cells
(sG).
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Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
April 3, 2018
Kent, Washington
Approved April L7, 2018
Schuck provided an overview of small cell aesthetics from surrounding cities that
include location, design, colors, bulk/massing, pole height, other restrictions and
designs, and if those cities have passed ordinances.
Councilmember Higgins asked if there is a downside to adopting high standards.
Schuck advised there is a difference between high standards and inflexibility.
Are there any locations the council would like to limit the location of small cells.
Chad Bieren, Deputy Public Works Director, advised that careful consideration
should be made regarding the desire for high speed services.
Erin George, Current Planning Manager, advised that design standards don't apply
to utility poles,
Council requested making the small cell equipment as unobtrusive as possible
George provided details regarding the permitting process and indicated that current
code allows attachments to Kent property that includes right-of-way permit
administrative approval is required for antenna 10' or less than existing height of
pole, and a conditional use permit is required if the antenna will be more than 10'
higher than the existing pole. Details were provided regarding permitting timelines,
staff reports, and hearing requirements.
Details were provided regarding the Economic and Community Development
department's work on a simple zoning code amendment to define small cells and
identify process.
Information regarding franchise utility permits was presented, including the
proposed review by public works staff to ensure that the permits will be in
compliance with the franchise agreement conditions.
Mayor Ralph expressed her concerns that the pictures that carriers present will not
look like what is installed.
Schuck advised that once carriers deploy infrastructure on a pole, they can't make
a substantial change, but there are exceptions to the rule. Federal law says carriers
can make changes without city oversight unless substantial change or it defeats a
concealment measure. Schuck indicated language to cover these changes will be
included in the franchise agreements,
Schuck advised that Kent can't do a lot with utility pole aesthetics, but can focus on
location, height, and what the equipment looks like. Franchises can be drafted to
include provisions as follows:
Minimize appearance from existing residential structures
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Kent Cíty Council Workshop
Minutes
Non-utility pole aesthetics (city-owned infrastructure
provisions) can include:
Internal antennas and equipment in a plain pole
External equipment and antennas
Approved April L7,2018
Limit the amount of cubic feet of equipment per 150-foot radius
No co-location
Other location restrictions
Limit replacement pole height to 10 feet taller or t5o/o, whichever is less
Paint to match pole
Conceal wires in conduit
No illumination
Limits on stickers/decals
Width and mounting
April 3, 2018
Kent, Washington
outside the franchise
Council expressed the desire to have standards that require carriers match existing
poles.
Schuck provided next steps, including negotiating franchises, continue researching
city-owned poles, and preparing a draft ordinance.
Bieren advised that public works needs Council direction regarding the drafting of
an ordinance for cell providers installing on Utility Poles.
The meeting concluded at 6:47 p.m.
Kimberley
City Clerk
April 3, 2018
moto
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