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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 09/16/2014KEN V✓A$HIN 6TON Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 The regular meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Cooke. Councilmembers present: Ralph, Berrios, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, and Thomas. Councilmember Ranniger was excused. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA FROM COUNCIL, ADMINISTRATION, OR STAFF. Councilmember Higgins recommended removing Item 8B, Proposed LID #366, Resolution of Intent - Adopt. He communicated that the LID isn't going to proceed and the Council wants to have more discussions with the community. Item 8B was removed from the agenda by consensus of the Council. Councilmember Higgins moved to add Item 9C, Residential Traffic Calming Bid Award and Item 9D, Briscoe-Desimone Levee Bid Award. Item 9C, Residential Traffic Calming Bid Award and Item 9D, Briscoe- Desimone Levee Bid Award were added to the agenda by consensus of the Council. Acting Chief Administrative Officer Ben Wolters communicated that there was an executive session at the end of the meeting. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS. A. Public Recognition -Councilmember Berrios communicated that funeral services for HCHI ick Sortun are on Friday at Zion Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. B. Community Events -Council President Ralph communicated that the Summer Spotlight Series begins at the Kent Meridian Performing Arts Center on September 26 A 6:30 p.m. with a concert from vocalist/pianist Michael Kaeshammer. Mayor Cooke communicated that the Seattle Thunderbirds' first home game is Saturday against Portland.. She also announced the rebuild Green Tree Park event is on that same day. C. Proclamation for National Public Lands Day at Lake Fenwick Park -Mayor Cooke presented the proclamation to Jeff Watling, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director and proclaimed September 27 as National Public Lands Day at Lake Fenwick Park in the City of Kent. Watling discussed the event and noted that there will be more than 100 volunteers there. D. Proclamation for Kent Lutheran Church 125t" Anniversary -Mayor Cooke presented the proclamation to Linda Stockham. Mayor Cooke discussed the various 11 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 programs the church has and their contributions in Kent and globally. Ms. Stockham thanked the Mayor and the Council for the proclamation. E. Public Safety Report - Police Chief Ken Thomas announced that a community work group is being formed to review less lethal weapons in the Kent Police Department. He announced that the. Kent human trafficking model has been identified as the national standard throughout the country and detectives did a sting operation last week where 15 people were arrested for prostitution -related offenses. He pointed out that legislation was adopted last year to have those arrested and convicted of patronizing a prostitute pay an assessment of about $1,500. He noted that $18,000 in assessments have been collected and the department will be presenting a $9,000 check to an organization for transitional housing along Pacific Highway South which combats human trafficking and helps those who have been victims. He noted that the Police Science class was given at Kent -Meridian High School this morning and that the school is the most diverse high school in the State of Washington with 71 languages spoken by over 2,100 students. Chief Thomas also discussed the Kent Police Officer "Adopt -a -School" and the "Alive and Free" programs. He highlighted the confiscation of over 1,300 marijuana plants at a bank -owned home on West Hill. He communicated that the International Association of the Chiefs of Police (IACP) were at the Kent Police Department today filming a program to highlight the work the Kent Police Department does with intelligence led policing, community policing, and school partnerships. The next Police Community meeting is at Meridian Elementary School on October 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the topic is human trafficking, he concluded. Mayor Cooke noted that there is a community meeting with the Kent Police Gang Unit on October 4. Police Chief Thomas noted that last year the City sent seven officers to the Gang Resistance Education and Training workshop in Portland and announced that there will be an officer in each of the City's 5th grade elementary classes instructing children on making good decisions and making positive interactions with police officers. F. Intergovernmental Reports -Council President Ralph stated that she attended a meeting of the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBD), a coalition of South County cities that come together to discuss regional transportation issues and there were two items on the agenda. The first item was a report by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) regarding the potential economic impacts of the Gateway Pacific Coal Terminal at the Cherry Point in Whatcom County. She stated that although there would be some economic gains in the form of jobs, there were concerns about the negative impacts due to increased train traffic. She added that the train refinery would be opened in 2019 with an additional 18 coal trains running each day, twice a Jay, that are approximately 1.6 miles long. The basic outline of the report stated that the only way to mitigate for these trains is through grade separations, which, she added, need to be a regional investment because this has regional and statewide impact. Transit integration was next on the agenda, she said. King County Executive Dow Constantine, she explained, oversees both King County Metro and Sound Transit and requested that both agencies get together to determine where they can have increased efficiency in overlapping transit services. She added that the groups have been meeting for several months and they have determined that there are several 2 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 places where efficiencies can be realized. She added they are also looking for efficiencies with payment combinations, applications, signage, and a variety of different ways of making the transit experience more global. Councilmember Higgins noted that tomorrow he will be attending the Regional Transit Committee meeting and they will be discussing the February service change proposal put forth by the King County Executive. He noted that the changes were relatively favorable for Kent and some of the City's DART services were maintained, including the shopper shuttle. However, he said he predicts more service cuts to Kent in the second round. He added that the Sound Cities Association Board of Directors meeting is tomorrow and some appointments to vacancies to some regional organizations will be done, including Councilmember Fincher's appointment to the King Conservation District. Councilmember Boyce noted that the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC) is meeting tomorrow. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. 2015 — 2016 Biennial Budget, First Hearing -Aaron BeMiller, Finance Director said the City's financial status was discussed in the workshop. He stated that the Mayor's budget presentation is currently being developed and that the 2015-2016 Biennial Budget is balanced and sustainable. He gave an overview of projected revenues and expenditures for the upcoming budget and announced 2014 expenditures by category and type. Mayor Cooke confirmed with BeMiller that the budget documents will be available on the City's website. Mayor Cooke opened the public hearing. 1. Mary Ann Kern, Kent -Kern expressed support for the biennial budget. She said there was a request submitted for neighborhood grant program funds. She noted that the four officers on the 27 neighborhood councils have volunteered approximately $130,000 worth of their time to the City. 2. Dan Barrett, Kent -Barrett communicated that he has been involved in the neighborhood program for two years and that the grants have generated over six thousand hours of volunteer work. 3. Richard Wilkinson, Kent -Wilkinson communicated that there will be training concerning a block watch this week given by the Police Department. He urged the Council to increase the number of City staff that work on the neighborhood program. 4. Tim Clark, Kent -Clark thanked the Council for the two percent for human services funding. He recommended the Council continue to support the Kent Historical Society and that it is responsible for the Boeing Company 50th Anniversary event exhibit. Council President Ralph moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilmember Higgins. Motion carried 6-0. 3 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Be 2015 — 2020 Capital Improvement Plan, First Hearing - Aaron BeMiller highlighted the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which outlines the City's major capital projects and notes the funding methods, to include gaps and any alternative funding sources. He stated that the plan is governed by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.70A, passed by the Washington State legislature in 1990, in recognition of the rate. of growth occurring throughout the state. The primary goal of the CIP is to ensure that public facilities and services are in place when development is ready for occupancy and use, without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards, he explained. The State requires a forecast of the future needs for such public facilities, including at least a six -year plan to finance those public facilities. To meet this requirement, the City creates a six -year CIP, which is a flexible plan outlining the City's planned capital projects, including streets, parks, utilities, information technology, and city buildings & facilities. The first two years of the plan are incorporated into the City's biennial budget, he said, and added that the benefits of long-term capital planning include guided decision making which helps establish priorities, promotes allocating resources in a manner that considers the long-term impact on the City's available reserves, assures that the most important projects obtain funding, and that the most appropriate method of funding is selected for each project, and it integrates budgeting for day-to-day services and activities with budgeting for capital improvements (a holistic approach). Furthermore, he noted that it promotes the delivery of continuous efficient services to the community and signifies a pledge to invest in the community. He displayed two slides of the 2013-2018 CIP amounts and funding sources. 1. Tim Clarke, Kent -Clarke communicated that the City is about to celebrate Isabel Hogan and stated that she lost the debate on the Council to drop building restrictions, He stated that she was the person who thought to put a part of the REET in the Parks capital funding budget. The City, he said, is clearly larger now and has very small amounts of land for development and this has stagnated the Parks Department's ability to acquire more capital structures for the Parks system. Council President Ralph moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilmember Boyce. Motion carried 6-0. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Richard Johnson, Kent -Johnson discussed the events which occurred in Ferguson, Missouri. He stated that although Kent is not Ferguson, Missouri, Kent isn't free of some of the drivers that led to what played out there. He stated that because of the leadership of Police Chief Thomas, the Kent Police are better connected with Kent's black community than it has been in the past. However, he said, that alone doesn't mean we should not reflect on our City and how we can continue to avoid the same pitfalls that have culminated in the high profile shooting death of an unarmed black teenager. He said when you live in Kent your life experience is made up of more than just your interaction with the police department, it is about representation and inclusion, neighbors interacting with neighbors with respect, the school system, employment, and economic development opportunities. Kent has a black citizenry that has been here for 40 plus years and there have been some incidents of racial insensitivity experienced here. This, along with the exchange at the City Council 0 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 meeting of August 19 regarding whether a moment of silence should be observed in the aftermath of the nationally publicized death of Michael Brown brought to light the unspoken truth that there is still a racial divide in Kent. The gap may or may not be as wide as Ferguson, but it does exist, he said. Race relations in Kent and in America need to be discussed. The black experience in America has been left out of commonly taught American History and omitted from American consciousness, he said. He said we need be courageous and open the doors of unspoken truths and commit to ensure Ferguson doesn't happen in Kent. 2. Charles Carston, Kent -Carston noted that black people in Kent have been subjected to being called racial epithets by passing vehicles while walking, seen vulgar racial epithets scrolled on bus stops, seen black children handcuffed at school for disciplinary issues, and have experienced being stopped by police in predominantly white neighborhoods with no other discernable reason other than "driving while black." He said, we have been exposed to several nationally reported incidents of black men, mainly unarmed, being killed by police or someone acting under the color of authority, with the Trayvon Martin case being one of the higher profiled cases. However, in the month of August there have been four additional cases of unarmed young black men being shot and killed after their interactions with police. He discussed the specifics of the Eric Garner, John Crawford, Ezell Ford, and Dante Parker cases and highlighted that in the Michael Brown case, his body laid unattended in the street for over four hours. He noted that the release of the information concerning the Brown case has been slow and incomplete and that has caused people to give pause to consider whether or not this can happen in Kent and what can be done to make sure Kent doesn't turn into a Ferguson, Missouri. 3. Linda Sweezer, Kent -Sweezer stated she is with the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) and has concerns with unjust things happening globally, especially in Kent and in current local politics. She questioned what needs be done to ensure Kent is a role model of diversity and inclusion. One thing the City can do, she said, is to have open and honest communications on race relations. Another thing that can be done is to stop stifling the conversation by saying "you are just playing the race card." If you don't want the race card played then take it out of the deck, she suggested. She added that we also need to stop telling black people that you were never enslaved and slavery ended in 1863, so just get over it. She said slavery needs to be discussed more, in the schools and in the textbooks. The real story needs to be told, not the watered down one. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. However, the free blacks were subject to black codes followed by Jim Crow laws. In the United States, the most notorious of Jim Crow laws passed in 1865 and 1866 after the Civil War and intended to have blacks work for low wages. Many laws in the north and south discriminated systemically against free blacks. These laws, or "slave codes" placed significant restrictions on blacks who weren't slaves and maintained the system of white supremacy which made slavery possible, she concluded. 4. Gwen Allen-Carston - Allen-Carston thanked the Mayor, Council and Police Chief. She stated she has been a resident of Kent for 10 years and is the Executive Director of KBAC, established in 2011. She stated that the organization is willing to work to make change happen. She discussed Jim Crow laws, the black codes which existed from the 1800s to 1866, and Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. She noted that 5 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 these laws were repealed and voted down by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, here we are, she said, still dealing with the same things in 2014 that we thought were overcome and eradicated. As Linda [Sweezer] said, when you say "get over it", you need to understand what needs to be overcome. For us to not allow this legacy of racial injustice to inhibit us as a unified community we need to deal with each other with open minds. This brings us to our request and demands. The statement that Councilmember Les Thomas made on August 19, 2014 A the City Council meeting, "I will not participate in a moment of silence for an 18 year old thief" referring to Michael Brown shows us that he doesn't have the open mind that the City needs to move forward. Therefore, she said, we the people who pay his salary demand that he extend a public apology for his remarks. Continuing, she read Section 19 of Resolution No. 1895 concerning the Council Rules and Procedures and stated that Councilmember Thomas violated them and requested his resignation from the City Council. 5. Eddie Rye, Seattle -Rye discussed the King County Sheriff's announcement to cease and desist with the choke hold. He said he would have rather had a discussion on the use of the choke hold. He agreed with what the KBAC has said and noted that the police department is 85 percent white and the ethnicity of the police department should match the demographics of the community it represents. He said the Kent police department is looking like Ferguson. 6. The Long Shoremen, Seattle -Shoremen stated that he went and witnessed what was going on in Ferguson and came to the Pacific Northwest to hear about a Councilmember who was not in favor having a moment of silence for an 18 year old man who was killed by a white officer. He noted that Michael Brown was executed and that can't happen in this State. He stated that if a person who sits on a city council can't be sensitive about the life of another person they should resign. 7. Kirk Nelson, Kent -Nelson discussed the tree and sidewalk removal on James Street. He noted that the Public Works department was removing trees on Labor Day. He questioned why the job wasn't put to a public bid. Councilmember Higgins replied that he also inquired about this and is waiting on a responseI Mayor Cooke communicated that it was Parks Department staff working during that Labor Day holiday because the project had to be done prior to the rain coming with the change in weather. She noted that the trees needed to be cut down to do the sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs. She noted that there are large blocks of concrete on the sidewalk that have been uprooted by the trees and the project can be done in- house based on the estimated amount to do the job. Nelson commented that the crews aren't working on the project every day, just during the Labor Dav holiday. Mayor Cooke asked Tim LaPorte communicate with Mr. Nelson. CONSENT CALENDAR Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Council President Ralph moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through E, seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Motion carried 6-0. A. Excused Absence for Councilmember Deborah Ranniger —Approve -The Council approved an excused absence for Councilmember Ranniger as she was unable to attend the City Council meeting of September 16, 2014. B. School Resource Officer Agreement -The School Resource Officer agreement between the School District for the 2014 - 2015 school year, acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. Mayor was authorized to sign the Kent Police Department and the Kent with final terms and conditions C. King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Resolution -Adopt - The Mayor moved to adopt Resolution No. 1898, adopting the King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, including the proposed June 2014, update for application in the City of Kent upon final terms and conditions acceptable to the Kent Office of Emergency Management and the City Attorney. D. Comprehensive Plan Vision and Framework Guidance -Approve -The Mayor was authorized to approve the Vision and Framework Guidance to be used for the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan. E. South 252nd Street Public Right -of -Way Dedication -Authorize -The Mayor was authorized to sign the Municipal Quit Claim Deed dedicating city -owned property as City right-of-way for a portion of South 252nd Street formally part of the Old Fire Station Park parcel, located at 3536 South 252nd Street, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. OTHER BUSINESS A. Resolution to Rename Russell Road Park —Adopt -Jeff Watling, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director introduced the item and noted that in January of this year the Parks and Human Service Committee felt Russell Road Park was a very suitable location for this honor. He also noted that the park was built during the time she was mayor. Councilmember Fincher moved to adopt Resolution No. 1899 renaming Russell Road Park as Hogan Park at Russell Road, seconded by Councilmember Higgins. Council President Ralph communicated that she is honored to vote in favor of this resolution. She highlighted that former Mayor Hogan made this community what it is today and that she understood the importance of public recreation and public art. Mayor Cooke introduced Alex Jones and said he recommended this item and ensured the Council followed through with it. 7 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Councilmember Fincher communicated that Alex Jones was the first person she heard discussing the idea of renaming Russell Road to Hogan Park at Russell Road. She stated that her and her family has spent countless hours playing softball at Hogan Park at Russell Road and is thankful for the work former Mayor Hogan has done. Alex Jones stated that he has been working to have this park renamed for 16 years. He added that he worked for the City for 31 years and doesn't think he would have been hired if Hogan wasn't the mayor. He said she was well respected and the staff called her "Mom." He communicated that people loved working for her and she respected her employees. He added that City Hall and a lot of the City's infrastructure wouldn't have been here without her. He suggested the City reward the people who work for the City while they are in office and thanked the City for Ms. Hogan's recognition. A vote was taken on the motion to rename Russell Road Park to Hogan Park at Russell Road, which carried 6-0. Watling communicated that the renaming celebration will be held on October 4, 2014 at 10:00 am. BIDS A. Green River Trail Wall Retrofit at Central Avenue Bridae -Award -Mark Howlett discussed the bid award. He communicated that the bid is to retrofit the Green River Trail Wall and raise it to prevent flooding, continuing towards accreditation. Councilmember Higgins moved to award the Green River Trail Wall Retrofit at Central Avenue Bridge Project to Award Construction, Inc. in the amount of $222,522.12 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 Council President Ralph. Motion carried 6-0. B. Downtown Parking Sian Replacement -Award -Chad Bieren, City Engineer discussed the bid award. He communicated that this replaces downtown parking signs and there were four bids received. Bieren verified for Mayor Cooke that there will be four hour parking on 1st Avenue to accommodate the businesses there. Councilmember Higgins moved to award the 2014 Downtown Parking Sign Replacement Project to Transportation Systems Inc. in the amount of $66,075.00 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 Fincher. Motion carried &0. C. 2014 Residential Traffic Calming Project -Award -Tim LaPorte discussed the bid award. He communicated that the Council will be receiving a full B&O report after projects are completed. Council President Ralph verified with LaPorte that no B&O funds will be used for this. Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Councilmember Higgins moved to award the 2014 Residential Traffic Calming Project to R.W. Scott Construction, Inc. in the amount of $236,306.00 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 Council President Ralph. Motion carried 6-0. D. Briscoe-Desimone Levee Reach 1 Sheet Piling Supply Contract Project - Award - Mark Howlett discussed the bid award. He communicated that the bid is to award the procurement for the steel for Reach 1 and the area needs to be reconstructed because it is weak. He restated that this bid is only to purchase the steel and noted that Corpac Steel won the bid, but pulled their bid packet. Therefore, the second lowest bidder, Skyline Steel LLC was chosen. He noted that the project will come back to the Council in the next month or so to award the bid for installing the sheets. Councilmember Higgins moved to award the Briscoe-Desimone Levee Reach 1 Sheet Piling Supply Contract Project to Skyline Steel LLC in the amount of $1,216,200.82 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 Fincher. Motion carried 6- 0. Councilmember Boyce recognized the Boy Scout in the audience. 1. Steven Rosengren, Kent -Rosengren said he goes to Meeker Middle School and informed the Council that he is attempting to earn his Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge and that he is with his father, Scott. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, STAFF AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES A. Council President. Council President Ralph discussed the workshop and said there were three items on the agenda. The first discussion was on the proposed LID and based on the large amount of input received by the property owners in the valley, the Council decided not to move forward with the LID as presented. She added that the Council discussed the budget and the Mayor's presentation of the budget occurs on September 30. She also noted that there was a presentation from the Mayor concerning the Boeing Levee ERP. She added that the City is working with the King County Flood Control District and the US Army Corps of Engineers on the project. B. Mayor. Mayor Cooke said she signed a proclamation for a Day of Concern for the Hungry. She said she was a panelist with four other women at the Women Empowerment Conference sponsored by the University of Phoenix on Saturday and participated in the Regional Transit Summit organized by Seattle Mayor Murray. She also said she toured Hexcel with Governor Jay Inslee because it is the first organization utilizing the WorkStart program, an initiative of Governor Inslee. Mayor Cooke stated that she attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Kent Valley Early Learning Center, for children aged 3 - 5 years old. She added that she is on the Global Cities Initiative steering committee to attract foreign investment. She added that Excel 9 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Charter School will be opening in a year and will announce where they will be located soon. She stated that she reviewed sixty-two applications for the Parks Commission vacancy. She noted that the Liberian Association is looking for a location in Kent. She announced that the City Clerk's Office went through a Lean last week concerning the public records request process in the City. Finally, she noted that there will be a special meeting of the City Council on September 30 at 5 p.m. for presentation of the proposed budget. C. Administration. Acting Chief Administrative Officer Ben Wolters communicated that there will be an executive session for twenty minutes. D. Economic &Community Development Committee. In the minutes. E. Operations Committee. In the minutes. F. Parks and Human Services Committee. In the minutes. G. Public Safety Committee. In the minutes. H. Public Works Committee. In the minutes. I. Regional Fire Authority. Next meeting is tomorrow night at Station #74. Councilmember Fincher noted that she went to the King County Kitchen Cabinet meeting. She explained the meeting and what the program entails. RECESS At 9:01 p.m., Mayor Cooke called for a five minute recess. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:06 p.m., Mayor Cooke reconvened the regular meeting and announced that the Council would recess into an Executive Session for twenty minutes to discuss property negotiation as per RCW 42.30.110(1)(c). At 9:26 p.m., Mayor Cooke extended the Executive Session fifteen minutes. At 9:41 p.m., Mayor Cooke extended the Executive Session fifteen minutes. At 9:56 p.m., the Executive Session concluded and Mayor Cooke reconvened the regular meeting. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Property Negotiation, as per RCW 42.30.110(1) (c) -There was no action taken after the Executive Session. 10 Kent City Council Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. 11