HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 08/18/2015 ® i
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Kent City Council Workshop Minutes
August 18, 2015
The workshop meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm by Council President Ralph.
Councilmembers present: Ralph, Berrios, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, Thomas, and
Ranniger.
gajMative U date e Doug Levy, Outcomes by Levy discussed the results of the
2015 Legislative Session. He introduced Britney Sharnedu from his office. He noted
that the session this year was 176 days long, the longest single year session ever. He
reviewed Kent's priority issues and the funding of essential services through
streamlined sales tax and a restoration of the liquor sales excise tax to original levels.
He stated that in 2015 the liquor revenues are back at $50.1 million. He discussed the
fire insurance premium tax and marijuana revenues, warning that in order to obtain
marijuana revenues the City must accommodate marijuana usage within its limits. He
added that $500,000 in funding was made available for pre-construction on an East
Hill YMCA. There was also $500,000 in funding for the Interurban Trail bike lane, $4.9
million approved for Russell Road Levee upgrades, $500,000 for Lake Meridian dock
replacement, and $500,000 for Russell Road playfields. He added that $16 million has
been spread out throughout 16 years for transportation. Lastly, he said Transportation
Benefit District (TBD) limits were raised in the event that any city wants to consider a
TBD in the future. He highlighted a revision in the public records that makes a portion
of real estate communications exempt from disclosure. He noted that the proposal to
have hockey players treated as employees wasn't accepted and they are deemed to be
amateur athletes. He highlighted a bill that grants flood control zone district property
tax protection. Levy noted that legislation was adopted to have a differal program for
impact fees in place in 2016.
Councilmember Boyce thanked Doug for his work and inquired about the McCreary
case. Levy replied that the court has issued the $100,000 a day fine and now there
needs to be an agreed upon framework prior to any discussions. He said that he
doesn't think a special session will occur.
Councilmember Ranniger inquired about the $100,000 per day fine, to which Levy
replied that the money derived from the fines can be paid once the session begins.
Levy confirmed that Representative Sullivan may be open to discussions on revising
the 1 percent property tax levy limitation.
Morrill Meadows Park Expansion & YMCA Update ® Jeff Watling, Parks and
Recreation Director introduced the leadership of the YMCA, Parks and Commission
Committee members, and City staff. He communicated that in the fall there were
discussions about where to place a Kent YMCA. He noted that this is a site-specific
project for the YMCA to be located at the 23 acre Morrill Meadows Park. He reviewed
the project specifics, strategic objectives, and the Council priorities this project
addresses. Watling reviewed the next steps and what was laid out in the memorandum
of understanding between the City and the YMCA.
Kent City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Fincher confirmed that an estimated price tag for the project would be
$30 million.
Councilmember Berries communicated that there is a need for the at-risk youth in the
area to have a safe place to recreate. Nathan Phillips, Regional Director for South King
County YMCA replied that the YMCA has income-based pricing in order to make it
accessible to as many residents as possible.
Councilmember Boyce inquired about the size of the building and Phillips replied that it
will be about the size of the YMCA in SeaTac.
Councilmember Ranniger thanked the YMCA and noted that this has been a topic of
discussion since 2002 when King County stated they were going to close the Kent Pool.
She said she is very pleased that this is going forward.
Councilmember Higgins also thanked the YMCA for its perseverance. He inquired about
the Kent Friends of the YMCA group and stated that they have been meeting every
month at the Golden Steer Restaurant.
Councilmember Higgins discussed the Kent School District and Watling stated that the
City will continue to have conversations with them concerning the existing pool.
Councilmember Boyce inquired about corporate sponsors and Bob Gilbertson, CEO,
King County YMCA noted that fundraising will come mostly from individuals. He noted
that 10 percent would come from corporate sponsors and about 90 percent from
individuals. Gilbertson communicated that the size of the building would be about
50,000 - 55,000 square feet and cost about $25 million.
Councilmember Berrios inquired about a major kick-off event and Phillips replied that
the calendaring has not been done and is dependant upon on how the community
effort and MOU come along.
Watling noted that the MOU would be executed by the Mayor in the next few weeks
and master planning will begin after that.
November Election - Council President Ralph stated that there is an initiative on the
November ballot to cut the sales tax from 6.5 cents to 5.5 cents. She also obtained
consensus to have the staff prepare a draft resolution on this.
Council President Ralph obtained consensus to have the staff prepare a resolution
supporting "Best Starts for Kids."
Meeting adjourned at 6:22 pm.
Ronald F. M e,fM °
City Clerk `
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