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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1909RESOLUTION NO. /'lc:J'f A RESOLUTION of the city council of the city of Kent, Washington, expressing support for King County Proposition No. 1 -The Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project. RECITALS A. The current radio network supporting emergency responders in King County was designed and constructed nearly 20 years ago, and the network is now used by all cities in King County, as well as in the unincorporated portions of the county, currently supporting 16,000 emergency responders county-wide. B. The network was originally designed to cover a smaller geographic area and a smaller population base. C. Because the radio equipment of the current system is now outdated, the vendor supporting the network will discontinue provision of service and parts for the current system at the end of 2018. D. The network will experience an increased risk of component failures, service outages, and dead spots in coverage over time. 1 Resolution Support -King County Proposition 1 Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project E. The safety of both emergency responders and those in need of response is dependent upon a reliable communications network. F. In order to address the need for a viable, reliable emergency public safety radio network, the King County council voted to place on the ballot for the special election on April 28th, 2015, an Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project proposition -Proposition 1 -seeking voter approval for lifting the lid of the existing property tax levy to generate the estimated $273 million needed to replace the current emergency radio network. G. If approved, funding for the Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project would come from a levy increase of 7 cents per $1,000.00 of assessed property value over a nine-year period. H. RCW 42.17A.555 authorizes city councils to take collective action regarding ballot measures appearing before the voters so long as the action is taken at a public meeting, the intended action is identified on the agenda and the opportunity for opposing views is given to attendees at the public meeting. I. In light of the significant need for replacement of the King county Emergency Public Safety Radio Network, it is appropriate that the city council support this ballot measure as permitted pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555. NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: 2 Resolution Support-King County Proposition 1 Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project RESOLUTION SECTION 1. The Kent city council supports Proposition 1, an Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project proposition, coming before the voters at the April 28, 2015 Special Election. The Proposition 1 ballot title and ballot statement are as follows: Proposition No. 1 Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project The King County council passed Ordinance 17993 concerning funding for a new, upgraded regional emergency radio network. This proposition would provide funding to replace the current aging emergency radio network used for dispatching and communicating with police, fire and other first responders. The proposition would fund capital and transition costs as defined in Ordinance 17993 and would authorize King County to levy an additional regular property tax of $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for nine years with collection beginning in 2016. The 2015 levy amount would be used to compute limitations under Chapter 84.55 RCW for the eight succeeding years. Should this proposition be: D Approved D Rejected SECTION 2. The mayor is authorized to take such action as is necessary and appropriate to implement the directives of this legislation, including forwarding copies of this resolution to the King county council, and others as warranted. SECTION 3. -Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage. 3 Resolution Support-King County Proposition 1 Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project PASSED at a regular open public meeting by the City Council of the r/..r/-, city of Kent, Washington, this ~ day of April, 2015. CONCURRED in by the Mayor of the city of Kent this ,~day of April, 2015. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. /'1r:79' passed by the City Council of the city of Kent, Washington, the .ffi day of 4zn / P:\Civii\Reso1utlon\PSERN-Endorsement.docx 4 Resolution Support -King County Proposition 1 Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project