Council ratifies multiple contracts, leases and code housekeeping items in committee meeting

Kent City Council’s Committee of the Whole approved a package of contracts, a housekeeping ordinance and a county policy ratification during its meeting. The actions included hiring outside consultants for IT and a civic campus relocation, authorizing a long-term lease for the Riverbend restaurant, advancing a code housekeeping ordinance for the deferred compensation committee and ratifying King County planning policy amendments.

Those items were presented by departmental staff and recommended for approval on the council consent/action calendar. The council approved authorization and ratification of a consulting services agreement for IT support, an ordinance that clarifies the organization of the city’s Deferred Compensation Plan Committee, ratification of King County’s 2021 Countywide Planning Policy amendments, a lease authorization for Riverbend Bar and Grill at Riverbend Golf Course, continuation of the civic campus relocation consulting contract with Athenian Group and a master services agreement for aerial imagery with EagleView Technologies. All motions passed by voice vote and were recorded as unanimous.

Why it matters: The items collectively affect city operations, budgeting and service delivery. The IT consulting agreement and Athenian contract support city IT and civic campus projects; the Riverbend lease restores restaurant operations at the municipal golf course and feeds the golf fund; the deferred compensation ordinance clarifies internal governance for employee retirement benefits; EagleView contract secures recurring high-resolution aerial imagery for planning and operations.

Details of the items approved

- IT: The council authorized and ratified a consulting services agreement with C.C. Kearney LLC to provide program and project management and cybersecurity/infrastructure expertise for IT. The contract portion discussed is budgeted at $440,000 and is part of an existing council-approved $1,100,000 temporary IT staffing budget. Mike Carrington, IT director, presented the item and answered questions from council.

- Deferred compensation housekeeping ordinance: The council adopted Ordinance No. 4513 to amend Kent City Code language and clarify that the Deferred Compensation Plan Committee is staffed by employees and is not an appointive committee under chapter 2.50 of the Kent City Code. Assistant City Attorney Samantha Doyle introduced the ordinance and explained that the code revision outlines the duties of the committee secretary (the director of human resources).

- King County countywide planning policies: The council adopted Resolution No. 2085 ratifying amendments adopted by King County (ordinances 19871 and 19880). Staff explained that the specific amendments (UGA adjustment for Maple Valley, updates to countywide center criteria, and clarifications to the county’s 4-to-1 program) do not affect Kent’s land-use designations.

- Riverbend restaurant lease: The council authorized the mayor to sign a lease with Mason Ka LLC, dba Riverbend Bar and Grill. Key points presented by Parks leadership: an annual base rent in the lease area is roughly $94,500 (approximate, presented as $26.41 per square foot), utility pass-throughs averaging about $36,000 annually, a $10,000 security deposit, a one-month full rent abatement at opening and a set of discounted months in year one to support shoulder-season cash flow. The initial lease term is 10 years with two 5-year renewal options. Staff described an early-access agreement for tenant work that will terminate once the lease begins.

- Athenian Group phase 2 contract: The council authorized continuation of Athenian Group LLC to manage phase 2 of the civic campus relocation project. Staff described the phase 2 scope and the contract amount that will carry the project through design, coordination, procurement and move planning. The contract amount presented in the packet was $2,406,480.

- EagleView aerial imagery master services agreement: Public Works presented a multi-flight, multi-year Master Services Agreement with EagleView Technologies that schedules three flights over the city and includes oblique imagery and a cloud-based viewer subscription. The three-flight package total presented was approximately $118,000 (three flights; per-flight price in the packet about $39,400), with the ability to cancel if needed.

Votes at a glance: Each motion on the items above was moved, seconded, and adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition in committee; the meeting roll call showed the following council members present and participating in votes: Council President Kaur; Council Members Boyce, Boyd, Fincher, Larimer, Michaud and Troutner. Council members and staff told the council the items were consistent with existing budgets or with council direction.

Ending: The items now advance to the regular council docket as appropriate or were finalized in accordance with the terms approved by the committee.