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AN ORDINANCE authorizing the executive to enter into interlocal agreement with the city of Kent relating to the annexation of the Panther Lake Potential Annexation Area and transferring certain roads-related properties, greenbelt-related properties and parks facilities and properties to the city, and declaring an emergency.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. King County's Annexation Initiative encourages the expedited annexation of all remaining urban unincorporated areas in order to achieve both financial stability in the current expense fund, and the regional land use vision set forth in the countywide planning policies.
2. The city of Kent initiated the annexation process at the boundary review board with the filing of a notice of intent to annex the approximately twenty-four thousand residents of the Panther Lake Potential Annexation Area.
3. The city then sought the approval of the residents of the Panther Lake Potential Annexation Area to annex this area, by ballot proposition at the 2009 general election on November 3, 2009. The ballot measure was approved by 56.40 percent of the vote. The city subsequently set a July 1, 2010, effective date.
4. To facilitate and complete the transfer of roads related properties, greenbelt related properties and parks facilities and properties located within the potential annexation area upon annexation to the city, the city and county wish to enter into an interlocal agreement, substantially in the form of Attachment A to this ordinance, which addresses transfer of property and facility records and transfer of ownership of roads related properties, greenbelt related properties and parks facilities and properties among other matters.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings.
A. Annexation of the Panther Lake Potential Annexation Area will occur on July 1, 2010. When annexations occur, many of the transfers of authority and assets happen automatically under state law. However, there are several areas where an interlocal agreement can be used to effectively transfer remaining assets and clarify responsibilities. If a declaration of emergency is not made, the executive would have to wait ten days after adoption by the council to execute this interlocal agreement, well beyond the annexation effective date.
B. In order to ensure that the properties, which are the subject of this ordinance and the rights and responsibilities regarding them, are transferred to the city as of the effective date of the annexation, the executive must be authorized to execute the agreement before July 1, 2010.
SECTION 2. The county executive is hereby authorized to enter into an interlocal agreement, substantially in the form of Attachment A to this ordinance, with the city of Kent to provide for the transfer of the facilities and properties as referenced therein.
SECTION 3. For the reasons set forth in section 1 of this ordinance, the county council finds as a fact and declares that an emergency exists and that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety or for the support of county government and its existing public institutions.