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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-27 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers July 27, 2009 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES Council President Hernandez called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Joan Hernandez, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, Kathy Hougardy. Councilmember Quinn was not present. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Dennis McOmber, Police Commander; Mary Miotke, IT Director; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Howard Hanson Dam Operational Restrictions. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, and Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator, utilized a PowerPoint presentation to update the Council on the following: Status and Condition of the Howard Hanson Dam The Howard Hanson Dam was constructed in 1962 and is located 64 miles from Puget Sound. The dam is an earth and rock -fill structure. The Howard Hanson Dam serves multiple purposes by providing both flood risk reduction and water storage for river flow regulation and municipal water supply. The dam also provides summer low flow augmentation for fish spawning. Following a record high level of water behind Howard Hanson Dam in January 2009, the Army Corps of Engineers became concerned after the discovery of two depressions on the right abutment, increased water levels in groundwater monitoring wells, and the appearance of silt in the water entering the abutment drainage tunnel. It appears the depressions were caused by the soil and rock deteriorating upon itself. When the reservoir is at a high level, the seepage rate is at 90 minutes. With the water level decreased, the seepage rate is about 11 to 12 hours. With the seepage rate at 90 minutes, the amount of water flowing through the right abutment could have an impact on the integrity of the dam. The Army Corps of Engineers has been performing dye tests and recording the seepage from different locations of the abutment. Due to the results from testing, the Corps will be expanding the grout curtain, to be completed no later than November 1, 2009. Additional monitoring equipment has been installed and continued tests are being undertaken to determine what elevation the reservoir can be raised to without significant adverse impacts to the abutment. The Corps of Engineers hopes the expansion of the grout curtain will slow the seepage rate. Operational Impacts to Tukwila The Corps of Engineers has indicated the reservoir will be kept "empty," meaning that any water that flows to the reservoir will immediately flow out. In the winter months, the river will flow high and fast at 12,000 cubic feet per second. This will have an impact on Tukwila with the possibility of greater Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2009 Page 2 of 5 erosion of the banks of the river. This will, in turn, create more debris, causing greater risk to the integrity of the levee and possibly overtopping the banks. The City has increased the community outreach by hosting informational meetings and providing residents and businesses with necessary information and a recommendation to purchase flood insurance. A request has been sent to the Corps of Engineers asking for advanced measures to be implemented now. This means having the necessary response teams in place and ready for immediate assistance. Implementation of a warning and notification system is the top priority among the Valley Cities down river from the Howard Hanson Dam. Tukwila currently has the following notification systems in place: the Tukwila AM 1640 radio station, cable channel 21, and the City of Tukwila website, and Public Works is requesting residents and businesses sign up with ListSery email and MyStateUSA. Another possible notification system would be an All- Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) siren. Flood Mitigation Devices The flexibility the area cities have had in the past regarding flood mitigation has been significantly reduced. This is due to the distance between the edge of the riverbank and the proximity of the nearest structure, a residence or office building. The accessibility to the area by heavy equipment is severely limited. Installation of an aqua bladder along the bank of a river requires extensive area review and logistical planning. An aqua bladder could not be placed on the bank of the river as the weight of the bladder could destroy the riverbank, creating a breach. The focus of the City should not be limited to sandbags. To build a proper sandbag levee 4 -feet high and 1 -mile long, it would take 41 million sandbags. A Hesco System is another aspect of sandbagging, where each piece is basket shaped that would be filled with sand to create a secondary levee to mitigate possible flooding. Each of the Valley Cities is reviewing all available options and creating a City -by -City strategy to mitigate potential flooding. Should the need arise, the four Valley Cities are considering the possibility of cutting into a levee and purposefully flooding open space in unincorporated King County. This would relieve the pressure on the riverbanks and levees down river, and the required space is available within Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. Should this option be chosen, the plan would then be brought before the Council for discussion and approval. The Valley Cities are working together on this situation because certain choices made by one city would have an adverse affect on the other cities down river. Training and Exercises Standard warning times for notification of possible flooding is three to five hours. The Valley Cities are working to have three to five days notification for residents and businesses in the affected areas. Collaboration with the Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service and the River Forecasting group will allow the City to increase the notification. Training is essential to successful notification and preparation in case of a flood. Training exercises will include levee patrol and how to distinguish between an actual levee breach and piping or seepage. Instruction will also be provided regarding proper sandbagging techniques, which are essential to successful flood mitigation. Should a breach occur, King County's Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) would receive notification from the Corps of Engineers of possible flooding. Once the King County ECC has been activated, all the Valley Cities would receive the same notification at the same time. This would ensure all affected areas receive the same information. The City of Tukwila's evacuation plan is in place and has been coordinated with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Upon notification of an evacuation, Public Works will begin closing inbound freeway exits to the City to ensure people are not entering the City while an evacuation order has been issued. Staff is currently developing Tukwila's Incident Action Plan. Part of the plan includes how the Emergency Operations Center will be organized, duration of operations, staffing levels, and recovery outlook. Another topic for discussion has been the need for shelter for displaced residents. The group has been working on a regional disaster plan, to include identifying locations out of the flood plain for regional mass care and a shelter. Tukwila will be sending our residents to gathering points and directing them to the nearest shelter. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2009 Page 3 of 5 Next Steps August 4, 2009: The planning group meeting August 10 -14 2009: Executive Update August 15, 2009: Sandbag Train the Trainer August 26, 2009: Levee Patrol Train the Trainer September 9, 2009: Evacuation Table Top discussion September 15, 2009: Operational Action Plan discussion Councilmember Robertson clarified the threat to the City is not that the dam itself will fail, rather the rapid flow and height of the river, riverbank sloughing, and the possibility of a levee breach. Mr. Morrow answered in the affirmative. Mayor Haggerton indicated some media information indicating the City is not preparing for flooding is incorrect. Staff and Administration have been attending regular meetings to discuss preparation for a possible flood, and by providing as much information as possible to residents and businesses. Mr. Morrow indicated additional items of concern for the Valley Cities are the environmental health concerns associated with a flood. The sewer system, underground storage tanks, and cemetery could pose possible health risks. The sewer system is gravity fed to the Renton treatment plant throughout the valley. If there is a flood, the sewer will not flow to the treatment plant. Staff also has been in contact with local businesses who utilize underground storage tanks. If the tanks are not full, In the event of a flood, the piping could break loose, causing the tanks to float to the surface, and contaminate the floodwaters. The same situation would be true at the cemetery. CITIZEN COMMENTS Matt Peters, 13552 Macadam Road South, indicated he received a copy of a memorandum from Jack Pace, Community Development Director, about his recent concerns relating to the Sound Transit noise issues. His main issue is the noise decibel level, sound panels, and the response from Sound Transit that the system was built according to the approved specifications. Mr. Peters created a noise recording from his home for staff to review. Mayor Haggerton clarified the noise monitoring agreement the City has with Sound Transit commenced at the time they started with fare paying passengers. This does not mean that noise mitigation will not start until the end of the three -year period. They are to monitor the noise and work with the City to mitigate any issues. Councilmember Linder clarified that the Council sets policy, and the Developer's Agreement clearly states Sound Transit will monitor noise levels for three years. Ms. Linder indicated while the Council appreciates the comments they have received, Mr. Peters should contact staff regarding noise concerns as they will be working with Sound Transit to correct the issues. Jack Pace, Community Development Director, indicated the monitoring clause in the agreement was due to unknowns for certain areas where noise documentation was not available. Sound Transit has several on -going issues to resolve to the City's satisfaction, and the noise complaints are included. Kim Chatman, 5751 South 152 Street, indicated she would like to voice her concern to the Council regarding an issue with the Tukwila Police Department. Ms. Chatman stated she called for the assistance of the police regarding a theft issue and was unhappy with the way the situation was handled and the responding officer. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, explained there is an on -going investigation on this matter that Ms. Chatman is aware of. The Police Department and City Administration have been working on this issue. Council discussion ensued regarding the 5- minute timekeeping process for speaker comments that is currently in place. It was determined that the topic would be placed on the agenda of the next Regular Meeting with the City Attorney and City Clerk present. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2009 Page 4 of 5 PUBLIC HEARING An ordinance renewing a six -month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for Sign Development, and Electrical Permits for certain types of signage. 8:30 p.m. report. Council President Hernandez opened the public hearing and asked for a staff Jack Pace, Community Development Director, indicated the moratorium that the City has in place regarding the placement of certain signage types would expire in September. Staff is requesting that the moratorium be renewed and extended an additional six months to allow time to complete the Sign Code update. Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk, provided an overview of the timekeeping equipment and the process for public hearing testimony and citizen comments during the Council meeting. There were no public comments. 8:32 p.m. Council President Hernandez closed the public hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance renewing a six -month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for Sign Development, and Electrical Permits for certain types of signage. Councilmember Griffin indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on July 13, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Staff is requesting that the moratorium be renewed and extended an additional six months to allow time to complete the Sign Code update. The moratorium prevents new signs from being installed that may be in conflict with the recommended code update. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Authorization for transfer of funds for purchase of a Front Loader. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on July 21, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, indicated the front loader will support daily maintenance operations and infrastructure repairs. The John Deere dealership will honor the 2008 State bid price, for a total of $161,167.74, with tax and licensing. The funding for the purchase is from the Enterprise Fund. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Authorization for transfer of funds representing 3% budget adjustments. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on July 21, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. This item will remove funding from each department to accommodate a 3% budget reduction and allocate to the ending fund balance in Department 20, to prevent spending of these funds. Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, indicated the recommendation for the 3% reduction is to implement the reduction at the department level, rather than the specific line item level. This means Directors will have the flexibility to implement the reduction based on the needs of their department and the services they provide. The 3% reduction, although difficult, would not have an impact on the permanent staffing levels. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2009 Page 5 of 5 COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. Supplement No. 5 to Contract #05 -071 with HNTB for the Tukwila Urban Center Access project (Klickitat). Councilmember Griffin indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on July 20, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The design of the Tukwila Urban Center Project (Klickitat) has a number of outstanding issues requiring this additional Supplement No. 5 with HNTB. There are channelization plans needing Washington State Department of Transportation approval, new drainage requirements requiring the Department of Ecology's approval, as well as property coordination. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, indicated the delay with the Klickitat project has been due to several issues relating to right -of -way acquisition, Local Improvement District formation, and Washington State Department of Transportation requirements. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton attended the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors retreat on July 22 -25, 2009. He also provided the Council with information regarding the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Wind's Weir Habitat Restoration project on July 28, 2009. b. City Council Councilmember Robertson attended the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) meeting on July 21, 2009. c. Staff Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, reminded the Council that Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will be present at the Tukwila Rotary meeting on July 30, 2009. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. ADJOURNMENT 9:13 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Jan Hernandez, Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk