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Home My WebLink About2013-09-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers September 9, 2013 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hougardy called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Kathy Hougardy, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller. CITY OFFICIALS David Cline, City Administrator; Chris Flores, Acting Fire Chief; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Evie Boykan, Human Services Manager; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. "Coverage is Here King County" — The county -wide effort to enroll 180,000 newly - eligible King County residents in Medicaid and the Health Benefit Exchange once open enrollment starts on October 1, 2013. Jennifer DeYoung, Health Care Reform Analyst, Public Health, Seattle and King County. Jennifer DeYoung, Health Care Reform Analyst, Public Health, Seattle and King County. Ms. DeYoung utilized a PowerPoint presentation to brief the Council on health care reform and the effects for King County. Health care reform is here and that means big changes. Starting October 1, 2013, Tukwila residents will have a new way to find, compare and enroll in affordable health insurance coverage. Highlights of the presentation included: In 2012, 3% to 30% of King County residents were uninsured. With the Health Care Reform Act in 2014, health insurance will increase, leaving 1% to 10% of residents uninsured. How will residents receive access to health insurance? • New affordable coverage points in Washington include: o Medicaid coverage will be expanded to individuals with incomes up to 138% of poverty level. o Washington will launch the Health Benefit Exchange. This makes subsidized premium and tax credits available to individuals with incomes at 139% to 400% of poverty level. The Opportunity in King County: • To maximize enrollment and retention of King County residents who will be newly eligible for health care coverage on January 1, 2014 • 180,000 currently uninsured individuals will become eligible for coverage • About 80,000 will be eligible for Medicaid and approximately 100,000 for subsidies from tax credits. King County Outreach and Enrollment Plan: • For the uninsured: Education and encourage enrollment through multiple communications and outreach strategies. Targeted enrollment assistance to newly eligible at convenient sites • For employers: Education and outreach to businesses Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 9, 2013 Page 2 of 5 The Challenges: • Confusion about what health reform is and how it affects the community • Uninsured individuals will not necessarily take the initiative to get coverage on their own • Education alone is not enough —some individuals, especially the most vulnerable, will need extra help with the enrollment process Collaboration is Essential: • To be successful, we need to engage multiple community partners and organizations to carry the message of getting covered to eligible populations using new, innovative ways. Strategies for Reaching the Uninsured: • King County Cities and Seattle Districts • Health Care Partners and Providers • Colleges /Universities /Tech Schools /High Schools • Libraries • Community Centers • Housing • Homeless • Jail • Public Health's specialty health programs In- Person Assistance Networks Serving Tukwila: Organization Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Population Focus Asian /Pacific Islander Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Area Beacon Hill, Georgetown, South Park SeaTac, Tukwila, Rainer Valley, Rainier Beach Language Cantonese, Cambodian, Teochew, Japanese, Lao, Mandarin, Mien, Taiwanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean Global to Local (G2L) Immigrant /Refugee SeaTac, Tukwila Somali, Spanish, French, Tigrinya, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Karen Cierra Sisters Black /African American Hispanic and Filipino Central Seattle, South Seattle, Skyway, Renton, Tukwila Spanish, Tagalog Open Arms African Immigrants, Latina /Hispanic Refugees, Pacific Islanders South King County Somali, Spanish Solid Ground Low Income all races North Seattle focus, All King County Language Line Washington CAN Low income, People of color, Immigrants with language barriers Entire County, including rural & unincorporated Korean, Russian, Swahili, Punjabi, Vietnamese World Relief Immigrant/Refugee South King County Vietnamese, Somali, Eritrean, Russian, Bhutan, Burmese HealthPoint Homeless, Black /African American Hispanic /Latino Asian /Pacific Islander Redmond, Bothell, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, SeaTac N/A Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 9, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Outreach and Enrollment Partners in Tukwila: • City of Tukwila • HealthPoint Tukwila • Community Schools Collaboration • Showalter Middle School Who's left uninsured: • Undocumented immigrants • Certain religious groups, Native American tribes, and incarcerated • Eligible people who are not enrolled • Immigrants here legally for 5 years are eligible for Medicaid; those here less than 5 years are eligible for the Exchange Tukwila City Councilmembers can: • Be champions of this effort with constituents • Promote enrollment events and share information through City website, newsletter, at public engagements, etc. • Attend an enrollment event in your district Ms. DeYoung explained they have created a media tool kit for cities to use with ideas and suggestions for use on Facebook and Twitter. Councilmember Robertson suggested the presentation be presented to the Tukwila School District Providers' Group. Evie Boykan, Human Services Manager, explained they have been aware of the services, and Human Services staff has been working with the Tukwila Schools and care facilities to provide this information. Cascade View Elementary School will be hosting the first C.A.R.E. Night, where parents can receive this type of information. Councilmember Quinn said that including Washington CAN (Community Activity Network) in the program outreach to the Tukwila community is a great resource. Councilmember Kruller asked where people should go within the community to get additional information on the coverage and costs associated with obtaining health care coverage. Ms. DeYoung said the website has a lot of information on the issue: (www.kingcounty.gov /coverage). Councilmember Seal clarified that the Cascade View C.A.R.E. Night and Community Resource Fair will be held on October 23, 2013 beginning at 5:00 p.m. She stated she would forward event information to the Council as it becomes available. Council President Hougardy asked if enrollment via the website would be the easiest way for interested individuals to enroll. Ms. DeYoung answered in the affirmative. Additionally, individuals are able to enroll at an event, by calling or by submitting a paper application. They are working with health care providers to see if the providers would also be willing to provide enrollment assistance. Councilmember Ekberg asked how pre- existing conditions will affect applicants receiving coverage. Ms. DeYoung explained pre- existing conditions are no longer excluded from coverage under the Affordable Health care Act. The Councilmembers thanked Ms. DeYoung for her presentation and the information on health care reform. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 9, 2013 Page 4 of 5 CITIZEN COMMENTS Louise Jones - Brown, 20021 Fifth Avenue South, Des Moines, stated she is the Tukwila Historical Society Treasurer, and expressed her appreciation for the Council authorizing the City to enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with King County relating to Historic Preservation. The ILA allows the Tukwila Historical Society to apply for grant funding for improvements associated with the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, and they are preparing to submit a grant application to 4Culture for needed improvements. She explained they have been having issues with vegetation surrounding the building, and she was able to work with Parks and Recreation staff to successfully resolve the issues. She announced the Tukwila Historical Society is hosting their Annual Gala on Sunday, September 15, 2013, and she extended an invitation to the City Council and audience, Council President Hougardy suggested the Tukwila Historical Society submit periodic reports to the Council updating them on their accomplishments. Ms. Jones -Brown indicated she would pass that request on. Councilmember Ekberg commented that last year there was a request to renovate the restrooms at the center, and he asked for an update on that project. Ms. Jones -Brown stated they have funding earmarked for the restroom renovation and she stated that she has been working with City staff on how to best proceed. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Sewer Lift Station No. 2 Upgrades consultant recommendation and agreement. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on September 3, 2013. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, explained Sewer Lift Station No. 2 serves most of the central business district south of Minkler Boulevard, including the Tukwila South development. Three firms were short- listed from the MRSC Consultant Roster and PACE Engineers was chosen, as they have completed successful lift station design work for the City in the past. Staff is seeking Council approval of a consultant agreement with PACE Engineers, Inc. for design services relating to the Sewer Lift Station No. 2 upgrade project in the amount of $70,277. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton was not present. b. City Council Councilmember Kruller attended the most recent Egg Roundtable Subgroup meeting relating to healthy food systems within the City. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 9, 2013 Page 5 of 5 e. Intergovernmental There was no report. ADJOURNMENT 7:53 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUGARDY DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. 1-k aj)id: Kathy Hou 9� Y, oun . Presid eot Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 10/03/2013 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 10/03/2013