Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers October 28, 2013 — 7:00 P.M. Start: 6:15 p.m. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE SESSION Council President Hougardy announced the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss Collective Bargaining — Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) It will last no more than 45 minutes, and no decisions will be made during the Executive Session. Attendees: Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Cabot Dow, City Negotiator; Doug Evans, R. L. Evans and Company; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Tukwila City Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson; Kathy Hougardy, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller. End: 6:58 p.m. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hougardy called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:04 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 Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Bruce Linton, Assistant Police Chief; Brendan Kerin Police Training Coordinator; Lavern Peterson, Battalion Chief; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Pat Brodin, Operations Manager; Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff Community Development Deputy Director, Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Swearing in of Officer Jami Suedel. Bruce Linton, Assistant Police Chief, introduced Officer Jami Suedel. Officer Suedel has completed the necessary police training to fulfill her goal of becoming a police officer. She has expressed interest in working with the Tukwila Police Explorers and giving back to the community. Mayor Haggerton administered the Oath of Office to Jami Suedel, Badge #212. Assistant Chief Linton pinned on her badge. Officer Suedel thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve the City. The Mayor and Councilmembers welcomed Officer Suedel to the City of Tukwila. b. Introduction of Public Works employees. Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, introduced the two new Public Works engineers: Grant Griffin, Senior Program Manager, and David Sorensen, Project Manager. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 28, 2013 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Griffin has spent the past 30 years working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). During his time with WSDOT, he worked in the ferry system, with the Bridge and Structures Division and finally with the Highways and Local Programs Division. The WSDOT Highways and Local Programs Division is the department most cities work directly with relating to grant funded projects. Additionally, he was responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards and the training of new bridge inspectors. Mr. Sorensen began his transportation and engineering career in 1984 and has worked with several different divisions of WSDOT. His background includes highway construction, materials testing, surveying, highway design, traffic safety, development review, access management, video production and administration of federal and state grant funding programs. The Councilmembers welcomed Mr. Griffin and Mr. Sorensen to the City. c. Expression of appreciation from outgoing Historical Society President. Pat Brodin, Public Works Operations Manager, stated he has been employed by the City for 29 years. He announced that 2013 will be his last year as the President of the Tukwila Historical Society. He updated the Council on the history of his service and memorable moments with the Tukwila Historical Society. The Councilmembers expressed appreciation to Mr. Brodin for his service to the City and the Tukwila Historical Society. CITIZEN COMMENTS Robert Shomaker, 3846 35th SW, Seattle, announced that he is the grandson of Joel Shomaker, (who was the first Mayor of Tukwila). He expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and City for including his family at the City's Centennial Celebration in 2008. Lavern Peterson, Battalion Chief, said he is responsible for conducting the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training within the City. He explained that in all the years that he has been part of the Tukwila Fire Department, this is the first time that just about all Tukwila Police officers have completed this training. In 2013, Tukwila Police have helped save two lives with the City's AED training. He invited the Council to participate in the trainings and he announced the next training will be held at the Tukwila Community Center on November 16, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A resolution setting the water, sewer and surface water rates for 2014. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 21, 2013. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst, explained higher water consumption has increased the water revenue 10% above 2013 revenue projections and the sewer revenue is 20% above projections. She explained the City purchases water through Cascade Water Alliance, and they are proposing a 5% rate increase in 2014. The Utilities Committee suggested a 15% increase for sewer rates. The City's water, sewer, and surface water rates need to be increased to meet operational and capital expenditures. The single and multi - family minimum water meter charge will increase from $14.00 to $15.00, and multi - family consumption charges will increase to $4.28 per 100 cubic feet (748 gallons). The monthly residential flat sewer rate will increase from $23.10 to $26.50. The surface water fees will increase from $107.00 to $118.00 (a 10% increase) for residential parcels. Ms. Labanara conducted a detailed review of the draft Public Works Fee Schedule (pages 19 -23 of the agenda packet). COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 28, 2013 Page 3 of 5 b. A bid award for sewer repair at 6450 Southcenter Boulevard. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 21, 2013. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, explained that while City crew was cleaning a sewer main, the jetting head became stuck due to an obstruction, and the hose had to be left in the sewer main. A new manhole is needed to determine the location and cause of the obstruction. Four construction firms were contacted and two responded with bids. The low bid of $34,164.00 was from Green River Construction, who has successfully worked for the City in the past. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. A permit user fee for technology investments. This item was discussed at the October 14, 2013 Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting, and the October 22, 2013 Finance and Safety Committee meeting. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. A technology fee was planned as a way to recover the cost of implementing TRAKiT, the new permit system that will significantly improve customer service. A portion of this funding is proposed to allow online retrieval of historical permit data through the City's Digital Records Center, which will increase efficiency. The Council is being asked to consider the ordinance and resolution to implement a technology fee and for consolidating fees into a single fee resolution. A portion of the fee will be used to add .25 FTE to the Digital Records position in the City Clerk's Office. Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director, said that in 2010 the Master Builders Association provided a letter of support to the City of Kirkland relating to the implementation of a technology fee. She recently contacted them about Tukwila's proposed technology fee, and they responded that they do support technology fees where building permits can be submitted online. The new TRAKiT system will include online public access to permit status and history, electronic plan submittal and review, online inspection scheduling, mobile access for inspectors, citizen comment tracking, and integrated GIS mapping. Councilmember Robertson commented that the proposed 5% technology fee is being used to help cover the costs of the system, and to help fund the increased .25 FTE in the City Clerk's Office, which will allow the historical permit files to be available online through the Digital Records Center. Very few cities provide this type of service. Permit files are the City's most requested records through the Public Records Act, and by having the historical records available online, this service will be a cost savings to the City. This is a good package brought forward by City Administration. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. An ordinance relating to interfering with traffic. Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 22, 2013. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Brendan Kerin, Tukwila Police Coordinator, explained the draft ordinance will aid the City in combating the problem of constant panhandling throughout the City. Adoption of the proposed ordinance will increase safety for pedestrians and vehicular traffic, as well as make Tukwila a more desirable city to live in and visit. This will provide the police with the necessary tool to address panhandling. The Councilmembers thanked Officer Kerin and City Administration for their work on this item. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 28, 2013 Page 4 of 5 e. A resolution regarding Council benefits. Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 22, 2013. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director, explained under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the City's health expense reimbursement to Councilmembers is considered a health plan. The reimbursement arrangement as it currently exists will be prohibited by PPACA after January 1, 2014. The Councilmembers will have the option, to enroll in the City's Self- Insured Medical Plan or Group Health to continue to receive a health care benefit in 2014. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton announced that the new South 184th Place has been opened, and he has received favorable comments on the new roadway. On October 25, 2013 the City hosted the Valley Cities Meeting where Police Chief Villa, Assistant Chief Linton and Joyce Trantina, Project Analyst, gave a presentation on the City's motel situation along Tukwila International Boulevard. b. City Council Councilmember Robertson attended the chili cook -off event that benefited the Domestic Abuse Women's Network (D.A.W.N.) event that was held at the Tukwila Community Center on October 26, 2013. Councilmember Seal thanked the Councilmembers who staffed her committees while she was on vacation. She announced that the local synagogue (off South 130th Street) is reaching out to the community, and they are offering yoga by fireside on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. She commented this past weekend there was severe traffic congestion along South 144th Street due to non - school functions. Councilmember Quinn attended the National Municipal Policy Network event held in Washington D.C. on October 25 -27, 2013. He offered to share the packet of information with interested Councilmembers. Councilmember Kruller attended the King Conservation Panel Meeting on October 24, 2013. On October 25, 2013 she attended the retirement celebration for Bob Benedicto (Community Development) who is retiring after serving the City for the past 25 years. On Saturday, October 26, 2013, she volunteered as part of the large incident (final exam) for class four of the Community Emergency Responder Team (CERT) training. On October 28, 2013 she participated in the Washington Highway Users Federation Transportation Briefing meeting. She announced that she will be participating in the Teen Night on November 1, 2013. Council President Hougardy attended the recent Parks and Recreation and Open Space Plan Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting. c. Staff David Cline, City Administrator, thanked Battalion Chief Peterson for the information relating to the CPR and AED training. He reminded the Council of the Autumn Harvest Festival on October 30, 2013 at the Tukwila Community Center. 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 October 28, 2013 Page 5 of 5 e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Duffie voiced his concern about the King County Metro Access vehicles that park along the street and how they limit the sight of vehicles leaving the Tukwila Community Center. Councilmember Quinn commented that during his recent trip to Washington D.C. he spoke with the City of Richmond (California) Mayor about a program they are working on. He distributed information to the Council relating to the "Plan to Preserve Homeownership, Reset Mortgages and Aid Local Economies." He asked the Council to review the materials for possible discussion of this item at the next Regular Meeting. Councilmember Kruller announced that on November 28, 2013, the International Union of Operating Engineers will be seeking new candidates for their apprenticeship programs. Additionally, members of the Church by the Side of the Road have offered space for a Farmers Market. ADJOURNMENT 8:20 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUGARDY DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. k2aq-h Li. 14 0 u t4 Kathy Houg4, Council Pare ident Uh-)Att --6'1/f-- Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 11/20/2013 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 11/20/2013