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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hernandez called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Members of the Cadette Girl Scout Troop 470 led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Hernandez thanked the troop for all their volunteer hours at the Tukwila Pond. OFFICIALS Present were Joan Hernandez, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers November 9, 2009 7:00 P.M. MINUTES Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Bob Giberson, Interim Public Works Director; Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst; Cyndy Knighton, Senior Engineer; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator; David Haynes, Police Chief; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. a. Introduction and Oath of Office to Jacob Berry, Entry Level Police Officer. David Haynes, Police Chief, introduced Jacob Berry, Entry Level Police Officer, to the Council. Officer Berry is currently in his third week at the Police Academy, and prior to entering the academy he was the owner of his own information technology company. Mayor Haggerton administered the Oath of Office to Jacob Berry, Badge No. 185. Officer Berry's children pinned the badge on their father. Officer Berry introduced members of his family in the audience and thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve Tukwila. CITIZEN COMMENTS Jacqueline Carroll, 16241 49 Avenue South, expressed concern regarding the possible closing of the Tukwila Pool. She stated the seniors in the community utilize the facility for exercise and as a communication connection with other residents in the community. The funds spent on the operation and maintenance for the pool is money well spent. She requested the Council review all options available to them prior to making a decision about closing the Tukwila Pool. Russell Bradley, 16241 49 Avenue South, indicated he is a frequent user of the Tukwila Pool and he expressed his concern about recent discussion relating to the possible closure of the facility. The Tukwila Pool is very important to the daily users and residents, specifically the senior group that is able to utilize its sociability, especially since most of the seniors are now alone. Mr. Bradley stated his swim group would like to be involved with any decisions about the future of the Tukwila Pool. Mary Fertakis, 11822 42 Avenue South, is an Allentown /Duwamish resident and has concerns relating to the potential flood situation. In the Allentown /Duwamish area, there are no visible signs that the City has taken mitigating steps to protect this residential neighborhood. The residents requested a meeting with City officials to address the concerns; however, no meeting has been scheduled. Ms. Fertakis stated King County has provided $1.3 million dollars for flood mitigation; she inquired about how the funds were Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 2 of 7 distributed for mitigation between the residential and business areas. She also asked about the sandbags the City has received and how they have been distributed, and what the City is doing to assist homeowners along the river. With the current mitigation in the business district, she inquired about how the increase in levee height will affect the Foster Point and Allentown /Duwamish areas. She hopes the same staff time and resources focused on the business district, will be afforded to the residential areas. Georgina Kerr, 3836 South 116 Street, indicated she is a Tukwila resident who resides on the river in the Duwamish community. The residents are very concerned about the possible winter flooding and they would like to have a meeting with the City so they can voice their concerns and receive correct information from the City. Ms. Kerr also expressed her support for the Tukwila Pool. Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator, explained that according to the most recent and up -to -date modeling the City has received from NW Hydraulics, the inundation maps do not indicate any flooding in the Allentown /Duwamish area. However, the current models do show flooding in the Foster Point area and an informational meeting has been scheduled for November 13, 2009. Mr. Mitchell stated the mitigation supplies received by the City have been deployed to the most critical areas throughout the City. Staff has been working on securing an Interagency Agreement with the King County Flood Control Zone for a sandbag station to assist citizens. Councilmember Linder requested clarification regarding the most current hydraulic modeling. Mr. Mitchell indicated the initial model showed flooding at both the Foster Point and the Allentown /Duwamish areas. However, the most current modeling with the increased levee height has been revised to show possible flooding in the Foster Point area. The modeling that was completed showed a net gain of one foot, and with a flow at 25,000 CFS and high tide, the flow rate would negate the one -foot gain. The surge of the flow would push the water through the Duwamish waterway without flooding the residential areas. Councilmember Hougardy inquired about the additional sandbagging that would be completed at Foster Point and she asked if that mitigation could cause the Duwamish /Allentown area to flood. Mr. Mitchell indicated the additional sandbagging at Foster Point has been taken into consideration in the revised modeling and it should not cause additional flooding. Councilmember Quinn asked Mr. Mitchell to explain the differences between Tukwila and the other valley cities with regard to flooding. Mr. Mitchell stated that Tukwila is unique in that the City is protected by a certified levee. The areas within Kent, where they normally have localized flooding is a common occurrence. The cities of Kent, Auburn and Renton are at a higher risk without a certified levee. He explained the Corps of Engineers has completed the grout curtain and the relevant testing. The results from the testing are favorable, in that the reservoir can now hold approximately 50% of the total capacity, up from the previous 30 The main concern for the cities now is the debris flow and how that could have an effect on critical infrastructure. Councilmember Quinn requested Mr. Mitchell define why certain areas within the City have been so heavily protected against possible flooding. Mr. Mitchell stated the mitigation supplies have been placed throughout the City in the identified areas that would make the most impact. Staff identified the high risks in certain areas and utilized the supplies to reduce the risk as much as possible. PUBLIC HEARING An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2221, which adopted the biennial budget of the City of Tukwila for the 2009 -2010 biennium. 7:40 P.M. Council President Hernandez opened the Public Hearing Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 3 of 7 Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, indicated the Council must review and, if necessary, pass an ordinance providing for a mid biennium budget amendment in accordance with RCW 35A.34.130. The RCW also states the City must conduct a public hearing on this issue. Some of the items that have been discussed are the carryover of the 3% reduction into 2010, PERS employer contribution savings and the insurance premium holiday. The amount of $660,000.00 has been identified as an excess of debt service funds that will be transferred to the General Fund. Mr. Hunstock provided a revised Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Attachment A, which the Council had requested at the November 5, 2009 Budget Workshop. The revisions include a new revenue source and /or continued reduction of expenses. The Council also requested information regarding revenue associated with a possible head tax. With the revenue amount of $3 million, the local businesses would be assessed approximately $68.00 per employee. To continue with the City's current level of service through the CIP six -year plan, a new revenue source providing approximately $5.1 million would be required. Mr. Hunstock explained a head tax of approximately $116.00 per employee would generate the required revenue. 7:51 P.M. Council President Hernandez closed the Public Hearing SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2221, which adopted the biennial budget of the City of Tukwila for the 2009 -2010 biennium. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on November 3, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The Council must review and, if necessary, pass an ordinance providing for a mid biennium budget amendment in accordance with RCW 35A.34.130. The amendment must be passed before the end of the calendar year. The previously presented budget transfer authorizations and adjustments will be finalized with the ordinance amendment. The Council is being asked to approve the ordinance amending the 2009 -2010 biennial budget at the December 7, 2009 Regular meeting. Councilmember Linder requested background information on Attachment A and what staff is requesting of the Council. Councilmember Robertson indicated the City has a policy that says the financial plan cannot allow the balance to drop below $3,000,000. During the Budget Workshop, the Council asked the staff to prepare a revised Attachment A to illustrate the amount of revenue necessary to keep the balance at the required level. Due to the current state of the economy, it was decided that balancing the budget would take active Council participation to reduce expenses dramatically or review available options for a possible new revenue source. The Council decided they would focus on revenue enhancements and expense reduction at the February 2010 retreat. Councilmember Linder inquired if the discussion of the revised Attachment A is associated with the amendment to Ordinance No. 2221. It is her understanding the budget amendment and Attachment A are two separate issues that should be addressed separately. Councilmember Robertson clarified that the amended Attachment A does not relate to the ordinance. However, there was discussion that the Council would not be comfortable passing the budget amendment without consensus to discuss Attachment A and the ending fund balance. Councilmember Quinn stated the discussion clearly articulates that the Council was not ready to take action relating to the information provided at the Budget Workshop. The suggestions provided by the administration were a good proactive measure and there are several complicated issues for the Council to decide. The ordinance currently before the Council amends the current budget and it should be approved. Councilmember Robertson stated there are two key discussion points: first, to the staff in attendance, the City has a serious budget issue and needs to either raise revenue or cut costs by 10% of the total budget. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 4 of 7 The second point is that the Council will need to provide direction to the administration on whether the Council is requesting a $3 million or $5 million revenue enhancement and realistic Capital Improvement Program. This will take a lot of work and preparation on the administration's part. Mr. Robertson asked the Council to discuss which revenue amount the administration should be preparing for the February 2010 Council Retreat. Councilmember Linder agreed there is a budget problem. This is an opportunity for creativity from Administration and the Council to explore all available options relating to balancing the budget and CIP. She recommended the Council review all the information that has been provided and be prepared to discuss the options at a future meeting. Councilmember Duffie stated he would like to invite the staff and citizens to comment and provide any suggestions they may have relating to the budget. This is a time when everyone should work together on creating a solution to the budget issues. Councilmember Griffin indicated the Council does not know where the finances will be at the end of the year. She would like to continue reviewing the budget to investigate whether the City is paying for a vendor or provider for services that could be provided by City staff. Council President Hernandez requested staff provide a summary of anticipated one -time revenue from new construction sales tax. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE DECEMBER 7, 2009 REGULAR MEETING. b. An ordinance ordering the improvement of urban access for the Southcenter area, within the City, all in accordance with Resolution of Intent No. 1698, establishing Local Improvement District 33. Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on October 5, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Resolution No. 1698 for the Intent to Form a Local Improvement District (LID) was presented to the Council on October 26, 2009 and was approved unanimously. Notices were mailed to all property owners of record on October 1, 2009, which included the preliminary assessment amount for each property with the LID boundary. On October 26, 2009, they were also notified of the November 16, 2009 public hearing. Cyndy Knighton, Senior Engineer, indicated the adoption of the ordinance forming the LID is the final step for the Klickitat project. The cost associated with the LID is approximately $23 million and the City has secured $17 million in grant funding and City contributions. The remaining $6.5 million will be collected from the LID. The adoption of the ordinance forming the LID allows staff to request bids for construction with construction anticipated to be completed by November 2010. Upon completion of the project, staff will finalize the construction costs and then the final assessment roll will be filed with the City Clerk. Ms. Knighton explained that after completion of the final assessment roll, a public hearing will be held by the Hearing Examiner. The final assessment establishes the final LID amount due and the Council will adopt an ordinance confirming and levying the LID assessment. Ms. Knighton introduced Bob Macaulay, of Macaulay and Associates. Mr. Macaulay is the consultant who completed the preliminary assessment roll that was mailed out to the LID boundary property owners on September 30, 2009. He explained the scope of the assignment was to complete the preliminary assessment within the LID boundary area. The assessment methodology used to complete the preliminary assessment was based on the Washington State statute. The most benefited property is closest to the project area. The typical cost benefit for property owners is a land value increase of approximately 25% to 75 Mr. Macaulay explained the City of Lynnwood recently completed an LID so the local mall could move forward with a much needed expansion. Without the LID the expansion would not have been completed. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Linder indicated she appreciated the section stating the Hearing Examiner will perform the public hearing on the final assessment roll. Ms. Linder asked the staff to provide an explanation of the benefits of the City moving forward with the LID project. Ms. Knighton stated that if the City did not approve the formation of the LID and move forward with the Klickitat project, the City would have to return $8 million in grants. We also would need to return approximately $2.5 million collected in the form of impact fees. Due to the current state of the economy, we have a very positive bidding climate. If the City were to delay the project, it would be very hard for the City to obtain grants again for a project for which the City returned previously awarded grant funding. If the project were to be delayed, the bidding climate could become tough and make the project cost more and that could increase the estimated $6.5 million LID assessments. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. A resolution adopting new Public Works Fee Schedule. Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 27, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst, indicated the City's water, sewer, and surface water rates need to be increased to meet the operational and capital expenditures for their corresponding enterprise funds. The single- and multi family minimum water meter charge will increase from $6.00 to $8.00. The sewer fund's monthly residential flat rate will increase from $11.64 to $13.39 per residential connection and the surface water fund will increase from $71.00 to $85.00 per year for residential parcels. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. A Resolution updating and clarifying the Non Represented Employees' compensation and adopting the salary schedule and benefits summary. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 20, 2009. The committee members requested this item move forward to the Committee of the Whole for Council discussion. Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director, indicated the Council is being asked to consider a resolution updating and clarifying the non represented employees' compensation. In alignment with Resolution No. 1537 establishing a Non Represented (NR) Employees' Compensation Plan, passed December 1, 2005, a wage study has been conducted for calendar year 2010. The resolution requires that a market analysis be done every other year for the upcoming year for non represented positions. The current analysis has been conducted based on information in the Association of Washington Cities 2009 Salary and Benefit Study, rather than going out to individual cities this year. Mayor Haggerton recommends wage increases for A, B, C and D -61 levels on January 1, 2010. Councilmember Linder expressed her appreciation for all the City employees and the work they perform. She indicated she supports Option 1 where all non represented employees receive a wage increase. Councilmember Griffin indicated she also supports Option 1. Councilmember Robertson expressed his support for the Mayor's recommendation. Councilmember Quinn indicated he is comfortable with Option 3. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. e. Confirm the reappointment of Kimberly Walden as Municipal Court Judge and adoption of an ordinance establishing the Judge's salary. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on November 3, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 6 of 7 The Council is being asked to confirm the reappointment of Kimberly Walden as Municipal Court Judge, with a term expiring December 31, 2013. The salary of a municipal court judge is mandated by the State of Washington. In lieu of a pay increase, it is proposed to grant the judge the same paid holidays, at a pro -rated basis, as the non represented employees. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. f. A contract with Ball Janik, LLP for 2010 lobbying services. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on November 3, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The Council is being asked to authorize the Mayor to approve a contract with Ball Janik, LLP, for 2010 federal lobbying services in the amount of $9,568 per month, plus expenses that shall not exceed $1,000 per month without prior authorization of the City. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton participated in the Sister Cities festivities the week of November 2, 2009. He reminded the Council of the Veterans' Day program at the Museum of Flight on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie invited the Council to attend the Veterans' Day assembly at Tukwila Elementary School on November 10, 2009, and the Showalter Middle School assembly on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Councilmember Hougardy attended the Sister Cities dinner on November 6, 2009. Council President Hernandez attended the Sister Cities Welcome Ceremony on November 4, 2009. She attended the NC Machinery equipment demonstration on the morning of November 5, 2009, and the Budget Workshop later that evening. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, indicated the Sister Cities delegation that visited Tukwila has members from five townships, and information she received was that students were grateful for the opportunity to visit Tukwila. Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator, reported that representatives from the Department of Homeland Security asked him to provide a keynote speech regarding the Howard Hanson Dam in Washington D.C. All government entities that own and operate a dam, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land, and private organizations attended this meeting. Mr. Mitchell is currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers relating to an airborne Levee Condition Assessment Technology (LevCAT), which is a levee fly -over that would scan the levee and provide an image of the levee under its surface. He also explained that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Research and Development group is currently working on a new technology that could quickly patch a breeched levee system. 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 November 9, 2009 Page 7 of 7 e. Intergovernmental Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk, reminded the Council of the November 10, 2009 Shoreline Master Program workshop and distributed an addendum to the Shoreline Master Program materials. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Robertson requested staff update the Council relating to the recommendation concerning flood mitigation efforts for the Foster Point area. Mr. Mitchell indicated the recommendation is for a single row of Hesco baskets for half of the riverbank and a double stack on the remaining half of the riverbank. After discussion, the Council reached consensus regarding the plan of action for the Foster Point flood mitigation. ADJOURNMENT 10:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Joan Hernandez, Council President 4' o).ku.+- Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk