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Home My WebLink About2009-12-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers December 14, 2009 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES Council President Hernandez called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:04 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, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Shawn Hunstock, Interim City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Bob Sterbank, Assistant City Attorney; David Haynes, Police Chief; Ted Rutt, Police Training Officer; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Hillman Mitchell, Emergency Management Coordinator; Nick Olivas, Fire Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director; Carol Lumb, Senior Planner; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Lisa Verner, Project Manager; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Presentation of official "Honorary Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Officer" proclamation to Jaimie Kurfman. David Haynes, Police Chief, introduced Jaimie Kurfman and his family. Chief Haynes explained that Jaimie is the recipient of an honorary national D.A.R.E. Officer proclamation on behalf of D.A.R.E. America and the City of Tukwila. Mr. Kurfman was presented with a plaque, official D.A.R.E. officer jacket and the D.A.R.E. Lion. Officer Rutt thanked the Council for the opportunity to present the honorary D.A.R.E. award to Jaimie Kurfman and his family. The Council congratulated Mr. Kurfman and his family and thanked him for his continued support of the D.A.R.E. program. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. PUBLIC HEARING a. An ordinance levying the general taxes for the City of Tukwila in King County for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2010, on all property, both real and personal, which is subject to taxation for the purpose of paying sufficient revenue to carry on the services of several departments of the City for the ensuing year, as required by law, and repealing Ordinance No. 2262. 7:11 p.m. Council President Hernandez opened the Public Hearing. Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, explained that after the passage of Ordinance No. 2262, new information was received from the King County Assessor's Office that significantly increased the value of new construction for levy calculation purposes for 2010. The new levy rate of $2.67 would be an increase Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes December 14, 2009 Page 2 of 4 of $0.29676 or 12.5 from the 2009 levy rate. For an average home of $250,000 in value, the City portion of property taxes would be $667.50, an increase of $74.19 over 2009. There were no public comments. 7:14 p.m. Council President Hernandez closed the Public Hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance levying the general taxes for the City of Tukwila in King County for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2010, on all property, both real and personal, which is subject to taxation for the purpose of paying sufficient revenue to carry on the services of several departments of the City for the ensuing year, as required by law, and repealing Ordinance No. 2262. Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, indicated the City was notified on December 4, 2009, that the value of new construction to be included in our levy calculation for 2010 recently increased by approximately $317 million dollars. This increase allows the City to increase the 2010 levy rate; however, Ordinance No. 2262 must be repealed and a new ordinance adopted before December 15, 2009. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. b. An ordinance annexing approximately 259 acres of real property known as the Tukwila South Project property. Lisa Verner, Project Manager, indicated the Tukwila South Project includes annexing 259 acres into the City from King County. A public hearing was held June 8 and June 15, 2009, and Ordinance No. 2241 was adopted. The King County Boundary Review Board approved the annexation on November 20, 2009. Ms. Verner explained the ordinance is the final step for the Tukwila South Project property annexation. Ms. Verner explained she has received notification that Fire District No. 24 intends to file an appeal with the Boundary Review Board. The basis for the appeal is that they would like to utilize the reserve funds for two fire hydrants and installation along Orillia Road. Upon completion of the annexation, the City is entitled to part of the reserve funds. Once the City has been notified of the appeal, staff will work with King County Fire District 24 to resolve the issues. Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney, explained that if King County Fire District 24 files an appeal, it would only impact the ordinance's effective date of December 31, 2009. The adoption of the ordinance allows the City to continue with the final step in the Tukwila South Project annexation. Councilmember Robertson requested a project update relating to the accounting protocols, grant funding for the Southcenter Parkway project, and the property revaluation. Ms. Verner indicated the City has hired the accounting firm of Benson McLaughlin, P.S. to complete the accounting protocols. She also explained the City has had the grant funding for the Southcenter Parkway project for several years. The goal is to have the project start in May, 2010. Ms. Verner also explained the property revaluation would not take place until after the annexation is complete. Councilmember Robertson expressed concern about the property's revaluation and stated it is very important that staff ensure that revaluation is completed within the first year to ensure the City receives the appropriate property value. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes December 14, 2009 Page 3 of 4 c. A resolution supporting the Tukwila School District's capital levy for instructional technology and school improvements. Councilmember Griffin indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee December 14, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The resolution expresses the Council's support of the Tukwila School District technology bond levy to be presented to the voters on the February 9, 2010 ballot. Ethelda Burke, Tukwila School District Superintendent, thanked the Council and the City for support of the school district levy. John Weedston, 18524 132 Place SE, Renton, indicated the Tukwila School District Levy is for the students. He explained the technology levy will enable the District to modernize existing school facilities by acquiring and installing instructional technology equipment, infrastructure, and systems to improve student learning and make health, safety and energy efficient improvements. Funds will support professional development to train teachers to use technology to engage students and, in turn, provide students with tools they need to successfully compete in a challenging world and job market Council President Hernandez asked for public comments. There were no public comments. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. d. A resolution expressing appreciation to Pam Linder for her years of service as a Councilmember. Mayor Haggerton read a resolution thanking Pamela Linder for her 14 years of service as a City of Tukwila Councilmember. The Council and the audience thanked Ms. Linder for her service. Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, presented Councilmember Linder with a gift on behalf of the employees and the citizens of Tukwila. Councilmember Linder thanked the citizens for their support for the past 14 years. Ms. Linder explained when she was campaigning for the seat on the Council she stated she did not have government experience. However, her message to the voters was "citizens first." That was her goal, and she made tough decisions based on the effect the decision would have on the citizens. She is happy to leave the City in the hands of a Council that is willing to make hard decisions. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. REPORTS The Council dispensed with reports. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes December 14, 2009 ADJOURNMENT 7:42 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED TO CONVENE A SPECIAL MEETING. Joafi Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk Page 4 of 4