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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-10 Committee of the Whole MinutesMarch 10, 1997 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Council President Jim Haggerton called the Committee of The Whole meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers ROLL CALL JOAN HERNANDEZ; JIM HAGGERTON, Council President; ALLAN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET; PAM CARTER. Councilmembers absent It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Councilmembers Joe Duffie and Pam Linder. OFFICIALS JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; BOB NOE, City Attorney; JACK PACE, DCD Senior Planner; DON WILLIAMS, Parks Recreation Director. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Bob Barakus, Chairman, Pond Corporation Board, 17821 N.E. Update on Tukwila Pond 34th Street, Redmond, WA., briefed the Council that the Board has Park. been aggressive and diligent the past two years in soliciting funding, actively working on park project cleanups and promoting the development of the park. He said the SEPA review and approvals hopefully will be completed the first of April. Construction permits will be obtained with construction to begin, hopefully, in May 1997. Barakus said while many of the major property holders of the central business district have expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the park, they have not stepped up to the plate in cash contributions. Mr. Segale has stepped forward to do the construction on the park and he believes that everyone will be proud of the completed work. Barakus Thanked the Council for all that they've done in support of this project. He also announced that the Second Annual Earth Day cleanup will be held on April 12. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Lanny Vickers, 12227 45th Avenue South, commented that Mrs. Sweeney had asked that he convey her gratitude to the Mayor and Council for the timely manner the guardrail was constructed on 43rd near the Community Center. R. Dodge Gross, 14250 59th Avenue South, commented on behalf of his Ad Hoc Committee of Concerned Citizens who really love the new community center. He said the committee's vision is that Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 2 Citizen's Comments (Cont' d) South Central students be allowed to use the center without a charge or fee; and that the center remain open for as many hours as possible, especially on weekends to include late evenings on Saturdays and Sundays. Mr. Gross then distributed a letter addressed to the Mayor and Councilmembers outlining in detail the vision of the Ad Hoc Committee of Concerned Citizens. Mayor Rants responded that he was pleased Mr. Gross came out to share his committee's concerns and ideas with the Council. He said this issue will be addressed in hopes of finding out if the Community Center is accomplishing the City's and the community's needs. He suggested that the Council look at possibly having an open house or a public meeting to get input from the citizens. It was the consensus of the Council to forward this issue to the March 25 Community Affairs Parks Committee meeting for further discussion. Dorothy Assink (San Juan Apts.), 15232 62nd Avenue South, inquired as to when the City is going to do something about the hill -slide that occurred behind the San Juan Apartments approximately one year ago. City Administrator McFarland responded that this slide resulted from the prior storm. The appropriate final paperwork has been submitted to FEMA (the grant lending agency) for the prior and most recent storm damages. The City is now waiting for approval. McFarland said he figures the grant monies will come around April when weather conditions will be just right for construction. Council President Haggerton commented that as a result of the last Council Retreat, and because the Council desires citizens' input on whatever issue concerns them, it was decided that Agenda Item Comment Sheets will be available at each Committee of The Whole meeting for those wishing to comment on items that are on the agenda. Citizens should submit their comments to City Hall for Councilmembers' consideration. The Council would then have a week to review and be ready to address the issue at a Regular Meeting. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 3 SPECIAL ISSUES Request for Proposals for Non Represented Employee Salary Study Viki Witschger, Administrative Services Director, explained that the resolution the Council adopted several years ago provides a salary study will be done for the non represented employees on an "every three years" basis. She has drafted a new request for proposal because the non represented study done last year did not prove to be satisfactory. This new RFP has tried to capture some of the Council, administration and staff concerns raised over the past years. Councilmember Hernandez commented that this issue had been discussed at the Finance Safety Committee, and their main objective is to establish a type of reward system that is based on longevity and merit, then forward to full council for review. A very lengthy discussion ensued, with Councilmembers agreeing that an effort should be made to include comparisons with the private sector market, as well as the public sector. Witschger said it was her understanding after the Finance Safety Committee meeting that the Council did not wish to go in that direction. That is why she removed the private sector portion from the study. However, her aim is to follow the direction of the Council. She cautioned the Council that while some of the positions such at administrative clerks, secretaries and mechanics might not be so difficult to compare to the private sector; it would become more difficult as you get into other positions such as the police chief or fire chief, etc. She said she doesn't know how a consultant would address it, but that she would make every effort to pursue the Council's concerns. She also reminded the Council that the private sector is more reluctant in providing information on wages because there are no mandates stating that they have to. The Council made several amendments to the proposal and agreed that the private sector comparisons should be added. Councilmember Mullet commented that the benefit of a really good study will help the Council to keep the City's costs within reason, while at the same time reward the employees for the work that they do. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 4 Request for Proposals for non represented employees (Cont' d) An ordinance amending the Sign Code change of copy An ordinance regulating hotels /motels Public comments It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with advertising the Request for Proposals for Non Represented Employee Salary Study, as amended. Councilmember Ekberg explained that the ordinance amending the Sign Code by removing the change of copy provision had been reviewed and discussed at length by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. He said this was an opportunity to close the loophole relating to the refacing of nonconforming signs. The effect of these proposed revisions would be to require that signs altered through repainting or re- facing would have to be brought into compliance with all code requirements. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the ordinance amending the sign code by removing the change of copy provision to the next Regular Council for approval. Councilmember Ekberg explained that the ordinance relating to the licensing of hotel and motel businesses and managers had been reviewed and discussed by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. He said the ordinance sets regulations for hotel and motel managers to be licensed, and establishes provisions for license revocation. City Administrator McFarland commented that this ordinance is another tool for partnership between the City and the business community. The City wants hotel and motel owners to be responsible to provide the best environment for their patrons and neighbors. In return, the City pledges to use our resources to help them create this environment and to be good neighbors. He said since the adoption of these regulations will represent a new way of doing business, he strongly urges the Council to seek input from the business community. A brief discussion ensued, with Councilmembers reviewing ways to apply the new regulations. Councilmember Hernandez suggested that another terminology other than "transient" be used to convey temporary stay of occupants. Keith Buck, Manager, Double Tree Hotel, 205 Strander Blvd., commented that transient is not a bad word, it is the word they use for their corporate mix their transient business is their corporate mix. He said they do have standard operating procedures on proper identification, proper form of payment, how they ward Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 5 An ord. regulating hotels /motels (Cont' d) Public comments off solicitation, and training of their front desk clerks. These are just a few of the issues addressed in their standard operating procedures. He said he would provide information and/or assist the Council in any way possible in drafting the City's guidelines in this area. City Attorney Bob Noe commented that police statistics indicate that many motel establishments in the City of Tukwila generate a significantly greater volume of incident calls than do other businesses. He said since the record justifies this; the city can justify making the distinction in the ordinance. Councilmember Hernandez suggested that this issue move forward to the Finance Safety Committee since it has already been discussed in the Community Affairs Parks Committee. The differentiation between hotels and motels should be the focus of the discussion. She requested that statistics supporting the claim that motels have a significantly greater volume of incident calls be provided to the Council for discussion at the committee meeting. City Administrator McFarland said he will provide statistics based on one year's scrutiny. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the ordinance relating to the licensing of hotel and motel businesses to a future Finance Safety Committee meeting for further review and discussion. Dwight McLean, 13015 38th Avenue South, representing Econolodge, commented that he was offended by comments that motels are more likely to generate a greater volume of incident calls than other businesses. He also feels that Econolodge is being singled out. He said he believes that motel owners should operate their business in a responsible manner and he supports the Council for working toward that end. However, the motel industry is a service industry and has the same goals and objectives as other service oriented businesses. They should not have to comply to more stringent regulations simply because of their definition. REPORTS Mayor Rants reported on the Water Shed Forum. He said Surface Water Management by King County is going to be encouraging a Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 6 Reports (Copt' d) bond issue. Surface water management will be handled within each jurisdiction. Tukwila has its on surface water program. To date we have not receive any notification as to what King County is going to do with its surface water management fees or the river fund. He informed the Council that this issue should be addressed through the Regional Governance and Finance Committee. Councilmember Hernandez reported she attended the Equity and Diversity Commission meeting on Thursday, March 6. She said the Emergency Feeding Program gave a presentation and announced that they were trying to find a distribution location in Tukwila. Hernandez said the next meeting will be held at the Community Center and requested approval from the Council to provide refreshments. It was the consensus of the Council that a portion of the budgeted $500 be used to provide refreshments at the next Equity Diversity Commission meeting. Hernandez reported she had also attended the Interurban Pump Station Dedication of New Public Artwork, presented by the King County Public Arts Program. Among some of the art expressions were: "Water Carry" by Claudia Fitch. A story about the site. In the story are carefully chosen symbols about water and its significance in Native American Mythology, the role of the Duwamish River in shaping Tukwila's history, and the pump station's function in purifying water. "Northwind Fishing Weir Legend" by Susan Point, features work by four artists sited along the Green River Trail, which re -tell the Northwind Fishing Weir legend, a Native American re- generation myth. She said the King County and Tukwila Arts Commissions were well represented there. Councilmember Carter reported that she had attended a Refugee Agency meeting, called by Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Coordinator, on Thursday, March 6. McFarland and Boykan worked together in inviting seven agencies to come together to address the welfare of refugees in the City of Tukwila. However, only one agency responded. McFarland says a letter is being Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes March 10, 1997 Page 7 Reports (font' d) ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION- 9:15 P.M. drafted from the Mayor's office to Refugee Agencies expressing concern over the lack of coordination and communication with the City, and the issues that we feel are most troubling with respect to the re- settlement of refugees. Councilmember Linder also attended the meeting. McFarland announced the dissolution of the Board of Adjustment. He said consideration is being given to possibly utilizing the services of a hearing officer to assume the duties of the BOA. Mayor Rants announced that Brian Shelton has been appointed to the position of City Engineer. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY MULLET, TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AFTER A BRIEF RECESS, TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL ISSUE FOR 30 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO 10:45 P.M. ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Hag_s�. Council President Celia Square, Deputy City Clerk