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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesApril 14, 1997 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Councilmember absent OFFICIALS Amend Agenda SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Showalter's six graders performance Recess 7:25 -7:30 Library Advisory Bd. update TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Jim Haggerton called the Committee of The Whole meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. JOE DUFFIE; JOAN HERNANDEZ; JIM HAGGERTON, Council President; STEVE MULLET; PAM CARTER; PAM LINDER. It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Councilmember Allan Ekberg. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; BOB NOE, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; JACK PACE, Senior Planner; MICHAEL JENKINS, Assistant Planner; EVELYN BOYKAN, Human Services Coordinator. It was the consensus of the Council to amend the agenda to add a presentation by Showalter's sixth grade students. Mr. Barry Turnbull, Showalter Middle School teacher, and his sixth grade reading class presented a play titled, "Robin Hood Maid Marian." The students did an excellent job and were received well by Council and others present. The Play was directed by Sarajane Rants. Councilmember Carter announced that Mr. Turnbull will be honored along with all retiring Southcentral School District staff members at an "appreciation night" affair on Tuesday, June 7, 1997 at Foster High School. All are invited to attend. Council President Haggerton called the meeting back to order at 7:30 p.m. David Kistler, Library Board Chair, presented the 1996 Annual Report on the status of library services being provided to the residents of Tukwila by the King County Library System. In keeping with the Library Advisory Board's responsibility, the annual report presented basic facts and figures regarding Foster's and Tukwila's use, community outreach efforts and accomplishments. He said the opening of the new Foster Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 2 Library Adv. Bd. update (Cont' d) Welfare Reform update CITIZEN'S COMMENTS SPECIAL ISSUES Position reclassifications Library was one of the highlights of the year. A continued Library Advisory Board's goal is to improve and increase its communication with the public, including the City Council. As part of this communication process, the Library Advisory Board always welcomes specific suggestions or ideas for the Library Board to investigate or pursue. Nancy Smith, King County Library Systems, inquired if the City was interested in receiving a more detailed report on how revenue is funneled back to City in direct dollars through the library; and also how the other area libraries are used by residents. The Council acknowledged that the information would be useful. Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Coordinator, presented an update on the changes that have taken place regarding welfare reform on the federal level, changes that have already occurred on the state level, and speculation regarding what may take place at the end of this current legislative session. She encouraged the Council to review the information in the agenda packet, which also included demographic information on poverty in Tukwila, and the number of residents on public assistance. Sharon Tomiko Santos, 9806 61st Avenue South, introduced herself as a candidate for King Council, Position #5, which includes a significant portion of Tukwila. She said her campaign will focus on improving the health of the people of this region as well as focusing on the issues raised by Tukwila City Council about where King County can work in continued partnership with the community. Councilmember Linder stated that this issue had been discussed at the April 7, 1997 Finance and Safety Committee. After reviewing the information presented, the F &S Committee recommended that consideration be given to the request. City Administrator McFarland explained that the Planning Manager position is currently classified as Senior Planner and represented by the Teamsters. DCD Director Steve Lancaster requested a review of the position in order to establish a clearer management relationship within his department. Analysis demonstrated that the functions of the position have grown to exceed the earlier classification, in addition to the intentions of the Director to expand the scope of duties as well as including the responsibilities of Acting Director. He said fiscal impact will be absorbed within the existing departmental budget at a cost of approximately $5400. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 3 Position reclassifications (Cont' d) An ord. amending Chap. 9.28 allowing comm. vehicles to park in res. neighborhoods Recess 8:50 9:00 p.m. Effective date, retroactive to January 1, 1997. The duties and responsibilities of the Records Management Technician position have expanded to include internet management and home page development and maintenance. Additionally, there has been an expansion of the responsibilities associated with policy development and administration of our archival program. Fiscal impact will be absorbed with the Administrative Services Department budget at a cost of approximately $1500. Effective date, May 1, 1997. The Proiect Manager position was constituted as a contract employee position in 1994. Prior to that time, the City handled the requirements of technical project management through a combination of in -house oversight and consultant services. The requirements for project management and the obvious benefits of the position have resulted in a recommendation that the position be formally constituted within the Administration. Fiscal impact will be absorbed with the Public Works Department budget at a cost of approximately $3000. Effective date, May 1, 1997. Councilmember Mullet expressed concern about hiring another person in the Public Works Department. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to forward the position reclassifications to the next Regular Meeting for further consideration. Council Analyst Lucy Lauterbach explained that the draft ordinance is the result of a citizen who approached the Council to protest a ticket her husband received for parking a tractor trailer rig on their residential street. The Community Affairs and Parks Committee reviewed the ordinance and discussed ways the draft ordinance would allow some commercial vehicles to park in residential neighborhoods, but would not set limits on the sizes of vehicles allowed there. The current ordinance regulates trucks over 8,000 gross vehicle weight. Many pick -up trucks and vans currently fall in that category. A discussion ensued with Councilmembers agreeing that citizens should have the opportunity to voice their input on this issue. It was the consensus of the Council to schedule a public hearing at a future Regular Meeting to allow citizens' input on the ordinance amending Chapter 9.28 of the TMC, allowing commercial vehicles of a certain size to park in residential neighborhoods. Council President Haggerton called the meeting back to order at 9:00 p.m. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 4 An ordinance amending portions of TMC Chap. 18.56 Off Street Pkng and Loading requirements REPORTS Michael Jenkins, Assistant Planner, DCD, explained that staff had presented a draft ordinance regarding revisions to off street parking requirements to the Community Affairs and Parks (CAP) Committee on March 24, 1997. The draft ordinance was developed from a six month process involving the Planning Commission, staff and members of the business community. Jenkins said the revisions to TMC 18.56, proposed by CAP, generally maintain the same minimum parking requirements. In a few cases, such as senior citizen housing and multi- tenant office developments, less parking may be the result of adopting these revisions. In some other cases, increased minimum parking requirements may result at single tenant office buildings. The changes to TMC 18.56 generally improve the utility of the code by clarifying and distinguishing between types of uses that were not necessarily representative of current or emerging conditions. The development and implementation of these revisions support Comprehensive Plan implementation strategies concerning transportation, as well as emerging issues in the development of senior citizens housing strategies. A discussion ensued with Councilmembers agreeing that citizens should have the opportunity to voice their input on this issue. It was the consensus of the Council schedule a public hearing at a future Regular Meeting to allow citizens' input on the ordinance amending portions of TMC Chapters 18.06 regarding off street parking and loading requirements. Mayor Rants stated that he had placed a synopsis from the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) in each Councilmember's mail box. The synopsis noted interesting statistics and also explained how the MIC is playing an instrumental role in freight mobility and funding for at -grade crossings. Rants reported that there will be a public auction of surplus equipment from the old Community Center during the first week in June. City staff will get first pick in April. More information is forthcoming on this issue. Rants says the valley cities of Renton /Auburn/Kent/Tukwila have 79 million sq. ft. of wholesale warehouse space. The City of Tukwila has 9.7 million sq. ft. with a current available vacancy rate of 8.2 The report is provided quarterly by Cushman Wakefield. Councilmember Duffie reported that he had attended a soccer tournament this past weekend at Foster Park. He said it was exciting to see so many young people turnout for the game. However, one thing that concerned '7 7 Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 5 Reports (Copt' d) him was that he did not see one police officer patrolling the area for the entire tournament, which lasted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Citizens also expressed concern in this regard. Duffie says he has called this to the attention of Police Chief Ron Waldner. He also reported to the Parks and Recreation Department that people were parking on the grass and some of the young people were riding the trees as though the trees were ponies. Duffie says he suggested to a Parks and Recreation staff person that perhaps the rental agreement should include a clause clarifying parking areas and the penalties for property damage. Councilmember Hernandez reported that she had attended the Hwy. 99 Action Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 8th where special awards were presented to those who have made a difference in the community. Hernandez informed the Council that True Value Hardware held a fund raiser to raise money for police radios for the Neighborhood Resource Center. A total of $257.00 was raised and donated for this cause. Mike and Donna West of Southtowne Auto Rebuild also made a contribution of $100.00. Hernandez reported she had attended the Chamber luncheon at noon on Friday, April 11th where they gave a brief overview and distributed copies of their 1996 annual report. Hernandez said she participated in the Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 12th by helping with the cleanup at the pond site. She said she also took a four mile walk along the Green River Trail and said compliments are due City staff for the outstanding job they've done in cleaning the trail south of the bridge. Council President Haggerton encouraged everyone to give Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst, their suggestions for agenda items for the Joint School Board/City Council meeting on May 6th at the Community Center. Haggerton expressed concern about an issue discussed recently at ACC and also appeared as an article in a local paper, regarding the extension of Hwy. 509. Haggerton said the Council needs to reach a consensus on the direction they want to take on this issue. He's entertaining the idea of scheduling a speaker from WSDOT to come before the Council in the very near future to present the latest information on Hwy 509. g Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 6 Reports (Cont' d) Haggerton reported that Mr. Michael Hubbard, a citizen who lives in the residential neighborhood near Baker Commodities, wrote a note to Lucy and made a phone call to him regarding the odor coming from Baker Commodities. Mr. Hubbard said the stench was so bad recently that he was forced to bring his kids inside from playing. Dwight Pelz, King County Councilmember, will meet with Mr. Hubbard tomorrow morning at 10:30 to address this issue. TV coverage is being planned for this meeting. With regards to Tukwila, Mr. Hubbard has been informed that the City has contacted and is now working in conjunction with the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority to help resolve this problem. City Administrator McFarland added that the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority has been working with Mr. Hubbard. Also PSAPCA has levied a fine against Baker Commodities and is working with them to assist in resolving the problem. Baker Commodities is now in the process of purchasing $350,000 dollars worth of upgrade in their air filtration equipment. PSAPCA is allowing appropriate time for them to purchase and install the equipment. McFarland said the City is making every effort to eliminate this problem. Baker Commodities has shown a willingness to work with the City and PSAPCA to do the same. Councilmember Carter attended a meeting where Dr. Peter Benson of the Research Institute presented the results of both Bellevue's and Seattle's youth study as it relates to asset building (refer to 4/7/97 Regular Meeting minutes). Carter said she helped set up for the Friends of Foster book sale last Saturday, April 11th. Since the changes are so minimal, Carter asked for Council consensus to forward the Transit Advisory Commission Ordinance (introduced by the Mayor several months ago) directly to a Regular Council meeting rather than going through the normal procedure of a COW first. She said the only changes recommended by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee were that there be two councilmembers on the Commission in addition to the seven members that come from both the residential and business community. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the ordinance establishing a Transit Advisory Commission directly to a Regular Council meeting for approval. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 7 Reports (Copt' d) ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 10:18 P.M. Councilmember Linder reported she had attended the Hwy. 99 Action Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 8th where they discussed the corridor cleanup competition which will begin May 1 and continue through July 1. The Committee is also sponsoring fund raisers to help toward the purchase of police radios for the Neighborhood Resource Center. Linder said in celebration of the one year anniversary of the Citizens' Patrol, she joined them on Wednesday, April 9th and walked for about 1.5 hours. The walk was very uneventful; however, she said those who participated in the patrol said they can see a difference, a real positive change from a year ago. After the walk, Linder said she stayed awhile longer to view the surveillance cameras. From that experience, and witnessing such unfavorable behavior, she says the City still has a long way to go. Mayor Rants granted Council the opportunity to see the three stepping stones, inlaid with salmon artwork, that have been purchased as gifts for Ikawa, Japan -our Sister City. Representatives from Tukwila will travel to Ikawa in May. MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY HAGGERTON, TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION ISSUES. MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO 10:53 P.M. ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Celia Square, )ept City Clerk