The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1997-07-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesMinutes of 7/28/97 Page 1 of 3 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL July 28, 1997, 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Council President Jim Haggerton called the Committee of The Whole Meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Joe Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Jim Haggerton, Council President; Allan Ekberg, Steve Mullet, Pam Carter, Pam Linder. OFFICIALS: John McFarland, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst; Ross Earnst, Public Works Director; Alan Doerschel, Finance Director; Jack Pace, Senior Planner; Ted Freemire, Operations Manager. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Michael Rossotto presented highlights of the Tukwila Community Cares Volunteer Planning Project. He explained that the project is a joint committee made up of members from the City and the school district, as well as interested community members. The committee was formed to look into and follow -up on issues from last summer's community summit, which addressed how to effectively identify volunteers and how to match opportunities to volunteer groups that are currently in existence. Interim Water Groun /Cascade Water Alliance: Operations Manager Ted Freemire introduced Gwen Maxfield, Commissioner of Woodinville Water District and Chair of the Interim Water Group; and Elliott Newman, former Mayor of the City of Mercer Island and the financial consultant of the Interim Water Group. The presentation focused on regional water supply issues. The speakers stated that the Interim Water Group (now the Cascade Water Alliance) was formed by the Water Purveyor of the Seattle Regional Water System and has been meeting for the past two years. This group has been formed to look at the possibility of forming a regional water supply that is not dependent on Seattle and that would allow all members to contribute to the process of operating this business. The Seattle contract expires in 2012. Briefing on proposed formation of Puget Sound County: Laura Anderson explained that Puget Sound County would have a population of over 175,000, with a population density per square mile of over 3200. Essentially, the population of Puget Sound County would make up 10% of King County's population. There are 13% of the King County retail sales within the boarders of Puget Sound County and approximately 10% of the assessed value. The Puget Sound County Steering Committee constitutes a group of citizens from the six areas that comprise the proposed Puget Sound County who are interested in creating a regional level government for the citizens of southwestern King County, a government that will actually care about and respond to and make policy in accordance with the wishes of the people in southwestern King County. Anderson said King County is too large and too diverse to adequately represent all the interests of the people of the region. King County Government needs to be replaced. Council had many questions regarding a transition of this magnitude and requested that Anderson provide them more information as the concept develops. Minutes of 7/28/97 Page 2 of 3 Stephen Lamphear, 12011 18th Avenue SW, Burien, WA., commented that he opposes the formation of a Puget Sound County because he feels there are ulterior motives behind the move. Lamphear said Puget Sound County is really about supporting the Port of Seattle, SeaTac Airport and the expansion of the airport. He says he's not interested in airport expansion because the existing noise problem will be exacerbated. He said the Port of Seattle is one of the major driving economic forces of King County and the local area. He said southwestern King County constituents should come together as a joint political force and use the King County Council representatives to benefit this target group. He encouraged the Council to examine this proposal very carefully. Paul Willoby, 17000 53rd Avenue South, Tukwila, WA., agrees that this proposal warrants much more scrutiny. Kim Fisher, 3157 SW 171st Street, Burien, WA., read the editorial opinion of the Highline Times, dated July 17, 1997, opposing the idea of organizing a Puget Sound County. Fisher also said she concurs with all of Lamphear's remarks. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: none. SPECIAL ISSUES: Revitalization Strategies and Economic Development: Mayor Rants explained that Part III of the preliminary presentations in preparation of the 1998 Budget, is a discussion of the program elements of the neighborhood revitalization program and economic development. In view of the City's revenue challenges, these two programs may help to provide long -term solutions to the City's projected shortfalls. Although there is a strong relationship between both elements and the long range goals of the City, funding any new initiatives will be a challenge with our current fiscal circumstances. The element of long -term strategies will involve determining whether we can afford to be proactive and will these investments now provide benefits in the future. A more detailed discussion of this topic on August 1 lth should lead to direction by the Council as to those economic developments strategies that will be funded and pursued as part of the City's short and long term plan. Bill Arthur, 1800 Andover Park West, Ste. 200, Tukwila, WA. 98138, commented that Tukwila is beginning to look more attractive to new business developments on Highway 99. Since the Council, staff and Administration have recognized that the City of Tukwila is clearly in competition with surrounding jurisdictions for attraction of businesses, efforts to expand the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) to be more active in creating a partnerships with developers may assist in solving the long -term projections for the City's shortfalls. Tukwila Pond Park funding request: Mayor Rants explained that the Pond Park Board's commitment to the City Council from the beginning was that any of the City's seed money that was used for this project would be returned to the City when the project was completed. The amount of that seed money is $34,000. Rants requested that Council consider allowing that money to stay in the fund for the Pond Park to be spent for the development of the park which will be available for use by all the citizens of Tukwila. Minutes of 7/28/97 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Carter commented that she has no problem with supporting the request; however, she felt that background materials should have been included for Council review. Consensus: After a brief discussion, the Council agreed to forward the Tukwila Pond Park funding request of $34,000 for park construction to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. REPORTS Councilmember Hernandez reported she attended the Equity and Diversity Commission planning meeting on July 22nd where plans were discussed for the August 7th retreat. She encouraged Councilmembers to attend. She also attended a REACH meeting. Councilmember Haggerton reported he plans to attend the ACC meeting July 30th; and the Economic Development Advisory Board meeting on July 31st. Councilmember Carter reported she attended the Tukwila Community Cares meeting last week and heard Michael Rossotto's first presentation, and she attended last week's school board meeting where the school district name change petition was addressed. Councilmember Duffie was also in attendance and he and Carter supported the petition to change the school district name from South Central School District to Tukwila School District. Additionally, Carter briefed the Council on issues discussed at the July 22nd Transportation Committee meeting. Councilmember Linder reported that Councilmember Carter has volunteered to serve on the King County Human Services Round Table Committee. Mike Reece of the Magnolia Group and Linder will brainstorm with Carter to bring her current on the latest issues. City Administrator McFarland reported that the Creek Restoration at the 51st Street bridge is almost completed. He said a pre- construction meeting was held last week on trail #4 where he learned that construction is scheduled to begin next week and should be completed within two weeks. McFarland informed the Council that the City Attorney is preparing a memorandum to update the Council on several issues including the status of Deja Vu. Councilmember Mullet announced that he will not be in attendance at the August 4th Regular Council meeting. (10:49 n.m..) ADJOURNMENT Moved by Duffie, seconded by Hernandez, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Hagge ouncil President )74 /7 L. Celia Square, D4uty City Clerk