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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-22 Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 22, 1997 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OFFICIALS CITIZEN'S COMMENTS SPECIAL PRESENTATION Introduction of police canine unit PUBLIC HEARING (Continued from 9/2/97) Petition to vacate a portion of 55th Avenue South Public comments: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES None. 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; ALLAN EKBERG, STEVE MULLET, PAM CARTER, PAM LINDER. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; BOB NOE, City Attorney; RON WALDNER, Police Chief; RODNEY SMITH, Police Officer; DON WILLIAMS, Parks and Recreation Director; ROSS EARNST, Public Works Director; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance Director. Police Chief Ron Waldner introduced the new Police Department canine "Sabre" with Officer /handler Rodney Smith. Smith explained Sabre is a German Shepherd and has been in training for nine weeks in Huntsville, Alabama. Sabre has received two national certifications: one through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association where he was certified to find cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine; the other through the North American Police Work Dog Association where he was certified in tracking; evidence, article and building searches; control routes; and aggression. Smith said Sabre is a good dog, he's already credited with three apprehensions; however, it will take a couple of months before he's performing at full potential. Council President Haggerton reconvened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Councilmember Duffie excused himself from the meeting due to a conflict of interest in that he lives near the street to be vacated. Public Works Director Ross Earnst briefed the Council that notices had been mailed to the owners of the property on 140th 55th and to other adjoining property owners. Additionally, bright colored signs were posted on the street right -of -way to be vacated to ensure appropriate advertisement. Wayne Werle, 13921 56th Avenue South, used a flip -chart to demonstrate the exact location of the proposed street vacation. He said there are six Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 2 Public comments (Cont'd) property owners adjoining the vacation; five signed the petition in hopes that the Council will grant their request. Council discussion Mike Sedenkowski, 14106 55th Avenue South, requested clarification as to why the City wanted to vacate this particular piece of property. City Administrator McFarland responded that this piece of land is currently a street right -of -way owned by the City. The citizens requested the City vacate or relinquish ownership of the property to those who have property abutting it. The City has no plans to develop a street nor a trail through the property. The City would have access for public infrastructure such as sewer, water or electrical lines only. McFarland said if the property owners fenced their property, there would be no public access through the property. Tony Aragon, 14204 55th Avenue South, prefers the City continue ownership of the property because of safety factors -it breaks the flow of traffic for the kids who are at play in the area. He says it's also a wilderness for wildlife. Jerry Lessor, 13911 56th Avenue South, commented he would like the abutting property owners to fence the area. Council President closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m. Councilmember Hernandez requested the original petition and minutes of previous testimony be provided to Council for reference prior to making a decision. Hernandez also asked that the petitioners and parties who spoke be depicted on the map by name and property address to aid in the decision making process. City Administrator McFarland said all items requested would be placed in Councilmembers agenda packets for the October 6, 1997 Regular Council Meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the petition to vacate a portion of 55th Avenue South from South 139th Street to South 140th Street to the October 6, 1997 Regular Council for further consideration. 7:54 p.m. Councilmember Duffie returned to Council meeting. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 3 SPECIAL ISSUES Employee use of community center services Councilmember Ekberg explained that this issue was discussed at the March 11, 1997 Community and Parks Committee. The Committee recognizes that employees use of the equipment at the Community Center is a valuable part of the City's health program -the fewer injuries; the less sick days; and the more efficiently the City runs. If employees use the center to improve their health, that also saves the City money. However, the $500 donation may not be enough if current use continues to increase. Other Councilmembers commented that the City needs to substantiate the need for employees' use to citizens who are low income and have a hard time affording to pay the fees. Councilmembers discussed if the Wellness Committee should earmark money for maintenance and replacement of equipment; and should employees be charged the same fee as senior citizens, which is a discounted fee. Comments were made that Resolution #1054 authorizes the mayor to set reasonable fees, but the Council has never set a policy for employee use on which the Mayor could base those particular fees. Councilmember Duffie asked for clarification of the Wellness Program. City Administrator McFarland explained that some time ago the City decided it would self- insure its medical plan. In doing so, the City saved a considerable amount of money. It also places some responsibility on each employee to carefully manage their own medical needs. Money is placed in the plan against an individual account for each employee, and at the end of the year if there's a positive balance, some of that money goes back to the employee in terms of an incentive; some goes back into the City's coffers to help fund additional aspects of the medical plan; some goes into general savings; and some is directed toward a wellness program. The wellness program is designed to increase the awareness and physical fitness of City employees, which should lower medical costs, resulting in lower medical costs and medical premiums. To help manage this plan, the City established a committee of representatives from all departments of the City. They all work together to determine what sort of offerings should be made to increase the awareness of wellness activities by employees to introduce them to better eating habits, exercise techniques, etc. that will lead to healthier life styles. The City has funded the activities of the wellness program through the savings of the medical plan. The Committee meets monthly to discuss ways to improve the medical plan to drive down costs to increase the health and fitness of the City's employees. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 4 Employee use of community center services (Copt' d) It was the consensus of the Council to forward this issue to the Wellness Committee for input on how to pay for employee use of community center services. An ordinance amending To benefit those present, Council President Haggerton read the ordinance tow truck services by title only. Public comments: City Administrator McFarland explained that several months ago the Finance and Safety Committee discussed options for towing services for police impounds. Since then, staff has done additional research with other cities, and is recommending the adoption of a sole provider contract. He said the Court, at tow hearings, has continued to burden the City with payment of fees for citizens, while acknowledging that the City has committed no wrong in ordering impounds. McFarland said a number of issues that have created enough pressure and concern by the Administration to look at alternative ways to stabilize fees for towing. Additionally, the City would like to meet the concerns of quality service, stability in price predictability, while at the same time ensure that tow companies can compete fairly. Police Chief Waldner commented that the City currently experiences in excess of 1800 tows a year, of which 75 -80% are initiated by the Police Department. He said tows are solicited from a rotation list representing virtually all companies in the area. Companies charge their published rates which commonly result in a bill exceeding $100.00 per tow and any number of adverse and costly relationships with citizens. Waldner said several cities in the region have adopted a sole vendor policy by a competitive bidding process resulting in significant savings to the taxpayer. Phyllis Dickey, Dick's Towing, 14515 5th Place South, encouraged the Council to reconsider going to a bidding process. The State Patrol decided a number of years ago that the rate -cap method is a much more equitable way to go. The State Patrol allows for a rate increase every two years to equal the cost of living. King County also follows the same rate as the State Patrol. Dickey said Bellevue had tried the bidding process; however, they discovered they were not receiving the quality of service they were looking for. They have now resumed the rate -cap process. When a rate cap is in place and there are multiple tow companies used on a rotation basis, the establishment has the service of many more tow trucks available to use than under a bid process where there's just one company to provide unlimited service. She said ultimately she believes the City would not like the bid process because the aid that police officers would need to clear the streets in a timely manner would not be available. Dickey explained that Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 5 An ordinance amending tow truck services (Cont'd) Recess 9:15 9:20 A resolution establishing lodging tax adv. cmte. all of her company's tow trucks are not used all the times because different class trucks are used for different types of towing jobs, i.e.: Class A Tow trucks are used to tow cars and up to 3/4 ton vehicles. Class B Tow trucks are used to tow 1 ton vehicles. Class C Tow trucks are used to tow semi vehicles. Mark Storer, Airport Towing, 4617 South 166th Street, complained he didn't receive notification of tonight's meeting; therefore, he was not prepared to defend his position on the issue. He appealed to the Council to refer the issue back to a committee so that tow companies can have an opportunity to present their point of view. Councilmembers all agreed that this issue has gone on far too long and that a workable solution should be made as soon as possible; one that will be beneficial to the whole City. It was the consensus of the Council to send this issue back to the Finance and Safety Committee for further consideration. The Council agreed that the meeting should be advertised so that tow truck companies and citizens could have an opportunity to participate in the discussion. The Council said they would like to have a process in place by the first of the year (1998). Council President Haggerton called the meeting back to order at 9:20 p.m. To benefit those present, Council President Haggerton read the resolution by title only. Mayor Rants commented regarding the recently authorized ability of cities to levy a tax on the hotel /motel lodging activities of up to one percent. Because of the potential of this tax to assist the City in meeting its goals and objectives, Rants said he was introducing a draft resolution to set up an advisory committee as a first step in the requirements to levy such a tax. The resolution calls for a review of the membership on an annual basis. He submitted the following names of individuals for consideration as the initial appointees to the Tukwila Lodging Tax Advisory Committee: •Elected Official of the City •Representatives of businesses required to collect the tax •Persons involved in activities authorized to be funded To be determined Dave Costain, Embassy Suites David Wilder, Doubletree Suites Kirsti Weaver, Southwest Chamber of Commerce Bill Hayes, Museum of Flight Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 6 A resolution estab. lodging tax adv. cmte. (Copt' d) REPORTS Mayor Council In response to Councilmembers questions, Doerschel stated he had checked with the state and found the Committee must consist of at least five members. The Council made minor amendments to the draft resolution, including increasing the membership from five to seven members. Mayor Rants will give consideration to the two additional appointees with one possibly coming from the Highway 99 Action Committee. The Council agreed that the Council President will serve as the elected official of the City. The committee's first order of business will be to decide on the levied amount of the tax and to discuss the uses of this tax by the City. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the draft resolution with amendments to tonight's Special Meeting for approval. Mayor Rants reported he met with a committee on economic development September 19th. Haggerton and Mullet along with other staff members were also present. The meeting resulted in members agreeing that economic development and housing need to be addressed simultaneously. Rants attended Suburban Cities on September 17th where they passed their budget and addressed municipal and district courts issues as they relate to regional governance and finance. Councilmember Duffie reported he recently attended a political organization meeting where former Governor Mike Lowery was the guest speaker. The meeting addressed means of soliciting support for unions. Councilmember Hernandez attended Suburban Cities on September 17th; she attended Human Services Roundtable on September 18th and brought back handouts for informational purposes. Hernandez said she has worked on this committee for many years and is ready to relinquish her commitment. She asked Councilmembers to give some thought to a possible replacement. The Roundtable meets Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Council President Haggerton reported he attended the ACC meeting on September 17th where they passed out information on an upcoming Thursday, September 25th, town meeting to be held at the Highline High School cafetorium, hosted by the Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) and the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs (RCAA). Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 22, 1997 Page 7 Reports (Copt' d) Staff City Attorney MISCELLANEOUS ADJOURNMENT 10:30 P.M. Councilmember Carter attended the South King County Area Transportation Board (SKCATBd) last week. Councilmember Linder attended the Duwamish Improvement Club meeting September 18th. She said the Club is in a transitional state currently. The Club needs new direction if it going to survive. City Administrator McFarland announced a public meeting is scheduled for October 8th, 7:00 p.m. at the Aerospace Mechanic's District Lodge, Hall "C," sponsored by the City of Seattle, to discuss the potential annexation area (PAA). Tukwila and King County will be participating. Attorney Noe announced the City's preliminary injunction hearing on adult entertainment will be held September 26th. Councilmember Ekberg announced he will be out of town the week of October 6th and will not be in attendance at the October 6th Council meeting. MOVED BY HAGGERTON, SECONDED BY CARTER, TO ADJOURN TO THE SPECIAL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Celia Square, D Council President ty City Clerk