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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-06 Regular MinutesOctober 6, 1997 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Councilmember absent OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATION Introduction of new employees CITIZEN'S COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL *REVISED 11/12/97 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES None. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Mayor Rants called the Regular 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. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HAGGERTON, TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER EKBERG. MOTION CARRIED. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; BOB NOE, City Attorney; DON WILLIAMS, Parks and Recreation Director; VIKI WITSCHGER, Administrative Services Director; KATHY ROHLENA, Personnel Analyst; RON WALDNER, Police Chief; KEITH HAINES, Assistant Chief; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; JANE CANTU, City Clerk. Administrative Services Director Viki Witschger introduced new employees Debra Miscoe, Municipal Court Clerk I; and Mary Grebelnik, Municipal Court Clerk II, who will be working in the Tukwila Municipal Court. PROCLAMATION OF THE Mayor Rants read a proclamation proclaiming October 19 -25, 1997, as MAYOR YWCA Week Without Violence in honor of the continuing efforts and commitments of all those who are working to end violence in Tukwila and beyond. a. Approval of Minutes of 8/18/97, 9/2/97 9/15/97 b. Approval of Vouchers: Nos. 200682 through 201205 in the amount of $606,946.43. c. Authorize Mayor to sign a contract with H.W. Lochner,Inc., in the amount of $45,376 for the West Valley Hwy. /Strander Blvd. Intersection Improvements Final PS &E. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.* Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 1997 Page 2 Consent Agenda (Cont'd) **11/3/97 amendment to curfew ordinance OLD BUSINESS Petition to vacate a portion of 55th Ave. So. Public inquiry Councilmember Carter requested the minutes of 9/15/97 be amended as follows: Page 4, 8th paragraph, add the following sentence "She also requested comparable crime statistics for both iuvenile and overall crime when the Council reviews the curfew ordinance in two years." On November 3, 1997 at the Regular Council meeting, Council President Haggerton requested clarification of the above statement to reflect Councilmember Carter's intent with regards to Council timeline in reviewing the curfew ordinance as follows: Councilmember Carter requested comparable crime statistics for both juvenile and overall crime when the Council reviews the curfew ordinance in one year. *MOTION CARRIED AS AMENDED (6 -0). Mayor Rants explained that the petition to vacate a portion of 55th Avenue South from South 139th Street to South 140th Street is being continued from September 22, 1997. Councilmember Duffle asked to be excused due to a conflict of interest in that he lives near the street to be vacated. MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY LINDER, TO VACATE A PORTION OF 55TH AVENUE SOUTH FROM SOUTH 139TH STREET TO SOUTH 140TH STREET.* In response to Councilmember Hernandez's question for an administrative recommendation, Mayor Rants said he would approve the street vacation with conditions, i.e. the City would need an easement for utilities and would recommend that the property be fenced to avoid traffic problems. Councilmembers reviewed updated information that had been submitted. They requested clarification of City use with regards to an easement for utilities; the compensation based on the property value; and the need to address the issue of one property owner that did not sign the petition. Ronald Beuller, 5336 South 140th, asked to present documentation of the petitioners who were against the street vacation. Council informed him that public comments were no longer being accepted. City Attorney Bob Noe explained the public hearing procedure to Mr. Beuller and informed him that the City can only proceed according to the procedures set forth by the City's ordinance and state statues. Once the public hearing has been held and closed, additional testimony can not be accepted. Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 1997 Page 3 55th Ave. South street vacation (Cont'd) Non represented employees compensation study Mr. Beuller cautioned the Council of a possible lawsuit against the City stating he has a petition of 25 signatures against vacating this particular piece of property and feels the City should acknowledge that. Council President Haggerton clarified for Mr. Beuller that in cases where a prospective participant is going to be out of town or has other commitments, the Council will accept written testimony in advance. *MOTION CARRIED WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: THE CITY OF TUKWILA RESERVE UTILITIES RIGHTS VIA EASEMENT; AND THAT THE PROPERTY BE FENCED TO AVOID TRAFFIC PROBLEMS (7 -0). Councilmember Carter stated for the record that in order to comply with the City's Comprehensive Plan mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act, this street vacation is not a part of an open space or future trails area. Mayor Rants explained that the classification and compensation study was completed to comply with Resolution #1241 where it states the Council would review the non represented employees salaries every three years. The Council selected a consultant to perform the study and approved a committee to review input and data. Administrative Services Director Viki Witschger introduced Bruce Lawson of Fox Lawson Associates, who conducted the market compensation study and developed a model compensation structure consistent with the City's philosophy and strategies established at the beginning of the project. Mr. Lawson used slides to summarize the proposed compensation structure. He said all salary survey data was effective July 1, 1997, the original target date. By implementing the new structure effective January 1, 1998, the City will lag the market slightly. Any further delay in implementation will cause the survey data to become dated. The survey shows that lower level positions are paid slightly above market average while higher level positions are paid slightly below the market average. Total cost to bring employees to nearest step in the proposed structure is $57,789 (2.2% of payroll). This is approximately 1% below what the 1998 COLA increase would be for non represented employees (90% of CPI is 3.3 Lawson said an employee who performs at above standard levels every year after reaching the salary range midpoint will reach the top of the salary range in 8 to 16 years, Regular Meeting Minute October 6, 1997 Page 4 Non represented salary study (Cont'd) OLD BUSINESS Res. #1382 Setting public hearing date to vacate a portion of Macadam Rd. S. depending on the level of the job. However, such sustained above standard performance is unlikely. Consequently, it will be difficult for any employee to reach the range maximum. Lawson said advancement above the midpoint would be based solely on performance that exceeds the standards for the job. The City will need to carefully define the expectation of standard and above standard performance. Responding to Council President Haggerton's question regarding the City's current appraisal system, Witschger suggested discussions take place with all departments to address the definition of "exceeds" and "meets" standards. However, until that happens, Witschger suggested using the proposed Lawson plan for 1998 while the City determines its direction regarding this issue. She also shared information regarding the market analysis for employees benefits. A discussion ensued with Councilmembers carefully reviewing the 1997 Salary and Benefits Survey Final Report, focusing on questions relating to the list of benchmark positions; benchmark comparisons; trend line comparisons; and internal versus market benchmark regression analysis graph. It was the consensus of the Council to forward this issue to the October 13th Committee of The Whole meeting for further consideration. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY MULLET, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Bob Noe read A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, FIXING THE TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR VACATION OF A PORTION OF OLD MACADAM ROAD, SOUTH OF SOUTH 144TH STREET, BETWEEN 51ST AVENUE SOUTH AND SR 5. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY HAGGERTON, THAT RESOLUTION NO. 1382 BE APPROVED AS READ.* Councilmember Carter requested Council be provided information of the parameters encompassing the area to be vacated. She stressed that each and every address is not necessary, but points of reference would be helpful. She also asked that the property line of the petitioner be identified on the map. Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 1997 Page 5 Macadam Rd. S. street vacation (Cont'd) REPORTS Mayor Councilmember Hernandez inquired if there were wetlands concerns. Mayor Rants said it's all asphalt and dirt, no wetland whatsoever. Linder asked staff to post the signs in areas visible to the public and the print is large enough to read. Council agreed that a statement reflecting Council will accept written comments up to the date of the public hearing should appear in a conspicuous area on the posted sign. *MOTION CARRIED AS AMENDED (6 -0). Mayor Rants reported he recently participated in a three -hour tour of the Green River Basin via airplane. The tour was sponsored by Flying for Fish Habitat. He said the South County was well represented. The plane flew about 1000 feet the entire way, low enough to see where the King Salmon had spawned in the river. Rants said last week he and staff met with Mike Ragsdale and Hugh Spitzer, the City's bond counsel, to discuss ways to fund economic development. A short-term contract was signed with Ragsdale for economic development in the amount of $10,000. Copies of the Scope of Work was provided to the Council. Rants met with Art Switzer, the new President of the Economic Development Commission of King County, October 3rd, to consider new direction for the EDC. Rants congratulated Ed Baskett, Police Department, for 30 years of service with the City. Rants announced a Suburban Cities meeting scheduled for October 8th, at the Woodland Park Zoo. The agenda will include discussions on the telecommunications act, property tax, motor vehicle excise tax adjustment, water supply, transportation funding and other issues of importance. He urged Councilmembers to attend, if possible. Rants said the AWC Regional Meeting will be held in Tukwila on October 16th. Rants asked Council President Haggerton to attend in his place, since he is scheduled to be out of town. Haggerton agreed to attend. Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 1997 Page 6 R (Cont'd) Council Rants informed the Council he received two letters -one from Puget Sound Regional Council and the other from the Port of Seattle. In essence, both letters were requesting ACC Cities to review and make any necessary amendments to their comprehensive plans to ensure consistency with the aviation component as well as with the other policies and provisions of the Metro Transit Plan. Jurisdictions are expected to correct any inconsistencies or non conforming provisions in their adopted plan. Rants stated that a response should be sent indicating Tukwila is in total compliance with the PSRC adopted amendment, and until notified otherwise, business will continue as usual. Furthermore, the letter should be delayed for one month, then mailed. City Administrator McFarland suggested the City use Cairncross Hempleman, a local land use firm, to handle the recommended response on the part of ACC Cities and report back to the Council at a later date. Councilmember Hernandez reported she attended the Park Pond Open House and was impressed with the amount of work that had been done. She attended the Human Services Providers meeting on September 25th and shared minutes from that meeting with the Council. Hernandez invited a member of this committee to hold a workshop for the Cultural Diversity Commission related to the Refugee Health Advocacy Program. She attended the Historical Society meeting last week, and on October 2nd she attended the Equity and Diversity Commission meeting. Hernandez distributed copies of a letter to Councilmembers recommending that Council consider formalizing the Equity and Diversity Commission by appointing the members in the same manner customarily afforded to other boards and commissions. The Council agreed to forward this issue to a future Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Hernandez attended the Senior Housing Forum held at Highline College on October 4th and the REACH meeting on October 1st. Council President Haggerton attended the Economic Development Advisory Board meeting on September 25th where Jay Green, recently hired Executive Director, presented an update on the Northwest Expo Center. After this meeting, Haggerton went directly to a town meeting sponsored by the Airport Communities Coalition and the Regional Council on Airport Affairs, held at Highline Cafetorium. ACC also held a tele- conference meeting on October 1st. Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 1997 Page 7 R (Cont'd) Staff City Attorney ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 9:22 P.M. ADJOURNMENT 9:45 P.M. Councilmember Mullet attended the Tukwila Park Pond dinner and tour at the Double Tree Suites on September 23rd. Councilmember Carter also attended the Tukwila Park Pond dinner. She attended the Foster Community Club meeting on September 24th where a guest speaker from Metro Transit was there to address the South 124th Street transit route. Carter attended the Tukwila Community Cares Advisory Board meeting on October 1st. She attended the Equity Diversity meeting on October 2nd. Adrian Laigo, Assistant Principal of Showalter Middle School, was also in attendance. On October 3rd she attended the South Central Public Relations Advisory Board meeting where she learned that the district name change will be on the November ballot. Councilmember Linder suggested the City recognize Ed Baskett for his 30 years of service. She attended the ACC /RCAA town meeting on September 25th, and gave an update on agenda items discussed at Finance and Safety. City Administrator McFarland announced that a community groups meeting is scheduled for October 8th at the Aero Space Hall, 7:00 p.m., to discuss the Boulevard Park/White Center area annexations. He urged the Council to send a representative for observation purposes only. Attorney Noe informed the Council that in the case of Tukwila vs. Deja Vu, the judge made an oral ruling in Tukwila's favor, and entered an order on October 1st informing Deja vu they have 30 days to comply with the City's ordinance. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY CARTER, TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR 30 MINUTES TO ADDRESS LEGAL ISSUES. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. '414 /amk Joh j. w. Rants, ayor Celia Square, 1I fty City Clerk Date Minutes Approved: