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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL January 26, 1998 7:00 p.m. CONVENE: COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: SPECIAL ISSUES: An Ordinance Establish- ing a Cultural Diversity Commission MOTION: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES 7:00 P.M. Absent: Steve Mullet. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Pamela Linder, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, and Dave Fenton. OFFICIALS: City Administrator John McFarland, City Attorney Bob Noe, Community Development Director Steve Lancaster, and Legislative Coordinator Lucy Lauterbach. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Dwight McLean, 13015 38 Avenue South, Tukwila said the last issue of the Highline News will be published on January 28, and as Chairman of the Highway 99 Action Committee, he wanted to acknowledge the paper's coverage and reporting on the Committee's progress. He recommended City Council consider working with another paper, in addition to the Seattle Times, which may be interested in covering the Committee's work. He said it would be beneficial to continue the exposure the committee was fortunate enough to receive from Highline News. Administrator McFarland read the original and proposed versions of the draft ordinance. Councilmember Duffie moved, seconded by President Linder, to consider both revisions of the ordinance for discussion. Councilmember Hernandez said the revised version has been altered to include the name change of the Commission from "Equity and Diversity Commission" to "Cultural Diversity Commission." She stated that the revised version referred to an Equity and Diversity Task Force, which is no longer in existence. The task force did precede the Equity and Diversity Commission adopted by Resolution No. 1369 on December 16, 1996, which has been operating as an informal commission without appointed members. "Task Force" was eliminated from the title of the Commission upon its adoption. Councilmember Hernandez said when it operated as a task force it mainly consisted of school district representatives. Discussion continued between Councilmembers on the appropriate name for the Commission. Councilmember Hernandez said the title under the original version Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 26, 1998 Page 2 of the proposed ordinance has been reviewed, approved, and supported by the school district. She indicated the school district hasn't reviewed the proposed revision. She said she is willing to make concessions regarding the title but wanted the Council to know the history and background regarding the appropriate title for the new Commission. The Cultural Diversity Commission actually discussed the appropriate title at the time Resolution No. 1369 was adopted. The majority of the task force members, at that time, did not support the title of Cultural Diversity Commission. However, many members have come and gone since that time and Councilmember Hernandez said she isn't sure what the consensus would be on an appropriate title. She said she had a chance to speak to Dr. Silver, School Superintendent, prior to the meeting and he indicated he didn't think the proposed revision was necessary, but indicated he was willing to make concessions to insure the ordinance was approved. Councilmember Carter said she had some concerns with the way the third (Whereas) paragraph was worded in the revised proposed ordinance. Overall, she said the revised ordinance includes some additional language that is beneficial. She proposed that the language in the third paragraph be reworded to read "Whereas, an Equity Task Force" and include an additional paragraph that explains that the Equity and Diversity Commission was formally recognized by Resolution No. 1369. After more discussion, Councilmember Carter suggested the language in the third paragraph (Whereas), be replaced with the following language in the proposed version of the ordinance: "WHEREAS, an Equity Task Force related to equity and cultural diversity issues, consisting of representatives..." Councilmember Hernandez said to acknowledge the existence of the joint City /School District Equity Diversity Commission the following could also be added as an additional paragraph following the third paragraph. The proposed new paragraph would read, "WHEREAS, a joint City /School District Equity and Diversity Commission has been in existence informally since December 16, 1996." Councilmember Haggerton suggested the membership of the Commission include under section C. 1 the following: 1. Three members representing the City, one of which must be a City Councilmember. Councilmembers discussed the membership of the school district and recommended the members be either employed by the school district or be School Boardmembers. Councilmember Hernandez recommended rewording Section F 5 to read, "The majority of the appointed Commission members constitute a forum for the transaction of business." Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 26, 1998 Page 3 Councilmember Haggerton noted that the ordinance is effective for a one -year period and that any necessary changes could occur after the one -year period. It was suggested that the draft ordinance be faxed to all parties concerned, Councilmember Carter suggested the title of the Commission should remain as the Equity and Diversity Commission and said there is a subtle difference between the two, but they are both important. Administrator McFarland said the concern expressed by the Mayor was whether the Commission's scope of responsibility involved the authority and ability to achieve equity. He said although the Commission could identify areas of concern regarding equity, the issue concerned how to address them, and the legalities associated with the issues. Councilmember Carter disagreed and referred to examples of how the equity issue would apply and said equity is important to address. Discussion continued between Administrator McFarland and Councilmembers concerning the equity issue and how the term is interpreted. Councilmembers remained divided regarding the inclusion of equity in the Commission title. Councilmembers invited comments from members of the public in attendance. Sean Mears, 13537 35 Ave South said equity is important, however when dealing with diversity, equity automatically comes into play. He said his impression of the Commission was to bring all elements of the community together and that equity will always be the concern of everyone. For brevity, equity is really not essential in the Commission's title. Ron Lamb, 4251 South 139 Avenue, said he agreed with Councilmember Carter's comments and said equity is an important concept to retain in the title and said he doesn't want to see the process get bogged down by semantics. The issue of equity is important and should be retained. Councilmember Hernandez noted that two citizens testified in favor of retaining the Equity and Diversity Commission during the last meeting of the Commission. Councilmember Hernandez recommended replacing "task force" with "Commission" in the fourth paragraph (Whereas) of the proposed version. Councilmember Carter recommended deleting "who create" from the second paragraph (Whereas) of the proposed version and replacing it with "reflecting" to improve sentence clarity. Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 2b, 1998 Page 4 Consensus: Proposed Memorandum of Agreement with RTA re- lating to Light Rail Planning and Review Councilmember Hernandez referred to the previous version and noted that under B. Purpose, sentence 1 and 3 were not included in the proposed version. These goals were adopted by the Equity and Diversity Commission and should be included in the proposed version. It was the consensus of the Committee to proceed with the proposed version with changes as recommended by Councilmembers. Director Lancaster referred to the proposed Memorandum of Agreement contained in the Council packet and briefed Councilmembers on the agreement and background information. He indicated if Councilmembers concurred with the process, formal action could occur at the next regular City Council meeting. In the meantime, staff will brief the Transit Advisory Commission on Wednesday night regarding the agreement. The basis for the agreement is derived from state legislation on high capacity transportation systems. The legislation requires cities who are affected by high capacity transit systems and the transit agencies to enter into agreements that set forth conditions that insure land uses which are ultimately developed around high capacity transit facilities, both support the facilities and are consistent with local land us planning objectives and goals. The RTA provided a boilerplate memorandum of agreement. Staff has suggested some modifications and both the City and RTA are in agreement with the proposed agreement. If Council approves the agreement, it will be presented to the transit board in February. The agreement requires the City to provide analysis, research, and development of information which can be used by all parties in making decisions relevant to light rail located in Tukwila. Four products would result and include a report which reviews rail alignment and station location options. The report would evaluate: Community and environmental impacts of the alternatives; Compatibility and ability to successfully integrate alternatives with local and regional transportation systems Relationship to the alternatives to ongoing community plan development Relationship to City planning goals The second product would include a market assessment and involve two phases. They include: A preliminary market assessment for all station location alternatives that are being considered with focused attention on those station locations that have the potential to support transit use of land uses and where stations might provide economic benefits to the community. From there the sites would be Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 26, 1998 Page 5 After the preferred locations are identified, the second phase would provide a detailed market assessment for the selected stations locations to determine the best way to insure economic benefit and transit support which fits into the City's comprehensive planning The third product includes detailed Station Area Plans, which consists of a land use and economic development planning process for the selected station areas. The fourth product would present the results of the planning processes for review and consideration by City Council. The agreement would also include a detailed scope of work, description of each product, and a project budget, which will be negotiated with RTA for funding. In terms of staff resources, consultants would be required along with existing staff. Project efforts would be coordinated with the Transit Advisory Commission. Under the proposal the Commission would be expanded from its current seven member to nine members. RTA has requested that they be consulted regarding the new appointments and with any other appointments pertaining to replacements. One aspect of the draft agreement that has cause for concern relates to compensation by RTA to the City. Director Lancaster said the issue concerns cash flow to the City and both parties are working to reach an agreeable solution to both parties. Additionally, the Departmental Representatives listed on page 18 of the draft will be changing. Currently, Johnathan Jackson is listed. However his replacement will be Paul Bay, Director of Light Rail. A similiar agreement will be forthcoming regarding commuter rail. However, it will not be as detailed. Director Lancaster introduced Johnathan Jackson, South Corridor Manager, Light Rail Transit Department, and Leonard McGee. Responding to a question from Councilmember Carter pertaining to the SEPA process, Mr. Jackson said the SEPA process by law requires a 21 -day comment period. The RTA has extended the comment period to 90 -days. The formal closing date for SEPA is February 4, however RTA is allowing comments to be considered after the closing date. The DEIS will not include comments received after February 4, however. Discussion ensued between Mr. Jackson and Councilmember Carter regarding the closing date for public comment. Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 26, 1998 Page 6 Consensus: REPORTS: Director Lancaster reviewed the impact the project will have on staff and how the agreement will not jeopardize any of the City's goals or priorities concerning land use decisions. Councilmembers concurred to move the request to the next regular Council meeting for action. Councilmember Duffie thanked Administrator McFarland for his recent hospitality and commended Councilmembers for an outstanding Council retreat. Councilmember Duffie said the Highway 99 Task Force met on the draft of the Highway 99 residential plan. The plan outlined development plans to occur over the next six months. The Council will be receiving a copy of the schedule. Other items discussed included senior housing plans. He said he would be bringing more information to the Council concerning the item. Councilmember Haggerton indicated that with the recent activity by many committees and organizations, the Highway 99 Task Force should be back on schedule with the plan. Councilmember Hernandez thanked Councilmembers and staff for their work on the retreat. Council President Linder thanked Councilmembers and staff for their efforts with planning the Council retreat. She said she had an opportunity to attend the Economic Development Advisory Boardmember with Councilmember Haggerton. The Economic Development Commission of Seattle and King County was included on the agenda. She said there is a new president and that things are changing and hopefully the money the City allocates to EDC will realize some benefits with the change in leadership. Councilmember Carter said the Transportation Committee would be meeting on January 27. Councilmember Haggerton said he enjoyed the Council retreat. He mentioned that the Council reviewed several ordinances which will need to be adopted to change the Comp Plan as it relates to land use density to allow for senior housing and said citizens will be happy to see the results and that Council is working in the right direction to insure quality senior housing is available to senior citizens. Councilmember Fenton thanked Councilmembers and staff for their work on the retreat. He recently attended a workshop by the Association of Washington Cities in Fife, which was very informative and well attended by councilmembers and Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes January 26 1998 Page 7 Staff: Consensus: Councilmembers approved Councilmember Fenton's request to attend a Pacific Rim Conference in February at a cost of $49. ADJOURNMENT: Councilmember Duffie moved, seconded by Councilmember Fenton to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried. Pamela Linder, Council President Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary mayors from many western Washington cities. He said he has several other conferences he wants to attend in the near future. Administrator McFarland referred to the update of the regional governance and finance issue and said the information is to keep the Council appraised of recent events. Within the last several months, the coalition of approximately 35 jurisdictions in King County has broken down concerning the Phase One package regarding human services. A consultant has been hired to work on the human services issue specifically and will try and bring some resolution to the issues and hopefully maintain the schedule. The focus is to develop the package for approval. Administrator McFarland said he and Directors Earnst and Lancaster would be attending a Seattle /Tukwila Boundary Mediation meeting. A deadline of April was established earlier to resolve the issue and the parties are getting closer to a resolution on the issues.