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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-26 Committee of the Whole Minutes Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers July 26, 2010 7:00 P.M. MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION Council President Robertson called the Special Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 5.30 p.m Executive Session Start: 5.30 p.m. Council President Robertson announced the purpose of the Special Meeting /Executive Session is to discuss a Personnel Matter— Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). It will last no more than 90 minutes, and no decisions will be made during the Executive Session Attendees: Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Steve Lancaster, City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Cabot Dow, Labor Consultant; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Tukwila City Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. Executive Session End: 6:52 p.m. Council President Robertson adjourned the Special Meeting at 6 p m COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Robertson called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7 p m and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Dennis Robertson, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Steve Lancaster, City Administrator; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; David Haynes, Police Chief; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director; Carol Lumb, Senior Planner; Sandra Whiting, Urban Environmentalist; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENTS Katrina Heckt, 13946 51 Avenue South, explained she is working on a Girl Scout project in the City by requesting groups to adopt a Park. She asked the Council and residents to adopt a park within the City as part of her program. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, explained he would contact Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director, to discuss the Adopt -a -Park program. Diane McCleane, 11704 40 Avenue South, informed the Council the Duwamish Church will be closed by the end of August 2010. She explained the building is privately owned, very old, and has extensive history in the area She asked the Council to try to save the church Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 26, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, explained if the property were for sale, the City would need to purchase the building in order to save it. However, due to the current budget constraints, purchasing the site would be very difficult. He explained he would provide the information to Pat Brodin, Operations Supervisor, who is a member of the Tukwila Historical Society Councilmember Hernandez explained the Duwamish Church building has been a topic of discussion for the Historical Society for quite some time. Joanne McManus, 5610 South 133rd Street, explained there is a park on Foster Point at the end of Pamela Drive, and someone has been planting trees and adding some type of stepping stones within the park. She also explained there is a car parked in the area without any front or rear license plates. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, explained this would be a Code Enforcement issue, and he will follow up with that department. PUBLIC HEARING An ordinance updating requirements for regulating development on sensitive areas. Sandra Whiting, Urban Environmentalist, explained the City Council adopted new sensitive area regulations in 2004. Since implementation of these regulations 6 years ago, it was determined there are some improvements and housekeeping changes required to clarify regulations, be more closely aligned with Best Available Science, address new issues and maintain consistency with the Shoreline Master Program. Ms. Whiting explained the key changes in the proposed draft ordinance relate to adopting the State of Washington wetland classification method, including increasing the monitoring period of 10 years for areas with a forested component. She also clarified the penalties and enforcement for violating the Sensitive Areas Ordinance have been more clearly defined Carol Lumb, Senior Planner, explained the Community Affairs and Parks Committee members requested an additional requirement be added to the draft ordinance that included notification of vegetation removal in a sensitive area She explained this request was the result of a request to remove several hazardous trees within a sensitive area, and some of the residents were concerned that trees being removed and they had not been notified or had the opportunity to comment. She proposed, rather than requiring tree removal notice, including a reference in the ordinance specifying the definition of a "hazardous tree" that would be allowed to be cut down to protect persons and property to make clear that is the only time a tree can be removed Ms. Lumb indicated the Council is being asked to conduct a public hearing on the proposed Sensitive Areas Ordinance and provide direction to staff on the process and level of review the Council would like to conduct on the revisions. 7:19 p.m. comments. Council President Robertson opened the Public Hearing and called for public There were no public comments 7:19 p.m. Council President Robertson closed the Public Hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance updating requirements for regulating development on sensitive areas. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on July 12, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The draft ordinance revises the wetland classification system and adds references to the State of Washington's watercourse rating system. It also clarifies information to be included in the sensitive area special studies and mitigation plans and clarifies where buffer mitigation must be applied. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 26, 2010 Page 3 of 4 The Councilmembers reviewed the proposed language and technical clarification changes to the Sensitive Areas Ordinance, and asked clarifying questions of staff COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Budget issue: Public presentation to the Council on the status of labor negotiations, followed by Council discussion of next steps, which could include another round of program /service reductions. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, explained the City Council adopted a strategy for closing an identified $9 million annual budget gap through a balanced approach involving revenue increases, program and service reductions, and reducing the cost of employee compensation To date the City Council has adopted measures that will increase annual revenue by $3 million (target is $3 4 million), and the City Administration has identified program and service reductions totaling $2.3 million per year (target is $2.2 million). The target for reducing the City's cost of employee compensation is $3.4 million. Mr Lancaster explained representatives of City administration met with representatives of all bargaining units on April 6, 2010 to describe the City's budget situation and share the overall "three- legged stool" strategy for closing our budget gap. Union representatives were informed that the administration would be requesting additional meetings with each group to explore options for reducing the City's overall cost of employee compensation A similar meeting was held with non represented employees on April 9, 2010. Additional meetings have been held with both represented and non represented groups over the intervening months. He explained the meetings have been productive, and there is no specific agreement from labor groups that reduces the cost of employee compensation below the existing contract levels Council President Robertson stated that when the administration identified to the City Council that the City would have a $9 million gap in each year of the six -year financial planning period, the Council decided to consider every possible solution. When the Council met at their annual retreat, all of the solution opportunities were reviewed, and it was found the solutions were naturally grouped into three different categories The three categories were revenue increases from the City's citizens and businesses, wage and benefit reductions from the City staff, and program and service reductions The revenue increases of $3 4 million are roughly 1/3 of the total budget gap. The program and service reductions were chosen in a way that was intended to limit both layoffs and minimize service reductions to citizens The wage and benefits reductions were originally at $3 4 million, and the Council tried to pose the reductions in such a way that there would be no layoffs. The Council believed that jobs were critical, especially now due to the recession. That was the original goal, and remains the Council's desire. Mr Robertson explained the City has had success with the revenue increases, and there is still some more to be done. The program and service reductions are almost complete, with only a few proposed reductions left to review. The Council expects to be able to achieve the target because the administration has done a good job of providing proposed reductions with minimal layoffs. He explained that the wage and benefits reductions are progressing slowly, and as Mr Lancaster explained, the administration has proposed a plan to reduce the original target reduction of employee compensation from $3.4 million down to $2 4 million, which is a much smaller amount. Mr. Robertson stated the Council's responsibility, and all of the decisions the Council will make are based upon a strong awareness that the Council's first and highest responsibility is to the citizens of Tukwila The Council understands that a second set of $2.4 million program and service reductions, in lieu of wage and benefit reductions that City administration had proposed, will unfortunately result in significant layoffs He explained the program reductions should be equitably distributed among all City Departments and functions in proportion to the percentage of employee compensation costs COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO REQUEST CITY ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY AN ADDITIONAL $2.4 MILLION IN PROGRAM AND SERVICE REDUCTIONS. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 26, 2010 Page 4 of 4 REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton announced that the 2010 "Treasure of Tukwila" recipient, Anna Bernhard, lost her battle with cancer today Mayor Haggerton indicated his thoughts and prayers are with the Bernhard family. Mayor Haggerton attended the Seafood City ribbon- cutting ceremony and Grand Opening festivities on July 21, 2010 at the Southcenter Mall. On July 23, 2010, he attended the Valley Cities meeting, and he reminded the Council of the Southcenter Parkway Extension Ground Breaking ceremony on July 30, 2010. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie attended the Seafood City ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening festivities on July 21, 2010. Councilmember Hernandez attended the July 20, 2010 and July 26, 2010 Fire Exploratory Committee meetings and the Seafood City ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening festivities on July 21, 2010. Councilmember Ekberg attended the Seafood City ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening festivities on July 21, 2010. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANOUS Councilmember Ekberg requested Code Enforcement staff check on a rental duplex in the McMicken Heights neighborhood. He explained that area is not zoned for multi family use; it is strictly single family residential. ADJOURNMENT 8:10 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TING ADJOURNED. /Big% Dennis Robertson, Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk