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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-09 Committee of the Whole Minutes Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting QD City Hall Council Chambers August 9, 2010 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Robertson called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:02 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; Peggy McCarthy, Deputy Finance Director; Don Lincoln, Assistant Police Chief; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director; Brandon Miles, Senior Planner; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENTS Joanne McManus, 5610 South 133` Street, explained she had the need to contact King County Animal Control because of two dogs running loose in her neighborhood, and after two weeks she still has not received a return telephone call. She felt the lack of response is not acceptable considering the costs associated with animal control services. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, stated that he would follow up on this issue SPECIAL ISSUES a. Park naming for Duwamish Riverbend Hill Site. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on July 26, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Phase I construction of the site located at 3800 South 115 Street began in 2009 and will be complete in the fall of 2010 The site includes interpretive trails, an outdoor classroom, and several native plant species. The recently developed park property will be officially open after the Celebration Event on September 18, 2010. The Park Commission recommends "DUWAMISH HILL PRESERVE" as the official name of the park property. Brooke Alford, 4724 South 122 Street, spoke in favor of the recommended park name. Ms. Alford explained she is a Planning Commissioner, former Parks Commissioner and a member of the Friends of the Hill organization. The goal of the organization and the Parks Commission was to recommend a park name that would maintain the heritage of the area, and she feels this recommendation accomplishes that goal. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Sign Code. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on June 14, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 9, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Brandon Miles, Senior Planner, explained that following the June 28, 2010 public hearing, the Council requested staff address the testimony that was received. The Council also considered additional testimony at the July 12, 2010 Committee of the Whole meeting. A matrix of substantive comments, including staff's response to the comments, and a comparison of the City's Sign Code with similar cities has been included for the Council to review. Council President Robertson called for public comments. Robert Schofield, 4212 Hunts Point Road, Hunts Point, thanked the Council and the Planning Department staff for the review of his previous comments and incorporating the suggestions into the proposed Sign Code. He also explained he would like to be notified of future committee opportunities relating to code updates that would have an effect on the small shopping centers in the Tukwila Urban Center. Andrew Ciarrocchi, 2800 Southcenter Mall, explained he is the General Manager of Westfield Southcenter. He thanked the Planning Department staff for their patience and assistance relating to the development of the draft Sign Code. He explained Westfield has one remaining request related to the height and square feet of the facing for the grand monument signs. He explained that the grade separation between the location of the mall and the interstate makes the current sign difficult to see while driving along the highway. Wesffield feels the proposed Sign Code would reduce the height and decrease the face signage, therefore reducing the grand monument signage for Southcenter. He explained Wesffield is requesting the maximum height be 115 feet, and the maximum sign area for grand monument signs be increased up to 500 square feet per face with a total message area of 1,000 square feet for all sign faces Mayor Haggerton asked Mr. Ciarrocchi about the type of signs Westfield has at their other locations. Mr. Ciarrocchi explained the current sign at the Westfield Southcenter location is unique compared to their other signs due to the large grade drop between the mall and the highway. He explained the Southcenter sign is the largest sign of all their locations. Mr. Miles requested the Council provide direction to staff relating to the current moratorium on sign permits and applications. If the Council chooses to adopt the new Sign Code at the next Regular Meeting, staff would also need to provide an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2292 (which established the current moratorium) and a revised Land Use Fee Schedule resolution that would include the new Sign Code permit fees. After Council discussion, there was Council consensus to have staff prepare the ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2292 and a revised fee resolution for the next Regular Meeting. The Council reviewed the detailed matrix of 21 specific items and conducted a page -by -page review of the draft ordinance. The Council asked clarifying questions of staff and requested that staff include additional language in the draft ordinance addressing Westfield's proposed recommendation for further consideration. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Budget issues: (1) Briefing on Metropolitan Park District options. (2) Briefing by Administration regarding implementation of program and service reductions. (1) Briefing on Metropolitan Park District options. Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that at the June 22, 2010 Council Budget Work Session the Council determined the Tukwila Pool would close unless alternate funding could be found. Staff has been researching the formation of a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) as an option for the Tukwila Pool. Mr. Still provided the Council with an update relating to the Metropolitan Park District. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 9, 2010 Page 3 of 4 Ellen Gengler, 13727 Macadam Road South, explained she is in favor of the Metropolitan Park District and saving the Tukwila Pool. She feels the pool offers users a gentle form of exercise and a place to foster relationships. Ms. Gengler explained that upon completion of her review of the documents provided by City staff in response to her public records request, she feels there have been missed opportunities for marketing the pool and other areas for increased efficiencies She will continue to work with the small group of citizens dedicated to saving the Tukwila Pool and looks forward to working with the City Council on this issue. Jessica Jerwa, 15022 43 Place South, stated she has started a Facebook page dedicated to saving the Tukwila Pool, and as of today, there are 65 "friends" of the pool. She explained the pool has been an essential part of her daily activities due to several health issues, and she feels the facility is essential to the residents of the City. She asked the Council for their assistance in saving the Tukwila Pool. Vanessa Zaputil, 15171 52 Avenue South, #5, explained she is part of the citizen group trying to save the Tukwila Pool. She is grateful to the staff for answering her questions and providing the group the requested assistance She feels the pool promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides essential water safety for the children of the community. She urged the Council to support the MPD. Georgina Kerr, 3836 South 116 Street, indicated she supports the citizen group interested in saving the Tukwila Pool. She explained the pool has made a huge difference to her, and she has met great people and made new friendships and feels the pool provides an outlet for the community with healthy activities. She stated she looks forward to working with the Council on this very important project. Brennan Wilson, 4803 South 162 asked if the boundary for the proposed Metropolitan Park District could be increased and why the salaries and benefits equal 55% of the budget. Council President Robertson explained the salaries and benefits are one of the issues that need to be reviewed. Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that extending the boundary of the Metropolitan Park District outside of the Tukwila City limits would require voter approval of the entire area of the proposed MPD. Councilmember Duffie clarified that legal constraints do not allow the Councilmembers to campaign for the proposed Metropolitan Park District. The Council reviewed the following items: Governance Boundaries Support Services Operating Budget Expenditures and Revenue Capital Improvement Program Millage Rate Ballot Measure Timeline The Councilmembers exchanged comments and asked clarifying questions of staff on the above topic They requested staff provide additional information relating to the Tukwila Pool revenues /expenditures and support services prior to the Council review of the ballot title language. (2) Briefing by Administration regarding implementation of program and service reductions. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, explained that City Administration has identified approximately $2.3 million in annual savings related to specific program and service reductions. During the July 26, 2010 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Council reached consensus to have staff identify an additional $2.4 million in program and service reductions, distributed among City Departments and functions in proportion to employee compensation costs. Staff is currently working to develop the proposals to implement this policy direction and will provide an update to the Council in September. The Councilmembers reviewed the "Program or Service Reduction Status" spreadsheet. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 9, 2010 Page 4 of 4 REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010 On August 6, 2010, he attended the Valley Communication Board meeting. Mayor Haggerton explained King County Flood Control has offered to replace the Supersacks along the trail near Home Depot and Costco that were destroyed in a recent arson attempt. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010. Councilmember Hernandez participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010. Councilmember Ekberg participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010. He also requested that City Administration consider additional police presence along South 160 Street. A citizen complained to him about excessive speeding in the area. Councilmember Hougardy participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010 Councilmember Quinn participated in the National Night Out Against Crime event on August 3, 2010 c. Staff Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, updated the Council on requests from citizens at the July 28, 2010 Committee of the Whole Meeting. He explained he has met with Katrina Heckt about the "Adopt a Park Program," and he will be meeting with Diane McCleane on August 11, 2010 about the Duwamish Church d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Council President Robertson explained that Mayor Haggerton has received an Advanced Certificate of Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities. The Councilmembers congratulated Mayor Haggerton on his achievement. ADJOURNMENT 9:44 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TING ADJOURNED. ennis Robertson, Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk