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Home My WebLink About2010-08-16 Regular Minutes Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting City Hall Council Chambers August 16, 2010— 7:00 P.M. MINUTES REGULAR MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION Start: 6:33 p.m. In the absence of Mayor Haggerton, Mayor Pro Tempore Robertson announced the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss a Potential Property Acquisition or Lease Pursuant to RCW 42 30.110(1)(b). It will last no more than 30 minutes, and no decisions will be made during the Executive Session Attendees: Steve Lancaster, City Administrator; Sara Springer, Assistant City Attorney; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Tukwila City Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. End. 6:55 p.m CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tempore Robertson called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, and De'Sean Quinn MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER EKBERG FROM THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. CITY OFFICIALS Steve Lancaster, City Administrator; Sara Springer, Assistant City Attorney; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Peggy McCarthy, Deputy Finance Director; Jennifer Ferrer -Santa Ines, Senior Fiscal Coordinator; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director; Brandon Miles, Senior Planner; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Mike Villa, Assistant Police Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Budget Presentation Options Jennifer Ferrer -Santa Ines, Senior Fiscal Coordinator The City Council established a 2 -year biennium budget in 2008 effective January 1, 2009. For many years the format of the city's annual budget publication has not been updated or revised The budget should explain how the policies will be implemented in a practical way, be used as a planning document and operations guide, and as a financial and communications tool Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, and Jennifer Ferrer -Santa Ines, Senior Fiscal Coordinator, provided sample budget documents from the cities of Port Angeles, Burien, and Shoreline for review and consideration by the Council They provided information regarding suggested changes for Tukwila's budget document. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2010 Page 2 of 6 The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the proposed changes, and Council consensus existed to discuss this issue at a future Committee of the Whole meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mackenzie Weitzel, 13705 56 Avenue South, inquired if the rumor she had heard that one of the fire stations may be closing is true. Mayor Pro Tempore Robertson indicated there has been nothing presented to the Council regarding closing a fire station. There is a fire station that is part of the same parcel as the Old City Hall building. Options for utilizing the Old City Hall building are being considered at the August 17 Finance and Safety Committee meeting, and the topic does not involve closure of the fire station. There are serious budget issues for the City at this time due to the recession that may affect City services. At this time there has been no proposition put forward by City Administration to the Council regarding closure of fire stations. Gerri Lynn Goss, 4525 South 139 Street, distributed a letter she had written and a letter and photo from Marilyn Mettlin. The documents are in reference to a man sleeping at the covered Metro bus stop at South 144 and Pacific Highway South on August 8, 2010 Ms Goss read her letter which expressed concern as to why Metro, the Police, or citizens did not respond to this issue and the need to deal with these types of matters effectively. Ellen Gengler, 13727 Macadam Road South, referenced the need for transparency in government and expressed concern regarding draft Council meeting minutes not being made available to citizens on the website at the same time the staff and Council receive them. She would also like to see the audio of the Council meetings on the website. Mayor Pro Tempore Robertson indicated these items will be considered and City Administration will provide a response. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, indicated consideration will be given to the request and explained the audio of the meetings is always available upon request. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 8/2/10 (Regular) b. Approval of Vouchers #354951 355237 and #201008161 in the amount of $1,896,844.33 c. Accept as complete the Codiga Park project, Contract #09 -137, with Construct Company, LLC, authorize release of retainage, subject to the standard claim and lien release procedures (final cost of project, including retainage: $242,832.74). MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Designating the name of property at 3800 South 115 Street in Tukwila as the Duwamish Hill Preserve. MOVED BY SEAL SECONDED BY HOUGARDY TO DESIGNATE THE NAME OF PROPERTY AT 3800 SOUTH 115 STREET IN TUKWILA AS THE DUWAMISH HILL PRESERVE. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. b. Sign Code: 1. An ordinance updating and expanding the Sign Code regarding the placement, display and use of signs and other visual communication devices within the City. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2010 Page 3 of 6 Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed ordinance by title only. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, UPDATING AND EXPANDING THE SIGN CODE REGARDING THE PLACEMENT, DISPLAY AND USE OF SIGNS AND OTHER VISUAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES WITHIN THE CITY, AS CODIFIED AT TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 19; REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 1274, 1617, 1649, 1770 (PART), 1773, 1838 §17, 1857, 1892, 1913, 1964, 1982, 1995 §1(part) 2004, 2019, 2096, AND 2126, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Brandon Miles, Senior Planner, provided an overview of this issue At the August 9, 2010 Committee of the Whole Meeting, staff provided the City Council a revised Planning Commission Recommended Draft Sign Code. The revised Draft Sign Code included changes that had been proposed by staff, the City Council, and the public. At the meeting there was consensus from the City Council to accept the changes outlined in the revised Draft Sign Code. At that meeting the City Council also heard additional testimony from Westfield Southcenter regarding the need for larger grand monument signs. Westfield noted that given the grade changes along Interstate 5, it was difficult for motorists to see the mall. Wesffield is specifically requesting the following changes for premises that are greater than 85 acres in area. 1. Increase the maximum allowable height for grand monument signs. Westfield is requesting that the maximum height be equal to the maximum height in the applicable zoning district. 2 Increase the maximum sign area for grand monument signs up 500 square feet per face with a total message area of 1000 square feet for all sign faces. During the meeting, the City Council asked staff for a recommendation. Staff recommended the language forwarded to the City Council from the Planning Commission be retained. However, staff did mention some items for the Council to consider if they wanted to modify the language in the Planning Commission draft. The City Council asked staff to explore language that would accommodate Wesffield as well as other large commercial complexes that have signage needs not typical for most other properties in the City. Based on the Council's direction, two options have been provided for consideration, shown in the packet as Option 1 (page 57) and Option 2 (page 59). The staff has recommended that Option 2 be incorporated into the ordinance as it is in keeping with the direction provided by both the Sign Code Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission. Nicholas Lee, 2800 Southcenter Mall, representing Westfield Southcenter, distributed 2 photographs and requested the Council select Option 1 to be included in the Sign Code. In his view, this option will allow the mall the ability to attract potential shoppers and passing motorists to Southcenter and the City of Tukwila Branding and signage affects economic vitality, and Option 2 will not provide an adequate message area to re -brand the Southcenter Mall from the freeways. Robert Schofield, 4212 Hunts Point Road, Hunts Point, conveyed that he has multiple shopping centers and has worked in this area for 30 years and is speaking in support of the Southcenter Mall. Without the mall, retail and other businesses in the area will suffer which will then negatively affect residents He feels Tukwila has a great commercial area, and signage is how people know businesses are here, and visibility from the freeways is important. Mike Hansen, 12201 Tukwila International Boulevard, representing the Sabey Corporation, spoke in support of the Southcenter Mall. He indicated that image is important and many visitors are not local to the area and signage is important. What is good for the central business district is a benefit to the retail environment in the whole area. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2010 Page 4 of 6 MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY SEAL THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE OPTION 1 LANGUAGE FOUND ON PAGE 57 OF THE COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET, BE ADOPTED AS READ.* The Councilmembers discussed the motion with Councilmembers Duffie, Hernandez, Seal and Hougardy speaking in support of the motion. Councilmember Quinn is also in favor of the motion and would like to consider a potential amendment that replaces Option 1, Item F, with Option 2, Item F, regarding the total height of the sign structure. MOVED BY QUINN TO AMEND THE MOTION TO REPLACE OPTION 1, ITEM F, WITH OPTION 2, ITEM F (pages 15 -16 of the packet). MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Mayor Pro Tempore Robertson asked the Council to examine the billboard receiving area on page 55 of the packet to ensure the boundaries are clear. Councilmember Hernandez referenced the curve on West Valley Highway south of 180 Street. This is an area where a fatal accident occurred, and she asked that this issue be addressed. Brandon Miles, Senior Planner, explained the City Engineer was contacted regarding signage as it relates to accidents It was explained there are many factors that can be attributed to the cause of an accident. The City will be in compliance with the Washington State Department of Transportation regulations Councilmember Quinn conveyed that Westfield has expressed they may not need the total height for the second sign, and an amendment to the original motion would provide an opportunity to show willingness to work with the City and be a great model for the program. This provides the option for Westfield to choose a lower height. MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY SEAL THAT THE MAIN MOTION BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT IF THERE IS ELIGIBILITY FOR A SECOND SIGN, THE HEIGHT CANNOT EXCEED 115 FEET. The Councilmembers exchanged comments on the amendment indicating that the original Option 1 language already has a 115 -foot height limitation and concern that the change could cause confusion over the long term. *MOTION FAILED 1 -5, ON THE AMENDMENT WITH QUINN VOTING YES. *MOTION CARRIED 6 -0 TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2303. WITH THE INCLUSION OF THE OPTION 1 LANGUAGE FOUND ON PAGE 57 OF THE COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET. 2. An ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2292 relating to the acceptance of applications for sign, development and electrical permits for certain types of signage. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed ordinance by title only. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 2292, RELATING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR SIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND ELECTRICAL PERMITS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF SIGNAGE WITHIN THE CITY, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0 TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2304. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2010 Page 5 of 6 3. A resolution adopting a land use fee schedule to include sign code permits. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed resolution by title only. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A LAND USE FEE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE SIGN PERMIT FEES, AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 1718. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0 TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1722. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton was not present. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie hosted the recent Council Coffee Chat and received comments from citizens regarding traffic on South 160 Street, code enforcement issues, residential rental housing, animal control, and the desire to see all members of the Council involved in the Coffee Chats. Councilmember Hernandez attended the ribbon cutting event at Rite -Line Tax Service on August 11, 2010 with Councilmember Duffie. Ms. Hernandez reported the next Fire Exploratory Committee meeting will be held on August 20, 2010, and the recommendations by the Committee will be presented at the Council meeting on September 27, 2010. Councilmember Hougardy referenced traffic concerns at the intersection of South 147 and 57 Avenue South. Additionally, she attended the Community Yard Sale and the Junk -in- the -Trunk event this past weekend. Councilmember Quinn indicated that the schedule of Councilmembers attending the Council Coffee Chats in the past should be posted on the City's website. c. Staff Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, reported that since Hillman Mitchell has taken a position at King County Emergency Services, Nick Olivas, Fire Chief, will be the Interim Emergency Services Director. Chief Olivas will take this on in addition to his regular duties while the position is being evaluated. Additionally, the Valley Communications Center is scheduled for an outside assessment as part of their accreditation process The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is performing the review and is soliciting comments from member agencies and the public. Further information about providing input can be acquired by contacting Mr. Lancaster. d. City Attorney There was no report. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2010 Page 6 of 6 ADJOURNMENT 8:52 p.m. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Dennis Robertson, Mayor Pro Tempore rl 1-- Christy O'Flah-rty, City Clerk s� APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 9/7/2010