HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesCITIZEN COMMENT:
SPECIAL ISSUES:
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
September 28, 1998 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers City Hall
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Pamela Linder called the
Committee of the Whole meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Pamela Linder, Councilmembers Joe Duffle,
Joan Hernandez, Steve Mullet, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, and Dave Fenton.
OFFICIALS: John Rants, Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Don Williams, Parks
Recreation Director; Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development; Vernon Umetsu, Associate
Planner; Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, and Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst.
Anna Bernhard 14241 59 South, Tukwila asked if the City's information telephone line
announcing the Council's upcoming meeting agenda had been canceled. She asked it be restored. Ms.
Bernhard was advised the City Clerk's office has been short staffed and said request would be brought
to the City Clerk's attention.
a. Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) Imnlementation Plan Briefing
Assistant Planner Vernon Umetsu provided a briefing on the Tukwila Manufacturing Industrial Strategic
Implementation Plan L96 -0071 (MIC). The plan was developed to facilitate improvements at Tukwila's
industrial area as directed by Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan and countywide planning policies. The
area is located in the north end of the City and includes the City's annexation area to the west of the
Duwamish River near the 16 Avenue intersection.
The plan's basic direction for facilitating industrial improvements evolved between the City Council and
the Planning Commission. This direction streamlined the permitting process while continuing to protect
the environment and allow adequate opportunities for public participation. A decision was made to
review the MIC shoreline with the City's overall shoreline plan.
The public process included focus group meetings with area businesses, federal, state, county, tribes,
environmental experts, and industrial development professionals.
The recommended plan contains three major planning action processes. They include:
1. Planned Action Permit Streamlining;
2. Capital improvements; and,
3. Regulatory amendments to fill gaps caused by the streamlined review process.
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Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 28, 1998
Planner Umetsu clarified for Council President Linder the new streamlining process reduces the
minimum review time to anywhere between seven and nine weeks.
Councilmember Haggerton asked if notices for the public hearing scheduled for October 5 had been
publicized. Planner Umetsu said notices were mailed to interested parties on September 25.
Councilmember Fenton asked if any citizen commented on the plan during the Committee meetings.
Councilmember Duffle said no one commented on the plan, but the Committee reviewed the
implementation schedule more than the specific components of the plan.
Councilmember Mullet asked if Seattle had concerns or objections concerning the plan. Director
Lancaster said at this time Seattle has not expressed any opposition to the plan; however, it is
recommended the plan omit references to the PAA.
Councilmember Carter said Seattle had indicated some concerns regarding the coordination between the
two cities and she asked what Seattle's status is for developing its MIC. Planner Umetsu said Seattle is
still working on its plan and has hired some consultants to assist with the development of the plan.
b. An ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife at narks within the City
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Eunice Grubb 17314 84 Redmond, said she is with the "Feral Cat Coalition" and understands some
residents feed feral cats. She requested people be allowed to feed and trap cats so they can be neutered.
The coalition traps the cats, neuters them, and returns them to their colony.
Kathy Ford said she also is a member of the coalition and said if the feral colony is disturbed new cats
will come in to take their place. She requested the ordinance should also not prohibit people giving their
dog a cookie in the park.
Peggy Barnish, P.O. Box 1212, Bothell 98401, said she is also a member of the coalition. Feral cats
are one of the most urgent animal issues across the country. Feral cats are the result of uncaring and
irresponsible citizens. Domestic cats become wild when left unaltered and without a home. Animals
need stewardship not just control. There are 60 million feral cats in the U.S. Posado Ranch is also
taking feral cats. The only hope is to recognize this is a problem. There are many people working to
resolve the problem. She asked the Council to adopt an ordinance in a manner which would allow
everyone, including the cats, to benefit.
Shirley Robinson, 13422 40 Ave S, Tukwila, said she has learned a great deal from the coalition. She
said she is interested in the feral cats along the trail. A group of people are working a section of the trail
to try to control the feral population by checking, altering, and keeping them healthy. The group also
picks up trash along the trail. People who cannot have cats enjoy socializing with people with cats on
the trails. Many people name the cats and some are adopted out. She hopes the coalition and other
people can continue to help the feral cats.
Councilmember Fenton said he appreciates citizens adopting segments of the trail and asked what kind
of food is fed to the cats. Ms. Robinson said dry food and Science Diet food is fed to the feral cats.
Councilmember Fenton said one of his concerns is with the food attracting rodents. Ms. Robinson said
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Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 28, 1998
people only leave food which can be immediately consumed by the cats. She removes the food dishes
when she leaves the trail.
Lois McKuen, 17825 111 SE, Renton, said other animals such as skunks and raccoons also eat the cat
food. She also feeds cats by Costco. She has personally had 14 cats spayed and neutered. She leaves
food at the site and another lady feeds on alternate days.
Mieke Tazelaar, 12624 34 Ave S, Tukwila, said she supports the comments of the previous speakers
and was not familiar with the coalition and is impressed with their efforts to help the cats.
Lorella Wilson, 1002 S. 170 SeaTac, said she and her husband walk the Christensen trail and it is
fortunate the community has families like the Robinson's who care about the cats. She indicated she
hopes people would be allowed to feed and take care of the cats.
Robin Halloway, Seattle, said she recently became aware of the feral cat issue and has trapped eight
kittens and adopted them out. She said everyone working on the feral cat issue is doing a good job.
Ms. Grubb said it is difficult to place kittens older than five to six weeks. They go wild early in their life
and are terrified of people. The most difficult cats to place are the semi- ferals. They haven't become
extremely wild but require constant care and need to be kept indoors since they do not understand they
can come back into the home. Once they get outside, they return to their wild state. The life span of a
feral cat is relatively short compared to a house cat.
Ms. Grubb said it would be beneficial to devise a way to have apartment managers require a spay or
neuter certificate of all animals brought into the apartment complex by renters. This would help the
landlord in the long run, especially when residents abandon their cats. They would only have one cat to
deal with rather than a cat and her litter.
Councilmember Duffie said the ordinance was developed primarily to deal with the geese problem. The
ordinance needs to address geese and he said he appreciates all of the citizen's help concerning the feral
cat issue.
Councilmember Mullet proposed changing the wording relating to the feeding of animals to the feeding
of wildlife in the draft ordinance and indicated if the Council wants to exempt feral cats for humane
reasons, he would be in agreement to do so.
Councilmember Duffie said the ordinance was drafted based on King County's ordinance.
Councilmember Carter said if Council concurs to change the ordinance to exclude certain animals, City
Attorney Noe would have to review and revise the ordinance language.
Director Williams agreed the ordinance was drafted to address the geese problem at the Tukwila Pond
Park. He indicated he is not opposed to care and control feral cats along the trail. Staff does receive
occasional complaints about the cats but not any more than geese complaints.
Director Williams said he would work with the City Attorney Noe on drafting language and indicated
staff would be willing to work with Ms. Robinson regarding the feral cats.
Councilmember Mullet asked Director Williams if it would be possible to insert language in the
ordinance pertaining to the authorized feeding of feral cats by members of the Feral Cat Coalition.
Councilmembers concurred with Administrator McFarland's recommended language.
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Administrator McFarland suggested adding a sentence after the first sentence in Section 12.08.050 to
read, "It shall be unlawful for any person in any City park to feed any animal, bird, fowl, or fish except
with the permission of the Parks Director."
c. An ordinance imposing a local option transportation tax on commercial narking in
the City
Councilmember Haggerton said the Committee reworked the definitions concerning a commercial
parking lot, a commercial parking business, and commercial business to clarify the meaning and intent
of each classification.
Councilmember Carter indicated tax should be assessed on individuals who park at hotel parking lots
while on business trips. Director Doerschel said the current ordinance draft allows this parking situation
to be taxed and reviewed the language.
Councilmembers discussed the ordinance language and the need to insure the language is clear and
easily understood to avoid misinterpretation by businesses and customers. Councilmembers reviewed
recommended deletions and additions to the ordinance language.
A public hearing is scheduled for October 12 on the ordinance.
d. Increase in City Council stipends and allowable benefits
Councilmember Duffle said he does not agree with the proposed action to increase Council's stipend.
Councilmember Haggerton said the issue has been reviewed by the Finance and Safety Committee and
he commended Councilmembers Hernandez and Fenton for their work on the Committee.
Councilmember Haggerton reviewed changes to the draft and noted the effective date for compensation
for the year 1999 at $600 should be deleted from the ordinance. This change would match with the
Committee's specific recommendation to begin compensation increases in the year 2000 at $625. There
is a specific reason why the 1999 compensation increase has been removed. There was some concern in
the instance of a Councilmember's departure prior to the next election, the new replacement would
receive the increase before the election. Councilmember Haggerton noted the base of $625 is
recommended based on Council's input to establish the base somewhere between $600 and $650. He
said even with the recommended increases, Tukwila would not be one of the highest paid Council's in
the area.
Councilmember Haggerton referred to the Council benefit program and indicated the Council has been
reimbursed up to $1,200 in medical expenses since 1987. Council Analyst Lauterbach researched the
issue and based on the recommended Council stipend, she recommends the medical reimbursement
program should be increased to $1,689. Councilmember Haggerton said he rounded it up to $1,700.
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Since there is no state law requiring specific effective dates, the Committee is recommending the
increase should become effective in 1999.
Councilmember Haggerton noted an error in Section 4 of the draft ordinance pertaining to the effective
date. The correct effective date of the benefit increase is January 1, 1999.
Councilmember Hernandez recommended replacing the word "salary" with "stipend" in the ordinance.
Councilmember Haggerton referred to Council's previous review of benefits and indicated some
Councilmembers had expressed a desire to use the employee medical benefit program versus the direct
reimbursement program. Currently, the employee program costs the City $2,500 per year. The
Committee is recommending Councilmembers who wish to participate in the employee benefit program
can elect to do so
with the City paying only $1,700 towards the cost of the program. The Councilmember would pay the
remaining cost.
Councilmember Carter asked if Councilmembers could include a spouse and /or children in the benefit
program. Administrator McFarland said a different formula exists for coverage which includes spouses
and children.
Councilmember Carter said having the benefit to pay for a major catastrophe might be something
Councilmembers might want.
Councilmember Carter referred to the section in the draft ordinance (the third Whereas) which indicates,
the State Attorney General has ruled using a CPI for Council salaries violates a provision in the
State Constitution" and indicated she wasn't aware the Attorney General had officially ruled on the
issue. She has only seen information referring to an "informal, unpublished opinion." If there has not
been a formal ruling, the ordinance should be corrected to reflect the correct circumstance.
Administrator McFarland read an opinion from the City Attorney Noe about Council benefits.
Councilmember Carter recommended during the next review of Council stipends and benefits, the City
and Council should consider the same comparables when City union contracts are negotiated. Union
contracts are not negotiated based on comparable city size and the same method should apply to Council
stipends and benefits.
Councilmember Duffle said the Council can choose to raise its salary and other employee such as the
police have not had an increase in salary for two years. When other employees are trying to obtain an
increase, the Council should not vote for an increase in their salary. He indicated he is opposed to
raising Council stipends and benefits.
Councilmember Mullet said he is not voting for a raise for himself since he doe not intend to run for
reelection. The raise is for Councilmembers who are elected after 2000.
Council President Linder moved the issue to the next regular Council meeting.
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e. Pronosed exnenditures of lodging tax revenues
Director Doerschel said Council is reviewing this issue now due to the 45 day review requirement of the
Lodging Tax Advisory Board. The proposal will be formalized on October 5 and transmitted to the
Committee on October 6.
Councilmember Haggerton said there is some concern regarding the participation of the City of SeaTac
and what affect it will have if they choose to participate or not choose to participate and what affect
either of these scenarios may have on the Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Mullet asked about the status of the convention bureau effort. Director Doerschel said
the convention bureau effort is one which has always been encouraged in one fashion or the other. Most
jurisdictions have a visitor's convention bureau. The bureau can be in a form of a standalone
organization, coordinated through the Chamber, or be an adjunct to local government. The bureau
promotes increased tourism by marketing conventions, tourist travel, and meetings to the community.
Councilmember Mullet asked what the status of the proposal is concerning the convention bureau.
Director Doerschel responded and said a formal proposal has been presented to the Lodging Tax
Advisory Board and to the City of SeaTac. The Tourism Committee of the Chamber is comprised of
approximately two thirds of hotel representatives in the SeaTac area. The Committee has a lot of
industry expertise and enthusiasm but no funding. The original plan was to obtain funding from SeaTac,
the Lodging Tax Advisory Board, and Tukwila. A proposal was drafted to utilize the funding to hire a
sales marketing manager, develop some area -wide marketing brochures, and use the expertise of the
members of the Tourism Committee to help generate tourism activities. SeaTac has indicated a
lukewarm response to the proposal but may consider the proposal on a trial basis.
The goal of the advisory board is to get SeaTac involved in the effort proposed by the Chamber.
Director Doerschel said a budget is being prepared based on the plan's scenario. If the scenario isn't
carried through other alternatives are being considered where Tukwila would pursue the venture
independently. If this happens, some funding may be diverted from the City and an independent
organization could be formed in conjunction with the Chamber. The funding is allocated as a
placeholder to enable funding of the project regardless of which proposal is approved.
Council President said she spoke in favor of the program to Terry Anderson and Joe Brennan and
received a lukewarm reception regarding the plan. She told them Tukwila is allocating $50,000 toward
the effort and hoped SeaTac would match the funding. She indicated neither one of the gentlemen had
even read the proposal.
Administrator McFarland mentioned he had breakfast with Cal Haggard, City Manager of the City for
SeaTac, several weeks ago and mentioned the one -year trial period. He seemed willing to pursue a trial
period.
Council President Linder recommended having the Tourism Committee continue working on the issues.
Director Doerschel said he is scheduling a meeting with the Lodging Tax Advisory Board sometime
between October 6 and October 8, dependent on member's availability.
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Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 28, 1998
Councilmember Carter mentioned reading a publication indicating AWC will survey cities to determine
how the hotel /motel tax is being used and if it increased tourism. She indicated she has several projects
she would like to see funded but conceded the convention bureau proposal would more likely generate
tourism. She mentioned the cultural banners and asked if they can be professionally done.
Councilmember Haggerton said there is a lot to be gained since several of the hotels are under the same
management and a joint venture would be beneficial to them. However, if any of Tukwila's funding is
used for a project which might be deemed a risky venture, Councilmember Haggerton said he would
oppose using Tukwila's funding for such efforts.
Director Doerschel said the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) wants to check to make sure the
hotel /motel tax revenue is being spent on tourism. The legislature is concerned about possible abuses of
the tax revenue and they could change or reduce the tax revenue to cities.
Council President Linder said the Committee is very cautious and prudent about how the funding is
allocated.
Councilmembers concurred to send the budget expenditure proposal to the Lodging Tax Advisory
Board.
REPORTS:
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Council President Linder said she would like an update on SeaTac's position regarding participation in
the joint convention bureau effort.
Mayor Rants provided an update on the electrical utility issue between Seattle and Burien, SeaTac,
Tukwila, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Federal Way. The AWC has forwarded some proposals for
negotiation between Suburban Cities and the City of Seattle. A service contract would be negotiated
between Seattle City Light and the cities served by them. The contract would address payments Seattle
City Light would make to Suburban Cities in exchange for certain assurances by Suburban Cities that
are of value to Seattle City Light. Those assurances would include, but not be limited to, an agreement
to municipalize electric service to each city. This would be one of the assurances. The maximum
amount of the Seattle City Light payment would not exceed 6% percent of the value of the power
portion. Contract language also allowed Seattle City Light some discretion if future state legislation
action actually impairs Seattle's ability to receive utility tax. This provides a means for them to recoup
their loss. Negotiations are expected in early fall.
Rants referred to a mailing from AWC on Referendum 49. Rants said if Referendum 49 passes, it would
have no impact on Tukwila.
Rants indicated the Corps of Engineers would be increasing the height of the Howard Hansen Dam.
They will also be installing fish ladders to facilitate salmon movement upstream and downstream. The
problem is due to Tacoma City Light blocking all fisheries for 165 miles on the river.
Rants referred to the building next to City Hall and indicated he would have a purchase and sale
agreement sometime during the week. The Council will need to discuss and review the bond issue and
parking lot situation. The City will have 60 days to check the HVAC. Director Doerschel said there are
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some bonding restrictions due to one half of the building being rented out. He said he is working on a
plan to supplement funding for one half of the cost from other sources. Total funding to buy and make
needed improvements to the building and surrounding land is $4.4 million. The bond issue will also be
combined with the Highway 99 bond issue.
Councilmember Duffie attended a Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Agenda items
included sign amortization, countywide planning pertaining to the King County Growth Management
Act amendment, and a discussion on Tukwila Days.
Councilmember Hernandez attended a REACH meeting. The organization will soon be short staffed
when a halftime staff person leaves.
Councilmember Carter will attend a Transportation Committee meeting on September 29. On
Wednesday, September 23, Carter attended a planning retreat for Tukwila Community Cares Network.
There were several action items the Council may wish to pursue. In building community assets,
teenagers often feel they are not valued. Carter suggested including positive articles about teenagers in
the Hazelnut or school paper. It could become a feature column in the Hazelnut newsletter. Another
item discussed was encouraging residents to adopt public places, such as a park, a school site, or a street
segment to maintain and improve by personally donating time for maintenance. She asked the Council
to consider the idea to see if it should be referred to a committee for further review.
Carter attended the King County 2000 meeting at the City of Mercer Island. Several overheads
depicting the county and cities' sources of revenue for transportation projects within their respective
jurisdiction and how the revenues are actually spent were reviewed. Cities typically spend more money
on street construction than the county. The county invests more in maintenance projects. A
representative from the Washington Transportation Alliance recommended jurisdictions need to have a
systematic integrated approach regarding transportation projects and spend less on administration. They
reviewed the ballot issue in Snohomish County where they have linked a set of proposals to raise over
$600 million for transportation, parks and recreation, conservation, and open spaces. The ballot includes
a local option gas tax, and if it passes it would be the first jurisdiction in the state to pass the local option
gas tax. There was discussion regarding jurisdictions approaching the legislature to request other
options other than the local option gas tax to increase revenues.
Carter referred to the Pugh partnership information regarding city solutions and indicated more
information should be forthcoming on the program so the City can apply for grant funding. The Hot
Spots Task Force may be eligible for funding from the Pugh partnership program. Councilmember
Fenton said he obtained some additional information from the Internet on the program and forwarded the
information to Karen Wright and Tom Kilberg to pursue funding opportunities.
Councilmember Haggerton said the EDC meeting scheduled for later in the week has been canceled.
The AWC Legislative Committee is meeting on October 1 in Fife. Haggerton also will attend the
October 21 Regional AWC meeting.
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MISCELLANEOUS:
Councilmember Duffie reported airplane noise is getting worse at Tukwila Elementary School.
Councilmember Carter said she noticed Horizon airplanes were turning east and flying across Tukwila
from SeaTac.
Councilmember Carter said she reported two dirt trucks were driving off their designated route to the
City of SeaTac. The operator at the City apparently did not understand where she should refer the call to
and told Councilmember Carter to call the SeaTac Airport hotline to report the trucks.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Pamela Linder, Council President
Robert H. Baker, Deputy City Cle for
Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary