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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-25 Committee of the Whole Minutes ILA I.y '`J 4ss Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting a o City Hall Council Chambers October 25, 2010 7:00 P.M. 290 MINUTES 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; Peggy McCarthy, Deputy Finance Director; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Bruce Linton, Police Commander; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS Joan Meryhew, 4431 South 148 Street, thanked the Council for their support for the Tukwila Historical Society and the Heritage and Cultural Center She feels the arts are very important to the City SPECIAL ISSUES a. Department of Ecology Grant Acceptance for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on October 12, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, explained the Washington Department of Ecology has awarded $54 million in funding for local governments implementing requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase I and II Stormwater permits. The City's share of this funding is $118,112 00 in the form of a non competitive grant. It has been determined the City has projects that meet the eligibility requirements, and there are no matching City funds required COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Consultant Agreement for 2011 Overlay Program. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on October 18, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval Mr. Giberson explained this contract is for the design of the 2011 Annual Overlay and Repair Program Three consultant firms were short listed from the Consultant Works Roster and KPG was chosen as the most qualified. The Council is being asked to approve the design contract with KPG in the amount of $99,596.67. The street improvements scheduled for 2011 include overlay for 11 road sections. He also clarified that the City did not perform any overlay projects in 2010 COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 25, 2010 Page 2 of 4 c. Banking Services Agreement. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 19, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval Peggy McCarthy, Finance Deputy Director, explained that the City's primary banking relationship is currently with U S. Bank and is based on a 2005 agreement. To ensure the City receives optimal service at competitive prices, a banking services solicitation was undertaken U S. Bank provided a lower balance requirement, higher earnings credit, and more competitive contract pricing The Council is being asked to approve the selection of U.S. Bank as the City's primary banking institution for the period of January 1, 2011 through December 14, 2014. The banking fees are estimated at $40,121 for the duration of the agreement, subject to variation based on activity levels. Council President Robertson thanked Ms. McCarthy for the very clear and informative agenda packet materials that were presented to the Council. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. Budget: Review City -Wide Revenue Projects. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on October 11, 2010. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, explained the purpose of this discussion is to review the assumptions regarding revenue estimates factored into the 2011 -2012 biennial budget. Mr. Hunstock distributed information relating to the 2011 -2012 projected General Fund revenues. The Council conducted a detailed review of the following: Sales Tax Property Tax Utility Taxes Revenue Generating Regulatory License (RGRL) Other Revenue The Councilmembers reviewed the "Revenue Projections General Fund" spreadsheets They exchanged comments and asked clarifying questions of staff on the above topics Council President Robertson explained the Council could conduct a second Budget Work Session if it is deemed necessary REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton attended the October 19, 2010 Council Budget Work Session On October 21, 2010, he attended the Cascade Water Alliance Finance and Management Committee Meeting where they reviewed the performance audit. He also attended the Valley Cities Meeting on October 22, 2010 where the topic of discussion was the possible formation of a Street Maintenance Utility Mayor Haggerton stated that City Administration will send a letter to the King County Assessors' Office regarding the timeline for corrected valuation as it relates to the Tukwila South Annexation area and will request they provide a presentation to the Council. b. City Council Councilmember Hernandez attended the South County Area Transportation Board SCATBd) meeting on October 19, 2010 She explained the SCATBd members were provided with the 2 Edition, Final Report and Recommendations for the Regional Transit Task Force. She requested the Council review page 33 of that report. The committee also discussed the 2011 SCATBd Legislative Agenda. On October 21, 2010, she attended the Tukwila Historical Society meeting Ms. Hernandez explained to the Council that Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 25, 2010 Page 3 of 4 on October 13, 2010, the Historical Society submitted a grant application for the necessary funding for improvements to the former City Hall building for the new Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center Councilmember Ekberg thanked the Parks Department for the quick response in clearing a downed tree from Crystal Springs Park. Councilmember Seal volunteered at the "Care Night" event at Cascade View Elementary on October 21, 2010, where 500 children received clothing and other essential items 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 The Council Analyst was not present. MISCELLANEOUS Council President Robertson briefed the Council on some of the issues surrounding the Fire Exploratory Committee He explained one of the main questions that arose during the meetings was why the Tukwila Fire Department appears to be more expensive compared to neighboring jurisdictions He explained the comparisons outlined the cost of providing fire services per a thousand dollars of assessed valuation in the City. The problem with this approach is that our Fire Department was designed and implemented based upon 3 factors the City's geography, demand for services, and the inherent risk based upon our large daytime population. Tukwila's geography is long and narrow with two busy freeways intersecting in the middle of the City. These factors constrain the City into the current structure that includes 4 fire stations, which involves higher costs. Tukwila has more fire stations and staff than a City of similar size or assessed valuation Additionally, the greatest demand for service for both aid and fire calls is from our large multi- family rental properties, and those properties provide very little toward the assessed valuation and /or property tax. Mr Robertson explained that in 2009, 60% of the calls for service were Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls, and the largest percentage of the EMS calls were from multi family properties The freeways themselves require a great deal of service yet provide nothing by way of assessed valuation or payment to the City for public safety services. Additionally, and of great significance, is that Tukwila can have a daytime population of 150,000 people (during the Holiday season) That population count would typically equate to an assessed valuation approximately 3 times higher than the City's current assessed valuation. This variation in the City's daytime population, coupled with an assessed valuation based comparison that does not take the daytime population into account, creates an imbalanced result in evaluating the City's fire service needs. Mr Robertson explained that one of the advantages of changing from a City Fire Department to a Fire Authority is that it would allow the use of a 'Fire Benefit Charge.' This taxation approach would allow the City to assess property taxes based upon Fire Service demand and use, which would provide a more equitable and practical approach for Tukwila. Council President Robertson announced that the next item on the agenda is an Executive Session The purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss a Personnel Matter Pursuant to RCW 42 30 110(1)(g) and Potential Property Acquisition or Lease Pursuant to RCW 42 30.110(1)(b). It will last no more than 60 minutes, and no decisions will be made during the Executive Session. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 25, 2010 Page 4 of 4 8:19 p.m. Council President Robertson declared a brief recess to allow audience members an opportunity to leave the Council Chambers EXECUTIVE SESSION Personnel Matter Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) and Potential Property Acquisition or Lease Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) (60 Minutes) Start: 8:30 p.m Attendees. Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Steve Lancaster, City Administrator; Sara Springer, Assistant City Attorney; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Tukwila City Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, and De'Sean Quinn. 9:20 p.m Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director, entered the Council Chambers 9.30 p.m. Steve Lancaster, City Administrator, made an announcement in the Tukwila City Hall Lobby that the Executive Session would be continued for no more than 10 minutes. End: 9 p.m. ADJOURNMENT 9:36 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. e nis Robe so Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk