HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesSPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
February 14, 2000 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers City Hall
CITY COUNCIL OF WHOLE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Council President Joe Duffie called the Committee of the Whole meeting
to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Joe Duffie, Councilmembers Pam
Carter, Dave Fenton, Jim Haggerton, Joan Hernandez, and Richard Simpson.
Councilmember Pamela Linder's absence was excused.
OFFICIALS: Steve Mullet, Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Keith Haines, Police
Chief; Nick Olivas, Assistant Fire Chief; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; James Seese,
Police Officer; Erica Pearson, Records Clerk; and Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst.
a. Swearinz in of new lateral police officer, James (Jav) Seese
Mayor Mullet administered the oath of appointment to James Seese as a Police Officer.
Thereafter, Chief Haines introduced Mr. Seese to Council and the audience. Officer Seese is a
lateral officer who previously served in Colorado. The new officer speaks Spanish, is married,
and has three children.
b. Introduction of new employee Erica Pearson
Chief Haines introduced Erica Pearson, the new Records Clerk for the Police Department. Ms.
Pearson currently lives in Olympia.
CITIZEN COMMENT /CORREPONDENCE:
Joanne McManus. 5610 S. 133 Tukwila, commented on several off -leash dogs running loose
in Foster Park. She suggested notifying Animal Control about the issue due to her concerns with
child safety. She would prefer not to have off -leash dogs within the park.
May Whitley, 11711 40 Avenue S., Tukwila, spoke of serious surface water problem
occurring on her property. The problem has existed for several years. She has talked with many
people at the City about the issue over the years. Operations Manager Ted Freemire installed a
drainage ditch, which no longer works. Ms. Whitley said the water is backing up and is
preventing her from reaching her mailbox and yard. She requested assistance from the Council
to resolve the issue. Council President Duffie referred the issue to Director Morrow for
resolution.
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Sharon Ronnine. 11705 40 Avenue South. Tukwila. confirmed Ms. Whitley's concerns as
she lives next door. She noted Mayor Mullet has visited the area during flash floods. Operations
Manager Freemire also visited and surveyed the problem and indicated the drainage ditch would
be a temporary solution until a permanent solution could be installed. She also requested the
Council's assistance.
SPECIAL ISSUES:
a. An ordinance establishing requirements and regulations for automatic fire
alarm systems in new and existing buildings within the City of Tukwila.
Assistant Fire Chief Nick Olivas reviewed issues raised by the Council during their last review of
the proposed ordinance.
Councilmember Fenton asked if a monitoring company would monitor direct -pull alarms that
have been triggered. Assistant Chief Olivas reported staff's recommendation is to contact
several monitoring companies for bids to monitor alarms. He noted the department does not
have the facilities to monitor fire alarm systems.
Councilmember Carter recommended including a reference within the title of the ordinance
directing the reader to the applicable TMC and under Section 1. Required, removing the "E"
from 10, as it no longer applies. She requested language also be added in exempting
condominium owners from the requirement. Assistant Chief Olivas assured Councilmembers
that under current requirements, condominiums are not be required to comply with the provision
as condominiums are not considered multi- family dwellings. Councilmember Section 10.
Applicability, Carter concurred with the remaining changes and expressed her approval of the
proposed ordinance.
Assistant Chief Olivas referred to another Council concern involving the re- inspection fee. He
explained the requirement was included in another ordinance, which does not conflict with the
proposed ordinance.
b. An ordinance establishing requirements and regulations for fire protection
systems in new and existing buildings within the City of Tukwila
Councilmember Fenton referred to his previous concerns about requiring renovated buildings to
be sprinklered and acknowledged his understanding of how the provision would apply to his
particular situation. He described how a walkway would be added between the existing building
and the new building he owns and asked if the provision would apply under that circumstance.
Assistant Chief Olivas replied it would depend on the building official's interpretation of
whether the walkway resulted in one large building or two separate buildings. Due to the size of
the building, the department would evaluate and contact the code official to determine if
sprinklers were warranted.
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Councilmember Fenton questioned the requirement of installing a lockbox containing a master
key for access to buildings by fire personnel in case of a fire and asked if other apartment
complexes have installed lockboxes. Assistant Chief Olivas acknowledged the requirement is
within the City's Fire Code for tall buildings and is also required of commercial establishments.
Councilmember Fenton inquired about the possibility of installing an 800 number once the
ordinance is adopted to answer citizen inquiries. Assistant Chief Olivas reported an 800 number
hasn't been considered and reiterated how the proposed ordinances are similar to the existing
ordinances. The proposed ordinances contain some clarifications and a few changes due to
technology and would most likely not result in many citizen inquiries.
Randy Bannecker, representing the Apartment Association of Seattle/King Countv, 529
Warren Ave N.. Seattle. disclosed he received a copy of the draft ordinance, but was not able to
ascertain what changes were being proposed. He stressed how association members are very
focused on fire prevention. Mr. Benneher recommended changes to the ordinances, including:
1. Proposed ordinance establishing requirements and regulations for automatic fire
alarm systems:
Section 9. Maintenance members are concerned with the provisions due to tenants often
disconnecting smoke detectors. The association is conferring with the Bremerton and Seattle
Fire Departments about a purchase program on tamper -proof smoke detectors. First Alert sells
the units to fire departments at wholesale. If these units can be installed within apartments, this
would solve the some of the issues associated with tenants tampering with smoke detectors.
Assistant Chief Olivas said he personally has not seen the tamper -proof smoke detectors and
noted his budget does not contain funding for purchase of any smoke detectors. He
recommended considering a future test market to determine the effectiveness of the device and
revisiting the suggestion in the future.
Mr. Bannecker reported tenants should be responsible for the unit's function and understand the
importance of maintaining an operational smoke detector.
The policy's focus should also be incorporated
within the Tenant Multi Family Safety Task Force as many issues
relate to fundamental building safety. The association would like to
work with the City of Tukwila to develop a rating system on building
safety risk levels and apply them to fire prevention standards based on
the risk level of a particular building. Mr. Bannecker recommended
the Council consider this opportunity, if interested.
Councilmembers concurred to forward the proposed ordinances for adoption at the next Council
meeting.
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a. 2000 Annual Neighborhood Drainage Proiect consultant agreement
Councilmember Haggerton reported the item has been before the Utilities Committee and
referred to the minutes of the Committee meeting. He reported the action would complete some
of the smaller drainage projects, which have accumulated over the years. Design projects are
planned for projects #3 -11 (items #1 -2 have been designed separately) this year with completion
anticipated for projects #1 -9.
Director Morrow reviewed staffs request to add projects 10 and #1 1 under design planning, in
the event construction costs are lower than anticipated.
Councilmember Carter noted one of the projects for drainage improvements in an alley was
elevated on the list due to the neighborhood joining together and providing easements to the
City. She referred to another alley drainage project that has not progressed due to the difficulty
of securing easements from property owners.
Director Morrow indicated staff would annually reevaluate small drainage projects. Once the
projects on the list are completed, staff will look at the remaining list. Additionally, staff is
conducting public works workshops for residents. He noted the project referred to during the
public comment period is listed as project #19. Completion of project #19 would be dependent
on the availability of funding and reassessment of priorities currently on the list.
Councilmembers concurred to forward the agreement to the next Council meeting for action.
b. An ordinance vacating a portion of West Marginal Place South, beginning at
South 110 Street (for 370 feet)
Director Morrow explained the request came before the Council three years ago as a King
County project, which was consequently postponed due to funding issues. King County has now
advised funding is in place and planning has been completed to move ahead on the project. King
County is requesting the City of Tukwila vacate the street.
Director Morrow reported a public hearing has been held on the proposed vacation with no
significant public comments opposed to the project. Staff is requesting approval of the ordinance
to vacate the City's right -of -way. Director Morrow advised Councilmembers the ordinance
would not be published until two conditions has been accomplished. The conditions include:
1. Relocation of Seattle water line facilities and granting of an easement by King
County to Seattle.
2. Relocation or removal of Seattle City Light facilities and granting of an easement
by King County to Seattle City Light.
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Mayor Mullet described the location of the proposed park. Councilmembers concurred to
forward the ordinance to the next Council meeting for action.
e. Council travel expenditures
Councilmember Hernandez reported the revised cost to travel to Ikawa is $1,369.
Administer McFarland briefed Councilmembers on the details of the Ikawa trip. The Ikawa trip
is scheduled for May 19 -28. A $200 deposit is due by March 17, with full payment due on
March 31, 2000. The travel agency coordinating travel arrangements is Zenith Tours located in
Des Moines.
Councilmember Hernandez expressed an interest in attending the annual National League of
Cities (NLC) conference in Boston. Although she has attended NLC legislative conferences in
Washington, D.C., she has never attended a winter NLC conference.
Councilmember Carter referred to additional funding she believed had been approved and
recommended establishing a clearer policy to document when actions have been approved during
general Council discussions.
Councilmember Haggerton corrected the reference referring to his Board position on the NLC
and indicated his position is on the Policy Committee of NLC. Councilmember Hernandez
recommended not listing his trip as he is attending and representing the City in his position as a
member of the NLC Policy Committee.
Councilmembers discussed attendance preferences, options, and available funding. After review,
Councilmembers agreed to refer the travel policy to the Finance and Safety Committee.
Councilmembers directed Analyst Lauterbach to document travel costs for each trip.
REPORTS:
a. Mayor
Mayor Mullet attended a meeting with Councilmembers Duffle and Carter at the King County
Council on transportation issues. He attended because the council meeting was a satellite
meeting held at Highline Community College. He suggested Councilmembers should continue
working on arrangements to conduct satellite meetings of the Council. He noted how many
people attended the meeting and indicated it was very effective in generating public attendance.
b. Citv Council
Councilmember Hernandez attended the Foster High School Arts Gala and was impressed with
the talent of local high school students. She complimented participants involved in creating the
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art mural. She then distributed a copy of the REACH meeting agenda for February 2 as well as
the minutes from the last meeting.
Councilmember Carter attended a SCATBd meeting on Tuesday, February 9. On February 9 and
10, she and Councilmember Simpson attended an AWC meeting and met with Tukwila's
legislators except Senator Margarita Prentice. She has since been in contact with Representatives
due to a legislative bill she was promoting that would allow cities to retain certain information
during union negotiations.
She referred to her attendance at the King County Council and noted one item of great interest
concerned gas tax collections. Previously, from every dollar's worth of purchased gasoline, 92¢
is collected and remains within the Puget Sound area. With the advent of I -695, this amount has
been reduced to a mere 57¢.
Maps of the post I -695 bus routes were distributed highlighting what bus services would remain
after transit cuts if the legislature does not allocate additional funding.
Councilmember Carter also attended an earlier Transportation Committee meeting. She
announced an ordinance to adopt the 2,000 WSDOT APWA Standard Specs for Construction
would be presented to the Council at its next regular meeting for adoption.
Council President Duffle attended the King County Council meeting and noted it was quite
interesting. He suggested referring a recommendation for satellite Council meetings to the
Community Affairs and Parks Department to investigate how soon satellite Council meetings
could begin.
Councilmember Haggerton reported his attendance at a Utilities Committee meeting on February
8. In addition to the small drainage projects review, members also discussed using reusable
water within the City. At the Cascade Annual meeting on February 9, reusable water was also
discussed.
Councilmember Haggerton referred to the Sunday editorial article in the Seattle Times titled
"Sims' County Water Grab is a Brass Tactic" and indicated members attending the Cascade
Alliance Annual Meeting had a different opinion than what was addressed in the article.
Councilmember Haggerton will attend a February 16 Suburban Cities at Newcastle Golf and
Country Club. Elections are scheduled between Councilmember Haggerton and the Mayor of
Enumclaw for a Suburban Cities board vacancy.
Councilmember Fenton will attend a Community Affairs and Park Committee on February 15 at
5:00 p.m. He agreed with Council President Duffle's suggestion about placing satellite Council
meetings as an agenda item at an upcoming meeting of the Committee. He noted he also
attended a Part 150 meeting at Sea Tac, which also resulted in some publicity.
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Councilmember Simpson attended the Domestic Violence meeting on February 8 with Ann
Winter and attended the AWC meeting in Olympia with Councilmember Carter. He announced
the Boeing Employees Credit Union has donated $5,000 to the Tukwila Police Department to
enable officers to take classes in Spanish.
c. Staff
Administrator John McFarland had no report.
d. City Attorney
City Attorney Bob Noe had no report.
e. Intergovernmental
Mayor Mullet said the issues raised during the Cascade Alliance Annual Meeting also surfaced at
the WRIA meeting the next evening. Gene Carpenter from Executive Sim's office expressed
some strong sentiments with a representative from Seattle Water. He also attended the Part 150
Study meeting at Sea Tac, where many Mercer Island and Bellevue residents attended because
they believe the flight tracks might change and affect them. He remarked the meeting was
standing room only and mentioned it was very interesting to see so many people suddenly take
notice of the Part 150 Study.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilmember Carter moved, Councilmember Haggerton seconded; to adjourn to a
Special Session. The motion carried 6 -0.
8CtVitiaLba
Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
for Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary
Date Minutes Signed: 04 20 /00