HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-08 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
May 8, 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 Duffle, Councilmembers Pam
Carter, Dave Fenton, Joan Hernandez, Pamela Linder, Jim Haggerton, and Richard Simpson.
OFFICIALS: Steve Mullet, Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Alan Doerschel,
Finance Director, Rhonda Berry, Assistant City Administrator; Keith Haines, Chief of Police,
Bob Abbott, Crime Prevention Officer, Tom Keefe, Fire Chief; Evelyn Boykan, Human
Resources Coordinator; and Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
a. Highline Community Hospital Activities Update
Debbie Wilkinson, Director of Outreach Services, provided an update on three programs
sponsored by the hospital. These programs are designed to meet a specific community need.
Roxberry Center, newest community project, White Center, draws community members from the
entire southwest King County area. Roxberry is a partnership with the Public Health Department
for services only. The center provides general health care and has a pediatrician on staff.
A WIC program is also included to offer nutritional programs services for women, infant, and
children. The site is unique as it serves an under served population the uninsured community
member and families. A sliding scale begins at zero at this location.
The center has been in operation for one year; and during that time, approximately 4,300 patients
have been served. Approximately 37% of the patients were uninsured. Of the 37% uninsured
patients treated at the center, 28% were Tukwila residents, which equates to approximately
$120,000 of health care services provided by the clinic to Tukwila residents.
The Youth Health Center opened approximately two years ago; and is a school -link health center
with the Highline School District. Many students attending Tukwila high schools use the center,
too. The center is a full scope primary care service and offers on -site chemical and mental health
counselors.
The third program, Highline Midwifery and Woman's Health Center is located in Tukwila. This
program offers primary care, obstetrical care, and WIC services for women. The center has been
operating for eight years and is designed to serve women who are not receiving pre -natal care.
City of Tukwila
City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
In 1999, 34,000 patients were served by the center. The center also offers an early intervention
prevention program to prevent child abuse and neglect. Health care professionals work with
high -risk families within the community by offering home visiting nurses, parenting programs to
teach parenting skills, and assisting woman and families with planning for the future. The
service is offered until children reach two years of age.
Ms. Wilkinson answered questions from Councilmembers about services provided to Tukwila
residents. She indicated it is very difficult for uninsured patients to access health services and
once patients discover a center with a sliding scale beginning at zero, there is a tendency for
people to travel a longer distance to use those services. This accounts for the higher percentage
of Tukwila residents using the Roxberry Center.
CITIZEN COMMENT'S /CORRESPONDENCE:
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May 8, 2000
Colleen Pachekla, Washington Alliance for Safe Highways, is involved with the National
Coalition Against Bigger Trucks. She works with law enforcement, health and safety
organizations, and the independent truck driver unions. At the state level, they work with
municipal government, city councils, mayors, fire chiefs, and anyone who has concern with
maintaining the status quo on truck size and weight.
She reported on some congressional efforts that would raise the weight of freight trucks. The
coalition is concerned due to safety, infrastructure, and tax reasons. A trucking alliance,
Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, is pushing for a resolution in congress (House
Resolution 1667) that would raise the weight of single axle tracker trailer trucks from 80,000 to
97,000 pounds and add an additional axle.
Ms. Pachekla cited other safety concerns with multi -axle trucks and additional trailers. Larger
trucks also accelerate damage to roadways and bridges and create collapse risks to bridges that
have substantial truck traffic. She shared reimbursements costs by the trucking industry for road
infrastructure and noted those costs would not increase substantially to cover the increased costs
of roadway maintenance caused by heavier trucks and extra trailers. Additionally, truck traffic
on the east /west and north/south routes within the state would increase dramatically if the
resolution passes.
The coalition representative asked Council to consider writing a letter to Representative Smith
and the other representative expressing their support of maintaining the status quo and agree to
co- sponsoring the resolution.
Councilmembers spoke in favor of their agreement with HCR 306. The Council referred the
issue to Transportation Committee Chair Pam Carter to draft the proposed letter of support.
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City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ISSUES:
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May 8, 2000
a. An interlocal agreement with King County regarding participation in the
Economic Development Incentive and Section 108 Housing and Urban
Development program
Administrator McFarland updated the Council on progress of the Section 108 HUD program loan
and Economic Development Incentive grant the City is applying for in support of Tukwila
Village.
Councilmember Hernandez recalled that the loan would only be used for housing development
but updated information reflects the grant could be used for a variety of purposes. Administrator
McFarland acknowledged the loan could be used for a number of purposes within the realm of
the project but the intent was to apply the grant to upfront costs of the project that would free
other funding to other sources. Part of the justification for securing the loan is to include housing
within the project. No dollar amount has been designated specifically to housing. The funding
would be blended into the overall project to include construction of housing. By including
housing as a part of the loan application, the application receives a higher rating.
Councilmember Haggerton questioned the involvement of the City in Phase II of Tukwila
Village and indicated that during the Council retreat, Councilmembers specified there would be
no monetary involvement by the City in Phase II.
Administrator McFarland replied the City would be involved in Phase II through the public
property component and acquiring additional property through the King County Housing
Authority. Those projects were always considered as components of Phase II. However, the
City would not be involved in any construction activities.
Councilmember Haggerton quoted the minutes of the Council's retreat, which read, "Regarding
Tukwila's Village, after discussion the Council agreed the City would not be a participant in
Phase II and that it would be McConkie's Development. However, they are interested in
participating in Phase III." Administrator McFarland reminded the Council the City is the agent
to assemble the two pieces of land that are owned by the non profit and the public agency.
Mayor Mullet pointed out the Council made commitments before and after the retreat and the
Council has indicated they would support those commitments.
Councilmember Haggerton expressed some concerns with the economic forecast for the City
beginning in 2001 and ensuring that the various funding packages secured through loans, grants,
and bonds for Tukwila Village are being considered in the entire economic forecast and not piece
by piece.
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City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
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May 8, 2000
Mayor Mullet replied that part of the reason for pursing a Section 108 loan included an
opportunity to work with the county. Another reason was to free up funds that had been bonded
to provide some extra money to work on Phase III.
Mr. McFarland concurred with Councilmember Fenton's suggestion for a Councilmember to
attend the administrative public hearing scheduled for May 15 for the EDI grant.
b. An ordinance providing City fire investigations with law enforcement commissions
for the purpose of conducting arson investigations
Councilmember Hernandez reported the Finance and Safety Committee reviewed the ordinance.
The ordinance provides fire investigators with the ability to fully investigate arsons by
authorizing investigators access to criminal records. The investigators would not be authorized
to carry firearms.
Councilmember Fenton asked how many other cities have authorized law enforcement
commissions of their fire investigators. Fire Chief Keefe confirmed the only other local
jurisdiction that has not taken similar action is the City of Sea Tac, as they rely on the county to
complete fire investigations. Most of the local jurisdictions and fire districts have commissioned
fire investigators.
Chief Keefe explained the primary difficulty of non commissioned fire investigators was the lack
of accessibility to private and criminal records of individuals. The Fire Department currently has
to rely on the Police Department to undertake this task.
Councilmembers agreed to move the adoption of the ordinance to the next regular Council
meeting on May 15, 2000.
C. An ordinance adopting investment policies
Councilmember Hernandez reported the Finance and Safety Committee reviewed the ordinance.
The ordinance will bring the City's policies for investment into compliance to governmental
standards and help Tukwila become eligible for certification.
Director Doerschel indicated The City would not be using an investment board approach and
noted he completes a quarterly report and presents it to the Finance Safety Committee. He
then shared information on the pluses and minuses of short and long -term investments, risk
factors, and reasons for substantial investment losses incurred by the cities of Orange County and
San Jose, California.
Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Director Doerschel concerning the Finance
Safety Committee's role in assuring checks and balances are in place with respect to investment
decisions by the City.
City of Tukwila
City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
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May 8, 2000
Mr. Doerschel then reviewed the proposed changes to the Investment Policy which include
striking the last sentence in Section 11.2 and adding Section 11.5.
Action on the ordinance was moved to the next regular Council meeting for adoption.
d. A resolution approving Tukwila's travel policy and credit card use.
Councilmember Hernandez reported the proposed resolution was reviewed by the Finance
Safety Committee and pertains to a policy that establishes guidelines for employee travel while
on City business, use of City travel credit cards, and Council travel guidelines. She noted most
of the changes proposed by Committee members have been incorporated into the draft with the
exception of some minor text corrections.
Councilmember Hernandez questioned the reference of Finance Policy 03 -06 in Section 4.6 of
the Policy and Procedure. Director Doerschel explained the reference contains policies on limits
for meals, lodging, and mileage reimbursement, etc. Councilmembers Hernandez and Carter
suggesting adding additional information for clarity to Section 4.6 concerning the reference.
Director Doerschel explained the benefits of using credit cards in making hotel and airfare
reservations. Only qualified business expenses are allowed with a credit card. He described
typical business expenses that could be charged against a credit card.
Councilmembers agreed to forward the resolution to the next regular Council meeting for
adoption.
e. Cascade Water Alliance update
Mayor Mullet reported the City of Seattle has requested each purveyor member of Cascade
Water Alliance (CWA) to reaffirm CWA's efforts to negotiate a new wholesale water supply
agreement with Seattle.
Councilmember Haggerton suggested it was an attempt by Seattle Public Utilities and possibly
the Mayor of Seattle to not recognize CWA as a group of entities, but to recognize CWA as an
equal to individual water districts and consumer districts that have not joined the alliance. The
proposed letter recognizes CWA as a legitimate organization of cities and water districts and
informs Seattle that CWA speaks for its members in the matter of future water issues.
Councilmember Haggerton noted that based on the draft of the interlocal agreement, Tukwila's
contribution would be reduced for 2000 by approximately $1,500.
Mayor Mullet expressed support of the proposed letter.
City of Tukwila
City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Haggerton suggested inviting Operations and Maintenance Manager Pat Brodin
to a future COW meeting to brief the Council on details and information about other water
groups that are beginning attempts at organizing.
f. An ordinance ensuring safety in overnight lodging
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May 8, 2000
Administrator McFarland and Chief Haines recently met with several representatives of the
Group 1 lodging industry to discuss some concerns. He noted the meeting was very productive.
Meetings with representatives of Group 2 and Group 3 are also scheduled.
Administer McFarland acknowledged there were many misunderstandings and untruths by the
audience along with some useful suggestions during the public hearing held on May 1s The
goal is to work through the challenges to develop a viable ordinance that works for both the City
and the motel /hotel industry.
Police Chief Keith Haines expressed support for the program and ordinance to reduce crime
within the hotel /motel industry. Of Tukwila's 23 hotels /motels, five establishments have
problems concerning drug dealing, prostitution, violent crime, and theft.
Chief Haines said meetings were held with the five hotels /motels that have the most severe
problems. The representatives were asked to voluntarily implement crime prevention measures
and experience has shown they have not complied.
Crime Prevention Officer Bob Abbott reviewed the major concerns expressed by representatives
from the industry during the public hearing and commented on the accuracy or inaccuracy of
each concern.
Office Abbott referred to complaints that the "City is imposing the ordinance without give and
take" and said the public hearing conducted by the City demonstrates the City's willingness to
discuss and work with the community on the ordinance.
Officer Abbott referred to the constitutional issues raised by representatives of the hotel /motel
industry and reported Attorney Noe's letter thoroughly addressed those specific issues.
Officer Abbott shared copies of recent crime statistics from March 1999 to March 2000 for hotel
and motels. Four hotels /motels have remained consistent while one has increased in crime. He
noted the Boulevard Motel had agreed with some preventive measures last July, which is
reflective in the reduced crime figures for that establishment in March 2000.
Officer Abbott reiterated that asking hotel /motels to voluntarily participate would probably not
be successful and cited the City's record of accomplishment in obtaining voluntary participation
of multi- housing complexes as an example. The Crime Free Multi- Housing Program is one of
the most successful in the nation and has received outstanding results in achieving a 60%
reduction in calls for service.
City of Tukwila
City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
Councilmembers thanked Officer Abbott and Mayor Mullet for following up and providing
clarification on some of the major issues raised during the public hearing.
Councilmember Linder shared her thoughts on provisions she could support in the ordinance.
She reviewed the list and compared each item to see if it was legally defensible by law.
Mayor Mullet stressed that the intent for the review was to raise the obvious issues, correct the
misinformation, and return the ordinance to the Committee or Council for continued review and
revision.
Council President Duffle shared his support of the ordinance and acknowledged there is some
misunderstanding within the community about 911 calls that requires some basic education.
Councilmembers agreed to forward the draft ordinance to the Finance Safety Committee for
additional review and refinement.
REPORTS:
a. Mayor
Mayor Mullet reported staff continues to call on boardmembers of Sound Transit and many of
them believe the issue relates to a funding problem.
Mayor Mullet attended a five -year celebration of the Maplewood Golf Course Restaurant /Club
House. The owner offered to provide staff with advice concerning the type of restaurant to build
at the Tukwila Golf Course.
b. City Council
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May 8, 2000
Councilmember Hernandez attended the joint Council /School Board meeting on May 2. She
remarked that although the meeting was beneficial, it was quite lengthy and suggested starting
earlier or condensing future agendas.
She attended the Equity and Diversity Commission meeting on Thursday, May 4. A certificate
was presented to Boeing Employees Credit Union for their partial funding of the Spanish
language classes for Tukwila police officers.
The American Red Cross is sponsoring classes on how to communicate effectively through an
interpreter on May 11 from 9:00 am to noon.
Councilmember Carter attended a 5/2/00 Regional Transportation Summit. She was one of
eight panelists who spoke regarding the issue of transportation. She also took the May 6 tour of
Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools post construction completion. Ms. Carter then
noted attended at this evening's Transportation Committee meeting.
City of Tukwila
City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes
Council President Duffie reported attendance at the same meetings Councilmember Hernandez
attended.
Councilmember Haggerton noted a 05/02/00 Utilities Committee meeting. He reviewed the
minutes from that meeting. He also attended the joint School Board /City Council meeting. He
also noted the agenda was far too long. Next, Mr. Haggerton noted attendance at the first AWC
Nominations Committee (no date provided). He then attended an ACC Executive Session
meeting the same evening. He will attend a 05/10/00 Cascade Water Alliance meeting.
Councilmember Linder attended the Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on May 2.
Attendance was low as a report was received on the I -405 Corridor. She then reported a May 13
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Kickoff Fair at the Tukwila Community Center.
Councilmember Fenton will attend a Community Affairs and Parks Committee on May 9. He
will also attend the Highway 99 Action Committee meeting on May 9, in the evening.
Councilmember Simpson also attended the school tour on May 6.
ADJOURNMENT:
9:39 p.m. Councilmember Fenton moved; Councilmember Carter seconded; to
adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 7 -0.
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1. uffi-'Council Pr �r
Ica,�t k FJLA
Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
for Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary
Date Minutes Signed Y 'j /00
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May 8, 2000