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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL October 23, 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. ROLL CALL: Council Analyst Lucy Lauterbach called the roll of Council. Present were Council President Joe Duffie; Councilmembers Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder, David Fenton, and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: John McFarland, City Administrator; Rhonda Berry, Assistant City Administrator; Police Sergeant Darrell Baskin; Finance Director Alan Doerschel and Parks Recreation Director Bruce Fletcher. CITIZEN COMMENT'S /CORRESPONDENCE: Ron Frvmeir. 13650 Military Road South. Tukwila. addressed Council on the status of Evelyn Ristau's property. Since Ms. Ristau has passed away, her home has been robbed of all valuables. Mr. Frymeir spoke of his frustrations, as the next door neighbor, when members of the Police Department take no action. Referring to the property as a biohazard, Mr. Frymeir expressed concern with no one taking steps to clean the property. City Administrator John McFarland invited Mr. Frymeir to speak with Police Sergeant Baskin after this meeting for follow up. He reminded Council and the audience Ms. Ristau's house is private property; and the City has absolutely no authority to go onto it to do anything. The City has been in contact with Executor's of the Ristau Estate; and has not had a great deal of success determining who owns the property. Finally, he noted owners are responsible for the boarding of the home, inventory of assets and cleaning the property. Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry spoke of the efforts expended thus far in determining the Legal Representative for Ms. Ristau's estate. Additonally, she spoke of attempts made to reach Mr. Frymeir in response to his inquiries. Ms. Berry has found a responsible person willing to serve as Legal Representative of the estate, yet they have not yet been appointed. Kevin Frvmeir, 13650 Military Road South, Tukwila, noted a recent conversation with a Tukwila Police Officer who is willing to speak to transients and advise them not to re -enter the property, should they be present when the officer arrives on scene. Anna Bernhard, 14241 59th Avenue South, Tukwila, spoke of her concern after reading an article in the paper regarding the Tukwila Fire Department as it relates to not having Battalion Chiefs. She spoke in favor of City Administration solving this issue quickly. Mr. McFarland noted an active Labor and Industries Complaint on this issue tendered by a City Fire Fighter. He asked those present not to believe everything they read. No one called Administration and the article did not report from that side. The information provided was not City of Tukwila Page 2 of 4 City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes October 23, 2000 entirely accurate or balanced. The City is working on potential solutions to the problem at this time. Councilmembers commented on issues raised in citizen comment and provided potential solutions to the problems at hand. Joanne McManus. 5620 South 133rd, Tukwila. noted a nearby home wherein former residents left a refrigerator, door attached, in the front yard. She spoke out of safety concern for two young boys who live next door. Additionally, cats were left behind when the residents moved. Refuse is also prevalent at the address. Mr. McFarland noted the City has an active Code Enforcement action on this property. Ownership of the property must be determined before action can take place. SPECIAL ISSUES: Casey Foundation Grant Update: Bruce Fletcher, Director, Parks Recreation Mr. Fletcher provided Council with an update on the Casey Foundation Grant. Those involved with the process have been working to decide what can be brought to the schools of Tukwila. Mr. Fletcher has learned financial resources, other than from the City, are available for programs which has opened the door to new discussions and decisions. Envisioned is the possibility of moving the Winter Program from the Tukwila Community Center to Showalter Middle School. To that end, the usual number of approximately 70 students can be increased to approximately 300. Staffing challenges exist and are being considered. This 8 -day program would provide a safe place for Tukwila children wherein they can participate in sports, arts, crafts, drama and performances during their winter break. Program hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with transportation being provided by the School District. Breakfast and lunch would be contracted out and provided for all students. Spearheading this project will be Parks Recreation Department employees Jessie Richardson and Marlus Ireland. Of particular note is the fact this program will be offered free of charge, or very low cost. There are some qualifications for the program such as out of home placement children will receive first priority; of which the School District reports many are in attendance. Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry further explained the qualifications for the children who would participate in the program. All Tukwila students who need the service will be served. The goal is to enhance the learning and family life of children and families in Tukwila. Ms. Berry fielded additional questions from Council and noted the program will begin with two, full -time DSHS workers on site in the school district to work with students in need of human services. The winter program is hoped to be expanded to where programs will take place in each school beginning as early as January, 2001. Staff is looking forward to working with community schools, schools as a resource, and schools that are open before 8:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes October 23, 2000 REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet's absence, due to illness, was excused. No report. b. City Council Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Hernandez attended an October 18 Apartment Manager Network Dinner; the October 22 Thorndyke Elementary School dedication; and a groundbreaking ceremony in Redmond. Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Simpson also attended an October 19 REACH meeting. Councilmember Carter attended a recent SCATBd meeting; an ACC Dinner wherein Tukwila was quite well represented by Elected Officials; and an October 20 Sub -area Transportation Boards breakfast meeting. Ms. Carter also attended the October 22 Thorndyke Elementary School dedication. Council President Duffie invited all present to the Tukwila Elementary School dedication on Sunday, October 29, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Duffie then questioned City Administration about the potential of physically moving a home to the north end of the McAdam wetland area. Mr. McFarland noted the City is closing on this piece of property with a home located thereon. Options for maintaining use of that home after purchase of the property exist. Finally, Mr. Duffie noted Council would like to move the Council Retreat dates in January, 2001, from the third to the fourth weekend in January. Councilmembers were asked to get in touch with Mr. Duffie regarding the proposed change. Councilmember Haggerton noted cancellation of the most recent Utilities Committee meeting. He attended an October 18 ACC Annual Dinner. He will attend an October 24 ACC luncheon meeting. Councilmember Linder attended the Duwamish Improvement Club on October 19 and a plant exchange on October 22. Ms. Linder noted the desire of Duwamish area to be notified in the future when helicopters will be used in connection with the Sabey Corporation. Ms. Linder will attend a 10/24/00 meeting at King County Executive Ron Sims' Office wherein the 10 -Year Study on Domestic Violence and progress in that time will be released. Councilmember Fenton attended the Apartment Managers Network dinner on October 18; then read a Declaration of Recusal into the record as it relates to City Council considerations related to the City's acquisition for parkland, in the vicinity of 37th Avenue South. The recusal is based upon interest in property located in that vicinity which may become involved in City Council property acquisition consideration. Mr. Fenton also stated that his recusal is in the best interest of the City and City Councilmembers. City of Tukwila Page 4 of 4 City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes October 23, 2000 Councilmember Simpson attended the October 19 REACH meeting with Ms. Hernandez and the Foster Community Club meeting. Mr. Simpson also attended the Thorndyke Elementary School dedication. City Administrator McFarland noted attendance at a recent meeting with Ron Sims' last week regarding the Tukwila Freeway route and others that may be in the better interests of Tukwila citizens. A meeting followed between Boeing, Sound Transit and the City regarding the potential for getting service to the Duwamish corridor that may not include the Boeing Access Road Station. Mr. McFarland noted possession of the City's draft Noise Ordinance which is much more user friendly than that which currently exists. It will provide flexibility in dealing with common noise complaints being received. This ordinance was modeled after State law and a draft should be provided to Council in early November. Mr. McFarland then noted a Public Hearing on November 15, 2000, at 7:00 p.m., at the Tukwila Community Center, wherein the topic is the Supplemental EIS for the Tukwila Freeway Route. Finance Director Alan Doerschel informed Council that bids have been received on the short- term financing items for the Foster Golf Course improvements. Key Bank was the apparent low bidder, at 50.5% of prime, equaling an interest rate of 4.86 plus $500.00 in costs. No action is necessary by Council. MISCELLANEOUS: Councilmember Hernandez noted how the City of Federal Way handled code enforcement issues before they got out of hand; especially with regard to their junk car ordinance. City Officials from Tukwila may want to contact Federal Way staff to discuss possibilities for this City. ADJOURN: c. Staff Fenton moved; Haggerton seconded; to adjourn the Committee of Whole meeting, to convene the City Council Special meeting. The motion carried 7 -0. ffie, ColiWil President Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk for Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary Date Minutes Signed:_%,.,2 /00