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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesOFFICIALS: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL March 26, 2001 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Joan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Steven M. Mullet; City Administrator John McFarland; Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry; Council Analyst Lucy Lauterbach; Deputy City Clerk Bob Baker; Public Works Director Jim Morrow; Crime Prevention Officer Bob Abbott; Public Works Project Manager Frank Iriarte; Police Lieutenant Don Lincoln; High School Student Council members A. J. Geiss and Shane Young. Finance Director Alan Doerschel arrived at 8:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present included Council President Joan Hernandez; and Councilmembers Joe Duffle; Pam Carter; Jim Haggerton; Pamela Linder; David Fenton; and Richard Simpson. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry provided a brief background on Ms. Margy Hunt, Program Coordinator for the Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration program. Ms. Hunt provided Council with a written review of the program as it is currently outlined. Further, she addressed academic needs of the students involved with the program. Areas of education include such things as Arts; Homework and Tutoring; Independent Living Skills; Computer and Technology Skills; Diversity; Nutrition; Recreation and others. A Site Coordinator for Foster High School will begin work on May 1. The program coordinator stated partnerships are being built to address current and future needs including dental, health and other human services areas. Thus far, feedback on the program and its content has been successful. Currently, funds are being sought and secured for the summer months. Of special interest is a proposed sport camp which will have 130 spaces for students. After taking a life skills course, City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes the students will be able to participate at no charge in the sports camps. Special guests to the camps will include several University of Washington Husky students. An advisory board for each school is being developed and will begin meeting in September, 2001. Finally, the Site Coordinator for Foster High School has been hired and will begin working on May 1, 2001. Council took time to ask questions, receive answers and thank Ms. Hunt for her efforts thus far. They look forward to continued progress reports and /or updates on this very important program. b. Update on Safety in Overnight Lodging Program March 26, 2001 Page 2 of 7 Bob Abbott, Crime Prevention Officer, provided oral comments as well as a newly developed, written training manual, which will be distributed, to each of the hotels involved with the program. The ordinance has been in effect for six months and has already achieved great results. Upon reviewing statistics with Council, Officer Abbott was very pleased to announce that calls for service from the hotels have decreased since the inception of the program. Additionally, he noted just two hotels are not in compliance with the program and have yet to receive their 2001 business license. Upon satisfaction of compliance with the program, Officer Abbott will contact the City Clerk's Office to advise of same and permit the business license to be issued. It has been noted in the community and in written publications this program is making a difference and is being well received, in spite of initial concerns, from business owners and residents. Further updates and reviews will be presented to Council in another six months. At that time, one year's statistics will be compiled and reviewed. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: Wendy MorEan. Historical Society President, resident of SeaTac, spoke in favor of memorializing Codiga Farm, (in some way), built in 1908, and currently under consideration for demolition. To that end, the Army Corps of Engineers has been contacted by the Historical Society for input. Additionally, Ms. Morgan spoke against demolition of either the Dempere or Weitzel homes, as the Society may be interested in occupying the Weitzel home. For the record, City Administrator McFarland noted neither home is currently slated for demolition. Together, he and Ms. Morgan noted the Historical Society may transition from being a small, non profit organization to that of a City Committee /Commission. Steps are being taken to recruit new members; and procedural guidelines are being drafted on how to make this desire a reality. City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Public Access Television Facility: 1. Agreement between AT &T Broadband and the Cities of Auburn, Burien, Kent, Renton, SeaTac Tukwila 2. Resolution Confirming Fulfillment of the Franchise Obligation of AT &T Regarding Public Access A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, CONFIRMING FULFILLMENT OF THE FRANCHISE OBLIGATION OF TCI CABLEVISION OF WASHINGTON, INC., KNOWN AS AT &T BROADBAND, TO PROVIDE, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN A PUBLIC ACCESS FACILITY March 26, 2001 Page 3 of 7 3. Agreement with Puget Sound Access (PSA) Enabling the Non Profit Corporation to Provide Public Access Services 4. Appointment of Representative to Serve on the PSA Non Profit Board Frank Iriarte, Public Works Project Manager, presented this item to Council. Also present to answer Council inquiries were Jennifer Krebbs, Acting Director of PSA, on loan from AT and Lon Hurd, 3 -H Cable Consultant. It was noted Tukwila (and five other South King County cities) have franchise agreements with (formerly known as) TCI, (now) AT &T Broadband. To leverage resources and available monies, Mr. Iriarte noted a consortium was created to negotiate a state -of -the -art technology system, with AT &T. AT &T has agreed to make a one -time payment of $3,701,942.78 to the six area cities. The funds will be used to build, equip, operate and maintain a public access studio. The purpose of the studio, to an appreciable degree, will serve to improve communication in the community and access to government. The best way to operate the facility (and protect cities from future liability issues) is through the incorporation of a non profit organization. Using monies from AT &T to handle capital and operating expenses, the Puget Sound Access, PSA, will ensure promotion of a community, educational, and government access through existing and future telecommunications media. Community citizens and groups will be encouraged to become involved with the process by taking training classes that allow them access to the studio equipment; transmit messages on the video bulletin board; and televise programs to the public. Several Councilmembers thanked and congratulated Mr. Iriarte for a job well done; not to mention the envisioned success of the PSA. All spoke in favor of Mr. Iriarte serving on the PSA non profit Board of Directors. City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Council consensus to place this item on the Regular meeting agenda, April 2, 2001, for further consideration, discussion and /or action. b. An Ordinance Fixing the Amount of Compensation for City Councilmembers AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION 2.04.230 OF THE TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE, FIXING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS; REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 1707 AND 1851; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Councilmember Fenton noted this item was discussed at length at the January Council retreat as well as at a recent Finance and Safety Committee meeting. He spoke in favor of the item being forwarded to the Regular Meeting agenda of April 2, 2001, for further consideration, discussion and /or action. Councilmember Hernandez noted her desire for changes to the first whereas clause. She suggested, and Council consensus was to amend the first whereas clause to the following: "WHEREAS, the time commitment required to be an effective Council member has greatly increased in the past several years, and the City Council stipends have remained relatively low, considering the time and energy required to effectively represent the City; and" Councilmember Duffle spoke in favor of the ordinance; but against the proposed effective date. He spoke out of concern for the potential for lost revenues due to unsettled Boeing (moving and business related) issues. Councilmember Haggerton spoke in favor of the ordinance and noted no evidence of a decline in the Tukwila economy due to unsettled Boeing decisions. Councilmember Linder and Council President Hernandez spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Council consensus to place this item on the Regular meeting agenda, April 2, 2001, for further consideration, discussion and /or action. c. Contract with Randall Funding Development for Grant Writing Services March 26, 2001 Page 4 of 7 Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, noted this item went to the Finance Safety Committee wherein changes were discussed and suggested. Such changes were made and underlined within the draft document in this agenda packet to make the reviewing process easy and complete. Further changes to the contract language may be made and presented before Council reviews this item and considers its approval. Additionally, Mr. Doerschel noted the City will learn much about grant writing and its process within the next 12 months and noted staff is in favor of Council approving the proposed contract. City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Council consensus to place this item on the Regular meeting agenda, April 2, 2001, for further consideration, discussion and /or action. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, noted the property (formerly known as the McClees property) has proved unsuitable to serve as a vactor waste facility; thus the desire to sell. An abutting property owner continues to vacillate regarding the purchase of the property. The City of Tukwila is currently awaiting an appraisal on the property before being able to name a fair, market price. Council consensus was to surplus the property. If surplused, the property must go to the highest public bid, without regard to the interested party. Council spoke in favor of a requirement that a minimum bid match the awaited for appraisal amount. Council consensus was to place this item on the Regular Meeting agenda, April 2, 2001, for further consideration, discussion and /or action. REPORTS: d. Authorize Mayor to Proceed with Selling of Surplus Property at 4501 South 134th Place a. Mayor Mayor Mullet and Rhonda Berry took King County Executive Ron Sims to lunch after visiting the Sounder Station. There, they discussed the inadequacy of the Station as well as the need for circulator buses. They visited the Sabey site and discussed the dot.com world in the valley. Other items of concern were also discussed. Mayor Mullet also attended the March 22 Kickoff Breakfast for Mr. Sims 2001 campaign. To date, no opponents have declared candidacy. A recent meeting was also held with World Wide Packets which relates to connectivity issues. In this case, the City would install fiber optics and lease them to an operator, who would then lease them back to users, including current telephone and cable companies. On March 23, Mayor Mullet officially welcomed the Daughters of the American Revolution to their 100th State Conference. This is a group of ladies who are interested with and involved in obtaining grants, education, immigration (citizenship) issues, etc. Finally, Mayor Mullet will attend a March 29 Puget Sound Regional Council meeting. b. City Council March 26, 2001 Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Duffie thanked the Council for their hard work; and noted visiting Student Council members may provide reports at this meeting. Councilmember Carter attended a March 19 SCATBd meeting; and then commented on tonight's Transportation Committee meeting agenda items. Ms. Carter will attend the March 28 Foster Community Club meeting as well as a March 29 Puget Sound Regional Council meeting. City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Finally, Ms. Carter made known her intent to attend a March 30 Regional Transit Committee, wherein her services (as alternate) will most likely be required. Council President Hernandez distributed the Joint School Board -City Council meeting agenda for April 3, 6:00 p.m. Ms. Hernandez will attend the South King County Council of Human Services, March 27, Noon. Councilmember Haggerton attended a March 21 Suburban Cities Board meeting in Burien. Discussed were the transportation governance issues and options available there. As an ACC Executive Committee member, Mr. Haggerton sought permission to sign and send correspondence to the SeaTac City Councilmembers regarding their relinquishing permit authority to the Port of Seattle. Another letter, brought to Suburban Cities Association (SCA), regarding the chemical Diaznon, urges the Federal EPA to speed up the ban date for the chemical (March, 2004), due to its hazardous effects to animals and children. The SCA voted against signing and sending the letter as specific individuals or Cities may send correspondence. Councilmember Linder feels strongly that she would like the letter sent. Other Councilmembers provided consensus to send the letter. Councilmember Linder will attend the March 27 Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting as well as the Cascade View Park meeting at 7:00 p.m. Next week, she will attend the very first meeting of the South King County Human Services Roundtable Forum Domestic Violence Subcommittee. And, Saturday, March 30, she will attend the Highway 99 Action Committee cleanup event. Councilmember Fenton had no report. Councilmember Simpson chaired the Utilities Committee meeting on March 20. Next, Mr. Simpson announced he will attend the March 28 Senior Citizen Volunteer (Recognition) lunch, at the Tukwila Community Center, Noon. c. Staff Shane Young, Foster High School student and Student Councilmember, noted attendance to a March 20 Gates' Foundation Scholarship meeting at Foster Library. Approximately 30 students attended that meeting. Five hundred scholarships will be divided and awarded to 16 local area schools. Finally, Mr. Young reported he is seeking the office of ASB President in the upcoming school elections. His opponent is fellow Student Councilmember Alaina Martin. A. J. Geiss, Foster High School student and Student Councilmember, noted he will attend the March 30 Highway 99 Clean -up effort. He, too, is seeking election to the ASB Office of Internet Representative. John McFarland, City Administrator, had no report. March 26, 2001 Page 6 of 7 City Council City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes d. City Attorney City Attorney Bob Noe was not present. MISCELLANEOUS: Councilmember Simpson reported an Ethnic Heritage Council Festival at Southcenter on March 24 and 25, wherein 25 dance troops entertained the community. Many Councilmembers noted they saw no literature or advertising regarding the issue; yet would have liked to attend this yearly event. ADJOURNMENT: 9:48 p.m. Fenton moved; Simpson seconded; to adjourn the Committee of Whole meeting. The motion carried 7 -0. Joan Hernandez, Council President j Reba t Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes signed: Anril 3.2001 March 26, 2001 Page 7 of 7