Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-02-10 Committee of the Whole MinutesFebruary 10, 1992 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (Future of SeaTac Airports) Puget Sound Air Transportation Cmte. Amend Agenda. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Ekberg called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ALLAN EKBERG, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SIMPSON, STEVE LAWRENCE, STEVE MULLET. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; MICHAEL KENYON, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; MOIRA BRADSHAW, DCD; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON/DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works. Pete Boleo, Staff Project Manager of the Puget Sound Regional Council; and Mike Fellman, Port of Seattle, gave a brief overview of the proposed third runway at SeaTac Airport. The Puget Sound Air Transportation Committee (a 39- member board appointed by the Port of Seattle and the Puget Sound Regional Council) was selected to review airport expansion alternatives. The committee has included various governmental agencies, citizens, businesses and the environmental council to establish the best approach to this issue. Mr. Boleo stated the deadline for further comments has been extended to March 23. Greg Prothman, City of Des Moines, requested that the Council donate $100,000 to the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs (RCAA), toward the hiring of independent airport experts to examine the draft environmental impact statement produced under the direction of the Puget Sound Air Transportation Committee. Dennis Lensegrav, Vice President of Government Affairs, Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber does support the Flight Plan Committee's preferred alternative -a third runway. Dennis Olson, an airline employee, elaborated that if there is no third runway, and the projected population growth is realized, the demand will exceed capacity. This will result in cutting flights in various fashions and will have diverse impacts on air service to citizens in the Seattle vicinity. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY LAWRENCE, THAT THE COMMl'1"1'EE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA BE AMENDED TO ADD "DISCUSSION OF A THIRD RUNWAY ALTERNATIVE" AS AN ADDITIONAL HEM UNDER "SPECIAL ISSUES" OF TONIGHT'S AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. Violet Buchanan, 12560 51st Place South, commented that a beauty bark pile, located about 50 feet from her front door, continues to grow and she wants help in abrogating the situation. City Attorney Mike Kenyon informed Ms. Buchanan that he will discuss this matter in more detail with her after he reviews the court records. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 10, 1992 Page 2 Citizen's Comments (Con't) Recess 8:45 9:00 SPECIAL ISSUES Discussion of a third runway alternative. Councilmember Robertson commented that the Council was also looking into this matter and will combine efforts with the City Attorney to provide a valid explanation to Ms. Buchanan. Ms. Thelma Larson, 12522 51st Place South, commented that the City of Tukwila is m the process of putting fill on the corner of South 124th and 51st Place South. Since its beginning, water has been seeping onto her property. She's afraid that in a few years the water will reach her home. What is the City going to do about this problem, Ms. Larson asked. Ron Cameron, Public Works, responded that the Public Works Departments is currently working on a design to appropriately handle this drainage problem by spring of this year. Ms. Mabel Harris, 14301 Interurban Avenue South, expressed her delight and pride in the Council's decision to select Charlie Simpson to serve on the Council. Council President called the Committee of The Whole Meeting back to order with those present as noted above. John Maclntire, 4458 South 160th Street, spoke against the third runway stating that the monies could be put to better use such as community, road and street improvements. Ms. Elizabeth Springer, 13325 Macadam Road South, commented that the third runway will not comply with FAA requirements of 4300 lineal feet between two planes when they land simultaneously. The third runway provides for only 2500 lineal feet. She shared a map with the Council which showed the proposed flight paths. The planes will fly faster but won't fly higher. They will only reach 800 feet which means Tukwila will catch the brunt of the consequences. Joan Merryhew, 4431 South 148th Street, commented that the City hasn't solved its other transportation needs such as street congestion. She recommended the City investigate all transportation avenues before deciding on the third runway. Bill Scheffler, 14710 59th Avenue South, expressed concerned as to the costs involved (approximately 900,000,000 dollars), and wanted to know who will be asked to pay for this project in bond issues. Mike Fellman, Port of Seattle, responded that the costs are 80% by the FAA trust fund; and, 20% local match and would be supported by the Port of Seattle's own revenues. MOVED BY LAWRENCE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE A BUDGET TRANSFER OF $50,000, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TO BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE COALITION OF CITIES CALLED THE REGIONAL COMMISSION ON AIRPORT AFFAIRS. WHO WILL HIRE INDEPENDENT AIRPORT EXPERTS TO PURSUE MEANS OF STOPPING A PROPOSED THIRD RUNWAY AT SEATAC AIRPORT, AND FORWARD TO THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL* Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 10, 1992 Page 3 Special Issues Third runway (Con't). Christensen Road street vacation. A c Councilmember Hernandez commented that after reading the Flight Plan Project Report which is very technical, it lists thirty -four different options and alternatives. Her concern is that nowhere in the report does it address what will happen to neighborhoods, communities or schools that are impacted. She stated support should be provided both morally and financially to the local governments to come up with some other evaluations that will benefit and address the concerns of the Tukwila community. Council President Ekberg commented that the City's budget situation must be considered prior to making any agreements, and suggested the administration determine the funding availability. He also suggested a public hearing be held within the next several weeks (at a C.O.W. meeting) to afford public input. Councilmember Robertson commented that while he believes in air transportation, he does not see the proposed third runway project as being a meaningful solution to the problem; it is merely, at best, a short gap. There's only a certain amount of noise and air pollution a certain area can absorb without health impacts. The Tukwila area has reached a point where adding more capacity would add more air pollution, more noise. It's time to build a second airport somewhere else in the region where others could share the impact, he added. Councilmember Simpson agreed with Robertson that it's time someone else shared in the burden of progress. Councilmember Duffie directed his concerns to the citizens of Tukwila, asking the question: "What are we going to cut out now Will the citizens have to wait on the water and the sewer lines in the Allentown area? Duffie encouraged a public hearing to hear from the citizens prior to making a decision. ROLL CALL VOTE: DUFFIE NO HERNANDEZ YES ROBERTSON YES EKBERG NO SIMPSON YES LAWRENCE YES MULLET YES *MOTION CARRIED 5 to 2. Mayor Rants informed the Council that the necessary documents would be prepare for Council review and /or approval by next Regular Council. Ross Earnst, Public Works, reviewed a petition that had been submitted to vacate Christensen Road right -of -way which lies immediately south of I -405 and east of the Green River. The right -of- way dead -ends on the north at the I -405 right -of -way and is bounded on the east and west by properties owned by Helen B. Nelsen, petitioner, and the City of Tukwila, respectively. It was the consensus of the Council not to vacate at this time, and to retain the Christensen Road right -of -way to use as possible open space. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 10, 1992 Page 4 Council 1992 Work Plan. CIP Work Plan. REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 10:20 P.M. The Council agreed to forward the CIP Work Plan to Council Subcommittees. The Council reviewed and discussed the Workplan priorities, and requested administration review the list and be prepared at the next Committee of The Whole Meeting to discuss timelines. City Administrator McFarland presented the CIP Workplan to the Council and commented that the workplan is an articulation of the projects that administration identified would be funded in 1992, and the ones that could realistically be initiated. He informed the Council that the Plan is a working document and it should be treated as such. He continued that there are some projects listed that have been added for informational purposes. These are anticipated activities associated with development, but have not been identified. However, they do take a good deal of staff time. He asked only that the Council look at the Work Plan from the perspective of a work year for staff as the review process begins. Councilmember Hernandez reported she had recently attended a dinner in Olympia with the state legislators and she appreciated that Mayor Rants was in attendance also. Council President Ekberg reported that a thank -you letter (under the signature of the Mayor and Council President) had been sent to the three legislators who met with the Council last week. He also reported that the centennial celebration of the South Central School District was held last Thursday. Mayor Rants delivered a well received speech at the occasion. Councilmember Simpson reported he and Councilmember Lawrence had participated in a meeting at the Duwamish Improvement Club regarding the sewer line Metro is installing from Alki to the Renton Treatment Plant. Lawrence commented that Ross Earnst and Ron Cameron were also in attendance and did an excellent job in imparting information. MOVED BY LAWRENCE, SECONDED BY SIMPSON, THAT THE CO ITIEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. M ON CARRIE Allan Ekberg, Council Presi Celia Square, nt eputy City Clerk