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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesJuly 13, 1992 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Options for Open Space Houses: CITIZEN'S COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARINGS Review request by Baker Commodities for unclassified use permit for tallow tanks. 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; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST /RON CAMERON /DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works; DON WILLIAMS, Parks; JACK PACE /DENNI SHEFRIN /LORA FOWLERNERN UMETSU, DCD; RON WALDNER /KEITH HAYNES /BOB MCQUEEN, Police. Lora Fowler reported on the options for use of the three Open Space properties the City recently purchased. Each includes a house. Two of the three houses were purchased with King County Open Space Bond Funds; the third was purchased with City 301 funds. The three houses purchased were: Aliment House, 5830 South 140th (on the Duwamish River); Bolla House, 5311 South 144th (on Wetland No. 1); and the Aide House, 15421 42nd Ave So. (on Gilliam Creek). Among some of the options she discussed were: Demolition; arrange for the Fire Department to burn the structures; or sell by bid process. She informed the Council, however, that the houses must first be declared surplus at a public hearing prior to acting on any of the options. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that burning the houses was absolutely not an option and that consideration will be given to the other options at the next Community Affairs and Parks Subcommittee meeting, then to a future Committee of The Whole meeting. Betty Gully, 13017 Macadam Road; and Kathy Stetson, 13258 40th Avenue South, offered thanks and appreciation for the cooperation of the administration and the staff for its full support in every aspect of the City's recent Tukwila Days activities. Ms. Gully said evaluation sheets were given to participants and after a tally was taken, the results showed a good portion of them were quite impressed with the support they received from the City. Council President Ekberg opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Vernon Umetsu, DCD, explained that Baker Commodities (new owners of the Seattle Rendering Works) is applying for an "unclassified use permit" per TMC 18.66, to allow the relocation of nine tallow storage tanks from Port of Seattle property to their Tukwila site at 5795 South 130th Place. Because this is a quasi judicial permit and the "appearance of fairness" rule applies, the Mayor and Council should not discuss this matter prior to the public hearing. Umetsu said the Planning Commission held the public hearing on April 23. He said the hearing was extensively advertised but only two people responded -one was Committee of The Whole Meeting July 13, 1992 Page 2 Public Hearina (Can't) Baker Commodities d15i? concerned about additional odors generated by the facility; and the other was worried about truck traffic down 56th Avenue. Those concerns were dealt with. The Planning Commission deliberations focused on four main areas: odor, visibility to Foster Golf Course, truck traffic, and spill response. The Planning Commission recommends approval pending several conditions as follows: 1) An operations and maintenance plan shall be approved by the City's staff and the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority prior to permit review by the Council. 2) Tanks shall be sited with the 18.5 ft. tall units toward the river. 3) Tanks shall be painted a flat, non reflective color. 4) Tallow truck traffic shall be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 5) Landscaping shall be installed as proposed. 6) Baker Commodities shall make every effort throughout its existence within the City to reduce and keep at a minimum odorous and noxious emissions from the plant. Umetsu stated that the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority (PSAPCA) has approved tank relocation, and Tukwila Planning staff have reviewed the spill response plan on file with PSAPCA and is satisfied that spill events would be quickly and effectively cleaned up. He also stated that the Pro Golf Shop has received no written nor verbal complaints regarding the odors, and that they receive more complaints about geese on the site than odors. Councilmember Duffie inquired as to the options the City has should a decision be made against this request because the odors are still overwhelming. Umetsu explained that the tallow tanks issue had been adequately advertised but only two people responded. Councilmember Robertson stated it was his understanding that this was a public hearing for a "Conditional Use Permit" based on the conditions that staff and Planning Commission had recommended; and that after the public hearing, recommendations could be made based upon those conditions. However, statements made by Umetsu implied that the conditions were inconclusive. Umetsu explained that the permit in question is an "Unclassified Use" which is different from a "Conditional Use." The Planning Commission grants Conditional Use Permits subject to appeal to the Council. With an Unclassified Use, the Planning Commission only makes the recommendation to the Council, the actual Permit is issued by the City Council. Umetsu explained the existing conditions included in tonight's packet will be supplemented with additional information and brought back to the Council; and, he requested that the public hearing be continued to September 14, 1992. Anna Burnhard, 14241 59th South, commented that if it appears there's any increase in the odor at all with the new conditions in place, she feels the City should deny the request. She has lived in Tukwila for almost 30 years and the smell is still awful. JoAnne McMannis, 5610 South 133rd, commented that the odor is still there, the odors have impacted the living conditions. Don Williams, Parks and Recreation Director, commended Baker Commodities for the job they're doing, overall, on week days; but evenings and weekends are when the most Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 13, 1992 Page 3 Public Hearina (Con't1 Baker Commodities Public Hearing closed. Amend Aaenda A Proclamation naming honorary members to Sister Cities Cmte. frequent odors are observed, and the Pro Shop receives the majority of complaints. Williams suggested the company monitor their facility during those times when the odors are most prevalent, there may be a problem with supervision. Council President closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Councilmember Hernandez asked the following questions: Does Baker Commodities own other similar facilities in the area? what provisions have been made to handle emergencies such as spills or odor complaints when there's no one on duty? How many trucks Toads per day (in and out of the site) are anticipated? How is the facility at terminal 18 used? How is tallow shipped, hard form or liquid form? Bill Hammond, Area Manager, Baker Commodities, responded they own no other facilities in the area. Regarding emergencies, he said someone is always on duty and when they are not, the facility is closed completely down. He stated that truck traffic will increase by approximately 2 -3 trucks per week. The Tallow is transported in covered trucks; the trucks transporting the carcasses are open. Regarding terminal 18, Mr. Hammond said it used to be leased from the Port of Seattle by Jason Sterns, but the lease was cancelled about 15 months ago. Baker Commodities were the incumbents. Councilmember Robertson commented that he's very dubious about claims that technology is going to solve the odor problem, because thus far it hasn't. He advised staff that the next presentation to Council must be attractive and sound to stop the current problems and nuisances or he will oppose the request. After much discussion, the Council agreed to continue the Public Hearing to the next Committee of The Whole Meeting. The Council agreed to move Item "6a" forward on the agenda: A Proclamation naming honorary members of Sister Cities Committee." MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW THE REQUEST BY BAKER COMMODITIES FOR UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT FOR INSTALLATION OF SEVEN TALLOW TANKS AT SEATTLE RENDERING WORKS BE FORWARDED TO JULY 27 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Rants read a Proclamation naming Becky Davis, Doug Gibbs and Dan Saul honorary members of the Sister City Committee due to their diligent service on the Committee; and, their participation with previous Sister Cities delegations travelling from Tukwila to Ikawa -Cho. Mrs Berdene Saul accepted on behalf of her husband, Dan Saul. None of the recipients were present, however. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 13, 1992 Page 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS Parking requirements amending TMC 18.56.050. Public Hearing closed. Recess 8:50 9:05 p.m SPECIAL ISSUES Discussion of Council Work Plan. Council President closed the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. Council President opened the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. Denni Shefrin, Associate Planner, DCD, explained that the existing parking standard for places of public assembly and private clubs refers to the Uniform Building code (UBC) occupancy load to establish parking quantities. Occupancy load requirements are specifically to provide safe fire exits in buildings. She continued that the recommended change to the parking requirements is an attempt to achieve a more accurate number of parking spaces which adequately meet the demand of the specific project and its intended use or uses. Councilmember Robertson recommended that this issue be forwarded to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee for a more indepth discussion. The Council agreed to forward the parking requirements amending TMC 18.56.050, Table 4 to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. Council President called the meeting back to order with councilmembers present as listed above. Councilmember Robertson commented that he would like to see the Tree Preservation Ordinance brought back to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee or to the whole Council in hopes that a common vision would be reached. He stated there isn't a need for the proposed ordinance to go before the Planning Commission because zoning codes will not be impacted. Responding to Robertson, City Administrator McFarland stated that the Tree Preservation Ordinance was scrapped because the administration received word the Council was not in favor of the direction the original draft was taking, and that the Council wanted a more stringent version. However, an ordinance that is broader in scope and more stringent (in terms of its restrictions and requirements) would have to go before the Planning Commission based on the first review by the DCD Director and City Attorney. McFarland suggested another discussion be held and the differences in the ordinance discussed; then decide on what direction the Council would like to take. The Council agreed that the proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance should be forwarded to the Community Affairs and Parks Subcommittee for further review, then back to a future Committee of The Whole meeting for consideration. Councilmember Hernandez stated she would like to see two of Priority 2 issues studied for possible implementation: Community Service for Crimes, and, Litter Control. The Reciprocal Agreement with South Central School District was discussed. The Council requested a report be provided to them addressing some of the issues discussed at a previous Joint School Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 13, 1992 Page 5 Discussion of Council Work Plan (Con't) REPORTS Board /City Council meeting; one being the scheduling of the school facilities as it relates to Tukwila and other jurisdictions. McFarland informed the Council that this has been an ongoing process. Various activities have been and are continuing to be coordinated with the School District. He said after his meeting with school officials tomorrow, he will try to pull together a report that will be useful to the Council as well as the school Board. Ekberg suggested another Joint meeting be held with the school before the Council begins its budget process and while the school is on summer break; and that key staff persons be present. The Facility Study was also discussed. The Mayor said he would provide a prioritized list of facility improvements to the Finance and Safety Committee around the first of August. Council President requested that the City Administrator and the Council Analyst work together to come up with a format that will be used consistently as a Council Work Plan. Ekberg suggested using a combination of the timeline with the sliding bars that was used in the past, and the narrative format included in tonight's agenda. Non represented Regarding the Compensation Guidelines for non employees salaries represented employees, the Mayor requested the issue. discussion be postponed for at least two weeks to allow for administrative input. He hopes to introduce new data at that time. Councilmember Robertson did not agree with postponing the issue; stating that ample time had been allowed, and that he does not wish to drag this subject out any longer than need be. Though he did not agree with postponing the non represented salary discussion; he did support a two -week extension. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE NON REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES SALARIES ISSUE BE FORWARDED TO THE JULY 27, 1992 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. The Mayor reported that he had received a letter from Ron Anderson, Director of WSDOT, regarding noise abatement on 1 -5. He said WSDOT will conduct a noise study while they're working on the HOV lanes through Tukwila. He also read an update on the Metro Park and Ride lot, stating that Metro is aware of its heavy usage and is actively pursuing expansion of the lot. Council President announced that tomorrow night, 7:00 p.m., at Foster High School Library, the South Central transportation issue will be the main focus as the School Board convenes to here citizens complaints about school bussing. Ekberg also requested that the Administration provide the Council with a semi annual update on the status of SAO permits. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 13, 1992 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT 10:15 p.m. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN TO THE SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS LABOR MATTERS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION CAR ED. OA. Allan Ekberg, Council Prest' lia Square,; ipeputy City Clerk 0q6-