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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-27 Committee of the Whole MinutesJuly 27, 1992 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Southwest Chamber of Commerce Mid -year update. Second Quarter activity report. 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; 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. Richard Seracka, President Elect; and Sarah Skoglund, General Manager, Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, presented the Chamber's 1st and 2nd Quarters 1992 Report. The Report highlighted the Chamber's mid- year accomplishments. Ms. Skoglund informed the Council that for the second half of the year attention will be given to the Highway 99 revitalization program and to working with the City on the new residential relocation packets. Ms. Skoglund also extended an invitation to the Council and Administration to attend the Chamber of Commerce General Membership luncheon on Friday, August 14, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Burien Elks Lodge. Councilmember Duffie requested that Ms. Skoglund encourage the Chamber to use Tukwila as their mailing address rather than Seattle. He said he had observed on mail he recently received that the Chamber used Seattle as their mailing address. Councilmember Simpson suggested a committee be formed to address the revitalization needs of Highway 99. The Mayor responded that he will contact Simpson when he (the Mayor) returns from vacation for collaborative planning. The Mayor submitted the Second Quarter Report for Council review and stated that the second quarter produced several significant challenges for the City. He said staff have been diligent in their efforts in trying to administer the Council agendas no matter how weighty the agendas have been or how complex the issues continue to be. Referring to DCD's permit system audit (from the 2nd Quarter Report), Councilmember Ekberg requested that the results of that audit be presented to the Council in writing for review. McFarland responded that the audit is still being reviewed by staff in making systems modifications for review by the Mayor. As soon as that's done (around the end of August) he will furnish the Council with a copy of the audit and the recommended modifications. JoAnne McMannis, 5610 South 133rd, commented that a house located at the corner of 130th 56th Avenue South has been abandoned for almost two years She has complained numerous time about the problems as Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 27, 1992 Page 2 Citizen's Comments (Con't) PUBLIC HEARING Review request by Baker Commodities. Recess 8:50 9:05 SPECIAL ISSUES Salary adjustments for non represented personnel. City Administrator McFarland responded that he will give Ms. McMannis concerns high priority and get back to the Council as soon as possible. D `16 well as the hazard this situation has caused, but to no avail. She also inquired as to what can be done about Burlington Northern truck problems as they travel via the underpass from the freeway where there's one way traffic, and coming down 56th Avenue. Finally, she requested the City to do a better job in announcing the public hearings. She knew nothing about Baker Commodities Public Hearing and in talking with her neighbors, they knew nothing either. Council President announced to those interested that the purpose of the Public Hearing on Baker Commodities is to reschedule the Public Hearing for September 14, 1992. Rob Erickson, 15209 Sunwood Blvd., Unit B -24, Phone: 439 -9339, commented that the contractors have begun construction on the Crystal Ridge Condominium project in the Sunwood Blvd area. Sunwood Blvd has one lane traveling in and one lane traveling out, and because the contractors aren't using flaggers, the driving conditions are hazardous. Secondly, he inquired as to whether the contractors were meeting the proximity requirements; and thirdly, he stated that the contractors are in non compliance with the elevations as stipulated on the original Site Plans in excess of four feet. He asked the Council to investigate this matter as soon as possible. Council President informed Mr. Erickson that the Administration will commence a fact finding mission in an effort to address this issue appropriately and in a timely manner. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW REQUEST BY BAKER COMMODITIES FOR UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT FOR INSTALLATION OF SEVEN TALLOW TANKS AT SEATTLE RENDERING WORKS, 5795 SOUTH 130TH PLACE, BE CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 14, 1992.* Councilmember Simpson informed the Council that he had listened to that portion of the tape recording of the Public Hearing held July 13 due to his absence from that meeting. City Attorney Kenyon reminded the Council that this matter remains quasi judicial and that they are prohibited from entertaining discussions of any kind as it relates to Baker Commodities. Councilmember Duffie requested appropriate notification be sent to those who might be impacted by this issue. *MOTION CARRIED. Council President Ekberg called the meeting back to order with councilmembers present as noted above. Mayor Rants explained that it is the Council's prerogative to readjust the non represented Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 27, 1992 Page 3 Salary Adjustments for non represented personnel (Con't). employees' salary schedule; however, in doing so, he beseeched the Council to address the issue with a caring and respectful attitude. Councilmember Mullet inquired as to why this issue was being discussed in open session rather than Executive Session. City Attorney Kenyon responded that the City complies to state statute which states matters such as these shall be held in a meeting open to the public. City Administrator McFarland provided information in response to the issues of concern generated by the Council centering on three points: use of the annual CPI, the existence of a merit plan, and retention of the six step matrix. In order to remain competitive in the labor market, it is necessary to address the CPI in some manner. He stated as an alternative, Council could consider making non represented employees' COLA adjust an average of the five bargaining units' COLA's. This would allow non represented employees salaries to increase as the cost of living increases, but not to exceed what any other group of employees might receive. The Merit program has proven to be an effective incentive for employees and has been in place in Tukwila since 1977. The current pay plan allows for up to a 10% one -time merit award, however, no employee has received the maximum allowable. Lastly, McFarland stated that the current Step system allows maximum flexibility in the hiring process, and it allows the City to remain competitive in the marketplace. He encouraged the Council to dedicate sufficient effort to ensure that the final decision meets the technical requirements of a salary plan as well as considering the human element involved. After a lengthy discussion, the Council agreed the annual cost -of- living increase for the non represented salary schedule beginning January 1993, shall be 90% of the CPI -W with a minimum of 2% and maximum of 8 the 0 -10% merit award step (bonus) shall be eliminated from the salary plan effective December 31, 1992; the salary schedule shall contain six steps, with the first step 25% below the control point. The Council also agreed that every three years, beginning in the Spring of 1993, the City shall hire a consultant to conduct a wage analysis for the purpose of bringing the non represented wages into compliance with the City's compensation policy. the consultant shall be selected by the Mayor and Council, and shall report directly to them. The Council agreed (Duffie abstaining) to amend and redraft the resolution establishing a salary philosophy relating to the non represented employees' salary schedule and forward to the next Regular Council of August 3rd for approval. Councilmember Hernandez expressed that she was not pleased with the fact that according to the existing system, an employee can end up making less money. McFarland explained that yes, an employee can be moved back a step if their performance does not meet acceptable standards. Council President responded that all components of the salary schedule will be reviewed by the consultant that is selected. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes July 27, 1992 Page 4 Salary adjustment for non represented personnel (Con't). ADJOURNMENT 11:00 P.M. REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 11:07 P.M. Councilmember Hernandez suggested the City implement the idea of developing a Special Achievement Award that's given as a result of good work on a particular project. Additionally, she suggested implementation of a Superior Customer Service Award that any employee would be eligible for regardless of the employee's status with the City. Hernandez said this is presently an existing practice with the City of Mercer Island. MOVED BY EKBERG, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO EXTEND THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING FOR AN ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Duffie reported the citizens are experiencing problems with drivers speeding on 57th near the reservoir. He said a citizen, Ray Raabe, is circulating a petition to rid this problem. City Administrator McFarland informed the Council that the City has about thirty-five days to respond to the Boundary Review Board (BRB) on the Coluccio annexation and will meet that deadline. He is in the process of constructing a letter to formally ask for a public hearing. He said he will provide the Council a complete schedule in their mailboxes tomorrow. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED. /Y A Council Presid Cara' Square, D City Clerk