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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 23, 1992 7:10 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ('OUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember excused. OFFICIALS CITIZEN'S COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARING Proposed 1993 Budget. SPECIAL ISSUES Tree Preservation Ordinance. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Councilmember Dennis Robertson, Acting Council President, called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order. JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SIMPSON, STEVE LAWRENCE, STEVE MULLET. It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Council President Ekberg. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON/DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; DON WILLIAMS Parks and Recreation; RICK BEELER /ANN SIEGENTHALER /GARY SCHULZ, DCD; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance; RON WALDNER/BOB MCQUEEN, Police; DAVID HANSEN, Fire. Dorothy Ausink, 15232 62nd Avenue South, expressed thanks and appreciation for the Third Tuesday performing arts events which are held here at Tukwila City Hall. JoAnn McMannis, 5610 South 133rd, reminded the Council she has complained for almost two years about a vacant house that is a prime target for a mishap. She said it appears the City doesn't seem to think it's a safety hazard. It has also become a dumping ground for debris. City Administrator McFarland responded that the City is looking into this situation; however, there has not been much success in reaching the owner of the property. He said continued efforts will be made in pursuing a remedy to this problem. Rick Beeler reiterated that measures are being taken to pursue an abatement process. However, in the meantime he will look into the accessibility of getting the doors nailed shut. Councilmember Robertson opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Clarence Moriwaki, 4033 South 128th, urged the Council and the Mayor to continue with progressive funding for human services. He also commented that for potential sources of revenue an admissions tax might be considered as opposed to a utility tax. Councilmember Robertson closed the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m. The Mayor commented that the Tree Preservation Ordinance was begun last January. The Planning Commission has had an opportunity to review the draft Tree Ordinance. During that review, the Commission identified an alternative to the ordinance which substantially meets the intent of the draft. Specifically, the Commission feels that the goals of the Tree Ordinance can be accomplished without the creation of a "stand alone" ordinance. The regulatory requirements of the proposed ordinance would be incorporated into the existing Land Altering Ordinance (LAO) and the Sensitive Area Ordinance (SAO). Rick Beeler, DCD, stated that on November 12, 1992 the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft Tree Ordinance. The Commission asked that the staff prepare an alternative draft of revisions to existing ordinances to accomplish the same objectives. Beeler said the Commission will be meeting again on December 10. There are no plans to make changes to the existing draft prior to soliciting input from the Council. Councilmember Robertson pointed out that the biguest issue before the Council is whether the Tree Preservation Ordi .n stand alone or whether the contents can be incorporate' several other ordinances. Robertson said after a brief discussion Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes November 23, 1992 Page 2 Tree Preservation Ordinance (Con't). Electric Lightwave Franchise Ord. President Ekberg, he (Ekberg) preferred a "stand alone" Tree Ordinance because the subject matter could prove to be quite controversial for some citizens. Robertson asked the Council for their input. Councilmember Hernandez commented that she finds it a bit difficult to make a decision on any options without seeing a draft. Mullet, Duffie, Lawrence, Simpson all agreed with Hernandez. Robertson then directed his comments to the Mayor stating time it appears the Council agrees to have the Tree Preservation Or -ance remain as a stand -alone ordinance of which he is in favor of However, should the Council wishes to do otherwise, a review pro.' ss should be established. The Council immediately responded (simultaneously) with an outburst exclaiming that that was not what they had said. Duffie explained that the Council wants to review the document prior to any decision being made. The Council has not agreed to a stand- alone ordinance nor to having the Tree Ordinance incorporated into other documents. He said they simply want to review a single draft alternative before making a decision. The Council agreed to have the Planning Commission make recommendation at their December 10 meeting as to the direction the Tree Ordinance should take. If not as a "stand- alone," the Commission is to offer suggestions as to which of the existing documents to incorporate it, then forward the one draft document to Council for review. Councilmember Steve Lawrence stated that this issue was discussed in the Utilities Committee. He said the company (Electric Lightwave, Inc. -ELI) uses a technology that allows them to underground fiber -optic cable in a way that is not very disruptive to other infrastructure. He said the draft Franchise Agreement includes very stringent requirements for construction, franchise utility permitting, restoration of surface conditions, relocation, and liability protection for the City. Robertson asked for clarification of a statement made in the staff report that Public Works propose to limit the franchise term to a couple of years until the full extent of their proposal is known. Micheau explained that the reason Public Works is proposing to limit the franchise to a couple of years is because it is not known at present the full extent of services except for a couple of primary customers and a main trunk line north /south through the City. Micheau continued that it is recommended to pursue actual cost reimbursement for the administrative burden associated with the ELI Franchise Ordinance. This could be accommodated by inserting new language in Section 8 Administrative Fee. Duffie asked if there would be a cost to the City. Micheau responded that as the City costs are incurred, they would in turn be billed back to ELI. After much discussion, the Council agreed to amend Section 8 of Electric Lightwave Incorporated (ELI) Franchise Ordinance and forward to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda for approval. Citizen's comments Jackie Dempere, 4033 South 128th, commented that the Council should investigate what other communities are doing in this regard prior to approving a proposal such as this. Public Safety The Mayor prefaced the discussion by stating how Initiative. pleased he was that he Council understood the need for the additional Fire and Police personnel and for the public safety initiative. The Mayor said he continues to be convinced that Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 23, 1992 Page 3 Public Safety Initiative (Con't). Review of Financial Plan and CIP. REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 11:00 p.m. the Utility Tax is a step in the right direction in solving the City's personnel and public safety needs at this time. He said the 2% Utility Tax would be levied on telephone, Washington Natural Gas, Puget Power, Cable and pursue 2% on Seattle City Light. A discussion followed with each councilmember offering comments on both Option No. 1 and Option 2. Option 1 would levy a 2% Utility Tax Puget Power, WA Natural Gas, Telephone, Cable, and Solid Waste Collection, and would generate approximately S 6 8,000 per year." Option 2 would levy a 2% U iility Tax on all in Option 1 except Puget Power, and would generate approximately $188,000. As the discussion progressed, councilmembers fo themselves vacillating as to the most effective ways to resolve ity's personnel and other public safety needs. They discussed the t bility of an entertainment tax or drawing from the CIP fund or utilizing the Criminal Justice fund in lieu of a Utility Tax. After ample discussion, the Council agreed 4 to 2 to authorize Option #2 where if no resolution is found, the Criminal Justice funding could be utilized on a temporary basis to help fund at least three Police positions. The Council also agreed to pursue the Seattle City Light tax issue of whether to tax 2% of City Light sales in Tukwila. Finance Director Alan Doerschel led Council in their review of the Financial Plan and CIP and the non- street CIP items for inclusion in the CIP and Financial Plan. Doerschel stated that the proposed Budget should be ready for adoption at the Regular Council Meeting of December 7, 1992. In view of the holiday season, the Council agreed to hold a Special Meeting on December 14, 1992 to conclude all Council business and will reconvene January 4, 1993. The Council agreed to meet on December 2, 1992 at 5:30 7:00 p.m. to continue discussion of the Public Safety Initiative (exclusively). Mayor Rants reported he attended the Duwamish /Allentown community meeting and the topic of discussion was sewers. He provided general information to those who were in attendance at that meeting. He also attended the Steering Committee meeting where City Administrator John McFarland gave an excellent report on City Government Communications and How To Make Government Closer To You. Councilmember Duffie reported that the garage doors are open on one of the City's surplus houses located at 144th and Macadam Road. He said someone needs to attend to this problem before something happens and the City is held liable. Councilmember Lawrence requested that Administration take no action on a land purchase issue (recently discussed at an Executive Session) until further discussions are held. Councilmember Robertson announced that effective December 16, 1992 King County will cut pool hours. He asked the Administration to look into this matter to see what measures can be taken that will encourage the County to consider a more likely alternative. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY LAWRENCE, THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JOURN. MOOTIION C4RRIED. 1?/, X i it nis L. Robertson, Acting Council President e is Square,Deputy City Clerk