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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-08 Committee of the Whole MinutesFebruary 8, 1993 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT Councilmember excused. OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATION Introduction of new City employee. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARING Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance. Public Hearing opened. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Lawrence called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. STEVE LAWRENCE, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SIMPSON, STEVE MULLET. It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Councilmember Allan Ekberg. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LINDA COHEN, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; RICK BEELER, DCD; EVELYN BOYKAN, Human Services; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON/DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works. City Administrator McFarland introduced Karen Wright as the new Human Services Specialist. The Council and staff gave Karen a warm welcome. Thelma Larson, 12522 51st Place South; Vi Buchanan, 12560 51st Avenue South and Councilmember Robertson commended the Mayor, Council and staff and expressed deep appreciation for their efforts in having the debris removed from citizens' property so expeditiously, and for the many other services that were provided as a result of the recent wind storm. Doug Micheau stated this was the third draft to the Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance. He said minor editing had be done. He also explained that the Washington State Growth Management Act requires the implementation of a transportation demand element such as the Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance. Council President Lawrence opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Elizabeth Springer, 13325 Macadam Road South, stated that it appears that METRO and the legislature are pressuring the City to take a position on this mandate. She said just because this issue has been legislatively proposed does not necessarily mean it is constitutional. She said this "rush to justice" should be avoided. All of the issues except the City's position on the third runway should be put on hold for in -depth study. The result of the study should be provided to the citizenry. This would afford them (citizens) the opportunity to make knowledgeable decisions on crucial issues. Steve Mullet commented that since the businesses as well as the City will be affected by this proposition, what attempts have been made to obtain feedback from them? Micheau responded that he provided a draft of the ordinance to the Tukwila Chamber of Commerce who in turn notified their business membership. The response was a "standing room only" audience. There was considerable discussion on the issues. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 8, 1993 Page 2 Public Hearing (Con't). Public Hearing closed. SPECIAL ISSUES Discussion on funding of a third runway. SCATBD position Statement on Regional Transit Project (RTP) The overall attitudes were general acceptance of the ordinance. In response to questions from Councilmember Hernandez, Micheau explained that the Commute Reduction Law was a state statute that was adopted as a part of the Washington Clean Air Act independent of the State Growth Management Act -but they are interrelated. Metro is not dictating the process to the City. They were instrumental in guiding the process through the Commute Trip Reduction Task Force composed of employers, Washington Association of Business representatives, as well as several local government representatives in developing the guidelines to implement the law. We've asked for their assistance because of their expertise in transportation matters; and also, to achieve consistency across jurisdictions where employers are impacted. He said there are termination clauses in the contract that would allow the City to withdraw at any given time. The Mayor added that the thirty-one (31) impacted businesses have been kept up to date throughout the year on this issue. The public hearings are being held only to enact the ordinance. The public hearing closed at 7:25 p.m. After a brief discussion the consensus of the Council was to forward the Commute Trip Reduction Draft Ordinance to the next Regular Council, Consent Agenda. Council President Lawrence explained that the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs (RCAA) has formed a legal defense fund and the services of Cutler /Stanfield have been obtained to represent those cities opposing the third runway. The City of Normandy Park has already contracted with the law firm and the cities of Burien and Des Moines are considering going the same route. Lawrence said what's needed now is a decision from the Council whether Tukwila will support the defense fund and if so, how much. It has been suggested that a minimum of $100,000 be allocated. This would entitle Tukwila equal voting privileges. A lengthy discussion ensued with each councilmember sharing their views on why the City should or should not support RCAA. All councilmembers (excluding Duffie) were in favor of supporting RCAA but could not settle on an actual dollar amount. Duffie stated the funds could be put to better use on City projects. Mayor Rants informed the Council that the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBD) will be asked to vote on the Draft Position Statement on the Regional Transit Project at their meeting on February 16, 1993. The Statement proposes to support the plan and asks for modification of the regional rail elements. The modifications will include showing alternate alignments on Pacific Highway and Interurban through Tukwila. The alignments will be selected during later phases of the project planning and design. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that a letter Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 8, 1993 Page 3 Position Statement on Regional Transit Project RTP (Con't) Set date for a public hearing on an appeal of the Home Depot. REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 9:30 P.M. be sent reflecting the City's position in very strong terms on the rail alignment that a station is required at Southcenter on the north -south main line, and that nothing less will be acceptable. Councilmember Robertson expressed concern with regards to the legal rights the City has in choosing where the rail lines should run in Tukwila. He requested the City Attorney provide the Council with this information. The Mayor responded that a report will be provided. The Mayor informed the Council that on January 22, 1993 an appeal was filed on the Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance issued for the Home Depot redevelopment of the former Frederick and Nelson warehouse. The Council needs to set a public hearing date for the appeal. It was the consensus of the Council to schedule Tuesday, February 16, 1993 (due to Monday's holiday) for the public hearing. Evelyn Boykan reported that the under the auspices of Human Services they accomplished partnerships with City staff, the school district, the churches and partnerships with the City's contracted providers as well as some of the other cities for the year 1992. She stated it's not one or two people trying to coordinate services; it's pulling players together that have the same goals and are willing to focus on the same needs to discover the most efficient way to use available resources. Councilmember Duffie asked to be excused from the Council March 6 19 as he will be in Fort Benning, Georgia. Councilmember Hernandez reported that the County recently modified the method used in setting aside unused property as open space to take advantage of tax credits. The process calls for City staff to make a determination whether property should be an active or passive recreation area. Then three members each from the County and the City rule on whether to allow tax credits. Joan requested Council approval for the Community Affairs and Parks Committee to serve as those three members. It was the Council Consensus to have the Community Affairs and Parks Committee serve as the three member entity to make the determination on tax credits of unused property defined as open space. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY SIMPSON, TO ADJOURN TO SPECIAL MEETING AFTER A BRIEF FIVE MINUTE RECESS. MOTION CARRIED. Steve Lawrence, Council President eha Squarel3q City Clerk