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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 25, 1993 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL ISSUES Information Systems Coord. position. 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, ALLAN EKBERG AND STEVE MULLET. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LINDA COHEN, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON, Public Works; RON WALDNER, Police; VIKI WITSCHGER, Administrative Services; DON WILLIAMS, Parks Recreation; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance. Ron Waldner, Police Chief, introduced Phillip Glover as new police officer, and Mayor Wally Rants administered the Oath of Office. The Council and staff gave him a warm welcome. Councilmember Mullet explained that there had been a certain amount of concern about the amount of increase in salary for the Information Systems Coordinator position. Mullet said as it turns out, the $3,572 top step is only a 6% increase over the previous salary. The employee's position at Step 1 was a 10% increase due to a decrease in steps (from six steps to five). This information had not been made clear to the Council. The Committee now recommends the higher salary for the position at a salary range of $2,939 $3,572 per month. Councilmember Robertson commented that the issue was not the person holding the position, but rather, the position itself. He said the recent data he has shows the position being at about 15% to 20% over what the commercial market would pay for this same type of work; however, he did not wish to oppose the increase for the position. Robertson did inform the Council that a matter had been brought to his attention that he considered worth pursuing. He stated there is a Puget Sound Regional Salary Survey for non exempt and select- exempt positions (over 120) that have been done for many years. The cost is $195.00 per copy and include salary data, job descriptions, etc. for a variety of positions which include almost all of the City's positions excluding the uniform -type positions. He requested the Council purchase the survey and charge Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 2 Info. Sys. Coord. to the Council's budget. Pos. Con't). Discussion of CBD Sidewalk Tree Plan. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the Information Systems Coordinator position at the higher salary range to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Some councilmembers questioned the value of purchasing the $195 dollar salary survey at this point in time since the salary study has been completed and another one won't be done for a couple of years. Councilmember Mullet agreed that the salary survey would be good reference material to have on hand, readily available to the Council as necessary. The Council agreed that Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst, will look into the matter first to see if a copy could be obtained from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) at no charge. A resolution Councilmember Robertson stated that the CBD Tree Plan approving CBD Tree had gone to committee and their recommendation is to Plan. pass the Tree Plan; however, the CBD Sidewalk and Tree Plan need further discussion due to possible budget implications. Additionally, Robertson stated should the Sidewalk and Tree Plan take place, it will necessitate changes in the CIP. Councilmember Hernandez informed the Council that she had received a call today from a member of the business community wanting to know if and when time would be provided for public comment on the Sidewalk and Tree Plan. She said the inquirer had just become aware of this issue and was very interested in having a chance to offer input. After a brief discussion the Council agreed to pass the Tree Plan Resolution at the Next Regular Council meeting. However, the Council agreed to continue discussion of the of the CBD Sidewalk Tree Plan at the November 8 Committee of The Whole meeting in preparation for passage on November 15. In reference to the CBD Sidewalk Tree Plan being discussed at the November 8 Committee of The Whole meeting to allow for public input, Robertson commented that the CIP cannot be passed until CBD Sidewalk Tree Plan has been settled due to budget implications. Alan Doerschel commented that if the debate /discussions of the CIP exceeds the November 1 date, monetary adjustments can be made during Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 3 CBD Sidewalk Tree Plan (Con't) Strander sidewalk/ easements. A resolution approving the proposed 1994 -1999 Finan. Ping. Model. the budget process. A discussion followed with the Council agreeing to work toward adopting the CIP on November 15; the Sidewalk Tree Planting issue will be continued to the November 8 Committee of the Whole meeting. Business community persons will be notified appropriately of this meeting. The Council explained that U.S. West has installed fiber optic line behind the Strander South curb where the CBD sidewalk will go (south side of strander, east of Southcenter PkWy). Chevron and Key Bank have dedicated right -of -way and sidewalk easements converting the utility easement. Now is the time construct the sidewalk since the U.S. West work has resulted in easy extension of the sidewalk and curb of the intersection. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the Strander sidewalk/easements to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. The Mayor commented that the proposed CIP appears to a good, healthy CIP. It provides for the City's proposed priority projects, and the Council /Administration priority projects through to completion. He stated that Public Works will have a difficult job ahead of them; but innovative alternatives will be pursued to aid in managing the projects. Robertson requested a report on Beaver Bend Park. Hernandez gave the report on Beaver Bend Park. She stated that after about an hour of discussion, there was no recommendation to change the funding level. She said she requested the Duwamish Valley Neighborhood Preservation Coalition (DVNPC) return with a feasibility study that would spell out their specific plans for the property and all costs involved. The Council inquired if the entire CIP document would be reproduced with the updated sheets included because they use it as a reference. Doerschel explained that a complete, detailed copy of the CIP is produced every other year. At other times only the updates and a summary are done. The Mayor stated that the basic detailed sheets of the 1994 projects will be made available to the Council. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 4 Proposed 1994 -1999 Financial Ping Model (Con't). An Ord. reallocating the use of real estate transfer tax. An Ord. refunding $2,835,000 in water/ revenue bonds. Economic Devel. Adv. Board. As the Council concluded the discussion, they all agreed to forward this issue to the November 8 Committee of The Whole meeting in preparation for passage on November 15. Council President Lawrence explained that as part of the CIP package, the real estate excise tax needs to go to cover parks projects whose money will now go for a community center. The resolution now in effect directs the real estate excise tax to go for open space only. A new draft resolution would have the tax go for any project in the 301 budget (park and open space). It was the consensus of the Council to forward this issue to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, explained that he's preparing to call in all the water bonds that have reached the maturity date and to reissue them at lower interest rates. This should save the City $93,645 over the life of the bond. Additionally, the City's bond reserves will save about $200,000 per year, which can be moved to the depleted water fund. It was the consensus of the Council to forward this item to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Councilmember Hernandez commented that this was issue had been discussed in the Community affairs and Parks Committee this evening, and for clarification, it is the understanding of the Community Affairs Parks Committee that the Economic Development Advisory Board is being established to assist in the recommendation of policies, not the drafting of policies. Also, by authorizing the staff did not necessarily constitute hiring of new staff -it means being able to assign responsibilities for supporting the Board. The Council inquired as to where the support would come from, and what portion of the F.T.E. it would be. The Mayor responded that Jack Pace had worked with the Economic Development portion through the Tukwila Tomorrow Committee. Therefore, he could only recommend Pace at this time to see where we are going and what we are doing. The Council proceeded to review the draft resolution suggesting changes such as adding the "Council be allowed to confirm after the Mayor made the 13 annointments." The Mayor explained he has no problem with the Council confirming, it Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 5 Economic Devel. was just that he was concentrating on having Advisory Bd. representation from the Council as well as CEO's of (Con't) companies. However, he has no problem with treating the Economic Development Advisory Board the same as all the other City Boards and Commissions. Robertson asked for clarification of the last sentence in Section 2, which reads: "Incumbents Council representatives may be reappointed at the discretion of the City Council." Ekberg explained that it means once the councilmember is on the committee, and when a year is over, that councilmember could be reappointed to that committee or reaffirmed by the Council. So one councilmember could sit on the board for two years in a row independent of any committee the council is sitting on at the time of the appointment. The Mayor commented that he's anticipating the Board will meet once a month then it will be up to the committee from that time on. Hernandez suggested adding (in Section 4): "City Staff to assist in making recommendations to City policies" and delete drafting of policies. Robertson commented the part that deals with the integration of human services, public works, land use policies seems to go a little far. Why not just limit it to economic policies. The Mayor explained that economic development is focused at the well being of the citizens of our City, and the jobs that they have and don't have. Our basic human services reflect that. The Mayor stated he's not saying that the Economic Development Board would direct or become an extension of human services, but it is extremely important that they are tied together. Robertson stated he had attended all three meetings of the Tukwila Tomorrow meetings and the focus was based on the well being of Tukwila's citizens. The reality, though, is that a very small percentage of our citizens work within the City's boundaries. Therefore, what you are doing is giving the Board some say in community related issues that really have nothing to do with the employees that it hires. Lawrence agreed somewhat with Robertson but stated there is an element of the population that tends to work in and around their hometown after their school and college years. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 6 Economic Devel Advisory Bd. Con't) Citizen's comments. Council Nancy Lamb, 4251 South 139th, commented that she is a firm supporter of Tukwila businesses and expressed her gratitude for the many business entities who decided to operate their business in Tukwila. Additionally, she appreciates their participation in the City's school programs. This Board will recognize the need for businesses to work hand in hand with community members and public institutions. She said the City is only as good as the values of its citizens- -both its corporate citizens and its private citizens. She said the idea of an Economic Advisory Board is certainly a valuable one, however she is really alarmed by the tone of some of the material contained in the packet. The make up seem so stacked against residential neighborhoods. It should be composed of business and residential members in equal numbers or else if it's not done that way and not given the status of a commission, it should be more of a discussion group, perhaps recommending policies, etc. But, if it's being given dedicated staff, then it does seem to put it more into the classification of a commission, in which case she feels it should be a better balance with more citizens represented. She said she is amazed by the tone. She Can't believe that the recommendations are so strong for business without an equal component of residential input. She referenced the pages in the packet noting the language that was offensive to her as well offering suggestions of general revisions. Betty Gully, 13017 Macadam Road South, stated that in reviewing the minutes from the Tukwila Tomorrow Committee meetings, partnerships were the words that kept coming back to her. When economic development was discussed, the focus was on partnerships between businesses and the residential community. Also, the Board would represent businesses internally as well as the regional business community. It would also represent the City to the region as a whole emphasizing the City's daytime population which is bigger than Renton's, but a nighttime population that isn't. Yet, Tukwila doesn't have the voice that it should have. She concluded that she would like to see representation for the residential as well as the business community. Simpson stated he doesn't see a need to change what the Mayor has proposed. He said the segment of the populous being discussed is to promote more tax dollars. Two people from businesses, two from the residential community is more than ample. Mullet offered the rewording of Section 4 as follows: "The task of the board shall be to provide advice and information to the Mayor. City Council and City Staff to assist in the making of recommendations for plans. programs and economic development projects consistent Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 7 Economic Devel. Adv. Bd. (Con't). REPORTS with economic and community goals. In addition. the board shall coordinate its efforts proposed by the Seattle King County Economic Development Commission: Robertson added: "and other regional business and economic development oriented bodies." Robertson proposed making the terms "two" years instead of four. He said this might make it easier to get more CEO's and others interested. The Council also expressed interest in receiving the minutes from the proposed Economic Development Advisory Board and to have this noted in the proposal. The Council also agreed to changes in Section 6 by adding the words: "And the Council confirm:" and in Section 7. changes are as follows with the Administration deciding on Board duties: #1): "Provide staff assistance to the Board for arranging meetings. setting agendas. taking minutes and writing correspondence #2) "Provide Liaison to other local and regional entities concerned with economic development:" and #3) "Provide limited staff assistance and financing not to exceed $15.000 for consultants for research and analysis." Exclude all other data in Section 7. The City Administration will make recommendation in Section 2 regarding businesses' line management staff time. The Mayor suggested $15,000 be earmarked for consultant fees. Lawrence suggested that a cut be made somewhere else in the budget to compensate for the $15,000. He also stated he will be asking (in the near future) for $100,000 to support our neighboring cities to continue the policy of trying to prevent an impact on the airport. He said the Commission is now requesting that we provide a full time staff member as they are doing. Cities with much smaller budgets are providing full time staff members, The City of Tukwila has not followed suit to date. It was the Consensus of the Council to forward the proposed resolution establishing an Economic Development Advisory Board to the November 8, 1993 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Rants reported on a recent Leadership Conference that he attended, which was directed at developing the strategy to promote trade to bring jobs back to this country. The American society today is more concerned, for the first time in history, that their children will not do better than they did in the work place and the economic development. This concern is pretty common all over the United States. He said in a time of redistribution of the world's wealth, we're seeing jobs and income Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes October 25, 1993 Page 8 ports (Con't) ADJOURNMENT 9:18 P.M. moving away from the shores of the United States. Puget Sound basin has the best infrastructure of the West Coast. We have the largest container handling Ports between Tacoma and Seattle of the West Coast. Between Tacoma and Seattle, we have seventy -two million square feet of warehousing that's a tremendous number. We have a need to develop partnerships with the private sector to enhance high paid jobs and expand the work force. At the same time the private sector needs to be aware of the need to protect the environment and to create a livable atmosphere. When you talk partnership, you have to have them connected together. Business must be concerned with our environment and our livable atmosphere. This partnership must develop a win -win situation whereby both public and private work to modify regulations which hinder development but do not degrade the environment. The Mayor also informed the Council that the time has come to release the second $50,000 to the Airport Community Coalition (ACC). It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the Mayor to release the $50,000. In conclusion, the Mayor reported he had been approached by citizens who wish to work with staff to come up with designs to bring to the Council for approval of Gateway projects. $25,000 dollars have been budgeted in the CIP for the Gateway projects. City Administrator McFarland informed the Council he will be placing a report in their mailboxes on the Southgate Mobile Home Park. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, TO ADJOURN THE METING. MOTION CARRIED. f Steve Lawrence,- Council President Cefia Square, Deputy City Clerk