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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesFebruary 14, 1994 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Introduction of of Neighborhood Emergency Prepared- ness Coordinator. PSRC- Vision 2020 CITIZEN'S COMMENTS TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Mullet called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. STEVE MULLET, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, ALLAN EKBERG, JOYCE CRAFT, DOROTHY De RODAS. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LINDA COHEN, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON/PAT BRODIN, Public Works; RICK BEELER, DCD; RON WALDNER, Police; TOM KEEFE/NICK OLIVAS/MIKE ALDERSON, Fire. Tom Keefe, Fire Chief, introduced Carol Skrysak who will be coordinating the Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program. Skrysak commented that the pilot program will begin March 3 and that her office will be located at the Fire Station. Keefe commented that materials are being supplied (at no cost to the City) by Puget Power. Per Council request, Keefe stated that data regarding the program will be presented to the Council for review. No show. George Hill, 5618 South 147th Street, commented that the animal control Leash Law is not being "Strictly Enforced" as designated on the posted signs throughout the City. He said he is very frustrated how neighbors allow their animals to roam the neighborhood. When an attempt is made to report it to King County Animal Control, the only response gotten is Voice Mail -a machine which connects you to another machine. City Administrator McFarland responded that he had asked the Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry to look into this matter. He will soon meet with Berry and Police Chief Waldner to try and bring about a solution to this long, existing problem. Mayor Rants commented that they will also be looking at the possibility of joining forces with neighboring cities to work on a solution to this ever growing problem together. Wendy Morgan, 15144 65th Avenue South, #404, Pi +cm, Historical Society, stated that the Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 14, 1994 Page 2 Citizen's Comments Wendy Morgan (Con't) Snecial Presentations Con't' RCAA SPECIAL ISSUES An ordinance est. an Economic Devel. Adv. Board. Society is submitting a grant proposal to King County for a hotel/motel tax dollars in the amount of $7,000 to finance the video taping of Warren Wing's Interurban Railway side show. Secondly, McFarland has assisted them in finding additional storage space. She said they've been informed by the library that they are getting some surplus furniture from a currently closing library in the system and would like to display the Society's antique furniture. Thirdly, Morgan has contacted Pacific Pipeline which is a distributor of books in the King County area and is going to be working with the City to send a copy for review of our history book in the hopes that they will distribute the books for sale at local book stores. Lastly, Morgan says she recently accepted on behalf of the Society an 1848 set of Britannica Encyclopedias from the School District. Peter Townsend, President of the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs, gave an update on the Commission dating back to last August, and presented background information for funds request for 1994. He stated that Federal Way has appropriated $50,000 dollars for the airport fight for 1994 and they has moved $300,000 dollars from their General Fund to a special legal defense fund for airport affairs. Townsend said he's hopeful that funding for RCAA will probably reach $16,000 dollars this year. He also stated they are considering joining the Airport Coalition Committee (ACC). In conclusion, Townsend requested that the City of Tukwila appropriate $5,000 dollars to RCAA immediately and he will come back for additional 1994 funding. Councilmember Duffle disagreed with providing any more funding and suggested that more discussions be held prior to making a decision. Some Councilmembers agreed that the $5,000 carryover funds balance from the $10,000 that was allocated for 1993 be appropriated for 1994. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to forward this issue to the next Regular Council to discuss allocation of the $5,000 carryover from 1993. The Mayor explained that the previous resolution constituting the Board would more appropriately be structured as an ordinance. He therefore introduced an ordinance establishing an Economic Development Advisory Board and repealing Resolution #1280. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 14, 1994 Page 3 Special Presentations (Con't) An ordinance est a Community oriented Policing Adv. Bd. Recess 8:30 8:40 p.m. East Marginal Way/ Ryan Hill improvmts. Ron Waldner, Police Chief, explained the ordinance will create a representative group of citizens for the purpose of advising the City on matters concerning public safety, quality of life, and use of police resources. He said the essence of the program is to afford the opportunity for neighbors to work with neighbors for self protection and self intervention. After a brief discussion and minor revisions, it was the consensus of the Council for forward the Ordinance with amendments to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Council President Mullet called the meeting back to order with those present as listed above. Pat Brodin, Senior Engineer, Public Works Department, explained tentative plan to effect the eventual turnover of Seattle water services to Tukwila in the E. Marginal Way corridor and Ryan Hill areas. The change will net Tukwila some excess revenues for water and sewer, but there are some improvements to be made first that will cost the City $4 million. Authorization for the twenty year bond which will be paid for by water revenues is needed. Alan Doerschel commented that there are three parts to this package: An ordinance which is a formality that sets the whole plan in motion; an ordinance amending the 1994 Budget and a Contract for East Marginal Way/Ryan Hill PS E. He stated the ordinance doesn't authorize expenditure of funds. The budget ordinance for $400,000 does not mean money will be borrowed between now and the time we actually perform the construction. There's enough cash to complete the engineering work. The bonds proceeds to short term financing is only a tool to legitimatize the expenditures. Doerschel emphasized that authorization to borrow the money would still have to come before the Council for approval. Councilmember Robertson stated that it bothered him that a short term note would be considered and a greater part of the ordinance addresses it when there is $390,000 in Ending Fund Balance in 1994 for the water fund; and another $1 million in Ending Fund Balance for the sewer; and all we would need in 1994 is the engineering work. After much discussion, the Council agreed that the Finance Director would amend the ordinance to reflect a transfer of mon.- from one fund to another rather than considering a short term note; «E i; we the ordinance and contract for East Marginal Way/Ryan Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 14, 1994 Page 4 E. Marg. Wy/Ryan Hill improvements (Con't) Contract with Kenyon/ Sullivan firm. Hill Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS and forward to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Doerschel informed the Council that Moody's Investors Service will perform an on -site review of the City's bond rating on the February 24 or 25 for both the General Obligation for the Community Center and for the revenue bonds. He stated he thinks Tukwila has an excellent chance of at least an "A -1" and perhaps a "AA" rating on the General Obligation. He says if that comes to pass, that will save the City over $100,000 on the debt costs. Mayor Rants informed the Council that the Revelle firm was reorganizing and would no longer be able to provide extra -legal services for the City. The two attorneys that provided the primary extra- legal support to the City, Mike Kenyon and Tim Sullivan, entered into partnership and assumed responsibility for providing legal services for the remainder of the year. The relationship with Kenyon and Sullivan continued into this year. Their primary responsibility is the provision of Municipal Court prosecution, extra legal research and handling overload from the City Attorney's Office. The Mayor and City Attorney were able to negotiate a flat fee arrangement ($126,000) for these services that recognizes a 5.6% reduction of legal expenses over last years budget. In comparison, our neighboring Renton uses an outside firm for all legal issues and pays $496,00 annually; Kent has all in -house attorneys and pays $408,000 annually; Auburn has an in -house attorney and uses an outside firm and pays $312,500 annually. The City of Tukwila's budgeted costs which include all legal services are $280,000 annually. He says we get the best dollar use for our legal services than any of the cities around us. The Mayor encouraged the Council to approve the contract. Councilmember Duffie inquired as with the Revelle firm. Kenyon replied, the Revelle firm is and reorganization. Duffie asked the location of Kenyon's office and his of1'i, staff. to what ties Kenyon has or will have no longer in existence due to illness Councilmember Hernandez reiterated, for clarification, an earlier discussion where Kenyon had explained if he needed to employ the services of a prosecutor for the court, he would hire the deputy prosecuting attorney that we are currently using and pay him from his (Kenyon's) contract. Kenyon agreed Hernandez's understanding was correct. The City would not have to pick up that cost. Additionally, Kenyon explained that he and Sullivan will pick up the tbh on sub- contracted work (per contract) as well. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 14, 1994 Page 5 Contract w/Kenyon/ Sullivan Firm (Con't) Kenyon says he has his own offices, word processing, computer network and paralegal help for most of the work his firm will be doing. Chris Carlson, the City's Paralegal, will still handle most of the processing of Tukwila's criminal files. Duffie continued his questioning about the legal ramifications surrounding this issue with regards to the bidding process. Kenyon replied there is no requirement for bidding on professional services contracts. Councilmember Robertson inquired as to the status of the Adult Entertainment Ordinance, will it be completed during the life of Kenyon /Sullivan contract, and if the fees are compensated for in the current contract. Kenyon responded that the Adult Entertainment work is his highest priority for this year. He said there are firm plans for a number of factors to be settled such as the zoning amendments, licensing and standard of conduct amendments. However, he prefers discussing those types of issues in Executive Session. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the Kenyon /Sullivan contract for Extra Legal Services to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. An ordinance setting Councilmember Hernandez commented that this item had standards for fire been discussed in Finance and Safety Committee and hydrants. their recommendation was to forward it to the COW. The ordinance allows Farwest Paints to be used on fire hydrants and clarifies the minimum distance buildings must be from fire hydrants. It also repeals Ordinance 1626. Councilmember Ekberg questioned the use of a brand name in the ordinance, i.e. Farwest Paints. Mike Alderson explained that the Public Works Department suggested that spelling out as the ordinance currently does sets a standard for color (Rustoleum) and it's an accepted standard of color. Also, because Farwest is a distributor within the City the paint is more easily obtained. Public Works requested we add that change to allow for 1) The acceptance of Farwest Paint, and 2) That w, don't, in the future, continue having to draft a change to an ord i h.c w i ce just to change the color of paint. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 14, 1994 Page 6 An ord. setting standards for fire hydrants (Con't). Citizen Comments REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 10:45 P.M. A discussion ensued with councilmembers discussing the type, installation and accessibility of the fire hydrants installed within the limits of Tukwila. John Welch, 11405 SE 196th, commented that the Tukwila Tomorrow Committee suggested that a variance system be devised with regards to fire hydrant standards and specifications that would not compromise the safety of the buildings but will allow some flexibility for citizens. The Council made minor amendments including making it clear that an equivalent paint could be used regardless of brand. It was the consensus of the Council to forward this item to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. Duffle reported that Community Affairs and Parks had discussed the Day Care Licensing issue but did not reach a solution. Hernandez reported that amending the gambling tax ordinance was among sou of the issues discussed in Finance and Safety. She also stated she had attended the Chamber luncheon on Friday. Robertson reported he had attended the recent GMPC meeting where a representative commented that a King County Councilmember said the interlocal agreement that was ratified is not valid. It is nothing but an agreement to discuss the issue. The Suburban City GMPC representatives all agreed the King County Councilmember was totally wrong. The current agreement is a legal contract. He also learned that should the City build an Urban Center, state monies will be allocated for transportation only. Other costs for utilities, etc would have to be compensated for in the City's Six Year Comprehensive Improvement Plan (CIP). Robertson said Suburban Cities announced that the draft EIS is available. He requested that the Mayor obtain a copy for the Council within the next week or so. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, TO URN TO THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Steve Mullet, Council President ,C) Celia Square, Deputy City Clerk