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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-12-03 Regular and Public Hearing MinutesDecember 3, 1973 8:00 P.M. FLAG SALUTE AND CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS MINUTE APPROVAL VOUCHER APPROVAL PUBLIC HEARING 1974 PRELIMINARY BUDGET City Council Municipal Court Mayor TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers M I N U T E S Mayor Todd led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order. CRAIN, GARDNER, JOHANSON, HILL, STERLING, TRAYNOR. MOVED BY HILL TO EXCUSE COUNCILMAN STEVENS. FAILED FOR LACK OF SECOND. Councilman Stevens unexcused. MOVED BY CRAIN, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26, 1973 BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. CARRIED. MOVED BY STERLING, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE BILLS BE ACCEPTED AND WARRANTS BE DRAWN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS. CARRIED. Councilman Gardner questioned one of the vouchers and Mayor Todd stated this item had been resolved at a previous Council meeting. Attorney Parker arrived at 8:04 P.M. Vouchers #1668 #1742 Current Fund #1668 #1708 4,592.07 Park Fund #1709 #1711 69.91 Street Fund #1712 #1726 4,919.71 Cum. Res. Fire Truck #1727 62,812.72 City Shop #1728 19,980.93 Strander Blvd. #1729 42,000.00 Fire Station Const. #1730 6,142.09 Water Fund #1731 #1736 898.56 Sewer Fund #1737 #1742 155.85 Total LID 13 LID 22 Cash 50 Cash 5 Rev. R -3 6,066.83 $27,829.75 $141.571.84 Mayor Todd opened the Public Hearing at 8:04 P.M. to discuss the 1974 Budget. The City Council Budget was reviewed by Councilman Sterling. Mr. Ken Harris, 14301 Interurban Ave. So., wanted to know what kind of professional services the Council required. Councilman Sterling replied that at times a legal opinion was needed to resolve differences in opinion within the Council. Mayor Todd stated the Council has access to the Association of Washington Cities for legal information and the service is free. Mr. Harris asked if the Council felt this service was adequate enough to do without the allocation for Legal Services. Councilman Sterling stated this had not yet been resolved. At any rate, the amount is nominal for a year's time. Mr. Harris then stated he felt the figure might be too small. Councilman Hill asked if the Council would be going back to two meetings a month as reflected in Sal- aries. Councilman Crain stated as the law is written, the Coun- cil holds a maximum of two meetings per month with pay. Council- man Gardner pointed out that State law allows no limit to the maximum number of meetings. Councilman Crain stated that a City ordinance restricts the Council to two meetings with pay. Coun- cilman Traynor suggested the Budget read $20 per meeting with a maximum of $40 per month for each Council member. The Municipal Court Budget was reviewed by City Clerk Shirlee Kinney. The Mayor's Budget was reviewed by the City Clerk. Mayor Todd stated that the Administrative Assistant's position would be eliminated at the end of this year and that the Clerk /Typist under the W.I.N. Program would be terminated as of July 1, 1974. Mayor Todd stated he hoped these funds would be used to hire a second new police officer which would be of greater benefit to the taxpayers. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 2, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission, and Park Board City Clerk City Treasurer City Attorney Planning Department Building Department Non Departmental 52 December 3, 1973 These Budgets were reviewed by City Clerk Shirlee Kinney. Coun- cilman Traynor stated these bodies are staffed by volunteers and their only expenses are small operating costs. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed her Budget. City Treasurer's Budget was reviewed by the City Clerk. Mayor Todd questioned whether longevity pay was legal for an elected official. Attorney Parker stated the pay may be set under State law and may be called by any term. The longevity pay is legal if set by a legislative body such as the City Council. Councilman Crain suggested setting the salary at $1,040 rather than separate the two amounts. Mr. Ken Harris stated the figures should not be changed until the Council is certain what is and what is not leg- al. Councilman Sterling stated the Council certainly could elim- inate the longevity pay. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated there is a City ordinance establishing longevity pay for City employees and that she will look into it before the next session. Council- man Sterling stated in the meantime the Council would come up with a salary figure. As for the increase in the Deputy City Treasurer's salary, Councilman Crain stated the Council felt that this person should be qualified enough to step right into the job without on- the -job training and in order to draw these qualifica- tions, a higher salary was necessary. Mayor Todd asked if the Utility Accountant's salary had been reduced from 1973. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney answered no. The City Attorney's Budget was reviewed by the City Clerk. Attorn- ey Parker gave an explanation of "Other Legal" and the increase necessary. Mr. Ken Harris commented he felt Mr. Parker was not performing adequately as City Attorney. Mayor Todd pointed out the increase in Municipal Court Revenue as an example of his service to the City. Mr. Harris stated he felt the City Attorney has not represented everyone in the City, including the City Council. He stated when his wife (City Treasurer Mae Harris) needed a lawyer, she couldn't go to the City Attorney because she could not be represented by him. She had to hire a private law- yer to protect her interests. The Planning Department's Budget was reviewed by the City Clerk. She stated that the $5,000 cut from Extra Labor represents sunmeer help under the Work /Study Program. Councilman Crain stated the Council had studied this Program and decided to cut it from the Budget. Councilman Sterling asked if any other funding would be available for summer help. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney answered no, that there would be none once the Work /Study Program was eliminat- ed. Councilman Johanson stated that a great deal of information is already available through other agencies at no cost. Council- man Gardner suggested the Planning Director be designated Planning Coordinator. Mayor Todd stated he felt there is a greater need for a Director according to the job title specifications and sal- ary considerations. A short discussion followed regarding Machin- ery Equipment cut from the Planning Department's Budget. The Building Department's Budget was reviewed by City Clerk Shirlee Kinney and she asked the Council if they had come to a decision on the new vehicle and IBM typewriter. Councilman Crain stated the Council was looking elsewhere in the City for an extra vehicle. Councilman Traynor stated he felt the new vehicle should be stricken on the basis that there are existing cars for this purpose (Inspection Business Travel). Steve Hall, Public Works Director, stated the Council should allow a vehicle to be used in the field all day. Councilman Traynor stated he felt the typewriter purchased should be of use to all departments in Public Works for their special purposes as there is one other available now. By trading typewriters now available they could be used more effectively. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Non Departmental Budget. Police /Administration City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Police /Administration Budget. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 3, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Police /Investigation Police /Patrol Police /Traffic December 3, 1973 City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Police /Investigation Budget. .5 City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Police /Patrol Budget. There were cuts in this Budget of one Patrolman, Probationary -III, one Dispatcher -Clerk and one patrol vehicle. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Police /Traffic Budget. Mr. Rudolph Regal asked if City patrolmen patrol inside South center. Police Chief John Sheets answered yes, to prevent crime and apprehend criminals. Mr. Regal stated he objected to the police patrolling inside the building of Southcenter and that he felt it was the merchant's responsibility to provide patrolling protection. Chief Sheets stated that it is the duty of a patrol- man to protect all parts of the City which includes the Mall at Southcenter. The Department gets calls from Southcenter quite often and it is cheaper to have a man in that area to receive such calls. Mr. Regal asked if this was done at Tacoma Mall or in downtown Seattle. Councilman Hill stated there are patrolmen on the beat in the business district in Seattle. Chief Sheets stat- ed everytime a policeman walks into a store or tavern it is to protect property which is privately owned and is no different from a private citizen's home in that sense. A policeman cannot differentiate between a person's house or a business' building in performing his duties. Mr. Ken Harris stated that when the Police Department's Budget of half a million dollars is computed on a percentage of population, it costs every man, woman and child $150 for this service. He felt this might be the highest per capita cost in the State of Washington. He felt the citizens don't need this much police protection, and the cost is getting out of hand for a city our size. He stated he realized the busi- ness district needs police protection too, but that we ought to take a hard look at this expense. Councilman Crain stated the Council has talked about this matter before, too, but that the City has taken on a responsibility for police protection which includes Southcenter and we have to look at our City a little differently because of it. We owe them protection. Mr. Harris stated he also realized that about 50,000 extra people are in the City at Southcenter which is more than the total population of Tukwila and that businesses get by with only $25 for annual busi- ness licenses plus the taxes they pay. He feels in this way, bus- iness is not paying their full share and suggests something like a B 0 tax to provide their full share to the City. Mayor Todd stated that as it is now, businessmen and apartments pay 85% of the real estate taxes in Tukwila. Councilman Sterling addressing Mr. Harris stated his point was a good one, and that the Council had often debated the issue. Then, addressing Chief Sheets, he asked about the crime rate in Tukwila. Chief Sheets replied that the commercial crime was the highest for the population in the State except for Sea -Tac Airport which has no population. Other crime was about the same as Kent or Auburn, but that Tukwila employs 19 officers while Kent and Auburn employ three times that number. Councilman Sterling stated he felt the Department was doing a good job especially when the work load is considered. Councilman Johanson stated that two services in the City use all of the property tax police and fire. Mrs. Phyllis Pesicka stated that beautiful downtown Tukwila is all out of proportion in terms of the number of citizens but she has never heard anyone complain about not getting help from the fire or police depart- ments because everyone was at Southcenter. She feels they are doing a great job. Mr. Herb Lamb stated he felt the citizens are getting a bargain and if we had to pay as individual citizens three times what we're paying for police protection, it would still be a bargain. We're getting the side effects free of charge of a well manned, highly- trained and well- motivated professional police department. I am greatly concerned about what I read about these 6 trainees being deleted from the Budget. I daresay if you consulted with the management of Southcenter they are pro- jecting a very big increase for 1974 and the State Highway Depart- ment is projecting a traffic increase in our freeway system for 1974. I believe to look at our Police Department and to stand still on a 1972 basis is short sighted. Councilman Johanson TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 4, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Police /Traffic Cont. Fire Department Civil Defense Public Works Administration December 3, 1973 stated the money is just not there when the City is required to stay within the 6% lid on assessed valuation. Your (Mr. Lamb) proposal represents better than a $100,000 increase in just one department. The only alternative would be to go to a bond issue to pay salaries. Mayor Todd remarked this is an interesting suggestion since if the City went out on a bond issue, 75% to 80% would come from Southcenter and Andover Park. Mr. Charles Baker stated we should not malign the business district either be proud of it or offer it to someone else. Tukwila has a very fine business district giving a large return on sales tax that has surpassed Auburn and Kent and probably will surpass Renton at the year's end, making this City third in the County. He stated that 85% to 90% of the City's revenue from property tax comes from them. He felt we should see this continue and develop and it has given the City increases in revenue on an annual basis. About six years ago, the annual assessed valuation was running about $9 or $10 million; we took in increases of 25% or 27% to 75% increase in valuation. The business district is pro- ducing for the City. He stated the B 0 tax is an unfair propo- sal. Nobody needs a regressive tax like this because everytime you impose more dollars on an item, the store will discontinue to carry it. It results in being a tax on yourself, the citizen. Mayor Todd stated during 1972 the City sold a total valuation of over $8 million for building permits; this year to date we have sold over $P5 million and only two private homes are represented. Mr. Ken Harris stated he is not against Southcenter, but that he resents the fact that clerks there don't even know that they are working in the City of Tukwila. The mail is addressed for Seattl4 98188 and they think they're in Seattle. The reason that busi- ness is here is to get away from Seattle's B 0 taxes. He has heard Southcenter referred to as our downtown area and its not. I would like to have that area downtown Tukwila and I'd be proud to call it downtown when the people who work there call it Tuk- wila. Mayor Todd agreed this is a problem. Councilman Sterling stated he hopes Tukwila will have its own zip code but it will take a lot of hard work. Mr. Jerry Erskine asked if it would be possible to get funds for additional patrolmen later in the year. Mayor Todd stated any excess revenue that is unanticipated could be used. Mr. Erskine stated since we expect more building and traffic, we should have more patrolmen. Mayor Todd added the information that patrolmen are required to have 400 hours of college training to be certified, and soon this requirement will increase to 440 hours which represents an additional time lag to get the men on board. Mr. Erskine then asked if one additional patrolman for the next year was adequate. Chief Sheets stated his Budget request was for 6 new patrolmen, the Mayor cut it to 2 and the Council reduced it to 1. Mr. Erskine felt this should be looked into, although he stated he did not know where the money would come from. Mayor Todd stated he was hopeful the Council would provide two new patrolmen. Councilman Traynor stated that the Budget is balanced with $335,000 of uncertain tax money at this time, that is, sales tax revenue which the State Legislature has an option to take from cities at any time. Mayor Todd stated if the City operated its Current Fund on real estate tax revenue only, about 35 employees would have to be laid off. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Fire Department's Budget. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Civil Defense Budget. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Public Works Administra- tion Budget. The Council is still unresolved on the Machinery Equipment Account adjustments. Councilman Crain stated his recommendation was not to buy the new vehicle for the building inspector and to allow the van to be purchased for the survey crew and equipment, then to transfer the Pinto to the building inspector. Councilman Traynor stated the Council should review the vehicles list before buying any more vehicles. He felt more discussion is needed. He does not feel that the 3/4 ton pickup is a necessity for the Park Department, that the one ton is ade- quate. Councilman Crain stated the field supervisor would retain TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 5, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Public Works Administration RECESS 9:45 to 9:55 P.M. Parks Recreation December 3, 1973 53d his pickup and the Pinto would go to the Building Department rather than buy them a new vehicle and the other pickup would stay in Public Works for whatever purpose Steve Hall feels is necessary. Councilman Sterling stated he does not think the Park Department needs an extra vehicle. Mayor Todd suggested the money for the new vehicle stay in the Budget until further study. The Council members agreed. Steve Hall, Public Works Director, then read his list of vehicles he was asked to prepare for the Council. He stated if the Pinto was transferred, then Public Works would have no vehicle for survey. If the City provided a vehicle for the survey crew, we could save money by doing our own work and avoid hiring professional services at about $40 to $60 an hour. He stated he failed to see a surplus of vehicles in his Department. Councilman Traynor stated they had no intention of disturbing the vehicles in Public Works, but plan to increase their number by one, but would not buy a new vehicle. He feels one can be found at this time in the City. The Council went on to discuss miscellaneous survey equipment and field testing equipment and traffic counters. Councilman Sterling stated enough money was found by cutting in other areas to provide these items. Councilman Crain stated the survey equipment should be left in the Budget and he would not object if the Council decided to also include the traffic counters. Mayor Todd asked Steve Hall if District 1 or District 7 charged for lending traffic counters. Steve Hall answered that they were not charged for borrowing the counters, but are charged for computer time on the processing of data. He added that this equipment would be valu- able in light of increased traffic. Councilman Sterling recom- mended that the traffic counters and survey equipment stay in the Budget. Mayor Todd asked Steve Hall how many dollars in time could be saved with the $100 survey speedometer. Steve Hall re- plied the speedometer would pay for itself in half a day in ex- pense in time saved. Councilman Johanson suggested deleting a portion of the $400 toward the $1,200 typewriter and use it for this speedometer. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated that only $200 is listed for each department and in Public Works for the typewriter. The Council further trimmed the allotment for the typewriter. Mrs. Maxine Anderson stated that $400 for the Build- ing Department and $400 for Public Works was for one typewriter; the money in the Water and Sewer Departments is for a different typewriter. Councilman Johanson then asked Steve Hall whether he felt the typewriter or the speedometer was more important. Steve Hall replied he would rather have the typewriter which is used in standard drawings, drafting and in- department work. The Council then decided miscellaneous survey equipment and field testing equipment, traffic counters, and the typewriter would remain in the Public Works Budget. Mayor Todd called for a ten minute recess of the Public Hearing. Mayor Todd called the Public Hearing back to order at 9:55 P.M., with all Councilmen present as previously noted. W.I.N. Program City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the W.I.N. Program in which a Clerk /Typist and Laborer would be continued fully- funded until June 30, 1974. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Parks Recreation Budget. The Council questioned the addition of Maintenance Man I to the Budget for 1974. Steve Hall stated this additional man was need- ed to maintain the proposed park and playground at the Foster School site and to allow for interflow between departments during vacations and illness in order to keep up commitments. Council- man Sterling asked the future Council members in the audience for their comments. Mrs. Catherine Harris asked if the Council had considered utilizing this extra man for the summer months only. Councilman Johanson replied yes, he had a note in his Budget to hire for six months. Councilman Crain stated he felt this was a reasonable approach to hire the man in the spring to work through the fall months. Mayor Todd stated the Parks Department had use of the Youth Corps during the suimiier last year. Mr. Gene Isler, Field Superiniundent,stated the Department would have gone back- wards without the help of the Youth Corps. He felt it would TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 6, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Parks Recreation Cont. December 3, 1973 53 greatly help to have a full -time man in the summer. In addition to the park property, there is landscaping to take care of around the City Hall and other areas. Steve Hall stated there is an in- house plan to consider that will develop the Christianson Road site into a park. If a full -time man were hired, it would enable the Department to move ahead a little rather than fall further behind. If a man were hired for just six months, it would invari- ably be a different person from year to year with a training per- iod for each year; also, we might not be able to get competent applicants for a six -month employment period. Mrs. Anne Altmayer of the Park Board stated the Park personnel are often busiest in the off season when the public is not in the park. And there is the addition of the mini -park to consider as well. If we can develop the Park Plan as scheduled, we will need this man all year around and his duties will include public grounds, the new shop, fire station and other buildings. Councilman Hill stated he would like to see the full time maintenance man left in and thinks he will be utilized. Councilman Sterling questioned whether another full time man is necessary, but he would be willing to go along with the Council's decision. Mrs. Altmayer stated the help would be needed early next year to get the new playfield ready for summer at the Central School site and we would like to avoid contracting the work out. She stated the City was lucky to have a man like Gene Elfstrom who does such excellent work in the parks. Councilman Johanson stated that several organizations have contacted the City for projects and they might be used for some of this work. Mrs. Altmayer stated someone would still be needed for heavy -duty chores and Mayor Todd stated the volunteer groups would need supervision from someone in the City. Mr. Regal asked what the responsibilities of the Recreation Supervisor are and why this position needed to be filled now. He asked why the City couldn't hire a university student studying in this kind of work for the summer months. Mrs. Altmayer replied that summer activi- ties are planned months in advance and that many activities are being planned for year -round recreation for adults and children. Mr. Regal stated that if the Budget was so short, why couldn't this man be hired at a later date. Councilman Sterling stated there was considerable input from citizen's coimuittees to put this man on board, and after quite a bit of thought, it was decided that the community could use him now. Councilman Traynor stated he felt if we waited to hire the Recreation Supervisor, we would be waiting forever because of the drain of money to the Police and Fire Departments. Steve Hall stated that during the summer months there are lots of kids running around with nothing to do that cause problems for the Police. The Recreation Supervisor is currently working on programs for the summer and through the school district to give these kids something to do; he is also planning activities for adults, senior citizens and things that families can do together especially since more time will be available due to shortages of gas for travel. He feels the time is right, if not even a little late. Mrs. Catherine Harris fully agreed with Mr. Hall and complimented the Council on their res- ponse to the citizens' request for more recreational programs. Councilman Crain stated he felt there is enough work for the full time maintenance man for at least the next year or two when the Park Department will be making capital outlays for improvements and building and perhaps at a later date the position can be cut back. Councilman Traynor agreed that the man was needed, but questioned whether he would be utilized in the winter. He has no doubt that during six months of the year this maintenance man will be busy. Mrs. Altmayer pointed out that some portion of the high- ways going through town will be under the City' jurisdiction to landscape and maintain next year and this new man will be helpful here, too. Councilman Sterling stated the Council discussed this State highway program and were told the City would begin this duty in 1974. Mayor Todd stated that Councilman Sterling had a letter from a distinguished citizen who states the City has neglected grass and weeds overgrowing the sidewalks. Councilman Crain pro- posed a compromise: to hire the Maintenance Man I for 9 months effective April 1 for the spring and good weather months as well as next winter. Councilman Traynor suggested leaving the man full time as it is in the Budget. Councilman Gardner stated he would TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 7, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Parks Recreation Cont. December 3, 1973 53d'2_ like to leave the full -time Maintenance Man in only if money is provided for another policeman. It was agreed to keep the Main- tenance Man I as presented in the Budget. Mrs. Catherine Harris stated she hated to see equipment taken out for the kids in the parks; she asked if the amount that was cut from the Budget was for new equipment or for replacement of deteriorating equipment. Mayor Todd stated the elementary school playground is available and the Department should be able to buy what is needed to re- place any damaged or old playground equipment in the park. Mrs. Catherine Harris asked when the coin operated lights for the tennis courts would have paid for themselves. Mayor Todd stated they would never have paid for themselves or even the interest on the investment, just for the cost of electricity. Councilman Crain stated the main concern was of probable vandalism and the high cost of keeping the system operating these things went around the park plan which pre -plans development year by year and it appears some of this equipment would not have a space thiE year. Mrs. Altmayer stated she is willir;g to compromise on the park equipment but some of this equipment was for the upper level of the City Park along with the opening of the tennis court. Mayor Todd stated that perhaps by the time the equipment is needed, there may be some excess funds available. Mrs. Altmayer also pointed out that because the musical concerts had been eliminated, some publicity went out in error before. She is hoping anyway to have an address system for the addresses of all the citizens to publicize coming events. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney informed Mrs. Altmayer that this system had been cut from the Budget. It was suggested that the Tukwila News Register be utilized for Park programs. Mayor Todd stated that with the new Recreation Supervisor, free concerts might be provided free by citizens' groups anyway. Mrs. Altmayer stated it was a shame to drop money from the Department and lose the continuity of the Parks program. Mr. A. J. Peeper, 17083 53rd Ave. So., stated the cost per capita of police protection had been computed, but it would be interesting to know how much money is spent for the few people who actually use the parks. We should see how much per capita the parks are costing the taxpayers, and we should ask if we are willing to pay for these services to the public. He stated he has never seen the park crowded, and if the citizens are not using the parks, then why provide more _find/more money for them. Councilman Johanson felt the parks were a contribution to the atmosphere of the area and provided spots of beauty to enjoy. Mr. Peeper stated this was true, but that obviously somewhere along the line, this will get too high priced. Mrs. Altmayer, addressing Mr. Peeper, stated she appreciated his comments but there is not enough park area that is playable. The newly ac- quired South Central School site would provide a flat area for baseball, soccer and other sports and this type of park area is greatly needed. Mr. Charles Baker stated it is an excellent point that recreation is something we do not have enough of. He thinks we have set a precedent in the business community that all utility corridors and set back areas be landscaped. He stated people from all over come to see what the business community is doing in our City and this contributes to human and aesthetic values. This landscaping costs the business people to put it in and maintain it, too. For example, Frederick's Distribution Cen- ter costs $25,000 for the landscaping alone of 20 acres. Also in the planning of the industrial area, only 60% of the land is permitted to be covered by buildings other areas are to be set aside as green belts. Mrs. Altmayer commented if any town looks good, it gives the image that the town cares for itself. We need to progress in providing these areas. Councilman Gardner stated he understood this situation as a former landscape archi- tect that these areas are mostly enjoyed by people just driv- ing by. Councilman Sterling asked what was included in the land- scaping for the main and mini- parks. Mrs. Altmayer replied they planned to finish the McMicken Park, the Foster Bridge site, the Strander Bridge site and the main park tennis court area. Coun- cilman Sterling stated if enough could be done on any one of these projects, he will look for the $1,000 they need in the Bud- get to fund this. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 8, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. P.E.P. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the P.E.P. Budget. RECESS MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE MEETING RECESS. 10:45 P.M. CARRIED. Meeting will re- convene Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 P.M. as required by law and immediately recess until Wednesday, December 5, 8:00 P.M. to continue the Public Hearing. December 4, 1973 FLAG SALUTE AND CALL TO Mayor Todd led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting ORDER of the Tukwila City Council to order at 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS RECESS 5:32 P.M. 1 December 5, 1973 FLAG SALUTE AND CALL TO Mayor Todd led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting ORDER of the Tukwila City Council to order at 8:00 P.M. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS PUBLIC HEARING 1974 PRELIMINARY BUDGET City Street December 3, 1973 HILL, JOHANSON, GARDNER, STERLING, TRAYNOR. MOVED BY JOHANSON, SECONDED BY STERLING, TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEN CRAIN AND STEVENS. CARRIED. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE MEETING RECESS. CARRIED. CRAIN, TRAYNOR, STERLING, JOHANSON, HILL, GARDNER. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY STERLING, TO EXCUSE COUNCILMAN STEVENS. CARRIED. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the City Street Budget. Mrs. Anna Bernhard, 14241 59th Ave. So., asked when does the City think it will be able to begin with the undergrounding again. Councilman Hill stated he was disappointed this item was cut. Mayor Todd stated we will wait through 1974, then in 1975 the money should be available for streets. 1975 will be a catch -up year for a lot of projects. Public Works Director Steve Hall stated as far as overlays, this may have to be cut back because the cost of asphalt and emulsions, both petroleum products, has doubled so far. Councilman Sterling asked Mr. Hall if he felt he could adequately take care of the streets that will be de- prived of overlays with patching. Steve Hall replied it depend- ed on the kind of winter we have; if its a bad winter we can expect a lot of breakups. Councilman Gardner stated if the streets are left until its too late, it will be more costly in the long run for repairs. Mayor Todd stated the City may be presented with an offer to fund the streets through the T.O.P.I.C.S. Program early in 1974. The Council will have to de- cide then how the City will pay for its share of about $160,000, and then we'll probably have to go to a bond issue. Councilman Sterling stated this means the Council will probably have the same decision to make at the end of next year, whether to go through T.O.P.I.C.S., let that go or let the residential section go. At some point in time we're going to have to start work in residential area. Every year we wait and every year there's an emergency reason why we can't do something on the hill. Coun- cilman Traynor stated the City was somehow able to hire seven new firemen in 1973. Councilman Sterling stated he felt the rea- son for this lack of money was that the City was cut short by the King County Assessor. Mayor Todd stated the Council decided to spend cash for a City Shop, a new fire station and an aerial. He added that the amount not received from the Assessor was only $28,000. Mrs. Anna Bernhard stated if things will be more expen- sive, then why don't we make the improvements now and get the bonds to do it. Mayor Todd stated the City has the capacity to sell at least $5 million worth of G.O. bonds and that the City can't provide new streets and build new facilities both without TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 9, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. City Street Cont. December 5, 1973 53V a bond issue. Councilman Sterling stated the Council chose to act by paying for the fire station and shop in one year. The pressure was upon us to use more and more of this tax money to budget for operating expenses. Mayor Todd stated that most cities that use sales tax are already bonded up to their limit- Tukwila is virtually debt free. Councilman Sterling stated other cities already have their city hall and fire station and shop facilities; we have been hit all at once and had to build everything at the same time. He suggested the City use its sales tax for the expenses. We still have to build the new City Hall and some citizens are asking us to consider purchase of the golf course. We should not use up our bonding capacity until we see what we need to do. Mayor Todd stated we could sell bonds to fix the streets. Everybody's howl seems to be that we spend everything at Southcenter which doesn't happen to be the case; but in this case, we are spending money in that area for a shop and fire station and people say that's all for Southcenter. Mayor Todd stated these facilities are for the benefit of every citizen in town. There's no excuse to sacrifice the improve- ments to the residential area when we could spend only 10% of our bonding capacity to get the job done, and Southcenter and Andover Park will be paying for most of it. Councilman Traynor asked how these bonds are paid off. Mayor Todd answered they are paid for by revenue from real estate taxes. Councilman Gardner stated for a 20 -year bond, by the time payment is due the taxes will be four times higher to pay for it. Councilman Hill pointed out the growth factor for the City and the new $50 million development which will be on our tax rolls in three years Councilman Traynor felt the millage rate might drop steadily in the future as it has begun to do this year. Councilman Hill stated he would like to see G. 0. bonds sold to pay for the fire station and shop and then put the cash back into the streets for residential area improvements. Last year the Street Committee decided to quit doing patchwork jobs and tried to establish a plan for the whole city. This plan was 2 to 3 months in prepar- ation; then Puget Power stated it required 3 to 4 months to com- plete their engineering. By the time we could have started, the streets would have been torn up all winter. So we waited until spring. He stated he just couldn't see people on the hill doing without so we can pay for the fire station and shop. Councilman Johanson stated he now regretted moving $135,000 to the Strander Bridge Fund last year. Councilman Gardner stated there is ano- ther part of the Bridge to pay for in the next few years. Mayor Todd stated the payment schedule for the Bridge. Councilman Gardner stated by building the fire station in the Industrial Park, it lowers the fire code rate on the fire station on the hill for insurance. Fire Chief Hubert Crawley stated this was true. Councilman Johanson stated the reason he brought up the $135,000 on the Bridge is that if we had put it into Phase 2 of the City Shop, we could have had more money for streets. It seems priorities and programming are our problems. Councilman Gardner stated by paying cash for the City Shop and fire station gets it for us at about half price if you figure the interest. Although on a 20 -year bond issue if you figure in wages and taxes it may be the worse way to go. Even though we may get half price now, it may be more expensive on the long term. Mayor Todd recommended the Council consider bonds for the streets. Council- man Sterling stated the Council decided last year this work was important enough, but ended up doing nothing but patch work. Councilman Hill stated there was a reason for that. Councilman Sterling stated that was the point there's always a reason every year. Councilman Crain stated it was not fair to ask the people to sacrifice their streets in the interest of paying cash for other things when we could have done both. He stated he sup- ported selling bonds at this time to fix the streets, and that Tukwila would be in the most enviable position in the country for the benefits we will enjoy. Mayor Todd stated the bond market has been very favorable, that the interest has been down and pointed out how much money was saved by refinancing the Water/ Sewer Revenue Bonds recently. Councilman Crain pointed out the City now has a built -in growth factor that will help, and the City is at this time worth more than it is being credited. for. There are buildings occupied now that are not yet part of our TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 10, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. City Street Cont. Arterial Streets Contingency Fund Cumulative Reserve for Fire Truck Fire Fighting Equipment Federal Shared Revenue Street G.O. Bond Redemption Fund 5 December 5, 1973 tax base. Councilman Sterling stated what the street program is for 1974. Councilman Traynor stated the only project was back down south of town for the repairs to Tukwila Parkway. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Arterial Streets Budget which is totally funded by gas tax money for that purpose only. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Contingency Fund. Coun- cilman Crain asked the City Clerk if she had arrived at a total figure that represented what the Council cut from the Budget. He stated the money would probably be added to this Fund. The City Clerk replied all changes to the Budget amounted to $38,839. Councilman Traynor suggested putting this money in Land Acquisition, Bldg. and Development. Mayor Todd cautioned the Council not to leave any money in the Contingency Fund that is not of an emergency nature (as was suggested earlier), be- cause it might not be possible to get that money back out. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this account and explained it will be eliminated by the purchase of the pumper fire truck at the end of 1973. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this account and explained Chief Crawley decided to leave $100 there to keep the account open in the event any donations are received. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Federal Shared Revenue Budget. Mr. Ken Harris asked since the bus service has been in existence, have any records been kept of the number of passengers in order to compute the cost per person in the City. Councilman Crain stated during the summer, about 800 to 1,000 persons rode the bus per week and the average per week for this fall has been between 250 and 300. This response is higher than he personally had anticipated, and stated that he and his family have used it. Councilman Gardner stated the cost comes to about $1.25 per passenger. Mae Harris, City Treasurer, asked if there is a chance the gas shortage might affect bus service. Councilman Traynor suggested the shortage might increase its use. Mrs. Harris stated she meant that would the service possibly be cur- tailed. Mayor Todd stated he had checked and the answer is no. Mrs. Anna Bernhard stated if the gas situation becomes as serious as predicted, would there be a possibLlity of extending the ser- vice to the weekends. Mayor Todd stated he submitted a letter to the Council requesting approval to open negotiations with Metro for longer hours of operation with smaller vehicles. He feels it would be more effective to have a 15- passenger van with more frequent runs and longer hours than the 33- passenger bus. Councilman Crain asked the Mayor if he were not hopeful to change the conditions without a change in cost. Mayor Todd stat- ed he hoped at the beginning to get a smaller vehicle that two or three small vans would run around $500 per month operating expense. However, Metro does have county -wide authority to run the buses; if we could convince them because of the energy crisis they need our bus elsewhere and let us run our own system. Coun- cilman Sterling pointed out the City would then be liable for the labor. Mayor Todd stated it might not be possible to get around the bus drivers' union. When Metro received their grant, they may have worked out an agreement with the union at that time for exclusive rights. Councilman Gardner stated that at a recent meeting of AWC, new buses for Metro were presented and the bus driver commented a 33- passenger bus is light on the back end and doesn't travel up and down hills very well. He stated he was not in favor of spending the Federal Shared Revenue where it is not traceable to the receiving parties. Mayor Todd stated this matter had been resolved legally some time ago. Councilman Sterling stated the problem was solved just by the way the City and Metro budget records are kept. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. Councilman Crain questioned the $71,361 Reserve amount. City Treasurer Mae Harris explained this amount stays in the Fund to pay for bonds; it is now deposited and drawing interest. Councilman Crain stat- ed his point was whether this money was coming out of 1974 reve- nue. Mrs. Harris answered no. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 11, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Water /Sewer Refunding Revenue Bond Fund Land Acquisition, Bldg. and Development Urban Arterial Streets Park Trust Fund City Shop Construction Strander Bridge Extension City Hall Construction Fire Station Construction Water City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. December 5, 1973 S3 City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Budget. Councilman Traynor asked if any of the $205,800 from 1973 is left. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated $150,000 was transferred into the City Hall Construction Fund and the remainder went toward the new fire station land acquisition. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this account; she explained the 1974 Budget amount is a carryover from 1973 plus interest. Councilman Crain asked what the difference is between arterial streets and urban arterial streets. Public Works Director Steve Hall gave an explanation. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. Councilman Sterling asked what restrictions apply to this money, and can these funds be used to get matching funds. Mrs. Kinney replied they can be used to obtain other matching funds. Mayor Todd stated the money can be parlayed through the Department of Eco- logy and Interagency Unit in Olympia to come up with $196,000. There are no restrictions on the money other than it be used for parks and recreational purposes. Councilman Crain asked if some of this money could be used to purchase the playground equipment discussed earlier in the Hearing. Mayor Todd stated it could be done but would be the equivalent of spending one dollar for twenty -five cents worth of equipment. Councilman Johanson recalled a suggestion to use the money for the cost of a city hall with a community center concept but this was not possible. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund which completes in sales tax money the total allocation of $110,000 (the remainder comes from Revenue Sharing). City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund which will be dissolved at the end of 1973. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund which received funding from Land Acquisition and is accruing interest. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the Water Fund. Councilman Crain asked what caused the increase in medical benefits. The City Clerk replied the rates had recently increased. Councilman Sterling asked what was included in the Uniform Clothing cost. Steve Hall replied this was for rental of uniforms to identify City crews. The Council decided to eliminate this item. Coun- cilman Crain asked for an explanation of the increase in Supplies Steve Hall stated the cost of everything is higher this year and more paperwork is required by all the different agencies. Also, in all Street, Water and Sewer Operating Supplies, the increase will reflect safety equipment now required by WISHA. Mr. Gene Isler, Field Superintendent, indicated he had attended a meeting and learned this figure might be a little low. He stated the new shop and facilities meet all WISHA requirements. Councilman Crain questioned the Professional Services. Steve Hall explain- ed the Department has problems with water flows; they need pro- fessional testing done on equipment and water breaks. Council- man Hill asked if a Hardy Cross analysis was performed about 3 years ago. Steve Hall replied a few checks have been made on fire flows, but need further checking. Mayor Todd stated Refer- endum 27 grant has been tentatively approved, and the City has received notice from the State that approval is subject to the City providing a comprehensive water plan. The City has such a plan but going only as far south as Highway 405. The Council has received a booklet covering a comprehensive water, sewer and storm drainage for the area south of Highway 405 and this was furnished free by Harstad Associates. If this plan is satis- factory it need»to be adopted by ordinance and submitted to the State for approval. He then asked if there is money in the Water Budget to match the grant if it is approved. Steve Hall stated there would be funding available in Improvements Other TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 12, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Water Cont. Sewer Department December 5, 1973 .s'3 than Buildings. Mayor Todd noted a profit in the Water and Sewer Departments according to the quarterly reports. Gene Isler stated many of the old meters have been reconditioned to obtain more accurate readings and this accounts for an increase in water use figures. Councilman Traynor asked about the type- writer. Mrs. Maxine Anderson, Public Works Secretary, stated she will get a new one and her old one will go to the Planning Department. Councilman Hill questioned the two power threaders. Gene Isler corrected the error, that only one 2" to 4" threader was listed and this item would save a lot of running around. Mayor Todd asked if there were plans to provide a meter service bench in the shop. Steve Hall stated he can't beat the price he's getting now for this service. Gene Isler stated they will put in a flow nesting bench, and Steve Hall stated this means more manpower regiired. Councilman Traynor asked how many meters were sent out this year. Gene Isler stated he would get the figures and that this information will also be provided in the annual report. Councilman Gardner asked if the river cross- ing at the north water system is being used now. Steve Hall re- plied only on an emergency basis, that the update includes new pipe and a small boom land bridge. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Budget. Councilman Johanson questioned the TV inspection of sewers and sewer infil- tration study. Steve Hall stated these were required because future grants depended on these studies, and Metro may soon require it. Councilman Crain asked if it were possible to get 90% grant funding for both programs. Steve Hall replied it was very possible. Councilman Hill asked if money could be trans- ferred from the Sewer Department into the Water Department. Steve Hall answered no, these two accounts are only combined for the 1.3 redemption factor. Mayor Todd stated money could be loaned from one account to the other, but must be reimbursed. Water /Sewer City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. She stated the Construction excess from the Shaffer Construction Contract would go for the Water and Sewer priorities as discussed at the November 12 Coun- cil Meeting. Bonds, Principal and City Clerk Shirlee Kinney explained this Budget. Interest Bond Reserve City Clerk Shirlee Kinney explained this Budget. Fireman's Pension Discussion City Council Professional Services City Clerk Shirlee Kinney explained this Budget, that no deposits are now made to it and it is gaining interest. Mayor Todd asked how many firemen are eligible to draw benefits. Chief Crawley thought possibly six men had accrued benefits. L. I. Guarantee City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed this Fund. City Property Assessment City Clerk Shirlee Kinney explained this account will be paid off at the end of 1973. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney requested the Council to go back and settle those items which were unsettled from the previous dis- cussions. Councilman Johanson stated he believed the Council should have it. Councilman Traynor stated the money could be provided, but the Council might not necessarily have to spend it. Councilman Crain stated he would like to see AWC services used as long as the City is paying dues. Councilman Johanson stated AWC's busi- ness hours do not coincide with the Council's. He stated as a matter of fact that the law is subject to interpretation, and that it would be of value to have another opinion from that of the City Attorney. Councilman Crain stated a private attorney's opinion might not carry as much weight as the concerted effort of research and opinion of the AWC. Councilman Gardner stated $2,000 would only cover the first case or two. Councilman Sterling felt the Council should cut its own Budget as much as TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 13, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. City Council Professional Services Cont. City Treasurer Longevity Pay New Patrolman Public Works Vehicles City Clerk Salary December 5, 1973 it has cut other departments in the Budget and use the services of AWC. Mayor Todd called for a Council poll. CRAIN use AWC; TRAYNOR budget $2,000; STERLING use AWC; JOHANSON budget $2,000; HILL use AWC; GARDNER budget $2,000. Council vote was a tie. Councilman Sterling stated he felt AWC was adequate if the Council seeks advice as a unified body. Mr. Ken Harris commented the Council's Budget provides a real bargain to the City for the amount of work each member is responsible for. Councilman Johanson stated if it comes to the defense of the Council, the Council has the authority to appoint an assistant to the City Attorney. Councilman Crain changed his vote in sup- port of the $2,000 Professional Services on the basis that the Council would not use this as a kind of club; he stated the City Attorney has stated he would welcome as assistant in any area of conflict. Councilman Gardner stated he voted to keep the money as a protest of the City Attorney for the good of the City. He stated it is his opinion Mr. Parker should be fired. Councilman Sterling stated the Council does not have authority to fire the City Attorney. Mayor Todd objected to Councilman Gardner's "vengeance vote Mary Lehto, Record Chronicle, asked if the $280 budgeted for Councilmen was for two meetings per month. Councilman Crain stated the pay was for two meetings per month and the Council was providing the public with the other two. Councilman Johanson stated these restrictions are contained in a City ordinance. Mary Lehto then asked the Council if it plan- ned to go back to two meetings per month. Councilman Sterling stated they have no plans as yet, but it has been suggested. Councilman Crain stated his proposal to revoke Section 5, Ord. #691 at the next Council meeting, but not to take away any ac- crued longevity and set the City Treasurer's salary at $1,040 per month. Mayor Todd stated it would not be possible to revoke the ordinance because Public Works people will be eligible for longevity under the Teamsters. Mayor Todd stated the reason he brought this matter up before the Council was that an elected official files for an office for "X" amount of dollars in salary. Mrs. Mae Harris, City Treasurer, agreed that she should not be eligible. City Council set the City Treasurer's salary at $1,040 and will delete longevity pay from that office. The City Council decided not to allot any of the money cut from the Budget for another patrolman. Councilman Gardner stated he had wanted the extra man put back into the Budget for a total of two new patrolmen. Councilman Traynor announced Chief Crawley would be willing to give a 3/4 ton pickup to Public Works. Councilman Crain stated funds would then be needed for a canopy and survey equipment only. Steve Hall stated the vehicle would carry equipment plus a three -man crew; he would rather have a vehicle that is lock- able. Councilman Crain asked Steve Hall if he felt he still needed the new van. Steve Hall explained his plan of vehicle distribution. Councilman Crain felt Public Works was justified in purchasing the new van. The Council agreed to leave funds in the Public Works Budget for a new van. Street Budget Councilman Hill stated he would like to provide money for new City streets. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated since the Council agreed earlier to raise the City Treasurer's salary to be equal to the City Clerk, she felt it only fair that the Clerk's salary be equal now with the Treasurer's. The Council so agreed. Mayor Change to Mayor Todd stated his desire that the office of Mayor be changed full -time position to a full -time position. He stated he submitted a letter to the discussion Council President last summer so indicating his desire, and stated he felt it unfair since the job is full -time in reality that the pay is part -time. Councilman Sterling stated the Coun- cil performed its duties for service, not for money. Councilman Crain stated he was sympathetic to the Mayor's position for the TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 14, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Mayor cont. Budget adoption Employees' Health Plan Benefits Mr. Charles Baker December 5, 1973 5 3 fact of the increased work that he does. He stated his only reservation was that the office should be available to any citizen who wishes to run. He stated that Mayor Todd is in a position to devote many hours to the job and a person like him- self would have to give up a career to take a full -time Mayor's job, unless he decided to take up the career of politics. He would hate to see the office be one where a person would have to give up an outside career. This office should be available to everyone. Mayor Todd stated the office cannot be maintained adequately on a part -time basis. Councilman Hill stated he felt the City has reached a point to consider hiring a full -time Mayor or hire a city manager. Councilman Crain stated a city manager /elected mayor form of government is desirable but ques- tions at what time this would be needed. He also questions whether the city manager /elected mayor concept is legal for a third -class city. Mayor Todd answered it is not, just mayor/ council or manager /council. Councilman Sterling pointed out the city manager would lose the personal touch with the citizens since he would not be elected by them. He feels Tukwila should retain the mayor /council form of government, and continue to retain it on a part -time basis. Councilman Traynor asked how the Council would adopt the Budget. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney explained the Council will have to adopt by motion the 1974 Budget as amended which will then authorize her to draw up the ordinance, make the changes reflect- ing the Council's action on it, and then the Council will pass the ordinance at the next regular meeting. Councilman Sterling referred to the employees' health plan figures, and the City Clerk explained each type of plan available and the costs involv- ed. Councilman Johanson stated the Council should study this a great deal more before deciding. Councilman Sterling asked if the Council waited to study this matter, could the money be put in and then be taken out of the Contingency Fund. Administrative Officer Joe Mathews stated the Police Department discussed a plan last year; they advised that a study had been made in favor of a plan but the Department never heard back on the matter. Councilman Johanson stated he wanted the extra money to go to Land Acquisition. Councilman Hill stated the money could go into the Contingency Fund while the Council studies the insurance plan and then later commit it. Councilman Traynor asked if the money could be taken out of Land Acquisition by ordinance if placed there temporarily. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney answered no, be- cause the money would then be committed to purchase land; once it is in that fund, it can only be borrowed and must be paid back. Joe Mathews suggested setting up an operating fund such as an insurance fund and then transfer any or all to land acquisition later. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney recommended the Council consi- der the Contingency Fund for the purpose they proposed. The Council agreed. Mr. Charles Baker, Tukwila Industrial Council and former Mayor, stated it was interesting the Council aas considering at what point a full -time mayor is needed. Mr. Be.ker stated the early 1950's was the time for this change when the City moved into a different type of city than any other in the State where we were faced with standing up as a city or going down in defeat under the Port of Seattle and lose our tax base. It was the will of the people that we not allow the Port to come out here and many of our pioneer citizens didn't want to relinquish their land. At that time, we were trying to move ahead where we could do it through the free enterprise system and we have proven we could do it. That time in my life took much more than half of my work- ing time and I did it without the pay because I believed in Tuk- wila, the citizens in Tukwila and that someday it would reach a point where it would reward those who supported the City. I took no consideration for the salary, but looking back, I realize that I have given up in my own life the potential earnings of $100,000 or $200,000. You have business which is a big thing today and there are many things you still need that offical for, a person who can take advantage of making money for the City through grants, etc. When the job begins to take out of a man's TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 15, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Mr. Charles Baker Cont. Mayor's office discussion Citizens' corres- pondence CLOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING 11:23 P.M. ADOPTION OF 1974 BUDGET December 5, 1973 sties life and out of his livelihood, then its time and not many people can do this. I spent too much time and the Council at that time as well had gone through the battle; we felt we could not drop out half way through. There are many cities larger in land area, larger in population, but this City can't stand still. I do not believe in the manager type of City government. The mayor /council officials are elected by the people to serve the people and in this way are more responsible. I was offered $12,000 to stay on one more year, but I had used myself up. At the time and with a third class city, the time had been reached for a full -time mayor. If you take $12,000 in 1962 with con- sideration for inflation, the salary now would be equivalent to $18,000 to $20,000. I think we all go into office to do the job and there's not any of us who want to face the problem of becom- ing a quitter, whether because we can't face the battle or can't afford to continue. Again, in those years, we were trying to save something at the same time we were trying to build some thing, and I hope this City never gets in that type of position again. But the problem is always there. Mayor Todd stated he hoped the Council did not think he would walk out of the job just because he felt it was worth "X" number of dollars. He stated he would continue, but the Council has no idea of the amount of work that comes through the Mayor's office and has invited members of the Council to sit in that office just to see what the business of being Mayor involves today. He stated he would continue as Mayor for two more years come hell or high water and continue to do the same kind of job he has done in the past and right now. Councilman Hill stated the Council should consider the position and not the person as in other areas of Budget considerations. He stated he felt this City has reached the point where it would make all the difference in the world to the City as has been proved to him in the last two years that by having a full -time Mayor has smoothed out the operations, Councilman Johanson stated the staff has grown to 91 and isn't this what the staff is developed for? They will need a decision from the Mayor on certain items, but I'm sure there are very knowledgeable people on the staff. He stated he agreed with Councilman Crain's argument for the part -time mayor that making the position full -time would prevent someone from being mayor someday by having to give up a full -time career. Mayor Todd stated as a taxpayer, he felt it was not good judgment to take away the full -time representation being talked about here and ignore the fact that one is required. Is it worth "X" amount of dollars to the taxpayers to have the Mayor's office represented on a full -time basis or should the people who wish to do business conform to the few hours set by the Mayor to do it. He asked isn't the convenience of having a recognized head of government available during business hours worth it to the City? Councilman Sterling read a letter from Mr. Rudolph Regal and one from the Tukwila Action Committee represented by Mrs. Louise Strander and Mrs. Marie Gardner. The letters offered confluents and asked questions regarding the 1974 Budget and current Oity policies. Both of these letters are on file and will be avail- able in the City Clerk's Office. Mayor Todd closed the Public Hearing on the 1974 Budget of the City of Tukwila. MOVED BY CRAIN, SECONDED BY STERLING, THAT THE 1974 BUDGET BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED. CARRIED, with Councilman Traynor voting yes, but stating he was unhappy that $355,000 worth of sales tax money is being used to balance the Budget; Councilman Johanson voting no, stating he had intended to cut back the Budget to add to the Land Acquisition, Bldg. and Development Fund for the new city hall as the old building compounds the problems we now have; Councilman Hill voting yes, but stated he was not pleased with the Street Budget and hoped the Council would pass G. 0. Bonds next year; Councilman Gardner voting no, also because of the Street Budget and that too much money is spent for things that are not necessary; Councilmen Crain and Sterling voting yes. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 16, PUBLIC HEARING Cont. Mayor's Office hours ADJOURNMENT 11:17 P.M. ATTEST: Mayor Todd stated he would be available in his office every day between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 12 :00 Noon and asked the press to publish these new hours. MOVED BY STERLING, SECONDED BY CRAIN, THAT THE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. r tf•r-e-ede Frank Todd, Mayor Shirlee A. Kinney, ity Clerk December 5, 1973 5 4!