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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-05-27 Regular MinutesMay 27, 1974 8:00 P.M. FLAG SALUTE AND CALL To O ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS MINUTE APPROVAL NEW BUSINESS Metro sewer rate increase presentation APPOINTMENTS 71r Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING 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. GARDNER, STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, HARRIS, SAUL. MOVED BY STERLING, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMAN JOHANSON. CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY STERLING, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 20, 1974 BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. Council woman Harris asked to be excused from voting because she was absent from the May 20 meeting. Mayor Todd replied yes. *CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY DAVIS, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 22, 1974 BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED.* Councilman Saul asked to be excused from voting because he was absent from the May 22 meeting. Mayor Todd replied yes. *CARRIED. Mayor Todd asked to have the Agenda amended to include this item to be presented. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY GARDNER, TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE A PRESENTATION BY METRO ON SEWER RATE IN- CREASE. CARRIED. Steve Hall, Public Works Director, introduced Mr. Tom Jordan, Compo- nent Agency Coordinator, Metro. Mr. Jordan explained the reasons for the need for a rate increase. Several economic factors were reviewed. Councilwoman Harris asked if each City Council is requir- ed to pass an ordinance before June 6. Mr. Jordan replied no, Metro is required by contract with each of its component agencies to adopt its budget prior to the third Monday of June, and you in turn will have time to set up your on budgets to incorporate the rate changes next fall. He stated this is only the second rate increase in 15 years. Mr. Bill Moore asked about the difference between Total Revenues Interest and Minimum Required Coverage. Mr. Jordan stated it is cumulative revenue from Metro's rates and interest in- come earned on bond covenants and on capital funds invested until construction is authorized. Mr. Moore asked if this money or any portion of it is available now. Mr. Jordan stated the interest in- come is dropping. Mr. Moore stated there was an excess of $5 mil- lion in 1964 and there continued to be more money taken in than expended. Should it not be available for some of these projects. Mr. Jordan stated all the costs plus the local share for capital construction which was 50 -55% for local capital projects was paid out of this fund. We have had some good investment opportunities in the past and were able to pay off some of our bonds earlier. A lot of bonds were sold and contracts were let around 1964, and the money was invested before any construction got underway. This allowed more funds than required and also allowed for the sale of bonds at a substantially lower interest rate than anticipated. Mr. Bill Moore stated it was indicated that money would be needed very soon to offset some of the costs caused in part by the delay due to the fact the government paid back the 75%. Mr. Jordan stated that is the need for additional excess money over the local 10% share. Mr. Moore asked if there would be any return of this money. Mr. Jordan stated yes, it will all come right back to the system. He referred to another chart, showing a typical five -year project based on 90% grant monies for $10 million worth of construction. He stated the first two or three years of the project are funded by local funds until the project is 25% underway. During the third year, the actual portion of the dollars you have in the project at that time is 49% of the cost of construction wrapped up in local dollars. Through the fourth year, the loan to the government con- tinues and is finally liquidated in the fifth year. By that time, the grant receipts have been paid by the federal and state agencies. There is always the need for additional local money above the 10% commitment since not all the project costs are eligible for grant funding. Steve Hall stated it is basically the same way the City acquired interim financing for LID projects. Mayor Todd thanked Mr. Jordan for the presentation. Board of Adjustment Mayor Todd stated he is asking reconsideration of the appointees because not all Council members were present at the last meeting and TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 1974 Page 2 APPOINTMENTS Cont. Board of Adjustment ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Res. #432, Authorizing expenditure of $36,000.00 Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for free bus service, June 1, 1974 May 31, 1975 '1 he does not feel there were adequate reasons for rejecting Mrs. Pesicka. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT BE CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.* Councilman Gardner stated this is such an important pos- ition for the City Council to turn over the policies to a group who are not experienced and are antagonistic people. He stated one of the appointees actually threatened him. He stated that State law provides the Council members do not have to give reasons for how they vote. Mayor Todd stated personalities cannot enter into a vote. The Council is voting for the 3,300 citizens of Tukwila. Councilman Sterling asked if all the appointees are residents. Mayor Todd replied yes. *ROLL CALL VOTE: 3 AYES STERLING, TRAYNOR, SAUL; 3 NOS GARDNER, DAVIS, HARRIS. Mayor Todd asked Attorney Parker if it is legal for the Mayor to break the tie vote on the appointments. Attorney Parker stated yes. MOTION CARRIED, WITH MAYOR TODD CASTING HIS VOTE IN FAVOR OF CONFIRMING THE APPOINT- MENTS TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY DAVIS, THAT PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ. CARRIED. Attorney Parker read proposed resolution authoriz- ing expenditure of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for Free Bus Ser- vice from June 1, 1974 to May 31, 1975 $36,000.00. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT RES. #432 BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Councilman Traynor stated many comments were made at the Special Meeting of May 22 regarding scheduling. Do we have that perogative to make changes in the contract? Mayor Todd replied yes, but we cannot extend the 35 hours without more money. Councilman Sterling stated he would like to try to renegotiate for more hours to pro- vide better service. Councilman Saul stated he did not attend the meeting but has heard several requests for some small fare to help contribute to the cost. If this resolution is passed, when would we work at the contract? Mayor Todd stated the Council should then set up a meeting with Larry Coffman. Councilman Saul stated the bus should take care of the workers and the shoppers. Councilman Sterling stated if we don't ask for more service for $36,000, then any extra charge would just take care of extra hours. Metro is asking $6,000 more this year for the same amount of hours. We should know what the $6,000 is for and why we can't get a little more service. Mayor Todd stated Metro has stated they need the $6,000 to break even. They must consent to contribute the rest of what we need if we are to get it at all. We can amend the sched- ules and contemplate charging, but people on Social Security should be able to get a pass and ride free. Councilwoman Davis stated the Magic Carpet route runs for 24 hours for $60,000. Why can't we get more for our money? Councilman Traynor stated Mr. Coffman had stated we are running a special bus, while the Magic Carpet route has always been there. Councilman Gardner stated Metro is of benefit to the elderly and we are subsidizing Metro 1/3 -cent tax. A 20( fare might lower the cost from $110 per day to $90 per day. Councilman Sterling agreed the fare would not make enough difference to make it worthwhile. Councilwoman Harris referred to an article from the Record Chronicle and asked about the exact contract dates. Councilman Traynor read and explained his letter from Metro dated May 6, 1974. Councilwoman Harris stated we should establish a fare that would enable us to give better evaluation of the merit of the system relating to cost as compared with the fare free system. They say they cannot prepare this for us, but they are preparing one for the Seattle City Council regarding the Magic Carpet service which is also fare -free. She stated she is thinking in terms of a six -month contract with a fare and revised scheduling. The ridership report we now receive does not contain enough infor- mation. With a six -month contract, we could review during that time all the alternatives with Metro and perhaps accomodate Tukwila with service paid for by Metro earlier than anticipated. Council- man Gardner stated he had not seen where the money will come from and suggested a meeting to review revenue. Mayor Todd suggested Council members speak to the City Treasurer about this. Councilman Sterling stated the Council should meet with Metro to "talk turkey" TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 1974 Page 3 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Cont. Res. #432 Cont. 7c.o before we sign the contract. He stated he could see where it will cost us more to add more hours. How can we get more time to bar- gain before we sign the contract? Mayor Todd stated the City's bargaining position will be stronger in fact if we continue this contract for one year. Councilwoman Harris asked who really would be hurt if after this present year's contract expires there is a lapse of service for one month or so until we can bargain. She stated she does not understand the panic to get this extended for one year. The Council wishes to discuss it further. Mayor Todd stated it is important to Metro to provide us with service such as they are until they can figure out a way to get us on their route. He stated he was told earlier that some surplus buses are coming from the East Coast and will be ready to run in September. There may be something for Tukwila in that, but we have no firm commit- ment that there will be. Councilman Traynor stated it is unfair to the riders to stop and start the system. Councilwoman Harris asked what is the difference when the bus breaks down for repairs? Mrs. Nancy Moore stated when the bus is off the line for breakdowns, a Metro car is sent to pick people up and deliver them to their homes. Mayor Todd stated there seems to be no hope for right now. He stated he will keep trying as he has tried in the past to get more service at the expense of Metro. He stated Metro will be hard pressed to provide an excuse to Tukwila in September when those new buses are available. Councilman Sterling stated we then will have signed a contract for one year. Mayor Todd stated that is so. Councilman Gardner stated the bus is keeping a regularly scheduled route. The longer we keep it, the longer before we get a scheduled route from Metro. He stated he could not see why the regular routes cannot come up over the hill on their way to and from Seattle. Councilwoman Davis stated some people on Route B are not happy with the schedule. She would like to see a density study from the Plan- ning Department. Mayor Todd stated if you were to serve on the bas- is of density, you would be serving apartment dwellers. We cannot satisfy everyone with only 7 hours per weekday. Councilwoman Harris asked Attorney Parker if the contract is amended to include the language for a fare to be collected and credited to the quarterly bills to the City, would that be reviewed and endorsed by Metro Council? If so, it will mean a delay of another month. Attorney Parker stated any changes would probably have to be reviewed by Metro Council. Councilwoman Harris stated she would not want to go into a new contract without a change in the language. If Metro Council does review the contract changes, it will likely be July until we receive it back. Councilman Sterling stated it looks like we are stuck with another year if we don't want to discontinue the bus service for a while, but he stated he would like time to try to renegotiate. Councilman Traynor stated we should be concerned with the language for fares and schedules and try to get more service from Metro. He stated the Mayor knows how we feel and he will go back to Metro if we will provide him the money. He stated he does not doubt the Mayor will be getting the best use for our money. Mayor Todd stated he would attempt to get $72,000 worth of service for our $36,000 and there is hope next Fall. Councilman Sterling asked when the Council could work for a new time schedule. Mayor Todd replied anytime the Council and Metro officials are both available. Mrs. Sis Robinson stated she had a suggestion for a new time schedule: 6:00 8:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M. 2:00 P.M., and 4:00- 8:00 P.M. Councilman Traynor stated a fact from the A.W.C. meeting really sticks in his mind; and that is, it is the duty of the City Council to provide the funds and the duty of Administration to use the funds to get the most use for the best interests of the people. Mrs. Rena Holloway asked what the $1,500 time bridge for the bus was for. Mayor Todd stated it was to continue the bus until May 31. Mrs. Holloway asked why not spend another portion for another temp- orary extension? Mayor Todd stated if the contract is not signed then the service is terminated and the bus will not run after June 1, 1974. Mrs. Nancy Moore stated the City received over 300 signa- tures which the Council should have taken the time to look over. She stated she had talked to some business people from Southcenter who expressed a desire to have bus service into the areas serving JAFCO and Levitz. Perhaps these people would help us secure extra service. It would be good for their businesses. Mayor Todd stated TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 1974 Page 4 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Cont. Res. #432 Cont. CORRESPONDENCE AND CURRENT BUSINESS 7.7.1 he had suggested going out to bid for garbage service contract a year ago and this would have provided some extra revenue from every person and business in the City. The revenue might be specified for the provision of a full service bus. ROLL CALL VOTE: 4 AYES STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, SAUL; 2 NOS GARDNER, HARRIS. CARRIED. Councilman Saul stated he was not aware of the garbage proposal and wanted to know more about it. Mayor Todd stated the City currently has no franchise with any disposal company. The law provides the authority for a third class city to contract for these services. It would be cost -free revenue for the City. Coun- cilwoman Harris suggested researching the law before going to an exclusive franchise. Duwamish School E Mayor Todd read a letter from Dr. John Fotheringham, Superintendent grounds of Schools, South Central School District, stating the District is interested in seeing the Duwamish School and grounds are put to some suitable use or it may face destruction. Councilman Traynor stated the City might be more interested if it were a part of the City. Are the residents there still considering annexation? Mayor Todd stated he had heard another petition is circulating. He stat- ed it would take a lot of money to put the building into legal con- dition before it can be occupied. Councilman Sterling suggested directing this letter to various community groups in the area since the City cannot get involved. Richard Hunt, Recreation Supervisor, stated the School District has strongly pursued the County for the support of some recreation funds, but the County is not able or willing to help. Councilwoman Harris suggested the schools may be a better prospect than the County. Mayor Todd stat- ed the problem is that the building is in a state of condemnation. Letter from Richard Hunt, Councilman Traynor read a letter from Richard Hunt, Recreation Sup Request for a van for ervisor, requesting a van for the Recreation Department. The the Recreation Dept. letter stated $5,000 is available for the van within the budget; the $5,000 was allocated for overlaying the Central School tennis court, but the lowest estimate came in at $15,000. Councilman Sterling asked who would be driving the van. Richard Hunt replied himself. Councilman Sterling asked if this would eventually re- quire an additional employee. Richard Hunt stated he could not see that it would. Councilwoman Davis asked if a chauffeur's lic- ense would be necessary. Mayor Todd stated Richard would not be driving for hire. Councilman Saul stated he was in favor of pur- chasing the van. He stated a year ago we had no recreation program in the City, now we have the programs but it is difficult to get volunteer drivers and cars. He stated the price of the van is very reasonable. Councilman Sterling asked about the projected operating costs. Richard Hunt stated there is money for transpor- tation in the Parks Budget. Councilwoman Davis asked about the insurance coverage. Mayor Todd stated the agent has been notified and there is no problem in covering this vehicle for its purposes. Steve Hall explained how the van became available through an order cancelled by the State. He stated this van would be an investment to use the money for the best interests of the people. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE 15 PASSEN- GER VAN AS SPECIFIED FOR USE OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR $5,000.* Councilwoman Harris stated we are now providing many types of bus services in the City. If it is operated as a City vehicle for the residents, there may be problems with licensing, drivers, safety requirements, insurance, etc. Why not contract for the service for transportation with a licensed carrier such as Associated? A cost comparison analysis of the alternate transpor- tation methods would be helpful. She stated she refused to be rushed into this. Mayor Todd suggested she vote "no" in that case. Councilwoman Harris stated she is trying to point out the areas of concern for the City Council and the need to be careful. Council- man Sterling stated he assumed some of these questions the Recrea- tion Director will look into. Mayor Todd stated the City will not take delivery of the vehicle until insurance is provided. He stated a hold harmless agreement will have to be signed by each TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 1974 Page 5 CORRESPONDENCE AND CURRENT BUSINESS Cont. Van for the Recreation Dept. Cont. LID #22, Negotiating of asphalt prices OLD BUSINESS Andover Park Fire Station Main power service AUDIENCE COMMENTS George Hill Mrs. Dodge ADJOURNMENT 10:00 P.M. Ai'FEST 7az passenger before they can ride the van. Councilwoman Davis asked what year is the van. Richard Hunt replied 1974 model. Councilman Sterling stated it is a good price and the people can use it. Coun- cilman Traynor stated he was sitting on the Council last year when one of the new members sat in the audience spoke to support recre- ation programs and now that same person wants to postpone the same thing. *ROLL CALL VOTE: 4 AYES STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, SAUL; 2 NOS GARDNER, HARRIS. CARRIED. Mayor Todd asked Steve Hall when the contract was signed for LID #22. Steve Hall replied September, 1973 and that the new law, House Bill #1366, would apply in this case. Mayor Todd read the letter to Harstad Associates, Inc. from Pacific Paving Co., Inc. dated May 13, 1974. Copies of all correspondence are on file in the City Clerk's office. Councilman Sterling stated we would be paying 80% of the new bid on increased cost. Steve Hall stated he would need the documentation from Associated Sand Gravel. The extra costs will go back to the LID. Steve Hall stated there will be a proposed method of handling this from King County within a week and we can wait for Attorney Parker to contact King County's attorney. He suggested the Council Table the item until next Monday. Attorney Parker stated it is possible to begin renegotia- tions while we are waiting to hear from King County. Councilwoman Harris stated she had talked to the County Engineer today; he stated the County, the Port of Seattle and the City of Seattle all have contracts out. The Prosecuting Attorney's office is expected to give advice on how to implement the new law by June 1. Council- man Sterling suggested the City wait until these guidelines are provided. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, TO TABLE TO JUNE 3, 1974. CARRIED. Steve Hall, Public Works Director, reported a pad mounted transfor- mer has been approved and there will be no additional cost. Mr. George Hill stated he had some comments regarding the Board of Adjustment appointments. He stated all the citizens of this town are able to serve on a committee and they should be. They have the guts to volunteer, to give up some of their time for the City and they should not be told they are not good enough. There are a lot of experienced people who could serve better on this Board, but they did not volunteer. These people should be considered for thei7 concern for the City and not be picked apart for their political affiliations. Mrs. Dodge stated she concurred with Mr. Hill's statements. She stated the City Council represents the people as do other legisla- tors, nurses, doctors and attorneys. They must rise above their own personal opinions and differences to serve the best need. She stated personal opinions should never enter into the selection of members for a committee of the City. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. ank Todd, Mayor Shirlee'A. Kinney, Cif Clerk ZAW