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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-12-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesDecember 23, 1974 7:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER RnT,L CAT,T, OF COTTNCTT. MF:MRFRS DISCUSSION Proposed ordinance accepting gift for Fire Department aid car LID 25 Call for bids (Recall for bids) Approval of professional services contract re: signals at S -Line Bridge Eleanor McLester Undergrounding ordinance re: special exceptions Wetlands and drainage control meeting TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE I'HHOT,F, MEETING MINUTES GARDNER, STERLING, SAUL, JOHANSON D// Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Councilman Johanson called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. in the absence of Council President Traynor. Councilman Johanson stated that the second reading of the proposed ordinance accepting gift for Fire Department aid car would be on the agenda for the next City Council meeting on January 6, 1975. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, explained that this was a recall for bids for sanitary sewers, water, storm drainage, road, landscaping, and street lighting into the Fiorito property. This will be reviewed at the January 6 Council meeting. The bid is identical to the original one. Councilman Johanson asked about the duck pond that was in the park. Steve Hall stated that it will be back where it was. He stated he would present all of the information at the next Council meeting. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, stated that the approval for resolution has been obtained and this is a request for approval of the professional services contract. It will be ready for approval at the next Council Meeting. He stated the professional services selected have been successful in the past and that is why they have arranged to use them again. Councilman Saul asked how it will be funded. Steve Hall stated that some federal funds will be used. The federal grant will cover the construction. The design will be approximately $55,000. Federal funds will provide about $35,000. It will require federal inspection, due to the federal financing. Eleanor McLester, from the audience, asked if anyone was taking a count on the traffic into the shopping center. She stated she had never seen such traffic jams. Steve Hall stated there have been traffic counters out and police are directing traffic in and out of Southcenter. He further stated that the City does not have the manpower to handle the traffic. Ed Bauch, from the audience, stated that the County is involved in the traffic situation as it is in their juris- diction. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, told the Council that a letter regarding special exceptions to the undergrounding ordinance will be in the agenda packet for the next Council meeting. The request is made in order to service a two building business with a connecting tunnel, which will require a special exception to the underground ordinance. He further stated that they hre had two or three similar situations. Councilman Sterling asked if blanket guidelines were needed for these small jobs and Steve Hall replied that it was needed. Councilman Sterling asked if the Planning Commission had looked this particular situation over. Steve Hall stated they had and it was suggested that the City Council concur. Councilman Johanson asked Steve Hall if he was suggesting a variance to the existing ordinance. Steve Hall told him yes that he thought the ordinance should be changed. He further stated that it will be ten years before everything is under- ground. Councilman Johanson stated he thought there should be a variance in the ordinance so problems such as this can be taken care of. Steve Hall agreed that would be the best solution. Councilman Johanson stated that a meeting was held about three weeks ago in Renton with cities of Auburn, Renton, Kent, and Tukwila attending. The subject of the meeting was the Green River Valley Drainage program. The purpose of the meeting was to ask the cities concerned to make a decision of some kind regarding wetlands and drainage control. All four cities have to participate and two choices were offered of going forward with the program or forgetting about it and letting it die. Plans were made for another meeting to be held the second Thursday in January with each city presenting a recommendation for the project. The cost of the program was discussed and Councilman Johanson stated it was his impression that there TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOT,F, MEETING December 23, 1974 Page 2 DISCUSSION Contd Wetlands and drainage control meeting Contd. would be some kind of taxing to pay for the program, although there will also be some federal funding. In order to get the federal funds it will be necessary to abide by some of their laws. Councilman Johanson further stated that several areas have been suggested for the purchase of wetlands. The other requirement along with the necessary 110 acres is that 2% of a parcel be given to developing a tract to provide for wildlife. It was Councilman Johanson's suggestion that the Council come up with a recommendation to present at the next meeting. The share of cities involved in the program will be about 15 million dollars. The taxation would be based on the area that contributes to the drainage; that would be the highlands and the lowlands, the lowlands bearing the heavier burden of tax. Four or five suggested taxing plans were presented by the King County offices to meet the 15 million dollars that will be needed. The proposals they presented showed the breakdown of the higher tax being $28.41 per acre per year over a period of 20 years. The lowest figure was $20.89 per acre per year for a 20 year period. Whatever agricultural area is concerned will be encouraged to continue as such. The plans are being considered by the four cities involved. Our Council must make some contribution to the plans to present at this next meeting that has been planned. Councilman Sterling stated that the County had agreed to send someone out to talk to the city and explain the program to the City Council and the people. He further stated that time is getting short on presenting it to the people of Tukwila and he would like to have someone from the County come out and talk about it, since the four cities will pay for this program. Councilman Saul agreed that someone from the County office should come out as soon as possible, possibly for the January 2 meeting if it can be arranged. Councilman Johanson stated that 35 acres have been donated, there may be more donated, in fact much of it will likely be donated. Ed Bauch, from the audience, asked what benefits he would receive from it. Councilman Johanson stated he would get flood control control of the water to be handled by pumps. He further stated that those involved might not be eligible for flood insurance if the city does not take advantage of this opportunity for flood control. Steve Hall stated that 110 acres and the 2% for wildlife is not much to satisfy the requirement. He said the 2% to be devoted to the preservation of wildlife is to satisfy the various societies concerned with preservation of wildlife. Councilman Johanson stated that all donations will be accepted. Eleanor McLester, from the audience, asked if there would be public access to the part devoted to wildlife. Councilman Johanson stated the main concern is to protect the wildlife and in order that wildlife not be disturbed it is likely it will not be accessible to the public it will not be considered a recreational area. Burton Lutes, from the audience, asked if consideration had been given to dredging the river so it will hold more. Councilman Johanson stated that consideration had been given but it would be a constant job and might even require a series of locks. Councilman Johanson stated that the fine details have not been determined yet, and the next meeting will present more information when the four cities involved present their recommendations. At that time they will either kill the program or come up with a definite plan. The Council should have some recommendation to contribute to the meeting. Ed Bauch, from the audience, asked if the voters will get to vote on this. Councilman Johanson stated no it would not be put to the vote of the people. Councilman Sterling stated that each city must endorse the program that is decided upon. If all four cities do not agree it will not go through. The County will have a public hearing on it after the four cities have agreed and decided upon the plan they want. The County will also set up the plans and he though it would be called the Drainage Utility District. Councilman Johanson further stated that the County will be the agent who will sell the bonds and do all of the work, but all four cities must TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOTF MEETING December 23, 1974 Page 3 DISCUSSION Contd. Wetlands and drainage control meeting contd. Discussion of Council achievements for 1975 January 11, 1975 Transfer of funds in 1974 Park budget Easement Minkler Blvd. between Andover Park E. and Andover Park W. Gambling Ordinance 1975 budget ordinance /0/3 agree on the plan the County will also set up the taxing. Councilman Sterling stated that if the Council does not think it is right for Tukwila we do not want it. Councilman Saul added that the people who come from the County to explain the program to the Council and the people will likely be in favor of it. Councilman Johanson stated that the figure of 15 million is high and it is hoped that it will be less. He further stated that Pump 17 will not be affected. Councilman Gardner stated that it seems that there will be some donations of land. Councilman Sterling suggested that the date be left open for the County to come out and explain the program and find out the first possible date they can come. There is a possibility of their coming on December 26 or December 30. Councilman Johanson stated that we want to control the drainage or we do not want to, but we have industrial and agricultural areas that need to be protected from flooding. Councilman Gardner stated that it is a situation that Hanson Dam has created. Councilman Sterling agreed that it is a problem and we will have to come up with a recommendation for the next meeting in Renton. Councilman Sterling further stated that we should get everyone we can to come out when the man from the County comesto explain the program; that it should be well advertised so there will be a good attendance. It is likely that December 30 will be the best date. Councilman Johanson requested that this item be put on the agenda for the City Council meeting to be held January 6, 1975. Steve Hall asked if the Council wished to have the Staff Annual Reports at this meeting. Councilman Johanson stated it was not necessary. It is just a meeting to work on the achievements for the 1975 year. Steve Hall explained that the Park Department would like to carry the left -over 1974 funds to 1975 funds. Councilman Johanson stated that the Community Affairs Committee did not meet as planned. He requested that this item be put on the agenda for the next Council meeting. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, stated that he has the necessary easements. He further stated that all of the utilities are in. Councilman Sterling asked Steve Hall if the Council can hold up action on this until the result of the pending law suit is known. Steve Hall said yes they could hold all of it or part of it. Councilman Saul asked if sidewalks could be put in there. Steve Hall stated that sidewalks could be put in there, but they would not be of much use to the public due to location. Councilman Sterling asked if we do not need the property what is the use of keeping it. Steve Hall stated he would have Tom Bernard come to the Council meeting and answer any questions the Council might have on it. Councilman Johanson stated that the easement can be used for landscaping, etc. Councilman Saul stated he would like to have something brought up on a gambling ordinance. Councilman Johanson stated that he had copies of the gambling ordinances from cities of Kent and Renton and the committee meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, but he would like to have a meeting sooner that that if possible. He stated he would call a meeting and discuss the matter, but it cannot be put on the agenda yet for the City Council. Councilman Sterling stated he had read in the newspaper that the Mayor may veto the 1975 budget ordinance. He stated he thought members of the Council should check on this each day so they can take action if he does. Councilman Saul stated he understood the Mayor and the Attorney were not going to sign the ordinance, but let it go into law. Councilman Sterling stated he thought it was 10 days after it passes the Council that it becomes a law, however, he had not heard any- thing on it. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING December 23, 1974 Page 4 DISCUSSION Contd. Ed Bauch Condition of roads possible fire hazard ADJOURNMENT 9:05 P.M. Ed Bauch, from the audience, asked if any planning was going on in the City to pick up the WPA work if it is offered. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, stated he had thought of several prospects, but he had not discussed it yet, except at staff level. He stated they had to use them during a specified time and the City has only so much equipment. Councilman Sterling expressed concern that the program will have the same kind of strings attached to it as the PEP program. Councilman Saul stated that in the area of his home the road conditions for two or three days cut off possible help from the Fire Department in case of a fire. It was also a bad condition in case of an emergency. The only way the Fire Department could get in would be by way of Highway 99. Steve Hall stated there was one lane open at all times for such emergencies, but the sign was up so the road would not be used by the general public. Councilman Gardner stated there should be some kind of mutual aid available for emergencies. MOVED BY JOHANSON, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE COMMITThE OF THE WHOTF MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. L 1i Norma Booher, Recording Secretary