Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-11 Committee of the Whole MinutesX6 4 /9 CITY OF TUKWILA October 11, 1976 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Tukwila City Hall 7:30 P.M. Council Chambers MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Council President Hill called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. ROLL CALL OF GARDNER, TRAYNOR, HILL, SAUL, PESICKA, VAN DUSEN. COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION Senior Citizens Program MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE SEPTEMBER 27, 1976 MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. CARRIED. MOVED BY PESICKA, SECONDED BY SAUL, TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO CONSIDER ITEM 4 AHEAD OF ITEM 2. CARRIED. Councilman Van Dusen stated he had been studying senior citizens programs for several months and he felt that the seniors would benefit from a new community center or at least a larger interim center in order to expand their present programs. He urged the Council to consider several alternatives during this budget session. Councilwoman Pesicka stated she has looked at several other locations such as the Presbyterian Church basement, Thorndyke Club and a few others. Richard Hunt, Recreation Supervisor, stated he would like to find a place to meet more frequently and to have a broader pro- gram offered. He stated he would like to see the Council make plans as soon as possible to build a community center as he feels there is a demand for the facility by the seniors already. Councilwoman Pesicka asked if there was property owned by the City presently that might qualify for the Public Works grant for a senior center. Mayor Bauch replied no, the City does not have title to any property available for that purpose at the present time and plans for any such facility could not be sufficiently completed in time to qualify. Councilwoman Pesicka asked if the citizens voted to purchase the Foster Golf Course, would that be sufficient ownership for grant purposes for the center. Mayor Bauch replied it would not be timely for grant application since it would take an additional 4 to 6 months after the election to acquire legal title. Councilman Traynor stated if the Golf Course is approved by the voters, the existing building could serve as a senior center. Councilman Van Dusen stated he would like to see the senior citizens group select their own 5 or 7 member committee to coordinate between the City Council and the senior citizens for the purpose of planning programs, setting budgets and discussing the senior citizens center. Mrs. Rena Holloway stated she felt the program has been run very well in the past and she felt the present community center is sufficient. Several Council Members expressed concern for the safety of the building and its location. Mayor Bauch stated up to this point the program has been recreational in nature, but that several other kinds of programs or services could be offered such as the lunch program, medical services, legal services. etc. Richard Hunt further explained the functions of the current programs. Councilman Traynor suggested when the Park Board is expanded under the proposed optional municipal code, that one of the members be a senior citizen representative. Mrs. LaRue asked what the City is doing regarding the Metro bus route changes which would eliminate the Tukwila hill route. The senior citizens expressed their appreciation of the local bus service and the Council indicated some statements would be made to Metro and/ or alternatives would be considered. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, TO DIRECT THE RECREATION SUPERVISOR TO PRESENT THE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS AND REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.* Mrs. Virginia Whitney expressed on behalf of the seniors appreciation to the City for the use of the van for field trips. *CARRIED. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 11, 1976 Page 2 DISCUSSION Cont. City Hall Space Needs Study Mithun Associates, Mr. Omer Mithun Mr. Tom Emrich RECESS Councilmatic and general obligation bonds Mr. Ron McLaughlin, Foster Marshall, Inc. Mr. Mithun stated the Council has had the opportunity to review the Study and he would like feedback from them on the various concepts. Councilman Van Dusen asked what percentage has been built into the building for personnel expansion. Mr. Mithun stated there have been some provisions made for specific future employee positions not presently filled and space has been provided for those functions, but no percentage has been included for general expansion. He stated this allowance is very critical since it usually expands from planned estimates at the time of construction. He stated the term "office" applied to an area of floor space and not to a physical place enclosed by a wall. Councilwoman Pesicka stated, if the grant is approved for Site 6, she was concerned about the view from the street of City Hall, that it should not appear as a box building surrounded by blacktop. She would like a natural setting for the "town square" effect. Mr. Mithun explained that with the use of small trees and other plants and utilizing berms to hide parking areas, the building site could be as attractive to look upon as it will be to look out of. Councilman Van Dusen asked if the architect was aware that the City Council has not approved Site 6 as the selected site yet. Mr. Mithun replied yes, they are holding off with the plans with the exception of those being submitted for grant purposes until they are instructed to proceed. Various questions were addressed to Mr. Mithun and Mr. Tom Emrich regarding departmental space needs as proposed. Storage space and conference rooms were felt to be insufficient as proposed. Functions of the Council /Court Chambers were discussed. Council President Hill asked when the sketches would be available for review. Kjell Stoknes, OCD Director, stated the architect is putting together schematics now for the grant application. These sketches will not lock the Council into adhering to them when plans for construction are begun. Mr. Mithun stated if the grant is approved, they should have a firm idea of what the plans will be for actual construction in order to begin within the 90 days as stipulated by the grant provisions. The grant application includes some specific answers to costs and they have estimated this at $58 per square foot for the 20,000 sq. ft. building. Council President Hill thanked Mr. Mithun and Mr. Emrich for con- sulting with the Council. Mr. Mithun requested that the Council consider site selection just as soon as possible; he stated the more lead time the firm had for design, the more satisfactory the design would be. MOVED BY PESICKA, SECONDED BY SAUL, TO PROCEED WITH THE AGENDA. Council President Hill called for a five minute recess at 9:50 p.m. Council President Hill called the meeting back to order with all Council Members present at 10:00 p.m. Mr. McLaughlin explained that 72% of the City's assessed valuation ($307 million) is allowed for sale of general obligation bonds, as follows: 21/2% for general purposes, 21/2% for utility purposes and 22% for green space. Each 22% classification equals $7 million bonding capacity. In addition to the general obligation bonds are council matic bonds which are not subject to voter approval. These are based upon the amount of operating levy in the City and up to 3/4% of the assessed valuation (or $24 million) may be issued for any capital purpose. This debt service has to be paid from the operating levy or other City funds; it cannot be paid from the excess levy. Council matic bonds are used most often for non revenue generating projects. The advantages of using the bonding capacity for projects in the City are that these projects can be completed and used immediately and the financial obligation will be repaid over a period of years in the future. The amount of debt service is fixed and is not subject to erosion by continual increases in labor and materials costs as are TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 11, 1976 Page 3 DISCUSSION Cont. Bonds cont. McAbee property Rezone of Desimone property the City's special "savings funds Also, as the City's assessed valuation increases over the years, the percentage of debt encumbered by bonds decreases and becomes less expensive. The disadvantages relate to how many dollars the City actually has for debt service and how secure are those dollars. Although it is almost certain that the half -cent sales tax revenue will not be completely abolished, cities may be faced with some kind of redistribution in the future, for example. President Hill stated he requested this information on the Agenda in order to tentatively finance the underground and street improve- ments programs over a two -year period and the construction of a community center as soon as City Hall is underway. Councilman Gardner was excused from the Council meeting at 10:35 p.m. Longevity benefits Mayor Bauch related the history of longevity benefits established for City employees by the Council through the budget ordinances. The proposed ordinance proposed ordinance applies only to the U.S.T.M.E. group and department heads as union employees have this provision in their contracts. Council President Hill stated the Council proposes to amend the ordinance to limit the maximum amount of longevity allowance to $50 per month effective January 1, 1977 and that any new employee hired after January 1, 1977 shall not be eligible to receive longevity benefits. He stated once the salary and job classification plan is adopted, time in service will be evaluated and compensated for automatically. Discussion of the proposed limitations continued. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, TO AMEND THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO READ AS FOLLOWS, FOLLOWING THE LAST LINE ENDING "($60.00 per year).' "Longevity benefits shall be limited to a maximum amount of $50.00 per month ($600.00 per year), effective January 1, 1977. All new employees hired by the City after January 1, 1977 shall not be eligible for nor entitled to longevity benefits under these provi- sions." AND THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AS AMENDED BY ON THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. CARRIED. Councilman Van Dusen stated he has become aware that the property owners are now not ready to sell to the City due to some conflict. Mayor Bauch stated the City had been given the impression that the property owners were willing to sell but now it appears in order to get the property, the City would have to condemn each parcel. He stated he has stopped negotiating with the owners. The Council agreed there seems to be no reason to continue negotiations. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE PURCHASE OF THE MC ABEE PROPERTY BE TABLED UNTIL FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS, AND THAT A RESOLUTION BE DRAWN FOR THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING REPEALING RESOLUTION 530 WHICH AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO NEGOTIATE FOR AND TO ACQUIRE PRO- PERTY FOR PARK PURPOSES. CARRIED. The Council and Mayor discussed the possibility of taking the option to purchase the Foster Park property and property located to the South as provided under the current lease agreement. Councilman Traynor stated he felt that the seven members of the Planning Commission have considered this item and have given their opinion to the City Council. The City Council is responsible to the people of this City and he felt that his opinion as a City Council member is as great or even greater in significance than that of a Planning Commission member. Several members of the Council felt the Desimone property would be a good choice for a community center which would also require a PF zoning classification. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, TO TABLE DISCUSSION OF THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AS ITEM 1 ON THE AGENDA. CARRIED. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 11, 1976 Page 4 DISCUSSION Cont. Proposed ordinance MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, TO PLACE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE adopting a revised ON THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. CARRIED. extended comprehensive street program Utility under grounding comments Community Affairs Committee Wage and job classification study special meeting ADJOURNMENT 11:30 P.M. Councilwoman Pesicka stated several of her neighbors on 57th Ave. So. have complained that Puget Power is installing the connection points at the property line at a different location than the City had indicated. Councilman Traynor stated several homeowners on his street had the same complaint. Council President Hill suggested the residents get in touch with Steve Hall, Public Works Director. Councilman Traynor, chairman, stated the Committee determined the matter of annexation should be its consideration and the Committee is ready and willing to promote expansion of the City. He stated the Committee is also reviewing the Council procedures ordinance; anyone wishing to make revisions should submit those revisions in writing to the Committee. Council President Hill stated the Council should review the material included in the job description and salary plan for discussion at a special meeting to be held on October 20, 1976 at 7:30 p.m. This discussion will be in executive session with only Council Members attending. EXECUTIVE SESSION 11:00 p.m. 11:29 p.m. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. CARRIED. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION BE CLOSED. CARRIED. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. Doris Phelps, Recording %Secretary