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Home My WebLink About1991-01-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary, 14, 1991 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Recess 8:00 -8:10 SPECIAL ISSUES Discussion of draft CIP Workplan TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Robertson, called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. DENNIS ROBERTSON, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, CLARENCE MORIWAKI, ALLAN EKBERG, STEVE LAWRENCE, WALLY RANTS. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; JOHN COLGROVE, MIKE KENYON City Attorneys; ROSS EARNST, Public Works Director; DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works Coordinator; RON CAMERON, City Engineer; DON WILLIAMS, Parks Recreation Director, ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance Director; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst. Dr. Kay Reinartz, History Book Project Consultant, gave a progress report on the Tukwila Community History Book. Dr. Reinartz stated the book will probably go to press by March of this year. The cover for the history book was created and produced by Don Paulson, accomplished artist, born and raised in Tukwila. Council President Robertson called the meeting back to order with Councilmembers in attendance as listed above. John McFarland, City Administrator, informed the Council that the CIP workplan was a draft only and that the administration welcomes any additions and /or deletions. McFarland suggested the Council discuss the Plan vs. the budgeted amounts. The administration will consider the comments, and rework the Plan. McFarland emphasized the fact that the workplan is an articulation of projects placed against the factors of time, money and internal management resources available within the City to actually get the projects running. Council President Robertson inquired as to the timeline for adopting the Workplan. McFarland responded that adoption should take place when the Council is comfortable with, and a mutual agreement on the Workplan has been established. Mayor VanDusen requested the Council to pay special attention to what he refers to as the Minkler, surer -block area, getting shoppers in and out of the central business district is not just economically wise -it's a safety need. The Mayor stated that he had observed (during the busy holiday season) shoppers getting so frustrated that they drove upon the curbs and sidewalks to get around some of the congested intersections. This could prove to be very hazardous; and since a large portion of the City's revenue is attributed to those shoppers, it may be to the City's advantage to take a long, hard look at addressing this issue. MOVED BY RANTS, SECONDED BY DUFFLE, THAT THE MINKLER STREET PROJECT BE FORWARDED TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.* Councilmember Lawrence stated he has been concerned about the Minkler Street traffic for quite some time, and inquired as to when additional staff would be hired to help administer some of the City's projects. Committee of The Whole Minutes January 14, 1991 Page 2 Discussion of Draft CIP Workplan (Con't). CIP WORKPLAN Review and discussion of Draft Land Altering Ordinance. REPORTS *MOTION CARRIED. City Administrator McFarland informed the Council a Senior Engineer will be one of the next position advertised, probably within the next 60 to 90 days. Councilmember Duffie agreed that Minkler Blvd. traffic situation needs to be addressed; however, the railroad tracks crossing in that same area poses the same, if not a greater problem. Councilmember Hernandez says she supports the possibility of completing the preliminary design engineering to construct Minkler into a through street. Hernandez would like to see the Minkler Project given a higher priority on the CIP list. Ross Earnst commented that the right -of -way has to be obtained, Plans and Specs have to be completed, then the Minkler Project could be ready for construction. Council President Robertson pointed out that he along with past councilmembers did not oppose construction of Minkler as a "through street," the opposition was in having the City of Tukwila pay the construction costs when the very companies the land will be purchased from (at about 13 million dollars) would benefit dramatically from the increased funds for retail usage. Councilmember Rants reiterated the need for the Minkler Project and suggested it go back to the Transportation Committee to explore the options then bring it back to the Council. Councilmember Ekberg suggested hearing comments from the Tukwila Chamber of Commerce at a later date regarding this issue. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to recommend approval of the 1991 Draft CIP Workplan after further discussion of the Commercial (Arterial) Streets portion at the next Regular Council Meeting of January 21, 1991. Discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Attorney fine -tune the Draft Land Altering Ordinance in preparation for scheduling a public hearing. Mayor VanDusen introduced a resolution to the Council that would provide for the City of Tukwila to exercise the powers of initiative and referendum. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY LAWRENCE, TO FORWARD THE RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE POWERS OF INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM IN THE CITY OF TUKWILA BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Duffie reported he had been instrumental in officially initiating the recycling program at Foster, Thorndyke, Showalter and Cascade View schools and he is now in the process of implementing the program at Tukwila Elementary. Councilmember Hernandez reported she had attended various meetings this past week, among them were Suburban Cities, Chamber Luncheon, Ribbon cutting ceremony at State Farm Insurance for the Mayor, and Open House for Embassy Suites. Council President Robertson reminded the Council of the upcoming Council Retreat scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 8:00 a.m., Manor Farm Inn, Poulsbo, Washington. Committee of The Whole Minutes January 14, 1991 Page 3 REPORTS (Con't) Robertson informed the Council he would be out of town on Monday, January 21, meeting with an ecologist in San Francisco, California and that he will not be in attendance at Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Moriwaki reported he had attended Suburban Cities with Joan Hernandez. He stated that Suburban Cities is trying to implement a Plan to have METRO Council merge with The County Council; however, details are a bit hazy at this time. Moriwaki commented he had also attended the governor's State of the State Address. Councilmember Ekberg reported he had attended State Farm's Open House, Utilities Committee meeting, and the Suburban Cities meeting. Councilmember Lawrence requested clarification on the Council's Sub Committees meeting schedule. Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst, will provide a revised schedule. City Administrator John McFarland announced Hazelnut articles are due to the City Clerk's office by January 28. EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, TO EXTEND THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BEYOND THE DEADLINE, AND TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.* ADJOURNMENT 11:50 P.M. Councilmember Moriwaki requested to be excused from the Executive Session. *MOTION CARRIED. Celia Square, peputy City Clerk MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY RANTS, THAT THE COMMIT -".SEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. 1% ON CARRIED. /1 .C/4 (721 Detl fis Robertson, Cda veil President