HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-02-11 Committee of the Whole MinutesFebruary 11, 1991
7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
COUNCILMEMBERS
OFFICIALS
CITIZEN'S COMMENTS
SPECIAL ISSUES
Discussion of Uniform
Housing Code.
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 DUFFLE, JOAN
HERNANDEZ, CLARENCE MORIWAKI, ALLAN EKBERG,
STEVE LAWRENCE, WALLY RANTS.
JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; MIKE KENYON, City
Attorney; ROSS EARNST, Public Works Director; DOUG
MICHEAU, Public Works Coordinator; RON CAMERON, City
Engineer; RICK BEELER, DCD; GARY SCHULZ, DCD; TONY
BACA, DCD; DUANE GRIFFIN, Building; NICK OLIVAS, FIRE;
LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst.
Ms. Marie Gardner, 14112 57th Avenue South, commented that the
City of Tukwila should have its own zip code. She petitioned the
Council to look into the possibility of the City acquiring one citywide
zip code.
Dr. Eugene Hunt commented that some of the companies in Tukwila
have not provided parking in proportion to the size of their business.
This in turn crowds out private parking as well as patrons of other
business entities. Dr. Hunt asked the Council what was the governing
statutes that would bring these businesses and any new businesses into
compliance. Dr. Hunt was advised to call Rick Beeler of the
Department of Community Development.
Dr. Hunt also inquired if the City had an Ordinance on Adult
Entertainment. The City Attorney informed Dr. Hunt that this issue
had been argued in the Supreme Court and that a decision should be
reached by mid April. Dr. Hunt continued, stating that illicit activities
have intensified and any measures taken to help this situation would
be most appreciated.
Mayor VanDusen assured Dr. Hunt of the City's concern with the
problems in the Pacific Hwy South area since annexation took place;
and that the City is working as vigorously as possible to accommodate
all of its citizens in remedying the situation. The Mayor encouraged
Dr. Hunt to please call in any complaints to the Police Department
(911) and be involved in the process of building cases that could be
used to justify a quick resolve.
Catherine Harris, 5610 South 141st Street, reviewed issues facing our
city that will ultimately impact Tukwila, such as Rabanco, the
expansion of the METRO Sewage Treatment Plant, the interim King
County Jail and King County Regional Justice Center. Harris stated
that according to the news media, Executive Tim Hill has indicated
that South King County is being considered as a possible site for these
facilities. Harris suggested the City make information available
regarding scheduled meetings of these various groups so that more
Tukwila citizens may have an opportunity to voice their concerns
should they so desire.
Catherine Harris also suggested the Council purchase a coat rack and
place it either in the Council Chambers or lobby for those needing a
place to hang their coats or hats, etc.
Mayor VanDusen stated that since introducing the first Housing
Ordinance to the Council, he has come up with several questions
about what is intended and what would be the impact of this
ordinance.
Committee of The Whole Minutes
February 11, 1991
Page 2
Special Issues (Con't)
Discussion of Uniform
Housing Code.
Council administrative
matters.
Review of the 1991
workplan.
Discussion of Crystal
Springs Park Phase II.
REPORTS
The City Attorney is in the process of reviewing those questions and
has responded to several of them. However, the Mayor said the
Ordinance, as it stands, is a bit ambiguous in its interpretation of the
standards, for it leans more toward addressing the guidelines for a
building ordinance rather than a living ordinance. The Mayor
suggested the ordinance be forwarded back to committee for further
discussion.
It was the consensus of the Council to forward the Uniform Housing
Code back to Committee for further discussion.
The Council reviewed the projected 1991 Council expenditures;
discussed the proposed voucher checking schedule; and reviewed a
resolution setting a policy for travel and training expenditures for City
councilmembers.
The Council reviewed the 1991 workplan and prioritized projects that
hopefully could be accomplished this year.
Don Williams, Parks Recreation Director, explained the
administration's justification to proceed with the street, sewer, water,
sidewalk and associated improvements of Crystal Springs Parks. One
of the issues discussed was the Fire Department requirement for a
fire hydrant for the park when it's improved. The necessity of
restrooms was also brought up.
After much discussion, the Council agreed to proceed with street
construction but hold off on the sewer, restroom, and water phases.
Councilmember Duffle reported that the Community Affairs Parks
Committee met and the resolution on initiative and referendum was
among items discussed. However, Councilmember Moriwaki added
that more information is needed before pursuing this issue further.
Lucy Lauterbach, Council analyst, will research the process used by
other cities and get the information to the Council for discussion at
the February 25 Committee of The Whole Meeting.
Councilmember Hernandez reported that Finance Safety
Committee met and discussed the Housing Code Ordinance, and the
Valley General Hospital partial closure of its psychiatric unit.
Hernandez distributed copies of a newspaper article relating to this
issue and encouraged councilmembers and citizens alike to either
attend hospital board meeting or write to their congressperson to
voice concerns.
Councilmember Hernandez continued as she informed the Council
she is still getting complaints regarding the stench from Seattle
Rendering Works. Hernandez posed the question, "What is it going
to take to provoke action on this issue
Councilmember Moriwaki stated that he accepted an invitation from
Lynn Devoir, Recreation Superintendent, to attend a breakfast
sponsored by Washington State Recreation and Parks Association,
held in Olympia to promote their legislative agenda. Moriwaki
offered commendations to Devoir as she will be the new president of
this state -wide organization and she is also very active nationally.
Councilmember Ekberg suggested an outdoor reader board be place
at City Hall so that citizens can be provided information after hours
on pending issues of concern.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
February 11, 1991
Page 3
Continued discussion
of draft SAO.
The Council resumed discussion of the Sensitive Areas Ordinance.
Mondav February 25. 7:00 n.m. was scheduled to continue the SAO
discussion.
A eL
e'l'ms Robertson, Council President
,•r
elia Squa ,eputy City Clerk
(6-