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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-12 Committee of the Whole MinutesAugust 12, 1991 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Boeing's plans for Longacres Park. Water Comprehensive Plan. Citizens Action Committee's endorsement for a new community center. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF T1IE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Robertson called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. DENNIS ROBERTSON, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, CLARENCE MORIWAKI, ALLAN EKBERG, STEVE LAWRENCE, JOHN "Wally" RANTS. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; MICHAEL KENYON, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST/RON CAMERON/DOUG MICHEAU/PAT BRODIN, Public Works Dept.; RICK BEELER /JACK PACE, DCD; DON WILLIAMS, Parks. Del Rowan and Paul Seely gave a presentation on Boeing's plans for Longacres Park. Mr. Rowan explained that Boeing will create an office campus designed to preserve open space, wetlands and natural vegetation on its 212 -acre Longacres Park property. The facilities will include a 500,000- square -foot customer support center; a 180,000- square- foot employee center; and a two- million- square -foot office complex. Mr. Rowan informed the Council that detailed work sessions will be held at the Council's discretion in consideration of the City's short and long range plans. The Council expressed concerns in the area of east/west passage into the City's Central Business District where traffic congestion has steadily increased and could prove to be quite challenging in the near future. Mr. Rowan explained that the employees and customers will choose from a variety of efficient ways to get to and from the Longacres Park campus. Metro is studying use of existing Burlington Northern rail lines which border the property for a precedent setting commuter rail system. Additionally, Mr. Rowan informed the Council that the campus will provide preferential parking for car and van pools; and new roadways will be constructed to make traffic flow more freely. Susan Washburn, Horton Dennis and Associates, gave a brief overview on the City's Comprehensive Water Plan. Ms. Washburn stated that the City adopted its Comprehensive Water Plan in 1983 to regulate water service within the water service area. The intent of the Plan is to enable the City to be better prepared to meet its long range water system needs. Becky Reid, 5103 South 164th, presented the Council with a petition of 185 signatures of citizens for a new community center to be funded out of current or future sales tax revenues and capital improvements reserves. Ms. Reid stated that the community center is full to capacity, it's old, and it needs more and more maintenance every year. If the City can spend millions of dollars to reroute the Kent Valley arterials, then we can spend millions of dollars for a new community center. In closing, Ms. Reid said: "We can't ask our kids to just say `no' to drugs without giving them a positive alternative. We ask you to just say `yes' to a new center." Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes August 12, 1991 Page 2 New community center (Con't). CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Recess 8:30 8:45 p.m. SPECIAL ISSUES Discussion of the Southgate Creek Fish Habitat. 3 3 When asked by a councilmember about citizens' response to a bond issue as a method of defraying some of the costs, Ms. Reid responded that it was pretty much a consensus that a bond issue would not be a real popular item and it would be difficult to past. Bill Scheffler, 14710 South 159th; Vern Merryhew, 13742 42nd Avenue South; and Roger Baker, 11662 42nd Avenue South all spoke in favor of a new community center or at least surveying the citizens again for their input. Roger Baker offered commendations to City Administrator McFarland for the immediate action taken recently to remove a boat that was capsized from the river (Duwamish area). Paula Jellison, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center Board member, presented the Council with a copy of Center's annual report; and to thank the Council and City staff for their many years of support. Scott Nangle, 14140 56th Avenue South, requested a review of the City's procurement policies for recycled items. It was his understanding that the Waste Management Program was to be implemented in 1990. City Administrator McFarland responded that this task has not been accomplished to date due to the many factors involved, one being establishing rates through the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). McFarland said the Recycling Program's implementation has not been ignored, just a conscious decision of prioritizing. Anna Bernhard, 14241 59th Avenue South, commented that the new Civil Service Secretary was recently asked to oversee a retirement party for Norma Booher, an employee who has worked for the City for 17 years. The new employee was not familiar with the procedures for handling this kind of affair and asked the administration for assistant in purchasing the food items. However, she was told there are no provisions in City policies governing this type of endeavor. Thus, the new secretary resorted to soliciting donations from fellow co- workers. Anna Bernhard stated: "I'm ashamed of all of you that you can't find money in the petty cash fund to handle situations such as this." Mayor VanDusen responded in agreement that maybe this is an issue the City should address during the budget process next year. Council President Robertson called the meeting back to order with councilmembers in attendance as listed above. Joan Lee of Kramer, Chin and Mayo Consulting Firm, gave a presentation on the Southgate Creek Fish Enhancement Program. Some of the statistics from the results of the sampling were presented. It was determined that the creek is in the optimum range for fish. There is, however, some concern on the conductivity (levels of metals) in the creek. It is not a major issue, however. Ms. Lee reviewed alternative measures to support the fish habitat: use the existing creek routes and enhance the habitat within the existing channels and ditches; provide a by -pass for storm flows but use the existing channels for fish habitat; or, provide a piped route for base flows adjacent to 44th Avenue and South Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes August 12, 1991 Page 3 Creek Fish Habitat (Con't). Discussion of Policy resolution on applications for appointees to City Boards Commissions. 134th Street. Costs will be analyzed in the preliminary engineering design phase. Council President Robertson explained that he was prompted to draft a resolution for the selection of Board and Commission members in the City of Tukwila because several weeks ago the Council was faced with filling a vacancy on the Planning Commission. When he requested an updated list of current applicants from the administration, he was given a memo which stated there were no formal policies in place on how to handle applicants; therefore, the list was destroyed. MOVED BY MORIWAKI, SECONDED BY EKBERG, THAT THE DRAFT RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING POLICIES FOR THE SELECTION OF BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS IN TUKWILA, BE FORWARDED TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION.* Councilmember Moriwaki suggested two amendments to the resolution: 1) Section 3. Unless a candidate removes his or her name from consideration, he or she will remain on the list for two years from the date of application or reapplication. Candidates will be notified by mail before their name is removed from the list. If a candidate reuuests that his or her application continue to be considered. their name will be retained on the list: and, 2) Add a new Section 4: When a vacancy occurs on a board or commission. all candidates on the current list who have applied for that board or commission will be notified of the vacancy by mail within one week. Councilmember Hernandez suggested eliminating (in Section 4) the words "for that" board or commission, replacing it with "a" board or commission. That would lift restrictions to serve on just the Planning Commission. Thus, the volunteer would be afforded a chance to serve in other areas of interests. Hernandez also suggested changes to Section 1: following the words "available to the," add, "City Council" and to the public. Councilmember Ekberg suggested (in Section 4), line 2, following commission, add: "and the Tukwila City Council" will be notified of vacancies etc. Mayor VanDusen commented that once again he has to thank the Council for trying to codify what his responsibilities are. The Mayor stated that the Revised Code of Washington (35A) is quite clear that the powers of appointments belong to the Mayor's office, not the Council. His decisions are made based on what's best for the entire City and staff. When posed with a question by the Council President: "Gary, do you believe the resolution as presented is illegal? the Mayor responded, "I do. Council President Robertson posed the same question to the City Attorney. City Attorney Mike Kenyon stated, he does not think that the Resolution is illegal. However, the Council needs to understand that a resolution may not have a force of law. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes August 12, 1991 Page 4 A resolution for Appointees to Boards and Commissions (Con't). City Attorney responded that 35A certainly gives the Council the authority, by ordinance, to set forth qualifications for appointees. Council President Robertson asked the attorney, what if policies were put in the form of an ordinance. The Mayor stated that if it becomes a requirement to make the names of applicants public information, he will not keep a list. Councilmember Moriwaki responded that he was shocked at the Mayor's comments. He said citizens willing to give time to helping solve the City's problems should be given consideration. Councilmember Lawrence supported the resolution as presented and agrees that it is a reasonable one. However, he also understood the Mayor's position as being reasonable for wanting to preserve confidentiality so that he can propose one candidate at a time. Lawrence stated, moreover, what's unreasonable is that the Council and Mayor have not been able to work together on this issue. Councilmember Duffie agreed that the Council and the Administration is going to have to start working together or the Council is going to fall with the City. Duffie stated that the Council is trying to do the Mayor's job. The Council would fair much better if it concentrated on functioning as a Council; and let the Mayor function in the capacity of his job description. Otherwise, abolish the Mayor's position and have the Council run the City. Councilmember Rants agreed to set the matter aside and try to cure the odds rather than having a head -on battle. MOVED BY MORIWAKI, SECONDED BY EKBERG, TO AMEND THE UNDERLYING MOTION TO FORWARD THE DRAFT RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING POLICIES FOR THE SELECTION OF BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS IN TUKWILA TO REGULAR COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. MOTION CARRIED.* MOVED BY MORIWAKI, SECONDED BY EKBERG, TO FORWARD THE DRAFT RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING POLICIES FOR THE SELECTION OF BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS TO THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ALONG WITH AMENDMENTS DISCUSSED AT TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (AUGUST 12, 1991) AND ARE NOTED ABOVE. **MOTION CARRIED. Community Center discussion. The Council agreed the City does need a Community Center and will take another hard look at the City's financial status, facility needs (short and long- range), Community Center programs and costs; how much it will cost to build the center itself; funding source; what will be the time frame and what will be the trade -off; the City's priorities and other issues facing the City. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes August 12, 1991 Page 5 Community Center discussion (Con't). Non City funding policy. A resolution accepting land donation and easement agreement for State Farm and Horizon Properties. Council Workplan. Amend agenda. REPORTS Council President Robertson asked each councilmember to respond to the questions: Are you committed to building a new community center? and, Does the Council agree we should prioritize all the major capital /facilities planned before we make decisions about any of those facilities Duffie: "Yes, I want it, but I want to know how the City is going to pay for it." Hernandez: "Yes, if I can base my vote on Becky Reid's interpretation that a "yes" vote includes the option of a new community center or a renovation of the existing one." Council President Robertson: "I agree totally with what Duffle said, yes, I want it, but I would like to know how the City is going to pay for it." Moriwaki: "Yes, I want it, but I think we should decide on what the needs are, then decide on the options." Ekberg: "I'm committed to a community center and would like to challenge the administration to provide the Council with a list of whatever study, analysis, or policies that should be updated and /or looked at so that a more intelligent decision can be made." Lawrence: "Yes, I'm committed to a new community center; and yes, we should priortize. .etc." Rants: "Yes, we need a new community center, and I'm going to look at it in the context of City needs and City options." It was the consensus of the Council to accept the administration recommendation that the CDBG funds only be utilized for City programs and for the King County home improvement programs. All other requests would be funnelled through the application and review process established by our Human Services Office. MOVED BY MORIWAKI, SECONDED BY RANTS, TO FORWARD THE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING LAND DONATION AND EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR STATE FARM AND HORIZON PROPERTIES TO THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY RANTS, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO FORWARD THE COUNCIL WORK PLAN TO THE NEXT COMMI'TI EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (AUGUST 26, 1991) FOR DISCUSSION. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY LAWRENCE, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO AMEND THE COUNCIL AGENDA TO DISCUSS REPORTS BEFORE EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Robertson presented City Administrator McFarland with approximately 27 Requests for Action he had acquired by making personal contact with Tukwila citizens. Robertson requested the administration provide him with a status report in 30 days. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes August 12, 1991 Page 6 Reports (Con't). EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION NOT TO EXCEED 30 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT 9:40 p.m. Councilmember Moriwaki proposed a resolution to the Council that would set a policy to publicize in a newspaper the names of convicted drug offenders and patronizers of prostitution The Council agreed to move the draft resolution to the Finance and Safety Committee for discussion, then to the next Committee of The Whole. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY RANTS, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. OTION CARRIE Gam--- J. Dennis L. Robertson, Council President Celia Square, DSputy City Clerk