Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-16 Regular MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL February 16, 1988 Tukwila City Hall 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers Regular Meeting M I N U T E S CALL TO ORDER Mayor Van Dusen called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila and City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Allegiance. ROLL CALL EDGAR D. BAUCH; MARILYN G. STOKNES; JOAN HERNANDEZ; DENNIS ROBERTSON; CLARENCE MORIWAKI. MOVED BY BAUCH, SECONDED BY STOKNES, THAT COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS BE EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. OFFICIALS JOHN COLGROVE, City Attorney; MAXINE ANDERSON, City Clerk; ROSS EARNST, City Engineer; JACK PACE, Senior Planner; DON PERSSON, Acting Police Chief; BYRON SNEVA, Public Works Director. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Council Member arrives Council Member Duffie arrived at the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Annexation of F.D. #1 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Van Dusen introduced Police Officer Michael Lasnier and issued the Oath of Office to the new officer. Officer Lasnier's mother was present to pin on his badge. Mayor Van Dusen reported that the briefing on the draft EIS for annexation of Fire District #1 that was scheduled for this evening is not ready. In the meantime, there have been several inquiries about the possibilities of Council holding a Public Meeting on annexation. He suggested that a meeting date be set, notify the public and at that meeting have a presentation given on policies. This would educate the citi- zens and the new Council Members at the same time. Council Member Bauch agreed and urged the Council President to set a meeting date. Council Member Robertson said that the briefing on Fire District #1 should be separated from the public meeting on annexation. The public meeting should be on annexation as a general topic. Council Member Duffie said he does not want to see the Fire District #1 annexation delayed anymore; we should go ahead. Council Member Moriwaki agreed that Council owes it to the people to make a commitment. He would like to see some action, have a briefing on the EIS and also have a public meeting to talk about annexation in general. Mayor Van Dusen said his intent was to inform the citizens and allow them to express their opinions. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, THAT A BRIEFING ON THE FIRE DISTRICT #1 ANNEXATION BE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AND THEN AT THAT TIME ESTABLISH A DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED. a. Approval of Minutes: February 1, 1988 b. Approval of Vouchers Claims Fund Vouchers #33583 #33782 Current Fund City Street Arterial Street Water Fund Sewer Fund Water /Sewer Construction Foster Golf Course Equipment Rental Firemen's Pension 95,170.00 70,362.73 7,319.94 8,389.44 57,257.26 7,500.80 16,058.00 5,458.80 1,178.92 $268,695.89 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA Cont. NEW BUSINESS Amend Agenda Authorize Mayor to execute Release of Easement for Ivy Hills Associates Ordinance #1452 Amending Section 18.60.030(2)(B) to require BAR review of proposed commercial dev. plans in excess of 10,000 sq.ft. in C -2 and C -M zones Proposed Ordinance Amending Section 18.50.030 revising building height ex- ception area permitted outright for building height up to 115 ft. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY BAUCH, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED.* Council Member Bauch asked to have the vouchers removed. *MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY MORIWAKI, SECONDED BY BAUCH, THAT THE AGENDA BE AMENDED TO PLACE ITEM 7 -F AS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY STOKNES, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, THAT THE MAYOR BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A RELEASE OF EASEMENT AND ACCEPT A NEW EASEMENT FOR SANITARY SEWER AT 13737 INTERURBAN AVENUE SOUTH. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY STOKNES, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Van Dusen read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Washington, amending section 18.60.030(2) (B) to require BAR review of proposed commercial development plans in excess of 10,000 square feet in the C -2 and C -M zones. MOVED BY BAUCH, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1452 BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney John Colgrove read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Washington, amending Section 18.50.030 revising building height exception area permitted outright for building height up to 115 feet. MOVED BY BAUCH, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Council Member Bauch favored the ordinance as the property is south of Fort Dent. To allow the higher building reduces the foot print of the building because the lot sizes are finite. If they build a taller building, it will be a thinner building because they are required to provide so much parking. If you limit the height, you have short, wide buildings like those along Christensen Trail. Council Member Robertson expressed concern about the height and asked if they can only build four or five stories, why would you raise the height to 115 feet. Jack Pace, Planner, explained that they are operating within the framework of the zoning code which has areas that go from 35 feet up to 115 feet and then over 115 feet. This is how the categories are organized in the existing zoning code height exception. We are trying to make this text consistent with the previous organization in the zoning code. Council Member Robertson expressed concern that once this is raised to 115 feet, all we have, at this point, is a general assurance that they probably cannot build any higher than 4 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS Proposed Ordinance Revising building exception (cont.) or 5 stories. If 5 stories are desireable there, and that is a reasonable height, we could write another exception and amend the zoning code. Mr. Pace replied that staff is trying to work within the constraints of the existing zoning code so that they are not rewriting the code every time a special exception is made. Mayor Van Dusen explained that the zoning code is a very comprehensive, difficult document, and there are a lot of problems with it now. Council worked for three years on the ordinance prior to passing it. It is not a perfect document by any means. When you go back and make a change, there is always the danger of creating another problem somewhere else in the code. This is why Planning worked within the para- meters already established. Council Member Robertson cited from the zoning code and com- mented that 115 foot high building right there, doesn't seem consistent with the guidelines. He would like to see something that is 5 stories and no higher. One hundred and fifteen feet is totally inappropriate. Council Member Bauch noted that this section of the code was adopted in 1982. It applies to everything south of I -405. In that whole area there is one building nine stories and one that is five stories. The economics of it and the building conditions are such that it is not a concern on a finite piece of land. Council Member Hernandez said a 115 foot high building could detract from the enjoyment of the park. Council Member Moriwaki expressed concern with traffic. This is one of the most congested intersections now even with the Southcenter Boulevard extension to Grady Way. If we have a quartet of multi storied buildings on that site, it does two negative things: (1) Aesthetically it will detract from the park entrance; and (2) What is this going to do to the traf- fic flow during rush hour traffic. Council Member Bauch again noted that the higher the building, the more space there will be. Regardless of what we do tonight, the code allows for 251 parking spaces. Whether the buildings are skinny or fat there are going to be big buildings in there developed to the maximum. Allowing height is going to thin the buildings down. This is why I am for it. Mr. Pace explained that the BAR is saying two things (1) Given the size of the parcels and the configuration, the parking requirements make it very difficult for anyone to build a building of 115 feet; (2) The BAR has the authority to restrict the height. Council has the right to modify the proposed ordinance to 65 feet, but staff is trying not to make wholesale changes in the zoning code. *ROLL CALL VOTE: DUFFIE YES BAUCH YES STOKNES NO HERNANDEZ NO ROBERTSON NO MORIWAKI NO TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS Proposed Ordinance Revising building exception (cont.) Resolution #1065 Expressing the City's agreement to partici- pate in a Worker's Comp. Group Retro- spective Rating Plan Resolution #1066 Approving amendments to the interlocal agree. creating the Wash. Cities Ins. authority *MOTION FAILED: 4 NO; 2 YES. Mayor Van Dusen commented that things are not black and white in development. If we try to make the code too restrictive, we do away with the options of the developer. If we try and make the code too strict, we are doing away with the options of our Boards and Commissions. We need to be a little more open. John Radovich, developer, explained that they started working on this in September. Now, they will have to start over again. We have done everything the Planning Department has asked us to do. They said that it was totally arbitrary the restriction of 115 feet was drawn at I -405. Council has the recommendation of approval from the Planning Department and now we are going to be set back several months. Staff is to be commended; they are very cooperative. We have developed the 2 -story office building at the entrance to Fort Dent. It has won several architectural awards; it is very attractive and very peaceful. We opened this building in October and are now at a 60% occupancy. The people enjoy the view of the park and the river. It is a unique portal to the City of Tukwila. I am very disappointed that we are thwarted in the development of this property and will probably have to go ahead with the plans we have now. They say 35 feet. We can't build three stories because we need 13 feet for a floor. He thanked Council and hoped they will continue to allow Tukwila to be a good place for people to build, deve- lop, and work. They planned on building no more than a four story building. This would take 52 feet. Council Member Moriwaki said it was not their intent to be negative to development. We did not receive a second alter- native. That is why I voted like I did. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY STOKNES, THAT THIS ITEM BE PLACED IN THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Moriwaki said they didn't understand the issue before them. He suggested that the Planning Department inform Council of other alternatives if they have any more cases like this. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY BAUCH, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Van Dusen read a resolution of the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Wash., expressing the City's agreement to participate in a worker's compensation group retrospective rating plan recommended by WCIA and authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement regarding such participation. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT RESOLUTION NO. 1065 BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY STOKNES, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Colgrove read a resolution of the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Wash., approving amendments to the interlocal agreement creating the Washington Cities Insurance Authority. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 5 NEW BUSINESS Resolution #1066 (cont.) Accept Foster Golf Links 18th green and practice tee and fairway const. project as completed by J.L.R., Inc. and release retainage Approval of Vouchers 1988 Budget REPORTS Black River Quarry Coalition MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY STOKNES, THAT RESOLUTION NO. 1066 BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY STOKNES, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE FOSTER GOLF LINKS 18TH GREEN, PRACTICE TEE AND FAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AS COMPLETED BY J.L.R., INC. AS OF MAY 1, 1987, AND AUTHORIZE RELEASE OF THE $4,124.22 RETAINAGE AMOUNT WHEN APPROPRIATE.* Ross Earnst, City Engineer, explained that there is some discussion as to whether the contractor planted the trees according to specifications. We can go back to the bonding company and require that they replace the trees if the contractor does not. The bond is valid until one year after acceptance. *MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bauch asked to have the vouchers removed because there is one he has concerns about. It is a voucher to the Renton Civic Theater. It is a way of donating to a theater outside the City. The Renton Civic Theater came to our Arts Commission and asked for a donation. The Arts Commission wanted to do this so they took 20 tickets. There is no policy as to how the tickets are going to be distri- buted. This has not been discussed with the Council. He recommended that Council not allow this voucher until they have some communication from the Arts Commission. Mayor Van Dusen informed Council that the Arts Commission also wants to donate $200 to the theater group of Green River Community College. An out -right donation is not legal. Council Member Duffie expressed concern that the Commission has been told that the money in their budget is theirs and they can spend it the way they want. This shows they will do what they want. They do not have to come to us. We gave them the money and an open door to spending it. It is the same with the piano. It is time for us to set policy and have them come back to us for approval to make purchases. Council Member Duffie asked to have the voucher in the amount of $10,000 for the piano pulled. He does not want this voucher paid. It is a waste of the taxpayers' money. MOVED BY BAUCH, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, THAT THE VOUCHER FOR THE PIANO STAYS IN WITH THOSE BEING APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED WITH DUFFIE VOTING NO. Mayor Van Dusen clarified that the voucher for $200 would be held out. Council agreed. Council Member Bauch commented that capital equipment is hard to find in this budget. The budget, as printed, is not a useful document as far as an elected official is concerned. Mayor Van Dusen reported that the Black River Quarry Coalition has been formed. Their primary goal is to get the Black River Quarry site removed from the list, to encourage waste reduction and recycling efforts, to help develop a city -wide citizen group which would follow the solid waste process and communicate directly with King County. The main problem is that they have a tremendous amount of work to do. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 6 NEW BUSINESS Ordinance on Adult Entertainment Sea -Tac Incorp. Mayor Van Dusen reported that he is bringing forward an ordi- nance dealing with adult entertainment. He asked Council to pass it along to the Planning Commission. Council Member Duffie explained that while attending a meeting on the proposed Riverton Annexation, he talked with people from the Sea -Tac area. They explained to him why they are seeking incorporation instead of annexation. He invited them to the meeting of the Community Affairs Committee. It turned out to be a very interesting meeting. The people asked if the City would go in on a study of their area. If they were to consider annexation, they want the whole area to be considered. They do not want it split up between cities. The committee decided they would propose to the Council that the City go in on a study on the feasibility of annexing the area. Council Member Robertson said the citizens who will be voting on this need to know what is the difference in staying as they are now; what are the pros and cons of incorporating; and the pros and cons of annexation. He said he would like to see this done very thoroughly with all of the alternatives laid out. If we are going to do it, let's be sure it is a well done document and be sure it is useful. Council Member Duffie said we need to join on this study. We have talked about annexation for the last eight years to pro- tect our planning area. Since I have been here, we have had only one annexation. If we have some people that want to see if annexation of this area is feasible, let's join forces and see if it would be better to take in the whole Sea -Tac area or just a portion of it. Council Member Bauch said it is none of our business unless they want to come into the City. We tried it in the 70's and held an election, and the citizens turned us down. It is a case of people coming to us saying they want to come in. If they don't want to come, they perceive us as not being a good place to be. Council Member Moriwaki said he is concerned about the future of the City. We are not going to make an informed decision, whether it is good, bad or indifferent, unless we have the information. This is the only point about joining in on the study. We have to have the information before making up our minds; this is the only sensible, responsible thing to do. Terry Anderson, Sea -Tac Incorporation Committee, reported on the progress of their committee. They discussed annexation or incorporation. They decided on incorporation because they were told by the Boundary Review Board that the King County Council would not give them money for a study for annexation, but they would allocate money for a study for incorporation. The vast majority of the citizens in the area want to keep the whole section together. Council Member Hernandez said that if their petition for incorporation has been filed, they should be able to see if that is their choice. If that fails, then we should invest whatever it takes to do a study. Council Member Robertson clarified that the committee has filed a letter of intent to incorporate with the Boundary TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1988 Page 7 NEW BUSINESS Sea -Tac Incorp. (cont.) ADJOURNMENT 9:50 p.m. Review Board. Now, they are going to use $40,000 for a study. This is happening now; if we spent money on an annexation study, it would have no impact on the decision of the Boundary Review Board. If they agree with the boun- daries, it will go before a vote of the people. The City has to be very careful how much participation they give to this ad hoc group. If we want to participate in the study, we should but let's do it correctly so the citizens, when they vote on incorporation, at least know what other alternatives they have. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT COUNCIL DIRECT THE MAYOR AND STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL FOR A STUDY WHICH INCLUDES THE COST AND TO BE DONE IN THE SAME FORMAT AS THE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD STUDY FOR INCORPORATION WHICH WILL SHOW THE PROS AND CONS TO THE CITIZENS IN THAT AREA ON ANNEXING THE WHOLE AREA INTO THE CITY OF TUKWILA; IN ADDITION IT WOULD SHOW THE PROS AND CONS TO THE CITY OF TUKWILA FOR ANNEXING THIS AREA.* Mayor Van Dusen offered that staff will take to others involved and hopefully come back with a recommendation on Monday. *MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, THAT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. fe ✓G� Gary an Dusen, Mayor �r I Maxi e Anderson; City Clerk