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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-12 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers January 12, 2015 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDERIPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Kruller called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. Councilmember Quinn Ied the audience in the Piedge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were, Kate Kruller, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Qine, City Administrator; Bob GibersVn, Public Works Director; Jon Harrison, Police Commander; Brandon PWi|es, Economic Development Planner; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENTS Joan Hernandez 15224 Sunwood Boulevard, announced that the January 15 Tukwila Historical Society meeting has been cancefled, and the next meeting will be February 19, 2015. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An Interlocal Agreement and Operations Memorandum of Understanding for the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN). Council President Kruller explained this item was discussed at the Special Meeting earlier this evening. She explained the City Council was updated on the proposed Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PGERN)ed the December 1.2O14 Regular Meeting. The interested parties have undertaken efforts to implement a new public radio system to provide improved coverage and capacity and high-quality emergency radio communications at a cost-effective price. To finance the PSERN System, a funding measure will be placed on the April batiot by the King County Council. Councilmember Quinn voiced his support for the tem, and said he would appreciate an update from the Assistant City Attorney on whether other member cities are approving the agreement. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. An agreement with Carollo Engineers relating to final revisions to the City's Water Comprehensive Plan. Council President Kruller indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on December 1, 2014. The committee members were unanimous in rec mmending approv i Bob Giberson, Public Works Director exptained Caroflo Engineers is the consultant for the update to the Water Comprehensive Ptan. As a result of additional review comments from the State of Washington's Department of Health, the Water Comprehensive Plan has to be updated. As budget funding has been exhausted for this specific p ject, the Water Fund's Ending Fund Balance will be utilized. The Council is being asked to approve the contract with Carollo Engineers in the amount of $15,132.00. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 12, 2015 Page 2 of 6 c. An ordinance updating Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Title 7 regarding animal control. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on December 9, 2014. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Jon Harrison, Police Commander, explained the draft ordinance before the Council is a culmination of two years of work between the City and King County. Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would amend several sections in Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Title 7 relating to animal care and control. The proposal would clarify roles and responsibilities for the City and for Regional Animal Services of King County and would also clarify a key inconsistency between King County's Code and City regulations regarding leash control of dogs. The ordinance proposes that the previous leash or chain requirement to keep dogs under control be expanded to also include signal control devices such as remote dog training collars. The proposed ordinance keeps King County's Code largely intact with it rewritten in TMC format rather than adopted by reference as before. Other updates include regulations for allowed numbers of livestock, behavioral exemptions for police service dogs, enforcement by any law enforcement officer (in addition to animal control officers), clarification of definitions, and other housekeeping items for clarity and accuracy. Additionally, the Community Affairs and Parks Committee members requested the following changes to Section 7.08.090.B.3 of the draft ordinance: "3. Not more than three small livestock animals for each 10,000 square feet of property, but not more than a total of six of the above - mentioned animals shall be allowed on the same lot." The Councilmembers exchanged comments and asked clarifying questions of staff on this topic to include: The importance of adding language to the proposed ordinance that addresses animal feces; The significance of signage in all City parks that remind owners of the leash law and to clean up after their pets; Ensure law enforcement officers have the tools needed to safely retrieve /restrain an unaccompanied dog; and Inquiry on how the City is going to deal with the increased rodent issues reported by residents. Commander Harrison stated once the animal control ordinance has been adopted by the City Council, staff can move forward with ordering signs for City parks with the correct TMC references. He explained in the past, the TMC included specific language relating to animal feces, and when the King County Code was adopted, that language was repealed. He will work with the Assistant City Attorney on drafting language to address that issue. As it relates to the tools needed for officers who encounter a dog running at large, an assessment and purchase of small items is needed, such as leashes and catch - poles. Councilmember Quinn commented on the issue of rodents. He explained that in the past the Seattle King County Department of Public Health would have been the contact for issues regarding rodents. That program was funded at the state level, and once the state eliminated the funding, the program ended. Additionally, he feels the Community Affairs and Parks Committee (CAP) could review the issue relating to signage in City parks. As Chair of CAP, Councilmember Seal stated she will ask staff to compile an inventory of all signs that are installed in City parks for the Committee to review. Councilmember Duffie said the topic of rodent infestation has come up at several Council Coffee Chats, and he feels the City needs to do something about the issue. The rodent problem has increased in several areas within the City. Councilmember Robertson stated there are two separate issues being discussed. The first is the animal control regulations. He supports having staff address animal feces for the Regular Meeting. Secondly, the issue relating to rodents could be discussed under miscellaneous and forwarded to a Council Committee for discussion. Council President Kruller affirmed that the CAP Committee would address the sign issues in the parks, and the Finance and Safety Committee could review the rodent issue. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 12, 2015 Page 3 of 6 There was Council consensus to have staff prepare language in the ordinance relating to animal feces for consideration at the next Regular Meeting. Councilmember Ekberg stated there appears to be conflicting information on pages 83 and 84 of the agenda packet. He referenced the following sections of the draft ordinance: 7.08.080 Minimum area for keeping animais. (page 83 of the agenda With the exception of chickens, no horyeo, mules, ponies, small |iveotock, small animals or fowl shall be kept on any property within the City limits where the parcel does not contain a minimum of 10.000 square feet of area. Chickens may be kept as an accessory to any legal use regardless of the area of the parcel. No large livestock shall be kept on any property within the City limits where the parcel does not contain a minimum of 43,560 square feet (one acre) of area. 7.08.090 Number of animais per property area size. (page 84 of the agenda B. Livestock shafl be permitted in numbers as follows: 1. Not more than one horse, mule or pony for each 20 000 square feet of stable and pasture area, but not more than a total of two of the above-mentioned animais shall be allowed on the same lot. 2. Two large ivestock for each 43.560 square feet (one acre) of property. Additional large livestock requires an additional 43,560 square feet (one acre) of property. 3. Not more than 3 small livestock for each 10.000 square feet of property, but not more than a total of 6 of the above-mentioned animals shall be allowed on the same lot. Commander Harrison said the Assistant City Attorney explained this issue during the CAP Committee review, and he will work with her on this prior to the next meeting. Councilmember Hougardy voiced her appreciation for the grandfather clause in the draft ordinance that would protect animal owners from the new regulations. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING AS AMENDED. d. A collective bargaining agreement for Teamsters Senior Program Managers. nie Brown, Human Resources Director, stated the City n team and Teamsters Loca Union No. 763 bargaining team (representing Senior Program Manager employees) opened labor negotiations on October 2, 2014, in an effort to reach an agreement on a first labor contract. In alignment with Council initiative and budget considerations in future years, the City and Union negotiated the new agreement upon mutual interest. The contract provides for a wage increase. A tentative agreement has been reached and information is being presented for City Council approval and to authorize the Mayor to sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING CONSENT AGENDA. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton attended the Green River System-Wide Improv ment Framework (SWIF) Issues Forum on January 8, 2015. SWIF is one of the many agencies that meet to discuss the potentialflooding ofthe Green River. He read from the Vinion. Goals and Objectives of SWIF that include: Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 12, 2015 Page 4 of 6 Vision Improve flood protection, forounen[and future generations, in a way that builds economic, ecological and community resiliency. Goal Improve the ecological resiliency of the Lower Green's aquatic and terrestrial habitats through implementation of the Green River SWIF's priority p jects and non-regulatory, programmatic recommendations. He explained the objective is protect the area's 500-year flood plain. They have identified "Resource Planning Areas — Local Area of Concern," and have suggested fixes for some of the problem areas. Those fixes nclude setbacks Iarger than some of the cities feel are necessary. One identified "Resource Planning Area" in Auburn would engulf almost all of the Auburn GoIf Course. The setbacks are for water storage areas in the case of flooding. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rethought their position on what equates to suitable riverbank materials, and it is their opinion that rocks should be used rather than vegetation. This is an area of concern and the City will need to monitor the situation, Later that evening he attended the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Work Session relating to the TIB (Tukwila International Boulevard) Comprehensive Plan Update. He commended staif for the format of that meeting. On January 9, 2015 he attended the Valley Communications Board of Directors meeting. He stated that VaIIey Com has several videos on 911 services that will be streaming on the City's TV 21 Other topics of discussion from the meeting included the lack of an automated dispatch system at the King County Airport (Boeing Field), the effort by King County to limit the number of inmates at the King County detention centera, and statistics show there were 12.000 auto thefts in King County in 2014, which was the highest in the country. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie updated the Council on rece activity within his neighborhood relating to vandalism. He encouraged everyone to be vigilant regarding people in the neighborhoods and report suspicious activity to the Tukwila Police. Council President Kruller attended the recent agenda planning meeting for the King County Regional Law, Safety and Justice Committee to be held on January 29, 2015. On January 7, 2015 she attended the King County Early Learning Symposium and Roundtable, and the Joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting on January 8, 2015. On January 9, 2015 she attended the South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition breakfast and later that day the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental Laurel Hunnphrey, Council Analyst, reminded the Council and audience that City offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2015 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. The City Council Regular Meeting and the Finance and Safety Committee meeting will each shift one day accordingly. Tukwila City Counc Committee of the Whole Minutes January 12, 2015 Page 5 of 6 MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Robertson state he wanted to address a couple of items relating to city services for residents, with a focus on residential neighborhoods. One area of concern, and something he has been raaaarching, is the issue surrounding medical marijuana. There is confusion at the state level on regulations concerning growing, processing and selling medical marijuana. He referenced the recent report published by the City Attorney for the City of Seattle. He recommended the Councilmembers read the report, as there are some good ideas for dealing with the issues of recreational and medical marijuana. A second issue, is how code enforcement issues are handled/addressed. After speaking with neighbors and many residents, it appears that the City's Code Enforcement group has been focusing on doing things the best they can, and not closing the loop on communication with the residents. He feels there needs to be a discussion on how the City addresses code enforcement issues, and ways to improve the process. Mayor Haggerton stated he had a lengthy discussion with Councilmember Robertson on some of these issues, and they will be part of the new "Mayoral Focus" areas. An email will be sent this week to City staif identifying the new program. He explained the three areas of focus for this year include: improving residential quality of Iife and a positive image of Tukwila, building long term financial stability, and encouraging an inclusive organization. The citizen comments on January 5 from Mr. Crawley were sincere, and other areas are having the same type of burglary problems. He feels the marijuana issue is something that should be discussed while the City's delegation is in Olympia (for the Cities Day of Action event). Council President Kruller commented that the news program "60 Minutes" had a report on how Denver is handling the marijuana issues. Councilmember Duffie stated another city publishes photographs of burglary suspects and asked if Tukwila could do that too. David Cline, City Administrator, stated he is not aware of that practice and said he would look into the matter. As the Chair of the Finance and Safety Committee, Counci!member Hougardy said she may be asking City Administration for information on how they, as a Committee, can assist on these issues. Councilmember Robertson stated he has always been supportive of the gentle approach used by the City on code enforcement issues. He feels this should be a topic for discussion at the upcoming Council Retreat. Mayor Haggerton said it might be time for the City to take a tough approach on dealing with these types of issues. Councilmember Quinn feels the City should be proactive, rather than reactive, for these types of issues The Council has been very good at drilling down the information, and having a discussion on a broader approach to code enforcement would be beneficial. Council President Kruller voiced her appreciation for the great discussion on all the topics discussed during the meeting this evening. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 12, 2015 Page 6 of 6 ADJOURNMENT 8:32 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT KRULLER DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 01/26/2014 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 01/27/2014