HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-08 Special Minutes - City Council and Tukwila School Board Joint MeetingJoint School Board
Summary
December 8, 2014 —
PRESENT
City Council:
From City:
School Board:
From School District:
— City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m.; Sky Terrace, Westfield Southcenter
De'Sean Quinn, Council President; Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg,
Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy and Kate Kruller
Mayor Jim Haggerton; David Cline, Derek Speck, Joyce Trantina, Marty Grisham
and Laurel Humphrey, Staff
Mark Wahlstrom, President; Dave Larson, and Mary Fertakis, Directors;
Mohamed Abdi, Senior Student Representative
Nancy Coogan, Superintendent; Maria Gonzales - Millsap, Beth Paquette, Staff
The joint Tukwila School Board and City Council meeting consisted of discussions on the following
topics:
1. City Updates
2. School District Updates
3. Joint Efforts
4. Partnership Opportunities
5. Legislative Update
6. Communication and Relationship Strategies
The meeting came to order at 6:35 p.m. and Council President Quinn and Board President Wahlstrom
jointly welcomed the group and thanked participants for their time.
City Updates
City Administrator David Cline provided an overview of recent City activities including the following:
• Adoption of the 2015 -2016 Biennial Budget
• Facility Needs Assessment Phase 3 (December 15 Council presentation)
• Regional Fire Authority study to continue
• Comprehensive Plan update due in June 2015; TIB and Housing elements to commence
review
• Purchase of four hotel properties on Tukwila International Boulevard nearly complete with
expected demolition in summer.
• December 1 adoption of a limited multifamily tax exemption to incentivize housing in the
Urban Center
School Updates
Superintendent Coogan provided an overview of recent District activities including the following:
• 100th Anniversary of Foster High in 2015
• Retirement of Cynthia Chesick
• Activities regarding STEAM (Science & Technology interpreted through Engineering & the
Arts, based in Math) education, such as robotics, medicine, and forensic science programs.
Joint City Council- School Board Meeting Minutes December 8, 2014 - Page 2
• AP Boot Camp
• Data analysis phase of Strategic Plan
• Collaboration with City Parks Department and YMCA on afterschool program (update to
Council in 2015).
• Early Learning
• Zam Khap Family
• Diversity Speaker Series
• Exploration of funding options for afterschool programming at Foster High.
Joint Efforts
Staff Collaboration
There was discussion on the number of ways the City works collaboratively with the District. City
Administrator Cline meets monthly with Dr. Coogan. Joyce Trantina, Special Projects Coordinator in
the Mayor's Office, works with District staff on a variety of issues. Marty Grisham in the Fire
Department has been working with the District on emergency preparedness. Communication and
Human services staff members also communicate on shared issues.
Homelessness Advocacy
Director Larson stated that Human Services staff have been meeting to address issues and would
like to request a report -out on findings, ideas for collaboration, and recommendations for moving
forward. Director Fertakis noted a weekend backback food program is starting next year at Thorndyke
in order to provide students with food and snacks outside of school hours. Council President Quinn
stated that if the District has a specific legislative priority related to homelessness the City should
know about it in order to focus its support.
Youth Engagement
Superintendent Coogan stated that the Council will again be invited to attend the high school Civics
course in 2015. Councilmembers shared their thoughts on meaningful youth engagement, such as
the need to partner with the business community to help fund scholarships to attend conferences
such as National League of Cities, and the recent adoption of the Teens for Tukwila Charter along
with a standing invitation to that group to address the City Council with its concerns. Council President
Quinn would like to see a needs assessment, and Dr. Coogan indicated that Providence Hospital
prepared one that she will provide to the Council via the Council Analyst. Director Fertakis noted that
she and Tracy Galloway of the Tukwila Parks Department continue to serve on the Vroom advisory
committee and this group remains committed to work in the community.
Partnership Opportunities
Cable TV Programming
As stated in its new Communications Plan, the City is expanding the programming on its cable
Channel 21 and is interested in extending opportunities to the District to participate.
Civics Class
An invitation to Council will be extended in 2015.
Joint City Council- School Board Meeting Minutes December 8, 2014 - Page 3
Mentorship
Councilmember Kruller noted that she is presently enjoying a mentoring opportunity and would like
to see more formalized approaches to do so. Director Wahlstrom noted that it is difficult to maintain
a consistent program due to inconsistencies in adult commitment. Schools currently have separate
processes.
Swimming Instruction
Superintendent Coogan noted that the District does not currently have a plan to reintroduce
swimming instruction as the required instructor position is not funded at this time.
Legislative Updates
Both the Council and the School Board asserted support for a joint legislative effort.
Communication /Relationship Strategies
Directors and Councilmembers briefly discussed meetings in 2015. Targeting Spring and inviting
student participation were among the ideas shared.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Summary by LH