Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting I City Hall Council Chambers February 23, 2015 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Kruller called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Councilmember Ekberg led the audience in the Pledge 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 Cline, City Administrator; Bruce Linton, Deputy Police Chief; Chris Flores, Interim Fire Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon Miles, Economic Development Liaison; Stacy Hansen, Human Services Coordinator; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATION a. Committee to End Homelessness Strategic Plan. Gretchen Bruce, Program Manager, Committee to End Homelessness, King County. Council President Kruller stated the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC) will be asked to develop policy on this issue, and a copy of the presentation has been distributed to the Council. Gretchen Bruce, Program Manager, King County Committee to End Homelessness (CEH), explained the CEH is in the process of updating their strategic plan for 2015 through 2018. The City had endorsed the first iteration of the 10 -year plan to end homelessness. During the life of the 10 -year plan, there were successes and many challenges. They have created over 5,000 units of housing and helped to house more than 36,000 households that experienced homelessness. The challenges experienced during this time included the recession, continued homelessness amongst chronically, homeless single adults, families and not enough capacity in the system. There is an incredible amount of data and research that didn't exist before that helped to identify areas of improvement moving forward. They are using that data to understand the causes of homelessness and the remedies to apply at the local basis. Ms. Bruce referenced the presentation materials and announced that a copy of the draft Committee to End Homelessness Strategic Plan can be found at: http: / /cehkcstrategicplan.org/. Highlights of the presentation included: The draft strategic plan recognizes that homelessness is a crisis and is found throughout every zip code in King County. It builds on the framework of emerging data that aids in identifying what it takes to make homelessness rare, brief and one -time. The data included: measuring the length of time that people are homeless, how long they are in the emergency shelter system, how quickly they can be rehoused, and the rate of return to the shelter system. These data points were not available when the original strategic plan was drafted. Causes of homelessness are real: Research of 300+ cities and states found statistical correlation between the following factors and rising homelessness (from 2012): Housing Market: Increase in rent of $100 per month was associated with a 15% increase in homelessness in urban areas, and 30% in suburban areas. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 2 of 8 Economic Conditions: Areas with high poverty and unemployment rates, and income inequality were associated with higher rates of homelessness. This data identified the partnerships that needed to be established. During the first 10 years, the work done regarding homelessness was insular. The objective was to get the system moving, establish case management and embrace best practices for housing. There was very little data on young adult homelessness, and the new data has helped identify some of the causes. Demographic Composition: Areas with more Hispanic, baby boomer, and single person households were associated with higher rates of homelessness. Safety Net: States with lower mental health expenditures were associated with higher rates of homelessness. Transience: Areas with more recently moved people were associated with higher rates of homelessness. GOALS AND STRATEGIES: Goal 1 — Make Homelessness Rare The draft strategies focus on: • People that are leaving other systems, including foster care, mental health, chemical dependency, and criminal justice, and then entering homelessness; • Repealing or mitigating policies that criminalize living on the streets; • Access to mainstream supports; • The need for more affordable housing; and • Preventing people from becoming homeless. Goal 2 — Make Homelessness Brief and One -Time The draft strategies focus on: • Addressing crisis as quickly as possible; • Assessing, prioritizing and matching homeless individuals with housing and support services; • Realigning housing and support services to meet needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community; and • Creating employment and education opportunities to support stability. Goal 3 — Building a Community to End Homelessness The draft strategies to accomplish the goal are to: • Establish an effective decision- making body and formal agreements to guide collective action among all partners; • Formalize roles for business leaders and faith community leaders; • Strengthen engagement of King County residents, including those housed and those experiencing homelessness; and • Solidify and sustain infrastructure to operate the system, including advocacy, data analysis, capacity building, planning and coordination. Realignment of the current system to meet the strengths and needs would make a significant impact: • 2,600 fewer people without shelter • Reduce average stay in crisis response by 35 days • Reduce number of people who return to homelessness within two years by 50% Homelessness is solvable and it will take: • Prevention and diversion • Realignment of funding and programs • More housing • Engagement and accountability Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 3 of 8 2015 improvements and realignment: 150 new emergency shelter beds were recently approved • 300 more units of permanent supportive housing, moving long -term shelter residents • 500 more rapid re- housing spots available With the improvements, there is still a gap of 10,000 beds /units to address when accounting for new homeless each year. Ms. Bruce stated they will be hosting a retreat on March 16th to discuss the draft strategic plan and the SCA members will be in attendance. CEH will be providing more information on the strategies in the very near future. Councilmember Robertson commented on the reference and correlation between rent increases and increased homelessness. He asked how to make effective change on this issue. Ms. Bruce said the data shows that rent increases are a driver for homelessness. The data shows the incredible need for affordable housing. CEH strategies to address this need would include how CEH could provide an influence (relating to affordable housing), how to share that voice and create the relationships that make the connections. Councilmember Ekberg thanked Ms. Bruce for the presentation and he asked for the definition of "homelessness." Ms. Bruce explained they define homelessness for this purpose as individuals who are in places that are unfit for human habitation. Councilmember Ekberg inquired about the costs associated with the realignment. Ms. Bruce stated the costs associated with realignment tend to be in the planning, and those costs are between $15,000 - $20,000 annually. King County has over 1,000 temporary housing units for families. They feel the number of temporary housing units could be lowered to somewhere between 300 -400 units, based on the level of need for mental health and chemical dependency for families. By freeing up the funding from that very expensive intervention, the funding is there; it needs to be redirected for a more effective. use, such as temporary rental support. Councilmember Seal thanked Ms. Bruce for the information and she is currently reviewing the draft plan and will provide comments as identified in the materials. Councilmember Hougardy commented on Goal 3, "A Community to End Homelessness," and she asked Ms. Bruce to expand on the strategies. Ms. Bruce stated CEH has not formalized the role of partners. There are businesses that care about the issues and they will prepare a plan to formalize the business role in addressing the issue. The same goes for the role of the cities in the strategy. They would like city human service funding to mirror CEH funding areas. Councilmember Quinn commented this is a much needed conversation. Across the county, there are several mobile home parks and some of those have deteriorating 1960 -1970 era mobile homes. Those individuals most likely aren't able to transition into apartments. He asked if CEH has considered that issue and how that could increase the homelessness numbers in the near future. Ms. Bruce stated she was not aware of deteriorating mobile homes; most people are concerned about the parks being sold. Council President Kruller asked who qualifies for the housing in what priority, how to level the playing field, how CEH is identifying the specific needs of each community. She referred to a television program that encouraged people to move to the Northwest, and voiced her concern that this would increase the area's homelessness. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 4 of 8 Ms. Bruce stated CEH recognizes the needs of the overall areas, and that identifying the needs city by city is challenging. The best way to keep the issue in the forefront is by communication. Each city believes they are the mecca for this issue. The data shows individuals identified as homeless were originally residents of King County. Council President Kruller asked if CEH would be in discussion with the City's Human Services staff on the draft plan, and the impact on Tukwila. Ms. Bruce committed to working with the City staff on this issue. Council President Kruller asked the Council to review the materials and she will be asking for Council direction on how she will represent the City at the upcoming SCA meeting. Mayor Haggerton stated his particular interest in the correlation between suicide rate and homelessness among U.S. veterans. He asked if there is data or statistics on this issue or programs for the veteran population. Ms. Bruce stated CEH is an active partner in the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. They have partners working on the housing needs for veterans. She does not have a statistic on the suicide rate among veterans. In 2014, CEH placed about 820 veterans in housing and the goal for 2015 is 1,200. b. Presentation of new fire engines (in the parking lot at City Hall). The Fire Department has two new 2014 model year Pierce Velocity Pumper fire engines that were manufactured to City specifications. Chris Flores, Interim Fire Chief, explained the planning process used relating to the purchase of the two new fire engines and he acknowledged Fire Department and City staff that were part of the process. Council President Kruller stated the presentation will continue outside in the parking lot of City Hall. The Councilmembers and audience exited the Council Chambers to view the two new fire engines in the parking lot of City Hall. Interim Chief Flores extended an invitation to the Councilmembers and community to visit Fire Station 51 for a tour of the facility and to view the two new fire engines. c. Introduction of two new probationary firefighters: Brody Faire and Levi Keller. Brody Faire was hired August 18, 2014. He is from Ellensburg, Washington, and a graduate of Eastern Washington University. He completed the academy and post academy in early January, and is assigned to B Shift at Station 51. Levi Keller was hired March 27, 2014, and is a graduate of Idaho State University. He completed the academy and post academy requirements in the fall of 2014, and he is assigned to C Shift at Station 52. Mr. Keller introduced his family in attendance this evening and thanked the City for the opportunity to serve the community. He feels Tukwila is a great place to learn the trade. The Councilmembers thanked Mr. Faire and Mr. Keller for their service and welcomed them to the City. d. Promotion of three Fire Department employees: • Assistant Chief Mike Soss • Battalion Chief Jack Waller • Captain Ryan Berg Interim Chief Flores stated that in 2014, the Tukwila Fire Department promoted three employees. Assistant Chief Mike Soss was hired in 1989 as part of the recruitment to provide staffing for Station 54. In 2001 he was promoted to Lieutenant in Training, and to Battalion Chief in January 2003. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 5 of 8 On November 16, 2014, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations. He has been instrumental in providing leadership and continuity through the Tukwila Fire Department transition the past two years. Assistant Chief Soss voiced his appreciation for the continued opportunity to serve the City. He introduced his family in attendance this evening. He is proud of the individuals within the Tukwila Fire Department, and looks forward to the future of Tukwila Fire. Battalion Chief Jack Waller was hired in 1989 as part of the recruitment to provide staffing for Station 54. Interim Chief Flores explained Station 54 had previously been staffed by volunteers and in 1989 was annexed into the City in 1989. Mr. Waller was promoted to Lieutenant in 2005, and during that time he also was part of the Training and Fire Prevention divisions of the Fire Department. On December 1, 2014, he was promoted to Battalion Chief, and he is assigned to C Shift. Battalion Chief Waller introduced his family in attendance this evening, and thanked the City for this opportunity. He looks forward to the future of the Tukwila Fire Department. Captain Ryan Berg was hired in 2000 and was promoted to Captain on December 16, 2014. He is assigned to C Shift at Station 54. Captain Berg introduced his family in attendance this evening, and voiced his appreciation for the promotion. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Kruller stated she received a citizen comment speaker form from Hyojin Whitford relating to City parks being drug and smoke free. Ms. Whitford did not stay to attend the Council meeting. The Councilmembers will be provided a copy of the completed form by the Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance updating the Sign Code to expand exceptions to permit the display of street banners in the City. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on February 9, 2015. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Brandon Miles, Economic Development Liaison, explained staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would amend Tukwila Municipal Code Section 19.12.030, "Exceptions — Sign Permits Not Required," to allow the Public Works Director to approve banners within the right -of -way, on City -owned light poles and signal poles. This change would allow the City to use street banners to advertise and promote events in pursuit of building community and /or promoting tourism. City staff is currently working with the Seattle Sounders on promotional opportunities for its 2nd team, Sounders 2, which is premiering in spring 2015. He commented that at the recent Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting they authorized $6,500 to be used for banners in and around the Starfire Sports Complex. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. An ordinance updating the process relating to payment for street frontage improvements. Councilmember Duffie indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on February 17, 2015. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, explained the draft ordinance would amend Tukwila Municipal Code Section, 11.12.030, "Street Frontage Improvements," to allow flexibility in the timing of developer payments for street frontage improvements. The current code requires that developers install frontage improvements prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy. It also authorizes the Public Works Director to allow the developer to pay the City for the improvements, in which case the payment must be made prior to issuance of a building permit. The proposed update would allow a developer to enter in an Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 6 of 8 agreement with the City regarding these payments, subject to the approval of the Public Works Director, and to provide a bond or other security for the obligation. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Discussion on Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee (SCA PIC) items. Council President Kruller is seeking discussion and consensus on the following issue which will potentially be acted upon at a future Sound Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC) meeting. 1. (Item No. 7 from the SCA agenda) Committee to End Homelessness Draft Strategic Plan. On April 22, 2015 the Committee to End Homelessness (CEH) Governing Board is scheduled to take action on the 2015 -2018 draft Committee to End Homelessness Strategic Plan. The PIC will be asked to take a position on the draft plan prior to the April CEH meeting. In order to provide SCA cities with adequate time to consider this item, there will be a preliminary discussion at the February PIC meeting. PIC members are asked to begin discussion on the item at this time. An initial policy position will be brought to PIC based on the feedback in March, and final action by PIC and the SCA Board would take place in April. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton attended the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors meeting on February 17, 2015. He announced that he will notify the District 13 group that he will not be seeking re- election, so he would not be available for the AWC Board. On February 18, 2015 he attended the Tukwila Sounder Station ribbon - cutting event. Later that day he returned to Olympia for continued participation at AWC's City Action Days event (February 18 and 19, 2015) in Olympia. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie stated this is the last week of Black History Month. He thanked several community members for their support for the past 34 years. He feels Councilmember Robertson truly represents the City of Tukwila. He also thanked the current and past Councilmembers for their service to the City. Councilmember Robertson participated in City Action Days events February 18 and 19, 2015. His area of focus centered around the illegal marijuana grow operations. He thanked Rachel Bianchi, Government Relations Manager, for the information used during the event. Councilmember Robertson reviewed some of the discussion topics from his meetings, and asked that the Council participate in the caucus class or event next year to add a level of understanding for the Council on that process. Councilmember Seal reported on the items that were discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee earlier this evening. She stated that Foster Golf staff have been monitoring the parking lot since the closure of the King County Metro small lot in 2014, and about 30+ commuters are utilizing the parking lot at Foster Golf Links. She explained that signs will be installed in the parking lot that limits the amount of time (6 hours) and that violators will be towed. Staff will work on the notification process for commuters using the site, and the purpose of this report is to get the information about the new signs to those in attendance and the viewing audience. Councilmember Hougardy attended the ribbon - cutting event at the Tukwila Sounder Station on February 18, 2015 and the City Action Days events February 18 and 19, 2015. On February 24, 2015, she will be attending the King County Metro Regional Transit Committee meeting, and she conducted a detailed review of the agenda for that meeting. Additionally, she will be hosting the March Council Coffee Chat, and she is working with the Council Analyst on an alternate location. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 7 of 8 Council President Kruller asked how the public would be notified of the change in location. Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst, suggested posting the change in location on the City's Facebook page and, publicizing it in the Tukwila Reporter, and on "Tukwila Talk." There are a variety of ways to notify the public of the change. Council President Kruller attended the recent Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) meeting, and she thanked City staff for their assistance as this was her first meeting as Council President. She reviewed several of the items discussed at the recent LTAC meeting. She participated in City Action Days events February 18 and 19, 2015, and the recent event at the Tukwila Pool. She reminded the Council and audience of the upcoming (March 14, 2015) Bowl -a -Thou that benefits the Tukwila Pantry. She announced that the first Sounders S2 match is scheduled for March 21, 2015. C. Staff David Cline, City Administrator, attended the Sounder Commuter Station ribbon - cutting event on February 18, 2015. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst, stated information published in the Tukwila Reporter for the upcoming Council work session was incorrect. She said the February 251h Joint City Council / Planning Commission work session to discuss the Tukwila International Boulevard Element of the Comprehensive Plan will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Commons at Showalter Middle School. MISCELLANEOUS Council President Kruller stated there was one additional item for Council consideration relating to Sound Cities Association. She asked the Council to review the item to allow for Council discussion at a future meeting. (from Special Issues item 4c.) 2. (Item No. 8 from the SCA agenda) Environmental Health Services — Farmers Markets and Temporary Events. The PIC will discuss the rate structure for the Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division of the Public Health Department, specifically as it relates to permit fees for Farmers Markets and Temporary Events. Proposed rate increases for 2015 remain substantial and SCA's Board of Health members do not support the rate and subsequent permit increase for Farmers Markets and Temporary Events. SCA's member on the EHS Committee is supporting the continuation of 2014 rates for Farmers Market and Temporary Event permits and the adoption of new rates for other EHS permits. Council President Kruller announced she will not be in attendance at the March 9, 2015 Committee of the Whole Meeting, and per the Council procedures in the Tukwila Municipal Code, the Council will need to elect a Councilmember (by motion) to chair that meeting. She will ask for the decision at the March 2nd Regular Meeting. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes February 23, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Page 8 of 8 8:43 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT KRULLER DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Kate -KOW(e-r, Couhcil President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 03/16/2015 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 03/17/2015