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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-21 Regular MinutesTukwila City Council Regular Meeting City Hall Council Chambers March 21, 2016 — 7:00 P.m. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Mayor Ekberg called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7:01 p.m., and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator, called the roll of the Council. Present were Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Ann Marie Soto, Assistant City Attorney; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Department of Community Development Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Bruce Linton, Deputy Police Chief; Joyce Trantina, Project Development Manager; Laura Benjamin, Assistant Planner; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Community Connector Program update. Joyce Trantina, Project Development Manager in the Mayor's Office, introduced the City's partners in the Community Connector Program. Becca Meredith, formerly with Forterra, worked with the City on developing the program for 3 -1/2 years. She introduced Kimberly Gonzales, who will be the City's new point person with Forterra for the Community Connector Program. Ms. Trantina then introduced Virginia Herrera - Paramo from Global to Local. Ms. Paramo stated that she has witnessed the effects of the program since its inception and its reach to Tukwila's diverse community. She introduced several of the City's Community Connectors: 1. Helber Moo, Burmese Community Connector, stated that safety is a big priority for her community, and they feel safer since the motels on Tukwila International Boulevard were taken down. 2. Aurora Abrajam, Latino Connector (comments translated to English by Ms. Paramo) stated that community events give the community a chance to connect, and she said the community now feels more well- informed about City departments. 3. Naimo Wagafe, Somali Connector, has lived in Tukwila for over 8 years. She is very proud of the progress she has seen over the past year on Tukwila International Boulevard and members of her community feel much safer walking there at any time. Ms. Trantina utilized a PowerPoint presentation to provide an update on the Community Connector Program, developed in 2013 as a result of the City's Strategic Plan which demonstrated a need to reach out to the City's diverse community. Volunteers were identified who were viewed as leaders within their community, and they received training including "basic City government," which explained how various City departments work together to meet the needs of residents and businesses. In 2014, the Community Connector Program proved very beneficial during the City's work to update the Comprehensive Plan, where ideas were shared at community meetings. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 2 of 8 In 2015 the program worked to help the Connectors develop leadership skills, which they can use within their community and in working with City staff. They played a more active part in determining what their communities wanted to hear about, and safety was the number one response. Connectors were asked to meet with staff from the Fire Department, Emergency Management and the Police Department, all of whom brought great ideas for presenting safety information to the community. The Community Connectors then served as facilitators to lead discussions at large group meetings, where information was shared relating to: Personal property Marijuana laws Parental responsibility Interaction with authority (including when to call 9 -1 -1, what happens when you call, where the call goes, etc.) Ms. Trantina noted that the City would like to make the Community Connector Program more accessible to City departments to assist with sharing information on projects such as: Budget process Facilities planning Code enforcement New and improved City website The City would like to expand the program to include Connectors from the senior and teen communities, as well as a Connector from the Vietnamese and Pacific Islander communities. The goal is to build trust and understanding between City staff and communities across the City and to help the City do a better job. Ms. Trantina distributed two brochures on the Community Connector Program. The Mayor and Councilmembers thanked the Connectors for speaking to the Council and for their on- going work with the program, and expressed appreciation to staff from Forterra and Global to Local. Councilmember Quinn asked if the City has seen community members participating in new ways since the Community Connector Program began in 2013. Ms. Trantina stated that members from various City communities have applied for positions on Boards and Commissions and were in attendance at Council meetings during the recent election process. Councilmember Kruller suggested that CERT (emergency) training be provided —with translators —to improve skills that will be needed by community members in the event of a disaster. APPOINTMENTS Appointments /Reappointments to the Human Services Advisory Board. a. Confirm the reappointment of Terra Straight to Position #1 on the Human Services Advisory Board, with a term expiring 4/30/19. MOVED BY KRULLER, SECONDED BY SEAL TO CONFIRM THE REAPPOINTMENT OF TERRA STRAIGHT TO POSITION #1 ON THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD, WITH A TERM EXPIRING 4/30/19.* Mayor Ekberg noted that there have been two deaths recently, resulting in vacancies on the Board. These appointments will be valuable in moving the efforts of the Human Services Advisory Board forward as they look at all the services provided to the citizens of Tukwila. *MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting K8inutes March 21, 2016 Page 3 of 8 b. Confirm the appointment of Jonathan Houston to Position #2 on the Human Services Advisory Board, with atenn expiring 4/30/19. MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY 0UFF|E TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF JONATHAN HOUSTON N0 POSITION #2 ON THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD, WITH A TERN EXPIRING 4/30119' MOTION CARRIED 7-0' Mr. Houston stated that he works es a liaison for the Tukwila School District to assist students lacking adequate housing. The "McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act" isa federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. Last year, 11 % of the population in the Tukwila School District experienced homelessness. He noted that students in Tukwila experiencing homelessness last year had a higher graduation rate compared to the national average. Mr. Houston stated that he appreciates this opportunity and looks forward to serving the City. CITIZEN COMMENT Katrina Dohn, 14442 46th Ave. 3, abated she is hereto raise awareness on an issue she was informed of o month ago. She was on a school field trip where a student asked for her help in regard to the student's apartment building. /\ new building manager, told the children they are not allowed to play outside, ever. due to concerns such as a ball being kicked through a window or setting off a car alarm. Ms. Dohntalked with the child's teacher, who confirmed this situation exists ot that complex, She visited three complexes on a Saturday afternoon and a family confirmed they would be kicked out of their apartment if the children played outside. Two families did lose their housing over this. Ms. Dohn stated there are many issues at stake here, including social justice, physical development, and cognitive and social development, and she is going to continue working on this issue. Mayor Ekberg asked Ms. Oohn to shone her contact information with David C|ine, City Administrator. As Chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee, Councilmember Quinn stated he would like the committee to discuss the issue. He feels a holistic approach may be neaded, including identifying tools and components such as play areas and the Parks and Open Space Plan, addressing "just cause" language in lease contracts, and studying the root causes and unintended consequences of actions. The Councilmembers expressed appreciation to Ms. Dohn for being an advocate for her community. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 3/14/16 (Special Meeting) b. Approval of Vouchers #371G0G-371G07.371GS8'3718OO.1GU3O0.16820O1.16U3O2-1003O4inthe amount of$2.5J1.9O5.S8 u. A resolution declaring an emergency inresponse to damages to public property due toaseverely damaged sanitary sewer main. RESOLUTION NUMBER 1878 [Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by the Utilities Committee on 3115116.] d Accept the Washington State Department of Ecology Coordinated Prevention Grant to fund the Tukwila Recycling Program. [Reviewed and forwarded ho Consent by the Utilities Committee on3/f5110.] MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BYyCRBLLER THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A resolution updating and clarifying the non-represented employees' compensation and adopting the non-represented salary schedule and benefits summary, effective January 1,2O1@. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 4 of 8 MOVED BY SEAL, SECONDED BY HOUGARDY THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator, read the proposed resolution by title only. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, UPDATING AND CLARIFYING THE NON - REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION AND ADOPTING THE NON - REPRESENTED SALARY SCHEDULE AND BENEFITS SUMMARY, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016. Councilmember Hougardy stated this item was discussed at a Finance and Safety Committee meeting last year, and changes were made to the resolution and attachments since the original review. Councilmember Kruller stated that she had salary history information for the City Administrator position in the F102 band sent to all Councilmembers. She asked that the information be entered into the record. She noted that the salary ceiling in 2006 is now (10 years later) the proposed salary floor for this position. She suggested tabling an increase for band F102 until the third quarter of 2016. She would like a motion that Council conduct a review before implementing such a large increase; and stated that any increase could potentially be approved retroactively. Councilmember Robertson spoke against such a motion. He stated the City was aware that the salary amount offered was low at the time of the last hire for this position. He reviewed the steps the Council has taken over the past few years and feels the Council should follow the process implemented 3 years ago until such time as the process is changed. Councilmember Hougardy stated the band F102 was noted as below the average. She would like to maintain consistency with the City's current policy and review the policy in the future. Councilmember McLeod suggested the F102 band could be approved at the same level as being proposed for other non - represented employees until the Council's review later this year. Councilmember Quinn stated the Council discussed the merits of this process last year. He feels this is a good conversation to have this year, specifically an assessment of the employee groups and an evaluation of the responsibilities associated with the position. Councilmember Seal stated she has the same opinion she had at the end of last year. As current Chair of the Finance and Safety Committee, she is satisfied in knowing the Committee will look at the compensation process in the third quarter of this year. MOVED BY SEAL, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 5 -2 TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1879, WITH KRULLER AND McLEOD VOTING NO. a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg attended the Academy School's showing of "Most Likely to Succeed" on March 26. He met with King County Assessor John Wilson last week, who explained there is an opportunity to do outreach to Tukwila citizens. Those with a property tax burden and income of $40,000 or less may be eligible for King County property tax relief. An article on the subject will be included in the next issue of "The Hazelnut." Mayor Ekberg attended the 42nd Avenue Phase III Open House (which covers Southcenter Boulevard to S.160th Street), as well as an in -house training associated with the upcoming Cascadia Rising exercise, which will test the response to a major earthquake scenario on the west coast. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 5 of 8 b. City Council Councilmember Robertson noted "The Seattle Times" published several articles on education recently, where Washington State was compared to Massachusetts. Although the two states have similar demographics, Massachusetts spends $3 billion more on education than Washington. The message being sent to students in Massachusetts is that they are worth it. Councilmember Seal thanked staff and the Executive Team for the workshop on March 14 on budget priorities. She noted there was a recent post on Nextdoor.com regarding trees down on the trail in Allentown. She attended meetings at the National League of Cities (NLC) conference, including the Youth, Education and Families Committee, and was proud to announce at the committee meeting that the City had 11 Tukwila students present at the conference. A committee member commented on how great the Tukwila students were at an earlier youth planning meeting, saying they were intuitive and out- spoken. Ms. Seal noted that the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project will be conducting a workshop on March 29 regarding documentation rights for children under 16. Council President Duffie referenced a recent request sent out to Council by Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst, which requires a response as soon as possible. He stated they are working to schedule a presentation for Council from the Tukwila teen group that traveled to the NLC conference. He noted that teens who live in Tukwila who attend any school are eligible to participate in the Teens for Tukwila program. Mr. Duffie expressed appreciation to the City's Street Department for their work during last week's inclement weather. Councilmember Hougardy attended the National League of Cities conference. She stated the Tukwila teens were proactive and exhibited leadership qualities at all events, including meetings with Washington State senators. Several Councilmembers visited the Department of Transportation (DOT) office, where the Deputy of Infrastructure discussed the TIGER and FASTLANE grants. He explained that although the FASTLANE program needs to be for work on a state highway, since Tukwila is within a half mile of 1-405 the City would qualify. Councilmember Quinn attended the National League of Cities conference, including the DOT meeting, which provided an opportunity to articulate issues around the TIGER and FASTLANE grants. He also attended meetings on Building Creative Communities and on Transportation for Five Years. He hosted a recent Council Chat where there was discussion on issues in Allentown, and visited the Namaste Garden at St. Thomas Church. He noted the garden has expanded considerably in size and is very well used by many members of the community. Councilmember Kruller attended the National League of Cities conference, where she is a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee. The committee is working to coordinate activities with officials of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) at future conferences. She also heard a speaker on the City of the Future Project, a study on technology, economy, climate, culture and demographics and where we're headed in 2030. She participated in a meeting of the Association of Washington Cities' federal committee to determine issues they would be advocating for, including closing on -line sales tax loopholes, protecting municipal bonds, maintaining community development funding, investing in infrastructure and ensuring safe communities. She also participated in a Sound Cities Association meeting to discuss homelessness, including community awareness and ownership, challenges and funding mechanisms. Councilmember McLeod stated that he has completed training classes on Open Public Meetings laws and the Public Records Act, as required by state law. c. Staff David Cline, City Administrator, referenced the City Administrator Report in the packet and offered to answer any questions. Councilmember Hougardy congratulated City Clerk Christy O'Flaherty on being elected as President - Elect of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA). Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 6 of 8 d. City Attorney There was no report. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Kruller reported that recent minutes of a meeting of the Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District indicate that one of the elected commissioners is no longer serving. A new board member will be appointed if any citizens are interested. EXECUTIVE SESSION — Pending litigation — Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) (30 minutes) Mayor Ekberg announced the Council will go into Executive Session. It will last no more than 30 minutes, and no decisions will be made during the Executive Session. The Council may choose to take action after the Executive Session. He stated that the public will be re- admitted to the Council Chambers and the meeting will be called to order and any action taken will be during the open meeting. The audience members left the Council Chambers. Start: 9:03 p.m. Attendees: Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Ann Marie Soto, Assistant City Attorney; Jack Pace, Department of Community Development Director; and Laura Benjamin, Assistant Planner. 9:33 p.m. City Administrator David Cline made an announcement to those waiting in the lobby that the Executive Session was being extended for 10 more minutes. End: 9:40 p.m. 9:41 p.m. Mayor Ekberg reconvened the Regular Meeting. NEW BUSINESS MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY KRULLER TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD THE DOAK HOMES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS A NEW BUSINESS ITEM.* Councilmember Robertson spoke against the motion. He stated the Council has not seen the proposed contract prior to this meeting, and the public has not had an opportunity to provide input. Councilmember Hougardy noted the contract is in response to a request for an extension on the period of time to complete this project. Councilmember Robertson requested a vote on whether or not to place this item on the agenda. *MOTION CARRIED 6 -1 TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD THE DOAK HOMES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, WITH ROBERTSON VOTING NO. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY McLEOD TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DOAK HOMES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT #08- 056. ** Councilmember Robertson spoke against the motion. He explained the net effect of the motion is to allow 6 lot sizes approximately half the size of what is normally allowed, which is 6,500 square feet. Buildable lots could potentially be as small as 2,500 square feet. He stated the City has previously extended the Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 7 of 8 developer's deadline twice, under threat of lawsuit, and he is opposed to extending it again without input from the neighborhood. In response to Councilmember questions, Ann Marie Soto, Assistant City Attorney, explained that Doak Homes told the City last fall and again in January that they had a potential buyer. Because they were trying to facilitate the sale, Doak stated they would need more time to complete construction. A formal extension request was submitted with the hope they would sell some of the lots. While a concept for small lot usage had been agreed upon, the developer's plans for specific lots had not been submitted at the time the original settlement agreement was signed; those plans are submitted at the time of building permit application. Two of the homes in the current 10 -home lot have been sold. Councilmember Quinn asked Ms. Soto for clarification for the record about the new extension agreement before the Council. Ms. Soto explained this is a third amendment to the agreement. The City entered into a settlement agreement with Doak Homes in 2008. The agreement provided that the developer could build homes on lots smaller than required in the applicable zone. As part of that, they were required to build to higher development standards (appearance, landscaping, etc.). As the agreement was set to expire and homes had not yet been completed, the developer asked for an extension due to the economic downturn at that time. They received a second extension and are now asking for a third. To date 7 of 14 homes have been completed. They have been issued a building permit for one more lot, so the extension is for the remaining 6 lots. The City is proposing to allow an additional 36 months to complete development under the terms of the agreement. If the development is not complete by that time, the developer must build per the current regulations in place at the time of expiration of the agreement. A provision was added to require sequential building in an effort to avoid orphan lots. The remaining lots are lots 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and10 that do not have homes and have not had a building permit issued. The developer would be required to build those remaining lots in that order. There is also a component that amends the transferability section. Under the current agreement, Doak is required to give the City 60 days' written notice prior to assigning the agreement to another party, and the City cannot unreasonably withhold approval. The new provision would allow the parties to agree to shorten the time for that notice to help facilitate a sale; the agreed upon time must be to the satisfaction of both parties. Councilmember Robertson asked if there was any provision in the agreement that would prevent a further extension. Ms. Soto responded in the negative Councilmember Robertson reviewed the project history, stating the developer's first request to the City to build on smaller lots was turned down, and subsequently also turned down by the Hearing Examiner. The developer filed a lawsuit, and the City settled, giving them the right to build on the smaller lot sizes. While he understands that some Councilmembers feel this is a good pilot project for allowing smaller, lower -cost housing, he does not feel the citizens in that neighborhood have had a chance to weigh in. Mr. Robertson requested a roll call vote by name. Mayor Ekberg asked for public comment. Dennis Martinez, 4660 S.160th, had four questions about the development: 1. He asked what code year the building permits would be tied to. 2. The current square foot pricing for housing in Tukwila is $1.78 to $1.85 per square foot for new construction. He asked what rate would be considered "affordable housing" (e.g. $1.35 to $1.50 per square foot ?). 3. He asked for confirmation on the lot sizes. 4. He asked about the size of the structures. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 2016 Page 8 of 8 Mayor Ekberg asked Jack Pace, Department of Community Development Director, to respond. 1. The applicable codes are based on the time the building permit application is submitted. A new building code is scheduled to be adopted in July 2016. 2. House sizes average 1,500 square feet. The lots vary in size from 4,300 square feet (largest) to 2,500 square feet (smallest). Each lot has a specific house designed for that lot. 3. Prices for houses that have sold include: $249,000 in 2013; $332,000 in 2014, and $334,000 in 2016. 4. "Affordable" typically means housing affordable to those whose income is 80% of the median household income, and can drop to 60% and 30 %. A lot of the houses being built in Tukwila are over 3,000 square feet and selling for $500,000, so the smaller houses give the City a different mix in that way; however, they are still not "affordable" to people making 30% of the median income. The Mayor called for a roll call vote on the motion to approve the third amendment to the settlement agreement between the City of Tukwila and Doak Homes. ROBERTSON ....... NO SEAL ..................... YES DUFFIE ................. YES HOUGARDY ......... YES QUINN ..................YES KRULLER ............. YES McLEOD ............... YES "MOTION CARRIED 6 -1 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DOAK HOMES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT #08-056, WITH ROBERTSON VOTING NO. ADJOURNMENT 10:03 p.m. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY McLEOD TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. 'k, �� CCU �` •�� Barbara Saxton, Admini trative Support Coordinator APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 4/18/16 AVAILABLE ON CITY WEBSITE: 4/19/16