HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-27 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers June 27, 2016 — 7:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Duffie called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and led the
audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OFFICIALS
Present were Joe Duffie, Council President; Councilmembers Dennis Robertson, Kathy Hougardy,
De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod.
Councilmember Seal was not present.
CITY OFFICIALS
Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Chris Flores, Interim Fire Chief; Rick Mitchell, Acting
Deputy Police Chief; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Dallas Murrey, Parks and Recreation
Intern; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk.
AGENDA AMENDMENT
Councilmember Kruller asked if there was Council support to amend the agenda to add a new Special
Issues Item 3c to be titled Enhanced Fire Works Enforcement.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO AMEND THE AGENDA AS REQUESTED ABOVE.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no citizen comments.
SPECIAL ISSUES
a. Fire Department pipeline employees.
Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee
meeting on June 21, 2016. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval.
The utilization of the pipeline positions in the department has been advantageous. At the end of April
2016, the Fire Department utilized a pipeline position that cost the City $32,000. However, utilizing the
pipeline position saved the City $118,000 in overtime. Overall the Fire Department is under budget.
Through June 15, 2016, the use of the pipeline positions has aided the department in filling 55 24 -hour
overtime positions (related to minimum staffing). Without having the current pipeline positions in place,
the department would have been required to fill 132 24 -hour overtime positions (related to minimum
staffing) during that period. The additional staffing created by the utilization of the pipeline positions has
increased in- service time for an aid unit, thereby increasing the level of service.
A recent retirement has reduced pipeline positions from three to two, and two additional staff members
have announced their intent to retire. Approximately 30% of the uniformed staff is eligible to retire at this
time. When a Fire Department employee retires and a replacement is not in place to fill the vacancy, the
department incurs between 50 and 70 24 -hour shifts of overtime related to maintaining minimum staffing
and service levels.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
June 27, 2016 Page 2 of 6
Staff is seeking the authority to increase the Fire Department pipeline positions from three to five which
will greatly enhance the capability of the department to keep up with current and pending retirements and
separations, while continuing to provide a staffing and succession practice that is more efficient and cost
effective than through the utilization of excessive overtime expenditures for the purpose of maintaining
minimum staffing requirements. Hiring would not take place until mid -to late August of 2016. For 2016
the addition of two pipeline positions would impact the department's General Fund budget by
approximately $60,000 including salaries and benefits.
David Cline, City Administrator, stated that City Administration has been monitoring the Fire Department
budget, and the pipeline positions have increased the City's service to the community. He explained that
staff is seeking Council approval at this time due to the schedule of the Fire Academy.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
b. An update on Parks and Recreation summer activities and events.
Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director, explained staff will update the Council on the upcoming Parks
and Recreation summer activities and events. Mr. Still introduced Dallas Murrey, Parks and Recreation
Summer Intern, who is working with the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Murrey utilized a
PowerPoint presentation, with highlights as follows:
Recreation, Community Services and Events:
• Athletic and Fitness Programs
• Community Events and Volunteer Programs /Services
• Cultural Enrichment and Social Programs
• Free /Low -cost Programs and Services
• Youth and Teen Programs
Athletics and Fitness Programs:
Good: Martial Arts Classes
Healthy: Silver Sneakers Fitness program, Personal Training, and Aerobics Classes
Fun: Adult and Senior Volleyball League
Community Events and Volunteer Programs /Services:
Good: Peanut Butter and JAM Family Concerts, Outdoor Movies, Kid's Festival, etc.
Healthy: Touch -a -Truck Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair that provides families with
emergency preparedness tips.
Fun: Family 41h at Fort Dent — Safe, family friendly fun and a variety of volunteer opportunities
Cultural Enrichment and Social Programs
Good: Women's Only Fitness (a Washington Recreation and Park Association (WRPA) Spotlight Award
winning program)
Healthy: Partnership for Improving Community Health Grant (PICH)
Fun: Senior Hiking Program
Free /Low Cost Programs and Services
Good: Spirit of Giving and school supplies drive
Healthy: Summer Sack Lunch Program
Fun: Summer Playground Program
Youth Programs
Good: Camp Tukwilly with maximum participation during the full 10 weeks
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June 27, 2016 Page 3 of 6
Healthy: Monday Cooking Classes that teach healthy alternative ways to cook
Fun: Recreation time, preschool camp and sports camps
Teen Programs:
Good: Teen Venture Camp, Leaders in Training (LIT), and Teens for Tukwila
Healthy: Teen Open Gym on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and the new Teen Summer Soccer on
Wednesdays at Tukwila Community Center
Fun: Summer Teen Kick -Off Festival at Foster High School over 600 kids attended the event
PARKS TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE
Parks Trails and Maintenance
Good: See You in the Park Events
Healthy: 9 new fitness equipment stations will be installed along trails and parks, and organic fertilizer
will be used to maintain parks
Fun: Spray Park at the Tukwila Community Center; play equipment at many of the City's parks, and ball
fields (soccer and baseball)
Stewardship
Good: Healthy Earth, Healthy You 5k Run and Walk event and the restoration project
Healthy: Green Tukwila
Fun: Duwamish Alive! event that drew over 200 volunteers!
Foster Golf
Good: Beautiful course that attracts great participation
Healthy: 18 Holes of Golf and the new "Foot -Golf'
Fun: Junior Golf Programs
Foster Golf - Maintenance
Good: 77 acres of well - managed green space
Healthy: Aerating and topdressing increases drainage and playability
Fun: Mowing greens and cutting cups
Facility Rentals
Good: $173,691 revenue received from facility rentals (45% of annual revenue earned in a quarter of the
year)
Healthy: The Seattle Theatre Group chose the Tukwila Community Center as the location for the
nationally acclaimed "Ailey Camp" where 65 campers are enrolled in various dance classes. Ailey Camp
is a six -week camp for youth ages 11 -14 that uses dance to enhance and positively alter the lives of
underserved youth. (http: / /www.stgpresents.org /education /aileycamp) Ailey Camp combines disciplined
dance training, creative writing instruction, and personal development and communication workshops to
support youth in developing respect for themselves and others in ways that are meaningful and positively
impact their lives.
Fun: The Tukwila Community Center has been used for a variety of events:
• 15 Weddings
• 10 Birthday parties
• 7 Graduation celebrations
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
June 27, 2016
• 4 Baby Showers
• 2 Memorials
Page 4 of 6
Planning and Development
Good: Recreation Management Software (RMS): New software coming soon that includes online
registration and point of sale.
Healthy: Lake to Sound (L2S) trail system, which will connect the trail system beginning in Des Moines
and ending at Lake Washington
Fun: Duwamish Hill Preserve: 4Culture partnership and funding for park projects
Healthy Tukwila Pillars and Focus Areas:
Fit City
Physical Health
Emotional /Mental Health
Healthy Sleep
Spiritual Health
Diet and Exercise
Recreational
Programming
Leisure Activities
Mindfulness
Tobacco Use
Alcohol & Drug Use
Family and Social Support
Vibrant City
Vibrant Business District
Affordable Housing
Accessible Transit
Zoning
Access /Connectivity
Employment
Opportunities
Business Engagement
Partnerships
Green City
Parks, Trails and
Open Space
Green Tukwila
Partnership
Tree City USA
Built environment
Healthy River
Green the Green
Air and Water Quality
Restoration Sites
Connected City
Social Equity
Community Engagement
Community Connections
Volunteerism
Neighborhood Safety
Food Systems
Human Services
Library Services
Healthy Schools
Healthcare Access
Educational Opportunities
Civic Pride
"See You in the Park"
The Councilmembers thanked staff for the update on the Parks and Recreation summer activities.
c. Enhanced Fireworks Enforcement. (Per agenda amendment on page 1).
Councilmember Kruller stated the Finance and Safety Committee was briefed at the June 21, 2016
meeting on an enhanced enforcement operation to deal with illegal fireworks on and near the Fourth of
July. Fireworks are prohibited per the Tukwila Municipal Code, and state law allows police officers to
confiscate fireworks that are illegally discharged or possessed.
This year there will be a unit consisting of a police officer and a firefighter with the sole purpose of
responding to fireworks complaints and calls as they come in. This team will be on duty July 1s' through
41h from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Patrol officer crews and shifts will be at full strength on July 4 and extra
fire department staff will be on duty that night as well.
The Police Department has three methods of enforcement in their authority including verbal warnings,
seizure of fireworks (if they observe someone discharging them), and issuing infractions.
Any fireworks that look unsafe or homemade will likely be handled by an area department's bomb squad.
The Fire Department will have personnel and equipment available for safe disposal of confiscated
fireworks.
The City has been promoting education about the fireworks ban with yard signs, social and local media,
and web notices. The City would like to see people respect the ban and instead attend the FREE Family
Fourth at the Fort event. The celebration begins at 4:00 p.m. and the excellent fireworks show starts at
10:00 p.m.
Ms. Kruller referenced legal information relating to fireworks:
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
June 27, 2016
Page 5 of 6
Legal fireworks (those classified as "safe and sane" and sold through state licensed vendors) can
be possessed in the City of Tukwila, but cannot be discharged. If they are being discharged, they
can be seized.
Illegal fireworks (those typically sold on Native American tribal reservations, which can be classified
as firecrackers, missile -type rockets, salutes or chasers) are prohibited at all times for both
possession and discharge.
Rick Mitchell, Acting Deputy Police Chief, concurred with the comments made by Councilmember Kruller.
Councilmember Kruller inquired about the infraction process that will be used by the response team.
Acting Deputy Chief Mitchell stated the Police team members must witness /observe the discharge of
fireworks in order for them to issue an infraction. In the past the Police have issued warnings and
confiscated the fireworks.
Council President Duffie reminded the viewing audience that fireworks are banned within the City of
Tukwila, and he urged community members to attend the City's Family Fourth at the Fort event.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor Ekberg attended the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Conference June 21 -24,
2016 in Everett. On June 26, 2016 he attended the Public Safety Facilities Plan meeting.
b. City Council
Councilmember Kruller recently worked with the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee
(TIBAC) group clearing weeds at an island area near the motel demolition sites. She participated in the
recent field day for the Tukwila Emergency Tech (Ham Radio) Team at Duwamish Park. She reminded
the Council of the upcoming retirement event for Tukwila Reporter Editor Dean Radford.
Councilmember McLeod introduced his son, who was in attendance this evening. He attended the
Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Conference June 21 -24, 2016 in Everett.
Council President Duffie attended the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Conference June
21 -24, 2016 in Everett.
Mr. Duffie asked the Council if there was support to have a resolution supporting the Sound Transit ST3
plan placed on the July 5, 2016 agenda.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
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
There was no report.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
June 27, 2016
ADJOURNMENT
Page 6 of 6
7:53 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DUFFIE DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
ADJOURNED.
*e —ffff i e, uncil PresidRiU
Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 7/5/16
AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 7/6/16