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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesFebruary 13, 1995 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Introduction of new employees Progress report on City gateways TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Council President Joyce Craft called the Committee of The Whole meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. JOE DUFFIE; JOAN HERNANDEZ; JOYCE CRAFT, Council President; DENNIS ROBERTSON; ALLAN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LINDA COHEN, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST, Public Works Director; RON CAMERON, City Engineer; DOUG MICHEAU; Public Works Coordinator; DON WILLIAMS, Parks Recreation Director; STEVE LANCASTER, DCD Director; GARY SCHULZ, Urban Environmentalist; TOM KEEFE, Fire Chief. Ross Earnst, Public Works Director, arrived late to the meeting. Therefore, City Administrator McFarland introduced Ed Rudloff as the new Project Engineer for the Public Works Department. Joanna Spencer was also introduced as the new Associate Engineer, however, she was unable to be present. The Council gave them both a very warm welcome. Sarajane Rants presented a progress report on the Gateways Citizens Committee's project. She stated that the first gateway had been completed at the Ryan Way/Boeing Access Road, west -bound site. The exceptional carving was accomplished by Artist Mara King, and clearly depicts images of wildlife while announcing the identity of the City. The two other monuments are to be located at I -5, south -bound exit to Interurban; and, I -5, south -bound exit to 154th (where the Ultra Boutique Shop is located) and have already been carved and are ready to be fired. These should be completed and fully landscaped later this spring. Mrs. Rants stated that additionally, the Committee has selected four more locations for 1995 and is focusing on strong possibilities for 1996. The locations for 1995 are as follows: 180th and West Valley Highway on the northwest corner; the off -ramp from 518 to I -405, Klickitat where the west end of the boardwalk begins; 144th and Military 6: 7 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 13, 1995 Page 2 Progress report on City gateways (Cont'd) CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Amend Agenda Tukwila Pond discussion Road to face west; and 176th street just passed the I -5 overpass; and for 1996 they are: I -5, north -bound exit to Southcenter; I -405 Interurban ramp; Military Road 164th where Ulysses Restaurant is located; and the Codiga Farm at the 129th Street bridge. She said the Committee is working hard at achieving uniformity (geographically) throughout the City. Curtis Kanoff, works in the Christensen Park area here in Tukwila, commented that he had written a letter to the City Administrator regarding how dangerous the City is because there are no sidewalks nor crosswalks in certain areas. He suggested a temporary solution would be to paint in crosswalks in a couple of key places as soon as possible. Councilmember Ekberg responded that this issue had been before the Council for quite sometime, and an update had recently been brought before the Transportation Committee. The Committee discussed federally funded grants to support the Central Business District (CBD) Sidewalk Plan. Ekberg informed Mr. Kanoff that Public Works staff was present tonight and would be happy to give him a brief status report on the City's sidewalk plans, design and map locations. It was the consensus of the Council to amend the agenda to add three (3) additional items to be discussed following "5d" under Special Issues: 1. Residential Revitalization Program and meeting schedules for citizens input 2. Community Center Design 3. Grant proposals Councilmember Duffie invited the Tukwila Park Pond Committee members who were present to join the Council around the dais so that they can participate fully in the discussion: May Harris, Dave Thomas, Jewell Morris and Iris Tocher were among those present. Don Williams explained that a finalized schematic design should be discussed and agreed upon by the Council, Mayor and the Park Pond Committee members in order to proceed with final construction plans. The Council entered a lengthy discussion focusing on the schematic design of the western side park area. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 13, 1995 Page 3 Tukwila pond discussion (Cont' d) Recess 8:50 9:05 Employee position reclassification RTA position paper resolution opposing the Regional Transit Plan The Council offered many suggestions on grass seating areas; fountain /reflection pond; seating areas (benches, walls, etc.); art display areas; rest rooms; hard surface areas; entrance routes; pond viewing platforms; bioswales; wetland educational exhibits; picnic tables areas; wetland demonstration areas; amphitheater area; and concessionaire /vending ground areas. After a very lengthy discussion, the Council requested that Don Williams prepare a draft of the plans to include tonight's comments for discussion again in three weeks at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. The Council also requested that Gary Schulz as well as a Parks and Recreation staff representative be present whenever the pond is discussed at a Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Council President Craft called the meeting back to order with those present as noted above. Viki Witschgher, Administrative Services Director, explained the five reclassification recommendations. Two are as a result of restructuring efforts within Public Works Division I and II, and one is in response to establishment of the new teen oriented recreation program. The remaining two represent job enlargement of existing positions. The changes in these positions will enhance the effectiveness of the departments without substantial increases to the budget. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to forward the employee position reclassifications and salary levels to the next Regular Council for approval. The Council discussed the resolution opposing the current Proposed Regional Transit Plan because the routing does not serve Tukwila's CBD or east -west travel. After a brief discussion, the Council requested that a draft of the resolution with the inclusion of tonight's amendments be prepared and ready for Council review by tomorrow night, then forward to the next Regular Council for approval. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 13, 1995 Page 4 Discussion of work plan for completion of Comp Plan update Residential Revitalization Program Community Center design Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, reviewed the work plan for completion of the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. The overall project timeline and a detailed project schedule were included in the agenda packet. Councilmember Robertson commented that this issue had been discussed at the recent Council Retreat. It is now time to schedule a three -hour work session with Council and appropriate staff members in February or early March to exchange ideas and offer more input on this issue. It was the consensus of the Council to leave the scheduling of the time and place in the hands of Lucy Lauterbach. Councilmember Ekberg commented that the potential for design of 42nd Avenue South /South 124th Street for street and utility improvements had been revisited by his committee. The Committee suggested three conceptual alternatives: #1) A full length design report from 42nd Avenue South (at the bridge) around the corner, down South 124th to 50th Avenue South -cost: $60,000; #2) Design report prepared for just the Community Center frontage -both sides of the street -cost: $40,000; #3) Design Report just for the side the Center will be located -cost: $36,000. The Committee agreed to bring the issue before the whole Council. After a very lengthy discussion the Council voted as follows: After a lengthy discussion, the Council agreed that the project's basic schedule of dates were acceptable. However, Robertson inquired if staff had hired consultants to review strategies for the Hwy 99 project. If and when this is done he would like the staff to provide the Council with a consultant work report. Robertson also expressed concern that the noise element had not been mentioned as part of the Comp Plan, EIS or Developmental Regulations. Mullet interjected that even if it's at the discussion level, talks should begin in the Planning Commission regarding the noise issue because Planning Commission review is a requirement for inclusion in the Comp Plan. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 13, 1995 Page 5 Community Center design (Cont' d) Grant proposals Residential Revitalization Program meeting schedules REPORTS DUFFIE #1 HERNANDEZ #1 EKBERG #2 MULLET #3 CRAFT #1 ROBERTSON #2 It was the consensus of the Council to approve Alternative #1 -A full length design report from 42nd Avenue South (at the bridge) around the corner, down South 124th to 50th Avenue South -cost: $60,000. Councilmember Ekberg commented that this issue had been discussed at the January 23 Committee of The Whole meeting, and again at the recent Council Retreat. After a lengthy discussion, submittal for grant funding for Interurban Avenue was denied by the Council. Mullet requested that time be set aside at both Committee of The Whole and the Regular Meeting for discussion and citizens input on whatever is relevant as it pertains to neighborhood revitalization. It was the consensus of the Council that time be set aside appropriately after a joint meeting has been held to refine definition and structure of the overall program. The Mayor introduced his Fourth Quarter Reports and year end summaries. McFarland made one correction in the year end summary for the City Clerk's office. He said under the Business License Section, Page 3, the statistics are quarterly, not annually. Councilmember Duffie expressed concern about a group of youngsters who play basketball at the end of the street near Council President Craft's home. They play basketball all through the night. Duffie suggested the City look into the possibility of providing an adequate alternative for these youths to play basketball. McFarland responded that he will look into this matter and get back to the Council as soon as possible. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes February 13, 1995 Page 6 Reports (Cont'd) ADJOURNMENT, 11:00 p.m. Councilmember Hernandez reported that she had attended the recent Suburban Cities meeting; and the DARE Graduation Program. McFarland gave a brief status report on the King County Housing Authority's teen drop -in center. He said a more detailed report will come before the Council at a later date. Council President Craft reported she had attended the Airport Community Coalition (ACC) meeting last week. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. J ft, Council Presi nt Celia Square, Daputy City Clerk