Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-10 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers October 10, 2016 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Duffie called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Councilmember Seal led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Joe Duffle, Council President; Councilmembers Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod. CITY OFFICIALS David Cline, City Administrator; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff, Deputy Community Development Director; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Chris Flores Assistant Fire Chief; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager; Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director; Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst; Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge; Trish Kinlow, Court Administrator; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Dana Almberg Dideon, Administrative Support Technician. CHANGE TO AGENDA Councilmember Seal requested that agenda item 3.e. (5), 2017 -2018 Budget Review Police Department be taken off the agenda to go back to a Finance and Safety Committee meeting for further review. CITIZEN COMMENTS Robert Neuffer, 13813 37th Ave S. Tukwila, referenced a video of a prominent, potential elected official, that was released in the news media, in which inappropriate dialogue was exchanged. He feels this was very inappropriate behavior and feels everyone should look at each other with basic human respect. Mr. Neuffer suggested the City hold a Town Hall meeting where people can talk about recent incidents in the City without the restricting rules of a Council meeting. He feels five minutes is not an appropriate amount of time for people to be able to speak freely. He feels right now that the Police care more about their own safety than that of citizens. He feels the first thought should be to protect citizens. Councilmember Quinn appreciates residents for coming forward and taking the time to express concerns. Everyone may not always agree, and it is important to speak about issues of concern. Councilmember Robertson concurred with Councilmember Quinn. He does not feel there is much question about how the seven Councilmembers feel on this. It can be difficult being an elected official when you see this kind of behavior. He thanked Mr. Neuffer for coming forward. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A resolution adopting a construction and land use fee schedule. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on September 26, 2016. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director, provided an overview on this topic. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 2 of 9 The City's costs for processing credit card payments for permit applications have been increasing steadily to a projected $25,000 in 2016. This is expected to sharply increase over the next few years as the City begins to accept online permit applications. She also noted that a reduced fee is being proposed for temporary sign permits. The department has heard that the current fee is a barrier to small businesses in complying with the sign code. Staff has examined the processing of these permits, and a reduction is justified and, hopefully will increase compliance rates. The proposed permit fee increases will keep pace with the City's costs to provide these necessary services. The Finance Department and Technology Services have reviewed the issue of passing through credit card fees as a 3% surcharge to applicants. The proposal is to delay implementing that charge until 2018, after the initial year of having applications submitted on -line. The Council asked clarifying questions of Ms. Gierloff. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. A resolution adopting a rental housing licensing fee schedule. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on September 26, 2016. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Ms. Gierloff provided a summary of this topic. Staff is suggesting additional categories in the rental business license fee table. Currently properties with 14 units pay $60 and properties with 5 or more units pay $175. The staff costs for license review increase with the number of units in a property because every unit has a separate inspection report that must be reviewed and logged. There are 42 complexes in the City with more than 20 units. She also explained that currently there is no late fee charged when an owner does not renew a license, and there is no penalty when a unit is rented prior to licensing and inspection. This is a concern because there could be life safety issues that should be addressed prior to a tenant moving in to a unit. Staff is recommending incentivizing prompt renewals and proactive licensing with new fees. The Council discussed whether the proposed amount for late fees was sufficient. The Council agreed they would like to review data and how the late fees have affected the process at a later date in 2017. Ms. Gierloff asked that this item be moved to the Consent Agenda at the October 17, 2016 Regular meeting. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. An Interlocal Agreement with the South King County Fire Training Consortium. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Fire Chief Wittwer and Assistant Chief Chris Flores gave an overview of the South King County Fire Training Consortium. The department has been an active participant in the South King County Fire Training Consortium for the past 3 years. The department has benefited from the quality and consistency of training associated with this relationship. The department is responsible for providing 1.5 full time employees to the Consortium. In addition to the provision of the full time employees, the department is responsible for an agency cost/contribution that is based upon a formula that takes into account the value of the full time employee contribution, annual cost of training per member, and peripheral costs for records management software and support. In 2016 the total contribution for the department was $17,140.00. Tukwila's contribution Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 3 of 9 was not adjusted upward per the formula that year due to ongoing negotiations related to the potential for the department to join the Kent Regional Fire Authority. In 2017 the department will be invoiced at full responsibility which will be $52,108.00. The increase will be absorbed within the budget through the redistribution of existing funds. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. Lodging tax: Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. (1) Lodging tax approval process. Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager, provided an overview of this topic. The City charges a 1% special excise tax on the sale of or charge made for overnight lodging stays. The use of these funds is limited to tourism promotion. As required by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 67.28.1815, the City deposits lodging tax funds into a special fund and use the funds, "...solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourism, promotion, acquisition of tourism related facilities, or operation of tourism - related facilities. These funds are used to support a variety of tourism promotion activities by the City and third parties, such as the Museum of Flight and Starfire Sports. RCW 67.28.1816 limits the entities eligible to apply for direct lodging tax funding to the following: 1. Cities, towns, and counties of Washington State; 2. Convention and Visitors Bureaus; 3. Public Facilities Districts; and 4. Non - Profits organized as either a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6). Approving lodging tax expenditures is a two -step process involving both the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) and the City Council. State Law provides considerable authority to the City's LTAC in reviewing requests to use lodging tax funds, and a list of candidates is then forwarded to the City Council. As part of the application process, a requestor must estimate how the lodging tax funds will result in an increase in the number of people traveling for business or pleasure. A process has been outlined in the agenda packet for approving lodging tax funding requests beginning in 2017 that is consistent with the State Attorney General's Office Informal Opinion as follows: 1. Applications to use lodging tax funds are made directly to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), via its designated staff member in the Mayor's Office. The City accepts applications on a rolling basis in order to respond to proposed activities and events, which might arise during the year. 2. The LTAC reviews the applications for use of lodging tax funds at an open public meeting or at several opening meetings, if the LTAC wants additional time to consider an application. If LTAC recommends to the City Council that the application be approved, it must recommend a specific dollar amount. Should LTAC recommend an application not be approved it will cease moving forward. 3. The application and LTAC's approval recommendation is then forwarded to Finance and Safety for its review. 4. Finance and Safety reviews and then forwards its recommendation to the full City Council. 5. The full Council reviews and then takes final action on the funding request. If the Council concurs with LTAC's recommended amount, no further Council action on the application is required. 6. If the Council desires to modify the amount to be provided to a specific requestor, the City Council must provide 45 -days' notice to the LTAC before taking final action. During this 45- Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 4 of 9 day period, the LTAC will meet and consider the City Council's modification and either provide a comment letter to the City Council or choose not to comment. After the 45-day period has concluded, the City Council could take final action, after considering the LTAC's comment letter. 7. The City enters into a service or sponsorship agreement with the requestor. If the amount of the agreement is over $40,000 it would require review by the City Council, following the City Council's adopted process for review of agreements. The Council is being asked to forward the process to the next Regular Meeting for approval. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. (2) Permitted uses of lodging tax funds. Mr. Miles gave an overview on the permitted uses for Lodging Tax Funds based upon the limitations discussed in agenda item 3.d.1. A simple question that can be asked to help determine if lodging tax funds can be used is: "Is the activity, operation or expenditure designed to increase tourism or welcome tourists to the City ?" If the answer is yes, then use of lodging tax funds may be possible after further analysis of the specific funding request. "Tourism" could include people who travel and stay overnight in the City (overnight visitors) or those who travel to Tukwila for the day (day visitors). Economic activity from Tukwila residents would not be considered tourism. Following is a list of examples of activities, operations and expenditures that would likely be eligible for lodging tax funding. • Marketing and advertising intended to bring overnight visitors to the City. • Marketing and advertising intended to bring day visitors to the City. • Installation of new "way finding" signs for tourists and installation of City identification signs. • Sponsoring, operating, and marketing of special events or festivals, either by the City or third parties, if designed to bring tourists to the City. • Installation of banners on street poles or across City streets if either welcoming tourists to the City or promoting upcoming events. • Capital improvements, such as park improvements or trail improvements, designed to be used primarily by tourists. • Maintenance of parks primarily used by tourists, such as Fort Dent Park or the Green River trail. • Supporting marketing and operations of government entities (City of Tukwila and the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, SSRTA) or non - profit organizations, when activities performed are designed to attract tourists to the City or welcome tourists to the City. The following is a list of examples of activities, operations and expenditures that would likely NOT be eligible for lodging tax funding. • Funding basic general governmental operations of the City. • Marketing and advertising directed at residents. • Way finding signs in residential areas intended for residents. • Sponsoring of special events or festivals intended for residents. • Capital improvements, such as park improvements, intended for residents primarily by residents). • Maintenance of parks primarily used by residents, such as Hazelnut Park. Capital expenditures for tourism - related facilities owned or operated by (such as at parks used a non - profit organization. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 5 of 9 The Council expressed appreciation to Mr. Miles for providing information on the permissible uses of lodging tax funds. e. 2017 -2018 Budget Review: Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. (1) Lodging Tax Fund. Mr. Miles stated the City charges a 1°/0 special excise tax on certain overnight stays in area lodging businesses, and the use of these funds is limited to tourism promotion. The lodging fund is currently going through a significant amount of transition. At the end of 2015, most of the day -to -day activities of Seattle Southside Visitor Services (SSVS) transitioned to the new Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (SSRTA), a public development authority formed by the City of SeaTac. The proposed lodging tax budget for 2017 -2018 is divided into three specific categories (pages 68 -70 of the agenda packet): 1. Basic Operations 2. Tukwila Day Marketing 3. Applications from Third Parties COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. (2) Department of Community Development. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on September 26, 2016. Jack Pace, Community Development director and Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director gave an overview of the Department of Community Development budget. The Department of Community Development is organized into three divisions: Building, Permit Coordination, and Planning and Community Services. Administration oversees the functions of Building, Planning and Permit Coordination and provides reception and clerical support to the department. The Director is the SEPA responsible official for environmental review, Chairman of the Development Review Committee and Short Subdivision Committee, and coordinator of regional planning issues. The proposed budget for the Community Development department has increased 4.14% for 2017 and decreased by 0.60% for 2018. The summarized proposed changes were as follows: Changes from 2015 -2016 Budget • COLA increases were applied to salaries, and benefits were adjusted to account for changes in healthcare and retirement. • Budget from services line items were reallocated to fund the increase in FTE count. • Supplies were adjusted based on grant funding. • Services were adjusted based on grant funding. The Council asked clarifying questions regarding the overview. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 6 of 9 8:43 p.m. Councilmember Quinn exited the Council Chambers. 8:45 p.m. Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers. (3) Municipal Court. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on September 26, 2016. Judge Kimberly Walden explained the proposed budget for the Court has increased 12.39% for 2017 and decreased by 0.92% for 2018. The following summarizes the proposed changes to the Court budget. Changes from 2015 -2016 Budget • COLA increases were applied to salaries, and benefits were adjusted to account for changes in healthcare and retirement. • The proposed budget adds a .75 FTE to the Municipal Court budget to address staffing deficiencies created from an increase in hearings, more stringent DUI supervision requirements and increases in domestic violence jurisdiction. At the same time, as a part of the City's effort to reduce speeding in residential neighborhoods, the additional traffic patrols are resulting in a higher number of tickets being written. It is expected that much of the revenue associated with these tickets will offset the additional funds needed to provide the needed staffing to the Tukwila Municipal Court, which, according to comparable filings, is understaffed. • Supplies were decreased to remove the one -time cost associated with a new e- filing system implemented in 2016. • The line item for interpreters was reduced $13,000 to reflect actual usage. Court security line was increased due to contractual obligations. $13,600 was added to Communications specific to 2017. This is a one -time cost to pay for a phone system upgrade. • Capital of $25,000 for each year was added for OCourt upgrades. This increase is specific to the 2017 -2018 biennium and will be removed in 2019. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. (4) Public Works (000.13) and Equipment Rental (Fleet 501 Fund). Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on October 3, 2016. Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, stated the proposed budget for the Public Works department has been decreased by 0.97% in 2017, with an increase of 1.64% in 2018. Public Works — 000.13 General Fund: • Administration: Transfer funding of Deputy Public Works Director to Technology Services, $20K for franchise. • Engineering: Transfer of GIS Coordinator to Technology Services, and Traffic Ops Coordinator moved from Streets. • Facility Maintenance: Insurance transferred to Public Works, an increase of $15K in utilities, and an increase of $50K for facility repairs for ongoing aging building maintenance issues. Capital includes a scrubber floor machine for $7,500. • Streets: Consistently under budget, found efficiencies and savings with LED street lights and numerous other accounts to request a half -time Maintenance Worker to assist with a back log of work. Surface Water fees show proposed 5% and 3% increases. Capital includes a raised pavement marker applicator (buttons) for $28,500. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 7 of 9 Equipment Rental — Fleet 501 Fund: • Fleet's operations and maintenance has a 4.53% increase in 2017 and 0.79% in 2018. • Public Safety Plan shows Fire apparatus purchases in 2018, including two new fire pumpers, an aid car and five additional fire vehicles. • 15 new Police vehicles and three new Police Department motorcycles. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. This item was removed from the Agenda. (reference page 1 of minutes) (6) Drug Seizure Fund. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. Councilmember Seal stated the Drug Seizure Fund was established to account for the yearly accumulation of drug seizure funds and related expenditures. The 2016 amount is primarily due to the Motel seizures Estimated seizure funds for the 2017 -2018 biennium are expected to be around $60,000 a year. However, these amounts will vary based on drug related criminal activity and actual funds seized. Expenditures from this fund must be related to drug seizure activities or equipment. Appropriate costs could include training and equipment utilized during drug related investigations. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. (7) Fire Department. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. Fire Chief Wittwer and Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director, gave an overview of the proposed Fire Department budget. The proposed budget has increased 1.63% for 2017 and increased by 2.78% for 2018. The proposed changes were summarized as follows: Changes from 2015 -2016 Budget • COLA increases were applied to salaries, and benefits were adjusted to account for changes in healthcare and retirement. • Supplies were increased by $40,000 for new employee costs and an additional $2,000 for inflation. • Services, in total have increased $193,000 in 2017 over 2016 budget and increased $43,000 in 2018 over 2017 budget. o $43,000 was added for additional costs associated with the training consortium with the Kent Regional Fire Authority. Chief Wittwer noted that page 185 of the agenda packet erroneously states this amount as $25,000. o $173,286 was added for increased insurance costs. Liability insurance for the City was reallocated among Finance, Police, Fire and Public Works departments based on employee count. o Other minor adjustments were made for inflation. o Charges for Valley Com were increased to reflect contractual obligations. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 8 of 9 9:43 p.m. 9:45 p.m. Council President Duffie exited the Council Chambers. Council President Duffle returned to the Council Chambers. (8) Public Safety Plan Fund and City Facilities Fund. Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on October 4, 2016. Vicky Carlsen explained that two new funds are budgeted if the proposed bond measure is approved next month. Public Safety Plan Fund (Fund 305): Costs accounted for in this fund would be for the new Justice Center, as well as three fire stations and 20 years of fire equipment as outlined in the Public Safety Plan. City Facilities fund (Fund 306): Funding for project expenditures in the City Facilities Fund includes LTGO (Limited Tax General Obligation) bond proceeds in 2017 to purchase land for the Public Works Shops facility. For conservative budgeting, the proposed budget shows the construction of the facility funded by LTGO bonds. The funding mechanisim for construction is not confirmed at this time and options will be brought back to Council. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE UPCOMING COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS. REPORTS a. Mayor The Mayor was not present. b. City Council Councilmember Kruller attended Sound Cities Association's Networking Dinner featuring Seattle Mayor Ed Murray on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Council President Duffle attended the Century Link retail store grand opening on Friday, October 7, 2016. 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. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Kruller stated that she needs Council feedback on the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee (PIC). There are two items where action could possibly be taken at the PIC meeting on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 as follows: Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 9 of 9 1. Whether to recommend to the Sound Cities Association Board adoption of the following position: "The Sound Cities Association supports federal legislation to increase the annual allocation for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in order to create and preserve critically needed units of affordable housing." 2. Discussion and possible forwarding of the 2017 Sound Cities Association Legislative Agenda to the Board of Directors for adoption. The Councilmembers supported both items. ADJOURNMENT 9:58 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DUFFIE DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. <A9 oe Du ie, Council P tc)af,„-,. cum Dana Almberg Dideon, Adminis tive Support Technician APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 10/27/16 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 10/28/16