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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL September 23, 1996 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Councilmember excused OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Oath of Office Introduction of new employees Update on I -5 and I -405 construction projects COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Council President Pam Carter called the Committee of The Whole Meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. JOE DUFFIE; JOAN HERNANDEZ; PAM CARTER, Council President; ALLAN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET; JIM HAGGERTON; PAM LINDER. It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Councilmember Allan Ekberg. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; RON WALDNER, Police Chief; DON WILLIAMS, Parks Recreation Director; STEVE LANCASTER, DCD Director; EVELYN BOYKAN, Human Services Coordinator; GARY SCHULZ, Urban Environmentalist; RON CAMERON, City Engineer; BRIAN SHELTON, Senior Engineer. Police Chief Ron Waldner introduced new police officers Benjamin Kruss Howell and Mark Renninger. Mayor Rants administered the Oath of Office. The following new City employees were introduced and the Council gave them a warm welcome: Ev Schultz, Asst. Director, Parks Rec.; Kathy Rohlena, Personnel Analyst, Admin. Svs; Cindy Bordeau, Admin. Clerk, Admin Svs.; Nora Gierloff, Associate Planner, DCD; Michael deJesus, Utility Worker, Public Works (Streets); Steve Pielak, Crew Leader, Public Works (Sewer). WSDOT Construction Engineer Bob Dire gave update on I -5 north of I -405, I -5 south of I -405, I -405 east of I -5 and SR 518 west of I- 5. Ron Cameron introduced Brian Shelton as the City's representative who works with Dire and all five construction engineers and local programs relating to the I -5 and I -405 Construction Projects. Handouts outlining detailed status of the Projects were distributed. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 2 CITIZEN'S COMMENTS SPECIAL ISSUES 1997 CDBG Proposals Human Services Coordinator Evelyn Boykan requested Council direction on the allocation of 1997 CDBG funds. Council was asked to also consider alternative suggestions for a contingency plan in the event the City receive an increase in the funding allocation or a decrease in the funding allocation. /71 Salmon Enhancement Project Doug Micheau, Public Works Coordinator, informed the Council on Riverton and Southgate that remote site Salmon incubators will be installed to raise salmon Creeks eggs on Riverton and Southgate Creeks. The incubation devices have been ordered and will be installed sometime in October to raise salmon fry for release into these creeks next spring. Micheau stated that this effort began with application for Centennial Clean Water Funds Grants to prepare water quality management plans for Riverton and Southgate Creeks and has culminated with the hiring of an extra labor person to support an assessment of our streams for their salmon rearing potential. The grants will also aid in the purchase and selection of incubator systems and a commitment from the Muckleshoot Tribe to provide the City with 40,000 Coho eggs to raise in our streams. Mr. Ryan Partee, Fisheries Biologist, with experience in habitat restoration, hatchery management and several research projects has assisted in putting this project in place. Maps were distributed depicting incubator sites. Micheau also showed a 10- minutes video which revealed the capabilities of incubators. John Welch, Renton, WA, expressed appreciation to the Council for their attendance at the recent 99 Action Committee Barbecue. All areas of the community were represented: merchants, citizens, police, City officials, etc. Welch said the Committee is anxiously awaiting the surveillance cameras and that they are pleased with the swift action on the Curfew Ordinance. Councilmember Duffie commented on how impressed he was with the turnout and with the outstanding leadership exemplified at this function by Council President Pam Carter. Councilmember Haggerton, Finance and Safety Committee Chair, reported that the committee of three (Councilmembers Haggerton, Duffie, Linder) discussed whether or not residents could qualify for assistance in having the entire sewer infrastructure bill paid through the CDBG program and whether a provision could be Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 3 1997 CDBG Proposals (Cont' d) added that would allow flexibility in the income levels of persons applying for CDBG assistance. Haggerton said two members opposed using CDBG monies to fund sewer connection fees; one councilmember was undecided. Boykan explained that the City historically has allocated a good portion of the Block Grant funds for the utility connections because the fees are pricey. However, in reality, the City has not had many people take advantage of this program. City Administrator John McFarland added that CDBG funds allocated for utility assistance had never been exhausted, but the City has never had a project the scale of the Allentown sewer project. Consequently, no comparison can be made. Boykan reminded Council that the intent of the entire program is to assist the low and moderate income community in a variety of areas including capital improvements, facilities, public services, and other areas of community development. Following a review of the proposed allocations, it was the consensus of the Council to: It was the consensus of the Council that monies under a Contingency Plan be allocated as follows: Allocate any increase in capital to the single family housing repair program. Allocate any decrease in capital at 50 percent from housing repair; and 50 percent from the utility connection program. Fund the complete cost of sewer construction including side sewers. Re- allocate the multi family rehab monies to the Utility Connection program. Leave Crestview Park ADA enhancement intact. *Accept the Planning and Administration funding as presented. *Accept the Senior Nutrition Coordinator project as presented. *Accept the Teen Programmer program as presented. Accept the Volunteer Plan project as presented. Accept the Regional Housing Entity Support program as presented. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 4 1997 CDBG Proposals (Cont'd) Parks Rec Facility use charges Recess 9:32 p.m. An ordinance prohibiting the use of compression brakes in the City Citizen's Comments il Allocate any increase in Public Service to the Teen Programmer program. *Allocate any decrease in Public Service from the Senior Nutrition Coordinator program. Councilmember Hernandez commented that the Community Affairs and Parks Committee had discussed this issue. Don Williams, Parks Recreation Director, clarified that the City Council gave the Mayor's Office full authority to establish park and recreation fees a number of years ago under Resolution #1054. He said the proposed fees had been garnered from a comparison with other jurisdictions. The new facility will cost $208,000 more per year to operate than the current center does. New rental fees for the community center and park facilities are proposed to generate funds directly related to the operational costs of these areas. The Council reviewed each component proposed for rental, making adjustments /amendments as necessary: room rental, gymnasium rental, racquetball fees, weigh room fees, drop -in fees, ball field fees and picnic shelter reservations. The rates generally met with acceptance by the Council. Williams suggested and the Council agreed that minor adjustments be made administratively with no further Council action being warranted at this time. Williams says the new facility is right on schedule for dedication January 25, 1997. Council President Carter called the meeting back to order at 9:50 p.m. Councilmember Duffie briefed the Council that three citizens had complained about the Jake Brake Ordinance (JBO). The JBO is an ordinance focusing on hazardous roadways conditions. Duffie expressed concerns that the issue had not been discussed in depth and requested that it be forwarded back to a committee. Bill Arthur, 18000 Southcenter Parkway, Ste. 210, stated that he, along with three other persons present tonight, had significant concerns with the draft ordinance. Arthur said maybe there's a better way to deal with the Jake Brakes (compression brakes) noise complaints than passing an ordinance that will impact the entire Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 5 Citizen's Comments (Cont'd) Zoning Code Amendments City. He says he doesn't believe there's a vehicle in use in the City under 80,000 pounds that does not have Jake Brakes. He had not received or heard any complaints from the Central Business District or areas located in the southern part of Tukwila. Also, factories producing these types of brakes must now meet certain noise standards. Arthur suggested that perhaps one way to handle the noise in the 124th street area is to establish noise restrictions to specific hours of the day. He concluded that he believes most of the noise is coming from trucks that are not mufflered. Darrell Rootpick, 17035 West Valley Hwy., agreed with Arthur and added that the Jake Brakes don't make any more noise than the engine does when pulling steep hills. He believes it's equipment that has not been maintained or they do not have mufflers on their trucks. He appealed to the Council not to over regulate on this issue. John Welsh, 11405 Southeast 196th, commented that the Jake Brakes are very definitely a safety factor. He said when a heavily loaded truck descends the Tukwila hill using the Jake Breaks lightly to keep the speed reduced, it leaves the other brakes at maximum capability for quick, emergency stops because they have not become over heated. He suggested that further discussions be held and invite a trucking company owner or someone from the fire department to help provide enough information to assist in adopting an ordinance that everyone can live with. Councilmember Duffie suggested that the Jake Brakes issue be forwarded back to the Transportation Committee. At the urging of Councilmember Haggerton, Duffie said he would invite someone from the Fire Department and other large truck operators to attend that meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to forwarded this issue back to the Transportation Committee for further discussion. Councilmember Hernandez explained that areas which developed under King County's regulations and then were annexed into Tukwila often have signs that are larger and greater in number than would be allowed under Tukwila's regulations. The removal of these non conforming signs is important to fostering redevelopment of areas such as Highway 99 because oversized Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 6 Zoning Code Amendments (Cont' d) REPORTS signs, especially those placed on tall poles close to the roadway, create a cluttered and confusing visual environment. Tukwila's Sign Code restricts the number of signs allowed per business and requires that freestanding signs be set back from property lines in order to create a more ordered, visual environment. DCD Director Steve Lancaster commented that these proposed changes to the Sign Code will set a 3 -year deadline for all on- premise signs to come into compliance with Tukwila's Sign Code regulations, change the way sign area is allocated to mixed use buildings and clarify sign regulations for malls. Currently, Tukwila treats signs, which were installed under King County's Sign Code as legally non conforming and allows them to remain in place until there is a change of use of the site or a change of business which requires new signage. One approach to removing non- conforming signs that have been used in many other cities is called amortization. Generally this means that businesses are given a certain period of years in which to bring their signs into conformance with current codes. The draft amortization ordinance would set a deadline of January 1, 2000 for non conforming signs to be removed. Additional changes to the Sign Code are scheduled for next year. The areas to be addressed will include off premise signs, such as billboards, and political signs. EXTEND MEETING It was the consensus of the Council to extend the meeting, per 11:00 p.m. TMC 2.04.150{ 14 for an additional thirty (30) minutes. A very lengthy discussion ensued as the Council reviewed and discussed the Planning Commission's recommendations, and made amendments accordingly. The discussion culminated with the Council agreeing that notice be given to businesses on Highway 99 of the public hearing on code amendments scheduled for October 7, 1996. Councilmember Hernandez reported that she had attended the Hwy. 99 Action Committee on September 10, and walked with the Citizens' Patrol on September 18. It was pointed out to her that a couple of the phone booths on the corner of 99 and 150th had a sign above it which read: "No incoming calls received, and anv outroink calls used with a credit card, your number will be recorded and can be used against you in a court of law if Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes September 23, 1996 Page 7 Reports (Cont' d) ADJOURNMENT 11:22 p.m. necessary." Hernandez said she would like to see this language posted at all phone booths along the Highway. Hernandez says she attended Suburban Cities on September 11; the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on September 13; the Human Services Roundtable on September 19 (Mercer Island). Councilmember Mullet reported that he had attended the ACC meeting to represent Council President Carter. Councilmember Haggerton reported that he had attended the Saturday Barbecue held at Larry Market on Hwy. 99. (5', City Administrator McFarland and Council President Carter reported that South Central School District is forming a broad -base strategic planning committee, drawing talent from every segment of the community to work in conjunction with the school. The District is hoping to gain ideas as the School Board make future plans for Tukwila's community. Strategic training will be provided through the Washington Association of School Directors (WASDA). Councilmember Haggerton volunteered to serve on this committee. He said he will be out of town beginning Wednesday; however, upon his return he would appreciate being provided information regarding meeting dates and time. City Administrator McFarland announced that a Budget meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) September 24, 6 -8pm (dinner included). MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO ADJOURN TO THE SPECIAL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Park Carter, Council President elia Square, eputy City Clerk