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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL November 25, 1996 Tukwila City Hall 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Councilmember absent OFFICIALS CITIZEN'S COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARINGS Reallocation of CDBG 1996 Utility Assistance funds to the 1997 Housing Repair Program COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Council President Pam Carter called the Committee of The Whole Meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. JOE DUFFIE; PAM CARTER, Council President; ALLAN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET; JIM HAGGERTON; PAM LINDER. It was the consensus of the Council to excuse Councilmember Hernandez. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; EVELYN BOYKAN, Human Services Coord. RON CAMERON, City Engineer; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance Director; STEVE LANCASTER, DCD Director. Bill Arthur, 18000 Andover Park West, Ste. 200, commented on behalf of the Hwy 99 Action Committee regarding the success of the Hwy 99 Project. He shared a 10- minute video tape of how the City is being proactive in fighting crime. The tape highlighted Redwood, CA and Tacoma, WA as examples of what a community working together can accomplish. Barry Turnbull, 33355 20th Avenue South (weekends); 4628 South 144th (M -F), commented that he had started a drive to change the name of the South Central School District. He asked for support from the Council in this endeavor. Council President Carter opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Coordinator, explained that the side sewers connections of the 1996 Utility Connection Assistance Program was the only piece that was eligible for Community Development Block Grant Funds. As such, there's about $66,000 available in that area for utility connections. Since it was estimated that only about $12,000 was going to be used, it was suggested to reallocate those funds to our Housing Repair Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 25, 1996 Page 2 Reallocation of CDBG funds (Cont' d) 1997 Proposed Budget Personal response Public hearing closed SPECIAL ISSUES An ordinance establishing Amortization schedule for nonconforming signs Program, which has been very active and continues to be active. She recently received an update showing that 22 households had been assisted with about $115,000. There are currently about 13 applications pending with about $100,000 dollars worth of work. There being no public comments, Council President closed the Public hearing at 7:55 p.m. It was the consensus of the Council to reallocate the 1996 Utility Assistance (CDBG) Funds to the 1997 CDBG Housing Repair Program. Council President Carter opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, explained that the Mayor's proposed budget and CIP dated September 16, 1996 is available for public comment, suggestions, and proposed revisions. He also clarified the property tax rate for 1997. Arthur Lee, Executive Director of the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle /King County /Tukwila, expressed thanks and appreciation for the City's financial support of this program. There being no further comments, Council President closed the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, updated the Council that the proposed sign amortization ordinance was recommended by the Planning Commission, and that the Council had held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance and on a sign code (housekeeping) ordinance on September 7. Following the hearing, Council adopted the housekeeping ordinance but deferred action on the amortization ordinance to allow additional discussion and consideration in the areas of exempting minor nonconformities; extending the amortization period one or two years; providing incentives for early compliance; and creating a very limited hardship extension. Lancaster reviewed the various means that had been utilized in getting the word out to those who will be impacted by the ordinance. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 25, 1996 Page 3 An ord. estab. an amortization schedule (Cont'd) Comments from the business community on Pac Hwy 99 re. ordinance on nonconforming signs A lengthy discussion ensued with councilmembers expressing concerns about whether property owners/businesses were notified appropriately; and whether those impacted by the annexation had been given the correct information regarding sign compliance. It was the consensus of the Council to forwarded the ordinance establishing an amortization schedule for nonconforming signs back to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee for further discussion. Steve Gowen, Riverside Inn, 14060 Interurban Avenue South, commented that he has 65 employees, and paid the City $80,000 in taxes last year. Changing his sign would cost him $30,000. He said signs are personal property and the City should not interfere, and furthermore, he was not notified appropriately. Tim O'Brian, 14639 Pacific Hwy, commented that he had talked to numerous businesses on Pacific Hwy 99 and overwhelmingly people didn't know what was going on. The existing signs on Hwy 99 are very expensive. The majority of business owners O'Brian talked to were upset and asked the Council not to pass the ordinance. The signs on the Hwy total close to $1 million dollars and will cost up to $450,000 to take them down. He asked the Council for a compromise. He said his sign was legal in 1979 when the area was still considered King County. Linda Webb, Trudy's Tavern, 15037 Pacific Hwy, commented that the City should stand by its word to maintain the County's Code in the annexed areas as originally promised. These are small business owners and very few of them could afford to change signs. She said she's not aware of the City addressing billboards and in her opinion billboards are far more intrusive than the variety of signage on Pacific Hwy. Rada Shaw, Travel Lodge Motel, 14845 Pacific Hwy South, said he spent more than $20,000 to erect his sign and he has spent millions of dollars to restore his motel. Pacific Hwy shouldn't have to conform to Southcenter signs. Rick Davis, 21 Club, said his business sits back from the street, changing the sign would hurt his business. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 25, 1996 Page 4 Pac. Hwy 99 business comm. comments (Copt' d) Recess 8:50 p.m. An ordinance amending 1996 Budget ACC amended interlocal agreement Continuation of departmental budget reviews RTA discussion John Welch, 12421 Pacific Hwy South, complimented the Council for reviewing the sign code. However, the main focus should be on cleaning up crime on Hwy 99, and looking into how to change the transit route from going down Hwy 99. Council President called the meeting back to order at 9:05 p.m. Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, distributed a revised draft of the 1996 budget amendment and explained that these adjustments are generally worked out at the end of the year. Four expenditures need to be added: the four new police officers and pipeline officers; overtime Fire Dept. costs; Community Development Trade and Economic Development grant; and changing the CTR program from Public Works to DCD. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to forward the ordinance amending the 1996 Budget to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. City Administrator McFarland explained the amendments to the draft ACC Interlocal Agreement. The amendments addressed the Finance and Safety Committee's concerns regarding the duration, payment and ongoing fiscal obligations contained in the basic agreement. That is, the amendments will limit the City to one (1) year only for the amount of $100,000 in 1997. The amendment is Pursuant to Section X.A, which provides for a separate amendment for the City of Tukwila. McFarland said he had talked to Ken Reid, ACC Executive Director, and he feels the format and the language will be acceptable to ACC. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the ACC amended interlocal agreement to the next Regular Council Consent Agenda. The Council continued discussion and review of the 1997 Budget beginning on page 122. Mayor Rants suggested that a citizens committee be formed to address the issue of RTA routes through Tukwila. He recommended that the committee include members from the community, businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. Rants said RTA has been informed of the City's stand against a route on Hwy Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 25, 1996 Page 5 RTA discussion (Cont'd) 1997 Proposed Budget and 1997 -2002 CIP /Ping Model REPORTS ADJOURNMENT 10:44 P.M. 99; however, RTA has never explained why they are proposing that particular route. The Council liked the idea of a City -RTA Advisory Committee. Councilmember Carter suggested we also recruit members from the Hwy 99 Task Force and the Foster Community Club and schedule a community -wide meeting. Council President Carter stated that the remaining 1997 budget review and the 1997 -2002 CIP will continue tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. dinner provided Mayor Rants circulated a flyer entitled "Neglected Pond Turned Into Usable Public Park" for Council review and general information. He also reported on the "Welfare To Work Program," a program paid for through our Human Services Program. The program focuses on job training for women and has proven to be very successful. Councilmember Duffie suggested that a follow -up report on participants in the program be provided to the Council. Mayor Rants stated that he will invite some of the graduates to a Council meeting and have them give a presentation of their accomplishments. Councilmember Duffie thanked the Police Department and the Street Crews for the outstanding job they are doing. He also thanked the entire City Staff for the remarkable job they have done and continue to do. Councilmember Haggerton reported that the fire works ban had been discussed in the Finance and Safety Committee meeting and they agreed to make a recommendation to the Council to adopt an ordinance banning fireworks and an ordinance banning the discharge of fireworks in the City of Tukwila. He said the Committee agreed that more study needs to be done on the Salary Study. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MULLET, TO AD,T�TRN'TMEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Pam Carteyy(' Council President Celia Squae, Deputy City Clerk