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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 26, 1977 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Bluff St. Trail Report by Dames Moore *CARRIED, AS AMENDED. City Hall Council Chambers M I N U T E S Council President Hill called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order. TRAYNOR, HILL, SAUL, PESICKA, VAN DUSEN, BOHRER. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. Councilman Bohrer said he felt the description of the discussion that took place when the proposed ordinance establishing procedures for review of projects inconsistent with the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan was brief and did not reflect properly the comments of the audience. MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE AMENDED TO ADD THE DISCUSSION ON THE INTERIM ZONING ORDINANCE. CARRIED. Kjell Stoknes, OCD Director, stated the design on Bluff Street had been received from Mr. Jon Koloski, Dames and Moore, and a signed copy of the report would be sent to them authorizing the work. Council President Hill asked if the bulkheads would be poured concrete. Mr. Koloski said they would be precast panels which would be the best solution for this parti- cular project. Mr. Koloski explained the problem and the technique that would be used to correct it, stating part of the wall would be supported by rock. If the entire mass moves the panels will go. There is not uni- form support on the hill. He said he had not drilled any test holes. He said the slide area is much older than the history of any trail through there. The slide area is not influenced for good or bad by the trail. He said he thought the houses above the trail were not in danger if the material moved, it is the area below the trail that would be in danger. He continued there are a couple of trees above the trail with exposed roots If the tree is rooted in good material it will take the strain but if it is deteriorated it cannot take it. He said he felt it would be to every- one's benefit to remove the hazards that would contribute. Councilman Pesicka said in the report Mr. Koloski had said this condition could be affected by an earthquake. Mr. Koloski said there would be no blasting and the test holes would not cause a slide. Larry Popejoy, owner of the property above the trail, said he was sorry everyone had to get involved in this matter. He had lived above the slide area for thirty years and there was no action and then progress came along, the apartments below were built, and then there was the excavation for the trail. He said he wanted to stay in his house and not be threatened by a slide. Councilman Pesicka asked Mr. Koloski if he recommended removing the trees. Mr. Koloski said he did. Mr. Popejoy said it is a shame to see the trees taken down when they have always been there. Mr. Koloski said low ground cover would do more good for the stability of the hill than trees. He said it is true they are beautiful old trees but they might be under- mined. Mr. Popejoy said when the trail was excavated he felt he should do something he was concerned when Red and White excavated and was more alarmed when the excavation for the trail was started. Councilman Bohrer asked where the trees were located. Mr. Koloski drew a sketch saying there are two maple trees, four to six feet in diameter, having multiple crowns and about 25% of the roots exposed. Eventually the roots will deteriorate if they are exposed. Councilman Bohrer asked what had undermined the trees. Mr. Koloski said the original slide moved soil out from under the trees, exposing the roots, which are about three inches in diameter. Councilman Bohrer said it was his impression that you planted trees to stabilize, now it is being suggested the trees be taken out. Mr. Koloski said under the right conditions trees stabilize, but if the ground liquefies around the roots and the tree is in a precarious position it will not hold the hillside. He said sword fern or blackberry vines are good ground cover to stabilize the earth. Mr. Popejoy said there had been lots of little alders and blackberries located in the area of the trail, but they were taken out. Mr. Koloski said the blackberry vines will come back up again and he would suggest that some of the other areas be covered with blackberry vines. Councilman Bohrer said it was his understanding the original slide was caused by a cut near the bottom of the hill. The trail was cut up higher on the slide. He asked Mr. Koloski if he was aware there TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING September 26, 1977 Page 2 DISCUSSION Contd. Bluff St. Trail Report by Dames Moore contd. RECESS MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 8:25 8:35 P.M. MEETING RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES. CARRIED. The meeting was called back to order by Council President Hill with all Council Members present as previously listed. Prop. Ord. Kjell Stoknes, OCD Director, said the Planning Commission had recommen- Defining "Recreation ded the proposed ordinance. The apartment owners in the area had been Space" and providing invited to the Public Hearing but only one manager from the Village standards and regula- Green Apartments attended. He said this provided for 1,000 square tions for the provi- feet of recreation space for any multiple family development. Council sion of Recreation Space in all R -2, R -3, R -4 and RMH Zone Districts was a roadway there where the trail was made. He said Mr. Koloski had said in his report the cut that had been made could reactivate the slide. In the next report he had said a large slide could occur in case of earthquake or heavy rainfall. Mr. Koloski said he had seen evidence of the old roadway. Mayor Bauch said he had not seen in the report the recommended length of the retaining wall that would be put in. Mr. Koloski said he had indicated the construction of the wall should be two and one -half feet in height. Mr. Koloski said natural restabilization would take place if further unstable conditions do not exist. He said the test holes would be bored by a rotary hand drill. Council President Hill asked if there had been an esti- mate of the cost. Mr. Koloski said he had not estimated the cost. Mr. Stoknes said he had discussed the amount of $5,000 with Mr. Koloski the first time they had talked. Engineering estimates are subject to the market prices and change frequently. Council President Hill said the Council was trying to get an estimate so they will know what they are going to have to spend. Mr. Stoknes said his recommendation is to authorize staff to pursue getting an easement from Mr. Popejoy for the anchors and bores, they would need authoriza- tion to go out for bid, and also authorization for Staff to negotiate an agreement with Mr. Popejoy to take out the trees. The Council can accept any or none of the bids that come in. He said his office would also get estimates for the removal of the trees. Councilman Bohrer said a motion was made at the Committee of the Whole Meeting held August 22, 1977 authorizing Mr. Stoknes to proceed with the design of a bulkhead and the construction of it if it can be done for less than $5,000. Mayor Bauch said the City could get an estimate and if less than $5,000 it will not have to go out for bid. Mr. Popejoy said he thought all of this was going right along, he had been waiting for someone to show up. He said he felt the matter was urgent. He said he was willing to cooperate in any way to get things underway. He said the surveyor had come to him for maps and the trail is actually on his property. Mr. Sowinski, audience, said he felt Mr. Hard, City Attorney, should look at the legal aspects of this matter before the City proceeds. Mayor Bauch said we would get an opinion from Mr. Hard. Councilman Van Dusen said it had been mentioned the trees should go. He asked if the trees could be trimmed a little and remain. Mr. Koloski said the crown of the tree could be reduced and that would help. Council President Hill asked if Mr. Popejoy would let the City trim the trees. Mr. Popejoy said yes he wanted a good job done. Joanne Davis, audience, asked if the estimate would include ground cover. Mayor Bauch said yes it would. He continued the design had been received Friday and this was the first it could be considered. He said someone would contact Mr. Popejoy the next day. man Traynor asked if there are any complexes in town that comply with this requirement. Mr. Sowinski, audience, said there were two who had greater recreation area. He thought they were the Graydon Smith and Village Green Apartments. Councilman Saul said if an apartment had to provide 20,000 square feet for recreation then 10,000 square feet had to be green and the rest could be tennis courts, swimming pools, etc., but not parking lot. Mayor Bauch said this ordinance would not affect the Doubletree, this is for residential apartments. It will be retroactive if a builder has not taken out a building permit Council President Hill said this would affect buildings in R -2, R -3, R -4 and RMH, with R -4 being affected the most. Joanne Davis, audience, said there is another aspect to be considered with the apartments and that is parking. When you consider taking recreation space and parking TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING September 26, 1977 Page 3 DISCUSSION Contd. Prop. Ord. you do not leave much. Usually parking is difficult at apartments as Defining "Recreation each apartment often has two cars. Mayor Bauch said the set back Space" and providing could be parking. Councilman Pesicka said she would like to see standards regula- some greenery in the front yard for appearance, not just parking. tions for the provi- Councilman Traynor said the parking in the front is covered in the sion of Recreation zoning ordinance. Mr. Stoknes said they are trying to get some Space in all R -2, R- 3,greenery in the front yard for appearance, not just parking. Council R-4 and RMH Zone man Traynor said that would be agreeable. Councilman Bohrer asked Districts contd. what the criteria were for establishing the 200 square feet per unit in the multiple family structures. Mr. Sowinski, audience, said the figures were based on the percentage of the land area. It seemed the best way to break down on the basis of per unit. Council President Hill said he would like to see the City build townhouses and condomin- iums instead of Canyon Estate. Plaque for new City Hall Budget Estimate for City Council for the year 1978 Noise Study MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE DEFINING "RECREATION SPACE" AND PROVIDING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PROVISIONS OF RECREATION SPACE IN ALL R -2, R -3, R -4 AND RMH ZONE DISTRICTS BE ON THE OCTOBER 3, 1977 AGENDA OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. Councilman Van Dusen said the proposed ordinance came out of the Planning Commission and they had invited input. He asked if they had sent a copy of the proposed ordinance to apartment owners. Mr. Stoknes said a copy of the ordinance had accompanied the letter. Mayor Bauch said the managers would not be the one to make the comments. He thought the developers would be the ones to make the comment, the managers would like the ordinance. Councilman Pesicka said she was thinking of the comment made by Mrs. Davis regarding the parking spaces. If the apartments have two or three bedrooms then you have to take a look at the parking. Mayor Bauch said he thought the word "uncovered" space needs to be expanded. *CARRIED. Mayor Bauch said he had looked at the plaque on the Fire Department building and it had ten lines on it, stating the date of dedication, the name of the Mayor, the name of the, Fire Chief, and the names of nine councilmen. He stated he did not know the cost of the plaque. He thought it would take about three weeks to get it after it was ordered. Council President Hill said he thought the City Hall plaque should be more elaborate. He suggested the Park Board and the Histor- ical Society should help with the planning and come up with something elaborate. Mayor Bauch said there would be a plaque telling about the vault beneath the corner stone and specifying the date it is to be opened. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE CITY HALL PLAQUE BE REFERRED TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE PARK BOARD FOR SUGGES- TIONS. CARRIED. Council President Hill asked Mrs. Joanne Davis if she would notify the Historical Society of this request. Councilman Traynor said he would suggest the plaque be obtained before the first of the year. Council President Hill said Council Members would be paid at the rate of $200 each so Salaries and Wages for 1978 would be $16,800. Extra Labor would remain at $4,500. It was decided the Office Supplies would be the same as the previous year $300. Professional Services would be $10,000; Transportation would be $1,400; Miscellaneous $200. Councilman Saul suggested the $1,000 from the,Bicentennial budget be put in the Arts Commission fund. Councilman Van Dusen said he would like suggestions for the presenta- tion of the noise study. Councilman Pesicka said she thought it would be hard to regulate noise caused by automobiles and aircraft. It is possible noise from one apartment to another could be controlled. Councilman Van Dusen said he was thinking an ad hoc committee could be formed. Council President Hill said most of the complaints that have TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING September 26, 1977 Page 4 DISCUSSION Contd. Police Patrol ADJOURNMENT 9:58 P.M. Norma Booher, Recording Secretary Noise Study contd. been received have been from people complaining about industrial noise. Councilman Bohrer said 66% of the people replying to the survey said they thought something should be done about noise. The Council cannot ignore that. Mayor Bauch said the noise of motorcycles could be controlled. Councilman Van Dusen said there is a model noise ordinance that has been developed. It is possible a policy could be established with an ordinance. Councilman Traynor said he would like to see the Council proceed and take care of the noise that can be controlled. Councilman Bohrer said the matter would be considered at a future meeting. Councilman Traynor said he had seen a total of five police cars in the Southcenter Parkway commercial area. He said it bothered him as to what protection the citizens have on the hill. When the Police Station is located at the new City Hall it seems there will be a greater concentration of patrolling in the Southcenter area and the hill will not have much protection. Mayor Bauch said he did not know of any pattern and there might be other days when they are in other areas. Mr. Sowinski, audience, said he had noticed there used to be a patrol car passing in his area about every hour but lately he had not seen any. He said there should be a controlled schedule, not exactly at the same time or same day, the locations could be controlled by code. EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT COUNCIL GO INTO EXECUTIVE 9:40 9:56 P.M. SESSION TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE OF THE FOSTER GOLF COURSE. CARRIED. Those attending the Executive Session in addition to the listed Council Members were Mayor Bauch and OCD Director Kjell Stoknes. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION BE CLOSED. CARRIED. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED.