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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-10-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 24, 1977 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING M I N U T E S CALL TO ORDER Council President Hill called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 6:55 P.M. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TRAYNOR, HILL, SAUL, PESICKA, VAN DUSEN, BOHRER. /9,0 City Hall Council Chambers EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COUNCIL GO INTO 6:55 P.M. -7:37 P.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE TEAMSTER CONTRACT. CARRIED. Those in attendance at the Executive Session in addition to Council Members listed were Mayor Bauch, Administrative Assistant John McFarland and Cabot Dow, Wage Negotiator. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN. CARRIED. APPROVAL OF MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. CARRIED. DISCUSSION Thorndyke Senior Councilman Van Dusen said he and Councilman Pesicka had discussed the Center matter of the Thorndyke Senior Center with senior citizens last Thurs- day. He had also held a discussion with Kjell Stoknes, Director of the Office of Community Development. He said it was necessary for the Council to make a decision regarding the operation of the Thorndyke Senior Center, and what is going to be done with the recreation program insofar as the senior citizens are concerned. Councilman Van Dusen said about a year ago the subject of the Thorndyke Center was considered and the City looked into grants to renovate the building. A grant was received from the County in the amount of $64,000. In the meeting held last Thursday, the Senior citizens stated they do not want to continue with the Thorndyke Community Center plan as outlined. Councilman Pesicka said she had taken notes of the meeting and had found unhappi- ness with the plans as she talked to people in the City. About 20 seniors have been active in Tukwila. There are about 80 from the County participating in the program. She said the senior citizens from Tukwila have said they would like "to come back home." The Tukwila senior citizens had thought the Thorndyke Community Center was temporary while the County seniors want permanent type remodeling done. That is one reason the bids for the work were so high. The vans that have been provided by Tukwila are not enough for 100 people. The County is not providing any vans for their seniors. In the summer the vans have to be used by parks and recreation, they are not getting volunteers from the County for the delivery of Meals on Wheels. Some of the Tukwila seniors are talking about dropping out of the activities. Kjell Stoknes, OCD director, said the City needs direction as to whether or not to go out for bid on the renovation of the Thorndyke building. Council President Hill asked if the County helps any with the administration of the program. Mr. Stoknes said the County provides the money and we provide the administration. The County is not provid- ing any administration or staff at the present time. He continued that the grant application was joint and Tukwila did not get it. The County took all of the money for the remodeling out of their funds. If Tukwila drops out, it will go back to King County and they would have to either staff it or use the money for something else. Councilmar Saul asked what alternative the City has for the senior citizens. Mr. Stoknes said a center for senior citizens could be provided when the funds are available. It is possible when the City Hall is finished the present police building or City Hall could be used for that purpose until funds are available for a new building. Councilman Van Dusen said it is possible dropping out of Thorndyke Center will affect future grants with the County. Don Williams, Recreation Supervisor, said there are certain other Tukwila projects that King County has helped with by writing favorable letters, such as the Christensen Trail. If we back out, it will likely be a reflection on the City. At the present we are furnishing programs for about five days of the week. There are approximately 26 Tukwila citizens and about 60 County residents. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 24, 1977 Page 2 DISCUSSION Contd. Thorndyke Senior Center contd. 79f/ Council President Hill said it had been his opinion the County would help with the staffing and Tukwila would have about two days and the County about three days. Councilman Pesicka said the reason the senior citizens had asked for a meeting was the fact that they did not want to stand up and speak and discuss personalities. They just want to have their own club. Councilman Saul said he liked the idea of being able to help other cities and other people. If it is not what is wanted, then the matter should be evaluated. Councilman Traynor said identities are important. At the time the Thorndyke Center was being considered he had thought there would be more activities for everyone by combining groups. Mr. Burton Lutes, audience, said when the Thorndyke Community Center was selected for the Tukwila Senior Center and the grant was applied for there was nothing said about the County using the facilities at that time. When the $64,000 was obtained from the County they wanted more extensive renovation of a permanent nature. When the County seniors outnumber the Tukwila seniors by such a number it is no longer the Tukwila Senior Center. He said they had overheard some of the seniors from Riverton Heights say as soon as they got into Thorndyke Senior Center they would show the Tukwila people who was going to run the Center. Rather than get into a fuss with the people from Riverton Heights they would rather stay here and be the Tukwila Senior Center. He said he had heard when the bids came in they were for $82,000 due to the permanent type remodeling the County wanted. He said he had heard one contractor say the best way to fix the building would be to use a box of dynamite. Mr. Lutes said the Tukwila seniors would rather stay in the Tukwila Community Hall until a building is available and there is money to build a nice place. He said Auburn has a new senior center and they have listed inside the sources of the money for the construction of the building. Only $18,000 was local money, the rest coming from federal grants and private donations. He said he would like to see Tukwila investigate some of these grants and funds that Auburn obtained. Viola Lutes, audience, said she was concerned about the transportation. She said it was likely the City would have to get another bus in order to accommodate the County seniors. They do not like the idea of the busses being used for the people outside the City. The seniors in Tukwila would like to stay together by themselves. If the County wants to go ahead with the Thorndyke Center that is their business. She said the Thorndyke building will cost Tukwila a lot of money; it will have to have repairs all of the time even after the remodeling. She said the Tukwila Community Club is being fixed up and they are glad to stay there until a building in the City can be obtained. She felt the young people should not have to support something outside of Tukwila with their tax money. Council President Hill said he did not realize the busses were being used to bring people from outside the City. Don Williams, Recreation Supervisor, said the City and County programs are being conducted at the Tukwila Community Club building. He said, according to the records, when the program began in Tukwila not all of the participants were residents of the City. At the present time, the Tukwila group meets on Wednesday and the County group on Thursday. However, some County people have wanted to participate in the Wednesday program and some of the Tukwila group participates on Thursday depending on the activity. When trips are taken with the vans they have sign -ups and take 14 people per bus. So far no one has been turned away. A record is kept as to the number of people who attend. The most has been 46 people in one day for a special program. He said in determining the area to be served they have tried to use the limits of the Comprehensive Park Plan as the boundaries. No one has been turned away. Mr. Stoknes said the County received $64,000 grant money, with the de- duction for architect's fee the remainder is $59,000. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 24, 1977 Page 3 DISCUSSION Contd. Thorndyke Senior Center contd. 9/2 Mayor Bauch said the Foster Community group had used the old Thorndyke Community Center on a lease basis. They had to disband because they were unable to keep up the building. They wanted to stay together. When they gave the building back to the school, Dr. Fotheringham con- tacted the City and asked if we would like to use the building. At that time we looked at the building and discussed it with the seniors, as they were unhappy with the parking at the Tukwila Community Club. We knew the building needed a new roof and windows and some upgranding. It needed a ramp. The County was approached since the building was in the County and was within walking distance for many of their group. We applied for a grant with the County and when the grant money was divided up the joint money was gone. The County felt they wanted it and took all of the money out of their fund to finance the program. It is all County money. If we go back and ask for money it would be determi- ned on a per capita basis and for 20 30 people we would get about $5,000. We have never asked the County for staff or support. If we asked, he felt sure the County would support us. They had suggested we put a CETA person up there, but he said he was reluctant to do that until the program was established. He continued if the seniors feel they want to retract back into the City that is fine. He said they should recognize two things: when we go looking for County or Federal funds it will be based on the number of people being reached by the program, and it is possible the seniors could use the present City Hall. This possibility seemed remote a year ago due to the delays in starting the new City Hall. He said he would like to reserve the use of the police station for a teen program as we have teens who need that we have not done anything for them. If the Council thinks that is what the seniors want, we can retract our position, but it will be difficult to overcome when we go back to the County looking for money. Viola Lutes, audience, said they did not wish to sound like they wanted the moon and stars, they just wanted a place to meet with a stove to cook on. She said if a small area could be provided for them to meet in until another building was available that would be satisfactory. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COUNCIL HAVE A CONSENSUS VOTE ON DROPPING THE THORNDYKE CENTER PLANS AND ANY MONEY BUDGETED TO BE SET ASIDE FOR A FUTURE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER AND THIS MATTER BE ON THE NOVEMBER 7, 1977 AGENDA OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COUNCIL GET RECOMMEN- DATIONS FROM THE PARK COMMISSION ON THE COUNTY RESIDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS. Rena Holiway, audience, said she would like to know who it was from the City calling everyone and telling them the senior citizen program was available and everything was free; they would be picked up and taken to the programs. Council President Hill said they would try and get the information for her. *MOTION CARRIED, WITH BOHRER VOTING NO. Mabel Gylden, audience, said she had been at the meeting last Thursday and the seniors had said they would be glad to have the County residents come to Tukwila to meet. They just did not want to go to Thorndyke. RECESS MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 8:50 -8:55 P.M. MEETING RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTS. CARRIED. The meeting was called back to order by Council President Hill with Council Members present as previously listed. Councilman Saul left the meeting at 9:00 P.M. Landscape Architect John McFarland, Administrative Assistant, said Mr. Emrich, City Hall for City Hall architect, had written a letter to the Council recommending three land- scape architects for the new City Hall. Mr. Emrich suggested the Council arrange for interviews with them. Council President Hill said he would like to have the Council look at the landscaping done by the recommended architects. He requested Mr. McFarland contact each of TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Qctober 24, 1977 rage 4 DISCUSSION Contd. Landscape Architect for City Hall contd. Claim for Damages Jim L. Patton Public Hearing Block Grant Money for Needs for the City Police Dept. Efficiency Safety Posters ADJOURNMENT 9:25 P.M. /9' 7... the recommended landscape architects for brochures and addresses of two of their projects. After their projects have been seen, appoint- ments can be set up. He said as soon as the information and brochures are received he would contact the Council Members and set a date for the tour. Mayor Bauch said this claim had been referred to the City Attorney and the ramifications could be serious. He said more staff work needs to be done. Mrs. Patton, audience, said they had put in a drain field and covered it at a cost of $652.53, which they had paid. Mayor Bauch said the report would be ready by the next City Council meeting. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE MATTER OF THE CLAIM FOR DAMAGES BY JIM L. PATTON BE TABLED UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 7, 1977 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. CARRIED. Mayor Bauch said a Public Hearing should be scheduled for November 7, 1977 to get input from the public. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 1977 TO GET PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING THE USE OF THE BLOCK GRANT MONEY FOR NEEDS. CARRIED. U.S.T.M.E. Request Mayor Bauch stated the Council had received letters from U.S.T.M.E. requesting the Council meet with them to consider a wage plan they have. Councilman Bohrer said he would like to give them the opportunity to present the plan to the Council. MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT U.S.T.M.E. PRESENT THEIR PLAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 1977 AT THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. CARRIED. Council President Hill said Councilman Bohrer's letter regarding a wage plan could be considered at the same time. Mr. Sowinski, audience, said he would like to congratulate the Police Department. He said a burglary was reported and by the time the police reported to the scene they had picked up two suspects on the way. Within hours they had recovered some of the stolen items. John McFarland, Administrative Assistant, said the posters on the wall were submitted by Grades 1 through 6. He said Officer Robinson had talked to the students about safety and encouraged them to submit pos- ters. Posters were judged by Mayor Bauch and Police Chief Sheets. Councilman Traynor said both the Police and Fire Departments were putting on a terrific program at the schools. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. Noria Booher, Recording Secretary