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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers August 28, 2017 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Robertson called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Council President Robertson; Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rachel Bianchi, Communications and Government Relations Manager; Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Mike Villa, Police Chief; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Mia Navarro, Community Engagement Manager; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director; Cindy Wilkins, Fiscal Specialist; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk. MOMENT OF SILENCE Councilmember Duffie asked that the Council and audience observe a moment of silence for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Climate Change and the Green/Duwamish River Ko►lin Higgins, Environmental Scientist with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, utilized a PowerPoint presentation to provide information about climate change impacts on Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 as it relates to the salmon habitat. Climate change was not addressed in the 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan. Scientific studies suggest there are strong negative impacts to salmon and their habitat. Mr. Higgins shared data showing the last 15 years have been the hottest on record, with average annual temperatures projected to increase rapidly in the coming decades. He stated that while Tukwila will still see the same amount of water, we will see changes in how and when it reaches the area. Precipitation is projected to fall less as snow and more as rain, resulting in increased flood risk. As flows rise above 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), the equivalent to a flood event at the Green/Duwamish River, the survival rate of juvenile salmon decreases drastically. Some actions we can take to mitigate risk to juvenile salmon include creating setback levees and revetments, reconnecting floodplain areas, and improving stormwater controls. If culverts installed today do not accommodate increases in bank full width caused by future increases in peak flows, then undersized culverts could create fish passage barriers and damage fish habitats, require increased maintenance and repairs, or undergo catastrophic structural failure during floods. The Green/Duwamish River will also see lower flows earlier and more often in the year, which will result in less stream area for each fish and juvenile stranding. Actions to mitigate risk to salmon include revegetating riparian areas, restoring wetlands areas, and expanding outreach to reduce water consumption. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 2 of 12 Warmer air will also affect water temperatures. By the 2080s, streams are projected to increase 4 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit on average. The number of river miles exceeding thermal tolerances are projected to increase by over 70 miles for salmon, and over 170 miles for char. Warmer water temperatures cause increased susceptibility to disease, blocked migration, death, and susceptibility to toxins. Dead chinook salmon were reported in the Green River below the hatchery in 2015. Sea levels have risen almost 1 foot in the past 100 years. A 1 -foot increase in water surface elevation means an order of magnitude increase in high water events. Actions to mitigate risk include: creating stronger protections for unarmored shorelines; requiring new or replacement bulkheads/revetments to be set back much higher than ordinary high-water marks; and evaluating upland areas most at risk of inundation, in conjunction with communities looking for opportunities to transition to aquatic habitats. Councilmember Seal thanked Mr. Higgins and stated the information provided in the presentation validates much of the work the City has undertaken on the Shoreline Master Plan. She referenced the recent flooding in Houston and relayed that a news article she recently read attributed the catastrophic flooding to inefficient stormwater management. Ms. Seal emphasized the importance of intentional design. Councilmember Quinn spoke on the issue of revegetating high priority areas and asked whether other jurisdictions have begun collaborating on the implementation of low flow actions to protect riparian areas. Mr. Higgins stated that WRIA9's 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan did not provide enough emphasis on revegetation as it should have. Therefore, a new prioritization plan was created a year ago to identify areas for revegetation. While there is mobilization from local groups to obtain grants to revegetate riparian areas, the work will be challenging to complete due to preexisting levees and revetments. Councilmember Quinn inquired whether there are other areas the City can focus on to allow to Salmon adapt. Mr. Higgins explained that creating a salmon refuge above Howard Hanson Dam would be beneficial as there is prime habitat for fish in that area. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has not yet prioritized that project as a primary action to undertake and, as a result, salmon are unable to traverse the dam. The 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan expected a passage above the dam by 2010, but there has been no progress. Councilmember Quinn acknowledged that restoring wetlands is a broad endeavor, with state restrictions that must be observed, especially in relation to groundwater recharge. Mr. Quinn requested examples of significant areas where the City could begin restoring wetlands while still complying with state regulations. Mr. Higgins highlighted Johnson Creek as an ideal place to both restore floodplain connectivity and reestablish it as a wetland recharge area. In the 1870s, Johnson Creek was identified as one of the best springs in the system and has been partly restored through some of Segale's wetland impact mitigation project but further work is needed. Councilmember Quinn asked Mr. Higgins to share whether there have been collaborations with businesses and if there is active outreach being done to seek partnerships. Mr. Higgins stated Boeing has partnered with WRIA9 to complete a large restoration project in the Duwamish. This project was unusual in that there was significant community interest and ownership of the process. Mr. Higgins expressed he would like to see this become a norm. Now that WRIA9 has established a strategic vision, they are hoping to bring in matching dollars from the business community. Councilmember Kruller noted the existence of grant and stewardship programs to help the public change artificial shorelines to setback shorelines that create habitat for salmon. She asked Mr. Higgins to share whether other programs and resources exist, in addition to those offered through the King Conservation District. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 3 of 12 Mr. Higgins provided several examples of resources and nonprofits currently completing projects through grants, including: • King Conservation District: Expanded programs provide more support for city residents • WRIA9: Grants and funding opportunities for nonprofits completing habitat restoration or protection projects • Forterra • Earth Corps • Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group • Wild Fish Conservancy Mr. Higgins stated salmon mainly spawn in the middle Green River, which is unincorporated King County and Auburn. The primary action we can take in those areas is to set the levees back so that in high flow events, the energy is expanded into the floodplain rather than the river channel. He expressed the lower river is currently functioning like a high-pressure hose, and expanding the banks wherever possible would provide salmon with safer habitats. Council President Robertson observed that the Council has shifted from a year-to-year approach to long- term planning. He emphasized the need for the Council to be intentional and aware of long-lasting impacts when making policy decisions and stated that the presentation shown at this meeting not only shows benefits to salmon, but to the community. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Update on visitor marketing: Brand mark Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee meeting on August 14, 2017. Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager, provided a brief overview of the history of the brand development process: In 2015, the City found that 55% of Washington State's population lives within a one-hour drive of the City. In 2016, the City contracted with Total Destination Marketing to assist the City in developing a brand for the Southcenter area of the City. A Brand Advisory Committee (BAC) was formed to assist in the development of the brand. Mr. Miles stated this branding project is funded with proceeds from the City's lodging tax, which, under State Law, can only be used for tourism promotion. Mr. Miles introduced Bill Baker, Consultant with Total Destination Marketing. Mr. Baker utilized a PowerPoint presentation to propose three brandmarks for consideration by the Council. Following were key points from the presentation: Proiect objective: Develop a brand strategy for Tukwila-Southcenter as a tourism destination, specifically for day visitors. Process to date: • Interviews (42) • Workshops (20) • Destination Assessment • Community — Stakeholder Survey (233) • Puget Sound Perceptions Research (1,400) • Tukwila Residents Image Research (174) • Input by Brand Advisory Committee (15 members) • Tukwila City Council Meetings Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 4 of 12 Puget Sound Residents Research Process Purpose: To determine Puget Sound area residents' perceptions of Tukwila and Southcenter • Online surveys conducted in March 2017 • Respondents lived in the Puget Sound area and were at least 18 years of age • Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Tukwila • 1,484 responses/174 in Tukwila Tukwila Visitor Strengths • Accessibility • Family friendly activities • Affordable shopping • Convenient to visit 'Neutral': Room to Grow • Family -friendly activities 45% • People with children to visit 42% • Parks, trails and outdoors 40% • Couples to visit 38% • Escape fora day 37% • To meet friends to hang-out 35% Destination Name • `Tukwila' as overall destination name for tourism • `Southcenter° or `Tukwila-Southcenter' when referring specifically to the shopping district • 'Tukwila' encompasses and unifies the whole city • `Tukwila' has greater relevance the greater the distance from the city • 'Tukwila' is relatively unknown and unclear identity in markets- high `neutral' scores • 'Tukwila' allows for growth as a destination outside of the shopping district • 'Seattle Southside' is the brand the City uses, through our partnership with SSRTA and the Cities of SeaTac and Des Moines, to market the area to potential visitors outside the region The `Accessible Fun' Brand Concept • Signature Experiences: Family Entertainment, Shopping, Fun with Friends • Companion: Accessible, Multi -cultural, Events, Recreation kwila Logos as reviewed by the Brand Advisory Committee Mr. Baker emphasized that the brandmark is not intended to be used outside of the City's efforts for tourism. It will not replace logos and wordmarks used by other City departments, nor will it replace the City seal. He stated branding as "Tukwila" rather than incorporating Southcenter into public outreach will allow the City to remain flexible on future branding opportunities. The Councilmembers provided the following feedback: n o (?.i n o 0 m N n 0 0 m v. n 0 > n v a • Best captures the Tukwila brand description? '. 5 2 • The most attractive? 4 5 1' • Represents a forward looking city? 5 4 • Represents a multicultural community? 3 2 4 • Represents a fun place? b 3 • Is contemporary and modern? 3 • Is casual and relaxed? 7 2 • Is welcoming and friendly? 8 1 • Is appropriate for families? 5 i 3 • Is appropriate for Millenniais? 3 > > 4 • Is flexible for variety of marketing applications? z 2 5 • Is your preferred design? 7 2 Mr. Baker emphasized that the brandmark is not intended to be used outside of the City's efforts for tourism. It will not replace logos and wordmarks used by other City departments, nor will it replace the City seal. He stated branding as "Tukwila" rather than incorporating Southcenter into public outreach will allow the City to remain flexible on future branding opportunities. The Councilmembers provided the following feedback: Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 5 of 12 • The criteria used to guide the brand development process is thorough • Concept 1 has the strongest potential: it feels playful and modern • The font in concept 1 is preferable to that used in the other concepts • The circle in concept 1 could be higher impact • The lack of a dotted "1" could lead to confusion about Tukwila's name for those unfamiliar with the City, as it could be read as `Tukwila" COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE. b. Discussion on formation of Tukwila Village non-profit organization Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee meeting on August 14, 2017. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, provided background information on this topic: He stated in 2012 the City and Tukwila Village Development Associates (the developer) approved a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) that provided guidance for the development of Tukwila Village. The Development Agreement provides for the developer and City to cooperate on the formation of an independent community organization to manage, operate, maintain, and promote the use of the plaza and commons. The governing board of the community organization will represent the interest of both the community at large and the private owners and tenants of Tukwila Village. Under the direction of Executive Director Jay Woolford, The Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) is helping the developer with the formation of the nonprofit and have recommended some draft concepts for mission, vision, resources, obligations and board. Mr. Woolford has experience forming and managing non -profits. Mr. Speck stated tonight is an opportunity to check in with the Council and ensure the draft guiding documents for the community organization capture the needs of all stakeholders. He is seeking Council input, concerns, and thoughts. He presented the draft concepts as follows: Organization Name Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village Mission To foster Tukwila Village as a welcoming place where all residents can gather and connect with each other to support the health and happiness of the residents of Tukwila Village, the neighborhood, and the City of Tukwila. Vision The Sullivan Center's community room, community kitchen, and plaza will serve as a hub for celebrating the rich diversity of the area through inter -generational, multi -cultural, multi -racial activities accessible to residents and the neighboring community members of all financial means. Resources • A 40 -year lease of the Sullivan Center's community room, community kitchen, and plaza at the cost of $1 per year. • Initial funding from the Tukwila Village developer of $50,000. • The ability to charge fees for the use of the facilities. • The ability to receive grants from outside agencies. Obligations To manage, operate, maintain, and promote the use of the community room, community kitchen, and plaza to accomplish the mission in accord with the Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 6 of 12 Board Member Categories • City • Corporate • Education • Health care • Inter -generational (older adult or youth) • Non-profit Board Member Priority Criteria • Company able to fund $5-10k annually • Ethnic representation • Inter -generational representation • Organization or person able to supply volunteers • Influencer: Someone able to bring along other funders Stakeholders Meeting It is important to recognize that a functional board will not be large enough to have seats for every person or organization who has an interest in how the community spaces are used at Tukwila Village. At the same time, it is important for the Board to stay aware of their mission to serve the entire community. One method to facilitate this will be a requirement in the bylaws regarding a stakeholder meeting. Councilmember Kruller relayed a written pubiic comment submitted by Pam Carter, 4115 South 139th St. Ms. Carter supports the draft concepts as presented, although the guiding documents are structured differently than she expected. Ms. Carter feels that while well-meaning community members can advise, this proposal will help guide the success of the nonprofit. Councilmember Seal asked for elaboration on the proposed name of the `Sullivan Center." Mr. Speck introduced Jay Woolford, Executive Director of SHAG. Mr. Woolford explained that the organization has some naming rights and as such, the Sullivan Center is named after Jim Sullivan, who was a longtime board member and previous president of SHAG. Mr. Sullivan was a resident of Tukwila and was involved in the Rotary Club. He was also involved in polio relief efforts in Arica and Asia. Mr. Woolford expressed that SHAG felt this was the best way to honor Mr. Sullivan. Councilmember Hougardy explained that fundraising would be a high priority for this board. This board is similar to a foundation in function, as it will need to bring in funds that are needed. Influencers (individuals able to bring along other funders) will be an important part of the fundraising efforts. Ms. Hougardy also explained that the bylaws will require a stakeholder meeting that will meet at least once a year, to provide the community at large with opportunities to give input. Ms. Hougardy stated there is no financial impact to the City for this item, as the City is not committed to provide funding to the community organization. Councilmember Quinn commented on the high level of participation from the community regarding Tukwila Village. He observed that many residents have given significant time and energy into this project and are vested in the outcomes. Mr. Quinn expressed his approval of the inclusion of inter -generational representation as a board member criterion, especially since inter -generational connection is one of the issues that surfaced through the City's Strategic Plan. This project is another example of placemaking, and successful placemaking happens through community buy -in. Mr. Quinn expressed that he will be both critical and supportive because this project has been anticipated for a long time. Councilmember Kruller shared that in the Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee meeting on August 14, 2017, she expressed concerns about achieving an appropriate balance between community use and SHAG resident use of the spaces. She would like to ensure the expectations on the use of the facilities are set in advance, and emphasized that the facilities are neither owned nor operated by the City. Ms. Kruller thanked the developers for providing $50,000 towards initial seed funds and noted this would give the organization some time to locate pipelines for funding. She expressed her support of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 7 of 12 the board structure, but stressed the importance of clearly communicating that this will not be a Tukwila community center. She also suggested adding a category for representation from the faith community. Council President Robertson asked who is responsible for naming the board and selecting board members. Mr. Speck stated the City has been working collaboratively with the developer and SHAG. If the Council is comfortable with the intent and content of the guiding documents, the City will determine who will continue to be the lead on forming the nonprofit. The selection of board members will be a cooperative effort. Mr. Speck noted SHAG has expertise in the legal formation documents. Mr. Woolford stated SHAG is looking forward to support from the City to identify community members who would be willing to serve on the board. The recruitment of board members can be very time consuming, in part due to the lack of individuals who meet all the desired criteria. SHAG has already begun working with their attorney on the documentation necessary to form and establish the nonprofit. Mr. Woolford clarified that the board will eventually be self-perpetuating and recruit its own members. Council President Robertson expressed he would like to see Mr. Woolford's statement on board member recruitment in the final documents so that expectations and responsibilities of the nonprofit are clearly outlined. Joyce Robertson, Director of Advancement and Community Engagement at SHAG, commented on the issue of board recruitment and stated that the initial mission of the board will be to establish the core group of members who will be responsible for attracting and forming the rest of the board. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT CONCEPTS AS PRESENTED. c. Discussion on draft Equity Policy Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on August 22, 2017. Mia Navarro, Community Engagement Manager, provided some background on the creation of the draft Equity Policy: In 2016, the Equity and Social Justice Commission researched the equity policies and work of other jurisdictions, and came up with a list of components for a draft Equity Policy for the City of Tukwila. An ad hoc Equity Policy Committee comprised of staff was convened to do additional research and turn the components into a draft Equity Policy over the course of several months. The policy has been reviewed by the Admin Team, the Equity and Social Justice Commission and the Finance Committee. Provided the draft Equity Policy is approved by the Council at this Committee of the Whole meeting, the City intends to hold a series of brown bag sessions for City employees and obtain feedback. It will then return to Council for final consideration before entering an implementation phase, which will be steered by an implementation and evaluation team. Ms. Navarro summarized the key points of the policy as follows: Background and Overview The City of Tukwila has a strong commitment to equity and desires that all residents, visitors and employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Societal, environmental and legal factors have resulted in inequitable access to opportunities and services for some individuals and groups of people, including: • Age • Physical and/or Cognitive Disability • Economic Status • Gender • National Origin/Language • Race and/or Ethnicity • Religion Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 8 of 12 • Sexual Orientation While we celebrate Tukwila and value its rich diversity, we recognize that many in our community do not have equitable access to services, government, education, employment and other opportunities toward a better future. We recognize the role that government can play in breaking down barriers to equitable access to opportunities. Purpose To provide guidance to City elected officials, staff, boards and commissions, partners, residents, businesses and guests on how the City of Tukwila will actively promote equitable access to opportunities and services. Definition of Equity Eliminating systemic barriers and providing fair access to programs, services and opportunities to achieve social, civic and economic justice within the City of Tukwila. Policy Goals 1. Our City workforce reflects our community 2. Community outreach and engagement is relevant, intentional, inclusive, consistent and ongoing 3. All residents and visitors receive equitable delivery of City services 4. City government is committed to equity in the decision-making process 5. Equity serves as a core value for all long-term plans moving forward 6. Build capacity around equity within City government and the broader community Comments by Councilmembers included: • Acknowledging that institutional structures perpetuate injustice and inequalities. • Candid conversations are vital for providing context and clarity as to the purpose and value of equity -based work. • Equity policies impact the provision of services and City infrastructure to communities in real ways, such as determining equitable access to Internet and roads. • Equity is not about take -away, it's about being fair to all. • It's important to have top-level staff sponsor and participate in the implementation of equity -based work. • The Council has an important role in holding the City accountable for moving equity and social justice work forward in measurable ways. • Policies work best when they are created by those who want to see it succeed. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE DRAFT POLICY TO CITY STAFF FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. d. 2017 2nd Quarter financial report Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on August 22, 2017. 9:02 p.m. 9:04 p.m. 9:05 p.m. 9:08 p.m. Councilmember Hougardy exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember Hougardy returned to the Council Chambers. Councilmember Duffie exited the Council Chambers Councilmember Duffie returned to the Council Chambers. Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director, utilized a PowerPoint presentation to provide an overview of the 2017 Second Quarter Financial Report, which captures the general state of City-wide financial affairs and highlights significant items and trends. The report is based on financial data for the period ending June 20, 2017. Key points were as follows: Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 9 of 12 General fund revenues are exceeding expenditures by $3 million • Revenues are at $31.5 million while expenditures are at $28.4 million • Revenues are below budget by $737 thousand • Sales tax totaled $9.46 million, which is below budget by $594 thousand but on par with 2016 • .Gambling tax totaled $1.96 million and exceeds the budget by $158 thousand • Revenue Generating Regulatory License fees are below budget by $140 thousand Overall, expenditures are below budget by $2.8 million • All departments except for Parks Maintenance and Fire are below budget • Parks exceeds allocated budget by $56 thousand; department is fully staffed and the overage is due to a change in their spending pattern • Fire exceeds budget by $79 thousand; 5 pipeline positions to offset overtime; semi-monthly monitoring is in place with plan to address overage • Department 20 is under budget by $1.3 million Highlights of Other Funds • 42nd Ave S Phase III, 53rd Ave S street projects: $8.8 million bond proceeds received in July • REET revenue exceeding budget: $1.2 million split between land acquisition and arterial street funds • City Facilities (fund 306): Created last budget cycle for preliminary siting for Public Works facility. Sale of bonds budgeted to be sold in 2017 has been moved to 2018 at the earliest. There have been some costs for preliminary sitework relating to the Public Safety Plan; there will be a budget amendment at the end of the year to cover those costs. • Revenue for the golf course is at $690 thousand while expenses are at $875 thousand. A historically wet winter and spring severely impacted rounds and revenue expectations. However, since June 1, rounds and revenue have been surpassing 2016 numbers. • Andover Park E water main replacement project: significant work in both water and sewer funds • Through June, self-insured health care for employee expenses are at 43% of budget Looking Forward • Continue monitoring of General Fund revenues and expenditures • Close monitoring of Fire Department • Transfers to capital projects funds if needed • Continued enhancement of reporting to departments and the Council • Line of credit options; $2.25 million line of credit to purchase property on the Boulevard will be coming due December 1. Finance will be bringing a plan forward in the next few weeks to extend the line of credit. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and offered comments, including: Concern regarding the Fire Department budget; Significant underspending by the City; Fiscal impacts to the City when staff are deployed under FEMA rules; The City's approach to decreased sales tax revenue, which is a significant portion of the City's total income; Information on why charges for services are down by $190,000; Appreciation of the utility of the allocated budget approach for a high-level summary of the City's finances. In response to Council President Robertson's question about underspending of salary and benefits, Ms. Carlsen shared that labor contracts have not been settled so cost of living adjustments are not yet in the actuals. This should be present on the budget by the end of the year. The Councilmembers thanked Ms. Carlsen for the report. e. Business license fees: (1) An ordinance amending various ordinances as codified in Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 5.04, "Licenses Generally" to replace "FTE" with "employee" in relation to the business license fee structure and to eliminate reference to a "combined" business license fee. (2) A resolution repealing Resolution No. 1875 and adopting a revised business license fee schedule Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 10 of 12 Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on August 22, 2017 and was forwarded with majority approval. Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director, explained recent Washington State legislation will require the City to use the State's online business license system within the next few years. Staff recommends changing the current fee schedule to be based upon flat rates per employee total to streamline the process in preparation for moving to the State system. The proposed ordinance would assess a flat rate of $70 per full-time employee (defined as 30 hours or more each week) and $50 per part-time employee. This item was originally approved with amendments by the Finance Committee on July 18, 2017, and was forwarded to the July 24, 2017 Committee of the Whole. After discussion, Council consensus existed to return this item to the Finance Committee for further discussion regarding the proposed part-time fee. On August 7, 2017, the City Attorney's Office recommended changes in the calculation of the business license fee. The revised ordinance and resolution reflect elimination of a combined fee structure (the fee will no longer be a combination a business license fee and a Revenue Generating Regulatory License fee, and will solely be a business license fee). Staff is recommending a full-time employee rate of $70, and part-time employee rate of $50. Councilmember Seal reminded the Council that once the revised business license fee schedule is implemented, the City will be reviewing the results after a year to review for and mitigate unintended impacts. Councilmember McLeod expressed he is in favor of lining up with the State system and the revised language in the ordinance, but opposed to the proposed part-time fee of $50. Mr. McLeod explained that because the part-time fee was calculated at 75% of 40 hours of work per week for a full-time employee, a part-time employee is defined as working 30 hours per week. However, part-time employees may work less than 30 hours. In calculating projected costs for a sampling of Tukwila business owners, Mr. McLeod found that the proposed $50 part-time fee was burdensome for businesses with several part-time employees. Since this is a pilot program, the City should make a lateral move rather than drastically increasing fees. Ms. Carlsen emphasized the City lacks data on full-time and part-time employee counts and has no way of determining how businesses define part-time. She noted the calculations Finance has completed found that a small number of businesses had a small number of part-timers and that the proposed license fee schedule should therefore mostly impact larger businesses. Councilmember Kruller stressed the importance of thorough community outreach and messaging about the proposed changes to minimize impact to small business owners. Councilmember Quinn confirmed that the goal of the pilot was to streamline the business license fee process and to obtain accurate counts of employees. He asked whether setting the part-time fee at $35 instead of $50 would still provide the City with the needed data and noted that, if so, it would still be a good outcome. Councilmember Hougardy stated feedback will be obtained from the business community once the pilot has been implemented and more data is available to the City. She noted that in speaking with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Chamber, she did not observe alarm about the increase in fees. Council President Robertson relayed that several years back, the Revenue Generating Regulatory License (RGRL) fee was implemented in combination with the business license fee to address the problem of a gap between anticipated revenues and expenditure forecasts. The amount of revenue the City can receive from property taxes is limited to 1% growth per year. He emphasized that the City's costs have increased and will continue to do so. He also stated the biggest expenses by the City are by the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments, which primarily support the business community. He Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 11 of 12 suggested that an amendment to this ordinance could be proposed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmernber Kruller requested information on what the financial impact to the City would be if it charged a $35 part-time fee rather than a $50 part-time fee. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. f. Consensus on City Council vision statement for values, goals and objectives for architecture and engineering for the Justice Center Councilmember McLeod indicated this item was discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting on August 21, 2017. The Public Safety Committee reviewed the draft vision statement and requested additional language regarding the siting criteria and the new building fitting into existing neighborhood design and land use. Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst, read the revised vision statement: "The Tukwila City Council looks forward to a community Justice Center that is modern, secure, and efficient in its delivery of outstanding Police and Court services. We envision a beautiful building that is aesthetically reflective of Tukwila's historical and cultural character, environmentally and fiscally responsible, and that will serve as a safe and inclusive space that will foster pride in our community. The location of the Justice Center must be responsive to the siting criteria that was previously adopted by Council with input from the community, and the building design should be respectful of the existing neighborhood character and surrounding land use." The Councilmembers exchanged comments and suggested the following changes to the vision statement: The Tukwila City Council looks forward to a community Justice Center that is contemporary modem, secure, and efficient in its delivery of outstanding Police and Court services. We envision a beautiful facility lauildirag that is aesthetically reflective of Tukwila's historical and cultural character, environmentally and fiscally responsible, and that will serve as a safe and inclusive space that will foster pride in our community. The location of the Justice Center must be closely aligned and responsive to the siting criteria that was previously adopted by Council with input from the community. The build -ice design should be respectful of the existing neighborhood character and surrounding land use. 10:04 p.m. 10:07 p.m. Councilmember Quinn exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE REVISED VISION STATEMENT TO THE ARCHITECTS AND JUSTICE CENTER PROJECT TEAM. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Quinn reported that several Councilmembers attended the memorial service for Steve Mullet, former City of Tukwila Mayor on August 27, 2017. The memorial service was very representative of who he was and a fitting tribute. Mr. Quinn ccmmended Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, for representing the City of Tukwiia. REPORTS Due to the lateness of the hour, the Council dispensed with reports. 10:10 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 28, 2017 Page 12 of 12 Dennobe� ouncil President Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 09/25/17 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 09/26/17