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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-07-13 Special Minutes - City Council and South Central School Board Joint MeetingJuly 13, 1978 7:30 P.M. INTRODUCTIONS DISCUSSION COMMUNITY MEETING TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL AND SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES South Central Office Board Room The purpose of the joint meeting was to discuss the proposed sale or lease of the Southgate Elementary School to the City of Tukwila. DR. JOHN FOTHERINGHAM introduced MAYOR EDGAR D. BAUCH who in turn introduced the Council Members present as follows: GEORGE HILL, REID JOHANSON, DAN SAUL, AND GARY VAN DUSEN, Council President. Dr. Fotheringham introduced the School District Board of Directors as follows: WAYNE HAMMOND, BILL TURNER, Chairman, FRANK SICCARDI, JOY JENNE, AND TONY RADNICH. Dr. Fotheringham explained that the School Board decided that Southgate School must be closed because of declining enrollment. It is too costly to run a school of that size. When the decision was made by the School Board, they promised the people of the community that certain things would occur; the youngsters, if they wished, would be allowed to go to Tukwila Elementary School. They also promised the community, they would not let the school site become commercial or industrial, spoiling the residential area. Upon the sale of the building, this covenant would be included. If the enrollment should start increasing it would be more practical and efficient to add on to the existing buildings so it is felt that this building will never again be opened as a school facility. Mayor Bauch stated the City needs a Community Center and it has been included in their long range plan. Now that the Southgate School is available, the City is giving consideration to the facility. The following facts have been discussed: 1. The site is in a poor location as far as the City goes. It is a long way from the center of town, but this can be overcome. 2. If the City were to build a Community Center, it probably would not be that large. 3. The building suits the ideas of the City Council: low cost, functional, layed out efficiently. If the City proceeds with this proposal for a Community Center, it will be for all the people in the area. The City will need a long -term commitment on this property. Dr. Fotheringham noted that when public property is sold, there are statutes that govern the sale. If the sale is to a private ownership, it has to go to a vote of the people. RCW 39.33.010 applies to the sale between two governmental agencies. It states that you establish a sale price agreeable to both parties, then it is reviewed before a Superior Court Judge. If the judge sees that the property is surplus and that neither party is being hurt by the sale, the judge can authorize the sale. The School District for many years has been dependent on special levies for about 50 percent of the funds. Also, the District has been able to rely on the large assessed valuation of the community. The law is now changing to put the Levy Lid Bill in existence. This means that by 1980 -81, the District will have no more money per student than any other District. This will mean spending the money wisely or laying off staff. In 1980 -81, the levy will be about one -tenth as much as it was this past year. This District will have need for as much revenue as possible, including the sale of Southgate School. The Highline Community Plan shows the zoning of the school site as a Community Facility so it cannot be used for multi- residence or industrial. The assessed value of the site, land and buildings, in 1975, was $347,000. The insurance company replacement cost is $750,000 and the actual buildinc replacement cost, if it were rebuilt today, is $1,250,000. The school contains 24,696 square feet and is located on 5.28 acres. Dr. Fotheringhar cited figures he had received from the Highline School District on the sale of some of their school sites. COMMUNITY MEETING July 13, 1978 Page 2 DISCUSSION Cont. Mr.Hammond asked if Tukwila would like to buy the school as opposed to leasing it? Mayor Bauch said, yes, the Council indicated an interest in purchasing. COUNCILMAN TRAYNOR ARRIVED AT THE MEETING. Mr. Turner asked what is included in a Community Center? Mayor Bauch listed the possible community uses. Mr. Turner asked if the local community could use it and join,in on the activities? Mayor Bauch replied, yes. Lady, audience, noted that there are already a number of Riverton Heights Seniors using the Tukwila facilities. Mr. Siccardi asked if there will be offices in the building so there will be surveillance of the site during the day? Mayor Bauch said they anticipate someone being in the building most of the time during the week days. Mr. Turner asked if the City purchases the property, will it be annexed to the City? Mayor Bauch explained that there is a state law that allows the City to annex property for municipal use. If the property is leased, it would take a resolution of the School Board saying they have no objections. Mr. Turner asked if the houses in the same block as the school would also be annexed? Mayor Bauch said at the time of an annexation, the City attempts to square boundaries. Annexation is not a factor, the City could operate there anyway. Mr. Weise asked about the playfield and said young people are racing cars and partying there at night. It needs to be patrolled. Mayor Bauch said that under City control, our Police Department can take care of it. Lady, audience, asked if the City buys the property, will the children still be able to play there? Mayor Bauch said, yes, it would be a City Park. Councilman Saul stated he is anxious to go on and discuss a sales price. The Council is concerned where the City stands moneywise but it needs to be discussed. Dr. Fotheringham, in discussing the sale price of school buildings, said that appraisers are not used to appraising school buildings because the vacating of them is new. It is hard to come up with a comparative situation. Councilman Traynor noted this school will be used as a Community Center, not a private business. Our citizens have already helped pay for this building once. Dr. Fotheringham said the school was opened in 1951. Mr. Siccardi said that the Board wants to let the people use this facility The Board has always made the effort to open the facilities of the School District to the community. It is the community that has bought, paid for, and supported these buildings. The Board is trying to come up with something that is not going to hurt anybody and will benefit the people. Lady, audience, asked how the building would be paid for? Mayor Bauch stated it would have to be out of the City Funds. The County has indicated the $65,000 committed for remodeling Thorndyke cannot be used for acquisition of a building. Mayor Bauch noted that there might be some outstanding Library Building Bonds. Possibly paying off bonds might be a justifiable use of the grant. As far as the County goes, the Seniors of this area can go to Renton or Burien, but we don't agree with them. We will continue to ask them to help support the County program. COMMUNITY MEETING July 13, 1978 Page 3 DISCUSSION Cont. Al /L' Lady, audience, said from what she has heard, Tukwila has one of the best Senior Programs in the County. Councilman Saul asked how a decision can be reached on the procedure for establishing a sales price. Dr. Fotheringham said that, it is obvious, no offer has been made to the School District nor has the School District made an offer to the City. Lady, audience, asked if Tukwila buys the school, who will be responsible for the outstanding bonded indebtedness? Mayor Bauch said whoever buys the site has to take care of it. There is also a $6,000 sewer assessment against the property. Mayor Bauch asked the audience to express their opinion on the City purchasing the property. Mrs. R. Regel, Tukwila citizen, said she is familiar with the building. Why should the citizens buy back their own building? If Tukwila is willing to assume the expenses and running of the building, let it stand at that. The District should be glad somebody would assume this much. Mr. Jim Angle, audience, said he would like to see it kept in the School District and leased to Tukwila. Man, audience, said he would like to see it kept in the District and leased to Tukwila. This would probably be better than the Thorndyke Building. He asked who is responsible for the Thorndyke Building as vandals have broken in? Dr. Fotheringham said the property is currently leased to the City of Tukwila, but they have talked about forfeiting the lease. Lady, audience, suggested the arrangements could be a lease with option to buy at the end of the time. Lady, audience, leasing the building would still obligate the School District for maintenance. The problem of repairs might be more than the School District could afford so a sale might be the best way to go. Lady, audience, said she didn't think it right to ask Tukwila to invest money in the Community Center if they don't own it. Mr. Hammond asked those people that would like the School District to keep the property to explain why. Mr. Jim Angle said that land is getting to be a premium in this area. Mayor Bauch said that Mr. Angle's suggestion has brought something to mind and that is for the School District to sell Tukwila the building and lease the City the land. Lots of people do this. Lady, audience, explained that this site is considered a corridor area. There is property one -half block from the school zoned light industry; no one is going to move into the area and build single family homes. It is not being realistic to talk about population increase of children in that area. The property in the area is being sold for industrial use. It is a good area for a service center. Part of the building could be used by the County for Health Facilities. Councilman Saul asked if someone could make an offer so discussions on sale could start and get something going. Councilman Hill said there was no way to spend money unless it is budgeted and you need to come up with costs first. By making an offer tonight, you set what is going into the Recreation Budget and he stated he was not ready to do that yet. COMMUNITY MEETING July 13, 1978 Page 4 DISCUSSION Cont. ADJOURNMENT I` L] Councilman Johanson said there is a $56,000 indebtedness and the first thing the City should do is release the School District of that debt. So why can't this be used as a base to begin from? Councilman Van Dusen reminded Council that the School Board has not decided whether they want to lease or sell it. This is where we have to start. If we buy this facility, we will want to enhance the residential area, and he stated he hoped people would want to come into the City just for this purpose alone. Whether the City purchases or leases the property, he does not want to see the area become a commercial area with our recreation facility in the middle. The City is looking at a long -term investment. He stated he thought it should be purchased. Dr. Fotheringham stated the School Board has offered the City the property on a lease basis. The City has determined they want to buy it and perhaps they should come up with an offer. The School Board meets next Tuesday and would be receptive to hearing an offer. Councilman Van Dusen said he agreed with Councilman Johanson that a good starting figure is $56,000. The City should assume the indebtedness. Mayor Bauch offered that the School District lease the site to the City for the next 60 days for $1. The City will then sign and police it. Lady, audience, asked if the name could be retained; call it Southgate Center. It has been Southgate for many years. Lady, audience, said if the City will pay the indebtedness, the School Board should let them have it. Mr. Siccardi reminded the audience that this is not a regular meeting so no business can be conducted here. This is just an informational meeting. 9:15 p.m. Dr. Fotheringham thanked the audience for attending and the meeting was adjourned. afiad Mayor U Ci t'y Clerk