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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-05-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 14, 1979 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Council President Bohrer called the Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order. PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Council Chambers ROLL CALL OF LIONEL C. BOHRER, MABEL J. HARRIS, GEORGE D. HILL, DANIEL J. COUNCIL MEMBERS SAUL, DWAYNE D. TRAYNOR, GARY L. VAN DUSEN. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 23, 1979 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. MOTION CARRIED. Discrimination Councilman Saul, Chairman of the Community Affairs Committee, against children explained that the Council had received a letter of complaint by Apartment from a lady who was unable to find apartment housing in the Owners City of Tukwila because she had children. Council directed staff to investigate this complaint. The report showed that, of the 950 units surveyed, there were 10 children. Most of the apartments did not allow children. Council President Bohrer said the Committee is reviewing some policy alternatives. The reason for the Public Hearing is to hear from both apartment owners and apartment renters about what the problems are and why there are so few children in the apartments. With this, Council President Bohrer declared the Public Hearing open. Mr. Stanley Berman, Maple Crest Apartments (65th Ave. South) said they do not allow children. The complex was not designed for children. There is no playground area, there are possible danger areas, and it does not have sufficient sound proofing between the walls. You need to balance the need to rent to children and the right of people who have raised their children. I have another complex in Tacoma where we allow children. The building is suitable for children. Council should very carefully weigh the pros and cons -not all buildings are suitable for children and there are mature adults that do not want to live with children. Councilman Saul commented that he is not in favor of government regulations, but if that is what we need to make balconies safe and have sound barriers then maybe that is the way. Mr. Berman said the building was built in 1978 and met all the codes in existence at that time. If we have to bring our buildings up to a certain standard, you'll have an inflation problem -when the costs go up they have to be passed on. Council President Bohrer commented that the City has passed a resolution of intent to adopt noise regulations which will give the City some authority to regulate noise from loud stereos. Mr. Clifford Godwin, Secretary /Treasurer of the Canyon Estates Condominium Association, said he hopes Council will make special consideration for condominiums in planning an ordinance. Many of the original purchasers rent their units in this complex. The complex was, in its bylaws, designated as an adult only complex with children under 14 years of age not admitted. These people made their investment and did not expect children to be there. The condominium owner should be given particular consideration. Councilman Saul asked if the complex is about 50% rentals. Mr. Godwin said about 50 some are still owned by the developer and some are rental units that were purchased for investment by individuals. Mr. K. Millward, Property Manager for Pacific Management Company, said they manage three complexes consisting of 250 units. They are the La Vista Estates, Southcenter, and Hillcrest Apartment units. They do accept families- -they do not discriminate against TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING Continued 02 4/3 (i Discrimination children. They do rent to families that qualify by way of against children income and if they can determine that the parents will properly by Apartment care for the children. In these buildings certain areas are Owners suited for children and certain areas are best suited for adults. The cost of refurbishing after a family leaves is much greater than when they don't have children. By forcing owners to rent to all children constitutes discrimination against those who choose to live in a child free environment. Council President Bohrer asked if families with children pay a larger damage deposit. Mr. Millward said n o they don't. They screen the families and ask who cares for the children when the mother is not there. They have 250 units and have 36 to 40 children. Councilman Harris asked if it would be worthwhile to raise the damage deposit for families with children. Mr. Millward said they use the deposit as an incentive to get tenants to clean the unit. They try to rent to good families. Mr. Allan Merkle, Southcenter Court Apartments (14081 58th Ave. South), said they are a small complex and do have children in the building. He had one child that caused considerable damage to walls getting his bike in and out of the building. One of his biggest problems in renting to families with children is that mothers are not home to look after them. He will continue to rent where the mother is there all the time. He would not like to see a law passed saying he has to rent to families with children as he feels he has some right when he owns the building. Ms. Karen Wharton, South King County Tenants Union, said she didn't understand the problem; we were all children at one time. At the present time in King County we have a 5% condo conversion rate and a 2% vacancy rate. She gets upset when she hears a landlord complain about a problem tenant. If you use adult judgment and screen your tenants, you shouldn't have any problems. If you have problems there are legal ways to handle them. Todays inflation and economy is forcing both parents to have to work. We have to make provisions for children. The landlord is in the business for profit. The tenant is a consumer and entitled to certain rights. There are responsibilities and obligations on both sides. To say that you will make no provision for children is insanity -they are our future. Councilman Saul asked what a Tenant Union is and was told a union for tenants dedicated to tenant rights. Mr. Ray Vomenica, complex on 56th Ave. South, asked Council to consider the many H.U.D. sponsored projects using tax payers' money, and the apartment owners are competing against them at 7% interest when he pays 92 -12 He said they rent to everybody but families and cited the qualifications. The profit is not in renting to families. There are places for children. They need play area -they need more than a third floor apartment. Why doesn't Tukwila have low cost H.U.D. projects? The problem is suitability, and most of the buildings in Tukwila are not designed for children because of the terrain. It is all hills and most of these buildings are sitting on a cliff. Tukwila is an Industrial /Commercial type of apartment population. Maybe you need to look at some of the code, maybe use some H.U.D. money so you do get more units for children. Councilman Saul said Tukwila probably has more open space, trails and parks per capita than anywhere in King County. We probably have one of the largest working forces for this small area. This is why you find it beneficial; and some of these people have children. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING Continued Discrimination Mr. Vomenica said they built their building in 1965 and nothing against children was ever mentioned to them about children and now you want to by Apartment change things overnight. This is not the answer. Upgrade your Owners codes so that new buildings are liveable for children. Stair- ways, lanais and parking lots are not children's playgrounds and that is what we have here. RECESS: 8:00 p.m.- 8:08 p.m. PRESENTATION Ms. Colleen Willhite, South King County Tenants Union, commented that it is going to cost the same amount to repair damages whether they are done by children or adults. This is what damage deposits are for. Mr. Stanley Berman said most adults are more mature and don't cause destructive damage. It costs more or the area is in- adequate is why landlords don't rent to families with children. We are looking for a return on our dollar. We don't care who we rent to as long as the property is maintained. Ms. Wharton asked that Council use sound adult judgment. With sound judgment there can be an environment for children. Children are our future; there has to be provisions made. People cannot afford to buy homes unless there are two working parents so you're going to have tenants with children. Landlords are in it for investment and profit and have got to recognize human needs. There being no further comment, Council President Bohrer declared the Public Hearing closed. Council declared a five minute recess. Council President Bohrer called the Committee of the Whole Meeting back to order with Council Members present as previously reported. Bicycle Trails Council President Bohrer said the next subject is bicycle in South King trails and how King County's plans relate to Tukwila. We are County now becoming concerned that, sometime in the future, we might want an alternate mode of travel for distances a little further than people normally walk. He has invited Mr. BeYoung Ahn, Chief Transportation Planner for King County to make a presentation. Mr. Ahn displayed a map of the completed and proposed King County Bicycle Plan. He explained that the Councy received $400,000 on behalf of all of the agencies for the Interurban Bicycle Project. The County has just been the lead agent on the project. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. at Auburn City Hall will be the dedication of the Interurban Trail. In the beginning it was estimated that $400,000 would build the trail from Fort Dent to the South County Line. As it turned out they were able to pave little morE. than 5 miles, 10 feet wide. They will now do what they can to improve the existing shoulder areas of the local citizen streets to extend access from Tukwila south to the County Line. He is trying to convince King County Officials to include in their roadway standards provisions for bicycles. Mr. Ahn explained the extensions of the trail to the north. They are trying to tie the City of Seattle's Bicycle Path Program with Renton and Tukwila. He introduced David Mark from his office. Mr. Mark described some of the projects King County is working on and how they are attempting to use a systems approach to try to get a network of bicycle facilities connecting the various jurisdictions. Mr. Mark suggested that the local agencies can write to their Senators and Representatives urging them to appropriate the money that has been earmarked for purposes such as this. When this money has been released, one of the first things they would like to do is complete the Interurban Trail. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 4 PRESENTATION Continued Bicycle Trails Councilman Saul asked if drinking fountains and sani cans will in South King be installed along the trails. Mr. Ahn said they will not be County installed but will use directional signs to the nearest facility. DISCUSSION Waiver Request McNamara Invest- ment Company, 53rd Ave. So. c2 Mr. Mark explained that the Interurban Trail is a multipurpose facility. There is an area where horses can be ridden. They expect to see bikers, joggers, hikers and horseback riders on the trail. Council President Bohrer asked if the thrust of the program is recreation or transportation. Mr. Ahn said transportation. Council President Bohrer said the City has a plan to extend Christensen Trail to the Fort Dent area. He asked if there is a plan to continue the trail to the Seattle Industrial area. Mr. Ahn said they are discussing it -it is possible. Bicycling and bicyclying related activities are so new that Public Works Departments are reluctant to spend anything more than necessary. Kjell Stoknes, OCD Director, explained that McNamara Investment Company was required to submit an application for a waiver for their property on 53rd Avenue South (adjacent to the Bow Lake Pipeline) because the Comprehensive Plan shows the property as Single Family Residential while the present zoning is R.M.H. Mr. Stephen Clark, Harstad Associates, displayed drawings and made a presentation on behalf of Mr. McNamara, the applicant. They have worked to develop a complex that complies with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The property is located on 53rd Avenue South at approximately South 158th. The elevation of the property is from 120 feet on the northeast to 165 feet on the southwest. The entrance is proposed on 53rd at the northern corner of the property. One of the basic questions in planning for this site is slope stability. They are relying on the report of Shannon Wilson, Inc., Geotechnical Consultants, who made an evaluation of the site in 1976. There are two mechanisms of instability to consider. One would be a shallow failure in which the surficial fine sand moved downslope. The second type would be a deep failure where the movement occurred along a sliding plane at some depth. The Shannon report states, "The remedial measures installed to protect the freeway interchange are designed primarily to minimize the potential for deep- seated failure. The property appears to be more stable relative to a deep- seated type movement than the hillside property to the south and the northwest." The report further states, "We have no evidence of recent deep- seated movement and, by carefully planning the development, the potential for deep failure would not be increased. The shallow movement could be reduced by installation of an interceptor with perforated pipe to collect the ground- water." He presented Council with a copy of the report. Councilman Harris asked if this is a deeply wooded area. Mr. McNamara said no, just small alders and brush. The large trees along the stream will be maintained. Mr. Clark continued; the developer proposes the construction of 11 tri- plexes (33 units), each having a building area of 1,800 square feet and containing approximately 1,200 square feet of living space per dwelling unit. Of this total area of the site (2.7 acres) approximately 19,800 square feet will be utilized as building area, 32,500 square feet impervious surficial area, and 64,910 square feet reserved for open space and land- scaping. Approximately 2.3 parking spaces per unit will be provided, a portion of that underneath the buildings. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 5 DISCUSSION Continued Waiver Request McNamara Invest- ment Company, 53rd Ave. So. RECESS: 9:25 P.M.- 9:32 P.M. Authorization to Call for Bids LID #29 (62nd Ave. So. So. 153rd) Authorization to Call for Bids 1979 Accelerated Street Improvement Project Formal Motion: Authorizing modifications to certain annexation legal descriptions Discussion with Bob Richards, Policy Analyst 9% to 10% of the area will be maintained specifically for play areas for small children. Mr. Clark said that does not count the storage and parking area on the ground floor. It would have the appearance of a two story structure but would be three levels. In this development they are trying to achieve a cluster of row houses and still maximize the open space to create a sense of community. Council declared a five minute recess. 5-3 Council President Bohrer verified that they are proposing approximately 600 square feet per floor in a two story structure. Mr. Clark read and commented on portions of Attachment A, Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan: Goal and Policies, submitted with their Application for Waiver and called Council's attention to the complete document. He said they are cognizant of the attitudes of the citizens of the area. They would not like to see the development of a high density complex. But, McNamara Investment is talking about meeting the market demand for housing units in a price range that is affordable ($50,000 $60,000) in a family oriented community. This proposal does not warrant disapproval. Council input is certainly necessary in working out the site plan to put together a quality development. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THIS ITEM BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Bohrer called the Committee of the Whole Meeting back to order with Council Members present as previously reported. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BE AUTHORIZED TO CALL FOR BIDS FOR LID #29 WITH THE BID OPENING TO BE JUNE 26, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BE AUTHORIZED TO CALL FOR BIDS ON THE 1979 ACCELERATED STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (SO. 153RD ST. 64TH AVE. SO.) WITH THE BID OPENING TO BE JUNE 26, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. Kjell Stoknes explained that this is on the agenda to comply with the annexation procedures. After action is taken by the City on an annexation, the Boundary Review Board requires the legal description be sent to King County Public Works Department. They review it for accuracy and recommend changes. This Formal Motion is to recognize that this has happened in the Segale, Riverton, Allentown and Crestview annexations. The areas have not changed, the only thing that has changed are a few words in the legal descriptions. MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT THIS ITEM BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Bohrer called attention to the contract signed with Bob Richards that indicates the job description and respon- sibilities for the Policy Analyst position. It also includes three specific tasks to be worked on. They are: 1. Analysis of Council Manager form of Government. 2. Child Discrimination in apartments. (Tenant /Landlord) 3. Development of administrative records management system for council action. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 6 DISCUSSION Continued Discussion with Bob Richards, Policy Analyst Full -Time Mayor Position Council President Bohrer asked Council if any of the Committees had specific items they would like help with. He explained that he and Bob will work out a schedule of hours so he will be available to meet with individual Council members. He reminded Council that, for major tasks, he will help set the priorities. For individual small requests Council can feel free to contact Bob directly for assistance. Councilman Harris, Finance and Personnel Committee, said they would use him on the Labor Negotiation Item but will meet directly with him. Councilman Saul suggested he could help on the subject of conversion of apartments to condominiums. Councilman Traynor said he would like to discuss, how does the Council feel, is it time to go to a full -time Mayor? If there are enough that feel the City is ready for a full -time Mayor, it should go to Committee for a salary recommendation. Since this is election year it should be done before filing time. Councilman Van Dusen said there are really three items involved. (1) What type of government do we want? Do we stay Mayor Council or do we go Council- Manager. (2) Do we go full -time Mayor? (3) If we go full -time Mayor, we have to set the salary. Council President Bohrer said that research Mr. Richards has done shows that there is not time for the Council to decide to go to a Council- Manager form of government and achieve this during the Mayor's current term in office. If Council does decide to change the form of government it must be after the next election. Councilman Harris asked if it can be done in the middle of a term and was told it can be. Mayor Bauch explained that if the form of government is changed there must be an election held for all Council positions. Mr. Richards reviewed the alternatives open to a City if they go to a Council- Manager from of government. He then explained that it would take two elections to change the form. The first is to let the citizens decide if they want to change the form of government and, if they do, the second is to elect Council members. Council President Bohrer said, after reviewing this procedure, the current decision is to go forward with the current form of government and now resolve the question of a full or part -time Mayor. Councilman Traynor said Council has put this off until election year and now, this is election year. Council President Bohrer said his position is that the City needs a full -time executive because of the amount of the budget and the number of employees. This warrants a full -time executive for the City. Councilman Traynor said the City is in need of a full -time manager. Councilman Hill said you don't run a business with a budget the size of this City's with a part -time manager. Councilman Van Dusen suggested maybe the citizens should vote on this. Mayor Bauch said Council could hold a Public Hearing and let the people express themselves. Councilman Harris said she has always been in favor of a part time Mayor. This should be a position everybody can run for. Few people would be willing to leave a job for four years and then try to go back to it. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 14, 1979 Page 7 DISCUSSION Continued Full -Time Mayor Position Ordinance to prohibit the parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas Ordinance recreat- ing the Tukwila Planning Commission EXECUTIVE SESSION: 10:47 P.M. 11:28 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: 11:30 P.M. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT THE MATTER OF DETERMINING THE SALARY FOR A FULL -TIME MAYOR BE PUT IN THE FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.* Mayor Bauch recommended that the Committee set the salary at a level "0" on the Salary Plan. *MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Van Dusen said the City Attorney recommended adoption of this ordinance and suggested the penalty be set at $500. In Section 1, a. make the gross vehicle weight 8 thousand pounds and in Section 3 have the imprisonment be not more than 90 days. Mayor Bauch said he has a problem with the hours noted in Section 2. This would allow vehicles to park on the streets during day time hours. He recommended putting a comma after residential district and striking the hours. He also said he has a problem with Section 2, c. "in order to make necessary repairs" and recommended that "necessary" be changed to "non recurring." He said the City Attorney agrees with both changes. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE CHANGED AND PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE RECREATING THE PLANNING COMMISSION BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 1979. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT COUNCIL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION CARRIED. Executive Session called to discuss labor negotiations between Supervisors and Office Personnel and the City of Tukwila. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY HILL,THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION BE CLOSED. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY HARRIS,THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. g‘Le-r Council President Clerk Y