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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-11-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 13, 1979 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES PRESENTATION June Leonard, RAYS DISCUSSION Right Turn Lane along Southcenter Parkway TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE M I N U T E S Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Councilman Traynor called the Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT COUNCILMAN VAN DUSEN PRESIDE AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM. MOTION CARRIED. MABEL J. HARRIS, GEORGE D. HILL, J. REID JOHANSON, DWAYNE D. TRAYNOR, GARY L. VAN DUSEN. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD OCTOBER 22, 1979, BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. MOTION CARRIED. June Leonard, Executive Director of the Renton Area Youth Services, was present to describe to Council the services offered to the youth of the Tukwila /South Central School Area. They are primarily a facility resource for adolescents and their families. They do mostly counseling individual, group, and family. Another portion of their service is a Job Search and Assistance Program. They actively recruit employers for young people. They also screen applicants between the ages of 14 to early 20's for the jobs and make in depth career assessments. They place over 500 young people each year. Another service they offer is community education. They send speakers to the schools to discuss a variety of subjects drugs, juvenile justice, etc. She explained the special projects they are supervising at this time that have separate funding sources. Mrs. Leonard introduced two members of her staff; Karen Jackson, Counselor who works with South Central School District, and Rich Brooks, Director of Client Services. She explained that they receive funds from United Way, King County, City of Renton, State of Washington, and City of Tukwila. They are looking forward to working with the City of Tukwila again next year. Councilman Harris asked if the $3,000 included in the preliminary budget is sufficient for the City of Tukwila. Mrs. Leonard said they feel it covers a good percentage of the total budget in proportion to the total number of hours spent. Mrs. Joanne Davis, audience, said she supports the program and suggested an article on the services be included in the next Hazelnut. Councilman Johanson explained that the Public Works Committee met with Mr. Timothy S. Dubois, General Manager of the Doubletree Inn, to discuss the proposed right hand turn lanes on Southcenter Parkway. The Committee has come to an agreement with the developers and is recommending it to the City Council. The City will develop the turn lanes and the developers will deed the property to the City. The developers will grant the City an easement to place a sidewalk along the west property line and the City will allow a narrower landscaped area so as not to infringe on the parking lot. Councilman Hill explained that the developer is willing to donate twelve feet, which is the width of the turn lane. The sidewalk will be five feet and they will give the City an easement for that. Phil Fraser, Public Works Department, said the total cost for the Koehler and Doubletree properties is estimated at $27,000 for sidewalks, curbs, gutters and twelve feet of pavement. This lane will extend south from Strander Boulevard approximately 1,200 to 1,300 feet. Mr. Timothy Dubois said he is speaker for both the Doubletree and Koehler and that the proposal is agreeable to them. It gives the City the right hand turn lane, expedites the problem and gives a solution. It is good for both parties. He asked to have the City TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 13, 1979 Page 2 DISCUSSION Cont. Right Turn Lane along Southcenter Parkway (continued) Proposed Ordinance relating to driving while intoxicated Grady Way Bridge Replacement Project Proposed Use of Block Grant Funds Attorney work up the deed so it will be satisfactory to the City. c2S 7 Mr. Gary Van Dyke of Hayden Island said they are in the process of dedicating the property for the street and are agreeable to the rest of the proposed development. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY DRAW UP THE PROPER PAPERS AND BRING THEM BACK TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED. This item, new State Legislation on driving while intoxicated, was brought forward by the Public Safety Committee. It was recommended for adoption by Carl Carlson, City Attorney, to keep the Tukwila Municipal Code consistent with the State Laws. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT AN ORDINANCE BE DRAWN UP AND BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED. Phil Fraser, Public Works Department, introduced Prakash Limaye, Design Manager for URS on the Grady Way Bridge Project. Mr. Fraser explained that at the joint meeting of the City of Renton/ City of Tukwila Transportation Committee they adopted Alternate #1, which follows the existing route, for replacement of the bridge. This was agreed on with the proviso that the design would provide for a suitable extension of Grady Way to connect to Southcenter Boulevard. This extension #1B) has already been determined to be feasible. The Renton City Council has already adopted Alternate #1. He asked Council to look at Alternates #1, #2, and #2A to see if they agree with the Joint Transportation Committee's recommendation. Mr. Limaye reviewed each of the alternates and cited the advantages and disadvantages of each. The estimated construction cost of Alternate #1 for 1981 is $6.3 million. Councilman Hill noted that Alternate #1 does not solve the traffic problem at the Grady Way Intersection. If the proposed four lane road was extended to continue two of the lanes across the river to South center Boulevard, it would get rid of the traffic backup. If Alternate #1 is built, Tukwila should apply for a grant at the same time to build #1B. Mr. Limaye reported that he has been in contact with the State on the feasibility of relocating the on /off ramps at Grady Way Intersection and they agreed it could be done. It would be necessary if the extension to Southcenter Boulevard is made. Councilman Van Dusen asked Councilman Hill if his proposal is that Tukwila agree to Alternate #1 on the condition that Renton support Tukwila on #1B. Councilman Hill agreed that was right. That interseciton is not just a Tukwila problem, it is a regional problem. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THIS ITEM BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NOVEMBER 19, 1979, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Attention was called to a list of items for consideration for the use of the Block Grant Funds. On it were the following: Water Quality Study (Pond Near City Shop) Community Center Repairs Duwamish Park Bleachers Tukwila Park Lights 8,000 $12,700 900 9,200 Ron Swanson, Finance Director, noted that the Mayor cut these items from the proposed 1980 Budget with the recommendation that TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 13, 1979 Page 3 DISCUSSION Cont. Proposed Use of Block Grant Funds (continued) Proposed Resolution accepting Quit Claim Deed and Bill of Sale for Christensen Road 1980 Budget Review Schedule Council Committee Meetings Residential Fire Siren discontinued .2s 9,3 Block Grant Funds be used. Councilman Hill said he felt the Tukwila Park Lights were very important. Mr. Swanson noted this Resolution has to be back to King County by December 1st. Councilman Van Dusen read from a memo written by Bob Richards, Council Intern. Mr. Richards had talked to the H.U.D. office and found there are stringent requirements for the use of Block Grant Monies on Public Service Programs. They are encouraging the use of Block Grant Funds for capital improvements. Councilman Van Dusen suggested that all four of the proposed uses be written into a resolution. MOVED BY JOHANSON, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT THE BLOCK GRANT FUNDS BE USED AS PARTIAL PAYMENT ON THE FOUR PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION. MOTION CARRIED WITH HILL VOTING NO. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A QUIT CLAIM DEED AND BILL OF SALE FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND UTILITIES ALONG CHRISTENSEN ROAD BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NOVEMBER 19, 1979, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Van Dusen offered that he would work out the 1980 Budget Review schedule. Council decided they would not meet Friday nights nor the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It was decided to start Tuesday night, 7:00 p.m. on Revenue and Miscellaneous Funds. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS BE CANCELLED UNTIL THE BUDGET REVIEW IS COMPLETED. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Gene Elfstrom, audience, asked if Council had discussed the residential fire siren. Mr. Willie Edwards said they are at the meeting to find out what Council is going to do about it. He is a volunteer Firefighter. The siren was installed to call the volunteers when they were needed. They have plectrons but they cannot be heard outside. The siren was disconnected without nofifying the volunteers. The siren could be put on a timer so that it won't blow at night. This way it won't bother anyone. It wasn't fair to the volunteers to cut the siren without letting them know. Councilman Traynor asked if the Chief was notified and he was told, yes. He asked what the reason was for cutting it off. John McFarland said the City had received complaints about the siren going off late at night and disturbing the people's sleep. There are alternatives that could be looked at. Mr. Edwards said there are only five volunteers now. They were furnished battery packs with their plectrons but they were discontinued. The plectrons have to be plugged into electricity. The fire siren blows for three reasons -to call the volunteers, to warn kids to get off the street, even the dogs get off the street when the siren blows. All they are asking is to have the siren put on a timer so that it will not blow from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 .a.m. Give the volunteers back what they need. The siren only goes off when you really need us. What really upset me is that no one responded to our letter. We have a captain in the volunteers and he could be contacted. Whatever was given to the Chief was not passed on to the volunteers. Mr. Jerry Knutson asked how long the City has been receiving complaints. He said he salutes the volunteers. Why should a timer be put on the siren? He said he is opposed to the alarm being off. Councilman Traynor said he agrees with what is being said. The siren was installed for a purpose. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 13, 1979 Page 4 DISCUSSION Cont. Residential Fire Siren discontinued (Continued) 56th Avenue So. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9:20 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: 9:45 p.m. 5 9 4402 Mr. Gary Scholzen said they were told the siren could be sounded if there was a general emergency, and now they find the siren had been disconnected. The siren should be set to go off 24 hours a day. Councilman Johanson said Council should request the Mayor to have the siren reprogrammed or set on a timer. While he was a volunteer they responded to the sirens. He said he requested that the siren in the park be disconnected and there was no opposition. He resented the tone of the letter from the volunteers. He stated he is proud of the volunteers. Councilman Harris said she has been advocating adding to the volunteers. They are the backbone of a small City's Fire Department. When I hear the siren I know someone is being helped. If the siren means that much to the volunteers, then we should make them happy. They are doing a good job for small compensation. Mr. Charles Wetzler said he has been awakened many times by the siren and gets comfort out of it. What the citizens want is important. He suggested canvassing the neighborhood to see if the people want the volunteers to have the siren on 24 hours a day. He offered to do 56th Avenue himself. John McFarland said the City has received several complaints about the siren. As far as putting a timer on the siren, he has no answer. Why the volunteers weren't notified by the Chief, he doesn't know. The key to this may be how the Fire Chief feels the problem should be approached. He is the authority in the City on fire protection. The Mayor would feel if the majority of the citizens want the siren connected -fine, he would have it connected. There might be a better alternative. The City needs a good, strong volunteer Fire Department. The volunteers should be listened to; but, they should be speaking through the Fire Chief. He suggested that Council direct the Mayor's office to go back and find out what the alternatives are. This is a community problem and should be their decision. Councilman Van Dusen suggested that this be referred back to the administration and have it placed on the next Committee of the Whole Agenda (November 26, 1979). The Fire Chief and Mayor should be in attendance. If the volunteers and public want to attend, maybe the problem can be solved. Councilman Johanson said the understanding was that the siren would remain connected for emergencies. It was clarified that the siren under discussion is the one on the old city hall site. COUNCIL AGREED WITH COUNCILMAN VAN DUSEN'S SUGGESTION TO PLACE THIS ON THE NOVEMBER 26, 1979, AGENDA. Councilman Traynor said the problems on 56th Avenue South should be put on a work meeting agenda. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT COUNCIL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION CARRIED. Executive Session called to discuss the Labor Contract for the Maintenance Shop Teamsters. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION BE CLOSED. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Pro Tem 1 i i j f1_ A f C I orlr