HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-22 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers August 22, 2011 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Ekberg called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the
audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OFFICIALS
Present were Allan Ekberg, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez,
Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn.
CITY OFFICIALS
Shawn Hunstock, Interim City Administrator; Peggy McCarthy, Acting Finance Director; Mike Villa, Police
Chief; Nick Olivas, Fire Chief; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Bob Giberson, Public Works
Director; Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst; Jack Pace, Community Development Director;
Nora Gierloff, Community Development Deputy Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development
Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Acting City Clerk.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Financial status report on 2nd Quarter 2011: Peggy McCarthy, Acting Finance Director.
Peggy McCarthy, Acting Finance Director, provided an overview of the City's financial status for the
period of April 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011. Following is a summary of the information presented.
City -wide, unreserved fund balances increased $1.3 million in the second quarter 2011 from $50.6 million
at March 31, 2011 to $51.9 million at June 30, 2011. The second quarter fund balance was due to a
combination of factors from receipt of $6.7 million in property taxes in the General Fund to expenditures in
the Arterial Street fund for the two road construction projects, and the expenditures associated with the
Incident Command Vehicle. The effect of the Andover Park West emergency sewer repair project also
had an impact, as did the absence of the surface water semi annual income that was recognized in the
first quarter and will be recognized again in the third quarter.
The Water fund revenues were under budget, and they are expected to be in -line with the budget at the
end of the third quarter due to warmer weather and summer water rates. The Sewer fund operating
deficit is less than the year -to -date projections, and the fund is projected to exceed budget. The Sewer
fund experienced a second quarter deficit of $395,197 due to increased repairs and maintenance costs.
The fund is at 36.78% of the annual projected deficit. The Golf Course, Fund 411, realized a second
quarter increase of $82,600. However the revenue remains under budget at 33.81
Ms. McCarthy explained the Fund 402 -Sewer and Fund 411 -Golf Course will be discussed in detail at the
August 23, 2011 budget workshop.
Expenditures in the Equipment Replacement fund are at 31.5% of the annual budget, yielding a positive
expenditures budget variance of $413,062. The 502 -Self Insurance fund realized an increase in the fund
balance higher than expected.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding various aspects of the financial data presented
and thanked Ms. McCarthy for the thorough and informative presentation.
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August 22, 2011 Page 2 of 5
CITIZEN COMMENTS
David Puki, 3748 South 152 Street, acknowledged and thanked the "Save the Tukwila Pool" members
in the audience. He explained the group of citizens came together for a good cause, and 62% of the
residents voted in favor of the Metropolitan Park District (MPD). He feels the Tukwila Pool can thrive
since the successful election, and the facility can move forward with repairs and upgrades and be enjoyed
by the community and region. He asked the Council to create a citizen advisory group that will assist the
MPD Board with successful operations now and in the future.
Vanessa Zaputil, 15171 52 Avenue South, #5, stated last year a group of citizens asked the Council to
form a MPD for the Tukwila Pool. Voters have approved the MPD, and she urged the Council to establish
a citizen pool advisory group as soon as possible. She feels an advisory group would be beneficial to the
Council, acting as the Board of Commissioners, to ensure fiscal responsibility of the MPD and aid in the
success of the facility.
Ms. Zaputil expressed her concern at the elimination of the preschool program at the Tukwila Community
Center. She feels the Council should have known about the decision to eliminate such an important
program, and she disagrees with cancellation of the program, especially with such a short notice.
Preschool programs are extremely important for the children of the community, and she urged the Council
to correct this situation.
Jacque Carroll, 16241 49 Avenue South, feels the intersection of Klickitat Drive abd the exit ramp from
State Route 518 is very dangerous, and she asked the Council to research this area. She feels the City
has control over this particular area, and she asked the Council to review all options available to make the
intersection safer for the community.
Council President Ekberg asked that the Transportation Committee review the accident history and other
issues related to this particular intersection.
Georgina Kerr, 3836 South 116 Street, thanked the Council for their support of the pool initiative.
SPECIAL ISSUES
Councilmember Seal asked the Council to consider moving Special Issues Item 4d regarding gambling
activities to the September 12, 2011 Committee of the Whole meeting. It was her intention to have the
new ordinance relating to gambling tax triggers be separate from a repeal of Section 2 of Ordinance No.
2323. The City Attorney has indicated she would need additional time to draft two separate ordinances.
With the two separate ordinances, the Council can discuss the taxing structure now, and after the citizen
advisory vote, the Council could address Ordinance No. 2323.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO REMOVE SPECIAL ISSUES ITEM 4D FROM THE AGENDA
AND FORWARD THE DISCUSSION TO THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING. (Reference Item 4d below)
a. An ordinance regarding livestock, small animals and fowl.
Councilmember Seal indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee
meeting on August 8, 2011. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval.
Nora Gierloff, Deputy Community Development Director, explained Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 7.08,
which regulates the keeping of small animals and livestock, has not been updated since its adoption in
1956. Citizens interested in urban agriculture and local food production have asked the Council to lower
the minimum lot size for keeping chickens below the current standard of 10,000 square feet. Staff is
suggesting 6,500 square feet as that is the minimum lot size in the City's single family zone.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
August 22, 2011
Page 3 of 5
Stephen Reilly, 4377 158 Street, expressed his appreciation for the Council's consideration to update
the outdated ordinance relating to chickens and the required lot size within the City. He supported the
ban on roosters. He asked the Council to consider decreasing the lot size even more that the 6,500
square feet listed in the draft ordinance so the single family lots in Allentown would be allowed to own
chickens. Most lots in the Allentown area are 4,500 square feet. Additionally, he would like the City to
allow chickens within the pea patch /community garden areas within the City. By allowing chickens in
these areas, residents in multi family housing could also enjoy the benefits of raising chickens.
Ms. Gierloff clarified that the City's draft ordinance would not prevent individuals from keeping chickens at
pea patch /community gardens, as long as the lot is at least 6,500 square feet. Additionally, many parts of
Allentown were platted with 30 by 100 foot lots (or 3,000 square feet), and some lots were combined to
make larger sites.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions of staff and exchanged comments to include: The need
for staff to conduct additional research relating to chickens in community gardens or a pea patch; the
necessity of assessing impacts created by reducing the proposed minimum lot size to allow chickens; and
the potential for rodents to become prevalent in and around chicken coops.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO HAVE THIS ITEM RETURN TO A FUTURE COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING.
b. An Interlocal Agreement with King County for side sewer connection at Bow Lake Transfer
Station.
Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on
August 9, 2011. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval.
7:54 p.m. Councilmember Quinn recused himself from discussion on this item and left the Council
Chambers.
Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, explained the City is installing public sanitary sewer mains as part
of the Southcenter Parkway Extension Project. King County has requested that the City provide an
additional manhole and sewer piping to the edge of the right -of -way for the future side sewer connection
to the Bow Lake Transfer Station, which is currently under construction. The interlocal agreement will
reimburse the City for the $74,182.56 in charges for the Bow Lake side sewer connection.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
7:58 p.m. Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers.
c. A contract for 2011 Overlay and Repair Program construction management services.
Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting
on August 15, 2011. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval.
The contract is for construction management services for the 2011 Annual Overlay and Repair Program.
Five consultant firms were short listed from the Consultant Works Roster, and Anchor QEA was chosen
as the most qualified. The schedule for 2011 improvements include overlay for 3 road sections and Fort
Dent's parking lot.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
August 22, 2011 Page 4 of 5
d. An ordinance to increase the tax on certain gambling activities upon certain triggers and repeal
Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2323.
Ordinance No. 2323 required all commercial social card rooms to cease operation by January 1, 2016. At
the August 8, 2011 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Council asked staff to draft an ordinance based
on a taxing structure to be based on the number of social card rooms within the City.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. (Reference discussion on Page 2)
e. Fireworks permit for Sounders Football Club.
Council President Ekberg explained the City received a fireworks permit application from the Sounders
Football Club.
Nick Olivas, Fire Chief, stated the application is for a public fireworks display at the Starfire Sports
complex in conjunction with a Sounders match to be held on August 30, 2011. Tukwila Municipal Code
Section 8.12.020 regulates fireworks within the City, and applications for fireworks permits require Council
approval.
Councilmember Quinn asked if the community could be notified of the possible fireworks during the
August 30, 2011 Sounders match.
Chief Olivas stated he would request notice of the event be added to the City's website.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING THIS
EVENING.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
The Mayor was not present.
b. City Council
Councilmember Duffie attended the August 19, 2011 talent event at the Tukwila Community Center.
Councilmember Hernandez attended the August 18, 2011 Historical Society meeting and the Community
Heritage and Cultural Celebration at the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center on August 20, 2011.
Council President Ekberg reminded the Council of the August 23, 2011 budget workshop.
Councilmember Seal announced the Tukwila Community Center will be closed for maintenance August
29 through September 5, 2011. She also reminded the Council of the free Back -to- School Health Clinic
and backpack giveaway on August 27, 2011 at Showalter Middle School.
Councilmember Hougardy attended the Community Heritage and Cultural Celebration at the Tukwila
Heritage and Cultural Center on August 20, 2011. She commended the staff from the Parks and
Recreation Department for their work on this event.
Councilmember Quinn attended the Community Heritage and Cultural Celebration at the Tukwila Heritage
and Cultural Center on August 20, 2011.
c. Staff
There was no report.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
August 22, 2011 Page 5 of 5
d. City Attorney
The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings.
e. Intergovernmental
Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, reminded the Council of the August 23, 2011 budget work session and
proposed Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District Board of Commissioners meeting at 6:00 p.m. on
September 12, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT
8:17 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT EKBERG DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CONVENE A SPECIAL MEETING.
Allan 9�berg, Council President
Melissa Hart, Acting City Clerk
APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 9/12/2011
AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 09/13/2011