HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 13, 1980
7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL OF
COUNCIL MEMBERS
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Tukwila Friends
of the Library
PUBLIC HEARING
Petition for
Street Vacation
requested by
Delores M. Magruder,
et al, portion of
S. 139th St. adja-
cent to Lot 11,
Block 3 in Hill-
mans Seattle Gar-
den Tracts.
MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE
SEPTEMBER 22, 1980 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE APPROVED AS
PUBLISHED. MOTION CARRIED.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL City Hall
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Council Chambers
M I N U T E S
Council President Saul called the Tukwila City Council Committee of
the Whole Meeting to order.
L. C. BOHRER, GEORGE D. HILL, DORIS E. PHELPS, Council President
DANIEL J. SAUL, GARY L. VAN DUSEN.
Wendy Morgan, representing the Tukwila Friends of the Library,
invited all to the next meeting of the Friends of the Library to
be held Thursday, October 16, 1980 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fire
Department Training Room. She reported that 530 different people
have made use of the library; 20 to 25 citizens use the library
during an 8 -hour shift.
Council President Saul declared the Public Hearing open at 7:03 p.m.
Don Moody, Moody's Real Estate, said the reason for the street
vacation request is to extend into the property and split the
western part of the property. He said it is his understanding that
the City would like to keep the street because of the utilities.
He said his clients had no prolem in leaving the utilities and
granting them back to the City. His clients can landscape over
them. As long as there is a street there it limits the use of the
property and takes it off the tax roll. The street will never go
anywhere. His clients would like to purchase the property from
the City and put it back on the tax roll. They would like to
give an easement to the City on the utilities.
Councilman Bohrer said in the Staff Report the City Engineer has
said that upon finding a City water line and storm drain conduit
located within the proposed vacation area, it has been recommended
that the petition be denied, as it represents a potential long -range
utility main gyan&� conflict. The Public Works Director feels that
the easemen /insure, adequate maintenance access, since the ease-
ment could be covered with valuable plantings or other non-
structural amenities by the acquiring party. Disturbance of the
vacated area for utility maintenance could cause ill will toward
the City and result in maintenance delays. The City's interests
would be best served by retaining title to South 139th Street.
Mr. Moody said he was sure all of the problems could be solved by
making access available to the City.
Councilman Bohrer asked what the property would be used for?
Mr. Moody said they would like to ask for a C -1 zone on the property
and put their office on 1/4 of the property and build more office
space for other people as it is required. The street extending
into the property presents a problem.
Councilman Bohrer asked if the vacated street would be used as a
parking lot or for landscaping. Mr. Mood said it would be for
landscaping as opposed to parking.
Councilman Hill asked for the location of the utilities. Ted
Uomoto, Director of Public Works, said he did not recall the exact
location, but the utilities are within the right -of -way and go up
the hill. Mr. Moody said their survey showed the utilities to be
within the south 10 feet of the right -of -way.
Councilman Bohrer asked Mr. Moody the extent of their holdings
in the area. Mr. Moody said that is the only piece of property
they are proposing to develop at this time. He said they were
proposing to short plat at the present time, the northeast one
fourth of the property for their office building, which would be
about 5,000 square feet and another building has been proposed, but
is still in the planning state.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 2
PUBLIC HEARING Contd.
Petition for
Street Vacation
requested by
Delores M. Magruder,
et al, portion of
S. 139th St. adjacent
to Lot 11, Block 3 in
Hillman's Seattle
Garden Tracts contd.
PUBLIC MEETING
Prop. Water rate
increase prop.
Ord. increasing rates
for metered water
repealing Ord. #1144,
Sec. 1, Ord. #914.
There being no further comments from the public, Council President
Saul declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:10 p.m.
Councilman Van Dusen said it is his understanding if the City
vacates one -half will go to the Campanella development.
Mr. Moody said this has been discussed with the Magruders and
they believe they have the sliver of property where the property
joins. The attorney is of the opinion that it will be noncontested
by Mr. Campanella.
Councilman Van Dusen said utilities located on easements sometimes
have structures developed on them and it is not caught at the
time of permit. When a problem arises the structures are over the
utilities, even fences have caused difficulties when it has come
time to maintain the utilities.
MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE PETITION FOR STREET
VACATION REQUESTED BY DELORES M. MAGRUDER, ET AL, PORTION OF
SOUTH 139TH STREET ADJACENT TO LOT 11, BLOCK 3, IN HILLMANS
SEATTLE GARDEN TRACTS BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE OCTOBER 20, 1980
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
Councilman Hill said he would like the Public Works Director to
locate the utilities and have them staked out so the matter can be
considered at the Public Works Committee meeting. He said he
would hate to have to take up a concrete driveway to get to the
utilities.
Dwayne Traynor, audience, said if there is an easement he would
suggest that only landscaping be permitted on top of the utilities.
Councilman Hill said if the landscaping is a rock garden it could
be pretty hard to get to the utilities.
*MOTION CARRIED.
Council President Saul declared the Public Meeting open at 7:20 p.m.
John McFarland, Administrative Assistant, said the City of Tukwila
buys water from Seattle and then sells it to the citizens. The
City of Seattle has raised their rates and the City of Tukwila
will have to pass the raise on to the water users. We have
been notified the increase is to be 35
Dwayne Traynor, audience, said the increased rates would be in
excess of the 35% increase by Seattle. He said he realized the
price in meters has increased, but this is still a far cry from
the amount of the increase that is being passed on to Tukwila
residents.
Mayor Todd said the rate increase is intended to take care of the
current water and sewer study which may increase or decrease the
amount of the charge.
Mr. Traynor said the rates can always be raised, but it is
difficult to lower them.
Council President Saul said the raise will take place November 1.
The minimum rates on the 3/4 inch meter using 500 cubic feet of
water or less will be raised from $4.00 to $5.40.
There being no further comments from the public, Council
President Saul declared the Public Meeting closed at 8:30 p.m.
Ted Uomoto, Public Works Director, said the City is paying
about $3,000 per month in surcharge. This is determined from
three months consumption during June, July, and August using
10 day peak.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 3
PUBLIC MEETING Contd.
Prop. water rate
increase prop.
Ord. increasing rates
for metered water
repealing Ord. #1144,
Sec. 1, Ord. #914.
contd.
DISCUSSION
Final Assessment Roll
for LID #29 Prop.
Ord. approving
confirming the
assessment
assessment roll of
LID #29.
Council President Saul suggested that by the next meeting the
Council have information as to the cost of water per square foot.
Mr. Uomoto said this information could be obtained. He said the
consultants say the study will be over in about one month, and
they could have the water rate information by that time.
Councilman Van Dusen said perhaps the City does not have to
increase the rates so much. When the study is completed it may
be necessary to make another change.
Councilman Bohrer computed the cost of the water before and
after the rate increase. He said if there are other charges that
are being included, the City Council should know about them.
He said he knew the City paid a surcharge, but he did not know the
magnitude of it. He thought the surcharge was about $1,000
monthly. He said he thought the City Council should consider the
increase of the water rates by the increase that Seattle has
imposed on the City, at least until the rate study is complete.
Mayor Todd said the cost of the water does not constitute the
entire cost of providing water. There are many things that have
to be taken into consideration.
MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE MINIMUM CHARGE ON
THE 3/4 INCH METER BE $4.50 AND EACH OF THE REST OF THE RATES
BE COMPUTED ACCORDINGLY AS AN INTERIM MEASURE AND IT BE ON THE
AGENDA OF THE OCTOBER 20, 1980 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
Ted Uomoto, Public Works Director, said there are many things
involved and it is hard to perceive what might be a fair rate.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY PHELPS, TO AMEND THE MOTION AND
INCREASE THE CURRENT WATER RATES BY THE AMOUNT OF THE INCREASE
OF THE WATER WE ARE BUYING FROM SEATTLE. MOTION CARRIED, WITH
HILL AND VAN DUSEN VOTING NO.
*MOTION CARRIED, AS AMENDED.
Mr. Uomoto said the surcharge rate of $3,000 monthly will remain
the same until January 1, 1981.
Nancy Scharf, 15388 62nd Avenue South, Tukwila, said she was
happy the City had allowed the 30 day review period. The people
at Cottage Creek have studied the contract and all of the change
orders that they could find. It looks like nothing illegal is
proposed in the final estimate, but they did have some comments to
make and questions they would like answered.
One of the things that has been found is that there have been some
changes in the Public Works Department and the plans for LID 29 have
been around for awhile. They have been red lined, or were red
lined, and that is what the preliminary assessment for Cottage Creek,
around $76,000, was based. However, the final plans, or at least
the final contract was based on the working plans which included
the higher assessment. That is one of their concerns. Some of the
items for discussion were brought up at the meeting last month.
They still feel that the exemption of the single family participation
in these improvements is not justified. It is certainly not the
policy of any other jurisdiction. It is nice to know that the
City of Tukwila is the leader of samarious actions. We have noted
also that two or three people who do work for the City directly
benefitted from Contracts 79 -03. One of the differences that
was brought up was that the City has a policy of not assessing
single family residential for maintenance or the 6 year program.
They have found that in most areas maintenance of roads, perhaps the
resurfacing or replacing the light pole is a standard improvement
that is paid for out of the maintenance fund but not significant
improvements such as adding sidewalks, adding street lights, etc.
Some of these questions they would like answers to. One of them
is, is there a comparable increase between LID 29 and Contract
79 -03?
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 4
DISCUSSION Contd.
Final Assessment Roll
for LID #29 Prop.
Ord. approving
confirming the
assessment
assessment roll of
LID #29 contd.
Ms. Scharf said the contractors let LID 29 and Contract 79 -03
which is for the work the City paid for on the single family
residential. LID 29 experienced a 28% increase. Did Contract
79 -03 have a 28% over -run?
Garth Anderson, Jones and Associates, said he did not know the cont-
ract cost, the contract portion, it was based on the same unit
prices, so insofar as the cost increases it would occur because
the costs were different than were estimated yes. The only
difference would be the actual measurement of change orders.
It is not an exact parallel, because the costs were kept separate.
Change Order 1 would apply to one place and Change Order X
to a different it would depend on what the purpose of that change
order was. Some of the change orders were affecting the LID, some
were only affecting the street portion and some affected both.
Where they affected one individually they were kept separated,
where they affected both they were prorated.
Ms. Scharf said the change orders she has were applicable to
LID 29. The final amount shown in the increase shows $387,000,
total final construction costs show $399,000. There is about
a $12,000 difference. It is a question that still remains. We also
noted that the total construction estimate and final construction
costs increased by 28 preliminary engineering estimate and final
engineering estimate increased by 45 In discussions with other
municipalities and engineering firms it is indicated that a 10
to 12% cost of total construction is usual. The largest amount found
anywhere was King County and that was 20% being excessive and that
included a new street cost. LID 29 total engineering fees
represent 27% of the final construction costs. We feel that is
excessive. As far as the actual construction, the following areas
are questioned, Section 4 -1.05 Changed Conditions, the last
sentence states that no additional compensation will be allowed
for cribbing,sheet piling, dewatering and /or other construction
methods or procedures which may be necessary to complete the project
and additional compensation therefor will not be allowed." A
major increase in quantity is reflected in Change Order revised
in Item 38 C with a net increase of $23,404. Not only does this
appear to be an after the fact change order, but in direct
conflict with the provisions of the above paragraph.
The change order does not provide justification for this item if the
rock was used for maintaining the road. We can find no provisions in
the contract which state the contractor shall receive additional
compensation for this item. Change Order 4 changes in the scope
of the water system for City of Tukwila for $14,000 charge, there
is no justification for requiring this change. It appears to be
beyond the scope of the whole work. Change Orders 7 and 10
contract calls for relocating. Although the contract does allow
for minor items to be added or called out in the directed change
orders. These two items amount of $1400 and some odd dollars and
there is a $700 increase there. If we understand this correctly,
this was an expensive oversight. Change Order 11 in the amount of
$5,756 and 17 in the amount of approximately $3,900 reflect
improvements to specific properties. When the people of Cottage
Creek asked for the original grade to be replaced it has been
increased by about 2 feet and it is impossible to get out of there
in the winter. We were told it would cost approximately $600 or
$3,000 to have that grade restored to what it was before the road
was put in. Cottage Creek did something that we know nothing
about, Cottage Creek is being assessed on all 3 sides, some live
on one side and do not have any assessment benefits. Cottage Creek
has only 48 people living in it. They do not seem to be adding
a considerable amount of traffic load. It does not seem reasonable
that this scope of that project was assigned to Cottage Creek, it
was a small area when the LID was proposed.
Another item is the interest. The total doubled, but the LID did
not, and I do not think there could have been a higher interest
time. Mayor Todd stated the LID was formed and the City borrowed
the money from which to use funds to pay for the improvements. He
said he did not know the interest rate at that time.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 5
DISCUSSION Contd.
Final Assessment Roll
for LID #29 Prop.
Ord. approving
confirming the
assessment
assessment roll of
LID #29 contd.
c
Ms. Scharf said the people at Cottage Creek had been given to
understand there would be an increase. The rock that was brought
in, the change order does not show. She said she would like
to know how many dollars this change represented. The grade at
the top of the hill was lowered and it was at considerable cost.
She said she could not account for $12,000, maybe that was it.
There was a change in the scope of the work, if there was going
to be a change that would make a significant dollar amount the
people should have been contacted. This should not havebeen
allowed without participation from the people paying for it.
In the contract there are documents, some of which are called
Licenses to Construct. Affiliated American Sign, License to
Construct, on July 30, 1979. At that time Affiliated American
owned 4% of the property at that time.
Councilman Saul asked what the question was?
Ms. Scharf said the Licenses to Construct, which is part of
the contract signed in July 1979 by Affiliated American who
owned property at that time.
Larry Hard, City Attorney, said he thought what had happened
if that the City relies on the King County Assessor's records
and the information given by the Assessor.
Ms. Scharf said they live about 50 feet away and at least 95%
of the units were occupied at that time. It is a minor point.
The legal costs she would like to know why the overage was
almost three times more than the estimate, which was $5,000.
Larry Hard, City Attorney, said for LID work they charge by
the hour, when it was started it was based on the estimate that
there wasn't going to be extra hours involved and it turned out,
starting in February of 1978, that there were lots of meetings
with the City staff, contractor, engineering staff, and lots
of work was involved.
Ms. Scharf said the West Coast Construction contract stated that
no work would be paid for until the change order had been approved
by the City. She notes that some change orders were signed
anywhere from six to seven months after they were presented by
the contractor. She said they feel the above instances
indicate irregularities in enough areas, either through poor
management and /or engineering, to warrant further review by the
Council, before passing the current ordinance. She said they
respectuflly request reconsideration of the planned assessment
now before the Council.
Councilman Bohrer said the City Council has already been through
this in some detail in a number of sessions. What is the objec-
tive of the Council going through it again?
Ms. Scharf said they felt that some of the change orders, or the
contractors changed enough to create and increase costs of
which they were not made aware, and that the 30% increase in
cost was not justifiable. Even with the City picking up some
of the dollars some of the changes that were made are just not
anything that they in Cottage Creek would have allowed. They
would not have voted for them. Someone might not have a sidewalk
because he did not want to pay for it. If there are some changes
we could not have asked for we would have done so. Some of the
changes the interest, the legal fees, the engineering fees,
we have probably already paid them, she thought they were
excessive. She said she had talked to people in other jurisdic-
tions and they say if they passed those charges along to their
constituents they would be lynched. It is customary in most
jurisdictions not to pass on more than 10 If they could
achieve that then they would think that they were treated just
like the rest of the world. It is customary in other jurisdic-
tions for them to pick up the overages. Since they had no input
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 6
DISCUSSION Contd.
Final Assessment Roll
for LID #29 prop.
Ord. approving
confirming the
assessment
assessmentroll of
LID #29 contd.
tom- 5
into these overages, they would like to follow the experience
of people who have been doing LIDs for a long time.
Mayor Todd said if he can answer any questions he would be
happy to, he said he had been waiting months to hear something
from someone and no one has come down and said anything.
Larry Hard, City Attorney, said regarding the legal fees, they
used to use a percentage of the cost in computing the legal
fees for LIDs, 3% of the cost of the LID. We have gone to the
hourly rate. If they had used the percentage rate the legal
fees would have been more; at the hourly rate they are less.
Most jurisdictions still use the percentage rate.
Mayor Todd said he had presented an offer for relief for
certain people. He said he would solicit the Council consideration
of this at this time.
Councilman Van Dusen said the 28% overrun is unusual. The
Council started realizing this somewhere during the first of
the year and they did enter into a period of intense investi-
gation and negotiation as to why, the Council has been
through it, how this happened and who approved it. There were
some costs that were debatable as to how they came about. They
could have said, "West Coast, you are going to have to pick up
the cost "and it would have resulted in lawsuits which would
have boosted up the cost. He said his understanding was that
Cottage Creek feels the City should pick up the total 18% over-
run out of current funds. How would that lower the assessment?
Ms..Scharf said they were estimating $750 and the 10% increase
would make it $825.
Mayor Todd said his letter alludes to the City picking up
everything over 10% and charge property owners accordingly,
excluding those who would not benefit from the LID.
Councilman Bohrer said the original preliminary estimate on
the LID was $417,900, if you add 10% that would be $459.690, the
actual cost was $531,950, minus the City's $50,000 participation
and minus a $4611.38 assessment to the City, so subtracting
the $459,690 the result would be $72,270 that the City would have
to pay.
Councilman Bohrer said he would like to ask a question of Mr.
Anderson. The plans that were red lined, would he go through
the sequence and what the contracts were and at what time the
City had a final set of plans that the contractor could use.
His recollection was that at one time we did not have a complete
set of plans. Some changes were made and then we proceeded.
The preliminary estimates have been quoted. Where is the base
point for this LID?
Garth Anderson, Jones and Associates, said the preliminary design
on which an estimate was done for the LID resulted in an
assessment roll of about $540,000. That was the first assessment
roll. Some cost reduction were made. He said he did not know
what Ms. Scharf was referring to as "red lined plan" but the
sequence went something like this. When the design plans were
finished on the revised scope of work which was the estimate they
were working with, they were sent to the City for review. The
plans were red lined by the City, with the changes that the staff
desired to have made. Those plans went to the Public Works
Department to the utilities, water deparment. The final plans
that were drawn were advertised for bid and were a reflection of
the red lined plans that the City staff marked up with one excep-
tion. The exception was the water line replacement. We missed
signals somewhere and did not get that in the plans. The red
lined plans were probably the check prints and the final plans
that were used by the contractor would have been a set of plans
that looked like the red lirect plans, with the red marked changes
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 7
DISCUSSION Contd.
Final Assessment Roll
for LID #29 prop.
Ord. approving
confirming the
assessment
assessment roll of
LID #29 contd.
made, with that one exception. What the contractor bid on was
reflected in the assessment roll of $417,900. The changes that
were made between then and now were not reflected on those plans.
They came up during construction.
Councilman Bohrer said when the City let the contract for this
LID the estimated cost was $417,900. We finally got a set of
plans that Mr. Anderson and the City agreed on, after we did
that and got the bid the estimate on the contract was what?
RECESS MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE COMMITEE OF THE
8:45 P.M. 8:55 P.M. WHOLE MEETING RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED.
The Meeting was called back to order by Council President Saul
with Council Members present as previously listed.
Mr. Anderson said the amount of the LID at that time would have
been higher than the assessment roll. The first column indicates
the estimates that were used to arrive at the assessment roll
of $417,900. The estimate construction cost was $280,00.
Mr. Anderson said the preliminary estimate of construction cost
was $280,730, at the time the bids were opened and the contract
was let, assuming no contingency, no nothing else, the construction
costs were known to be $322,291. At that time the known total
cost of the project was $487,091, so it was not possible that the
project without any change orders could be done for less than
$487,000. The difference between that column and the next one
are the cost increases that occurred during the time of construc-
tion. Without regard to whom errored it was known at the time
of the contract that the assessment roll was going to be exceeded.
It was not possible to build that project for $417,000.
Councilman Bohrer asked what constitutes the preliminary estimate
and how is that arrived at?
Mr. Anderson said that is done before the design is complete because
at the time the City is risking funds so the cost is done by
estimated cost because you do not have a set of plans. It would
cost about $30,000 to have a set of plan.
Councilman Bohrer said it is something like you want a house
built having 2,000 quare feet and the contractor says he can
build it for an approximate sum, but after the blueprints are
made up and all of the things you want are put in, the contractor
says it will cost more.
Mr. Anderson said that was a good analogy.
Ms. Scharf said she thought the percentage increase was out of
line. The LID should have gone up for another vote.
Councilman Van Dusen said in going through the minutes of the
preliminary hearings, the Council rejected some bid contracts
for the LID and went out to bid again. Costs were escalating.
Councilman Bohrer asked the date of the preliminary estimate.
Mr. Anderson said it was November 28, 1979, the final costs
were $582,010 minus the $50,000 paid by the City which left a
total of $531,950.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AS ORIGINALLY DRAWN UP BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE OCTOBER 20, 1980
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
Councilman Van Dusen asked if the Council wanted to take action
on the Mayor's letter and his suggestion that the Cato property
be eliminated as not benefitting from the LID.
Larry Hard, City Attorney, said the City could pay the difference
if they eliminated the Cato property and then if the zoning were
changed from single family a new owner would have to be assessed
for the LID by a late comer's agreement.
*MOTION CARRIED.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 8
DISCUSSION Contd.
RECESS
9:30 9:40 P.M.
Sunwood (Park Place)
Development
prop. Ord. amending
Sections 2(c)
(g) on Ord. #1071.
02 rWY
MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE MEETING RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was called back to order by Council President Saul
with Council Members present as previously listed.
Larry Hard, City Attorney, said the new proposed Section 6 to
Ordinance No. 1071 is intended to assure the Council there will
be no breach of agreement. It is designed to give the City
some rights in case of violation of any of the conditions speci-
fied in the ordinance. If the City feels there is something
that has been done wrong they give written notice of the
condition to the developer. The developer shall have 90 days
from the receipt of notice to remedy the violation in the
manner prescribed, otherwise there will be a damage fine to
complete the violation. It is a lever the City would have.
Councilman Bohrer said on September 22 he asked if there was
a form for grading and fill permits. The reply was that there
is a standard building form that is used for grading /fill permits.
Applications are reviewed by the Public Works, Planning, and
Building Departments. No formal permit was issued and it was
not reviewed by any other staff member. There is just a
note at the bottom of the letter stating the site is approved
for storage of excess fill, without permit.
George Grassovich, attorney for Townhouse Builders, said it
was not known that a fill permit was required. He said there
are several areas of concern, they are prepared to discuss the
areas and solve the problems.
Councilman Bohrer said the Council saw the letter at the time
it was presented to the Building Official. It came to the
City Council for approval. It was sent to the Public Safety
Committee and before they could discuss it, Townhouse Builders
were given approval. There was a second letter on June 3
requesting the fill permit, on June 4 a formal request was made
to the Council to relocate the firelane. On June 9 the Council
considered the request and referred it to the Public
Safety Committee for action.
Mayor Todd said he thought the record should show the lines of
authority. The request was for a permit to store material.
He said he did not know about that at the time.
Don Dally, 1370 Stewart Street, Seattle, said he had attempted
to prepare an outline for information to reconstruct the status
of the development particularly the relocation of the firelane.
The sequence of events were: In August 1978 Park Place rezone
was approved; October 1978 lot plat site filed; December 1978
and January 1979 the preliminary plat was approved; February
1979 six lot plat approved by Council; March 1979 Pacific Town-
house Builders decided to hold development until more information
was received on the lot conditions, etc; August 1979 showed there
were several problems with development as shown to the Council
because (1) topographical conditions and soil problems; (2)
lot conditions would make cuts; (3) firelane location would
make lots 2 and 3 very difficult to sell; (4) cul -de -sac road
would require considerable fill to keep the firelane at 15 20%
slope; street development would cost more. In November 1979 it
was decided if the firelane could be moved to the north it would
be desirable. In December 1979 Kjell Stoknes, then Director of
Community Development,felt the firelane should be moved. He
said the relocation of the firelane did not change anything in the
requirements. December 1979 to April 1980, study and explore
ways of solving problems associated with the plat and look
for alternatives. The consensus of opinion was that the City
would accept two lots as an open space for City for a park.
In May 1980 during construction of Phase I Pacific Townhouse
Builders had approximately 10,000 cubic yards of excess soil which
would be needed for fill on the firelane of the single family
development. They had to store this excess soil somewhere
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 9
DISCUSSION Contd.
Sunwood (Park Place)
Development
prop. Ord. amending
Sections 2(c)
(g) on Ord. #1071.
contd.
02 i 7 Y/
for use later. On May 28, 1980 met with City officials (Mayor
Todd, Ted Uomoto, Phil Fraser, and ex- partner) in Mayor's office
to discuss the problem. They agreed they should be able to
store the sod. One June 2, 1980 he discussed this with Al
Pieper and he said he wanted a letter outlining what they
wanted to do. On June 3, 1980 the letter was written and Al
Pieper gave approval after Mark Caughey, Acting Planning
Director, had looked at the letter and agreed. June 10, 1980
Pacific Townhouse Builders started dumping fill dirt. No one
supervised this operation and as a result the area at the top
of the firelane was made wider than indicated in the diagram
that accompanied the letter. On June 24, 1980 Mayor Todd
asked the builder to stop as City Council was concerned.
They agreed and stopped. In July 1980 since the original
preliminary plat had expired and they had not reached a settle-
ment with the ex- partner they felt it necessary to replat
the 6 lot plat with the firelane located at the north with the
Planning Commission approval. On August 28, 1980 the Planning
Commission approved the 6 lot plat and firelane relocation
with the condition that the Fire Chief would approve the
grade. Also, the Planning Commission approved the 12 month
extension.
He said they felt they had done everything they could to
cooperate. They believe Sunwood will be a high quality develop-
ment that the City will be proud of. They have a problem with
the firelane relocation and it is hoped that we can work this
out with the City staff.
David Hanelin, engineering architect, showed drawings of the
Phase II development. He stated there are areas where the under-
growth has been removed. There is a general green area space.
There has been some removal of specimen trees, they have been
counted and will be replaced when the landscaping is provided.
He showed the area that had been used for dirt storage and
the area where they had cleared beyond the proposal.
Councilman Van Dusen asked when the firelane was proposed to
be moved to the northern boundary was it suggested to be 15
Mr. Hanelin said it is a 20% grade. Fire Marshal Hoel said a
pumper can go up a 20% grade, but not in bad weather. A 15%
grade is what is used in most municipalities. Mr. Dally said
they would like to show some of the things they propose to do
and how the developments will look after the landscaping is
done. The landscaping has been approved by the Planning
Commission.
Dick Gilroy, Townhouse Builders, showed slides of other
developments they have built.
Councilman Bohrer said he had asked for grading plans for the
new firelane. The statement was made in the review and discussion
of events that the Planning Department was contacted regarding
the fill movement. Mark Caughey, Planning Department Acting
Director, has said he did not know about them. There are
references made to statements of employees who are no longer
here. Approvals are still required, and that approval was not
granted. If it had been most of the problems would have been
resolved. The Council wants to know who in the City is respon-
sible for this. How did the City determine to handle this
particular project? Most of the approvals have come through
the Planning Department, whereas the approval for the fill permit
came from the Building Department. This problem is apt to
rise again. The time has expired on Ordinance 1071 and unless
it is amended a complete review is necessary. He said he would
like to know that we have the kind of a process that will lead
the City to the kind of a development that we want. The original
motion was passed in some haste and there were a number of loose
ends. He said he would like to see the City and the developers
get on a common ground.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 13, 1980
Page 10
DISCUSSION Contd.
Sunwood (Park Place)
Development
prop. Ord. amending
Sections 2(c)
(g) on Ord. 1071
contd.
OTHER
Sister City
Metro rates
ADJOURNMENT
11:55 P.M.
Mr. Grassovich, attorney, said they would like that, too.
There are three areas: (1) growth protection; (2) location
of the firelane, grading, etc.; (3) single family plat, they
are willing to dedicate some area as open space. In order to
accomplish this it is necessary to have an extension of Ordinance
1071; preliminary plat approval for the single family lots; be
able to obtain building permits for Phase II. This is
necessary for the financing of the project.
Councilman Van Dusen said there are several problem areas.
He suggested an ad hoc committee be formed to review the
sequence of events and try to work out the problems with the
developer before the next Council Meeting.
Mr. Grassovich, attorney, said the rainy season is approaching
with reference to the single family housing.
Mr. Hanilen said he liked the idea of the ad hoc committee
and he would be able to meet with Council during the week.
Council President Saul appointed Councilman Hill and Van Dusen
to be on the committee.
MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT ITEMS 8, 10, 11, 13
AND 14 BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE OCTOBER 20, 1980 REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT ITEMS 7, 9, and
12 BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE OCTOBER 27, 1980 COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
Councilman Phelps said she had the names of the people who
will be visiting Tukwila from the Sister City of Ikawa. She
said she had a memorandum outlining some of the costs involved.
A formal motion is required approving these expenditures out
of the budget.
MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE COUNCIL CONCUR
WITH THE MEMORANDUM OUTLIN TPA THE COSTS FOR THE SISTER CITY
VISIT. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Todd said we should have a resolution of intent
increasing Metro rates.
MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE TUKWILA CITY
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED.
Daniel J. Saul Pfty Council PresideTrE
F rte
Norma Booher, Recording Secretary