HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-27 Community Development and Neighborhoods Minutes
City of Tukwila
City Council Community Development & Neighborhoods Committee
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
November 27, 2018 5:30 p.m. Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall
Councilmembers: Kate Kruller, Chair; Kathy Hougardy, Zak Idan
Staff: Jack Pace, Lynn Miranda, Mia Navarro, Laurel Humphrey
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kruller called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. PRESENTATIONS
II.BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Amendment to King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy Grant Agreement
Staff is seeking Council approval to extend the agreement with the King County Department of
Community and Human Services Division for a term through March 31, 2019. The extension was
requested by King County due to the timing of contracts being dispersed. The City is receiving
$77,500 in levy proceeds to develop an Older Adult Recreation and Services Needs Assessment
and to install automatic door opening devices into main restrooms and replace automatic door
opening devices at two primary entrances at the Community Center. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.
FORWARD TO DECEMBER 3, 2018 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA.
B. Contract: Structural Plan Review Services
Staff is seeking Council approval of a contract with Reid Middleton, Inc. in an amount not to
exceed $200,000.00 for the continued provision of structural plan review services through
December 32, 2020. Revenues from permit fees offset the cost of the contracted review services.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 3, 2018 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA.
C. Contract: Inspection Services
Staff is seeking Council approval of a contract with 4Leaf, Inc. in an amount not to exceed
$200,000.00 for the continued provision of building inspection services through December 31,
2020. The Building Division has been using the building inspection services to maintain a 24-hour
inspection turnaround time. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 3, 2018
REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA.
Community Development & NeighborhoodsMinutes......................................................................................November 27, 2018
D. Ordinance: Rental Housing Certification Inspection Audit Process
Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would amend Tukwila Municipal Code
Chapter 5.06 to add an audit provision that allows the City code official to reinspect units when
inspection reports are in question. The proposal also contains new provisions to prohibit
inspectors from having a financial interest in the properties and to allow the City to revoke a
rental license if an inspection checklist is submitted that the owner or inspector knows to be
false. Councilmember Idan asked if there were other programs that had even more
accountability requirements built in and he would like to take the opportunity to strengthen the
code as much as possible. Staff noted that rental housing inspection programs are rare and
License revoking of an occupied unit would be
detrimental to the tenants, so the City must strike a balance. Chair Kruller asked if the proposed
ordinance addresses the concerns raised by those who submitted this item to the Committee.
She is still concerned about inspectors and owners intentionally issuing false or misleading
inspection reports. Chair Kruller also raised the possibility of a whistleblower program to protect
people afraid to report. Staff stated that anonymous reporting is already a possibility, but the
Washington State Landlord-Tenant has specific requirements for tenants and includes anti-
retaliation language. Chair Kruller asked what the City can do about immediate safety issues,
such as a fallen floor. Staff replied that the City could request an inspection but need permission
from the renter or the owner to enter the unit. Staff feels there is misunderstanding in the
community about tenant vs. owner responsibilities and has been increasing education and
areas where problems are
known. He also suggested contacting
aware of poor work. Councilmembers Hougardy and Idan stated support for the proposed
ordinance. Councilmember Kruller stated that she does not support it at this time as she believes
it does not go far enough to address the concerns she has heard. MAJORITY APPROVAL.
FORWARD TO DECEMBER 10, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
E. 2018 Community Development and Neighborhoods Work Plan
Committee members and staff discussed the Committee work plan including items completed
the December 10, 2018 Committee of the Whole. DISCUSSION ONLY.
Adjourned 6:35 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval