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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-12-01 Regular MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL December 1, 1980 Tukwila City Hall 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers Regular Meeting FLAG SALUTE AND CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS MINUTE APPROVAL VOUCHER APPROVAL APPOINTMENTS PUBLIC HEARINGS M I N U T E S Mayor Pro Tem Saul, presiding, led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order in the absence of Mayor Todd. LIONEL C. BOHRER, MABEL J. HARRIS, DORIS E. PHELPS, DANIEL J. SAUL, Council President, GARY L. VAN DUSEN. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT COUNCILMEN HILL AND JOHANSON BE EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 30 6 OFFICIALS IN LAWRENCE E. HARD, City Attorney; MARK CAUGHEY, Acting Planning ATTENDANCE Director; SHIRLEY KRISTOFFERSON, Acting Finance Director; JOHN MCFARLAND, Administrative Assistant; AL PIEPER, Building Official; TED UOMOTO, Public Works Director; DON WILLIAMS, Recreation Super- visor; MAXINE ANDERSON, City Clerk. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 1980 AND THE SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 1980, BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE VOUCHERS, APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, BE ACCEPTED AND WARRANTS BE DRAWN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS. MOTION CARRIED. Claims Fund Vouchers #8480 #8562 Current Fund 8480 -8545 $23,543.18 Golf Crse. Spec. Rev. 8546- 3,800.00 Street Fund 8547 -8549 2,882.33 Golf Crse. Unitd. G.O. 8550 -8551 45,004.33 Land Acq, Bldg, Dev. 8552- 543.70 Foster Golf Acq. 8553 -8554 523.69 Water Fund 8555 -8556 3,102.40 Sewer Fund 8557 -8558 3,127.00 $82,526.63 LID 29: C23/8559 87.36 REVENUE 2 1,378.72 LID 30: C 7/8560 360.00 C 8/8561 262.47 C 9/8562 756.25 Board of Adjustment: MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT COUNCIL CONCUR WITH Wendy Morgan THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF WENDY MORGAN TO POSITION NO. 2 ON THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. MOTION CARRIED. Proposed Budget Councilman Van Dusen presented his comments on the 1981 budget. for 1981 use This was to help the other Council Members understand why he has of Rev. Sharing been voting the way he has at the budget review hearings and to Funds give staff notice of what, he hopes, the future approach to the budget will be. Councilman Van Dusen said the process of developing policy should not begin with recommendations from the departments being adopted as the spending plan. Their input is a vital part of the process, but staff does not set policy; this is the respons- ibility of the City Council. Identifying tasks, problems and needs is difficult. Concrete data on needs must be presented before Council can adopt it as fact. Councilman Van Dusen said the budget must be balanced within the framework of the present tax revenues. The City of Tukwila is limited, like all cities, in their taxation powers. Once a special tax is enacted, it is almost impossible to retract. Inflation and taxes are a problem for everyone and the City of Tukwila must take a good look at this in solving the problems. He said he does not accept the fact that new taxes are inevitable or that because there is money in a particular fund, it can be spent or new personnel hired. The unpopular burden of balancing TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS Cont. Proposed Budget for 1981 use of Rev. Sharing Funds (cont.) Waiver to Construct Side- walks 14900 Interurban Ave. South the budget was placed in the hands of the Council, and I expect the Council to balance the budget without new revenues being created. An austere budget for 1981 will reflect an awareness for the future. 1981 should be the year of goal setting to establish a road to the future of Tukwila and its operation. Mayor Pro Tem Saul declared the Public Hearing open to hear citizen input on the 1981 budget and the use of Revenue Sharing Funds. Mr. Ed Bauch, citizen, said in reviewing the preliminary budget he discovered the Street Fund is $1,105,689 out of balance. The RCW requires a balanced budget. The 1981 Street Budget is only $15,000 more than the 1980 Street Budget so what happened? The Street Fund was used to balance Current Fund which is three quarters of a million dollars more than it was last year. Mr. Bauch asked Council what they are going to do to restore money to the Street Fund. Start by eliminating all new people, eliminate the Technical Advisor in the Police Department and, except for union contracts, make an across the board cut of the Current Fund of 3 Council is going to have to cut purchase of new equipment. Mr. Bauch said he also discovered the Building and Land Acquisition Fund has been drawn down to "0." This is a sad state. Now, there is no money to acquire property that might be offered for the development of the City. Eliminate the money in the Fire Equipment Fund. This is a poor investment for the money. If there is an emergency Councilmanic Bonds can be issued. This City has surplused equipment when it was still usable. Mr. Bauch said the money that has been saved can be returned to Street Fund. Some of the items in the Street Fund might have to be cut. Start with the Grady Way Bridge. It is just a con- venience. Cut the traffic signals to the 1980 level which was about $177,000. A lot of the money in the Street Fund is bud- geted anticipating additional Federal Funds. It looks like there will not be as much Federal money as there has been. Let business pay for the improvements in their area. This is the first place Council should consider a business tax. Keep faith with the citizens who have been waiting to have their residential streets upgraded. Mrs. Shirley Kristofferson, Acting Finance Director, said the deficit in the Street Fund is not against State Law. It is very common. Two of the grants shown in the Street Fund are already guaranteed funding. Mr. Dwayne Traynor, 14910 58th Ave. South, asked if Council was still reviewing the budget and was told that they are still reviewing. There being no further comments on the proposed budget, Mayor Pro Tem Saul closed the Public Hearing. PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, APPEALS, AND SIMILAR MATTERS Councilman Bohrer suggested that Council treat the two waivers individually. One deals with property at 14900 Interurban Ave. and the second is at 17000 West Valley Highway. The developer of the property along Interurban felt the trail behind the building next to the river would serve as a temporary substitute for sidewalks. He believed he had the property to connect the river trail to Interurban, but now there seems to be some dispute over this and will not be settled for some time. The trail he has developed was not coordinated with the City, is not to City standards, and appears to be in the wrong place. MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT COUNCIL DEFER ACTION ON THE WAIVER FOR THE SOUTHCENTER PLAZA DEVELOPMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS COUNCIL HAS HAD A CHANCE TO RESOLVE SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES.* TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 3 PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, APPEALS, AND SIMILAR MATTERS Cont. Waiver to Construct Side- walks, 14900 Interurban 17000 West Valley Highway ORDINANCES Proposed Ordinance Increasing the rates for metered water Councilman Bohrer reported that the Ad Hoc Committee had had two meetings. They have identified a number of concerns to discuss with the City Attorney and then will hold a discussion with the developer on them. *MOTION CARRIED. The problems with the Record Stationary site is the unknown final elevation and that it would be an isolated sidewalk as there are no sidewalks existing in this area. This developer has stated he will support a future LID. They have agreed to donate land for the sidewalk and agreed to have this record on their deed. Councilman Van Dusen said that the elevation may never have to be changed. The sidewalk may be isolated now, but it won't be in the future. Further to the south, you can see how they handled the sidewalk development. A sidewalk does not have to be right next to the curb. He said he feels, to get sidewalks, the City is going to have to do it piecemeal. Councilman Bohrer agreed that the elevation probably won't change. The street right -of- way and property line boundary are already fixed. He agreed that piecemeal is the only way to approach it. Councilman Van Dusen referred to the ordinance regulating sidewalks and said there are two conditions a waiver can be granted on unique topographic conditions and hardship. Councilman Harris reminded Council that the elevation of the West Valley Highway was changed considerably when the Frank Zepp Bridge was under construction. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT COUNCIL DENY THE WAIVER OF RECORD STATIONARY TO CONSTRUCT A SIDEWALK.* Councilman Bohrer said the Public Works Department should furnish guidance to the applicant on the elevation and acceptable set- backs from the property line. Councilman Van Dusen said he would probably be willing to accept a design that deviates from the ordinance. Our intent is to provide a place for people to walk. *MOTION CARRIED. 30/7 Councilman Van Dusen explained that there is an alternate ordinance in the agenda packet which changes the fees charged for various services in the Water Department. Mr. Ted Uomoto, Public Works Director, explained that the Acting Finance Director has requested the water rates be changed to enable usage of the current accounting machine program. This would make it necessary to use the 500 cubic foot base rate. Councilman Van Dusen asked how the 25% overhead was arrived at. Mr. Ted Freemire said the new water rate study recommended this. Councilman Van Dusen questioned the $15.00 turn -on fee. Mr. Freemire explained this is usually necessary where the water had to be turned off due to a delinquent bill. He explained that in case of emergency and the water has to be turned off, there is no charge to turn it back on. Councilman Harris said she felt this fee was a bit exorbitant. Councilman Van Dusen asked about water meter installation deposits. Mr. Freemire explained that an average cost for each meter size has been arrived at. Councilman Van Dusen said it bothered him that the cost of a meter installation to a single family residence might become exorbitant. Councilman Harris agreed that she did not like the homeowner being charged excessively through no fault of his own. The charge for residential meters should all be the same. This has been Tukwila's policy for years. Mr. Freemire offered that they could come up with a new figure from the Work Orders; then it could be updated every year. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 4 ORDINANCES Cont. Proposed Ordinance Increasing the rates for metered water (cont.) Proposed Ordinance Fixing the amount of tax levies Ordinance #1184 Approving con- firming the assess- ment roll for LID 29 30/3 Councilman Harris said she still has a problem with the proposed water rates. Councilman Van Dusen said the 100 cubic foot rate had been lowered from the recommended 66¢ to 36¢. Councilman Phelps said Council has to deal with the reality of a deficit in the water fund through a rate adjustment. Councilman Van Dusen said his feeling is to leave the 100 cubic foot figure at 36¢, that the 3/4 meter installation charge be set at $300 and reconsider the 25% overhead charge because it seems excessive. Councilman Bohrer recommended that the ordinance be put on the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole meeting so staff has a chance to put it in final form. He recommended the Work Orders be reviewed to set the flat fee for residential meter installations. He felt the 25% overhead sounded reasonable and asked the Finance Director to give the rationale for the overhead -maybe 12% is still appropriate. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY BOHRER, THAT THIS ITEM BE TABLED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF DECEMBER 8, 1980.* Council agreed the minimum base rate would be $5.80. Mr. Traynor said he didn't believe Council should leave it all up to staff. He said it appears that Council needs to take another look at the rate structure. Councilman Bohrer said Council, at Committee of the Whole Meeting, reviewed the water rate study in detail. Council will review it again next week. Mr. Traynor asked why Council doesn't find out what the additional costs are and relate these back to the present billing. Councilman Phelps said the Council Members don't have the expertise to analyze the operation of the water fund, therefore, a consultant was re- tained. The consultant took the existing information to come up with the study. Councilman Harris said she would like to have the Standby charges reviewed. How were they arrived at? They are quite high. *MOTION CARRIED. Council was notified that the assessed valuation has not been received from King County. If it is available next Monday, a Special Meeting will be held. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance modifying, approving and confirming the assessments and assessment roll of Local Improve- ment District No. 29 which has been created and established for the purpose of the improvement of property witnin the City of Tukwila, Washington, along portions of 62nd Avenue South and South 153rd Street by acquisition of additional public right -of -way, grading, widening and paving the street surface, installing sidewalks, curbs and gutters, installing storm drainage, storm sewers and sanitary sewers, water facilities, underground utilities and street illumination, as provided by Ordinance 1098 and levying and assessing the amount thereof against the several lots, tracts, parcels of land and other property shown on the roll. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1184 BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Attorney Hard explained that the assessment roll has now been changed with the approval of Jim Gay, Bond Counsel. It is now ready to be approved. Councilman Harris asked if the City's amount will be yearly assessments or will part of it be paid in TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 5 ORDINANCES Cont. Ordinance #1184 Approving con- firming the assess- ment roll for LID 29 (cont.) Ordinance #1185 Repealing Ordinance No. 1088 (Ehmke- Kato-Kato rezone) Ordinance #1186 Repealing Ordinance No. 1137 and amend- ing Sect. 6 of Ord. No. 1109 by extend- ing the termination date Waiver process Proposed Ordinance Reclassifying cer- tain lands from R -1 -12 to R -3 R -4 (Wynn Prop.) See Page 7 Ordinance #1187 Designating the Accounting Clerk II (Treasury Function) as a bonded City Employee a lump sum. Attorney Hard said the City's assessment will be paid over ten years. Mrs. Krisotfferson said the Street Fund will carry its portion of the obligation annually for the next 10 years. Attorney Hard said the consultant will be furnishing the Public Works Director with a description of the method of assessment. *MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Wash., repealing Ordinance No. 1088 (reclassifying certain property from C -1 and R -3 to R -4). MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1185 BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Attorney Hard explained that in December, 1978, Mr. Ehmke, Mr. Tom Kato and Mr. Michio Kato applied for, and were granted, a rezone setting forth certain conditions. In reviewing Ordi- nance #1088, Attorney Hard said he was satisfied that the condi- tions have not been met and recommended that the ordinance be repealed. *MOTION CARRIED. 30/7 MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Wash., repealing Ordinance 1137 and amending Section of Ordinance 1109 be extending the termination date. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1186 BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance reclassifying certain lands from R -1 -12 to R -3 and R -4 within the City of Tukwila as described in Planning Department Master File No. 80 -38 -R. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Councilman Bohrer noted that, at the last meeting, he questioned the statement by Mr. Thorpe that the elevations on which the buildings were sited were largely in the 10% to 15% slope category with none over 25 Since then, staff has done a slope analysis. Councilman Van Dusen questioned if Mr. Thorpe has seen it and was told he probably hasn't seen it. Mrs. Wynn said Mr. Thorpe will be arriving. *MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THIS ITEM BE TABLED UNTIL MR. THORPE ARRIVES. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Wash., designating the Accounting Clerk II (treasury function) as a bonded city employee and amending Ord. No. 1179, Sect. 1. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 6 ORDINANCES Cont. Ordinance #1187 (cont.) Proposed Ordinance Repealing Ord. No. 973, Department of Community Develop. Planning Proposed Ordinance Providing for a Cumulative Reserve Fund for the pur- pose of renewing and replacing plant equip- ment for Water Sys. Ordinance #1188 Authorizing City Attorney to in- stitute an action for the condemna- tion acq. of cer- tain lands (LID 30) MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1187 BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance of the City of Tukwila, Wash., repealing Ordinance No. 973, Sections 1 thru 5, Depart- ment of Community Development Planning. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Councilman Phelps reported that the matter or reorganization of the Office of Community Development was submitted to the Finance and Personnel Committee. They have been discussing the issue since September. This item is coming out of Committee with no recommendation. The three members of the Committee have individual opinions. Councilman Bohrer reviewed Ordinance #973. If the ordinance is passed, there is no longer an Office of Community Development. Councilman Phelps reviewed an alternate ordinance. It eliminates the Office of Community and creates three separate departments- Planning, Parks and Recreation and Building. Councilman Harris said that Council did not ask for this ordinance and has never expressed a desire to reorganize the Office of Community Development. Councilman Bohrer said he wanted this on the agenda for Council to resolve because a section of the 1981 budgetting is dependent on this decision. John McFarland, Administrative Assistant, said that Mayor Todd has opted not to fill the position of Director of O.C.D. which is now vacant. He prefers to work with an organi- zational structure that allows for immediate access to Building, Planning and Recreation. Mr. McFarland said he drew up some structural options and submitted them to the Finance and Personnel Committee. Councilman Bohrer questioned if it was proper to dis- cuss this without the Mayor being present. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY BOHRER, THAT THIS ITEM BE TABLED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 1980. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A CUMULATIVE RESERVE FUND BE TABLED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF DECEMBER 8, 1980. MOTION CARRIED. 30x0 MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Hard read an ordinance authorizing and directing the City Attorney for the City of Tukwila to purchase and /or institute and prosecute to determination in the proper court or courts, an action or actions in the name of the City of Tukwila under the right of eminent domain for the condemnation and acquisi- tion in fee simple and easements where necessary of certain lands and property for the purpose of public access, grading, paving, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, landscaping, and utilities, including underground water, power and telephone utility lines, and illumina- tion system for the improvement of property within the City of Tukwila, Wash., along portions of South 152nd Street and 57th Ave. South; providing for the payment of said lands and property; and declaring an emergency. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 7 ORDINANCES Cont. Ordinance #1188 Authorizing City Attorney to in- stitute an action for the condemna- tion acq. of cer- tain lands (LID 30) RECESS: 8:50 P.M.- 8:55 P.M. Wynn Rezone DEPARTMENT REPORTS City Attorney's Report Municipal Court Recording System Deputy City Attorney MISCELLANEOUS AND FURTHER AUDIENCE COMMENTS 56th Street Bridge Historic Preser- vation Grant Foster Memorial Field Foster Golf Course Bridge Letter from C.E. Eastwood MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1188 BE ADOPTED AS READ.* Attorney Hard explained that the price can be determined by hiring an M.A.I. to do an appraisal. If the City has to spend money, it will be charged against the property within the LID. *MOTION CARRIED. Council declared a five minute recess. Mayor Pro Tem Saul called the regular meeting of the Tukwila City Council back to order with Council Members present as previously reported. 36a-) MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY VAN DUSEN, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN LANDS (WYNN PROPERTY) BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF DECEMBER 8, 1980. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hard reported that the new State Law requires that the City purchase a new recording system for the Municipal Court. Judge Payne feels it could be a serious problem if the recording system is not installed by January 1. Attorney Hard recommended that Council approve the purchase of the new equipment. Attorney Hard told Council he would like to have a Deputy City Attorney handle part of the Council meetings. Attorney Hard will attend a Committee of the Whole Meeting and a Council Meeting, then his deputy will attend the next two meetings. Council agreed as long as they coordinated the attendance it was fine. Mr. McFarland reported that the last word received from King County on the 56th Avenue Bridge is that the County Executive had not recommended the Joint Block Grant Application for funding. The King County Council considered the status of the Grant and they tentatively recommended funding at $5,000 to cover administrative costs so far incurred in handling bridge matters. Word has been received that the $200,000 grant application is still alive and under consideration. The State Historic Preservation Office Grant for design work on the library is not resolved, but Tukwila is still under consideration. Don Williams, Recreation Supervisor reported that the King County Block Grant for the joint project on the Foster Memorial Field has been included in the County Budget. Mr. Williams reported that on Friday morning one of the Golf Course staff called to say that one of the cables on the suspension bridge that crosses the river to the back five holes had slipped from its anchoring causing the east side of the bridge to drop. The bridge is now closed. Temporary measures will be taken to ensure that it will slip no further. If the bridge is closed very long, it will affect revenues. Decisions will have to be made on whether to do a patch work job or do a major repair now, so it will last. He will go back and report when repair costs are available. Councilman Van Dusen noted the letter from Mr. Charles E. Eastwood concerning the completion of his property under the 59th Ave. South Street Improvement Project. He requested that it be on the agenda for the December 8, 1980 Meeting. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1980 Page 8 ADJOURNMENT 9:15 P.M. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Pro Tem Saul J att,; Clerk 3044