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Home My WebLink About2020-07-27 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole M Remote Meeting per Governor Proclamation 20-28 July 27, 2020 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES This meeting was not conducted at Tukwila City Hall, based on the Governor's Proclamation 20-28 adopted March 24, 2020 which says in part: `Any public agency, subject to RCW 42.30, is prohibited from conducting any meeting, subject to RCW 42.30 unless (a) the meeting is not conducted in -person and instead provides an option(s) for the public to attend the proceedings through, at minimum, telephonic access." All participants, including the Mayor, Councilmembers, City staff, and legal counsel were not at Tukwila City Hall and participated via a remote electronic system. The phone number for public participation that was provided via the agenda distribution process was: 1-253-292-9750, access code 670077847#. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Quinn called the remote Tukwila City Council meeting to orderat 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present at the virtual meeting were Council President Quinn; Councilmembers Verna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod, Zak Idan, Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson. CITY OFFICIALS The following staff were present via remote access: Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Vicky Cadsen, Finance Director; Bruce Linton, Police Chief; Hari Ponnekanti, Interim Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Rick Still, Parks & Recreation Director; Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager; Joel Bush, Senior Technology Integration Manager; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator. PUBLIC COMMENTS Council President Quinn announced that those wishing to provide public comment had the opportunity to deliver public comments via email by 5:00 p.m. today. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, acknowledged receipt of and read the following written comments received by email: 1. Pam Carter expressed disappointment with Waste Management's communications with Tukwila customers regarding the Annual Curbside Clean-up Day. She asked that the City work with them and provide oversight of the contract. 2. Mohammed Jama, Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Abu-Bakr Islamic Center of Washington in Tukwila, stated the Center's account with Wells Fargo Bank was closed in May without any explanation. This is happening to individuals, businesses and organizations in the community. 3. Roble Musse, founder of the Right To Be Banked Campaign, stated they have been working for the past 10 years to solve the bank de -risking issue at the federal level and now call on the Washington State Legislature to find a solution for equal access to banking services. 4. Mohamed Ashour stated he is a money transfer operator in Tukwila, and has been denied the right to bank for the past 8 to 10 years. He noted the business is licensed and audited annually and their service is important to his customers and their families. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2020 Page 2 of 4 5. Abdirisak Ainan stated he uses local money transmitters to send money to his family in East Africa to help them with basic expenses. He noted that these local small businesses contribute to local community events, and also provide a better exchange rate than large national companies. 6. Peggy McCarthy recognized former Public Works Director Henry Hash for his service to the City, including his leadership on the residential street improvement projects on 42nd Avenue South and 53rd Avenue South. PUBLIC HEARINGS An ordinance regarding Flood Plain Management. 7:11 p.m. Council President Quinn opened the public hearing and asked for a staff report. Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager, explained the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires updates to the City's flood plain management ordinance and adoption of revised flood insurance rate maps. The ordinance is also undergoing SEPA review, which will not be complete by the FEMA deadline. An interim ordinance is being prepared that will allow the required changes to occur by the August 19, 2020 deadline. Once the SEPA process is complete, this final ordinance will come back to the Council forapproval. 7:15 p.m. Council President Quinn called for public comments. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, stated no sign-ups were received to comment on the Flood Plain Management ordinance. Council President Quinn asked if there was anyone else who wished to make a public comment on this topic. There were no public comments. Mr. Larson answered a clarifying question from Council President Quinn about how the public was informed of these changes. 7:18 p.m. Council President Quinn closed the public hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance regarding Flood Plain Management. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE AUGUST 24, 2020 REGULAR MEETING. b. Weekly COVID-19 report. David Cline, City Administrator, said the Governor may consider rolling back the phased re -opening, and those concerns are impacting the City's own "Safe Start" plan. Many local agencies are seeking to give certainty to employees regarding the current telecommuting environment, and the City is discussing January 1st as a date for employees to return to on -site work. Councilmember Seal asked City Administration to check whether Impact Schools or Academy Schools would be remote or on -site learning forfall. In response to a question from Councilmember Kruller, Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, stated the vast majority of Tukwila businesses have been able to reopen to some extent. Businesses that normally have customers gather as part of theirbusiness function are facing the most challenges due to State restrictions and customer concerns with being in group settings. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2020 Page 3 of 4 c. COVID-19 financial impact report. Vicky Carisen, Finance Director, stated information on select capital projects has been updated, including budget adjustments forfunding two high priority overlay projects and Phase III of siding repairs at the Tukwila Community Center. Councilmember Seal noted the Council previously discussed possible reductions to the Council budget due to financial impacts facing the City. With reductions in travel and professional services, a total return of $80,000 from the Council's budget to the General Fund is possible. She asked if there was consensus to reduce the Council budget by $80,000, which will be incorporated into the budget process at the end of the year. Consensus existed. d. A resolution regarding bank de -risking Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, and Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager, recently held a virtual meeting with several Tukwila business owners affected by the practice of de -risking. Current laws adversely impact immigrant communities, making it difficult to open bank accounts and send money to those living outside the United States. The Council discussed potential changes to the draft resolution as other communities besides East African countries may be impacted. Ms. Humphrey stated she will rework the language foradditional inclusivity. In responseto a question from Councilmember McLeod, Mr. Miles stated he will be discussing this issue with two credit unions this week and will provide a briefing at the next Council meeting. The Councilmembers also discussed sending a letter to state and federal legislators in addition to adoption of this resolution. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg had no report b. City Council Councilmember Seal stated the Fire Department six-month report was reviewed at tonight's Finance Committee meeting, and as of today is projected to be within the original adopted budget. The City's biennial budget process is normally started in April. The City is working on an on-line community outreach survey and planning a virtual Town Hall listening session in August. In addition, full Council budget workshops will occur in September and October. Councilmember Hougardy participated in a tour of the new Justice Center and Fire Station 51 and commented on the creative use of shared space. Councilmember Kruller stated the Community Services and Safety Committee discussed a contract for school speed zone cameras, which will likely be affected due to schools not opening on -site in the fall. She participated in a tour of the new Justice Center and Fire Station 51, and a Refugee/Black Lives Matter March on Saturday on Tukwila International Boulevard. She would like discussion on options for residents to get relief from extreme heat conditions. Councilmember McLeod attended a meeting of SKHHP (South King Housing and Homelessness Partners) where there was a presentation on affordable housing. c. Staff Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 27, 2020 Page 4 of 4 David Cline, City Administrator, provided clarifying information on the Annual Curbside Clean-up Day which will be held Saturday, August 1. Information is available on the City's web site and in the Events Calendar in the agenda packet. He will bring information back to the Council on heat relief options for residents due to weather. d. Legislative Analyst There was no report. 8:15 p.m. Kad Sand, City Attorney; entered the meeting. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Idan stated that he and Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson are planning to hold a virtual session with residents and asked if one additional Councilmember would be interested in joining them. He noted that attendance of more than 3 Councilmembers would trigger public meeting requirements. The Councilmembers discussed the potential topics, and it was determined that Councilmembers will work through the Legislative Analyst regarding potential attendance at the virtual session. ADJOURNMENT 8:26 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT QUINN DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. De'Sean Quinn, Council President Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 08/10/20 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 08/10/20