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Home My WebLink About2020-08-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Remote Meeting per Governor Proclamation 20-28 August 24, 2020 — 7:00 P.M, MINUTES This meeting was conducted remotely, with the City Council, Mayor, and staff off -site and participating via a remote electronic system. 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 order at 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, Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson. Councilmember Idan was not in attendance. CITY OFFICIALS The following staff were present via remote access. Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Kari Sand, City Attorney; Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director; Eric Dreyer, Deputy Police Chief; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Juan Padilla, Human Resources Director; Hari Ponnekanti, Interim Public Works Director; Rick Still, Parks & Recreation Director; Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager; Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager; Joel Bush, Senior Technology Integration Manager; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Washington Cities Insurance Authority Overview & City Council Do's and Don'ts. Ann Bennett, Executive Director, WCIA (Washington Cities Insurance Authority), and Karl Sand, Tukwila City Attorney. Ann Bennett, Executive Director with WCIA, provided information on common liability exposures for Councilmembers and how to avoid potential liability. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions concerning executive sessions, public disclosure, and ex-parte communications. Councilmember Kruller asked that additional information be provided regarding legislative authority over personnel matters. 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: Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 24, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Kathleen Gantz expressed concern regarding staffing levels at Fire Station 52 and referenced a recent house fire that occurred on 140") Street. 2. Peggy McCarthy referenced a recent house fire that occurred on 140'h Street and expressed the Fire Department staffing policy places the community at risk. PUBLIC HEARING Interim flood plain management ordinance. 8:21 p.m. Council President Quinn opened the public hearing and called for a staff report. Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager, explained the Interim Flood Plain management ordinance was adopted on August 17, 2020 to meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deadline of August 19, 2020. State law requires that a public hearing be held before an ordinance is adopted or within 60 days following adoption. The final ordinance will come back to the Council in the future once the SEPA process is complete. 8:23 p.m. Council President Quinn called for public comments. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, stated no sign-ups were received to comment on the Interim Flood Plain Management ordinance. Council President Quinn asked if there was anyone else who wished to make a public comnient on this topic. There were no public comments. 8:25 p.m. Council President Quinn closed the public hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Discussion on the interim flood plain management ordinance. Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager, clarified no further action is being requested of the Council at tbis time. b. Weekly COVID-19 report. David Cline, City Administrator, provided an update on the City's coronavirus response and highlighted the following: Staff continues to provide services for rental assistance, evictions, business recovery, and meals to seniors and youth. Councilmember Kruller asked for information regarding the City's success in meeting community demand for rental assistance. Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson asked that information be included regarding COVID-19 trends in the City. Mr. Cline confirmed the information would be available in the future, and emphasized the latest information is available directly through King County Public Health. c. COVID-19 financial impact report. Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director, explained with three months of sales tax data (March through May) available, the forecast reflects revenue loss from the retail and service sector is offset by higher than projected construction sales tax, minimal impacts to other sales tax sectors such as manufacturing, and the reopening of casinos; General Fund revenue is above the revised allocated budget by $1.8 million which will mean a decrease of $1,5 million in use of contingency funds. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 24, 2020 Page 3 of 4 d. Amendment No. 7 to contract #17-167 with SoundEarth Strategies, Inc., for the Public Safety Plan —Justice Center in the amount of $60,105.00. Kari Sand, City Attorney, explained this amendment to the contract is for the installation of groundwater monitoring wells at the Justice Center site, as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The cost of these services is included in the project budget, and staff is not asking for additional budget authority. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. e. An update on lodging tax allowable uses and process for using funds. Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager, provided a briefing on the allowable uses and procedures for approving the use of lodging tax revenue. f. An update on business license fee deferral. Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager, provided an update on the proposal to defer business license fees due to COVID-19. Based on the minimal benefit to businesses should the fee be deferred, and the larger impact to the City associated with revenue loss, staff does not recommend implementing a business license fee deferral program for 2021. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg had no report. b. City Council Councilmember Seal offered a reminder on the upcoming 2021-2022 virtual Budget Listening Session that will be taking place on August 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmember Hougardy attended a meeting of the Association of Washington Cities Equity Committee. Councilmember Kruller reported that the Community Services and Safety Committee will be continuing review of the Fire Department's 2020 2nd Quarter Report at its next meeting. Councilmember Kruller attended a ribbon cutting at the Salvation Army. Councilmember McLeod relayed he will be participating in a South King Housing and Homelessness Partners meeting on August 28, 2020. Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson reported holding a Council Chat along with Councilmembers ldan and Kruller and thanked Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, for her assistance in coordinating. She invited the Council to review the Fall Child Care Report provided by Parks and Recreation in the August 24, 2020 Community Services and Safety Committee agenda packet. Council President Quinn reported Teens for Tukwila was recently highlighted in a panel discussion held by Sound Cities Association's Racial Equity and Justice series. c. Staff There was no report. Page 4 of 4 Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 24, 2020 d. Legislative Analyst Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, reported videos of Council meetings will be made available to the public beginning tonight. Council meeting videos will be streamed live beginning in September. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Kruller referenced two fires that recently occurred in the Old Tukwila neighborhood and expressed concern regarding the City's communications to residents. The Councilmembers discussed the challenges of individual Councilmembers providing updated information to the public and requested that Administration proactively manage public safety communications. ADJOURNMENT 10:12 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT QUINN DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. ean1trIfin, Council President Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 09/13/20 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 09/15/20