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Home My WebLink About2021-03-15 Regular MinutesCouncil Tukwila City Remote Meeting MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Regular Meeting March 15, 2021 — 7:00 P.M. 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, Cound|membora. 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: 1'253-2S2'S75O.access code O7OO77847#anwell aoalink tojoin the Microsoft Teams Meeting. CALL TO ORDERIPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL Mayor Ekberg called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7:01 p.m. and Ied the audience in the Pledge ofAllegiance. Christy O'Flaherty, City C|erk, called the roll of the Council. Present at the remote meeting were Counoi|membermVerna Seal, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn, Kate KruUer, Thomas K8oLeod, Zak Non. MOVED BY KRULLER, SECONDED BY QUINN TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER DELOSTRINOS JOHNSON FROM THE REGULAR MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rachel Biannhi, Deputy City Administrator; Kari Sand, City Attorney; Joel Bush, Senior Technology Integration Manager; Eric Dreyer, Interim Police Chief; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Norm Golden, Deputy Fire Chief; Vicky Cadsen, Finance Director; Tony CuUerton, Deputy Finance Director; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Minnie Dhaliwal, Community Development Deputy Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon Mi|es, Business Relations Manager; Juan Padilia, Human Resources Director; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Christy O'F|oherty, City Clerk. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — Councilmember Hougardy stated "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging." ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Ekberg reflected on the 1 -year point since the Coronavirus emerged, bringing about a great many challenges and obstacles that affected everyone, He asked for a moment of silence to remember those who have been lost due to COVID-19, He also relayed that while vigilance (masks, handwashing, social distancing) must still be preva|ent, the situation is showing mprovement as Washington state moves into Phase 3 - "Roadmap to Recovery." He thanked everyone for their many sacrifices. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Transit oriented development opportunities from Sterling Realty Organization (SRO). Whit Hamlin, Kay Compton, Jack McCullough with SRO Properties Mr. Hamlin, Ms. Compton, and Mr. McCullough provided an overview of development opportunities in this area of Tukwila that is near the Tukwila International Blvd. Station and the former Lewis and Clark Theater location. The 1-405 BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) would serve Tukwila International Blvd. from SR - 518. A new freeway station would be built near the existing overpass. Sound Transit plans to construct a Tukwila City Council Reglar Meeting Minute March 15, 2021 Page 2 of 4 pedestrian bridge to help connect bus riders with the Central Link Light Rail line just north of the highway. The station is served by several local and regional bus routes, including Metro's RapidRide A -Line. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and offered comments regarding the proposal and look forward to the positive possibilities the development could provide to Tukwila. APPOINTMENT Appointment of Police Chief: a. Briefing on the process for Police Chief recruitment. Juan PadU|a, Human Resources Director, provided an overview of the recruitment process which included individuals from faith cnmmunities, non-profit organizations, busineaseo, and the Chamber of Commerce, There were 2 Police Department listening sessions and a community listening eventAn online community survey was also deployed in multiple languages for more than 1 month. The process also included a nationwide search. b. Confirm the appointment of Eric Dreyer to the position of Police Chief. MOVED BY KRULLER, SECONDED BY HOUGARDY TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF ERIC DREVER TO THE POSITION OF POLICE CHIEF.* The Councilmembers discussed the appointment and offered the following comments: Appreciation of the qualifications and experience of both Interim Police Chief Dreyer and Major Bennett; The potential of a missed opportunity that Major Bennett may have provided to the community; Concern that the City has not looked outside the Department in hiring for this position over the years; Support for involving Major Bennett in the work of the Tukwila Police Department going forward; Recognition that this was a difficult decision between 2 very qualified candidates. *MOTION CARRIED 4-2, WITH SEAL AND IDAN VOTING NO. PUBLIC COMMENTS Those wishing to provide public comment had the opportunity to deliver comments by signing up via email by5:O0p.m, today to have the comments read or state them verbaily at the virtual meeting. There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 3/1/21 (Regular Mtg.) b. Approval ofVouchers #3857O5'3D578Qinthe amount of$1.O24.3G575 c. Accept as complete the Green the Green Shoreline Restoration Services Pject (contract #18-145) with Applied Ecology, LLC; authorize release of retainage, subject to the standard claim and lien release procedures (final cost of pject, including retainage: $143.956.03). (Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by the Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee on 3/&/21} MOVED BY SEAL, SECONDED BY HOUGARDY THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Weekly COVID-19 report. David Cline, City Administratorprovided an update on the Weekly COVID-19 report, noting thatthe American Rescue Plan was approved by Congress, for which the City expects to receive $4.3 million in direct allocations. Staff will work with the Finance Committee and full Council to determine how the City Tukwla City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 15, 2021 Page 3 of 4 will prioritize the funds. COVID-19 testing continues in the City as does the Fire Department mobile vaccine unit. b. Authorize the Mayor to award a bid and sign a contract with Lincoln Construction, Inc, for the Public Works Fleet and Facilities Tenant Improvement Pject, in the amount of $4,427,221.00 and grant budget authority up to the amount of $5,849,244.39. MOVED BY SEAL, SECONDED BY QUINN TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO AWARD A BID AND SIGN A CONTRACT WITH LINCOLN CONSTRUCTION, INC., FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FLEET AND FACILITIES TENANT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,427,221'¢0 AND GRANT BUDGET AUTHORITY UP TO THE AMOUNT OF $5,849,244.39. MOTION CARRIED 6'0. REPORTS a. Mayor There was no report, b. City Council Councilmernber Hougardy recently volunteered to assist the Fire Department mobile COVID-19 vaccine unit and extended thanks for the 7 senior citizens who were vaccinated onsite in a Tukwila neighborhood. She reported that the King County "Health for Housing" proposal was discussed at the Planning and Community Development (PCD) Committee this evening. A fact sheet will be developed based on discussion at the meeting, with additional information coming to the Council in the future. Councilmember Quinn attended the Community Services and Safety (CSS) Committee meeting as Chair this evening. The Committee reviewed the Fire Department report that may result in future Council work sessions. They also received updates on the Tukwila Pond Master Plan and Green Tukwila. Council President Kruller attended the virtual NLC (National League of Cities) event that included participation in the foliowing sessions: Racial Equity Council, Telecom Policies, Federal Agency round- rnbin.withofocuaontnansporbaionond|oanprognamshzrbridgos.VVesbarnyWunicipa|Asaociadon. focusing on issues associated with COVID-19, and an AWC (Association of Washington Cities) meeting involving Washington Senators Cantwell and Murray. Ms, Kruller reported on a letter received from a concerned resident about Police responses in neighborhoods associated with repetitive property crimes. Chief Drever has agreed to meet with the neighbors regarding these issues. She suggested that there be consideration given to establishing virtual block watch meetings. Ms. Kruller thanked those who stepped in for her Iast week due to a personal care day. Today, Ms. Kruller attended an AWC meeting that included Washington State Secretary of Health Shah, who encouraged continued vigilance in retaining safety standards associated with CDV|O-10, Councilmember McLeod referenced the importance of the American Rescue Plan signed by the President and looks forward to the positive impacts for the City of Tukwila. Mr. McLeod reported that former Councilmember Joan Hernandez is experiencing health issues and asked that she be kept in everyone's thoughts. c. Staff The CA (City Administrator) Report was included in the Council packet. d. City Attorney There was no report. e. Legislative Analyst There was no report. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 15, 2021 Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT 8:16 p.m. UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING. Allan Ekberg, Mayor ekt e4ey 67(z/eetry Christy O'Flaherty, Records Governance Manager/City Clerk APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 4/5/21 AVAILABLE ON CITY WEBSITE: 4/6/21