HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-31 E-Hazelnut Newsletter
City of Tukwila E-Hazelnut Newsletter December 2017
Council approves selection of sites for
Public Safety facilities
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As you know, Tukwila voters approved a bond measure to fund
City Employment Opportunities
the replacement of three aging fire stations, fire equipment
and apparatus for 20 years, and a new justice center to house
Winter 2018 Activities Guide
the Police Department and Municipal Court. Coupled with a
TukTV
much-needed new shop facility for our Public Works crews
funded by general funds and utility funds, these five buildings
and associated equipment comprise the City's Public Safety
Plan.
On December 2, the City hosted the last of three in-person
open houses for 2017. It was very well attended; around 50
people came to the event, and another 72 visited the online
open house. The focus of this open house was on the locations
for the new buildings.
On November 6, after a long vetting process in which City
staff, Council, the volunteer Siting Advisory Committee and
Tukwila Elected Officials
residents participated, the Council approved the list of
recommended sites, and authorized staff to begin acquiring
Mayor:
Allan Ekberg
those properties. While the City prefers to come to voluntary
agreements with all property owners, it retains the ability to
City Council:
use eminent domain if needed. Of the thirteen total
Dennis Robertson (Council
properties the City will acquire in order to fully implement
President)
the Public Safety Plan, there are already three signed
Joe Duffie
purchase and sale agreements as of this writing.
Verna Seal
Kathy Hougardy
De'Sean Quinn
Tukwila values and appreciates the diversity of its businesses,
Kate Kruller
recognizing that some may be significantly impacted by these
Thomas McLeod
siting decisions. The City's Economic Development team is
hard at work with each affected business to understand their
individual needs and to identify strategies that will assist the
transition of these businesses to new locations. These
strategies will be presented to Council in the first quarter of
2018.
Please visit TukwilaWA.gov/PublicSafetyPlan for more
information and updates, or call 206-454-7565. Watch for
spring and fall open houses coming in 2018.
Another Shop with a Cop event success
On December 9, the Tukwila Police Depatment held their
annual Shop with a Cop event. This recent outing was an
opportunity for Tukwila school children in need to do some
Christmas shopping for their families that they wouldn't
otherwise be able to do.
The City and its Police Department would like to thank the
businesses that make this event possible: Target, Toys "R" Us,
Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant, Azteca,
Westfield Southcenter, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, and Acura
of Seattle.
Please check out this great story that KIRO 7 put together
about the event.
View the video at Kiro7.com
Farewell Councilmember Duffie!
Councilmember Joe Duffie is retiring from the City Council
this month after serving nine consecutive terms over the past
36 years. The City of Tukwila will dearly miss his leadership
and the sight of his familiar face at the end of the Council
dais, but we know he will remain an engaged and inspirational
community member. Councilmember Duffie moved to
Tukwila in 1967 and has lived in his current home since 1969.
He was first elected to the City Council in fall of 1981, being
inspired to run for office to get more involved in
neighborhood issues and feeling the Council of that time did
not communicate well. During his tenure he has remained
passionate about improving the quality of life in the
community and in increasing transparency and accountability
in local government. He is also renowned for serving as a
strong mentor for Tukwila youth through his work at the
Tukwila School District as well as his service on the
Council. Generations of kids know "Mr. Duffie," and
understand how much he cares about them and their ability to
succeed.
Councilmember Duffie was honored by the City, friends and
family at a public reception held on December 11, just before
the final Council meeting of the year, during which he was
recognized with a formal resolution signed by the Mayor and
City Council. He was also honored at the State Legislature
with Resolution 8672 from Senator Joe Fain, who grew up in
Tukwila and met Councilmember Duffie at age 5.
Joe Duffie, we thank you for your service to the City of
Tukwila.