HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-22 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Remote Meeting per Governor Proclamation 20-28 November 22, 2021 — 7:00 P.m.
This meeting was conducted remotely, with the City Council, Mayor, and staff off-site and
participating via uremote electronic system.
All participants, including the Mayor, Councilmembers, City staff, and legal counsel were not at
Tukwila City Hall and participated via aremote electronic system.
The phone number for public participation that was provided via the agenda distribution process
was: 1-253-292-9750, access code S7D077B47#aawell aaolink hojoin the Microsoft Teams
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
TI 110 64#010 04:710 111:51 ON
Council President Kruller called the remote Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the
audience inthe Pledge ofAllegiance.
OFFICIALS
Present at the virtual meeting were Council President Kruller; Councilmembers Verna Seal,
Kathy Hougerdy, De'Geen Quinn, Thomas McLeod, Cynthia []e|ostrinoaJohnoon.
Counoi|mmmbmr|danwas not inattendance
Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator; Nora
Gierloff, Community Development Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon
Miles, Business Relations Manager; Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director; Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance
Director; JeyV0tbmer. Fire Chief; Norm Go|den, Deputy Fire Chief; Juan PediUo, Human Resources
Director; Tracy Gallaway, Pmrka& Recreation Director; ErioDnevar. Police Chief; Eric Lund, Deputy
Police Chief; Hari Ponnehanti, Public Works Director; Griffin Lerner, Public Works Analyst; Joel Bumh,
Chief Technology Officer; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mayor Ekberg stated "The City ofTukwila ielocated onthe ancestral lands cfthe CooetGalish
We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their
elders papd, present and emerging."
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Those wishing to provide public comment had the opportunity to sign up via email by 5:00 p.m. today to
read comments verbally atthe virtual meeting.
1. Matthew Bates expressed concern regarding the West Valley Highway-Longacres projectvvhiohadde
another northbound general-purpose lane and increases West Valley Highway to seven lanes in the
project area. He relayed this fails to address climate change by increasing traffic and creates a
challenge for pedestrians that must cross over 70 feet of right-of-way. He would like to see cities
make the built environment more environmentally sustainable.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
November 22, 2021
PUBLIC HEARING
Page 2 of 4
a. An Ordinance amending Ordinance Nos. 2462 and 2538, as codified at Tukwila Municipal Code
Sections 3.90.050 and 3.90.060, to amend eligibility criteria and to allow new applications for
Multi -Family Residential Property Tax Exemptions to be submitted.
7:05 p.m. Council President Kruller opened the public hearing and called for a staff report.
Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, explained the proposed ordinance amends the
City's current Multi -Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program for a portion of the Southcenter District to
accept applications through 2022, retain current program boundaries and other criteria, and adds a
criteria requiring that the housing utilizing the MFTE must be available to people of all ages.
7:12 p.m. Council President Kruller called for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Council President Kruller asked if there was anyone else who wished to make a public comment on this
topic and to press *6 on the phone to unmute. There were no additional public comments.
7:13 p.m. Council President Kruller closed the public hearing.
SPECIAL ISSUES
a. Weekly COVID-19 Report.
David Cline, City Administrator, provided an update on the City's coronavirus response as follows:
Information about Human Services funding has been broken down by its source; a COVID-19 vaccination
pop-up clinic is available at the Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village on Saturdays through December 18,
2021 from 10:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
Councilmember Hougardy reported she recently visited the Sullivan Center to receive her booster shot.
Councilmember Quinn remarked on the importance of services such as Meals on Wheels for isolated
seniors.
Following a question from Council President Kruller, Tracy Gallaway, Parks and Recreation Director,
relayed the Annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon will be taking place on November 23, 2021 at 11:00
a.m. Reservations are no longer being accepted and approximately 140 seniors are expected to attend.
b. Legislative Agenda:
(1) A legislative update from David Foster, City Lobbyist
(2) A resolution adopting a Legislative Agenda for use during the 2022 Washington State
Legislative Session
David Foster, City Lobbyist, gave an overview of the 2022 Legislative Session that will begin January 10,
2022 and end on March 10, 2022. Priorities for the City include COVID-1 9 response/recovery;
Housing/Homelessness; Behavioral Health; Police Reform; and Transportation.
Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator, gave an overview of the City's agenda for 2022 and relayed
the proposed resolution and the 2022 Legislative Agenda were developed following feedback from the
Finance and Governance Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee.
The Councilmembers discussed the agenda and offered comments regarding behavioral health
encounters and use of force in law enforcement, language access for non-English speakers and career
pathways for multi-lingual students, and flexibility for local governments to continue holding virtual
meetings.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE RESOLUTION TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
November 22, 2021 Page 3 of 4
c. An ordinance amending Ordinance Nos. 2462 and 2538, as codified at Tukwila Municipal Code
Sections 3.90.050 and 3.90.060, to amend eligibility criteria and to allow new applications for
Multi -Family Residential Property Tax Exemptions to be submitted.
The Councilmembers commented on the importance of creating more housing options in the City.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
d. Legislation updating the City's Investment Policy.
Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director, stated the City's Investment Policy is being updated in alignment with the
current practice of streamlining and adopting financial policies via resolution. The proposed ordinance
rescinds Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 3.28, "Investing City Funds," and adopts an updated
Investment Policy via resolution with minor housekeeping changes.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor Ekberg reported Eric Drever, Police Chief, has been appointed to Governor Inslee's Office of
Independent Investigations advisory board and will serve as co-chair. He reported the Tukwila Police
Department has been officially accredited through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police
Chiefs following a lengthy process including a review of administrative effectiveness, fair recruitment and
employment practices, records management, and other law enforcement tasks. He thanked the Tukwila
community for voting for the Public Safety Bond that resulted in the Tukwila Justice Center which allowed
the agency to comply with key items needed for accreditation.
b. City Council
Councilmember Hougardy attended a virtual meeting of the Highline Forum where they received an
update on WSDOT/SR-509, Sound Transit, and StART (SeaTac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round
Table). She reported she received her booster shot at the Sullivan Center's COVID-1 9 vaccination pop-up
clinic. She attended a virtual meeting through the National League of Cities and heard presentations on
increasing vaccination rates, leadership during crisis, creating cities of opportunity and making equity a
priority.
Councilmember Quinn relayed he recently toured The Confluence, a new affordable apartment complex
on South 152nd Street through Bellwether Housing.
Councilmember McLeod also toured The Confluence and shared they have already leased approximately
75% of their units. He acknowledged Councilmember Quinn's role in helping The Confluence become a
reality in Tukwila.
Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson participated in a Teens for Tukwila meeting where they held
discussions on social media and youth engagement, and mental health.
Council President Kruller attended the Teens for Tukwila meeting that was held in-person. She suggested
following up with the Tukwila School District to work on youth mental health. She would also like to see if
the Tukwila Municipal Court can reconnect with the Teens for Tukwila regarding youth court. Council
President Kruller attended the tour of The Confluence, and shared Bellwether Housing is trying to hire
unemployed residents of The Confluence.
c. Staff
There was no report.
Tukwila City Council Committee ofthe Whole Minutes
November 22, 2021 Page 4 of 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember Quinn stated there were several residents on social media reporting their garbage was
not picked up. The issue was raised stthe Transportation and|nfrnatruoture8en/ioemCornnnitteemeetng
earlier tonight and Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director, indicated staff was in the process of following
up with Waste Management. Councilmember Quinn expressed concern the Council had not received any
information from the City or Waste Management regarding the response to the missed pick-ups.
David Cline, City Administrator, indicated Public Works will be reaching out to Waste Management to
ensure they provide services per their contract.
In response to a question from Councilmember McLeod, Mr. Cline confirmed the City willwork on
ensuring the community remains informed when issues arise.
Councilmember Quinn reflected on the many conversations he had with former Mayor Haggerton over the
years and shared he will be missed.
Council President Kru|karindicated the Finance and Governance Committee held adiscussion earlier
tonight onreturning toin-perso meetings and asked for the Council's input.
Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, explained the Governor's Proclamation 20-28.15 is in effect until
the termination of the public health emergency and requires all public meetings to be held remotely but
there has been a recent provision allowing agencies to hold in-person public meetings under certain
conditions. Following the Council's recent direction to utilize ARPA funding to modernize meeting room
technology for the Council Chambers and Committee rooms, upgrades have been completed, allowing for
hybrid meetings where Microsoft Teams will continue being utilized for greater flexibility.
The Coumjhnenlbersdiscussed the logistics ofreturning boin-person/hybrid Council meetings and
expressed a preference for testing anin-person/hybrid meeting prior to the first meeting of 2022 that will
need to occur in-person for new Councilmembers to be sworn in.
Consensus existed for an in-person/hybrid meeting to occur at the last Council meeting of 2021.
ADJOURNMENT
8:32 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT KRULLER DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING ADJOURNED.
Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 12/6/21