HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Commiffee of the Whole Meeting
Remote Meeting per Governor Proclamation 20-28 January 24.2022-7:00P.m.
This meeting was conducted remotely, with the City Council, Mayor, and staff off-site and
participating via nremote 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 670O77B47#aawell aaalink hojoin the Microsoft Teams
Meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
CALL TOORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President McLeod called the remote Tukwila City Council meeting toorder ed7:OOpm. and led
the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OFFICIALS
Present at the virtual meeting were Council President McLeod; Councilmembers Kathy Hougardy,
De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson, Mohamed Abdi, Tosh Sharp.
Allan Ekberg. Mayor; David C|ine, City Administrator; Rachel Bianohi, Deputy City Administrator;
Kari Sand, City Attorney; Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manager; Nora Gierloff,
Cornnnunkv Development Director; Derek Spech, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon K8i|es,
Business Relations Manager; Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director; Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director;
JayV0tbmer. Fire Chief; Norm Golden, Deputy Fire Chief; Tracy Gallaway, Parks& Recreation Director;
ErioDrever. Police Chief; Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Hari Ponnehand, Public Works Director;
Brittany Robinson, Public Works Grant Analyst; Cody Lee Gray, Operations Manager; Adam Cox,
Program Manager; Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst;
Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Kruller stated "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish
people. We acknowledgeUlei'conUnuingconnaotioneto|and.vvatensendcuUuns.VVepnyourrespect to
their elders paet, 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.
Kelle Symonds said she is a 30 -year resident of Allentown who lives on 42nd Avenue South. She
referenced the South 129th Street Bridge detour which trucks have been using since the closure of
the 42'mAvenue South Bridge and noted the reduced weight limit signs are posted olthe bridge in
such a way that trucks over the limit do not have enough notice to turn around. Shipping freight is not
cheap, and she suggested confirming weight load records through BNSF. Ms. Symonds stated the
"one truck atetime" restriction she has seen referenced inmany places isnot posted anywhere,
would be difficult to enforce, and does not accomplish the objective of reducing weight since trucks do
not go one at a time. The bridge is extremely compromised and is a safety hazard. She asked ifthere
are laws regarding transporting hazardous material loads through residential areas.
Tukwila City Council Committee ofthe Whole Minutes
January 24, 2022 Page 2 of 4
2. Sally Blake is a 40 -year resident of Allentown. She referenced the January 18, 2022 Special
Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting and expressed concern at the lack of
transparency by City staff regarding alternative access routes for the 42nd Avenue South Bridge. She
thanked Councilmember Kruller for asking the question of whether there is any plan to go directly
across the river at South 124th Street to which staff responded it is one of the options under the 30%
design for the 42nd Avenue South Bridge. Councilmember Kruller stated in the Committee meeting
this decision was made without the Council's knowledge. Ms. Blake noted this option has not been
considered in previous studies. Additionally, Administration has not provided the number of tickets
issued for violations against weight and speed restrictions. When asking why an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) was not conducted previously, the Allentown Advocates learned the
sufficiency rating for 42nd Avenue South Bridge was 19.44 in May 2017. She relayed there is also risk
oflitigation bya business owner on48mAvenue South who isonthe Planning Commission. She
hopes life safety will be the priority when making decisions.
3. Hannah Hedrick lives across from Codiga Park and spoke on the impacts of trucks using the South
129th Street detour. She purchased her home in May 2019 that is at the bottom of a steep hill. Speed
limits are not followed, and the truck traffic has caused damage to her home and yard, increased
littering, and deterioration of the road. Additionally, she has almost been hit multiple times. Like other
community members, she is concerned about the weight limit on South 129th Street Bridge. Damage
tothis bridge will shut off access and exit points for Allentown residents. She would like bzsee data
on how many infractions have been issued over a given time period. Ms. Hedrick suggested
increased patrols enforcing the speed and weight limit and more detour signage.
Councilmember Kruller referenced a letter sent to the Council on January 24, 2022, on behalf of Ron and
Nancy Lamb (regarding a $1 million proposed donation to the City for a technology/media|abatthe
Tukwila Teen & Senior Center Projeot.
SPECIAL ISSUES
a^ Weekly COVID-1 9 RmpmnL
David Cline, City Administrator, provided an update on the City's coronavirus response as follows: City
facilities have limited in-person services due to the omicron variant of COVID-19; updated information is
available on Human Services' assistance to the community; the Tukwila Fire Department' Mobile Vaccine
Team will be providing booster shots to homebound individuals that meet the booster thresholds.
Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson asked if there will be a concerted effort to conduct outreach to
increase vaccination rates among 5-11-yenpo|dindividuals.
b. An update omthe Allentown neighborhood
Hari Ponmskanh, Public Works Director, provided information on the current status of projects in the
Allentown neighborhood that have included water, sewer, and small drainage projects, gidevvolkson42n«
Avenue South, and guardrails along the river. A common goal shared by the City and community is to
move truck traffic tothe BNSF Intermodal Yard out of the Allentown residential neighborhood: The City
has considered access alternatives for trucks since the late 1990s although no preferred route has been
selected due to challenges with overall costs, lack of funding options for an alternative route,
environmental concerns, and potential litigation. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
on all four alternative routes is recommended prior to choosing a preferred route. Additionally, significant
work has been done on the 42nd Avenue South Bridge including inspections, maintenance, repairs, 30%
design, and aType Size and Location report.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and offered comments including the following: Although
South 129th Street Bridge is owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation,
there may be opportunities for collaboration towards a resolution; it is important to find the "low hanging
fruit"; all stakeholders including community members, businesses, and regional public agencies need bo
be actively engaged towards finding solutions.
Eric Drever, Police Chief, indicated there were 35 citations issued in the Allentown neighborhood in 2021.
He clarified Police Officers can only stop commercial vehicles if they witness a first offense and most
Tukwila City Council Committee wfthe Whole Minutes
January 24, 2022 Page 3 of 4
issues surrounding commercial vehicles are secondary offenses. While commercial vehicle inspections
are typically performed by Washington State Patrol, the Tukwila Police Department is working on bringing
a commercial vehicle training program tothe City totrain Pu|ima Officers. Tukwila Police has also
engaged with local trucking companies touse the South 12SmStreet detour route. Heconfirmed there
would beefforts hoincrease patrols in the area.
Council President McLeod shared the next Allentown Community meeting will be January 25, 2022 at
5:30 p.m.
c, An update from the Equity Policy Implementation Committee (EPIC).
Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manager, introduced the Equity Policy Implementation
Committee (EP|C)and provided anoverview ofthe history ofthe City's Equity Policy, work achieved by
EPIC in2O21and this year's priorities.
The Councilmembers applauded EPIC for their work and provided feedback on incorporating these
values systemically, accountability through having measurable targets and reporting back to the Council,
and having achievable priorities.
Councilmember Kruller shared EPIC was recognized by the Association of Washington Cities for their
innovative work and isbeing used as amodel for implementing equity initiatives etsmaller cities.
Ms. Fort -Brooks stated Tukwila was included in Sound Cities Association's Equity Initiatives Inventory.
Additionally, she recently participated in a Governing for Racial Equity and Inclusion (GREI) meeting and
acknowledged that Tukwila is the only agency with the long-standing history of having an Equity and
Social Justice Commission established since 1989 thanks to the work of late former Councilmember Joan
Hernandez.
d' AmInterlocal Agreement with Omnia Partners for a purchasing cmnsmdLiwmm'
Laurel Humphrey, Legislative explained that following additional legal review, the proposed
Interlocal Agreement was found toLmapproved aapresented inthe packet and the Transportation and
Infrastructure Services Committee forwarded this item unanimously.
The City has been a member of the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (IPA) for several
years. In 2017, Omnia Partners was formed by the founders of National IPA and has since acquired
additional purchasing consortiums. An updated Interlocal Agreement is necessary to continue using
master contracts through the purchasing consortium and receiving cost benefits from our vendors.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING CONSENT AGENDA
DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THUS MEETING.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor Ekberg had no report.
b. City Council
Counoi|nnernberHouQardvreported the Community Services and Safety (CSS)Committee received an
overview ofthe CSS Committee, a 2O214th Quarter Report from the Police Department, and anupdate
regarding an upcoming Interlocal Agreement for Fire Investigation Services.
Councilmember Quinn reported the Finance and Governance Committee received an update on Channel
21 and an overview of the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget process that will include more touchpoints; at the
Committee of the Whole. He was recently asked to participate in a panel at the University of Washington
Evans School ofPublic Policy and Governance and invited tobe aguest speaker atCascade View
Elementary.
Tukwila City Council Committee ofthe Whole Minutes
January 24, 2022
Page 4 of 4
Councilmember Kruller shared she was asked by the National League of Cities to speak at a panel with
the American Society of Civil Engineers for their annual Report Card for America's Infrastructure
regarding the 42rmAvenue South Bridge. She shared January ieCervical Cancer Awareness Month and
encouraged the public toget screened.
Counni|nlemberOelosthnosJohnson reported the Planning and Community Development Committee
reviewed Economic Development's 2022 work plan and forwarded two lodging tax funding requests for
Experience Tukwila 2022 and a partnership with the Seattle Seawolves.
[bunoi|nlemberAbdi attended a celebration for an East African youth basketball program. He was invited
tohost otalent show for the Urban League ofMetropolitan Seattle. Hewas interviewed bvNate
Robinson, Teen Recreation Program Specialist, for Black History Month and he looks forward to seeing
how that project develops.
Council President McLeod attended aLodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting.
C. Staff
There was noreport.
MISCELLANEOUS
Council President McLeod asked if there was consensus to continue holding virtual Council meetings
through the end ofFebruary. There was consensus.
ADJOURNMENT
8:59 p.mm.COUNCIL PRESIDENT KHCLEOD DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OFTHE WHOLE
MEETING ADJOURNED.
Q�homas McLeod, Cound!ll Presid&t
...... . ... .......
Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 2���22
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AVAILABLE NTHE C[FYVV��SO0E' 2/7/22
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