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Home My WebLink About2022-05-16 Regular MinutesTukwila City Council Regular Meeting On-site and Virtual Meeting May 16, 2022 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES REGULAR MEETING This meeting was conducted both on-site at Tukwila City Hall and also virtually based on the Governor's Proclamation 20-28, adopted March 24, 2020. The phone number for public participation that was provided via the agenda distribution process was: 1-253-292-9750, access code 670077847# as well as a link to join the Microsoft Teams Meeting. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL Mayor Ekberg (on-site) called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Kathy Hougardy (on-site), De'Sean Quinn (on-site), Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson (on- site), Mohamed Abdi (on-site), Tosh Sharp (on-site). MOVED BY DELOSTRINOS JOHNSON, SECONDED BY HOUGARDY TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBERS KRULLER AND MCLEOD FROM THE REGULAR MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator; Kari Sand, City Attorney; Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief; Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Norm Golden, Deputy Fire Chief; Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director; Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director; Tracy Gallaway, Parks and Recreation Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manager; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk. MOMENT OF SILENCE Mayor Ekberg requested a moment of silence for those impacted by the shooting in Buffalo, New York. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson stated "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Satish people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, 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 at the meeting. Mayor Ekberg asked those who had signed up to proceed with their public comments. David Chivis provided an updated on the SHAG (Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations) complex in Tukwila and relayed that he sent photos to the Council. He expressed that in the last 2 years there has not been a steady management team; the facility is not secure to the residents who are enduring many car break-ins; management has sent a 30 -page addendum to the residents with an expectation of a response within 30 days that includes charging residents for handrails in the shower, insurance, and other amenities that should be standard in a senior housing complex. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Jan Bolerjack provided information regarding the "Raise the Wage" campaign that would increase the minimum wage in Tukwila from $14.59 to bring it into alignment with Seattle ($17.27) and SeaTac ($17.54). Businesses with no more than 15 employees would not be affected. A petition is being routed at the Sullivan Center in Tukwila on Saturdays. Joe Duffie expressed appreciation for the recent "Cruise with Tukwila Police" bicycling event. He also encouraged the Council to be mindful of the ongoing issues associated with lack of parking in neighborhoods. Dennis Martinez referenced the City's Equity Policy and wondered how many employees are Tukwila residents. He referenced staff from the Fire Department who are Tukwila residents and relayed that former leadership in the Fire Department better exemplified diversity in the workplace. Additionally, he relayed concern about a $5.6 million budget deficit. There are many high -ticket items being considered by the Council, which is big impact for 21,000 residents. PRESENTATION Promotional Swearing in of Police Sergeant Joseph Zaehler. Eric Dreyer, Police Chief Mayor Ekberg administered the Oath of Office to Sergeant Joseph Zaehler. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 5/2/22 (Regular Mtg.) b. Approval of Vouchers #00400609-00400676 in the amount of $1,827,117.16. c. Accept as complete the 2020 Central Business District (CBD) Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Contract #20-111) with Michels Corporation; authorize release of retainage, subject to the standard claim and lien release procedures (final cost of project, including retainage: $626,926.18). [Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by the Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee on 5/2/22. ] d. Accept as complete the Sewer Lift Stations #4 and #12 Retrofits Project (Contract #21-089) with Gary Harper Construction; authorize release of retainage, subject to the standard claim and lien release procedures (final cost of project, including retainage: $310,594.37). [Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by the Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee on 5/2/22.] MOVED BY HOUGARDY, SECONDED BY QUINN THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Bi -weekly COVID-19 report. David Cline, City Administrator, offered to answer any questions. He referenced that the COVID-19 testing site in Tukwila is closing at the end of May 2022. At its peak, there were 800-900 tests a day being done at the site. Over the last few months, there have been approximately 100 tests per day being done. Based on a question by Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson, Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator, explained that COVID tests can be ordered online at Free Test Washington or Free Test US. b. Budget outreach overview Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director, Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director, and Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manager, provided an overview of the budget process to include the City's Strategic Goals and Objectives, the commitment to Equity per Resolution 1921, Fund and Departmental Descriptions, Expenditures and Revenues, and an introduction to a "Balancing Act" tool for online use by the public in sharing input with City leadership. There is currently an anticipated $5.6 million deficit due to Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16, 2022 Page 3 of 4 an unprecedented rise in the CPI of 8% (not seen in 30 years), which has increased City costs, as well as declining revenues due to the pandemic. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and exchanged comments, to include: The need for budget figures in all documents to be consistent; Support for the budget tool in providing opportunities for the public to weigh-in; The importance of the public having context when using the online budget tool; Acknowledgement that the deficit is the result of increased costs for which the City did not have control; Taxes go up when property values increase; and Appreciation for involving the public early on in the process. 8:12 p.m. Councilmember Abdi left the Council Chambers. 8:24 p.m. Councilmember Abdi returned to the Council Chambers. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg referenced that this is National Police Week, a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community. It is also National Public Works Week, recognizing those who are "Ready and Resilient" to serve their communities. The Mayor acknowledged all members of the Police Department and Public Works Department for their service to Tukwila. b. City Council Councilmember Hougardy attended the Teens for Tukwila event on May 13, noting that Representative Steve Bergquist and King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove were in attendance, as was Tukwila Municipal Court Judge Kimberly Walden. Topics included minimum wage, teen safety, school curriculum relevance, and the long-term effects of the pandemic. Councilmember Quinn also attended the Teens for Tukwila event and was pleased to see the Principal and Civics teachers from Foster High School in attendance. Mr. Quinn participated in the "Cruise with Tukwila Police" bicycling event in the Allentown neighborhood and appreciated the great conversations. Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson expressed appreciation to the Public Works staff for their good work. She participated in the Teens for Tukwila event and gave high praise to Nate Robinson, Teen Program Specialist for the City, for the great job he does inspiring the students and promoting leadership. Ms. Delostrinos Johnson reported on the recent PCD (Planning and Community Development) Committee meeting, which included a contract for the Economic Development Plan and code revisions regarding the permit process. Both of these items will be coming to the full Council. Councilmember Abdi reported that he recently acted as the Chair for the Transportation and Infrastructure Services (T&I) Committee meeting. While he was unable to attend the Teens for Tukwila event, he commended Nate Robinson, Teen Program Specialist, for the great work he does with this program. Mr. Abdi was a part of this group for 6 years, which proved to be an invaluable experience. Additionally, he was contacted by the Career Counselor at Foster High School and was asked to be a speaker for the students. Councilmember Sharp also attended the Teens for Tukwila event and was pleased to see young people engaging with City leadership. Additionally, he noted that he interacts with the Public Works staff in his job, and he commended them for their great work. c. Staff David Cline, City Administrator, referenced the CA (City Administrator) report and offered to answer any questions. Additionally, Mr. Cline reported that at the recent City Managers Association meeting, Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director, spoke regarding the City's practices regarding affordable housing. The attendees were very complimentary regarding Tukwila's amazing work. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16, 2022 Page 4 of 4 Councilmember Hougardy referenced public safety issues at the Transit Center. While the Tukwila Police Department is increasing patrols, she hopes that Sound Transit and Metro will also follow suit to increase patrols as well. ADJOURNMENT 8:40 p.m. UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING. Altan Ekberg, Mayor ICsy, 81 Christy O'Flaherty, Records Governance Manager/City Clerk APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 6/6/22