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Home My WebLink About2023-01-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committeeof the Whole Meeting On-site and Virtual Meeting January 9, 2023 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES This meeting was conducted both on-site at Tukwila City Hall and virtually via Microsoft Teams. 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. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President McLeod called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and Ied the audience in the Piedge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present at the meeting were Council President McLeod (on-site); Councilmembers Kathy Hougardy (on-site), De'Sean Quinn (on-site), Kate Kruller (on-site), Delostrinos Johnson (on-site), Mohamed Abdi (on-site), Tosh Sharp (on-site). CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director; Derek Gpeck, Economic Development Administrator; Vicky Cedson, Finance Director; Tony CuUerton, Deputy Finance Director; Pete Mayer, Parks and Recreation Director; David Rnsen, Parks and Recreation Fiscal Analyst; Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Hari Ponnekanh, Public Works Director; Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer; Laurel Humphnay, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk; Felipe Ayala, Administrative Support Coordinator. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Councilmember Delostrinos Johnson 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." PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Joe Duffie thanked the Police Department and Public Works staff for their work. He offered comments regarding the recent inclement weather, the need to provide greater assistance to the Tukwila School District and stated this is a new year and the Council must consider how to move forward. 2. David Chivis presented Deputy Police Chief Lund, represenfing the Police Department, and Councilmember Kruller with tokens of his appreciation for their excellent work and leadership over the past year. 3. Allen Thompson is a Tukwila resident and a member of the Raise the Wage community coalition and Transit Riders Union. He stated 82% ofvoters approved Initiative Measure No. 1, speaking to the need for higher wages. He expressed concern at rising rents and subpar living conditions of apartments in Tukwila, 4. Krysteena Mann is a Tukwila resident and expressed frustration with the rising cost of rent for apartment buildings that are in poor condition, often crowded, and not well maintained. 5. Arc Di is a Tukwila resident and would like to see greater protection for renters to ensure their safety. There is a playground in their apartment complex that is hazardous due to lack of maintenance. AdditionaUy, rent has gone up several hundred dollars with only 60 days' nctice, which does not allow Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 9, 2023 Page 2 of 3 sufficient time to move or budget. Units are also being converted into Airbnb's, further reducing housing availability and driving higher rents. G. Kelle Symonds referenced the Planning Commission reappointments on the agenda and shared there were two candidates from the Allentown neighborhodd that applied. She asked what the current process is for appointing and reappointing individuals to boards and commissions. She noted truck traffic continues to be an issue in Allentown. The next Allentown Advocates meeting will be January 24'» at the Tukwila Community Center. 7:23 p.m. Counci|memberSharp Ieft the Council Chambers. 7:23 p.m. Councilmember Sharp returned to the Council Chambers. 7. Lisa Krober commented there is a lack of clarity regarding how applicants are chosen to be appointed and reappointed to boards and commissions. 8. Ruba Royal is with Youth Voices for Justice and expressed concern regarding the Tukwila Police Department hiring additional Police Officers. Community members are still experiencing displacement and homelessness. She would like to see the City invest in youth and communities of color. 9. Dennis Martinez stated there were issues with trees falling during recent inclement weather events. He suggested the City focus on removing ivy from trees in order to prevent additional loss of trees in the future. He expressed concern that he is not seeing the level of service he expects from the high taxes he pays. SPECIAL ISSUES An update on Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Middle Housing Proposal. Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator, explained the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) formed a Housing Solutions Group to develop legislative proposals addressing housing affordability and supply challenges. The proposal seeks to maximize residential density through various strategies and streamlines permitting and development processes. Staff is seeking Council direction on whether the City should support AWC's proposal on middle housing. The Councilmembers discussed the proposal and offered comments regarding needing additional details on the proposal to include a map of affected zones and emphasized the importance of retaining local control. 7:54 p.m. 7:56 p.m. Councilmember Quinn exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES MIDDLE HOUSING PROPOSAL. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg noted there was a windstorm this morning and thanked the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works staff, and Parks and Recreation staif for their service to the community. b. City Council Councilmember Hougardy attended a South County Area Transportation Board meeting, a Greater Seattle Partners Board of Directors meeting, and an Equity and Social Justice Commission meeting and relayed all meetings she attended were focused on reviewing 2023 workplans. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January S.2O23 Page 3of3 Councilmember Quinn participated in a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission meeting and thanked Police Chief Dreyer and the Tukwila Police Department for their work. Tukwila was recognized as a very proactive agency. He also thanked the Police and Fire Department for their work during the inclement weather events in December. He acknowledged there were many community members assisting each other and providing services to other community members. Councilmember Kruller relayed Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson gave a press conference in Tukwila last month to announce two gun safety measures: one measure renews banning the sale of military -style assault weapons and the second measure would require gun manufacturers and dealers to take reasonable steps to enforce responsible gun ownership. Gun violence is a significant community issue. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an underutilized local resource for community members. Councilmember Abdi thanked the Mayor, Council President, and incoming Council Fresident for making the ceremonial Oath of Office that occurred before tonight's meeting possible. He took the Oath of Office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted in-person attendance. He thanked former Councilmember Duffle, the Council, and his family. He appreciates the opportunity to help his community and Iooks forward to working with everyone again this year. Councilmember Sharp thanked Public Works, the Police Department, and the Fire Department for their assistance to the community during the recent inclement weather events, He encouraged residents who are without power to approach line crews for assistance. Residents can also call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-255-5773 and Seattle City Light at 206-684-3000. c. Staff There was no report ADJOURNMENT 8:29 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT MCLEOD DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. T ,4,/tIPP Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 01/21/23 WEBSITE: 01/23/23