HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesCouncil Committee Tukwila City ~~ .......~~.~ ofthe~~..~~.,~ Meeting
On-site and Virtual Meeting April 24, 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 ORDERJPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Delostrinos Johnson called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and
Ied the audience in the Piedge ofAllegiance.
OFFICIALS
Present at the meeting were Council President Delostrinos Johnson (on-site); Councilmembers Kathy
Hougardy (on-site), De'Seon Quinn (on-site), Kate Kruller (on-site), Thomas McLeod (on-site), Mohamed
Abdi (on-site), Tosh Sharp (on-site).
CITY OFFICIALS
Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David C|ine, City Administrator; Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator; Nora
Gierloff, Community Development Director; Derek Speok, Economic Development Administrator; Vicky
Codsun, Finance Director; Tony Cu||erton, Deputy Finance Director; Pete Mayer, Parks and Recreation
Director; Eric Ooever, Police Chief; Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Hari Ponnokan\i, Public Works
Director; Bryan Still, Public Works Operations Manager; AdibA|toUo|. Utilities Engineer; Joel Bush, Chief
Technology Officer; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Kruller stated The City of Tukwila is Iocated 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"
Council President Delostrinos Johnson acknowledged recent gun violence incidents in the community.
She gave recognition to the families and community members that are impacted by these tragic events
and to the first responders who respond to these incidents,
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dennis Martinez referenced his wife's Lakota Nation heritage and emphasized the importance of diversity
in the workplace. AddidonaUy, he attended a meeting with the Secretary of State that was also attended
by Councilmember Sharp.
SPECIAL ISSUES
a. 2023 City Scholarship Award Recommendations.
Mayor Ekberg relayed he participated in a Scholarship Selection Committee for the "Tukwi|a. City of
Opportunity" Scholarships along with Council President Delostrinos Johnson; Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City
Administrator; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Cheryl Thompson, Executive Assistant; and Jennifer
Fichamba, Foster High School College and Career Readiness Specialist. The Committee is
recommending seven scholarships be awarded to Amina Ali, Mary Hser, Shahabbudin Niazi, Michelle
Phan, Presylla Saole, Charlee Sebring, and Cing Sung.
The Councilmembers congratulated the award recipients.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
April 24.2O23 Page 2 of 3
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING CONSENT AGENDA
DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS MEETING.
b. An ordinance adopting Fire Code changes.
Jon Napier, Division Chief/Fire Marshal with the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA), explained
the draft ordinance adopts changes to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 51-54A which
amends the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code. The ordinance also aligns state and local
amendments to the International Fire Code and streamlines fire code requirements.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the proposed regulations including
coordination with railroad operatora, sprinkler installation nequiremento, fire alarms, and impacts to the
residential and business community.
Chief Napier distributed a handout to the Council displaying sample signage in different languages.
7:37 p.m. Councilmember Abdi exited the Council Chambers.
7:51 p.m. Councilmember Abdi returned to the Council Chambers.
7:51 p.m. Councilmember Hougardy exited the Council Chambers.
7:53 pm. Councilmember Hougardy returned to the Council Chambers.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING CONSENT
AGENDA.
c. An update on the Water Reservoir site.
7:54 p.m.
7:57 p.m.Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers.
Councilmember Quinn exited the Council Chambers.
Bryan Still, Public Works Operations Manager, and AdibAba||a[ Utilities Engineer, provided an overview
of the City's water system storage needs to include a brief history and future outlook of the water system
storage facilities. MrA|ta||a| stated the City has been evaluating locations for a potential new Water
Reservoir in order to meet the Department of Health's water storage requirements. The construction of a
new reservoir is being proposed on the old Fire Station 52 site, which would allow for improvements at
the adjacent Hazelnut Park and potential improvements of the old Fire Station 52 site.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the potential site, design considerations,
service capacity, financial impact, and Iiability to the City.
8:22 pm. Councilmember McLeod exited the Council Chambers,
8:25 p.m. Councilmember McLeod returned to the Council Chambers.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO PROCEED WITH A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THIS ITEM.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor Ekberg reported in addition to the Tukwila, "City of Opportunity" scholarship recipients, Alex Perez
of Foster High School has been awarded an Association of Washington Cities Center for Quality
Communities scholarship.
b. City Council
Councilmember Hougardy attended a South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) meeting where
Tukwila City Council Comrnittee of the Whole Minutes
April 24, 2023 Page 3 of 3
an update on regional transportation issues. She reported King Country Metro is accepting applications
through May 14th for the Youth Transit Equity Internship that will take place in July.
Councilmember Kruller reported speaking to a local community organization regarding her recent visit to
the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference and her role with NLC. She was
interviewed by a researcher from the University of Washington regarding social issues such as minimum
wage and renter protections. She attended a regional community safety and well-being meeting, an event
at a local theater showing a movie produced with Mona Das, former Washington State Senator, and
spent Earth Day with the Journey Project, a reentry program based in Tukwila.
Councilmember McLeod attended the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA) Governance Board
meeting where he shared the City Council approved resolutions approving the annexation and
amendments to the 2023 PSRFA Plan and calling for the annexation to be placed on the August 1, 2023
primary election ballot.
Counui|memherAbdi recently celebrated Eid with the Muslim community and his family. He invited the
Council to the 5th Annual Autism Awareness Event hosted by the Somali Health Board that will be taking
place on April 29th in Burien.
Council President Delostrinos Johnson attended the monthly South King Housing and Homelessness
Partnership Executive Board meeting where they reviewed the 2024 work plan and budget that will be
circulated to member cities for feedback. She participated in a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
meeting where they approved an application from PacNW Partnership for a youth premier soccer league
tournament at Starfire Sports. The LTAC Committee also discussed concerns regarding public safety in
the Southcenter area.
c. Staff
There was no report.
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember Kruller relayed she recently distributed the Sound Cities Association Public Issues
Committee packets through Laurel Humphnay, Legislative Analyst. She thanked the Police Department
for responding to inquiries regarding the encampment near Southgate.
ADJOURNMENT
8:53 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DELOSTRINOS JOHNSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED.
os rinos Johnson, Council President
�
Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 5/8/23