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Home My WebLink About2023-07-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting On-site and Virtual Meeting July 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 ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Acting Council President Abdi called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Kathy Hougardy (on-site), De'Sean Quinn (on-site); Kate Kruller (on-site), Thomas McLeod (on-site), Mohamed Abdi (on-site), Tosh Sharp (on-site). Council President Delostrinos Johnson was not in attendance. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Pete Mayer, Acting Deputy City Administrator/Parks and Recreation Director; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief; Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director; Mark Hafs, EIS Project Director; Joel Bush, Acting Administrative Services Director/Chief Technology Officer; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Mayor Ekberg 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 1. Greg Sherlock indicated he is submitting another complaint regarding noise emanating from the Sabey Data Center and urged City Administration to find a resolution for this matter. 2. Joe Duffie shared Proposition No. 1 (annexation to the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority) is one of the largest issues undertaken by the City. He is proud to be a resident of Tukwila, which has quality Public Works facilities and apprenticeship programs. He urged the public to vote. 3. Christine Neuffer asked several questions regarding the contract with Puget Sound Fire and the annexation vote and outlined reasons for keeping Fire Station 54 where it is currently sited. 4. Robert Neuffer expressed concern regarding future plans for Fire Station 54 and urged residents to vote no on Proposition No. 1. 5. Peggy McCarthy is a member of the Con Committee for Proposition No. 1 and expressed annexation will lead to increased costs for community members. She urged residents to vote no on Proposition No. 1. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 24, 2023 Page 2 of 3 PRESENTATION Get to Know Puget Sound Fire (PSF): Benefits of Regionalization Division Chief Norm Golden of Puget Sound Fire (PSF) provided an overview of the benefits of regionalization (Zone 3), including member organizations, unified training, a command training and certification system for all of Zone 3, and partnerships. The Councilmembers provided comments and thanked Chief Golden for the overview. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An update on the Allentown Truck Reroute EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) Mark Hafs, EIS Project Director, explained the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) aims to consider the feasibility of alternative routes for freight truck traffic accessing the BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railroad facility through the Allentown neighborhood. To date, data has been collected, pre - conceptual designs have been developed, and public involvement is underway. The next steps involve evaluating the alternatives and preparing the draft EIS. 7:59 p.m. 8:02 p.m. Councilmember Hougardy exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember Hougardy returned to the Council Chambers. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding BNSF, the EIS process, public engagement, and next steps. 8:25 p.m. 8:27 p.m. Councilmember McLeod exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember McLeod returned to the Council Chambers. b. A resolution stating the City's intent to consider designating a residential targeted area for the purpose of establishing a multi -family property tax exemption program, and setting the time for a public hearing to consider the designation of the area. Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, explained the proposed resolution considers designating the Southcenter area, comprised of the Tukwila Urban Center and Tukwila South Overlay zones, as a residential targeted area for the purposes of a multi -family property tax exemption (MFTE). The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and offered comments regarding the purpose of an MFTE program, a cap for the number of proposed units, financial implications, and meeting housing growth targets. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING CONSENT AGENDA DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg attended the free community gun lockbox giveaway through King County Regional Approach to Gun Violence at the Tukwila Community Center. He reported Parks and Recreation recently held "Bark in the Park" at Crestview Park. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes July 24, 2023 Page 3 of 3 b. City Council Councilmember Hougardy participated in a tour of the King County Metro South Base in Tukwila through the Regional Transit Committee that focused on the progress of electrification of Metro's bus fleet. She attended the Grand Reopening of the Public Works Fleet & Facilities Building, and the Fire Station 52 Open House. Councilmember Quinn attended the Grand Reopening of the Public Works Fleet & Facilities Building. 9:31 p.m. 9:35 p.m. Acting Council President Abdi exited the Council Chambers. Acting Council President Abdi returned to the Council Chambers. Councilmember Kruller participated in the free community gun lockbox giveaway through King County Regional Approach to Gun Violence that resulted in a large community turnout and read a proclamation on behalf of the City. She thanked Deputy Police Chief Eric Lund for his work coordinating the event with King County. National League of Cities is featuring the Southard in Tukwila for a Housing Supply Accelerator session. She participated in a Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee meeting through National League of Cities where they reviewed rail safety and preemption on cities. She shared Sea -Tac Airport (SEA) has a program called "SEA Spot Saver" through which users can make appointments for security screening. Councilmember McLeod attended the free community gun lockbox giveaway through King County Regional Approach to Gun Violence and the Fire Station 52 Open House. He participated in a Puget Sound Fire Governance Board meeting and shared the Governance Board is considering moving their meeting locations from Covington to a more centrally located site such as Kent. Councilmember Sharp attended the free community gun lockbox giveaway through King County Regional Approach to Gun Violence and remarked on the great interest from the community regarding gun lockboxes. Acting Council President Abdi thanked Councilmember Hougardy for checking in prior to the meeting and giving input regarding Chairing meetings, and thanked Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, and Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk, for their assistance in preparing for tonight's meeting. c. Staff There was no report. ADJOURNMENT 9:49 p.m. ACTING COUNCIL PRESIDENT ABDI DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Mohamed Abdi, Acting Council President Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 8/14/23 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 8/15/23