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Home My WebLink About2024-01-08 Special MinutesCouncil Tukwila City On -site and Virtual Meeting ��U��UU�� uwnnn�� n �� SPECIAL MEETING Special Meeting January 8,2024-7:¢0p.rn. 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 8007047# aswell ooulink to join the Microsoft Teams Meeting. OATHS OF OFFICE FORNEWLYELECTED OFFICIALS a- Oath of Office administered by Judge December 31,2037. b. Oath mfOffice administered byJudge term ending December 31, 2027. c' Oath oYOffice administered byJudge term ending December 31,2O27. d. Oath of Office administered by Mayor term ending December 31, 2027. The newly elected officials took their place onthe dais. CALL TOORDER / PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE Mayor McLeod called the Special Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7:22 p.m. and led the audience inthe Pledge ofAllegiance. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Walden koThomas McLeod, Mayor, with aterm ending Walden tmArmen Pmpymn'Council Position #2,with a Walden to Dennis Martinez, Council Position #4,with o McLeod toJoviteMcConnell, Council Position #G,with m Coumci|momberAbdi stated ~The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Sa|ioh people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respectsto their elders paat, present and emerging." ROLL CALL Christy O'Flaherty.City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present at the meeting were Councilnembers DeSeanQuinn (on-aite).Mohamed Abdi(on-site); ToohSharp (on-sihe).Armen Papyan(on-aibs).Jovha McConnell (on-site).Dennis Martinez (on -site). CITY OFFICIALS Thomas McLeod, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Marty Wine, Deputy City Administrator/ Administrative Services Director; Keh Send, City Attorney; NonaGier|off, Community Development Director; Derek 8peok, Economic Development Administrator; Vicky Car|oen, Finance Director; Tony Cu||erton, Deputy Finance Director; Pete K8ayer, Parks and Recreation Director; ErinOrever. Police Chief; Laurel Humphney, Legislative Analyst; Christy O'F|aherty, City Clerk. PUBLIC COMMENTS Due to the high number of speaker signups, Mayor McLeod asked the Councilmembers if there was interest in limiting speakers to 2 minutes or less and total public comment time to 30 minutes as allowed bythe Counoi|'aRules ofProcedure. Tukwila City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 8.2O24 Page 2of5 MOVED BYQUINN, SECONDED BYPAPYANTOLIMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS TO 2K0|N0TES PER PERSON WITH A 30 MINUTE MAXIMUM.* Councilmember Quinn relayed that it is not a sure thing that the Encampment Ordinance will come back to the Council, as there is a focus on entering into an agreement with the Riverton Park United Methodist Church. The intent istoallow enough time for the necessary conversations bzoccur. *MOTION CARRIED 6-W. Cam Lions said hehas assisted Paster Jan Bokejackzdthe Riverton Park United Methodist Church, and it is clear to him that there is a never-ending urgency for the people living in the encampment otthe church. There isaneed hofind homes and resources hoassist those atthe camp oohumanely aa possible and assoon aspossible. Ruba Ayub requested that the ordinance be rejected as it relates to the homeless encampment. Gentrification has pushed out immigrants and poor people so that rich people can move in. |nher view, the City makes fake equity promises, and the Police Department budget can be used to help those at the encampment instead oftrying hocriminalize asylum seekers. Latio Cosmos is speaking on behalf of the immigrants, and it is disheartening as immigrants do not end uphere byaccident. Resources are needed so that the people in the encampment are not outside in the winter. Linda Vongurged the Council brreject the proposed ordinance and invest inaccessible housing and emergency shelters for those at the encampment. Michael Grant asked that the ordinance be rejected and that the City invest in what it says are its values. Those fleeing persecution should be welcomed with an investment in finding housing and resources for their needs. Suraj Mirpuri requested that the ordinance not be passed and that there be no restrictions placed on the camps. Sweeps to remove the homeless costs more than providing for those individuals materially. Separating families isalso wrong and they should beprotected. Carly Brook read a letter from enindividual living sdthe encampment. They are thankful for being received at the ohurnh, but they are cold; Ulena are rats and garbage with nowhere to stay but in bents. They need temporary housing and medical visits and jobs and dental work and work permits. Jessica Rojas read a letter from anindividual living sdthe encampment who isamother of2children. The conditions are not good and the people are so packed bogether, it isdifficult hm breath. They are seeking help and rooms tostay inthat keep families together. Currently they must prepare their own food and gohosleep hungry. The Pastor ionow having boturn people away. Acouple came from Venezuela, and were turned away with nowhere to go. Ferra Nope said the ordinance is a proposal that will disconnect asylum seekers from aid organizations. She asked that the ordinance not be passed and that support for those at the encampment be provided aosoon onpossible. Maggie Breen supports the work of the Riverton Park Church and has been a part of working with Tukwila inthe past onissues like this. She encouraged the City bolisten tothose affected aethey know what they need. Those living atthe encampment are terrified, and she asked that the City work with their partners hufind abetter way. Dylan Blossom asked that the City listen to the voices of those who are impacted by an ordinance like Tukwila City Council Special Meeting Minute DatNkqasaid children and families are freezing and people are being neglected by this community. She demands that the people get what they need. Immigrants have helped build this community and they deserve resources. Komal said itkaimportant hunote that the coldest days ofthe year are coming up this week, which hsa serious concern. There isnomore capacity attheohurch rightnow. What will bedone inthe next day or 2ho help this situation. It istime bo reallocate dollars from the Police Department tothe housing and wellbeing ofthose inthe encampment. Rosario Lopez said she is undocumented and she still pays taxes, and taxes should be used to help the situation. The U.S.government creates refugees and then puts upborders aowecannot come here aaa safe place. Why are there no interpreters here to help those impacted understand the decisions being made. She isinsolidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. 7:57 p.m. Mayor McLeod declared o brief recess. 7:58 p.m. Mayor McLeod resumed the meeting. It was determined that extra time would be provided to hear from those living ckthe encampment. Linda Caron explained there are many immigrants living at the encampment, and many have the flu and fevers. They dnnot want tobeaburden, and they doneed support and the ability hoget work permits. They could then pay rent for housing and acquire their own resources. They are thankful tothe Paster and hothose who have provided food and blankets. Jonathon lives adthe encampment and isasingle man and asylum seeker. Herelayed that itiahard for single men, asthey are always left behind. Many are sick and there ianomoney for ahospital. They are human beings who need help. 8cadoGankghdlives adthe encampment and ksworried about the children. Many are suffering from the cold. They donot want hobeaburden and want jobs sothey can take care cf themselves. They came here for opportunities, yet there are aomany obstacles. Awoman from Venezuela said they are not here for themselves but for the children. They are living in tents outside, and the rats are getting inand the kids are sick. They need help from lawyers hzhelp with paperwork, sothey donot have bzbeaburden and pay taxes. They are thankful tothe Pastor, but the kids are sick and they do not want the policy to pass that involves the police. Erwin said hekssingle and represents many living cdthe encampment. They are disoriented about how hoget awork permit, and heisgrateful hmthe Pastor but there are too many people at the site. They need help because itisgetting very cold. Hewants humove ahead inthis country and then help other people. 8:10p.m. Mayor McLeod called ebrief recess. 8:12p.m. Mayor McLeod resumed the meeting. CONSENT AGENDA g. Approval ofMinutes: 12/4/23(Regular M¢g.); 12/11/23 (3oecie/Mbr) b. Approva|ofVouohera MOVED 0YQUINN, SECONDED BYPApYANTQAPPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 6-B' Tukwila City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Page 4 of 5 NEW BUSINESS a. Election of 2024 Council President. MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY SHARP TO ELECT MOHAMED ABDI AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR 2024.* Councilmember Martinez asked if this was a past practice, and the Mayor McLeod responded in the affirmative. *MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8:22 p.m. Mayor McLeod called a recess due to disruption in the Council Chambers by multiple individuals. 8:23 p.m. Due to the disruption, it was determined the meeting would be continued in the law library. Mayor McLeod asked if any journalists were present; no journalists were present. 8:54 p.m. The Council meeting was continued in the law library. b. 2024 City Council and Mayor participation on external Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, provided an overview of the draft list of participation on boards, committees, and commissions. Councilmember Martinez volunteered to be an alternate on the Cascade Water Alliance. Council consensus existed on the draft list of participation. c. A resolution updating the City's designated representatives to serve on the Cascade Water Alliance and repealing Resolution No. 1661. MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY MARTINEZ TO READ THE RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, read the resolution by title only. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, UPDATING THE CITY'S DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE ON THE CASCADE WATER ALLIANCE, AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 1661, MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY MARTINEZ TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6-0, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2089. d. A discussion on the Council vacancy interview and appointment process. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, provided an overview of the process for interviewing candidates for Council Position No. 3. Twelve applications were received, with one application received following the deadline and one applicant deemed ineligible. Interviews will be conducted at Special Meetings scheduled for January 9th and January 10th and each applicant will be given 30 minutes. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions: Council consensus existed on the draft list of interview questions. Tukwila City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Page 5 of 5 REPORTS There were no reports. ADJOURNMENT 9:33 p.m. UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING. ho as McLeod, ayor DocuSigned by: Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 1/22/24 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 1/23/24