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Home My WebLink About2024-06-10 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Hybrid Meeting (On -site and Virtual) June 10,024 — 700 p.m. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Abdi (on -site) called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 700 pm, and led the audience in the Pledge of Alllegiance. OFFICIALS Present at the meeting were Council President Mohamed Abdi (on -site),, Councilmembers DeSean Quinn (on -site), Tosh Sharp (on -site) Armen Papyan (on -site), Jovita McConnell (on -site), Dennis Martinez (on - site), Hannah Hedrick (on -site) CITY OFFICIALS Thomas McLeod, Mayor, Marty Wine, Interim City Administrator: Pete Mayer, Deputy City Administraterirks and Recreation Director/Interirn Public Works Director, Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director, Derek Speck; Economic Development Administrator: Tony Cullerton, interim Finance Director; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief, Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Government Relations; Joel Bush Chief Technology Officer; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst: Andy Youn, City Clerk, Felipe Ayala, Records Program Coordinator, LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — Councilmember McConnell stated The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Ccast 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 Due to the number of individuals signed up to speak, Council President Abdi asked for consensus to reduce the time limit to 3 minutes per individual, Consensus existed to reduce the time limit to 3 minutes. 1. Greg Sherlock expressed his opposition to changing arid/or expanding the zoning for cannabis retail shops in the city due to public safety concerns, 2. Sharon Mann spoke in opposition to increasing zoning for cannabis retailers and elaborated on the potential negative impacts to the community. 3. Christine Neuffer expressed her opposition to the expansion of zoning to allow cannabis retail shops in the city due to public safety concerns and true cost to the community„ LI, James Fitzgerald advocated against expanding zoning for cannabis retail shops„ 5. Robert Neuffer indicated he is against the rezoning to allow cannabis retail stores as no proposal has been provided to start the discussions on this matter. 6, Max Emminger, Mount Baker Retail Partners shareholder, spoke in favor of allowing cannabis retail shops and elaborated on the positive impact of legal and regulated marijuana retailers, 7. Zachary Fleet, Mount Baker Retail Partneis sharehoidei, advocated on the rezoning for cannabis retail shops and expanded on the safety and security measures they empty at their stores, 8 Shane Merritt expressed concern with semi -trucks speeding down the 129" St bridge and asked Council for action to protect the safety of pedestrians, residents, and drivers in Ailentewn. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting! Minutes June 10_2024 Page 2 of 3 9, Julie Jordan shared the challenges of opening a cannabis retail store in Tukwi0a due to outdated zoning laws and advocated for new zoning to open up more areas in the city for stores, 10 Charley Simpson, Tukwila School Board Member, advocated against increasing zoning for cannabis retail shops, and indicated those in favor don't live in Tukwila. 11 Caittein Ryan, Executive Director for the Cannabis Alliance, advocated for the rezoning to allow cannabis retailers in the City, and shared the positive impact it can have on the community. 12'. Karen Wright shared her personal story using medicinal cannabis to treat her illnesses andl expressed her support of having a cannabis dispensary in Tukwila 13, Joe Duffle advocated against expanding the rezoning to .alIllow cannabis retail shops in the city PUBLIC HEARING A resolution adopting a Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (2025-2030). 741 p.m. 742 p.m. Council President Abdi opened the public hearing and called for a staff report. Council President Abdi called for public comments. Council President Abdi asked if there was anyone who wished to make a public comment on this topic to speak now or press '6 on the phone to unrnute There were no public comments. Cyndy Knighton, Senior Transportation Program Manager, explained the City is required to update its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) annually. The TIP functions as a financial planning document for transportation projects deemed regionally significant or competing for federal grant funding, Several additional projects were added to the proposed HP. Counctimember Martinez inquired about projects addressing the safety concerns of Allentown residents regarding semi -truck speeding down 129th St Bridge prior to 2027 750 p.m. Council President Abdi closed the public hearing. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A resolution adopting a Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (2025-2030 The Counculmembers exchanged comments and expressed their support CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. An ordinance updating the City's Tax Codes. Adam Schierenbeck, Senior Fiscal Coordinator, explained the proposed code amendments improve the collection and enforcement of business taxes imposed by the city, including admission, commercial parking, gambling, and utility tax. The proposed amendments will also align certain definitions and exemptions with other Washington cities and Tukwila's past practice administering the various tax codes, The Councilimembers exchanged comments and asked clarifying questions regarding exemptions for certain businesses, and possible future amendments to the ordinance CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the 'Whole Meetin„ June 10, 2024 nuies Page 3 of 3 c. Cannabis retail considerations. Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, gave an overview of the considerations regarding expanding zoning for cannabis retail businesses in the city including location restrictions and requirements, estimated revenues, and crime and safety statistics. The Councilmembers exchanged comments, shared their stance on the subject, and discussed the pros and cons of allowing cannabis retailers On the city General consensus existed for further discussions on rezoning. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Mcleod attended the Foster High School Senior Awards and graduation ceremony, IHe will be meeting with Governor Isllee and several cities to discuss the asylum -seeker encampments and what can be done at the state level b. City Council Councilmember Guinn will participate in the C iminal Justice Training Commission meeting. Councilmember Papyan indicated King County International Airport is conducting the Part 150 Study and Vision 2045 Airport Plan. He encourag-e the public to get involved in this project Councilmember McConnell will be attending several meetings this, week and indicated she will be absent from the June 17, 2024, Regular Meeting as she will be at her daughter's 8lh grade graduation, Council President Abdi indicated it was a pleasure to attend the Foster High School Senior Awards to celebrate the class of 2024,, c. Staff No report, MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Martinez relayed that the City Administrator's Report is a valuable source of information for the community, and the Cascade/Riverton area residents look forward to getting more updates regarding Riverton. ADJOURNMENT 859 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ABDI DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNE aolctAigm7r B901.11L 68154444U Mohamed Abdi, Council President Felipe Ayala Records Coordinator APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 6/26/24 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 6/26/24