Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers April 9, 2012 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Seal called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m Council President Seal announced that as stated at the beginning of the Metropolitan Park District (MPD) meeting this evening, there are 2 meetings being held tonight the MPD and the Committee of the Whole. Due to the length of the agenda for the MPD meeting that started at 6:00 p.m., and to ensure maximum compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, the Committee of the Whole is being Called to Order at this time (per City ordinance). In order to complete the business of the MPD, the Council will adjourn at this time and will reconvene at 8:00 p.m. to handle the business of the Committee of the Whole. 7:02 p.m. Council President Seal adjourned the Committee of the Whole meeting, which will be reconvened after the MPD meeting has concluded. 7:49 p.m. Council President Seal reconvened the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Council President Seal led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Verna Seal, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. Councilmember Kruller was not present. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, Joyce Trantina, Executive Assistant; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A proclamation recognizing Arbor Day. Mayor Haggerton read a proclamation recognizing April 11, 2012 as Arbor Day in the City of Tukwila. Additionally, Mayor Haggerton announced the City has received a Crystal Award from the Arbor Day Foundation recognizing the City of Tukwila as a "Tree City USA" for the past 10 years. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mike Schabbing, 400 Andover Park West, is the General Manager of Courtyard Seattle /Southcenter. He is a Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce, and explained the Southwest King County Hoteliers are requesting support from the City Council for the formation of a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). The Southwest King County Hoteliers have come together to help promote tourism and increase occupancy in the area by establishing a TPA. They are preparing to initiate the formation of a TPA by petitioning the legislative bodies of Tukwila, SeaTac and Des Moines. Formation of a TPA would allow the area hotels to impose a $2.00 per night surcharge within the participating municipalities. The surcharge would be dedicated to tourism promotion within the TPA area. They believe enhancing the Seattle Southside Visitor Services tourism promotion strategies is the best use of the funds, and they are anxious to begin Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 9, 2012 Page 2 of 5 the process. The hoteliers want the TPA to be managed through a Public Development Authority (PDA). The City of SeaTac has agreed to sponsor the public authority, and they propose the PDA be the "Seattle Southside Tourism Development Authority." He urged the Council to make this opportunity a high priority with the cities of SeaTac and Des Moines, so everyone can move forward together. He encouraged the Council and City Administration to move forward with the proposed TPA. Councilmember Ekberg asked if the formation of a Tourism Promotion Area would be in competition with Seattle Southside Visitor Services. He also asked what the proposed boundary of the TPA would be and who would have oversight of the Public Development Authority. Mr. Schabbing indicated the formation of a TPA would not compete with the current Seattle Southside Visitor Services. Additionally, the cities of SeaTac and Des Moines have agreed with the formation of a TPA. If Tukwila agrees, the TPA would be limited to the 3 participating cities, and the hoteliers would have oversight of funds generated through the TPA. Councilmember Quinn inquired about the proposed timeline for formation of the Tourism Promotion Area and Public Development Authority. Mr. Schabbing stated the hoteliers would prefer to have the TPA in place by June or July, which is the peak hotel season and before the 2013 State Legislative Session. Councilmember Hougardy inquired about the next steps for SeaTac and Des Moines and the role of the Tukwila City Council. Mr. Schabbing explained that 8 of the 14 hotels have signed the petition for the formation of a TPA. The hoteliers need the owners of a 60% majority of the total hotel rooms in Tukwila to agree to the proposed TPA. The Tukwila City Council would need to adopt an ordinance allowing the Tourism Promotion Area and Public Development Authority prior to the hotels assessing the $2.00 surcharge. He asked the City Council to move the proposed TPA forward. Councilmember Quinn reiterated the hoteliers would like the TPA in place before the peak summer season and before the beginning of the 2013 State Legislative Session. He stated he would like more information and discussions with City Administration before the Council takes any action. Maureen Huffman, General Manager of Embassy Suites, 15920 West Valley Highway, stated she is speaking on behalf of the Tukwila hoteliers and in support of the proposed TPA. The group feels the formation of a TPA within SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines would increase hotel occupancy, and the $2.00 per night surcharge could generate $2.5 million annually. The additional funding would allow them to greatly expand the marketing radius, bolster hotel occupancy, protect current jobs, create new jobs, and increase business at area restaurants and retail stores. They are requesting the City Council make this a priority and approve of the private oversight of the revenue generated through the TPA. The hoteliers have contacted Pacific Law Group and inquired about the costs associated with utilizing their services to draft the Tourism Promotion Area Interlocal Agreement, the Seattle Southside Tourism Development Authority charters and bylaws, and a model ordinance to be adopted by the cities of SeaTac, Des Moines and Tukwila. Additionally, the Tukwila lodging businesses signed a letter of support that was delivered to the City, and she requested the Council move forward with the proposed TPA. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A contract for the City's Strategic Plan. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on April 3, 2012. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. City Administration is recommending contracting with Berk Consulting to facilitate a comprehensive City- wide strategic planning process. This was identified as a key priority of the Mayor and the City Council for 2012. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 9, 2012 Page 3 of 5 Joyce Trantina, Executive Assistant in the Mayor's Office, explained the City has undergone many changes since the last visioning efforts of the early 1990's, as a result of numerous annexations and geographic growth. A strategic planning process will help the City develop a common understanding of what we want to achieve, the changes that have occurred in the past, and what's coming in the future, and will help utilize existing and future resources to meet the greatest needs within the Tukwila community. The process will encourage engagement from residents, businesses and employees, with a particular emphasis on reaching out to our diverse population. When complete, the plan will serve as a way to organize and prioritize City initiatives and resources with specific performance measures. The City's Request for Proposal (RFP) process was similar to what was used in the past and Berk Consulting was selected to facilitate a comprehensive City -wide strategic planning process in 2012. The selection of Berk was based upon the proposals and sample documents submitted in response to the City's RFP and a formal presentation to the interview team. After the final interview, staff contacted past clients to assess customer satisfaction /results, and an analysis of how the work teams might "fit" with the City's various stakeholder groups. Ms. Trantina indicated there was discussion during the Finance and Safety Committee's review of the consulting agreement about the importance of communication and input from the residents and business community. This will be accomplished through a communication plan that is the first step in the strategic planning process. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and exchanged comments to include: a desire for an increase in the number of telephone interviews identified in the project scope of work; how the business community will be included in the process; notification of the project to the City's Block Watch Captains and previous City Council speakers about the process; how to engage the youth and transient population in the visioning process; clarification relating to the use of traditional media to spread the word about the project; and the importance of working with medical and professional networks available within the City to reach out to the City's diverse population. Following Council discussion there was consensus to amend the Scope of Work, Task 4a (page 14 of the agenda packet) to read as follows: "We will conduct at least 10 telephone interviews, or more as determined by the Communitv Outreach Plan, on the City's challenges and opportunities and vision for the future." Mayor Haggerton explained that City Administration is seeking support from the Council on the project, and he feels the youth of Tukwila will play an important role in the future vision of Tukwila. He stated several people have contacted him about how to volunteer to participate in the City's Strategic Plan. Ellen Gengler, 13727 Macadam Road South, thanked the Council for asking the good questions, and she commented that the Tukwila voters are major stakeholders in this type of plan. She asked the Council to ensure notification of the project and process be mailed to all Tukwila stakeholders. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM, WITH THE REQUESTED AMENDMENT TO THE SCOPE OF WORK, TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton thanked Council President Seal for presiding over the April 2, 2012 Regular Meeting. On April 5, 2012 he attended the Health Point open house and facility tour. He announced the Employee Recognition Awards will be conducted at the April 16, 2012 City Council Meeting. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 9, 2012 Page 4 of 5 b. City Council Councilmember Robertson attended the recent Highline Forum meeting where the topics of conversation were related to revisiting the purpose of the Highline Forum and the proposed Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Councilmember Hougardy will be attending the April 11, 2012 South King County Economic Development Initiative (SKEDI) meeting. Councilmember Quinn announced the April 3, 2012 Finance and Safety Committee meeting included, Committee review of a request by the Finance Department to change the 2011 Indirect Cost Allocation. It was identified that the Public Works allocation amounts had not been applied to the 2011 cost allocation charges. This affected the following funds: 104 Arterial Streets; 303 General Government Improvements; 401 Water; 402 Sewer; 412 Surface Water; and 501 Equipment Rental. These funds will now be charged this allocation, which will result in $462,392 back to the General Fund. This allocation will be applied appropriately in 2012 and in future years. Staff noted that if allocations overly burden a fund, transfers from the General Fund may be necessary. He felt this information was important and wanted the Council to be aware of this with the upcoming budget work session. Council President Seal attended the recent King County LEOFF 1 Board Meeting c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, reminded the Council of the May 8, 2012 budget work session that will replace the Finance and Safety Committee Meeting. Additionally, Councilmembers Duffie, Robertson and Kruller will participate in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training sessions in May. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Robertson requested the City Council Work Plan that was discussed during the 2012 Council Retreat be started through the Council process for review and possible adoption. Following Council discussion there was consensus to have the City Council Work Plan be placed on the upcoming Transportation Committee agenda. Mayor Haggerton requested Council direction on the proposed Tourism Promotion Area that was discussed under Citizen Comments. He explained that the proposed timeline conflicts with the Tukwila Village project. If the Council would like additional information on the formation of a Tourism Promotion Area and Public Development Authority, he suggested the item follow the standard Council process and be scheduled for the first Finance and Safety Committee meeting in June. Councilmember Quinn, Finance and Safety Committee Chair, indicated he concurs that the item should follow the standard Council process, and the Committee can review the information provided by City Administration. Council President Seal conveyed that City Administration will forward the item to the Council at the appropriate time. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 9, 2012 Page 5 of 5 Following Council discussion there was consensus to have additional information, including a proposed timeline for staff involvement in the project, plus pros and cons regarding the formation of a TPA, referred to a future Finance and Safety Committee meeting. ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SEAL DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJO RNED. AU Verna Seal, Council President 7 Jam" Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 04/23/2012 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 04/24/2012