HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 44 No. 2WHAT'S INSIDE:
• State of the City address
• Teddy Bear Clinic
• Recent Council actions
• Free Recycling Collection Event
• Pea Patch farmers
...and more!
MARCH/APRIL 2024
VOLUME 44, NUMBER 2
Save the dates!
Rain Barrel Workshop
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
6:30-7:30PM
Tukwila Community Center
4th Annual Juneteenth
Commemoration
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
11:OOAM—1:OOPM
Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village
Speakers and performances!
Tukwila Community Garage Sale
Saturday, August 3, 2024
8:OOAM — 4:OOPM
Sellers can sign up starting in June,
to have their location included in
the Citywide garage sale map.
Participants will be able to
pick up yard sale signs in July.
Look for information on the
City of Tukwila's website.
A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business communities
This survey seeks
community input
W� (AftWT TO
\--vtrz r io M L-OU
How do you think Tukwila
City funds should be used?
In late April and early May, Tukwila households will
be mailed a brief survey that asks for your input
about the 2025-26 City budget. Your opinion is
important to the City! We want to hear your ideas
about where to make service investments over the
next two years, and how City services are currently
meeting your needs.
You can respond to the survey by mail, by phone,
and online at Tukwila BudgetPrioritiesSurvey.org.
The survey is available in multiple languages.
City of Tukwila Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities Survey
Language: English • English -
- EXAMPLE FROM ONLINE VERSION -
Major City Services and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
[Q1]
Please indicate how well your needs are being met by each of the major City services listed below. If you do not have a
service listed, please select "No Need."
01. Assistance for Basic Human Needs: Food, Rent,
Utilities
02. City efforts to improve access to Affordable
Housing
Fully Met Mostly Met
Partly Met Not Met
0 0 0
0 0 0 0
TukwilaWA.gov
03. Code Enforcement Ensure Private Properties are
Safe and Maintained
0
0
0
Tukwila: The City of Opportunity, The Community of Choice
MAYOR'S
MESSAGE
Mayor McLeod's State of the City address
highlights his priorities for Tukwila
Prompted by my first 100 days
in office, I presented to the City
Council the State of the City
message, the first one since 20151
My goals are to update you on work being done in the City and
to share a vision for 2024.
I hold the belief that we can create a greater culture of
CUSTOMER SERVICE and ACCOUNTABILITY here at City Hall.
One of the first major decisions I made was a change in our City
Administration. Our newly hired Deputy City Administrator has
become the City Administrator. Marty Wine brings a fresh set
of eyes and experience to assist in our organizational changes.
Additional reorganization changes were made to enhance
customer service and organizational accountability.
Having Tukwila's public counters open four days a week, up
from three days, improves AVAILABILITY of customer service.
The upcoming budget looks to hire positions frozen during
the pandemic, and restore City services to pre -pandemic
levels - another customer experience enhancement.
In February, I was very happy to swear in four new police
officers, who will be deployable in June. It's the first time in
20+ years that the Police Department is fully staffed - another
positive move in PUBLIC SAFETY.
Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the School Resource Officer
will be restored to Foster High and Showalter Middle School.
The Mental Health Co -Responder Program added a second co -
responder position. We continue to look for ways to expand this
mental health service in conjunction with law enforcement.
Our EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT office will be tasked with
fostering a culture of preparedness - through planning,
exercise and education - providing the City with the tools
and capabilities necessary to respond to an incident that has
local or regional impacts. We are developing a Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan and a multi -year strategic plan
for elected leaders, City staff and community members, to
ensure their understanding of roles and responsibilities.
Our vision for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is for sustainable and
inclusive prosperity for all. Our plans and actions to achieve
this goal include a new Economic Development strategy in
2024. In just two short years, Tukwila will be on the verge
of the world stage helping to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Seattle is a host city with games being played at Lumen Field.
There is incredible economic opportunity for our city as the
world embarks on the Puget Sound.
The greater Puget Sound Region is experiencing a shortage of
ALL types of HOUSING. To this point, we are working to create
both affordable and market rate housing opportunities. We
continue to support creative housing, including two tiny home
villages in Tukwila. Tukwila received $2 million from the State to
support and serve people experiencing homelessness.
We remain mindful of the City's financial health. The 2025-26
Biennium Budget will be one of the most significant budgets
we build for the City of Tukwila. My administration and the
City Council are tasked with building a SUSTAINABLE BUDGET,
in consideration of changing revenue streams and rising
inflation. We are applying Program -Based Budgeting, meaning
programs and services will drive departmental budget decisions.
Earlier in 2024, we scored a successful Washington State audit.
This year, we will be implementing a new B&O tax that will
provide more stable tax revenue for this year and future budgets.
So, what does all of this mean to you? Our focus areas -
Customer Service, Public Safety, Emergency Management,
Economic Development, Community Housing and Sustainable
Budgeting - will help us best serve the Tukwila community.
Applying these elements to everyone, the service of City staff
and elected officials creates ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.
In 2017, the City adopted Resolution 1921- our Equity Policy.
This policy recognizes the value of our diverse community,
as well as the inequities that impact access to opportunity.
The City's definition of equity includes "eliminating systemic
barriers and providing fair access to programs, services
and opportunities." The policy provides "guidance to the
community, staff, and elected officials as to how we work
together towards economic, civic and social justice." Learn
more at TukwilaWA.gov/EquityPolicy.
If there is one thought to sum up my vision for 2024, it is
EQUAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. Thank you!
Q,„,,,,A
Ac
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Mayor, City of Tukwila
2
THE HAZELNUT
Saturday, May 18
1O:OOam - 1:OOpm
Station 74: 24611 116th Ave. SE, Kent
Bring your
favorite teddy
bear or stuffed
animal for a
checkup!
Our Firefighter/EMTs will provide free checkups for teddy bears
and kids in a relaxing environment designed to help ease children's
fears of medical emergencies and exams.
.•••
First 400 children receive a FREE teddy bear
courtesy of Warm 106.9 FM radio. (limit 1 per child)
Tour a fire engine and aid car.
Spray water through a fire hose.
Participate in fun activities at our training center.
*Please dress appropriately for any weather.*
For more information, call (253) 856-4483 or email dmaher@pugetsoundfire.org
MAR /APR 2024
3
COUNCIL CORNER
Happy Spring! As I write this, we have been enjoying some
beautiful sunny weather in Tukwila. I hope you are getting
outside to enjoy all our city has to offer. I have a few updates to
share from the City Council.
In early March we held our annual City Council Retreat. One
of the responsibilities of being the City Council President is to
organize this event, making it a great day with lasting impacts
for the whole year. My intention was to focus on teamwork
and relationships. We had a productive day of learning more
about one another and how we can best work together.
Everyone shared stories about their journey to public service
and challenges faced along the way. We may have different
backgrounds, but we all share a strong work ethic and a
commitment to the Tukwila community. I was very proud of
everyone's participation and feel very inspired by my fellow
Councilmembers.
Another interesting activity I get to do as Council President is
serve as Chair of the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
Tukwila receives 1%of lodging taxes charged on certain
overnight hotel and motel stays in the city. State law strictly
limits how these funds can be used, which are intended only
for tourism -related activity, and the role of the Advisory
Committee is to make recommendations to the City Council
on how these funds are spent. One use of the lodging tax
revenue is the Experience Tukwila digital initiative - learn more
2024 brings
Councilmembers
together to tackle
City business
by Mohamed Abdi,
2024 Council President
by visiting ExperienceTukwila.com, or find it on Facebook,
Linkedln, and Instagram. There you can find information about
all the exciting things going on in Tukwila.
Also in March, the Tukwila City Council had representation in
Washington D.C. at the National League of Cities Congressional
City Conference. Councilmembers Sharp, Papyan, and Martinez
joined Mayor McLeod to attend educational sessions, meet with
legislators, and advocate for assistance with crucially important
issues such as the asylee crisis and rail transportation.
Councilmembers do a lot of work outside of our weekly
meetings - we participate on regional boards and committees,
and we take advantage of opportunities like this to advocate for
our city at all levels of government. I appreciate my colleagues
for taking the time to do this.
Remember, the Tukwila City Council always wants to hear from
you. Visit our web page at Tukwilawa.gov/council or find our
contact information on the last page of this newsletter.
City -supported bill puts State in the lead for response to asylum seekers and refugees
In March, Mayor McLeod joined Governor Inslee and others in
Olympia for the signing of House Bill 2368. The Bill directs the
Washington State Department of Social and Health Service
(DSHS) to take the lead in responding to the growing asylum
seeker needs in the State of Washington.
The City of Tukwila championed for the adoption of House
Bill 2368 so that the State of Washington can take the lead
in a coordinated response to address the humanitarian
needs at Riverton Park United Methodist Church and other
sites through the region. While not part of the Bill itself, the
State has allocated nearly $30 million in the 2025 operating
budget for statewide response to the growing needs of
asylum seekers. Tukwila will receive $2 million from this grant
funding, supporting nonprofits in their work to provide urgent
housing and assistance to asylees and refugees
4
THE HAZELNUT
RECENT COUNCIL ACTIONS
■ Adopted an amended mid -biennium budget (Ord.2722)
■ Clarified noise regulations (Ord. 2723)
■ Granted Valley View Sewer District a non-exclusive franchise
agreement (Ord. 2724)
■ Authorized a contract for design of 65th Avenue South and
Southcenter Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project
■ Accepted grant funding for Public Defense Program
■ Prohibited cutting across public or private property to avoid
an intersection (Ord. 2725)
■ Amended Business & Occupation Tax Code (Ord. 2727)
■ Adopted 2024 State Legislative Agenda (Res. 2084)
■ Awarded a bid for construction of Green River Trail
Connector Project
■ Accepted Department of Ecology grant funding for Ramp
Litter Cleanup Program
■ Accepted Washington Military Department and U.S.
Department of Homeland Security grant funding for network
security infrastructure and training
■ Elected Mohamed Abdi as 2024 City Council President
■ Appointed Hannah Hedrick to Position No. 3 on City Council
■ Expressed collective support for Tukwila School District
Propositions 1 and 2 on February 2024 ballot (Res. 2090)
■ Adopted 2024 City Council Standing Committees (Res. 2091)
■ Confirmed appointment of Andy Youn to City Clerk
■ Accepted Cooperative Watershed Management Program
grant fundingforthe Green the Green and Nelsen Side
Channel re -vegetation projects
■ Approved lodging tax funding for the Experience Tukwila
digital initiative
CONFIRMATIONS
Congratulations to Kathy Hougardy, who was confirmed as
an Equity and Social Justice Commission member. Tukwila
thanks you for your volunteer service to our community!
City Council meeting minutes and the
complete text of all legislative items
are available online in the
Digital Records Center at TukwilaWA.gov.
For additional information about the work of
the City Council, please call 206-433-8993.
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
GLOBAL
VILLAGE
J U N E 22, 2024
12-5 pm
Foster High
School,
Tukwila
SAVE
THE
Booths 1 Performances 1 Kids Activities
International Food & Marketplace
It INTERNATIONAL
RESCUE
C O M M I T T E E
KING
COUNTY
LIBRARY
SYSTEM
Tukwila City offices
will be closed on
Monday, May27,
in observation of the
Memorial Day holiday
Memorial Day
MAR /APR 2024
5
FREE
EVENT!
King County- Sponsored Repair Event
Saturday, May 11 - 1:30 to 4:30PM at the Tukwila Community Center
Don't toss your broken household items or your clothing that needs mending! At this free
community repair event, skilled volunteer "fixers"' can take a look at your items and try to help.
Items that fixers can potentially work on include
household and personal items that are small enough to
be carried in by one person, including certain electronics,
small furniture, and clothing/textiles. Items brought in
for repair, including clothing, must be clean. Items that
cannot be worked on include anything that uses gasoline,
cell phones, and microwaves.
King County holds several of these events all over the
County every year. And this will be the first one in
Tukwila! No appointments, but an advance sign-up
gives priority over "walk-in" items or second items (and
walk-ins are fine, too). To request an advance sign-up, or
for more info, contact coordinator Tom at Tom.Watson@
KingCounty.gov or at 206-477-4481. You can also visit
KingCounty.gov/repair-events.
Volunteer with the Green Tukwila Partnership
Join Green Tukwila Partnership and learn about local
wildlife, the Green-Duwamish watershed and care for urban
forests. Sign up today and remove noxious weeds, clean-
up litter, water young trees and meet new people; all tools
and training are provided on site.
< Learn more or sign up
GREEN .
TUKWILA s
PARTNERSHIP
Bulky Item Collection
New this year! Once each year, residential customers can
order a no -cost collection of up to four non -appliance bulky
items, plus extra trash and smaller items (up to two cubic
yards; a cubic yard is 3' x3'x3'.) Pickup will be during your
normal collection day, but you must call Recology at 206-
944-3900 in advance to schedule your date.
Examples of bulky items include, but aren't limited to,
mattresses, box springs, sofas and chairs.
If you've already had your no -cost bulky item pickup for
2024, or if you have appliances to dispose of, you can still
call to make an appointment and arrange for pickup.
However, fees will apply. Refrigerated appliances cost
$51.68 per item, non -refrigerated appliances cost $25.83
per item, and items such as sofas, chairs, mattresses, and
box springs cost $41.48 per item.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @GreenTukwila
6
THE HAZELNUT
FREE!
Tukwila Recycling Collection Event
Saturday, May 18 9:00AM -- 3:OOPM
Tukwila Community Center
12424 - 42nd Avenue South
WHwf'S w«fPTED
Propane and
helium tanks
(limit of two
5-gallon tanks)
Tires
(no rims,
and limit of
10 tires)
Electronic
and
computer
equipment
Refrigerated and
non -refrigerated
appliances
(limit of two
refrigerated
appliances)
Cardboard
(flattened)
Televisions
Scrap
metal
Alkaline batteries
No paint or hazardous waste
Funded in part by grants from King County's
Solid Waste Division and the Washington
State Department of Ecology
Lead acid
batteries
Mattresses & box springs
(limit of
four units
per vehicle)
Broken furniture
(no upholstered
furniture)
Porcelain toilets
and sinks
(limit 2 toilets/
sinks total per
vehicle)
For more details about the event and
the items accepted, please visit
TukwilaWA.gov/garbageandrecycling
MAR /APR 2024
THE HAZELNUT
City of Tukwila
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident.
Tukwila's Gully Gardens P-Patch provides a growing
space for a blossoming Congolese community
Through the Congolese Integration
Network (CIN), folks are rolling up their
sleeves and digging into the earth,
bringing their Congolese Community
Garden to life. Workers have cleared
out the weeds, added nutrients to the
soil, planted the seeds, and eagerly look
forward to seeing the flourishing results
of their collective efforts.
TUKWILA CITY HALL
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
City Hall campus in -person hours:
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 8:30AM-4:OOPM
Phone: 206-433-1800 Fax: 206-433-1833
Email: Tukwila@TukwilaWA.gov
Website: TukwilaWA.gov
MAYOR Thomas McLeod 206-433-1850
Mayor's Office
Administration Offices 206-433-1850
Marty Wine, City Administrator....206-433-1851
Brandon Miles, Dir,Stratlnit/GovRe1206-431-3684
City Clerk's Office 206-433-1800
Community Engagement 206-454-7564
Economic Development 206-433-1832
Human Resources - Personnel ...206-433-1831
Human Services 206-433-7181
Mindi Mattson, Emergency Mgr206-971-8750
Technology Services 206-454-7575
Community Development Dept.
Nora Gierloff, Director 206-431-3670
Code Enforcement 206-431-3682
They envision this labor of love as a
symbol of resilience and togetherness
for the Congolese community. The
nurturing of this garden can cultivate a
brighter, greener future for all.
Officially dedicated in 2014 as Gully
Gardens, the P-Patch is a community
program designed to provide gardeners
with an opportunity to grow fruits,
vegetables and flowers.
Finance Department
Vicky Carlsen, Director 206-433-1835
Parks/Recreation Department
Pete Mayer, Dir/Dep CityAdmin 206-767-2342
Police Department
Eric Dreyer, Chief 206-433-7175
Public Works Department
Hari Ponnekanti, Director 206-433-0179
Emergency - Fire, Police 911
MUNICIPAL COURT
15005 Tukwila International Blvd 206-433-1840
TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER
12424-42nd Avenue South
Recreation Division 206-768-2822
Senior Center/Services 206-767-2323
FOSTER GOLF LINKS
13500 Interurban Avenue South
Pro Shop 206-242-4221
PUGET SOUND REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY
All fire -related services 253-856-4300
PugetSoundFire.org
PRESORT STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SEATTLE, WA
PERMIT NO. 12698
CIN is a non-profit organization
in South Seattle, led by and for
Congolese immigrants and refugees.
CIN facilitates the social, economic,
cultural, and spiritual integration of
Congolese immigrants and refugees
into their homes in Washington state.
2024 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
Mohamed Abdi, Council President
2023 Council President 206-798-4872
Mohamed.Abdi@TukwilaWAgov
De'Sean Quinn 206-331-5939
Desean.Quinn@TukwilaWA.gov
Tosh Sharp 206 507-6440
Tosh.Sharp@TukwilaWA.gov
Armen Papyan 206-888-3380
Armen.Papyan@TukwilaWA.gov
Jovita McConnell 206-600-3533
Jovita.Mcconnell@TukwilaWA.gov
Dennis Martinez 206-960-1607
Dennis. Martinez@TukwilaWA.gov
Hannah Hedrick 206-580-8123
Hannah.Hedrick@TukwilaWA.gov
To email the entire Council at once:
CityCouncil@TukwilaWA.gov
Laurel Humphrey, Analyst 206-433-8993
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
7:OOPM in Council Chambers
Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays
Committee of the Whole 2nd/4th Mondays