HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-14 Committee of the Whole Minuteswgs2 Tukwila City Council
Hybrid Meeting (On -site and Virtual)
MINUTES
Committee of the Whole
April 14, 2025
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Sharp 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 Council President Tosh Sharp (on -site); Councilmembers Armen Papyan (on -
site), Jovita McConnell (on -site), Dennis Martinez (on -site), Hannah Hedrick (on -site), and Verna Seal (on -
site).
Councilmember Abdi was not in attendance.
CITY OFFICIALS
Thomas McLeod, Mayor; Pete Mayer, Acting City Administrator; Kari Sand, City Attorney; Derek Speck,
Economic Development Administrator; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director; Aaron BeMiller,
Finance Director; Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director; Kris Kelly, Interim Parks & Recreation Director;
Jefri Peters, Parks & Recreation Manager; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief; Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program
Manager (Transportation); Adam Cox, Program Manager; Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer; Laurel
Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Andy Youn-Barnett. City Clerk.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Hedrick stated "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast 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
1. Garner Duncan, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs of Ezee Fiber, referenced item 4C
on tonight's agenda and offered to answer any questions.
SPECIAL ISSUES
a. A resolution adopting the 2025 Local Road Safety Plan.
Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager (Transportation), and Taylor Whitaker, Fehr & Peers, provided
an overview of a resolution adopting the Local Road Safety Plan, which identifies safety improvements to
the City's transportation system, prioritizes the highest needs, and establishes a Vision Zero goal of
eliminating serious injury and fatal crashes by 2044.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the plan, funding sources for these projects,
status of projects, future public engagement opportunities, and timelines.
7:41 p.m.
7:43 p.m.
Councilmember McConnell exited the Council Chambers.
Councilmember McConnell returned to the Council Chambers.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING CONSENT
AGENDA.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
April 14, 2025 Page 2 of 3
b. Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA) Lease Agreements and Deeds.
Kari Sand, City Attorney, indicated that pursuant to the voter -approved 2023 Puget Sound Regional Fire
Authority (PSF) plan, the City is required to lease Fire Stations 51 and 54 and sell Fire Stations 52 and 53
to PSF in addition to leasing back various rooms at Fire Station 52. She outlined key terms to the leases
and deeds.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding use of the stations, termination by PSF, and
maintenance costs.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING CONSENT
AGENDA.
c. An ordinance approving a franchise agreement with Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC.
Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer, overviewed an ordinance granting Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC, a 5-year
franchise agreement to construct, maintain, and operate telecommunications facilities in the City's right-
of-way.
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding undergrounding of facilities.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING CONSENT
AGENDA.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor McLeod reported visiting Washington D.C. to advocate for key City projects including the Allentown
Truck Reroute project, the Strander Boulevard extension, Tukwila Community Center HVAC, the 2026 FIFA
World Cup, and more. He met with Governor Bob Ferguson, Congressman Adam Smith, Senator Patty
Murray, and staff from Senator Maria Cantwell's Office and was joined by Councilmember Hedrick for some
of the meetings.
b. City Council
Councilmember Papyan recently collaborated with Samantha Le, President/CEO of the Seattle Southside
Chamber of Commerce, on a grant application for student workforce training through the Port of Seattle's
South King County Community Impact Fund.
Councilmember McConnell attended a Public Issues Committee meeting through Sound Cities
Association.
Councilmember Martinez participated in a Small Cities Council through the National League of Cities, a
South County Area Transportation Board (SCATbD) meeting, and a ribbon -cutting ceremony for Openbay
Garage located on Andover Park East.
Councilmember Hedrick joined the Mayor in Washington D.C. for meetings with Governor Bob Ferguson's
office and Senator Murray.
c. Staff
Pete Mayer, Acting City Administrator, offered a reminder regarding Public Service Recognition Week
which takes place May 4 — May 10, 2025.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes
April 14, 2025
Page 3 of 3
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember McConnell noted Seattle City Light gave a presentation at an Allentown Advocates
meeting, and asked if there was Council interest in having Seattle City Light present to the Council.
Consensus existed.
ADJOURNMENT
8:04 P.M. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHARP DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
ADJOURNED.
Tosh Sharp, Council P esrtt'"
Andy Youn-Barnett, City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT:
AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE:
04/21/2025
04/22/2025