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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 43 No. 5Tuuwi/a: The City of Oppomtuatty, the Commuaity of Choice City of Tukwila �7 t Comprehensive Plan What is it? The Comprehensive Plan is a map for Tukwila's future. The 2024-2044 Plan update is a process completed by each city in our region every 10 years. The Comprehensive Plan provides the framework for how Tukwila will adapt to, and plan for, projected growth over the next 20 years. The Comprehensive Plan looks at all aspects of the City — from land use to transportation, housing to parks, climate change to natural environment — to form a complete picture of our City and region's future. Two of the biggest issues to be addressed in this update are Housing (availability, affordability, and options), and Climate Change (how to make the City resilient in the face of environmental change - and what can we do to address our human impact). All this will be considered, with a heightened focus on Equity - how the City can ensure it's serving all Tukwila residents. Why is the Comprehensive Plan being updated? The first Tukwila Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1995 and last updated in 2015. Much has changed since the 2015 update. It's time to update our Comprehensive Plan to plan proactively for the next 20 years. The City completes a major update to the comprehensive plan every ten years to review and address more substantial issues. The City's current periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan is required to be adopted by City Council by December 31, 2024. Learn more and sign up for updates A eft_t uk'twila publVV i on o; res deatialand business co►nmur`nitiesour AUGUST 2023 VOLUME 43, NUMBER 5 Shaping the future of your community How can I get involved? Come to the COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, September 20 - 5:30 to 8:OOPM, in the Commons Room at Foster High School 4242 South 144th Street, Tukwila Drop in any time between 5:30-8:OOPM Food, beverages, and kids' activities available Translation services available We want to hear your feedback and ideas for addressing decisions the City needs to make, and your vision for Tukwila's future. Upcoming public engagement events and activities will be announced on the Comprehensive Plan Update web page: TukwilaWA.gov/CompPlanUpdate Sign up (at bottom of the web page) to be notified about future events and the Plan's progress) Check out the Engagement Hub - Click the Engagement Hub link on the Update web page. Take a survey, post your ideas on the ideas wall - let us know your vision for Tukwila's future! If you have other questions for staff, you can also email 2044CompPlan@TukwilaWA.gov for assistance. The Comprehensive Plan encourages us to think about where we want to be in 20 years and how we'll get there - please join us and tell us what you think. See you at the Open House! Free trees, please! Do you want free trees? The Tukwila Tree Giveaway is back for the second year to help grow our tree canopy in the city! In partnership with the King Conservation District, the City of Tukwila is offering two free trees to all Tukwila residents and businesses. With 14 different tree species to choose from, there is something for everyone! Interested? Submit an application to secure your free trees. The tree giveaway will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Hazelnut Park (with limited tree delivery the week after October 7). You'll need to: • Review your options in the 2023 tree selection guide, • Submit your application by September 15 Find links to the Guide and Application at TukwilaWA.gov/tree-giveaway/ Need help selecting a tree or submitting an application? Contact Maya Klem at Maya.Klem@KingCD.org / 206-379-5290. 104- Tackling the City's broadband black hole While running to become Tukwila's 20th mayor in 2015, I learned a startling fact about Foster High School (my alma mater), where 70+ percent of the students qualify for free or reduced - rate lunch. Although the school had landed a grant to distribute Chromebook laptops to students, many parents could not afford basic Internet services at home. As a result, those laptops sat unused in backpacks, or students were camping outside the local Foster Library, tapping into the free Wi-Fi to complete online homework assignments. In today's world, we cannot accomplish much without a smart phone or Internet access. Through my experience in Internet technology, I knew there was more we could do and vowed to address that situation upon becoming mayor. In June of 2016, our Technology and Innovation Services manager was tasked with a singular goal: bridging Tukwila's digital divide to get Internet access to our families. Our needs did not fit the business model of existing telecom- munications companies. We ultimately worked with the City's own Internet service provider, diverting some of our contracted bandwidth to our under -served population free of charge. This public Wi-Fi network - provided through devices (Access Points) installed on light poles, limited to neighborhoods west of Foster High - was rolled out by year's end. E During Covid, the City explored grant opportunities with various agencies, including the State of Washington, to ensure that Tukwila School District's students could have access to quality Internet. Partnering with the School District, we collectively enabled the deployment of 800 hotspots to areas with limited or no access to Internet during the pandemic in support virtual learning. Washington State's Broadband Office is currently working with cities to help understand their need for broadband access through a project called "Internet for All in Washington." Tukwila is ahead of most cities in this area. Because of our accomplishments in previous technology deployment, the State Broadband Office acknowledged our significant efforts by awarding Tukwila $1 million of federal funds to create a PrivateLTE network. This network, run by the City, will provide access to free Internet to support educational enrichment of our students. To establish the infrastructure, we have partnered with the Tukwila School District, Impact Charter Schools, Bellwether Housing, and our Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. These locations will house small cellular facility sites to provide Internet access. This project also serves as a Proof of Concept of this emerging technology that other cities throughout the State can learn of from us. 2 THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 2023 Summer High School Internship Program From July 10 through August 25, south King County high school students participated in a 7-week summer internship program. The interns assisted multiple City of Tukwila departments, including Administrative Services, Municipal Court, Public Works and Police, with various projects. Through this experience, they learned valuable job skills while working in city government. Participants ranged from freshmen through graduating seniors. They worked on department specific projects that included data entry, research, scheduling court hearings, fleet maintenance and job shadowed Police Officers, Urban Environmentalists, and others. The interns also had conversations with City leaders, such as the Police Chief, Municipal Court Judge, Councilmembers and the Mayor. The 2023 High School Student Interns included DayeneAvesca, Alex Brewster, Christian Daymon, Andrew Luu, Charlee Sebring, Rigo Sifuentes Valdez, and Khalejatou Tunkara. They received special recognition at the August 21 City Council meeting, where they shared important takeaways from their experience. For more information about the summer internship program, please contact the Inclusion & Engagement Manager Jo Anderson at Jo.Anderson@TukwilaWA.gov. Interns spent the day learning about Tukwila Public Works functions at the Fleet and Facilities building. Before the school year starts, the Tukwila School District will be provisioning Chromebook laptop computers to connect to School resources via the new PrivateLTE network. Once school begins, the District will identify those students at Showalter Middle and Foster High Schools in need of better Internet service to support their learning outcomes at home. The experience of the students receiving the specialized Chromebooks will provide metrics that can help improve and expand the network for even more students. Designed initially to connect up to 1,200 students, the PrivateLTE network can easily be scaled to cover more area. I am proud of the success our Technology and Innovation Services team has achieved to move the City's capabilities into the 21st Century. And I commend Joel Bush - our Chief Technology Officer - for winning the confidence of the State to enable our PrivateLTE network deployment. We are realizing our goal of providing additional Internet connectivity options for students who live in unserved or under -served areas, enabling equitable learning opportunities for all. 01--Ze0 Mayor, City of Tukwila 0 Tukwila School District - Student Internet Need Analysis LI KENNYDALE. MCMICKEN HEIGHTS S 173rd SI S-1181I5 SI s. zoamsl .:122.18447457 Degrees 4 S Roxbury St RAINIER BEACH Laku Washington LAKERIDGE BRYN MAWR Black Riva 5V StIM SI 3, W L1et St 'I - SE Ce Sreb SE Pet SE Pa <s GIS, Esri, HERE, Garrnin, Safe... esr- Acquiring the funding was aided by the fact that Tukwila had already established its Internet needs via a "heat map" - the lightest colors reflecting locations with poor Internet access. Those areas were Allentown, Tukwila Hill, Tukwila International Boulevard, and Cascade View. MAY/JUNE2023 3 Sun's out... gloves out! Green Tukwila needs help prepping sites for planting, watering baby plants, and picking up litter. If you have time and want to learn about native plants, urban forests, the watershed and microplastics, this is for you! Join us for a work PARTY! All ages and identities are welcome, and tools and training are provided on site. Sign up today at TukwilaWA.gov/GreenTukwila In 2017 the City of Tukwila joined the Green Cities Partnership, a collaboration of Puget Sound cities working to steward natural open spaces. The Green Tukwila Partnership cleans up and cares for public parks and natural open spaces across the city. Over the next 20 years, the partnership will work to restore and maintain 138 acres of Tukwila's urban forest. COME WORK WITH US! The City of Tukwila provides an engaging, productive and safe work environment. We are proud to offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. You can search our listing of current employment opportunities, with job descriptions, qualifications, salary and other information about the open positions. Check regularly to see what's available at GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/TukwilaWA The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer. Healthy parks and natural open spaces provide places where people can connect with nature, see wildlife, and explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They also keep the air and waterways clean, buffer noise, provide habitat for local wildlife, and absorb carbon to fight against climate change. Join friends and neighbors, or bring your families to learn about wildlife, trees, shrubs, invasive plant species, how to use tools, and much more. Environmental education and restoration work parties are being planned for community members and businesses to care for our precious urban forests and ensure healthy, safe and beautiful public spaces to enjoy in the future. The only way to accomplish this goal is with the support of partners and volunteers. Thank you for being a part of the solution! TUKWILA COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE We are seeking a culturally diverse group of residents to join a community leadership program. Feel committed to improving your Tukwila community? Want to know more about how local government works? If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the program and how to apply, go to Tu kwilaWA.gov/Leadership 4 THE HAZELNUT Council Corner Building Community When I moved to Tukwila 10 years ago, I had been familiar with the Southcenter district but had not yet experienced the heart of Tukwila - which is the people that live here and those working to serve our community. I grew to love this community through my neighbors, through the schools and spaces like the library and Community Center, and through active engagement. The summer is a perfect opportunity to get outside and build community. The past three years of COVID have kept us inside and unable to connect. This year the City of Tukwila has created many opportunities for us to get out, meet neighbors and start building community! Tukwila Parks and Recreation Summer Events - Tukwila Parks and Recreation planned several events throughout the community. Hosting movie nights at Foster Golf Links and concerts at local parks, as well as pop -ups with activities and games at different parks throughout the summer. Recreation and leisure activities are available year-round atTukwilaWA.gov/parks. Volunteer Opportunities - There are many different volunteer opportunities throughout our community. Tukwila Pantry (TukwilaPantry.org/volunteer) is our local food bank and is always in need of volunteers as well as donations. Green Tukwila (TukwilaWA.gov/GreenTukwila) is hosting park restoration events all throughout the summer, and all tools and training are provided on site. Join a Board or Commission - Tukwila has many opportunities for residents and business owners to get involved and engaged in the work of the City. This is a great way to meet other community members who also care about making Tukwila the best place to live, work and play! We currently have openings on the City's: ► Arts Commission ► Equity and Social Justice Commission ► Planning Commission ► Community -Oriented Policing Citizens Advisory Board ► Human Services Advisory Board ► Library Advisory Boards ► Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. To learn more and to apply for any of these open spots, please visit TukwilaWA.gov/boards. by Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson, 2023 Council President Experience Tukwila - Experience Tukwila is Tukwila's platform for sharing many of the amazing opportunities to eat, shop, and play, i.e., experience Tukwila! Check it out at ExperienceTukwila.com. I encourage you to step out this summer and make it a point to connect with our community! What are some ways you like to build community? Please let us know by emailing CityCouncil@TukwilaWA.gov - we love to hear from you! City Council Actions Highlights: May -June 2023 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 any of these actions, please call 206-433-8993. • Authorized additional mental health co -responder services for Tukwila Police • Approved funding for design and pre -construction of Public Works Campus Phase 2 project • Approved lodging tax funding for PacNW Soccer Tournament • Awarded a contract for Prosecution Services • Awarded a bid for the 2023 Annual Overlay Program and South 119 St Bridge Raised Crosswalk Project • Authorized contract for Billy Baroo's to continue providing concessionaire services at Foster Golf Links • Adopted a Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (Res. 2072) • Adopted revised City Council Rules of Procedure (Res. 2073) • Adopted the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners 2024 Work Plan and Operating Budget (Res. 2074) MAY /JUNE2023 5 ogy New contract takes effect for solid waste hauler This November 1, Recology will begin its 10-year contract for providing collection service of garbage, recycling and compostables to Tukwila's residents and businesses. Watch for mailed materials from Recology, informing customers of the coming transition and highlighting new services. Some of the highlights include extended call center hours (open seven days a week until 7:OOPM); residential collection trucks providing service four days a week; one year of free composting for commercial customers who participate in training; more bulky item collection; and a full-time Waste Zero Specialist to help customers implement improved recycling and composting programs. To learn more about Recology, please visit: Recology.com/recology-king-county/tukwila/ New wetland environment designed to benefit migrating salmon The completed Chinook Wind Estuary provides nearly six acres of critical fish habitat (and is located next to the City's new Public Works facility) The inclusion of native plants attracts pollinators and bugs to the area. To survive, salmon must be at least 2.5 inches long when they reach the salt water. On August 10, representatives from King County and other government agencies came together to recognize the completion of the Chinook Wind Estuary project in Tukwila, located about seven miles from the mouth of the Duwamish River. An estuary is a partially enclosed area where fresh water from rivers and streams mixes with and dilutes saline water entering from the ocean. Estuaries provide crucial habitat where young salmon can hide among the vegetation, dining on insects and growing bigger for a safe transition from freshwater to saltwater on their way to Puget Sound. King County's goal for improvements to the Green Duwamish river system is to improve the chances for the survival and health of the coho and endangered Chinook salmon. Tukwila plans to build a trail along the perimeter, connecting Chinook Wind to Duwamish Gardens Park, another restored salmon habitat located upstream. These restored areas provide access to green space for nearby residents and local workers. This eight -year project received funding from King County, Sound Transit, King County's Conservation Futures program, the King County Parks Levy, and the City of Tukwila. 6 THE HAZELNUT HERE'S YOUR SIGN: National Preparedness Month September 2023 It's great time to get prepared' The Pacific Northwest is home to every known hazard, with one exception: hurricanes. Tukwila's potential hazards include earthquakes, landslides, hazardous materials incidents, structure fires, power outages, severe weather, and more. Disasters can strike at any time, often without notice. Every September, Emergency Managers across the country set aside time to remind you of our vulnerability to disasters and how to best prepare. Here are steps you and your family can take to be more prepared for any hazard. Build A Kit We recommend that you and your family build a kit that will sustain you for up to two weeks. But don't panic, kits can be built and added to over time until you have enough supplies for two weeks. Your kit should include items you would need to keep yourself going after a disaster, like high calorie shelf stable foods, water, hygiene items, extra glasses, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, medications, and a change of clothes. Build your kit with your family in mind, including specific items that will meet everyone's needs. For example, someone with access or functional needs may need to include back-up medical equipment or food for a service animal. A household with infants and young children would need extra formula, diapers, pacifier, etc. Don't forget pets! Households with pets should set aside food, water, leashes, ID tags, and a pet carrier. FIRST AID SUPP,.1ES RIC' SIGNl. Make A Plan Talk with your family and friends about emergency preparedness. Together, work through these questions: ✓ How will you receive emergency communications? ✓ What is your evacuation plan? ✓ How will you and your family reconnect if you are separated by a disaster? ✓ How will you and your family communicate? Do you have an out of area contact? When developing your family's plan, make sure to consider everyone's specific needs. Think about age, mobility, languages spoken, pets/service animals, dietary/medical needs, cultural/religious needs, etc., as you plan. Once you have a plan, make sure to record your plan and practice your plan with your loved ones. Be Informed In an emergency, accurate information is critical to your safety. Make sure you know the facts ahead of time, where you can find correct information, and sign up for alert and warning programs. Knowing our hazards and what to do before, during and after is important for your safety. Sign-up to receive emergency alerts at TukwilaWA.gov/AlertKC. 04) ALERT .] KING COUNTY For more preparedness tips and resources, visit our website: TukwilaWA.gov/emergency-management For FREE preparedness presentations, please reach out to us: EmergencyPrep@TukwilaWA.gov MAY/JUNE2023 7 THE HAZELNUT City ofTukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 206-454-7573. Gun lock box giveaway On July 21, the City of Tukwila Police Department conducted its first gun lock box giveaway at the Tukwila Community Center. This program reflected the shared commitment of the City and the event's participants to the safety and well-being of fellow community members. Tukwila Police and King County Public Health representatives and partners were on hand during the event to educate residents about the importance of safely storing firearms and the proper usage of gun lock boxes. ill FAMILY www.urbanfam.ary Unsecured firearms can end up being stolen during burglaries or vehicle prowls and used in the commission of crimes - often by those not legally allowed to purchase or possess a firearm. Properly securing a firearm also reduces the risk of accidents, particularly those involving minors or unauthorized individuals. Providing these lock boxes free of charge was made possible by a partnership with King County Public Health - Regional Approach to Gun Violence. This event raised awareness about responsible firearm ownership and enhanced public safety within our city. TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard City Hall campus in -person hours: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 8:30AM-4:00PM Phone: 206-433-1800 Fax: 206-433-1833 Email: Tukwila@TukwilaWA.gov Website: TukwilaWA.gov MAYOR Allan Ekberg 206-433-1850 Mayor's Office Administration Offices 206-433-1850 David Cline, City Administrator206-433-1851 Economic Development 206-433-1832 Administrative Services City Clerk's Office 206-433-1800 Human Resources - Personnel 206-433-1831 Human Services 206-433-7181 Community Engagement 206-454-7564 Technology Services 206-454-7575 Community Development Dept. Nora Gierloff, Director 206-431-3670 Code Enforcement 206-431-3682 Finance Department Vicky Carlsen, Director 206-433-1835 Parks/Recreation Department Pete Mayer, Director 206-767-2342 Police Department Eric Dreyer, Chief 206-433-7175 Mindi Mattson, Emergency Mgr206-971-8750 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 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson, Pres 206-595-5469 C.DelostrinosJohnson@TukwilaWA.gov Kathy Hougardy 206-571-0007 Ka thy. Ho ugard y@Tuk wi l aWA. go v De'Sean Quinn 206-331-5939 Desean.Quinn@TukwilaWA.gov Kate Kruller 206-678-7885 Kate. Kruller@TukwilaWA.gov Thomas McLeod 206-492-4821 Thom as. Mcl eod @Tukwil aWAgov Mohamed Abdi 206-798-4872 Mohamed.Abdi@TukwilaWAgov Tosh Sharp 206 507-6440 Tosh. Sharp @Tukwil aWA.gov To email the entire Council at once: CityCouncil @Tukwil aWA.gov Laurel Humphrey, Analyst 206-433-8993 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:nnom in fniinril fhamhers Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays Committee of the Whole 2nd/4th Mondays