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Home My WebLink About2022-10 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 42 No. 54 o SEPTEMBE OCTOBER 2022 2 ,VOLUME 42, NUMBER 5 - 29Oa, Tu4wii'u: The City of Opportunity, the Community of Choice Youth can now ride transit for free! Washington State is the first state to make transit free for youth! As of September 1, 2022, riders age 18 and younger can take transit for free thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package. Riders aged 13 and older are encouraged to show one of the following to the driver, if they have it: Youth ORCA Card - Please "tap" your card when you board. On Sound Transit light rail, please also "tap" when you exit. Riders who have a youth ORCA card already can extend the expiration date to their 19th birthday by completing the form at FreeYouthTransitPass.com. Current High School or Middle School Student ID - Youth who do not have one of these can still ride for free. Visit FreeYouthTransitPass.com for the latest information. Working together to make going back to school better for kids Tukwila Fire and Police joined the Salvation Army for back -to -school shopping with young people from the Tukwila community. The Salvation Army raised money throughout the year and identified children in need of some extra help. Police, Fire and Councilmember Kruller joined the team and chaperoned the children on their shopping adventure. Each child was allowed to spend up to $150 and - thanks to the generosity of Old Navy - everything in the store was marked down 20%. Via to Transit is free for youth, too! Riders 18 years and younger ride at no cost to/ from the Tukwila Community Center or the Tukwila International Boulevard Station. Via to Transit is public transportation that comes to you. Book rides straight from your phone by downloading the Via app or by calling 206- 258-7739. Learn more here: KingCounty.gov/metro/via. ORCA LIFT Fare Reduced to $1 In other good news, the income -based ORCA LIFT fare has been reduced to $1.00 from the previous fare of $1.50. See if you qualify by visitingORCALift.com, or call Public Health's Community Health Access Program at 800-756-5437. If you don't qualify for ORCA LIFT, check to see if there's another reduced fare option that would work for you out info.MyORCA. com/using-orca/ways-to-save. Mayor's Message Creating a City budget that addresses financial realities while responding to your important input Every two years the City embarks on the process of developing a budget for the coming biennium. Although fall is the busiest budget season, this is a process we have been working on for most of 2022. Two years ago the City reduced its budget due to impacts of the pandemic and the reality of related lost revenues, which resulted in lower service levels to our community. Despite improved revenues closely matching those of 2019, expenses have risen considerably - something you probably realized in your household as expenses have grown over these past two years. During the summer months City staff have been seeking community input on Tukwila's next biennial budget. We have done this in multiple ways. We presented an online tool called Balancing Act, which allowed users to take a crack at balancing the City's budget. We also offered an online survey to learn your service priorities, as well as your opinion on whether we should implement additional service reductions or increase revenues. City staff also went out into the community - the Farmer's Market, boards and commissions meetings, and See You in the Park events - to gather in -person feedback. The top priorities we heard were support for Teen, Youth and Senior Programs, Police, Fire, and Communications & Community Engagement. This information has been invaluable. We applied this feedback as we approached developing the 2023/2024 budget. Additionally, over these past several months - following the recommendation from the Future of Fire and EMS Services community advisory committee - the City has been working to contract with the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA) for Fire and EMS services. This is the first step to annexation, which the committee recommended as the best option for providing long-term sustainable Fire and EMS services to Tukwila community members. Because of the significant financial adjustments to the City that would come with annexation to the PSRFA in 2025, we are approaching this coming biennial budget as a bridge budget. Simply lining up revenues against expenses doesn't match up; current expectations are shortfalls of $4M in 2023 and $5.4M in 2024 - on top of additional budget reductions we made for 2023 and 2024. State law mandates cities must produce a balanced budget. My Mayor's Proposed Budget will be formally transmitted to the Council on October 3. It achieves a balanced budget and preserves as many services as possible, including our Police Department, which will allow us to bring staffing levels back up. To accomplish this proposal, our budget platform rests on a "three-legged stool." Here are the legs to that stool: ► USE OF ONE-TIME FUNDS: Normally I would not be supportive of using one-time funds for ongoing expenses, but I think it makes sense for this bridge budget. We have some ending fund balances from this current biennium budget that can help us cover approximately half of the overall shortfall. ► NEW REVENUE: I will be proposing a modest Business & Occupation (B&O) tax, keeping the rates competitive with our neighboring cities, the majority of which also have a B&O. Ours would start in January of 2024, giving businesses over a year to budget for the new expense. The B&O will allow us to fully fund and staff our Police Department. ► BUDGET REDUCTIONS: Through attrition and vacancies, we will hold positions open to reduce the budget by more than $1 million in both 2023 and 2024. In our form of government, the City Council is the ultimate decision maker on the budget. We are in the midst of a deliberative process. The Council reviews the Mayor's proposed budget and makes any changes they see fit, before adopting a balanced budget by the end of the year (as mandated by State law). I encourage you to contribute by coming to Council meetings and budget workshops - either in person or virtually over Microsoft Teams - and sharing your thoughts with the Council and me on the upcoming budget. I am confident that my proposed budget reflects the priorities that we heard from residents. Contracting with the PSRFA will both save us money and allow for a greater level of Fire and EMS service to our community while staffing our Tukwila Police Department, a priority expressed by many community members. We will also strive to maintain our high level of community engagement and communications effort, invest in our parks system, and continue to support our youth, teens and seniors in the coming biennium. 01--Ze0 Mayor, City of Tukwila 2 THE HAZELNUT Free Minor Home Repair available for income -qualified Tukwila homeowners Early fall is a great time to time to take care of those preventive home maintenance activities that you may have neglected. Based on income level for owner -occupied homes, Tukwila's Minor Home Repair is a no -cost program that can address a wide range of health and safety issues including but not limited to: • Repair or replace caulking • Leaky sinks or toilets • Plugged drains • Secure or install railings • Broken steps • Broken outlets • Accessibility modifications such as grab bars, shower adapters, replace faucets Our contractors can handle small electrical, carpentry and plumbing projects. Qualification is easy - present evidence of your income and complete an application. Human Services staff will screen your project for eligibility and assign a contractor. This service is based on need as well as program funding and contractor availability. Residents are helped on a first -come, first -served basis. To determine if you qualify, contact Tukwila's Office of Human Services at 206-433-7180. Help make a difference... volunteer your time The City of Tukwila is assisted in several areas of operation by the volunteers who serve on our Boards, Commissions and Committees. These advisory bodies provide guidance to decision -makers, representing the diverse viewpoints of the community and bringing public participation to government. Volunteers serve a vital function by offering their time and expertise as members. These advisory bodies have terms ending this year: • Arts Commission • Community -Oriented Policing Citizens Advisory Board • Equity and Social Justice Commission • Human Services Advisory Board • Library Advisory Board • Park Commission • Planning Commission If you are interested in serving on one of these advisory bodies, please submit a completed Boards, Commissions and Committees Application form to the Mayor's Office by 5:OOPM on November 15, 2022. The application form and additional information about all of the Boards, Commissions and Committees can be found on the City's website at TukwilaWA.gov/boards, or call 206-433-1850 if you have any questions. MINNIF" Help guide Tukwila's future economy The City is creating an Economic Development Plan and would like your input. Learn more and sign up for updates at TukwilaWA.gov/Economy CITY OF TUKWILA City provides assistance to its residents In the spring of 2020 when COVID-19 began impacting our community and the entire globe, the City pivoted to provide additional rental and utility assistance to low-income residents impacted by COVID-related wage loss. Initially the City allocated a large portion of our recaptured state sales tax funds that are dedicated to affordable housing -related programs, including rental assistance. Recaptured means state funds are returned to cities, resulting in no impact to the City's general fund budget. As a part of the City's budget process, the Council added an additional $250,000 for rental assistance in 2021, and - thanks to the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding - the Council allocated an additional $500,000 in 2022. To date, the City has served 361 unduplicated, low-income households in Tukwila with a combined total of $557,901 in one- time rent and/or utility assistance. These payments were made directly to property managers and utility providers to stabilize households and prevent homelessness. Additional assistance was provided to the Tukwila community through King County's Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP), which helped many additional families impacted by COVID wage loss. While the need for this increased assistance is waning as the pandemic levels out, the City continues to help households who are impacted, such as a parent forced to not work for some time because their daycare was shut down due to a COVID outbreak. One of the City's five strategic goals in its adopted Strategic Plan is "A Solid Foundation for All Tukwila Residents." Our efforts to provide rent and utility assistance for low-income residents impacted by COVID is another reflection of how we uphold the values of our City and support bright futures for our community. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2022 3 Foster High students take part in summer internship program This summer three students from Foster High School took part in Tukwila's City of Opportunity summer internship program. Participants receive practical hands-on experience as they learn about the variety of services and programs provided by local government. The work integrates career development and public service. Interns participated in the Parks and Recreation Department's See You in the Park series, and toured Tukwila's new Justice Center and Fire Station 52. Excerpted from the interns' statements: Safia Sh-Mohamed -Junior at Foster High School and Running Start student at Highline College Interned for Technology & Innovation Services Department I chose to intern at the City of Tukwila for the summer because I am very interested in STEM, specifically the technology department. During my internship I've learned about all the different jobs in Tech and made many new connections. I've also participated in a fun phishing simulation! Outside of my department, I went on tours throughout the city with the other interns. I came into this internship so certain, but along the way I learned about all the careers I can choose from. I would recommend this program to students who want to experience a realistic job and network, as well as students who are unsure on what they want to do but want a start somewhere. Interning at City of Tukwila was a great opportunity and I feel much more confident about my future! Amy Duong - Sophomore at Foster High School Interned for the Parks & Recreation Department Frankly, this internship was an amazing opportunity for me to experience what I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. Throughout this internship, I've helped with events, programs, and even the City's social media accounts. I didn't believe I had what it takes to handle just making a single post on the City's social accounts (let alone everything else I managed to do), but this internship proved me wrong and gave me an opportunity to get out of my shell. Along the way, I've learned more about what the local government does for Tukwila, developed connections, learned more about the City, received valuable advice, and enjoyed myself through all of it! After finishing my internship, I can say with confidence that I'd recommend this program. Farhiya Hersi - Sophomore at Foster High School Interned for the Administrative Services Department To say that this internship was enjoyable is an understatement. I really enjoyed getting to meet new people and future mentors, whether it was through the various tours I had the privilege to take part in, or through community engagement at the Farmers Market every Wednesday. Every week I learned a new life skill, tips to help me get through college, and how to be as successful as possible. Before I started this internship I was very set and done on what career path I wanted to take - a one-dimensional plan that would only set me up for that one career. After multiple weeks of exposure to different careers, I've become more open minded to new paths. It's clear to me that the community is in great hands! I would recommend this program. 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. See what's available now at GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/TukwilaWA The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer. 4 THE HAZELNUT Council Corner Mr. Mayor, your proposed budget, please. As I write this article in early September, the Council is waiting to receive from the Administration the proposed biennium budget for 2023-24. Directors have submitted their departmental budgets, our Finance team has crunched the numbers, and the Mayor's proposed budget will soon be before the City Council for deliberations. It is the role of the City Council to approve a balanced budget by the end of the year, which will happen after Council deliberations. What do we deliberate on? Glad you asked. We look at our various Revenues (Sales Tax, Real Estate Tax, Utility Tax, Admission Tax, Gambling Taxes, Fees, and Permits, etc.) to see if we have maximized all opportunities. We consider whether we have enough income to fund the City services our residents and business community need and have asked for. We will talk about the need for additional revenue sources and what impact a new revenue could provide. We will talk about the Expenses (Public Safety, Public Works, Parks & Rec, etc.) needed to run a City, and discuss what services can be streamlined or if there are services that are no longer needed. Can we change a City service from weekly to monthly, or should a service be more available? What is the impact to update and automate services? Are there new City services that need to be considered, and how will we fund them? i Budget deliberations keep your Council busy by Thomas McLeod, 2022 Council President The Reserves in our budget get reviewed every biennium. Do we have enough for an emergency, such as COVID? When the pandemic hit, our mall was closed and sales tax revenue stopped. The funding of our reserves was a policy set up by Council for the unforeseen rainy days. It sure helped. These are the types of deliberations we will have, but above all, we will be asking ourselves if the budget reflects our values. As a community, do we value affordable housing, a living wage, economic growth and opportunities, and Public Safety that makes everyone feel safe? Then our budget should reflect it. Visit the City's website at TukwilaWA.gov to learn more about the budget, subscribe to meeting agendas, review proposals, and more. Council meetings are streamed live on TukTV Comcast Channel 21 or on the City's website. Recordings of past meetings are available on demand. Learn more about the work of the City Council at TukwilaWA.gov/council. Please follow along or visit our public meetings to let your voice be heard. After all, it is your budget. City Council Actions Highlights: August -September, 2022 ■ Accepted grant funding for economic development activities ■ Accepted Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs grant funding ■ Amended City Council Rules of Procedure to allow for remote attendance by individual Councilmembers in accordance with state law (Res. 2048) ■ Placed the minimum wage initiative on the ballot for the November 8, 2022 election (Res. 2049) ■ Amended code language around public notice requirements for residential parties (Ord. 2676) ■ Clarified code language regarding requirements for boundary line adjustments (Ord. 2677) d Incorporated multiple housekeeping amendments to Title 18 of the Municipal Code (Ord. 2678) ■ Amended code requirements regarding sign copy and freestanding and monument sign regulations (Ord. 2679) ■ Authorized a contract with John Palewicz for Program Management Quality Assurance service to the City Council regarding the Public Works Shops project ■ Approved an interlocal agreement to create a Duwamish Basin stewardship position City Council meeting minutes and the complete text of all legislative items is available online in the Digital Records Center at TukwilaWA.gov. For additional information about any of these actions, please call 206-433-8993. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 5 • Tukwila Public•. Works I)epartrnent CO* ONE Improvements along IVIacaclain Roacl South Construction on Macadam Road between South 144th Street and Southcenter Boulevard has been completed. The project included upsizing and looping the undersized and dead-end water main along Macadam Road to improve capacity, fire flow, and redundancy. The project also added 1,200 feet of sidewalk on the east side, bridging the existing gap, and a full -width overlay (complete paving and striping of all lanes). Chinook Wincl public access project If you've been on Tukwila International Boulevard just north of the Duwamish River this summer, you may have glimpsed the construction activity at King County's Chinook Wind Mitigation project. Implemented by the County's Mitigation Reserves Program, the project will create off -channel rearing habitat for salmonids, and restore the shoreline with native vegetation and other natural elements. The City's public access project will create a trail system - including a trail head, park furnishings, signage and native landscape plantings - within a 20 foot -wide trail easement skirting the County's restoration site. This trail will provide public access for park users to enjoy the shoreline and newly - created habitat restoration site. The project is currently under permit review with construction anticipated for late 2022 and/or early 2023. The project is being coordinated with King County, whose planting schedule coincides with the City's project. The project is funded by the State Recreation and Conservation Office and the City of Tukwila. East IVIarginal Way South (EIVIWS) stonnwater outfalls project Located on EMWS adjacent to King County International Airport, this project was completed in July. EMWS is a heavily traveled five -lane roadway that had poor stormwater conveyance and no infrastructure for water quality treatment. Historically, roadway runoff in this location was conveyed to the outfalls of local businesses. Soil contamination and poor pipe conditions required one outfall to be sealed off in January 2011, blocking stormwater conveyance from the project site. The completed retrofit project rerouted two acres of runoff from EMWS north to the City -acquired outfall, utilizing a pump station and 4" diameter force main. The project treats the runoff, reducing stormwater pollution and flows into the Duwamish River and the downstream Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site. To improve water quality, the City of Tukwila designed and installed: • Two linear Modular Wetland units, below -ground devices that treat stormwater • A 364' x 6' bioretention planter • 8,230 square feet of permeable pavement, which replaced impervious paving in center turn lane The completed project treats 3.27 acres of high -volume arterial roadway runoff. 42nc1 Avenue South I3riclge replacement status The design of the 42nd Avenue S Bridge replacement continues to move forward with the bridge being replaced in its current location. Because there are multiple federal and state agencies that issue approvals for the design and construction of the bridge, the design team initially focuses on the required permitting. The team also routinely checks the current guidelines to verify that bridge is being designed to the current specifications. 6 THE HAZELNUT Tukwila is updating its Comprehensive Land Use Plan So, what is that anyway? The Comprehensive Plan is Tukwila's guiding document or "blueprint" for how the City will manage its growth and development for the next 20 years (2024 through 2044). Comprised of guidelines for a variety of community topics, the Plan provides a flexible framework for adapting to real conditions over time. Topics to be reviewed and updated for the 2024 Plan include: HOUSING - What can be done to improve housing affordability and options, as well as provide greater home ownership opportunities? LAND USE - Are we on the right path? TRANSPORTATION - What infrastructure is critical for today and tomorrow? UTILITIES AND CAPITAL FACILITIES - Do our utilities and capital facilities match our land use and housing priorities? RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY - Do we understand - and can we right - past wrongs? CLIMATE CHANGE - What should the City do to be prepared for the future? Why update the Comprehensive Plan? Tukwila's Plan was first adopted in 1995 and last revised in 2015. It will be reviewed and updated during 2022-2024. The State of Washington's Growth Management Act requires adoption of needed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan and the City's development regulations by December 30, 2024. When the update is complete, the City's Plan will: ► Reflect the community priorities expressed through the input received. ► Meet Statewide and regional planning requirements and growth forecasts. ► Be easier to use online. What's next? Over the next two years, the City will be engaging with community groups, businesses and residents to learn more about the various priorities for Tukwila's planning. You'll be able to learn more about proposed changes and tell us your thoughts by monitoring the Comprehensive Plan development website for events and other input opportunities. In addition, you can attend Tukwila Planning Commission meetings where you can provide comment at their hearings. Visit our website - TukwilaWA.gov/CompPlan - to get current information about the Comprehensive Plan update, to leave a comment, or to join the email list. Questions? Contact Nancy Eklund at Nancy.Eklund@TukwilaWA.gov or call 206-433-7141. Tiny house villages in Tukwila Tukwila is happy to welcome two tiny house villages into the city to provide enhanced shelter, safety and community for individuals and couples currently living outside in Tukwila. The villages will be operated by the Low -Income Housing Institute (LIHI), and sponsored by the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ and the Riverton Park United Methodist Church. Recent State legislation adopted as HB 1220 requires that all jurisdictions accommodate emergency housing and emergency shelters to address the crisis in homelessness. These tiny house villages are one way that Tukwila can meet its regional obligations. The City's approach is to consider tiny house villages as similar in many ways to the tent city encampments that have been hosted in Tukwila many times over the past two decades, and serving a similar population. The Council has approved a Memorandum of Agreement for each site to ensure that appropriate management, support, and operational procedures are in place. LIHI's volunteer program provides an opportunity for community members to contribute their skills, expertise and unique talents to their programs. To find out about volunteer opportunities in Tukwila for this program, go to LlHlhousing.org/volunteer. Smoothing out the commute As one of the 2022 Annual Overlay projects, Orillia Road at South 200th Street received repairs to the section of the roadway closest to the intersection which is nearing the end of its useful life. Additional overlay work north and south of this site are expected to be done in future years. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 7 THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 I 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. THIS SEASON . FALL INTO RESTORATION Volunteer with local stewards at Duwamish Hill Preserve & Riverton Park. Learn about environmental issues and how you can help! Volunteer Today! GREEN TUKWILA PARTNERSHIP www.TukwilaWA.gov/GreenTukwila TUKWILA Green Tukwila's Fall VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES are live! Spend the fall outdoors with community members, residents and partners. Learn about native plants, local wildlife and our wonderful parks, while making an impact fora better tomorrow. Tools and training are provided on site, and all ages and identities are welcome. Sign up at TukwilaWA.gov/GreenTukwila Follow us @TukwilaParks TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard City Hall campus in -person hours: Monday & Wednesday, 8:30Am to 4:00Pm Phone: 206-433-1800 Fax: 206-433-1833 E-mail: 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 Rachel Bianchi, Dep. CityAdm206-396-0341 City Clerk's Office 206-433-1800 Human Resources - Personnel 206-433-1831 City Job Line 206-433-1828 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 Fire Department Jay Wittwer, Chief 206-575-4404 Parks/Recreation Department Pete Mayer, Interim Director 206-767-2342 Police Department Eric Dreyer, Chief 206-433-7175 Mindi Mattson, EmergencyMgr206-971-8750 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 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Thomas McLeod, President 206-492-4821 Thom as. Mcl eod @Tukwil aWAgov Kathy Hougardy 206-571-0007 Ka thy. Ho ugard y@Tu k wi l aWA. go v De'Sean Quinn 206-331-5939 Desean.Quinn@Tukwil aWA.gov Kate Kruller 206-678-7885 Kate. Kruller@TukwilaWA.gov Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson 206-595-5469 C.DelostrinosJohnson@TukwilaWA.gov 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:OOPm in Council Chambers Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays Committee of the Whole 2nd/4th Mondays