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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 42 No. 4�A City of Tukwila publication, for our - orr- rreesidential and business communities J'ULY/i9UGUST 2022 VOLUME 42, NUMBER 4 TaAwiia: The City of Oppomtn;ty, the Cooupruaity of Choice City shops: IV ovin' 011 up! Last month Tukwila's Department of Public Works moved its Fleet and Facilities divisions into the newly remodeled facility located on Tukwila International Boulevard. Moving from their old building on Interurban Avenue more than doubled the facility size, from 19,159 square feet to 40,500 square feet. The new Fleet and Facilities building is a part of the City's Public Safety Plan (PSP), which also included two new fire stations and the Tukwila Justice Center that houses the Tukwila Police Department, Municipal Court and Emergency Management. An important element in maintaining public safety is a well -functioning Public Works Department. Divided between two aging locations for years, the PSP included a larger, upgraded campus that would consolidate the Public Works shops. In November 1992, the Fleet and Facilities divisions of Public Works moved into the George Long Shop on Interurban Avenue. At that time, the size of the building was more than adequate for services and staffing, having enough room to even house the IT Department. As the City's population grew, City staff increased to support community members' priorities for services. This meant that Facilities had more buildings to operate and maintain, and Fleet had more departmental vehicles to service. Eventually the size and condition of the old George Long Shop's building caused these divisions to be severely hindered. The old shop had insufficient space to work on larger vehicles; repairs to fire aerial ladder trucks had to either occur outdoors or be sent off to a vendor. The large supply of tires for Tukwila's fleet assets were stored outdoors in the back of a truck. The building had no generator for emergency power backup. Fleet and Facility staff got their work done due to their creative use of inefficient and ineffective space. The new facility provides many efficiencies to allow staff to better perform their jobs, resulting in better service to the Tukwila community. Phase I of the consolidated Public Works shops is essentially complete. Finalizing this phase will be repairs to the building skin, a new roof and a paint job for this new facility. Eventually, the proposed Phase 11 will bring the Street, Water, Sewer and Surface Water divisions to this new Public Works facility - with good access to utilities and infrastructure - for improved efficiency and coordination. Mayor's Message City information: How should we spread the word? Communicating clearly and accessibly with members of the Tukwila community is a key objective of your City government. We employ a number of methods for outreach. Over the next few months we will be evaluating our various communications channels to determine if we can improve our efforts, within existing staffing levels. This is where you come in -we need your help! On the opposite page is a survey that we are asking for a few minutes of your time to complete. This survey is also available to be filled out online at TukwilaWA.gov/CommSurvey. The online version is available in the four top languages spoken in Tukwila - English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali. Our goal is that this initial survey provides us additional information on the readership of the Hazelnut. As we move forward over the coming months, we will tie additional surveys to other communications channels, in an effort to better understand the different ways community members gather information about City projects and programs. In speaking with mayors of other cities here in our region and even nationally, I know we all share the goal of effective communication with our communities. We also have a shared challenge. With the continued shifting nature of media, different levels of electronic access to - and interest - in social media, and the reality of how busy everyone is, communicating can be tough. And this is on top of the recognition that we have 80-100 different languages spoken in the Tukwila community! This is why we are asking for your help. As a Hazelnut reader, you can visit TukwilaWA.gov/CommSurvey, or fill out the survey on the next page and: email an image of the completed form to us; mail it back to us (you'll need a stamp); or drop it by City Hall. (City Hall is currently open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30AM to 4:OOPM, and there is a drop-off slot to the right of the front doors when the building isn't open.) In the coming months, we will be requesting input about other communication vehicles, such as social media and Channel 21. We hope you will participate in those as well. Your feedback is most important in helping us with great communication. In the meantime as our summer continues, I hope that everyone remains safe and healthy. ZI-Ze0 Mayor, City of Tukwila Tukwila Fire Service update At the Council's June 27, 2022 meeting, the Tukwila City Council directed staff to enter into negotiations with the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA) for a short-term contract for fire services leading to annexation. This followed the recommendation of the Future of Fire/EMS Community Advisory Committee - made up of residents, business representatives and other community members - who worked for months examining different options for the provision of fire service in Tukwila. Ultimately, the Committee's preferred option was to annex to the PSRFA. However, current PSRFA board policy position requires a city to enter into a service contract with them prior to annexation. Based on the Committee's analysis, the consensus view was that the City should immediately engage in negotiations with PSRFA to secure an initial service contract as a bridge to near -term annexation. After deliberation, the Council concurred with the Committee recommendation and provided that direction to City administration. Negotiations are ongoing with the PSRFA per the Council's direction. Both the City and PSRFA have a goal of concluding negotiations by early September so that each organization can appropriately plan for its 2023 budget. Ultimately, the City's goal is to maintain the high-level of service currently provided by the Tukwila Fire Department and ensure the long-term sustainability of fire service in the City of Tukwila. Communicating with our community Tukwila communicates information - through multiple sources - about its City operations, projects, services, events, Council actions, programs, and other issues affecting Tukwila residents. Please tell us how you learned what you know about the City. You can also take this survey online. Go to TukwilaWA.gov/CommSurvey Puede realizar esta encuesta en linea. Sahankan waxaad ka qaadan kartaa onlayn. Ban co the'thtfc hien cuoc khao sat nay try'c tuyen. TukwilaWA.gov/CommSurvey If you prefer, you can fill out this paper form and: • Email an image of your completed survey to us (CommSurvey@TukwilaWA.gov) • Mail it to us - requires a stamp City of Tukwila, ATTN: Community Engagement • Drop it off at Tukwila City Hall 6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188 Overall, howwell-informed/knowledgeable do you feel about City of Tukwila information? El Well informed El Somewhat informed El Not very informed El Not at all informed ❑ Neutral/unsure Which of these sources provide you with information about the City of Tukwila? How good a job does the City of Tukwila do in communicating with the public? El Good ❑ Fair El Poor El Bad ❑ Neutral/unsure ✓ Best way(s) to get City information to you City — thl sed I LEARN FROM THESE SOURCES: -w�" ✓ OFTEN ✓ SOME- TIMES ✓NEVER City website - TukwilaWA.gov Hazelnut newsletter Mailings to home or business - utility bill inserts, postcards, letters Email/text message subscriptions - eHazelnut, project updates City social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedln, YouTube Public meeting attendance - Council, open house, town hall, etc. City Council meetings via livestreams or recordings City Cable TV Channel 21 Direct communication with City staff in person/by phone/by email Emergency text or phone alerts Other: Novi City —based 1 LEARN FROM THESE SOURCES: ✓OFTEN ✓SOME TIMES ✓ NEVER Community or neighborhood association meetings Community -based social media - other groups/organizations Word of mouth, through friends or neighbors Local news media - radio, TV, print Other: JULY/AUGUST 2022 TELL US ABOUT YOU (optional): AGE: El 18-30 El 31-40 El 41-50 El 51-60 El 61-70 El 70+ LENGTH OF TIME AS A TU KWI LA RESIDENT OR BUSINESS: years LANGUAGE: ❑ English El Somali El Spanish El Vietnamese Other: City of Tukwila Transportation Element update As part of Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan Update, the City is developing a new Transportation Element to serve the community's current and future transportation needs. What is a Transportation Element? It's a road map to guide how the City invests in transportation over the next 20 years. Tukwila's Transportation Element update will: • Develop transportation networks for all users - drivers, transit riders, and people that walk, roll or ride a bicycle. • Predict how well the system will work in the future and suggest improvements. • Establish new goals and policies to guide City decision - making. • Develop a prioritized list of transportation projects to support bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and drivers. • Make recommendations about how to pay for improvements. You should participate in the Transportation Element update because: • The City needs help making decisions related to transportation • We need to know which improvements are important to you • We need your ideas about how to keep our transportation network safe, healthy, and efficient. The Transportation Element influences decisions for the next 20 years, and your input will be important. Please stay tuned to find out about opportunities for getting involved. Stay Informed & Involved Want to better understand the work of the City Council? Councilmembers work for the community, and all their activities are available to the public in a variety of ways. Visit TukwilaWA.gov/council to find: Contact information and biographies Calendar of upcoming meetings Meeting videos, agendas and minutes Council Committee information Rules of Procedure To contact the Council with a comment, to ask a question, or to sign up to receive meeting agendas, email CityCouncil@TukwilaWA.gov. 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. The City of Tukwila continues to seek the community's thoughts about City's upcoming 2023-2024 budget Tukwila's summer outreach for public input on its 2023-24 Biennial Budget has been a great success. During the month of July, City staff have set up their tables at various community events. Participants at the Tukwila Farmers Market and See You In the Park events took time to indicate their preferences on budget options. Residents, community members and guests can also provide their feedback by participating in our survey online at TukwilaWA.gov/ BudgetOutreach, or by contacting us at Budget@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-433-1838. 4 THE HAZELNUT Council Corner The primary responsibility of any City Council is to set the budget, which estimates revenues and allocates the spending for all City services and capital improvements. In Tukwila, we use a biennial (two-year) budget cycle. For 2022-2023, we are facing a challenging road ahead as we strive to fund an adequate level of City services, while still facing slow recovery from pandemic -related revenue and inflation at its highest level in 40 years. State law requires that we pass a balanced budget, so we must carefully examine every revenue opportunity and service expenditure. The City Council must adopt the budget by the end of the year, but there is a lot of work that goes on before then. In fact, the work began in January at our Council Retreat where we began mapping out a process that would be both efficient and transparent. From there, we conducted several Budget Workshops for both the Council and the community to better understand municipal budgeting, covering City Funds, Financial Policies, Revenues, and Capital Projects. In June, each department begin preparing their budget estimates, which will be refined as the year goes on. The most important part of developing a budget that reflects a community's values is to gather feedback directly from the community. As I write this, City staff are busy with this effort, hosting multiple surveys, monitoring the email inbox, talking with you at community events, meeting with boards and commissions, and hosting a Town Hall. As we've now received the updated Consumer Price Index, which means higher costs for supplies, materials, and wages than in the previous budget, departments are refining budgets i State law requires City to achieve balanced budget by Thomas McLeod, 2022 Council President and evaluating the feedback received from the community over the summer. For the next step, Mayor Ekberg will formally present the proposed budget to the Council in October, a formality required by state law. From there we expect intensive Council discussions on every aspect of the budget over the course of multiple meetings and work sessions, wrapping up with a formal public hearing and final adoption once we agree upon the right balance of revenues and expenditures. I hope that you've already taken the opportunity to provide your input via the survey, sending an email, or attending a community event or a Council meeting, but if you haven't yet done so, we are still listening. Feel free to contact the Council anytime at CityCouncil@TukwilaWA.gov. To receive email notifications of all City Council meeting agendas, sign up at TukwilaWA.gov/departments/city-clerks-office. 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. City Council Actions Highlights: June -July, 2022 ■ Revised and clarified construction permit regulations (Ord. 2673) ■ Adopted interlocal agreement for Minor Home Repair Program ■ Accepted grant funding for the Youth Ecology Restoration Stewards Program ■ Approved lodging tax funding for the Summer Gut Check Wrestling Tournament and Paint the Boulevard initiative ■ Awarded bids for the Annual Small Drainage Program, Overlay & Repair Program, and Gilliam Creek Fish Barrier Removal and Habitat Replacement Project ■ Convened Budget Workshop on Capital Projects ■ Renewed Police Department body and dash camera contract ■ Accepted grant funding for the Green River Trails Improvement Project ■ Accepted federal COPS grant funding for a community liaison position ■ Adopted 2023-2028 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (Res. 2046) ■ Updated Stormwater Safety, Control and Management regulations (Ord. 2675) CONFIRMATION In June, the Council confirmed Martin Probst as a business representative on the City's Planning Commission. Tukwila appreciates the service of volunteers to our community. JULY/AUGUST 2022 5 • Tukwila Public; Works I)epartrnent e� BONE UPDATEJ Summer projects around our community Annual overlay and Repair Program The Overlay and Repair Program preserves and maintains the street structure in a safe and usable condition. Construction will include, but not be limited to pavement repairs, sidewalk improvements, signal improvements, and an asphalt overlay at seven locations citywide. This year, we included additional work such as small drainage, ADA improvements, traffic calming, and signal improvements. This contract was awarded to Tucci & Sons as the lowest responsible bidder. The specific locations that will be worked on this summer/fall are: 44th Avenue S and 46th Avenue S along S 124th Street - RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) installation, installation of curb ramps and sidewalk, driveway improvements, and channelization installation. S 140th Street from Military Road to Tukwila International Boulevard - Grind and overlay, sidewalk and curb ramps installation, channelization such as stop bars, crosswalk and paint lines, speed cushions, signs, driveway improvements, pavement repair, and gravel. Orillia Road and S 200th Street - Intersection pavement repair, grind and overlay, curb ramps, channelization, signal modifications such as traffic cameras, cabinets, loop removal, and pedestrian signal improvements, and driveway improvements. S 141st Street from 37th to Tukwila International Blvd - Grind and overlay, pavement repair, installing gravel, driveway improvements, and channelization installation. S 142nd Street from 37th to Tukwila International Blvd - Grind and overlay, pavement repair, installing gravel, driveway improvements, and channelization installation. 37th Avenue S between S 144th Street And S 140th Street - Includes the small drainage work of adding new storm drainpipe by saw cutting out the pavement, then restoring that pavement with new pavement. Other work includes grind and overlay, gravel, HMA thickened edge, driveway improvements, speed cushions, and channelization. S 144th Street and 46th Avenue near Foster High School - overlay, sidewalk, curb ramps, a new crossing, and a RRFB signal relocation. Annual Small Drainage Program Project This program fixes small public drainage issues that often start as customer service requests or issues found in the field. For greater efficiency, these projects are batched together. Solutions typically entail installing catch basins, pipes, berms, and other small improvements within the public right-of- way. The program is funded by Surface Water Utility Fund, which collects fees from all City residential and commercial properties based on the amount of hard surface/impervious area on the developed properties. These projects proactively ensure public safety, reduce flooding, decrease maintenance demands, and protect critical infrastructure. This year's project - which was awarded to Titan Earthwork - will extend storm drainpipe and catch basins to reduce localized flooding on the streets listed below. Work is expected to be complete by September 20th. The summer construction will begin to address small drainage at the following four locations: 37th Avenue S (S 128th Street-S 126th Street) - Install 280 lineal feet of storm drainpipe and four drainage structures. Tie into the existing system along S 126th Street. 48th Avenue S (S 124th Street-S 122nd Street) - Replace and install new storm drain system approximately450' of 12" pipe and 100' of 8" pipe, along with eight drainage structures. Tie into the existing system along 49th Avenue S near S 122nd Street. 49th Avenue S (S 124th Street-S 122nd Street)- Install storm drain system, approximately200' of12"pipe and 80' of 12" pipe on the west side of 37th Avenue S. Tie into the existing system along S 126th Street. 37th Avenue S (S 142nd Street) - Install storm drain system approximately 110' of 12" pipe and 20' of 6" pipe on the east side of 37th Avenue S near S 142nd Street. This work will be completed by Tucci & Sons as part of the nearby overlay (paving) project. 6 THE HAZELNUT Nelsen Sicle Channel Project This project will set back a levee along the Green River, and reconnect the river with its historic channel severed by 1-405 construction. Restoring this connection will increase flood storage and aquatic habitat, providing off -channel habitat for threatened juvenile Chinook salmon and othersalmonids. Large wood will be strategically placed to provide food sources and refuge for juvenile Chinook. To restore ecological function and provide critically -needed shade, the riverbank and upland areas surrounding the channel and the Green River will be planted with native vegetation. The City is working with its non-profit partner DirtCorps, and the WA State Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources. Gilliam Creek Fish I3arrier Removal Project The City plans to develop fish passage improvements to Gilliam Creek at its junction with the Green River. The site extends approximately 675 feet upstream along the creek. The project will remove fish barriers and restore fish access and shoreline habitat, while maintaining/improving existing flood protection. This project is part of a watershed -wide effort to restore Endangered Species Act -listed Chinook salmon. It will be designed to allow juvenile fish access between the creek and the river, which are tidally influenced. The project will also address recreational, aesthetic, and educational opportunities and constraints associated with the adjacent Green River Trail and trailside park area. S 'I3-I st Street drainage improvements project This project will address local flooding of roadway and adjacent private properties, along with contributing upstream issues and water quality concerns. To address fish barriers and habitat degradation, access and habitat will be restored, being designed to allow juvenile fish passage upstream. The project area is constrained by local roads, residential, industrial, and commercial development, and local utilities. Pace Engineering will provide design and engineering services. Work is expected to begin late summer or early fall. storm water quaiity retrofit project This project will improve water quality at select City -owned and operated storm water discharge points throughout the City. The project is funded by a WA State Department of Ecology grant. The City will be developing construction documents during 2022 with construction starting in 2023. Improvements ahead forI52nc1 Street South 152nd Street will be receiving a facelift. The new project from Tukwila International Boulevard to 42nd Avenue South is currently under design. The goal is to provide high - quality safe ways for pedestrians and bicyclists to connect to the Link Station, as well as safety for children walking or biking to school. The project will involve constructing sidewalks on both sides of the road, adding bike facilities, and installing new way -finding signs that will direct walkers and bikers to neighborhood amenities. Construction of these improvements will be in 2023 or 2024, depending on funding availability. Public outreach is being scheduled for this year. For more information, call 206 433-0179 or email PublicWorks@TukwilaWA.gov. JULY/AUGUST 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 J Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 206-454-7573. City of Tukwila 2023-2024 Budget The City is currently projecting a shortfall between revenues and expenses, and wants your opinions. Do you think the City should maintain its current level of services by increasing revenues, or do you think the City should reduce its current level of services? Please come to our website and let us know what you think. Presupuesto de la ciudad de Tukwila 2023-2024 La ciudad actualmente proyecta un deficit entre ingresos y gastos, y quiere sus opiniones. LCree que la ciudad deberia mantener su nivel actual de servicios mediante el aumento de los ingresos, o cree que la ciudad deberia reducir su nivel actual de servicios? Visite nuestro sitio web y haganos saber to que piensa, en Espanol. TukwilaVVA.gov/BudgetOutreach Thanh pho Tukwila 2023-2024 Ngan sach Thanh pho hien dang dit kin sit thieu but giifa doanh thu va chi phi, va muon j' kin cua ban. Ban co nghT rang Thanh pho nen duy tri mac clo dich vu hien tai bang cach tang doanh thu, hoac ban co nghT rang Thanh pho nen giam mac clo dich vu hien tai cua minh? Vui long truy cap trang web cua chung toi va cho chung toi biet suy nghT cua ban, bang tieng Viet. Magaalada Tukwila Miisaaniyada 2023-2024 Magaaladu waxa ay hadda saadaalineysaa gaabis u dhaxeeya dakhliga soo xarooda iyo kharashka baxa, waxaan magaalada dooneysaa fikradahaaga. Ma kula tahay in Magaaladu ay tahay inay kusii wado sida adeegyada hadda jira iyadoo kordhineysa dakhliga, ama ma kula tahay in Magaaladu hoos udhigto heerka adeegyadeeda hadda jira? Fadlan soo gal mareegahayaga oo nala socodsii waxaad u malaynayso, oo af-soomaali ah. 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 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@Tuk 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 7:00Pm in Council Chambers Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays Committee of the Whole 2nd/4th Mondays