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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 37 No. 2A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business communities VOLUME 37, NUMBER 2 AUTUMN 2017 Carrying out the Public Safety Plan: Here's where we're at City of Tukwila PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN In November of 2016, voters in Tukwila approved a public safety bond to pay for: Replacement of three aging, seismically -deficient fire stations (Stations 51, 52 and 54) Fire equipment and apparatus - such as fire trucks and other life/safety tools - for the life of the 20-year bond; and Construction of a Justice Center to house the Police Department and Municipal Court. In addition, the City is building a consolidated public works fa- cility to replace Tukwila's two existing seismically -deficient and undersized public works shops. Construction will be funded by equal contributions from the City's General and Enterprise Funds. Immediately following the bond's passage, the City began working diligently to implement the Public Safety Plan. Here's an update on the status of the Public Safety Plan. Fire station locations - The City retained fire station location and response time experts to identify the best locations for each station, ensuring equitable response times across the City. This information was presented to Council and to the public at an in -person open house, online open house and other forums. Fire stations and Justice Center design - The City selected Weinstein A+U as the architect for all three fire stations. They are currently in the schematic design phase, and an initial de- sign concept for Fire Station 51 will be shared with the public at the December open house. Selected to provide the architec- tural and engineering services for the Justice Center, the DLR Group is currently working through the programming phase with representatives of the Police Department and the Tukwila Public Safety Plan Construction Schedule Facility Scheduled to Begin Scheduled Completion Station 51 Spring 2018 Fall 2019 Station 52 Early 2019 Summer 2020 Station 54 Justice Center PW Shops Early 2019 Late 2018 Late 2019 Summer 2020 Summer 2020 Spring 2021 Municipal Court. The programming phase identifies the needs of each department and needed adjacencies, serving as the foundation of the overall design effort. Siting - The City expects to identify sites for each of these facili- ties and begin the process of acquiring sites late fall/early win- ter. More information will be presented at the December open house. Outreach and engagement - Thus far in 2017 the City has hosted two open houses on the Public Safety Plan. These have allowed the community to meet with architects for both the fire stations and Justice Center, provide input on siting crite- ria and poten- tial sites for each facility, and more. Athird open house will be held in early December; watch your mailbox for more information on the event. Challenges - As Tukwila is located in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States, land and construction prices have escalated astronomically. Assumptions about growth and in- flation have been quickly surpassed in this market and the cost of building in the area has skyrocketed. The City is committed to building these facilities and will be using the development of the 2019/2020 budget next year to determine how we address the Public Safety Plan budgetary needs. Public Works Facility - The City is currently in the pre-program- ming state of this effort since the Public Works Facility isn't scheduled to come online until spring of 2021. Implementation of the City's Public Safety Plan is exciting. By making these investments in new, safe facilities we are provid- ing both today's residents and the next generations with es- sential public facilities designed to provide the best customer service experience and provision of public safety services. Have questions? Email PublicSafetyPlan@TukwilaWA.gov or visit TukwilaWA.gov/PublicSafetyPlan Tukwila provides opportunities for youth with new summer high school internship program This summer marked the inaugural year of the City's high school summer intern- ship program. Our goal is to expose Tukwila's young people to employment op- portunities available at the City, as well as having the City's workforce better represent the broader community. Through this program we have the opportu- nity to expose local high school students to diverse, living -wage careers in city government, and to develop a pipeline of diverse, local candidates for City jobs. The demand was extraordinary; we fielded over 80 applications for seven intern positions in six departments. Department of Community Development - Mohamed Mohamud (Foster High School senior) worked with our transportation team to promote bicycle riding and other alternative forms of commuting. He also organized a community bike ride along the Green River that included partnering with LimeBike, Seattle's new bike share program. Fire Marshal's Office - Kyla Marks (Raisbeck Aviation High School senior) helped the Fire Marshal's office digitize and archive their hard copy files, as well as spend- ing a little time working with the public. Mayor's Office -Ibrahim Omar (Foster High School sophomore) created several promotional videos for the Community Services and Engagement division this summer, including a video promoting the internship program. Public Works - Caroline Tran (Raisbeck Aviation High School junior) helped with mapping trip hazards on sidewalks, and street lights that need to be converted from high-pressure sodium lights to more cost-effective LED lights. Technology and Innovation Services -Abas Hersi (Foster High School sophomore) and Nawaal Shego (Highline High School senior) assisted TIS in deploying new laptops to several departments, helped employees set up recovery email ad- dresses, and supported the City's database administrator on a couple of projects. Police Department - Parker Sodon (Curtis High School senior) helped the Depart- ment digitize some of their paper records during his time with the City. Our goal is to have a very robust high school internship program available each summer to young people who live and/or attend school in Tukwila. We are evalu- ating and refining the processes of this new engagement before next summer, and are very much looking forward to working with 2018's selected students and increasing departmental participation. If you are interested in learning more about the high school internship program, contact Mia Navarro, Community Engagement Manager, at 206-454-7564, or Mia.Navarro@TukwilaWA.gov. ZiZe0 Allan Ekberg, Mayor Mohamed Mohamud Activities: bicycling, soccer, volunteering Kyla Marks Activities: STEAM camp counselor, Museum of Flight volunteer Ibrahim Omar Activities: track and field, photography, filmmaking Caroline Tran Activities: Musician, RAHS Satellite Mission Team, Cancer Center volunteer Abas Hersi Activities: technology, coding, engineering, robotics Nawaal Shego Interests: technology, government, coding, photography, volunteer 2 THE HAZELNUT A holiday giving program for local children in need SPIRIT aF� GIVING Can you help make a difference? Please contact Shannon.Fisher@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-768-2822 Helping Tukwila realize a green tomorrow In February 2017, the City ofTukwila joined the Green Cities Partnership, a regional collaboration of cities working to steward natural open spaces. Tukwila's program and initiative is called "Green Tukwila." Together with Forterra, EarthCorps, the Student Conservation Association, and the Tukwila community, Green Tukwila will care for the City's public parks and open spaces. Throughout the next 20 years we will work to restore and maintain 138 acres of Tuk- wila's urban forest. To do this, we need your help! Join your friends and neigh- bors and bring your families outside to learn about trees, shrubs, invasive plants and more. Work parties are being planned for community members to help care for precious urban forests and to ensure healthy, safe, and beautiful public spaces can be enjoyed into the future. To learn more about the Green Tukwila program, become a park steward, or to sign up for volunteer opportunities, con- tact Olena.Perry@TukwilaWA.gov or call 206-767-2315. New commercial landscape ordinance now in effect As autumn approaches, many commercial and industrial prop- erty owners and managers are preparing to spruce up land- scaping on their properties. Before deciding to remove a shrub, prune a tree or make other alterations, become familiar with Tukwila's new Landscape Code - Ordinance 2523 adopted March 6, 2017 - to avoid non -conforming landscaping.. Find it here: TukwilaWA.gov/LandscapeOrdinance New development of property in Tukwila includes required landscaping installation. All industrial, commercial, office and multi -family property owners and managers should be aware that City regulations require that the landscaping on their site be maintained in a healthy condition for the life of the project. You can always update or change an existing landscape, but you will likely need a permit to do so. To find out whether a permit is required, contact the Department of Community De- velopment at 206-431-3670 before starting work. As was the case in the past, top- ping of trees is prohibited and will be considered removal, re- sulting in required tree replace- ment and possible fines. Top- ping is the practice of severely and indiscriminately cutting back or removing branches in trees, often leaving stubs. Trees are often topped to reduce their height to increase views, allow more sun into an area, or make the trees "safe." There are alternatives to topping to achieve these ends, which a tree professional can recommend. Property owners or managers are responsible for hiring a repu- table tree care company with arborists on their staff certified by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). These profes- sionals have the experience and knowledge to prune and care for your plants correctly, leading to healthier, more attractive, longer -lived landscapes that ultimately save money. Make sure an ISA Certified Arborist is pruning your trees; ask for his or her ISA number if you aren't sure. Need help selecting a certified Arborist? Visit PNWISA.org and click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page to see listings of local certified arborists for your job. Healthy landscapes provide many benefits to both a single property and to the whole community. Trees and landscaping reduce stress, decrease storm - water runoff and pollution, pro- vide shade in sunny weather to cool buildings and parking areas, and add monetary value to the property. The City looks forward to working with prop- erty owners and tenants to pro- tect this important resource and keep Tukwila green. AUTUMN 2017 3 Promoting diversity in the construction trades On September 21,the City ofTukwila partnered with KingCoun- ty's Communities of Opportunity program, the Tukwila School District, Partner in Employment, WorkSource and Global to Lo- cal, hosting an event to help people get jobs in the construction industry. This event, held at Foster High School in Tukwila, was open to everyone and was intended to help bring diverse and under - served communities more access to job training and resources for good paying construction trades careers. Tukwila's Equity and Social Justice Commission, and Economic Development Department were proud to provide financial support to the event. Nearly one hundred attendees heard directly from and meet apprentices, journey workers, industry employers, priority hire diversity programs, and apprenticeship programs about excit- ing opportunities to enter local construction jobs through ap- prenticeship and training. Of the attendees, 64% were people of color, 27%were women, and 46% live in Rainier Valley, White Center, Tukwila, and SeaTac. The event included two panels. The first was a construction employer panel featuringthree employers, and the KingCounty Priority Hire Program. The second was a panel of apprentices and journey level workers from diverse backgrounds sharing their stories about their personal pathways to apprenticeship and working in the construction trades. Additionally, 14 pre - apprenticeship, apprenticeship, training, & resource providers staffed resource tables at the event to provide more info to at- tendees about their programs. Members of Tukwila Fire Department deployed to assist with recent disaster events Four members of the Tukwila Fire De- partment were deployed to Texas to help with rescue and recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Harvey. Captains Pat McCoy, Mark Morales and Andy Nevens, and Firefighter Pat O'Brien went on the initial deployment. All four of these men have served in other di- sasters around the country including Katrina, the Oso Mud Slide, and other hurricanes. Captain Morales, Firefighter O'Brien and Captain Nevens (pictured) were all assigned to a "Swift Water Team" that is assigned to be in the water, moving equipment, rescuing stranded residents and searching buildings that are dan- gerously flooded. All three have special- ized training for working in dangerous water conditions like this. Captain Pat McCoy was deployed on a different mission in Texas as part of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team. This specialized medical team is commonly assigned to the larger shelters, setting up a medical clinic to support medical needs of the victims there. On the way back to Tukwila from Texas, the team was called again and turned around in Richland, WA to head to Rob- ins Air Force Base in Georgia for staging to assist with rescue and recovery ef- forts in response to Hurricane Irma. In addition, Firefighters Merle Brooks and Aaron Johnson were also deployed to assist with swift water rescue in associa- tion with the Irma response. The City administration, Fire Depart- ment and the families of our respond- ers have shown their support for our members who are willing to go into dan- gerous conditions and serve others in need. Tukwila's costs are reimbursed by the federal government through FEMA. 4 THE HAZELNUT The duties of being a Councilmember - the reading, listening, talking, deciding and voting - stay pretty much the same from year to year. The issues we work on sure don't. We live in a rapidly changing world and our community is influenced by the goings-on in Seattle, King County, Washington State, and DC. When change starts getting out of hand, one of the best strategies is to decide what's important, what's the highest priority, or just plain what are you actually responsible for. At our January 2017 Council Retreat, we decided to focus on the issue of who's re- sponsible for what, i.e., the issue of 'Poli- cy' versus `Administration.' That seemed easy... at first. We researched the topic and found voluminous literature, at least three major schools of thought, a whole bunch of contexts and, of course, more State laws. Wonderful! A little research led to the discovery of some fairly solid advice from Municipal Research Servic- es Corporation (MRSC), who helped us identify some of the major differences: City Council ■ Enacts a city budget r Defines the powers, functions and duties of city officers and employees Fixes the compensation of officers and employees in 30000Changing World uncil President ■ Imposes taxes, if not prohibited (of course) by State law Mayor's Office ■ Is in charge of day-to-day operations, including supervision of all appointed officials and employees ■ Prepares a proposed budget ■ Reports to the Council on the financial and other needs of the city ■ Provides information on how the city is operating to the Council in a timely and useful fashion Identifying our role was helpful, but now what should the Council do with this un- derstanding? How should we deal with the City issues? We discussed the Council's role in major issues like the biennial City budget and employee salaries and, in particular, the Public Safety Plan (PSP) that our resi- dents approved last year. The PSP is a sizable project; assembling a project team and facility siting were going to be the big items in 2017. Construction deci- sions and costs would be 2018/2019 is- sues. We also decided to use a Project Management Quality Assurance consul- tant to advise the Council on schedule, quality and cost issues for the PSP. How to best serve our community In Tukwila's Strategic Plan adopted in 2012, one of the City's five strategic goals is "Providing a solid foundation for all residents." The provision of human services in Tukwila has been a key priority in the City for more than 20 years. To strengthen our capabilities in this area, the Mayor's Office functions of human services and communications have joined forces to become the Community Services and Engagement Division. This restructuring will enhance the collaborative efforts around the delivery of city services, informational outreach and community engagement. We also talked about big policy issues caused by changes around us. Hous- ing, because of the incredible economic growth in our region, had become a pol- icy priority. What could we, the City of Tukwila, do to help our residents in the affordable housing arena? We came up with five tasks fo 2017: ■ Investigating City options for legally improving existing housing conditions ■ Investigate budget and tax implications of affordable housing Review City role in addressing regional housing affordability and homelessness problem ■ Review and act on tenant's rights ■ Create a process for involving residential neighborhoods in their neighborhood density issues. The year 2017 isn't over so it's not yet time to report out how successful the Council has been in addressing the issues identi- fied last January. Thank goodness. But we've worked hard on our part of the Public Safety Plan and housing issues, plus the normal hard work of keeping the City running. Besides, everything keeps changing in this crazy world so staying totally focused isn't really totally possible. Is it? Finance cashiering hours at City Hall If you plan on coming to City Hall to make a payment in person, the Finance Depart- ment cash register operating hours are as follows: Monday 8:30AM-4:OOPM Tuesday 8:30AM-4:OOPM Wednesday 8:30AM-4:OOPM Thursday 10:30AM-4:OOPM Friday 8:30AM-4:OOPM Although in -person payments are not taken after 4:OOPM (to allow time for daily transaction balanc- ing/cashing out), the Department's front counter remains open until 5:OOPM for other assistance. Cus- tomers can still drop off payments in our City Hall drop boxes or pay on- line or via the new 24/7 automated phone payment system. For more information, call 206-433-1835. AUTUMN 2017 5 PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATES 2017 Overlay Ez Repair This year six road sections were chosen for overlay and repair work: • 42nd Avenue S • S 143rd Place • 45th Avenue S • S 130th Street • S 128th Street • Parts of Fort Dent Park parking lot Construction is scheduled for completion in October. 2018 overlay and repair proj- ect design is currently underway. South 144th Street, Phase 11 Ongoing since April 2017, this project extends from Tukwila International Boulevard to 42nd Avenue South, adjacent to Tukwila Vil- lage. Underground utilities, storm drainage and sidewalks have been installed. Median islands are underway and the improvements also include a new traffic signal at 42nd Av- enue South and a mid -block rapid flash bea- con for pedestrians. South 144th Street now has one westbound lane open, but will close again for five days when the final overlay is scheduled. The remaining construction is scheduled for completion by November 2017. 42nd Avenue South, Phase 111 (Southcenter Boulevard (South 154th Street) to South 160th Street) The $6,827,800 project is underway following award of the construction bid to Ac- tive Construction. The project slightly widens 42nd Avenue South, adds sidewalks and buffer zones, undergrounds all aerial utilities and improves sight distance at the intersections. Additionally, the Gilliam Creek culvert at the bottom of the hill will be replaced with a 16-footwide, fish -passable arch culvert. 42nd Avenue South is closed to traffic for this construction and is expected to be open the first quarter of 2018. The project will continue with final asphalt paving in late 2018. Tukwila Urban Center Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Under construction since Au- gust 2016, the main bridge span has been set and the contractor continues to paint the main steel bridge structure and install electri- cal conduits. Next up is installing the landings on each side of the pedestrian bridge. The asphalt trail is now open on the west side of Green River for public use. Re- maining construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017. Baker Boulevard Non -Motorized Improvements The improvements include bike lanes, sidewalk, storm drainage, illumination, landscaping, and a road diet on Baker Blvd from An- dover Park West to Christensen Rd. Reconstruction of sidewalk access ramps at intersections is part of the City's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program. This project also connects the trail with the new Tukwila Urban Center's Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and is funded with $1 million from the King County Department of Natural Resources. The contractor is currently installing storm drain- age modifications for the sidewalk widening and new ADA ramps. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2017. iit 2017 Annual Small Drainage Program Drain pipe and catch basins are being in- stalled on 48th Avenue South, 58th Avenue South and Strander Boulevard by McCann Construction. Concrete sidewalks and as- phalt paving will restore the locations at 58th Avenue South and Strander Boulevard. Estimated completion is November 2017. South 160th Street Speed Cushion Pilot Program Due to closing 42nd Avenue, six portable speed cushions were installed for this pro- gram on South 160th Street. The next step is to determine the impact to traffic and the current speeds. Council has requested speed cushion criteria, budget, and poten- tial future sites throughout the City. 6 THE HAZELNUT FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROJECTS, PLEASE CONTACT TUKWILA PUBLIC WORKS AT 206-433-0179, OR PUBLICWORKS@TUKWILAWA.GOV South 119th Street Pedestrian Bridge City staff is researching coating prod- ucts that will adhere to the wood struc- ture without peeling, while a consultant performs a brief study on the best type of paint system to apply to the bridge. Painting the bridge is anticipated in the summer of 2018. Cascade View Safe Routes to School, Phase 11 Construction continues with installation of concrete sidewalks and final paving. The project will provide a mini round- about at 33rd Ave. S./S 140th St., and sidewalks on the east side of 33rd Ave. S. between S 140th-144th Streets and the south side of South 140th Street between Military Road and 34th Avenue South. Stormwater quality treatment has also been included with this grant -funded residential street improvement project. Completion is scheduled by the end of October 2017. Major maintenance on three bridges The Grady Way South Bridge, the Beacon Avenue South Bridge, and the Frank Zepp Bridge (South 180th St.) are all currently under construction. Beacon Avenue South Bridge is closed to traf- fic as the bridge deck has been removed. Frank Zepp Bridge was closed for bridge deck re- pairs. Grady Way Bridge will only have temporary lane closures on Longacres Way. Staff anticipates that all the work will be complet- ed by the end of 2017. ►\\\111 \\\1 58th Avenue S/Macadam Road Water Main Replacement Scheduled to start in 2018, the old 6" cast iron water main on 58th Avenue South will be replaced between South 142nd and 144th Streets. The project will also include overlay of 58th Avenue South, installation of six ADA ramps, and limited sidewalk re- placement. On Macadam Road South, the water main will be replaced from South 144th Street to Southcenter Boulevard, and the road will then be overlaid. 53rd Avenue South The City of Tukwila is currently in the design phase for a residential street project that will reconstruct 53rd Avenue South from South 137th to South 144th Street. The project will construct improvements that include a new drainage system, sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, illumina- tion, utility upgrades, and undergrounding of overhead utilities. Right-of-way nego- tiations are ongoing and construction is ex- pected to be advertised in November 2017. Construction will be ongoing through 2018. gun uuWI11llfllli Boeing Access Road over BNRR Bridge Rehabilitation Boeing Access Road Bridge will be un- der construction through 2018. The contractor is currently obtaining all of the necessary railroad permits before construction actually begins. Watch for future updates on the project as it moves along. Strander Blvd. Extension, Phase 3 The City of Renton completed Phases 1 and 2 of this project from Oaksdale Avenue to the new Sounder Commut- er Rail Station parking lot. Headed up by the City of Tukwila, Phase 3 will connect Strander Boulevard under the railroad tracks from Renton to West Valley Highway. Tukwila has re- ceived over $5 million in federal grant funding for design and right-of-way for the final connection of this four - lane cross -valley corridor. The City recently hired BergerABAM to design the project for $4,147,328.00, with completion expected in 2019. AUTUMN 2017 7 CITY DIRECTORY TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Hours: Monday -Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM Telephone: 206-433-1800 Fax number: 206-433-1833 E-mail: Tukwila@TukwilaWA.gov Website: www.TukwilaWA.gov MAYOR Allan Ekberg 206-433-1850 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Dennis Robertson, President 206-242-6373 Joe Duffle 206-478-0089 Verna Seal 206-492-4819 Kathy Hougardy 206-571-0007 De'Sean Quinn 206-331-5939 Kate Kruller 206-678-7885 Thomas McLeod 206-492-4821 Laurel Humphrey, Analyst 206-433-8993 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:OOPM in Council Chambers Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays Work Meetings 2nd/4th Mondays CITY OFFICES Mayor's Office Administration Offices 206-433-1850 David Cline, City Administrator206-433-1851 City Clerk's Office 206-433-1800 Community Services/Engagement 206-454-7566 Economic Development 206-433-1832 Human Services 206-433-7180 Municipal Court 206-433-1840 Community Development Dept. Jack Pace, Director 206-431-3670 Code Enforcement 206-431-3682 Finance Department Peggy McCarthy, Director 206-433-1835 Fire Department, Emergency Management Jay Wittwer, Chief 206-575-4404 Human Resources Department Stephanie Brown, Director 206-433-1831 Personnel 206-433-1831 City Job Line 206-433-1828 Technology Services Department Joseph Todd, Director 206-454-7575 Parks/Recreation Department Rick Still, Director 206-767-2342 Police Department Bruce Linton, Chief 206-433-7175 Public Works Department 206-433-0179 Emergency Fire, Police 911 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 THE HAZELNUT Newsletter is published twice a year by the City of Tukwila, and written by City staff. Produced by the Community Services and Engagement Division. THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 206-454-7573. PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 Planning ahead? Some dates for your calendar... NOV 1 Halloween Bunco Seniors enjoy dice game and lunch at TCC NOV 5 Daylight Savings ends Change batteries in smoke/ carbon monoxide alarms! NOV 7 Election Day Don't forget to vote! NOV 12 SnackPack Concert Benefit providing meals for students in need NOV 11 Duwamish River it Work Party Volunteers helping nature SUN MON NOVEMBER WED THU SAT 1 2 3 4 'AMA= 7 8 9 10 1 ' 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1 22 23 24 25 28 27 28 29 30 NOV 21 Senior Thanksgiving Dinner All the trimmings at TCC DECEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 1 115 16 17 r 23 24 25 > 30 DEC 25 City Offices dosed In observance of Christmas holiday DEC 18-29 Winter Break Camp End -of -the -year fun for grades K-6 NOV 10,23,24 City Offices closed for Veteran's Day & Thanksgiving holidays DEC 9 Foster High Craft Fair Future Business Leaders of America Club DEC 14 Holiday Bunco Seniors enjoy dice game and lunch at TCC Learn more about these upcoming events by checking the "Upcoming Events" section of the City's website — TukwilaWA.gov — or in the Park & Recreation Department's Fall 2017 brochure, online at TukwilaWA.gov/ActivitiesGuide.