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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-09 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 2 No. 4FIcJ7LS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY (JT v the City, of Tulwila Volume 2, Number 4 Edgar D. Bauch, Mayor SEPTEMBER 1978 A NEW CITY HALL - FROM A HOPE TO A REALITY Groundbreaking ceremony September 1, 1977 Construction Site September 1977 On a sunny afternoon in September of 1977, Mayor Edgar D. Bauch, assisted by City Officials and dignitaries, engaged in the symbolic ceremony of ground -breaking for the new City Hall. A year has passed, and the completing of the long awaited project is a reality. In reflection of some of the milestones in the creation of a new municipal facility for Tukwila, several significant dates are notable: October1976: Chief architect Thomas Emrich of the Mithun Associates presented the conceptual design of the proposed building to the City Council for their review. It was a radical departure from the traditional approach to municipal buildings. With its clear story features and open office concept, the building is designed to compliment the close working relationships between the various city departments, as well as provide easy access by the public. The generous use of glass and cedar in the building provides an aestheti- cally pleasing atmosphere to this functional design. January 3, 1977: The City Council voted unanimously to acceptthe building site at 6200 Southcenter Blvd., and to fund the project through limited obligation bonding. The advan- tages of the selected building site are many, with the location striking a balance between the residential and commercial regions of the City. Its visibility and proximity to both elements Cornerstone Ceremony, Mayor Edgar Bauch; April 15, 1978 (lower left) Nearing Completion June 1978 (lower right) Completing build- ing for the opening Ceremony September 1978 Foundations completed November 1977 Council Chambers & Court Room April 1978 will facilitate acess by both the residential and corporate citizens of Tukwila. August 8,1977: The prime contractor, Roxbury Construction Company of Seattle was selected through competitive bidding. The cost of the building was $1,440,000 with an additional $100,000 designated for landscaping. The contrac- tor began site excavation in early September with the ceremonial tasks of groundbreaking completed. Since that time, we have all anxiously monitored their progress. In the winter of this year as the building began to take shape with its sharp angular lines, it was evident that the long awaited facility was to become a reality. April 15,1978: The cornerstone was placed in the entry plaza of the building along with a time capsule containing several documents of historical importance. The ceremony rep- resented the first opportunity since the groundbreaking for the residents of Tukwila to visit their new City Hall. With the exterior work largely completed, many of those present remarked on the beautiful design and craftsmanship. On September 18, 1978, City employees, after months of anticipation, will close the doors of the old municipal facilities and move to their new quarters. The logistics of coordinating the relocation while maintaining services to the community have kept the staff at a demanding pace. The combined efforts of many people will culminate on September 29th, when Mayor Bauch and the staff of the City of Tukwila will host an open house at the new facility for the Tukwila community, both residential and corporate. Itis hoped that you can attend to view first-hand the building for which we have all waited so long and to meet the people that have chosen a career of serving you. You are cordially invited to the grand opening of our new Tukwila City Hall. 6200 Southcenter Boulevard / Tukwila, WA September 29, 1978 Open house from 3:00 to 7:00 in the evening. Dedication ceremony at 4:30 HOST: Mayor Edgar D. Bauch and the employees of the City of Tukwila. Gary VanDusen . 243-6743 L.C. "Bud" Bohrer 243-7679 Mabel Harris . . 242-5359 George Hill . . 244-2785 City Council Meetings Reid Johanson . . . 243-1526 Dan Saul244-5408 Dwayne "Skip" Traynor 243-2883 Edgar Bauch, Mayor . 243-0774 Committee of the Whole . 1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 p.m. . 2nd & 4th Mondays 7:00 p.m. —Gary Van Dusen Council President— Many objectives of the City Council, set over the last several years are now about to be ac- complished. The City Council is very excited about the completion of the long-awaited goals for the City and citizens of Tukwila. The move to City Hall is being anxiously awaited by all who have had a part in getting it built. The City was incorporated in 1908 and has never had a City Hall built for it's own needs and design. The past City Halls have served the Citizens well, but size and fragmentation of services in the last decade have dictated a larger more efficient City Hall. That new building located on Southcenter Blvd. above the City Hall annex is not a con- dominium, but is new City Hall. The design, work- manship and relative low cost is remarkable for a building of its size and purpose. One of the past objectives of the Council, after the City Hall was completed, was to build a community center. Itdidn'twork outthatway, due to circumstances we obtained "Southgate" before City Hall. Southgate, a former elementary school, will provide citizens of the area with one of the largest, if not the finest, community centers in the area. The building will have a wide range of uses, from formal classes to senior citizen programs. Many other goals and objectives of the Council are seeing fruition. The McMiken Park has been purchased and soon plans to develop it will be implemented. The undergrounding of utilities and street improvement programs are still in progress. The Council is studying the possibilities of upgrad- ing Interurban Ave., with traffic lights, underground- ing, sidewalks, etc. The recreational improvements with upgrading of street right of ways for walking trails — the purchase of the golf course that will keep a beautiful area of the City in"open space" and a place for a very popular game. BUDGET HEARINGS The 1979 budget hearings have been scheduled to begin on December 4, 1978 and continue through December 6th. All concerned and in- terested citizens who would like their views to be heard are urged to attend the meetings. Prelimi- nary budgets will be available to the public on November 17, 1978 at City Hall. 2 NOISE ORDINANCE TO BE HEARD —L.C. Bohrer— A public hearing on a proposed Tukwila noise ordinance will be held September 18,1978, 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at the City Hall. The noise ordinance is the result of a Tukwila noise investigation which began in 1977. The noise ordinance governsl) noise that can be transmitted between residential, commercial and industrial land uses, 2) sound levels from cars, trucks and motorcycles, 3) public nuisance noises and 4) establishes noise insulation standards for multiple family residences. In the spring of 1977, a noise survey of the City of Tukwila was conducted by Professor Peter Breysee of the University of Washington and his students. The survey showed excessive noise levels in much of the City. Professor Breysee stated at the conclusion of the study that "Tukwila is one of the noisiest Cities in the area". In the summer of 1977 Tukwila residents re- sponded to a noise questionaire prepared by the Public Safety and Health Committee of the Tukwila City Council. The residents identified motorcycles, large aircraft, automobiles, trucks and music programs among sources of noise that affect them. This ordinance addresses these noise sources and others except large aircraft noise which is control- led by the Federal Aviation Agency and the aircraft proprietors. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The editors of the Hazelnut welcome comments from readers, both on the newspaper and on views or questions about our City government. All letters will be answered, and if space permits, be pub- lished in the Hazelnut. FALL MALL BALL The Southcenter Rotary Club is sponsoring the Southcenter Mall Fall Ball on Saturday, October 7. Max Pillar and his 13 -piece orchestra will provide music for dancing from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Tickets are $5.00 per person with any net pro- ceeds going to the Southcenter Rotary Club Charitable Fund. They may be obtained from any Southcenter Rotarian prior to the dance, or at the main south entrance to the mall on the evening of the ball. Complimentary snacks will be served and as there will be bar service, no minors will be permit- ted. The Southcenter Rotary Club committee mem- bers for this affair include Frank Agostino, Gene Bendotti, Steve Welsh, Iry Iverson, Bud Dennison, Al Pearl, Joe Preston, Dick Del Missier, Lindsay Johnstone and Curly Colburn. CRIME WATCH —Steve Robinson— With obinson— With school right around the corner, it's a good time to refresh your memory on one of the City's programs called Concerned Neighbors. This program was initiated last year in all four elementary schools under the direction of volun- teer, Nancy Moore. The program was designed to provide a place where children going to or returning from school could turn to in case of any type of emergency. The "safe" homes have been selected on the basis of location and have been screened by the school and the police depart- ment. These homes have been designated as "Concerned Neighbors" by a sign that is promi- nently displayed in a window or door visible from the front of the house. The signs are bright red and green with the City seal in the center. Each classroom was visited last year and the program was explained by a Police Officer. Questions were answered and the signs were shown to the children. This program has been extended to include the entire Southcentral School District. Any persons interested should contact the school in which their child attends or call Nancy Moore at 242-5982. SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES On June19,1978 an ordinance was passed by the City Council requiring the installation of smoke detectors in new and existing buildings. This ordinance provides that all hotels, motels, apart- ments, condominiums, duplexes and single family residences that are rented, leased, sold or let to a person are to be equipped with smoke detectors. It is the responsibility of the building owner or his agent to install and properly maintain the smoke detector. All smoke detectors required by this ordinance shall be installed and operational in all effected buildings by not later than January of 1980. If you have any questions please call the Fire Department at 575-4404. 3 POLICE AND SPORTS For the past two decades the words "Youth" and "Police" when used in the same article have been synonymous with conflict. Many programs have been designed to change this image. One such program, which has already proven very success- ful locally, is the sponsorship of sports teams by the Tukwila Police Officers Association and the coach- ing of these teams by members of the department. This season, in addition to the Little League Team which has been sponsored and coached for the last five years, the Police are coaching two soccer teams. Chief John Sheets and Tom Kilburg are coaching an under 9 boys soccer team for the second year, and Dave Gidlof and Steve Robinson are coaching an under 9 girls team in the Tukwila - 406 Soccer Club. Over 300 children and young adults are involved in the Tukwila -406 Soccer Club. The contacts made through the season by the coaches and other members of the department are remembered by the children long after the season has ended. There is still a need for more sponsors and/or coaches and assistants. If your business or employees group would like to GET INVOLVED, please contact Nancy Moore at 242-5982. FIRE CHIEF HONORED Hubert H. Crawley, Fire Chief for the City of Tukwila, has been named as one of the 'Outstand- ing Young Men of America" for 1978. The Outstand- ing Young Men Association is a nationwide prog- ram sponsored by the American Jaycees. It is a forty year old tradition to select and judge men from around the United States on the basis o1 1) sPrviceto others 2) professional excellence 3) civic and professional recognition, and 4) community activity. The award "highlights the achievements of thousands of young men, who by contributing to their community and profession, are shaping the future of our nation". HIDDEN HYDRANTS Can we find your Fire Hydrant? Each year the members of the Tukwila Fire Department go around the City cutting undergrowth from around fire hydrants. Due to extremely warm weather and increased demand on the time of the department, we have not been able to clear all the hydrants in the City. Please take a few minutes this evening just after dark and look for the hydrant that takes care of your house. If you can't see it, please help yourself, your neighbor and the Fire Department in cutting the growth from around it. If you have trouble in clearing the growth for any rason, please call the fire station at 575-4404 and tell the location to the secretary. CITY OF TUKWILA CLERKS OFFICE Intently checking with the Tukwila Municipal Code, the administrative "bible" for employees who work for the City of Tukwila is the City Clerks Office staff. From left to right they are, Melanie Baumgart, Secretary; Maxine Anderson, City Clerk; Norma Booher, Council Secretary; Kathi Johnston, Court Administrator; Penny Wittman, Court Clerk; and Deanna Illman, Secretary. Maxine Anderson, City Clerk, heads the City Clerks Office and is in charge of the many and varied tasks performed by the two divisions within her department, the Municipal Court and The Clerks Office. The Tukwila Municipal Court is responsible for filing and processing all misdemeanor citations issued by the Tukwila Police Department. For every citation several clerical functions are performed from logging in the original citation to preparing matters for court. In 1977, 3,725 violations were filed with approximately one-third of these appearing in Court. Court is held on Tuesday evenings and Fridays during the day. The clerks are also respon- sible for collecting all fines and forfeitures which amounted to over $100,000 last year. The City Clerk's Office also performs a wide variety of functions for the City Council and the Mayor. The City Clerk is responsible for the mainte- nance of all the official city records and docu- ments and their filing in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington and the Archives Office in Olympia. The office has on file all 1071 ordinances and 641 resolutions passed by City Councils over the last 70 years. The City is fortunate to have on file all of the official minutes since the first meeting of the City Council held on June 29,1908. Another major duty of the Clerks Office is to process and issue all business licenses. Every business in the City of Tukwila is required to have a license. To date, 846 licenses have been issued and the number increases daily with the con- tinued development of the Industrial/Commercial areas in the City. This office also handles typing and publishing the agenda for every council meeting; recording, typing and publishing the minutes of all council meetings; publishing the yearly budget; and assisting in voter registration. 4 AT LAST TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER —Don Williams— Through the last 41/2 years the Tukwila Recrea- tion Division has been in search of a facility suitable to meet the recreational and social needs of an active community. Ever since Tukwila be- came a city in 1908 the desire for such a multi -use facility has existed. Various buildings have helped to meet some of the needs, but not until July did such a building become available. On July 13th Tukwila's Mayor Bauch and the City Council met with the South Central School Board and Superintendent Dr. John Fatheringham to discuss the possible purchase of the Southgate Elementary School. The School District last January decided to close the school because of rising costs of operation and a decline in enrollment, thus making the facility available for community use. The School Board promised the Southgate com- munity the facility would not be sold for possible industrial development, but would offer it to Tukwila for community use. Last December Tukwila decided not to develop the old Thorndyke School building because King County, which was providing Tukwila a $60,000 Block Grant, required a 15 year commitment. The City felt this requirement may present a problem so another approach was developed. Knowing Southgate could possibly be available to the City, Mayor Bauch discussed with King County the possible use of the $60,000 Block Grant to remodel and purchase equipment for South- gate. The County agreed to this after several months making the funds available sometime in August. In the meantime, the School District offered the elementary school building to the City for $85,000. That amount would l pay off outstanding bonds for Southgate. The City agreed to the purchase price which includes a clause that if the City discon- tinues to use the facility as a community center the ownership of the building will revert back to the School District. Also, the land on which the building sits will be leased on a yearly contract to the City for $1.00 per year. Because such a sale by one government body to another has to be reviewed and approved by a Superior Court Judge it may be several weeks before a sales contract can be legally signed. In the interim, Tukwila has leased the facility and is moving in, slowly but surely. The Recreation Staff moved into the building on Augustl6th and will be busy preparing the facility for use. Fall class activity will begin in the facility the week of September 25th with registration begin- ning the 11th. The Recreation Office will be in the facility and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00. The Senior Citizen program will move into the center as soon as equipment is purchased and delivered. All programs will continue in their normal manner, even during the change of loca- tion. Cont. on page 5 Remodeling of entrances and restroom areas will allow all citizens, including the handicapped, access to the facility. Minor parking and certain playground improvements will also add to the safety and accessibility to the center. The Recreation Staff will establish a regular schedule when the facility will be open to the public. This schedule will be printed in the Fa11,1978 Recreation Brochure which will be available September 5th. It should be stressed that the center will be available to the community for group activity in addition to the regular class and drop-in activities. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to use the building for a wide range of activities. The Recreation Staff, plus two helpers, busily moving into Southgate To answer any questions please contact Lynn Devoir or any of the reacreation staff at the center at 4101 South 131st or call 243-5198. Lynn is planning an open house in late September. If you are not able to attend this activity please stop by anytime to see what is planned and what is available to you. TUKWILA "OPEN" TOURNAMENT —Don Williams— In the June 1978 "Hazelnut" it was reported that the City of Tukwila purchased Foster Golf Links. With such close contact with the facility, Councilmen Bud Bohrer and Dan Saul said the City should have a golf tournament for elected officials and city employees. It was decided later to open the tournament to all community people. Don Williams, Recreation Supervisor, volunteered to help direct the tournament and make arrange- ments. An article was published in the Record Chronicle, but it was too late for the Summer Recreation Brochure and June "Hazelnut". 45 people entered, but only 36 actually were able to stroke and hack their way around for 18 holes. For those who did make it around, there was a participation prize as well as prizes for several categories. Most golfers did receive a "Tukwila Open — 1978" T-shirt and a congratulations for making it around 18 holes on a very warm day. There were several special winners, including: Best Dressed — Jim Hoel Longest Drive — Pat Lowery Highest Score — Shirley Kristofferson Low Gross — Dave Gidlof Cont. at top of column All golf scores were passed through the Calla- way Handicapping System (which really helped most golfers). Taking first place in the women's division was Maxine Anderson. Three shots behind was Lynn Devoir who also had the lady's lowest gross score. The men's division had a tie with Lew Trudeau and Bob McDonald knotted at 72. Both had 89 for low gross scores so a puffing tie breaker was used. Trudeau won the shoot -off and collected the first prize trophy. Many said they enjoyed the activity and said they'd like to have the tournament again next year. The Recreation staff plan to make it just that, the "Tukwila Open — 1979". RECREATION DEPARTMENT SUMMER '78 —Lynn Devoir— The Tukwila Recreation Department Staff would like to thank all of you for making Summer '78 a successful program. We have attempted to com- pile information on each activity to give an overall picture of our program. Day Camp, directed by Mark Cooper and assisted by Laurie Kriedler, was held at Tukwila City park. The "camps" included a two-week session for kindergarten through third grade, and two-week sessions for a fourth -through -sixth grade group and an "open" camp for first -through -sixth grade. In addition were two pre-school camps, one for two days and the second running for a week. The camps ran Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. where the "campers" were involved in such areas as arts and crafts, dramatics, music, camp skills, active and passive game and activities, nature study and science. Pre-school Day Camp — Mark Cooper, Laurie Kriedler & Steve Lang The emphasis was on the environment and the development of an appreciation and respect for it as each day centered around a different nature theme. The program ran smoothly and successfully as was shown by the enthusiastic attendance figures. The program was enjoyed by all, including the staff who positively agree that it was not just the campers who learned a thing or two about life this summer. Continuted on page 6 THE, IlR7,ELN_ uT PUBLISHED QUARTERLY bv, the City, or Tukwila 14475 - 59th Avenue South Tukwila, Washington 98067 Written by City employees Edited by John McFarland & Deanna Iliman Printed by ' $' Printing Control Services, Inc. \\ \\ \\ \ \\\\V` \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\r\\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \%\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\\\ \\ \.%%%%%\ %" % Cathy Parker, Rec Leader & friends An all family picnic held on Friday, August 18 brought our "Summer Encounters of all Times" to a close. Under the supervision of Cathy Parker and Dave Robbins, children grades K through 6 en- joyed a summer of games, crafts, and on Fridays were loaded into the Recreation vans headed for the Enumclaw Fair, Enchanted Village, Lake Wil- derness, Woodland Park Zoo and skating. Children also participated in a Dog and Pet Show, free swim parties, and trips to the ocean. Dave Robbins with art project at Saltwater State Park. Each week brought a special theme, with games and art projects combined to make an always changing summer. These themes included a Bedrock Week with the annual Flintstone rock ball game, Environmental Week with a trip to Dash Point State Park, a litter campaign and environmental films and a 1776 Week with candle -making and a 4th of July picnic in the park. a Over 500 children participated in the program and plans are already being made for new and better activities for next year. The Department was also involved in various youth athletic programs. Our summer Jr. Tennis League again this year was coached by Lincoln Miner. The league is comprised of teams from Angle Lake, Gregory Seahurst, Kent Parks and Recreation, Auburn Parks and Recreation and six other local tennis clubs. The Tukwila Girls team place 6th and the Boys placed 12th in the final standings. The Tukwila Classics, the girls' softball team from Foster High, won the South King County High School Softball Championship. The Classics, coached by Terry Straight finished the season with a 6-2 record. The team is sponsored by Tukwila City Officials. Members of the first place team are: Jamie Traynor, Julie, Kelly and Stephanie Straight, Ann Barston, Linda Scholes, Kelly Hoff, Donna Sifferman, Shelly Foley, Sheryl Zewe, Carol Larson, Lori Richards, Cathy Malone and Shelly Trudeau. Congratula- tions girls! Foster High's Summer Girls Basketball Team won first place in the championship game held Thurs- day, August 3 at Foster High. The League is spon- sored by the City of Tukwila Recreation Deparment and is headed up by Tim Parker. Teams included are Tyee, Highline, Evergreen, Glacier, Renton and of course Foster. Members receiving first place trophies were: Lynette Reiners, Janel I Savisky, Shelly Trudeau, Kelly and Stephanie Straight, Fugi Hobert, Lisa Peterson, Donny Adair, Rhonda and Robin Harris, Cathy Maline, and Melody Cromwell. The team was coached by Carrie Halverson. Ron Keeling directed a super Boys' Basketball Camp. Over 34 boys, grades 4-9 attended this two-week camp held at Showalter Junior High School. The Camp was highlighted by a final game on Thursday, Aug. 3. The entire recreation staff thoroughly enjoyed summer '78, and is already busy making plans for next summer's activities.