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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 27 No. 1} iN 19 Q9101.1/4 THE HAZELNUT A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business communities VOLUME 27, NUMBER 1 FEBRUARY 2006 Winter time doesn't mean a shortage of activities at Tukwila's Senior Programs! Tukwila Trailers Hiking Program Every Monday — Rain or Shine — at 8:45AM Happy hikers in the snow — Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier — September 2005 Sweetheart Dance Friday, February 10 This is the night to grab your dancing shoes and sport your finest red attire. Join your friends at Tukwila Senior Adult Programs for an eve- ning of dancing, food and fun. The Joani Noel Duo will provide entertain- ment. The cost for the event is $10 per person. You may reserve a com- plete table with 6-10 paid reservations. To register, please call 206-768-2822. The key word for this program? SHINE! For 30 years the Tukwila Trailers hiking program has ap- parently walked with a bubble around them, protecting them from the rain 95% of the time. The Tukwila Trailers is a group made up of women of all ages. The majority of these women range from 55 to 90+ years of age. Every Monday the group hikes all over the area— Mt. Rain- ier, Skagit Valley, Snoqualmie, Olympic Peninsula, and many more scenic locations. For more information on this program, please call Sheri Mc- Connaughey at 206-768-2822. Senior Information Fair Saturday, February 11 10:30AM to 1:30PM — Tukwila Community Center This FREE event, sponsored by the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department Senior Adult Program, will provide senior adults and their children with information on various topics pertaining to senior needs. Examples of informational booths include assisted living, Elderhealth, memory wellness, Medicare prescription drug benefits, Meals on Wheels, transportation, reverse mortgages, Micro Alert Systems, recreation, and much more. For more information, please call 206-767-2323. Tukwila City Council Actions: November/December 2005 NOVEMBER • Approved resolution opposing na- tional telecommunications legisla- tion that would remove Tukwila's ability to manage its rights-of-way for the protection, safety, and ben- efit of all the public. 2 Approved resolution supporting for- mation of Valley Cities Association. Approved resolution thanking citi- zens for their successful efforts in preventing relocation of commercial flights from SeaTac to Boeing Field. Approved reappointment of Munici- pal Court Judge Kimberly Walden. Appointed Rev. Gary VanderHoff to Human Services Advisory Board. Held public hearing on proposed 2006 Budget and Financial Plan- ning Model. Approved resolution adopting new sewer rates and surface water fees. Approved amendment to Water Re- sources Inventory Area (WRIA 9) Interlocal Agreement for develop- ment of detailed funding plan. • Approved amendment to contract with Commercial Development Solutions, for professional services related to Tukwila Valley South an- nexation, extending term through April 2006. • Approved resolution ratifying WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan "Making our Watershed Fit for a King" developed as a guide for habitat restoration. • Approved Interlocal Agreement for tourism promotion services with City of Des Moines. • Approved ordinances setting prop- erty tax rate at $3.03, and authoriz- ing 1% increase in total property tax collections. • Held public hearing on and ap- proved ordinance extending for six months a moratorium on certain land divisions and development ac- tivities near the Longacres Station. • Approved lease for Neighborhood Resource Center with Timothy O * Brien. • Approved employment contract with City Administrator Rhonda Berry. For up-to-date information about Council meetings/agendas/activities, visit our website: http://www.cL tukwila. wa. us Sister City Spaghetti Dinner It's Spaghetti Time Again! The Sister Cities Committee will host its annual spaghetti dinner and auction on Friday, March 3, 2006 from 5:00-7:OOPM at the Tukwila Community Center. Tickets will be available at the door, at City Hall, or from various Committee members around the com- munity. This fund-raising dinner will include fabu- lous spaghetti, fun, raffles and an auction. Proceeds will be used to help host visitors and to help send stu- dents to our sister city. Join us on March 3! For tickets, call Lucy at 206-433-1834. DECEMBER • Appointed Craig O'Neil to Lodging Tax Advisory Board. • Reappointed Anna Bernhard to the Civil Service Commission; and Mac McDonald, Sue King and Steve Sch- neider to Library Advisory Board. • Held public hearing on and adopted ordinance amending the Transpor- tation Element of Tukwila's Com- prehensive Plan. • Approved ordinance adopting City's 2006 Budget. • Approved resolution adopting 2006- 2011 Financial Planning Model and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). • Approved lease allowing nonprofit Way Back Inn to manage Foster House as transitional housing for pre-screened, qualifying homeless families • Adopted ordinance establishing con- currency management system to en- sure roads and utilities are adequate to service new development. • Approved ordinance adopting new process for determining Impact Fees, and establishing fee schedule. • Approved ordinance amending 2005 Budget, to account for unan- ticipated revenue transfers and ex- penditures. • Approved acceptance of land dona- tion from the Cascade Land Con- servancy. The property, east of I-5 along Macadam Road, will be kept as a greenbelt. • Approved resolution authorizing Mayor to sign development agree- ment for expansion and renovation of Westfield Mall at Southcenter. • Approved resolution thanking Dave Fenton for eight years of service as a Tukwila City Councilmember. THE HAZELNUT Tukwila International Farmers' Market The City of Tukwila is pleased to announce the return of the Tukwila International Farmers' Market for a second year. Slated to begin in mid-May, the Market provides a unique opportunity to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and handcrafts. It will be open every Wednesday through September, from 3:00-7:OOPM, and is located on the corner of S 144th Street and Tukwila International Boulevard. Continuing the City's push for economic revitalization, the Market was started as a six-week pilot project last summer. It was so successful that it was extended an additional four weeks. "The City of Tukwila is proud to bring fresh produce in a festive atmosphere to our citizens," said Mayor Steve Mullet. "It's a fun way to attract customers to the neighborhood and build community pride." Visitors will find produce and flowers fresh from Washington State farms, freshly prepared foods, and local arts and crafts. Beautiful flower bouquets sell for just $5. Some talented Tukwila residents have stepped forward to display their wares at the Market, too. Kathy Stetson creates beautiful jewelry. Signa Anderson paints on pottery and stepping stones. Paul and Betty Gully harvest their own honey. Ray Ellison makes an assortment of woodcrafts. This year, "Music in the Park" becomes "Music at the Market," with free per- formances by local entertainers. Find more information at http://www.ci.tukwila. wa.us/FM/farmersmarket.htm. 2- I - I comes to King County After more than five years of planning, Crisis Clinic will make the dialing code "2- 1-1" available as a way for people to directly connect to the Community Informa- tion Line. The public launch of 2-1-1 is scheduled for February 22 at an evening celebration. Since the early 1970s, Crisis Clinic's Community Information Line has been pro- viding King County residents with information on a wide range of community services, most notably basic needs and financial assistance. The Information and Referral Specialists of the Crisis Clinic are experts in helping people navigate the complex world of human services. Thanks to the generosity of United Way of King County, the City of Seattle and King County, Crisis Clinic's 2-1-1 service will be available seven days a week from 8:OOAJvl to 8:OOPM, within the first quarter of 2006. Hopefully, funding from the State of Washington will enable Crisis Clinic to offer service 24 hours a day later in 2006. Eventually, Community Resources Online will also become easier to use (www. crisisclinic.org). New software will enable you to search for services by zip code or city as well as searching an easier list of topics. Over the next year, each of the other 2-1-1 centers will be adding their service information, so the database covers the entire state of Washington. With 2-1-1, more than 139 million Americans have access to a simple easy -to -re- member number to "get help" or "give help". In King County, not only will you be able to find help, but the Crisis Clinic will be able to direct you to those agen- cies that connect people to volunteer opportunities, most notably United Way of King County, or to agencies that accept donated goods. Printed with permission from writer Kathleen Southwick, Executive Director of the Crisis Clinic, from their Resource Talk newsletter Rental property managers invited to attend workshop On February 14 and 16, the Tukwila Police Department is offering a 12 -hour workshop for rental property own- ers and managers. This Crime -Free Multi -Housing training is designed to help keep crime out of rental proper- ties. Attendees will learn about the importance of a solid rental agreement, the eviction process, and Washington State Landlord/Tenant laws. The im- portance of background screening ap- plicants is discussed, and attendees will learn how to recognize when drug or other illegal activities are occurring on their property. Tukwila Police, Code Enforcement and Tukwila Fire repre- sentatives will be available to answer questions about problem tenants or City ordinances. Fair Housing issues will be addressed, and a King County Section 8 representative will discuss their program. Tukwila Human Ser- vices will provide a list of resources for you and your tenants. You will also learn about the "3 L's" of rental prop- erty: lights, locks and landscaping. The Crime Free Multi -Housing Pro- gram helps you attract and maintain good tenants! The 12 -hour training is FREE! Class- es will be held on Tuesday, February 14 and Thursday, February 16 at the Tukwila Community Center, from 9:OOAM to 3:OOPM. Attendance on both days is required. Free lunch will be provided each day. Registration is required because seating is limited. For more information or to register for the workshop, please call Robbie Burns at the Tukwila Police De- partment at 206-431-2197, or e-mail her at rburnsci.tukwila.wa us. FEBRUARY 2006 3 PREPARING FOR • Washington State has the third highest threat of earthquake activity in the U.S. • The Puget Sound area has nearly 1,000 minor earthquakes each year. • In the last 40 years, King County has had 20 presidentially -declared disasters. "Disaster Preparedness" is not just about earthquakes. Severe weather, hazardous material spills, volcanic eruptions, terrorist attacks, and multiple cases of sudden ill- ness are some examples of disasters that could occur here. Disasters are not predict- able, but their impact on your family, home and community are, and can be alleviated with planning. A series of articles on emer- gency preparedness will appear in the Ha- zelnut this year. Questions? Contact Sally Blake in the Fire Department at sblake@ci. tukwila.wa.us or at 206-575-4404. Emergency Supply Kits You can store emergency supplies in a wa- terproof container such as a large rolling trashcan with a tight fitting lid or in several small coolers and plastic boxes. Store these containers in a convenient place known to all family members. Think about what you can reasonably carry and store in your car if necessary and how many people will be available to help you move and trans- port your supplies. Within this kit, keep an evacuation pack (items that you would most likely need during a hasty departure) in something easy to carry, such as a duffel bag or large backpack. The lists can be overwhelming but remem- ber these are suggestions. Each individual family needs to think about their own spe- cific needs. Re-evaluate your family's needs every year when replacing water, food, and batteries in your kits. WATER A DISASTER FIRST AID A fishing tackle box works well as a first aid kit. • Latex gloves • Thermometer • Cold & hot packs • Rubbing alcohol • Sunscreen • Oral glucose • Saline eye drops • Laxative • Scissors • Tweezers • Moistened towlelettes • Needles and thread • Butterfly bandages • Cotton swabs • Triangular bandages • Cleansing soaps & antiseptics • Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever • Anti -diarrhea medication • Antacid (for stomach upset) • Syrup of Ipecac (if advised by poison control) • Activated charcoal (if advised by poison control) • 1 roll hyper -allergenic adhesive tape • Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes • 2" sterile roller bandages • 3" sterile roller bandages • 2" sterile gauze pads • 4" sterile gauze pads • Candles • Cash • Shovel • Tube tent • Pliers • Axe • Compass • Map • Flares • Whistle TOOLS AND SUPPLIES • Plastic sheeting • Aluminum foil • Duct tape • Toilet paper • Sanitation supplies • Soap, liquid detergent • Feminine supplies • Personal hygiene items • Utility knife • Dust masks ADULT ITEMS • Medications • Prescription drugs (ask pharmacist about storing prescription meds) • Denture needs • Contact lenses & supplies • Extra eyeglasses • Deck of cards, books, games • Copies of important family documents Store one gallon of water per person per day in plastic contain- ers such as soft drink bottles. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for other uses). Intense physical activity, children, nursing mothers, and ill people will require more water. Change your stored water supply every six months. PET ITEMS • Food • Water • Leashes/carriers • Medications • Shot records • Identification tags SPECIAL ITEMS Items for family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons • Baby Items • Formula • Diapers • Bottles • Baby Items • Formula • Powdered milk • Medications • Household chlorine bleach • Plastic bucket with plastic lid • Emergency Preparedness Manual • Battery operated radio and extra batteries • Shut-off wrench for household gas & water • Paper cups, plates & plastic utensils • Camp stove and fuel (never use indoors) • Matches in a waterproof container • Flashlight & extra batteries • Cell phone (may not work) FOOD Replace your stored food • Ready -to -eat canned meats, every six months. Store at least a three-day supply vegetables (don't forget a of non-perishable food. can opener) Select foods that are light- • High-energy foods & bars weight and compact and • Food for infants require no refrigeration, • Comfort & stress foods preparation, cooking, • Canned juices and little or no water. • Vitamins canned fruits, and canned • Rain gear • Hat & gloves • Sunglasses CLOTHING & BEDDING • Thermal underwear • Sturdy shoes or work boots • Blankets or sleeping bags • At least one complete change of clothing & footwear per person THE HAZELNUT Volunteers bring a splash of spring color to TIB Special thanks to the Highway 99 Action Committee for planting over 200 daffodils in the medians dividing Tukwila International Boulevard on Saturday, January 7. The flowers were donated by Mayor Mullet. With over twelve volunteers from the Committee participating, including residents and employees of Southtowne Auto Rebuild and Sabey Corporation, the bulb planting went quick- ly. Be sure to look for the debut of these daffodils this spring! If you would like to join the Highway 99 Action Committee, con- tact Police Chief Dave Haynes at 206-433-1812. Council Corner I plan to write a series of articles about expectations and responsibilities in Tukwila for the Ha- zelnut this year. This first article concerns what should be a citizen's reasonable "expectations" and "responsibilities" if they call for police help. The next article will deal with what should be reasonable "expectations" of elected officials. I hope you find the articles interesting and helpful. What should you expect if you have to call our Police? What are your responsibilities? The call First, make sure you are in a safe place to make the 9-1-1 call. After 911 answers, you should let them ask the questions. Help will come sooner if you do. 911 operators use certain questions to quickly determine the nature and extent of an emergency. If it is not an emergency, different questions will be asked. Please be patient with the operators and let them get the necessary information from you. Stay on the line as long as it is safe to do so and answer the questions clearly. While the call operator is asking you questions, she/he is also typing the information to the dispatcher who is relaying the information to our police. The response Okay, the call is in and the big question is "how fast will they get here?" And the answer is, "It depends" on the urgency of your call. If the call is about a serious injury accident or a crime against a person — especially one involving weapons — you should expect your response to get the highest possible priority. Tukwila normally has six officers and a sergeant on patrol. Unfortu- nately they are often busy, so if your call is one that can wait, they'll finish what they're doing before they respond. The officer may even call to set up a time to meet with you, or possibly even take a report by phone, if the call isn't urgent. However, if someone is in danger, you should expect to have an officer there in a matter of minutes. The officer is here; now what? If it is a violent incident with weapons involved, a lot of officers will arrive. Their first responsibility is personal safety — yours and theirs. Next, they try to calm things down. When the "moment of danger" is passed, you should expect our Police to professionally gather information. However, it isn't reasonable to expect a CSI team to show up in a new Hummer; that's television, not reality. Our officers will be thorough and they should leave you a business card with the case number written on it so you can call with additional information or questions. Dennis Robertson, Council President Your responsibility is to be the best witness possible. That means facts and data and, if you have a suspect's description, it should include the obvious plus clothing, scars, tattoos and jewelry. Any information that might help identify a suspect is important. If a car is involved, it would be helpful if you knew the license plate number, color and — if possible — the direction of travel. Afterwards If you remember additional information after the officer leaves, call the Police Station (206-433-1808, open 24 hours a day) and leave a message for the officer that took your report. If it's information that needs to be reported immediately, call 911 for another officer to come out. If something was stolen, when should you expect the case to be solved and your property returned? Well, that's another "it depends" answer, based on how much suspect information is known and whether the case meets the filing guidelines for the King County Prosecutor's Office. All follow-up work for felonies (serious crimes) is done by detectives, and their cases are prioritized by the importance and likelihood of arrest because of their high caseload. You have a right to call the detective and ask for the status of your report. If you do call, use the phone number and the case number from the business card the officer gave you. Detectives should be able to discuss the case with you after they look it up, and they should be able to tell you how likely it is to be solved. If the detective's answers aren't satisfactory, it is reasonable to call the on -duty supervisor, but be courteous and patient. There is a State law limiting private information that can be given out. If someone is arrested, that name is public information. But the police can't give you much more unless you were the unfortunate victim. If the case has been turned over to the prosecutor, you may have to call that office for information. Finally, if you had something stolen, it usually takes a long time to get your property back, if it was recovered. Evidence must be held at the police station until the case is completely cleared by the Court; that often takes many months. It is difficult for the Police to return recovered stolen property without identifying information (for example, driver's license number) etched onto the property. So inscribe your valuable possessions, to increase the chance of having them returned to you! FEBRUARY 2006 5 Parks 6 Recreation Dept. Enjoy a winter swim at Tukwila City Pool Keep your resolution this year... stay active! Swimming is a great way to exercise and is easy on the joints. What bet- ter way to stay fit during the winter months? The Tukwila Pool is an indoor facility with more than 40 hours of lap swim time available every week for you to come in and work out. LAP SWIM Monday thru Friday: 5:45AM-1:OOPM 6:30-7:30PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:30AM-1:OOPM Have fun spending time with the kids! Why wait for summer? We're an in- door pool, so it is always sunny and 80° here! With two water slides, a diving board, floating mats and a basketball hoop, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Water is fun for swimmers of all ages, so get out your swimsuits and come join us for open swim! PUBLIC SWIM Monday thru Friday: 7:30-8:30PM Saturday and Sunday: 1:00-2:OOPM Try something different... Water Exercise! Whether you need rehabilitation from an injury or just want to be physically fit, water exercise is your answer. A choreographed routine to upbeat music makes this a fun way to stay active! WATER EXERCISE Mon/Wed/Fri: 9:00-10:OOAM Tuesday and Thursday: 6:00-7:OOPM 6 Local citizens & businesses make holiday miracles Each year the Tukwila Community Center coordinates a Holiday Giving Program in which local children and families are "adopted" for the holi- days. These families receive holiday gifts, meals, and lots of love and hope through this program. The outpouring of generosity this 2005 holiday year was overwhelming! We would like to recognize the follow- ing businesses and organizations that helped make it all possible through the spirit of giving. Advent Print Resources British Airways City of Tukwila Department of Community Development City of Tukwila Public Works Dept. Claim Jumpers Restaurant Embassy Suites Foster High School Grainger Industrial Supply Pacific Metal Company Insurance Professionals of South King County Sound Community Bank Theatek Therapeutic Associates Tukwila Fire Department Tukwila Parks and Recreation Dept. Tukwila Rotary Zee Medical Service In addition to these businesses and or- ganizations, several local community members also made generous contri- butions that helped our local families Thanks to each of you, over 30 families were helped through this program! Library assistance wanted Friends of the Tukwila Libraries is look- ing for volunteers to assist in coordinat- ing events that promote activities and programs at the libraries, as well as raise money to buy new books and provide educational programs. Please consider volunteering as an active member of the Friends of Tukwila Libraries orga- nization. The Friends group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:OOPM at Foster Library. The City of Tukwila is host to three King County Library System libraries: historical Tukwila Library, Foster Library and the Library Connection @ Southcenter. Please call Tukwila Parks and Recreation Adminis- tration at 206-767-2342 to volunteer. Library Storytimes Free and Fun! Storytimes at the Foster Library Mondays at 6:45PM Ages 2-6 and their families Feb. 13 • Feb. 27 • March 27 'April 3 Join us for stories, rhymes, finger plays and flannel board fun! Storytimes at the Tukwila Library Wednesdays at 10:30AM Ages 2-6 and their families Feb. 15 • March 1 • March 29 • April 5 Join us for stories, rhymes, finger plays and flannel board fun! No -School Day Camps No school? No problem! Join us for an exciting day jam-packed with fun activities, includ- ing great games, awesome arts & crafts, and much, much more! Children need to bring a sack lunch and a smile. We'll take care of everything else, including breakfast (served from 7:30-7:45AM) and a light snack (served at 3:OOPM). Don't miss the fun... sign up now! For ages 5-12 Location: TCC Youth Room Friday, Tuesday, Friday, February 17 February 21 March 24 Time: 6:30Am-6:OOPM Fee: Resident, $18; non-resident, $20 ASAP/Early Birds participants: $15 THE HAZELNUT Public Works Dept. - Working for You Cascade View Drainage Improvement Project The project is currently observing a winter shutdown. Construction activity is limited to minor cleanup and maintenance of erosion and sediment control fea- tures and traffic control warning signs. Full-time construction activities are not expected to resume prior to the first week in March, however this schedule is weather dependent and may shift several weeks in either direction. Water District 125, under a separate contract, is performing water system up- grades along South 136th and 137th between 34th and 32nd. This work should help our project since some of the existing waterlines are in conflict with proposed drainage structures. For questions, contact Russ Austin, Water District 125 Engi- neering Manager, at 206-242-9547. The major focus after winter will be active construction of the Phase 3 area, con- sisting of 34th Ave S between 140th and 135th, 136th Street between 34th Ave and 32nd Ave, and 137th Street between 34th Ave and 32nd Ave. The work entails installation of an entirely new storm drain collection system and mak- ing roadway improvements, including regrading the roadway and installing new curb, gutter and sidewalks with planter strips. Roof drain collection points will be provided for the property owners to route their drainage toward. These improve- ments will be similar to the features recently completed in Phase 1 and 2 in the Cascade View neighborhood. While Phase 3 is underway, we will also be completing property restoration and reestablishing fences throughout Phase 1 & 2, along with other work not yet com- pleted. The Cascade View community's continued patience is deeply appreciated as we work toward a successful and worthwhile conclusion of this challenging project. If you have any questions regarding this project, please call Mike Ronda, Tukwila Project Manager, at 206-433-7194. Interurban Avenue (S 143rd St to Fort Dent Way) Design is progressing toward a 30% plan submittal stage, which will include a preliminary align- ment and identification of most project components. A drain- age report is being prepared to identify environmental and water quality concerns. No construction funds have been acquired or budgeted for this project yet; design is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2006, and construction will be dependent upon avail- able funding. FEBRUARY 2006 Tukwila Transit Center The Public Works Department, in conjunc- tion with Community Development and King County -Metro, has selected a consultant to begin design of a new on -street Transit Cen- ter on Andover Park E near Southcenter Mall. The design is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2006, with construction targeted for 2008 if grant funds are made available. Tukwila Intl Blvd Phases 2 & 3 (S 116th to S 138th Streets) Design is progressing and approaching the 90% completion stage. Coordina- tion of roadway components with utili- ties is currently the main focus. De- sign of Seattle City Light underground power facilities is making good progress and is also the most complicated. The current schedule anticipates advertise- ment for construction bids in late spring or summer. Final design of retaining walls is on hold until utility locations are finalized. Commitment of the State nickel gas tax funds to finalize the con- struction budget should be passed by the legislature this spring. Urban Center Signal Interconnect The Signal Interconnect project, con- necting all of the signals in the South - center area into a single master con- troller, is nearing design completion. Construction will be later in the year and expected to be complete by De- cember 2006. Future phases of the In- terconnect program will include most of the signals throughout Tukwila. Klickitat Drive/Southcenter Pkwy Access Improvement Project This project is making great strides! This month the 30% design will be fi- nalized and the development of final design documents is expected to start in February. The project is on target to be constructed next year and open to traffic by November 1, 2007. To keep the public up-to-date on the project's progress, a website (www.southcenterac- cess.com) has been created to provide project background, schedule and important updates on construction. Also, in early 2006 you will see ban- ners mounted on Strander Blvd and Southcenter Parkway, to advertise the upcoming roadway improvements and direct the public to the project website for project information and updates. 7 Municipal Court hosts Foster High School mock trial In November, the Tukwila Municipal Court staff proudly hosted Mrs. Jenni- fer Simpson's Foster High School Busi- ness Law class for a mock trial. Using the courtroom facilities to realistically litigate a fictional case involving a con- venience store robbery, the students were assigned to play the roles of all the necessary participants of a real criminal jury trial. Not only did students act as members of the jury and court staff, but they also played the roles of the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, witnesses, defendant, and the judge. Prior to the mock trial court date, Tukwila Municipal Court Judge Kim- berly Walden at- tended one session of Mrs. Simpson's class to present in- struction on court- room basics such as key participant roles, trial strategy, and presentation tips. Then, the students rigorously prepared and re- hearsed, as evidenced by their stellar performances. During their trial, the students were expected to conduct themselves from start to finish without any help, in- struction or intermission. Much to the delight of all present, they did so with- out a hitch. From the initial "all rise" as the student judge entered the court- room to the final closing argument, the class properly followed through with the case as though it were a real crimi- nal trial. Each student was given the opportunity to sharpen public speaking skills as an active participant or as a member of the jury providing valuable feedback. While the idea of having an audience added to their anxiety, un- doubtedly the students were pleased with the fact that proud family members, friends, faculty, and court staff were present to ob- serve their performances. In the end, the feedback was very positive. The student judge and bailiff kept the case flowing, "witnesses" and the "defendant" convincingly act- ed out their roles, and all the student lawyers were sharp in their presenta- tions. Judge Walden commented that the student attorneys were on par with Student `Judge"Justin Smitherman reads instructions to jurors during recent mock trial. Foster High School mock trial participants Michelle Nam, Philip Atkinson, Ben Lealofi, Isiah Cervantes, Ian McKinley, Ashleigh Futrell, Milos Berovic, and Daniela Ricaud. 8 many of the young real attorneys who appear in her court. The student's display of confidence, professionalism and commitment to making the event a memorable learning experience was impressive. They were able to learn a great deal about court processes and the criminal justice system. Addition- ally, they saw the value in careful and thoughtful preparation. With their first courtroom experience under their belts and greater confi- dence in tow, Mrs. Simpson's class will return to court in early 2006 for an- other mock trial. Student "Prosecutor" Philip Atkinson makes his case to jurors. THE HAZELNUT Tukwila Municipal Court 2005 Annual Report Prepared by Judge Kimberly A. Walden I am pleased to provide, for the first time via the Hazelnut, the annual State of the Court Report. The Tukwila Mu- nicipal Court, the Judicial Branch of our local government, manages cases involving traffic violations and misde- meanor offenses occurring within the City's limits. The maximum penalty for criminal cases heard in our court is one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The court is comprised of one judge, a court administrator, a probation officer, a lead clerk, a bailiff, security officer, and five court support personnel. We hope this information will provide a ba- sic understanding of what we do and how we serve this community. NEW AND EXCITING IN 2005 We hired a new Court Administra- tor, LaTricia Kinlow, whose primary duties include supervising court per- sonnel, daily operations, and managing fiscal responsibilities. Her 15 years of work for the City of Kirkland and their court has provided her with outstand- ing court management, team building and leadership skills. • To ensure the safety of all who ap- pear in our court, we added a court security officer and metal detector arch at the court entrance. Everyone wish- ing to enter the court area must walk through the detector and is subject to search (this includes all personal be- longings). We appreciate the patience and understanding of those waiting to enter... your safety is our priority. As a reminder, it is a crime to bring a fire- arm into the court area. Please call or inform the security officer if you need to secure your firearm. • We hosted several elementary school classes and a Foster High School busi- ness law class in court for law and trial advocacy classes. The high school stu- dents also put on a mock trial - show- ing off their acting and trial skills! • The Council Chambers/courtroom remodel is underway! The long-await- ed carpet, paint, and furniture replace- ment is on-going. The remodel should be completed by the end of February. The audio/video, juror and attorney accommodations, and aesthetic up- grades will create a space the entire community can be very proud of. 2005 STATISTICS Cases Filed: Criminal Traffic 158 DUI 53 Criminal Non -traffic 1,007 Total Criminal Cases 1,218 Traffic Infractions 1,527 Non -traffic Infractions 23 Parking Infractions 433 Total Non -criminal Cases 1,983 Court Hearings Scheduled 9,785 Jury Trials Scheduled 287 Defendants Placed on Probation in 2005 154 Total Number of Defendants Supervised by Probation 322 WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2006 • With our enhanced security mea- sures in place, we plan to hear peti- tions for Domestic Violence Protection Orders. These orders are civil in na- ture — in other words, they do not nec- essarily arise out of a criminal charge. A person established as a victim of family/domestic violence may obtain an order providing protection from the perpetrator. A violation of the order's terms may result in a criminal charge. The court is committed to providing this service to the local community. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions whatsoever. (Please call 206- 433-1872 if you need to speak to the Domestic Violence Victim Advocate.) • Having statutory authority, we also intend to hear petitions for Anti -harass- ment Orders. These orders are to help prevent future harassment from non- domestic relationships, such disputes between neighbors. Please contact the court for further information. • We have implemented a more thor- ough public defender screening proce- dure to ensure those assigned an attor- ney are financially qualified. JURY DUTY The right to a trial by jury — guaran- teed by the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions — is a cornerstone of our democracy. We appreciate the dedi- cation of those summoned as jurors to our system of criminal justice, and understand the sacrifice you make to meet this very important obligation. City Hall opens at 8:30AM, at which time our security officer is in place and ready for your arrival; please be aware that we cannot allow anyone in the building before that time. We are com- mitted to ensuring your comfort, the expeditious processing of the cases, and just making sure your service is worthwhile and memorable. For more information, please call our juror hot line at 206-433-7188, or find it online at www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/mayor/courtjury. Please remove hats, silence cell phones and pagers, and bring no weapons or food/drink into the courtroom. (And please respect our investment by keep- ing your feet off the new furniture.) Thank you to our City Council mem- bers, Mayor Mullet and his staff, and the court professionals dedicated to ensuring Tukwila's court is a source of pride. Also, a special heartfelt thanks goes to all the community members who served as jurors this past year. We look forward to more success in 2006, and encourage you to pay us a visit to experience our contribution to the City's "excellence in action". Tukwila Municipal Court: 206-433-1840 Online: www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/mayor/court FEBRUARY 2006 9 lanamt cLUhat's JeLAN aCuun014 ettaCeS Investigate these dental options Are you low income? Without dental insurance? Don't qualify for medical coupons? Between the ages of 18 and 55 years old? The Northwest Medical Team Mobile Dental Care Unit may be the answer. The mobile dental unit comes to Renton once a month to serve South King County. The dental unit provides teeth cleaning, fillings, and extractions. Major dental work is referred out. For more information or the next available appointment with the dental van, call Therese at 425-226-1027. Tax Refund Anticipation Loans risks, costs Many of the "Fast Cash Refunds", "Express Money" or "In- stant Refunds" stores that pop up this time of year are really offering a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). When you get a RAL, you're borrowing against your own tax refund money. RAL's are extremely expensive. Loan fees (yes, these are loans on your own money!) typically range from $30 to $90, which may not seem like much, but that translates into 60% to over 700%! Add onto that an electronic filing fee and the tax preparer fee, and you can be paying 10% of your return! RAL's can also be risky. Since it is a loan from a bank in part- nership with a tax preparer, it MUST be repaid even if the IRS denies or delays your refund, or your refund is smaller than expected. When you are applying for a RAL, you are giving the lender the right to grab your tax refund to pay for old tax loan debts that the lender claims you owe. Instead of getting a RAL, consider visiting a Volunteer In- come Tax Assistance (VITA) site. VITA sites provide free tax preparation to low- and moderate -income taxpayers. VITA sites are sponsored by the IRS and can be found in librar- ies, community centers, and other locations during tax time. For the VITA site nearest you, call the IRS general help line at 1 -800 -TAX -1040, or go to the www.tax-coalition.org. (Excerpts from the National Consumer Law Center brochure) Human Services Office Evie — 206-433-7180 Stacy — 206-433-7181 Crisis Clinic (24-hour line) 206-461-3222 Conserve Energy - Save Money Many residents may be experiencing sticker shock with their util- ity bills this winter. Here are some reminders of how to minimize costs on your utility bill. Try to keep your thermostat at steady numbers during the day and night. Constantly moving your thermostat uses more energy because your heater works harder. An automatic thermostat can control the heat use for you. In setting the temperature for use when you are at home, consider that you can save up to 3% on heating costs for every degree your thermostat is lowered. Consider setting the thermostat to 65-68 degrees in the winter when you are at home. Do remember that small children and older people have a more difficult time maintaining body heat. If you wear warm clothes, you may be able to set the thermostat lower. Keep furnace filters clean and change them according to the type of furnace you have. Make sure your fireplace damper is closed when not in use. A fireplace screen, metal sheeting or other inflammable material can help keep in heat as well. Close drapes at night and on cold cloudy days. Make sure to open these coverings on warmer, sunny days. If you have a ceiling fan that has a reverse motion, you can use it to push the warm air down from the ceiling. Fix your leaky faucets. One drop of hot water per second can waste 2,300 gallons of water per year and the energy to heat it. Install energy saving faucet aerators on your showers and sinks. This can reduce water flow by about 50% and save hot water. Install weather-stripping around doorjambs and windows to seal cracks. Caulk around windows and doorframes. Install storm windows inside and outside of single -pane win- dows. Use cold water to operate the waste disposal, and rinse dishes in cold water before using the dishwasher. Run your washer, dryer and dishwasher only with full loads. Don't heat rooms that are not in use. Close them off from the living areas where you spend most of your time and heat only those areas. More help with tax preparation available Now thru April 15, free tax preparation is available from trained multilingual volunteers at community tax prepara- tion sites. Returns are filed electronically for faster refunds. Working families and individuals can receive larger refunds with the Earned Income Tax credit (EITC). Avoid paying high and unnecessary fees for taking "rapid refund loans" from commercial preparers. 10 Multi -Service Center —1200 South 336th, Federal Way Alliance Center — 515 West Harrison, Kent Salvation Army Food Bank — 206 South Tobin St., Renton Sea -Tac Airport — Jobs Office, SeaTac Please call 206-315-8722 for more information (days, times, languages served). THE HAZELNUT TU KWI LA 'ESOURCE 401111110 Stash It, Don't Trash It: Arts and Crafts Edition Should you recycle or reuse? Here are a few "crafty" ideas for reusing items. Check thrift stores and garage sales for linens and sheets; cut or tear into 1/2" inch strips and knit/crochet with them. Unravel sweaters and reuse the fibers. Look for old books, magazines, calendars, board games and costume jewelry — all are great additions to your art supplies. Recycle unique tins from gum and mints into securely -lidded storage con- tainers for jewelry or art supplies. Use the cardboard in cereal boxes or manila folders to make patterns. Yogurt and butter containers are great for storing custom mixes of paint to use again. They can also be used as water containers for rinsing paint brushes. Save outdated phone books and cata- logs to use as table protectors when gluing; tear off the top page when it becomes dirty. These also work great for protecting your work surface when blade cutting or drilling holes in proj- ects. Make unique wind chimes from old silverware. Tennis ball cans make great storage containers for paint brushes, pencils or markers. Want more information about recycling or composting in Tukwila? Contact Recycling Coordinator Rebecca Fox at 206-431-3683, or email to rfox@ci. tukwila. wa. us FEBRUARY2006 Think globally. Save locally. Discounted, environmentally -friendly products are showcased to the public at www.EcoDeals.org, a new King County Solid Waste Division website designed to make environmentally responsible shopping convenient, fun and easy for county residents. EcoDeals.org will showcase products that contain recycled or reused content, are less hazardous to the environment, conserve water or are energy efficient, with an emphasis on those that are lo- cally made. And each product featured will provide real savings to consumers. Discounts will be available only to King County residents, and many will be found only at the EcoDeals.org site. Shoppers will even be able to down- load money -saving coupons to redeem at participating retailers. EcoDeals.org will also be an excellent resource for extensive information on product per- formance and resource conservation benefits. A goal in this pilot program is to change the behavior of residents, to achieve the long-range objective of "zero waste of resources." In launching EcoDeals.org, the County strives to raise awareness of the availability of environmentally preferable products, induce residents to buy these products and, through their use, conserve resources and pro- mote the manufacturers and retailers that make and sell these environmen- tally sound products. For more information about the King County EcoDeals.org program, please call Patti Southard at 206-296-8480, or visit the website EcoDeals.org. Inquiring recyclers want to know... Q: Why can't I recycle aluminum foil and trays? A: During the recycling process, alu- minum foil and trays combust and burn at a different temperatures. So, put cans in the recycling bin and put foil and trays in the garbage. Did you know? Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your televi- sion for three hours! Q: Do I have to remove the plastic spout on a juice carton before recy- cling it? A: Waxed paper cartons that contain juice or milk are recyclable. You do not have to remove the spout since the recycling process removes them. Future File 2006 Springtime: May 20: July 28-30: Rain barrel sales to Tukwila residents. Watch for details! Residential Special Recycling Event at Foster High School King County Household Hazardous Wastemobile visits Tukwila 1 1 Got any great ideas for saving energy? 1 Send in your suggestions for conservation at home, at work or in the car, and we'll print them in the Resource Reporter! 11 CITY DIRECTORY TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Hours: Monday—Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM Telephone: 206-433-1800 Fax number: 206-433-1833 TTY number: 206-248-2933 Website: http://www.citukwila.wa.us E-mail: tukwila@citukwila.wa.us TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Joe H. Duffle (beeper #J 206-994-7229 Joan Hernandez 206-248-0260 Pam Carter 206-244-0558 Jim Haggerton 206-244-7846 Pamela Linder 206-439-2473 Dennis Robertson, Pres 206-242-6373 Verna Gruen 206-901-9251 Lucy Lauterbach, Analyst 206-433-1834 Council Message Line 206-431-3652 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:OOPM in Council Chambers Regular Meetings 1st/3rd Mondays Work Meetings 2nd/4th Mondays Agenda Info Line 206-431-3656 CITY OFFICES Mayor Steve Mullet 206-433-1805 Rhonda Berry, City Admin 206-433-1851 Municipal Court 206-433-1840 Human Services 206-433-7180 Economic Development 206-433-1832 Tourism/Marketing 206-575-2489 Finance Department Kevin Fuhrer, Director 206-433-1838 Fire Department Nick Olivas, Chief 206-575-4404 Dept. of Community Development Steven Lancaster, Director206-431-3670 Code Enforcement 206-431-3682 Parks/Recreation Department Bruce Fletcher, Director 206-767-2342 Police Department David Haynes, Chief 206-433-1808 Public Works Department Jim Morrow, Director 206-433-0179 Dept. of Administrative Services VkiJessop, Director 206-433-1831 City Clerk's Office Personnel City Job Line Emergency Fire, Police 911 TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER 12424 - 42nd Avenue South Recreation Division 206-768-2822 Senior Center/Services 206-767-2323 TUKWILA CITY POOL 4414 S. 144th Street 206-267-2350 Foster Golf Links 13500 Interurban Avenue South Pro Shop 206-242-4221 Restaurant 206-241-5784 206-433-1800 206-433-1831 206-433-1828 THE HAZELNUT newsletter is published five times a year by the City of Tukwila, and written by City staff Editing/production: Stacia Norris Little by little, things continue to get better We made it through another year, and an interesting one at that. Although the weather has wreaked havoc on much of the country, Tukwila was spared any major weather-related problems. Potential damage that might have been caused by the constant rains of the past few months has been mitigated by dedicated City employees who came out at all times of the day and night to check the status of the river and the hillsides, and to ensure that our storm drains worked properly. As goes the rest of the region, traffic in Tukwila is becoming more of a problem. The Tukwila Police Department is using a variety of methods and emphases to minimize speeding throughout the City. At the same time, the Public Works Department's attention is focused on road projects which not only improve our streets but also help slow down traffic in our neighborhoods. In 2005, more than 40 new homes were built in Tukwila, and home prices here now average over $226,000 -- a figure that continues to amaze me, as I can clearly remember when the average price was under $15,000 (a mere 40 years ago). The river is doing fine and, for those who are interested, our section of Duwamish known as the "Salt Wedge" (where the fresh and salt water mix) has been identi- fied as a site of major focus in the battle to bring King Salmon back into the water- shed. Consequently, you will see some efforts in those areas to repair and improve the banks and the estuary areas over the next ten years. Park development will begin at a newly -acquired park property along the Duwamish at 116th and Riverbend, as soon as Sound Transit concludes renting a portion of the property for use as a staging yard. Thanks to all of the citizens and the grassroots efforts that made that purchase a reality! Our Parks and Recreation Department is already exploring options for developing the park in a historically sensitive and appropriate manner. Speaking of Sound Transit, they are currently projecting completion of Phase I -- from downtown Seattle to South 154th -- in 2009. Completion of the final leg to SeaTac Airport is slated for 2010. Employment is up and crime is down. All in all, not a bad year. Now, if we could just do something about the weather... VSSak Steve Mullet, Mayor THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 206-433-1800.