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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 4 No. 1N7tL(JT PUBLISHED QUARTERLY UfiheCiti of Tul)wita Volume 4, Number 1 FRANK TODD, Mayor JANUARY 1981 SISTER CITY NEWS November saw the second visit to our community trom our Sister City of Ikawa. Thirty-five citizens representing Mayor Akira Sogabe spent four days visiting the points of interest in the Puget Sound area as guests of members of our community. The visit was culminated by a ceremonial exchange of resolu- tions of friendship during a meeting of the Tukwila City Council. Fund raising efforts continue to make possible a reciprocal visit to Ikawa by Tukwila citizens in April 1981. Activities have in- cluded a car -wash, bazaar, raffle, solicitations from the business community, and a soon-to-be under way paper drive. Mr. Dick Goe, Fund Raising Coordinator, stresses the need for community support in this project. Any ideas or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Mr. Goe may be reached by message at the Tukwila City Hall, telephone 433-1800. TO THE CITIZENS OF TUKWILA: With the new year, we are somehow renewed. We look for- ward to the new year expecting that things will be better for us. We will be more successful, healthier, life will be easier, the world and its people will be at peace. The administration and the one -hundred employees of the city are looking to the New Year dedicating our energies to providing better service to the citizens of Tukwila. The policemen, firemen, men and women in public works, the parks and recreation people, the court, the finance depart- ment employees are all service-oriented people. We are here to serve you; we want to serve you. Call on us and may your year be rewarding. ' Frank Todd Mayor State Shared Revenue 2S -Service Charges 16 Fees, Permits 6 Nisi Taxes 5% SOURCES OF REVENUE 19,432,296 1981 BUDGET Gale Rea1nue 21 Federal Shared Revenue 16 EXPENDITURES 134 FUND 19,432,296 1 --Land Acquisiton 11 ter/Sewer Bonds 101 Mayor, Council, Boards 6 Commissions --City Clerk & Courts ----Finance --City Attorney CURRENT FUND EXPENDITURES 54,007,007 Recreation -Planning FOSTER GOLF COURSE BRIDGE PROBLEM On the day after Thanksgiving, golfers at the City -owned Foster Golf Course noticed the bridge that carries them to five holes on the other side of the river was tilted. It had tilted during the previous night and was unsafe to cross. City staff were im- mediately informed and the Tukwila Recreation Department and Police Department closed the bridge from public use. An investigation by the Public Works Department was con- ducted and it has been confirmed that one of the cables which supports the suspension bridge has slipped, allowing one side of the bridge to sag towards the Green River. The old cable was wrapped around cedar logs when it was built in 1927, and ap- parently the logs somehow gave in enough to allow the cable to slip. The City cannot dig the old logs up to investigate in fear that if this is done the cable may slip further, putting more strain on the other main support cable causing it to break, thus loos- ing the entire bridge into the river. Currently, City Staff are working on plans to resecure the "bad" side of the bridge so it will not slip further and perhaps reopen it to the golfers. If this can be done, use of the bridge would be limited to pedestrian traffic only. Electric golf carts would not be allowed to cross. In addition the Public Works Department is working on per- manent solutions for the bridge. It is hoped corrective action to the old bridge or a new bridge will be built as soon as possible. Mayor Frank Todd and the City Council must decide on what will be done and how to fund the repairs. Regardless of funding sources and the corrective action chosen, a permanent solu- tion will take at least until mid -summer to complete. WITH THE CITY FOR THIRTY YEARS Gene Elfstrom, Crew Chief, Parks Department of City of Tukwila, will have been working for the City for 30 years in the year of 1981. Gene moved to Tukwila in 1949 and joined the City staff as a part-time employee in 1951. At that time there was only one full-time Public Works employee, Byron Slade. Gene repaired water leaks, patched and sanded streets, mowed the City Park twice a year (whether it needed it or not). He worked part-time until 1962 at which time he began full-time work under Frank Zepp. Having lived here since he was young, Gene remembers Tukwila before it was the busy place it is today. He remembers good trout fishing in the creeks and wild deer roaming the area. There was one fawn who visited the City employees often and was bottle fed by early citizens. We thank Gene for his years of service. He is full of knowl- edge of our city's history so, if you ever get the chance to chat with him, do! 2 HONORED EMPLOYEE On December 4, 1980, Ralph Trepanier, Crew Chief, and eleven -year employee of the City of Tukwila, was honored with a certificate of merit. The certificate was awarded by the Washington State University, College of Engineering, Engineer- ing Extension Service. It was an expression of appreciation and esteem for meritorious effort and for diligent and competent service in his responsibilities of keeping roads and streets in the best useable condition. We are proud to have such competent employees working for the City of Tukwila and thank Ralph for his service. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Dan Saul, President 244-5408 L.C. "Bud" Bohrer 243-7679 Mable Harris 242-5359 George Hill 244-2785 Reid Johanson 243-1526 Doris Phelps 244-9761 Gary VanDusen 243-6743 Frank Todd, Mayor 243-1625 Anyone who has a question regarding matters before the council, or interpretations of existing city statutes are encour- aged to call City Hall at 433-1800, or the councilmembers at their homes. VALLEY COMM: WHEN YOU NEED HELP - NOW! by Robert Conner By dialing 852-2121 when you have a 'police,' 'aid' or 'fire' emergency, your call for assistance will be answered by the Valley Communications Center. Conveniently located near the Renton, Tukwila, Kent and Auburn communities of South King County, Valley Comm provides around-the-clock manning with 3 to 5 dispatchers at all times, which enables them to dispatch automatic response or mutual aid calls for police, paramedics or fire units with 2 or 3 departments simultaneously. When your call is received by Valley Comm, a number of things begin to happen the minute your call is answered. A card is immediately punched with the time of day — you are asked what kind of problem you have — your address and your phone number. At that point, you may be asked to 'hold' on the phone. By the time you have given your address and stated your problem, an operator is dispatching your call to the appropriate emergency units and/or equipment needed to help you. While you are on 'hold' someone is already responding to your prob- lem. The operator can then come back on the line to find out more details which may require dispatching additional services such as paramedics, fire or power companies or the operator may be able to assist you by telling you how to stop serious bleeding or administer CPR. Although much of the additional information requested may seem to be unnecessary to you, there are specific reasons why those questions are asked. In the case of a fire in your home, you may be asked if you have turned off the main circuit breaker — is the door to the room involved closed — is there anyone in the house? Take another case where you may be reporting a missing toddler. You may be asked the child's name, age, general description, dress — when and where la'St seen — previous history of 'explorations' — pertinent emergency medical infor- mation — possibility of custody contest. This information is then relayed to the responding police units so that the officers know just what they are facing when they arrive and have already planned their attack on the situation. So, when you make an emergency call for help and are asked to 'hold,' please stay on the line if at all possible. Help is already on the way and you may be able to speed things up for the police/firemen when they arrive by your information that has been radioed to them. To be assured that you will receive the assistance you need as soon as possible, be sure that you have your address cor- rectly written on the emergency telephone sticker on your phone. Emergency phone stickers are available at Tukwila City Hall. POLICE - AID - FIRE 852-2121 3 r WANTED: CALL FIRE FIGHTERS The Tukwila Fire Department is seeking qualified individuals to help in fire suppression and fire prevention activities. The city offers the following benefits: • $2.50 per hour wage • Pension • Medical coverage • Education • Opportunity to serve your community. All applicants will have to pass a physical examination, paid for by the department, and probationary training. Training hours are flexible to meet the requirements of interested parties working second and third shifts at their normal employment. Persons interested should contact the Tukwila Fire Department at 575-4404 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The stations are open 24 hours. Stop by for a visit and have your questions answered. DECRIMINALIZATION OF MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS J In Washington State, January 1st brought with it the end of the criminal stigma that has long been attached to the commis- sion of minor traffic offenses. This process is known as decriminalization of traffic laws or "decrim." For the average motorist the changes will be minimal. When traffic violations occur there will still be the heart -stopping flashing lights and siren. The police officer will approach your car, inform you of the violation he believes occurred and issue you a Notice of Infraction. One change will be in the form of the Notice of Infraction. The law enforcement officer will include the penalty for the specific traffic infraction when issuing the Notice of Infraction. Your notice will also include detailed in- structions informing you of your choices of action on the infrac- tion and the procedures for carrying out your choice. You will be given seven days to respond, in person or by mail. If, at the end of seven days, you have done nothing, you can be charged with a "criminal offense" and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest charging you with "failure to respond." When this happens, additional costs are added. The department of licens- ing is notified and withholds your right to renew your license until the original infraction and subsequent failure to respond charges have been cleared. You are also subject to arrest if pulled over by a law enforcement officer. As you can see, it is now even more important that you respond to the Notice of In- fraction in good time. There is a new Statewide Monetary Penalty Schedule for In- fractions which the Supreme Court has adopted. This standard- ized schedule will mean that the cost of the infraction will be the same whether you receive it in Seattle or Issaquah or Moses Lake. This legislative change has not been enacted to cause com- plete confusion for all involved, although this may be an initial effect. The change is designed to streamline the court process and make it easier and more practical for all involved. .r. N ! 1 N1 by,; the 6200 Tukwila, Written Edited by John Printed it It oU8i15ME0 City, Southcenter Washington by McFarland by 1 City Buzard LT QU of 1 AA TEf7LY employees + N Tuhwi(a Boulevard & Printing 98188 Jan BULK RATE U S. POSTAGE PAID TUK WILA, WA. PERMIT NO. 12698 Sproul WASHINGTON CRIME WATCH WASHINGTON CRIME WATCH by Robert Conner Burglary and theft are age-old problems which don't seem to be going away. Every one of us should make it a point to do all we can to prevent personal loss of valuables. Now is the time to take extra precautions. To aid you, Washington Crime Watch has listed a few basic crime prevention tips for you to observe year -around. WOOD BURNING DEVICES With the cooler weather we have had this winter and the high price of heating oil, the idea of installing a wood burning device in the home seems both inviting and practical. The fire depart- ment and building department are concerned for the safety of the various units and the method of installation. Some manufac- turers do not provide an adequate set of instructions for safe in- stallation and some of the companies installing the units are not as qualified as they might appear. Several tragedies have oc- curred involving loss of life and property because of improper installation and use. If you are thinking of adding to your home in this way, make sure it is a safe addition. If and when the building structure is altered or new chimneys are installed, a permit should be ob- tained. A permit application notifies the City of the installation and gives the homeowner an opportunity to seek advice on whether or not the proposed installation is safe. Free inspection and consultation service is provided to assist homeowners. If you would like to take advantage of this serv- ice, please contact either Al Pieper of the Building Department at 433-1853, or the Fire Department, before you buy or have someone install a wood burning device in your home. 4 HIGH RISE FIRE PROTECTION Fire Chief Hubert Crawley and Fire Marshal Jim Hoel have been requested to help draw up revisions to the Uniform Building and Fire Codes, regarding high rise fire protection. The revisions are to be recommended to the Legislature for state- wide adoption. Almost every recommendation coming out of the committee studying the MGM fire and working towards statewide adoption, has already been adopted by the City of Tukwila at the recommendation of the Fire Department several years before the November 22 fire that took 83 lives. The committee hopes to finish their recommendations and have them filed for action by this .session of the Legislature. Other members of the committee are the Seattle Fire Depart- ment, the King County Fire Marshals Office, the Washington State Fire Marshals Office. DON'T FREEZE YOUR PIPES The Tukwila Fire Department wants to remind all business establishments that when the temperature falls below freezing, do not let the temperature inside their buildings drop below freezing. We shouldn't forget that just two short years ago during the short freezing weather we had that 56 sprinkler systems within the City of Tukwila suffered damage from freezing. So, to prevent damage from water and loss of stock, please, keep the temperature of your buildings above freezing. ATTENTION ALL RENTERS! If you rent a place to maintain a residence in, and you or your family sleep on the premises, you are entitled to a smoke detec- tor. An ordinance passed by the City of Tukwila two years ago mandated that all rental properties have smoke detectors in- stalled within 18 months. That time has passed and you should have a smoke detector installed by now. If not, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 575-4407 for assistance in getting com- pliance with the ordinance.