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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 6 No. 1Tyr', 1-11.7,ItLNUT PUBLISHED QUARTERLY v� the Cit of Tulwila VOLUME 6 NUMBER 1 GARY VAN DUSEN, Mayor MARCH 1983 MAYOR'S MESSAGE This year is the commemorative Diamond Jubilee Year, a year where many of us will reflect on the 75 year history of Tukwila. We have a unique City in history, population, topography, business, and future. This will be a year of celebration for all the citizens that work, live, and play in Tukwila. Reflection on the past should not make us lose sight of the future. This can also be a year of thoughtful goal setting and planning for the next 75 years. All indicators point to the realization that Tukwila will continue to grow and probably grow past the horizon we might visualize. Innovative and creative thinking is needed to keep that horizon a beautiful one. Your city government, both administratively and legislatively, is working towards a better future; but both creative, appropriate solutions can't come from a government isolated from its citizen's needs and desires. We need your input. Several items are now being form- ulated, studied or debated that will affect the future of all of us in this City. A proposal to change the form of government is now before the City Council. The change will affect how the Mayor's Office will operate in the future. Under con- sideration is the change to some type of City Manager form of government with the main City Administrator being a full time employee rather than an elected Mayor. You should make your views about this change known before or at the upcoming public hearing. Water and sewer services are a basic community re- quirement in a developing city. We are now becoming aware of how inadequate our water service is in some areas. As Mayor, I am attempting to develop short term solutions but only careful analysis of our Water and Sewer Comprehensive Plans and a commitment to a long range goal will solve our problems. Transportation patterns including movement in and out of the City, interconnecting streets and that all important street in front of your home need careful thought and planning. Input is essential from private and corporate citizens if we are to create a transporta- tion plan and its subsequent funding that allows grow- ing numbers to move safely, efficiently and effec- tively. The level of services provided by City personnel is always a problem, especially when specific services are suggested for reduction. A viable city will always have changing governmental services, but only you can let us know if the levels being provided meet the needs of the public. Each day, many items or problems pass through your city government that warrant imput by you, the citi- zens. Your inquiry for information or input on items or problems are always welcome at City Hall. Mayor Gary L. Van Dusen FORM OF GOVERNMENT CONSIDERATION The Tukwila City Council has decided to consider the potential benefits of a change in the form of City Government. The objective of this consideration is to choose the form of government, current or different, that best serves the residents and businesses of the City. Consideration involves a substantial process - data gathering, issue definition and public hearings and election (if required) and to communicate directly with your elected City officials. Four forms of government will be considered, including three variations of the Mayor/Council form and the Council/Manager (City Manager) form. The three Mayor/Council alternatives are (1) The "Part- time" Mayor with Administrative Assistant or Per- sonnel Manager (the form currently employed in Tukwila); (2) The "Part-Time"Mayor with a full time, professional City Administrator; and (3) the "Full - Time" Mayor. These three Mayor/Council alternatives differ largely in the salary paid to the Mayor (from $3,600 to $42,000 annually in comparison cities) and his adminstrative support staff ($20,. J to $50,00). Typical salaries for the Council/Manager form are $2,400 for the Mayor and $31,000 to $44,000 annually for the City Manager. In all the Mayor/Council alternatives, the Mayor is elected by a majority vote of the residents. He has the authority, within budgeted limits, to select and discharge the administrative staff of his choice. In the Council/Manager form the Mayor is selected by the City Council from the Council membership. The Council selects and discharges the City Manager. The selection from these alternatives involves two different processes. Since the three Mayor/Council alternatives differ largely in salary level and respon- sibility, the City Council can select the alternative via its control of the budget. A change to the Coun- cil/Manager form of government can only be accomplished by a vote of the residents. Should this al- ternative be chosen, then all seven Council positions must be refilled at an election immediately following the change. The process for consideration of the form of government has been defined to have minimum impact on City operation and the terms of elected officials. It will begin at special committee of the whole meetings at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chamber on February 9, 16, and 23. You are invited to attend these meetings. At these sessions, the Council will receive presentations from distinguished Mayors, Administra- tors and Managers representing these forms of government. The Council will then ask questions of these consultants and discuss the issues with them. The next major event will be a public hearing on this subject to be held March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tukwila Ele- mentary School, 5939 South 149th. These same distin- guished consultants will present very brief discussions on their respective governmental forms. Following these presentations, you, the residents, are invited to comment. We openly solicit your opinions and viewpoints. Following the public hearing, the Council will decide at regular Council Meetings in March whether to call for a special election to change to the Council/Manager form. If this election is called, it would occur tentatively on May 17. If the Council/Manager form is chosen,candidates for all seven Council seats would file for office in July, run in the September Primary Elections and the General Election in November. All current Council Members plus the Mayor would serve through the end of 1983. Should the Council decide not to call for the Special Election or should the Special Election results retain the Mayor/Council form of government, the City Council will then consider and select one of the three Mayor/Council alternatives. This selection would be made prior to the date of filing for the office of Mayor. The candidates and the residents would then know the expected salary and duties of the office of Mayor. This consideration of alternative forms of goverment is important one with far reaching consequences for Tukwila. We encourage you to become informed on the fact and issues, on the merits and disadvantages of these forms and to express your views in all the forums, as appropriate. Please join with us in our efforts to find a better way of governing our City. Tukwila City Council Mabel J. Harris, President ATTENTION BUSINESSES If you have not yet renewed your 1983 Business License, please submit your application form with the correct fee to the City Clerk's Office as soon as possible. A $10.00 penalty fee went into effect February 1st and there is an additional $5.00 penalty fee for each month thereafter. If you need an application form or have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 433-1800. DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA In reviewing the City of Tukwila history of devel- opment, it is obvious to even the casual observer that this is a history of transportation as well. Before there was a City of Tukwila, Indian and pioneer families alike used the Duwamish-Green River as the main thorough- fare to and from first Puget Sound and then Seattle. With the establishment in 1902 of the Interurban Rail- road (actually the Puget Sound Electric Railroad), the impetus for there being a City of Tukwila was also created. The river and railroad have now been replaced by freeways, but the flow of goods and services has more than kept pace. Development activity along the river and the railroad was primarily agricultural and residential. Development changed drastically, however, with the construction of the Interstate Highway System that made the City of Tukwila the crossroad of the Pacific Northwest. Records of construction and controls of land use did not start in Tukwila until the late 1950's. With the com- pletion of I-5 and I-405 through Tukwila, building boomed, and in 1967 more than 2 million square feet of new construction was recorded. This was followed by an additional 1.7 million square feet in 1968. These record construction years compare startlingly with the approximately 1 million square feet of total development existing before 1965. In 1973 new construction again was over 1 million square feet for one year, and during 1977-79 a sustained period of development saw more than 1 million square feet of new construction each year. Since building records have been kept, the less than 50,000 square feet of apartment, commercial, and industrial development has grown to 15,000,000 square feet. This is a 29900% increase in less than 25 years with an average annual growth rate of 35 % over 23 years. It was not until 1972 that the City of Tukwila hired two professional planners and an office engineer (building code administrator). A total of 785 building permits were issued from 1958 to 1972, while 2869 permits were issued from 1972 to 1983. Following the 1973 building boom the Planning Department was larger than it is today. During the sustained growth years of 1977-79, Department staffing reached its peak. As we emerge from a rather lengthy recession, the Planning Department and development activity are more fit albeit leaner and ready to handle the prospects for new growth in the mid -1980's. SISTER CITY NEWS Since November of 1979, members of the Tukwila Community and the South Central School District have had the enriching experience of hosting over 120 guests from our Sister City of Ikawa, Japan. In return, some 75 citizens from our community have traveled to Japan and experienced the goodwill and hospitality of Ikawa. The Sister Cities Committee is again planning a return visit to Japan. Tentative scheduling the trip in mid to late June, it will be of approximately 14 days duration at a cost of $1900. Details have not been finalized. The tour will cover many historic and fascinating points of interest in Japan, with a possible stop in Hong Kong. The high point of the tour will be a four day home stay with our exchange community of Ikawa. It is an excel- lent educational opportunity for students and adults. What the Committee needs now is People to Participate, both in the tour and in fund raising efforts, to assist in defraying student travel cost. If you can help or are interested in further information about the tour, please call: Maxine Anderson or Christy O'Flaherty at 433-1800. TUKWILA PARKS RECREATION NEWS Spring may be a time of reruns for T.V. but for the Tukwila Parks & Recreation Department it means a full season of first rate activities for you. REGISTRATION: Registration for the Spring 1983 classes begins on Monday, April 4th until Friday, April 15th. New classes include Financial Mangement, Country & Western Dance and a Mother -Daughter Dancercise class. Classes start April 18th. EASTER EGG HUNT: The Easter Bunny & all his friends from the Tukwila Parks & Recreation Department will be at Tukwila City Park for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The fun begins at 10 a.m. for child- ren ages 2 to grade 5. The park will be filled with candy and plastic prize eggs for each of the four groups; 2 & under, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years. A grand prize will be awarded in each age group for finding a special prize egg. Children should bring a container for their eggs. SPRING VACATION ACTIVITIES: Dave Robbins & Mark Cooper have planned a full week of activities for the youth of the South Central School District during Spring Vacation, April 4th to April 8th. A flyer will be sent to all schools with complete information in March. The staff of the Tukwila Parks & Recreation Depart- ment are always anxious to hear from you! Please call the office at 243-5198 for additional information. The Spring 1983 Recreation Brochure will be available in March. SPORTS PROGRAMS ADULT CO-REC VOLLEYBALL (Non -Spiking) Co-Rec Volleyball will one again be offered this Spring. The League will start on Tuesday, April 12 through Thursday, the 14th. Men and women 18 years and older, are encouraged to participate. Interested teams and individuals should contact the RECREA- TION DEPARTMENT by March 28, at 243-5198. CO-REC SOFTBALL Co-Rec Softball in Tukwila will begin with a League Meeting on April 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER. Interested teams should call DAVE at 243-5198. MEN'S LEAGUE SOFTBALL The TUKWILA MEN'S LEAGUE Teams have been selected now. If you would like to watch some high caliber games come on down to Fort Dent Park and watch every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. beginning April 26th. WOMEN'S LEAGUE SOFTBALL Women's League Teams also have been selected now. Games will be at JOSEPH FOSTER MEMORIAL PARK on Monday and Wednesdays, May 18th at 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Come on out to watch the women of Tukwila Play. CITY OF TUKWILA YOUTH PROGRAMS The City of Tukwila Recreation Department has two special programs designed to help meet the recreational needs of our community's youth, whether they be in grade school, middle, or high school. The After School Program takes place each Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the academic school year with activities for grade school children ranging from occasional arts and crafts projects to active participation games (indoor and outdoor weather permitting). The program is closely supervised and ideal for all levels of play skills. The Recreation Department also provides a full time program for middle school through high school students, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Included among the activities are a Teen Drop -In Center with pool, foosball, table tennis, and an open gym on Monday and Wednesday evenings for basketball or volleyball. In addition to these regular on-going programs are a variety of special events, dances, tournaments, and Friday evening outings. Both of these special youth programs operate out of the Tukwila Community Center under the direction of Youth Specialist, Mark Cooper . For complete information about these programs please call the Recreation Department at 243-5198 or come by and visit the activities and see Mark personally. Parents are always encouraged to provide their input and suggest- ions for future programs. TUKWILA PEA PATCH PROGRAM More and more people are discovering how enjoy- able and economical it is to grow their own vegetables. The Tukwila Recreation Department Pea Patch located at the corner of 53rd Avenue South and South 139th Street has several 400 square foot plots ready to get you on the way to raising a storeroom of fresh produce. The Pea Patch will be rototilled and staked out for planting by April 1, with water at easy access for your convenience. Each 10 foot by 40 foot plot may be rented throughout the entire gardening season for only $15.00. Call the TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER RECREATION OFFICE today for additional informat- ion or request a rental application at 243-5198. All patches are assigned on a first paid basis. Don't let lack of space prevent you from reaping the benefits of your own garden. The Tukwila Recreation Department Pea Patch is just around the corner! A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT Anniversaries are times to celebrate, for congratula- tions, reflections on past actions, and to talk of the "good old days;" a walk down Memory Lane. Anni- versaries are also times to pause and reflect, to assess what went right, what went wrong, and where do we go from here? Tukwila is having an Anniversary this year — 75 years of City -hood — a Diamond Anniversary. So it is fitting that we celebrate, that we congratulate our- selves on the progress that has made our little city a hub of commerce and industry, and that we pause to remem- ber and give credit to people who helped to make it all happen. I feel honored to have been chosen Council President for the year of Tukwila's 75th Birthday. My walk down Memory Lane is almost 22 consecutive years of elected service to the citizens of Tukwila. I served as elected City Treasurer with Mayors John Strander, Stan Mink - ler, Frank Todd and Ed Bauch, and as City Council- man with Mayors Ed Bauch, Frank Todd and Gary Van Dusen. I also had the privilege of knowing and work- ing with the late Charles Baker, who during his lengthy service as Mayor preceding Mayor Strander, was instu- mental in starting the conversion of Tukwila from a "bedroom community" to "little industrial and commer- cial giant." Serving as City Clerk and City Treasurer for the 24 years that Charles Baker was Mayor was Lois newton. She was the entire City staff at that time. I followed Mrs. Newton as City Treasurer — what an act to follow! I have not commented on the City Council Members who for 75 years formed the policies of the City, passed the ordinances and directed its growth. Having served as a member of this group for the last six years I know the effort, the anguish, the labor and the anxiety as well as the time expended so freely that goes into performing this service. I salute you, fellow Council Members! Then there are the members of the Commissions, Boards and Committees who give unstintingly of their time and energy in the service of their community with- out compensation or recognition. And to the citizens and merchants of Tukwila who pay their taxes and are proud of their City and/or the citizens and merchants of Tukwila who pay their taxes and are not entirely happy with the services they re- ceive and/or the citizens who wish Tukwila was still the same rural place it was 25 years ago (because change does not please everyone), to all the above, A GREAT BIG HAPPY TUKWILA 75th ANNIVERSARY! Council President Mabel J. Harris FOSTER GOLF LNKS' CHANGES This year will mark a number of changes from pre- vious years at the City's Foster Golf Links. In December the Mayor and City Council decided to take over the responsibility of maintaining all the buildings and grounds at the golf course. Effective January 1, the Public Works Department became responsible for all the course's maintenance concerns. Chuck Morris has been hired to fill the position as the Head Greenskeeper and will oversee all maintenance of the grounds. Chuck has worked as the Head Greenskeeper at Foster for the past ten years for private operators. He will be assisted by additional full time and part time City personnel. Building maintenance will be done by other City staff. On January 18, Ernie Lueskenatte and Mayor Gary Van Dusen signed a four-year contract for Ernie to operate the pro shop and restaurant at Foster. He will oversee all golfing related services, all staffing, and handle equipment rentals and sales. His restaurant will continue to operate providing quality food and will have a class "H" liquor license. In addition to the personnel changes the City will develop a long-range plan for facility improvement, equipment replacement and building rehabilitation or replacement. During March the last phase of the new irrigation system will be installed, hopefully before peak play be- gins. This phase will provide irrigation for the five fairways and greens that are located across the river to the east. The work will complete the needed improve- ments providing a green course for the entire year. A CHILD'S MEMORY OF OLD TUKWILA Tukwila's Diamond Jubilee — it is unbelievable how time flies; the 50th Anniversary seems just yesterday! There is a certain nostalgia in these anniversaries. My childhood memories which follow are of a Tukwila much different from today's. Our family moved to Tukwila in March 1923 into a 5 -room house, complete with basement, woodshed, outhouse and well, on one-half acre plus. Cost — $1,050 cash. There were perhaps less than 100 families here in 1923. Those I i ember are; Anderson*, Baker, Bern - berg, Bergquist, Blankenship, Breedlove, Butterworth, Caldwell, Cane, Carlson, Christenson, Clark, Doty, Dollar, Duff, Durbin, Erickson, Fletcher, Fors, Foss, Fox, Frederickson, Freiberg, Frost*, Gilbert, Gorst, Gott, Green*, Grooms, Guist, Hall, Hasbrook, Heemink, Heine, Henke, Holloway, Holmes, Hozack, Hull, Ives, Jensen, Kastner, Kato, Klein, Koenig, Koontz, Landstrom, Lemon, Lovejoy, Lutz, McCon- ville, McDonald, Mead, Minkler, Myers, Nagel, Nay- lor, Neal, Nelson, Newton, Nord, North*, O'Birne, Parkinson, Parrahm, Payne, Pearson, Pierson, Pollock, Rice, Sanders, Santora, Schallis, Schnoor, Smith, Stevens, Stewart, Storey, Stromstred, Thies, Ton, Uno, Walkup*, Waltz, Wickman, Wiederman, Wright, and Wyzurick. (* More than one family with this name). Tukwila's Post Office, located in a grocery store, served us until South Center's opened. Mrs. Lutz was postmaster. Helen Walkup was also one of our long- time postmasters. This was the headquarters to ex- change pleasantries and gossip, a small town's perog- ative. Hull's Grocery Store; other early proprietors were Bert Foreman, Al Heemink, and the Carstensons. Frozen food lockers were next door; also the Mead Garage and coal mine off Interurban. The one -room library on Interurban which burned. Salvaged books found their way to the Community Club; also Mrs. Scott, former Mayor Minkler's grand- mother, opened her library to us. The Interurban made a Tukwila stop on the Seattle to Tacoma run via Black River, Kent and Auburn. Afterwards came Greyhound, then Metropolitan and Metro. Early street lights; then none at all for many many years. The Ladies Improvement Club's dances and bazaars at Lutz's Hall, above the store, is now the vacant lot on 58th and Interurban. Their new location is our present Community Club on Interurban Avenue, built in 1924. The house on the northeast corner of 58th S. and S. 147th is one of Tukwila's earlier schools. Remember just three churches in the vicinity — The Foster -Tukwila Presbyterian (early pastors Isaac, Chris- tensen, Richards, Giboney and Lang;) St. Thomas Catholic Church, located nearby in what was then called Mortimer, and the Christian Science Church in Riverton with a branch meeting in the Tukwila Com- munity Club. The Masonic Temple is a landmark — seems to have always been there. Hermway Dairy (later Golden Arrow and Medo- sweet) just above S. 154th (King County Housing Loca- tion), handled our milk supply. There were cows in the neighborhood and some of us bought milk from neighbors. Our colorful Justice of Peace, Judge Durbin, who stopped busy traffic on Interurban Avenue with his cane and who rowed his boat across to the store when the Duwamish flooded, which was often. Outspoken Mr. Blankenship whose chattering mon- Mt, PUBEISHE 0 GUARTEALY bv, the City, of Tubvit 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, Washington 98188 Written by City Employees Edited By Norma Booher Printed by Buzard Printing, Inc. /t/Z/+% /++//+//t/Z+// BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUKWILA, WA. PERMIT NO. 12698 key accompanied him everywhere, including his council meetings. Mr. Carlson, a magician, who fascinated adults and children alike. Picking strawberries at "Old Man" Wiederman's and McDonald's. The latter also prided himself as a trap- per and dressed the part. My one -cent check for picking raspberries. (His ac- count never balanced). Picking peas in the Kent Valley, walking both ways. Our school and church picnics at Woodland Park, riding in Mr. Gott's truck. Walking to Angle Lake and often to Seward Park to swim. My Mother, among others, feeding the hobos during the depression. The Quilting Club. These kind souls worked hard and gave beautiful quilts to the newly married. Shivarees! Johnny Klein and his bride Alpha's, I especially remember. Talk of Tukwila's disincorporating at one time. The Foster Study Club, to which many of our Tuk- wila women belonged and still do, celebrated its 50th Anniversary several years ago. Swimming in the Duwamish and diving for golf balls, and a tragedy, Richard Gilbert, about 10, drowned in the river. I still have narcissus growing from the family of bulbs attached to the flowers in a May basket he gave me in perhaps 1925. Remember with horror the middle of the night fires where houses burned to the ground — a rash of these during the depression. We had no piped water or Fire Department until much later. Halloween — waxed windows, log barricaded streets, pushed over outhouses (one time we found ours on the roof). Sledding from the top of 144th and 56th Ave. S. on home made sleds which we steered with our feet. There were telephone poles on one side of the narrow wooden sidewalk and barbed wire fences on the other, made a sharp turn down the hill on 58th S. (then Main Street), over a curved wooden overpass and across Interurban Avenue. We never quite made it to the Interurban's third rail, but pretty close. Bob sledding down "Brummer's Hill", the steep part of S. 144th from about 43rd So. and down to Macadam Road. There were some serious accidents. The depression brought the W.P.A. and Tukwila Park with its log cabins and paths. City water came to Tukwila. Know one lady who had vowed if we ever did get city water, she'd let the faucet run all day. She did! Paying our water bills at Lois Newton's home. The only police protection for many years was the Town Marshall. Franz Henke, Charlie Shults, Earl Parker, and Bob Leahy, were the earlier upholders of the law. Fred Brewer is the first municipal maintenance person I can remember, and later came Myron Slade and Frank Zepp. The area around Interurban and 405 was called Ren- ton Junction and was not a part of Tukwila, as I remember. It housed a huge dance hall where Italian, Swedish and other ethnic groups held picnics and dan- ces. Later it became a roller skating rink. White River Lodge also came into being in the area much later. (Div- ersion of the river's course has changed this area con- siderably). It is a little difficult to remember exact boundaries because of annexation. I have very fond memories of elementary and Foster High School years. It was not a prosperous school dis- trict, but we learned! Our athletic teams were unusually good for such a small school, especially basketball, and the excitement of the State Tournaments is still a high- light. The Foster girls' teams competed with other schools and were in a league. This was discontinued in 1929 as it was felt to be too strenuous and wasn't rein- stated until in the 1960's. (We wore bloomers). Foster's Class of 1931 was the largest graduating class to date — 30. The little girl grew up, and from the 1930's on there are records and statistics galore to draw from — Anonymous Child of Tukwila