HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 45 No. 1WHAT'S INSIDE:
• Budget highlights
• Green Tukwila 2025 projects
• Mayor's Message: Partnerships
• Public Works keeps us clean
• Recent Council actions
• Home winterization tips
...and more!
JAN UARY 2025
VOLUME 45, NUMBER 1
Mark your calendar!
Restoration at Riverton
Tuesday, February 11
11:30AM TO 1:30PM
at Riverton Park
13263 Macadam Road S
Riverside Restoration with REI
Wednesday, February 12
9:OOAM TO 1:OOPM
at Bicentennial Park
A Green Tukwila Partnership
Spring Break Camp
April 7 thru 11
7:30AM To 5:30PM
at Tukwila Community Center
Space is limited - secure your spot early!
Centennial Celebration
100 years of Foster Golf Links
TukwilaWA.gov
A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business communities
City Hall Blood Drive
Thursday, February 13
10:OOAM to 4:00PM
in the Council Chambers
at Tukwila City Hall
Appointments are required;
schedule yours at
TukwilaWA.gov/Blood Drive
Rain barrels available
Take advantage of this green offer! These barrels store rainwater
for reuse in Tukwila residents' landscaping/yards/gardens.
Lower valves have been installed with a garden hose attachment.
Cost: $45.00
Limited supply of rain barrels;
one barrel per household.
These rain barrels
are repurposed
food -grade barrels!
Made possible by a grant from the
Washington State Department of Ecology
In June 2024, the City hosted a well -attended rain barrel
workshop, where participants shared their additional
ideas. Interested in workshops about rain barrels or other
natural yard care practices?, Please send a message to
EnvironmentalCompliance@TukwilaWA.gov using the
subject line of "Rain Barrel." We will keep you updated.
Tukwila: The City of Opportunity, The Community of Choice
MAYOR'S
MESSAGE
ACTOOI1THROUGH
PARTH R4GOIP4
That framed quote from Helen Keller really sums up how I view
my role in City government serving as your Mayor. One of my
most important duties is to form and develop partnerships
that benefit the Tukwila community. In my first year as
Mayor I have focused on meeting people and connecting with
organizations to explore opportunities to partner and work
together collaboratively. Some notable examples include:
Asylee Response - Responding to the growing need of
asylum seekers in Tukwila cannot be done without the
support of our state and regional partners. The State of
Washington and King County have been instrumental in
the response, including providing grant funds directly
to the City. Thrive International stepped up to provide
housing for some of the most vulnerable families in need,
and the International Rescue Committee is leading the
effort on a resource hub to help new arrivals. Several
faith -based institutions throughout the Puget Sound are
providing care for families in need. The City would not be
able to serve those in need without the various partners
who have stepped up.
Amazon Partnership - Amazon's support for Still Waters to
provide meals for students outside of school in 2025-2026
is a result of City staff building a relationship with Amazon
over the last few years.
Starfire Sports - The world -class sports facility for youth
in Tukwila has set the example for public -private
partnerships for sports facilities. The City purchased the
land from King County in 2002 and Starfire invested over
$20 million to build the indoor training facility, turf fields,
and other improvements. Starfire served as the training
ground for Seattle Sounder FC from the team's founding
until last year; in 2023 Seattle Reign FC started to practice
on the campus; and is the home to the Seattle Seawolves
of Major League Rugby. More importantly, over 1.3 million
people visit Starfire to train for soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and
other sports.
As we greet the new year, I am excited by some promising
partnership opportunities.
We're partnering with Westfield Southcenter to fund additional
police officers at the mall. Over 16 million people visit yearly; the
mall accounts for nearly 25%of the City's taxable retail sales.
The City is working with Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) to
promote Tukwila nationally and internationally for economic
opportunities. I recently met with Brian Surrat, President/CEO
of GSP, to reinforce Tukwila's attributes for operating a business.
Finally, I had the opportunity to meet with Representative Steve
Bergquist, Representative David Hackney, and Senator Bob
Hasegawa to discuss the City's priorities in the upcoming 2025
Washington State Legislative session. I appreciate the support
the Tukwila community receives from our llth Legislative
District representatives at the State capitol. Our State delegation
has also been instrumental in helping the City secure funds to
respond to the asylee need discussed before.
These partnerships allow us to accomplish much more than we
can do on our own.
a-0514,twat 00
Mayor, City of Tukwila
2
THE HAZELNUT
Highlights of the 2025-2026 City Budget
In November, the City Council adopted the 2025/2026 City of
Tukwila Budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Some
highlights from the adopted budget and CIP include:
• Tax Relief - The City of Tukwila reduced its regular property
tax levy from $1.89537 per 1,000 of assessed valuation to
$1.24337 per 1000 of assessed valuation, a total reduction
of over 34% (Note, final levy numbers may be adjusted once
the County finishes its property tax valuation).
• Public Safety - The budget added two new officers to focus
on safety at Westfield Southcenter. Westfield will share
the costs for these officers. Also in the budget is a new Park
Ranger position to focus on park safety and improving the
experience for users of the City's parks and trails.
• Free College - Called the Tukwila Promise, funds were
allocated to provide two free years of school at Highline
College for qualifying students in the Tukwila School District.
• Cyber Security - Investments will be made in the City's
technology infrastructure to protect critical systems from
cyber-attacks and incidents.
Green Tukwila Partnership is kicking off the year with
plans to work across the city. Give a wave and say "Hello"
when you see a partner organizations, field staff and
local stewards removing invasive plants, picking up trash,
and planting native trees and shrubs in our green spaces.
This year's list of sites is more significant than ever before.
The sites include Southgate, Riverton Park, Codiga Park, 57th
Avenue Mini Park, Tukwila Park, Cottonwood Corner, Crystal
Springs Park, Tukwila Community Center, Duwamish Hill
Preserve, and multiple sites along the Green-Duwamish River.
• Infrastructure - The City will invest over $1 million to
upgrade aging sewer mains in the Southcenter District.
This investment will reduce emergency repairs and ensure
reliable sewer service in Tukwila's central business district.
Tax Relief
As part of the adopted 2025/2026 Budget, the City reduced its
property tax levy by $6 million. This means reduced property
tax rates for all residential and commercial property owners
in the City. The City property tax levy was reduced from
the 2024 regular levy collection rate of $1.89537 per $1,000
of assessed valuation to $1.24337 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation, a total reduction of 34 %. For example, a house in
Tukwila with a total assessed by King County of $400,000 will
pay $260 less in regular property taxes this year to the City as
a result of the reduced levy amount.
Please note that a property tax bill is impacted by a variety of
factors, such as the total assessed valuation and other taxing
agencies such as school districts, the State of Washington,
and special purpose districts which may have raised their
rates for 2025.
2025 - It's gonna be a
GREEN YEAR!
GREEN
TUKWILA
PARTNERSHIP
How can you support natural areas
and the river in Tukwila?
0 Volunteer at a work party or steward
your local park.
0 Join a native plant walk or litter
cleanup.
Attend an environmental workshop.
0 Visit TukwilaWA.gov/GreenTukwila to
find 2025 opportunities, or to sign up
for "The Dirt" eco-newsletter.
0 Follow Green Tukwila Partnership
on Facebook and Instagram
@greentukwila and share
opportunities.
Follow US
@greentukwila
JANUARY2025
3
Come work with us! Why? Our City values are CARING,
PROFESSIONAL AND RESPONSIVE. The City of Tukwila
is made up of talented individuals from all walks of life, and we
want YOU to be a part of our vibrant team!
Cheek the Tukwila careers page regularly to see what's
available at GovernmentJobs.eom/eareers/TukwilaWA.
Have questions or need assistance?
Human Resources: 206-433-1831 or
HumanResourees@TukwilaWA.gov
JAL
City of Tukwila Comprehensive
Plan Update adopted
On December 16, Tukwila's City Council
adopted the update of the 2024-2044 Tukwila
Comprehensive Plan. The Plan defines the community's
vision, values and priorities over the next twenty years. The
Plan is being put into final format and will be available in early
2025, along with a listing of the Implementation Strategies that
the City will undertake to bring the Plan's policies into reality.
Middle housing regulations and
design guidelines underway
Tukwila's Community Development staff are working to
update development standards needed to offer "middle
housing" options in Tukwila. Middle housing is a type of
housing sized between single-family and larger multifamily
housing types. It was a very common housing type in the
first half of the 20th century, but has not been built much
since then. These units are designed to blend into existing
neighborhoods in both appearance and scale. They may be
built as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, or at
other slightly higher densities. The State legislature mandated
that Washington cities offer these housing types to address
the region's housing shortage, and to provide a greater variety
of housing options available to families.
Staff will conduct public outreach and provide an engagement
website early this year to receive public input. They will
continue to work with the Planning Commission and City
Council through the winter, with adoption of the new
standards required by June 30, 2025.
It's licensing time for rental units
All rental units in Tukwila are required to be licensed and
inspected. Don't forget to renew your Rental Business License
now! You can renew through the online licensing portal at
TukwilaWA.gov/RentalHousing. Please contact the Rental
Housing Program at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-
431-3674 if you have any questions.
To check the status of your rental unit or a unit that you
are interested in renting; or to request a courtesy rental
inspection, please contact the Rental Housing Program at
RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674.
NEW HOURS IN 2025
SATURDAY - SUNDAY
4
THE HAZELNUT
COUNCIL CORNER
Council will examine City's financial sustainability
To the Tukwila Community, it is my honor to serve as the
2025 City Council President. I plan to use this space to focus
on issues and matters of importance coming up on Council
agendas so that you have the information you need to stay
engaged and share your opinions. While this is an off -budget
year we will have plenty of work to do, not just in the form of
our standing committees, work sessions, and Committee of
the Whole meetings. Councilmembers also work hard and
serve on numerous regional boards, where they can monitor
and participate in issues with an eye out for Tukwila's needs.
One key focus this year is on financial sustainability.
Tukwila is not unique among Washington state cities in that
expenditures/inflation far outpace revenues. When the
2025-2026 budget was adopted in November, the City Council
directed staff to "identify opportunities to enhance existing
revenue streams and implement new revenue sources and
return to the City Council with a report on all revenue options
to safeguard the City's fiscal health." This will be a year
of a deep dive into not only revenues but identification of
efficiencies and the right level of service that is affordable.
by Tosh Sharp,
2025 Council President
I am also glad to share that starting this year there are two full-
time police offers assigned to Westfield Southcenter. In addition,
2025 is an election year with four City Council seats up. If you
are interested in learning more about running for office, visit
pdc.wa.gov.
City Council business is public and we are committed to
transparency. Meetings are open to the public, and you can
subscribe to receive our meeting agendas every Friday. This
way you can monitor what is coming up and share your input,
via email, phone call, or public comment at a meeting. The
City Council wants to hear from you any time - our contact
information is available on the back page of this newsletter,
and you can learn more about our work as well as subscribe to
meeting agendas by visiting TukwilaWA.gov/council.
RECENT COUNCIL ACTIONS
■ Adopted a 2025-2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule (Res. 2105) ■
■ Accepted grant funding from Sound Transit to improve access
to the Tukwila International Boulevard Light Rail station ■
■ Awarded lodging tax funding to Seattle Seawolves for
continued partnership through 2026
■ Accepted grant funding from King County Flood Control
District for the Gilliam Creek Erosion Repair project
■ Awarded a contract to CFM Advocates for Federal government
affairs services
■ Adopted the 2025 State Legislative Agenda (Res. 2206)
■ Adopted 2025-2026 Biennial Budget and 2025-2030 Financial
Planning Model and Capital Improvement Program (Ord. 2749)
■ Adopted truck route regulations in Allentown (Ord. 2751)
■ Adopted 2024-2044 Tukwila Comprehensive Plan (Ord. 2753)
Authorized Mental Health Professionals Co -Responder
Program through 2025
Authorized a collective bargaining agreement with
United Steelworkers for Police Non -Commissioned
employees
■ Authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Washington
State Department of Social and Health Services to
fund Police services at or near the Olympic Heritage
Behavioral Health Hospital
City Council meeting minutes and the complete
text of all legislative items are available online
in the Digital Records Center at TukwilaWA.gov.
For additional information about the work of the
City Council, please call 206-433-8993.
JANUARY2025
5
Small efforts can grow to bring about big changes
h&- pROTEej,
The City of Tukwila's
National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) program
helps to improve our
water quality. One aspect
of the NPDES permit is
known as Business Source
Control (BSC). Through
our inspection program,
the City supports local businesses in both private and public
sectors. It assists in identifying the source of pollution, and
provides technical assistance to reduce that pollution.
The City's NPDES Permit provides guidance for which
businesses should be included in a source control program.
These include a wide variety of business types and
commercial entities that may (or do) generate pollutants that
could come in contact with rainwater. Some examples are
restaurants, automotive sales and/or repair, and dry cleaners.
Numerous other business types are also included in this
program, as well as commercial properties with an increased
risk of stormwater contamination.
DON'T
CLOG
WITH
F°'
FAT • OIL • GREASE
You can prevent costly damage! Fats, oils and grease (FOG)
from cooking can cause major plumbing problems when poured
down the drain. Homeowners and property managers should
take preventive steps to avoid expensive repairs and protect the
environment.
Why? Because FOG solidifies in pipes, leading to blockages,
slow drains and sewage backups. For homes, this means costly
damage and cleanup. In multi -unit buildings, FOG can clog shared
pipes, affecting multiple units and leading to major repairs.
What is source control? Spills or improperly stored materials
outdoors can wash pollutants into storm drains or other
bodies of water when it rains. Stormwater source control is an
approach to finding potential pollution sources and stopping
them from mixing with rainwater and entering our storm drains.
Examples of technical support offered from our inspections
program comes from King County Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Manual (SPPM). The SPPM provides best
management practices adhered to the type of business you are
operating. It can be accessed through TukwilaWA.gov/SPPM.
1
Also significant for both private properties and public
infrastructure is the environmental impact. FOG blockages
can cause untreated sewage to overflow into streets and
waterways, harming local ecosystems and public health.
Preventing FOG build-up is crucial for avoiding expensive
repairs and protecting the environment.
Easy steps can keep your plumbing system healthy and
reduce the strain on public infrastructure. Simply put, it
saves money and is the right thing to do. Learn more with
free resources and guidance for all residents at TukwilaWA.
gov/FOG. For additional assistance, please contact
EnvironmentalCompliance@TukwilaWA.gov.
6
THE HAZELNUT
Tips for
INTE IZIN Y
Check furnace and change air
filter
Test smoke alarms and CO2
detectors
Reverse ceiling fan to blow
warmer air downward
Clean gutters and downspouts,
inspect roof and chimney
Insulate exposed piping and
faucets
Keep exterior walkways
in good condition
jec
Clean fireplace - remove ashes
and debris from the fireplace or
stove's firebox
Check dampers
Keep up-to-date fire
extinguisher nearby
Insulate exposed water pipes
under sinks, in attics, crawl
spaces or outside your home
Insulate hot water tank
Remove all attached
garden hoses
INSULATION
Check attic and basement
insulation
Caulk and weatherstrip
windows/doors, and seal any
cracks or gaps around your
home
Insulate exterior outlets
Seal off crawlspace
Close vents
Get draft guards for entry doors
Cover condensing unit of air
conditioner
OTHER
Gather winter supplies and
tools - sand, ice melt, car
scrapers, snow shovels
Store extra water, canned food
Test your sump pump
Triple check your home's
insurance policy
Your home isn't the only one
that can be winterized.
Your neighbors and those most
vulnerable might need your help too!
JANUARY 2025
7
THE HAZELNUT
City ofTukwila
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident.
bUKWILA LEARNING CENTER PRESCHOOL
NOW
ENROLLING
O STUDENTS BECOME PROBLEM SOLVERS 4 LIFELONG LEARNERS
O INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION C STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES
0 A HEALTHY DOSE OF RUNNING, JUMPING, AND DANCING!
O AGES: 3-4 YEARS OLD
O THROUGH JUNE 13
MONDAY - FRIDAY
9 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
PRESORT STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SEATTLE, WA
PERMIT NO. 12698
TUKWILA CITY HALL
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
City Hall campus in -person hours:
Monday —Thursday, 8:30AM-4:00PM
Phone: 206-433-1800 Fax: 206-433-1833
Email: Tukwila@TukwilaWA.gov
Website: TukwilaWA.gov
MAYOR Thomas McLeod 206-433-1850
Mayor's Office
Administration Offices 206-433-1850
Marty Wine, CityAdministrator....206-433-1851
Brandon Miles, Dir,Stratlnit/GovRe1206-431-3684
City Clerk's Office 206-433-1800
Community Engagement 206-454-7564
Economic Development 206-433-1832
Human Resources - Personnel ...206-433-1831
Human Services 206-433-7181
Emergency Management 206-971-8750
Technology Services 206-454-7575
Community Development Dept.
Nora Gierloff, Director 206-431-3670
Code Enforcement 206-431-3682
Finance Department
Aaron BeMiller, Director 206-433-1835
Parks/Recreation Department
Kris Kelly, Interim Director 206-767-2342
Police Department
Eric Dreyer, Chief 206-433-7175
Public Works Department
Pete Mayer, IntDir/Dep CityAdm. 206-433-0179
Emergency - Fire, Police 911
MUNICIPAL COURT
15005 Tukwila International Blvd 206-433-1840
TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER
12424 - 42nd Avenue South
Recreation Division 206-768-2822
Senior Center/Services 206-767-2321
Facility Rentals 206-767-2323
FOSTER GOLF LINKS
13500 Interurban Avenue South
Pro Shop 206-242-4221
PUGET SOUND REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY
All fire -related services 253-856-4300
PugetSoundFire.org
2025 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
Tosh Sharp, Council President 206 507-6440
Tosh.Sharp@TukwilaWA.gov
Mohamed Abdi 206-798-4872
Mohamed.Abdi@TukwilaWA.gov
De'Sean Quinn 206-331-5939
Desean.Quinn@TukwilaWA.gov
Armen Papyan 206-888-3380
Armen.Papyan@TukwilaWA.gov
Jovita McConnell 206-600-3533
Jovita.Mcconnell@TukwilaWA.gov
Dennis Martinez 206-960-1607
Dennis.Martinez@TukwilaWAgov
Hannah Hedrick 206-580-8123
Hannah.Hedrick@TukwilaWA.gov
To email the entire Council at once:
CityCouncil@TukwilaWA.gov
Laurel Humphrey, Analyst 206-433-8993
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
7:00PM in Council Chambers
Regular Meetings lst/3rd Mondays
Committee of the Whole 2nd/4th Mondays