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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 11 No. 3T1;EE1 NOVEMBER 1990 A Quarterly Publication of the City of Tukwila Volume 11, Number 3 A Message from the Mayor We are nearing the close of the year. 1990, like 1989, has been a year of significant change for our City. In Sep- temberwe formally welcomed ourneigh- bors from Cascade View into Tukwila. This most recent annexation increased our population to over 13,500 and added the west side of Pacific Highway South as part of our jurisdictional responsibil- ity. The City's staff continues to grow to meet the expanding challenges of pro- viding basic services, making infrastruc- ture improvements, and responding to the special requests of the community. At this writing, we are preparing to begin deliberations on the 1991 budget. The financial operating plan for 1991 con- tains no new taxes and seeks to address a number of emerging issues. Of signifi- cant note: The establishment of a Human Serv- ices Program to include the hiring of a full-time program coordinator. (See related article.) ® Decisions must be made in 1991 regarding the provision of Library Services. Due to the assessment for- mula used by the King County Li- brary System, Tukwila in 1994 could pay close to $1 million annually in property taxes for support of mem- bership in the system. ® The City Council has proposed the creation of a sensitive areas ordi- nance which would act to limit devel- opment in certain environmentally sensitive areas. (See corresponding article in this issue of the HAZELNUT, page 1.) (continued on back page) Human Services moves to the top of the City's agenda With the recent annexations to the City of Tukwila have come a number of new opportunities and challenges. The demand for more effective and wider -ranging programs that help people and families in need has increased dramatically with our expanded borders. Early this summer, the City initiated a study to more precisely de- termine the Human Services requirements of the community. With the Council's concurrence, Mayor VanDusen appointed Ms. Wendy Morgan to develop a human services policy and plan for consideration by the City. The plan includes increases in the services provided by local agencies such as Renton Area Youth Services, High - line Youth and Family Services, King County Sexual Assault Center and the Domestic Abuse Women's Network (DAWN). The more innovative components planned for 1991 are: A the provision of assistance through entitlements to meet the critical immediate needs of our residents, A the hiring of a Program Coordinator to provide ongoing direction, information and referral, A development of a private non-profit community fund to allow an extra dimension in meeting our local demand. It is anticipated that the program will be initiated shortly after the beginning of the new year. The first step will be directed toward educating the City's residents on what pro- grams are available and how to effectively access those programs. Changing statistics reflect a growing Tukwila The dust seems to be settling after 2-1/2 years of Tukwila annexations. Five petitions for annexation were approved by the area voters and City Council, finishing with Cascade View on Sep- tember 1st. These annexations have resulted in a new Tukwila with a stronger base of volunteers supporting City govemment, improved community cohesion with the inclusion of the South Central School District within the City boundary, and some islands of unincorporated County land encompassed within the City. Among the annexation impacts are an increased number of street surfaces to maintain, more police calls from resi- dential/commerci al citizens, and alarger service area requiring fire protection. Prior to these annexations, Tukwila had an area of approximately 4.5 square miles, a population of 4,850, an employ- ment base of about 18,500 and about 128 full-time staff. The City currently has an area of 8.6 square miles, a population of 13,640, an employment base of 38,000, with an authorized employee staff of about 260. Our assessed valuation has risen from $965 million to over $1.88 billion. Recreation Department adds new youth program The RAD (Radical Afterschool Days) Club, Tukwila's after school activities youth program, has been such a hit that we will be adding a before -school pro- gram in January. Staff is currently tak- ing names of interested participants. Additional information will be available in the 1991 Winter brochure which will be coming out in late December. For more information, call 243-5198. Foster looking for tutors Foster High School is looking for adult tutors to instruct in hi story, science, math, English and foreign language. Our English as a Second Language (ESOL) Program has over 10 native languages including Spanish, Korean, Cambodian, Polish, Tegrina, Arabic and Japanese. These students, 13 of whom are seniors, are enrolled in some traditional classes and are struggling to eam credit. if you would like to volunteer, please call Joyce Kandi, Assistant Principal, at 243-1771. Annual children's Christmas party returns The City of Tukwila Parks and Recrea- tion Department and the Tukwila Ameri- can Legion Post #235 will hold their annual Christmas Party for children ages 3-12 on Tuesday, December 1 lth, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Activities include songs, storytelling, refreshments and a visit from Santa. This special event will be held in the gymnasium at the Tukwila Community Center. Call 243-5198. Santa takes requests in stereo! Winter break Day Camp again offered T was the day after Christmas, and the kids were blue No more Santa Claus, and nothing to do. So, to Tukwila Winter Camp they did go, With games, art, and trips... and hopefully snow! Busy as an elf, camp was never a bore. And now for the kids, Christmas lasts a week more. The City of Tukwila Parks and Recrea- tion will be offering a Winter Break Day Camp on the following days: December 26, 27, 28, 31; January 2, 3, 4 (7 days total) All camp activities are supervised, and include crafts, parties, and field trips. Our program will consist of Regular Day Camp (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and an Extended Day Camp (6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Winter Break Day Camp is open to boys and girls grades K through 6. We are currently taking registration at the Tukwila Community Center, 4101 South 131st Street. For more informa- tion, call 243-5198. Knee-high mutant ninja bowler? Tukwila's haunted house scares up lots of fun The Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department's Haunted House and Hal- loween Carnival was a big success. Held October 30 and 31, over 700 participants attended the activities. Admission to the event was one or more cans of food. Seven boxes of collected food were donated to local food banks. Thanks to all in the community who attended. Course improvements enhance golfing experience For the last few years it seems the Foster Golf Course has been constantly under construction — which is probably true — yet the improvements are still coming. Although the 1990 golf year is coming to an end, golf course maintenance never ends; different activities scheduled throughout the year each contribute to the City's goals of serving the public to the best of its ability. Among these goals is having grass tee areas for all 18 holes; Foster presently has nine. This September Foster took a giant step toward this end, when construction started on three more grass tees at Holes 4, 7 and 15, with planned completion some time in November. The three new tees, designed by landscape architect Douglas R. Kotlar, will be overseeded in early spring 1991, and open to the public in late spring or early summer, depending on the weather. Scheduled improvements for 1991 at Foster Golf Links include a new irrigation pump station and computerized sprinkler system for better control of turf area watering. The ongoing completion of Tukwila's long-range plans helps provide its citizens with a quality golfing experience. A record number of rounds for 1990 have been a welcome pat on the back. All Foster Golf Links improvements are paid for with golf course revenues. Review of proposed sensitive areas regulations complete During the 1990 regular session of the State legislature, an act relating to growth was passed, known as the Growth Management Act (sometimes referred to as 2929). The Act mandates development of sensitive areas regulations that preclude land uses or development incompatible with sensitive areas by September 1, 1991. In July of this year, the Tukwila City Council proposed a local ordinance which would define sensitive areas as wetlands, watercourses, areas of potential geologic instabil- ity, coal mine hazard areas, and areas of important geologic or archaeologic sites. On October 25, 1990, the Tukwila Planning Commission finalized its review of the pro- posed legislation, as well as modifications prepared by an ad hoc citizen's group. The City Council will now review the recommendations of the Planning Commis- sion, deliberate and prepare a final ordinance for a public hearing. The Council's work schedule is not finalized at this time, but notification of property owners will occur to allow for their input at the public hearing. The Tukwila City Council anticipates passing, in February 1991, a legislative package which would address a broad range of issues associated with development involving sensitive areas. Community organization plans holiday activities The Duwamish Improvement Club is holding a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Petersen Hall in Tukwila. Items for sale will include home -baked goods (cakes, pies, cookies, breads, etc.); hand- crafted items; Christmas ornaments, swags, wreaths, and decorations; toys; white elephants; household items; tools; books; and other items. There will be drawings for door prizes and a raffle prize (ticket holders need not be present at drawing) and lunch (hot dog, baked beans and choice of salad - $1.50, pas- tries at various prices & free coffee). Also, on December 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Santa Claus will be at Pe- tersen Hall to greet youngsters - and oldsters. Petersen Hall is located at 12232 - 43rd Ave. S., Tukwila. The Duwamish Improvement Club is a community club of people living in the Duwamish, Allentown and Foster Points areas, which were annexed to our city as part of Fire District #1 in 1989. Their mission is to improve their community. If you wish to make donations or want further information regarding these up- coming activities, please call 762-7971. Facility burns at City's Bicentennial Park Fire damaged the log cabin at Tukwila's Bicentennial Park on October 8th of this year. The cause of the fire is being inves- tigated as arson. Bicentennial Park, located at Strander Boulevard and the Christensen Trail, is a popular facility for brown -bag lunchers, and the site of the Park Department's summer music program "Peanut Butter & Jam". The log cabin was constructed by a group of community volunteers; the cabin and park were dedicated in the summer of 1976, in honor of the nation's bicentennial celebration. The City is making plans to rebuild the cabin. Burned cabin and charred shrubs communicate level of fire damage. Is there a trip to Japan in your future? 1991 marks the ten-year anniversary of the first exchange visit by Tukwila citi- zens to the City's sister city of Ikawa, Japan. In March of 1981, 50 members of our community — including 25 students from Foster and Tyee high schools and Showalter and Chinook middle schools — departed Tukwila to tour the islands of Honshu and Shikkoku. The Tukwila Sister Cities Committee has announced a return trip to Japan in the Spring of 1991, and is recruiting interested adults and students to partici- pate in the trip of a lifetime! The trip is scheduled for Spring Break (depart Seattle March 28, and return to Seattle on April 5, 1991), and has a number of historic and culturally significant points as part of the itinerary. The tour will include a four-day stay in Ikawa in the homes of Japanese families, and is planned to coincide with the planned music tour of the Foster High School band and choir groups. All Tukwila students are eligible to partici- pate in the tour. The Sister Cities Committee is inviting all Tukwila citizens, both residential and corporate, to participate in the exchange visit. There are still seats available for the tour. If travel plans don't fit into your schedule, assistance is needed in raising funds. The City of Tukwila Sister Cities Committee is currently working on a scholarship program with local busi- nesses to help offset the cost of student travel. Your help is needed to make this exchange possible. If you are interested in leaming more about the trip, what you can do to help, or how you can join the tour, please contact the Mayor's office in City Hall at 433- 1832. From the Tukwila Police Department... As the holidays quickly approach, we will be seeing not only Santa on our streets but also Scrooge. While we all know and recognize Santa, Scrooge comes in many shapes and disguises. Sometimes Scrooge is the car prowler who waits until you have deposited your recently purchased holiday gifts in your vehicle and return to the store for that one last item for Uncle Charlie...he strikes and cleans out your car or trunk, also stealing your holiday spirit. Other times he looks like a pocketbook snatcher or pickpocket; he is usually expert in either role. Your holiday sav- ings fall easy prey to his nimble fingers. That's not Santa coming down the chim- ney — or in the window, for that matter. That's Scrooge, our sad sack holiday burglar. Houses and apartments bulging with holiday cheer and hard -purchased gifts make a perfect target and go toward Scrooge's post -holiday vacation plans. So look at yourself and your everyday lifestyle, and see how you can prevent Scrooge from meeting his vacation budget. Lock your car and close the windows, even if you are only going to be gone for a few minutes. Lock your packages in the trunk. Have your key in hand when you return. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry your purse tightly under your arm and don't leave it unat- tended, even for a minute. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don't carry it all in one place. Pay for your purchases with a check or credit card when pos- sible. Make sure your TAKE A BITE OUT OF RIME credit card numbers are listed so if they are lost or stolen, you immediately have access to the num- bers. From the Tukwila Fire Department... To all business people in the Tukwila Fire Department protection area, we wish you the very best holiday greetings. We would also like to take this opportunity to offer a few seasonal suggestions with regard to personal and build- ing safety. Each winter, many places of business suffer severe water damage as a result of frozen water pipes, bothdomestic and fire -sprin- kler systems. Keeping all parts of your building at least 40 degrees F, day and night, is the easiest way to avoid the misfortunes associated with burst water pipes. Also, keeping stock a few inches off the floor by the use of pallets or racks will help to reduce loss from water damage. A few gallons of water spreads out a long way on a flat concrete floor. It's also very easy to expect too much of our otherwise adequate electrical serv- ices by adding holiday lights and other electrical decorations. Remember to use only UL -listed devices and keep the total number of decorations to a minimum. Avoid using outlet cheater blocks and chaining extension cords together. Try to plug decorations directly into wall or floor receptacles. When leaving home for any reason— even for a few minutes — create the impression some- one is still there; use lights and timers, leave a radio playing loud enough to be heard out- side, be extra cautious about locking all doors and win- dows. If you go away, have a neighbor watch your home and pick up newspapers and mail. Get an automatic timer for your lights. And if you will be travelling, do not leave your luggage unattended. That's as bad as leaving your vehicle unlocked and the key in the ignition. More suggestions: * Shop before dark if possible. Coordi- nate shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late. * Park in a well -lighted area. Don't walk to your car alone if it's parked in a dark area. Wait for public transpor- tation or rides from friends in busy, well -lighted areas. * Teach your child to go to a store clerk and ask for help if you become sepa- rated while shopping. Tell your chil- dren never to go into the parking lot alone. * Even though you are rushed and think- ing about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Don't make yourself atarget...play Santa but don't be a victim of Scrooge. You have worked hard all year to bring a little joy into someone else's life — now is not the time to give it all away. Christmas trees should be live or treated with an approved fire retardant product. (Check with your local hardware store, nursery, or in the yellow pages for fire retardant materials.) The tree stand should be kept full of water at all times and should be kept away from heat sources. Boughs and garlands should be made from fresh cut greens. They should be kept away from heat sources, and replaced with they begin to dry out. They may also be fire retardant treated. We hope that your holiday season is safe and prosperous. Nail/ken! GIristmcas frees are very thirsty. check their vsictfee level daily. Dry twees : u e c' fire Rc z.crd! Public Works Department sees completion of projects 1990 was a busy year for Tukwila's Public Works Department. Construc- tion is complete on several projects that include: • The intersection at South 180th Street and Sperry Drive has a new signal and parking for Christensen Trail users. This project was funded by the City and local property owners First Interstate Bank and Frederick & Nelson. It provides needed parking for the trail located adjacent to the Frederick & Nelson's distribution center, as well as signal control to enter or cross South 180th Street. • The North Hill Reservoir is substan- tially complete; it will provide the peak amounts of water needed for early morning and evening, now de- livered from the Seattle pipeline. The reservoir also provides increased water supply for fire protection. • A storm drain in 52nd Avenue South west of Interurban has been com- pleted. The old drain pipe had rusted away causing washouts under the pavement in the street. • Southcenter and Southcenter South have funded the new signal on Stran- der between Andover Park West and Southcenter Parkway. This new sig- nal provides for vehicle and pedes- trian traffic crossing Strander. • Completion of 1990 street overlay work includes Andover Park East south of Tukwila Parkway and north of South 180th, Boeing Access Road, several dirt roads in the newly an- nexed area, the Community Center and Fire Station 51 parking lots, and Andover Park East after resurfacing Southcenter Boulevard between 68th South and Interurban. The Southcen- ter Boulevard work included adding pavement on the shoulder to provide for pedestrian traffic; this shoulder paving is being called a "ped path". Ped paths are also being designed for 1991 construction several area streets where pedestrians have no sidewalks. These ped paths will increase safety for pedestrians, and last for several years until future street improvements with sidewalks can be constructed. Several state grants for street improve- ments in 1991 have been received. Those projects include work on Interurban Avenue, East Marginal Way, Southcen- ter Boulevard including revisions to the I-405 ramps, and the South 180th Street/ West Valley Road intersection. Additional applications have been sub- mitted for funds to improve Southcenter Parkway, 42nd Avenue S., Andover Pali( West including bus pullouts, and a joint application with other local agencies to improve Pacific Highway between the Boeing Access Road and SR 516. Tukwila gathers hazardous materials The annual Tukwila Household Hazard- ous Waste Collection Day was held October 20th at Tukwila Fire Station 54. Personnel from the Tukwila Fire De- partment and Chemical Processors, Inc., staffed the collection. As in past years, the event was a success. One hundred and forty seven citizens brought in a variety of waste materials including: • motor oil • paint • insecticides/pesticides • acid • cleaning chemicals • batteries • miscellaneous products To dispose of hazardous waste during the year, call the King County Hazards Line, 296-4692, for upcoming locations of the Household Hazardous Wastemo- bile. King County offers opportunity to learn about recycling Tukwila has been developing and revising its recycling program over the past several months. It incorporates citizen priorities, budget necessities, and state and county legal requirements for a comprehensive recycling and solid waste program. Tukwila's program focuses on residential services initially, and will provide single-family and multi -family residents a choice of curbside service or drop -site. The program will also modify the existing spring and fall cleanup to encourage recycling. Look for these services to begin throughout 1991. In the meantime, King County is offering an opportunity to Tukwila residents who recycle and wish others did, who don't compost but would like to leam how, and who buy a lot of packaging and wish they could buy less. It's perfect for those who'd like to help their community by sharing knowledge with others. If this is you, think about becoming a King County Master Recycler Composter (MRC). MRC's leam about waste reduction and recycling in an intensive training program offered by King County. The training is free and includes classroom, field work and hands-on activities. Call the Solid Waste Division Information Line at 296-4466 for an application. You can also hear more about the volunteer program by calling DialExtension at 296 -DIAL. Ask to listen to tape #1298. The next Master Recycler Composter training begins January in Kent. Applications must be submitted by December 14th; class size is limited to 25. This program is offered by the King County Solid Waste Division in cooperation with the Kent Public Library. Training is provided by the Washington State Energy Office — Energy Extension Service. THE HAZELNUT Published by the City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, Washington 98188 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUKWILA, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 Mayor's Message (continued from front page) ® The implementation of a recycling program for the residential neighbor- hoods and the promotion of recycling in the commercial districts will occur in the spring. This will assist us in meeting the 1995 state -mandated goal of reducing our land fill waste stream by 50%. 1991, like 1990, will be a year of con- tinuing transition for the City. Our tre- mendous growth through annexation has made us a new community with different priorities and needs. Issues such as safety, crime prevention, infrastructure im- provement, and code enforcement have taken on greater importance with our expanded boundaries. We hope to con- tinue to be responsive to your needs for accountable and effective government. I encourage every citizen of the city, both residential and corporate, to get involved with their community, communicate your ideas and concerns. Without your par- ticipation, you will get the government that we think you want, rather than the government that you tell us you want. Gary L. VanDusen Mayor Committee recommends street name changes A citizen committee has recommended that the City change the names of several streets so there will be more continuity and less confusion in finding addresses. The recommendation is to change the name of Macadam Road South on the east side of I-5 to Long Avenue South (in honor of George Long, former Tukwila city employee and long-time member of the community), and to rename as Mac- adam the entire road on the west side of 1-5 between the Klickitat bridge over I- 5 south to Interurban Avenue. That street now has several names, starting with Klickitat and going to 51st Avenue, Macadam, 43rd, and 42nd. The original Macadam Road was the first of its kind — using the macadam paving process — in the State of Washington. A Council committee has considered this proposal and has recommended a process for adopting the changes. They currently plan for the changes to take place over a period of time next year after everyone has had a chance to comment. The City will notify residents and businesses on those streets slated for name changes about an informational meeting on this issue early in 1991; a public hearing on the changes is also planned. For any questions, please call Lucy Lauterbach at 433-1834. t cwila l a e nfPublic v orl and mu ty i ev lap Paltc Inv tigattoins tvtsion aim luting : an open hcruse:; on Friday, ember 3 00 to 5 00 p m 'The City's r#h and need for addit onal officespam>pm pted the move inti new facilities at 6300 ut center Boule vard, next door tp City;Hall. Everyone is invited to attend, anti Cit • y st ip be available to provide information and answer any questions. Attention, Tukwila Businesses Your current business license expires on December 31, 1990. All businesses currently licensed in the City of Tukwila will be receiving busi- ness license renewal forms in mid-De- cember, 1990. The Tukwila Municipal Code requires all business enterprises renew their licenses annually no later than January 31st of each year. Penalty fees go into effect on February 1, 1991, for all businesses that have not submitted their renewal form and fee to the City Clerk's Office. Fees for the 1991 license are as follows: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES FEE 0 - S..f.1.N.. 4 • ..... .......i•$ SO 6.100 ..:........:.......$100 101 & Above .............. $200 As of January 1, 1991, we welcome business owners in the Cascade View annexation area as part of the Tukwila business community. As we have iden- tified most businesses in the area, busi- ness license applications for Cascade View establishments will also be mailed in mid-December. If you are a Cascade View area business owner/operator and do not receive an application, contact the City Clerk's Office at 433-1800. The Tukwila Municipal Code requires that all businesses operating within the City obtain a license. New enterprises must obtain a license prior to their open- ing date of business. Application forms are available at the City Clerk's office during regular business hours. Ques- tions regarding business licensing pro- cedures can be directed to the City Clerk's Office at 433-1800. Remember— renew your license by Janu- ary 31, 1991, to avoid a penalty fee.