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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 12 No. 3THE HAZELNUT SEPTEMBER 1991 A Quarterly Publication of the City of Tukwila Volume 12, Number 3 MAYOR'S MESSAGE As you read this issue of The Hazelnut, the Administration and Council will be once again immersed in the process of constructing an annual budget for the upcoming year. This year's effort will be somewhat more difficult than previous years. Simply stated, our expenditures (the cost of providing services, constructing streets and facilities, etc.) are growing faster than our revenues. In many ways we are no longer Tukwila, the small town with few problems and unlimited finances. As a result, we have some tough choices to make in funding programs and projects for 1992 and beyond. It is our desire to continue to provide comprehensive and responsive service to our residential and corporate citizens without resorting to tax increases. This will likely result in a hold -the - line policy on staffing and a slowdown in our very ambitious capital construction program. We can assure you, however, that you will continue to receive services from the City consistent with our mission statement. We will work to achieve a proper balance between our residential and commercial street improvement program, parks and public facilities construction program, and our general governmental activities fund. While we cannot afford to do everything we may want to do, we can afford to accomplish critical programs and projects by prioritizing our expenditures. The Administration and Council will be working many, many hours in the coming months to achieve this goal. In this issue of The Hazelnut you will find reference to the various ongoing and upcoming programs and projects that affect our quality of life in Tukwila. I am particularly excited about Vision Tukwila (see page 5). This program solicits your ideas in fashioning improvements on a neighborhood -by -neighborhood basis. Another is the Tree Planting Day planned for October. Citizen volunteers — residential and corporate — can participate in improving one of our major gateways into the community. Both of these activities are opportunities to demonstrate and strengthen the partnership roles we all play in working together for the betterment of our community. If you have any questions, or if we can help with a problem, please call City Hall. Contact me or one of your seven council persons directly; our numbers are listed below. We very much want to hear your ideas and concerns. Some highlights... The City's Mission Page 1 Code Enforcement Page 2 Animal Control Page 2 Recycling Program Page 3 Tree Planting Day Page 4 Vision Tukwila Page 5 Sensitive Areas Page 6 Sincerely, Gary L. VanDusen PHONE NUMBERS Gary VanDusen 243-6743 Joe Duffle 244-4280 Joan Hernandez 248-0260 Dennis Robertson 242-6373 Clarence Moriwaki 433-8539 Allan Ekberg 241-6904 Steve Lawrence 243-9266 Wally Rants 244-0588 Serving our citizens The Mayor, City Councilmembers and City staff members together composed a Mission Statement for Tukwila, to serve as the symbol of the partnership between City government and the public it serves. We feel that every day we move closer to the "Excellence in Action" goal we have set for our- selves. We would like to know how you thinkwe're doing. Call the Mayor's office at 433-1850. City of Tukwila Mission Statement The City of Tukwila, in the spirit of partnership with its community, is preserving and enhancing a vibrant and healthy quality of life by providing caring, effective and efficient service. As stewards of our commu- nity, we are dedicated to the following core values: S E R SERVICE C E Tukwila steps up code enforcement efforts In the "good of days", when Tukwila was just the folks on the hill, the town marshall could be counted on to enforce all the laws of the land. As a reflection of the rapid growth and recent annexations, the City of Tukwila has hired a code en- forcement officer to ensure compliance with City codes relating to zoning, hous- ing, signs and other potential nuisances. In the next few issues, The Hazelnutwill seek to familiarize its readers with the code enforcement program. Oh, what a feeling... The Cityhas received numerous inquiries regarding a subject near and not -so -dear to many of us: junk cars — that is, inoperative, abandoned and dismantled vehicles in residential areas. It is a viola- tion of the nuisance ordinance to maintain residential property for: • use as a junk yard or dumping ground • the wrecking, disassembling or re- building of automobiles, trucks, trac- tors or machinery of any kind • the leaving of worn out, wrecked or abandoned vehicles The code enforcement officer has re- sponded to many complaints in this area and, due to the high number of junk car complaints, will soon be taking a pro- active approach to this problem. For the most part, such nuisances have been suc- cessfully eliminated, but a few cases have required the initiation of legal action, customarily used as a last resort. Each new instance will be individually consid- ered, and hopefully these unwanted ve- hicles will be removed through the volun- tary compliance of their owners. Another thorny problem A common question among Tukwila resi- dents is "How do I get rid of my neighbor's blackberry bushes?" The City's nuisance ordinance briefly addresses this problem in one of its provisions, restricting the height of uncultivated shrubs to two feet. The Code Enforcement Office handles several complaints annually during the growing season, when these shrubs begin to creep on or over a neighbor's fence. Legally, a blackberry bush becomes a nui- sance and is subject to enforcement only when it has overgrown onto an adjoining property. Enforcement action will not be taken to clear all properties in the City with black- berry brush. Property owners are re- quested to clear that portion of the over- growth which has been declared to be a nuisance, plus an additional amount to ensure that the offending blackberries do not quickly return. Voluntary coopera- tion of the property owner is requested after notification of the problem; court action is utilized for those individuals who choose not to comply. If you wish to lodge a complaint about junk cars or blackberry bushes in your neighborhood, or if you have questions concerning these or other nuisances, please contact the Code Enforcement Office at 431-3661. Animal control questions addressed by City Several City residents have recently con- tacted City Hall with questions regarding animal control in the City. Although the existing ordinance is quite lengthy and addresses all phases of animal control, City code generally requires or permits the following: 1. All dogs and cats kept in the City must be licensed annually. The current annual license fee is $10.00 for dogs and $7.00 for cats if they are spayed/neutered, or $22.00 and $12.00 respectively for un- altered animals. 2. King County Animal Control has been given the responsibility to enforce both the City ordinance and State laws relating to animal control within Tukwila. Ques- tions can be directed to the Animal Con- trol Authority at 296-7387. 3. The Animal Control Authority's basic enforcement power into catch any animals, including dogs and cats, that are doing 2 certain prohibited acts (explained below) or that have been subjected to cruel treatment by their owners. The Animal Control Authority will hold licensed ani- mals for the owner for at least 120 hours after informing the owner by mail or phone that the animal has been picked up. Non -licensed animals will be held for at least 72 hours. 4. In general, Animal Control Authority enforcement officers will pick up animals found to be doing the following: ❖ Running at large, including in parks or on public school grounds ❖ Entering any place where food is pre- pared, served or sold to the public Oa 4. Entering any public building r• Chasing, running after, or jumping at vehicles on public streets Habitually snapping, snarling or other- wise threatening people on public streets and sidewalks ❖ Exhibiting vicious tendencies which constitute a danger to people either off –or lawfully on –the owner's property ❖ Howling or barking so that neighbors are unreasonably disturbed + Running or remaining on another person's private property without per- mission of that other person ❖ Having any type of contagious disease, unless that animal is under the treat- ment of a veterinarian We want everyone to enjoy the compan- ionship of pets, but please remember to license them each year and keep them under your control. THE HAZELNUT Tukwila easing into the ways of recycling The past few months have been very eventful for Tukwila's residential recy- cling program. Recycling launched at Tukwila Days At the Tukwila Days Community Festival, the Recycling Program kick-off event was a fashion show featuring fanciful headwear created from recycled materials, and a performance of environmentally -oriented music and magic by the Amazing Amana. King County master composter/recyclers shared tips with residents on waste re- duction, and a new high-tech recycling truck appeared in the community parade. Residential recycling program In mid-July, SeaTac Disposal and Nick Raffo Inc., the haulers who will collect recylables at the curbside in Tukwila, contacted their customers with sign-up sheets. In late July, the City mailed bro- chures to all single-family residents, in- forming them of the program and telling them how to sign up whether or not they received garbage service. On July 31, the State approved the new recycling and garbage charges, enabling the program to get underway officially on August 1, 1991. By mid-August, the haulers had delivered bins to all single-family residents who had signed up for recycling service. Yard waste and recycling pick-up will phase in for several weeks after the delivery of the containers. Haulers will continue to col- lect garbage weekly; they will take yard waste and recycling on alternate weeks, on the same day as the garbage collection. By the time residents receive this edition of The Hazelnut, we expect that recycling servicewillbe well underway. If you have specific questions about collection times or if you wish to sign up for recycling, you may directly contact the hauler which serves your neighborhood: SeaTac Disposal — 725-4200 Nick Raffo, Inc. — 439-7427 SEPTEMBER 1991 Apartment/condominium recycling In July, the City of Tukwila held two informational meetings for apartment and condominium owners and managers, who were advised that they must offer their residents the opportunity to recycle paper, cardboard, tin, aluminum, glass and se- lectedplastics on-site. Owners/managers may elect to either self -haul their recycla- bles or contract for recycling services with SeaTac Disposal or Nick Raffo, the gar- bage haulers who already serve the area. Owners/managers were shown how to select a recycling method or hauler, and told about Tukwila's apartment and con- dominium recycling volunteer program. At each complex, a resident will be "Re- cycling Captain" and assist fellow residents with information about recycling and cutting down on waste. Haulers are now delivering containers to those complexes which have signed up; the service will begin soon thereafter. Home composting We would like to remind residents that yard waste may no longer be placed in containers with garbage. You may choose either to sign up for curbside yard waste collection, take it to a transfer station with yard waste facilities, go to a commercial facility, or compost at home. King County has a program to help you make nutrient -rich compost from yard wastes such as grass and leaves. Composting is the most practical and convenient way to handle yard wastes. It can be easier and cheaper than curbside collection or taldngyardwaste to a transfer station. And by using compost, organic matter is returned to the earth in a form that improves the health of your plants by improving soil texture, retaining moisture and adding essential nutrients to your yard and garden. While supplies last, Tukwila residents can purchase easy -to -assemble compost bins made of western red cedar. You can buy your first bin for $8.75. After that, King County will sell additional bins for their actual cost of $26.00. Bins come with instructions for assembly and for making and using compost. To order your bin, send a check or money order for $8.75 to: King County Compost Bin P.O. Box 445487 Seattle, WA 98145-0487 Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. King County also has a recycling and com- posting information line, available to answer your composting questions Mon- day through Friday during office hours. Call 296-4466. If you have general ques- tions about the City's recycling program, please call Rebecca Fox, Associate Planner, at 431-3683 for further information. Human Services update The Mayor's Office recently published a Human Services Program Update which addresses the City's human services pro- gram and needs. The update, compiled by Evelyn Boykan, Human Service Coordi- nator, addresses the programs the City is currently supporting withbudgeted funds. The report also discusses the evidence of the need for, and the development of support for, the program. The report is available from the Mayor's Office, or by calling Evelyn Boykan at 241-7144. In other news from the Human Service Department, solicitations for 1992 fund- ing requests have been made to human service providers. An ad hoc committee has been established to review the re- quests. Recommendations will then be submitted to the Mayor's Office and City Council for consideration in the 1992 budget. 3 Beautification program brings pleas for trees The City has a vision we hope you can join with us in seeing. We want to change some of the freeway inter- changes from monochromatic grassy areas to landscapes that remind us that this is the Northwest of tall trees and abundant greenery. We want to plant trees along the freeway ramps in Tuk- wila. It's a small start, but it is a step in the right direction. We can't do this alone. We need you to get involved, to bring a tree or to buy one of the trees we'll have available, and to come plant it on Tree Planting Day, Saturday October 19th. One of the prices we pay for more development and for more people living here is the disappearance of the stands of trees that have characterized the Northwest landscape. This has happened everywhere in the Puget Sound in recentyears. You notice it in cities and towns and whenever you drive anywhere along freeways. Tukwila wants to work to fix that problem. The City is planning a Tree Planting Day this fall, when residents, businesses and government will band together to replant trees along our freeways. We want everyone to help us in this effort, and the result will be one we can all be proud of and watch grow for years to come. To help out, we're asking you to dig up a tree from your yard to plant, or to buy one of the trees we'll have available, and come to plant it on October 19th. We hope to landscape the grassy space between I-405 at the off ramp to Southcenter Boulevard, and the space just above the on-ramp to I-5 northbound. Questions about the tree planting program? Call 433-1834. Boards and Commissions The City is assisted in its operations in several areas by eight boards or commissions, acting in independent or advisory capacities: • Board of Adjustment • Board of Appeals • Civic Arts Commission • Sister City Committee • Library Advisory Board • Park Commission • Civil Service Commission • Planning Commission/ Board of Architectural Review The majority of the members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Residents of the City serve an important function by volunteering their time and ex- pertise as members. If you would be interested in serving on one of these boards, contact the Mayor's office at 433-1850. 4 Tukwila history book will soon be a reality We are so -o -o -o -o -o close! After extensive research and coordination by members of the Tukwila Cen- tennial History Book Committee and author/historian Kay Reinartz, the City's history book is within a few weeks of publication. With just a few details yet to be handled, we expect the printer to receive the book in mid-September and have the printed materials available by about the first of October. It's been a long time coming, but when you see the final product, we thinkyou'll agree it was well worth the wait. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Dibble, production manager, at 431-3687. Perks/Recreation Fall '91 Recreation brochure The City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department has mailed its Fall 1991 recreation brochure. Inside you'll find classes, activities and special events for the whole family, in- cluding the Haunted House, Hal- loween Carnival and Winter Break Day Camp. Registration began on September 3 and regis- trations will be accepted until the class or activity begins or registra- tion is full. This fall's brochure has grown from 16 to 24 pages, to make room for all the new activities and classes that the staff is offering this quarter. Please call the Tukwila Community Center at 243-5198 if you do not receive a brochure by Sept. 15. Facilities guide A guide to all parks, facilities and trails is now being printed and will be available for distribution at the end of September. Those citizens interested in obtaining this guide may stop by City Hall at 6200 Southcenter Boulevard, or the Tukwila Community Center at 4101 South 131st Street. You may also call 433- 1800 and one will be mailed to you. Wood waste recycling day On Saturday October 19th, the Parks Departmentwill once again offer a one -day wood waste re- cycling service. The Park crew will acceptwood waste materials from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Earlington Pea Patch site at 42nd Avenue and South 125th. Materials such as blackberry vines, ivy, sod or similar materi- als cannot be accepted. This service is offered to our City residents in conjunction with King County's Recycle Week, October 14th - 20th. THE HAZELNUT Coming soon to a neighborhood near you... "Vision Tukwila" These neighborhoods will all have the chance to tell the City about their hopes and concerns for the future of their community. SEPTEMBER 1991 Tukwila has experienced unprecedented growth through both continued development and its recent annexations. Our dynamic community needs a mechanism to thoroughly assess the long-term and short-range needs of the City. It is necessary for residents and business owners to get involved in the City's government and influence decisions being made on issues important to them. Tukwila Mayor Gary VanDusen announced a major new initiative this summer called Vision Tukwila. The goal of Vision Tukwila is to recognize the strengths of each neighborhood and build on those strengths, and at the same time identify problems that the City can address through short-term and long-range planning. Because you as a resident have the best knowledge of the needs and concerns of your neighborhood, your involvement will be vital to the success of the program. The Department of Community Development has identified five distinct neighborhoods in the City for Vision Tukwila. (The accompanying map shows the neighborhoods as currently delineated.) Each neighborhood will have meetings between repre- sentatives from every City department and concerned community members. From these meetings, plans will be developed to address those concerns pre- sented by our citizens. This citizen action process will result in the development of a short-term plan addressing growth and development control, com- munity enhancement, and citizen issues within specific areas of Tukwila. Community meetings are scheduled to begin in late September or early October, beginning in Area 1, and will continue at two-week intervals until the process is completed. (Area 1 includes all businesses and residents between Highway 518 on the south, I-5 on the east, the Duwamish Waterway on the north, and Pacific Highway South on the west.) Informational flyers will be posted throughout the City, and you will be notified by mail as your area begins the citizen action process. Any questions you have in the meantime can be directed to Lora Fowler, Department of Community Development, at 431-3670. You and your neighbors will play an active role in shaping Tukwila's future. We look forward to working with you on this important project! 5 CITY DIRECTORY TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard 433-1800 Business hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Dennis Robertson, President Joe H. Duffle Allan Ekberg Joan Hernandez Steve Lawrence Clarence Moriwaki John "Wally" Rants CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:00 p.m. In Council Chambers Regular Meeting ..1 st/3rd Mondays Workshops 2nd/4th Mondays CITY OFFICES Mayor Gary L. VanDusen 433-1805 City Administrator John McFarland 433-1832 Finance Department Alan Doerschel, Director.433-1835 Fire Department Tom Keefe, Chief 575-4404 Dept. of Community Development Rick Beeler, Director 431-3680 Parks/Recreation Department Don Williams, Director433-1843 Police Department Ron Waldner, Chief 433-1808 Public Works Department Ross Earnst, Director 433-0179 Dept. of Administrative Services Viki Witschger, Director -433-1831 City Clerk's Office 433-1800 Municipal Court 433-1840 Personnel 433-1831 City Job Line 433-1828 Emergency Fire, Police, Aid Car 911 TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER 4101 South 131st Street Recreation Division 243-5198 Senior Center 8 Services 433-1857 Human Services 241-7144 FOSTER GOLF LINKS 13500 Interurban Avenue South Pro Shop 242-4221 Restaurant 241-5784 THE HAZELNUT is a community newsletter published quarterly by the City of Tukwila and written by City staff. Editing/production: Stacia Norris iitPrinted on recycled paper Proposed sensitive area amendments to be heard The City's Sensitive Areas Ordinance (SAO) has been in operation since the month of June. The Ordinance was developed to protect areas including wetlands, streams and steep, unstable slopes. Several months of experience in implementing the SAO has revealed the need to streamline certain sections that may create an unintended burden on some permit applicants. The amendments seek to ease requirements for unnecessary environmental review and costly technical studies. Most of this SAO concern is centered around processing building permits for new single residences, remodels, and similar single-family projects with sensitive areas on the site. In late August the Administration proposed several Ordinance amendments to the City Council and the City Planning Commission. The proposed amendments will be available at the counter in both City Hall and the Department of Community Development. A public hearing is scheduled before the City of Tukwila Planning Commission on September 12, 1991 at 8:00 pm in the Council Chambers. The public is invited to review the changes and testify at the hearing or in writing to the Planning Commission. The recommendations of the Planning Commission will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Questions regarding the changes can be referred to Gary Schulz or Moira Bradshaw in Community Development's Planning Division at 431-3670. Upcoming elections will decide important positions Beginning with the primary election on Tuesday, September 17th, the 1991 elections will be underway. Tukwila voters will have an opportunity to cast their ballots for their choice for Mayor and three City Council seats. As a result of the primary election, the two candidates receiving the most votes in each position will advance to the general election on Tuesday, November 5th. If you are a United States citizen, a legal resident of the state of Washington, and will be eighteen or older by the day of the election, you are qualified to register to vote. This year the primary election will be held on Tuesday, September 17th. The general election will follow on Tuesday, November 5th. You may register to vote at any time, but you must be registered at least 30 days prior to the election you wish to vote in. You must register in person before a. county auditor, city or town clerk or deputy registrar. You may register at Tukwila City Hall, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If you are disabled and unable to leave home, contact your county auditor to make special arrangements to register. If you have questions regarding your registration, you may contact King County Records and Elections at 296-1565 or Tukwila City Hall at 433-1800. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE — _ L JUST Do Ir! THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, Washington 98188 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUKWILA, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, call 433-1800.