Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 10 No. 2HAZELNUT VOL. 10 NO. 2 LA, WA SEPTEMBER, 1989 TUKWILA, Mayor's Message The City of Tukwila continues to be comrnitted to the concept of "Excellence in Action" in the provision of services to our citizens. The citizen - whether pri- vate or corporate - is our customer and must be treated as such. We work for you, the taxpayer, and we will provide the best quality service that is at our dis- posal. You are well aware that the City is different than it was at the beginning of the year. Four annexations have taken place and the City has grown substan- tially in size, population, and number and complexity of issues that face the City. The annexations have caused some "growing pains" for all departments. The Administration and Council have expe- rienced a tremendous increase in their workloads, and we sometimes need to find new ways to deal with problems that face us. We may "stumble" or make re mistakes as we deliver services to citizens. As your Mayor, I can only ask for your consideration and patience when this happens. It is important that you keep me informed when you have difficulty - or even a good experience - so that I may give appropriate direction or reinforcement to the staff. I ask every citizen to be more inter- ested and to participate in the City. A prime opportunity exists with the up- coming Council elections. You have excellent candidates running for office, and they will be making policy on your behalf that will chart the future of our city. Several issues are currently being brought forth for debate or considera- tion: Open Space and Parks, Sensitive Area (slopes, wetland and view corri- dors), Human Services, Capital Improve- ments, and Future Annexations to name a few. I am particularly concerned with the fiscal aspects of our future City policies. We can afford to provide basic services (police, fire, public works, etc.) and do some of the things that improve our quality of life. I caution everyone +h.at we can't do everything. Our ability :fmance projects and meet service _mands are finite. Your involvement in helping to make these critical decisions is strongly and sincerely urged. Gary L. VanDusen, Mayor Tukwila Mayor Gary VanDusen welcomes citizens to the City. The new welcome signs, designed by City staffers, are being posted at 22 entrances into the City. City Council elections set for Nov. 7 Of four City Council seats to be filled this year, only two will appear on the November 7 general election ballot. Joe Duffle and Alan Ekberg al- ready have won their respective seats, running unopposed this year. Ekberg is new to the Council. It will be Duffle's third four-year term. The decision of Councilmembers Ed Bauch, Marilyn Stoknes and Mae Hams to not seek another term opened the door for three new faces on the Council come January. George Malina and John "Wally" Rantz will compete for Position #4 and Steve Lawrence and Scott Nangle will battle it out for Position #2. The Council job pays $400 per month during the four-year term. Many important policies will be determined during their term as the City adjusts to its recent growth. This is the second time in three years that three new people will sit on the Council. It means that six of the seven Councilmembers will have two or fewer years of Council experience. Voting will take place all day on November 7, at the regular polling places. Learn as much as you can about the candidates and make an informed choice. Message from the Council As we're heading toward Fall, the City Council continues to work hard to make sure Tukwila stays a place we're all proud of. Trying to balance the needs of the "old" and "new" Tukwila, the resi- dential and business communities, and the growth or preservation of areas has kept us busy up until now and promises to keep our meetings lively into the fu- ture. Already planned for the next few months are issues as diverse as acting to protect wetlands, steep slopes and ero- sion areas; changing the Multi -Family Design Standards in the zoning code; approving pre -annexation zoning for the Cascade View annexation; and starting a Surface Water Utility to clean up the Green River and Puget Sound. We welcome your coming to our meetings any time. Even with the recent annexations Tukwila's still a small enough town that you can reach any of us or come to any meeting with an issue you feel needs the City's attention. Remember, you're our bosses. Until citizens let us know what you want, we on the Council will assume we're headed in the right direction. Let us hear from you! Marilyn Stoknes, Council President Cascade View Annexation Under Study The Fire District #1, Riverton, Fos- ter and Thorndyke annexations have now have been completed and the areas absorbed into Tukwila. Together, these annexations have increased City popu- lation from 6,198 to 10,793 and area from 4,255 to 5,143 acres. The City is now processing Cas- cade View as the last of this original quintet of annexation requests from area residents during Summer/Fall, 1988. The Cascade View annexation was pro- posed as a logical extension of the City in order to fully encompass the South Central School District. Joint City/school district boundaries are anticipated to in- crease the sense ofTukwila as a commu- nity. Cascade View is located between Military Road on the West, Highway 99/ Tukwila city limits on the east, S 116th St on the north, and S 152nd St on the south. The area contains 581 acres with a population of about 3,061. Develop- ment is characterized by a mix of com- mercial and multi -family uses in the south and along Highway 99, strong central and northern single-family ar- eas, and Riverton Hospital in the center. The annexation seems to be strongly supported by residents in the central area, with a group of northern area residents actively opposing annexa- tion. The City's analysis of service needs and fiscal obligations for the Cascade View area anticipates revenues of $738,000 and costs in a range of $650,000 to $895,000. The City Council will soon be for- warding the annexation to the King County Boundary Review Board, and holding public hearings in September and October to establish zoning and other annexation terms and conditions. A vote on the annexation is anticipated on February 6, 1990. CASCADE VIEW LEGEND Tukwila City Limits �.�.� Sea Tac City Limits Proposed Cascade View Annexation NO SCALE v S 128th a St 133rd or al Mil I TL 9 99 K IL a S 15 nd FQt St FQste High Thorn 40 y 5 Vote required to "Third Tuesdays" begin at City Hall keep 911 service Emergency fire, police and medical service provided by calling 911 requires voter approval every six years. This service is due to expire in August, 1990, unless it receives voter approval at the November 7 election. The life-saving emergency services are provided throughout King County at a cost of about 30t per month, per telephone line, and is collected as part of your phone bill. This cost is expected to increase to 35¢ in 1990-1991. The ballot measure will request the authority to raise the monthly charge to 454t to cover potential increases during the next six years. Some of the Puget Sound area's finest musicians and entertainers will perform free concerts in the City Council Chambers at City Hall on the third Tuesday of each month. Enjoy classical piano and violin soloists, wind quintets, string quartets, classical trios, and a marimba duet. There even is a play that celebrates Washington's history this year in honor of the state's Centennial celebration. The programs begin at 7:00 pm and last an hour. You can talk with the performers after the concerts and enjoy complimentary juice and cookies. The free concerts are sponsored by the Tukwila Arts Commission and the Parks and Recreation department. Mark these dates on your calen- dar and join us for some great music. October 17 November 21 December 19 January 16 February 13 March 20 April 17 May 15 Geisa Dutra - classical pianist Washington Portraits - a Centennial play. Northwoods Wind Quintet Chun Leung To Johann Strauss Trio - Collier and Dean Olympic Marimba Duo Salted String Quartet Ticket to Tukwila 1 1Community at the Crossroads 1 Ticket to Tukwila - Community at the Cross- roads is the history of Tukwila from the days when the Duwamish people lived on the land, through pioneer settlement, to the present. The history of the newly annexed areas will be included. The book will be based on original research including archival documents, oral histories, business and family memorabilia, photographs and maps. Following high stan- dards of historical scholarship to assure sub- stantial and accurate history, the book will be ' a pleasure to read and will be lavishly illus- luMy ed with maps, drawing and photographs. Ticket to Tukwila is the story of a special Puget Sound community. The Tukwila History Book is being created as a grassroots community participation endeavor in this year of the state centennial celebrations. You can participate and leave a lasting legacy to future generations by: • Sharing your historical materials by loaning them to the Research Center for study. Land, business and legal records, documents, written memoirs, family diaries, old letters, pictures, and other memorabilia are needed. All loaned materials will be safeguarded at the Research Center and returned to the owner. • Contributing your time and talent and energy by assisting with historical research. A wide variety of skills are needed. Research work can be done at home as well as in the field. No experience is needed. Project Director will provide training for all special skills required by the work. • Donating Tukwila historical memorabilia to the permanent Tukwila History Archive being established to preserve community history materials for all to see and enjoy. To get involved in this landmark Tukwila project, call Dr. Kay F. Reinartz, the Project Director, at the Research Center, 241-7144 or leave a message at 433-1800. Park Department listens to what citizens want The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking citizen comments about recreation services. Each quarter of the year a recreation brochure containing current programs and services is sent to all residents. If you would like to have a class or workshop for youth or adults offered, please call Lynn Devoir at 243- 38. Also, specialized youth and adult sports, preschool and senior programs maybe offered. Let us know what you would like. Design work continues on Crystal Springs Phase II, with construction starting next Spring. Two foot trails will be completed this Fall. Foster Golf Links will have a new 16th tee and green by November. A new area is being planned next to Foster Park. Tukwila Days committee is meeting to plan next year's an- nual community festival. If you would like to join the committee call, Lynn Devoir at 243- 5198. 1 ■ Ticket to Tukwila - Community at the Crossroads Centennial Community History Book Sponsored by the City of Tukwila, WA _ r Book Order Form • Name: Street: City: State Zip: # of Books Amount Ordered Enclosed Total Enclosed Pre -Publication Prices Hardcover $30 Softcover $15 Tax 0 8.1% Mailing $3.50 per book Books will be sold for $35.00 for hardcover, $18.00 softcover after publication. Order now and save almost 20%. Pre -publication prices valid through Jan. 31,1990. Mail order form and check to: Ticket to Tukwila, c/o Tukwila City Hall, 6200 Southcen- ter Blvd., Tukwila, WA, 98188. Books may be picked up at Tukwila City Hall after publication or mailed upon request. L J Block grants available for home repairs Tukwila home owners thinking of repairing, weatherizing or improving their home may have low or no interest loans available to them. In 1989, and for 1990, the City has contributed part of its annual share of federal funds, known as Community Devel- opment Block Grants, towards several special home loan programs operated through King County's Housing Authority. If you want to make needed home repairs, or certain types of improvements, or weatherize your home and are a qualified home owner, you may apply for funding. Please contact the King CountyHous- ing Authority at their "Housing Hotline," 296-7640, for current information. To obtain information concerning weatheri- zation loans, please call 244-7750. City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, Washington 98188 3-H CABLE COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS 4517 California Avenue S.W., Suite "B" Seattle, Washington 98116 PLACE STAMP HERE CABLE TELEVISION SURVEY Residents of the City of Tukwila who have unresolved disputes with TCI have a means to get their problems solved. The City of Tukwila uses the services of 3-H Cable Communications Consultants to work with Tukwila citizens in taking care of unresolved disputes. 3-H keeps track of complaints received involving TCI and reports to the City so that the City may effectively monitor whether or not the cable company is keeping its franchise agreement with the City. Lon Hurd, vice president and director of 3-H, urges anyone who has such a dispute to contact his office at 935-9040. Additionally, the City will soon be starting negotiations with TCI of Washington, Inc., for an extension of their cable television franchise. 3-H will be assisting the City in the preparation of negotiations. In doing so they will be looking at the satisfac- tion of subscribers with TCI customer service. It would be very beneficial if you would take a few moments to fill out the following questionnaire and send it to the address listed below. GENERAL INFORMATION Do you now subscribe to cable television? ❑ Yes ❑ No How many hours a day do you watch television? ❑ 0-2 ❑ 3-5 ❑ 5+ Most of my television watching is between the hours of: ❑ 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 111 5 p.m. - midnight ❑ Midnight - 8 a.m. SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION If you now subscribe to cable television, please rate the following categories. GOOD FAIR POOR Picture quality ❑ ❑ ❑ Telephone answering ❑ ❑ ❑ Response to complaints ❑ ❑ ❑ Billing practices ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall service ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments: OPTIONAL INFORMATION Name: Address: Phone: RETURN TO: 3-H CABLE COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS 4517 California Avenue S.W., Suite "B" Seattle, Washington 98116 "Keep Tukwila small," says survey _ The 1989 Tukwila Citizen's Survey ws that most people returning sur- , s want to maintain a "small town" feel even with the new annexations. Nine areas of City services were included in the survey this year including: budget priorities, parks and open space, library, public safety/fire, annexations, general services, and community involvement . Nearly a third of the responses came from the Tukwila hill, with the rest equally spread throughout the newly annexed areas. Budget priorities There appears to be considerable interest in enforcing zoning codes. The extensive task force debates for pre- annexation zoning and the adult enter- tainment controversy seems to be re- flected heavily from survey respondents. More than 52% of the respondents rated this as Very Important. Most residents preferred putting the City's money into services rather than capital projects. Police/Fire Nearly one-third of the respondents have needed police services this past year. Of those, more than 80% ex- pressed satisfaction with the service. The respondents identified Burglary and Drugs as the top two categories for police attention. Control of gang activity also figured significantly in the preferences. Of less critical importance were vandal- ism, prostitution, and traffic. The fire and emergency services also received high praise from local residents. They favored spending money to maintain high quality services, particularly aid and fire staffing. Annexations Only 26% of the respondents fa- vored continued annexation, and 70% had no suggestions for how the City should accommodate demands for serv- ice in these areas. Services More than 62% said the City should continue to fund street improvements from the general fund. Any improve- ments in business district streets should be paid for by Local Improvement Dis- tricts (LIDs). "story book project stirs emotions The City is sponsoring a Tukwila Much of this work can be done at home history book as part of the Washington or with a group of people and does not State Centennial celebration. The book require any special training or experi- will be the first-ever compilation of local ence. history from the days of Indian tribes She is looking for local residents along the Duwamish River to the most with public works or engineering back - recent annexations. grounds to help piece together the high - Many citizens are working on this way/street construction. Retired farm - very exciting project, gathering stories, ers and dairymen are needed to recount photographs, letters and drawings from the days when agriculture preceeded long-time residents. The City hired a shopping malls and office parks. Any - professional historian, Dr, Kay Reinartz, one with some interest or training in to assemble the information into a book. tracking down the Mystery Mayors and The book will be generously illus- early pioneer families are encouraged to trated with maps, drawings and photos, join in, too. and will be available in both hardcover, The book is more than a collection "collector edition" quality, and softcover of facts and statistics. It will include editions. Pre -publication orders are now personal histories, thoughts and feel - being taken at 20% off the post-publica- Ings about why this area is so special to tion prices so many people. This is a true community activity. If you would like to help with the We urge all of you to share your memo- project, contact Darlene Crostick, the ries, documents, pictures and other volunteer coordinator, or Dr. Kay Re - memorabilia with the committee. Any inartz, at the Research Center in the object loaned for this project will be Tukwila Community Center, 241-7144. returned after the book is completed if To order a book at pre -publication you so desire. prices, send $16.22 for the softcover, Dr. Reinartz is looking for more $32.43 for the "collector's edition" to :,mteers to help with telephone calls, Ticket to Tukwila, c/o City Hall, 6200 .viewing land plats, typing, inventory- Southcenter Blvd., Tukwila, 98188. Add ing, cataloging, tabulating early census $3.50 ifyou want the book mailed to you. information, and researching early Books may be picked up at City Hall churches, schools farms and dairies. after publication early next year. Local citizens take the "hands on" approach to recycling at Tukwila Days. City expands recycling plan Tukwila produces more than 21 tons of solid waste every year. Fortu- nately, many Tukwila residents already recycle glass, cans and other materials around their homes even though dispos- ing of this material is inconvenient for them right now. The City of Tukwila is planning a city-wide recycling program under a grant from King County. The City will spend the rest of 1989 studying the extent of the problem in the City, where the solid waste comes from, what it consists of and how best it might be recycled. Six pilot projects in residen- tial and commercial areas and a City employees program are already under- way. The Solid Waste Management Re- port will be used to design a program that permits homeowners, apartment dwellers, and the business district to recycle the waste more efficiently. It also examines the costs and potential reve- nues from reselling recycled materials. Three-quarters of Tukwila's waste comes from the business community and their 44,000 employees. Many businesses are already recycling at least one item, but the amount of material they could recycle is much greater. City employees have been recy- cling paper, aluminum cans, glass, yard waste, oil, tires, and metal scraps since May. Six business and apartment com- plexes have been participating in an effort that allowed considerable com- ingling of recyclables during the sum- mer. No specific program has been out- lined yet. The Mayor and staff will begin drafting a program for the City Council's consideration throughout the Fall. The City will conduct public hearings to let citizens help shape this very important policy. A city-wide plan is hoped to begin early in 1990. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUKWILA, WA PERMIT NO. 1269f Published by the City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, WA 98188 The Tukwila library was once used as a City Hall and an early grade school. Important land use changes "Sensitive Areas" being defined Tukwila library made landmark Recently, Puget Power presented the City with a plaque honoring the building now housing the Tukwila li- brary as part of their State Centennial landmark project. The historic structure was built in 1920 as a two -room schoolhouse for about 40 children in grades 1-6. In 1946, the three elementary schools were consolidated at Showalter, and the City bought the schoolhouse to serve as the City Hall. The other two grade schools have been torn down. It became home for the Tukwila library in 1978. City planners are drafting a new section for the Comprehensive Plan that establishes City policies on development of sensitive areas like wetlands, water- courses and slopes greater than 15 and 40%. The Planning Commission and City Council will hold Public Hearings on this policy in order to pass an ordi- nance this Fall. It is not too early to let us know what you think the City should be doing. At issue is the preservation of environmentally and aesthetically valu- able land. It also includes development on sites that are potentially dangerous. The Department of Community Devel- opment is preparing the background for the new ordinance. Wetlands are marshes, swamps and transition areas between land and water environments. Water is usually at or near the surface or shallow water covers the ground for all or part of the year, producing habitats fordistinct plant or animal life. Preserving wetlands provides op- portunities to enhance the visual "land- scape" of the City, while affording us all with possible recreational opportunities like boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and observation of wildlife. It also aids in flood control by storing or slowing flood waters and filtering out sediments, ex- cess nutrients, and toxic chemicals be- fore entering watercourses. Watercourses are channels where water runs perennially or intermittently that consist of a bed, lower and upper banks, and include vegetation which provides food, shelter, breeding and rearing areas for birds and animals (called riparian zones). This includes rivers, streams, and creeks. Some 86% of all wildlife animals occupy these riparian areas during all or part of their lives, according to the US Forest Service. Hillsides and ravines and other slopes where large masses of soil are moving, or have moved in the past or may move in the future, will be included in this ordinance. Development would be restricted on slopes greater than 40% with highly erodible soil. In the past these hillsides have been cut to produce a level building area, destroying the hill- side, and leaving the properties below in danger from falling materials and in- creased surface water runoff. The "Sensitive Areas Ordinance," as it is being called, will provide an important part of the zoning ordinances for the expanded City of Tukwila, and will contribute to a more attractive and livable City for us all. Work begins on North Hill reservoir 1 The Public Works Department is especially busy these days with three major projects underway. The City is building a 2 million gallon reservoir to maintain its own emergency water supply and eliminate peak flow charges from the City of Se- attle. The project evolved from a 1982 Comprehensive Water Plan analysis and subsequent bond levy in 1986 when citizens voted to fund the project. The Council recently approved the low bid for the project submitted by Skaar /Seabord. The final costs are expected to raise water bills 7% begin- ning in 1990. Other projects currently in prog- ress: a road overlay project along Tukwila Parkway from the S -line bridge to An- dover Park West and the Interurh Avenue improvement project in fro; the Foster Golf Links. METRO announced it will increase its sewerage treatment charges that appear on residential uxiterbills to $11.60/mo beginning January, 1990. 1990 budget talks start in October The City Council will take its first look at the 1990 proposed budget at the end of September. It will be the first time the Council will see the impacts of the recent annexations over a 12 -month period. Finance Director Alan Doerschel will submit a budget that includes the newly approved policemen and firemen hired to protect the expanded City. He also will show what projects and pro- grams might be dropped or delayed with these new priorities. The Council will discuss the im- pacts of the proposed budget during committee meetings over the following several weeks (the public is always w<' come to attend and comment at comi tee meetings) before formal discuss,. and public hearings are held this Fall. The budget is usually adopted at the first regular meeting in December.