Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-29 Committee of the Whole Minutes ily.1ILA ti, 1 Qs1 Tukw►la Council Committee of the Whole ti City Meeting a , , o City Hall Council Chambers May 29, 2012 - 7:00 P.M. �i9oa MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Seal called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Verna Seal, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller. Councilmember Ekberg was not present. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Bruce Linton, Assistant Police Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Update from the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee. Sharon Mann and Mike West, Committee Members Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, explained the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (TIBAC) is a group of residents and businesses that have been actively working to revitalize Tukwila International Boulevard since 1995. For the past year and a half they have been working on a vision for the Boulevard. Mr. Speck introduced Sharon Mann, Co-Chair of TIBAC, and Mike West, who utilized a PowerPoint presentation to provide an overview of the Committee's vision for Tukwila International Boulevard. Ms. Mann explained the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (originally known as the Highway 99 Action Committee)was formed to address social, economic and crime issues on the corridor. • The focus of the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee is: "Neighbors working together making a difference in Tukwila." • The group's vision: "A Tukwila International Boulevard neighborhood that is vibrant and diverse". • Mission: "Working in collaboration with the City of Tukwila to discourage criminal activity, support local businesses, and improve the livability of the Tukwila International Boulevard neighborhood." To date the group has collected 37,000 pounds of trash from the area. Ms. Mann provided an overview of the steps taken during the group's visioning process for Tukwila International Boulevard, which started in 2008. Mike West explained the area between the Light Rail Station and South 140th Street has the most need for redevelopment. It has the potential to be a walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with multi- family residential and pedestrian-friendly businesses, and a neighborhood feel like an old-style Main Street. This long-range vision may need to be implemented in steps with the support of the City, businesses and residents. He explained the committee split Tukwila International Boulevard into six segments based on the different characteristics of each area and provided information on TIBAC's vision for each segment. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 29, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Mann acknowledged this is a bold, long -term vision, which the committee feels is needed to revitalize Tukwila International Boulevard. Most important to the vision are: code enforcement, including signs lower speed limits to encourage retail on- street parking in some areas sidewalks zoning that is sensitive to development standards to allow for creativity Ms. Mann expressed appreciation to Pam Carter, Derek Speck, and the citizens who volunteer their time to the committee, and to the Sabey Corporation for their leadership and role in keeping the group together and moving forward. Councilmember discussion included recognition of the timeliness of this information due to the City's current strategic planning efforts and upcoming work on the Comprehensive Plan; acknowledgement of City staff who make themselves available to the organization and serve as an example of the positive effect of the City and community organizations working together; and appreciation for the committee's commitment to this effort, their leadership and professionalism. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A supplement to the agreement for the 2012 Annual Small Drainage Program. Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on May 15, 2012. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Several projects planned as part of the City's 2012 Annual Small Drainage Program will not be completed, as explained in the "Background" paragraph on page 3 of the agenda packet. Public Works staff has proposed using the unspent funds for design work on three alternative projects that can be constructed this summer. Bob Giberson, Public Works Director, stated the City is currently advertising for bids and would then issue an addendum to the contract for the redesigned projects. He noted the current economy has resulted in favorable bid results throughout the region. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. An agreement with King County for the Regional Stormwater Decant Facility Program. 7:38 p.m. Councilmember Quinn recused himself due to this item being a direct contract with King County. Councilmember Robertson indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meetings on April 24, 2012 and May 15, 2012. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The Department of Ecology (DOE) has stated the City's current disposal method for the sediment extracted from storm pipes and catch basins is no longer acceptable due to concerns over ground water contamination. Council is being asked to approve a contract to allow City crews to transport the material to a DOE approved King County Soils Reclamation Facility in Renton. Mr. Giberson explained the City will track equipment usage and labor costs, which will be used in the future as the City considers the question of whether to build their own decant facility. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. 7:40 p.m. Councilmember Quinn returned to the Council Chambers. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 29, 2012 Page 3 of 4 c. Reinstatement of a position in the Mayor's Office. Councilmember Quinn indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on May 22, 2012. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The request would eliminate the vacant Administrative Secretary/Civil Service Examiner position and reinstate the Analyst position that was removed from the budget in 2010. David Cline, City Administrator, explained the Mayor's Office left the Administrative Secretary /Civil Service Examiner position vacant in 2011 while they determined the best approach to support the Mayor's Office. Based on Council priorities and goals, including the recently- adopted City -Wide Work Plan, the decision was made that an Analyst position would best serve the needs of the Mayor's Office and also be the best use of resources. The Mayor's Office would remain staffed with 2 FTE positions, instead of the 3 positions budgeted in 2010. The increased salary cost would come from salary savings realized in 2011 and 2012. The diagrams on page 38 of the agenda packet illustrate the status of the Mayor's Office positions over the past 4 years. Councilmember discussion included recognition that City Administration's request is consistent with direction given by the Finance Safety Committee during recent discussions on employee compensation and whether to continue use of the decision band methodology; the importance of having enough staff to coordinate all the projects of the Mayor's Office and also provide full -time Executive Secretary duties to staff and the public; the Council's desire to continue community outreach efforts and effectively coordinate the Strategic Plan; and the need to be mindful of how requests for budget increases are perceived by citizens. Mayor Haggerton noted the Mayor's Office has operated short- handed and under budget for over a year while they researched staffing options. They have been providing a higher level of technical work to assist with economic development initiatives and the Strategic Plan, and upcoming work on the City's Comprehensive Plan will affect issues relating to the Tukwila International Boulevard corridor, Interurban Avenue, and building heights. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton distributed a handout summarizing April 2012 statistics from the SCORE jail, which shows how Tukwila's usage compares to other SCORE cities. He attended the Memorial Day celebration at the Museum of Flight on May 28, 2012, and acknowledged Councilmember Duffie who participated in the presentation of colors at that event. The Mayor referenced recent a -mails from residents requesting code enforcement action regarding junk vehicles. He noted the importance of gathering the full story and appropriate documentation in order to address these issues. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie attended the Museum of Flight celebration on May 28, 2012 Councilmember Robertson attended a meeting of the Highline Forum on May 23, 2012, which included a report on capital projects in the Highline School District. The group also discussed the purpose of the Highline Forum, which was originally formed during battles over a third runway at Sea -Tac Airport, and whether there is a continuing need for the Forum. Councilmember Quinn referenced the Finance Safety Committee meeting minutes from May 22, 2012, relating to the July 4 fireworks exhibit and options for the City's reserve policy, which will be on the agenda at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Kruller attended the Museum of Flight celebration on May 28, 2012, with her father who served in the Air Force and as a Marine reserve pilot. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 29, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Council President Seal noted she will be a speaker tomorrow night at the National Honor Society induction ceremony. Tomorrow is also the first meeting of the City's Strategic Planning Committee, which will meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Council President Seal will serve on the committee, and they are looking for one additional Councilmember to participate. She asked that interested Councilmembers send her an e-mail. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, introduced Pam Easter, who recently retired as Deputy City Manager from the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California and serves as a senior advisor for ICMA (International City /County Management Association). She is currently serving on a team for the City of Bell (California) as co- Finance Director to assist in repair efforts needed due to recent corruption issues in that city. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Robertson stated that the monthly Council Coffee Chats seem to attract a small percentage of the City's diverse population. He will be brainstorming ideas with Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager, for an additional type of "chat" in an attempt to reach other segments of the population on an on -going basis. ADJOURNMENT 8:16 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SEAL DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Verna Seal, Council President A"4/a ��41M Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 6/11/12 AVAILABLE ON CITY WEBSITE: 6112/12