HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-04 Regular MinutesTukwila City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Regular Meeting
September 4, 2012— 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /ROLL CALL
Mayor Haggerton called the Regular Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order at 7:05 p.m. and led the
audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were Councilmembers Joe Duffie,
Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, Allan Ekberg, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn and Kate Kruller.
CITY OFFICIALS
Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Jack Pace,
Community Development Director; Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner; Derek Speck, Economic
Development Administrator; Bob Giberson, Public Works Director; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director;
Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director; Mary Miotke, IT Director; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Introduction of Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director. Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director
Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director, introduced Vicky Carlsen, the new Deputy Finance Director, to the
City Council. Ms. Carlsen graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Business
Administration and a focus on accounting. She is also a CPA and was employed by Metro Parks in
Tacoma for over 10 years and then became the Chief Financial Officer for Central Pierce Fire and
Rescue. Ms. Carlsen will be a great addition to the Finance Department.
The Mayor and City Council welcomed Ms. Carlsen to the City.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mike Schabbing is the General Manager of the Southcenter Courtyard at 400 Andover Park West in
Tukwila. He expressed concern that it has been approximately a year since the idea of a Tourism
Promotion Area (TPA) was suggested to the City. The City is dependent on revenue from hotels, retail
businesses and restaurants. A TPA would provide increased revenues based on hotel occupancies,
which are rising at this time. This topic has been brought to the Finance and Safety Committee and has
been discussed at the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Chamber Government Affairs meetings.
After a year with no action on this matter, the hoteliers are frustrated and would like to see this become a
priority for Tukwila. The cities of Des Moines and SeaTac have approved the TPA, and he would like
Tukwila to allow the Steering Committee, Pacifica Law Group and Katherine Kertzman to make a
presentation on the topic.
Mayor Haggerton explained, as he has conveyed in the past regarding this subject, that Derek Speck, the
City's Economic Development Administrator, will be the staff person assigned to this project. Mr. Speck's
time and attention is currently focused on the Tukwila Village development. Once that project is
underway and on track, Mr. Speck will have time to address other projects of importance to the City. The
concerns of the hoteliers and new revenue sources are important to Tukwila. The Mayor expressed the
need for additional fact finding on this issue, as there is some contradictory information regarding whether
jurisdictions have approved the TPA. In his communications with officials from the City of SeaTac, it has
been relayed that the SeaTac City Council has not approved the TPA.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
CONSENT AGENDA
Page 2 of 8
a. Approval of Minutes: 8/20/12 (Regular Mtg.)
b. Approval of Vouchers #361313- 361408 and #120803 120806 in the amount of $968,318.73
c. Authorize the Mayor to sign lease agreements for 19 copiers with Xerox Corporation over a two -year
period in an amount not to exceed $210,000.00.
[Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by Finance Safety Committee on 8121112.]
d. Authorize the Mayor to sign an amendment to contract #09 -130 with Foster Pepper PLLC for the
Tukwila Urban Access (Klickitat) LID #33 project in the amount of $25,000.00. (Total contract amount
with amendment not to exceed $63,040.00.)
[Reviewed and forwarded to Consent by Finance Safety Committee on 8121112.]
MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED
AS SUBMITTED."
Councilmember Duffie commended staff in the Finance Department for providing input into the voucher
process as it relates to the City and MPD expenses. He found it to be extremely beneficial.
"MOTION CARRIED 7 -0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Sound Transit Unclassified Use Permit for Tukwila Commuter Rail Station located at 7301
Longacres Way in Tukwila. (Quasi -judicial) (11-12 -002 and Design Review L12 -003)
This is a quasi judicial matter, with the City Council acting as a hearing examiner or judge
based on the information and record presented at this meeting. Quasi judicial matters do
not follow the standard Council agenda process of Council Committee, Committee of the
Whole and Regular Meeting. The Council is being asked to conduct the public hearing
this evening and act on the record presented. The Council can also defer action to a
later date if deemed necessary. Part of the quasi judicial process involves Appearance
of Fairness questions to be asked of each Councilmember.
Mayor Haggerton explained that the City staff and the applicant will be providing information, and the
public will be given an opportunity to provide comments. He asked the Council to make note of their
questions, which can be asked during the public hearing and after the speakers have finished their
presentations.
7:19 p.m. Mayor Haggerton opened the public hearing.
Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, stated that testimony at a quasi judicial hearing is taken under oath. She
asked those in attendance in the audience who are planning on testifying to raise their right hand and
then asked, "Do you swear or affirm that that testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth
The members of the audience intending to testify answered in the affirmative.
The City Clerk asked the following Appearance of Fairness questions of each of the 7 Councilmembers:
1. Do you or your family have any interest in the subject property located at 7301 Longacres Way in
Tukwila?
2. Do you stand to gain or lose by your decision on this matter?
3. Have you had any ex -parte communications regarding this application?
Each of the 7 Councilmembers answered "No" to all of the above questions.
The City Clerk then asked, "Does anyone in the audience object to any of the Councilmembers presiding
over this matter There were no objections from the audience.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012 Page 3 of 8
Mayor Haggerton asked for a staff report on the Unclassified Use Permit for the Tukwila
Commuter Rail Station.
Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner, utilized a Powerpoint presentation to provide an overview of the project.
The Tukwila Sounder Commuter Rail Station has been operating with temporary facilities since 2001,
which was shortly after the inception of the commuter rail service.
Due to the critical locational issue of the Union Pacific (UP) tracks and the length of negotiations with UP,
the Tukwila City Council initially approved the temporary commuter rail facilities on November 27, 2000
(with a subsequent 2004 through 2007 extension of the Unclassified Use Permit). A second unclassified
use application was reviewed in 2007 and the City Council approved for a second time the operation of
the temporary use through December 31, 2012.
The temporary facilities are primarily on leased Boeing property in the City of Renton and consist of a
212 -stall parking lot, an informal parking area to the north of the formal temporary lot where 30 -50 cars
are typically parked, the station platforms, access ramps and stairs, a security structure, port-a- potty,
ticketing shelter, bicycle lockers, and bus circulation improvements and shelters.
Sound Transit plans for the Tukwila Station have been intermingled with the Strander Boulevard
Extension project, which is financially and physically influenced by the existence and location of the Union
Pacific (UP) railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad. For close to a decade, the cities
of Renton and Tukwila negotiated with UP Railroad Company to relocate their main track in this area to
the land adjacent to the BNSF tracks. In 2010, a definitive communication from Union Pacific was
received that removed the UP relocation option from the Strander Boulevard improvement plans.
Subsequently, the cities of Renton and Tukwila are moving ahead with the Strander Boulevard extension
project with the tracks as they are currently configured.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the findings and conclusions in the Staff Report that will:
Approve the continued operation of the existing temporary facility through completion of these
proposed permanent improvements; and
Approve the proposed Zoning Code setback and landscape perimeter modifications discussed
under Findings and Conclusions; and
Approve the proposed unclassified use permit application subject to the conditions as outlined in
the staff report; and
Approve the design of the project subject to conditions as outlined in the staff report.
Mayor Haggerton asked for a presentation from the applicant.
Barry Alavi, Sound Transit Project Manager, and David Hewitt from Hewitt Architects utilized a
Powerpoint presentation to explain various aspects of the project.
A decision was made in 2010 by Sound Transit to redesign the station layout from the design that had
been developed for the potential colocation of the UP and BNSF tracks. The request is to construct
permanent commuter rail station improvements, including station platforms, shelters, stairs, ramps,
landscaping, parking, bus and bicycle facilities, signage, utilities, lighting, security building, and public art.
Mayor Haggerton called for public comments.
John Neller, 1300 Eagle Ridge Drive, Renton, said he uses the site for bike access. He wants the site to
remain accessible for bicyclists coming from the Interurban Trail and turning east on Longacres Way. He
also has concern regarding bike cages as it relates to ticketing. If staff members have control of bike
cages and ticketing, how will those areas be accessed if riders are on -site when staff members are not
on -duty.
Mr. Alavi indicated that tickets are dispensed through ticket vending machines and not by staff members.
Mayor Haggerton asked the Council if they had questions of the applicant.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 4 of 8
Councilmember Duffie asked that the question under public testimony from Mr. Neller regarding bike
access be addressed.
Mr. Alavi relayed that a bike lane will be a part of the project improvements on Longacres Way. However,
Sound Transit has no control over the Boeing -owned property, and at this time, he is not aware of plans
by Boeing to make changes.
Councilmember Robertson asked about access during construction. Mr. Alavi said there would be
access to the east side at all times. Mr. Robertson inquired as to how many parking stalls will be on the
site, and how was it determined that the number is sufficient.
Mr Alavi replied that the City of Tukwila made a parking determination for 390 stalls. In the future, there is
land on the southern part of the property for additional parking if necessary that would accommodate
approximately 100 more stalls.
Mr. Robertson asked what the process is for increasing the parking. Mr. Alavi indicated they would look
at the parking situation system -wide. If it was determined that Tukwila needed additional parking,
approval would be sought to construct additional stalls.
Mr. Robertson asked if there would be space for commercial activities at the station. Mr. Alavi said a
hook -up location would be provided for a coffee stand in the plaza area.
Council President Seal asked for input as to how users access the bike facilities. Mr. Alavi relayed they
are exploring use of the ORCA card to open and close the bike cage.
Councilmember Ekberg referenced the north to south route that will connect with Strander in 2017, and
he feels that many travelers coming from Renton to Tukwila will cut through the site. He inquired about
possible safety measures. Mr. Alavi indicated there is a great deal of lighting and it is a wide connection.
Mr. Ekberg asked if a tunnel under the railroad (BNSF) for pedestrian access was considered, and Mr.
Alavi responded in the negative.
Councilmember Quinn inquired about safety of the walkway with buses coming in and going out. Mr.
Alavi said the buses come through a different entrance, and there are truncated domes and ramps at
every crossing as well as signs.
Councilmember Kruller commented that it is unfortunate the station is being built on this side of the track
and asked what will happen to the parking on the other side. Mr. Alavi said part of it will initially be used
as a construction lay -down area and then as emergency access for the Tukwila Fire Department.
Ms. Kruller said with most people heading to Seattle and the layout of the station, people will need to
arrive much earlier to get up the ramp and on the train. She asked if there was a possibility of building
walkways underneath.
Mr. Hewitt explained that due to the water table and structure, that was not a workable solution, so they
considered an elevator and a bridge, which were quite expensive. They utilized the existing cross -under
and widened it to make it more accessible. He explained that when riders come home at night, they will
end up being closer to their vehicles.
Ms. Kruller inquired whether there would be a place to store bikes on the east side, and Mr. Alavi
responded in the negative. She asked if the glass on the shelters would be opaque or transparent, and
Mr. Hewitt relayed that the glass is transparent. She also asked if the ramps would be heated for
extremely cold days to assist accessibility for wheelchairs. Mr. Alavi said the station agents are
responsible for de -icing the ramps, and they are ADA compliant.
Ms. Kruller said a charge for parking is being considered at the light rail station, and asked if that is a
consideration at the commuter rail station. Mr. Alavi said Sound Transit owns the property to the south of
the commuter rail station, and it would not be a huge investment to add more parking stalls. She asked
how much parking is provided in Kent and Tacoma. Mr. Alavi said there is a 4 -story parking garage in
Kent, and he does not know the number of stalls at each station.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 5 of 8
Mayor Haggerton asked for input as it relates to public restroom facilities. Mr. Alavi explained that Sound
Transit does not build public restrooms, and there has not been a public demand to do so.
John Neller asked about access to the bicycle cages. Mr. Alavi said the bike cage has 2 doors that would
be accessible with an ORCA card.
Mr. Neller asked about bus routes on the site. Mr. Alavi said that if Boeing decides to sell the property the
routes could change.
Mayor Haggerton asked the Council if they had questions of staff.
Councilmember Robertson asked how it was determined that 390 parking stalls are adequate.
Ms. Bradshaw explained a consultant was hired to assist in the determination. Staff also used forecasting
and historical data from when the station was put into use in 2001. Additionally, overflow parking was
counted, and in 13 years there have been approximately 250 cars parked in or adjacent to the site.
Mr. Robertson inquired as to the difference between the light rail parking expansion agreement with
Sound Transit and the Sounder Station parking agreement. He has concerns regarding the parking
constraints at the light rail station and does not want to see those problems come into play regarding the
commuter rail station.
Jack Pace, Community Development Director, stated that light rail and commuter rail are quite different.
The commuter rail station is a destination, and the light rail represents a collection point to go north. The
light rail station is near residential and public right -of -way, while the commuter rail station is not. There is
also property to the south of the commuter rail station to allow for relatively easy parking expansion if
necessary.
Mr. Robertson asked if the property to the south is a wetland, and Ms. Bradshaw responded in the
negative.
Councilmember Ekberg referenced the pedestrian walking bridge and a connection to the south side and
possible future crossing over the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad. Ms. Bradshaw said that a permit is
required from UP to cross over the tracks. She explained that UP prefers that you go "over" the tracks,
and while the City would prefer to go "under," there must be proof provided that there is no other
reasonable alternative. The City has no funding to pursue that option. Sound Transit and KPFF have
done the initial work on this and have indicated they would contribute toward taking the conceptual work
further to submit plans to UP for a permit to cross "under" the tracks.
Mr. Ekberg envisions people who bike or walk coming across Strander, crossing the railroad tracks, and
accessing the south portion of the property. Ms. Bradshaw stated that is both illegal and unsafe.
Councilmember Hougardy asked what the next steps would be to increase the parking if the parking lot is
consistently 90% full. Ms. Bradshaw relayed that Sound Transit is required to provide utilization and
parking counts. If the percentage of usage gets to 95 Sound Transit would need to come to Tukwila
with a plan to address the parking demand.
Councilmember Quinn asked if this is a good plan, and Ms. Bradshaw responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember Kruller asked if there was anything the City asked for that did not come to fruition. Ms.
Bradshaw responded that all of the outstanding issues were identified in the design and re- designs and
are identified in the conditions.
Ms. Kruller asked how many motorcycle stalls are included. Ms. Bradshaw said there are not any stalls
specifically for motorcycles, and motorcycle riders can use the standard stalls.
Ms. Kruller inquired about the location of the property and the 100 -year flood plain, and Ms. Bradshaw
clarified that the site is not in the 100 -year flood plain.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 6 of 8
Councilmember Robertson asked if there is bus service from the mall to the commuter rail station. Ms.
Bradshaw responded that Route 140 serves the mall area, the commuter rail station, and the light rail
station.
Mayor Haggerton asked the Council if they had any other questions before closing the public hearing.
9:00 P.M. Mayor Haggerton closed the public hearing.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Adopt findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations in the staff report and approve the
Unclassified Use Permit for the permanent Tukwila Commuter Rail Station located at 7301
Longacres Way in Tukwila.
MOVED BY SEAL, SECONDED BY QUINN TO ADOPT FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE STAFF REPORT AND APPROVE THE UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT
FOR THE PERMANENT TUKWILA COMMUTER RAIL STATION LOCATED AT 7301 LONGACRES
WAY IN TUKWILA. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
b. Authorize the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Joint Purchasing Agreement with eCityGov Alliance
and authorize the acquisition of the CRW TRAKIT permit tracking system and associated
hardware and software in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00 and annual maintenance costs of
$40,500.00. ($225,000.00 covered in 2012 budget; $150,000.00 from 2013 budget.)
MOVED BY HOUGARDY, SECONDED BY KRULLER TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
INTERLOCAL JOINT PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH ECITYGOV ALLIANCE AND AUTHORIZING
THE ACQUISITION OF THE CRW TRAKIT PERMIT TRACKING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $375,000 AND ANNUAL
MAINTENANCE COSTS OF $40,500. ($225,000.00 COVERED IN 2012 BUDGET; $150,000.00 FROM
2013 BUDGET.)"
Councilmember Robertson referenced the importance of recognizing that the $150,000 to be taken from
2013 funds needs to be addressed in the upcoming budget process.
*MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
c. An ordinance amending various ordinances codified in Tukwila Municipal Code Title 5,
"Business Licenses and Regulations."
MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY SEAL THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE
ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed ordinance by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
AMENDING VARIOUS ORDINANCES AS CODIFIED IN TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 5,
"BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS," TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF
"BUSINESS AMEND LANGUAGE RELATING TO A TEMPORARY BUSINESS LICENSE,
UPDATE LANGUAGE DEFINING LATE ACQUISITION OF LICENSE AND PENALTY FEES,
AND REINSTATING THE FORMER APPEAL FEE OF $250.00; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOVED BY QUINN, SECONDED BY KRULLER THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED
AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2381.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 7 of 8
d. Authorize the Mayor to sign Supplement #15 to contract #06 -019 with IBI Group for the Tukwila
Urban Center Transit Center in the amount of $65,970.00.
MOVED BY EKBERG, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN
SUPPLEMENT #15 TO CONTRACT #06 -019 WITH IBI GROUP FOR THE TUKWILA URBAN CENTER
TRANSIT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,970.00. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
e. Authorize the Mayor to sign Supplement #16 to contract #06 -019 for the Andover Park West and
Water Main Replacement Project in the amount of $86,450.00.
MOVED BY EKBERG, SECONDED BY HOUGARDY TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN
SUPPLEMENT #16 TO CONTRACT #06 -019 FOR THE ANDOVER PARK WEST AND WATER MAIN
REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $86,450.00. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor Haggerton reported that on August 31, he attended the retirement celebration of Firefighter Dave
Ewing who has served the City for 32 years. On August 29, representatives from Senator Maria
Cantwell's office were given a tour of the Allentown area as it relates to impacts regarding the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad. A response from BNSF is due to the City on or before September 24,
at which time information will be provided to the Council on next steps. On September 4, the Mayor
attended the Government Affairs Committee meeting where one of the topics involved the Cascade
Water Alliance. Mayor Haggerton announced that the budget process is underway. The Mayor will not
be in attendance at the September 19 Budget Work Session.
b. City Council
Councilmember Duffie reported there was a great deal of noise due to loud music and rowdiness at
Joseph Foster Park this past Saturday.
Councilmember Hougardy will be attending multiple webinar training sessions sponsored by the
Association of Washington Cities (AWC), to include Executive Sessions, setting utility rates, and quasi
judicial land use matters.
Councilmember Quinn will be hosting the Council Coffee Chat this coming Saturday. (Foster Golf Links
Clubhouse from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.)
c. Staff
David Cline, City Administrator, referenced the City Administrator Report in the Council packet and
offered to answer any questions.
Councilmember Ekberg inquired regarding the annexation meetings with the Fire Districts as they relate
to the proposed North Highline annexation. Mr. Cline responded that the key issue relates to LEOFF 1
retirement liabilities. The City has expressed the desire to work cooperatively toward a positive end
result, which has been well received by commissioners from Fire Districts 2 and 11, which have a
common Fire Chief.
Mayor Haggerton commented that the application for the North Highline annexation was filed with the
Boundary Review Board on August 31, 2012.
d. City Attorney
There was no report.
Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 8 of 8
e. Intergovernmental
The Council Analyst is not required to attend Regular Meetings.
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember Quinn conveyed appreciation for the Mayor's comments this evening regarding the
Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). The members of the Finance and Safety Committee had multiple
complex questions regarding this issue, and it is important that any misconceptions continue to be
clarified.
ADJOURNMENT
9:21 p.m. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
1" ell 4,1
Ji gerton, 7 ?Z1"
Christy O laherty, y Clerk
APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 9/17/12
AVAILABLE ON CITY WEBSITE: 9/18/12