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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2012-11-05 Item 8C - Report - City AdministratorCity of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT TO: Mayor Haggerton Councilmembers FROM: David Cline, City Administrator DATE: October 31, 2012 SUBJECT: Report for November 5, 2012 Regular Council Meeting The City Administrator Report is meant to provide the Council, staff and community an update on the activities of the City and on issues that concern Tukwila. The report consists of information provided by the Executive Team, with editing and input by the City Administrator. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about any of the following items, and please feel free to contact any of the department heads for additional information. I. Intergovernmental and Local Issues Update MEETINGS School Walk: Councilmember Hougardy and City Administrator Cline conducted a walk of the current school routes along South 144 Street to 53rd Avenue South and Macadam Road. It provided a good opportunity to view how students use these routes on their way home from school and what opportunities exist for improvements in these areas. King County Solid Waste Agreement Negotiations: City Administrator Cline has been meeting approximately two times a week with other City and County representatives to work on a new extended contract. The negotiating team received good direction from the Suburban Cities Association and Regional Policy Committee. A final contract is expected to be completed in mid November and would need to be ratified by all cities and King County in early 2013. II. Department Updates MAYORS OFFICE Small Business Award Ceremony: On October 10, Mayor Haggerton and Economic Development staff attended the King County Executive's 2012 small business award ceremony. Congratulations to our own Seattle Chocolates, which is headquartered in Tukwila and won in the Woman -Owned Business category. Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative: On October 10, Councilmember Hougardy and Economic Development staff attended the Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative (SKCEDI) executive committee meeting. The group discussed whether SKCEDI should get more involved in job training and career development. Chamber of Commerce: On October 12, Councilmembers Hougardy and Kruller and City staff attended the Chamber's monthly lunch meeting. Legislative candidates presented their positions. 111 City Administrator Report Page 2 King County: On October 15, Mayor Haggerton and King County Executive Constantine hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from five Tukwila businesses: BECU, Boeing, Fatigue Technology, Sabey Corp, and Seattle Chocolates. City Administrator Cline and Economic Development staff participated. Executive Constantine spoke about County priorities and streamlining, Mayor Haggerton spoke about City priorities, and the businesses shared their insights into the regional economy and their challenges and opportunities. Aerospace Alliance: On October 31, Economic Development staff attended the quarterly King County Aerospace Alliance (KCAA) meeting, which was held at Aero Controls in Auburn. Alex Pietsch, Director of the Governor's Aerospace Office, presented on the current status of the State's aerospace strategy. Laura Hopkins from the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee presented on their services. Members provided updates on the KCAA action plan. HUMAN SERVICES Community Assistance: By the end of the 3rd quarter, Human Services staff responded to 1,688 requests for assistance (information, referral and financial). There were 1,048 calls for rental or utility assistance, 589 calls for food, housing repair, victim assistance and mental health, and 51 requests were from homeless individuals or families. Minor Home Repair Program: Eleven Tukwila households have been served since July with funds for the Minor Home Repair. Recommendation for 2013 funding for Minor Home Repair: On October 2, The Joint Review Committee, which recommends Community Development Block Grant funded projects to the King County Council, recommended $125,000 for the multi jurisdictional Minor Housing Repair Program for 2013. Interview with National League of Cities: On October 22, Human Services staff was interviewed for an article on Community School programs in small cities. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Duwamish Restoration Challenge: The City has received the King Conservation District (KCD) grant agreement for $20,000 that is to be used for the Duwamish Restoration Challenge the public private partnership with Boeing Employees Credit Union, Forterra and the City. The KCD grant has been signed by the Mayor and returned to the Conservation District. The grant funds will be used to remove invasive plants, purchase new plants, hire contractors to remove blackberries using mechanical equipment or work crews when the invasive plants are located in difficult to reach areas too dangerous for volunteers to work in, hiring Forterra to recruit volunteers, organize equipment and manage work parties among other tasks. The grant requires no City match, however, City staff time dedicated to this project will be identified in the grant reporting to illustrate the City's commitment to the success of the project. Duwamish Shoreline Restoration Challenge Work Party: Department of Community Development and Parks Department staff provided support for the second Duwamish Shoreline Restoration Challenge and work party on October 12 along the Green River Trail in the Gateway South complex. Volunteers from BECU, AMR and other businesses participated in activities such as removal of blackberry roots, laying and securing jute matting, and sheet mulching. Recycling Information Event: On October 17, the Recycling Program sponsored a well attended recycling information forum at the Tukwila Community Center. Tukwila staff and representatives from King County and Waste Management presented information and answered numerous citizen questions about how to recycle more at home, and the specifics of the new solid waste contract and services that begin on November 1. HWA City Administrator Report Page 3 North Highline Annexation: The Boundary Review Board held a public hearing on October 22 -23 regarding Tukwila's notice of intent to annex Area Q of the North Highline Annexation area. All the businesses in the area submitted written and oral testimony expressing their desire to be in Tukwila. King County and the City of Seattle filed briefs and testified in opposition of Tukwila's annexation. The hearing was closed, and the Board will deliberate again on November 8, 2012, with a determination expected in late November. Southcenter Plan: The Planning Commission (PC) held a final work session and completed their deliberations on the four elements of the Southcenter Plan. After considering the public comments and amending each of the documents, they voted unanimously to forward their recommended versions of the Southcenter Plan, Southcenter Design Manual, Southcenter Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and new Zoning Code Chapter 18.28 Tukwila Urban Center (TUC) onto the Council. Staff will complete the environmental review of the PC recommended documents and bring the package to Council for review in 2013. Unfinished Construction update for property at 15026 42 Avenue South: Staff from Code Enforcement and the Assistant City Attorney met with the property owner of the unfinished house. The owner signed a Voluntary Compliance Agreement and agreed to three deadlines below. Additionally, the City may pursue legal action to ensure compliance. 1. Secure the structure, remove debris and cut the weed overgrowth by November 12, 2012; 2. Repair the exterior of the structure so that it appears to be occupied by November 12, 2013; and 3. Complete all interior repairs not later than November 12, 2014. Vacant Structure update for property at 13906 51S Avenue South: Staff from Code Enforcement and the Assistant City Attorney met with the property owner of the vacant structure. The owner signed a Voluntary Compliance Agreement and agreed to two deadlines below. Additionally, the City may pursue legal action to ensure compliance. 1. Secure the structure, and fence off a portion where the structure has partially collapsed, and ensure that all utilities have been terminated and call for an inspection not later than October 31, 2012. 2. Either repair or demolish the structure under city- issued permits not later than June 30. 2013. PUBLIC WORKS Stormwater Education: A requirement of our Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit is to measure a targeted audience's understanding of stormwater. For this purpose, the City received results of the 2012 Assessment of Citizen Understanding and Adoption of Targeted Stormwater Behaviors phone survey conducted by Hebert Research, Inc. This survey is a follow -up to a 2011 survey that targeted residents with a zip code of 98168. The 2012 survey again targeted the same zip code and added a business community of apartments, restaurants, and commercial customers. The residential survey showed improvements in two of the three priority issues and the commercial survey was new, but did identify its priority issue. Both residential and business results will be used to guide the City's education and outreach element for the City's 2013 Surface Water Management Program. Results of this survey will be posted on the City's NPDES web page. Annual Fall Collection, Recycling, and Clean -up: This event was held on Saturday, October 27 at the Tukwila Village Site and was a great success. This effort also fulfills the Allied /Republic's community event contractual obligations. 113 City Administrator Report Page 4 Waste Containers: Allied and Waste Management crews have completed their efforts to swap residential, multi family and commercial garbage, recycling and yard waste containers with relatively few exceptions. Waste Management installed 21 trash receptacles along Tukwila International Boulevard, after working collaboratively with the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (TIBAC). The new Solid Waste contract with Waste Management began on November 1, 2012. As with any major undertaking, there have been startup questions, challenges and minor operational issues. Overall, Waste Management has responded satisfactorily to the transition and their contractual obligations. Weekly implementation meetings will continue to resolve any issues and fine tune all aspects of their support to Tukwila. PARKS AND RECREATION Holiday Giving Program: Staff has partnered with the Police Department to host a Donation (Toy, Food, and Cash) Drive at Westfield Mall's north parking lot on Saturday, November 17, from 10:00 am to 4:00. pm. Donations will benefit the annual Holiday Giving Program and the Tukwila Food Pantry. Community Outreach: Staff recently attended the Cascade View Elementary School CARE night where warm winter clothing was distributed to students and families. There were approximately 700 people in attendance. Staff will be attending the Tukwila Elementary School CARE Night on November 15. These events provide a great opportunity for staff to reach out to the members of the community and provide citizens with access to important resources. Community Connections: Recreation Staff set up a registration table at Sports Authority in Tukwila on Saturday, October 20. Information was distributed regarding the Parks and Recreation Department, and registrations were accepted for this year's basketball program. Sports Authority would like to host more registration events in the future and be a packet pick -up location if needed. Autumn Harvest Festival: Recreation Division staff hosted the annual Autumn Harvest Festival at the Community Center on October 30. Approximately 410 people attended the annual event where kids dressed up in costumes, played games, completed craft projects and enjoyed healthy snacks. The Sister Cities Committee put on a dinner fundraiser for the event. TUKWILA POOL METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT Our Pool turns 391 The Tukwila Pool has been in operation for 39 years as of October 31, 2012. Pool Improvements: The Tukwila Pool will be closed as of November 4, 2012 due to construction beginning on November 5, 2012. III. Responses to Council /Citizen Inquiries Follow -up from City Council meeting of October 1, 2012 regarding the need to advertise that Tukwila residents receive free parking at Starfire: A notice was published in the City pages in the October edition of the Tukwila Reporter newspaper. The same notice was also added to the City's website on the home page, TV 21, and social media sites. Follow -up from City Council meeting of October 15, 2012 regarding a motor home parked in the 3900 block of South 115 Street. On October 17, officers observed the motor home in the described area. They made contact with the owners and informed them that they were not allowed to stay parked on the side of the road any longer. The subjects agreed to leave. um