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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers January 14, 2013 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hougardy 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 Kathy Hougardy, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg, Verna Seal, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller. CITY OFFICIALS David Cline, City Administrator; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Stephanie Brown, Human Resources Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Joyce Trantina, Project Analyst; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Kimberly Matej, Government Relations; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENTS Ed Hougardy, 14950 57th Avenue South, stated the Tukwila School District is seeking public participation in the selection of the new Tukwila School District Superintendent. He encouraged everyone to visit the school district website for information on the upcoming community meetings. Councilmember Duffie stated the dates of the public meetings are January 15, 16 and 17, 2013. SPECIAL ISSUES a. A resolution adopting a legislative agenda for use during the 2013 Washington State legislative session. The resolution establishing legislative priorities is intended to be utilized as a tool for Councilmembers when they meet with State Legislators in Olympia in February 2013. Kimberly Matej, Government Relations, explained the Council requested this item be forwarded to this evening's meeting. The draft resolution contains language that identifies the State legislative agenda as a list of priority items and does not preclude the Council from opposing or supporting additional items that may arise during the session. 7:21 p.m. Councilmember Robertson left the Council Chambers. Councilmember Duffie thanked Ms. Matej for the packet provided to the Council each year during the Washington State Legislative session. 7:24 p.m. Councilmember Robertson returned to the Council Chambers. The Councilmembers exchanged comments and conducted a detailed review of the proposed legislative agenda, specifically relating to transportation and infrastructure. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 14, 2013 Page 2 of 6 b. Discussion on Council Analyst position vacancy. Council President Hougardy explained this item was placed on the agenda at her request. She requested the Council focus on the Council's needs for this position, and requested the Council discuss suggested changes to the position description listed on pages 17 -19 of the agenda packet. It is important to ensure the Council's needs are met. Councilmember Kruller asked if the position description included in the agenda packet is the current description or a proposed description. Council President Hougardy stated the position description is the current position information. 7:28 p.m. Council President Hougardy declared a brief recess. 7:31 p.m. Council President Hougardy reconvened the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Councilmember Robertson requested item no. 4 (page 17) of the council staff position read as follows: 4. Coordinates internal information flow on internal City intergovernmental intragovernmental affairs, - - - - - - - - - ; may attend various meetings and /or informational sessions for the City Council. This change would limit the new position to intragovernmental affairs. Council President Hougardy clarified that a global change throughout the job description should take place, where "intergovernmental" will be replaced with "intragovernmental." She feels the exact wording of the position description will be established by the Council sub - committee. Councilmember Kruller stated the Council approved the 2013 -2014 budget that created a new position in the Mayor's office. She inquired if the Council should relinquish the duties performed by the Council Analyst to the Government Relations position in the Mayor's Office or should the Council retain those duties and expand upon them. Councilmember Robertson explained that Tukwila is one of the few cities that have an analyst assigned to the Legislative branch. Most cities the size of Tukwila share resources with administration, and those Councils do not have their own staff person. Many years ago, the Tukwila City Council requested a dedicated staff person, and that position has changed over the years. Tukwila is a small City and the Council needs to be mindful of the resources that are charged to the taxpayers. With the number of grants the City has received, and the number of grants available, it was determined that it would be very beneficial to the City to have a legislation coordinator in Olympia, King County and at the federal level. However, trying to create that coordination role in the Mayor's office and also continue on with the same duties for the Council is not a good use of resources. The Council has a great deal of analysis to be done, and removing the time consuming element of legislative analysis will allow the new position to focus on other Council business. This position will aid the Council in working through the 2013 Committee goals that Council President Hougardy requested. In order to have that type of assistance from the new position, some duties need to be shifted. Councilmember Quinn voiced his appreciation for the clarification and the history of the position. He feels there is a role for the Legislative Analyst to coordinate the Council efforts. He stated he is comfortable with moving forward with the Council sub - committee being formed to work through the details of a position description. Councilmember Duffie explained he has no objections to a Council sub - committee, and he voiced concerns about the hiring process. He feels the Council should have discussed the movement of the Legislative Analyst to the new position in the Mayor's office before the discussion this evening on the new position job description. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 14, 2013 Page 3 of 6 Councilmember Kruller stated that the history on this position is important. It appears there was a discussion about creating a government relations position, and the Council's Legislative Analyst would move to that new position. She feels the job description for the new position should not be diminished. She feels the Council needs to be represented regionally, and the individual filling the new position should be networked in Olympia and the region. Councilmember Quinn said coordination is a component needed for the new position. As a legislative body there are specific things the Council should focus on. He is comfortable with the position description presented, and he is hoping Council can focus on that. Councilmember Seal stated that City Administration created a new position that was approved as part of the budget process, and now the Council has a position vacancy. The position description was updated in 2006, and now is the time to make any changes to address the needs of the Council. Councilmember Ekberg said the Mayor's office needs the new Government Relations position because the City has grown over the last 20 years, and the City needs direct representation in Olympia. The City now has an opportunity to grow the role of government relations, and he is supportive of the new position. Councilmember Kruller stated she does not agree with the proposed reduction of job functions for the new Council position. Councilmember Robertson stated interaction with other governments will be very minimal for the new position, as there are enough daily duties in supporting the Council for one person. Councilmember Quinn commented that the Council will retain a Council Analyst to provide the support the Council needs in order to conduct the day -to -day business of the Council. Council President Hougardy reviewed the proposed position vacancy timeline and asked the Councilmembers to provide any suggested changes to the job description for discussion by the Council sub - committee on January 16, 2013. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO DISCUSS A DRAFT POSITION DESCRIPTION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Discussion on Council Work Plan for 2013. Council President Hougardy explained she would like to begin an initial discussion regarding work plans for the Council, Committees and Council President. She distributed a sample format for a Council Operating Policy and a sample City policy for the Council to review. Ms. Hougardy explained she would like the Council to discuss a process for drafting Council policies and standard operating procedures. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions of staff and exchanged comments on the above topic to include: the need to prioritize a list of potential policy topics to be considered; the necessity of a compensation policy and resources for the crime initiative; and review of the section of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC Chapter 2.04) specific to the City Council to identify a list of potential Council policies. After Council discussion it was determined that Councilmember Seal would assemble the list of potential policy topics, and the items would be prioritized at the Council retreat. Council President Hougardy asked the Committee Chairs to share the 2013 goals for their respective Committees. Councilmember Ekberg, as Chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee, offered the following: ❖ Defining the process and procedures for Committee review of agenda items, and ❖ Adding future agenda items to the current agenda cover page for Committee review. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 14, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Robertson, as Chair of the Finance and Safety Committee, distributed a draft of the following goals: ❖ Create a compensation policy resolution for review and adoption by the Council that includes: o A 'high level' compensation goals and purpose statement. o A statement concerning Council roles and responsibilities with regard to employee compensation. o Annual review of non - represented and union contract driven compensation processes and procedures. ❖ Create a process for Finance and Safety with regard to reviewing Administration implementation of neighborhood and Tukwila International Boulevard crime reduction initiatives. ❖ Research revenue increases and expenditure decreases including: o Golf Course cost reduction. o Charging insurance companies for police /fire accident support on Interstate 5 and 405. ❖ Create a set of Council policies and processes for using City provided electronic devices. Councilmember Kruller, as Chair of the Transportation Committee, will consider goals at the next Transportation Committee meeting (January 15, 2013). Councilmember Robertson requested the Community Affairs and Parks Committee take the lead on an ordinance regarding abandoned buildings that addresses all types of structures, not just single family homes. Council President Hougardy requested that the Committee Chairs update the Council on any new goals for their specific committee under the reports section of the agenda. The Council will be updated at the Council retreat on the status of the Committee established goals. d. Discussion of Council involvement in Strategic Plan implementation. Joyce Trantina, Project Analyst in the Mayor's Office, explained the Strategic Plan has been published and is available on the City's website (www.TukwilaWA.qov). She is in the process of finalizing a contract with BERK and Associates that will utilize their expertise to provide additional support for developing the tools, frameworks and performance measures needed to guide and manage the implementation process. Ms. Trantina reviewed the bulleted items in the Strategic Plan that specifically relate to the City Council. City departments are in the process of developing their specific department work plans. City Administration has scheduled an executive team workshop where departmental work plans will be reviewed so that all departments are able to see how the goals cross departments. Councilmember Kruller inquired as to how BERK and Associates was selected to continue working with the City on this project, specifically whether the new contract required advertising as it would at the state level. David Cline, City Administrator, explained staff consulted with the City Attorney and according to City policies, negotiating a contract with BERK and Associates is acceptable. He clarified that the draft contract will follow normal Council Committee process so there will be additional time for discussion. Councilmember Robertson asked if City Administration is coordinating across all City departments to address crime reduction and the issues associated with Tukwila International Boulevard. Mr. Cline answered in the affirmative. Councilmember Kruller feels the Council's role is to review the performance measures of the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Council President Hougardy asked the Council to review the strategic plan goals and incorporate them into the Committee goals as applicable. She reviewed the goals and objectives included in the agenda Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 14, 2013 Page 5 of 6 packet (page 31) and feels the Council will be supporting goals 1 -4 through policies. She feels goal 5 (A Positive Community Identity and Image) is where the Council can be proactive, and she will request the Council discuss implementation opportunities at a future Council meeting. e. Council representation on local, regional, state and national committees. Council President Hougardy requested a discussion of Council representation on regional, state, and national committees and commissions and /or boards for the 2013 calendar year. On an annual basis, the City Council updates its list of Council representations on outside boards and commissions. The list includes boards and commissions on which Councilmembers are serving as a Tukwila City Council representative. City of Tukwila — Local Representation: Firemen's Pension Board — Councilmember Robertson Lodging Tax Advisory Board — Council President Hougardy Equity and Diversity Commission - Councilmember Seal (Appointed, 2 -year term) Regional Representation: Cascade Water Alliance Board of Directors — Mayor's Alternate — Councilmember Seal Highline Forum - Mayor's Representative — Councilmember Robertson Sound Cities Association — King County LEOFF 1 Disability Board — Councilmember Seal Sound Cities Association — King County Domestic Violence Initiative — Councilmember Seal Sound Cities Association - Public Issues Committee — Mayor's Alternate — Councilmember Kruller South King County Area Transportation Benefit District (SCATBd) — Councilmember Kruller South King County Economic Development Initiative (SKEDI) — Council President Hougardy Water Resource Inventory Area 9 (WRIA 9) — Mayor's Alternate — Councilmember Robertson Regional Food Policy Council — Puget Sound Regional Council — This position is being alternated among other South Sound Cities. The Council discussed and agreed with the above list of representatives. f. 2013 Council retreat. Councilmember Hougardy announced the 2013 Council Retreat is scheduled for February 22 -24, 2013 at the Iris Inn in La Conner, Washington. She requested the Council forward any suggested agenda topics to her by January 18, 2013. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton was not in attendance. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie hosted the January 12, 2013 Council Coffee Chat. He explained there were 8 individuals in attendance and the topics of discussion included the need for guardrails along the Duwamish River in Allentown, identification markers along the trails within the City, and the need for public awareness relating to delivery of packages and protecting the packages from theft. Councilmember Ekberg attended the January 10, 2013 Des Moines City Council Meeting in support of Gene Achziger. Mr. Achziger is a Commissioner for the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District, and he received the Des Moines Citizen of the Year Award. He explained Mr. Achziger has been providing guidance to the Sustain Tukwila Pool (STP) group relating to the Tukwila Pool. Councilmember Kruller attended the January 10, 2013 Des Moines City Council Meeting and the Sustain Tukwila Pool meeting on January 12, 2013. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 14, 2013 Page 6 of 6 c. Staff David Cline, City Administrator, stated the fourth quarter report will be included in the next Regular Meeting agenda packet. He announced that Nick Olivas, Fire Chief, is on leave for the next few months and Assistant Chief, Chris Flores will be filling in. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Quinn announced the City received a $50,000 grant from King Conservation District for the Duwamish Hill Preserve. He asked that a letter be sent to King County Councilmember Patterson thanking her for continued support of Tukwila projects. Councilmember Ekberg stated the Community Affairs and Parks Committee concurred with Councilmember Quinn's suggestion. Councilmember Kruller stated she has received calls about the new signage at City Hall. She acknowledged the aesthetics of the new signage, however, she was not aware of the changes and was not able to provide additional information to the interested individuals. Additionally, area seniors have commented to her about the lack of signage at the Tukwila Sounder station. While the signage is the responsibility of others, she wanted to share this concern with the Council. ADJOURNMENT 9:14 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUGARDY DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Ka `s 11 OV Kathy Houga rdy, Council sident Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 02/04/2013 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 02/05/2013