HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2013-04-15 Item 6C - Report - City Administratormon
TO:
City of Tukwila
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Mayor Haggerton
Councilmembers
FROM: David Cline, City Administrator
DATE: April 12, 2013
SUBJECT: Report for April 15, 2013 Regular Council Meeting
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
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.
Intergovernmental and Local Issues Update
MEETINGS
• On Thursday, April 11, City representatives sponsored a community meeting at Tukwila
Community Center to address ongoing neighborhood concerns near 158th Street west of
42nd Avenue. Approximately 25 residents attended and interacted with representatives
from Police, Fire and Code Enforcement. Attendees expressed their appreciation to the
City for their support and attention to these concerns.
• Mayor Haggerton spoke at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Monthly
Membership Luncheon which showcased the Mayors from Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and
Des Moines.
ii. Department Updates
MAYORS OFFICE
• Southwest King County Chamber Government Affairs: Staff attended the Chamber's
government affairs committee meeting on April 2.
• Bond Rating Tour: In preparation for issuing bonds this summer for the Local
Improvement District, Mayor Haggerton and several City staff members provided a tour
of the City for two analysts from Standard and Poor's. It was very well received
HUMAN SERVICES
• On April 11, the second Sexual Assault Coordinated Response meeting took place at
the Tukwila Community Center for continued learning and information exchange.
• On April 12, Human Services hosted the Human Services Advisory Board, with guest
speakers from the King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project and the Angle
Lake Resource Center.
• On April 13, the Global to Local Connections Orientation and Tour was held to orient
University of Washington students to the Tukwila and SeaTac communities.
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• Online reporting has starting for our non - profits and much hand holding is taking place to
support this new process with the agencies.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• TRAKiT and Workbook Review /Collection Meeting — Last week the various core
teams for the TRAKiT permitting system met with Michael from CRW for the final push to
complete the various workbooks for each module. We had yet another 3 -day meeting
and at the end handed over the completed workbooks. This week we delivered the
various custom forms and reports to CRW so that they can begin building them. CRW is
also underway with the system configuration for our new system which will take a couple
of months. CRW will be back the first of June to train the staff that will be testing the
system. The testing phase will be approximately 3 months.
• Comprehensive Plan Open House - On March 27, 2013, staff held an open house at
the Tukwila Community Center on proposed changes to the Comprehensive
Plan. Approximately 20 residents met with staff from DCD and Public Works at topic -
specific stations to discuss proposed changes at individual transportation, natural
environment, capital facilities, utilities, Southcenter area, and Comprehensive Plan
update. The open house was a good opportunity to outreach with the community on a
variety of topics. The open house was publicized via a postcard mailing to homes and
businesses, an article in the Tukwila Reporter, and on the City of Tukwila website. In
addition, meeting notices in Spanish and Somali were posted on the website, and made
available at several locations around Tukwila.
• Concerns expressed to Council - Several citizens expressed concerns at the March
25th council meeting, regarding particular properties on S. 158th street at 42nd Av S. Here
is an update about these properties:
• 15808 - 42" Ave S. (SE corner of 42" Ave S and S. 1581 St)
This property is owned by an elderly woman whose property continuously and
chronically become severely overgrown. She is low- income and is unable physically
or financially to maintain the yard. Over the years, Code Enforcement has arranged
for volunteers to clear out the blackberries and overgrowth, but it is not a permanent
solution. We have contacted her daughter this week and she said she will clear the
weeds within two weeks. Code enforcement is exploring other ways to address
properties of this type through direct abatement and placing property liens for the
costs.
• 4059 S. 1581 St. (SW corner of 42nd Ave S and S. 1581 St)
This vacant house is secured and not in danger of collapse. It does not represent a
danger to public safety. The owner periodically mows the grass. Although not
attractive, there is no violation at this location.
• Permit activity for the first quarter of this year is up from last year:
2013 Permits and Value 2012 Permits and Value
Building Permits 95 $20,076,193 89.....$7,828,895
Mechanical Permits 55 $953,500 41.....$855,140
Plumbing /Gas Permits 42 $356,448 51.....$155,541
Electrical Permits 310 $4,861,405 300...$3,374,579
Total 502 $26,247,546 481...$12,214,155
• Sound Transit Noise Panel Installation -Work to install the permanent noise panels in
the vicinity of the Duwamish neighborhood has been delayed until two weeks, until April
15, due to issues with fabrication of the panels.
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PUBLIC WORKS
• TIB Cleanup. Increased levels of cleaning has started on TIB. Last week, all bus
shelters were pressure washed, all graffiti removed in the right -of -way and 65 large
bags of trash were collected. Staff is working on weeding and replacing dead plants
in median planters.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Videotaping. Based upon feedback received from Council and staff after the first
video test, we have requested a quote to add a fifth camera in order to have a
centralized shot of the entire dais. We will be doing several more taping tests prior
to going live in order to incorporate our lessons - learned. For example, we are
making plans to stage a presentation test in the Chambers to allow us to stop and go
as needed to experiment with graphics. We are scheduled for another live video test
during the Council meeting and MPD meeting on April 15, with a comprehensive test
all the way through to broadcast at the Council meeting on April 22. Our go -live date
is expected to be May 6; however, we may or may not have the fifth camera in place
by that date.
• Council Laptops. Four Councilmembers gave their approval of the recommended
laptop at the Council meeting on April 8. Three Councilmembers have chosen to
continue using an iPad. IT will be ordering a total of 4 additional laptops for a total
count of 5, one of which will be issued to the Council Analyst. A timeline for
deployment will be provided as soon as we receive an expected delivery date.
PARKS AND RECREATION
• Municipal Golf Collaboration: P &R directors that operate staff run municipal golf
courses have met to discuss potential coordinated efforts in marketing, purchasing and
growing golf together.
Upcoming Events
• April 20 Tukwila Pool Grand Re- Opening Celebration. Ribbon Cutting,
Tours, and Demonstrations @ 10AM, April Pool's Day Event @ 1 PM. Call the
Pool for more information (206) - 267 -2350.
• April 20 Duwamish Alive! Restoration work party at Codiga Park. Volunteers
welcome. For more information, or to register as a volunteer please go to
http:// www .earthcorps.org /volunteer.php.
• April 27 Healthy Earth Healthy You 5K Fun Run and Walk. For information
and registration contact Tukwila Parks & Recreation Department, (206) 768-
2822.
• April 27 Global 2 Local Spring Health Fair. Bartell Drugs parking lot on
International Blvd in Tukwila, 9:OOam- 2:OOpm. For information please contact
Vicki Orrico at Vicki @orricoconsulting.com.
• May 1 Tukwila Community Center Open House: Free mini - classes,
workshops and information about upcoming programs. 6 PM - 8 PM. For More
Information 206 - 768 -2822
• May 4 Pitch In For Parks monthly clean up event at Cascade View Community
Park, 9:OOam. No advanced registration required - just show up to volunteer!
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• Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA): This upcoming week, staff
members will be attending the WRPA Annual Conference held in conjunction with
the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association. The conference offers two days of
continuing education and networking opportunities. Several Tukwila Parks and
Recreation Staff sit on WRPA committees and many staff serve as mentors to new
recreation professionals beginning their careers.
TUKWILA POOL — METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT (MPD)
• Grand Re- Opening Celebration: Scheduled for April 20, 2013, festivities begin at 10
am with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by April Pool's Day Celebrations.
• Department of Commerce Grant: Staff has been working on the application
paperwork to submit for the reimbursement for the Department of Commerce Grant for
the pool renovation project.
POLICE
• Staffing:
Records Specialist Ana Beard was selected as the Professional Standards
Administrative Specialist. This new position is part of the increased staffing
approved to support the Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI). Her start date of April 15
is timely as we continue to progress towards full implementation of the CRI.
• Funeral Services — Retired Police Chief Keith Haines
On Monday, March 25, 2013, several police department staff members attended
funeral services in Silverdale to celebrate the life of Retired Police Chief Keith
Haines. He left a lasting legacy here in Tukwila and throughout the Pacific
Northwest.
• Crime Reduction Initiative
A police department focus group met and discussed the next steps to implement
Crime Reduction Initiative Strategy A: Target Hot Spots and Key Offenders.
Selective criteria identifying targeted individuals and locations were established.
These metrics meet crime analysis industry standards. Our intent is to target
known and repeat offenders while also focusing our efforts on problem areas.
One location that will meet those metrics is the Grand Terrace Apartments. Our
Crime Prevention Team (CPT) met with concerned neighbors to collect information
and further define the problems and associated impacts as a result of crime at that
complex. The CPT is working on a strategy which may include but not limited to
community engagement, collaboration with other city departments and focused
enforcement.
FIRE
• Staffing:
Two new fire employees have graduated from basic recruit academy. They are now
engaged in two weeks of Firefighter II training and will then report for post academy
indoctrination. They should be ready for full duty in late May or early June. Two new
employees began service with the city on April 1, 2013, and will start a basic recruit
academy in early May. We expect to see them report for front line shift service in early
September. In March we saw the retirement of two very tenured employees, both at
approximately 38 years of service to the City of Tukwila. We currently have two
employees absent on long term disability, and one employee working on light duty in
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Fire Prevention. There is one firefighter absent from shift assignment, and working on a
special project in Fire Prevention.
• FD Strategic Plan:
We are developing a scope of work for Berk and Associates, and plan on inviting them to
our May Officer's Meeting to facilitate the beginning of the process.
111. Council and Community Updates
• Transit Stop Concerns: Chuck Hawes, De /Mar Company, 515 Strander Boulevard,
spoke under citizen comments at the March 25, 2013 COW. Staff is working with
Chuck and King County Metro Transit in an attempt to help address his concerns
about expanding the existing transit stop into a Rapid Ride stop.
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