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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-22 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers April 22, 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 7:02 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 Jim Haggerton, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Mike Villa, Police Chief; Chris Flores, Acting Fire Chief; Robin Tischmak, Acting Public Works Director; Ryan Larson, Acting City Engineer; Carol Lumb, Senior Planner; Chris Partman, Community Policing Coordinator; Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Joyce Trantina, Project Analyst; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. Council President Hougardy announced the meeting this evening will be live on Tukwila Cable Channel 21 to finalize testing for televising the City Council meetings. CITIZEN COMMENTS Dwight McLean, 13015 38th Avenue South, stated he and his wife ride trikes along the trails throughout Tukwila. He commented that the posts installed to deter motor vehicles from accessing the trails hinder trail users. He suggested the City review what the City of Auburn has done to remove the posts to allow easier trail access for users. SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance authorizing and providing for the acquisition of interests in land for the purpose of community renewal as authorized by RCW Chapter 35.81; and providing for condemnation, appropriation, taking of land and property rights necessary therefore. Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney, stated the ordinance before the Council is authorizing condemnation of up to 7 properties along Tukwila International Boulevard (TIB). At the March 25, 2013 Council meeting, the Council was briefed on City Administration's recommendation regarding acquisition of properties within the City's Urban Renewal Area. The Urban Renewal Law allows cities to acquire properties within that city's designated Urban Renewal Area to remedy blight and spark redevelopment. The City designated an Urban Renewal Area along the TIB corridor in 1998, with the goal to improve and sustain the residential neighborhood quality and livability and reinvigorate the development along the TIB corridor. Phase One of the project was to implement the road and infrastructure improvements along TIB as well as the development of Tukwila Village. It is now time for Phase Two, which will bring the City closer to the realization of the goal. The sites shown in the draft ordinance were selected based on several considerations including crime statistics and development opportunities. Many of the subject properties have a high volume of calls for service for police, fire and code enforcement and represent a significant drain on City services. These properties contribute blight and are inconsistent with the City's neighborhood vision. Other properties are included to increase development potential within the area. Staff believes the acquisition of the additional properties will result in a significant positive impact to the neighborhood. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 2 of 7 The draft ordinance begins the acquisition process. Upon passage of the ordinance, the City will complete the appraisals of the 7 properties, and evaluate options for appropriate use. The ordinance does not require the City to acquire all of the properties (reference Exhibit B on page 15 of the agenda packet). Ms. Kerslake stated staff anticipates returning to the City Council in late June, upon completion of the appraisals, to provide the Council with a recommendation for specific acquisitions. At that time the City can begin negotiations with the property owners. The grant of condemnation authority, as identified within the draft ordinance, will only be used if the City is unable to negotiate a fair and reasonable purchase price for the properties. Based on the current schedule, she feels the City will see a positive action along TIB by the end of the year. She said staff will keep the Council apprised of developments and timelines related to this matter. Councilmember Robertson commented that there appears to be two different types of properties included in the proposed list. The first are properties that are considered due to crime and the numbers of calls for service. The second properties are the smaller sites, without which it would be difficult to redevelop the area. He asked if there would be a reason to treat the two types differently. Ms. Kerslake clarified that the Urban Renewal Law allows for a variety of reasons, including crime related and development related activities. For the purpose of the process, the acquisition of the properties are treated the same. Council President Hougardy asked if the subject properties are part of the Urban Renewal Area as established in 1998. Ms. Kerslake answered in the affirmative. She explained a map identifying the City's Urban Renewal Area, as defined in 1998 and updated in 2000, is included in the agenda packet (page 13). The City's authority to acquire property for this purpose can only be within the boundaries of the Urban Renewal Area. Council President Hougardy called for public comments. Dwight McLean, 13015 38th Avenue South, said approximately 25 years ago he participated in the Highway 99 Task Force. During some of that time he also worked as a hotelier on Tukwila International Boulevard. The group made significant strides along the highway and some progress; however, they did not receive the cooperation needed from the hoteliers. It appears the property owners are not interested in working with the City to address the issues. He urged the City to utilize the facts and figures as reported on the income tax reports of the subject property owners to assess the fair market value. He supports this item because he wants his grandchildren to be safe in the area once again. Arthur Rosengren, 4022 South 150th Street, voiced his appreciation for the Tukwila Police Department. He stated he has lived in the area since 1971, and he is working part time at Tukwila Trading Company. He has witnessed the Tukwila Police in action, and he commended Chief Villa and the officers who patrol Tukwila International Boulevard. Within the past six months he has seen improvement in one of the motels. He urged the Council to move forward with this item and he acknowledged the Council and Mayor for their work on this issue. 7:19 p.m. Councilmember Kruller entered the Council Chambers Jamie Durkan, 330 Southwest 43rd Street, Renton, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to speak before the Council on this item. He represents Gabby Pole, who owns the corner property at South 146th Street and Tukwila International Boulevard. This location is the current site of one of the Cash America locations. He stated they applaud the City for this undertaking, and his client is a willing seller, and they are willing to work with the City to discuss a fair market value for the subject property. They feel this property will be key to the future development of the surrounding properties. He explained Cash America is a very good tenant, with Tukwila residents account for over 80% of their business customers. Due to the current moratorium on pawn type stores, they were unable to consolidate two Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 3 of 7 Tukwila Cash America stores into one central store. He previously worked on behalf of the City on the Highway 99 Task Force, and feels the area along TIB appears to be changing for the positive. Michael Transue, 5420 North Commercial, Ruston, stated he is representing Cash America Pawn located at South 146th Street and Tukwila International Boulevard. They enjoy the Tukwila area, and he voiced his appreciation for the work the City is doing to improve the area. He stated they would like to be part of the process. They would like to find a location along TIB to continue operations within the City. As previously stated, roughly 80 -85% of Cash America's customers are Tukwila residents who use their services as a bank type of location, and they have many repeat customers. They are very interested in the process and in working with the City on a solution. Katrina Dohn, 14442 46th Avenue South, explained she was part of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee and the number one answer to the question "What do you want Tukwila to be ?" was "Clean up Tukwila International Boulevard." Ms. Dohn provided examples of issues she has seen at the motels along TIB. She voiced her support for moving forward and said she is excited to see how this will work toward reimaging Tukwila. Lakhvia Pawar, 14440 Tukwila International Boulevard, stated that he has worked at the Boulevard Motel for the past 10 years, and he asked what will happen to the employees of the motels if they are closed. Sukhjit Singh Minhas, 22014 13th Avenue South, Des Moines, stated he is the owner of Sam Smoke Shop. He explained that he purchased the business four years ago and he has two employees. Mr. Minhas said he has assisted the Tukwila Police in issues around his property. He stated that if the City is looking to acquire his property, they need to look at both portions. The first is the actual property and the second is the business he has created at the location. He commented that he does not have issues with the City, and he asked the City to understand his concern for himself and his family. Eugene Needhan, 3747 South 142nd Street, said he is the night manager at the Jet Inn Motel. Since he began the position, he has seen a decrease in crime at the motel and they are doing what they can to work with the Tukwila Police. Frances Shannon, 4526 South 140th Street, stated five years ago her family moved to this area. She explained they enjoy living in Tukwila, and her grandchildren are enrolled in the local schools. She said prior to relocating to this area, they did not know about the problems associated with the subject properties, and it would be nice to see the area improved. Sharon Mann, 4452 South 160th Street, acknowledged what is being done by the City Council to improve TIB. She feels it is time to bring the TIB area back to a safe place reflecting what we know and love about Tukwila. During a recent Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (TIBAC) meeting, one representative from the hoteliers spoke about his struggles with trying to turn things around, and not having the support of the other hoteliers. She feels it is in the best interest of the City and the surrounding businesses to move forward in this process. Dwight McLean, 13015 38th Avenue South, commented that when the motels are removed from the area, this may create a type of vacuum effect where some of the other motels could then cater to that clientele. He urged the City to monitor the issue so the problems are not displaced to the remaining motels in the area. Councilmember Duffie thanked the previous speakers for providing comments on the issue. He provided a brief history of the area, and explained the Tukwila citizens have voiced their concern about the crime along Tukwila International Boulevard. The Tukwila Police Department has done an outstanding job along TIB, and he feels now is the opportunity for the City and the Council to move forward with cleaning up the area and to begin fixing the problems. Councilmember Robertson stated that while he was canvasing the neighborhoods during the last election, the citizens voiced their concern about the issues along Tukwila International Boulevard. The crime starts and ends along TIB, and until the crime issues have been addressed, everything else in the City that has Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 4 of 7 improved does not matter. The situation has worsened over the last few years, and he is concerned about the individuals that will be impacted by the Council's decision. He stated he will support the condemnation process, which will allow police officers to focus on other areas of the City. Councilmember Ekberg stated his family lived along TIB in the past, and there has been a degradation of the area. He is interested in putting a stop to that and finding ways to improve the area. Once the City invests in the Tukwila Village development, there will be an influx of new residents within the area. This will include the first senior citizen development within the City, and it is important to make sure that area is safe. Councilmember Seal stated that during the Strategic Planning process, crime along Tukwila International Boulevard was the most talked about issue. The City Council spent a significant amount of time brainstorming how to resolve the issues surrounding TIB. She voiced her support for the ordinance, and stated the Council wants to work with the business owners. This process needs to happen to keep the redevelopment momentum moving forward. The Tukwila Village development will bring a whole new group of people to the City, and the ordinance before the Council is one more step in the process for revitalization of the area. Councilmember Quinn voiced his support for the proposed ordinance and stated it has taken a long time for this type of action to move forward. He clarified that the City has planned this type of redevelopment since 1998, and it was confirmed in 2000. The subject area was designated as an Urban Renewal Area, and revitalization efforts started with a task force. TIBAC (Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee) has been working on the issue, and it was evident from comments received during the City's Strategic Planning process, this is an area of concern. The Mayor and City Administration are ready to move forward with this proposal, and the Police Chief is willing to see it through, and the Council wants to work toward improving the area. He said the citizens are demanding more from the City, and he would like to see more communication on this issue stating the City, in conjunction with the residents are moving forward with this process. Councilmember Kruller explained that she is looking out for everyone within the City, and it is very important that the image of the City is changed and that Tukwila is a safe place to live. She stated TIBAC has been an important part of the changes along TIB. She voiced her support for the local businesses that will be affected by the process, and she urged City Administration to keep the lines of communication open with those businesses. She voiced her support for the process, stating it is a bold step. She feels when someone visits Tukwila within the next 10 years, it will be a great place to visit. It will be welcoming and the residents and community will feel safe as a result of the action being considered by the Council. Mayor Haggerton expressed his appreciation for the comments received this evening. He explained City Administration and the Tukwila Police Department have been trying to work with the property owners and property managers within the subject area for quite some time. The properties identified did not want to work with the City on the issues, and this is the result. He explained the City's Strategic Planning process was the defining moment; it was loud and clear that the City needed to do something about the issues along TIB. Mayor Haggerton commented on the history of the area from the late 1950's, when the community could safely walk along TIB. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is that it will again be safe to walk along TIB. Council President Hougardy spoke in favor of the ordinance, and she explained that within the past 15 years TIB has become a richly diverse area. TIB is surrounded by a string of communities, and the City has not been able to promote those communities due to the increased crime in the area. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING THIS EVENING. b. Briscoe /Desimone Levee design. Councilmember Robertson explained three Councilmembers were asked to work with City staff to understand the issues surrounding the proposed design of the Briscoe / Desimone Levee Repair Project. He commented that the levee needs to be repaired. Without the repairs there could be a future problem Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 5 of 7 with FEMA insurance in the cities of Kent, a portion of Tukwila and Renton. Additionally, there are life and property issues to contend with if the levees are not repaired. The Council Sub - committee spent time with City staff and discussed the following: • Two of the levee reaches are within the City of Tukwila: the entire Reach 1 plus a small part of Reach 2. The most complicated repair is located within the City of Tukwila for Reach 1, located at 180th Street and West Valley Highway (State Route 181). • The City of Kent is concerned as Tukwila's support is needed at the Flood Control District "now" to retain the State funds. • There are physical problems meeting Tukwila's Shoreline Management Program (SMP) minimum levee cross - section for the section of Reach 1 adjacent to West Valley Highway. The SMP has tools (a variance process) or the SMP could be amended to solve the problems. • Negotiations with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will be required for the part adjacent to the highway. • There may be "physical" reasons the SMP's minimum levee cross - section cannot be met elsewhere in Reach 1. • A considerable amount of engineering that will be required before levee repair construction in Tukwila could proceed (possibly in 2014). The committee is proposing a motion to support Kent relating to this issue to be discussed at the Special Meeting immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposed motion states Tukwila supports the repair efforts within the City of Kent, and that while the design of the repair for work within Kent is acceptable for their portion of the levee, it does not work for the portion of the levee within Tukwila. Alternative Paths Forward: 1. Interpret SMP use of flood wall to include infrastructure such as a major state highway. Also assume definition of a "building" includes a state highway. 2. Use a shoreline variance. 3. Amend the City's SMP, which would be the lengthiest solution. Recommendation for Council: 1. Continue engineering /design efforts. 2. Support Kent at the Flood Control District for the Kent Reaches. 3. Seek further analysis, engineering, and discussion, including City Administration's recommendation on alternate paths forward. The City of Kent has completed some engineering within Tukwila. The Council Sub - committee suggests City staff bring forward a proposed design with the physical changes that would conform to the City's SMP (or as close as possible). The information should include the engineering data associated with the proposed design, and any proposed amendments to the City's SMP. This information would be for the Council Sub - committee to review prior to staff moving forward with an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the cities of Kent and Tukwila. Councilmember Quinn encouraged the Council to visit the King County Flood Control District website to view the terms between Kent and King County relating to the levee repair project ( http:// www .kingcountyfloodcontrol.orq). He commented that there is no requirement for an ILA between the cities of Kent and Tukwila. He feels the Sub - committee's work is due diligence that should be done prior to the City considering any ILA. Councilmember Kruller voiced her appreciation for City staff during the Sub - committee meeting. While there is a proposed support statement, it was determined that the City does not need to rush into an ILA with Kent. She feels there is time for City staff to sort through the project information and all the options available to the City. Having the City take time to review the information should not hinder Kent in any way, as they are still in negotiations with King County on an ILA for the levee repairs. There are things happening along the river that need to be addressed, and she voiced support for the proposed motion. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 6 of 7 Councilmember Seal commented that rather than trying to slow down the process, the Council is working to ensure the City is performing due diligence relating to this issue. The City spent a considerable amount of time working through the Shoreline Master Program. She voiced her support for moving forward with the proposed motion of support. Council President Hougardy asked if the Council Sub - committee would like to continue working through this issue. Councilmember Robertson suggested the issue be discussed at a future Community Affairs and Parks Committee. Councilmember Ekberg spoke in favor of having this item brought forward for review by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. Councilmember Robertson read the Council Sub - committee's recommended motion of support to include a minor language edit (the friendly wording additions are in underlined format): "Tukwila supports Kent's continuing efforts to address the Desimone /Briscoe Levee structural problems. Tukwila also supports Kent's desire to begin construction in 2013 for the levee reaches in Kent. Further design /engineering work is necessary for -the to solve the Desimone /Briscoe levee problems in Tukwila because of the specific site issues and Tukwila's Shoreline Management Plan standards. Tukwila's SMP is specific to Tukwila's natural environment and is adapted to work with Tukwila's unique ecological functions, shoreline and development on the river. Tukwila looks forward to working with Kent and the King County Flood Control District to resolve any issues so that construction in Tukwila can also move forward." COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM, AS AMENDED, TO THE SPECIAL MEETING THIS EVENING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton stated he provided the opening remarks at the Road Map Parent Forum on April 20, 2013 at Foster High School. The event had between 750 -1,000 attendees, and there were 32 booths for attendees to visit during the event. Later that day he attended the Tukwila Pool Grand Re- opening event. He felt it was great to witness the Council being able to enjoy themselves at the Tukwila Pool events. b. City Council Councilmember Seal announced that Cascade View Elementary received a Washington Achievement Award in Math from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She commented that the students and staff should be congratulated for receiving this award. Councilmember Quinn attended the Road Map Parent Forum on April 20, 2013 at Foster High School. He commented that he noticed several "Earth Day" type of events April 20 -21, 2013. Councilmember Kruller attended the Road Map Parent Forum on April 20, 2013 at Foster High School, and the Tukwila Pool Grand Re- opening event. She congratulated the "Sustain Tukwila Pool" (STP) group for raising funds for the pool scholarship fund and exceeding their fundraising goals. She announced that, through Sound Cities Association, she applied for and has been selected to serve on the King Conservation District. On April 21, 2013 she attended a local Turkish program that she felt was a great event, and she reported on the activities of the event and a possible travel opportunity to Turkey. Council President Hougardy attended the April 20, 2013 Tukwila Pool Grand Re- opening event and the Road Map Parent Forum at Foster High School later that afternoon. She also attended the most recent Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 22, 2013 Page 7 of 7 Southgate Garden Club meeting where they are preparing for the upcoming Backyard Wildlife Fair. The Backyard Wildlife Fair will be held at the Tukwila Community Center on Saturday, May 11, 2013. 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 There was no report. ADJOURNMENT 8:46 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUGARDY DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED TO CONVENE A SPECIAL MEETING. L %o A Kathy Hbugardy, Cho ncil Pres Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON 05/14/2013 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE 05/14/2013