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Home My WebLink About2003-01-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesCOMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. was Pam Carter, Council President, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Present were Council President Pam Carter; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder, David Fenton and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: John McFarland, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk; Bruce Fletcher, Director of Parks and Recreation; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; David St. Pierre, Assistant City Attorney; and Rhonda Berry, Assistant City Administrator. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Introduction of New Employees Parks Recreation Department Malcolm Neely Aquatics Coordinator (Pool Manager) April Heikkila Aquatics Specialist (Assistant Manager) Robert Eaton Facilities Maintenance /Operations Technician (Pool Operator) Bruce Fletcher introduced the newest employees to the Parks and Recreation staff. All have extensive knowledge and backgrounds in aquatics and all look forward to sharing in the vision for the newly acquired City of Tukwila pool. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL January 13, 2003 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Joanne McManus. 5610 So. 133 Street. Tukwila, spoke favorably about City staff response with a downed sign at the Neighborhood Resource Center, during a recent windstorm. SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Tri- Association Joint Leaislative Proposal When reviewing this matter at their December 9, 2002 COW meeting, Councilmembers expressed concerns and comments regarding specific points within the proposal. From there, Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst, was to do research and report back findings to Council. Recognizing this is a very general outline of a legislative package that will be taken to the Legislature, Council reviewed research points brought forth by Ms. Lauterbach. Issues covered included: relief for local governments, -local revenue options package, improving existing revenue elements, capital projects, publicly funded criminal defense, tort costs limitations, and 3` Degree Driving While License Suspended. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Questions and answers were also stated relative to such items as: election costs within Tukwila, eliminating State cost shifts without revenue, and equalizing impacts of sentencing reductions. Page 2 of 2 January 13, 2003 In furtherance of a discussion on December 9, 2002, at the COW meeting, Public Works Director Jim Morrow provided Council with information on design build contracts, including advantages and disadvantages to the concept. Council consensus was to approve the proposal and to send a comment letter, including notes in favor of and /or in opposition to particular points within the proposal. b. Animal Control Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 7.04, "ANIMAL LICENSING AND REGULATIONS," REPEALING ORDINANCES 1812 AND 1772; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst, introduced this item to the Committee of the Whole. Reminding Council of a tremendous amount of work already put into this proposed ordinance within the last year, Ms. Lauterbach provided copies of minutes from several Finance and Safety Committee meetings from 2002. The basis of revisiting the animal control ordinance stemmed from two different "vicious dog" complaints in Tukwila neighborhoods within the last year. When the item was first brought to committee, one community member spoke in favor of a breed specific ban, as both vicious dog complaints involved pit bull dogs. Although not illegal, not all community members and committee members shared that opinion. After hearing from many dog owners and at least two different businesses and /or organizations, the Finance and Safety Committee agreed breed specific language should not be included within the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance has been reviewed by a dog training business, "PAWS Ability" in Tukwila, and the American Kennel Club. Both are in agreement with its contents. With occasional assistance from David St. Pierre, Ms. Lauterbach reviewed the proposed ordinance with Council and noted it takes a hard line against dogs that bite. As written, the proposed ordinance is tougher in nature than that of Washington State. One major change to the draft is an amendment to the definition of dangerous dog. Beginning with page one of the proposed ordinance, Council reviewed the draft and suggested minor edits throughout. Recorded by Ms. Lauterbach, edits will be incorporated into the final, proposed, draft. Council is to review the newly proposed draft on January 21, 2003. Additionally, certain questions related to King County process, imposed fees, and licensing will be reviewed by Ms. Lauterbach and incorporated into appropriate places within the draft ordinance. Jessie Richardson. 4632 South 148 Street, Tukwila, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance; especially with regard to the fact it does not contain a breed specific ban. Taking an opposing view from a statement made earlier, Ms. Richardson noted Pam McLaren, King County Animal Control Officer, is not a trained expert in the field of dog breeds; especially re: wolf hybrids. Ms. Richardson stated her personal dissatisfaction with the level of service the City receives from King County Animal Control and urged Council to ensure accountability and responsibility. And, although she stated her concern with the administration of the proposed ordinance, she spoke in favor of it as a whole. Finally, Ms. Richardson stated her belief that owners should be held accountable and the need for pro- active animal control officers in the Tukwila area. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Page 3 of 3 January 13, 2003 Anna Bernhard, 14241 52 South, Tukwila, stated her belief most animal owners keep their dogs under control in the Tukwila area. She then asked Council if they could locate a piece of land where dogs would be allowed to run and play without the requirement of being on a leash. Joanne McManus. 5610 So. 133 Tukwila. stated she is not a pet owner; yet there are several in her neighborhood. Due to the fact she has felt threatened in times past by some dogs, she's reported the incidences to the proper authorities. She spoke favorably of the response provided by King County Animal Control officers. She, too, spoke in favor of increased accountability by pet owners and of the proposed ordinance. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet attended the January 14 Highway 99 Action Committee meeting. Additionally, he reported the recruitment process is under way for a new Municipal Court Judge. b. City Council Councilmember Duffle attended the January 11 City of Tukwila Pool dedication ceremony. Councilmember Hernandez attended the January 8 INS Facility meeting; the January 10 Chamber of Commerce luncheon; the January 11 City of Tukwila Pool dedication ceremony. Council President Carter finalized and distributed Council Committee assignments for 2003. She, too, reported attendance to the January 10 Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Councilmember Haggerton attended the January 8 public meeting on the new INS facility and a recent Cascade Water Alliance meeting. Councilmember Linder attended the January 8 Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative Executive Committee meeting and the January 9 South King County Human Services Forum meeting. Councilmember Simpson attended the January 10 Chamber of Commerce luncheon and the January 11 City of Tukwila Pool dedication ceremony. c. Staff John McFarland reported the City may enter into negotiations for a lobbying services agreement with the Ball Janik firm. d. City Attorney David St. Pierre reported representatives from Preston Gates and Ellis have contacted him and would like to once again work with the City of Tukwila. They are currently working with proponents of the Poverty Hill and Monorail projects. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach reported the Legislature is in session and dealing with a $200 million shortfall. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes ADJOURN: 9:54 p.m. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE. The motion carried 7 -0. —6 1.) a/2 Pam Carter, Council President -i?atat /-1( /-3t? Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: January 27, 2003 Page 4 of 4 January 13, 2003