HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
COUNCIL ATTENDANCE:
OFFICIALS:
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 24, 2003 7:00 p.m.
Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers
COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Calling the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. was Pam Carter, Council President, who also led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Present were Council President Pam Carter; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Jim
Haggerton, Pamela Linder, David Fenton and Richard Simpson.
John McFarland, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk;
Alan Doerschel, Finance Director; Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development; Brian Shelton,
City Engineer; and Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Financial Plannina Model Update (explanation of lona -term debt schedule)
Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, presented this item to Council. Highlights of his presentation include:
The actual cash carryover from 2002 forward to 2003 was $372,000.00 Tess than
anticipated when the plan was adopted in December 2002.
The estimate for carryover cash was reduced by $100,000.00 for each year (2004 -2008)
to reflect the tighter budgets, which generate smaller unspent totals.
The earlier estimated balance in 2008 of $1.9 million is now estimated at $1.0 million.
The State's Chief Economist reported (March 19, 2003) that cities would continue to see
negative growth during the near term.
The City's debt schedule as of December 31, 2002, has a balance of $21,005,000.00; and
does not include the $11,000,000.00 to be issued in June 2003, for Foster Clubhouse,
South Park Bridge and Tukwila Village expenditures.
After testifying at City of Seattle Committee meetings (last week), Mr. Doerschel announced a settlement
has been reached with Seattle City Light, as it relates to collecting franchise fees. The City of Seattle is
aware they will pay fees back to March 1, 2003.
Councilmember Fenton stated appreciation and thanks to Mr. Doerschel and Finance staffers for their
diligence and foresight in planning when economic times began getting difficult. As a result, he reported,
the City of Tukwila is in much better financial shape than many other Washington cities.
Dennis Robertson. former City of Tukwila Councilmember, raised questions concerning the long-
term debt schedule. Answers and clarification came from Alan Doerschel. Noting that the City is "doing
well" yet currently spending more money per year than anticipated revenues, he questioned whether the
City should be patting itself "on the back" to the degree mentioned earlier.
Council President Carter requested future updates at times when economic development or climates
change, or the City's financial outlook may differ from that which was presented at this meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None.
City of Tukwila
City Council Committee of Whole Minutes
SPECIAL ISSUES:
a. Bid Award Construction of 2003 Infiltration and Inflow Manhole Reoairs
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March 24, 2003
Councilmember Linder reported this as a project to repair /install four manholes. Twelve bids were
received for the project. The apparent low bidder withdrew their bid and the second lowest bidder,
Pivetta Brothers, received good references for performing quality work in a timely fashion.
Pivetta Brothers bid came in at $37,829.76. Council consensus existed to forward this item
to a Special Meeting following this Committee of Whole meeting.
b. Review of Mayor's Salary
After being discussed at the January Council retreat, Councilmember Joe Duffie reported review of this
item at the March 17 Finance and Safety Committee meeting. Reiterating statements made at the
Committee meeting, Councilmember Duffie spoke against increasing the Mayor's salary "at this point in
time."
As reported by Council President Carter, three options exist. Council can:
1. Freeze the Mayor's salary at the existing level to deter unqualified candidates filing for
the position, and recognizing the current economic climate of the City.
2. Allow the existing ordinance (1919) to stand (with no COLA increases).
3. Adopt the newly proposed ordinance which would raise the Mayor's salary from
$78,000.00 to $80,000.00 in 2004; reflecting a 2.5% increase. Thereafter, the salary
would be increased automatically at the rate identical to that which is provided for non
represented employees. This would preclude the Mayor's salary from being routinely
reviewed.
Based upon that representation, Councilmember Duffie is in favor of option 2.
Council President Carter reported "leaning towards" option 3.
Councilmember Haggerton spoke in favor of option 1.
Councilmember Hernandez spoke in favor of option 1 or 2.
Councilmember Linder spoke in favor of option 3.
Councilmember Fenton spoke in favor of option 3.
Councilmember Simpson spoke in favor of option 3.
With four Councilmembers in support of option 3, the proposed, draft ordinance will be
considered at the Regular Meeting on April 7, 2003.
c. Freedman. Tuna Bottomlev Design Review Contract (Tukwila Urban Center)
Councilmember Hernandez reported review of this item at the March 10 Community Affairs and Parks
Committee meeting. This contract, if signed, would represent the City's second contract with Freedman,
Tung and Bottomley. Finances for the contract ($49,405.00) will be taken from the DCD
General /Professional Services budget.
The purpose of the contract includes design review of the Westfield Shoppingtown at Southcenter and
J. C. Penney's Warehouse developments.
City of Tukwila
City Council Committee of Whole Minutes
No citizen comment was received.
d. A Resolution Increasing the Parks Recreation Department Chance Fund
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March 24, 2003
Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, citing the importance of this contract, reported a would -be efficiency in
handling and coordinating the total development of the City's Urban Center. Additionally, it provides the
opportunity for staff to review the development project coming on board now, and using it as a test case
in terms of some of the concepts developed by City staff, in the early stages of the process for urban
design in the Urban Center.
Freedman, Tung and Bottomley are willing developers and will serve as an extension to DCD staff.
Finally, Freedman, Tung and Bottomley will shepherd this project through completion.
Council consensus existed to forward this item to a Special Meeting following this
Committee of Whole meeting.
Councilmember Duffie reported review of this item at the March 17 Finance and Safety Committee
meeting. There, it was reported the City's newly acquired pool needs a change fund in the amount of
$125.00. Additionally, the Tukwila Community Center is requesting an increase in their change fund to
$175.00. The total of these two requests represents a $100.00 increase in additional cash on hand to
meet the needs of the two divisions of Parks and Recreation.
With very little discussion, Council consensus existed to forward this item to a Special Meeting
following this Committee of Whole meeting.
REPORTS:
a. Mayor
Mayor Mullet reported recruitment for the City Administrator position continues. The pool has been
reduced from 13 applicants to just 9.
Next, Mayor Mullet reported a final candidate has been chosen for the City's Municipal Court Judge
position. A background check is being conducted on the un- named, female candidate. More information
will follow.
The Mayor then reported a reception in honor of John McFarland, retiring City Administrator, on April 24,
in Council Chambers from 1 to 4 p.m.
Finally, Mayor Mullet reported he'd be absent from City Hall on March 27 and 28, 2003.
b. City Council
Councilmember Duffle reported problems with parked cars in his neighborhood, which are leaking oil
onto City streets. He reported the registered owner is a resident of Maple Valley. He also reported
attendance to a women's fast -pitch tournament at Fort Dent Park on March 22. He stated plans for
upgrading the park by Starfire Sports are on track and will make the park a great place to visit.
Councilmember Hernandez attended a March 18 Utilities Committee meeting and a March 20
Community meeting (Vision Tukwila).
Council President Carter reported attendance to a recent SCATBd meeting; a March 19 Regional
Transportation Committee meeting and a March 20 Puget Sound Regional Council General Assembly
meeting.
Finally, Council President Carter read a note into the record from community member Mary Johnson,
recognizing and praising Bruce Fletcher and (two male) staffers for recently responding to her concerns
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes
Councilmember Linder attended the "same meetings" as others.
Bob Noe was not present.
ADJOURN:
c. Staff
d. City Attorney
(,L)
Pam Carter, Council President
Date Minutes Signed: April 7. 2003
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March 24, 2003
at Crystal Springs Park. "How refreshing to encounter City government people who are friendly and
helpful."
Councilmember Haggerton attended the Community Vision meeting at Thorndyke Elementary School
and reported it was "very worthwhile." He stated this is the type of meeting which ties a community
together.
Councilmember Fenton also attended the "same meetings as others" in addition to a March 19 Vehicle
Task Force meeting.
Councilmember Simpson attended both Vision Tukwila (Community) meetings as well as this
evening's Transportation Committee meeting.
John McFarland reported speaking at the Graduate School of Public Affairs, at the University of
Washington today. There, he spoke about the City of Tukwila, its community, its diversity,
demographics, etc.
Next, Mr. McFarland displayed a newly- acquired gift to be presented to officials of Ikawa, Tukwila's Sister
City. Made of Lodge Pine wood and a base of manzania wood, the gift is a carved, painted and finished
salmon.
Finally, Mr. McFarland reported a "car in the river" late today. All persons were successfully removed
from the vehicle, yet no other details are available. More information will follow.
e. Legislative Analyst
Lucy Lauterbach had no report.
MISCELLANEOUS:
In light of a recent illness and hospitalization, Councilmember Richard Simpson thanked City
Administration and Councilmembers for their cards, letters, and well wishes.
8:39 p.m. HERNANDEZ MOVED; FENTON SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COW MEETING.
The motion carried 7 -0.
ob Baker(CMC, Deputy City Clerk