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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL February 24, 2003 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Pam Carter called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Councilmembers Joe Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Council President Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pam Linder, Dave Fenton, and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: John McFarland, City Administrator; Alan Doerschel, Finance Director; Lucy Lauterbach; Council Analyst; Steve Lancaster, DCD Director; Jane Cantu, City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Update on Kina County Library: Bill Ptacek, Kina County Library System Bill Ptacek, Director, King County Library System, gave an informative overview of the state of King County libraries and programs. Recently, a $158 million dollar bond issue was defeated at 52.5 percent of the vote. These bonds would have taken care of capital needs over the next 10 years. For Tukwila, those dollars were to be used for a library presence at Tukwila Village and an outlet at the Westfield Shopping Mall Southcenter. Now, plans are unsure. KCLS hopes to bring the bond issue forward again with more involvement. Many citizens in the audience were interested to know what was to happen to the Tukwila Library. Mr. Ptacek commented that KCLS had planned to roll the Tukwila Library into Tukwila Village, but now those plans are unsure. He noted that expanding Tukwila Library, as some had requested, is not the most efficient use of library funds. Residents in attendance who supported keeping the Tukwila Library in its present neighborhood included: Anna Bernhard, Kathryn Harris, Alex Griffin, Joann Davis, Louise Strander, Verna Griffin, Joanne McManus, Robin Allsop, Mrs. Charles Tyson, Peg McCarthy, Dennis Robertson, Max Griffin, and Bob Harris. Council President Pam Carter explained that Council had requested an update from KCLS to glean more information on what they had planned for Southcenter. KCLS is a separate level of government and property owners in Tukwila pay taxes directly to KCLS and services are provided throughout the county from taxes collected countywide. The Southcenter branch, according to Mr. Ptacek, is something that KCLS is proposing and working on and the city has no control over it. Foster and Tukwila branch libraries are governed by an interlocal agreement that cannot be broken by one side only. If KCLS chooses to close one or both of these libraries in the future, it will have to come back to the city and negotiate an amendment to the interlocal agreement. At that time the City would consider what benefits it would be to the citizens, and would consider and receive input from Tukwila residents. Council President Carter concluded by assuring the audience that this presentation was for information only, and Council would not be taking any action at this time. b. Summary of AWC Leaislative Conference Mayor Mullet, Councilmembers Carter, Fenton, and Simpson, and Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach attended the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Conference in Olympia during the week of February 17 Mayor Mullet praised Ms. Lauterbach for her comprehensive report of their experience. A City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes brief discussion ensued with Council agreeing that the allotted 15 minutes was not enough time to speak to the legislators. It was suggested they look into different ways of contacting the legislators, i.e., scheduling something after AWC, bring the legislators to Tukwila for lunch, or developing talking points prior to meetings. CITIZEN COMMENT: Former Councilmember Dennis Robertson gave an update on the House hearing on the Port of Seattle legislative issue. PU BLIC HEARING: A proposed ordinance modifying and renewing a temporary moratorium on acceptance of applications for certain land divisions and land use decisions within the area designated for transit oriented development. Council President Pam Carter declared the hearing open at 8:56 p.m. Feb. 24, 2003 Page 2 of 4 Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner, explained that during the past year there has been a moratorium on certain land uses and activities in the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area that surrounds the Longacres commuter rail station. Until a plan for the TOD is in place, the City wants to do two things: take steps to reserve land for development and redevelopment in that area and restrict the introduction of uses they felt were inconsistent or incompatible with the types of uses they envision for the future. The TOD planning effort is about to begin. The City received $1.5 million grant last year from the federal government to complete this plan as well as incorporate it into the Tukwila urban center plan. The consultant contracts to do this plan are being reviewed by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee tomorrow. It is anticipated the plans will be completed in early 2004. At the time the moratorium was adopted, the City believed the key transportation improvements (Strander extension project, the relocation of the UP line closer to BN line, and the improvements to intersection of I -405) would be constructed in the near term. However, it now appears that may not happen. Consequently, staff is recommending that some of the restrictions on the properties in that area be relaxed and uses that are easily re- developable allowed. The City also wants to allow for expansion of existing uses in that area. In conclusion, Ms. Miranda explained there are no real substantive differences between the existing ordinance and the proposed ordinance. Both ordinances prohibit the filing of all permits and approvals within the TOD planning area related to land divisions and exempt from the moratorium the filing of and approvals for sign permits and building permits for tenant improvements. Councilmember Hernandez, chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee, reported the committee referred this item to the COW for a public hearing. There will be no official action taken at this meeting; however, the item has been set to the Regular Meeting on March 3rd for final action. Council President Carter questioned permitting a temporary trailer to work as a sales room on a car sales lot as opposed to a stick built building. Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, responded the intent would be to allow the office associated with a sales lot but not a showroom. Gus Erickson, representative of Puget Western, 19515 North Creek Parkway, Bothell, Mr. Erickson stated that Puget Western is a property owner within the TOD. They support the loosening of restrictions. Erickson requested clarification in regards to leased land and the restrictions on car showrooms. Ms. Miranda responded this situation would be considered the same as if it were owned property. Erickson stated that this would give BN the ability to utilize the land in the short term. Don Moody, 1220 Boren Ave, Seattle, is a real estate broker who has worked on property in Tukwila. He commended DCD for recommending this change and hearing them at the last meeting. Carmen Arzo, 2800 75 SE, #300, Mercer Island Industrial Crating and Packing. Ms. Arzo thanked Council for expunging the existing businesses from the new moratorium and said she favored the passage of the ordinance. With no others wishing to testify, Council President Carter closed the public hearing at 9:05 p.m. and asked Council for their questions or comments. Councilmember Haggerton noted the City doesn't City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Feb. 24, 2003 Page 3 of 4 normally continue to extend moratoriums irregardless of what the use is. He suggested moving the proposed ordinance forward to the Regular Meeting for action. Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, explained that the moratorium would be renewed but with a slightly less level of restriction. Council would need to see the ordinance again prior to its expiration to determine whether or not to renew it another time. Councilmember Carter suggested the addition of another "Whereas" clause stating that a public hearing was held on this date. The proposed ordinance was forwarded to the March 3, 2003 Regular Meeting for action. SPECIAL ISSUES: A resolution reaardina the Citv's Deferred Compensation Plan Finance Director Alan Doerschel explained that the issue is slightly more than housekeeping and it allows for changes that have occurred over the past few years. Councilmember Linder thanked Finance Specialist Linda Grage for her excellent job on the staff memo explaining the new tax law changes. Council agreed to move this item forward to the March 3, 2003 Regular Meeting for formal action. REPORTS: Mayor Mullet reported he would attend the following meetings this week: Valley Com Admin. Board; SCA critical PAA meeting (with Steve Lancaster, DCD); EDC quarterly meeting and annual membership meeting; PSRC Operations Board; Regional Water Quality; Cascade Water Alliance annual meeting. Councilmembers Haggerton and Carter will also attend the Cascade Water Alliance meeting. The Mayor reminded council to get their RSVP's in for the Employee Banquet on March 15 at TCC. He also announced that Kathy Stetson is the City's new Code Enforcement Officer. Councilmember Duffie had no report. Councilmember Hernandez report her attendance at the Utilities Committee meeting on February 19 the Rainier Symphony on February 23r Council President Carter reported her attendance at the AWC Legislative Conference; Mid Winter Break Performance on Feb. 21st; circus performance on Feb. 23 sponsored by the Arts Commission. Carter announced she had been asked to be the lead official with the group going to meet Adam Smith in Washington D.C. Councilmember Haggerton expressed his sincere thanks to council, administration and staff for their kindness following the death of his closest friend. Councilmember Linder reported her attendance at the Utility Committee meeting on Feb. 19 Councilmember Fenton had no report. Councilmember Simpson reported his attendance at the Transportation Committee meeting this evening. Staff No report. City Attorney No report Legislative Analyst No report. MISCELLANEOUS: Mayor Mullet complimented the Parks and Recreation staff for continually doing a fine job with kids. City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes EXECUTIVE SESSION: ADJOURNMENT: Pam Carter, Council President F Cantu, CMC, City Clerk 7 Date Minutes Signed: And 7. 2003 Feb. 24, 2003 Page 4 of 4 FENTON MOVED, LINDER SECONDED; TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL LITIGATION FOR 30 MINUTES. (Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(I)). Motion carried 7 0. FENTON MOVED, LINDER SECONDED, TO ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION; RECONVENE AND ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Motion carried 7 -0.