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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL JUNE 9, 2003 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Potential Litigation Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) :30 minutes (approximate) 6:30 p.m. Executive session began. 6:56 p.m. Executive session ended. CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES 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: Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, Acting City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk; Bruce Fletcher, Director, Parks and Recreation; Rick Still, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation; Tracy Thomas, Superintendent, Parks and Recreation; Steve Lancaster, Director, Community Development; Minnie Dhaliwal, Senior Planner; Mike Sweeney, Owner's Representative and Alan Doerschel, Finance Director. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Award of Excellence Presentation to Tukwila Parks and Recreation Deoartment Bruce Fletcher, Director of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the Washington Recreation Parks Association, presented the WRPA 2003 Spot light Media Award of Excellence to Tracy Thomas and Stacia Norris. This Statewide award was given to Tukwila Parks and Recreation for "Best Brochure." Tracy Thomas, Recreation Superintendent, offered thanks and kudos to Stacia Norris for her efforts on the brochure, which best showcases the City's programs and events. Together Ms. Thomas and Ms. Norris work to produce the best looking brochure with the best layout and design. The end results are incredibly wonderful. Stacia Norris, Desktop Publisher, City Clerk's Office, stated the point of the brochure is to explain and discuss the recreation programs, which have developed into something very special. Finding the right graphics and text has been a pleasure for Ms. Norris, as the Recreation staff is offering interesting programs and activities. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Page 2of6 June 9, 2003 Councilmember Duffie stated his appreciation for Ms. Thomas and Ms. Norris and suggested their names be added to the plaque to be hung in the Tukwila Community Center. b. Update on July 4 festivities Tracy Thomas. Superintendent. Parks and Recreation Tracy Thomas provided a thumbnail view of events scheduled for the Family Fourth at Fort Dent Park. The family event that kicks off the annual Tukwila Days Community Festival begins on Friday, July 4, at 10:00 a.m., with the 17 Annual D.A.R.E. Dash. Activities for children begin at 4:00 p.m. and include inflatable bouncers, slides, a climbing wall and miniature golf. Roving clowns, face painters and balloon artists will be present and roving throughout the day. Families are able to bring their own dinners or may purchase them from several food vendors. Fireworks will begin promptly at 10:00 p.m. Banners, press releases, flyers and posters have been hung, posted and distributed and staff is eagerly looking forward to the event. By way of information, Ms. Thomas distributed a "Music in the Park" concert series flyer. The first concert will take place July 9. Finally, Ms. Thomas noted promotional pieces are being created by Ms. Norris for the Tukwila Days Community Festival and will soon be distributed and /or hung. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None. SPECIAL ISSUES: BRIEFING ON PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS a. An ordinance amending the Sign Code regulations regarding animated signs AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 1274, 1892, 1913 AND 2004; AND VARIOUS CHAPTERS OF THE TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 19, "SIGN CODE," RELATING TO ANIMATED OR ELECTRONIC SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development, reminded Council that the Community Affairs and Parks Committee was briefed on the four proposed code amendments on March 10 and March 25, 2003. Additionally, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 24 and deliberated the issues on May 22, 2003. The end result is three proposed ordinances. On March 17, 2003, the City Council established a six -month moratorium on electronic signs for the purposes of development of a policy and associated code changes. Since that time, staff has worked the issue and the Planning Commission made recommendations as well. As it relates to updating the sign code regulations, a definition of animated signs is provided to reflect current technology and changes in the sign display more than once every 24 hours. Display changes of more than once per 24 hour period would be prohibited under the proposed ordinance. Noteworthy, however, message content strictly limited to date, time, and /or temperature, changing more than once per day, shall not be considered animated signage. An electronic sign has been defined and the maximum levels have been set for brightness. Daytime maximum brightness levels shall be 5,000 nits and nighttime levels shall be 500 nits. Nits are an international unit of luminous intensity per projected area and are commonly used units to measure brightness levels of LED signs. The maximum brightness levels, under the proposed ordinance, have been set at the lower end to account for any manipulation of the contrast value to circumvent the brightness restrictions. Additionally, all signs shall be required to have an ambient light monitor that will automatically adjust the brightness level based on ambient Tight conditions. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Holographic displays that create three dimensional images via projection, along with the animated signs, have been listed under the prohibited sign section. Council President Carter suggested moving and /or deleting the last sentence in section 19.16.035. Mr. Lancaster will work with staff to ensure the sentence is moved to a more appropriate location. Consensus existed to forward the proposed ordinance to June 23, 2003, for public hearing and subsequent action, perhaps during the Special meeting also scheduled for the same evening. b. An ordinance amending the Zoning Code to allow an increase in maximum height of structures located in the Low Density Residential (LDR) zones where a Public Recreation Overlay applies AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1758, AS CODIFIED AT TMC 18.42.030 RELATING TO BUILDING HEIGHT STANDARDS WITHIN A LOW- DENSITY RESIDENTIAL /PUBLIC RECREATION OVERLAY DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Page 3 of 6 June 9, 2003 Mr. Lancaster noted this proposed ordinance relates primarily to City-owned properties, community centers and schools. This proposed amendment (for an increased height allowance within LDR /PRO districts) was initiated by staff in response to an agreement between the City and Starfire Sports in connection with redevelopment issues at Fort Dent Park. Starfire Sports will improve several outdoor soccer fields and build an athletic center containing two indoor soccer fields and ancillary facilities. Due to clearance issues for the indoor fields, the facility cannot be built within the existing 30 -foot height limitation. Starfire's height proposal is 48.5 feet, with a proposed grandstand height of 32 feet. City staff proposes an additional height allowance in the LDR /PRO district of 1 foot for every 4 feet of excess setback, up to a maximum height of 50 feet. Under this standard, a building would have to be set back 85 to 100 feet from all property lines to achieve the maximum height of 50 feet. Fort Dent's athletic center will be more than 300 feet from the nearest property line. Staff is also suggesting required design review for structures over 30 feet except that the City Council may approve a height bonus for structures that are subject to final construction approval by them (public or quasi public facilities owned or controlled by Tukwila). Structures for which a height bonus is requested shall be subject to Board of Architectural Review under the CLI Design Review Criteria, pursuant to TMC Chapter 18.60. Council asked questions for clarification on past height variances and related projects. Councilmember Haggerton noted he is always looking for areas wherein speed can be improved upon, whereupon we (City staff) get the "program process flowing" and get people to start and complete the projects in more timely fashion; especially those programs which most people agree upon. This is one proposed ordinance he would have supported earlier in the process, rather than later. Mr. Lancaster explained this item first went to Community Affairs and Parks Committee (March April, 2003, shortly after the agreement with Starfire was signed), then to the Planning Commission (for hearing and deliberation) and to this Committee of Whole. In the overall scheme of things, in terms of changing a municipal code, timing is rather good. Mr. Haggerton acknowledged Mr. Lancaster's statement. Consensus existed to forward the proposed ordinance to June 23, 2003, for public hearing and subsequent action, perhaps during the Special meeting also scheduled for the same evening. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes c. An ordinance amending the Zoning Code to add auto rentals and self- storage facilities as separate land use categories AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING VARIOUS ORDINANCES AND CHAPTERS OF THE TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 18 "ZONING," RELATING TO AUTOMOBILE RENTALS AND SELF STORAGE AS PERMITTED USES IN VARIOUS TUKWILA ZONING DESIGNATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Page 4 of 6 June 9, 2003 Steve Lancaster noted this proposed ordinance is primarily a housekeeping measure. As it relates to automobile and truck rentals as separate land use categories in the Zoning Code, Mr. Lancaster advised it is currently silent on the issue. In the past, however, the City has allowed auto rentals in any zone that allows auto sales. The Planning Commission, after review of this item, agreed that companies renting vehicles and not requiring a commercial driver's license, should be allowed in those zones where the sales of automobiles, recreational vehicles, travel trailers and used cars are currently allowed. Such zones include RC, RCM, TUC, C /LI, LI, HI, and TVS Zones. Additionally, however, the Planning Commission is in favor of including the MIC /L and MIC /H zones to the Zoning Code for this purpose. Staff concurs. The Planning Commission also stated agreement with the Community Affairs and Parks Committee that commercial truck and fleet rentals requiring a commercial driver's license be allowed in those zones where sales and rental of heavy machinery and equipment are currently allowed. Those zones include C /LI, LI, HI, MIC /L, MIC /H and TVS. Again, staff concurs. As it relates to self storage, Mr. Lancaster advised Council the Zoning Code does not mention this as a use category. In the past, the City has allowed self- storage in any zone that allowed warehouse storage (RC, RCM, TUC, C /LI, LI, HI, MIC /L, MIC /H and TVS). The differences between the two were acknowledged. The Community Affairs and Parks Committee suggested that self- storage be listed as an outright permitted use in any zone that currently allows warehouse storage. The Planning Commission agreed, and asked that a definition also be provided within the proposed ordinance. "Self- Storage Facility" has been defined as a building designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual indoor storage space to customers who are to have access to the space for the purpose of storing or removing personal property on a self -serve basis. Self- storage facilities shall be permitted in RC, RCM, TUC, C /LI, LI, HI, MIC /L, MIC /H, and TVS zones. Bill Arthur, Planning Commission member, reported the Planning Commission wanted to ensure consistency between the manufacturing zones where industrial operations are allowed. Council President Carter is willing to go along with this decision, yet is concerned there has been no conscious decision as to whether the City wants to preserve the area as industrial or not. If so, the City must be careful when considering what will be allowed in those zones. Consensus existed to forward the proposed ordinance to June 23, 2003, for public hearing and subsequent action, perhaps during the Special meeting also scheduled for the same evening. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet attended a meeting with officials from Kent and SeaTac on potential information which may be contained within a press release regarding sexual offender housing. Although the Mayor has many meetings in the next week, he spoke of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the South 180 Street project on July 15. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes b. City Council Page 5 of 6 June 9, 2003 Councilmember Duffle thanked Bruce Fletcher and staff for their work with Starfire Sports. He attended the groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2003, and is eager to see the park being used (at capacity) again. Councilmember Hernandez attended the June 3 Tukwila Business and Government Affairs Committee meeting in the day time and subsequent Utilities Committee meeting; the June 5 Hope 6 Final Master Plan (redevelopment of apartment homes) in Kent; and "Building Better Futures" June 6 groundbreaking ceremony in Kent (paid for by the Mary Gates Foundation); and the subsequent groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Dent Park, sponsored by Starfire Sports. Ms. Hernandez then reported the formation of a "garbage pit" on the corner of Macadam Road and South 150 Mayor Mullet reported being aware of the situation and assigning it to staff for action. Finally, Ms. Hernandez announced the (June 9) death of SeaTac Councilmember Kay Lasko. Council President Carter attended June 3 Tukwila Business and Government Affairs meeting, and the June 6 groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Dent Park. Ms. Carter also attended the June 6 AWC Resolution Committee meeting wherein significant process was made on reducing the size of the policy statements. Finally, Ms. Carter reported many meetings during this week, and noted she would be absent from the June 16 City Council Regular meeting. Councilmember Haggerton attended the June 3 Tukwila Business and Government Affairs Committee meeting; the June 4 ACC Executive Committee meeting; and the June 6 groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Dent Park, sponsored by Starfire Sports. Councilmember Linder attended the June 3 Utilities Committee meeting. Councilmember Fenton had no report. Councilmember Simpson attended the June 3 Tukwila Business and Government Affairs Committee meeting. Additionally, he announced he'd be absent from the July 7 City Council Regular meeting. c. Staff Rhonda Berry announced Bruce Fletcher made a request for an IAC Grant for the Grandmother's Hill project, in Olympia, last week. She announced a meeting between an apartment owner, Mayor Mullet and herself this week to discuss some complex issues and will attempt to resolve those issues. More information will follow. Ms. Berry announced the Municipal Court staff would be short- handed in the coming weeks. One employee's mother has passed away and the employee has left the State. Another employee's spouse had surgery and is in need of at -home care for a few weeks. Finally, Ms. Berry noted Viki Jessop, Administrative Services Director, will have knee replacement surgery on July 7, 2003, and will be away from City Hall for a short period of time. d. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach announced the State Legislature is in session, with much focus being on a proposed tax package relative to Boeing. Every bill that has been in the legislature thus far has been reintroduced in this month. Those which got "pretty far" during regular session have a much better chance of now passing than those which previously did not make it out of Committee. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Ms. Lauterbach explained that in the House and the Senate, bills first go through Committee, then to Appropriations and then to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee is shared between the House and the Senate, and it's the Rules Committee that "controls" what goes to the floor of the House and the Senate. The Legislative Analyst then distributed a list of 2003 Senate Bills including their number, title, status and indication as to support or non support by the Tukwila City Council. Questioned was State Bill 5536, "Condominium Construction Liability Law." This Bill passed the Senate and House Rules and was reintroduced to Senate Rules on June 4, 2003. Ms. Lauterbach explained the process for which Bills are handled through Committee, Appropriations and Rules, etc. Council agreed to write a letter in support of SB 5536. MISCELLANEOUS: Councilmember Duffie reminded those present (who have children) that it is safer to swim in local pools rather than rivers. He noted many recent drownings have occurred. Councilmember Hernandez reported receipt of a Costco newsletter wherein the West Nile Virus was discussed and that this is breeding time for mosquitoes. The article encourages citizens to learn more about their community's mosquito program and to ensure protection is offered through integrated mosquito management programs. Council President Carter announced information on the library at Southcenter was being copied and distributed by Lucy Lauterbach. ADJOURN: 8:19 p.m. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE. The motion carried 7 -0. Pam Carter, Council President Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: June 16, 2003 Page 6 of 6 June 9, 2003