The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2003-07-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL July 28, 2003 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Under, David Fenton and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: Rhonda Berry, Assistant City Administrator; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Malcolm Neely, Aquatics Program Manager; Darrell Baskin, Police Lieutenant; and Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Kina County Reaional Disaster Plan Councilmember Duffle reported a July 21, 2003 review of this item by the Finance and Safety Committee. He then introduced Jim Morrow. Mr. Morrow noted Washington state law requires cities and counties have emergency programs, yet only provide minimal guidance to special purpose districts, businesses and non profit organizations. The King County Regional Disaster Plan provides for a coordinated response among public and private entities within King County. Participation is voluntary and assistance is provided at the discretion of the signatory providing the service. To explain the program further, Mr. Morrow introduced the manager of this project, Laurel Nelson. Laurel Nelson. Regional Plannina Proiect Manaaer. Kina County, with the aid of a Power Point presentation, reviewed the Regional Disaster Plan for Public and Private Organizations in King County "the Plan She relayed King County has 2,134 square miles and nearly 1.7 million residents; 39 cities; 120 taxing districts (fire, school, sewer /water, etc.) and over 700 elected officials. The purpose of this voluntary plan, with a legal and financial agreement which provides the framework necessary, is to inter -link response plans of a wide range of public, private and non profit organizations within King County. Its purpose does not seek to replace existing plans or agreements within any entity or jurisdiction. Being a signatory to the Plan provides for greater efficiencies among agencies in the realms of communications, debris clearance, and lifeline restoration; more effective use of regional services such as Red Cross, health department resources and transit operations; public safety information; and management of donated goods, shelter operation and sharing of specialized resources. In the event of periodic river valley and urban flooding events, earthquakes, severe weather, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, or even terrorist activity, the Plan emphasizes collaborative response operations, capitalizing on geographical coordination within the County already utilized by fire and emergency medical services (Tukwila is located in what is known as Zone 3). The goal is to streamline information required to assess impacts of disaster and increase the speed and efficiency of the relief efforts. Both Mr. Morrow and Ms. Nelson agreed mutual aid agreements are the first line of defense for all plan participants. Additionally, Mr. Morrow reviewed key points to the Omnibus Legal and Financial Agreement for organizations participating in the Regional Disaster Plan for Public and Private Organizations in King County. They include: 1. Voluntary participation to the program. 2. Tukwila's Emergency Manager can serve as a City representative to finalize the language or implementation issues associated with the Plan. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Council consensus existed to forward this item to the August 4 Regular meeting for action. Page 2 of 4 July 28, 2003 3. Should Tukwila request services of another signatory, it will be liable for payment (for the assistance) within 60 days. Likewise, if Tukwila provides services to another signatory, they, too, may charge for such services. 4. Requests for emergency management shall be directed to the designated Emergency Contact Point. Tukwila's contact is the Director of Emergency Management. 5. The extent to which assistance is provided shall be at the sole discretion of the signatory providing the service. 6. Emergency assistance will be in the form of resources such as equipment, supplies and /or personnel, or the direct provision of services. 7. A signatory shall not be held liable for failing to provide emergency services. 8. Signatories will be held harmless and will defend each other. Questions and answers ensued between Council, Mr. Morrow and Ms. Nelson. Noteworthy (in connection with the Plan) Mr. Morrow spoke of the need to replace the emergency radios currently used by City staff. The radio being considered is an 800 Mhz Motorola. Each cost between $3,000.00 and $3,500.00. Replacing the existing 150 radios would cost nearly $600,000.00 and is cost prohibitive; therefore Mr. Morrow spoke in favor of the City replacing 15 radios per year over the next 10 years. A budget request will be made in connection with this item. As suggestions were made to Mr. Morrow or Ms. Nelson, notes were made and will be considered at future dates. In closing, Mr. Morrow urged Council's support for entering into the Plan as a signatory. b. A oroaosed resolution ratifying amendments to the Countvwide Planning Policies A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RATIFYING SEVEN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICIES FOR KING COUNTY, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE KING COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLANNING COUNCIL Councilmember Hernandez reported consideration of this item at the July 15, 2003 Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development, reported the original (King) Countywide Planning Policies for King County (CPPs) were adopted in July 1992. These policies are reviewed periodically and revised in response to changing conditions or requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA). These CPPs are beneficial to continued regional cooperation and coordination in managing growth. On May 19, 2003, King County adopted seven amendments to the CPPs, on behalf of unincorporated King County through adoption of King County Ordinances 14652, 14653, 14654, 14655 and 14656. Tukwila's City Council may ratify or oppose the amendments within 90 days, or by August 17, 2003. In the event the City Council takes no action by August 17, 2003, it will be deemed to have ratified the amendments. For the actions to be ratified, 30% of the cities in King County, representing 70% of the population, is required. Mr. Lancaster reviewed the written information provided to Council in connection with this meeting. A highlight of each King County amendment to be ratified is as follows: Water Supply Planning and Development (King County Ordinance 14652) Supports ongoing water supply planning and development. Housing and Employment Targets (King County Ordinance 14653) a. Supports allocation and implementation of housing and employment targets for jurisdictions within King County. b. Establishes new housing targets for jurisdictions within King County for the years 2012 2022. c. Establishes new employment targets for jurisdictions within King County for the years 2012 2022. Renton Urban Separator (King County Ordinance 14654) Amends the CPPs "urban Separator Map" to reflect a modification to the urban separator in the vicinity of the City of Renton. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Urban Center designation for Totem Lake (King County Ordinance 14655) Amends the CPPs by designating Totem Lake planning area within the City of Kirkland as an Urban Center. Council consensus existed to dispense with reports. Page 3 of 4 July 28, 2003 Governance of Agricultural Protection Dist. (King County Ordinance 14656) Amends the CPPs to add new policies addressing the long -term governance of Agricultural Protection Districts. Questions and answers were provided between Mr. Lancaster and the Council. Noteworthy is King County Ordinance 14656. Mr. Lancaster reported the Cities of Auburn and Kent are most directly affected by this amendment. The City of Auburn supports the proposed amendments, while the City of Kent opposes it. The City of Kent is allegedly concerned King County may not provide adequate agricultural protection over a long duration. At this point, the Kent City Council has taken no action. Mr. Lancaster spoke in favor of ratifying all King County ordinances. Council agreed. Council consensus existed to forward this item to the August 4 Regular meeting for action. c. Proposed Swimming Pool Fee Increase Councilmember Hernandez reported consideration of this item at the June 24, 2003 Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that when the City of Tukwila assumed control of the pool, it was being subsidized by nearly 75 meaning it was only meeting 25% of its total operating costs. Since the change in ownership, the City has realized a 50% subsidy amount. That amount is expected to decrease in the next two -to -five years. In an attempt to increase the expected operating costs and minimize the subsidized amount, a fee study was conducted by Malcolm Neely, the City's Aquatics Program Manager. The study reviewed King County and 10 other city pools, as well as the average fee for each activity. Through the fee study, it was determined Tukwila's private lessons and passes are below the average and all other fees were either average or below average. While meeting operating costs is important to City staff, it is also important to keep the admission fee (as well as others) at a reasonable rate, thus Mr. Neely chose to take a mid -line approach in choosing an average of all pool fees reviewed. Questions and answers were exchanged between Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Neely and the City Council. Issues discussed included subsidy amounts, improvements to the pool, equipment replacement and pool passes. Using the fee -study matrix prepared by Mr. Neely, Councilmembers sought clarification to various issues and discussed the differences between Options A, B and C. Option A increases the fees to be consistent to the average from the pool fee study. This increase will help the pool budget towards the 60% self sustaining ratio; yet keep the fees attractive for Tukwila residents. This increase will not change the current daily swim fee, swim lessons or School District fees. Conversely, increases will be seen in the areas of water exercise courses, monthly passes, and swimming pool party packages. Option B increases the fees to be consistent to the average from the pool fee study. This increase is the same as Option A, and also increases the daily swim fee, swim lessons and School District fee. Option C represents no fee increases whatsoever. Council consensus existed with staff's recommendation of Option A. As this is an administrative decision for the Mayor and /or City Staff, this item need not come back to the full Council for action. Said fees shall be increased. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes MISCELLANEOUS: Councilmember Duffle spoke of the need for increased patrol or other neighborhood -watch methods at various City parks to dissuade users from "trashing the places and leaving." Mr. Fletcher spoke of the need for neighbors to contact 9 -1 -1 when incidents such as these arise. He, too, realizes the need for action as his staff is responsible for cleaning up the City parks when one party is over and before another may begin. Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Director will work with other City staff on this issue. ADJOURN: 8:24 p.m. DUFFIE MOVED; FENTON SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE. The motion carried 7 -0. _a., Pam Carter, Council President Ravi I Iii:2/ Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: August 4, 2003 Page 4 of 4 July 28, 2003