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Home My WebLink About2003-11-10 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL 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 Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder, David Fenton and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: Rhonda Berry, Acting City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Keith Haines, Police Chief; David Haynes, Police Captain; and Nick Olivas, Fire Chief. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: Anna Bernhard. Tukwila, reported being "upset" because the Museum of Flight recently sent out a flyer and named Seattle as their home City not Tukwila. Mayor Mullet reported the Museum normally cites Tukwila as their home City, yet when doing a "national mailing" includes Seattle as most people do not know where Tukwila is located. Margaret Bratcher. Tukwila, reported on the future opening of a new school on Interurban Avenue for at -risk youths (ARY or YAR). Upon hearing about this school, Ms. Bratcher made phone calls with questions such as "should we be concerned with student violence" and "how will these ARY affect my neighborhood Upon speaking with Puget Sound Educational School District staff, Ms. Bratcher was assured it would be business as usual at that school, just as at any other school building. Joanne McManus. Tukwila, also reported on the ARY school as she, too, had information after making telephone calls. Twenty ARY, grades 3- 10, are currently enrolled and will go to this school upon its opening. Located in the former GranTree building 13400 Interurban Avenue), funding for the program at this location is made possible by the referring schools of children who are "unable to keep up" at the rate of other students. These students are "mostly abused" children, who are "not violent" according to school officials. Ms. McManus learned that the "worst part" about these students is their mouths. Police officers will be called if necessary, yet school officials do not believe trouble will arise. The goal of this educational /schooling program is to get the children "up to par" and mainstream them back into the "regular" school classrooms. SPECIAL ISSUES: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL November 10, 2003 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES a. PROPOSED RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION 1414 AND St i 11NG NEW RECREATION AND AOUATIC PROGRAM FEES A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING POLICIES FOR SETTING FEES FOR THE CITY'S RECREATION AND AQUATICS PROGRAMS, CLASSES, SERVICES AND FACILITIES; AND REPEALING 1414. Councilmember Hernandez reported consideration of this item at the October 28, 2003 Community Affairs and Parks Committee. The Committee decided to forward the proposed resolution to the Committee of the Whole, with no recommendation as to passage. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, described the proposed resolution as "simplified" compared to that of current resolution 1414. It simplifies definitions within the resolution and makes the City of Tukwila Page 2 of 3 City Council Committee of Whole Minutes November 10, 2003 policies easier to understand and implement. Additionally, it allows the Parks and Recreation Director to set fees subject to periodic review by the Parks Commission and the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. Mr. Fletcher is in favor of the proposed resolution and noted an annual update would be made to the Parks Commission and the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. Quarterly, the Recreation and Aquatic divisions offer programs, classes and events which require fees to offset costs. The Council accepted Resolution 1414, adopting policies for setting those fees, in January, 1999. While it is a practice to keep fees fair and affordable, the City must also offset those costs with program revenues. To date, the City has been successful in setting fees which are competitive with other municipal recreation program fees. It is important to keep and maintain return customers. Upon Council review of the proposed resolution, two suggested amendments were made. First, in Section 1(B)(1), it was suggested that the words "for an oil painting class" be stricken from the paragraph. And, second, in Section 2(G), it was suggested that staff strike the words "or designated service area." from the end of the paragraph. With those proposed amendments, Council consensus existed to forward the proposed resolution to the November 17, 2003 Regular meeting for action. b. DISCUSSION ITEM COUNCIL RETREAT LOCATION 2004 Council President Carter reported a standing reservation at Fairhaven, in Bellingham, as the location for the 2004 City Council Retreat. Ms. Lauterbach, in response to Council inquiry, noted there is no penalty for canceling said reservation. Each Councilmember took an opportunity to speak on this issue. While some spoke in favor of being able to "bond" outside business meetings and the need to do this in a more relaxed atmosphere, others spoke of the need to save money, especially during "lean" financial times. All agreed the decision need not be permanent. Some spoke in favor of setting an example and cutting the Council's budget, just as department directors have been instructed to do. Others noted the Council budget has already been cut by $4,000.00 and that further cuts could impair the Council. Debate also surrounded whether or not a benefit(s) exists when Councilmembers sit on national committees. At this time, three Councilmembers sit on various national committees. Several spoke for and several spoke against the perceived benefit(s). In the end, Council President Carter reminded Council no formal action is required. By a 5 -2 preference, the 2004 Council retreat will be held inside the Tukwila City limits; speaking against the idea of holding the meeting inside City limits were Council President Carter and Councilmember Linder. c. CONTINUED REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET Nick Olivas, Fire Chief, Keith Haines, Police Chief and David Haynes, Police Captain, answered Council inquiries and will make suggested changes (by the Council) on the proposed 2004 budget. On a page -by -page review, Fire Chief Olivas reviewed the following with Council: 97 -114. Also on a page -by -page review, Police Chief Haines and Police Captain Haynes, reviewed the following pages: 81 -96. Those pages not reviewed, yet scheduled, include: 135 -137, 145 -148, and 152 -154. City of Tukwila Page 3 of 3 City Council Committee of Whole Minutes November 10, 2003 REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet attended the November 5 Open House for the Fire Explorers; the shuttle service kickoff event at Westfield's Shoppingtown Mall at Southcenter; the Chamber of Commerce lunch on November 4 and this morning's Veteran's Day event at the Tukwila Community Center. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie attended church services November 8 at the new Southcenter Baptist Church. Additionally, he attended the Veterans' Day events held at Tukwila Elementary School this morning. Councilmember Hernandez attended the New Friends and Family event on October 29; the reception for Dr. Michael Silver on November 2; the Tukwila Government and Business luncheon on November 4; the Equity and Diversity Commission on November 6; and today's Veterans' Day celebration at the Tukwila Community Center. Council President Carter plans to attend an upcoming Transportation Policy Board meeting. Councilmember Haggerton attended the Tukwila Government and Business luncheon on November 4; an ACC Executive Committee meeting on November 5; and a Veteran's Day ceremony today at Seattle Christian School. Councilmember Linder had no report. Councilmember Fenton attended a recent Economic Development Committee breakfast. Councilmember Simpson attended two Veterans' Day celebrations today, as well as this evening's Transportation Committee meeting. c. Staff Rhonda Berry reported many have received notice of an upcoming "Open House" regarding Sound Transit issues. She noted much of the information to be shared will be the same as Councilmembers will review in coming months. To that end, Ms. Berry urged Councilmembers not attend. d. City Attorney Neither Shelley Kerslake nor her representative were present. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach reported Council met one of its goals as set out in the 2003 Budget the planning and carrying out of a Veterans° Day celebration. Said celebration was held at the Tukwila Community Center this morning. ADJOURN: 9:57 p.m. DUFFIE MOVED; HERNANDEZ SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE. The motion carried 7 -0. __1.-,?.) .4,,E, RebeAt H Pam Car`Fer, Council President Robert H. Baker, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: November 17, 2003