HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
January 24, 2005 7:00 p.m.
Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers
COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. was Pamela Linder, Council President, who also led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
COUNCIL ATTENDANCE:
Present were Council President Pamela Linder; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam
Carter, Jim Haggerton, Dennis Robertson and David Fenton.
OFFICIALS:
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob
Baker, Deputy City Clerk; David Haynes, Acting Chief of Police; Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge;
Darlene Heskett, Municipal Court Administrator; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; and Derek Speck,
Economic Development Administrator.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
a. Introduction of new employees Valerie Johnston, Municipal Court Clerk
Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge, introduced Valerie Johnston. A City employee since July,
2004, Ms. Johnston holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and brings employee
managerial experience from years of private sector business.
Judge Walden informed the Council that Mary Gass, Municipal Court Bailiff, is leaving the City of Tukwila.
Taking a position of greater responsibility, Ms. Gass' last day of work is January 28, 2004.
b. Annual State of the Court Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge
Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge, presented the 2004 Municipal Court update. Using a Microsoft
PowerPoint presentation, Judge Walden spoke of carrying over momentum from 2003 when she began
her employment with the City.
Summarizing statistics provided (for the year 2004), Judge Walden noted the following:
Case Filings
Infractions
Hearings held
Jury Trials
DUI
Participants
Tickets addressed
Successful disposition
Community Service Hours
Revenues received
(criminal non traffic traffic)
(traffic, non traffic parking)
(criminal civil)
(1 with multiple defendants)
(guilty pleas deferred prosecutions)
38 guilty pleas
12 deferred prosecutions
54
77
32 (59
185
$5,218.00
1,557
2,464
14,739
11
52
The judge reviewed the relicensing support program and provided an overview of its use. Using the
program to mitigate old infractions, conditionally release bench warrant holds, and create alternative
payment options, program statistics for 2004 include:
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes January 24, 2005
The judge reviewed financial statistics, deposits, remittance (State- required), domestic violence penalty
assessments, and positive outcomes regarding billing dispute resolutions with King County.
Noteworthy accomplishments include a reduction of necessary court interpreter assignments and hours.
The need for Spanish interpreters was down 29% in 2004 and other languages were down 8.4 These
reductions resulted in the savings of approximately $8,000.00 over 2003 expenditures.
Judge Walden reported the adjudication of 29 bench warrants, with an overall success rate of 69% for
2004. This was an increase over 2003.
Giving kudos to Christy O'Flaherty in the City Clerk's Office, Judge Walden addressed recent
improvements to the City's website, as it relates to the Municipal Court information. Raising public
awareness of the Court and assuring public access are two of the judge's goals. Included on the
webpage are explanations of court proceedings, juror instructions, the relicensing program and probation
program. There are links to the Tukwila Municipal Code, on -line legal research and other helpful
information for municipal court defendants and the general public.
Looking to the future, Judge Walden spoke of implementing weekly staff cross training and general
employee training opportunities, creating a court clerk's manual, and court employees' handbook. She
also informed Council that Darlene Heskett, Court Administrator, and she (the judge) would review sealed
bids for a security firm to provide on -site security services.
Next, the judge reported a desire to facilitate issuance of domestic violence protection orders, to conduct
hearings on issues of domestic violence and mental health issues, and to provide probation service
upgrades (including in -home monitoring services).
Before calling for questions from Council, Judge Walden noted pleasure with a "remarkable staff," which
allows Tukwila to remain a "top court" in Washington State.
CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None.
REPORTS:
a. Mayor
Mayor Mullet went to Foster High School this morning to see an overview of the new Literacy Center.
The program to be offered will teach people (of all ages) to read. Grants are being written, tutors are
being sought and Council was directed to call Mary Fertakis for additional information on this "volunteer
driven" program.
b. City Council
Councilmember Duffie also participated in the Literacy Center tour. He thanked Pamela Linder and
Lucy Lauterbach for their work in creating the recent Council Retreat.
Councilmember Hernandez attended the recent Council Retreat. After the need to make a report this
weekend, Ms. Hernandez asked Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, if staff would advertise the telephone
number of the King County International Airport Noise Reporting Hotline (206) 205 -5242 in the next
edition of The Hazelnut. On this hotline, community members may report excessive noise related to low
flying, noisy airlines. Council and Ms. Berry reminded those present that military aircraft are exempt from
the regulations.
Council President Linder affirmed King County Airport personnel respond to the complaints received
from the hotline. She has made such reports and received feedback from officials. Additionally, she
acknowledged a new internet website where a community member may also post complaints. She was
unable to provide the website address.
Councilmember Carter had no report.
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes January 24, 2005
Councilmember Haggerton attended the year's first Transportation Committee meeting this evening.
Councilmembers Duffie and Carter also serve on that committee.
Councilmember Robertson had no report. Rather, he sought information (relative to the Council's travel
budget) necessary to determine what monies are currently slated for expenditure, those which may be
"left over" and those which could be redistributed for use by those who have other travel needs which
must still be met. Council President Linder noted such information will be gathered and a report will be
given at the February 7, 2005 meeting.
Councilmember Fenton had no report.
Rhonda Berry announced the Annual Employee Appreciation banquet is set for Friday, January 28, at
the Museum of Flight. The theme of the banquet is "Flights of Fancy."
d. City Attorney
Neither the City Attorney nor the Assistant City Attorney was present.
e. Legislative Analyst
Lucy Lauterbach announced staff would prepare the second of two meals for residents of Tent City 3 on
January 25, 2004. She noted Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk, was overseeing meal preparation and
thanked Council for their financial contributions and assistance serving the meal.
ADJOURN:
8:05 p.m. Council President Linder adjourned the Committee of Whole meeting to convene a
Special meeting.
c. Staff
Pamela Linder, Council President
Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Date Minutes Signed: February 14, 2005