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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Pamela Linder, Council President, called the Committee of Whole meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. All Councilmembers were present. OFFICIALS: Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Jill Mosqueda, Public Works Development Engineer; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; David Haynes, Chief of Police; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Pat Brodin, Public Works Operations Manager; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; and Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES: Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, introduced both employees. a. Melissa Riley Aquatics Program Assistant Tukwila Swimming Pool To best explain what Melissa does, she was described as the "Head Life Guard" for the Tukwila Swimming Pool. A teacher and trainer at the facility, Ms. Riley is a graduate of the University of Washington, and holds a BA in psychology. b. Curt Chandler Golf Maintenance Supervisor Foster Golf Course A graduate of Eastern Washington University, Mr. Chandler has served as a consultant to over 150 golf courses all along the West Coast. The new supervisor looks forward to making a difference and hopes Foster Golf Course will be a place people enjoy visiting over and over again. Councilmember Haggerton noted tonight's Executive Session is slated to last no more than 20 minutes and relates to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) Potential Litigation. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers City Hall April 25, 2005 7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tom Eddy. SGI International. Tukwila. participated in yesterday's tree planting ceremony. He and three others from his company were present (at this meeting) to present a check to the City for the purchase of the planted trees in recognition of beautification efforts. SGI is an International Buddhist organization which opened a cultural center in 1991. All were invited to visit the facility and its associated bookstore. Mayor Mullet attended the ceremony on April 24. Calling the ceremony beautiful, he presented a proclamation of appreciation to SOKA Gakkai International and Mr. Mrs. Daisaku Kaneko Ikeda for the generous donation of trees for Tukwila International Boulevard. Councilmembers individually stated appreciation to SGI for their generosity and for being a good Tukwila neighbor. SPECIAL ISSUES: 7:17:59 a.m. a. A resolution ratifying five amendments to the Countywide Planning Policy for King County City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RATIFYING FIVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICIES FOR KING COUNTY, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE KING COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLANNING COUNCIL. Page 2of6 April 25. 2005 Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director, reported the Growth Management Act requires King County and the cities within the County to formally adopt Countywide Planning Policies. These policies serve as a guide and coordinate the development of local comprehensive plans. With the original policies being adopted in 1992, there have been several amendments since that time. The recommendations before Council this evening have already been approved by King County. The deadline for action is April 16. Mr. Lancaster reviewed the five proposed amendments. In review, they are: 1. Amending the CPP Urban Growth Area, Interim PAA and Urban Separator maps providing consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan and recognizing Tukwila's South Potential Annexation Area. 2. Amending the CPP Urban Growth Area and Interim PAA maps to reflect re- designation of approximately 6 acres in the Spar Road area from "Rural" to "Urban" and approximately 2 acres from "Urban" to "Rural." 3. Amending the CPP Urban Growth Area Map to include 29 acres known as Covington Park, and to include this area in the City of Covington's PAA. 4. Amending the CPP by adopting technical adjustment to employment targets for jurisdictions in King County for the year 2012 2022. These adjustments include projected new households and jobs in Tukwila's recognized South PAA. 5. Amending the CPP by designating downtown Burien as an Urban Center. Councilmember Hernandez sought a map showing proposed changes to the affected areas at the time the proposed resolution is presented for action /consideration. Consensus existed to forward the proposed resolution to the May 2 Regular meeting. b. Key card access system 7:27:26 a.m. Councilmember Robertson reported review and approval of this item at the April 18 Finance and Safety Committee meeting. Pat Brodin, Operations Manager, Public Works, reported the need for better security and safety for City employees including those at City Hall. A need also exists to gain control over the quantity of keys possessed by City staff. For those reasons, Mr. Brodin spoke in favor of installing a security card and badging system at City Hall and the 6300 Southcenter building as well. The same system can be expanded to all other facilities approved for access. The software holds information on 1,800 users and allows staff to monitor and control doors, customize the opening /closing of specific doors and is expandable to other City facilities. It can also be hooked into closed circuit televisions. Three quotes were received from security vendors for the system and Custom Security System presented the low bid at $83,883.10. Questions and answers were exchanged between Council, Mr. Brodin and Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works. Consensus existed to forward the proposed resolution to the May 2 Regular meeting. c. Sound Transit Street Vacation ordinances 7:39:16 p.m. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Jill Mosqueda, Development Engineer, Public Works, reviewed the proposed ordinances with Council and explained each of them. Proposed ordinances were presented as a requirement in accommodating Sound Transit's Link Light Rail South Corridor rail lines, as follows: 3.40.62 3.40.63 3.40.64 3.40.65 3.40.66 3.40.67 3.40.68 35 Avenue South 48 Avenue South 47 Avenue South 49 Avenue South South 138 Street South 146 Street South 133 Street Page 3 of 6 April 25. 2005 Southwesterly from Southcenter Boulevard Northeasterly from South 134 Place to 1 -5 Northeasterly for 310 feet from South 134 Place Northeasterly for 100 feet parallel to 1 -5 At intersection of 1 -5 Southeasterly for 226 feet to 1 -5 At intersection of SR 599 Councilmembers questioned various portions and stated personal preferences with regard to the proposed ordinances. To ensure understanding, Ms. Mosqueda reviewed (individually) each proposed ordinance. 3.40.62 This portion of 35 Avenue South lies between Sound Transit property and WSDOT property, north of South 154 Street. The Tukwila Light Rail Station will be built on this site. 3.40.63 The proposed right -of -way limits run the full length of 48 Avenue South between South 134 Place and SR 599. These limits represent the area of right -of -way the City no longer needs. This right -of -way is fully paved. 3.40.64 The proposed right -of -way limits run the full length of 47 Avenue South, between South 134 Place and SR 599. These limits represent the area of right -of -way the City no longer needs. 3.40.65 This right -of -way is a 452 square foot remnant of 49 Avenue South. There are no utilities and the vacation will not create any land- locked parcels. 3.40.66 This right -of -way is a 647 square foot remnant of South 138 Street, where it meets 1 -5. There are utilities in the right -of -way. This vacation will also not create any land- locked parcels. 3.40.67 This portion of South 146 Street lies between 51 Avenue South and 1 -5. It is south of property owned by Cal Cantonwine and north of property owned by Sound Transit. The right -of -way limits run the full length of the abutting properties from 51 Avenue South to 1 -5. The limits represent the area of right -of -way the City no longer needs. The right -of- way is unopened, is covered by blackberries and growth. The Cantonwine property has direct access to 51 Avenue South. No land- locked parcels will be created by this vacation. 3.40.68 This portion of South 133 Street lies between SR 599 and private property. There is an existing 10 -foot access easement from South 134 Street to this 7,149 square feet of right -of -way. This right -of -way is not used for public access. The vacation limits represent the area of right -of -way the City no longer needs. The right -of -way is fully paved and currently used by Farwest Paints to maneuver trucks onto a ramp. Eric Schweiger, owner of the building on the corner of 134 and 38 noted trucks try to turn around on that corner and get stuck. He is in favor of establishing a place for them to turn around when they are lost. Mr. Morrow ensured Mr. Schweiger the turnaround will remain. For consideration of the proposed ordinances, consensus existed to forward them to the May 2 Regular meeting. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes d. Allentown /Foster Point financial impacts 8:17:02 D.M. Page 4 of 6 April 25. 2005 Councilmember Fenton reported the most recent review of this issue was at the April 19 Utilities Committee meeting. He reported bids for the project came in over $1 million more than budgeted. He also reported City staff must "go after" another Public Works Trust Fund Loan as community members at a recent community meeting spoke in favor of the project's completion. Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works, explained (as in the past) the City's three Enterprise Funds are unable to support the debt service associated with an additional PWTF Loan to construct the Allentown /Foster Point Sewer project. After rejecting the bids for the project (due to being over $1 million over budget), the Council favored an option to apply for a second PWTF Loan, yet requested staff provide additional information outlining the financial impacts of an additional loan. Mr. Morrow provided that information at a recent Utilities Committee meeting. The second PWTF Loan amount is anticipated to be $2.85 million. The Water Enterprise Fund and the Surface Water Funds are able to absorb the additional debt service without risk. It is the City's Sewer Fund which will bear the majority of debt management for this project. It is anticipated that 75% of the revenues generated for the fund come from commercial customers. The Sewer Enterprise Fund currently includes a proposed 15% increase in 2006, an additional 13% in 2008 and another 10% in 2010. Hookup costs to the new sewer system were discussed. Hookup (to the new system) is only required if a septic system fails, remodel, adding a bedroom or bathroom, home ownership changes or new homes are constructed. The anticipated cost of hooking up to the new sewer system is approximately $25,200.00. Payment plans of 5, 10, and 15 years will be available for the charges. Interest is assessed at 2.5 The benefits to the new system include improved sanitation; cleaner, safer ground water; and increased property values. Council President Linder called for citizen comment/input. None was received. No action is required. The grant application is complete and being reviewed. No action will be required until an ordinance is presented. e. Review of financial policies 8:51:43 D.M. Kevin Fuhrer, Director of Finance, reported one of the goals (for the year 2005) of his department is to develop a series of financial policies. Of interest are three areas of review issues relative to debt, the financial planning model and general financial policies. The purpose of Mr. Fuhrer's report this evening is to share a "decision tree process." On April 18, the Finance Committee met to begin initial policy development relative to the Tukwila South Development proposal. A decision tree process was employed with an underlying objective of identifying a framework upon which a draft policy may be formulated. That Committee chose to forward the issue to the Committee of Whole (this meeting) for review and input. In reviewing the decision tree process, Mr. Fuhrer noted the first question "Does the City want to participate in the TVS project If so, the City has a need for external debt options (including a voted debt, non -voted debt or an LID). Generally speaking, he reported, the non -voted debt option may work. Next, he asked if the City should issue bonds, and if so, at what limit? Conversely, he asked if the City should pursue local, state and federal grants. Each of those options branch off to other issues /options City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 April 25. 2005 and questions, especially with regard to dedicated resources for debt repayment, Resource /Debt Gap responsibilities and LTD's. Councilmembers presented their opinions. Many noted it is unreasonable to make things too general at this point. Tukwila Valley South is a unique project, of which the City has never seen the likes. Additionally, the Council spoke against making policy decisions based solely on one project. Mayor Mullet spoke in favor of reporting to the Council this evening and noted much staff time has already been devoted on the issue. He noted staff will do more research on capacity limits, contacting bond counsel and working the issue. He said the Segale team is also putting in a great number of hours. Sue Carlson. Seaale Properties, was at last week's Finance and Safety Committee meeting. She assured the Council the project is not an attempt to overload City staff or them (the Council). She brought Michael Hodgkins, with Burke and Associates. They are a consulting firm, from Seattle, that assist in financial strategies and policies especially after the passage of Initiative 747. She also noted the decision tree process shown by Mr. Fuhrer asked the right questions and proposed the issues to be "dead on." Michael Hodgkins, Burke Associates. continued where Mr. Carlson left off with regard to the overall risk and the magnitude of the proposed project. Mario Seaale. Seaale Properties. stated "the City needs a policy for future development." He noted this proposed project is 30 years in the making. He thanked the Council for moving one step forward. He said, "We will work with you" and "I will not leave the City in an adverse position." "We will not leave this City and we will guarantee the bond..." if it's at a reasonable amount. Mr. Fuhrer then reiterated the questions posed within the decision tree. Council consensus existed to participate in the TVS project. Many noted their desire to do whatever is possible to maintain the City's A- 1 bond rating. That may include a "ceiling of the bond capacity." Calling the project "unique unto itself," Councilmember Fenton called it a win -win situation. Councilmembers spoke of being comfortable with the notion of dedicating revenues yet no particular amount until such time as hard facts and figures are presented. As it relates to debt gap responsibility, each councilmember agreed the developer should make up the difference. Additional work continues and other facts and figures are being compiled. Staff will continually keep Council apprised of emerging issues and newly received information. REPORTS: 9:52:17 p.m. a. Mayor Steven M. Mullet recently returned from an Ikawa, Japan visit, as well as a trip to Washington D.C. b. Council Councilmember Joe Duffie had no report. Councilmember Joan Hernandez had no report. Council President Pamela Linder had no report. Councilmember Pam Carter distributed a written report from a recent SCATBd meeting. She also attended a recent Regional Transit Committee meeting as well as a Public Issues Committee meeting. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Councilmember Jim Haggerton attended this evening's Transportation Committee meeting. Councilmember Dennis Robertson had no report. Councilmember David Fenton participated in last weekend's Highway 99 Action Committee cleanup efforts. c. City Administrator Rhonda Berry ensured all knew they were invited to join the City of Burien in their upcoming Celebration of Salmon Habitat Restoration project. d. City Attorney Neither Ms. Kerslake nor Mr. Beckwith were present during this portion of the meeting. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach had no report. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Legal Issues /Potential Litigation RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) 30 minutes 9:56 p.m. Executive session began. 10:10 p.m. Executive session ended. ADJOURNMENT: 10:10 p.m. Council President Linder adjourned the meeting. Pamela Linder, Council President Date minutes approved: June 23, 2005 F. t .'1 I rt 1 !J( L A Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Page 6of6 April 25. 2005