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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-12 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL September 12, 2005 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Calling the meeting to order and leading the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m. was Pamela Linder, Council President. OFFICIALS: Present were Pamela Linder, Council President; and Councilmembers Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Dennis Robertson and David Fenton. Councilmember Joe Duffie was absent. ATTENDANCE: Steve Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; David Haynes, Chief of Police; Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works; Kevin Fuhrer, Director of Finance; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; and Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: a. Swearing in Rick Mitchell, Lateral -Entry Police Officer Chief Haynes re- introduced Rick Mitchell. A 12 -year veteran of the Tukwila Police Department, Officer Mitchell left briefly in July, 2005, and is returning as a Field Training Officer (FTO). Mayor Mullet administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Mitchell, and Chief Haynes presented him with his badge. Officer Mitchell addressed the Council. His brief departure was not due to unhappiness in the position. He left for what he was led to believe was a great opportunity. Not all that it was promised, Officer Mitchell quickly realized he missed serving alongside his "brothers and sisters" of the Tukwila Police Department and wanted to return to the force. Noting the importance of all positions within the Police Department, he is proud to return and pledged to "bump it up a notch" from the 110% he gave when previously on staff. b. Update Reorganization Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration (TCSC) Deborah Salas Deborah Salas. Executive Director. TCSC reported reorganizing and streamlining of processes within the organization she represents. While some have left the staff of TCSC, others have been hired and it is now fully staffed. In addition to Ms. Salas, an Elementary Program Director, paraprofessionals and a Middle /High School Program Director make up the staff of TCSC. Since their inception five years ago, TCSC has cut its budget (nearly) in one -half. Ms. Salas thanked the City Administration and Council for their continued support. She praised Bruce Fletcher, Tracy Gallaway and the entire Parks and Recreation staff for continually giving their best in making the program more successful. She complimented them for going so far as to teach some of the classes. TCSC has received a 3 -year Stewart grant. The first installment of $200,000.00 has been received. Another $200,000.00 will be received in 2006, followed by $100,000.00 in 2007. Speaking highly of the Virtues Program, Ms. Salas explained it as a way to interact with students and fellow staff by acknowledging strengths when they might otherwise be demonstrating distraction or losing City of Tukwila Page 2 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 12. 2005 sight of an issue at hand. By giving a positive statement at such a time, others are upbuilt and encouraged, instead of broken down or made to feel less worthy of praise or respect. The program has been a success and it will continue. She also reported the Virtues Program can be adapted at the City level. In fact, she uses the principals of the program in her own home. She spoke highly of the importance of acknowledging one's strengths whenever possible to create good and lasting relationships. Ms. Salas answered Council inquiries and noted John Barbie will serve as a representative on the City's Equity and Diversity Commission. Ms. Salas reported there is currently no intent to offer TCSC programs during school holidays. They may, however, offer something during "early- release days." Finally, the Executive Director spoke of the need to continue fund raising efforts by way of direct mailers, working with well -known figures (i.e., musicians, sports stars, government officials, etc.) and other means. Noting a need to diversify how monies are received, Ms. Salas would like to create a way for private individuals to give to the program. Although many have offered in the past, there is not a mechanism in place to allow it. c. Streamlined Sales Tax Elements of a Compromise Bill Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, presented background information on the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) issue. SST is an initiative that would change the sourcing of tax dollars. In Washington, those tax dollars are (currently) distributed at the point of sale (a store or warehouse). SST would change that to crediting sales tax to the point of delivery. At this time, no state may impose sales tax on "remote sales" (internet or catalog transactions). Congress has the ability to change that. A very serious issue to the City of Tukwila (and as many as 140 other cities, counties, transit agencies and public facilities districts), we could lose as much as 8% of our annual sales tax revenue, roughly $2.6 million. This is due, in part, to the fact we have some major warehouses and distribution centers. Over the past few years, there has been a heated battle in the legislature to implement SST. For the 2005 legislative session, with the help of lobbyists, negatively impacted cities (NIC's) were unable to secure passage of a favorable bill, yet were successful in stopping a harmful one. In the spirit of compromise, there have been negotiations between NIC's and positively impacted cities (PIC's). An ad -hoc Committee meeting will take place September 22, 2005 and Councilmember Carter will represent the City of Tukwila. The goal is to form elements of a compromise bill to put forward in the upcoming legislative session. The NIC group has come to an agreement that includes full and ongoing mitigation for the estimated NIC losses. This mitigation is key to Tukwila as it is unlikely that our population and /or demographics will ever offset the sourcing losses through tax revenues derived from internet and catalog sales. Council President Linder thanked Alan Doerschel, Kevin Fuhrer and Pam Carter for their efforts in regard to this issue. Councilmember Carter reported Senator Margarita Prentice will not support any bill unless the cities reach agreement, however both Washington Governor Gregoire and Senator Prentice agree SST cannot be held back forever. Finally, she noted she would follow the issue closely and report back to Council as it proceeds. CITIZEN COMMENT: Verna Griffin. 3833 South 132 "a Place. Tukwila, on behalf of the friendsofboeingfield.org coalition, thanked Mayor Mullet for his representation at this morning's King County Council meeting at Boeing Field. There, Southwest Airlines made a formal presentation on their proposed move from SeaTac City of Tukwila Page 3 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 12. 2005 Airport to Boeing Field. She also thanked Council President Pam Linder for reserving a spot for the City of Tukwila at upcoming roundtable discussions relative to the same subject. Ms. Linder responded and announced an "experienced, talented woman" has volunteered to serve at the roundtable Ms. Kathleen Crabtree, a property owner in the Duwamish area. Ms. Crabtree will attend the meetings and keep officials up to date. SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Sprint Communications Company Franchise Agreement Amendment Dave Fenton, Chair of the Utilities Committee, reported review and approval of this item at their September 7 meeting. He noted the City entered into a 30 -year franchise agreement with Sprint in 1987. At that time, the City agreed Sprint could place fiber optics in three separate locations within the City's rights -of -way. At this time, an amendment is being sought as a fourth location is being requested. The additional location is at the intersection of Interurban Avenue South and Fun Center Way. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, noted the City has included specific locations within this particular franchise agreement (different from others) as a way to assist Sprint in identifying conflicts and to provide a written record (for the City's benefit) as to the location of fiber optics. This will prevent duplication of efforts in the future should other companies wish to site fiber optics in (the same) proposed area as Sprint and others. Besides an administrative fee, the City receives no monies in connection with the proposed amended ordinance /franchise agreement. The document also allows Sprint to perform periodic maintenance on their facilities within public rights -of -way, without having to submit permits, plans, insurance certificates, etc. FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER 19 REGULAR MEETING. b. 2005 Small Drainage Program Bid Award Dave Fenton, Chair of the Utilities Committee, reported review and approval of this item at their September 7 meeting. Receiving six bids in connection with the small drainage program, the apparent low bidder is Dennis R. Craig, Inc. At $377,481.65, the bid is below the engineer's estimate of $410,265.00. City staff is familiar with the work of Dennis R. Craig, Inc., as they have performed well on similar -type projects for our municipality (2004 Small Drainage program). In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Morrow will bring back project- specific details for each of the three sites listed, which include: Site #1 -45 Avenue South Site #2 -43 Avenue South /South 140 Street/45 Avenue South Site #3 -42 Avenue South (Southcenter Boulevard vicinity) FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER 19 REGULAR MEETING. c. 2005 Small Drainage Program Construction Management Services Dave Fenton, Chair of the Utilities Committee, reported review and approval of this item at their September 7 meeting. As City staff does not have time to adequately address this work, the proposed services contract is before Council. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, reported KPG, Inc. did the design work for this project, making them familiar with its contents. Their bid price for construction management services comes to the City at 12.8% of the project amount (being charged). The contract amount is $48,574.12. City of Tukwila Page 4 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 12. 2005 Councilmember Fenton praised the work of Cyndy Knighton at a September 8 Joint City Council /Planning Commission meeting. He reported Ms. Knighton took a very complex subject and broke it down into understandable terms and pieces. Calling her "one of the City's sharpest employees," Mr. Fenton said Ms. Knighton has her stuff together." REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet spoke this morning at the Southwest Airlines hearing of the King County Council. He also attended a recent meeting of the Board of Directors for the Tukwila Food Pantry. From that meeting, Mayor Mullet took away various statistics which showed service to Tukwila residents is definitely on the incline. Finally, Mayor Mullet reported an approximate 4:30 p.m. shooting in the parking lot of Westfield Shopping Center. Two people were shot in their car. One is dead and the other was sent to Harborview in critical condition and not expected to live. Although it is not believed to be a random shooting, that cannot be confirmed as the shooter was still at large when this meeting began. b. City Council Councilmember Joe Duffie was absent. Councilmember Hernandez attended the City Council Special meeting on September 7 and the Joint City Council /Planning Commission meeting on September 8. She, too, praised the work of Ms. Knighton for making a difficult subject "easy to understand." Ms. Hernandez also attended this morning's Southwest Airlines hearing of the King County Council (at Boeing Field). Ms. Hernandez recognized Lucy Lauterbach for a flyer she designed on behalf of the Equity and Diversity Commission. The flyer advertises a reading of the stage play The Grapes of Wrath" by professional actors from the lntiman Theater and interested community members on September 22, 2005, at the Foster High School Performing Arts Theater. All are invited to read along and /or participate. Council President Linder attended a 5:00 p.m. meeting (tonight) sponsored by Southwest Airlines where they gave their first presentation in a roundtable setting. The Council President spoke in favor of sending correspondence to the King County Council stating the City's "opposition to Southwest Airlines moving to King County International Airport." Council consensus existed to sign and send a letter. Finally, the Council President reported receipt of an e-mail request from Dwight McLean regarding his desire to re -name 139 Street (currently no signage exists) to Ramada Drive. The e -mail also asks for signage "labeling the street as such." The e -mail sited Costco Drive as an example of a business having a street named after it for easier location. Councilmember Carter reported discussions with staff from the Museum of Flight who reported they do not do air shows there any longer as flight paths cross with SeaTac and Renton airports. Fly -ins and fly- bys are still performed as they do not impact the airports. Ms. Carter reported Southwest Airlines officials have not yet met with Burien, yet have met with the City of Federal Way's City Council. Additionally, SWA officials plan to meet with the Normandy Park City Council shortly. SWA staff canceled their visit to the City of Tukwila and has not yet rescheduled it. Ms. Carter reported attendance to a Transportation Policy Board meeting last week. And, finally, she announced being named Chair to the "Destination 2030" Working Group. More information will follow on this appointment which is slated to last longer than one year. Councilmember Haggerton attended this morning's Southwest Airlines presentation at the King County Council meeting. He thanked Jim Morrow and Frank lriarte for providing him with information necessary for a September 9 Northwest Telecommunications conference. City of Tukwila Page 5 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 12. 2005 Councilmember Robertson reported Rabanco Disposal has a new name and phone number Allied Waste 206 682 -9735. He reported difficulty getting through to a live person using their automated "telephone tree." Councilmember Fenton thanked Jim Haggerton for his work on the telecommunications act issue. c. City Staff Rhonda Berry reported three firefighters (Rich Rees, Pat McCoy and Mike McCoy) are on their way home from assisting residents in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, provided reports on each of four issues raised by community members at the September 6 City Council meeting. As it related to Kathryn Harris' complaint regarding ivy growing up and covering a light standard near her home, City staff has removed the ivy. The pole actually belongs to Puget Sound Energy and Mr. Morrow will discuss this issue with them. Ms. Linder suggested correspondence go to Ms. Harris informing her we removed the ivy as a courtesy and that the pole indeed belongs to PSE in the event she needs similar assistance in the future. As it relates to speeders in a neighborhood where a deaf child is present, Mr. Morrow noted specialty signs such as "Child at Play" or "Deaf Child present" are not recommended by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as they have been proven to give children and /or parents a false sense of security. They also give a false conception /belief that it is alright for children to play in /on /near neighborhood streets. Such signs do not reduce the chance of accidents. The Public Works Director has informed the Police Chief of the complaint and Police personnel will watch it. As it relates to Ms. Zapitul's request to enforce Sound Transit's Transit Way Agreement (regarding temporary repairs) with no response from Sound Transit or the City, Mr. Morrow noted City staff has looked into her allegations of unsafe conditions (especially in light of a fall and subsequent hurt ankle). Such allegations are taken seriously and addressed immediately. As a result of Ms. Zapitul's request, City staff has learned that since construction began (4 months ago), there have been 24 separate phone calls, meetings, log notes and /or conversations with the Zapituls to address such concerns. Mr. Morrow reported the sidewalk entryway would be repaired and replaced in a timely manner. When the work on 52 Avenue is complete, the street will be nearly rebuilt in its entirety. Undue damage will be corrected based upon (before and after) videotaping of the area. Finally, as it related to a report of a dilapidated house on 56 Street, City Administrator Berry reported the City's Code Enforcement staff is already addressing the matter. Questions about blacktop patches were discussed between Council and Mr. Morrow. With regard to a specific location on 52 Avenue South, a "cold patch" was used as a temporary fix. Such patches are not particularly smooth as they are only temporary in nature. Mr. Morrow took note of the specific location and will ask staff to review it to ensure no safety hazard exists. d. City Attorney Neither the City Attorney nor her representative were present. e. Leaislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach reported federal legislators are (daily) hearing about and working on the telecommunications act. MISCELLANEOUS: Councilmember Hernandez reviewed the contents of the September 13 Community Affairs and Parks Committee agenda. City of Tukwila Page 6 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meetina Minutes September 12. 2005 Council President Linder reported the need to contact King County Animal Control last week and received immediate response. Although their schedule (4 days on and 4 days off) does not make Ms. Linder comfortable, she has seen Animal Control more in the last two weeks than ever before. ADJOURNMENT: 9:11 p.m. Council President Linder declared the meeting adjourned. Pamela Linder, Council President Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date minutes signed: September 29. 2005