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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order and leading the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m. was Pamela Linder, Council President. OFFICIALS: ATTENDANCE: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL September 26, 2005 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Present were Pamela Linder, Council President; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Dennis Robertson and David Fenton. Steve Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; David Haynes, Chief of Police; Bruce Fletcher, Director of Parks and Recreation; Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development; Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works; Kevin Fuhrer, Director of Finance; Darrell Baskin, Assistant Chief of Police; Gary Leavitt, Training Officer, Police; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge; Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner; and Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk. a. Swearing in ceremonies (Two) Police Officers 1. Shannon McGee Lateral Hire 2. Chris Danninger Entry Level David Haynes. Chief of Police, introduced Chris Danninger, entry -level police officer who starts the Police Academy on October 5, 2005. A graduate of Central Washington University, Mr. Danninger majored in Law and Justice. He is also a former reserve officer for Kittitas County. Mr. Shannon McGee is returning to Washington State after working as Security Manager for a major hotelier in Dodge City, Kansas. Officer McGee was a Marine, served as a Military Police Officer for nine years and has served as a Field Training Officer and Tazer Operations Instructor. Mayor Mullet simultaneously administered the Oath of Office to the officers and Chief Haynes presented them with their badges. Both men thanked Chief Haynes and the City for the opportunity to serve. b. Introduction New Employee Sheryl Arena Recreation Program Assistant 3/4 Time Employee Bruce Fletcher. Director of Parks and Recreation. introduced Sheryl Arena. Coming to the City from the Yakima area, Ms. Arena is a graduate of Central Washington University. Hired to work in Senior Programs (at the Tukwila Community Center), Ms. Arena is assisting with the Meals on Wheels program, works in the Duwamish Curve Cafe (deli), and coordinates /chaperons day trips. CITIZEN COMMENT: None. City of Tukwila Page 2 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 26. 2005 SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Interlocal agreement with City of Renton regarding temporary housing of inmates awaitina transfer to Yakima Countv Jail Kimberly Walden, Municipal Court Judge, reported the City of Renton has notified Tukwila of their intent to terminate the current interlocal agreement regarding temporary housing of inmates awaiting transfer to Yakima County Jail. A newly proposed Interlocal Agreement has been received that covers temporary housing and allows for direct bookings for stays longer than 72 hours. The proposed interlocal agreement includes a daily rate increase, yet eliminates a commonly imposed $25 short -stay fee. Both of these issues (together) could create "a wash" in costs and they are still far more economical than transferring defendants directly to the Yakima County Jail. The City of Des Moines has an identical agreement previously authorized (for signature) by their Council. Terms of the proposed interlocal agreement include a $70 fixed daily rate, allowing for general bookings (outstanding bench warrants and new offenses), and eliminates booking fees (thus, the flat daily rate). This is in stark contrast to King County's $176 booking fee and $92 daily rate. Yakima County's rates are $59 per day (flat rate) and no booking fees. While one advantage exists in booking defendants directly into the King County Jail (use of a video studio resulting in few physical transports), it is hoped that a video studio may soon be sited at the Renton facility. Councilmembers Robertson, Fenton, Hernandez and Carter spoke in favor of the proposed interlocal agreement. It was pointed out that financial increases are a result of higher insurance premiums being charged to the City of Renton. Council spoke favorably of the location and the costs versus those charged by other facilities. Moreover, it was reported that home monitoring, where appropriate (not allowed for DWI and felony convictions), will be considered as an alternative to jailing defendants. There are many pros to this issue including reduced jail populations and costs of the monitoring being borne solely by the defendant not the City. FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE PROPOSED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO THE OCTOBER 3 REGULAR MEETING. b. Resolution rejecting lone bid for the Macadam Winter Garden proiect A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, REJECTING ALL BIDS SUBMITTED FOR THE MACADAM WINTER GARDEN PROJECT Bruce Fletcher. Director of Parks and Recreation, asked Council to reject the sole bid, which came in $90K over budget. While this does not mean scrapping the project, Mr. Fletcher noted the project could be reviewed to determine where cuts can /may be made before re- bidding the project. Joe Duffle, Chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee, reported Committee members agreed the sole bid should be rejected. Ms. Linder agreed. In speaking with professionals (Michael Brown) on the design team, she noted firms couldn't hire enough people to get all the currently proposed work complete. In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Fletcher noted that although the project is at an affordable place," timing is bad for contractors. We can re -bid the project and it can come in under budget. He also informed Council that there is a potential to submit grant applications for additional funds. Timing is key with this project. It was suggested the project might be successfully bid in December (2005) or January (2006). City of Tukwila Page 3 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 26. 2005 FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO THE OCTOBER 3 REGULAR MEETING. c. Application for a Growth Management Grant Steve Lancaster. Director of Community Development. noted the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (WSDCTED) is soliciting applications for grants in the amount of $35K to assist with Growth Management Act related activities. Proposed is a city -wide, non motorized plan to include locations and specifications for pedestrian and bicycle routes, signage, security and amenities that will attract community members to non motorized transportation modes and transit in general. The grant proposal is for planning of a system of facilities designed to connect people to places. City staff is in favor of applying for those grant funds and would like to dovetail work being performed in the Tukwila Urban Center (TUC). The grant requires a 10% in -kind match ($4,400) via existing staff time and materials to administer the grant, provide mapping and research support to the consultant. As part of the TUC Plan, Tukwila staff has contracted with Dan Burden (Flatting Consulting) to complete a non motorized transportation plan for the TUC. That contract is in the amount of $24K and is fully funded by the Transit Oriented Development Grant. Simply put the proposed grant funding would expand the non motorized transportation plan to encompass the entire city. Rather than having an isolated plan to connect all modes within one sub -area, City officials will have a combined plan linking various neighborhoods and other areas to each other (specifically) and the region (generally). To apply for grant funds, the City Council must approve staff's request to apply for the CTED grant and must also authorize Ms. Linder (Council President) to sign a letter in support of the application. Councilmember Robertson spoke in favor of the proposed application for grant funds. Additionally, he raised concern with respect to two specific areas in Tukwila that should be reviewed for pedestrian safety. The areas mentioned include 178 and Southcenter Parkway and certain places along Strander Boulevard. Mr. Lancaster assured Council he would look at each area and suggest immediate improvements where they may be made. One area near the old DoubleTree Hotel contains a fence which has been pushed out onto the street edge due to demolition efforts. The fence can be pushed back onto the property (away from the street), allowing pedestrians to avoid street traffic. Mr. Lancaster will contact property owners tomorrow (September 27, 2005). Mr. Haggerton, Ms. Linder and Ms. Carter also spoke in favor of the proposed application for funds. They, too, asked Mr. Lancaster to look into areas previously mentioned to see if improvements may be made. Signage was also suggested in areas where walking on sidewalks (where they exist) may otherwise be impeded. FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE OCTOBER 3 REGULAR MEETING. d. Ordinance creating a three -year demonstration Housing Options Program for small -scale housing AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING A THREE -YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR SMALL -SCALE HOUSING ENTITLED THE HOUSING OPTIONS PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Moira Bradshaw. Senior Planner, Department of Community Development, reported on program concepts (previously presented in June, 2005) encompassing neighborhood housing projects that would City of Tukwila Page 4 of 6 Citv Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 26. 2005 include cottages, compact housing and /or duplexes in Tukwila residential neighborhoods. Subject to design review and any necessary platting, the projects are intended to be complete within a set time frame and the projects will be done on a demonstration basis. Created in light of Comprehensive Plan policies, this proposed program will serve as a segue to "testing the waters" for cottage housing in Tukwila residential neighborhoods. One main goal of the project is to encourage a range of housing types. Subject to approval by the Director of Community Development, a developer applies for and must be accepted into the program and limitations will be placed on where the homes will be sited. Ms. Bradshaw spoke in favor of Council adopting a proposed ordinance establishing the program and setting some foundational guidelines. Among other criteria, the proposed ordinance will include an automatic three -year sunset clause for submission of applications and related building. Further, it is anticipated that Council can evaluate the success /failure of the project after the initial sunset clause to determine desirability of extending the program, housing types and new (and /or enhanced) development standards. Ms. Bradshaw distributed a matrix for Council consideration, which included comparisons of proposed recommendations as initially presented by City staff, as reviewed (with subsequent recommendations) by the Planning Commission (which held a public hearing), and as further reviewed (with subsequent recommendations) by the City's Community Affairs and Parks Committee. The proposed ordinance and intended project types are modeled after a similar project in the City of Kirkland. The matrix addressed many issues contained within the project and related proposed ordinance. Further, each issue contained on the matrix was reviewed /considered by Council at this meeting. Issues discussed include housing types (cottages, compact single family, duplexes); dwelling unit size limits (cottages 800 square feet maximum, compact single family 1,500 square feet maximum, and duplexes 1,500 square feet maximum); parking requirements (1.5 spaces per unit for cottages and 2 spaces per unit for residential units over 1000 square feet); floor area limitations (a variety in building sizes and footprints are provided); common open space (required for cottage projects when 20 or more dwelling units are erected (200 square feet of area per unit) a recreation space must be provided consistent with TMC 18.52.060(1) multi family recreation space standards); number of projects (not more than 3 within the City, and the program shall sunset after three years); and selectional criteria (location and size must be acceptable and of low impact relative to the neighborhood, surrounding land uses, topography and street system. For example, attached housing should be located on land with direct access to a collector arterial or along a neighborhood edge, or in /adjacent to medium- or high- density districts). Councilmembers shared personal ideas, preferences and suggestions relative to each of the above categories. Matt Martel, HomeSight, spoke in support of the project and noted HomeSight could be the first builder of such a housing project on land situated near Tukwila's Riverton United Methodist Church. In addition to infrastructure needs, all elements of the housing project would be included with HomeSight's project. HomeSight is a community corporation which assists in creating livable communities and assists homebuyers in affording homes with a variety of programs such as down payment assistance, first -time buyers assistance, Washington State Housing Trust Fund dollars, City of Tukwila dollars and their own revolving loan funds and low -cost loans. This type of housing project (successful in many Puget Sound areas) appeals to those who currently rent, senior citizens, those wishing to downsize their current home, and first -time homebuyers. With a mixture of single- and double -story homes, Mr. Martel spoke highly of creating a community where there is also a mixture of residents as well. City of Tukwila Page 5 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 26. 2005 Already three years in the making, Mr. Martel is pleased with the progress of the proposed project and his organization would like to build in 2006. In line with their mission to revitalize stressed communities and successfully integrate into them, HomeSight is eager to build. In response to citizen questions (Chuck Parrish, Verna Griffin and Anna Bernhard), Mr. Martel noted plans exist to build 26 to 28 units, which will cost approximately $200K to $260K. He also reported similar developments have been sited in central and south Seattle and Everett. Mayor Mullet spoke in favor of the project and ordinance. Ms. Bradshaw reported density to the demonstration project will be slightly higher than normal (13 units for cottages and 9 units for duplexes, per acre, and the location must be "right" for any proposed neighborhood. The Director of Community Development grants developer and project approval. Council declined to hold another public hearing in connection with this project. Moreover, they directed staff to make any necessary edits /corrections to the proposed ordinance. FOR ACTION, CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO THE OCTOBER 3 REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet noted an activity report on "the Loop" has been prepared by Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works, and noted it is forthcoming to members of the Council. b. City Council Councilmember Joe Duffie reported attendance to today's barbeque held in honor of families (displaced during Hurricane Katrina) currently residing at Tukwila's own Towne and Country Suites. Councilmember Hernandez attended an Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting on September 21. She also attended the September 22 community- staged read of the Grapes of Wrath sponsored by the City's Equity and Diversity Commission. Cold reads of "sides" (select script pages) from Act One were presented by actors from Seattle's Intiman Theater and four City staff members (Bob Baker, Moira Bradshaw, Cyndy Knighton and Derek Speck). Ms. Hernandez attended today's barbeque and donation drive for the Hurricane Katrina victims staying at the Towne and Country Suites. Council President Linder spoke of an un -named community member receiving correspondence (regarding airport noise mitigation) and a request to inspect her house. Ms. Linder spoke in favor of City staff determining the scope of the inspection process so that they, too, may answer telephonic inquiries and understand how the process works. The inspectors are bonded and insured, yet she'd like City personnel to know involved procedure. It's her understanding that the inspection efforts are to determine noise levels from airplanes within a home. Councilmember Carter distributed a previously prepared SCATBd report and a copy of correspondence to the Sound Transit Board of Directors from the SCATBd Board of Directors. Ms. Carter attended a September 21 informational session on the powers of initiative and referendum and a September 22 Streamlined Sales Tax Committee meeting. Councilmember Haggerton flew to Washington D.C. for the National League of Cities (NLC) ITC Steering Committee (September 22 25). Reviewing a previously distributed report, he highlighted portions of that trip. City of Tukwila Page 6 of 6 City Council Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes September 26, 2005 Councilmember Robertson will be on scheduled leave from September 30 through October 23. He will return for the October 24 Council Committee of Whole meeting. He ensured coverage at various committee meetings (by other Councilmembers and the Council President) during his absence. Councilmember Fenton reported "door- knocking" at "the Loop" over the past weekend —in response to recent citizen comments wherein poor road conditions and speeding were reported. Visiting over 75 residents, most were reportedly "happy" and one particular (un- named) resident spoke highly of the City's Public Works staff for removing a tree from her property after a windstorm. The same community member was also highly complimentary of recent drainage improvement projects. She sought one drain and received two. c. City Staff Rhonda Berry announced the alleged shooter of two homicide victims has been arrested, booked and is being held on $2 million bail. Next, she reported the City's Planning Commission would meet September 29 to discuss the Tukwila Valley project. Finally, Ms. Berry reported that while details are sketchy, federal officials who previously granted federal monies for Southcenter Parkway and Klickitat improvements may be required to divert those funds to aid in relief efforts in connection with Hurricane Katrina. Additional information will follow as it becomes available. d. City Attorney Neither the City Attorney nor her representative were present. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach reported members of Congress may soon debate cuts to several fund sources (i.e., Social Security) and the diversion of yet others (such as highway funds) to provide monies for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. It may make sense to send correspondence opposing either item. Ms. Carter would support such a letter to congress as long as it doesn't sound whiny. Last Farmer's Market is this Wednesday and Wellness Fair is this Thursday. MISCELLANEOUS: Pamela Linder spoke of the word "Tukwila" being included in a crossword puzzle this weekend (in The Seattle Times). The clue was "suburb of Seattle." For Council review /approval, Ms. Lauterbach is working on several draft resolutions. One will address telecommunications and the others will address issues relative to Initiatives 900 and 912. Mayor Mullet reported that former astronaut Bonnie Dunbar has been appointed Executive Director at Tukwila's Museum of Flight. ADJOURNMENT: 9:37 p.m. Council President Linder declared the meeting adjourned. ela Linder, Council President Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date minutes signed: October 3. 2005