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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-19 Regular Minutes6:47 p.m. 6:52 p.m. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING September 19, 2005 Council Chambers City Hall Executive Session 6:45 P.M. Proposed Real Estate Purchase Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) Executive session began. Executive session ended. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and leading the flag salute was Steven M. Mullet, Mayor. OFFICIALS: Present were Pamela Linder, Council President; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Dennis Robertson and David Fenton. ATTENDANCE: Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works; Katherine Kertzman, Program Manager, Tourism and Marketing; Pat Brodin, Operations Manager, Public Works; Evelyn Boykan, Program Manager, Human Services; Mike Cusick, Senior Engineer, Public Works; Frank Iriarte, Deputy Director, Public Works; Bruce Fletcher, Director, Parks and Recreation; Darrell Baskin, Assistant Police Chief; and Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Update Seattle Southside Tourism Katherine Kertzman. Program Manager, Tourism and Marketing, introduced Kerry Wade and Karla Lindula. Kerry Wade. Administrative Support Specialist, began her full -time position with the City September 1, 2005. Prior to that, Ms. Wade worked as a temporary, part-time employee in the same office. A 28 -year native of South King County, Ms. Wade is proud to serve in a place where kindness and generosity are abundant. Karla Lindula, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, is a graduate of Washington State University and is pleased to grow her career with the City and promote the Seattle Southside services as a whole. Citing the mission statement of Seattle Southside, Ms. Kertzman said it is "To provide the Southside cities the essential leadership and services for our business community in tourism development and marketing." With four overall strategies (tourism development, visitor services, business community affairs and public relations and marketing), Ms. Kertzman noted the primary program objective /goal is to attract quality visitors to increase tourism business income and related tax revenues in order to sustain a robust City of Tukwila Page 2 of 8 City Council Reaular Meetina Minutes September 19. 2005 economy. Further, staff wishes to assist in building a sustainable family friendly visitor destination by providing leadership initiatives, education and training opportunities to the local tourism business sector. Results of this highly- esteemed program include group leads and referrals, new commission revenues, receipt of grants, interlocal agreements, bundled vacation packages, shuttle services funding and an improved image. To date in 2005, more than 1,000 walk -in visitors have been to the Southside Visitor Center. The number one strategy and primary source of information for travel arrangements and on -line hotel reservations is the internet. The website is www.seattlesouthside.com. Services found online include coupons, travel packages, maps, directions, restaurant information and vacation planning. Planning to return in mid February, 2006 with a complete annual report, Ms. Kertzman gave a preview and quick highlights of some of the statistics already gleaned in 2005. There have been over 18,000 unduplicated (monthly) visitors to the user friendly, interactive website. And, the MCI toll -free telephone line reports show that being just half way through 2005, we are within 50 calls of the year -end total from 2004. Noting Seattle Southside's "got game," Ms. Kertzman explained our region is becoming well -known (nationally and internationally) for such sports and sport complexes as Starfire Sports (soccer), Fort Dent Russell Road (softball), King County Aquatics Center (swimming), Kent Ice Centre (hockey and figure skating) and Acme (bowling). With an intense media campaign (with Book It!, Puget Sound Business Journal, South County Business Report and the Tacoma News Tribune) and other public relations efforts, each of the complexes listed are becoming venues for national and international competitions where they may have once been unknown and /or overlooked as potential sites. Noteworthy, Ms. Kertzman was recently invited and has accepted an invitation to serve on the Seattle Sports Commission Board of Directors. Ms. Kertzman also noted that for every $1.00 Tukwila spends on this program it is matched by $1.86 from other funding sources. Before closing, Ms. Kertzman noted the importance of balance in the ability to promote events online via calendar and pressroom, by city. The on -line vacation planner lists venues by city and printed materials clearly identify all partners by city. Finally, all councilmembers were invited to a September 22 Tourism Networking meeting entitled "Southside's Got Game!" at the Starfire Soccer Complex, from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Congratulations and praise were offered to Ms. Kertzman and her staff. The women were cited for doing a "great job" and for "professional, friendly service" and for "using lodging tax dollars wisely." Citing SeaTac's and Kent's desire to participate in the program, all were assured this is a tribute to the successes of Ms. Kertzman, her staff and the tourism program as a whole. b. Ancient History of the Duwamish River Valley Duwamish Tribal Life and Local Mythic Sites Pat Brodin, Operations Manager, Public Works, presented a comprehensive Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to describe the ancient history of (tribal life and mythic sites) of the Duwamish River Valley. A contributing writer of Community at the Crossroads, also known as the Tukwila History Book, Pat Brodin reported the work covers a period of time from 1855 to 1991. Since that time, new information has been discovered as a result of the archaeological dig site associated with Sound Transit excavation work (at South 115 Street and East Marginal Way South). Calling Tukwila a community at the crossroads (or, "center of the known universe, evidence exists of trade from Alaska to Humboldt Bay in California. One of the oldest known rocks, formed 40 to 50 million years ago, is part of Tukwila's geologic past. Formerly possessing a "lush coastline," Tukwila was once characterized by rich seams of coal. City of Tukwila Page 3 of 8 Citv Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 19. 2005 Another part of Tukwila's geological make -up includes major earthquakes. We are in what is known as a "subduction zone," under the Juan de Fuca plate. A subduction zone is the geological process of one crustal plate descending below the edge of another crustal plate. It's in these zones where the deepest earthquakes are felt/experienced. Reporting on the artifacts of the Duwamish dig (at a Sound Transit work site), Mr. Brodin noted such artifacts are excavated, screened, washed, labeled and numbered. Artifacts include crude tools, scrapers, two arrowheads, and mammal /fish bones. The area dug was most likely a "cook site" dating back some 300 400 years. This is evidenced by charred black sand which does not change colors when washed and screened. Red Jasper from the upper Snohomish area and a quartz material from the Yakima tribe were also found. Carbon dating of /to artifacts may be known as early as December, 2005. Duwamish -area art was typical of that currently found in the Pacific Northwest. The language spoken (la- shoot -seed) went up and down the west coast of what is now known as the United States. Oral histories and myths were told and passed down for generations and reinforced tribal cultural values. They also served as a metaphor of local landscapes and provided an oral record of geologic events. Joseph Campbell, renowned mythologist, said, "basic mythology is the material of life, our bodies and the environment." That being said, Mr. Brodin reported Tukwila has the greatest number of known mythic sites in the Puget Sound region. Examples include Beaver Lodge (Poverty Hill), Beaver area (North Hill), Grandmother's Hill (Quarry), and home of "North Wind." Mr. Brodin described the "Epic of the Winds," the story of a conflict between Northwind and Southwind which began over the "beautiful Mountain Beaver Woman." The story says Beaver Woman chooses Southwind and becomes mother of the remnant son. The mean spirited Northwind kills Southwind's people, except for Grandmother, who escapes to a hill. Northwind then freezes the land and builds a fish weir of ice to starve the people upstream. So the story goes, the remnant son, Stormwind, grows strong and defeats Northwind, sending him to dwell in the north. Although nine variations are known to exist on this story, they all show that Grandmother's Hill (in Tukwila) is where her power to provide rain is restored after killing the ravens and cleansing the land. Chief Sealth said, "Yonder sky that has wept tears of compassion upon our fathers for centuries untold, and which to us looks eternal may change." With that, Mr. Brodin noted the Tukwila History Book might have some new chapters to be added. PROCLAMATIONS /APPOINTMENTS: a. Proclamation desianatino September 24, 2005, "Mayor's Dav of Concern for the Hunarv" DUFFIE MOVED; ROBERTSON SECONDED; TO READ THE PROCLAMATION IN ITS ENTIRETY. The motion carried 7 -0. Mayor Mullet read the proclamation and proclaimed September 24, 2005, "Day of Concern for the Hungry" in the City of Tukwila and encouraged all citizens to join the Emergency Feeding Program and our area food banks to nourish those who are hungry. A food giving program will take place at the McMicken Heights Safeway and some (local area) Fred Meyer stores. Mayor Mullet explained the program. A person shops on September 24 and buys "a little extra food." When leaving the store, the buyer places the extra food into a "giving bin" outside the store. Ms. Boykan noted cash donations are also accepted at the locations on the same day. Evelyn Boykan noted hunger is a continuing and growing issue at every level locally, regionally, statewide, nationwide, and internationally. An increasing number are continually partaking of programs at our local food banks. Hurricane Katrina brought the desperation of natural disasters to the forefront of people's minds. With that, she noted food should be a "natural right" to everyone. No one should go without. Related to the issue, Mayor Mullet learned today that 20 displaced families (from Hurricane Katrina) are living in Tukwila at the Towne and Country Suites (TCS). Word of their arrival is being disseminated City of Tukwila Page 4 of 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 19. 2005 to groups, organizations and local charitable agencies. He encouraged all to contact TCS staff in the event of desire to contribute. b. Appointment Human Services Advisory Board Position #3 Term expires 04 -20 -06 Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Program Manager, noted Mr. Sisay Desalegn would serve as a "resident member" of the Board. Originally from Ethiopia, Mr. Desalegn is an eight -year resident of Tukwila and promises to be a "great resource and advocate." HERNANDEZ MOVED; HAGGERTON SECONDED; TO APPOINT SISAY DESALEGN TO THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD, POSITION #3, WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE APRIL 20, 2006. The motion carried 7 -0. CITIZEN COMMENT: James Marsh. 15849 47 Avenue South. Tukwila, spoke of deteriorating road conditions in his residential area, which is also known as the loop." Citing "bad patch jobs" and "storm drains that do not meet Tukwila's own codes," Mr. Marsh seeks improvements. Additionally, Mr. Marsh spoke in favor of an increased police presence in the area as automobile drivers continually speed (above limits) in the residential area. Councilmembers were invited to "walk the loop" to see what occurs in the area and to realize assistance is necessary. XXX. 14207 42 Avenue South. Tukwila, asked Council if they are aware of the CERT program and if they are considering its inception. Ms. Carter responded the Citizen's Emergency Response Team effort is something the City will consider beginning with the Finance and Safety Committee. The City of Tukwila's approach to this program will be to strategize and develop it so that all are prepared "city- wide" (versus select neighborhoods only) in the event of natural disaster. This program is designed to allow all community members (not just police, fire and other emergency management personnel) to assist in the wake of natural disasters. Ms. Carter also spoke of the need to be prepared to care for one's family (water, medications, food, etc.) for a period of 10 days, not just 3 days as previously suggested. Additional information will follow. Anna Bernhardt 14241 59 Avenue South. Tukwila, asked Council to consider raising the temperature of Council Chambers during their meetings. Moreover, she asked Council to use their microphones during each meeting as hearing their comments is important. CONSENT AGENDA: BID AWARD: a. Approval of minutes September 6, 2005 Regular meeting b. Approval of Vouchers #318331 318646, in the amount of $1,425,045.40 DUFFIE MOVED; HERNANDEZ SECONDED; TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. The motion carried 7 -0. Award a construction contract to Dennis R. Craig, Inc., in the amount of $377,481.65, for the 2005 Small Drainage Program FENTON MOVED; LINDER SECONDED; TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO DENNIS R. CRAIG, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $377,481.65, FOR THE 2005 SMALL DRAINAGE PROGRAM. The motion carried 7 -0. PUBLIC HEARING: Vacation of South 124 Street City of Tukwila Page 5 of 8 City Council Reaular Meetina Minutes September 19. 2005 a. Request for vacation of South 124 Street From East Marainal Wav South to Tukwila International Boulevard b. An ordinance vacatina a portion of South 124 Street AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, VACATING CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED WTIHIN THE CITY, DEDICATED FOR STREET PURPOSES, GENERALLY DESCRIBED AS A PORTION OF SOUTH 124 STREET, RUNNING WESTERLY FROM EAST MARGINAL WAY SOUTH TO PREVIOUSLY VACATED 35 AVENUE SOUTH; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL STREET MAP OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Jim Morrow. Public Works Director. reported receipt of a complete (July 20, 2005) petition by the Sabey Corporation to vacate a portion of South 124 Street from East Marginal Way South to 35 Avenue South. Mike Hansen. 12201 Tukwila International Boulevard, on behalf of the Sabev Corporation, distributed a discussion points sheet which encapsulated information presented via aerial photograph of the location in question. After recently purchasing the former Swift Trucking site (a 4 -acre parcel), Sabey Corporation now owns all properties on both sides of South 124 Street. At this point, the company seeks concurrence to vacate that portion of 124 Street to be made into an entrance for the Sabey Corporation campus. Additionally, he reported Sabey staff has met with Fire Department personnel regarding ingress and egress. Approval will be sought (when appropriate) to ensure design of the entrance meets with applicable codes. In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Hansen noted South 124 is used to access the Group Health building. Ingress /egress to the building shall continue without interruption. 8:24 p.m. Mayor Mullet opened the public hearing. Jim Morrow. Public Works Director, reported that while public utilities exist in the right of way in question, options exist. The Sabey Corporation may move the utilities out of the roadway to the satisfaction of the related company or easements may be granted. Mr. Hansen indicated easements would be granted. With no concerns or objections, City staff has heard from Puget Sound Energy, ValVue, Qwest, Comcast and Water District 125. They have not received a response from Seattle City Light. With no problems currently existing or envisioned, City staff is in favor of the petition and related ordinance. Should the vacation be granted, the Sabey Corporation would be obligated to post "Private Street" signs and will be responsible for street lighting on South 124 and 35 Avenue South. Further, they will be liable for related maintenance of the road. For the benefit of the audience, Mr. Morrow explained the street vacation process as outlined in the Tukwila Municipal Code and the Revised Code of Washington. Moreover, he noted a real property appraisal has established value of the property at $430,000.00. Calling for citizen comment twice, Mayor Mullet received none. 8:30 p.m. Mayor Mullet closed the public hearing. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO HAVE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE READ BY TITLE ONLY. The motion carried 7 -0. Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney, read the title of the proposed ordinance. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AS READ AND PRESENTED AND TO INSTRUCT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO ENSURE RELATED CONDITIONS ARE MET BEFORE THE ORDINANCE IS RECORDED WITH KING COUNTY RECORDS. SAID CONDITIONS (NOT ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED), City of Tukwila Page 6 of 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 19. 2005 INCLUDE APPLICANT PROVIDING "PRIVATE STREET" SIGNS FOR SOUTH 124 STREET AND PETITIONER'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR EXISTING STREET LIGHTS ON SOUTH 124 STREET AND 35 AVENUE SOUTH. The motion carried 7 -0. APPROVED ORDINANCE #2101 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. Proposed ordinance amendina a franchise agreement with Sprint Communications Company. LP (formerly U.S. Sprint) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WTH SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, LP, FORMERLY KNOWN AS US SPRINT, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, REPLACE, AND REMOVE CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT UNDER, ALONG, ACROSS AND THROUGH CERTAIN CITY STREETS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING AS A CARRIER OF LONG DISTANCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRAFFIC; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO HAVE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE READ BY TITLE ONLY. The motion carried 7 -0. Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney, read the title of the proposed ordinance. FENTON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AS READ AND PRESENTED. The motion carried 7 -0. APPROVED ORDINANCE #2102 b. Authorize Mayor to sign Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to AG 05 -040. with KPG. Inc.. in the amount of $48.574.12, for construction management services on the 2005 Small Drainage Proaram FENTON MOVED; LINDER SECONDED; TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO AG 05 -040, WITH KPG, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,574.12, FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES ON THE 2005 SMALL DRAINAGE PROGRAM. The motion carried 7 -0. NEW BUSINESS: Park property purchase Bruce Fletcher. Director of Parks and Recreation, reminded Council the City owns the Duwamish Riverbend Hill property (8.7 acres), currently under Phase I development. In connection with that, Mr. Fletcher reported a potential opportunity to purchase 10,000 square feet of property adjoining the eastern park border on South 115 Street, across from the Duwamish River. For purposes of expanding the Duwamish Riverbend Park site (and keeping the area green along the river), Mr. Fletcher spoke in favor of making an offer to purchase the property. An appraisal has been conducted to determine fair market value. In its current "as is condition, fair market value of the property is $150,000.00. Purchase price monies are available through IAC parks grant, awarded in 2004. No monies will be taken from the City's general funds and funds from the IAC grant are only allowed to be spent on land acquisition. ROBERTSON MOVED; DUFFIE SECONDED; TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS ON 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY ADJOINING THE EASTERN PARK BORDER ON SOUTH City of Tukwila Page 7 of 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 19. 2005 115 STREET, ACROSS FROM THE DUWAMISH RIVER, WITH AN APPROVED PURCHASE PRICE NOT TO EXCEED THE FAIR MARKET VALUE. The motion carried 7 -0. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet had no report. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie attended this evening's Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Councilmember Hernandez attended the September 14 South King County Cultural Coalition meeting to promote a September 22 presentation of the "Grapes of Wrath" at the Foster Performing Arts Center. Sponsored, in part, by the City's Equity and Diversity Commission, stage actors from the Intiman Theater will conduct a "staged read" of the show and take audience comments thereafter. Council and audience members were invited to also participate in the show. Finally, Ms. Hernandez reported attendance to the National League of Cities (NLC) seminar (on long range planning) at the Hyatt Regency (Bellevue) and the Microsoft campus (Redmond) September 9 and 10. Council President Linder had no report. Councilmember Carter also attended the September 9 NLC Conference. She also met the editorial board from The Olympian on September 14 to discuss Initiative -900 (Performance Audit Issues). Councilmember Haggerton attended the September 15 Cascade Water Alliance Joint Finance/Water Planning Commission meeting. Later in the day, he attended the Lake Tapps Task Force meeting in Bonney Lake. Finally, Mr. Haggerton reported a planned absence from September 20 through September 25 to attend an ITC Steering Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. Councilmember Robertson attended tonight's Finance and Safety Committee meeting. Councilmember Fenton attended a September 16 disaster relief training session at Tukwila Fire Station #51. He encouraged everyone to take the course. He also attended the September 13 Highway 99 Action Committee meeting. c. City Staff Rhonda Berry, responding to Council statements, noted recent occurrence of many newsworthy events. Past practice has been to contact the Council President when major news breaks when the City Administrator is on duty and apprised of such situations. Significant occurrences on September 16 (a shooting) were not reported directly to the Council President (specifically) or the Council (generally) as Ms. Berry was on planned leave away from City Hall. When news reports are on television and /or the radio before Ms. Berry is able to contact the Council President, it is typically too late to individually contact Councilmembers. Should Council desire a related policy, Ms. Berry encouraged discussions on the issue. d. City Attorney Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney, had no report. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach had no report. City of Tukwila Page 8 of 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 19. 2005 ADJOURNMENT: 8:58 p.m. Mayor Mullet declared the meeting adjourned. Steven M. Mullet, Mayor "Raw.t &ha_ Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date minutes signed: October 3, 2005.