Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-05 Regular MinutesREGULAR MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Dennis Robertson, Mayor Pro Tem, called the Regular meeting to order at 7:05 PM and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. MOVED BY GRIFFIN, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO EXCUSE THE ABSENCE OF COUNCILMEMBER PAMELA LINDER. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. ROLL CALL Jane Cantu, City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were Dennis Robertson, Council President; Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, and Verna Griffin. Steven M. Mullet, Mayor, and Councilmember Pamela Linder were absent. CITY OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL June 5, 2006 7:00 PM Council Chambers City Hall Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; Bruce Fletcher, Parks Recreation Director; Chief Dave Haynes, Police Department; Bob Giberson, Acting Public Works Director; Mary Miotke, IT Manager; Jane Cantu, City Clerk; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator a. Update of the 1 -405 Corridor Program (as it relates to Tukwila); Ross Fenton, WSDOT 1-405 Project Team Member Bob Giberson, Acting Public Works Director, introduced Stacy Trussler, 1 -405 Project Manager from WSDOT. She has been involved in the development of the 1 -405 corridor congestion relief program and bus rapid transit projects since the initial corridor EIS started in 1999. She has presented to Council several times in the past on program development and was here tonight to present information on the current status. Ms Trussler had a Powerpoint presentation, in which she noted that during the 2003 and 2005 legislature, $1.47 billion came forward to 1 -405. In the southern half of the corridor that means the entire corridor from 1 -5 in Tukwila up through Bellevue beyond the 1 -90 interchange is funded for construction or for further environmental study and preliminary engineering. There is $486 million currently funded south of 1 -90, and $30 million currently funded to do investments in Tukwila. Springbrook Bank is a project they hope to advertise in August, September or October to develop 130 acres of wetland investments prior to the transportation project construction. Two large regional projects, which are important as they relate to Tukwila, are the Alaska Way viaduct and 520 bridge replacement. These will both have large impacts to the traveling public while under construction. Most of the smaller regional projects have been planned so they will be finished prior to the Highway 99/Viaduct project (in 2011), as a large amount of traffic will need to be diverted throughout the area during that construction. Two major projects planned in Tukwila (the Klickitat project and Westfield Mall expansion) will need to be coordinated with other WSDOT projects in order to ease congestion concerns and lessen impact on local traffic. A meeting with City staff will probably occur within the next month. The 1 -405 project was formerly known as the Renton Nickel. The 2003 legislature brought forward $136 million for this project, and in 2005 more money was brought and it is now formally known as the 1 -5 to SR 169 Widening project (Phase 1). Phase 1 is a fully funded construction project, and will go to ad next February. The scope of work is to start in Tukwila at the 1 -5 interchange and add one lane of capacity from 1 -5 up through the Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) in both directions, and work southbound on SR 167 to the 180 interchange. This vicinity of 1 -405 in Tukwila is a high accident corridor, and it is hoped congestion relief in this location will help reduce accidents. Environmental work was started in January 2005, and will conclude with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in September 2006. They are on schedule to advertise for proposals in February 2007, with construction complete in June 2010. Prior to February 2007 (and hopefully by October 2006 to stay on schedule), they would like a Memorandum of Agreement with the City addressing all the terms and conditions of the design /build contract. The agreement would address items such as communication issues, noise concerns, traffic management especially during the holiday season, access for emergency response, and utilities issues. The Phase 2 investment is mostly unfunded. Phase 2 is a full rebuild of the I- 405 /SR 167 interchange, which is one of the top two congested interchanges in the state. WSDOT has funds for the environmental study, which was started last month (May 2006). Only one piece of this project is funded (at SR 515 aka old Benson Hwy. or Talbot Road). The current I- 405 /SR 167 interchange is a cloverleaf, including local access and system access, which is very congested and dangerous. The plan is to separate local access (in and out of the valley) and system -to- system access. The environmental document will be studied for 18 months (through November 2007). The funded piece will be advertised in May 2008, with completion in June 2011. Several Councilmembers commented that the project had been in the works for a long time and was badly needed and expressed appreciation for WSDOT's efforts in coordinating and minimizing the impacts for Tukwila. Councilmember Haggerton questioned one chart showing construction impacts with regard to the Klickitat project in 2007. His understanding was that the project would impact the City in 2008 and asked if it was now expected to have an impact for two years in a row. Bob Giberson, Acting Public Works Director, explained the City is in the grant funding process right now. The results of that process will lock in the construction schedule. If the funding is not successful, it might push the project into 2008. We will also see a special benefits study for a local improvement district soon. That will also help lock in the funding. Either way, there will be only one construction season, so there will be minimal impact on DOT projects and the Westfield construction. Ms. Trussler clarified that the ultimate plan for 1 -405 is to add two lanes in each direction. In the south end they are studying a step -down from the original plan. From the SR 167 interchange to the north, it is the full rebuild (2 lanes each direction). From SR 167 towards Tukwila, it is rebuilding the interchange, but the HOV direct connect ramps have been pushed off to sometime in the future. b. Introduction of New Employees Mayor Pro Tem Robertson announced there was a change to item 2.b of the agenda as Diane Jenkins, Council Administrative Assistant, was not present for introductions. Scott Droubay, IT Specialist: Mary Miotke, IT Manager, introduced Scott, who started with the City in October 2005 as the Police Department's IT technician. This involves work with law enforcement technology both internally and in the vehicles. Scott has numerous certificates and degrees in Novell and Microsoft and experience working for large corporations. Tami Eberle- Harris, IT Database Administrator. Mary also introduced Tami, who has worked in database management for the past 10 years. She has already made a big impact with the City, having worked with the tourism office, the community center and the permit center to date. Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator (promotion), City Clerk's Office. Jane Cantu, City Clerk, announced Barbara's promotion, which was made after Christy O'Flaherty moved to the Deputy City Clerk position at the first of the year. Barbara has been with the City for the past 8 years, previously at the front desk in the City Clerk's Office. Dana Almberg, Administrative Support Technician, City Clerk's Office. Jane also introduced Dana, who previously worked for the Port of Seattle for 5 years. Dana has been very busy learning the responsibilities of the front desk during the past two weeks. CITIZEN COMMENTS Joanne McManus, 5610 S. 133 St., asked if the City still has an animal control officer coming around. There is a dog in her neighborhood that runs wild most of the time. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, stated that we still have a continuing contract with King County for animal control, but noted they have been short staffed. They have been providing periodic control and do respond on a complaint basis. She also noted that a loose dog would be considered a priority. The City will get contact information for King County Animal Control to Mrs. McManus so that she may contact them easily when needed. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 5/15/06 (Regular); 5/22/06 (Special) b. Approval of Vouchers #323925 324152 in the amount of $1,091,046.52 c. Accept as complete the 2005 Overlay and Repair Program Project with Western Asphalt, Inc.; authorize release of retainage subject to the standard claim and lien release procedures. (Final cost of project: $550,584.36.) d. Accept turnover of storm drainage system, constructed within street right -of -way and a public easement; street infrastructure including street lighting, constructed within public right -of -way, all as part of the development known as the Fosterview Estates Development located between 42 Ave. S. and 44 Ave. S., and within S. 137 Street, S. 137 Place, and 43 Place S. (Value of transferred assets from the developer to the City of Tukwila is $1,490,943.00.) e. Authorize the Mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with valley cities for cooperation in acceptance and use of Department of Justice /Cops More grant funds in the amount of $98,723.00 for a regional wi -fi network feasibility study. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. PUBLIC HEARING An ordinance amending various sections of TMC Title 17, Subdivisions and Plats. Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director, stated the ordinance would amend the City's Subdivision Code. There are two basic issues. First, it would clarify City policy regarding the completion of infrastructure improvements prior to final short plat or subdivision approval. The second set of changes is intended to fully implement an earlier decision by the City Council to delegate authority for hearing preliminary plats on subdivisions to the Planning Commission. Those policy changes have already been made in the Zoning Code, but also need to be reflected in the Subdivision Code. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson opened the public hearing at 7:46 PM and called for citizen comment. None was received. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson referenced a letter he had received from Garrett Huffman, South King County Manager for the Master Builders Association. It stated that while Tukwila is not known for residential development, there are opportunities here. They feel the proposed changes will make Tukwila less attractive to home builders and developers and raise the cost of any project in the City. They pointed out that homebuilders and developers do not absorb the costs —the consumer does. They suggested the city focus on how they can work together with the home building industry to keep costs low and recommended the City review what other cities do to provide affordable housing. Several Councilmembers expressed their understanding that this ordinance is not really a change but just clarifies the regulations to remove some confusion that now exists. Mr. Lancaster stated that he does not feel it increases the cost of development, but that it does affect the timing of when those costs might be incurred. In terms of the carrying costs of a project, that could marginally increase costs, but essentially the same improvements have to be done; its just a matter of timing. This has been our practice in terms of how we have carried out infrastructure improvements for short plats and subdivisions. He further clarified that an alternative would be to allow bonding of significant improvements to a subdivision. Our practice has been to require that the infrastructure be built and to bond only those minor, final improvements that may not be practical to install before the homes are built. Councilmember Carter asked if most other cities allowed bonding or whether it was common practice to put in roads before building homes. Mr. Lancaster replied that most of the cities he is familiar with require the majority of the public infrastructure (roads, etc.) to be put in place prior to filing final plat for record and allowing sale of individual lots. Jim Haggerton asked if a representative from the Master Builders Association had attended any of the Planning Commission meetings. Mr. Lancaster was not aware of one, but was not personally in attendance. He was aware that a building industry representative was at a Community Affairs Parks Committee meeting where this issue was first discussed. That individual had been in touch with the Master Builders Association and seemed agreeable. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson closed the public hearing at 7:54 PM. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. An ordinance amending various sections of TMC Title 17, Subdivisions and Plats. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TMC TITLE 17, "SUBDIVISIONS AND PLATS," TO CLARIFY ACCEPTANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS, AND CHANGE PRELIMINARY PLATS FROM A TYPE 5 TO A TYPE 4 LAND USE DECISION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. City Attorney Shelley Kerslake read the proposed ordinance by title only. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0 TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 2124. b. Authorize the Mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the City of Seattle for hearing examiner services. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE FOR HEARING EXAMINER SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. c. Authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Securitas Security for court security not to exceed $45,000.00. Councilmember Carter noted the Court staff was pleased with the security services provided, and that this contract is identical to the previous contract with the exception of a small cost -of- living increase. MOVED BY CARTER, SECONDED BY HAGGERTON TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH SECURITAS SECURITY FOR COURT SECURITY NOT TO EXCEED $45,000.00. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. d. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Mirai Transportation Planning Engineering for concurrency modeling in the amount of $38,364.00. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY CARTER TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH MIRAI TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ENGINEERING FOR CONCURRENCY MODELING IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,364.00. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. e. Motion to approve Volunteer Coordinator position. Councilmember Carter noted that this position had been budgeted at .5 FTE, and this proposal would increase that to .75. MOVED BY CARTER, SECONDED BY GRIFFIN TO AUTHORIZE INCREASE IN THIS POSITION OF .25 FTE SO THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR POSITION WOULD BE .75. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. REPORTS a. Mayor. No report. b. City Council Councilmember Duffie reported that he had to call the Police again this week due to the illegal parking all over 53rd Ave. S. and on the grass at Foster Park during ball games. He said the situation is so bad that emergency vehicles would not be able to get through, and in many cases the cars have blocked access to residents' homes. Bruce Fletcher, Parks Recreation Director, reported that he met on site with Mr. Duffie and Paul Surek, Parks Superintendent. They have sent e-mails to the Police Department and the soccer organization notifying them that tickets will be given out for illegal parking. They also plan to have staff there this Sunday, which will be the last game for this season. He suggested the City negotiate this problem next season if it is determined the City wants to rent to them again. Councilmember Duffie also reported attendance at a presentation of the "Grow with Prayer" event at the stadium that was sponsored by local churches on Saturday and Sunday (June 3 and 4). A citizen also reported to him that there are still coyotes in their neighborhood (around Foster Park). Councilmember Hernandez attended the National Police Officers Memorial Day Ceremony on May 16 at City Hall, and the Farmer's Market opening on May 17. She just returned from a vacation in Germany. Councilmember Carter attended the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) meeting regarding Vision 2020 on May 23. The draft EIS was to be released but is not out yet. She does have part of the Executive Summary, to which Suburban Cities is working on a response. She has also talked to Steve Lancaster about how the City wants to weigh in on this plan regarding housing growth. Ms. Carter also attended the transportation technology conference sponsored by the Discovery Institute at Microsoft on June 1. Councilmember Haggerton reported the application period closed on May 26 for the position of Finance Director of Cascade Water Alliance. This was the second time around, with the position criteria having been changed slightly from the first time, resulting in 35 applications. He also attended a finance meeting for Cascade Water Alliance on June 1. They are starting a new policy of having a revised budget at each monthly board meeting, including an operating statement and balance sheet, to better keep their members informed. Mr. Haggerton also attended the Alliance for Community Media Northwest Region conference hosted by Puget Sound Access in Kent on June 2, which included a panel discussion on telecommunications issues. He was pleased to note that the group was hosted at ACME Bowling in Tukwila for lunch on Saturday, June 3. Councilmember Griffin was in Washington DC beginning May 21st attending her first National League of Cities Family Institute meeting focusing on strengthening families and outreach to youth. She also attended the "Afterschool for All Challenge," featuring ideas for out of school" programs to make cities more attractive for families and youth. The overriding theme she heard was of cities being able to get corporate sponsors and corporate support for their programs. A representative from America's Promise (Colin Powell's initiative) also spoke; they have a partnership with NLC. Ms. Griffin also attended the presentation at the Museum of Flight on Memorial Day (May 29), where she found the program with the Tuskegee Airmen very moving and inspirational. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson attended the entrance conference for the state audit on May 31. We have a new auditor from the state this year, David Howitz. The subject of performance audits was discussed, and the City was advised that it would probably be two years before they get to local audits. Those will follow "yellow book" standards. Mr. Robertson also reminded everyone of a Sound Transit noise variance meeting tomorrow (April 6) at 6:30 PM. Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney, clarified that Council will not be asked to make a decision on this issue so Councilmembers are free to attend the meeting and make comments if they live in an affected area. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, noted that the City had its Washington Cities Insurance Authority audit the week prior to the audit entrance conference with the state auditor. The focus of the WCIA audit was recreation and special events. They had quite an extensive questionnaire for the City to complete. The outcome showed that we are in great shape and have several unique partnerships (such as with Fort Dent) that WCIA does not see at other cities. Ms. Berry also noted that the flower baskets are back up for the summer. She reported that during the 2007 budget process administration will try something a little different than in previous years. Rather than presenting Council with a draft budget and then looking at what Council wants, they are requesting initiatives from the Council first. Ms. Berry asked Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, to address the matter further. Mr. Fuhrer stated they are working out a schedule to be distributed shortly. The Mayor would like to solicit ideas over the next 2 to 3 weeks. There are several items that will likely have a financial impact on the 2007 budget, including the Southcenter Mall remodel, settling of personnel contracts, and a possible increase in pension contribution rates. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson requested that initiatives suggested by individual Councilmembers be compiled into a single list and distributed to Council before the budget analysis begins. Ms. Berry suggested that each Councilmember turn in a list of suggestions by June 15. One master list will then be compiled and distributed back to Council. Staff will then research and estimate costs to implement each item. She also clarified that items for which direction has already been given by Council —such as the CERT program —would not need to be included on these new lists. Ms. Berry reported that Jim Morrow is in Maine, where his mother is ill. Bob Giberson and Frank Iriarte are handling duties in his absence. She also reported she will be on vacation starting Wednesday, June 7, returning June 28. Kevin Fuhrer will be serving as Acting City Administrator in her absence. d. City Attorney The City Attorney had no report. e. Intergovernmental No report. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Griffin asked if the Comcast e-mail problem had been resolved. Jim Haggerton responded that it was his understanding the problem was temporary and was corrected by that same night. ADJOURNMENT 8:37 PM. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY CARTER THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. 1 a Dennis Robertson, Mayor Pro Tem ),Ti Barbara Saxton, R Clerk' APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: JULY 10, 2006