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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL July 24, 2006 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President, Dennis Robertson, called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Dennis Robertson, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pam Linder, and Verna Griffin. ATTENDANCE Steve Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Lori Sutter, Assistant Police Chief; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Deputy Director; Brandon Miles, Assistant Planner; Mary Miotke, IT Manager; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager; Diane Jenkins, Council Assistant; Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Introduction of new IT employee: Scott Kirby, Web Technician This item was discussed after the following presentation to allow for the arrival of administrative staff. Domestic Violence Walkathon Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager; Kerry Annette Wade and Trisha Blomquist, Event Co- Chairs Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager, introduced Kerry Annette Wade and Trisha Blomquist, Co- Chairs for the first annual Walk -A -Thon to assist children and families who are experiencing domestic violence in the community. This event titled "Steppin Out to Stop Domestic Violence" will be held on September 30, 2006 at 10:00 am and will begin at the Starfire Sports Complex at Fort Dent Park in Tukwila. Domestic Violence is a continuing problem for many families in South King County. There is a growing concern about the effects that experiencing domestic violence may have on children. Socially, children who experience domestic violence could develop many problems. The goals for this event are: 1. To raise awareness about domestic violence and specifically about how it affects children who are exposed. 2. Create a South King County Collaborative of the eight community task forces in South King County. 3. Raise resources to support prevention efforts and services for families experiencing domestic violence in South King County. The Councilmembers expressed their support for this event and thanked Ms. Boykan, Ms. Wade, and Ms. Blomquist for their efforts toward this important work in the community. Introduction of new IT employee: Scott Kirby, Web Technician (continued from above) Mary Miotke, IT Manager, introduced Scott Kirby, who has been hired as the Web Technician /Help Desk staff person in the Information Technology Division. Scott spent two years in the Peace Corps and created a website for a municipality in Bulgaria. Scott will also be getting married next month and is looking forward to the challenges of the Web Technician position. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Coscomm International Satellite Communications System, Mary Miotke, IT Manager Page 2 of 6 July 24. 2006 Mary Miotke, IT Manager, indicated this item has been discussed by the Finance and Safety Committee meeting, and it was felt the issue should be presented to the whole Council at this time. Ms. Miotke introduced Doug Ebstyne and Ed Garth from Coscomm International. Mr. Ebstyne utilized a Powerpoint presentation to illustrate various aspects of a full coverage public safety mobile communications system. For the past several years, the City of Tukwila Police Department has been a beta test site for Coscomm International's satellite connectivity system, which enables mobile law enforcement officers to gain access to their necessary databases and to communicate with each other when other land -based communication channels are not available. Tukwila PD has had two vehicles installed with satellite communication equipment for this testing. During this beta period, one of Tukwila's patrol vehicles equipped with the Coscomm system arrived on the scene with four other patrol vehicles. The Coscomm- equipped vehicle was the only vehicle able to communicate, as they were in a section of Tukwila with no radio coverage available. The officers were able to receive a colored mug shot and federal warrant information that enabled them to identify the suspect and make the arrest. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has been a partner in the preliminary testing and has granted the City an additional regional information number to allow the Coscomm base unit, located in the City's IT offices, access to and through the WSP databases. Currently, Coscomm's system also includes other connectivity options such as RAIN, simple messaging, and multi -user vehicle to- vehicle real time chat. The next phase of this project will be to fully outfit Tukwila's fleet of police vehicles and integrate the Coscomm satellite system into daily operations. While working with Tukwila's Police, Fire and Public Works departments, the IT staff has been composing a list of all critical emergency response vehicles in the City that would require satellite communications equipment. At this stage, the primary focus is on the Police Department; however, a command vehicle in both the Fire and Public Works Departments will be included. This will allow Tukwila to utilize the satellite functionality as a redundant or backup communications system during emergency operation responses. A second part of the next phase would be the implementation of a public /private partnership with the vendor to allow other law enforcement agencies the ability to use this system for either primary (when lacking coverage) or backup communications. Coscomm has already discussed the benefits of utilizing the Tukwila Regional Access Data (RAD) System portal for mobile communication administration and connectivity with a number of agencies. The discussions are at various stages of development and will be influenced by issues of the timing of Tukwila's RAD implementation and the outside agency's individual funding sources. As compensation for allowing their other customer agencies access to Tukwila's communication gateway, Coscomm has agreed to pay the City a percentage of the service fees collected from other agency customers. In recognition of Tukwila's cooperation during the beta test phase and for agreeing to become the showcase agency for Coscomm to demonstrate their satellite technology product, the Tukwila patrol cars will be outfitted with all necessary satellite communication equipment at a very nominal charge. (15 vehicles equipped for $1 per vehicle per year) The Councilmembers expressed positive interest in this project and asked clarifying questions of Ms. Miotke and the Coscomm staff members. At this time, the item is presented for discussion only and additional information will be forthcoming at future meetings. Quarterly Financial Review, Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, provided an overview of the sales tax collected in the City, by type of business. There are eight major classifications for sales tax collection: General Retail, Auto, Services, Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, Wholesale, and Miscellaneous. General Retail businesses generate the highest amount of sales tax in Tukwila. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 3 of 6 July 24. 2006 The 2006 sales tax, to date, is higher than this period in 2005. Mayor Mullet indicated the 2006 budget is very secure. Proclamation designating August 1, 2006 as Night Out Against Crime in Tukwila Mayor Mullet read, in its entirety, a proclamation designating August 1, 2006 as Night Out Against Crime in the City of Tukwila. CITIZEN COMMENT There were no citizen comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Sign Code Revisions Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 25, 2006. The committee forwarded this issue to the Planning Commission for a Public Hearing. Minutes from the Planning Commission meetings of May 25, 2006 and June 22, 2006 have been included in the agenda packet for reference. The Tukwila School District has requested the City's sign code be modified to permit changing message displays. The City's sign code currently bans any sign that changes content more than once every 24 hours. The proposed draft ordinance would permit public facilities to have changing message displays that change content no more than once every 10 seconds. A public hearing is required prior to adoption of the draft ordinance. Brandon Miles, Assistant Planner, provided an overview of the criteria for a changing message sign as well as provisions for a sunset clause. Signs located at public facilities which meet the criteria of TMC 19.32.080 may use the sign as a changing message sign, provided the following: 1. The image on the sign may not change more frequently than once every ten seconds. 2. The image must appear and disappear as one image. The image may not appear to flash, undulate, pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights, or appear to move toward or away from the viewer, to expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist, scroll, travel or otherwise portray movement. 3. If the public facility is located within a residential zone the use of the electronic portion of the sign is limited to the hours of 7am to lOpm. (Note: Any electronic sign in the City must meet the illumination and brightness levels set in TMC 19.16.035). The language codified in TMC 19.32.300 shall sunset exactly one year from the effective date of the ordinance. Any public facility, which installs and operates a changing message sign must continue to comply with TMC 19.32.300 (A)(1 -3) for the life of the sign and will be considered a non conforming sign and subject to the limitations in TMC 19.30. Council President Robertson inquired as to whether the draft ordinance would prohibit changing image or "TV" type signs. Mr. Miles indicated the 10 second rule would limit a TV type display as well as the high cost of the technology required to exhibit the images. Councilmember Haggerton asked for clarification regarding the italicized wording on page 9 of the packet as follows: "It should be noted that the courts have been increasingly critical of government sign regulations that base privileges or restrictions upon the content of the message." Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director, explained there have been court cases that have scrutinized regulations that attempt to dictate the content of messages, due to freedom of speech concerns. The City's draft ordinance does not specify the type of message that may be displayed. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 4 of 6 July 24, 2006 Councilmember Carter indicated she would like to see an additional 'Whereas" clause added to the draft ordinance. She would like language included that differentiates between residential and commercial areas. There are safety concerns with changing message signs and the potential for driver distraction on commercial roadways where heavy traffic is moving at faster speeds. Allowing the signs only in areas where residential streets are abutting would eliminate potentially dangerous situations. Ms. Carter stated this would disallow the Golf Course from utilizing these types of signs. Council President Robertson offered the following wording "The City Council wishes to provide for public safety and limit animated signs to areas where they are not visible from streets with more than two lanes or speeds higher than 25 miles per hour." Mr. Lancaster asked, if in addition to the "Whereas" clause, is it intended that modifications also be made to the substantive provisions of the code regarding this issue. Ms. Carter answered in the affirmative and concurred with Council President Robertson's synopsis. She stated the exact wording could be amended by the staff, as needed, to best meet code requirements. Mr. Lancaster conveyed that staff may require additional clarification regarding the differentiation between residential and arterial streets as referenced in this issue. Councilmember Carter reiterated her desire to allow changing message signs only in residential zones. Council President Robertson stated his concern is geared toward safety with regard to the amount and speed of traffic on a street and its visibility to the changing message signs. There could be limitations on streets that have visibility to the signs if the street has two or less lanes and speeds of 30 -35 miles per hour. This approach focuses on traffic safety rather than on residential or commercial zones. Councilmember Hernandez emphasized the need to see the proposed changes to the draft ordinance clearly defined. Some Councilmembers indicated satisfaction with the ordinance as it is currently proposed. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM, INCLUDING THE CURRENT DRAFT ORDINANCE AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL ORDINANCE REFLECTING CHANGES PER THE ABOVE DISCUSSION, TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING (AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN CONDUCTED). b. Tukwila Station Development Agreement proposal Councilmember Carter indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on July 17, 2006. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The issue involves a public /private partnership to exchange real property with Fountain Park LLC to facilitate the future extension of Strander Boulevard and mixed -use transit oriented development (TOD) near the Sounder /Amtrak Station. Fountain Park LLC plans to construct a mixed -use development (Tukwila Station) consisting of approximately 5,000 square feet of retail space and 300 residential units. By way of background, on April 4, 2005 the City Council authorized executing a development agreement and land exchange with Pacific Commercial Properties (PCP) that mirrors the current proposal. The current development agreement proposal remains substantially the same as the one approved in April, 2005, with the following exceptions Addition of Section 2.4.1 requiring Fountain Park LLC to submit a bid at no less than fair market value for the remaining property (57' of vacated railroad) should the City hold it out for sale Addition of Section 2.13 which grants to Fountain Park LLC a renewal of the conditional use permit approved by the City on April 29, 2005 Date and corporate name have been updated throughout the agreement Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, introduced Matthew Sweeney, representing Prium Companies LLC "Fountain Park Mr. Sweeney provided information about the company and gave an overview of the project. The price for the units being proposed will be approximately $265,000. City of Tukwila Citv Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 5 of 6 July 24. 2006 The Councilmembers expressed positive support for this project. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Mullet reported he has met with Council President Robertson regarding issues involving Tukwila International Boulevard. A meeting will be scheduled in September to provide an update to the full Council. b. Council Councilmember Duffie reported on the 160 Street Traffic Calming issue discussed at the Transportation Committee Meeting this evening. Several citizens attended to convey concerns about speeding in the area. They also requested the speed reducing buttons be removed as they are not beneficial in alleviating the problems. Mr. Duffie indicated some of the citizens felt they could not attend Council committee meetings, and he assured them the meetings are open to the public. Discussion among the Councilmembers and Mayor Mullet ensued regarding traffic calming in this area and the decision making process for potential changes. Mayor Mullet conveyed that a great deal of time and resources have been allocated toward determining if a problem exists on this portion of South 160 Street. It has not been found that a significant speeding problem occurs in this area. Mayor Mullet indicated a report on traffic calming issues would be forthcoming to the Council in the future. Councilmember Duffie also reported he attended the recent press conference involving Senator Patty Murray. Councilmember Hernandez attended the July 20, 2006 citizenship class graduation event. Three of the four graduates were Tukwila residents, and she distributed photos from the ceremony. Ms. Hernandez also attended the press conference involving Senator Patty Murray. Councilmember Carter attended a South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) Meeting on July 18, 2006. On July 19, 2006 she attended the Regional Transit Committee meeting on security issues. Ms. Carter also attended the Washington Traffic Safety Committee meeting in Olympia on July 20, 2006 and expressed satisfaction with the Governor's program for aiding State agencies to work more efficiently. She will be attending an AWC retreat in Leavenworth this week. Councilmember Haggerton reported that Shawn Egan will be leaving Congressman Adam Smith's Office. Mr. Egan has accepted a position with the Port of Tacoma. Councilmember Linder reported on a meeting with staff from King County Animal Control held on July 19, 2006. The meeting was very productive, and she expects to see an improved level of service. The issue will be coming forward to a Finance and Safety Committee meeting. Councilmember Griffin attended the July 20, 2006 citizenship class graduation event. Ms. Griffin also conveyed there has been some confusion in the community regarding car wash events for fundraising purposes and whether they are prohibited in Tukwila. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, stated that non profit car washing events are allowed, but there are requirements for ensuring the soapy water does not drain into the surface water system. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, is the contact person for questions on this issue. Council President Robertson asked that during informal discussions at the Council meetings, it would be helpful if the Councilmembers could ensure they have gotten his attention to be recognized before offering comments. City of Tukwila Citv Council Committee of the Whole Minutes c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, indicated the Port of Seattle is seeking input regarding hiring of a new Executive Director. Ms. Berry reported that residents in 22 units at the Pacific Court Apartments have been given 20 days notice to relocate due to code enforcement issues. Relocation assistance will be provided if necessary. Ms. Berry will be out of town from July 26, 2006 to August 2, 2006, and Steve Lancaster will be the Acting City Administrator. d. City Attorney The City Attorney was not present. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. ADJOURN TO SPECIAL MEETING 9:53 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Dennis Robertson, Council President 1 o Christy O'Flaheeputy City Clerk Page 6 of 6 July 24. 2006