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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-11 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL September 11, 2006 7:00 pm Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Dennis Robertson called the meeting to order at 7:02 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; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; Jack Pace, Deputy Community Development Director; Darrell Baskin, Assistant Police Chief; Brandon Miles, Assistant Planner; Jane Cantu, City Clerk; Diane Jenkins, Council Administrative Assistant; Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator CITIZEN COMMENT There were no citizen comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Fire Station #52 Restroom Project bid award Councilmember Duffie stated this item received unanimous approval from the Transportation Committee. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, stated that the City is fortunate to have female firefighters on staff. This also means the City must be able to accommodate the needs of all firefighters so they have the opportunity to serve in any of the fire stations. This project was put out to bid on the City's small works roster and received three bids. The apparent low bidder is Corsair Construction. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Re- enactment of adult entertainment ordinance The Planning Commission recently reviewed the City's adult entertainment zoning provisions for possible negative secondary effects as part of the City's process for reviewing and supplementing the City's code. At this time staff is not recommending any substantive zoning code changes and is requesting Council adopt the record to support the existing regulations. Jack Pace, Deputy Community Development Director, stated that this issue has been before Council several times, including 1989 and 1995. Revisions were made based on court decisions and refinements in the City's regulations. Adult entertainment includes a variety of retail and entertainment uses, including bookstores, movie theaters, cabarets, video stores, and massage parlors. Adult entertainment uses are regulated differently due to their secondary impacts. The information in the notebooks provided to Council reflects information that other cities have documented regarding secondary impacts. There are two basic methods of regulating adult entertainment uses: concentration (within one zone) dispersion (separating by distance) City of Tukwila Page 2 of 6 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 11. 2006 When looking at the land uses in the City of Tukwila, there were a combination of certain zones in which adult entertainment uses would be allowed, but within that zone there also needed to be certain separation requirements. Part of that process also involved looking at the proximity of incompatible uses (schools and childcare facilities, trails and parks). Adult entertainment uses are predominately allowed in heavy industrial districts (the north and south boundaries of the City). Adult entertainment is allowed in approximately 5 percent of the commercial area in the City. Mr. Pace explained that in developing the adult entertainment criteria map, staff took a conservative approach. If any portion of the shaded overlay area hit any part of a parcel, the whole parcel was excluded from adult entertainment use. He also noted that the City did allow an adult entertainment facility in one of these allowed areas that was open for approximately 18 months. At that location, the police did not see any secondary impacts and the City did not receive any complaints from citizens. Staff is recommending this issue be forwarded to a public hearing on September 18th. The City Attorney prepared a draft ordinance (distributed at meeting) which is to be discussed on the 18th. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Wireless telecommunications chapter briefing Councilmember Hernandez stated this item was in Community Affairs Parks Committee on March 28, and was referred to the Planning Commission, which conducted three public hearings. The Committee and Planning Commission both made a recommendation to approve, but a date needs to be set for a public hearing. Brandon Miles, Assistant Planner, Department of Community Development, distributed a handout clarifying the types of decisions established by the Zoning Code for various uses. Mr. Miles stated that cell phone use has increased dramatically since the early 1990s. This increase has meant that cell phone usage has started to go into residential zones and people are starting to demand service in their homes. Whereas cell phone antennas were previously located in transportation corridors and business and industrial zones, the City is now seeing an increase of more cell antennas needing to locate in residential zones. Under the City's current process, any new proposal to build a wireless communication facility within the City goes through the standard Conditional Use Permit criteria used for varying types of land use applications. The proposed ordinance identifies the types of wireless communication facilities the City wants to encourage: facilities within industrial zones, facilities on top of City Light transmission towers, and allowing antennas on existing monopoles and existing cell antennas within the City, while also providing an easier mechanism for an applicant to locate those facilities. At the same time, the City also wants to provide a good public review process and good development standards for the location of new towers within the city. The City has not had an application to locate a new wireless communication stand -alone monopole since the early 1990s. Mr. Miles went on to explain the various types of wireless communication facilities and the proposed decision type for each. Discussion ensued regarding enclosures for equipment for a wireless antenna, screening needs for outside generators or air conditioning equipment, requirements for compliance with Chapter 18.22 of the TMC regarding noise, and the number of antennas that may be installed on an existing pole. Council asked that staff investigate the appropriateness of including verbiage such as "Consider city buildings and assets whenever practical for purposes of revenue generation" in section 18.71.010 of the draft ordinance. Staff was also asked whether Section 18.71.030 of the draft ordinance would accommodate the size of antennas that serve as a replacement for broadband for telephone (transmitting and receiving). There was also discussion as to whether appeals on all wireless communication facilities, and Type 4 actions in particular, should go to the Hearing Examiner. At the moment, the appeal body on all other Type 4 decisions is the City Council. Mr. Lancaster stated that wireless communication facilities have very specific criteria standards and it is appropriate to have those appeals go to a body that will apply the City of Tukwila Page 3 of 6 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Seotember 11. 2006 code to the facts of the situation rather than make a policy judgment. Ministerial decisions on very specific regulations were judged to not require Council action. Chris Bacha of Kenyon Disend stated that the telecommunications act adopted in 1996 requires that the City allow the installation of the facility if the applicant has met the criteria standards. A majority of the Council felt that appropriate checks and balances were in place, and that Council had previously delegated some of this responsibility to the Planning Commission and had stated their desire to be removed politically from some of these decisions. [Councilmember Duffie left Council Chambers at 8:24 pm, and returned at 8:26 pm.] Staff was asked if there was any means in place for a reasonable use exception. Mr. Miles stated that if applicants could not comply with the exemptions stated in the draft ordinance, they could apply for a variance. Council could also amend the code to address issues that may arise in the future. Mr. Miles advised Council that a public hearing on this issue is proposed for October 2nd. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. Council 2007 budget and goals This item did not go to a committee, but was discussed by the full Council two weeks ago at which time a list of tentative goals was compiled. Council went through the list and briefly summarized the purpose of each potential goal. 1. Adopt information technology policies to develop automatic processes for on -line access of Council packets. Councilmember Haggerton noted that on -line Council packets with links to all the documentation and support information was a minimum of what was intended with this goal. The overall focus was to automate the functions of the City Clerk's office to allow people to interact on the web site to research ordinances and resolutions. This would improve communication with citizens and businesses that want information from the City without having to come to a Council meeting. There was discussion that this was a worthwhile goal but may be better served as a goal for the IT Department rather than Council. It was noted that we need to keep in mind that many Tukwila citizens do not have access to computers. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, suggested this goal could become a work plan item instead of a budget goal, with involvement from the IT Department and the City Clerk's Office as to content for citizen access. 2. Consider options for starting a City telecommunications operation. it was agreed this item referenced what has previously been known as the connectivity project. This item was removed from further consideration for this year until the City decides the direction they want to take on this issue. 3. Continue to evaluate personal technology options for Councilmembers so they can participate in evolving City automation processes. Discussion ensued regarding the types of automation and equipment that Council may want to consider in the future. It was noted that Council discussed a range of products earlier this year and decided the laptops and enhanced e-mail technology were adequate at that time, so it may be premature to reevaluate the issue again so soon. 4. Research current information and effective strategies for City participation in controlling "global warming." Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, noted that this is one of the goals of the Mayor's Office for 2007, so the issue would not be lost in the budget document if Council did not adopt it as one of their goals. It was agreed this could be a good item for Council and the Mayor's Office to work on together. City of Tukwila Page 4 of 6 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Seotember 11. 2006 5. Adopt policies to set physical and appearance standards for City -owned property "lead by example Councilmember Linder explained this philosophy is something Council already does, and could be considered a "mission statement" rather than a goal. It should be a policy to maintain all City properties —even those in a transitional state of ownership. 6. Provide meaningful capabilities to promote traffic enforcement and calming in residential neighborhoods. Council determined that traffic issues remain a priority with Tukwila residents. Although some of the budgeted money for traffic calming was used for other projects in the past year, Mayor Mullet assured Council that the City has not abandoned traffic calming measures, but has incorporated them into our road projects without it being a specific stand -alone item. He gave the example of both 37th Ave. S. and 130th, which have cars coming off Tukwila International Boulevard at high speeds. It is definitely a money issue, but the philosophy of making sure traffic calming is incorporated into our neighborhood projects is still being followed. Council also agreed to list the status of this 2006 goal as "On- going." 7. Continue to adopt zoning and comprehensive plans policies regarding Tukwila Valley South. Due to the large volume of work that will be required should the Tukwila Valley South annexation and developer's agreement go through, it was agreed this 2006 goal should be carried over. Discussion ensued regarding what should be considered a work plan item versus a Council budget issue. It was noted that this question relates to the earlier request from the Mayor's office for Council input on what they would like to see staff accomplish next year, so those items can be incorporated into the City's proposed budget. Council determined to keep the same language this year as was used for the 2006 goal "Adopt zoning and comprehensive plans policies regarding Tukwila Valley South The 2006 goal status should be listed as "On- going 8. Adopt policies that address safety (crime) and appearance issues on Tukwila International Boulevard (including Tukwila Village). Councilmember Griffin said this goal is also based on comments she has heard from residents, and felt that as a Council they can work on policy issues to address this situation. Councilmembers agreed this is an area of concern. The focus should be on the entirety of Tukwila International Blvd., including potential zoning code changes and identifying factors that might be degrading that area. It was agreed the reference to Tukwila Village should be removed. 9. Advocate and develop campaign to address perceptions on Tukwila International Boulevard. Council shared ideas for addressing unfavorable perceptions of the Tukwila International Boulevard area. They agreed that focusing on the positive changes on the highway would help quell some of the misconceptions that surround the area. It was noted this area is a continuing focus of City administration also. 10. Develop comprehensive plan for a Neighborhood Resource Center. Council agreed that the Neighborhood Resource Center is an important facility, and it has been a goal of the City to locate it in Tukwila Village. However, some Councilmembers felt that deciding to fund a new permanent building somewhere else is a big decision the City may not be ready to make at this time. The group agreed with the wording "Explore funding and siting for a permanent Neighborhood Resource Center on Tukwila International Boulevard." City of Tukwila Page 5 of 6 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 11, 2006 11. Focus on development of policies to improve housing stock for both single- and multi family housing. It was noted that some landlords with rental properties make money on the units but do not provide the residents with the basic amenities. The Community Affairs Parks Committee is currently working with Code Enforcement on this issue, including a possible vacant structures ordinance and rental housing license ordinance, so this goal would be in support of the work by the Department of Community Development. 12. Work with King County and state agencies to overcome gap on public health issues advocate for teen health center. Council discussion focused on the desire to provide medical services that low- income residents need but that are not being provided by other agencies. It was noted there is a lack of access to health care for many children in the Tukwila school system except through these public programs. The City is including funding in the Human Services program's proposed 2007 budget for three contracts that address medical health concerns. The recommendation for this funding is based on a review by the Human Services Advisory Board. It was suggested this issue could be included on a Council legislative agenda to look at with our state legislature and the City's lobbyists. Another option would be by advocating for agencies external to our City, such as the King County Health Department and monitoring of future state legislation that might provide more (or less) funding for programs. Council agreed the wording, "Explore options to address public health concerns in Tukwila" be used for this goal. 13. Implement the old "Residential Streets Program." Under the old residential streets program, approximately one million dollars per year was budgeted in the CIP for sidewalks, undergrounding, and street improvements for a particular street in a neighborhood. The projects were prioritized based upon public safety. Administration noted that some of this type of work is still being completed in conjunction with other projects, such as new pavement in Foster Point and Allentown when the sewers are installed. It was suggested the City reinvestigate this program, as there are other streets with problems that are not scheduled for work. If those were approached one at a time and the standards brought up gradually, it would influence both the safety and appearance issues that have been talked about previously. Council agreed on the wording, "Investigate implementing the old Residential Streets Program" for this goal. Since the reference to Tukwila Village was deleted from item 8 above, Councilmember Carter proposed adding Tukwila Village as a separate focus, and suggested the wording, "Continue to focus on Tukwila Village." Mayor Mullet suggested the goal of "Develop and lobby a legislative agenda." The new list to work from was identified as: 1. Establish a work plan with IT Department and City Clerk's office to automate functions of the City Clerk's office. 2. Continue to evaluate personal technology options for Councilmembers so they can participate in evolving City automation processes. 3. Work with the Mayor's office to research current information and effective strategies for City participation in controlling "global warming." 4. Promote traffic calming and enforcement in residential neighborhoods. 5. Adopt zoning and comprehensive plan policies regarding Tukwila Valley South. 6. Adopt policies that address safety (crime) and appearance issues on Tukwila International Boulevard. City of Tukwila Page 6 of 6 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes September 11. 2006 7 Advocate and develop campaign to address perceptions on Tukwila International Boulevard. 8. Focus on development of policies to improve housing stock for both single- and multi family housing. 9. Explore options to address public health concerns in Tukwila. 10. Investigate implementing the old "residential street program." 11. Explore funding and siting for a permanent Neighborhood Resource Center on Tukwila International Boulevard. 12. Continue to focus on Tukwila Village. 13. Develop and lobby a legislative agenda. Councilmembers then each indicated the six items they would most like to have as a goal /focus. The six items most mentioned were: #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9 and #13. Several Councilmembers felt this process was too narrow and did not allow them to include other items they also felt were important. It was agreed that the list of 13 items should be separated into categories such as goals, focus items, work plan items, and reviewed again at a future meeting. [Councilmember Griffin left Council Chambers at 10:03 pm, and returned at 10:05 pm.] As discussion on goals will continue at a future meeting, Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, asked what the Council would like used as a placeholder in the Council section of the draft budget. It was agreed that the goals section of the Council budget would be left blank at this point. In addition, some budget categories will be listed as just headings in the draft budget with only the bottom line dollar amount shown. Councilmember Robertson stated that one initiative discussed at the recent budget meeting was a request to review tax alternatives and asked Council what level of detail was wanted. One proposal was to show the benefits of possible tax alternatives across a 6 -year period. Discussion ensued regarding types of possible tax alternatives and specific details Council would like to see, including how much revenue the tax might raise, who it would affect, etc. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, explained that the numbers would be plugged into "Attachment A" to show what Attachment A would look like in 6 years. REPORTS COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO DISPENSE WITH REPORTS. ADJOURNMENT 10:20 pm COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Dennis Robertson, Council President ,7477t7--1. Barbara Saxton, Administrative Support Coordinator