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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-04 Committee of the Whole MinutesSPECIAL PRESENTATION TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL December 4, 2006— 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WORK SESSION 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 Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney; Frank lriarte, Public Works Deputy Director; Mike Cusick, Senior Engineer; Gail Labanara, Public Works Analyst; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director; Rebecca Fox, Senior Planner; Joyce Trantina, Code Enforcement Officer; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Diane Jenkins, Council Assistant; Jane Cantu, City Clerk; Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk. a. Recycler of the Year Award presented to Pacific Metal Company Rebecca Fox, Senior Planner, provided an overview of the Tukwila Business Recycling program. This program has been in place since 1996, and each year 100 Tukwila businesses are provided assistance toward implementing or improving recycling programs. The program is geared to focus on the positive and has a recognition process in place known as "Tukwila Greenworks." The program acknowledges companies with especially strong achievements in recycling. Since the year 2000, fourteen firms have joined this select group. This year the "Recycler of the Year" award has been developed for the most qualified Greenworks member for outstanding effort and achievement. Pacific Metal Company, a diversified metal processor and distributor in business in Tukwila since 1979, has been chosen to receive this award. Mayor Mullet introduced Randy Pierce, Branch Manager, from Pacific Metal Company. The company implemented a process where paper and plastic film is recycled, and a pallet recycling program was also put in place. Pacific Metal also utilized a local recycler to handle their expanded materials. They cut their garbage by 92% and saved approximately $6,000 in garbage disposal costs. Mayor Mullet presented Mr. Pierce with the first Tukwila "Recycler of the Year award made from recycled glass and thanked him for his commitment and accomplishments in this area. Mr. Pierce thanked the City and the Recycling Consultant for the assistance provided toward improving their recycling program. CITIZEN COMMENT Anna Bernhard, 14241 59 Avenue South, commented on the beautiful decorations at City Hall and expressed appreciation to Mario Segale for the donation. She also commended the City Street Crew for making it up her hill this year to sand the street. City of Tukwila Page 2 of 4 City Council Special Committee of the Whole Work Session Minutes December 4. 2006 SPECIAL ISSUES a. An ordinance establishing staggered terms for Sister Cities Committee appointments. Mayor Mullet provided background information on this housekeeping issue. With the appointments of the seven member Sister Cities Committee all expiring on 12/31/06, it is necessary to amend Ordinance #1841 to provide staggered terms. The City Attorney recommends passage prior to year -end 2006. Originally the Committee was established to have staggered terms, with four positions expiring one year, and the remaining three expiring two years later. This provides continuity of the committee through overlapping terms of service. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WORK SESSION. b. An ordinance declaring certain vacant structures as public nuisances. Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meetings on August 15, 2006 and October 24, 2006. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The International Property Maintenance Code requires that vacant structures be secured, but does not address the appearance of these structures. Homes or buildings that are vacant may be eyesores, targets for arson, and can act as a disincentive to homebuyers. They may also pose a risk to emergency responders. Joyce Trantina, Code Enforcement Officer, utilized a Powerpoint presentation to provide an overview of the proposed ordinance. In addition to Code Enforcement personnel, staff from the Building Division, Fire Department, and Police Department had input on the suggested changes. Key provisions of the new ordinance include: Eliminates the long term use of untreated plywood Limits use of temporary security fencing Gives code officials ability to enter private property (outside) for the purpose of ensuring security of the structure Allows code officials to require disconnection of utilities New buildings /construction that do not receive final inspections /permits expire due to lack of progress may be deemed "vacant" The cities of Lynnwood, Seatac, Seattle, Spokane, and Yakima have adopted similar legislation. If the proposed ordinance is adopted, the next steps would be for code officials to identify a list of vacant structures (estimated to be 40 -50); notify owners of deficiencies; work with property owners to develop a reasonable plan of action and timeline for compliance. It is intended that a 90 -day grace period, after adoption of the ordinance, be offered to give property owners time to seek solutions to known deficiencies. Councilmember Duffie inquired if a public hearing would be held on this issue. Steve Lancaster, Community Development Director, conveyed that a public hearing is not required, but could be conducted if desired by the Council. Councilmember Hernandez asked if there were any prohibitions on the use of tarps. Ms. Trantina explained there is nothing specific in the code regarding tarps at this time, and it becomes a debris issue. Councilmember Carter inquired if the proposed ordinance also includes commercial buildings. Ms. Trantina answered in the affirmative, however, proactive code enforcement is not being employed in the commercial district at this time. City of Tukwila Page 3 of 4 City Council Special Committee of the Whole Work Session Minutes December 4. 2006 Brian Kennedy, 12802 37th Avenue South, relayed that the home next door to his has been vacant for the past 10 years. The house has been the target of vandalism, and there is also vegetation overgrowth and problems with debris. It is not only important to pass ordinances on this issue, but to work toward strong enforcement. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WORK SESSION. c. Fort Dent Park/Interurban Avenue Sewer Extension Bid Award. Councilmember Haggerton indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on November 21, 2006. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. This project will reroute the sewer flow from Lift Station #5, which serves Fort Dent Business Park and the Family Fun Center, north to a gravity sewer in Interurban Avenue South. The project is intended to solve the current capacity issues in this area. Six bids were received on November 3, 2006. The low bid of $634,304.00 was from R. L. Alia, which is currently under contract for the Allentown /Foster Point Water and Sewer project, and work on the project has been satisfactory. Councilmember Hernandez asked for an overview of the funds and projects that were drawn from to complete this project. Frank Iriarte, Public Works Deputy Director, indicated the funding sources are as follows: -City funds of $150,000; -King County contribution of $150,000; Traffic Calming Budget- $45,000; Macadam Winter Garden $145,000; Codiga Farm $38,000; -South 144th Sidewalk Study- $25,000; -303 Facilities Fund $292,457. Councilmember Hernandez emphasized that this project is necessary due to public safety concerns, and funding had to be transferred from other program budgets to facilitate its completion. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THIS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WORK SESSION. d. Discussion of Council initiated changes to the 2007 proposed budget and CIP Council President Robertson is suggesting two changes to the proposed 2007 budget as follows: 1. Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration (TCSC). The proposal is to add $100,000 to the budget annually for TCSC if it continues to provide the same or higher level of service. TCSC provides nationally recognized benefits to the children in the Tukwila School District. The money would come from the Ending Fund Balance. 2. Residential Street Program. The proposal is to not "zero out the Residential Street Program as proposed in the 2007 budget and to add $750,000 to the budget annually for residential streets. The program has been in place since before 1989 and provided significant benefits to citizens in helping to revitalize neighborhoods. The money would come from the Ending Fund Balance. Ricardo Frazer, 14855 42nd Avenue South, President of the TCSC Board of Directors, thanked the Council for considering the funding allocation. The vision for TCSC is to promote an inclusive community that offers life- enriching support and prepares kids for education and employment in the 21st century. TCSC is grant dependent with an annual budget of $500,000. Some of the grants are no longer available, so other funds are required to sustain the program. Council President Robertson utilized Excel Spreadsheets of the 6 -Year Financial Plan to provide an overview of the budget for the period 2007 -2012. In Mr. Robertson's view, the City needs to work toward securing additional revenue sources in 2007 -2008 to maintain financial security for the future regardless of proposed budget changes. The Ending Fund Balance forecast for 2007 is $13.6 million as opposed to $3.5 million in the year 2012. He indicated this represents a constant decrease in the total available (revenues minus expenses) over the period of the 6 -Year Plan, resulting in inadequate funding for City of Tukwila Page 4 of 4 Citv Council Soecial Committee of the Whole Work Session Minutes December 4. 2006 Tukwila's budgetary needs. Mr. Robertson relayed the addition of $100,000 for TCSC and $750,000 for residential streets on an annual basis would not adversely affect the budget until the year 2011. From his standpoint, by that time new funding sources should be in place that will increase the overall budget, eliminating shortfall and enhancing the annual Ending Fund Balance. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, stated that Tukwila does support TCSC in that the City has hired staff members to support the organization. The annual dollar amount including supplies is approximately $76,000. TCSC has not provided a funding request to the City for 2007. In 2006 they did give a presentation to the Council regarding budgetary concerns expected by the beginning of the 2007 school year. Mayor Mullet relayed that the Ending Fund Balance for the 2006 -2012 period is $3.189 million. He expressed concern regarding the City's adopted financial policy that delineates not allowing the Ending Fund Balance to drop below $3 million. He conveyed the importance of adhering to City policies and also commented on the importance of TCSC in the community. He also relayed there is work done at some level every year on residential streets. There are occasions when work is performed on arterial streets that involve many single family homes that may not get appropriate recognition as residential street repair or maintenance. Discussion ensued among the Councilmembers regarding the budget proposal. Comments were offered regarding appreciation to Council President Robertson for putting forth the proposal; concern about setting a precedent toward making significant budgetary changes too late in the process; the need to adhere to the City's financial policy of retaining $3 million in the Ending Fund Balance; providing money to organizations that have not submitted an official funding request; and the importance of TCSC in the City of Tukwila. Mayor Mullet conveyed support for providing $100,000 for TCSC in the 2007 budget. This would not drop the Ending Fund Balance for the 2006 -2012 financial period below $3 million per City policy. The funding may be provided to the organization in late 2007 based on their needs, and the intent is that TCSC secure other funding sources as well. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADD $100,000 TO THE 2007 BUDGET FOR THE TUKWILA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COLLABORATION (TCSC). Mayor Mullet indicated the 2007 proposed budget would be amended to reflect the change prior to the meeting on December 11, 2006. ADJOURNMENT 9:21 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERTSON DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED AS WELL AS A FIVE MINUTE BREAK PRIOR TO CONVENING THE SPECIAL MEETING. 1 1/ Robertson, Council' President Christy''FlahertY,, Deputytity Clerk