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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL May 14, 2007 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President, Verna Griffin, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Verna Griffin, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pam Linder, and Dennis Robertson. ATTENDANCE Steve Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Acting Community Development Director; Nora Gierloff, Planning Supervisor; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Nick Olivas, Fire Chief; Darrell Baskin, Assistant Police Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager; Viki Jessop, Administrative Services Director; Mary Miotke, IT Manager; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Introduction of new employee, Kim Gilman, Personnel Assistant. Viki Jessop, Administrative Services Director, introduced Kim Gilman, Personnel Assistant, to the City Council. Ms. Gilman was previously employed as the Human Resources Manager for the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority. She has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Washington and has earned her professional Human Resources Certification. Ms. Gilman's primary focus in the Personnel Division will be to re- establish Tukwila's Safety Program. The Councilmembers welcomed Ms. Gilman to the City. b. A proclamation designating May 15, 2007 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Mayor Mullet read a proclamation designating Tuesday, May 15, 2007 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day in Tukwila and urging all citizens to remember those officers who gave their lives serving the public. Mayor Mullet presented the proclamation to Darrell Baskin, Assistant Police Chief for Tukwila. Chief Baskin reminded the Council and audience of the ceremony in honor of this day to be held at the Tukwila City Hall flagpole on May 15, 2007 at 10:00 am. c. Community Pride Award presented to Tom and Martha Loftus. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, provided an overview of the Community Pride Award. Mr. Fletcher explained that each year members of the Arts Commission, Parks Commission, and City Council provide nominations of those citizens who take special pride in the appearance of their yards and landscaping. This year the Community Pride Award is being afforded to Tom and Martha Loftus who reside at 4918 South 122nd Street in Tukwila. The Loftus family has done a wonderful job of turning what was once a horse pasture into a beautifully landscaped yard. Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, presented Tom and Martha Loftus with a plaque honoring them as Community Pride recipients for 2007. City of Tukwila Page 2 of 8 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 14. 2007 CITIZEN COMMENT There were no citizen comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Authorize acceptance of printing quote for 200,000 new Seattle Southside Vacation Planners in the amount of $62,448. Councilmember Haggerton indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on May 7, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The Council is being asked to authorize the Mayor to sign an acceptance of a printing quote with Journal Graphics in the amount of $62,448 for 200,000 new Seattle Southside Vacation Planners. The publication is a 4- color, 48 -page brochure and is the official visitor guide produced in cooperation with the Cities of SeaTac, Kent, and Des Moines. It is one of Seattle Southside Visitor Services most successful resources for reliable visitor information and is updated every 18 -24 months. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. 57 Avenue Mini Park Extension. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 24, 2007. The committee members forwarded the item to the full Council for consideration. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, provided an overview of this issue. The 2007 Capital Improvement Program includes the 57th Mini Park Extension Acquisition. In 2004 the landowner offered to donate 1/2 of the land value for 2 riverfront lots to expand the mini park. The land value in 2004 (without sewer) was estimated to be $150,000. The staff was directed to investigate possible grants to obtain the matching funds for the acquisition. The Parks and Recreation Department was successful with an award of $75,000 from the King County Conservation Futures Grant. A sewer project in this area of the City has since been completed, and the land value for the riverfront lots, upon appraisal, is now valued at $385,000. The owner has extended the offer to donate 1/2 of the land value ($192,500), and the City has the grant of $75,000 for a total of $267,500. This leaves a shortfall of $117,500 to meet the current appraised value of $385,000. Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, explained the real estate excise tax has come in at 4 times what was budgeted. An amount of $1.5 million dollars has been received in the 301 fund, which is designated for parks development and land acquisition. The budgeted amount that had been anticipated was $350,000. The figures on real estate transactions vary from year to year, and unanticipated excesses cannot be relied on in the future. At this time, however, money is available to provide the $117,500 shortfall needed to acquire the land for the mini park extension. The Councilmembers expressed support for acquisition of the 2 riverfront lots based on the partial donation of the land and the recent funding availability. Councilmember Duffie requested information be provided in the future regarding the possibility of funds being utilized for Macadam Park. Councilmember Robertson requested an update as to the financial status of the City prior to the upcoming budget process. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes c. Single Family Building Height and/or Setback Standards. Page 3 of 8 Mav 14. 2007 Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 24, 2007. The committee members forwarded the item to the full Council for consideration. Jack Pace, Acting Community Development Director, provided background information on this issue. The Council asked staff to review the way building height was calculated after receiving complaints about a new house that neighbors felt was out of scale with the surrounding development. Currently the Low Density Residential (LDR) zone allows buildings up to 30 feet in height measured according to the method in the Washington State Building code from the average ground surface to the midpoint of a pitched roof. After consideration at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting the following 3 options were put forth for consideration by the Council: 1. Increasing rear yard setbacks from 10 to 15 feet 2. Increasing rear yard setbacks from 10 to 15 feet for up to two stories and further 3. No action The staff reviewed the last 35 permits issued in the Department of Community Development, and 31 of those permits would not have been impacted by the changes proposed above. Four of the 35 homes would have rear yard setback impacts that were affected by the lot configuration or type of house being built on the property. The staff is requesting this issue be combined with an overall look at single family standards and brought back to the Council for additional discussion and consideration at a future meeting. Mr. Pace also suggested the Councilmembers be afforded a tour of development activity occurring in the City to assist in the decision making process. Councilmember Robertson conveyed concern for those citizens who would be adversely impacted due to no action being taken by the Council. He expressed support for altering the setback requirements. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF AND DISCUSS THIS ISSUE AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING. d. Code Amendment for SEPA Process (State Environmental Policy Act). Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 10, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in accepting all changes but retaining the residential construction threshold at 4 dwelling units (9 had been proposed). Jack Pace, Acting Community Development Director, provided an overview of this issue. The proposal is to raise certain State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review thresholds and streamline the review process by combining comment periods. The SEPA requires that a standard checklist be filled out by a project proponent to identify the environmental impacts of certain actions. The intent is to identify environmental impacts that would otherwise fall through the cracks and provide a mechanism for public review and mitigation. Jurisdictions have flexibility in setting the thresholds that trigger SEPA review up to the maximum level allowed by the State. The staff has proposed threshold changes to Residential Construction from 4 dwelling units to 9 dwelling units (maximum allowed by the State is 20). The proposal for Commercial /Industrial Construction is to go from 4,000 square feet and 20 parking spaces to the State allowed maximum of 12,000 square feet and 40 parking spaces. Jurisdictions can also take advantage of an optional SEPA process that allows them to identify projects where significant adverse environmental impacts are unlikely, and combine the comment period on that determination with the notice of application comment period for the underlying permit. The staff is requesting this item be forwarded to the Planning Commission for further review and deliberation, and it will come back to the City Council at a later date. The Councilmembers exchanged comments to include: concern that increasing the residential thresholds could have negative impacts on citizen participation toward development activities; the need to assure City of Tukwila Citv Council Committee of the Whole Minutes adequate parking in the commercial area of the City; an understanding that adopting the code amendment would not have negative environmental impacts; and willingness to have the Planning Commission review the issue fully to include the possibility of increasing the residential threshold to 9 dwelling units. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. e. SAO (Sensitive Areas Ordinance) Mitigation Ratio for Wetland Banks. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 24, 2007. The committee members forwarded the item to the full Council for consideration. Nora Gierloff, Planning Supervisor, provided a synopsis of this issue. The proposal is to amend the Sensitive Areas Ordinance (SAO) to allow the Director to establish a mitigation ratio that meets the intent of the SAO for specific wetland mitigation banks. Wetland mitigation banking as a tool for off setting unavoidable impacts to wetlands is becoming more important, and the City is starting to see proposals for off -site mitigation at banks. A wetland mitigation bank is the consolidation of small, fragmented wetland mitigation projects into a large contiguous site where creation, restoration and enhancement are carried out in advance of the impacts. Banks are established under a formal and rigorous permitting process. The City's current ordinance permits off -site mitigation, and even mitigation outside the city limits of Tukwila, as long as the mitigation site is within the same river basin. The mitigation ratios established in the SAO apply to both on -site and off -site mitigation. The SAO does not address transferring mitigation to a mitigation bank, which uses "credits" as opposed to acreage in determining the amount of mitigation needed. Determining if the amount of mitigation bank credits meets the City's mitigation ratios is not straightforward. The proposal would amend the Sensitive Areas Ordinance to permit the DCD Director to establish a ratio of mitigation acreage to wetland bank credit for off -site mitigation. The staff is requesting this item be forwarded to the Planning Commission for further review and deliberation, and it will come back to the City Council at a later date. Page 4of8 Mav 14. 2007 Councilmember Haggerton expressed concern for ensuring that wetland mitigation not be allowed far outside the area where the construction occurred. Councilmember Robertson referenced multiple upcoming projects in Tukwila that will require wetland mitigation, and the City has a limited number of sites that can be used for this purpose. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has sought approval to use the Springbrook Wetland Mitigation Bank in Renton (bordering Tukwila). Mr. Robertson requested that wording be adding to item #4 on page 47 of the agenda packet. He would like to see upper and lower limits added to the "...number of wetland mitigation bank credits required to meet the mitigation ratios...." He also elaborated on the importance of the Department of Community Development Director providing justification for decisions made. Mr. Robertson also conveyed the importance of safeguarding the salmon and steelhead in Tukwila's waterways. Councilmember Haggerton suggested Tukwila Pond and Gilliam Creek as potential wetland mitigation locations, and Mayor Mullet relayed he would work with the Department of Community Development to develop a list of potential sites in Tukwila. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WITH CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO COUNCILMEMBER ROBERTSON'S LANGUAGE AMENDMENT. f. Code Amendment regarding Townhouse Development. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 10, 2007. The committee members forwarded the item to the full Council for consideration. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 5 of 8 May 14. 2007 Nora Gierloff, Planning Supervisor, provided summary information regarding this issue. The proposal is to revise the Subdivision and Zoning Codes to encourage townhouse development in multi family zones. Due to Zoning Code development standards such as side yard setback requirements, only condominiums or apartments are allowed in our multi family zones though they could be built in townhouse form. In addition to the technical changes needed to create individual townhouse lots, changes to Tukwila's bulk and coverage limitations may encourage the market to provide townhouses. Townhouses are typically significantly larger than stacked apartments or condominiums and under the current code, fewer townhouse units could be built on a given site making them a less attractive development option. The City has periodically been approached by developers interested in building townhomes. However, they think there is a stronger market for this type of housing on individually owned lots rather than as condominiums, and the insurance requirements for condominiums make many small projects unfeasible. Providing an additional type of housing ownership (townhouses on individual lots) will expand the housing options of Tukwila's residents and provide multi family property owners an alternative to apartment development. The staff is requesting this item be forwarded to the Planning Commission for further review and deliberation, and it will come back to the City Council at a later date. The Councilmembers discussed this issue and offered the following comments regarding potential townhouse development: the necessity of assuring adequate recreation and open space in future developments; the need for flexibility in offering a variety of housing options in the City; the assurance that privacy will be considered for adjoining single family homes that may be affected by tiered setback requirements; the essentiality of a design review process that involves the public; and consideration to possible underground parking to facilitate the efficient use of land. Anna Bernhard, 14241 59th Avenue South, commented that townhouses are a good compromise between single family homes and apartments and indicated they would be desirable in Tukwila. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. g. Resolution supporting the Integrated Roads and Transit Plan. Councilmember Carter indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on April 23, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. This resolution will support the Integrated Roads and Transit Plan which combines two plans: the Sound Transit 2 plan, which would extend Light Rail to more than 60 miles; and the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) "Blueprint for Progress" plan which proposes investments in State highways, bridges, and local roads in the 3- county area. Tukwila will directly benefit by the upgrading of the Sounder Station, 1 -405 and SR -509 improvements. Councilmember Carter conveyed that representatives from Sound Transit could be contacted to provide a presentation on this topic at a future meeting. Since this resolution supports a ballot measure, comments from the audience were welcomed. No citizen comments were received. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. h. Bid Award for 2007 Overlay and Repair Program. Councilmember Carter indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting this evening, May 14, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. This project will provide roadway repairs and overlays on City street segments. The bid was opened on May 4, 2007, and the low bid was from Lakeridge Paving Company in the amount of $406,048.25. Lakeridge Paving has successfully worked for the City on past projects. Councilmember Haggerton inquired as to why the south portion of 47th Avenue South was not included as part of the project. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, indicated he would look into the matter and provide an answer. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Councilmember Robertson asked about re- paving on Slade Way that he thought should have occurred by now. Mr. Morrow relayed he would provide an answer on this issue as well. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. i. Emergency Management Issues. Councilmember Haggerton indicated this item had been discussed at the last Council meeting, but not all Councilmembers were present. He expressed the need to have the full Council present to discuss this issue and to receive input from the Public Works Director and Finance Director. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, reviewed the May 9, 2007 informational memorandum provided in the Council agenda packet. The data outlines Year 1 implementation issues as follows: Standby Generators The services of a design consultant will be required for electrical upgrading of the 4 City facilities (City Hall, Fire Stations 52, 53, 54) in the amount of $125,000. The costs involved for generator installation for these 4 City facilities did not previously include the electrical upgrade design cost of $125,000. It is estimated that final generator installation for the 4 facilities (after electrical upgrades) should be completed in July /August 2008. First Responder Support The self- contained Disaster Emergency Response Trailer (DERT) will likely be purchased from the same manufacturer that the American Red Cross utilizes. It is anticipated the $100,000 DERT will be fully placed into service by year -end 2007 and may require Council approval for a sole- source purchase. Full -Time Staff Position Page 6 of 8 Mav 14. 2007 Funding is available in the 2007 adopted budget for a .5 Full -Time Equivalent (FTE) Emergency Management Coordinator. Based on discussions with the Administrative Services Director, the soonest a final hiring can be completed is January 2008. A classification review process needs to be conducted to identify all elements required for the position, and the Council must approve the position classification and salary. Improved Public Information (partial) Initially electronic reader boards will be installed, along with back -up generators at the 3 fire stations. It is estimated the $50,000 identified should be sufficient and will be included in the standby generator project in 2008. Consideration will also be given to the feasibility of the City establishing its own radio station that would be available on a 24 -hour basis and could also be used for non emergency communications. The total Year 1 estimated costs amount to $994,000 (discussed at the May 7 Council meeting) plus $125,000 for the electrical upgrade design consulting for a total of $1,119,000. It is anticipated that 2007 expenditures will amount to $225,000 to $275,000, with the balance due in early 2008. Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director, relayed that, given the type and size of the expenditures anticipated in 2007, it is recommended that excess revenues be utilized. Future implementation costs for 2008 and beyond should be allocated within the 2008 -2013 Financial Planning Model and Capital Improvement Program, with funding decisions determined in conjunction with the development of the 2008 budget. He explained a CIP sheet would be developed for the Emergency Management Initiative. Mr. Fuhrer also indicated that as a follow -up to the question of non -voted debt capacity, a total of $34,646,060 remains as of December 31, 2008. Applying the 75% policy limit, the amount is reduced to $25,984.545. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Councilmember Hernandez requested that, as the City moves forward with improved public information, consideration be given to translating emergency messages into multiple languages. Mr. Morrow indicated he would work toward facilitating that request. Councilmember Carter inquired as to the feasibility of having the electrical design consulting done for all City facilities at one time and not just the 4 buildings scheduled for Year 1. Mr. Morrow explained he would like to have seismic evaluations completed prior to moving forward with other City facilities. Ms. Carter also reiterated the need to continue to seek grants from the Department of Homeland Security, and Mr. Morrow responded in the affirmative. She also relayed the importance of the Council being involved in continued discussion and decision making as each specific phase of this project moves forward. Councilmember Haggerton expressed the necessity of beginning with Year 1 initiatives as soon as possible and would like to see the full -time staff person hired by the last quarter of 2007. He referenced the recent 3 -alarm fire in Tukwila and how effectively the Fire, Police and Public Works Departments worked together. Councilmember Linder listened to the May 7, 2007 meeting from a recorded CD and found the presentation and Council responses very informative. She expressed support for the Year 1 request if consensus exists from Fire, Police, and the Information Technology Departments. She also conveyed support for hiring the full -time staff person as soon as possible with particular emphasis put on enhanced public information efforts in addition to reader boards. Councilmember Robertson inquired as to the projected hire dates for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) position and the newly proposed Emergency Management Coordinator position. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, provided an overview of the process utilized to create new positions and conveyed she would get back to Mr. Robertson with more specific timelines. Council President Griffin conveyed support for the Year 1 initiatives. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THE YEAR 1 INITIATIVES AS OUTLINED ABOVE, TO INCLUDE ELECTRICAL UPGRADE DESIGN CONSULTING FOR 4 CITY FACILITIES, TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. (TOTAL COST FOR YEAR 1 INITIATIVES AND ELECTRICAL DESIGN ANTICIPATED TO BE $1,119,000.) REPORTS a. Mayor b. Council Councilmember Duffie attended the Citizens' Police Academy this past week. Page 7 of 8 Mav 14. 2007 Mayor Mullet reminded Council of the Peace Officers' Memorial Event at the Tukwila City Hall flagpole on May 15, 2007 at 10:00 am. He also reported that he will be attending an economic development conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, next week. Councilmember Hernandez reported on items discussed at the Utilities Committee on May 8, 2007, including a contract for seismic screening for 9 city facilities. Ms. Hernandez attended the Highway 99 Action Committee meeting on May 8, 2007 and the Community Leaders luncheon on May 9, 2007. She also attended the May 11, 2007 Chamber of Commerce event in the City of SeaTac where the mayors of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Burien each spoke. Councilmember Carter reported on an item discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting this evening. The staff would like to move quickly on the Boeing Access Road /East Marginal Way Paving project to avoid upcoming scheduled closures on 1 -5. It is requested the bid award for the project move directly to the next Regular Meeting without first going to the Committee of the Whole. Council consensus existed to move the item directly to the Regular Meeting of May 21, 2007. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Councilmember Carter attended the May 9, 2007 Suburban Cities briefing on Transit Now. She also attended the May 10, 2007 Transportation Policy Board meeting and the May 11, 2007 Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Ms. Carter also attended the May 12, 2007 Backyard Wildlife Festival and commented on the excellent publicity that had been provided for the event. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, relayed that Karla Lindula, with Tukwila's Tourism Office was responsible for the superior publicity that was provided for the Backyard Wildlife Festival. Councilmember Haggerton attended the Community Leaders luncheon on May 9, 2007 and the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 12, 2007. He reported that the McMicken Heights Baptist Church had been notified by the Red Cross to be a potential shelter in an emergency. Council President Griffin also attended the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 12, 2007 and reported it was a great success. She commended Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, for an excellent job with the 2007 legislative update status report. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, reported that with the recent resignation of the Finance Director, an experienced interim director will be brought in during the hiring process. Nick Olivas, Fire Chief, provided an update on the 3 -alarm fire that occurred in Tukwila at the Farwest Tire and Auto Center on May 11, 2007. There were 65 firefighters involved in the incident from Tukwila, SeaTac, Renton, North Highline, Burien, and Kent, and there were no injuries. There were also police officers from Tukwila, the State Patrol, and the King County Sheriffs Office assisting with traffic control. The Tukwila Public Works Department was also involved due to the volume of water required to put out the fire and to assist with environmental issues. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, explained the response to the fire was indicative of the success of the National Information Management System (NIMS). This represented a successful collaborative effort by the First Responders, under the direction of the Fire Department, to handle an emergency situation that involved multiple agencies. There were environmental concerns in diverting water away from Gilliam Creek, and staff from the Department of Ecology complimented Tukwila on the foresight demonstrated in dealing with environmental issues in emergencies that other cities have not employed. Mr. Morrow indicated an after action report is forthcoming on this incident. d. City Attorney The City Attorney was not present. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. ADJOURNMENT 9:54 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GRIFFIN DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. k Verna Griffin, Council President Y 4 1-X 1 4 Christy O'Flaf(erty, notify City Cler e Page 8 of 8 Mav 14. 2007