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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-29 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL May 29, 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 7:01 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; Frank lriarte, Public Works Deputy Director; Mike Cusick, Senior Engineer; Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director; Kevin Fuhrer, Finance Director; Dave Haynes, Police Chief; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk. CITIZEN COMMENT Brian Kennedy, 12802 37th Avenue South, commented regarding the Boeing Access Road /East Marginal Way Paving Project that had been discussed at the May 21, 2007 Council meeting. He indicated he drives on this roadway consistently (westbound), and there are regular occasions of people going straight while in the left turn lane or vice versa. In his view, this is a safety concern, and he would like to see the City consider installing a new signal or adding street markings to mitigate this issue. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with the Museum of Flight for marketing Tukwila and Seattle Southside Visitor Services to visitors from outside the region in the amount of $25,000.00 annually for ten years. Councilmember Haggerton indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on May 21, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. This contract for services with the Museum of Flight includes marketing to potential visitors from outside the Puget Sound region and will include the following services: forwarding group leads to Seattle Southside for follow -up; inclusion of City logo in Museum marketing collaterals; distribution of the Seattle Southside Vacation Planner in the Museum lobby; website links; Seattle Southside guest relations programs offered to Museum staff and volunteers and published articles in the Museum's Aloft magazine recognizing the City. The Museum will also contribute an article to the City's Hazelnut newsletter on an annual basis and provide a Museum coupon redeemable to City residents. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Tukwila Urban Center Signal Interconnect and ITS Project Consultant Supplemental Agreement. Councilmember Carter indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on May 14, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Supplemental Agreement #2 has been negotiated with Siemens ITS for Traffic Operations Center hardware and software integration services on the Tukwila Urban Center Traffic Signal Interconnect and City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on May 22, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Page 2 of 6 Mav 29. 2007 ITS project. The fee for the services is not to exceed $136,274. Siemens was selected for design services, and the first supplement covered construction management. With the end of construction approaching, it is necessary to begin the next phase of the project which involves integration, to include signal timing installation, testing and verification. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. c. Sanitary Sewer Emergency Pipe Repair (near Shasta Beverages on Andover Park East) a resolution declaring an emergency. City maintenance crews discovered a portion of sanitary sewer with eroded channels allowing sewage to leak and enter the ground. The location is in front of Shasta Beverages at 1227 Andover Park East. The leaking did not cause subsidence of the street. However, since sinkholes are a possibility, the area required an immediate repair. The proposed resolution declares an emergency which allows staff to immediately enter into a construction contract per RCW 39.04.280. Frank Iriarte, Public Works Deputy Director, explained the equipment that required repair involved an asbestos pipe that had been in the ground for approximately 40 years and had eroded over time. The repair was completed within 3 days of the problem being observed. The amount estimated for the repair had been $35,000, but the actual cost after completion came to $23,000. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. d. Sanitary Sewer Emergency Pipe Repair (near Shasta Beverages on Andover Park East) a short-form construction contract. Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on May 22, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Mr. Iriarte conveyed this item is paired with the emergency resolution referenced above. The Council is being asked to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with R. L. Alia Company to repair the sanitary sewer in the vicinity of Shasta Beverages. The original contract amount was estimated to be $35,000, but the actual cost to complete the repair came in at $23,000. The funds for the repair will be taken from the design budget of the sewer repair project (page 117 of the 2007 Capital Improvement Program) at 14438 59th Avenue South; the design will be completed in house. Councilmember Robertson stated that while he is in favor of the contract, he would like additional information regarding the consequences of a negative vote by the Council on an emergency measure that has already been completed. Mayor Mullet indicated he would pursue an answer to this question. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. e. Seven street vacations for the Sound Transit Link Light Rail Project. Councilmember Carter indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on May 14, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The City Council approved 7 street vacations on May 16, 2005 relative to the Sound Transit Link Light Rail project. Conditions for satisfying the street vacations, to include the provision of monetary compensation as well as easements, were not met by April 30, 2007 in accordance with the approving ordinances. Sound Transit has requested that April 30, 2008 be the date established for satisfying conditions for the 7 street vacations. All other content and conditions remain the same for each ordinance. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 3 of 6 Mav 29. 2007 Councilmember Robertson indicated the amount due from Sound Transit is approximately $1 million. He inquired if additional money should be forthcoming to the City due to the increase in property values in the past few years, or if interest would be charged due to failure to comply with the conditions by April 30, 2007. Councilmember Haggerton inquired about the possibility of a performance penalty. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, stated a review of the agreements associated with the street vacations would be undertaken by the staff and City Attorney, and a response would be provided to the Council on this issue. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM, TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING COMPENSATION OPTIONS FOR THE CITY, TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING f. Solid Waste Rate Increase. Councilmember Hernandez indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on May 22, 2007. The committee members forwarded this item to the full Council for information and discussion. Frank Iriarte, Public Works Deputy Director, provided background information on this issue. King County Solid Waste Division has proposed to increase the disposal fees charged at the transfer stations effective January 1, 2008. The Cedar Hills Regional Landfill is expected to close in 2012. When this facility closes, King County plans to export waste, generated by 37 cities, to one or more contracted landfills outside of the County. The rate increase is due to the need for critical renovations to increase efficiency and safety in the transfer stations that will be bearing the load once Cedar Hills Regional Landfill is no longer in operation. This increase will affect Allied Waste (Tukwila's solid waste company) rates as well as fees charged to self haulers at the transfer stations. Mr. Iriarte emphasized this fee increase is only on the disposal portion of a customer's bill, which involves the tipping fee at transfer stations, and is passed through to subscribers. The collection portion of the bill will not be affected by this rate increase. However, the collection portion is scheduled to go up based on the contract negotiated increase affected by the Consumer Price Index. In 2008, Tukwila customers will see 2 increases in their solid waste bills based on (1) The King County Solid Waste Division's increase on the disposal portion of bills; (2) The contracted CPI rate increase on the collection portion of the bill. Mr. Iriarte pointed out the disposal rates should then be stable to the year 2010. Councilmember Linder relayed the disposal fee increase amounts to an additional $.75 -$2.00 per month, depending on the size of the container. Councilmember Haggerton inquired as to the financial impact of the free dump passes provided to Tukwila citizens annually. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, relayed the City budgets between $28,000- $30,000 yearly for this service. This item was offered as information only and no action is required. g. Park and Open Space Plan Agreement. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on May 15, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, provided a summary of this issue. The 2001 -2006 Parks, Golf and Open Space Plan was adopted in June 2001 and is now in need of updating. The Parks Master Plan helps establish the needs in the community; identifies ways to meet those needs; establishes a 6- year Capital Improvement Plan; and provides the policy and standards to guide the department for the future. Completion of a plan that meets certain criteria also makes the City eligible to apply for local, State, and Federal grants. The Council is being asked to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Beckwith Group in the amount of $40,000 to complete the plan. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 4 of 6 Mav 29. 2007 Councilmember Robertson conveyed the necessity of factoring rivers, streams, and wetlands into the plan whenever possible. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. h. Macadam Winter Garden Bid Award. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on May 15, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, offered an overview of this topic. In 2005 the Macadam Winter Garden was put out for bid on two occasions. In the first instance, no bid was received, and the second time, the one bid that was received was nearly $125,000 over the budget allocation. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for Macadam Winter Garden was borrowed for another project in 2006. The project was then funded again in the 2007 CIP. Staff has worked with the design consultant to revise the construction documents. Two major changes include elimination of the main entry structure and all work in the wetland buffer zone. The modifications were made to allow the City to obtain bids within the budget allocation. Unfortunately, the bidding climate is not allowing this project to come in at the architect's estimated cost of $227,361.42. Two bids were received on April 23, 2007 with the low bid from L. W. Sundstrom in the amount of $382,908.74. This leaves a shortfall of $155,508.74. The Finance Director has identified a possible funding source for the $155,508.74 shortfall from the Real Estate Transfer Tax, a percentage of which is dedicated to park land acquisition and development. This tax has come in at higher than anticipated amounts this year, and funding is available for use on the Macadam Winter Garden Project. The Council is being asked to award the bid to L. W. Sundstrom in the amount of $382,908.74, with $227,361.42 coming from previously budgeted funds and $155,508.74 from the Real Estate Transfer Tax. Councilmember Linder suggested that Marilyn Stoknes, former Tukwila Councilmember and the original proponent of purchasing this property, be contacted for the groundbreaking event. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. i. Foster Golf Course Concession Agreement. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on May 15, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director, provided an overview of this issue. In September 2003 the City entered into a concession agreement with Gordy's of Tukwila to provide services at Foster Golf Links. The restaurant opened in the summer of 2004 and got off to a rough start with lower than expected food service business. The new restaurant was not immediately accepted by the local golfing community, and the entire golf /restaurant business had reduced numbers caused by the year -long construction project. Since the slow start, Gordy's (now Gordon's on the Green) sales continue to grow each year and show financial promise in their updated marketing and business plan. Gordon's business carried a tremendous amount of back debt that had caused cash shortages and forced them to obtain high interest loans during their first couple of years. Gordon has been working to improve the financial side of their business. Gordy's of Tukwila has an outstanding debt to the City, and an acceptable payment plan is in place. Gordon has made several requests to the City in order to help his business succeed at Foster Golf Links. A contract amendment with two items has been brought to the City Council for consideration. The first item and highest priority request is to transfer ownership of all capital equipment to the City. It is reasonable for the City to assume ownership of all itemized kitchen equipment for several reasons. If the City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes concessionaire contract is terminated, it would be Gordon's responsibility to disassemble and remove all equipment from the restaurant. If the equipment belongs to the City, a new concessionaire could move in and the startup time would be much more expedient. The second item requested by Gordon is that the restaurant/lounge percentage fees remain at 5% of gross receipts. This has been deemed acceptable by the Finance Director and the Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Fletcher introduced Gordon Harris and Jeff Stone from Gordon's on the Green. Jeff Stone, General Manager for Gordon's on the Green, provided a summary of issues experienced at the Foster Golf Links. Mr. Stone relayed that changes have been made in the menu for the restaurant, the floor plan of the facility, and in the business model to formulate a more successful outcome. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. j. Parks Division Staff Reorganization. Councilmember Haggerton indicated this item was discussed at the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on May 21, 2007, as well as the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on May 15, 2007. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. The Parks Division has requested a staff increase of .25 full time employee (FTE). This will allow the promotion of two .75 employees into full time positions and the hiring of an additional .75 FTE, enabling the division to continue with the high standards of the Tukwila park system. The funding needed to pay the salary and benefits would come from a decrease in the extra labor budget, and no additional monetary appropriation is necessary. Councilmember Haggerton indicated the importance of referencing staffing changes that occur throughout the year when it comes time for the annual budget process. Page 5 of 6 Mav 29. 2007 COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Mullet reported he spent the morning of May 29, 2007 at the Sculpture Park at a King County Town Hall meeting. A representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided a presentation on the reliance on waterways in the Puget Sound area. The Mayor also attended the Memorial Day event at the Museum of Flight and conveyed appreciation for the good work performed by the organization. b. Council Councilmember Duffie also attended the Memorial Day Event at the Museum of Flight. The honored guests were Tuskegee Airmen who had been taken as German Prisoners of War. Councilmember Hernandez attended the Act3 Catering Open House and Ribbon Cutting on May 22, 2007 and the Citizens' Police Academy on May 23, 2007. She participated in a tour of the Saffron Development and Crossroads Mall on May 25, 2007 facilitated by Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator. Ms. Hernandez also attended the Memorial Day event at the Museum of Flight. Councilmember Carter attended many of the same events as the other Councilmembers and looks forward to participating in the upcoming tour of the Saffron Development and Crossroads Mall. Councilmember Haggerton attended the Memorial Day event at the Museum of Flight. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Councilmember Linder is in the process of reviewing the draft plan for Tukwila Village and looks forward to participating in the upcoming tour of the Saffron Development and Crossroads Mall. Council President Griffin indicated the Equity and Diversity Commission meeting scheduled for June 7, 2007 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a date in the future. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney was not present. e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, reported the Tukwila Turtles Special Olympics Swim Team will be competing June 2 -3, 2007 at the Weyerhaeuser facility in Federal Way. They will also be practicing at the Tukwila Pool on June 1, 2007 from 3:30 -5:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend. ADJOURNMENT 9:34 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GRIFFIN DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Verna Griffin, Council President 1 /t iA- Christy O'Flaherty Deputy City Clerk Page 6 of 6 Mav 29. 2007