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Home My WebLink About2008-01-07 Regular MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL January 7, 2008 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall REGULAR MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Steven M. Mullet called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were: Councilmember Joe Duffie, Councilmember Joan Hernandez, Council President Verna Griffin, Mayor Elect Jim Haggerton, Councilmember Pam Linder, Councilmember Dennis Robertson, Councilmember- Elect Kathy Hougardy. CITY OFFICIALS Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Peter Beckwith, Assistant City Attorney; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; David Haynes, Police Chief; Lori Sutter, Assistant Police Chief; Nick Olivas, Fire Chief; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Manager; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Jane Cantu, City Clerk; Christy O'Flaherty, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Oath of Office administered to Jim Haggerton, Mayor, with a term ending December 31, 2011, by Judge Kimberly Walden. Judge Kimberly Walden administered the Oath of Office for the position of Mayor to Jim Haggerton. Oath of Office administered for Council positions with terms ending December 31, 2011, by Mayor Haggerton. Mayor Haggerton administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Joan Hernandez (Position #6), Councilmember Dennis Robertson (Position #4), and Councilmember Kathy Hougardy (Position #2). 7:09 p.m. of Office. Mayor Mullet declared a brief recess so the newly elected officials could sign their Oaths 7:18 p.m. Mayor Haggerton called the Regular Meeting back to order. PROCLAMATIONS Proclamation regarding Police Department Centennial Badge Mayor Haggerton read a proclamation acknowledging "The Tukwila Police Department 100 -Year Centennial Badge" as the official alternate badge that may be worn by members of the Tukwila Police from January 1 through December 31, 2008. David Haynes, Police Chief, explained the desire of Police staff to participate in the Centennial of the City by wearing a symbol of the "oldest Marshal's badge." The badges vary in color based on rank, and the $65.00 cost will be borne individually by the employee and is optional. At the end of the Centennial period, the employee may then keep the badge as a keepsake. Chief Haynes offered special recognition to Eric Dreyer of the Police Department and the Police Guild for their efforts toward this undertaking. City of Tukwila Page 2 of 4 City Council Reaular Meetina Minutes January 7. 2008 Mayor Haggerton announced the kick -off event for Tukwila's Centennial is tomorrow, January 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. It will be held on the roof of the parking garage at Westfield Shopping Center. King 5 will be doing a live, early morning broadcast from the site at 6:00 a.m., and Northwest Cable News will also be covering the event. CITIZEN COMMENTS Gerry Myklebust, 14718 58th Avenue South, referenced the Sister City Committee meeting this Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. A trip to Japan is scheduled for this April, and it is time to begin the planning process. The Councilmembers are invited to attend. Lita O'Donnell, 812 SW 174th, is a volunteer with the Tukwila Youth Soccer Program and both manages and coaches multiple youth teams. She spends a great deal of time at the Starfire Sports Complex and is voicing support of the effort to bring a Major League Soccer team to the area. She also conveyed the benefit Starfire offers by way of fundraising, soccer camps, and scholarship programs. Angelica Topia, 5821 South 157th, #17, spoke on behalf of Starfire Sports Complex and also expressed support for having a Major League Soccer team practice at the facility. In her view, children in the community have benefited from the programs offered through Starfire. She commented on the benefits of the scholarships offered through Starfire as well as the fundraising programs. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes: 12/3/07 (Regular); 12/10/07 (Special) Approval of Vouchers: #335786 #336111 in the amount of $1,084,233.43 (12/17/07) #3361124336316 in the amount of $939,688.92 (12/24/07) #336317- #336518 in the amount of $1,026,082.13 (12/29/07) MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of 2008 Council President MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY GRIFFIN TO ELECT JOE DUFFIE AS THE 2008 COUNCIL PRESIDENT. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Council President Duffie and Councilmember Griffin changed seating locations on the dais. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton attended the South Sound Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition breakfast this past week. One topic of discussion at the meeting came from a Tukwila business citizen, Mike West, who is the proprietor of an automobile repair company. Mr. West expressed concern regarding the need for vocational training in schools for those students who do not wish to go on to college. b. Council Councilmember Hernandez reported she has been reappointed by Governor Gregoire to another term on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (until 2012). On January 3, 2008, she attended the Equity and Diversity Commission meeting. Ms. Hernandez indicated on January 4, 2008, a welcome banner was put on display at Foster High School. The Equity and Diversity Commission assisted with this effort due to concerns that there were no "welcoming signs" at the school for those who spoke other languages. City of Tukwila Page 3 of 4 City Council Reaular Meetina Minutes January 7. 2008 Council President Duffie conveyed thanks at being elected Council President for 2008 and looks forward to a productive year. He provided an overview of the Council Committee assignments as follows: Utilities Committee: Verna Griffin, Chairperson, Joan Hernandez, Kathy Hougardy Meets 1st and 3rd Monday at 5:00 p.m. Finance and Safety Committee: Dennis Robertson, Chairperson, Pam Linder, Kathy Hougardy Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Community Affairs and Parks Committee: Joan Hernandez, Chairperson, Verna Griffin, newly- appointed Councilmember (to be sworn in 1/14/08) Meets 2nd and 4th Monday at 5:00 p.m. Transportation Committee: Pam Linder, Chairperson, Dennis Robertson, newly- appointed Councilmember (to be sworn in 1/14/08) Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Robertson attended the South Sound Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition breakfast. The legislative agenda they presented coincided with information he acquired at the recent National League of Cities Conference. It involved the ways in which to attract and keep good businesses in a City. It was determined that while making concessions may be appealing, the more tangible draw involves the provision of sound Public Works infrastructure, utilities, and a healthy, trained work force. Councilmember Robertson also indicated it is time to appoint a Councilmember to be a representative on the South King County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd). Mr. Robertson relayed he has spoken with staff from the IT Division and Finance Department regarding the need for the Councilmembers to have laptops. Councilmember Griffin attended the January 3, 2008 Equity and Diversity Commission meeting and the South Sound Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition breakfast. Ms. Griffin is very pleased with the Council Committee assignments. Councilmember Hougardy referenced her attendance at the Macadam Winter Garden event in December and conveyed positive comments about the park. She also attended a recent Tukwila Historical Society event at the Nelson home and looks forward to the Centennial kick -off celebration tomorrow. Ms. Hougardy will be attending the workshop for newly elected officials on January 26, 2008. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, reported that Brian Shelton, Public Works Project Manager, has provided his retirement notice. Mr. Shelton will be missed and recruitment for his position will be forthcoming. Ms. Berry relayed the Centennial kick -off celebration tomorrow, January 8, 2008, will be from 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The event will take place on the roof of the parking garage of the Westfield Shopping Center and will include local cheerleaders, bands, choirs, and dancers and will be covered on local news and radio stations. She reported that an interesting article regarding the City has just come out in Crosscut (http: /www.crosscut.com). The article, written by Daniel Jack Chasan, is entitled Tukwila: Cradle of Puget Sound Civilization and involves a discussion of the first white settlements. d. City Attorney There was no report. City of Tukwila Page 4 of 4 City Council Reaular Meeting Minutes January 7. 2008 e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, reminded the Council of the Special Meeting this Thursday, January 10, 2008 for the Council Candidate Interview process. The City Attorney will be moderating the interview process, and questions will be allowed by the audience as time permits. Questions will need to be provided to the City Attorney in writing during the meeting. She asked that the Councilmembers try to arrive 15 minutes early. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Linder, Chairperson of the Transportation Committee, inquired if Councilmember Robertson would like to be the South King County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) representative and she could be the alternate. Councilmember Robertson responded in the affirmative. Mayor Haggerton relayed the first meeting of SCATBd is January 16, 2008. Councilmember Linder commented regarding a book entitled "Democracy for Immigrants" that may be something the City wants to acquire and review for potential distribution. Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, will work toward acquiring a copy of the publication. Council President Duffie asked any members of City staff in the audience to please stand and be recognized for their contribution to the City. He also explained that the Councilmembers can be reached by contacting Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst. ADJOURNMENT 7:53 pm. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. Haggertgr5ayor 2) Clerk O'FIah4y, Deputy City C e rk c- Approved by the City Council: 01/22/2008