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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-07 Regular MinutesREGULAR MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Jim Haggerton called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were: Council President Joe Duffie, Councilmembers Joan Hernandez, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager; Lori Sutter, Assistant Police Chief; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL April 7, 2008 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall Seattle Southside's 2008 Report to the Community; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Marketing Program Manager Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager, explained that Seattle Southside is an interlocal arrangement between the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Kent, and Des Moines. Funding is derived from lodging tax dollars, which is a tax on lodging to be used for the purpose of tourism promotion. As these cities work together cooperatively, they compliment each other and are not competing for local services. Ms. Kertzman explained the average daily hotel room rate for Seattle Southside is $97, while the average rate for downtown Seattle is $181, making Seattle Southside an attractive option for visitors. Ms. Kertzman utilized a Powerpoint presentation to provide the 2008 Community Report to include the following: Travel Trends Air travel through Seattle- Tacoma Airport peaked at over 31 million passengers Seattle Southside's Tukwila Amtrak Station saw an increase in passengers by 21% Cruise travel reached over 781,000 passengers and is expected to top 800,000 in 2008 Statistics Seattle Southside room revenues are up 17% Hotel occupancy rates are at 72.1% Daily hotel rate is $97.08 Revenue per available room is $69.99 Highlights Visits to SeattleSouthside.com are up 50% Media coverage nets $60,015.06 in ad equivalency value with a circulation of 8,733,625 Group sales efforts involve 35 groups, $895,900 in -room revenue, with 9,779 room nights booked Seattle Southside wins industry awards: Totem Award and Savvy Certificate of Excellence Eight new itineraries for Seattle Southside were developed First edition of Meeting Planners Guide was put online and was downloaded 347 times in first 2 weeks City of Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CITIZEN COMMENTS On the Horizon Westfield Southcenter completion SeaTac Entertainment District planning Kent Events Center opening Des Moines Tall Ships Festival Page 2 of 5 April 7. 2008 Initiatives Tradeshows Sales tools to include a new sports facility guide Travel packages Continue with Express Shuttle; ridership was up 13% in 2007; will continue to bring guests from SeaTac hotels to Westfield Southcenter for free Media plan will focus on internet and online search Continue with sports focus, tournaments, and partnering with Seattle Sports Commission and Starfire Explore new Internet trends including RSS feeds, blogging, streaming video, Spanish website The Mayor and City Councilmembers conveyed appreciation to Ms. Kertzman for the past and ongoing superior contributions from the staff of the Tourism Office. Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, also offered commendations to Ms. Kertzman for her work on the Tukwila Centennial Celebration. Brian Kennedy, 12802 37th Avenue South, expressed appreciation for traffic signage installed near Airport Access Road and East Marginal Way. He brought this issue forward in the past and conveyed that the flashing signs aid in the correct flow of traffic. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 03/17/08 (Regular); 03/24/08 (Special) b. Approval of Vouchers #338149 #338476 in the amount of $1,282,079.05 MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A resolution updating the City's designated representatives to serve on the Cascade Water Alliance. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington, updating the City's designated representatives to serve on the Cascade Water Alliance; and repealing Resolution #1418. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney, read the proposed resolution by title only. MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0 TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1661. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton reported that while recent Council agendas have had a limited number of items, there is a great deal of business and activity occurring in the City. Agenda items typically come before the Council after going through various steps and procedures. The Mayor conveyed there have been ongoing meetings regarding the Tukwila Valley South project and the Tukwila Village project. The City of Tukwila City Council Regular Meetina Minutes Council should be receiving a report in the near future regarding the status of the Request for Qualifications on the Tukwila Village project. The Mayor indicated that Ryan Partee, Public Works Project Manager, has given his notice and his last day will be April 10, 2008. The Mayor attended a meeting on April 3, 2008 with Dr. Bonnie Dunbar from the Museum of Flight. The meeting included discussions on the recent lease of airspace for the pedestrian bridge that connects the museum to the west side of East Marginal Way. On April 4, 2008 the Mayor attended a Valley Communications Board meeting, where it was decided the meetings would be held once a month, as opposed to twice a year. He also attended the coin show hosted at the Tukwila Community Center that same day, which attracted visitors from 5 states. On April 7, 2008 the Mayor attended the Tukwila Southcenter Rotary Club meeting where Mike Villa, Assistant Police Chief, was the guest speaker regarding the Valley SWAT team. b. City Council Page 3 of 5 April 7, 2008 Councilmember Hernandez attended the March 26, 2008 Suburban Cities Dinner where Governor Gregoire was the guest speaker. She also attended the March 29, 2008 Walt Wagner concert at Foster High School and thanked Jeff and Verna Griffin for staffing the concessions booth. Ms. Hernandez also participated in the April 1, 2008 Tukwila Government Affairs Committee meeting and the April 3, 2008 Equity and Diversity Commission meeting. She reported there will be an exhibit of Czechoslovakian glass at the Tukwila Community Center on April 11 -12, 2008. Councilmember Linder asked for clarification regarding an annual parks award offered by a State association. Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, explained the Washington State Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) offers multiple awards on an annual basis. The Macadam Winter Garden in Tukwila was provided a "best parks" award. Councilmember Linder also asked Ms. Matej to provide a status report on her possible attendance at a conflict resolution workshop. Council President Duffie reported that on April 8, 2008 Tukwila Elementary School will be the site of a training event regarding the handling of school shootings. The Police Department will be conducting the practice training event, and Mr. Duffie wants to ensure that the public not be alarmed by the activity at the school during this period. The Council President also attended the March 26, 2008 Suburban Cities dinner and was impressed by Governor Gregoire's speech. On March 29, 2008 he attended an event to connect cities and youth where the keynote speaker was Lawrence Stone, a former gang member and drug dealer, who does an excellent job unraveling the appeal of drugs on youth. Mr. Duffie brought 2 students from Tukwila Elementary School and 1 from Showalter Middle School to the event. He indicated that summer camp will be from July 8 to August 2, 2008. Councilmember Robertson attended the Highline Forum on March 26, 2008. This forum provides an opportunity for the Port of Seattle and area cities to work on items of mutual interest and lobby together on legislative matters. Part of the discussion involved a presentation by Representative Upthegrove regarding Partners for Puget Sound and the emergency management program. Mr. Robertson indicated that discussions also occurred regarding redevelopment occurring in the City of Burien, to include a major town square project for approximately $190 million; a transit center and transit oriented development; a new hotel; possible bonding for a community center, to include an aquatics facility and the replacement of 2 fire stations; and a new City Hall is forthcoming. The hospital in Burien is also expanding and the city is considered a hub for dentists. Mr. Robertson relayed that November 21, 2008 is the official opening date for the 3rd runway. The Port of Seattle did conduct a greenhouse gas inventory based on the fuel that the airlines and vehicles burn. It is the first such study in the nation, and 90% of the greenhouse gases are from planes. Councilmember Robertson reported the Aviation School is in the process of moving to Tukwila. Councilmember Griffin attended the March 29, 2008 Bowl -a -thon event and reported the Tukwila Rotary Club raised $11,000 for the Tukwila Food Pantry. She then spoke at a luncheon for legal professionals at Gordy's in Tukwila. That same day, she joined Rotary club members at the Macadam Winter Garden to provide a "day of service" by cleaning up the garden and planting trees. The evening of March 29, 2008 City of Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Aoril 7. 2008 she worked at the concession booth at the Walt Wagner concert at Foster High School. On April 1, 2008, Ms. Griffin participated in the Tukwila Elementary School Care Night where 114 families were able to take clothing home. On April 2, 2008 she moderated the parent meeting for the principal search for Foster High School and also attended the April 3, 2008 Equity and Diversity Commission meeting. Ms. Griffin reported the Multicultural Action Committee will be holding its World's Fair event on May 9, 2008 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Councilmember Hougardy attended the March 29, 2008 Walt Wagner concert and the April 1, 2008 Tukwila Government Affairs Committee meeting. She also attended the Tukwila Elementary School Care Night on April 1. Councilmember Quinn referenced that he is a graduate of the Alternative Dispute Program and found it to be very beneficial by enhancing his mediation and facilitation skills. Mr. Quinn attended the March 24, 2008 County Council town hall meeting, where equity and diversity was a topic of discussion. He also attended the recent Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee meeting. An important element of the discussion was relative to the sub regional fund and the issue of smaller cities receiving minimal dollar amounts for projects (the City of Algona received $249). The meeting attendees discussed working together as partners on projects of mutual benefit. On April 7, 2008 Councilmember Quinn attended a joint meeting of cities and King County regarding the viaduct and its impact on the area. He encouraged the City to weigh in on this important issue. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, was not present at this meeting. d. City Attorney There was no report. e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, indicated the Alternative Dispute Resolution training is coming up in May and lasts approximately 6 full days. Council consensus existed for Ms. Matej to attend the training. Ms. Matej relayed there will be a town hall meeting regarding the King County Animal Control contract on April 14, 2008. Since this is the same night as the Tukwila City Council meeting, she inquired if she should attend the town hall meeting as this is an important issue for the City with fiscal impacts. It was determined that someone from the City of Tukwila should attend the town hall meeting. MISCELLANEOUS Council President Duffie reminded the Councilmembers that when they are speaking to a member of the public regarding any matter, they are perceived as speaking in an official capacity as a Councilmember. He also asked that they review their notes from the Council Retreat to ensure the goals are adhered to for the year. Mayor Haggerton conveyed there may be a permanent commuter rail station coming sooner than had been expected. Additional information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. Councilmember Robertson has 3 items for discussion. 1. He would like to assure that progress is made on the Council's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). After discussions with Councilmember Quinn, it may be that Tukwila can use some of the procedures in place at King County. One item of interest by Councilmember Robertson is an employment committee, as it relates to the Council Analyst that would address issues such as schedules, reviews, career goals, and professional development. Since the Council President changes yearly, he likes the idea of having a committee in place. City of Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes The Councilmembers discussed the issue of Council Standard Operating Procedures to include the possible use of a facilitator when discussing the issues and the importance of legal review by the City Attorney. Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, indicated she has been working on a baseline document and table of contents for the Council to use as a starting point for review. She asked the Council to forward any items they may want to have included in the document. She suggested a work session be scheduled when the baseline document is ready for review, and use of a facilitator could be considered based on the outcome of the initial review. Council consensus did not exist for use of a facilitator at this time. 2. Councilmember Robertson has asked the Council Analyst to survey other cities regarding the process of incident reporting to elected officials. While some cities had no process, some municipalities did have formal processes in place. He will provide copies of the findings to the full Council to incorporate further discussion on this issue during consideration of the Standard Operating Procedures. 3. With the strong possibility of a biennial budget process being put in place, Councilmember Robertson suggested a budget training session to discuss elements of the process as well as long -range budgeting (not to include policy or dollar amounts). In his view, the Finance Director would be the key player, with assistance from the Finance and Safety Committee. It should not be necessary for other department heads to attend this meeting. Mr. Robertson would like to see a 2 -hour workshop offered in mid -May, possibly on a Wednesday or Thursday. The Councilmembers conveyed support for this concept and consensus existed that this item could be forwarded to a Finance and Safety Committee meeting. Councilmember Hougardy distributed a memorandum relaying her desire for a private work space to be set aside for Councilmembers at City Hall. She would like to see a desk or table with two chairs, filing cabinet, phone, computer hookups with access to a printer, power supply, and hooks or a coat rack. Mayor Haggerton indicated the request could be considered as part of the upcoming City Hall space plan project. ADJOURNMENT 8:36 pm. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY GRIFFIN THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. }flagged() yor (Y Christy O'Flahrty, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 4/21/2008 Page 5 of 5 Aoril 7. 2008