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Home My WebLink About2008-07-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL July 28, 2008 7:00PM Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Joe Duffle called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Duffie asked all City employees, citizens and visitors to stand and be recognized. OFFICIALS Present were Joe Duffie, Council President; Councilmembers Joan Hernandez, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, and De'Sean Quinn. Councilmember Hougardy was not present. ATTENDANCE Jim Haggerton, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Dennis McOmber, Police Patrol Commander; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Introduction of Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk's Office. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator introduced Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. Melissa has had prior municipal experience in the areas of business licensing, bid processing, and serving the public. She has also lived in Tukwila for the past 28 years and is a graduate of Foster High School. Ms. Hart indicated she feels the City is an "excellent place to be." CITIZEN COMMENTS: Richard Chung of Westfield Southcenter, 633 Southcenter Mall, indicated he would like to acknowledge and personally thank each individual City Councilmember for all the hard work put into the Westfield expansion project. Together we have created a dominant retail center in the Pacific Northwest; with the only all- digital theater in the region, the very first H &M clothing store to open in the region, a line -up of successful restaurants, and a state -of- the -art dining terrace. All of this could not have been accomplished without the leadership, wisdom and support provided by the City of Tukwila. Andrew Ciarrocchi of Westfield Southcenter, 633 Southcenter Mall, relayed his thanks each of the Councilmembers for all the hard work on the Westfield Expansion project, the support of the Police Department, Public Works Department and all who assisted on opening day. He explained that on their busiest day in 2006, the record was 80,000 visitors; in 2007 there was a slight decline, with 70,000 visitors; and on opening day, July 25, 2008, there were just under 100,000 people in attendance. Records were set every day in attendance and sales opening weekend. George Malina, 15617 47 South, commented on a problem in his neighborhood regarding a pair of pit bulls running loose. Many people are afraid to walk in the neighborhood because of these animals. A complaint has been filed with King County Animal Control and with Assistant Police Chief Mike Villa. He would like to see action taken on this issue. Mayor Haggerton asked if it is one family who owns the dogs or two separate owners. Mr. Malina stated it is one family. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 2 of 4 July 28. 2008 Councilmember Quinn asked Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, if the City had received any information on this issue from animal control. Ms. Berry stated she had not, and she would check on the issue with Assistant Chief Villa and also King County Animal Control. Barbara Bader, 13660 Military Road South, indicated she attended the Grand Opening festivities on July 25, 2008 at Westfield Southcenter. She expressed thanks to the Westfield representatives attending the meeting tonight for the beautiful center in the City of Tukwila. Mayor Haggerton commented that he has received nothing but the best comments about the expansion of the mall. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Tukwila International Boulevard Phase II and III Street Improvement Project Coordination Agreements with Water District 125 and Valley View Sewer District. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on July 15, 2008. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, explained there are two coordination agreements; the first one is with Water District No. 125 and the second is with Valley View Sewer District. These agreements are for the accomplishment of the Tukwila International Boulevard Phase II III Street Improvement Project. Both districts have existing infrastructure that requires relocation while the City has this project underway. The coordination agreements set up the arrangement with the districts, and the work will be included in the City's contract. The relocation work will be fully reimbursed by the districts. The City will know the cost once the bids are received. Councilmember Robertson indicated it is his understanding the other districts have already agreed to the terms of the contract, and Mr. Morrow responded in the affirmative. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Tukwila 205 Levee Site 5 Retaining Wall Construction Management, Supplement No. 5 with KBA, Inc. Councilmember Linder indicated this item was discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting on July 15, 2008. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, explained the supplement with KBA is to continue the construction management of the Tukwila 205 Levee Retaining Wall Project. Mr. Morrow stated KBA has an on -site, full -time inspector and construction engineer for this project. According to the construction timeline, the project is on track for completion in mid August 2008. Mr. Morrow distributed photographs depicting the amount of progress being made on the levee project. The cost for Supplement #5 with KBA, Inc. is $90,000. Councilmember Robertson stated the original project description contained an easement, so the levee could be maintained over time and asked if this wall will impede the maintenance of the levee. Mr. Morrow responded in the negative and explained this wall will improve the access. Part of the construction agreement states there will be access to the levee for inspection and maintenance, which was not the case with the prior levee. Councilmember Hernandez thanked Mr. Morrow for bringing the photographs, as it is helpful to have visual aids. The high quality of the work by Mr. Segale is evident in the photos. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes REPORTS a. Mayor Page 3 of 4 July 28. 2008 Mayor Haggerton attended the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors retreat on July 23 -24, 2008; the main topics of discussion were the sovereignty of the cities across the state, how the new streamlined sales tax might affect revenues, and what, if any, funding changes are being considered. On July 25, 2008, he attended the Westfield Grand Opening. He stated he was presented with letters from Westfield commending Chief Olivas and the Tukwila Fire Department staff for their hard work in preparation for the grand opening event. He also stated the departments have started budget preparation, and the Council will be kept informed of progress. b. City Council Councilmember Hernandez attended the July 23, 2008 luncheon for Miyoshi, Japan's Sister City delegation, at which time she presented the touring delegation with a gift from the City; the Joint Planning Commission /City Council meeting on July 24, 2008; and the Westfield Grand Opening festivities on July 25, 2008. Councilmember Hernandez congratulated Westfield on the successful completion of the mall, and wanted to make sure recognition was given to the Department of Community Development for all their efforts. She also thanked the Westfield representatives for the invitations to the festivities. Councilmember Linder attended the July 23, 2008 Highline Forum as the Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative (SKCEDI) representative. She explained that King County's lack of funds may result in a request for $15,000 from each of the partnering cities. On July 24, 2008 she met with staff in preparation for the next Sign Code Advisory Committee meeting, as well as the Joint Planning Commission /City Council meeting. She also attended the Westfield Grand Opening festivities on July 25, 2008. Councilmember Robertson announced that due to the National Night Out Against Crime, the Finance and Safety Committee meeting on August 5, 2008 will be cancelled. Councilmember Griffin attended the Cascade Water Alliance Board meeting on July 23, 2008; Joint Planning Commission /City Council meeting on July 24, 2008; and the Grand Opening festivities at Westfield on July 25, 2008. Councilmember Quinn attended the Joint Planning Commission /City Council meeting on July 24, 2008; and on July 25, 2008, the Westfield Grand Opening festivities and an afternoon reception for Army Lt. Samuel Snow. Council President Duffie attended the Joint Planning Commission /City Council meeting on July 24, 2008, and the Westfield Grand Opening festivities on July 25, 2008, including a tour of the Mobile Command Center. On Saturday, July 26, 2008, he hosted the Council Coffee Chat at Foster Golf Course. He also thanked the Westfield staff for giving Tukwila and Thorndyke Elementary School students the opportunity to participate in the artwork on display in the new section of the mall. c. Staff There was no report. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst, reported that gifts were received from the Miyoshi delegation (Tukwila's Sister City), and they will be available for viewing at a future Council meeting. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes ADJOURNMENT 7:58PM COUNCIL PRESIDENT DUFFIE DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk Page 4 of 4 July 28, 2008