Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-06 Regular MinutesCALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tempore Hernandez called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Richard Brooks from Renton Area Youth Services led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, called the roll of the Council. Present were Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Shelley Kerslake, City Attorney; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; David Haynes, Police Chief; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager; Kimberly Matej, Council Analyst; Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Tukwila City Council City Hall Council Chambers MINUTES Update on Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS) Richard Brooks, Executive Director. Regular Meeting April 6, 2009 7:00 P.M. Richard Brooks, RAYS Executive Director, described how RAYS has been working in Tukwila and the larger community since 1977. He indicated RAYS is the longest- running contract service agency in the City. Their basic mission is to support, counsel, and assist children and families who are working through issues of poverty, mental health, and substance abuse, while they learn skills that will move them into a higher quality of life. RAYS offers in- school assistance as well as in -home services and referrals to various medical and therapist services in the community. RAYS serves about 150 families per year, offering both short -term and long -term counseling to students and adults. They have expanded services over the last few years to include a Hispanic parenting class. Tukwila has invested approximately $50,000 in RAYS, and in return will be receiving approximately $200,000 in services for the community, thanks to funds available from United Way, King County foundations, and other gifts. He complimented the Council on the City's excellent human services staff and thanked the Council for their ongoing support. Councilmember Linder indicated it is critical to address serious problems as early as possible so that children and families get the help they need. She asked what happens when RAYS offers assistance to a family, and that help is rejected. Mr. Brooks replied that does happen. However, it does not happen very often, in part because RAYS therapists are already so embedded in the school system. Councilmember Griffin said she has had the privilege of working with RAYS and some of their client families. She has seen first hand the difference that assistance can make for those families. Councilmember Hougardy asked what other neighborhoods are serviced by RAYS therapists. Mr. Brooks said they follow clients from location to location, wherever in the county they happen to go, even if those clients move to a King County city that RAYS does not otherwise cover. They have followed up with kids moving as far north as Everett, in an effort to provide continuity. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 6, 2009 Page 2 of 6 Councilmember Quinn asked about the diversity of the client families. Mr. Brooks confirmed that they serve primarily low- income families thanks to their stated goals. In Renton and Tukwila, about 30% of their clientele is Hispanic, while 20 25% is African American. Tukwila has families from all over the world, and some clients were involved in civil wars in their home countries only weeks before their first visit with a RAYS counselor. Councilmember Quinn inquired as to any trends they have seen in the last year. Mr. Brooks said his first concern is people's ability to stay in their homes or apartments, which has become a greater and greater challenge. Student transition rates are very high. His highest priority is helping clients improve stability in the face of growing economic hardship. Councilmember Quinn asked if the clientele has increased simply because home ownership has gotten more challenging over the last 30 years. Mr. Brooks replied that not only has home ownership gotten tougher, but they have also seen a trend toward more single parent households who cannot make enough to support their households in King County. Councilmember Robertson asked if there is a correlation between childhood mental health issues and substandard housing. Mr. Brooks said there are certainly correlations with poverty and substandard housing. However, the key factor for childhood mental health issues is their relationship with adults. Mayor Pro Tempore Hernandez thanked Mr. Brooks for his presentation and service to the community. APPOINTMENTS Appointment of Wayne Smith to Position #7 on the Sister Cities Committee, with a term expiring 12/31/2012. MOVED BY GRIFFIN, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO APPOINT WAYNE SMITH TO POSITION #7 ON THE SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE, WITH A TERM EXPIRING 12/31/2012.* Mr. Smith was unable to attend this evening. Councilmember Griffin conveyed that Mr. Smith is a well respected math teacher at Showalter Middle School. He has been at the school for over 20 years, and he has an established connection with the students and an avid interest in the Sister Cities Program. *MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. CITIZEN COMMENTS Georgina Kerr, 3834 South 116 Street, commented on the meeting she recently attended regarding issues involving the Howard Hanson that was facilitated by City staff. She felt that it was extremely well organized, with informative facts, and she felt very "well taken care of." CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes: 3/2/09 (Regular) b. Approval of Vouchers #345758 #346033 and #200904061 in the amount of $1,005,629.10 MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY GRIFFIN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. An ordinance amending the composition of the Community Oriented Policing Citizens' Advisory Board regarding the qualifications of the student representative. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 6, 2009 Page 3 of 6 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2082, AS CODIFIED AT TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.39, "COMMUNITY POLICING ADVISORY BOARD," REGARDING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, BOARD COMPOSITION, AND APPOINTMENT TERMS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY LINDER THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed ordinance by title only. MOVED BY LINDER, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0 TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2229. b. An ordinance amending the Gambling Tax Ordinance relating to the waiver of gambling tax for bona fide charitable and non profit organizations. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON; AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2150 §1 (PART) AS CODIFIED AT TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.08.030, "GAMBLING ACTIVITIES TAX RATES," RELATED TO THE WAIVER OF GAMBLING TAX FOR BONA FIDE CHARITABLE AND NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOVED BY LINDER, SECONDED BY DUFFIE THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, read the proposed ordinance by title only. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY LINDER THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0 TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2230. c. Authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. for the Tukwila Pond Alum Injection and Aeration project in the amount of $27,998.00. MOVED BY HOUGARDY, SECONDED BY GRIFFIN TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH TETRA TECH, INC. FOR THE TUKWILA POND ALUM INJECTION AND AERATION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,998.00. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. d. Records Storage Facility. 1. Authorize the Mayor to enter into a 5 -year lease agreement with International Gateway East LLC (Sabey) for $311,266.80, plus operating costs for the Records Storage Facility. MOVED BY LINDER, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A 5- YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY EAST LLC (SABEY) FOR $311,266.80, PLUS OPERATING COSTS FOR THE RECORDS STORAGE FACILITY.* Councilmember Robertson spoke against the motion due to concern about the City's budget issues. The City received February sales tax revenue data and it was down 16.5 a fairly significant drop. He would prefer to postpone this action until after the budget discussion in May, so they can better determine their priority expenditures based on sound economic data instead of suspected shortfalls. After that discussion he felt there was a good chance they would still proceed with the records contract, but he felt it critical to review the City's expenditure priorities first. Councilmember Linder relayed there is a current record storage crisis the City has been aware of for many years. The risks involved with the loss of critical records are too costly to put off. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 6, 2009 Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Griffin favored the motion since we have planned for this cost, and current action on this item will defer costs down the road. Having centralized recordkeeping will not only protect the City, but also save money due to more efficient recordkeeping. Councilmember Quinn referenced the significance of public records requests received on a daily basis. Having a safe, efficient, secure recordkeeping system is an appropriate assessment. Recordkeeping is not only a core service that must be maintained, but it is one of the few services that carries a high financial penalty for failure. Councilmember Duffie referenced the experience of a former Army comrade, whose personnel records were lost, causing the government to deny his retirement benefits after 21 years of service. Councilmember Hougardy asked what percentage of the 303 Fund this expenditure would encumber. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, distributed a spreadsheet showing the allocation of funds. Councilmember Robertson indicated the first year of the project would take 13% of the amount budgeted in the fund. Anna Bernhard, 14241 59 Avenue South, inquired about cost estimates for the project in question and asked if there are companies that provide records services. Ms. Berry explained some companies do store and retrieve records, and the costs are very high. She indicated there is a cost involved with trying to avoid costs. Recent news reports indicate a local County government was fined $145,000 for not responding to a public records request. That request was made via email and went into the spam filter. That is how sensitive the requirements are for responding to public records requests. The City must store records safely, and the City's current records storage center is inadequate and poses safety concerns. Additionally, there is not enough physical space for the anticipated volume of 2009 records. *MOTION CARRIED 6 -1 WITH ROBERTSON VOTING NO. 2. Authorize the Mayor to proceed with the acquisition of shelving in the amount of $48,736.95 for the Records Storage facility. MOVED BY LINDER, SECONDED BY DUFFIE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SHELVING IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,736.95 FOR THE RECORDS STORAGE FACILITY. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Haggerton was not present. b. City Council Councilmember Griffin attended the fundraising bowl -a -thon for the Tukwila Pantry on March 28, 2009. She also provided assistance at the March 28 informational meeting regarding the Howard Hanson Dam and then attended the April 1 meeting on the same subject to listen to the issues. She found the meetings to be very informative and beneficial information was provided. Councilmember Quinn also attended the fundraising bowl -a -thon for the Tukwila Pantry on March 28, 2009. He attended the Howard Hanson Dam informational meeting and noticed the citizens had very worthwhile questions regarding the issues. He referenced upcoming construction work near the 1 -405 on- ramp on Tukwila Parkway. There will be significant traffic related impacts in the next few weeks, and the Washington State Department of Transportation will be providing communication to the public. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 6, 2009 Page 5 of 6 c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, indicated Passport Day in the USA was held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Tukwila City Hall by the City Clerk's Office. There were 16 passports processed for 15 Tukwila residents and 1 resident from Olympia. Ms. Berry also reported that 2 Tukwila firefighters have been dispatched to North Dakota to assist with flooding issues. The Department of Community Development will now be accepting credit cards for their business activities. d. City Attorney There was no report. e. Intergovernmental There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Robertson referenced concern regarding upcoming meetings and Councilmember schedules. It is important that Councilmembers provide their schedules to the Council Analyst, especially due to the number of significant topics coming before the Council in the near future. He expressed the importance of the full Council being in attendance at meetings, even if that means rescheduling them. Councilmember Linder agreed that very important issues are coming up, and each Councilmember must do their best to attend. Last year there were several critical meetings where staff or Councilmembers were not present. While every effort is made to set a schedule that works for everyone, it is not always possible for everyone to attend all meetings. Councilmember Hougardy indicated that as a new Councilmember, it is very tough when you miss a meeting due to unavoidable circumstances. She would like to see meetings rescheduled to ensure full attendance. Councilmember Quinn relayed that City business never stops, and they have to think of the residents' schedules as well. Residents also set their schedules based on critical meetings, and rescheduling those meetings is not fair to the residents. It is important for the Councilmembers to provide their schedules to the Council Analyst in an effort to prevent conflicts, and he is not in favor of rescheduling meetings. Councilmember Griffin agreed with Councilmember Quinn and commented that scheduling for multiple people with busy schedules is challenging. There are times when Councilmembers may need to alter their schedules due to the needs of the City. Councilmember Robertson expressed the desire to discuss Council and Administration priorities in light of the current economic situation. He suggested having a meeting regarding priorities with Council and Administration as soon as possible. Councilmember Linder agreed that a priority- setting session would be helpful. She would like to see a working document prepared that can be reviewed in the next few weeks until the Mayor returns from medical leave. Councilmember Griffin agreed and indicated she would like to hear from the Mayor as soon as possible on some of the big issues facing the City. Councilmember Quinn expressed the importance of communication in the face of difficult decisions and agreed that a priorities meeting with the Mayor and Administration is needed. Tukwila City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 6, 2009 Page 6 of 6 Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, indicated there are several projects coming before the Council with aggressive deadlines that make scheduling additional meetings difficult. Councilmember Robertson conveyed the importance of a meeting with the Mayor in the latter part of April, in order to receive critical information prior to committing to projects and significant expenditures in light of the economic situation. Councilmember Duffie said the Council could make progress on various issues, and it is necessary to have the Mayor involved in decision- making. Mayor Pro Tempore Hernandez indicated there is Council consensus to have a priorities meeting with the Mayor before June 1,' 2009. ADJOURNMENT 8:39 p.m. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. M an Hernandez, Mayor Pro Temp. re Minute`s prepared`by Lady of Letters, Inc.v Reviewed by Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 5/4/2009