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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-27 Committee of the Whole MinutesCALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hernandez called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Ms. Hernandez introduced the Grace Point Community Church delegation, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Joan Hernandez, Council President, Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson, Verna Griffin, Kathy Hougardy, De'Sean Quinn. CITY OFFICIALS Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers April 27, 2009 7:00 P.M. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Frank Iriarte, Deputy Public Works Director; Jack Pace, Community Development Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager; Mary Miotke, Information Technology Director; Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager; Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS MINUTES a. A proclamation designating May 2009 as Arts Education Month in the City of Tukwila. Council President Hernandez read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Haggerton. She presented the proclamation to Cynthia Chesak, Foster High School English and Drama Teacher. Councilmember Griffin indicated Ms. Chesak was awarded "A Great Teacher" award from the Washington State chapter of Phi Delta Kappa on April 18, 2009. She was recognized for her work with the students at Foster High School for the last 28 years. Ms. Chesak teaches the advanced drama class at Foster and the drama class at Showalter Middle School, along with serving on the Tukwila Arts Commission. The Councilmembers expressed gratitude to Ms. Chesak for her valuable contributions to the community. b. South King County Homelessness Plan. Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manger, introduced Jason Johnson, South King County Homelessness Coordinator, who provided a program update on the plan for homelessness in South King County. The ten -year plan approved by the Council in 2007 is currently underway. Many South King County agencies, workers, and advocates are working toward the goals in the ten -year plan. They were seeing some gaps in service here in South King County that were not highlighted in the ten -year plan county wide. They were fortunate enough to have the Committee to End Homelessness' support, along with John Epler and Associates, the consultant hired to assist with the Call for Action report. They ran focus groups within the community; coordinated with churches; service providers; and created the needs assessment. They also looked at best practices nationally so the advocate group could see what practices were working in other areas and what might work throughout the suburban cities area. Mr. Johnson indicated the committee consists of staff from Tukwila, Kent, Federal Way, Renton, United Way, King County government, King County Housing Authority, the YWCA, the Multi Service Center, and the Committee to End Homelessness. This group continued to meet with the consultant during the draft process of the Call for Action plan to better identify the eight goals and strategies that would become the focus of the plan. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 27, 2009 Page 2 of 4 The first part of the plan is the needs assessment. This is the first document of its kind to provide all the necessary information pertaining to homelessness in the South King County area. The second part of the plan is the strategies and goals. A few of the strategies are from the ten -year plan to end homelessness, while others are new. Mr. Johnson provided background information on the following strategies: Develop the political and community will to prevent and end homelessness. Prevent homelessness by supporting local and regional plans to provide and maintain subsidized and private sector housing affordable to households with incomes below 30 50% and 80% of the area's median income. Create and maintain sufficient shelter and transitional capacity to meet the short -term needs of homeless individuals and families. Locating additional funding for more shelter beds is a top priority of the group. Prevent homelessness by supporting local and regional plans to provide and maintain a diversity of non subsidized market housing affordable to households with incomes at 120% and below the average median income. Prevent homelessness by supporting local and regional plans to create and expand job training, job supports, and living wage jobs. Review of national best practices preventing and ending homelessness among families. This section highlights inventive programs currently taking place across the country. o One facility is a result of the past nine months' work. It is a day center located in Federal Way and Auburn. South Sound Dream Center operates every Wednesday for 4 hours, and addresses some of the other needs of the homeless by providing dry clothing exchange, one hot meal, computers and telephone services and assistance with preparation of resumes. Valley Cities is providing additional staffing at both locations for chemical dependency counseling. There also is a mobile medical van, and a full working medical office. Homeless individuals can be seen on site, and can immediately receive the necessary medical care and medicines. o The Housing First program assists with immediate home placement for chronically homeless single individuals. o Valley Cities has young -adult housing for individuals 18 -24 that have aged out of foster care. There are a number of individuals leaving foster care at the age of 18 who do not have anywhere to go. Valley Cities is providing a housing program and counseling assistance. o Federal Way supported the first cold weather shelter for the area. A shelter was established for the cold weather months of December 2008 through the end of March 2009 for 22 men. Council President Hernandez requested information on the schedule of any additional community forums. Mr. Johnson indicated at this time a new schedule has not been set. He stated the focus of the last meeting was the shelter gaps. Through information gathering, it was determined there are at least 55 homeless students in the Tukwila School District. There is a huge need for a family shelter in this area. The Councilmembers thanked Mr. Johnson and Ms. Boykan for the work they are doing on this important issue. CITIZEN COMMENT There were no citizen comments. SPECIAL ISSUES a. Interlocal Agreement with the City of Kent supporting a Homelessness Coordinator. Councilmember Griffin indicated this item was discussed at the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting on April 13, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending approval. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 27, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Manager, indicated the City was asked to financially participate in the funding of the South King County Homelessness Coordinator. The person in the position coordinates sub regional efforts to address homelessness in South King County. Councilmember Robertson requested clarification on the duration of the agreement. Ms. Boykan indicated the term of January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 is based on United Way's fiscal calendar. Bill Block, Project Director, Committee to End Homelessness, indicated there is an alarming need for more shelters in the area, and homelessness coordination is increasing across all of South King County. A homelessness coordinator is the voice of the South King County homeless, and he supports this interlocal agreement. A comparison was recently completed comparing residents of the South County housing unit and the individuals on the wait list for housing. It was determined the wait list group is costing $2,500 per person per month more than the people being housed at the 75 -unit facility. The Councilmembers acknowledged the efforts of Mr. Block, Mr. Johnson, and Ms. Boykan on behalf of the City and South King County regarding homelessness. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, indicated she appreciates the opportunity to participate on the Committee to End Homelessness. It is a sobering responsibility to bring the needs of the South King County area to light and advocate for the homeless. We need to be persistent in seeking solutions to this problem. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. b. Update on Solid Waste Utility Tax. Councilmember Hougardy indicated this item was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting on April 14, 2009. The committee members were unanimous in recommending forwarding this item to Committee of the Whole for discussion. Frank Iriarte, Public Works Deputy Director, indicated under Washington State law, cities are authorized to levy a utility tax on solid waste services. Of the South King County cities that charge solid waste utility taxes, the average tax charges are approximately 6 The total utility tax revenue the City would receive depends on (1) the utility tax selected; (2) the type of account that would be affected with the tax; and (3) whether the tax would be applied to both the disposal and service fees. Mr. Iriarte indicated the proposed fee structure is based on the 2008 Association of Washington Cities user fee survey. Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, requested clarification on the use of the taxes collected, and what fund those collected taxes would be applied toward. Mr. Iriarte explained the taxes collected would go to the General Fund. THIS ITEM WAS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY. c. Contract with EXCLAIM, LLC for 2009 Southside Visitor Services Creative Brand Refinement and Media Plan Recommendation. Councilmember Linder explained this item was scheduled for the April 21, 2009 Finance and Safety Committee meeting that was cancelled. Council approval is required on all contracts greater than $25,000. Ms. Linder indicated the Lodging Tax Advisory Board has already approved this contract. Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Manager, indicated Seattle Southside Visitors Services' Center Review and Interview Committee has chosen to recommend EXCLAIM, LLC for creative brand refinement. This contract will help define the best engagement strategies, creative executions and media opportunities for Seattle Southside. There are two contracts included in the agenda packet, one for EXCLAIM, LLC for $70,000 and another (information only) for GreenRubino for $25,000. The two contracts complement each other, with one specifically on the brand refinement and the other on public relations. Deliverables will include market analysis, creative strategy and 2009 -2013 media plan recommendations. The contract amount of $70,000 was approved in the 2009/2010 biennial budget and consists of proceeds from lodging tax charges and is used to promote tourism. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes April 27, 2009 Page 4 of 4 COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. REPORTS a. Mayor The Mayor was not present. b. City Council Councilmember Griffin attended the Cascade Water Alliance meeting on April 22, 2009. Councilmember Hougardy participated in the Earth Day festivities on April 22, 2009. Council President Hernandez attended the Latino Family Night on April 21, 2009. She also attended the Valley Cities Meeting on April 24, 2009 on behalf of the Mayor. c. Staff Rhonda Berry, City Administrator, attended the Valley Cities meeting on April 24, 2009 and indicated Tukwila will host the next meeting on May 22, 2009. She invited all Councilmembers to attend. On April 25, 2009 she attended the Zone 3 Fire Explorer Muster. The muster, held at King County Fire District 20's training center, included 23 four person teams competing in mass casualty triage, search and rescue, and hydrant connection. Also on April 25, 2009, there was a group of 13 volunteers from the Green Duwamish Watershed Alliance and WRIA9 Salmon Habitat Team removing English ivy from 40 shoreline trees along the bank of the Duwamish River in Allentown. Ms. Berry also stated the Mayor will be back for the May 4, 2009 Regular Meeting. d. City Attorney The City Attorney's presence is not required at Committee of the Whole meetings. e. Intergovernmental The Council Analyst was not present. ADJOURNMENT 8:28 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED. JoHernandez, Council President Melissa Hart, Deputy City Clerk