HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Retreat Minutes for 02/15/2018 --0000.---77777-------
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MINUTES
City Council Retreat
8:30 AM—4:00 PM/Thursday, February 15,2018
Cedar Room, Maplewood Golf Course,4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, 98057
CALL TO ORDER
Council President Prince called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Absent:
Ed Prince, Council President None
Randy Corman
Ryan Mclrvin
Armondo Pavone
Ruth Perez
Don Persson
Carol Ann Witschi
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PRESENT
Denis Law, Mayor
Jay Covington, Chief Administrative Officer
Bob Harrison, Chief Administrative Officer(effective 5/1/2018)
Shane Moloney, City Attorney
Jason Seth,City Clerk
Julia Medzegian, Council Liaison
Ellen Bradley-Mak, Human Resources/ Risk Management Administrator
Gregg Zimmerman, Public Works Administrator
Chip Vincent, Community and Economic Development Administrator
Jan Hawn, Administrative Services Administrator
Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator
Cliff Long, Economic Development Director
Chief Kevin Milosevich, Police Department
Deputy Chief Ed VanValey, Police Department
Deputy Chief Jon Schuldt, Police Department
Commander Charles Karlewicz, Police Department
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
2017 Accomplishments: Economic Development Director Cliff Long provided a synopsis of economic
accomplishments for 2017. Included in the list of accomplishments were IKEA, Hyatt Regency Lake
Washington, Hampton Inn &Suites, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Lofts at 2nd and Main, 2nd and
Main Gateway Intersection, and Carmax. He also explained how the Economic Development Division
supported the City's Business Plan, and updated Council on the division's 2018 work plan.
There was no action requested on this matter by Council.
FAMILY FIRST CENTER UPDATE
Family First Center Update: Mayor Law provided an update on the Family First Center that included
fundraising efforts,community support, and support from local legislators. He noted that
approximately$8.5 million had been raised to date. He also displayed a video Doug Baldwin
presented to state legislators. Council noted that they are hearing concerns regarding parking,
administration of programs, and sustainment of operations from residents.
There was no action requested on this matter by Council.
PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE
Deputy Chief VanValey reviewed the following public safety topics:
• Technology: Use of Cameras and Drones
o Drones used to map crime scenes, reducing on-scene staff time by two-thirds.
o Drones used by SWAT teams to locate threats to officers.
o Successfully used drone video and photos in recent court case.
• Current Staffing:
o 122 out of 128 positions filled; 30.4 non-commissioned out of 32.9 authorized
o 23 applicants in background process—13 entry level; 5 specialists, and 5 parking
enforcement candidates.
o Current academy wait times stands at 6 to 7 months.
o Lateral hires can begin unaccompanied patrols 5 to 10 months faster than new hires.
o As new hires fill patrol positions, current officers move on to fill specialty roles in the
department.
• Street Racing Enforcement:
o Street racing occurring in Renton for decades.
o Most enforcement efforts only marginally effective.
o Hundreds of citations issued yet weekend street racing persists.
o New strategy is to close Oakesdale Ave SW between SW 16th St.and SW 41st St.,SW
27th St. between Lind Ave SW and Oakesdale Ave SW, and SW 34th St. between Lind
Ave SW and Oakesdale SW on Friday and Saturday nights between 11:00 PM and 4:00
AM.
o Businesses will be notified prior to implementing the program.
o Officers will continue to enforce street racing ordinances.
ACTION: Explore what legal authorization the City needs to receive from Council prior to
implementing the street racing deterrence program.
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES
CURRENT TOPICS
City Clerk Jason Seth provided an overview of recent changes to the Public Records Act(RCW 42.56):
• Changes to Public Records Act
o ESHB 1594 and EHB 1595
o Changes to Attorney General's Model Rules
o Exemption of"certain volunteers"
o "Bot" requests
o New Fee Procedures
o Provisions for clarifying requests
o New Training Requirements
o New Reporting Requirements
ACTION:Authorize staff to update Policy& Procedure 100-05, and replace current PRA report
with new State report; provide written instructions and recommendations to Council on how
to handle their records (emails,texts, etc.)to remain in compliance with Public Records Act.
Council Liaison Julia Medzegian provided a brief overview of the current Council referral process.
ACTION:Council may refer updates and briefings to the Administration or simply add a topic
to their committee calendars rather than making formal motions at Council meetings;
Planning Commission and Community Plan Advisory Board appointments shall be referred to
the Planning& Development Committee; Renton Airport Advisory Board appointments shall
be referred to the Transportation (Aviation) Committee; all other appointments shall be
referred to the Community Services Committee.
Council Liaison Medzegian opened the discussion regarding the current Council meeting schedule.
There was no action requested on this matter by Council.
EMERGING PERSONNEL ISSUES
Human Resources/ Risk Management Administrator Ellen Bradley-Mak provided an update on the
following issues:
• Initiative 1433 Impacts:
o Temporary Staff
• Can now earn one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
• Estimating fiscal impact requires making assumptions about how employees will
use sick leave.
• HR estimates 25%to 50%of accrued sick leave will be used.
• Costs will be by termination of previous General Leave program.
o Regular Staff
• Accrual of Sick Leave under city policies and bargaining agreements more
generous than new State law.
• Two instances where State law is more generous, however, amount of
additional leave is de minimis.
• State definition of sick leave is more liberal than City's definition.
• Portion of sick leave will be "flagged" as State sick leave and those hours will be
used for sick leave that meets the State's more liberal definition.
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES
There was no action requested by Council on this matter.
• Compensation Philosophy
o What is meant by duty compensation in retirement calculation
o What is considered at market, above the market or below the market?And, in
comparison to other similarly situated cities, where do we want to place?
o Do we consider an average of the top step of the pay range or use the median?
o Who should be the City's comparable cities and what is that based on?
o Should internal equity play a role?
There was no action requested by Council on this matter.
• LEOFF 2: Extra Duty Work
o State contributes 3.5%of total gross wages to help fund pensions.
o SSB 5883 Section 963 requires State to not make the State contribution when LEOFF 2
members work outside of their jurisdiction for private employers.
o This creates a higher employer contribution rate.
o Finance will update the rate structure for private employers to reflect the 3.5%
increases in costs of LEOFF contributions, and will start billing private employers at the
new rate.
ACTION:Confirm whether or not employee is being reimbursed for his or her LEOFF retirement
contribution; recalculate 2018 compensation rates to charge vendors for off-duty police work.
VALLEY ZONING REVIEW
Community& Economic Development Administrator Vincent led a discussion regarding the current
zoning and proposed rezoning of the Valley area of the City. He reviewed the many environmental
issues located in the area, noting that it is difficult to develop there. He also reviewed the City of
Renton v. Playtime Theaters Supreme Court Case,which was how the city was able to zone adult-
oriented businesses to only that area of the City. He noted that new industries have moved to the
area and are requesting access to quality of life businesses for people that work in the area.These
would include cleaners, delis, and other retail services. He also proposed adding a residential zoning
component to the area so that people could live and work in the area. He asked if this item could be
referred to the Planning& Development Committee in order to review protected uses, evaluate
proper future zoning, and to determine if residential uses should be allowed in the future.
ACTION: Refer this item to the Planning& Development Committee
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Director Jim Seitz provided an overview of the two-way street conversions occurring in
downtown. He also recommended that Council consider using$2.6 million in State funds for the
intersection work related to the conversion of Wells Ave S and Williams Ave S.
ACTION: Council review recommendation to use$2.6 million in State funds for intersection
work related to Wells Ave S and Williams Ave 5; and review potential for bike and BAT lanes
on S 2nd St.
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES
CIVIC CORE PLAN
Economic Development Director Cliff Long presented a report on the City's Civic Core plan. He noted
that it was adopted in 2017, and includes improvements that will be internally coordinated with other
City projects such as the one-way street conversions,festival street concept, and the future of Piazza
Park. He also discussed how the local businesses,through a downtown partnership, will be taking a
larger role in cleaning up the area.
ACTION: Review"quick wins"that can be implemented sooner rather than later, including
queueing up items that need Council approval.
MORE OF/LESS OF FROM ADMINISTRATION
Chief Administrative Officer Covington opened the discussion to determine if Council would like more or
less action/information from the Administration.
• Councilmember Persson requested that the Administration keep Council informed ahead of
issues as soon as reasonably possible.
• Councilmember Perez noted that sometimes members of boards and commissions are aware of
issues before Council is aware. Suggestions to resolve this include informing Council of any
discussions the Administration is having regarding a particular board or commission; and
possibly forwarding board or commission agendas and minutes to Council.
• Councilmember Witschi asked if the City's email junk mail filter could be improved; requested
better follow-up regarding Arts Commission projects; and asked if she could be provided a
better explanation when legislation is rushed to be adopted.
• Additionally, it was requested that any information requested by one Councilmember be sent to
all Councilmembers.
BALANCING ECONOMIC PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT WITH GROWTH OF IMPACTS
Community& Economic Development Administrator Vincent reviewed the City's comprehensive plan,
discussed assumed and targeted growth patterns, quality of life issues related to future and past
development,the creation of the R-6 zone as it relates to the Benson Hill Annexation, adequate public
transportation, and rezone options. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits and consequences related
to slowing or limiting new residential development, planning for better infrastructure to accommodate
the future growth, and affordable housing options.
ACTION: Consensus to consider slower growth and/or more moderate residential development
targets; weigh-in on Vision 2050 planning process; and consider ways to protect and create
affordable housing in Renton.
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M.
Jason A. th, CMC ity Clerk
Jason Seth, Recorder
Thursday, February 15, 2018
February 15, 2018 COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING MINUTES