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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 21, 2014RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting April 21, 2014 Monday, 7 p.m. MINUTES Council Chambers Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: McOmber- Volunteer Opportunities in Renton Citizen Comment: Swaim — Cedar River Spawning Channel RM-5 Citizen Comment: Donnelly- Tree Policy Mayor Denis Law called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. DON PERSSON, Council President; MARGE PALMER; RANDY CORMAN; GREG TAYLOR; ARMONDO PAVONE; ED PRINCE. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER TERRI BRIERE. CARRIED. DENIS LAW, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; CHIP VINCENT, Community and Economic Development Administrator; IWEN WANG, Administrative Services Administrator; DOUG JACOBSON, Deputy Public Works Administrator-Transportation; JENNIFER HENNING, Planning Director; FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR MARK PETERSON and BATTALION CHIEF/SAFETY OFFICER KARL RUFENER, Fire & Emergency Services Department; and COMMANDER CHARLES KARLEWICZ, Police Department. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL SUSPEND THE RULES AND POSTPONE THE SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST AUDIENCE COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING HAS CONCLUDED. CARRIED. Howard McOmber (Renton) remarked that the City has many wonderful volunteer opportunities for residents. He stated that the government cannot do everything, and expressed appreciation to everyone who volunteers in the community. Mr. McOmber added that Renton is a better place because of its volunteers. Steve Swaim (Seattle) presented photographs and data regarding the sediment- clogged entrance on the Renton side of Cedar River Spawning Channel RM-5, which is located behind Ron Regis Park. He explained that the blockage is defeating the channel's purpose of maintaining a proper spawning depth during the salmon spawning season. Dr. Swaim added that this issue is important to the vitality of the channel. Mayor Law stated that the City will contact Dr. Swaim. He remarked that this issue could potentially be a topic for the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Corman remarked that he believes Dr. Swaim should present the data he gathered to the Public Works Department so that it can be forwarded to the appropriate agency. He questioned whether the City of Seattle either owned the channel or was a partner in its maintenance. Mr. Corman also stated that there could be a simple solution to the issue, such as plumbing a water line to the channel's entrance. Claudia Donnelly (King County) stated that years ago she had read a comment from Councilmember Corman's blog regarding how unhappy he was that a developer had removed trees adjacent to his property. She asked why the City's tree retention policy did not do more to retain trees. April 21, 2014 Renton City Council Minutes Page 122 Ms. Donnelly also presented photographs of the Reserve at Tiffany Park development, the Piper's Bluff development, and the Albertson's parking lot project located near Duvall Ave. NE and NE Sunset Blvd. She voiced concern that more was not being done to discourage the removal of trees at these sites. CED: Tree Policy Mayor Law invited Community and Economic Development Administrator Chip Vincent to the podium to address the City's tree retention policy. Mr. Vincent emphasized that the Community and Economic Development Department's foremost mission is to provide excellent customer service to all citizens in Renton, including members of the development community. He noted that at last week's Council meeting a representative from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources presented the City with its sixth Tree City, USA and fourth consecutive Growth Award, a feat only matched by the cities of Bellevue and DuPont. Mr. Vincent stated that trees are a significant part of the City's urban development, and that is why Council established a "30% Rule" for retaining trees. He stated that developers must retain at least 30% of the existing trees within a development. He clarified that pursuant to City code developers have the right to remove more trees, but every tree cut down within the 30% requirement must be replaced at a six-to-one ratio. He added that the replacement trees must have a minimum trunk size of two inches in diameter. Concluding, Mr. Vincent remarked that the City is working with each of the developments that Ms. Donnelly mentioned to ensure that all City code requirements are being met. Responding to inquiries from Councilmember Palmer, Mr. Vincent stated that the Piper's Bluff project has met the 30% tree retention requirement by dedicating a tract of trees on one side of the development. He added that any additional trees that need to be replaced will be done at a six-to-one ratio. Mr. Corman confirmed an experience dealing with a developer who had removed more trees than authorized at a project close to his home. He acknowledged that tree retention and grading issues are complex and should be carefully studied for every project. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Fire & Emergency Services Administrator Mark Peterson presented Ms. Donisha Fire: Citizen Recognition Miller with the department's Certificate of Appreciation for her life-saving actions on March 2, 2014. He explained that Ms. Miller noticed a fire in an adjacent apartment building at 3:25 a.m. He stated that she pulled fire alarms and helped evacuate three buildings, and called 9-1-1 that night. Chief Peterson remarked that Ms. Miller not only saved lives, she was also instrumental in helping fire investigators determine where the fire started. Mayor Law thanked Ms. Miller for her service that night. CONSENT AGENDA Items listed on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council: Meeting Minutes of Approval of Council meeting minutes of 4/14/2014. Council concur. 4/14/2014 April 21, 2014 Renton City Council Minutes Page 123 CED: Declare Sunset Area as an Economic Target Area Transportation: Lake Washington Loop Trail, WSDOT Grant UNFINISHED BUSINESS Public Safety Committee Police: Convert Commissioned Position to Non-Commissioned Position Attorney: Amend RMC 1-3-2, Definition of Administrator Community Services Committee Appointment: Airport Advisory Board Community and Economic Development Department recommended adoption of a resolution declaring the Sunset Area as an "Economic Target Area" in order to leverage public investment and attract private investment to stimulate new commercial and residential development in the neighborhood. Refer to Planning and Development Committee. Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement, and all subsequent agreements, to accept $346,000 in grant funds from the Washington State Department of Transportation to accomplish design and construction of the Lake Washington Loop Trail project. City match is $54,000. Council concur. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to reduce the number of authorized commissioned police officer positions by one full time equivalent (FTE) to create an additional non-commissioned Community Programs Coordinator position to improve communication with Renton citizens. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the ordinance expanding the definition of "Administrator" in RMC 1-3-2 to all City department administrators, due to recent amendments to the Renton Municipal Code. The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 124 for ordinance.) Community Services Committee Chair Taylor presented a report recommending concurrence in Mayor Law's appointments of Mr. Kurt Boswell (Airport-at- Large, primary position) for an unexpired term expiring 5/7/2015; Mr. Mark Speigelman (Airport-at-Large, primary position) for a term expiring 5/7/2017; Mr. Mike Johnson (Airport-at-Large, alternate position) for an unexpired term expiring 5/7/2017; Mr. Neil Sheesley (South Renton, alternate position) for a term expiring 5/7/2017; Ms. Melody Kroeger (Renton Hill/Monterey Terrace, alternate position) for a term expiring 5/7/2017; Mr. Frederick Lund (West Hill, alternate position) for a term expiring 5/7/2017; Mr. Blake Misenar (The Boeing Company) for a term expiring 5/7/2017; and Mr. Jeffery Thomson (Highlands, alternate position) for a term expiring 5/7/2017 to the Airport Advisory Committee. MOVED BY TAYLOR, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Councilmember Taylor invited Mr. Sheesley to the podium. Mr. Sheesley expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Airport Advisory Committee. April 21, 2014 Renton City Council Minutes Page 124 Utilities Committee Utility: Establish S 132nd St Sewer Extension Special Assessment District RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Attorney: Amend RMC 1-3-2 Definition of Administrator ORDINANCE #5713 Annexation: Maertins, NE 16th St & SE Renton Issaquah Rd ORDINANCE #5714 Zoning: Maertins, NE 16th St & SE Renton Issaquah Rd ORDINANCE #5715 Budget: 2014 Carry-Forward Amendment NEW BUSINESS Community Event: Africa Town Grand Opening Utilities Committee Chair Pavone presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the preliminary S. 132nd St. Sewer Extension Special Assessment District. The Committee further recommended that staff proceed with the establishment of the final Special Assessment District upon completion of the construction of the S. 132nd St. Sewer Extension project. MOVED BY PAVONE, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the 4/28/2014 Council meeting for second and final reading: An ordinance was read amending Section 1-3-2 of Chapter 3, Remedies and Penalties, of Title I (Administrative), of City Code, by revising the definition of "Administrator." MOVED BY TAYLOR, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 4/28/2014. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption: An ordinance was read annexing approximately 4.2 acres bordered by Renton City limits at the north and west, by parcel lines in proximity of SE Renton Issaquah Rd. to the south, and NE 16th St. to the north; Maertins Annexation. MOVED BY PRINCE, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. An ordinance was read establishing the zoning classification of property annexed within the City of Renton for approximately 4.2 acres bordered by Renton City limits at the north and west, by parcel lines in proximity of SE Renton Issaquah Rd. to the south, and NE 16th St. to the north, from R-4 (four dwelling units per gross acre, King County zoning) to R-4 (Four dwelling units per net acre) zoning; Maertins Annexation. MOVED BY PRINCE, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. An ordinance was read amending the City of Renton fiscal years 2013/2014 Biennial Budget as adopted by Ordinance No. 5682, and thereafter amended by Ordinance Nos. 5686, 5692 and 5999, in the amount of $81,275,518, for an amended total of $601,657,988 over the biennium. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Councilmember Taylor shared that he attended the grand opening of the Africatown Center for Education & Innovation, located on the corner of S. Alaska St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. in Seattle. He remarked that the center has a Young Geniuses Academy that seeks to nurture genius in children by exposing them to culturally relevant, fun, and educational experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Mr. Taylor remarked that co-located with the center is the Al-Noor Academy of Arts and Sciences. He stated that this is an extended learning program for middle school girls. He added that Al-Noor in Arabic translates to "the light," and their initials ANAAS in Arabic translates to "human kind." April 21, 2014 Renton City Council Minutes Page 125 ADJOURNMENT Jason Seth, Recorder April 21, 2014 Concluding, Mr. Taylor remarked that hundreds of people attended the event. He stated that he was very impressed with the collaboration between these organizations and the City of Seattle, explaining that Seattle allowed the use of this public facility on reasonable terms for the benefit of the city's youth. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. TIME: 7:48 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk RENTON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR Office of the City Clerk COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 21, 2014 COMMITTEE/CHAIRMAN DATE/TIME AGENDA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (Persson) MON., 4/28 5:30 p.m. Major Maintenance/Capital Projects Update COMMUNITYSERVICES (Taylor) FINANCE (Briere) MON., 4/28 5 p.m. Vouchers; Emerging Issues in Revenue Streams (briefing) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (Prince) THURS., 4/24 Declare Sunset Area as Economic Target Area; 3 p.m. Comprehensive Plan Update (briefing) PUBLIC SAFETY (Corman) TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) (Palmer) THURS., 4/24 CANCELED UTILITIES (Pavone) NOTE: Committee of the Whole meetings are held in the Council Chambers unless otherwise noted. All other committee meetings are held in the Council Conference Room unless otherwise noted.