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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 5, 2014RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting May 5, 2014 Council Chambers Monday, 7 p.m. MINUTES Renton City Hall 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; ED PRINCE; TERRI BRIERE; ARMONDO PAVONE; GREG TAYLOR; MARCIE PALMER. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER RANDY CORMAN. CARRIED. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE DENIS LAW, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; ZANETTA FONTES, Senior Assistant City Attorney; JASON SETH, Deputy City Clerk; TERRY HIGASHIYAMA, Community Services Administrator; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Public Works Administrator; CHIP VINCENT, Community and Economic Development Administrator; KELLY BEYMER, Parks & Golf Course Director; LESLIE BETLACH, Parks Planning & Natural Resources Director; CHIEF KEVIN MILOSEVICH and COMMANDY TRACY WILKINSON, Police Department. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Community Services Administrator Terry Higashiyama introduced Director John Community Services: Renton Houston and board member Debbie Leroy to present information regarding the Youth Advocacy Center Renton Youth Advocacy Center (RYAC). Mr. Houston thanked the City and the Police Department for the continued support of RYAC. He stated that the organization's purpose is to empower youth to become contributing members of the community. He shared the organization's recent accomplishments, and noted that a construction company from Bellevue donated 20 Seattle Mariner tickets to the group. He added that board members are all volunteers, and the center is funded by private donations. Ms. Leroy shared the organization's mission and goals. She reported that the center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and averages 25 to 30 students per day. She remarked that the board has established a funding committee that will focus on community outreach, fundraiser planning, and grant funding. She noted that there is a benefit dinner scheduled for October 2014. Ms. Leroy invited everyone to visit the center. Mayor Law thanked the board members for their hard work. He remarked that the City was pleased to work with the organization, noting that a Renton police officer and firefighter are board members. Responding to Councilmember Taylor's inquiries, Ms. Leroy explained that all students are welcome at the center. She stated that there are children of single parent households, families with both parents working, and homeless families attending the center. Ms. Leroy remarked that the youth that attend the center are as diverse as the community as a whole. She commented that the best way to help RYAC is by either volunteering or donating to the group. Mr. Houston added that Tiffany Park is a safer place to visit now that the center is open. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS May 5, 2014 Renton Citv Council Minutes Page 138 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Mayor Law invited Public Works Administrator Gregg Zimmerman to speak Public Works: Response to about the recent mudslides the City experienced along the Maple Valley 5/4/2014 Mudslide on SR 169 Highway. Mr. Zimmerman reported that there were two modest mudslides that occurred on the Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) over the past weekend. He stated that the Maple Valley Highway was closed because of trees, noting that no mud had actually entered the street. He displayed photographs of the first slide area, and remarked that City crews closed the road for a short period of time on Saturday, May 3, in order to remove fallen trees. Continuing, Mr. Zimmerman displayed photographs of the second slide that occurred on Sunday, May 4, and noted that the road had to be closed for nearly seven hours while crews took down a 100-foot tall Cottonwood tree that was endangering the roadway. He added, as reported to Council on April 14, 2014, the administration is in the process of hiring a consultant to conduct a geotechnical survey of this hillside. Mr. Zimmerman also thanked the Police Department for their assistance with the road closure and traffic detours. Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington reviewed a written administrative report summarizing the City's recent progress towards goals and work programs adopted as part of its business plan for 2014 and beyond. Item noted was: # The second annual Youth Education & Safety Fair (YES) will be held Saturday, 5/10/2014, at the Renton Community Center, 1715 SE Renton Maple Valley Highway, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The whole family is invited to attend and have fun while learning what safety resources are available. There will be child ID kits, safety tips, a fire safety trailer, face painting, CPR instruction, police and fire demonstrations and apparatus, drawings, and prizes. Budget: Projected Deficits Additionally, Mr. Covington addressed comments made during last week's Council meeting regarding the City's budget. He explained that the principles of the City's budget are similar to the same budgeting principles that people use in their household budgets. He remarked that a budget is simply a financial plan. He also remarked that the City lives within its means, and use credit (or debt) very prudently. Mr. Covington stated that most importantly the City attempts to plan ahead. He explained that the City plans for changes to its financial picture, but sometimes there are external forces that impact the plan that have not been anticipated. He noted for instance that in a household budget there could be a job loss or job change, but for the City this external impact was the Great Recession. Mr. Covington stated that an article from the Renton Reporter was mentioned last week regarding the City's planning process for the 2013/2014 budget. He explained that in 2012 the City was finally starting to emerge from the throes of the Great Recession, but there were still many impacts to the budget. He emphasized that the article actually mentioned that the administration presented Council with a number of options and alternatives that addressed these impacts. He further emphasized that the City adopted a balanced $457 million two-year budget which is still in effect. May 5, 2014 Renton City Council Minutes Page 139 Continuing, Mr. Covington remarked that another article mentioned last week was about comments made by the Fire Chief in the fall of 2013 regarding the 2014 budget. He explained that the Chief, using the previously mentioned principles of budgeting, was looking ahead and identifying that there could be impacts to his 2014 budget if he did not exercise good caution. Mr. Covington emphasized that Chief Peterson has exercised caution, and the Fire & Emergency Services Department is living within its means. Mr. Covington remarked that the final article mentioned last week was regarding the administration's recent discussion with Council about a projected budget situation in 2018. He explained that if the City took no action there could be an $8 million deficit by 2018. He remarked that the emphasis is if the City took no action, and he emphasized that the City will certainly take action. He noted that the whole purpose of presenting Council with ideas and options four years before 2018 is to plan ahead for that projected deficit. Concluding, Mr. Covington remarked that this principled budgeting approach is the reason why the City wins budgeting awards. He added that by law the City must adopt a balanced budget, and in his opinion Renton has the best Finance Administrator in the state. He further added that in his 24 years in Renton, this Mayor and Council have acted as responsibly with the budget as any elected official would. Mr. Covington emphasized that the City's budget is in good hands with these elected officials. Howard McOmber (Renton) stated that the best ideas for solving the homelessness issue in this area will not come from California, but from people who live in this community. He expressed appreciation for the City's support of the Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH) and the Renton Youth Advocacy Center (RYAC). He also advocated for collaborative solutions to creating affordable housing. Additionally, Mr. McOmber remarked that a locker system could be created to help homeless people secure their belongings. Beth Asher (Renton) remarked that Californians assist homeless people by providing shower and laundry services sponsored by private businesses. She explained that there are large semi-trucks outfitted with showers and laundry machines that are set-up around town for homeless and low-income people. Additionally, Ms. Asher stated that she is a volunteer for the Renton Youth Advocacy Center. She explained that most of the children come to the center to hang-out, receive tutoring, get help with resumes, or to just play with other kids. She also noted that the majority of students attending the center are children of color or are new Americans. Ms. Asher added that another way to help the organization is by letting people know that the center is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping at-risk youth. 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 4/28/2014. Council concur. 4/28/2014 AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: McOmber- Homelessness Citizen Comment: Asher- Homelessness & Renton Youth Advocacy Center City Clerk: Quarterly Contract List, 1/1/2014-3/31/2014 City Clerk submitted quarterly contract list for period 1/1/2014 to 3/31/2014, and expiration report for agreements expiring between 4/1/2014 to 9/30/2014. Information. May 5, 2014 Renton Citv Council Minutes Page 140 Community Services: Knotweed Control, Friends of the Cedar River Watershed Public Works: Hire Fleet Manager at Step D AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Hamada Homelessness Citizen Comment: Williamson - City of Renton Employee Volunteerism ADJOURNMENT Community Services Department recommended approval of a three-year agreement with the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed in the amount of $167,753.44 to control knotweed along the Cedar River. Council concur. Public Works Department requested authorization to hire a Fleet Manager at Step D of the Grade m30 salary range. Finance Committee. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. Leslie Kae Hamada (Covington), board member of Kent Hope, stated that her organization is a conglomeration of 27 churches, Valley Cities Counseling, Catholic Community Services, Child Protective Services, and other organizations that have partnered with Union Gospel Mission to address the homelessness issues in South King County. She stated that even though Kent Hope does not use the proselytizing model that Union Gospel Mission uses, the mission was willing to set-aside $1 million for the construction of a new 24-hour shelter to be built in the south county area. Ms. Hamada stated that Kent Hope had designated three different locations for the shelter, but each location was rejected by the City of Kent and the Kent business community. She stated that the organization now has a fourth location, and with the support of the community will be moving forward with the purchase of land for the new shelter. Concluding, Ms. Hamada remarked that homelessness should be addressed as a regional issue, noting that the problem will not go away by simply removing their camps. She added that the answer is to partner with community churches and experts who know how to work with homeless people. She emphasized that this issue is a human services need that cannot be allowed to continue. Mayor Law asked Ms. Hamada to provide the City with her contact information. Gary Williamson (Renton) remarked that he would like the volunteer efforts of City employees to be recognized. He explained that it was not until he became involved in the City's volunteer programs that he realized just how much City employees give back to the Renton community. He expressed appreciation for their hard work. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. TIME<|:47 p.m Jason Seth, Recorder May 5, 2014 Jasjjfri A. Seth, CMC, Deputy City Clerk RENTON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR Office of the City Clerk COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 5, 2014 COMMITTEE/CHAIRMAN DATE/TIME AGENDA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MON., 5/12 Capital Projects Update (Persson) 6 p.m. COMMUNITYSERVICES (Taylor) FINANCE MON., 5/12 Vouchers; (Briere) 5 p.m. City Center Parking Garage Fee Waivers; Emerging Issues in Revenue Streams (briefing); Revised 2013/2014 Fee Schedule; Hire Fleet Manager at Step D PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT THURS., 5/8 2015 Comprehensive Plan Update (briefing); (Prince) 3 p.m. Title IV (Development Regulations) Docket #10 Update/Trees Discussion (briefing) PUBLIC SAFETY (Corman) TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) (Palmer) THURS., 5/8 4 p.m. Emerging Issues in Transportation: Maple Valley Highway Fast Traffic & Signage Concerns, Origin and Destination Survey Results, Lake Washington Boulevard Traffic Modeling Analysis, King County Metro Transit Service Changes (September 2014), Grant Updates (briefing) 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.