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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 19, 2012RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting November 19, 2012 Monday, 7 p.m. MINUTES Council Chambers Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE PROCLAMATION Bert Nord Day - November 19, 2012 SPECIAL PRESENTATION CED: Renton FilmFrenzy V Mayor Law called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and invited Cub Scout Pack #492 to present the national and state colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. RICH ZWICKER, Council President; GREG TAYLOR; RANDY CORMAN; MARCIE PALMER; DON PERSSON; ED PRINCE; TERRI BRIERE. DENIS LAW, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; ZANETTA FONTES, Senior Assistant City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; IWEN WANG, Administrative Services Administrator; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Public Works Administrator; CHIP VINCENT, Community and Economic Development Administrator; PREETI SHRIDHAR, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator; SUZANNE DALE ESTEY, Economic Development Director; JAMIE THOMAS, Fiscal Services Director; FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR MARK PETERSON and DEPUTY CHIEF BILL FLORA, Fire & Emergency Services Department; COMMANDER FLOYD ELDRIDGE, Police Department. A proclamation by Mayor Law was read declaring November 19, 2012 to be "Bert Nord Day" in the City of Renton, and encouraging all citizens to wish Bert a very happy 90th birthday and thank him for his many years of volunteer service to the City. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION. CARRIED. Bert Nord accepted the proclamation with appreciation. He stated that it has been his pleasure working as a City Hall lobby (Information Desk) volunteer for the past 27 years. He shared a few memories, and thanked City officials, the administration, and City Clerk Bonnie Walton and her staff for the honor. Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington presented a picture of the gas station Mr. Nord owned and operated in 1940s and 1950s. He remarked that the station was located then on the same site where City Hall is now located. Mr. Covington stated that the picture would be hung on the wall behind the volunteer desk in the City Hall lobby as a historical item and as a token of appreciation of Mr. Nord's many years of volunteer service to the City. Community and Economic Development Director Suzanne Dale Estey reported that the City, along with the Renton Marketing Campaign stakeholders, sponsored the fifth annual Renton FilmFrenzy, October 5 through 7. She thanked the competitors and sponsors, and explained that filmmakers were given 50 hours to produce, write, shoot, edit, and submit a film that had to be shot entirely within City limits. She stated that "curveballs" had to be incorporated into the films that included a specific line of dialogue, a scene filmed at the new Renton Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, and a scene that included the recently installed public artwork "Wings and Wheels" located on Logan Ave. N. November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 341 AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: dos Remedios - Proposed Fire & Emergency Services Department Fee for Transport Citizen Comment: Lombard- West Hill Annexation Ms. Dale Estey reported that 25 teams entered the competition, and 17 of the teams finished and submitted their films on time. She noted that one of the teams was disqualified. She remarked that all of the films were screened on Oct 22 at the Renton Civic Theater, and the Curvee Awards Gala was held on October 23 at the Renton Ikea Performing Arts Center. She stated that winners were presented awards created by Uptown Glassworks and Lindbergh High School students, and $1,700 in cash prizes were also awarded to competitors. Concluding, Ms. Dale Estey explained that the FilmFrenzy competition is part of the Renton Marketing Campaign's economic development effort to foster arts and culture in Renton. She also announced that the event's partnership with the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) has been renewed for another year. Dean Radford, Editor of the Renton Reporter, presented Leif Zimmerman the People's Choice Award for his film, "Girls in Ghostland." Mr. Zimmerman accepted the award and expressed appreciation for the film festival. The film was then shown, followed by the film "Between the Lines," which won Best Picture. Mark dos Remedios (Federal Way), President of Renton Firefighters Union Local 864, expressed concern regarding the proposal to charge a fee for transporting patients in the 2013/2014 biennial budget. He stated that he believes figures presented to Council have been misleading because there is only one Aid Car in service within City limits, and it transported patients less than 600 times in the past two years. Mr. dos Remedios explained that if the fee were implemented with a 40% collection rate it would generate less than $140,000 per year. He pointed out that neighboring agencies rarely collect over 30% of the total fees charged. Mr. dos Remedios stated that firefighters' highest priority is safety, and people's safety could be jeopardized if someone hesitated to call 9-1-1 because of a perceived financial consequence. Mr. dos Remedios also remarked that the Fire Department's purpose is not to generate revenue, but to provide safety to the public. Suzann Lombard (King County) stated that she worked tirelessly to convince people in the West Hill area to vote yes on annexation to Renton. She thanked City officials for allowing area residents to vote on the issue, and remarked that she believed the measure failed because people did not have enough information. She urged Council to allow West Hill to remain in the City's Potential Annexation Area (PAA). Responding to Councilmember Palmer's inquiry, Mayor Law stated that there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the State sales tax credit if another annexation petition is commenced prior to 2015. Mr. Covington added that there had been three credits available to the City at one time. He explained that one of the credits has been implemented, one has expired, and the City is still eligible for the last credit if an annexation with a population over 10,000 is commenced prior to 2015. November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 342 Citizen Comment: White- Title IV Docket #8, Accessory Dwelling Unit Review D-91 Citizen Comment: Ferguson West Hill Annexation CONSENT AGENDA Council: Meeting Minutes of 11/5/2012 Finance: Bad Debt Write-Off Finance: Utility Billing Adjustment, Copper Ridge Apartments CED: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Appointment & Ratification of Members John White (Bellevue) expressed concern with Docket #D-91 entitled Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Review. He stated that the docket item originally limited ADUs to 50% of the size of the primary dwelling. He remarked that he missed an opportunity to provide oral comments (to the Planning Commission), but was able to provide written comment expressing his concern that this was too restrictive. Mr. White explained that at a subsequent meeting the restriction was increased to 75% of the size of the primary dwelling, however, a new restriction limiting the height of the ADU to the height of the primary building had been added. He stated that there had not been adequate time allowed for public comment for this new restriction. He requested that Council remand Docket #D-91 back to the Planning Commission to allow for additional public comment. Dian Ferguson (King County) stated that she had worked on the pro-West Hill annexation committee, and is a member of the West Hill Business Association. She expressed appreciation to City officials and staff for allowing residents the opportunity to vote on annexation to Renton. Ms. Ferguson stated that many residents had to be educated about where they lived, noting that many believed they lived in Seattle city limits when in fact they are in unincorporated King County. She also noted that there was a lot of misinformation floating around as to whether or not Renton wanted to annex the area. Ms. Ferguson urged Council to allow the West Hill area to remain in the City's Potential Annexation Area (PAA). She remarked that she believes there will be economic opportunities for the City if the area is annexed. She stated that now that residents are more educated about where they live, they will be more likely to vote in favor of annexation in the future. Mayor Law remarked that Council has had no discussions about removing West Hill from the City's PAA. Items listed on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. At the request of Council President Zwicker, Item 7.j. was removed for separate consideration. Approval of Council meeting minutes of 11/5/2012. Council concur. Administrative Services Department requested approval to write off bad debt in the total amount of $15,373.54. Refer to Finance Committee. Administrative Services Department submitted a request from Copper Ridge Apartments for a utility billing adjustment due to a water leak and recommended granting the adjustment in the amount of $43,649.08. Refer to Finance Committee. Community and Economic Development Department recommended the appointment ofSabrina Mirante, Interim President and CEO of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee; and ratification of the existing membership as follows: City Councilmember Marcie Palmer; Preeti Shridhar, City of Renton Deputy Public Affairs Administrator; Brent Camman, General Manager of Marriott Spring Hill and Marriott Towne Place; and Kathy Madison, General Manager of Hilton Garden Inn. Council concur. November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 343 Lease: Cleveland Property House, Renton Housing Authority Police: Speed Radar Units Purchase, WA Traffic Safety Commission Grant CAG: 12-085, 2012 Street Patch & Overlay with Curb Ramps, Lakeside Industries Airport: Taxiway Bravo Rehabilitation South Portion Reconstruction, FAA Grant Utility: Airport Lift Station Replacement, Roth Hill LLC Separate Consideration Item Solid Waste: Labor Strike Settlement Negotiation, Waste Management UNFINISHED BUSINESS Community Services Committee Appointment: Airport Advisory Committee Community Services Department recommended approval of a three-year lease in the amount of $1 per year with the Renton Housing Authority for a house on the City-owned Cleveland property located at 19415 Talbot Rd. S. Refer to Finance Committee. Police Department requested approval to accept $8,225 in grant funds from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for the purchase of speed radar units to be used primarily for school zone enforcement and other traffic improvement programs. Council concur. Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-12-085, 2012 Street Patch & Overlay with Curb Ramps project; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay estimate in the amount of $90,686.34, commencement of a 60-day lien period, and release of retainage bond to Lakeside Industries, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur. Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to accept $9.75 million in grant funds for the Taxiway Bravo Rehabilitation Project, South Portion Reconstruction; and approval to transfer $105,000 from the Airport's End Fund Balance to the project budget. City's match is $1,075,000. Council concur. Utilities Systems Division recommended approval of a contract with Roth Hill, LLC in the amount of $198,300 for engineering and design services for the Airport Lift Station Replacement project; and approval of the 2013 Capital Expenditure of $350,000 for this project. Council concur. MOVED BY ZWICKER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ITEM 7.j. CARRIED. Utilities Systems Division recommended authorizing the Mayor to negotiate a settlement with Waste Management for the temporary disruption in garbage, recycling, and yard/food waste collection caused by a labor strike from 7/25/2012 to 8/2/2012; and requested the selection of a preferred option for distribution of the settlement. Refer to Utilities Committee. MOVED BY ZWICKER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR THE DISRUPTION IN GARBAGE, RECYCLING, AND FOOD/YARD WASTE COLLECTION CAUSED BY A LABOR STRIKE. CARRIED. MOVED BY ZWICKER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER THE TOPIC OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED. Community Services Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in Mayor Law's appointments of Mr. Kenneth A. Williams to the Airport Advisory Committee (West Hill Neighborhood - Primary Position) for a term expiring on 5/7/2015, and Mr. Scott Pelletier to the Airport Advisory Committee (The Boeing Company Representative) for an unexpired term expiring on 5/7/2014. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 344 Planning and Development Committee Chair Prince presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff and Planning Commission recommendations to adopt the following items on the 2012 Title IV (Development Regulations) Docket: D-72: Footnotes Clean Up - Delete unused footnotes, combine similar or redundant footnotes, and generally make the regulations more concise and user-friendly. D-78: Planning Near Pipelines - Require a notice on title when hazardous pipelines are located within 500 feet of a development project. D-80: Street Lighting Manual - Amend code to reflect newly adopted street lighting requirements including illumination for each street classification as the City is moving to newer lighting technologies. D-81: Undergrounding Ordinance - Refine code language to be simplified and more easily understood and to remove mandate for conversion to underground utilities that were established in 1968 and have not been implemented. D-82: Vesting - Consolidate all vesting related text that currently exists in Title IV to one new section to simplify and streamline the code. Establish clear vesting regulations for specific land use applications and other permit applications and bring the City's vesting regulations into compliance with current vesting case law. D-83: Variance Decision Criteria - Amend one variance decision criteria from "undue hardship" to "practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship." D-84: Water Class Map - Amend the Water Class Map to show Classes 2 to 5 waters/streams to improve legibility and clarity since Class 1 waters/streams are regulated by the Shoreline Management Act and Shoreline Master Program. D-85: Overlay Map - Make changes to the Zoning Overlay portions of the City's code to eliminate conflicts between the various overlay districts by removing or updating some map exhibits and making minor language changes to the affected sections. D-86: Hearing Examiner Rules and Procedures - Provide for regulations to govern and guide the role of the Hearing Examiner and conduct of hearings. D-87: Ham Radio Conditional Use Permit - Simplify permitting for ham radio antennas in residential zones by allowing building-mounted antennas of up to six feet in height and freestanding single vertical monopole antennas of up to 45 feet in height. Require a Conditional Use Permit for larger structures, and remove the requirement for a height variance. D-89: Administrative Code Interpretations - Ten interpretations, which have already been in effect, are to have their related code language updated. D-90: King County Transfer of Development Rights and Interlocal Agreements - Move forward with adoption of an interlocal agreement with King County. Planning & Development Committee CED: Title IV Docket #8 November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 345 D-91: Accessory Dwelling Units Review - Amend code to limit the size of the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to either 800 square feet or 75% of the square footage of the primary unit, whichever is less. Also, to include ADUs in the calculation for maximum lot coverage and limit the height of ADUs to the same height as the primary dwelling unit. D-92: Hotel in Commercial Office - Amend the Renton Municipal Code to allow hotel uses in all areas zoned Commercial Office. D-93: Redevelopment and Existing Structures - Require existing dwellings in the R-10 and R-14 zones to comply with the Residential Design Guidelines and off-street parking requirements if they are retained as part of a new development. Amend the Residential Design Guidelines to provide clear and specific standards in the R-10 and R-14 zones. D-94: Technical Amendments - Make a series of amendments which do not change policies, but provide clarity and consistency to the Renton Municipal Code. The Committee further recommended that the ordinances regarding these matters be presented for first reading. MOVED BY PRINCE, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Finance Committee Finance Committee Chair Briere presented a report recommending approval of Finance: Vouchers Claim Vouchers 316481 - 316997, five wire transfers and one payroll run with benefits withholding payments totaling $5,404,704.14, and payroll vouchers including 725 direct deposits and 61 payroll checks totaling $1,670,391.57. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Audrey Adams (Renton) expressed appreciation for the opportunity to provide Council with information regarding water fluoridation at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. She Submitted a book with three chapters highlighted regarding whether or not fluoride is safe for a developing brain. She noted that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that the Oral Health Division acted alone it its review of fluoridation. She explained that the claim that fluoride is safe refers only to teeth and not to brains. She stated that new science has emerged in the past decade, and when science changes then policies must also change. Council President Zwicker called for the nomination and election of the 2013 Council President and President Pro tern. MOVED BY ZWICKER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ELECT COUNCILMEMBER RANDY CORMAN AS THE 2013 COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND COUNCILMEMBER DON PERSSON AS THE 2013 COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM. CARRIED. Councilmember Taylor abstained. Randy Corman was declared 2013 Council President, and Don Persson was declared 2013 Council President Pro tern. Council: Committee on MOVED BY ZWICKER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ANNOUNCE COMMITTEE Committees ON COMMITTEES MEMBERS AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT ZWICKER, PRESIDENT- ELECT CORMAN, AND PRESIDENT PRO TEM-ELECT PERSSON. CARRIED. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Adams - Water Fluoridation NEW BUSINESS Council: 2013 Council President (Corman) & President Pro Tern (Persson) Election November 19, 2012 Renton City Council Minutes Page 346 Finance: Fund Balance Reserve Policy Municipal Court: Fines Collection Utility: Pipeline Safety Fire: First Response Vehicle Options Annexation: West Hill CED: Title IV Docket #8, Accessory Dwelling Units Review #D-91 ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Taylor abstained, louncilmember Corman thanked his colleagues for electing him as the 2013 Council President. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL REFER THE TOPIC OF FUND BALANCE RESERVE POLICY TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. CARRIED. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL REFER THE TOPIC OF (MUNICIPAL COURT) FINES COLLECTION TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A BRIEFING. CARRIED. Councilmember Briere announced that she had recently attended a conference on pipeline safety in New Orleans, and that she is on the state pipeline safety board. She stated that the conference was very educational and raised the question of pipeline safety in our area. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL REFER THE TOPIC OF PIPELINE SAFETY TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR A BRIEFING. CARRIED. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THE TOPIC OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE VEHICLE OPTIONS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Councilmember Corman expressed appreciation for the remarks made during Audience Comment regarding the West Hill Annexation. He clarified that the City treated this election like any other election, and that the City is not allowed to get involved. Mr. Corman remarked that annexation proponents usually have a tough chore because there are usually three options for residents contemplating annexation. He explained that in West Hill's case residents could try to annex to Seattle, could vote to annex to Renton, or remain unincorporated. He noted that it is difficult to get a majority to side with one of three options. Regarding the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) docket item, Mr. Corman remarked that there had been plenty of opportunity to provide public comment on the topic, and there will be more opportunities at future Council meetings. Mr. Corman explained that the ADU concept was to allow for a small cottage to be built in backyards for aging parents or adult children, not for another full- size house to be built on properties. He stated it was for this reason the Committee wanted these constraints placed on the docket item. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:12 p.m. Jason Seth, Recorder November 19, 2012 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 November 19, 2012 COMMITTEE/CHAIRMAN DATE/TIME AGENDA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (Zwicker) THURS., 11/22 FRI., 11/23 NO MEETINGS (THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY) NO MEETINGS (THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY) FINANCE (Briere) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (Prince) PUBLIC SAFETY (Persson) TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) (Corman) MON., 11/26 6 p.m. Water Fluoridation COMMUNITY SERVICES (Palmer) MON., 11/26 CANCELED UTILITIES (Taylor) MON., 11/26 CANCELED 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.