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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 20, 2007 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting August 20, 2007 Council Chambers Monday, 7 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kathy Keolker called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS TONI NELSON, Council President; RANDY CORMAN; DON PERSSON; MARCIE PALMER; TERRI BRIERE; DENIS LAW; DAN CLAWSON. (Councilmember Briere was excused from the meeting at 9:02 p.m.) CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE KATHY KEOLKER, Mayor; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; PETER HAHN, Deputy Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator - Transportation; JIM SEITZ, Transportation Planning and Programming Supervisor; ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator; SUZANNE DALE ESTEY, Economic Development Director; MARTY WINE, Assistant CAO; PREETI SHRIDHAR, Communications Director; DEPUTY CHIEF TIM TROXEL and COMMANDER DAVID LEIBMAN, Police Department. PROCLAMATION 16th Anniversary Ukrainian Independence Day - 8/24/2007 A proclamation by Mayor Keolker was read declaring the day of 8/24/2007 to be "16th Anniversary Ukrainian Independence Day" in the City of Renton as Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991. Citizens were encouraged to join in the special observance. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION. CARRIED. Ukrainian Club of Washington board members Maria Galagan, Mariya Khomlyak, Roman Khomlyak, and Volodymyr Martynovich accepted the proclamation. Mayor Keolker noted that many members of the Renton community are from Ukraine. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS EDNSP: PSRC Prosperity Partnership Update Puget Sound Regional Council Director of Economic Development Bill McSherry provided an update on Prosperity Partnership, a coalition of over 200 government, business, labor and community organizations from King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties dedicated to developing and implementing a common economic strategy. Mr. McSherry reported that during the past year, additional organizations have joined as partners, sixteen of the eighteen 2006 action items have been accomplished, two new alliances were created, regional competitiveness indicators were published, and higher education problems were addressed. Mr. McSherry reviewed Prosperity Partnership's foundation initiative concerning higher education, noting that students are not being provided with skills that the economy requires, and that Washington's degree production is not concentrated in high demand fields. In conclusion, he stated that Prosperity Partnership is moving forward with nineteen 2007 action items, starting an international benchmarking project, conducting roundtable field meetings, and adding two additional industry clusters. WSDOT: I-405 Corridor Program, I-5 to SR-169 Stage 1 Widening Project Update Washington State Department of Transportation Project Engineer Lisa Hodgson reported on the I-405 Corridor Program - I-5 to SR-169 Stage 1 Widening Project. She reviewed the overall I-405 Master Plan, pointing out that the I-405 funded projects are funded by 2003 Nickel funds ($485 million) and 2005 August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 289 Transportation Partnership Account funds ($972 million). Explaining that the projects are funded to address the worst congested areas along the corridor, Ms. Hodgson noted that the I-405/SR-167 interchange is the second worst congested interchange in the State. Ms. Hodgson reported that the I-5 to SR-169 Stage 1 Widening Project was awarded to Bilfinger/Tri-State Joint Venture in June in the amount of $91.5 million dollars. The project will add one new north and southbound lane from I-5 to SR-167, add one new southbound auxiliary lane on SR-167, and lengthen the southbound HOV lane on SR-167. Bilfinger/Tri State Contractor Manager Dipak Parekh gave an overview of the construction project and listed the benefits of design-build projects, of which this is one. He stated that construction will begin in September, and the goal is to maintain pre-construction conditions through the project zones by construction staging and coordination with other projects. Responding to Councilmember Persson's inquiry, Ms. Hodgson confirmed that the replacement of the highway bridges that access Renton Hill is to take place during Stage 2 of the project. PUBLIC MEETING Transportation: Roads & Transit Ballot Measure, November 2007 This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Keolker opened the public meeting to consider the regional Roads and Transit ballot measure that will appear on the 11/6/2007 ballot for all voters in the Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) Planning Committee Districts. Economic Development Administrator Pietsch reported that the City invited both a proponent and an opponent of the ballot measure to make brief presentations of their positions before Council this evening. King County Councilmember Julia Patterson presented the "pro" position while Dick Paylor, Chair-elect of the Eastside Transportation Association and former Bothell Councilmember, presented the "con" position. Councilmember Patterson explained that the ballot measure targets road and transit investments in the most congested corridors in the region. She reviewed the various proposed transit and road improvements, and detailed how the roads and transit package would benefit the region. Emphasizing that the improvements need to be made now and that the region needs both road and transit improvements, Ms. Patterson pointed out that no other plan is being considered or worked on. Ms. Patterson indicated that the proposal will be paid for by a combination of two new taxes: an additional six cents of sales tax on a $10 purchase, and an $80 car tab fee for every $10,000 the car is worth. She stated that this investment matches the scale of the problem, as the cost of doing nothing is significant. Councilmember Patterson closed by saying that a State-required expert review panel reviewed all the cost figures. Presenting the opposing position, Mr. Paylor stated that 90 percent of all the taxes that the public would pay if the roads and transit package were approved would serve 1 percent of all the trips taken every day, and that every transit agency carries less than 5 percent of all the trips taken every day. Focusing primarily on the transit portion of the package, Mr. Paylor reviewed statistics related to costs, taxes, etc., which he pointed out came from Sound Transit, RTID, Puget Sound Regional Council, and WSDOT. August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 290 Mr. Paylor reported that while RTID and Sound Transit do not have another plan, volunteers are trying to figure out what should be done as far as transit is concerned. He described what can be done to address the transportation challenges, and where the investments should be focused. In conclusion, Mr. Paylor stated that the joint package is unbalanced and does little to address the top priority need of the region, which is reducing congestion. A question and answer period commenced during which Councilmembers asked questions pertaining to the annual motor vehicle excise tax and the differences between the proponent's and opponent's cost figures. Public comment was invited. Bill Taylor, Renton Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, 300 Rainier Ave. N., Renton, 98057, stated that the Chamber of Commerce endorses the Roads and Transit ballot measure. Correspondence was read from Shaunta R. Hyde, Boeing Local Government Relations Manager, PO Box 3707, Seattle, 98124, expressing support for the Roads and Transit ballot measure. There being no further public comment, it was MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC MEETING. CARRIED. Councilmembers Clawson, Law, Nelson, Corman, and Persson voiced their support for the Roads and Transit ballot measure. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL SUSPEND THE RULES AND ADVANCE TO THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THIS MATTER. CARRIED. Resolution #3901 Transportation: Roads & Transit Ballot Measure, November 2007 A resolution was read supporting the proposed 2007 "Roads and Transit" regional transportation ballot measure. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING Transportation: 2008-2013 TIP This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Keolker opened the public hearing to consider the annual update of the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), 2008-2013. Peter Hahn, Deputy Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator - Transportation, reported that the TIP details a multi-year work and funding plan for the development of transportation facilities that is required for State and Federal funding programs, used to coordinate projects and programs with other jurisdictions, and mandated by State law. The TIP supports Renton's Business Plan and Comprehensive Plan, and the Growth Management Act. Continuing, Mr. Hahn highlighted the accomplishments of the past year, which include completing the design for the SR-169 HOV Queue Jump Phase 2 project, continuing the design for the S. 3rd St. and Shattuck Ave. S. pedestrian improvements, completing the South Lake Washington infrastructure improvements, completing the NE Sunset Blvd./Duvall Ave. NE intersection improvements, and upgrading school zone signs. Mr. Hahn stated that the total expenditure for the 2008-2013 TIP is $121,428,835, of which $64,462,801 is funded and $56,966,034 is unfunded. August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 291 In conclusion, he reviewed the various funding sources, the 2006/2007 grants obtained for projects such as the South Lake Washington infrastructure improvements, and the funding partnerships with WSDOT, Sound Transit, and King County. In response to Councilmember Clawson's inquiry regarding the signal project at NE Sunset Blvd. and Hoquiam Ave. NE (in the vicinity of Hazen High School), Mr. Hahn indicated that due to citizen pressure, WSDOT is reconsidering its original decision of not approving the signal. Referring to Mr. Hahn's comments regarding the new vehicle license fee funding source, Councilmember Persson emphasized that Council has not yet discussed the local vehicle license fee. Councilmember Law requested that the project to upgrade the railroad tracks at Houser Way S., between Main Ave. S. and Burnett Ave. S., be moved higher up in the project ranking. Mr. Hahn stated that the City has been in discussion with BNSF Railway Company to determine how the project could be scaled down into smaller pieces, and that the City is still trying to come up with a funding package. He explained that the City's larger transportation projects continue to dominate the TIP, and money is hard to find for all of the projects. In response to Councilmember Persson's inquiry regarding the possibility of starting the railroad track upgrade project sooner that 2010, Transportation Planning and Programming Supervisor Seitz reported that BNSF agreed to work on the project in phases so that in 2010 one or two blocks could be completed and the final section could be completed in 2012. Mr. Hahn stated that staff will try to persuade BNSF to start the project in 2009. Councilmember Corman reported receipt of an e-mail from a resident residing just to the west of the Maplewood Golf Course who was inquiring about the City's walkway program and the lack of walkways in that neighborhood. Reporting that work was done in the subject neighborhood last year, Councilmember Palmer pointed out that although a lot of work is still needed, the neighborhood did receive the largest portion of the walkway program funding. Public comment was invited. There being none, it was MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED. (See page 294 for Transportation Committee report.) RECESS MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES. CARRIED. Time: 8:55 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:02 p.m.; roll was called; all Councilmembers present except Briere. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER BRIERE. CARRIED. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Assistant CAO Wine reviewed a written administrative report summarizing the City’s recent progress towards goals and work programs adopted as part of its business plan for 2007 and beyond. Items noted included: The Fall "What's Happening…" brochure of recreation programs will be available beginning August 24. The City is working with BNSF Railway Company to replace three downtown railroad bridges at Shattuck, Rainier, and Hardie Avenues. The Rainier Ave. Bridge demolition is complete, and the Hardie Ave. Bridge August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 292 demolition proceeded well within schedule last week. During the course of the work on the Hardie Ave. Bridge, Renton stormwater management staff became aware of an opportunity to repair part of the City's stormwater system under the railroad bridge while the street is closed. This added work will mean that Hardie Ave. is likely to be closed for the entire advertised duration (through August 20) and perhaps a day longer. A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will arrive on August 26 to examine all aspects of the Renton Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: McOmber - Index Pl NE Vacation, A&D Quality Const Co, VAC-07- 001 Howard McOmber, 475 Olympia Ave. NE, Renton, 98056, favored vacating a portion of Index Pl. NE. He noted the presence of a trail near the vacation area, saying it will adequately serve the neighborhood. Pointing out that he also represents the Highlands Community Association and neighbors in the area, Mr. McOmber stated that he has not found anyone who wants Index Pl. NE to be left open. (See page 294 for further discussion regarding this matter.) CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. At Councilmember Persson's request, item 9.c. was removed for separate consideration. Council Meeting Minutes of 8/6/2007 Approval of Council meeting minutes of 8/6/2007. Council concur. Council Meeting Minutes of 8/13/2007 Approval of Council meeting minutes of 8/13/2007. Council concur. Planning: Owner-Occupied Housing Incentive Extension and Modification Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended approval to extend and modify the waiver of certain development and mitigation fees associated with owner-occupied housing incentives in the downtown area. Refer to Planning and Development Committee. Utility: NPDES Stormwater Permit Program Request & Surface Water Utility Rates Utility Systems Division recommended approval of the new program request required to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, and the associated surface water utility rates increase necessary to fund the new program. Refer to Utilities Committee. Utility: Utility Rates & System Development Charges Utility Systems Division recommended approval of the increases to the water (6 percent), wastewater (6 percent), and surface water (6.5 percent) 2008 piped utility rates, and to the 2008 System Development Charges. Refer to Utilities Committee. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED TO REMOVE ITEM 9.c. FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. CARRIED. Separate Consideration Item 9.c. Lease: Sound Publishing, 200 Mill Bldg (Ground Floor) Community Services Department recommended approval of a lease with Sound Publishing, Inc. for space on the ground floor of the 200 Mill Building. Expenditure required: $2,367.75; revenue generated over three-year term: $47,354.96. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 293 ITEM 9.c. AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Community Services Committee Appointment: Planning Commission Community Services Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending concurrence in Mayor Keolker's appointments of Yong Lee (unexpired term expires 1/31/2008) and Brad Miller (three-year term expires 6/30/2010) to the Planning Commission. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Finance Committee City Clerk: Official Newspaper Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to award the bid for the official newspaper to the Renton Reporter, published by King County Publications Ltd. The Committee further recommended that the resolution regarding this matter be presented for reading and adoption. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 295 for resolution.) Finance: Vouchers Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 262811 - 263511 totaling $2,646,202.12. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Finance: Fund Balance Reserves/Annual Capital Improvement Plan (Financial Management Policies Revisions) Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding revisions to the Financial Management Policies. As a result of the review of fund balance reserves and the annual Capital Improvement Plan, the Committee recommended that the Financial Management Policies be revised as follows: 1. Clarify that the quarterly financial report shall be submitted to the City Council in writing. 2. Clarify that the quarterly financial report shall include a list of any outstanding interfund loans. 3. Change the budget basis from cash to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 4. Clarify that Section 1.a concerning Stabilization Funds refers to General Government Funds as a whole. 5. Add a requirement for two-thirds affirmative approval of the City Council before an expenditure can be made from the "anti-recessionary reserve." 6. Modify the reserve targets for the Golf Funds to be between 25 percent and 50 percent of operating expenses. 7. Delete the Debt Policy number 11.a. regarding competitive sale of City bonds. 8. Add a policy calling for full disclosure of City financial information to those holding or considering the purchase of City bonds. The Committee further recommended that these policies be included in the Mayor's proposed 2008 Budget document that will be presented to the City Council at the end of October 2007. This action does not close the Fund Balance Reserves and Annual Capital Improvement Plan referral of 3/12/2007. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 294 Transportation (Aviation) Committee Transportation: 2007 Walkway Improvement Project, Pacific Engineering Design Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve a design contract with Pacific Engineering Design, LLC for the 2007 Walkway Improvement project in the amount of $152,056.63 to be completed 12/31/2008. The Committee further recommended that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the design contract. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation: 2008-2013 TIP Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the annual updates to the 2008-2013 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program and the 2008 Arterial Street Plan. The Committee further recommended that the resolution regarding this matter be presented for reading and adoption. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 295 for resolution.) Utilities Committee Utility: Benson Rd S Water Line Relocation, WSDOT Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a utility construction agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation for construction of the relocation of the water line at Benson Rd. S. and I-405. The Committee further recommended that the resolution regarding this matter be presented for reading and adoption.* Councilmember Clawson noted that WSDOT is paying half of the construction cost. *MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 295 for resolution.) CAG: 07-140, Benson Rd S Water Line Relocation, Ceccanti Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to award the construction contract for the Water Line Relocation for Realignment of Benson Rd. S. and I-405 Overpass project to the low bidder, Ceccanti, Inc., in the amount of $869,421.66. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning & Development Committee Vacation: Index Pl NE, A&D Quality Const Co, VAC-07- 001 Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair Clawson presented a report regarding the vacation of a portion of Index Pl. NE. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to preserve the street vacation status as approved by Council on 5/7/2007. The current approved petition amended the vacation area to exclude the east 15 feet of the requested area; required the petitioner to re-establish the existing trail in the retained right-of-way with reconnection to the existing trail north of the vacated right- of-way and that costs for such relocation be deducted from the value established for the vacated right-of-way as part of the compensation phase of the street vacation; and required the petitioner to provide satisfactory proof that outside utilities have received and are satisfied with any easements necessary to protect their facilities. The 2007 Citywide Comprehensive Walkway Study and the Highlands Task Force, Phase II, which are both currently underway, will provide an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the City's walkways and will determine if there August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 295 is a continued need for the 15 feet excluded from the area of this vacation request. At the conclusion of these review efforts, if the excluded 15 feet has been determined as unnecessary for walkway purposes, the Committee encouraged Kevie Russell to initiate a vacation petition. The Committee further recommended that the filing and processing fees be waived for Mr. Russell should he decide to file a petition for this area. Councilmember Clawson moved to concur in the committee report. The motion died for lack of a second. Planning and Development Committee Member Palmer noted the existence of a nearby walkway that is more heavily used, and expressed her support for dividing the vacation area down the middle. Councilmember Clawson reported that Council already approved the vacation and would need to undo its previous action. City Attorney Warren explained that adoption of an ordinance is necessary to finalize the vacation, which has not yet occurred, and therefore Council can still change its decision. Continuing, Mr. Clawson explained that for petitioner Keith Demps to subdivide his property, he needs to have 35 feet of the 50-foot vacation area. Mr. Demps is obtaining the 35 feet via a purchase agreement with the other affected party. Mr. Clawson expressed concern regarding causing Mr. Demps to delay his project as he is redeveloping in the Highlands area which is what Council is encouraging. He supported enabling Mr. Demps to go forward with his project, but voiced concern that a bad precedent is being set because the Highlands Task Force will not have an opportunity to review the walkway study prior to this action. Mr. Clawson noted that at this point, the City does not know what the neighborhood wants with regards to walkways. Councilmember Persson pointed out the presence of the other walkway near the vacation area. Councilmember Corman commented that development in the Highlands is being encouraged; however, parties who are interested in developing property are now being held up. He supported the initial request of dividing the vacation area down the middle. City Attorney Warren stated that a vacated area is normally split down the middle, and Council is strictly removing the retained easement for the walkway. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL APPROVE VACATING THE PROPERTY AND REMOVING THE RETAINED EASEMENT ON THE 50-FOOT VACATED PORTION. CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolutions were presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3902 Transportation: 2008-2013 TIP A resolution was read updating the City's Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program, 2008-2013. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. Resolution #3903 City Clerk: Official Newspaper A resolution was read designating the Renton Reporter as the City's official newspaper. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. Resolution #3904 Utility: Benson Rd S Water Line Relocation, WSDOT A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an interlocal agreement with WSDOT for the construction of the relocation of a water line in Benson Rd. S., entitled "Utility Construction Agreement-Work by August 20, 2007 Renton City Council Minutes Page 296 Utility-Actual Cost." MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance #5300 Finance: Water Shut Off Charge Adjustments for Special Circumstances An ordinance was read amending Section 8-4-34 of City Code by adding Subsection C. providing for discretion in administration of the fees provided for therein. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Fire: Emergency Response Times for Medical Aid Noting that emergency medical aid call response times have been increasing and that nearly half exceed the national acceptable standard of five minutes, it was MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER MEDICAL AID RESPONSES TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. CARRIED. EDNSP: Downtown Wayfinding System MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REMOVE THE TOPIC OF WAYFINDING SIGNS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) COMMITTEE AND REFER THE MATTER TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 9:47 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann August 20, 2007