HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes 06-15-2020June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF RENTON
MINUTES ‐ City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM ‐ Monday, June 15, 2020
Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pavone called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:
Ruth Pérez, Council President
Randy Corman, Council Position No. 1
Angelina Benedetti, Council Position No. 2
Valerie O'Halloran, Council Position No. 3
Ryan McIrvin, Council Position No. 4
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5
Kim‐Khánh Vǎn, Council Position No. 7
(all councilmembers attended remotely)
Councilmembers Absent:
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PRESENT
Armondo Pavone, Mayor
Cheryl Beyer, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Jason Seth, City Clerk
Julia Medzegian, Council Liaison
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator
Jan Hawn, Administrative Services Administrator
Ellen Bradley‐Mak, Human Resources and Risk Management Administrator
Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator
Martin Pastucha, Public Works Administrator
Jennifer Henning, Planning Director
Jim Seitz, Transportation Systems Director
Ron Straka, Utilities Systems Director
Craig Burnell, Building Official
Kim Gilman, HR Labor Manager
Brian Sandler, Senior Employee Relations Analyst
June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Chief Rick Marshall, Renton Regional Fire Authority
Commander Dan Figaro, Police Department
(All City staff attended remotely except City Clerk Seth)
PROCLAMATION
a) Juneteenth 2020: A proclamation by Mayor Pavone was read declaring June 19, 2020 to be
Juneteenth 2020 in the City of Renton, encouraging all citizens to join in this celebration. Dr.
Rev. Linda Smith accepted the proclamation with thanks. She then displayed a video
commemorating past Juneteenth celebrations.
MOVED BY PRINCE, SECONDED BY PÉREZ, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE
PROCLAMATION. CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
City Clerk Jason Seth reviewed a written administrative report summarizing the City’s recent
progress towards goals and work programs adopted as part of its business plan for 2020 and
beyond. Items noted were:
City staff understands that walking and being outside are essential activities for
mental and physical wellbeing during this unusual time. Using the Governor’s Safe
Start phased approach as a guide, King County has met criteria for Phase 1.5; outdoor
recreation is operating at Phase 2 and groups up to five people may gather safely.
Park amenities will reopen as Safe Start thresholds allow; these decisions will also
consider available resources to manage park activities:
o Tennis and pickleball courts are open
o Swim beaches at Coulon and Kennydale Beach Parks will not be guarded this
year and warning signs will be posted in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
o All vehicle and pedestrian park gates will open on Monday, June 15, including
the north and south pedestrian gates at Coulon Park
o Kennydale Beach Park will open on Friday, June 19
o Meadow Crest Park will remain closed until later phases
o All picnic shelters will remain closed for the season
o The Boat Launch facility at Coulon Park is open
o Only foot traffic is permitted on the narrow trails at Coulon Park – no bicycles,
skateboards, or roller blades
o With the exception of service animals, dogs are not allowed at Coulon or
Kennydale Beach Parks. At all other city parks and trails, dogs are allowed on
6’ leashes
o Cedar River Dog Park is an off‐leash site located along the Cedar River Trail
and across from the Renton Community Center at 1500 Houser Way
o For your safety, follow directions on all posted signage
Park Rules and Regulations (RMC 2‐9‐8) and Share the Trail brochure information is
located on the Parks and Trails Division web page: rentonwa.gov/parks.
Do not use parks or trails if you are sick or not feeling well.
Observe CDC minimum recommended physical distance of 6 feet between each
other; wear a face covering if not able to distance 6 feet.
June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Call 9‐1‐1 in case of an emergency, or call the police non‐emergency line at 425‐235‐
2121 to report unwanted behavior. Comments, suggestions, and questions are
welcome.
On Wednesday, June 17, the WSDOT I‐405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express
Toll Lanes Project construction of 2.5 miles of paved King County Eastrail will begin.
This trail work is a joint effort of WSDOT and King County Parks, and is being
performed by the project’s contractor, Flatiron‐Lane Joint Venture. A public online
open house describing the project will be launched on June 17 and will run through
June 26 at eastrail.participate.online. On June 22, trail segment one (Ripley Lane to
Hazelwood Lane) will close for construction until mid‐September. The Lake
Washington Loop Trail which parallels this section will remain open for use. Signs will
be placed on the trail by June 16 to notify trail users of the upcoming closure. King
County Parks is working closely with WSDOT to ensure neighbors and the trail
community are aware of this construction timeline. For more information:
WSDOT project office: 425‐456‐8624 or I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov
King County Parks: Eastrail@kingcounty.gov
24/7 construction hotline: 425‐818‐0161
Preventative street maintenance will continue to impact traffic and result in
occasional street closures.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Joseph Todd, Renton, commented on the civil unrest occurring due to recent and
historic incidents of police brutality conducted against black people in America. He
stated there were four areas the City of Renton could pursue to improve policing in
the community. He explained the following ideas: 1) Police budget transparency –
transparency in the sense that each budget line item is explained in simple terms in
regards to how much is spent on officer training, how much towards officer pay and
benefits, how seizure funds are expended, etc. 2) Funding resources to assist persons
with mental health issues, explaining that police officers are often dispatched to
mental health calls which could be redirected to social workers with the experience of
handling individuals with mental health issues, 3) Clarifying and reforming City hiring
practices so that police officer demographics reflect the demographics of the Renton
community, and 4) Ensuring that one out of every three police officers live in the City
of Renton.
Krysta Strasbaugh, Renton, stated she is speaking as a concerned citizen in the
collective fight against white supremacy. She expressed concern about the City’s
response to the murder of George Floyd, and shared a story about how the Renton
School District decided to have a uniformed Renton police officer make regular visits
to Tiffany Park Elementary School without notifying parents. Ms. Strasbaugh
explained that even after parents raised concerns with the school, the visits
continued. She also expressed disappointment in a recent City statements and
articles, explaining that real change is not achievable if the City is more concerned
with cosmetic compliance than making real policy changes. Ms. Strasbaugh concluded
by reiterating Mr. Todd’s four key requests for police reform.
June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Lylia Nichols, Renton, stated she is a single mother and registered nurse who moved
to Renton about six months ago. She described two incidents in which her sons had
had interactions with Renton police. She indicated that one incident involved other
students fighting on a school bus, and the other involved a neighbor calling the police
on her sons for playing in or near his yard. Ms. Nichols explained that when the officer
came to talk to her about their alleged trespassing, he did not try to ease her sons’
fears, only told them to stay away from the neighbor’s property. She emphasized that
she is scared and asked Council to take actionable steps to assure change will happen,
and to make sure the police department reflects those who live in Renton.
Whitney Lee King, Renton, remarked that some of the solutions brought up tonight
are meant to not just improve upon the police department, but to restructure and
reimagine community policing in Renton. She described one solution as requiring
officers to wear QR codes on their uniforms so that any citizen could use a mobile
device to scan the code and be taken to a webpage that would display the officer’s
name and badge number, their policing history, and any disciplinary actions they have
had in the past. Ms. King explained that the system could eventually be used to
reward good police officers and discipline bad ones. She described another solution
as only hiring officers over five feet, ten inches. She explained that studies show that
being tall is beneficial in police work. Ms. King described her third solution as
providing all camera data collected by officers to the public. She explained that
citizens should have access to any and all footage that is recorded in public by
taxpayer‐funded cameras.
Trenice Williams, Renton, suggested the City use new and fresh approaches to its
hiring processes. He explained that in order to stop the school‐to‐prison pipeline, the
City should consider hiring convicted criminals to police their own communities. Mr.
Williams explained that this approach is used by technology companies who hire
hackers to test their systems. He remarked that this could also help many felons by
providing them with new job opportunities. Concluding, Mr. Williams reiterated Mr.
Todd’s four key requests for police reform.
Lanissa Youngquist, Renton, emphasized that the Police Department has a duty to
serve and protect Renton residents. She noted that police officers arriving on a scene
should be ready to engage with trust and empathy instead of seeking fault and
preparing to defend themselves. Ms. Youngquist also remarked that oftentimes police
officers are more committed to the badge than to the community. Concluding she
reiterated the key points on police reform mentioned by Mr. Todd, and inquired as to
whether Renton police officers have body cameras and de‐escalation training.
Meena Merchant, Renton, noted that she created an organization called The Owl
Project in 2016 which focused on creating public art. She shared that the group
created a mural about diversity on a wall behind Carco Theater during last year’s
Renton River Days. Ms. Merchant than explained how Mayor Bowser of Washington,
D.C. had the words Black Lives Matter painted on a main road in D.C., and urged the
City to support a similar project in Renton. She explained that this type of project
offers a message of solidarity to African Americans and should be done in every city in
the country. She urged Council and the Mayor to help break the bureaucratic barriers
that keep projects like this from happening. Concluding, Ms. Merchant stated that
this project could be a massive visual reminder of our commitment to stand together
in our fight against systemic racism.
June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
City Clerk Seth forwarded emails from Winter Cashman‐Crane and Bimal Kumar to the
Council and the Administration prior to the start of the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items listed on the Consent Agenda were adopted with one motion, following the listing.
a) Approval of Council Meeting minutes of June 8, 2020. Council Concur.
b) AB ‐ 2656 Mayor Pavone reappointed Mr. Troy Wigestrand and Mr. Larry Reymann to the
Parks Commission with terms expiring on June 1, 2024. Council Concur.
c) AB ‐ 2657 Community Services Department recommended setting a public hearing on June
22, 2020 to consider adopting the process to receive an allocation of $411,178 in Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG‐CV) funds, to assist with public services such as rent, utility,
and food assistance, and micro‐enterprise/small business support in the Renton community.
Refer to Finance Committee.
d) AB ‐ 2652 Human Resources / Risk Management Department recommended approval to
renew the City's property insurance policies, with Alliant Insurance Services, in amount of
approximately $500,000, to cover city‐owned structural and other property assets. Refer to
Finance Committee.
e) AB ‐ 2658 Transportation Systems Division requested authorization to execute Supplemental
No. 1 to CAG‐14‐044 with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the
obligation of grant funding in the amount of $3,150,000, and approval of all subsequent
agreements necessary to accomplish the NE Sunset Blvd (SR 900) Corridor Improvement s
project. City's match is 13.5%. Refer to Finance Committee.
MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Transportation Committee Chair McIrvin presented a report concurring in the staff
recommendation to approve the professional services agreement with Perteet, Inc. to provide
construction management services totaling $1,539,857.34 for the Williams Avenue South and
Wells Avenue South Conversion Project.
MOVED BY MCIRVIN, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION. CARRIED.
LEGISLATION
Resolution:
a) Resolution No. 4410: A resolution was read providing for meetings and public hearings of the
City Council, Council Committees, all City Boards and Commissions, and Hearing Examiner
hearings to be held electronically due to the Covid‐19 public health emergency.
MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY O'HALLORAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.
Ordinance for second and final reading:
June 15, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
b) Ordinance No. 5972: An ordinance was read authorizing an additional sales and use tax for
affordable and supportive housing in accordance with Substitute House Bill 1406 (Chapter
338, Laws of 2019; RCW 82.14.540), amending sections 5‐10‐1 and 5‐10‐2 of the Renton
Municipal Code, providing for severability, and establishing an effective date.
MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY MCIRVIN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS
READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Please see the attached Council Committee Meeting Calendar.
Councilmember Vǎn began to make a motion regarding creating a Black Lives Matter mural
on a city road, however, Mayor Pavone clarified that the Administration had received the
request from a community member last week and was currently reviewing the issue. He
stated that a response is forthcoming.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY PRINCE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED.
TIME: 7:47 P.M.
Jason A. Seth, MMC, City Clerk
Jason Seth, Recorder
15 Jun 2020
Council Committee Meeting Calendar
June 15, 2020
June 22, 2020 Monday
3:00 PM Finance Committee, Chair Prince – VIDEOCONFERENCE
1. WSDOT Grant Funds
2. Community Development Block Grant Funds
3. Renewal of City’s Property Insurance
4. Vouchers
4:15 PM Planning & Development Committee, Chair Corman – VIDEOCONFERENCE
1. Docket #15
2. Emerging Issues in CED
5:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Chair Pérez – VIDEOCONFERENCE
1. Ending Structural Racism & Achieving Racial Equity
7:00 PM City Council Meeting - VIDEOCONFERENCE