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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-08RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting May 19, 2008 Council Chambers Monday, 7 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER Mayor Denis Law called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS MARCIE PALMER, Council President; RANDY CORMAN; GREG TAYLOR; RICH ZWICKER; TERRI BRIERE; KING PARKER; DON PERSSON.  CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE DENIS LAW, Mayor; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Public Works Administrator; TERRY HIGASHIYAMA, Community Services Administrator; GERALD RERECICH, Recreation Director; ALEX PIETSCH, Community and Economic Development Administrator; PREETI SHRIDHAR, Communications Director; MARTY WINE, Assistant CAO; FIRE CHIEF/EMERGENCY SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR I. DAVID DANIELS and DEPUTY CHIEF MARK PETERSON, Fire Department; COMMANDER FLOYD ELDRIDGE, Police Department.  SPECIAL PRESENTATION Community Event: CommUNITY Festival, Renton Technical College Recreation Director Rerecich explained that Renton Technical College (RTC) invited the City to be a co-sponsor of the 2008 CommUNITY Festival; thus the library, the Renton History Museum, and the Advisory Commission on Diversity will have a presence at the event. He introduced the festival chairperson, RTC Curriculum and Technology Specialist Jenna Pollack, who stated that the goal of the festival is to celebrate diversity. She reported that the event will be held at RTC on June 5, and the activities include booths and exhibits, food, children's activities, and entertainment. Commenting that they have attended the festival in years past, Councilmembers Parker and Zwicker encouraged people to take part in this exciting event.  PUBLIC HEARING Fire: 2006 International Fire Code Adoption This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Law opened the public hearing to consider the adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code with local amendments. Reporting that the State adopted the fire code in July 2007, Fire Chief/Emergency Services Administrator Daniels explained that local jurisdictions are allowed to amend the fire code. He reviewed the proposed amendments as follows:   Fire sprinkler systems are required for all new structures over 5,000 square feet in size, except for single-family dwellings. Fire alarm systems that cover the entire building are required for any new structure 3,000 square feet or greater, except for single-family dwellings. Fire sprinkler riser rooms must be directly accessible from the outside, except for single-family dwellings.   High-rise building emergency equipment rooms are required with fixed-air replenishment system, and fire equipment and storage cabinet. Addressable alarm systems are required to provide quicker location of problem areas in large structures. Special event permits are required for any special event with 300 or more people, except for regular places of assembly with existing permits.   Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are required for new assembly occupancies and for special events with more than 300 participants. Fire escapes must be tested annually and load tested every five years. Kitchen hood suppression systems must comply with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) 300 standard within two years. Stand-by power is required for new service stations, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.   Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are required for new assembly occupancies and for special events with more than 300 participants. Fire escapes must be tested annually and load tested every five years. Kitchen hood suppression systems must comply with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) 300 standard within two years. Stand-by power is required for new service stations, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.   Councilmember Taylor reported that the Public Safety Committee asked many questions regarding this matter, and he was impressed with the department's thought and understanding of what Renton needs to move forward with enhancing public safety.   In response to Councilmember Parker's concerns regarding AEDs, Chief Daniels explained that AEDs are required for new places of assembly, not for existing locations. Regarding special events, Councilmember Persson stated that organizations such as non-profits will be able to obtain an AED from the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The Fire Chief noted that the department received a bequest for the Fire Memorial Fund that will be used to purchase AEDs. Councilmember Taylor pointed out that AEDs are easy to use.   Public comment was invited. There being none, it was MOVED BY TAYLOR, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED. MOVED BY TAYLOR, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2006 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS. 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 2008 and beyond. Items noted included: The Renton Farmers Market begins on Tuesday, June 3, and continues every Tuesday at the Piazza until September 16.  AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: McOmber - Emergency Preparedness Event Howard McOmber (Renton) announced a Highlands Community Association emergency preparedness event on June 12 at the Highlands Neighborhood Center, at which emergency preparedness kits will be assembled for in-need residents. He encouraged people to attend and help assemble the kits.  CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing.  Council Meeting Minutes of 5/12/2008 Approval of Council meeting minutes of 5/12/2008. Council concur.  AJLS: Economic Review and Forecasting, Doug Pedersen and Associates Administrative, Judicial and Legal Services Department requested approval of a contract with Doug Pedersen and Associates in the amount of $28,000 to continue providing economic review and forecasting services for the City. Refer to Finance Committee.  CED: Legislative Consulting Services, Doug Levy Community and Economic Development Department recommended approval of an agreement in the amount of $51,800 with Doug Levy for legislative consulting services for 2008-2009. Refer to Finance Committee.  Development Services: Varma Short Plat, ROW Dedication, NE 23rd St, SHP-06-040 Development Services Division recommended acceptance of a deed of dedication for additional right-of-way on NE 23rd St. to fulfill a requirement of the Varma Short Plat. Council concur.   Planning: Removal of Restrictive Covenants, Althoff, NE Sunset Blvd Planning Division recommended approval to remove restrictive covenants imposed in 1986 (R-85-092) on the Anton Althoff property located at 4409 NE Sunset Blvd., as the covenants are outdated and in conflict with City land use goals. Refer to Planning and Development Committee.  Police: Renton Transit Center VIDA Program, Dotson Security Services Police Department recommended approval to continue the Visitor Information and Downtown Assistance (VIDA) program at the Renton Transit Center, and approval of the related contract in the amount of $65,258 with Dotson Security Services, Inc. to provide the security and ambassador services. Council concur.  Streets: Duvall Ave NE Closure, Road Improvements Project Transportation Systems Division recommended approval to revise the dates of the temporary closure of Duvall Ave. NE/Coal Creek Parkway SE, from NE Sunset Blvd. to SE 95th Way, to 6/2/2008 through 7/1/2009. Council concur. (See page 170 for resolution.)  SAD: White Fence Ranch Sanitary Sewer Utility Systems Division requested authorization to establish the White Fence Ranch Sanitary Sewer Special Assessment District in the estimated amount of $1,300,556.39 to ensure that projects costs are equitably distributed to those who benefit. Refer to Utilities Committee.  CAG: 07-155, Monroe Ave NE Storm System Overflow, Cornerstone Earth Work Utility Systems Division submitted CAG-07-155, Monroe Ave. NE Storm System Overflow; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay estimate in the amount of $2,828.73, commencement of 60-day lien period, and release of retained amount of $3,465.86 to Cornerstone Earth Work, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur.   MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS Planning & Development Committee Planning: Development Regulations (Title IV) 2006 Docket Review Planning and Development Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding the City Code Title IV (Development Regulations) 2006 docket review. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the following docket items as recommended by the Planning Commission: Fast Food and Towing. Fast Food. Proposed changes include allowing fast food as a stand-alone use, but with no drive-throughs in the Center Village and Center Downtown zones, and to allow stand-alone fast food with drive-throughs only in the Employment Area Valley in the Light Industrial zone. Definitions are revised for fast food restaurants and drive-in/drive-through retail/service.   Towing Operations/Auto Impoundment Yards. Proposed changes include: 1) A new definition for towing operations; 2) In the Light Industrial zone, allow towing operations/auto impoundment yards within a building; 3) In the Commercial Arterial zone, allow as a shared use with auto repair/auto body shops and if the tow truck is garaged. In both zones, tow vehicles will be limited to Class A, B, and E.   The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be prepared for reading and adoption. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.  Planning: Development Regulations (Title IV) 2006 Docket Review Planning and Development Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding the City Code Title IV (Development Regulations) 2006 docket review. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to set a public hearing on 6/2/2008 to consider the mobile vendor docket item. The mobile vendor work program would amend the zoning code to make the following changes:   Planning: Development Regulations (Title IV) 2006 Docket Review Planning and Development Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding the City Code Title IV (Development Regulations) 2006 docket review. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to set a public hearing on 6/2/2008 to consider the mobile vendor docket item. The mobile vendor work program would amend the zoning code to make the following changes:   Restrict mobile food vendors and pushcarts in all zones. Allow for mobile food vendors on a case-by-case basis through the temporary use permit process. Provide exemptions from permitting requirements for City-sponsored events and produce stands. Allow farmers markets only in the CD (Center Downtown) zone. Allow temporary merchant vendors subject to peddlers' license requirements (City Code Title V). Revise City Code Title V to reflect amended zones.   MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Councilmember Briere expressed interest in also finding out how neighboring communities deal with mobile food vendors. Councilmember Parker indicated that the matter will remain in Committee for further review. *MOTION CARRIED.  RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption:  Resolution #3949 Streets: Duvall Ave NE Closure, Road Improvements Project A resolution was read authorizing the temporary total closure of Duvall Ave. NE/Coal Creek Parkway SE, from NE Sunset Blvd. to SE 95th Way, from 6/2/2008 through 7/1/2009. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.   The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 6/2/2008 for second and final reading:  Planning: Development Regulations (Title IV) Docket Review, Utility Height An ordinance was read amending Chapter 2, Zoning Districts - Uses and Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code to amend the regulations regarding height of public water utility facilities in R-1 (Residential - one dwelling unit per acre), R-4 (Residential - four dwelling units per acre), and R-8 (Residential - eight dwelling units per acre) zones. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 6/2/2008. CARRIED.   The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and adoption:  Ordinance #5382 Budget: 2008 Amendment, Mechanic Assistant Position An ordinance was read amending the 2008 Budget by allocating contract payments from Fire District #40 to Fund 501, Equipment Rental, and authorizing the addition of a Mechanic Assistant position; and adding a position for a Street Maintenance Manager to the 2008 Budget index of positions. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.  ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 7:47 p.m.    Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk   Recorder: Michele Neumann; May 19, 2008