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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-01RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting October 15, 2001 Council Chambers Monday, 7:40 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jesse Tanner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order.  ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS DAN CLAWSON, Council President; TONI NELSON; RANDY CORMAN; DON PERSSON; KING PARKER; TERRI BRIERE; KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER.  CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE JESSE TANNER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, Assistant City Attorney; MARILYN PETERSEN, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; SUE CARLSON, Economic Development Administrator; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER KATHLEEN MCCLINCY, Police Department.  ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 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 2001 and beyond. Items noted included: The Olympic Pipeline Company will perform nitrogen purging in the 20-inch and 14-inch lines in Renton on October 15th and 16th. Although the nitrogen purging may make noise, this work poses no hazards to the public. Over 1,500 pounds of food and $600 in cash donations benefiting the Renton Salvation Army Food Bank were collected on the September 29th Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry. Cycling for Salmon, a co-sponsored event with King County Parks, will be held on Sundays, October 21st and November 4th. Call (206) 296-4171 to register.  AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Correa – Utilities Easement Area Restoration Ken Correa, 670 Sunset Blvd. NE, Renton, 98056, thanked the Mayor and Development Services Director Neil Watts for meeting with him in August to discuss the restoration of the utilities easement area that he granted to the City. However, since the meeting, and despite repeatedly contacting City staff about the matter, he reported that the easement area has yet to be restored to its original condition. Clarifying that Mr. Correa wants the subject property regraded, Mayor Tanner questioned what the original grade was, and stated that since the property appears to be roughly the lie of the land for the original grade, he is at a loss as to what the City can do. Mayor Tanner suggested that Mr. Correa regrade the property and then file a claim for damages against the City.  Citizen Comment: Clifford – Council as Quasi-Judicial Body, Tie-Breaking Vote by Mayor Chris Clifford, 2721 Talbot Rd. S., Renton, 98055, inquired as to what rules allow the Mayor to break a tie vote of the City Council when the Council sits as a quasi-judicial body. In response, City Attorney Larry Warren cited the Revised Code of Washington Section 35A.12.100 as follows: "The mayor shall preside over all meetings of the city council, when present, but shall have a vote only in the case of a tie in the votes of the councilmen with respect to matters other than the passage of any ordinance, grant, or revocation of franchise or license, or any resolution for the payment of money."   Citizen Comment: Nicoli – Kennydale Beach Park, Loitering Problems Sara Nicoli, 3404 Burnett Ave. N., Renton, 98055, stating that she lives adjacent to the Kennydale Beach Park parking area, expressed concern that the installation of benches and tables in the parking area of the park will aggravate an already serious loitering problem. She claimed that the loiterers leave trash in the park and she often has to call the police to report unlawful activities. Ms. Nicoli submitted a petition signed by 19 residents who live adjacent to the parking area which states that they do not want tables and benches at the Kennydale Beach Park parking lot because loitering is a problem the City has not recognized and is not dealing with. Planning/Building/Public Works Department Administrator Gregg Zimmerman explained that the Kennydale Homeowners Association received a grant through the City's Neighborhood Grant Program to beautify the parking area and is working with City staff to make improvements to the parking area and to landscape the bank. Expressing concern that not all of the residents surrounding the area are in support of the project, Mr. Zimmerman pointed out that City staff picks up litter at the park on a daily basis, and sweeps the parking lot once a month. Mayor Tanner recommended that a public meeting be held with the Kennydale Homeowners Association to discuss the matter and to determine if there is sufficient neighborhood support for the park improvements. Councilman Corman suggested that City staff investigate whether neighborhoods with similar "pocket parks" are experiencing the same types of problems.  Citizen Comment: Olson – Youth Services Programs Barbara Olson, 19831 132nd Pl. SE, Renton, 98058, expressed her concern about the lack of services available for at-risk and homeless youth in the community, especially during this time of unrest in our country, and is seeking a way to provide them with safe housing. She inquired as to what is being done to provide staffing, care and shelter for young people during emergency situations. Councilman Parker suggested that Human Services Manager Karen Bergsvik contact Ms. Olson to inform her of the services that Renton provides, and Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler offered to contact her as well to discuss the South County forum activities.  CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing.  Council Minutes of October 8, 2001 Approval of Council minutes of October 8, 2001. Council concur.  Finance: 2001 Bond Issuance (Downtown Parking Garage), 1997 Bond Refund Finance and Information Services Department requested approval of an ordinance authorizing the refund of 1997 outstanding bonds and the issuance of a new 2001 bond issue for the construction of the Downtown Parking Garage. Refer to Finance Committee.  Finance: Spatialinfo Software Purchase Finance and Information Services Department requested approval to purchase Spatialinfo software and application integration services in the amount of $85,000 from e-Terra for the maintenance and dissemination of spatially referenced data which provides the means to integrate this data with the City's enterprise information system. Refer to Finance Committee.  Plat: Vineyards, Union Ave NE (PP-00-029) Hearing Examiner recommended approval, with conditions, of The Vineyards preliminary plat; 42 single-family lots on 7.32 acres located on Union Ave. NE, between NE 5th St. and NE 7th St. (PP-00-029). Council concur.  CAG: 00-099, East Valley Road Rehabilitation Project Additional Funding Transportation Systems Division requested an additional $110,000 to fund the East Valley Road Rehabilitation Project (CAG-00-099) due to changes in the contract requirements as a result of unforeseen conditions. Funds could be taken from the NE 44th Street Project, which is currently on hold. Refer to Transportation Committee.   CAG: 00-099, East Valley Road Rehabilitation Project Additional Funding Transportation Systems Division requested an additional $110,000 to fund the East Valley Road Rehabilitation Project (CAG-00-099) due to changes in the contract requirements as a result of unforeseen conditions. Funds could be taken from the NE 44th Street Project, which is currently on hold. Refer to Transportation Committee.  CAG: 00-119, Highlands Neighborhood Walkway & Curb Ramps, GMT Inc Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-00-119, Highlands Neighborhood Walkways and Curb Ramps Project; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay estimate in the amount of $322,822.48, commencement of 60-day lien period, and release of retained amount of $16,990.66 to GMT, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Authorization was also requested to transfer $25,000 from the Walkways Program to fund additional work needed for this project. Council concur.  Transportation: Transit Signal Priority Project Funding, King County Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with King County for $270,000 in matching funds towards the Transit Signal Priority Project. Council concur. (See page 367 for resolution.)  Utility: King Conservation District Grant Utility Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with the King Conservation District Number 9 to accept the City's share of the King Conservation District's assessment in the amount of $55,466 for use on water quality, habitat and water resource protection projects. Council concur. (See page 367 for resolution.)  Utility: Maplewood Water Treatment Improvements Design, PWTF Loan Utility Systems Division recommended acceptance of a five-year Public Works Trust Fund Pre-Construction Loan in the amount of $567,831 for the Maplewood Water Treatment Improvements design. Refer to Utilities Committee.   MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.  OLD BUSINESS Transportation (Aviation) Committee Airport: Security Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the installation of security improvements at the Renton Municipal Airport. Because of the events of September 11, 2001, there is a need to move forward, in cooperation with the Boeing Company, other airport tenants and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the implementation of security improvements at the airport. The Committee concurred with the staff recommendation that the City Council authorize an expenditure of up to $300,000 to identify and install needed security improvements. There is sufficient funding available in the Airport Capital Reserves to pay for these improvements without causing a negative impact to ongoing airport operations or capital projects. The Committee likewise recommended that Council endorse the administration's efforts to obtain funding from such potential partners in these efforts as the Boeing Company, the FAA, and others. The Committee expects periodic progress reports from the administration regarding specific capital improvements and costs as this program progresses. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.  Finance Committee Special Assessment District: Time Payments for Sewer Connection (Alder Request) Finance Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding a petition from David Alder to authorize time payments associated with special assessment districts. The Finance Committee concurred in the Utilities Committee and Planning/Building/Public Works Department recommendation that City Code Section 9-16 be amended to allow for time payments for special assessment district charges. The revision to the City Code shall include the following provisions:   Finance Committee Special Assessment District: Time Payments for Sewer Connection (Alder Request) Finance Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding a petition from David Alder to authorize time payments associated with special assessment districts. The Finance Committee concurred in the Utilities Committee and Planning/Building/Public Works Department recommendation that City Code Section 9-16 be amended to allow for time payments for special assessment district charges. The revision to the City Code shall include the following provisions:   The policy for payment shall be for any assessment district charge within a base criteria and not just address this issue toward the Aberdeen Sewer Assessment. The time payments shall be for assessment district charges only. Systems Development Charges and permit fees shall be paid at the time of the permit issuance. Time payments shall be allowed only for the owner of an existing single-family home. Commercial properties, multi-family properties, and platting or short platting properties for development shall trigger the complete payment of fees per code. The first payment shall be due at the time of application for the permit, with additional payments due in annual time periods. There shall be a minimum assessment charge that the City allow time payments on. The minimum shall be $3,000 for the total of the special assessment district fees. Interest shall accrue on the outstanding balance(s). The interest rate shall be calculated per City Code Section 9-16-7 and continue to accrue regardless of any time limits of accrual associated with the special assessment district(s). There shall be a maximum period of time to make payment. The maximum shall be five payments, which would total five years (first payment due one year after permit is issued and the remaining payments due in annual installments on the anniversary of the permit issuance). This policy will not be applied to private latecomers. Under latecomers agreements, we are required to collect the fees and pass them on to the developer at the time the property owner connects.   The Committee further recommended that minor housekeeping items be corrected within Section 9-16 of City Code to provide clarification as to when special assessment districts are triggered, specifically identify the "per unit" method as an allowed method for calculating costs, and correct the text to reference special assessment districts instead of latecomer agreements. The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 367 for ordinance.)  Transportation: Post Office (NE 4th St) Access Problems Councilwoman Briere requested an update on the traffic safety issues at the Highlands Post Office located on NE 4th St.  Finance: Gambling Issues MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER GAMBLING ISSUES TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. CARRIED.  ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The following resolutions were presented for reading and adoption:  Resolution #3534 Transportation: Transit Signal Priority Project Funding, King County A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement between King County and the City of Renton to implement a Transit Signal Priority Project in the City of Renton. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.   Resolution #3535 Utility: King Conservation District Grant A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an interlocal cooperative agreement with King Conservation District Number 9 for award of a non-competitive grant to be used for conservation activities. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.   The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption:  Ordinance #4918 Annexation: Lee, Hoquiam Ave NE & NE 9th St An ordinance was read annexing approximately 12 acres located east of Hoquiam Ave. NE, north of NE 9th St. (if extended) and west of 144th Ave. SE (if extended); Lee Annexation. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.  Ordinance #4919 Annexation: Lee, R-8 Zoning An ordinance was read establishing the zoning classification for the Lee Annexation area from R-4 (Urban Residential; four dwelling units per acre, King County zoning) to R-8 (Residential Single Family; eight dwelling units per acre). MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.  Ordinance #4920 Special Assessment District: Blaine Ave NE An ordinance was read establishing an assessment district for sanitary sewer service for properties adjacent to Blaine Ave. NE, and establishing the amount of the charge upon connection to the facilities. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.  Ordinance #4921 Special Assessment District: Aberdeen Ave NE An ordinance was read establishing an assessment district for sanitary sewer service for properties adjacent to Aberdeen Ave. NE, from NE 12th St. to NE 27th St., and establishing the amount of the charge upon connection to the facilities. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.   The following added ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 10/22/2001 for second and final reading:  Special Assessment District: Time Payments for Sewer Connection (Alder Request) An ordinance was read amending Chapter 9-16, Special Assessment Districts, of Title 9 (Public Ways) of City Code by adding a new Section 9-16-10, revising policies pertaining to payment and administration of special assessment charges, and renumbering Sections 9-16-8 through 9-16-12. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 10/22/2001. CARRIED.  NEW BUSINESS King County: Budget Reporting that King County Executive Ron Sims presented his budget to the King County Council today, Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler noted that the Budget's $41 million deficit will affect Renton, especially in the area of child care assistance. Councilwoman Nelson pointed out that Human Services Manager Karen Bergsvik is investigating how the reduction in funding for the child care subsidy program will affect Renton residents. Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington commented that Renton residents contribute over $10 million per year in taxes to King County, and every year, residents receive fewer services from King County.  ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:48 p.m.    Marilyn Petersen, CMC, City Clerk      Recorder: Michele Neumann October 15, 2001