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Home My WebLink About03-11-02RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting March 11, 2002 Council Chambers Monday, 7:30 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 TONI NELSON, Council President; DAN CLAWSON; KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER; KING PARKER; DON PERSSON; RANDY CORMAN. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILWOMAN TERRI BRIERE. CARRIED. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE JESSE TANNER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; JIM SHEPHERD, Community Services Administrator; LESLIE BETLACH, Parks Director; SYLVIA ALLEN, Recreation Director; ABDOUL GAFOUR, Water Utility Supervisor; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER CURTIS SMALLING, Police Department. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Board/Commission: Municipal Arts Commission 2001 BRAVO Award Recreation Director Sylvia Allen introduced Municipal Arts Commission members Doug Kyes and Diana Hagen. Ms. Hagen announced that Charmaine Baker was the recipient of the Municipal Arts Commission's 2001 BRAVO Award which recognizes and celebrates outstanding individuals and organizations that support the arts in Renton. She described Ms. Baker's contributions towards community-related events which includes being the first coordinator of the Renton Rivers Days celebration and being instrumental in organizing and raising money for the IKEA Performing Arts Center. Ms. Baker accepted the framed certificate which was decorated with a drawing of her by artist Doug Kyes, and she expressed her appreciation for the award. In addition, Mr. Kyes presented Ms. Baker's husband, Jim Baker, with the original drawing. Community Services: Parks & Recreation Divisions Accreditation Jim Shepherd, Community Services Administrator, announced that on March 1, 2002, the Parks and Recreation Divisions received national accreditation. He pointed out that the City of Renton is the first to receive accreditation in Washington, and is one of only thirty-five cities in the entire nation to receive such an honor. Explaining that the accreditation process was a lot of work, Mr. Shepherd emphasized that receiving accreditation would not have been possible without the efforts of staff and the support of the Mayor and Council. Mr. Shepherd also recognized Recreation Director Sylvia Allen for her leadership, professionalism and dedication in helping the Parks and Recreation Divisions achieve national accreditation, and presented her with a framed photograph of Clam Lights. 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 2002 and beyond. Items noted included: Soroptimist International of Renton donated $200 to the City of Renton's Scholarship Program. In March, the Olympic Pipeline Company plans to conduct Transverse Flux Inspection Smart Pig internal inspection tests for the 12- and 16-inch Olympic pipelines in Renton. City of Renton staff will monitor the pipeline testing activity. The Police Department reported that found property and evidence is released to the rightful owner once all evidentiary use is satisfied and proper authorities (prosecutor's office/detectives) have signed for its release per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 62.32. Found property is released to the owner as soon as possible when the owner is known. The investigating officer and evidence technician make every effort to ascertain the rightful owner, after which the owners are notified by phone and letter advising how to claim their property. If no owner can be identified, found property is held for 60 days before disposition according to RCW 62.32. 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 2002 and beyond. Items noted included: Soroptimist International of Renton donated $200 to the City of Renton's Scholarship Program. In March, the Olympic Pipeline Company plans to conduct Transverse Flux Inspection Smart Pig internal inspection tests for the 12- and 16-inch Olympic pipelines in Renton. City of Renton staff will monitor the pipeline testing activity. The Police Department reported that found property and evidence is released to the rightful owner once all evidentiary use is satisfied and proper authorities (prosecutor's office/detectives) have signed for its release per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 62.32. Found property is released to the owner as soon as possible when the owner is known. The investigating officer and evidence technician make every effort to ascertain the rightful owner, after which the owners are notified by phone and letter advising how to claim their property. If no owner can be identified, found property is held for 60 days before disposition according to RCW 62.32. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Petersen – Property Taxes Inez Petersen, 3306 Lake Washington Blvd. N. #2, Renton, 98056, stating that she lives on a fixed income, pointed out that her property taxes have doubled since 1994. She noted that the City portion of her property taxes rose 12% this year. Detailing her concerns about the increase in property taxes and the City's role in determining how much is collected, Ms. Petersen stated that instead of explaining the tax situation in terms of tax dollars collected, the City focused on the tax rate. She suggested that instead of imposing a property tax increase, the City should have reduced the tax rate to offset the rise in property values, thus keeping the tax increase within a reasonable and acceptable range. Ms. Petersen stated that keeping the tax increases at a reasonable level requires prioritization during budget planning. Mayor Tanner reported that the tax rate decreased this past year. He explained that last year, the City took the 1% as allowed by Initiative 747, and then added to that the previously banked property tax levy capacity. He pointed out that a large percentage of the overall tax levy was based on new construction. Mayor Tanner also emphasized that the tax rate has decreased from $3.93 to $3.26 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation since he has been in office. Pointing out that the Council spends many hours in budget deliberations every year, Councilman Corman stated that those deliberations are open to the public and he encouraged citizens to attend the budget hearings. Mayor Tanner added that the reason why the City had banked capacity was because it had not taken the maximum tax increase the year before. Councilman Clawson stated that there are no provisions in Initiative 747 that prohibits the City from using the banked capacity. In addition, he noted that the Council can only set the tax rates; it cannot control the assessed value of real property. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. At the request of Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler, item 6.c. was removed for separate consideration. Council Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2002 Approval of Council meeting minutes of March 4, 2002. Council concur. Lease: Eoscene, 200 Mill Building (Suite 400) Community Services Department requested approval of a three-year lease with Eoscene, Inc. for Suite 400 (3,931 square feet) at the 200 Mill Building. Revenue generated is $62,000 over the term of the lease. Refer to Finance Committee. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED TO REMOVE ITEM 6.c. FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. CARRIED. Separate Consideration Item 6.c. Technical Services: Utilities Easement, Kensington Crest Condo Project Technical Services Division requested that Council grant a utilities easement to the project developer of the Kensington Crest Condominium project located at 1400 SE Royal Hills Dr. (former Parker PUD site) for the installation of a storm water drainage pipeline across City property. Stating that this item concerns the same site as a letter from Janice E. Fluter which she will present under Correspondence, it was MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER ITEM 6.c. TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. City Attorney Larry Warren stated for the record that the City obtained the property across which this easement is being requested from the original owners of the Parker PUD in phases. Explaining that pieces of the property were granted to the City with conditions attached to them, he cautioned that the record needs to be checked in order to determine if the City is obligated under prior terms to grant the easement. Separate Consideration Item 6.c. Technical Services: Utilities Easement, Kensington Crest Condo Project Technical Services Division requested that Council grant a utilities easement to the project developer of the Kensington Crest Condominium project located at 1400 SE Royal Hills Dr. (former Parker PUD site) for the installation of a storm water drainage pipeline across City property. Stating that this item concerns the same site as a letter from Janice E. Fluter which she will present under Correspondence, it was MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER ITEM 6.c. TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. City Attorney Larry Warren stated for the record that the City obtained the property across which this easement is being requested from the original owners of the Parker PUD in phases. Explaining that pieces of the property were granted to the City with conditions attached to them, he cautioned that the record needs to be checked in order to determine if the City is obligated under prior terms to grant the easement. CORRESPONDENCE Citizen Comment: Menges – Smith Short Plat Appeal Withdrawal (SHP-01-118) Correspondence was read from Keith Menges, 1615 NE 28th St., Renton, 98056, withdrawing his appeal of the Smith Short Plat (SHP-01-118). MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL REMOVE THE SMITH SHORT PLAT APPEAL FROM THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REFERRAL LIST. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Fluter – Rolling Hills A, Proposed Cedar River Side Channel Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler reported receipt of correspondence from Janice E. Fluter, 1005 Shelton Ave. SE, Renton, 98058, asking that the Rolling Hills A site be removed from consideration as a possible replacement for the Cedar River side channel destroyed in the Nisqually Earthquake. Indicating that placing the channel at that location will negatively impact the environment and the surrounding neighborhood, she recommended that the proposed channel be placed at Regis Park or the Elliott site. Gregg Zimmerman, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, clarified that the letter refers to the City's proposal to recreate the salmon spawning channel. Pointing out that the letter also concerns potential problems with erosion as a result of development that has begun on the top of the hill in the Rolling Hills area, Ms. Keolker-Wheeler stated that the development Ms. Fluter refers to is the Kensington Crest Condominium project. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Fenner – Storm Water Drainage Problems, Reservoir Short Plat Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler reported receipt of an electronic letter from James A. and Carolyn R. Fenner, 402 Seneca Ct. NW, Renton, 98055, concerning storm water drainage problems and the potential increase of drainage problems if the Reservoir Short Plat project (SHP-01-169), located at the northeast corner of NW 3rd Ct. and 84th Ave. S., is constructed. Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator Gregg Zimmerman confirmed that the letter was referred to City staff for review and response, and as per procedure, will be responded to within two weeks. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS Public Safety Committee Police: Helmet Law Modification Public Safety Committee Chair Clawson presented a report regarding the review of helmet requirements to include skater, scooters, and skateboarders. The Committee recommended that the City's helmet law not be modified to include requiring helmet use at the Skate Park. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Responding to Councilman Corman's inquiry, Councilman Clawson explained that the Police Department expressed concerned about trying to enforce additional helmet requirements when the current helmet laws are not actively being enforced. He stated that after researching the matter, he discovered that head injuries at skate parks are not that common; however, he still strongly encouraged the use of helmets and padding. *MOTION CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS Public Safety Committee Police: Helmet Law Modification Public Safety Committee Chair Clawson presented a report regarding the review of helmet requirements to include skater, scooters, and skateboarders. The Committee recommended that the City's helmet law not be modified to include requiring helmet use at the Skate Park. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Responding to Councilman Corman's inquiry, Councilman Clawson explained that the Police Department expressed concerned about trying to enforce additional helmet requirements when the current helmet laws are not actively being enforced. He stated that after researching the matter, he discovered that head injuries at skate parks are not that common; however, he still strongly encouraged the use of helmets and padding. *MOTION CARRIED. Utilities Committee Utility: NE 2nd St Storm System Extension Project, Add to 2002 CIP Utilities Committee Vice Chair Keolker-Wheeler presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation that Council approve the re-appropriation of $200,000 for the construction of the NE 2nd St. Storm System Extension project. The project funding will come from the unexpended Surface Water Utility's 2001 CIP (421) Fund appropriation, which currently has a balance of $211,483. The Committee also concurred with the staff recommendation that Council approve the addition of the NE 2nd St. Storm System Extension project to the Surface Water Utility's 2002 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Special Assessment District: East Kennydale Sanitary Sewer Infill Phase I Utilities Committee Vice Chair Keolker-Wheeler presented a report recommending concurrence in the recommendation of the Planning/Building/Public Works Department that preliminary approval be given for the East Kennydale Sanitary Sewer Infill Phase I Special Assessment District. The Committee further recommended concurrence in the recommendation that Council direct staff to proceed with the establishment of the final special assessment district upon completion of the construction of the East Kennydale Sanitary Sewer Infill Phase I project.* Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler stated that citizens in the subject area are not required to connect to the City's sewer system unless they choose to connect or have a septic failure. She advised that a public meeting concerning the project will be held on March 19th. *MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. King County: District Court Redistricting Responding to Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler's inquiry about the proposed redistricting of the King County district courts, City Attorney Larry Warren explained that while the City supports review of the district courts, the City is concerned about the short time frame given for evaluation of the matter. Mayor Tanner stated that copies of the redistricting plan proposed by the King County Executive on March 8, 2002, will be forwarded to Councilmembers. Finance Committee Finance: Vouchers Finance Committee Chair Parker presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 201692 - 202160 and two wire transfers totaling $2,240,027.04; and approval of Payroll Vouchers 36805 - 37036, one wire transfer and 548 direct deposits totaling $1,675,685.95. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation (Aviation) Committee Airport: Security Gate Replacement, Fund Appropriation Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the Renton Municipal Airport Gate Replacement project. Keeping the existing gate, located by the Northwest Seaplanes hangar (850 building), shut and locked is a daily problem which increases the possibility of runway occurrences and/or incursions. Therefore, staff recommended the installation of an electrically operated vehicle gate with pedestrian gate next to the building. In addition, an existing swing arm gate located just north of the South Bridge provides little deterrent to unauthorized pedestrians, and the Cedar River Trail, located 70 feet away, is within walking distance of the gate. Therefore, staff recommended the installation of a seven-foot-high electrically operated gate made of chain link fencing and topped with three-strand barbed wire. The Committee further recommended that Council authorize using $50,000 from the Airport Security Improvement Fund for the Airport Gate Replacement project. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation (Aviation) Committee Airport: Security Gate Replacement, Fund Appropriation Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the Renton Municipal Airport Gate Replacement project. Keeping the existing gate, located by the Northwest Seaplanes hangar (850 building), shut and locked is a daily problem which increases the possibility of runway occurrences and/or incursions. Therefore, staff recommended the installation of an electrically operated vehicle gate with pedestrian gate next to the building. In addition, an existing swing arm gate located just north of the South Bridge provides little deterrent to unauthorized pedestrians, and the Cedar River Trail, located 70 feet away, is within walking distance of the gate. Therefore, staff recommended the installation of a seven-foot-high electrically operated gate made of chain link fencing and topped with three-strand barbed wire. The Committee further recommended that Council authorize using $50,000 from the Airport Security Improvement Fund for the Airport Gate Replacement project. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Citizen Comment: Bichler – Sidewalks Around Maplewood Heights Elementary & Maplewood Park Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler requested that correspondence received from Alison Bichler, 254 Union Ave. NE, Renton, 98059, regarding the installation of sidewalks in the vicinity of Maplewood Heights Elementary and Maplewood Park and Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator Gregg Zimmerman's response to the letter be forwarded to the appropriate King County Councilmember since the area most in need of sidewalks is located in King County. Police: Displaced Cement Wheel Stops, Transit Center Area Councilman Persson reported that displaced cement wheel stops in the Renton Transit Center area, near the Downtown Parking Garage property, are causing a road hazard. Mayor Tanner requested that the Police Department investigate the matter. Public Safety: City Mobile Radio Communications Systems MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THE ISSUE OF THE CITY'S MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:24 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann March 11, 2002