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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmi101909RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting October 19, 2009 Monday, 7 p.m. MINUTES Council Chambers Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATION Budget: Mayor's Presentation of 2010 Budget Mayor Law called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. RANDY CORMAN, Council President; GREG TAYLOR; RICH ZWICKER; TERRI BRIERE; KING PARKER; DON PERSSON; MARCIE PALMER. DENIS LAW, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Public Works Administrator; ALEX PIETSCH, Community and Economic Development Administrator; TERRY HIGASHIYAMA, Community Services Administrator; IWEN WANG, Finance and Information Services Administrator; NANCY CARLSON, Human Resources and Risk Management Administrator; PETER HAHN, Deputy Public Works Administrator - Transportation; SUZANNE DALE ESTEY, Economic Development Director; MARTY WINE, Assistant CAO; LESLIE BETLACH, Parks Planning & Natural Resources Director; BETTE ANDERSON, Library Director; KELLY BEYMER, Parks & Golf Course Director; PETER RENNER, Facilities Director; PREETI SHRIDHAR, Communications Director; FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR I. DAVID DANIELS, Fire & Emergency Services Department; DEPUTY CHIEF TIM TROXELL, COMMANDER KENT CURRY and COMMANDER CLARK WILCOX, Police Department. Mayor Law presented his proposed City of Renton 2010 Budget to Renton citizens and members of the City Council. He remarked that due to the current economic recession, and a structural flaw in local governments' source of funding, many things that improve the quality of life for City residents are in jeopardy. He explained that property tax is capped at 1% growth per year, yet the cost of doing business normally increases at a rate closer to 4% per year. He stated that for many years Renton, and most other cities in the state, have been living on revenue from a booming economy, and this strategy has been significantly impacted by the national recession. Mayor Law stated that a complex system of taxation leaves the public with the false assumption that they are already paying for the bulk of City services, when in reality less than 25% of property taxes supports all of the services the City provides to its residents. He commented that this equates to roughly $850 per year, or $70 per month, for a typical family to receive fire and emergency medical services, police protection, street maintenance, and use of all of the City's wonderful parks and trails. Mayor Law reported that the City has made significant cuts to the budget in the past 18 months, including eliminating nearly all travel and training, curtailing or postponing equipment purchases, and delaying needed maintenance. He stated that these were quick fix solutions that are not sustainable. He reported that the proposed 2010 budget is balanced, maintains core responsibilities, is 3.5% lower than last year's adopted budget, and reduces the City's workforce by 12%. October 19, 2009 Renton City Council Minutes Page 305 Mayor Law emphasized that the City will not raise taxes in 2010. He explained that innovative, creative, and cost efficient approaches to service delivery will be found. He stated that the City will also diversify City revenues and seek additional sources of funding such as grants. Mayor Law pointed out that the City used zero-based budgeting this year to establish core City services that are valued and mandated by its citizens. He explained that this non-traditional approach to the budget process does not build on the previous year's budget, and all programs and activities were reviewed and ranked according to how they meet the community's priorities. Mayor Law reported that the 2010 budget totals $212 million, $98 million of which is for the General Fund and is available for the bulk of the City's services. He explained that the General fund is mostly funded by taxes, including property taxes, sales tax, and utility taxes. Mayor Law stated that 52% of the expenditures in the General Fund are dedicated to public safety, including police, courts, and fire and emergency services. He stated that 30% is dedicated to maintenance, infrastructure, parks, recreation, community services, planning, and economic development and the rest of the fund is utilized for internal support services. He noted that all of these services are provided by City employees, and that the City's largest expense is devoted to wages and benefits. Mayor Law listed the key service priorities as follows: • Safe and Healthy Community • Livable Community • Representative Government • Mobility • Utilities and Environment • Internal Support He remarked that citizens want safe, livable communities, responsible and responsive government, safe streets and walkable neighborhoods, clean and protected environments, and a trained and productive City workforce. Mayor Law reported that the City will lay-off 35 employees to bring expenses in line with projected revenues in 2010. He reviewed some of the impacts that the lay-offs will create by department: • Police Department - without compromising response times or the City's ability to keep the community safe, there are proposed budget reductions for the administrative and clerical staff, resulting in police officers assuming some administrative functions. • Fire and Emergency Services Department - there is a proposal to restore one full-service aid car to improve the City's response times, a deputy chief position will be held vacant, and two fire inspector positions will be reduced. The community risk reduction function will be assigned to the Emergency Management Director. There will be some reduction in service levels related to inspections and investigations. October 19, 2009 Renton City Council Minutes Page 306 • Community Services Department - seasonal/part-time staff will be reduced by 80, equating to approximately seven full-time positions. These reductions will eliminate the Summer Teen Musical program and closure of the recreation buildings at Kennydale, Kiwanis, Philip Arnold, Teasdale, and Tiffany Park. Free summer drop-in youth programs, volunteer recognition, and the holiday lights program will also be eliminated or reduced. Additionally, there will be staff reductions at the museum, reductions in geese control, tree removal, maintenance supplies, and the current flower program. Decreased custodial staffing will reduce the frequency of cleaning of public restrooms. While voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote to consider changing the administration of library services to the King County Library System in February, the City cannot currently afford the desired level of library services and programs. • Community and Economic Development Department - staff will be reduced by more than 20%. The City will continue to meet planning mandates, but progress on community plans and support provided to other departments will be reduced. Reductions in staffing will increase the wait-time for pre- applications, permit reviews, and inspections. Code Compliance will be maintained at current staffing levels, yet reductions in other departments will reduce the City's ability to clean up neighborhoods. The City is also looking at ways to make the Municipal Arts Commission and Renton Farmers Market self-sustainable in the future. • Public Works Department - reductions in the transportation capital project management program will increase the timeliness of responses to citizens' requests regarding street, sidewalk, and traffic complaints. Work on the comprehensive walkway plan will also be reduced, there will be a decline in the maintenance of streets and utilities, and a reduction of street-side litter collection. The City will provide minimum compliance with the Commute Trip Reduction program and eliminate coordination with Sound Transit and King County METRO. • Finance and Information Technology Department - will eliminate project accounting and contract management, consolidate Financial Analysis and Debt Services with Financial Planning, reduce overall departmental clerical support and move to a biennial budget to reduce production, publication, and staff costs. The reductions will result in deferred upgrades to telephone and GIS systems and other services. • The Human Resources and Risk Management Department - will eliminate technical staff and support in both the human resources and risk management functions. These reductions will create longer turn-around times for recruitments and significantly limit the City's ability to provide training and professional development services. • Executive Department - will reduce staff and capabilities for print and mail, leave a communications specialist position vacant, and eliminate a part- time videographer/multi-media specialist. All dues for national memberships and associations will be eliminated or reduced. Reduced staffing will result in longer wait-times for processing of records requests, probation officers will have less time to spend with parolees, and the Council's travel budget will be reduced by 60%. October 19, 2009 Renton City Council Minutes Page 307 AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Mapelli - Leadership Eastside Recruitment Citizen Comment: Katers - Maplewood Glen Sound Barrier Wall & Community Center Church Use Citizen Comment: McOmber- 2010 Proposed Budget Continuing, Mayor Law explained that the City's water, wastewater, and surface water utility funds are budgeted separately and the proposed rates for 2010 will presented to Council in November. He stated that the City expects to reduce its participation in water education projects, and will eliminate the Clean Sweep curbside clean-up program. Mayor Law reported that capital projects use dedicated funds that are derived largely from state and federal funding sources. He noted that there are limited new resources for capital projects in 2010, but announced that of the $29 million in proposed capital projects, over $27 million is dedicated to transportation and utility projects. He noted some of the larger projects, including the Rainier Ave. project, the new misdemeanant jail facility, water meter and water main replacements, and lift station rehabilitation. Mayor Law reviewed the City's accomplishments from the past year. He reported that that the City's crime rate is one of the lowest in South King County, the Fire and Emergency Services Department responded tremendously to two five-alarm fires that occurred within a three-week period, the Duvall Ave. project opened early and saved taxpayers $4 million, the City's Neighborhood Program received two national awards, the Maplewood Golf Course was recognized for environmental excellence by the Audubon Society, and the City received Tree City, USA recognition. Mayor Law also pointed out that new stores including Harley Davidson and Uwajimaya have opened recently, and the Seahawks training camp brought a total of 15,000 visitors to Renton. Concluding, Mayor Law stated that Renton has a record of innovation, and that will not stop because of the economic downturn. He remarked that the City will stay focused on opportunities not in spite of the financial challenges, but because of them. Stephanie Mapelli (Seattle), representing Leadership Eastside, reviewed the group's annual report. She stated that Leadership Eastside has strengthened the eastside region by developing and enriching a group of actively engaged community leaders. Ms. Mapelli encouraged Council to invest in Leadership Eastside for the benefit of the Renton community. Jeff Katers (Renton) requested advocacy from the City regarding a state sound barrier wall for the Maplewood Glen neighborhood, located along Maple Valley Highway. Mr. Katers also requested that the City open community centers on Sundays for rental by church groups. Councilmember Parker requested that the administration send a letter to the state regarding the sound barrier wall for the Maplewood Glen neighborhood. Councilmember Taylor requested that the administration talk to Mr. Katers about finding a location to rent for his church group. Howard McOmber (Renton), Highlands Community Association, stated that he recognizes that this year's budget was especially tough and thanked City officials and staff for their hard work. He stated that he is relieved to know that work in the Highlands will be continuing next year. Mr. McOmber also praised the administration for efficient pre-disaster planning, noting that there was no flooding from the Cedar River in the City during last January's storms. October 19, 2009 Renton City Council Minutes Page 308 Citizen Comment: Miller- Potential City Employee Lay- offs Citizen Comment: McCammon - Youth Entertainment/Activity Programs CONSENT AGENDA Council Meeting Minutes of 10/5/2009 CAG: 09-158, Maplewood Golf Course Driving Range Repair, Ebenal General CED: Impact Fees, Issaquah, Kent & Renton School Districts Development Services: Master Street Use Agreement, Zayo Bandwidth Human Resources: Pharmaceutical Coverage, EnvisionRX Public Works: Megga Bagger MB-T2, Bag Lady Transportation: Commute Trip Reduction, WSDOT Grant Pat Miller (Bonney Lake), city employee and President of AFSCME Local 2170, remarked that his membership will be taking the brunt of the lay-offs in this budget proposal. He stated that approximately 65% to 75% of the 35 lay-offs are Local 2170 members, and that his membership makes up approximately 46% of the City's workforce. Mr. Miller requested that the unions, Council, and the administration work together to find creative and innovative ways to save jobs as the budget process moves forward. Dave McCammon (Renton) stated that there have been recent incidents involving students with guns in and around Lindbergh High School. He opined that most youth are not bad; they just need something positive to do. He requested that the City create a place for young people to go in the Benson Hill/Cascade area where the entertainment and activity programs are catered to the wants and needs of young people. Items listed on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Approval of Council meeting minutes of 10/5/2009. Council concur. City Clerk reported bid opening on 9/21/2009 for CAG-09-158, Maplewood Golf Course Driving Range Repair Project; five bids; engineer's estimate $90,000 - $110,000; and submitted staff recommendation to award the contract to low bidder, Ebenal General, Inc., in the amount of $97,455. Council concur. Community and Economic Development Department recommended approval to revise the amounts of the impact fees collected on behalf of the Issaquah and Kent School Districts, adopt the 2009 Issaquah School District Capital Facilities Plan and the 2009/2010 through 2014/2015 Kent School District Capital Facilities Plan, and approve the collection of an impact fee on behalf of the Renton School District and adopt the Renton School District 2008 Capital Facilities Plan. Refer to Finance Committee, set public hearing on 11/9/2009. Development Services Division recommended approval of a Master Street Use Agreement with Zayo Bandwidth, Inc. to install conduit and fiber to complete a new network connection from Seattle to Spokane. Refer to Transportation (Aviation) Committee. Human Services and Risk Management Department recommended approval of a three-year contract in the amount of $30,240 per year with EnvisionRX for the administration of healthcare pharmacy benefits. Refer to Finance Committee. Public Works Department recommended approval of the purchase of a mobile sand bagging machine, Megga Bagger MB-T2 from Bag Lady, Inc., in the amount of $29,000 from Fund 501 to assist in the production of sandbags to protect both private and public assets from the elevated risk of potential flooding from the Green River. Council concur. Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to accept funds in the amount of $88,939 for the 2009 - 2011 Commute Trip Reduction program. Council concur. (See page 309 for resolution.) October 19, 2009 Renton City Council Minutes Page 309 CAG: 09-122, Maplewood Creek & Madsen Creek Sediment Basin Cleaning Project 2009, Kamins Construction SAD: 126th Ave SE Sanitary Sewer Extension UNFINISHED BUSINESS Community Services Committee Appointment: Airport Advisory Committee Finance Committee Finance: Vouchers RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES RESOLUTION #4019 Transportation: Commute Trip Reduction, WSDOT Grant NEW BUSINESS Airport: Airport Regulations & Minimum Standards ADJOURNMENT Utility Systems Division submitted CAG-09-122, Maplewood Creek and Madsen Creek Sediment Basin Cleaning Project 2009, and requested approval of the project, final pay estimate in the amount of $994.04, commencement of a 60- day lien period, and release of retained amount of $3,473.61 to Kamins Construction, contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur. Utility Systems Division requested authorization to establish the 126th Ave. SE Sanitary Sewer Extension Special Assessment District in the amount of $439,163.73 to ensure that project costs are equitably distributed to those who benefit. Refer to Utilities Committee. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. Community Services Committee Chair Briere presented a report recommending concurrence in Mayor Law's appointment of Tom Lambro to the Airport Advisory Committee for an unexpired term expiring on 5/7/2011. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 287302 - 287674 and four wire transfers totaling $4,344,289.94; and approval of 123 Payroll Vouchers, one wire transfer, and 801 direct deposits totaling $2,746,865.94. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: A resolution of the City of Renton was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into the Commute Trip Reduction Implementation Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of the Commute Trip Reduction law, RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.555. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY ZWICKER, COUNCIL REFER THE ISSUE OF AIRPORT REGULATIONS AND MINIMUM STANDARDS TO THE RENTON AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. CARRIED. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY TAYLOR, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 7:49 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk Jason Seth, Recorder October 19, 2009 RENTON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR Office of the City Clerk COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 19, 2009 COMMITTEE/CHAIRMAN DATE/TIME AGENDA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (Corman) MON., 10/26 5 p.m. 2010 Budget Presentations & Deliberations COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOPS THURS., 10/22 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 2010 Budget Overview *7th Floor Conferencing Center* COMMUNITY SERVICES (Briere) FRI., 10/30 2010 Budget (City Service Areas & 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Department Presentations) *7th Floor Conferencing Center* FINANCE (Persson) MON., 10/26 Vouchers; 3:30 p.m. Pharmaceutical Coverage Contract with EnvisionRX; Emerging Issues in Revenue Streams PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (Parker) THURS., 10/22 3 p.m. Electrical Fee Rates (briefing only) PUBLIC SAFETY (Taylor) TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) (Palmer) THURS., 10/22 CANCELED UTILITIES (Zwicker) THURS., 10/22 126th Ave. SE Sanitary Sewer Extension 2 p.m. Special Assessment District NOTE: Committee of the Whole meetings are held in the Council Chambers unless otherwise noted. All other committee meetings are held in the Council Conference Room unless otherwise noted.