HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-03
RENTON CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2003 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
KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER, Council President; DAN CLAWSON; TONI
NELSON; DON PERSSON; KING PARKER; TERRI BRIERE. MOVED BY
KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL EXCUSE
ABSENT COUNCILMAN RANDY CORMAN. CARRIED.
CITY STAFF IN
ATTENDANCE
JESSE TANNER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer;
RUSSELL WILSON, Assistant City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City
Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works
Administrator; SANDRA MEYER, Transportation Systems Director; NICK
AFZALI, Transportation Planning Supervisor; KARL HAMILTON,
Transportation Operations Manager; JOE ARMSTRONG, Civil Engineer;
ALEX PIETSCH, Acting Economic Development Administrator; JIM
SHEPHERD, Community Services Administrator; LESLIE BETLACH, Parks
Director; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER KENT
CURRY, Police Department.
Added
PROCLAMATION
Red Cross Month – March,
2003
A proclamation by Mayor Tanner was read declaring the month of March, 2003,
to be "Red Cross Month" in the City of Renton, and urging all citizens to honor
the men and women, staff and volunteers of this outstanding organization that is
relied on in the Renton community to provide training and information to make
thousands of individuals, schools, and businesses safer and ready to respond to
unforeseen emergencies. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED
BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION AS
READ. CARRIED.
SPECIAL
PRESENTATIONS
Regional Issues: Puget Sound
Regional Council Update on
Regional Growth Centers
Norman Abbott, Program Manager with Puget Sound Regional Council
(PSRC), gave a presentation on Regional Growth Centers as part of PRSC's
VISION 2020 outreach strategy. He explained that the Growth Management
Policy Board (GMPB) of the PSRC desires to increase communication with
jurisdictions containing Regional Growth Centers in efforts to share successes,
and help identify barriers and issues surrounding these centers. Mr. Abbott
congratulated Renton on the progress it has made with its Regional Growth
Center or Urban Center, saying that PSRC often uses it as an example to follow
for other jurisdictions.
Mr. Abbott reviewed the progress the GMPB has made on its study of Regional
Growth Centers, and its future plans. He reported that there are 21 centers in
the Puget Sound Area, each of which can play a regional role in attracting
population and employment, and can serve as a framework for the regional
transportation system. Even if a relatively modest percent of overall future
growth is attracted to these centers, the region would use urban land and public
services more efficiently, eliminate a significant number of automobile trips,
and enable more people to walk, bike, and take transit to nearby destinations.
Continuing, Mr. Abbott noted that the overall area consumed by all of the
Urban Centers is 2.4% of the Urban Growth Area. Additionally, Urban Centers
make up 5% of the population, 6% of the housing, and 28.6% of the
employment in the Urban Growth Area. He also displayed graphs to show how
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 70
Renton's Urban Center compares with other centers in terms of employment and
housing unit growth. In conclusion, Mr. Abbott stated that in its next phase of
work, PSRC plans a VISION 2020 scoping process, and plans to address
geographies other than Regional Growth Centers such as town centers and
nodes, selected redevelopment corridors, compact communities, and rural areas.
Mayor Tanner stated that in some of the projection work done by the PSRC, the
decline of Boeing activity has been taken into account with no compensation for
anything that might occur after that. Emphasizing that the City of Renton is
aggressively working on future planning for the Boeing property, he urged
PSRC to take this into account when calculating its transportation projections.
In response to Council President Keolker-Wheeler's concern regarding the
outdated information in PSRC's 2002 Regional Growth Center report for
Renton, Mayor Tanner assured that the Administration will thoroughly review
the report.
Airport: Advisory Committee
Accomplishments
Transportation Systems Director Sandra Meyer introduced Marcie Palmer,
Renton Airport Advisory Committee Chair, who gave a briefing on the
accomplishments of the Renton Airport Advisory Committee. Ms. Palmer
stated that the committee, which was formed in March, 2001, consists of City
staff, airport tenants, and neighborhood representatives. She explained that in
terms of community building, the formation of the committee has increased
public awareness of the laws, policies, and procedures that govern the operation
of airports, and has resulted in a forum in which airport issues are aired publicly
and potential solutions are discussed.
Ms. Palmer reported that the committee's accomplishments in regards to airport
business and operations included assisting in the preparation of the Renton
Municipal Airport Business Plan, and making recommendations that led to
increased airport security, reduced runway incursions, and improved leasing
policies. In regards to airport noise, she stated that the committee improved the
language used in the voluntary noise abatement procedures brochure, increased
the advertising of those procedures, and initiated formal procedures to track and
investigate noise complaints.
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 2003 and beyond. Items noted included:
The Human Services Division, in partnership with The Salvation Army,
sponsors the Renton Emergency Assistance Program (REAP), which helps
low-income residents pay their utility bills or other emergency services.
Donations to the fund are made directly to The Salvation Army and are
solicited through an insert in the City's utility bills. In 2002, donations
totaled $3,184, helping a total of 35 people.
Interested citizens are invited to an open house about the transportation
improvements to the NE 3rd and 4th Street corridor on Tuesday, March 4th,
from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Renton Technical College in the downstairs
foyer of the Campus Center (Building I). Contact Keith Woolley at 425-
430-7318 for more information.
Sound Transit will host an open house to present Renton-area bus service
improvement plans scheduled for 2003 and beyond. The open house is
scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the
Renton Senior Activity Center located at 211 Burnett Ave. N. For
additional information, contact Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org.
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 71
AUDIENCE COMMENT
Citizen Comment: DeMastus –
Highlands Neighborhood
Signs, Highlands Community
Association
Sandel DeMastus, Highlands Community Association (HCA) President, 1137
Harrington Ave. NE, Renton, 98056, reported that the both of the Highlands
Neighborhood entry signs have been erected. She also announced that Council
President Keolker-Wheeler will speak on the human services budget cuts at the
next HCA meeting on February 27th, 7:00 p.m., at the Renton Housing
Authority Administration Building.
Citizen Comment: Royer –
West Hill Area
Kathleen Royer, 10841 Rustic Rd. S., Seattle, 98178, speaking on behalf of the
West Hill Community Council, thanked Council for its discussion during the
preceding Committee of the Whole meeting regarding West Hill area policies
and the removal of West Hill from Renton's potential annexation area.
Reporting that the West Hill area is undergoing transition, both positive and
negative, Ms. Royer noted that the positive aspects include the new
management of the West Hill Community Center by the Boys and Girls Club,
the commitment of the Northwest Area Foundation to reduce poverty in the
area, and King County is addressing traffic and safety issues in the main
corridors and business areas. She expressed her hope that the West Hill area
and Renton can have a dialogue to investigate the potential for annexing some
portion of West Hill to the City, and the establishment of a transition plan to
that end.
Mayor Tanner reviewed the costs of bringing the West Hill area up to County
and City standards, and emphasized that Renton cannot afford to annex the
West Hill area at this time. He encouraged residents to continue to pressure
King County to bring more improvements to the area.
CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the
listing.
Council Meeting Minutes of
February 10, 2003
Approval of Council meeting minutes of February 10, 2003. Council concur.
Appointment: Board of
Adjustment
Mayor Tanner appointed Mark Rigos, 1309 N. 39th Pl., Renton, 98056, to the
Board of Adjustment, Position #3, for a four-year term expiring on 9/06/2006.
Refer to Community Services Committee.
Vacation: Alley between
Whitworth & Morris Aves, and
S 3rd & 4th Sts, St. Anthony's
Parish, VAC-03-001
City Clerk submitted petition for vacation of an alley between Whitworth and
Morris Avenues S. and S. 3rd and 4th Streets; petition received on 1/17/2003
from Greg McNabb of St. Anthony's Parish, 314 S. 4th St., Renton, 98055,
accompanied by required filing fee (VAC-03-001). Refer to
Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; set public hearing on 3/24/2003
to consider the petition. (See page 74 for resolution setting the public hearing.)
Annexation: Minimum Area
Threshold Establishment of
Ten Acres
Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department
recommended adoption of a minimum area threshold of ten acres for future
annexation elections to make more efficient use of staff time and to promote
larger annexations. Refer to Planning & Development Committee.
Fire: Records Management
System, Public Safety
Consultants
Fire Department recommended approval of a contract in the amount of
$130,000 with Public Safety Consultants, Inc. for the implementation of its
records management system. Refer to Public Safety Committee.
Police: JAIBG Funds to King
County Juvenile Crime
Enforcement Coalition
Police Department reported Renton's eligibility to receive Juvenile
Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG) funds in the amount of $27,012,
and requested approval to pool those funds with other King County jurisdictions
to the King County Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition for juvenile justice
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 72
system improvements. Council concur.
Transportation: TIP (2003-
2008) Line Item Reallocation
Transportation Systems Division requested authorization for the 2003
reallocation of projects by line item within the 2003-2008 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) appropriation of $6,661,200 for the Transportation
Capital Improvement Fund 317. Council concur.
Transportation: Rainier Ave
Corridor Study, Mirai
Associates
Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement in the
amount of $260,600 with Mirai Associates, Inc., to conduct a comprehensive
corridor study of Rainier Ave. from SR-167 to the northern City limits. Refer to
Transportation (Aviation) Committee.
CAG: 00-061, Oakesdale Ave
SW Phase 1B & Phase 2, Gary
Merlino Const Co
Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-00-061, Oakesdale Ave. SW
Phase 1B and Phase 2; and requested approval of the project, authorization for
final payment in the amount of $43,582.20, commencement of 60-day lien
period, and release of retained amount of $107,547.56 for the full project to
Gary Merlino Construction Company, Inc., contractor, if all required releases
are obtained. Council concur.
CAG: 02-002, SR-900 – S 2nd
St Traffic Signal Safety, Totem
Electric of Tacoma
Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-02-002, SR-900 – S. 2nd St.
Traffic Signal Safety; and requested approval of the project, authorization for
final payment in the amount of $40,759,66, commencement of 60-day lien
period, and release of retained amount of $12,699.69 to Totem Electric of
Tacoma, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur.
CAG: 02-050, SR-900 – NE
Sunset Blvd/Anacortes Ave
NE Intersection Improvements,
Totem Electric of Tacoma
Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-02-050, SR-900 – NE Sunset
Blvd. and Anacortes Ave. NE Intersection Improvements; and requested
approval of the project, authorization for final payment in the amount of
$24,295.02, commencement of 60-day lien period, and release of retained
amount of $14,683.14, to Totem Electric of Tacoma, Inc., contractor, if all
required releases are obtained. Council concur.
CAG: 01-098, Traffic Signal
Priority System, IBI Group
Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of a supplemental
agreement in the amount of $34,969.05 to CAG-01-098, contract with IBI
Group for the Traffic Signal Priority System project, for additional work due to
unforeseen design details and system selection complications. Council concur.
Utility: Earlington Sanitary
Sewer Replacement Survey
Work, Penhallegon Associates
Consulting Engineers
Wastewater Utility Division recommended approval of a contract in the amount
of $76,180.20 with Penhallegon Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc., for
survey work associated with the Earlington Sanitary Sewer Replacement
project. Council concur.
MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS
Legislature: Lobbying Efforts
Alex Pietsch, Acting Economic Development Administrator, reported that City
representatives visited and talked with legislators last Tuesday regarding issues
that affect Renton. Mr. Pietsch stated that various topics were discussed
including annexation reform legislation, preservation of local water rights,
transportation issues, gambling issues, and the international family of building
codes.
Council President Keolker-Wheeler expressed her appreciation to City staff for
putting together the Renton information packet that was given to the legislators.
Public Safety Committee
Police: Jail Services Contract
Addenda, King County Cities
Public Safety Committee Chair Clawson presented a report regarding the fee
adjustment for the temporary custody of inmates before transfer to the Yakima
County Jail. The Committee concurred in the recommendation of staff that
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 73
Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the addenda to the
interlocal agreements for the temporary custody of inmates before transfer to the
Yakima County Jail including the cities of Algona, Bellevue, Black Diamond,
Bothell, Burien, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Covington, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park,
Maple Valley, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, North Bend,
Pacific, Redmond, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Skykomish,
Snoqualmie, Tukwila, Woodinville, and Yarrow Point.*
Councilman Clawson noted that the interlocal agreement addenda raises the
daily inmate housing rate that the City charges other jurisdictions to match the
rate that Yakima County Jail charges.
*MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR
IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Human Services: Salvation
Army Donations
Councilwoman Nelson, speaking as a boardmember for The Salvation Army,
thanked City employees and citizens for their donations to The Salvation Army.
Finance Committee
Finance: Vouchers
Finance Committee Chair Parker presented a report recommending approval of
Claim Vouchers 212359 - 212810 and three wire transfers totaling
$2,247,102.30; and approval of Payroll Vouchers 42794 - 43027, one wire
transfer and 564 direct deposits totaling $1,758,307.36. MOVED BY
PARKER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE
COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Finance: Issaquah School
District Impact Fees
Finance Committee Chair Parker presented a report regarding the Issaquah
School District impact mitigation fees. After review and consideration, the
Finance Committee recommended that Council:
• Accept the recommendation of the Administration to retain the current
School Mitigation Impact Fee of $2,937 per new single-family dwellings
within the City of Renton portion of the Issaquah School District No. 411;
and
• Accept the recommendation of the Administration to amend the text under
Issaquah School District in the Other Related Documents Section (page 16)
of the Comprehensive Plan by adding "except for School Impact Fee
Calculations and Final Fee Contained therein. The School Impact
Mitigation Fee is determined as set forth in Ordinance #4808 and Section 4-
1-160 of Title IV, City of Renton Development Regulations."
MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN
THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Planning & Development
Committee
Comprehensive Plan:
Employment Area Valley &
Employment Area Industrial
Policies, IH Zone Moratorium
Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report
regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update – Employment Area-Valley (EA-V)
policies and the Heavy Industrial (IH) Zone development moratorium. The
Committee met on February 21, 2003, to consider the recommendation of the
Planning Commission on the revisions to the EA-V policies, and staff review of
the Employment Area-Industrial (EA-I) policies. These policies are under
review both as part of the Citywide Comprehensive Plan update required by the
Growth Management Act, and Resolution #3613, which declared a moratorium
on new development within the City's IH Zone.
The Committee reviewed the staff and Planning Commission recommendations
and concluded that sufficient review of the EA-V was completed to address
issues set forth in Resolution #3613 for the Valley. The proposed policies
cannot be adopted by the City Council until after a public hearing on all of the
2003 Comprehensive Plan amendments occurs later this year. However, the
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 74
proposed text changes continue the City's policy of allowing a broad range of
employment-based uses in the Valley. The current adopted EA-V policies are
sufficient to guide development in the Valley until the revisions are completed
and adopted.
The EA-I policies were reviewed by staff for the area north and east of Monster
Rd. (Merlino Quarry), and the area east of Garden Ave. N. (PACCAR and
Houser Way). Staff concluded that sufficient land use changes in these areas
are not envisioned in the near future and any changes to the policies should be
addressed during the normal Comprehensive Plan update process.
It was therefore recommended the EA-V land use designation and the EA-I
areas north and east of Monster Rd. (Merlino Quarry) and the area east of
Garden Ave. N. (PACCAR and Houser Way) be removed from the moratorium.
MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR
IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 75 for resolution.)
Development Services: St.
Anthony's Parish Development
Agreement
Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report
regarding St. Anthony's Parish development agreement. On February 10, 2003,
a public hearing regarding the St. Anthony's Parish development agreement was
held before the City Council. Although issues of concern were raised at this
hearing, City staff and representatives of St. Anthony's Parish have since
resolved these issues and have mutually agreed upon a final version of the
document. Therefore, the Committee recommended the approval of the St.
Anthony's development agreement.
The Committee further recommended that the City Attorney be directed to draft
the resolution regarding this matter and, upon adoption of the resolution, that
the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement.*
Councilwoman Briere commended City staff and St. Anthony's Parish for
working together to finalize the development agreement.
*MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR
IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS
The following resolutions were presented for reading and adoption:
Resolution #3621
Vacation: Alley between
Whitworth & Morris Aves, and
S 3rd & 4th Sts, St. Anthony's
Parish, VAC-03-001
A resolution was read setting a public hearing date on March 24, 2003, for
vacating the alley running north to south between Whitworth and Morris
Avenues S. and S. 3rd and 4th Streets (St. Anthony's Parish; VAC-03-001).
MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.
Resolution #3622
Planning: Heavy Industrial
Zone Development
Moratorium Modification
A resolution was read declaring a (modified) moratorium on development
beyond State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) thresholds in the Heavy
Industrial (IH) Zone and establishing a termination date for the moratorium.
MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.
Noting that adoption of this resolution represents one more step towards ending
the IH Zone development moratorium, Council President Keolker-Wheeler
expressed her appreciation to the Mayor and City staff for their efforts.
February 24, 2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 75
The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and
adoption:
Ordinance #5003
Legal: Auto Theft Tools
An ordinance was read amending Chapter 6-18, Penal Code, of Title VI, Police
Regulations, of City Code by reorganizing, adding definitions, and making the
possession or making of auto theft tools a crime. MOVED BY CLAWSON,
SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS
READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Community Services: Art
Class, "Young Artists Meet the
Masters"
Noting the art exhibit on display in the Council Chambers, Councilman Persson
invited Municipal Arts Commission members Doug Kyes and Nancy Hoben to
comment on it. Ms. Hoben explained that they held a class called "Young
Artists Meet the Masters" at the Highlands Neighborhood Center over winter
break for children ages seven to eleven, and the exhibit contained examples of
the students' work. Mr. Kyes pointed out that due to the popularity of the class,
they plan on holding another one.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL
RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR FOURTEEN MINUTES TO
DISCUSS A PROPERTY TRANSACTION FOLLOWING A FIVE-MINUTE
RECESS TO VIEW THE ART DISPLAY. CARRIED. Time: 8:47 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:06 p.m.; roll was called; all Councilmembers
present except Corman, previously excused.
ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN.
CARRIED. Time: 9:07 p.m.
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
Recorder: Michele Neumann
February 24, 2003