HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-04
RENTON CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
January 26, 2004 Council Chambers
Monday, 7:30 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kathy Keolker-Wheeler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and
called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order.
ROLL CALL OF
COUNCILMEMBERS
DON PERSSON, Council President; RANDY CORMAN; TONI NELSON;
DAN CLAWSON; DENIS LAW; TERRI BRIERE; MARCIE PALMER.
CITY STAFF IN
ATTENDANCE
KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief
Administrative Officer; ZANETTA FONTES, Assistant City Attorney;
BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN,
Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; NEIL WATTS, Development
Services Director; ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator;
DON ERICKSON, Senior Planner; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO;
COMMANDER CHARLES MARSALISI, Police Department.
PUBLIC HEARING
Annexation: Bales, SE 128th
St
This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in
accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Keolker-Wheeler opened the
public hearing to consider the proposed R-1 prezoning for the Bales Annexation
8.52-acre site, generally bounded by SE 128th St. to the north, SE 130th St., if
extended, to the south, 156th Ave. SE, if extended, to the east, and the middle of
152nd Ave. SE, to the west.
Don Erickson, Senior Planner, stated that this is the first of two public hearings
on the prezoning for the proposed Bales Annexation. He reviewed the location
and existing conditions of the site, noting the essentially flat topography and
lack of environmental constraints. In regards to public services, the site is
served by Fire District #25, Issaquah School District, Water District #90,
Renton sewer, and it abuts 14 acres of King County designated parklands.
Mr. Erickson pointed out that current King County zoning is R-4 (Residential -
four dwelling units per gross acre). The site is designated Residential Low
Density (RLD) under Renton's Comprehensive Plan, for which the following
zones are allowed: RC (Resource Conservation), R-1 (one dwelling unit per net
acre), R-4 (four dwelling units per net acre), and R-5 (five dwelling units per net
acre). He reported that although voters approved the annexation at the Special
Election on September 16, 2003, the proposed R-5 prezoning was defeated.
Since R-5 prezoning has been ruled out, staff recommends R-1 prezoning, as the
R-4 zoning regulations are currently under development.
Upon review of the fiscal impact analysis, Mr. Erickson noted that at full
development, assuming a potential of eight single-family homes and a new
home value of $300,000, the City will realize a deficit of $462. He concluded
that prezoning is required before the site can be brought into the City, and noted
that R-1 prezoning is consistent with the RLD land use designation. Mr.
Erickson added that property owners within the proposed annexation area can
apply for R-5 zoning once it is officially part of the City.
Public comment was invited.
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 24
Letters were read from George H. Bales, G. Jay Bales, and Robin Bales, PO
Box 3015, Renton, 98056, requesting R-6 overlay rezoning for properties they
own or manage located within the proposed annexation area at 15221 SE 128th
St., and 15217 SE 128th St.
There being no further public comment, it was MOVED BY PERSSON,
SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
CARRIED.
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL
AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT A PREZONE
ORDINANCE WITH R-1 ZONING FOR THE 8.52-ACRE BALES
ANNEXATION SITE. CARRIED.
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 2004 and beyond. Items noted included:
In 2003, the City's website registered over 1.9 million overall page views in
comparison to 1.6 million in 2002, an increase of 15%.
The Rotary Club of Renton contributed $4,000 to the City of Renton
Scholarship Program; and the Youth Athletics Program received a $7,200
donation from Land-O-Frost to help support the 2004 youth basketball and
T-ball programs.
In 2003, over 4,900 volunteer hours were donated to the Recreation
Services Division in youth athletics, teen programming, program
instruction, and special populations programs.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
Citizen Comment: Ziegler -
Whitworth/Morris Aves S
Property Maintenance
Concerns
Philip Ziegler, 504 Whitworth Ave. S., Renton, 98055, expressed his concerns
regarding property owner Mary Ryan and the construction on her properties
located at 500 Whitworth Ave. S. and at S. 6th St. and Morris Ave. S. He
questioned whether the proper permits were obtained, and displayed
photographs of the potentially unsafe construction conditions and debris. Mr.
Ziegler stated that the construction and some of the renters of the properties are
disrupting the neighborhood. Additionally, he stated his concern relating to the
overpopulation of the neighborhood, and asked if the neighborhood could be
rezoned back to single-family.
Citizen Comment: Ankney -
Whitworth/Morris Aves S
Property Maintenance
Concerns
Walter Ankney, 303 6th Ave. S., Renton, 98055, reported that some renters of
units owned by Mary Ryan in his neighborhood tend to leave trash around the
buildings. He displayed photographs of the trash, explaining that its
accumulation makes it difficult to walk in the alleyways, and also presents a
safety hazard.
Citizen Comment: Arrowsmith
- Whitworth/Morris Aves S
Property Maintenance
Concerns
George Arrowsmith, 544 Morris Ave. S., Renton, 98055, noted that three trees
were removed from the property located at S. 6th St. and Morris Ave. S., and he
questioned the necessity of their removal, and whether permits are needed for
tree removal. He stated that consideration of the aesthetics of the situation
needs to be taken into account prior to the granting of tree removal permits.
Citizen Comment: Kernie -
Multi-Family Zoning, 2221
NE 10th St
John Kernie, 432 Smithers Ave. S., Renton, 98055, stated that he purchased
multi-family zoned investment property at 2221 NE 10th St. with the intent of
converting the garage into an apartment. However, according to the zoning
regulations, he cannot build a single dwelling if the structure is not already in
place, and has to build a duplex or larger unit. Explaining that he does not have
the resources at this time to build a duplex or to extend the roofline from the
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 25
current home, Mr. Kernie asked for a compromise that allows the single unit
now, with his guarantee that he'll increase the number of units in the future.
Mayor Keolker-Wheeler stated that City staff will investigate the concerns of all
the previous speakers.
Citizen Comment: Rollins -
R-1 Zone Community
Separators
D. J. Rollins, 9605 143rd Ave. SE, Renton, 98059, asked that Renton's zoning
code be modified so it achieves the same development patterns within the R-1
zone community separators as in King County, which concern clustering and
the retention of open space to protect sensitive environmental features. She
stated that a disconnect exists between Renton's policies and the actual zoning
code, and the code does not fully implement the Countywide Planning Policies
in regard to community separators. Due to the City's pending annexations in a
community separator, Ms. Rollins urged Council to consider the matter
immediately to ensure the resulting annexations abide by Renton's vision for
these areas.
Mayor Keolker-Wheeler noted that Ms. Rollins also submitted a letter on this
topic, which was listed under Correspondence on the agenda.
MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL REFER
THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
Citizen Comment: Cooke -
Renton Visitor's Connection
Suzette Cooke, Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, 300
Rainier Ave. N., Renton, 98055, stated that the Renton Visitor's Connection,
formerly the Renton Lodging Association, connects people to lodging, dining,
and entertainment opportunities in the City of Renton. She introduced Janette
Blaine with the Silver Cloud Inn, and Kathleen Keator, Business and Visitor
Services Director for the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Cooke announced that
the Renton Visitor's Guide will be available next week, and noted that an
advertisement regarding Renton that appeared in Horizon Alaska Air magazine
generated over 1,500 requests for information.
MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL SUSPEND THE
RULES AND ADVANCE TO OLD BUSINESS, FINANCE COMMITTEE
REPORT REGARDING THE RENTON VISITOR'S CONNECTION.
CARRIED.
Finance Committee
EDNSP: Hotel/Motel Tax
Revenue Allocation to Renton
Visitor's Connection, Chamber
of Commerce Contract
Finance Committee Chair Corman presented a report regarding the Renton
Visitor's Connection funding. The Committee discussed the recommendations
of the Renton Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and in regard to the request of
the Renton Visitor's Connection (formerly known as the Renton Lodging
Association), the Committee recommended recognition of the successes of the
group's tourism promotional efforts, and funding of the program's fifth full year
of operation by allocating $100,000 in hotel/motel tax collections to that end.
The Committee further recommended that the Council authorize the Mayor and
City Clerk to execute a contract with the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce
for year five of the Renton Visitor's Connection tourism promotional effort.
MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN
THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the
listing.
Council Meeting Minutes of Approval of Council meeting minutes of January 12, 2004. Council concur.
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 26
January 12, 2004
CAG: 02-118, Traffic
Management Center, Fredhoes
Building Const Co
Community Services Department submitted CAG-02-118, Traffic Management
Center; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay
estimate in the amount of $11,257.08, commencement of 60-day lien period,
and release of retained amount of $8,302.33 to Fredhoes Building Construction
Co., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur.
Plat: Liberty Ridge Phase 6,
Index Ave NE, FP-03-112
Development Services Division recommended approval, with conditions, of the
Liberty Ridge Phase 6 Final Plat; 122 single-family lots on 34 acres located on
Index Ave. SE, south of NE 3rd and 4th Streets, and east of Edmonds Ave. NE
(FP-03-112). Council concur. (See page 28 for resolution.)
Annexation: Carlo, 136th Ave
SE & 140th Ave SE
Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department
recommended a public hearing be set on February 9, 2004, to consider the 50%
Petition to Annex and R-8 prezoning for the proposed Carlo Annexation; 37
acres bounded by 136th Ave. SE, NE 3rd St., 138th Ave. SE, and SE 132nd St.
to 140th Ave. SE. Council concur.
Annexation: Johnson, 142nd
Ave SE
Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department
submitted 10% Notice of Intent petition to annex for the proposed Johnson
Annexation, 14.22 acres bounded by 142nd Ave. SE, SE 121st St., and NE 9th
St., and recommended that a public meeting be set on February 9, 2004, to
consider the petition. Council concur.
Transportation: North Renton
Infrastructure Improvements,
W&H Pacific
Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of a contract in the
amount of $98,164.92 with W&H Pacific for engineering design and survey
services for the North Renton infrastructure improvements. Council concur.
CAG: 03-067, Kennydale
Lakefront Sewer Improvement,
Blackwater Marine
Utility Systems Division submitted CAG-03-067, Kennydale Lakefront Sewer
Improvement; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay
estimate in the amount of $5,827.33, commencement of 60-day lien period, and
release of retained amount of $16,729.37 to Blackwater Marine, LLC,
contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Council concur.
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
CORRESPONDENCE
Citizen Comment: Miller -
Landscape Maintenance
Services Contract
Correspondence was read from Patrick Miller, President, AFSCME Local 2170,
AFL-CIO, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, 98055, requesting that the topic of
contracting out of parks maintenance work be placed on the Community
Services Committee agenda. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY
CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE
ADMINISTRATION. CARRIED.
Citizen Comment: Petrie -
Density Credit Transfers
Correspondence was read from Dave Petrie, 811 S. 273rd Ct., Des Moines,
98198, regarding the impact of Density Credit Transfers (DCT) on intended
residential density zoning. He urged Council to petition King County Council
to change or abolish them, pointing out that DCT degrade the residential quality
of the involved area. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON,
COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee of the Whole
Council: Committee Meeting
Dates & Times
Council President Persson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding
Council committee meeting dates and times for 2004. To better accommodate
Councilmember schedules, the Committee of the Whole recommended that the
Finance Committee meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 5:30 p.m., the Public
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 27
Safety Committee meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 5:30 p.m., and the
Community Services Committee meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 5:00 p.m.
All other 2004 committee meeting dates and times will remain as previously set.
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN
THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Council: Retreat Report (1/13
& 1/14/2004)
Council President Persson summarized the topics discussed at the Council
retreat held on January 13 and 14, 2004, which included the following: Council
desk manual; Claims for Damages procedures; Council confirmation of
department heads; disposition of old Fire Station #12; parks; City as a landlord;
Parks Maintenance Facility; downtown development; Pavilion Building;
annexations; Highlands area redevelopment; Airport; Renton School District;
Boeing property redevelopment; and crime reduction.
Finance Committee
Finance: Vouchers
Finance Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending approval
of Claim Vouchers 222902 - 223231 and zero wire transfers totaling
$3,241,824.08; and approval of Payroll Vouchers 330, 11 wire transfers, and
554 direct deposits totaling $2,099,052.93. MOVED BY CORMAN,
SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE
REPORT. CARRIED.
EDNSP: Hotel/Motel Tax
Revenue Allocation to
Community Stakeholders,
Hamilton/Saunderson Contract
Finance Committee Chair Corman presented a report regarding the Renton
Community Marketing Campaign funding. The Committee discussed the
recommendation of the Renton Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to allocate
funds for activities proposed by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign.
The Committee concurred with the staff recommendation and asked the City
Council to:
• Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign contracts with
Hamilton/Saunderson Marketing Partnership, marketing consultants, for a
sixth year of the Renton Community Marketing Campaign.
• Partner with other key community stakeholders for a fourth year of the
Renton Community Marketing Campaign by allocating $50,000 of
hotel/motel tax collections to its use. This allocation will be leveraged with
additional financial contributions from the Department of Economic
Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning's "business
recruitment" budget, and other community agencies, organizations, and
businesses.
MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN
THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Community Services: Roxy
Theater Sign
Councilman Corman requested information pertaining to the storage conditions
and costs of storing the Roxy Theater sign. Councilwoman Briere inserted that
the Renton Museum would like the sign to be restored; however, it cannot
afford to do so without funding assistance. Mayor Keolker-Wheeler stated that
the Administration will investigate the matter, and brief Council at the
upcoming Council retreat.
Utilities Committee
Utility: East Valley Lift
Station Replacement Project
Budget
Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending
concurrence with the Planning/Building/Public Works Department
recommendation that the City Council increase the project budget authority for
the East Valley Lift Station Replacement Project from $747,000 to $947,000.
The increased budget authority is to cover construction related issues that have
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 28
caused the project to go above budget. The additional budget authority would
be created through a transfer from the Wastewater Sewer Replacement Account
(421.000400.018.5960.0035.045300) as part of the 2004 carry forward
ordinance. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL
CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Public Safety Committee
Police: Street Racing
Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report pertaining to the request
of Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer for Seattle-King County
Public Health Department, who asked local jurisdictions to review their existing
street racing ordinances. The Committee, in conjunction with the Police
Department, reviewed the City of Renton's ordinances and procedures regarding
street racing. The Committee concurred in the recommendation of staff to make
no changes in the ordinances and procedures at this time.*
Councilman Law added that Renton has a zero tolerance policy regarding street
racing that is aggressively enforced. Additionally, he noted that penalties for
this type of activity are fairly severe, and the Police Department works closely
with affected local businesses.
*MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN
THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Planning & Development
Committee
King County: 2004
Comprehensive Plan
Amendments
Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report
regarding the 2004 King County Comprehensive Plan amendments. The
Committee met on January 8 and 22 to review proposed amendments to the
King County Comprehensive Plan. The Committee concurred with the staff
recommendations and comments presented in a letter dated January 22, and
recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to send a letter to King
County Executive Ron Sims outlining these concerns. MOVED BY BRIERE,
SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE
REPORT. CARRIED.
ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS
The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption:
Resolution #3682
Plat: Liberty Ridge Phase 6,
Index Ave NE, FP-03-112
A resolution was read approving the Liberty Ridge Phase 6 Final Plat; 34 acres
located on Index Ave. SE, on the east side of Edmonds Ave. NE and NE 3rd
and 4th Streets (FP-03-112). MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY
CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.
The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and
adoption:
Ordinance #5062
Development Services: Real
Estate Sign Code Amendments
An ordinance was read amending Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement;
Chapter 4, Citywide Property Development Standards; and Chapter 11,
Definitions; of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code regarding real
estate signs.*
Councilwoman Briere noted that some minor changes were made to the
ordinance after its first reading on December 15, 2003, due to concerns
expressed by the real estate rental housing community.
*MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT
THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
Councilman Corman commented on the different types of sign technologies.
He pointed out that the technology is constantly changing, and the City's sign
code needs periodic modification to keep up with the changes.
NEW BUSINESS MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL MAKE
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 29
Council: Meeting Cancellation
(Permanent), Presidents Day
PRESIDENTS' DAY A PERMANENT COUNCIL HOLIDAY. CARRIED.
Public Works: Waterline ROW
Clean-Up
Councilman Persson noted the presence of hanging tree limbs, dumped
mattresses, and misplaced ecology blocks on the waterline right-of-way,
between Philip Arnold Park and Puget Dr., and requested attention to the
matter.
Community Services: Philip
Arnold Park Entry Way
Grading
Councilman Persson requested that the gravel parking area at the entrance area
to Philip Arnold Park be graded.
School District: Community
Helpers
Reporting on Renton School District activities, Councilwoman Nelson stated
that a new group has been formed within Talbot Hill Elementary School's
MicroSociety Program called Community Helpers. She explained that the
group is learning about the rewards of volunteerism, and undertakes activities
such as collecting clothes and money for the Renton Clothes Bank, and making
cards for the soldiers serving in Iraq and for Iraqi children.
Airport: Advisory Committee
Meeting
Councilwoman Palmer announced that an Airport Advisory Committee meeting
will be held on February 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
Citizen Comment: Paholke -
Edmonds Ave SE/SE 2nd Pl
Intersection Safety Concerns
Diane Paholke, 325 Edmonds Ave. SE, Renton, 98056, stated that she lives in
the Liberty Ridge Subdivision and reported on the ongoing neighborhood safety
concerns regarding vehicles that speed through the intersection of Edmonds
Ave. SE and SE 2nd Pl. She stated that she addressed Council last year on this
matter, and although she was told stop signs could not be posted, the City did
post a four-way cross warning sign and used the Speed Monitoring Awareness
Radar Trailer. Ms. Paholke pointed out that those speed-reducing efforts only
worked for six weeks, and requested that the City investigate other solutions.
MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER
THIS ITEM TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
Community Services:
Community Center Sports
Program
On another matter, Ms. Paholke praised the Renton Community Center's sports
program, and asked Mayor Keolker-Wheeler to convey her compliments to the
Recreation Division staff.
Transportation: Maple Valley
Hwy/SE 11th St, Traffic Safety
Concerns
MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER
MAPLE VALLEY HWY. AND SE 11TH ST. NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC
SAFETY ISSUES TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
Citizen Comment: Simpson -
Citizens for King County
Monorail Meeting
Jim Simpson, 109 John St., Apt. 109, Seattle, 98109, announced that the group
Citizens for King County Monorail is holding a public monorail forum at
Fairwood Library on January 31, at 1:00 p.m.
Council: Order of Business
Policy (#800-03)
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL REFER ITS
POLICY AND PROCEDURE ENTITLED "ORDER OF BUSINESS,
PREPARATION AND READING OF THE MINUTES" (#800-03) TO THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADJOURN.
CARRIED. Time: 9:01 p.m.
January 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 30
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
Recorder: Michele Neumann
January 26, 2004