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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-04 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting April 5, 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 TERRI BRIERE, Council President Pro Tem; MARCIE PALMER; DENIS LAW; DAN CLAWSON; TONI NELSON; RANDY CORMAN. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER DON PERSSON. CARRIED. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator; JUDGE TERRY JURADO, Municipal Court; JOE MCGUIRE, Municipal Court Services Director; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER KENT CURRY, Police Department. PROCLAMATION Records and Information Management Month - April, 2004 A proclamation by Mayor Keolker-Wheeler was read declaring the month of April, 2004, to be "Records and Information Management Month" in the City of Renton and encouraging all citizens to recognize the important service performed by records and information professionals. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION AS READ. CARRIED. Deputy City Clerk Michele Neumann accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Puget Sound Chapter of ARMA (Association of Records Managers and Administrators). SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Municipal Court: 2003 Annual Report Municipal Court Judge Terry Jurado and Municipal Court Services Director Joe McGuire presented the 2003 annual report of the Renton Municipal Court. Mr. McGuire reviewed the court's accomplishments, including: • Participation in a warrant pilot project, which enables participating courts of limited jurisdiction to act on warrants of other courts under certain circumstances; • Installation of a large video screen in Courtroom One so the public can view hearings that are held in the in-custody courtroom located in the jail, thereby solving security and access problems; and • Designation as a passport agent (acceptance of applications began May 6th), which resulted in new revenue of $21,680 in 2003. Mr. McGuire reported that the court's expenditures were $56,606 under budget and revenues totaled $1,153,304, the largest amount ever collected by the court. Additionally, he noted that the number of cases filed in 2003 decreased slightly from 2002. Judge Jurado addressed inquiries from Councilmembers concerning public defender costs and how the court assigns public defenders, the number of bench and jury trials held and the difference between the two types of trials, his various duties, and contested and mitigation hearings. Judge Jurado thanked the Council and the prosecutor's office for their support, and he expressed his April 5, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 98 appreciation to Joe McGuire and the rest of the of the court staff, pointing out that this is the most professional group of people he has every worked with. EDNSP: Urban Center North Comp Plan Amend Project (Boeing Plant), VISION 2020 Award from PSRC Alex Pietsch, Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Administrator, announced that Renton was presented with a VISION 2020 award on March 25 from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) for the City's work on the Urban Center North Comprehensive Plan Amendments related to the potential redevelopment of surplus properties on the Boeing Renton Plant. Renton's project, along with projects from six other jurisdictions, were recognized for helping to cultivate the region's vitality and ensuring a promising future to the year 2020 and beyond. He explained that VISION 2020 is a comprehensive framework for the future, which addresses growth management, the economy, and transportation. Noting that Renton's work on the project represents hundreds of hours of staff and Council time, Mr. Pietsch stated that adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Amendments clearly achieves all of the goals of VISION 2020. He indicated that as Boeing continues to make decisions regarding surplusing property in the South Lake Washington area, this plan provides the City with the framework for the creation of a more vibrant economy for Renton and the Puget Sound Region as a whole. 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: ” The new Henry Moses Aquatic Center, which features a 9,000-square-foot leisure pool and a 3,300-square-foot six-lane lap pool, opens on June 5th. ” The Mayor and City Council have fine-tuned some of the strategies within the City's Business Plan Goals. Modifications include an added emphasis on citizen outreach, community involvement, efficient service delivery, and economic development. ” Neighbors interested in hosting a picnic are invited to a Neighborhood Program workshop on April 14th at 6:30 p.m., to learn how to plan, organize, and implement a successful neighborhood picnic. ” Property taxes help fund vital public services, and in 2004, Renton residents will pay a total of $11.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Of that total, the City of Renton receives only $3.24 per $1,000 of assessed value from each taxpayer. A total of $3.16 provides general administration, police and fire services, street maintenance, parks and recreation programs, and library services. A voter-approved bond requires an additional $0.08, to fund Senior Housing through 2009. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Quesenberry - Sex Offender Notification on City's Website Rosemary Quesenberry, 3609 SE 18th Ct., Renton, 98058, expressed appreciation to Senator Margarita Prentice (11th District) for her work on Senate Bill 6153, which notifies home buyers of where information regarding registered sex offenders may be obtained. She explained that the notification is a clause attached to real estate contracts that advises potential purchasers that a database is maintained by local law enforcement listing convicted sex offenders. Governor Gary Locke signed the bill on March 24th. Ms. Quesenberry pointed out that the City's website displays photographs of the convicted sex offenders from the time they were originally arrested; however, the photographs on the sex offender notifications distributed throughout the April 5, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 99 community are of when they were released from incarceration. Noting that the appearance of juvenile offenders change as they mature, she recommended that the website display the photographs of when the offenders were released. Mayor Keolker-Wheeler stated the Administration would investigate the matter. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2004 Approval of Council meeting minutes of March 22, 2004. Council concur. Appointment: Planning Commission Mayor Keolker-Wheeler appointed Nancy G. Osborn, 4635 Morris Ave. S., #F, Renton, 98055, to the Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Eric Cameron, who has resigned (term to expire 6/30/2006). Refer to Community Services Committee. Court Case: North Coast Electric Company, CRT-04- 002 Court Case filed by Nancy K. Cary of Hershner, Hunter, Andrews, Neill & Smith, LLP, PO Box 1475, Eugene, OR, 97440, on behalf of North Coast Electric Company, regarding alleged payments owed the plaintiff for various projects, including the Renton Fire Station #12 construction project (CAG-02- 177). Refer to City Attorney and Insurance Services. CAG: 04-027, SW 7th St Drainage Improvement Phase II, Frank Coluccio Const Co City Clerk reported bid opening on 3/30/2004 for CAG-04-027, SW 7th Street Drainage Improvement Project Phase II (Lind Ave. SW to Morris Ave. S.); eight bids; engineer's estimate $2,931,000; and submitted staff recommendation to award the contract to the low bidder, Frank Coluccio Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of $3,045,312. Council concur. CAG: 03-126, Wetland Mitigation Bank Site Fence, Construct Co City Clerk reported bid opening on 3/30/2004 for CAG-03-126, Wetland Mitigation Bank Site Fence Project; four bids; engineer's estimate $56,642.37; and submitted staff recommendation to award the contract to the low bidder, Construct Co., LLC, in the amount of $60,906.24. Council concur. Development Services: Wireless Communication Facilities in Residential Zones Development Services Division recommended approval to permit wireless communication facilities in residential zones within public rights-of-way to improve cellular phone service. Refer to Planning and Development Committee. EDNSP: 2003 Countywide Planning Policies Amendment Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended adoption of a resolution ratifying a 2003 amendment to the Growth Management Planning Council's Countywide Planning Policies concerning the designation of downtown Auburn as an Urban Center. Council concur. (See page 101 for resolution.) Annexation: Johnson, 142nd Ave SE Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended a public hearing be set on 4/19/2004 to consider the 60% Direct Petition to Annex and proposed R-8 prezoning for the proposed Johnson Annexation; 18.24 acres located east of 142nd Ave. SE, south of SE 118th St., and west of 144th Ave. SE. Council concur. Airport: FAA Lease, Portion of Control Tower Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of a lease with the Federal Aviation Administration for a portion of the Airport control tower, extending the term of the original lease for another ten years. Revenue generated is $25,755 annually. Refer to Transportation (Aviation) Committee. Community Services: Pavilion Building Fund Transfer from City Center Parking Savings Community Services Department recommended approval to use City Center Parking garage project fund savings to increase the Pavilion Building project budget by $130,000 to cover design irregularities ($108,135.84) and to restore a small contingency ($21,864.16). The architect will reimburse the City for the April 5, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 100 design irregularities. Council concur. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS Committee of the Whole Human Services: Fifth & Williams Apartments, DASH Development Proposal Council President Pro Tem Briere presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the DASH (Downtown Action to Save Housing) Fifth and Williams Apartments development proposal. The Committee discussed this proposed 92- unit affordable housing project at its March 15th and April 5th meetings. DASH, a non-profit affordable housing developer, and Sherman Homes asked the City to communicate support for this project to the Renton Housing Authority (RHA), so that RHA will issue the tax-exempt bonds necessary to finance the project. The Committee recommended authorizing the Administration to send a letter to RHA indicating support for the project. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning & Development Committee Development Services: City Center Area Roof Signs Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report regarding the City Center area roof signs. The Committee reviewed potential revisions to the City Center sign code regulations established in Title IV of City Code. Currently, City Code limits the ability to modify prohibited signs throughout the City. However, in an effort to allow a roof sign on the Pavilion Building, staff has proposed to amend the sign modification process section of Title IV. The Committee recommended that Council schedule a public hearing to discuss the sign code amendments on April 19, 2004. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Public Safety: Public Safety Committee Agenda Item Clean-up Report Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a clean-up report for the following six items listed on the Committee's referral list and recommended that the referrals be closed: • Referral 869 - Animal Ordinance Issues. The Committee recommended that no changes be made to the current ordinance at this time. • Referral 1790 - Alarm Registration. The Committee recommended that no changes be made to the current ordinance at this time. • Referral 1804 - Renton Transit Center Safety. Additional staffing and coordination with King County Metro has been discussed. The Regional Transit Committee has been apprised of the situation in Renton. Given that the police sub-station at the transit center is nearing completion with plans of deploying proactive units on a consistent basis, the Committee recommended that this item be removed from the active referral list but that a status briefing be given to the Committee in June, 2004. • Referral 1847 - Musicians Hall Safety Concerns. The hall was recently sold to a church and no further weekend rental agreements are planned. Therefore, the Committee recommended that no further action be taken on this issue at this time • Referral 1877 - Police Department Staffing. This issue was discussed at both Council workshops this year, and plans have been recommended to the Council for consideration. Specifically, "RENSTAT," Renton's computer statistic and crime analysis approach to directing patrol services is a response to this referral. Therefore, the Committee recommended that this April 5, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 101 issue be removed from the active referral list and that updates be given to Council on the "RENSTAT" program. • Referral 1905 - Peddler's Hours of Operation. The Committee reviewed the ordinance, and because Renton's ordinance is as restrictive as most other municipal ordinances, recommended no changes be made at this time. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Councilman Clawson noted the amount of work that has been done on the police staffing issue, and stated that if the "RENSTAT" proposal can be funded, it will benefit Renton residents and the Police Department. *MOTION CARRIED. Utilities Committee Utility: Highlands Redevelopment Area Water Main Improvements Funding Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report concurring with the recommendation of the Planning/Building/Public Works Department that Council approve the funding of $100,000 from the Highlands Redevelopment Fund to pay for a share of the water main improvements in the Highlands and for the Harrington Square Development. The Committee further recommended that Council authorize staff to proceed with the development of a special assessment district to recuperate the City's share of the improvements. The collected assessment will repay the Highlands Redevelopment Fund first, and the Water Utility's share second. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation (Aviation) Committee Transportation: Edmonds Ave SE/SE 2nd Pl Intersection Safety Concerns Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report regarding traffic safety on Edmonds Ave. SE at SE 2nd Pl. (Liberty Ridge Subdivision). The Committee recommended Council authorize the Administration to perform the following tasks to improve the traffic safety at the intersection of Edmonds Ave. SE and SE 2nd Pl.: 1. Install channelization on Edmonds Ave. SE in the vicinity of the curve approaching the intersection of SE 2nd Pl.; and 2. Investigate warrants for, and install as required, a residential warning sign with a 20-miles-per-hour advisory plate. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3688 EDNSP: 2003 Countywide Planning Policies Amendment A resolution was read ratifying 2003 amendments to the Growth Management Council's Countywide Planning Policies. 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 #5066 Planning: Auto Mall Area Sign Height Amendment An ordinance was read amending Section 4-4-100 of Chapter 4, Citywide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code to allow freestanding sign height of 50 feet for motor vehicle dealerships with over one acre of contiguous ownership or control located within the Auto Mall area. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL April 5, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 102 CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:32 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann April 5, 2004