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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-04 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting April 26, 2004 Council Chambers Monday, 7:30 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Don Persson 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, Mayor Pro Tem; MARCIE PALMER; TERRI BRIERE, Council President Pro Tem; DENIS LAW; DAN CLAWSON; TONI NELSON. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER RANDY CORMAN. CARRIED. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 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; VICTORIA RUNKLE, Finance and Information Services Administrator; CHIEF LEE WHEELER AND DEPUTY CHIEF LARRY RUDE, Fire Department; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER FLOYD ELDRIDGE, Police Department. PROCLAMATION Teacher Appreciation Week - May 2 to 8, 2004 A proclamation by Mayor Keolker-Wheeler was read declaring the week of May 2 to 8, 2004, to be "Teacher Appreciation Week" in the City of Renton, encouraging all citizens to honor teachers and recognize their vital contributions to Renton's youth. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION AS READ. CARRIED. Marcie Maxwell, Chair of the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce's Community Development Committee and President of the Renton School District's Board of Directors; and Sara Garner, Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce Communications and Marketing Director, accepted the proclamation. Ms. Maxwell thanked the City for recognizing teachers, saying they serve this community very well. She also announced that the Ahead of the Class Awards Program, which recognizes individuals or teams of outstanding Renton teachers, will be held on May 4th at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. 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 third grade students from the Renton School District descended today on Renton City Hall and several other City locations for the beginning of the annual third grade tours. ” The Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform a spring concert at Carco Theatre on May 2nd. ” On May 5th and 6th, a joint training session between the Renton Fire Department and the Boeing Fire Department will be conducted at the Renton Municipal Airport. These training sessions are helpful in improving the coordination between the two fire departments when responding to airport emergencies. 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 April 19, 2004. Council concur. April 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 127 April 19, 2004 CAG: 04-037, Talbot Hill Water Main Replacement, Buno Construction City Clerk reported bid opening on 4/20/2004 for CAG-04-037, Talbot Hill Water Main Replacement Project Phase 1; eight bids; engineer's estimate $603,024; and submitted staff recommendation to award the contract to the low bidder, Buno Construction, LLC, in the amount of $500,855.36. Council concur. Finance: Springbrook Utility Billing System Upgrade, Bardsley Associates Finance and Information Services Department recommended approval of a contract in the amount of $68,000 with Bardsley Associates Inc. to implement the Springbrook Utility Billing System software upgrade. Refer to Finance Committee. Annexation: Carlo, 136th Ave SE & 140th Ave SE Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended a public hearing be set on 5/10/2004 to consider the proposed R- 8 (Residential - eight dwelling units per acre) prezoning for the Carlo Annexation; 37 acres bounded by 136th Ave. SE, 140th Ave. SE, NE 3rd St., and SE 135th St. Council concur. CAG: 03-154, Downtown Sidewalk & Curb Ramp, R&J Landscape and Construction Transportation Systems Division submitted CAG-03-154, 2003 Downtown Sidewalk and Curb Ramp; and requested approval of the project, authorization for final pay estimate in the amount of $6,764, commencement of 60-day lien period, and release of retained amount of $8,610.34 to R&J Landscape and Construction, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. Approval was also sought to transfer an additional $16,000 from the Walkway Program and Fund 317 to close out this project. Refer to Transportation Committee. Transportation: Fund 317 Allocation (King County Mitigation Funds) Transportation Systems Division recommended approval to amend the 2004 Transportation Capital Improvement Fund 317 to allocate $2,216,000 in King County mitigation revenue to specific projects. Council concur. (See page 130 for ordinance.) Utility: Maplewood Water Treatment Improvements, PWTF Loan Utility Systems Division recommended acceptance of a 20-year Public Works Trust Fund Construction Loan in the amount of $5,150,000 at an interest rate of 1/2%, for the Maplewood Water Treatment and Golf Course Improvements Project. Council concur. (See page 129 for resolution.) Utility: Sunset Sewer Interceptor Phase III Design, Roth Hill Engineering Partners Utility Systems Division recommended approval of a contract in the amount of $132,878 with Roth Hill Engineering Partners, LLC for pre-design services for the Sunset Sewer Interceptor Phase III Project. Council concur. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS Finance Committee Finance: Vouchers Finance Committee Vice Chair Law presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 225845 - 226280 and one wire transfer totaling $2,353,021.12; and approval of Payroll Vouchers 50081 - 50304, one wire transfer and 573 direct deposits totaling $1,776,117.35. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Fire: Office Assistant III Position Finance Committee Vice Chair Law presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to replace the existing non-regular Database Systems Technician Intern position with an Office Assistant III, grade a05. The position will be designated as full-time limited term and is intended to be funded through December 31, 2005. As a limited term position the incumbent, following a recruitment and selection process, will be represented by AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), Local 2170. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, April 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 128 COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Public Safety: Fireworks Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report regarding fireworks. The topic of controlling fireworks, including an outright ban on fireworks, has been the source of much public concern, and has been the frequent subject of communications with the Council. The Council has taken a good deal of public testimony on this topic and has debated the pros and cons on banning fireworks within the City limits during the past several years. Recent years have shown an increasing number of fire-related incidents due to the discharging of both legal and illegal fireworks. There is a second issue that deals with the enforcement of laws pertaining to the discharging of fireworks. The current penalty for violation of the City's fireworks laws is a misdemeanor and requires an elaborate legal process. The Committee felt that making violations of the fireworks laws a civil infraction will make the laws easier and less expensive to enforce, will not carry the punitive effect of a criminal conviction, and will result in more effective enforcement. Violations of State laws prohibiting possession and discharging of dangerous and incendiary devices, such as firecrackers and bottle rockets, will continue to be enforced as criminal violations. The Committee therefore recommended that the Council adopt an ordinance banning fireworks in the City limits of Renton, with the exception of City- authorized displays. The Committee also recommended that the Council adopt an ordinance making violation of Renton fireworks ordinances a civil infraction in the City of Renton, for fireworks generally known as safe and sane, and continue the misdemeanor penalty for all other fireworks. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Councilman Law stated that this difficult topic has been discussed for many years, and he thanked the Police and Fire Departments and the City Attorney for all their work on this matter. He pointed out that many people do abide by the fireworks laws; however in recent years, fireworks usage has been described more and more as a "war zone," and it is more difficult for police and fire personnel to enforce. As a result of fireworks, Mr. Law reported that approximately $2.25 million in fire-related losses occurred in Renton and neighboring District #40 in Kent last year. Councilman Clawson stated that banning legal fireworks was a difficult decision to make in that most people follow the applicable laws, and the sale of fireworks also raises money for organizations such as the Lions Club. He explained that safe and sane fireworks have been getting more dangerous over the years, and noted that a loss to City property last summer was caused by legal fireworks. Additionally, Mr. Clawson pointed out other cities that have banned fireworks reported a downward trend of losses and violations. Mr. Law stated that the fireworks ban does not go into effect until July, 2005; however, the civil infraction ordinance will be in place this season. *MOTION CARRIED. Community Services Committee EDNSP: 2004 Neighborhood Grant Program Community Services Committee Chair Nelson presented a report regarding the 2004 neighborhood grant projects. The Committee concurred in the recommendation of staff to approve the following grant applications: 1. Tiffany Park Homeowners Association - Upgrade traffic circles and common area with perennial flowers and plants located at Newport Ct. SE, April 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 129 Olympia Ct. SE, SE 16th, SE 18th, SE 19th, and common area on Pierce Ave. ($925). 2. Ginger Creek Community Association - Continue development of a pocket park on Seattle Public Utilities-owned right-of-way in Renton. The area is approximately a quarter of an acre and is bordered by Puget Dr., Beacon Way SE, and 16th St. ($3,766.17). 3. Kennydale Neighborhood Association - Installation of an in-ground sprinkler system located at Burnett Ave., N. 36th St., and Lake Washington Blvd. N. ($1,626). 4. North Renton Neighborhood Association - Construction of ten A-frame signboards, three feet high by two feet wide, with slide in-out brackets and waterproof protected overlay, as a means of notification of neighborhood meetings, events, and picnics ($832.32). 5. Summerwind Homeowners Association - Construction of eight A-frame signboards, two feet high by two feet wide, as a means of notification of neighborhood meetings, events, and picnics ($212.20). 6. Highlands Community Association - Remove 27 dead and dying trees and replace with 26 drought-resistant trees on Edmonds Pl. NE, between NE 12th St. and NE Park Dr. ($1,481.57). The Committee further recommended approval of funding for the following administrative newsletter applications: 1. Falcon Ridge Homeowners Association - Annual printing expenses for printed and mailed quarterly newsletter ($137). 2. Kennydale Neighborhood Association - Annual printing expenses for a printed and mailed quarterly newsletter ($2,000). 3. Tiffany Park Homeowners Association - Annual printing expenses for printed and mailed quarterly newsletter ($89). MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* In response to Councilwoman Briere's inquiry regarding the use of A-frame signs by neighborhood associations, Councilwoman Nelson explained that the signs are allowed on the day of the event. *MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3689 Utility: Maplewood Water Treatment Improvements, PWTF Loan A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an interlocal cooperative agreement with the State of Washington Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development Department entitled "Public Works Trust Fund Construction Loan Agreement Number PW-04-691-057" for construction of the Maplewood Water Treatment Improvements Project. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 5/03/2004 for second and final reading: Transportation: Fund 317 Allocation (King County An ordinance was read amending the 2004 Transportation Capital Improvement Fund 317 to allocate $2,216,000 in King County mitigation revenue to specific April 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 130 Mitigation Funds) projects. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 5/03/2004. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance #5071 Development Services: City Center Area Roof Signs An ordinance was read amending Section 4-4-100.H.9.b of Chapter 4, Citywide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code to allow roof signs within the City Center Sign Regulations Area subject to an administrative modification. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance #5072 Budget: 2004 Adjustments An ordinance was read increasing the 2004 Budget for various funds in the total amount of $9,400,000, increasing the total number of positions by 4.5 in 2004, and increasing the City's reserves. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Police: Motorized Scooters Reporting that Council has received a number of e-mails regarding safety and noise concerns pertaining to the use of motorized scooters, it was MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL REFER THE SUBJECT OF MOTORIZED SCOOTERS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Fire: DUI Simulation Drill Councilman Law stated that he and Ms. Palmer attended a DUI simulation drill at Hazen High School last Friday. He suggested videotaping the next DUI simulation drill and showing it on Renton's cable channel 21. Development Services: Vacant Lot Vegetation, Whitworth Ave S Mayor Pro Tem Persson reported overgrown vegetation on the vacant lot located at 424 Whitworth Ave. S. Development Services: Auto Repair Facility, Illegal Use Mr. Persson also reported possible auto repair facility operation at residence located behind the vacant lot, on Morris Ave. S. Streets: Grocery Cart Abandonment Mayor Pro Tem Persson relayed citizen complaints regarding abandoned grocery carts in the downtown area. Councilwoman Briere noted that this topic is currently in Planning and Development Committee and she requested a status report. Community Services: Commercial Activities in Renton Parks MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES (PRIMARILY RETAIL SALES) IN RENTON PARKS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Comprehensive Plan: West Hill, Potential Annexation Area Addition Mayor Pro Tem Persson inquired as to the timing of possibly adding the West Hill area to Renton's potential annexation area (PAA). Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Administrator Alex Pietsch explained that in order to amend the City's PAA this year, staff would have to address the matter as soon as possible. However, the matter can be pursued in subsequent years on the annual basis in which the City amends its Comprehensive Plan. Recommending the City proceed with assessing the financial impacts and infrastructure needs of the West Hill area, it was MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING THE WEST HILL AREA TO THE CITY'S POTENTIAL ANNEXATION AREA. CARRIED. April 26, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 131 WSDOT: I-405 Context Sensitive Solutions Aesthetic Committee Alex Pietsch, Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Administrator, stated that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently designing a major expansion to I-405. Some of the work is already funded; however, a majority of the work is not and the Regional Transportation Improvements District anticipates bringing forth a funding package to the voters within the next two years. Meanwhile, a context sensitive solutions design approach will be used to study the aesthetics of the I-405 project from various points of view. Mr. Pietsch stated that WSDOT has asked for the City's participation in two ways: 1) selection of a representative to serve on the regional aesthetic committee; and 2) formation of a Renton advisory aesthetic committee consisting of elected officials, neighborhood and business community representatives, and other interested parties. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL APPOINT COUNCILWOMAN MARCIE PALMER TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL I- 405 CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS AESTHETIC COMMITTEE, AND APPOINT COUNCILMAN DON PERSSON AS THE BACKUP REPRESENTATIVE. CARRIED. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RENTON I-405 AESTHETIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED. Public Works: Waste Container at Sam's Club Bus Stop Councilwoman Briere pointed out that a waste container is needed at the bus stop located next to Sam's Club on S. Grady Way. Public Works: Weeds at Utility Boxes Ms. Briere requested the removal of weeds at the City-owned utility boxes located by the Spencer Court Apartments. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Schaffer - Fireworks Ban Steven Shaffer, 2109 SE 8th Dr., Renton, 98055, stressed that it is an American tradition to spend time with family and set off fireworks to celebrate the country's independence. He expressed his opposition to the fireworks ban, and recommended a harsher punishment for those who violate the fireworks laws. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:17 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann April 26, 2004