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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-04 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 27, 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 called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS DON PERSSON, Council President; RANDY CORMAN; DAN CLAWSON; DENIS LAW; TERRI BRIERE; MARCIE PALMER. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER TONI NELSON. CARRIED. 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; ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; COMMANDER CHARLES MARSALISI, Police Department. 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: ” Today, the switch was thrown on what is expected to be become the largest solar power installation on a training facility in the Pacific Northwest. Mayor Keolker-Wheeler was on hand to help celebrate the installation of the nine-kilowatt solar electric power system on the Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee's training center in Renton. Earlier this year, King County established the world's largest fuel cell power plant operating on methane gas generated from a sewage treatment plant located in Renton. These two important projects are demonstrating the paradigm-changing benefits that new clean energy technologies may bring to the world. ” Leaves fall in autumn, leading to clogged storm drains and flooding problems in many neighborhoods. City crews do their best to keep the more than 8,000 drains clean, but the help of residents is needed to clear leaves and litter from the storm drains near their homes. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Johnson - Various Arland "Buzz" Johnson, 334 Wells Ave. S., #221, Renton, 98055, spoke on a variety of topics including how much Seniors appreciate the commitment and support they receive from the City; his support of Renton's one-way streets; a power outage that occurred on 8/29/2004; his appreciation for the Police Department's handling of the noise problems at McGowan’s Restaurant on 8/28/2004; and problems with bikers on the Cedar River Trail, as the trail is not wide enough to accommodate both, especially between the Boeing Bridge and N. 6th St. Citizen Comment: Bramblet - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way John W. Bramblet, 441 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, spoke on behalf of Newton Research Labs and Newton Security in opposition to the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. He noted the over 400 pieces of literature and manuals that will need reprinting to reflect the street name change. Mr. Bramblet also pointed out that neither of these businesses were originally contacted about the name change. Additionally, he relayed that the South Lind Square landlord, JSH Properties, is also opposed to the street name change. September 27, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 323 Citizen Comment: Dressler - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Jan Dressler, 253 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, stated that her company, Dressler Stencil Company, will be highly impacted by the street name change from SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. Ms. Dressler explained that she is a stencil designer, and sells her products by mail order to customers worldwide. Reporting that her company's sales have suffered due to the poor economic climate, she claimed that this large unbudgeted name-change-related expense will prove to be the end of her business. Ms. Dressler urged Council to reconsider the street name change, and find another way to honor IKEA's tenth anniversary. Citizen Comment: Williams - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Shelley Williams, 253 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, reported that the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way will be major financial hardship for the Dressler Stencil Company. She stated that the name-change-related cost she shared at the previous Council meeting was too low, and noted the expense of sending customers a postcard informing them of the name change. Ms. Williams detailed the number of items that list the company's address including videos, DVDs and their jackets, and advertisements in magazines. She pointed out that the stencil company will incur the cost of advertising for IKEA. Citizen Comment: Olson - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Rob Olson, 820 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, stated that A. O. Smith Water Products is opposed to the street name change from SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. He noted the costs the business will incur related to changing letterhead, business cards, and invoices; as well as the cost of informing the various product safety agencies. Mr. Olson recognized IKEA's contributions to the community; however, he disagreed with giving IKEA a gift at the cost of the other businesses. Citizen Comment: Warum - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way John Warum, 405 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, stated that he is a manager for Siemens, and pointed out that he will incur both hard costs and labor costs due to the street name change from SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. In recognizing IKEA, Mr. Warum encouraged Council to explore other options. Citizen Comment: Hamilton - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Dave Hamilton, President of Delivery Express, 283 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, opposed the street name change from SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way, saying that changing the highway signs is an improper use of taxpayer's money. He indicated that the City made little effort to understand the issues facing the affected businesses on SW 41st St., and expressed his concern regarding the lack of public input on this matter. He also noted that a resolution authorizing the name change was not adopted. Mr. Hamilton urged the Council to reverse its decision. Citizen Comment: Carter - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Mike Carter, 401 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, representing Code Four Athletics, voiced his opposition to the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way, and noted that he was not contacted about the street name change. Mr. Carter stated that having IKEA's name on Code Four Athletics' letterhead and catalogs is in effect promoting IKEA, and he works hard to promote his company's own brand first and foremost. He asked the Council to consider other ways of recognizing IKEA. Citizen Comment: Shearer - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Josh Shearer, KG Investments Management, 249 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, spoke on behalf of the tenants and owner of the East Valley Business Park regarding the street name change from SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. Mr. Shearer expressed his concerns about the name change, including the name- change-related costs the businesses will incur, the free advertising for IKEA, the retention of tenants at the business park, and why IKEA is going along with the change. September 27, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 324 Streets: Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way For the record, Mayor Keolker-Wheeler listed the Council's actions pertaining to the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way, which is summarized as follows: 6/14/2004 - Council referred the matter to the Transportation Committee, and the upcoming meeting was announced during New Business. 6/17/2004 - Transportation Committee met on the matter. 6/21/2004 - Council adopted Transportation Committee report regarding suggested schedule for staff to notify and meet with businesses. 6/23/2004 - Letters mailed to SW 41st St. business owners. 6/28/2004 - Began calling business owners. From the end of June to mid-July, 49 telephone calls were made, with 42 successful contacts. 7/28/2004 - Letters to interested parties sent informing of upcoming Transportation Committee Meeting. 8/02/2004 - Upcoming Transportation Committee meeting announced during New Business at Council meeting. 8/05/2004 - Transportation Committee met on the matter. 8/12/2004 - Informational packets mailed to businesses, which included upcoming Transportation Committee meeting notice. 8/16/2004 - Upcoming Transportation Committee meeting announced during New Business at Council meeting. 8/19/2004 - Transportation Committee met on the matter. 8/23/2004 - Council adopted Transportation Committee report approving the name change. (The motion carried unanimously.) 8/24/2004 - Letters sent to businesses informing them of Council's decision. 9/20/2004 - Council created two-week window to receive additional cost documentation. Mayor Keolker-Wheeler stated that the post office will extend the time period for address changes to 24 months at the City's request. The post office will also deliver mail to a business at its old address as long as the business remains at that location. Councilman Law assured that Council is reviewing the additional information. In response to the speakers' comments, Councilwoman Palmer stated that IKEA plans on changing its address. She also noted that the Washington State Department of Transportation would not allow an honorary name change on a SR-167 sign. Additionally, Ms. Palmer reported that a little over half of the businesses contacted supported the street name change. Councilman Corman stressed that IKEA should not be vilified over this matter. Councilman Clawson noted that the resolution authorizing the street name change can be adopted at a future date. Jay Covington, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that a contact list was developed based on current business license information for businesses located on SW 41st St. He indicated that staff will review why there may have been some discrepancy with the contact list. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council Meeting Minutes of September 20, 2004 Approval of Council meeting minutes of September 20, 2004. Council concur. September 27, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 325 Vacation: Alley, Burnett Ave S & S 2nd St, McLendon Hardware, VAC-04-004 City Clerk submitted petition for street vacation for portion of alley located east of Burnett Ave. S. and north of S. 2nd St.; petitioner Steven M. Friedman, Friedman Development, LLC, representing McLendon Hardware (VAC-04- 004). Refer to Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; set public hearing on 10/25/2004. (See page 326 for resolution setting the public hearing.) Planning: 2004 Comp Plan Update Implementation, Development Regulations Amends Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended a public hearing be set on 10/11/2004 on the zoning and development standards amendments for implementing the 2004 Comprehensive Plan update. Council concur. Planning: Urban Center Design Overlay Regulations, 2004 Revisions Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended adoption of the 2004 revisions to the Urban Center Design Overlay Regulations. Refer to Planning and Development Committee. Finance: Petty Cash Funds, Total Limit Increase Finance and Information Services Department recommended updating Resolution 2614, which authorizes petty cash funds and early payment of claims, by increasing the Citywide petty cash funds total limit from $20,000 to $25,000. Refer to Finance Committee. Plat: Laurelhurst, Bremerton Ave NE & Field Ave NE, PP- 04-063 Hearing Examiner recommended approval, with conditions, of the Laurelhurst Preliminary Plat; 136 single-family lots on 30.1 acres bounded by Bremerton Ave. NE, Field Ave. NE, NE 1st Pl., and NE 3rd St. (PP-04-063). Council concur. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. Added CORRESPONDENCE Citizen Comment: Various - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way The following e-mail was read into the record in opposition to the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way: Dave Nave, 2525 Dayton Ave. NE, Renton, 98056; David Jones, Westcoast Painting, LLC, 265 SW 41st St., PO Box 3509, Renton, 98055; John W. Bramblet, President/CEO, Newton Research Labs, Inc., 441 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055; Jeri E. Bates, Co-Owner, Code Four Athletics, 401 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055; and Shelley Williams, Director of Operations and Marketing, Dressler Stencil Company, 253 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055. Correspondents objected to the practice of renaming community assets (such as streets) by governing bodies; the name-change-related costs; and the free advertising for IKEA at the expense of affected businesses. Citizen Comment: Summers - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way An e-mail was read from Robert Summers, 1003 S. 30th Ct., Renton, 98055, suggesting that the City review the effect that renaming a street, such as SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way, has on information technology such as navigation systems and navigation-assistance websites. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Finance Committee Finance: Vouchers Finance Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 230368 - 230803 and two wire transfers totaling $1,387,107.71; and approval of Payroll Vouchers 53436 - 53735, one wire transfer and 612 direct deposits totaling $1,821,064.45. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. CAG: 03-173, Kiwanis Park Improvements, Advanced Construction Finance Committee Chair Corman presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to transfer $6,900.10 from the Parks Division Repairs and Maintenance account (101.000.020.5760.10.48.000) to the Capital Improvements Project Major Maintenance/Parks Maintenance account (316.000.020.5940.76.63.020034) for the expenses of the irrigation controller September 27, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 326 and a utility locate for the Kiwanis Park Improvements project (CAG-03-173). The Committee also recommended approval of the project, authorization for final pay estimate in the amount of $17,870.46, commencement of 60-day lien period, and release of retainage in the amount of $6,187.42 to Advanced Construction, Inc., contractor, if all required releases are obtained. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3718 Vacation: Alley, Burnett Ave S & S 2nd St, McLendon Hardware, VAC-04-004 A resolution was read setting a public hearing date on 10/25/2004 to vacate the alley located east of Burnett Ave. S., north of S. 2nd St., and west of Williams Ave. S. (McLendon Hardware and Tennessee Group LLC; VAC-04-004). MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Policy: Council President & Pro Tem (#800-01) MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL REFER ITS POLICY #800-01, ENTITLED COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND PRO TEM, TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Johnson - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way Arland "Buzz" Johnson, 334 Wells Ave. S., #221, Renton, 98055, expressed his support for the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. He pointed out the importance of IKEA to the community, and the ease at which customers will be able to locate businesses as a result of the street name change. Citizen Comment: Bramblet - Rename SW 41st St to SW IKEA Way John W. Bramblet, Newton Research Labs & Newton Security, 441 SW 41st St., Renton, 98055, clarified that one of his two businesses was originally contacted about the renaming of SW 41st St. to SW IKEA Way. He stated that manufacturing businesses are different than other types of businesses, and noted that the name-change-related costs are higher for manufacturers. Mr. Bramblet indicated that IKEA is going to receive negative press related to this. He stressed that the street name change was a surprise to a number of affected business, and many are unhappy with the change. In response to Councilman Corman's inquiry, Mr. Bramblet detailed the various types of documents that need to be reprinted, and the related costs. Councilman Corman stated that cities keep their budgets balanced with sales tax, and Renton is promoting a strong retail core of which IKEA is major anchor. However, he is sympathetic with the affected businesses and the sizeable name-change-related costs that some face. Responding to Councilman Law's question as to whether he still opposes the name change even though the post office will continue to deliver mail if it is addressed to SW 41st St., Mr. Bramblet responded that it makes him very nervous. He expressed concerns about the ability of customers to locate his business if the street sign shows a different street name than the company's printed material, and having another company's name on his address. Additionally, Mr. Bramblet noted that some businesses would not be interested in locating to a street named SW IKEA Way. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:45 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk September 27, 2004 Renton City Council Minutes Page 327 Recorder: Michele Neumann September 27, 2004