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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-05 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting March 7, 2005 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 TERRI BRIERE, Council President; MARCIE PALMER; DON PERSSON; RANDY CORMAN; TONI NELSON; DAN CLAWSON; DENIS LAW. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE KATHY KEOLKER-WHEELER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; JOE MCGUIRE, Court Services Director; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; KAREN MCFARLAND, Engineering Specialist; STEVE ANDERSON, Museum Supervisor; DEREK TODD, Assistant to the CAO; CHIEF GARRY ANDERSON, Police Department. PROCLAMATION Absolutely Incredible Kid Day - March 17, 2005 A proclamation by Mayor Keolker-Wheeler was read declaring March 17, 2005, to be "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day" in the City of Renton and encouraging all adults to make a difference in the life of a child by composing letters and delivering them to the children of the City of Renton on March 17, 2005. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION AS READ. CARRIED. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Community Services: Museum Accreditation, Renton Historical Society Bob Hunt, Renton Historical Society President, introduced the accreditation committee (Vicky Persson, Laura Clawson, Kevin McQuiller, and Museum Supervisor Steve Anderson), and explained that accreditation of the Renton Historical Museum is one aspect of a process to make the museum more relevant and more a part of the community. He noted that within the museum's vision and mission, accreditation is the best vehicle for achieving this goal. A video about the American Association of Museums' accreditation program was played, which described how and why the accreditation program was established, the accreditation process, and the benefits of accreditation for both the museum and the community. It was pointed out in the video that accredited status certifies that a museum has met program eligibility criteria and characteristics of an accredited museum, undergone a rigorous process of self- assessment and review by its peers, and operates according to current best practices. In conclusion, Mr. Hunt indicated that accredited status takes a number of years to achieve. Council President Briere voiced her excitement about the accreditation process, and praised everyone for his or her hard work. PUBLIC HEARING Vacation: NE 4th St, City of Renton, VAC-04-006 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 City of Renton petition to vacate a 150-foot by 8- foot portion of NE 4th St., located approximately 180 feet east of Rosario Ave. NE (VAC-04-006). Karen McFarland, Engineering Specialist, explained that the subject vacation area will be used in the proposed Amberwood Phase II Preliminary Plat which is currently in preliminary development. This vacation request was brought forth by the Transportation Systems Division on behalf of the developer, Bales Limited Partnership. She indicated that the developer has agreed to dedicate March 7, 2005 Renton City Council Minutes Page 72 property at the intersection of NE 4th St. and Rosario Ave. NE in anticipation of a future project to signalize this intersection and to add an eastbound far-side bus pullout. Thus, the public benefit of the proposed vacation is the creation of a consistent and safe alignment along NE 4th St., and future intersection improvements. Continuing, Ms. McFarland indicated that upon circulation of the street vacation request, no objections were raised by City departments or outside agencies. Ms. McFarland reported that the vacation area does not contain any City facilities; however, it does contain buried utilities owned by Qwest for which an easement is necessary. In conclusion, Ms. McFarland stated that staff recommends approval of the vacation request subject to the following conditions: 1. Bales Limited Partnership dedicate an area at the intersection of NE 4th St. and Rosario Ave. NE as agreed to in discussions with Transportation Systems Division staff, and 2. The City grant easements as necessary to any outside utilities with facilities in the vacation area. In response to Councilwoman Nelson's inquiry, Ms. McFarland explained that the subject vacation area will be used for the proposed Amberwood Phase II Preliminary Plat, and the area that the developer has agreed to dedicate to the City will be used for the bus pullout. Responding to Councilman Clawson's inquiry regarding compensation, Ms. McFarland stated that it is anticipated that staff will ask Council to waive compensation for the area to be vacated, since the area to be dedicated by the developer will be used for future transportation improvements for the overall benefit of the City. Public comment was invited. There being none, it was MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL APPROVE THE VACATION PETITION AS REQUESTED, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF. 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 2005 and beyond. Items noted included: ” The Renton Senior Activity Center will host a Senior Housing Fair on March 31st, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to provide seniors with information about housing options. ” The Mayor delivered her State of the Economy address at the Renton Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week. The presentation will air on Cable Channel 21 beginning mid-March, and a transcript is featured on the City's website at www.ci.renton.wa.us. ” The stairs at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park that lead from Kidd Valley to Ivar's are being replaced due to a fairly significant understructure problem. The stairwell will be closed for up to one month and the area has March 7, 2005 Renton City Council Minutes Page 73 been posted with alternative routes. ” The Draft Watershed Habitat Plan will be released on March 10th. The public comment period begins that day and concludes on April 25th. A public meeting on the plan is scheduled on March 22nd at Renton City Hall. Hard copies will be available for review at city halls and libraries, and the document will be available via the Internet at www.metrokc.gov. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Grassi - Cedar Ave S Speeding Traffic Rosemary Grassi, PO Box 1188, Renton, 98057, stated that the speed and volume of traffic along Cedar Ave. S. is unacceptable, and she expressed her concern regarding the safety of the children. She made the following suggestions: install two traffic signs that state "no through traffic" - one on S. 7th St. and one at the bottom of Cedar Ave. S.; install a traffic circle; reconsider installing a speed bump; and install a crosswalk at the bottom of Cedar Ave. S. Mayor Keolker-Wheeler stated that staff is working with the community associations in the Renton Hill area in regards to this issue. Citizen Comment: Temple - Pavilion Building Lease, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train Eric Temple, President, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, PO Box 835, Renton, 98057, thanked Council for its decision to move forward with negotiations with the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train to utilize the Pavilion Building as an event center. Mr. Temple stated that he has spoken with a number of meeting event and wedding planners, and has tentatively booked nine events. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council Meeting Minutes of February 28, 2005 Approval of Council meeting minutes of February 28, 2005. Council concur. Vacation: N 14th St, Pool Brothers Construction, VAC- 05-001 City Clerk submitted petition for vacation of portion of N. 14th St., east of Lake Washington Blvd. and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park; petitioner Pool Brothers Construction, LLC, PO Box 3023, Renton, 98056 (VAC-05-001). Refer to Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; set public hearing on 4/4/2005 to consider the petition. (See page 74 for resolution setting the public hearing.) Lease: Engenio Information Technologies, 200 Mill Bldg (3rd Floor), LAG-00-002 Community Services Department recommended approval of an amendment to the lease with Engenio Information Technologies, Inc. (LAG-00-002) for the 3rd floor of the 200 Mill Building to extend the lease for an additional year. Refer to Finance Committee. Utility: Edmonds Ave NE Outfall Replacement, Entranco Utilities Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with Entranco, Inc. in the amount of $61,724.44 for the design of the Edmonds Ave. NE Outfall Replacement Project as part of the May Creek Basin Slope Stabilization Program. Council concur. Streets: Sunset Blvd N, NE Sunset Blvd & Houser Way Tunnel Closures Utilities Systems Division recommended the temporary lane closures of Sunset Blvd. N. and NE Sunset Blvd. and the temporary full closure of the Houser Way Tunnel and Sunset Blvd. NE for the installation of a new sanitary sewer. Closures are to take place from March through November, 2005, with exact dates dependent on work progress. Refer to Transportation (Aviation) Committee. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Finance Committee Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the hiring of a new March 7, 2005 Renton City Council Minutes Page 74 Municipal Court: Probation Hire at Step D Probation Officer at Step D of the salary range. The start date will be March 1, 2005. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning & Development Committee Planning: Critical Areas Ordinance Planning and Development Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending a public hearing be set on 3/21/2005 to consider the Critical Areas Ordinance. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Development Services: Abandoned & Junk Vehicles, City Code Amend Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report regarding junk vehicles or abandonment of vehicles. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve amendments to Chapter 1, Abandoned Vehicles, of Title VI (Police Regulations) of City Code. The proposed amendments are part of the review of City ordinances to assist in the nuisance abatement efforts of the City. The proposed ordinance adds definitions, makes clarifications to avoid problems with State law, and criminalizes violation of the junk vehicle portion of the ordinance. The criminalization of the junk vehicle portion of the ordinance is necessary to allow staff to obtain search warrants to go upon properties to establish all of the details necessary to prove that a vehicle is a junk vehicle. The Committee recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See later this page for ordinance.) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3740 Vacation: N 14th St, Pool Brothers Construction, VAC- 05-001 A resolution was read setting a public hearing on 4/4/2005 to vacate a portion of N. 14th St., east of Lake Washington Blvd. N. and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (Pool Brothers Construction, LLC; VAC-05-001). MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 3/14/2005 for second and final reading: Development Services: Abandoned & Junk Vehicles, City Code Amend An ordinance was read amending Chapter 6-1, Abandoned Vehicles, of Title VI (Police Regulations) of City Code by outlawing junk vehicles on private real property, revising abatement procedures, adding definitions, declaring certain violations a misdemeanor, establishing a procedure for handling the abandonment of vehicles or junk vehicles from public property, and providing a statement of legislative purpose. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 3/14/2005. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance #5128 Vacation: 140th Ave SE, Conner Homes, VAC-04-001 An ordinance was read vacating a portion of unimproved road located on 140th Ave. SE between SE 132nd St. and SE 136th St. (Conner Homes; VAC-04- 001). MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Council President Briere announced that the Council meeting will start at 6:30 March 7, 2005 Renton City Council Minutes Page 75 Council: Meeting Time Change (3/14/2005) p.m. next Monday, March 14th. Following roll call, the Council will recess into executive session to discuss litigation from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Council meeting will reconvene at 7:30 p.m. She added that Committee of the Whole will meet in the Council Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. to discuss insurance issues. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:16 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann March 7, 2005