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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-06 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting March 6, 2006 Council Chambers Monday, 7:00 p.m. M I N U T E S Renton City Hall CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kathy Keolker called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILMEMBERS RANDY CORMAN, Council President; TONI NELSON; DAN CLAWSON; DENIS LAW; MARCIE PALMER; DON PERSSON. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILWOMAN TERRI BRIERE. CARRIED. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE KATHY KEOLKER, Mayor; JAY COVINGTON, Chief Administrative Officer; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; PETER HAHN, Interim Transportation Systems Director; COMMANDER CHARLES MARSALISI, Police Department. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Public Works: Employee Recognition Gregg Zimmerman, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, recognized the Planning/Building/Public Works employees nominated and chosen by their peers to receive 2005 Good Work awards, as follows: Adriann Alexander, Permit Technician; Sherry Lovgren, Office Assistant II; Jason Fritzler, Civil Engineer II; and Donnaann Visneski, Engineering Specialist III. Ms. Visneski was also selected as the 2005 Planning/Building/Public Works Employee of the Year. Mr. Zimmerman then announced that the following Planning/Building/Public Works employees who contributed to the REACT program were awarded the 2005 Good Teamwork Award: Paul Baker, Code Compliance Inspector; Marilyn Kamcheff, Code Compliance Inspector; Patrick Roduin, Office Assistant II; Stacy Tucker, Secretary I; Dustin Walton, Intern; and Bob Arthur, retired Code Compliance Inspector. 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 2006 and beyond. Items noted included: ” Mayor Keolker delivered the 2006 State of the City address, "Building The Center of Opportunity," at a Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce sponsored event on March 1st. The transcript is available for viewing on the City's website at www.ci.renton.wa.us. ” The Renton Community Center is hosting a summer part-time job fair on March 11th. ” The Transportation Systems Division will hold a public meeting with the North Renton Neighborhood Association on March 9th at the Renton Senior Activity Center to inform the community about traffic and construction issues related to the South Lake Washington Roadway project (The Landing). This meeting is open to all North Renton residents. In addition, information will be presented to the Kennydale Neighborhood Association Board on March 14th. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: DeMastus - Sandel DeMastus, Highlands Community Association Vice President, 1137 Harrington Ave. NE, Renton, 98056, spoke in support of a utility tax exemption March 6, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 55 Utility Tax Exemption, Senior & Disabled Residents for seniors and those with disabilities. She explained that there are over 1,900 residents in the Renton Highlands area alone that have an income of $15,000 per year or less and have trouble making ends meet, especially with the increasing cost of utilities, services, property taxes, and food. Ms. DeMastus indicated that a committee of the association has been working on this issue and has presented information to the City in support of helping the elderly and disabled. Councilman Clawson stated that the utility tax exemption issue was discussed at the Utilities Committee meeting last week. He conveyed that the Committee is generally supportive of the idea, and pointed out that the utility tax rate is 6%. Mr. Clawson reported that the Administration is reviewing the possibility of a rebate for those who already qualify for the senior citizen or disabled rate, and will provide more information and a recommendation to the Utilities Committee. Expressing his support for the rebate, he indicated that the Committee will make a recommendation to Council once they have reviewed more detailed information. Citizen Comment: Petersen - Utility Tax Exemption, Senior & Disabled Residents Inez Somerville Petersen, 3306 Lake Washington Blvd. N., #3, Renton, 98056, reported that the utility tax exemption has been an initiative of the Highlands Community Association (HCA), and HCA wants the opportunity to work with the Council on this charitable program that is not only for residents in the Highlands, but for the entire City. Pointing out that the City received $9.8 million last year, and is projected to receive $10.7 million next year in utilities income, Ms. Petersen stated that the maximum amount needed for this program is 2.5%. She relayed that it is the goal of HCA to work with the City using a bottom-up approach, to result in a policy stating that senior or disabled residents who make less than $35,000 per year do not have to pay utility tax. Citizen Comment: Quesenberry - Utilities Committee Meeting Rosemary Quesenberry, 3609 SE 18th Ct., Renton, 98058, reminded Council that in 2000, it was she, not the Utilities Committee, that initiated the idea of an automated payment procedure for utility bills. She also pointed out that the suggestion for a utility tax exemption was originated by residents, and not by the Utilities Committee. Ms. Quesenberry expressed her unhappiness with how the Utilities Committee meeting was conducted on March 2nd, saying it was not reflective of how the meetings of the City Council are run. She noted that the Utilities Committee meeting was abruptly ended, and that at Council meetings, people can make comments and ask questions. Ms. Quesenberry submitted a list of recommendations for conducting a successful meeting. Mayor Keolker stated for the record that Council committee meetings are working committees of the Council, and there is no requirement to take any public testimony at the meetings. She noted that if public testimony is taken, minutes also have to be taken. Councilman Clawson explained that time is limited at committee meetings, and pointed out that at the aforementioned Utilities Committee meeting, public comment was taken for ten minutes beyond the scheduled meeting ending time. He stated that citizens can contact Council or staff with additional comments via e-mail, telephone, and mail. Mr. Clawson also noted the importance of staying on topic, as the committee meeting agendas are publicly announced. He apologized if anyone was offended, and said he appreciated Ms. Quesenberry's constructive comments. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL SUSPEND THE RULES AND ADVANCE TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT REGARDING THE MUNICIPAL ARTS March 6, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 56 COMMISSION APPOINTMENT. CARRIED. Community Services Committee Appointment: Municipal Arts Commission Community Services Committee Chair Nelson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve Mayor Keolker's appointment of Roosevelt Lewis to the Municipal Arts Commission for a three-year term expiring 12/31/2008. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Councilwoman Nelson introduced Mr. Lewis who explained that he has been an artist his entire life, has taught art, and has worked with artists in various capacities and with the SouthEast Seattle Arts Council. He stated that he is happy to be a part of the Municipal Arts Commission, and appreciates the opportunity to serve the City. In response to Council President Corman's inquiry, Mr. Lewis indicated that he is a painter and a wood sculptor. Ms. Nelson noted that there are more openings on the commission, and encouraged those who are interested to apply. Councilwoman Palmer emphasized that Mr. Lewis is a wonderful addition to the commission. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council Meeting Minutes of 2/27/2006 Approval of Council meeting minutes of 2/27/2006. Council concur. Appointment: Advisory Commission on Diversity Mayor Keolker appointed Kelly Roberts, 2316 SE 21st St., Renton, 98055, to the Advisory Commission on Diversity for a term that expires 12/31/2008. Refer to Community Services Committee. Vacation: Jericho Ave NE, Romano, VAC-05-005 City Clerk recommended adoption of an ordinance to finalize the Mike Romano vacation of a portion of Jericho Ave. NE, south of NE 4th St., as all conditions of the vacation approval have been satisfied. Council concur. (See page 58 for ordinance.) Latecomer Agreement: Holmes, Sewer Extension (Graham Ave NE), LA-06-001 City Clerk submitted request from Bret Holmes, 32104 2nd Ave. SE, Federal Way, 98023, for a latecomer agreement for sanitary sewer extension along Graham Ave. NE, south of NE 9th St. Refer to Utilities Committee. Latecomer Agreement: Vineyards Construction, Sewer Extension (NE 7th Pl), LA-06- 002 City Clerk submitted request from Vineyards Construction, LLC, PO Box 2401, Kirkland, 98083, for a latecomer agreement for sanitary sewer extension along NE 7th Pl. at Duvall Pl. NE. Refer to Utilities Committee. Plat: Victoria Pointe, Wells Ave N, PP-05-115 Hearing Examiner recommended approval, with conditions, of the Victoria Pointe Preliminary Plat; ten single-family lots on 1.69 acres located at 3701 Wells Ave. N. Council concur. Transportation: Eastside Transportation Partnership Agreement Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of the Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP) agreement, an Eastside forum for information sharing, consensus building, and coordination to resolve transportation issues. Annual dues are $500. Council concur. (See page 57 for resolution.) SCATBd: Agreement Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with the South County Transportation Board (SCATBd), a South King County forum for information sharing, coordination, and consensus building to resolve transportation issues. Annual dues are $75. Council concur. (See later this March 6, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 57 page for resolution.) CAG: 05-185, Burnett Linear Park Play Area Renovation, Multi-Use Path Transportation Systems Division requested authorization for a construction contract change order to CAG-05-185, Burnett Linear Park Play Area Renovation, to add a ten-foot wide, multi-use, non-motorized path from S. 5th St. to S. 6th St. in the amount of $35,251.20. Council concur. Utility: Well 5A Water Treatment Improvements Study, HDR Engineering Utility Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement in the amount of $59,540 with HDR Engineering, Inc. for a bench scale and pilot plant study for Well 5A water treatment improvements. Council concur. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Public Safety Committee Human Resources: Police & Fire Chiefs Exemption from Civil Service Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to adopt an ordinance exempting the Police and Fire Chiefs of the City of Renton from civil service. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning & Development Committee Planning: Airport Related Uses Zoning Text Amendments (IM Zone) Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair Clawson presented a report concurring with the staff recommendation to revise the Medium Industrial (IM) zone to allow the municipal airport and airplane sales and repair as permitted uses in the IM zone; airport-related and aviation-related uses as accessory uses in the IM zone; and airplane manufacturing as an accessory use in the IM zone, with a note of exception for the area south of I-405 and north of SW 16th St. Revisions also include deleting airplane sales and repair from the Heavy Industrial zone and deleting municipal airports from the Center Downtown zone. The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be prepared for first reading. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolutions were presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3793 Transportation: Eastside Transportation Partnership Agreement A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into the agreement for the Eastside Transportation Program. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. Resolution #3794 SCATBd: Agreement A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement with the South County Area Transportation Board. MOVED BY PERSSON, 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 3/13/2006 for second and final reading: Vacation: Jericho Ave NE, Romano, VAC-05-005 An ordinance was read vacating a portion of Jericho Ave. NE, south of NE 4th St. (Petitioner: Mike Romano, Centurion Development Services). MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 3/13/2006. CARRIED. March 6, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 58 NEW BUSINESS Council: Retreat Council President Corman thanked Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington for his help in planning for the offsite Council planning meeting on March 8th and 9th. He stated that although the meeting is open to the public, due to the large amount of material that needs to be covered, most likely there will be no time for public comment. Mr. Corman emphasized, however, that Council always wants to hear from the public, and welcomes comments in advance of and following the meeting. He acknowledged the public's interest in the Highlands redevelopment project, and noted that this is the Council's first formal discussion of the matter in quite some time. Planning: Highlands Sub-Area Plan Councilman Persson thanked the Mayor and Council President for mailing a letter pertaining to the Highlands area redevelopment to concerned parties. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Petersen - Utilities Committee Meeting Inez Somerville Petersen, 3306 Lake Washington Blvd. N., #3, Renton, 98056, expressed her disappointment about the lack of response from elected officials regarding the concerns of members of the Highlands Community Association. She noted the short amount of time scheduled at the Utilities Committee meeting to discuss the topic of utility tax exemption, and the non- responsiveness when trying to schedule meetings. EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 MINUTES TO DISCUSS PROPERTY ACQUISITION WITH NO OFFICIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND THAT THE COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED WHEN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS ADJOURNED. CARRIED. Time: 7:56 p.m. Executive session was conducted. There was no action taken. The executive session and the Council meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann March 6, 2006