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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-06 RENTON CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 25, 2006 Council Chambers Monday, 7 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; TERRI BRIERE; MARCIE PALMER; DON PERSSON. CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE KATHY KEOLKER, 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; TERRY HIGASHIYAMA, Community Services Administrator; PREETI SHRIDHAR, Communications Director; JERRY RERECICH, Recreation Director; COMMANDER KATIE MCCLINCY, Police Department. PROCLAMATION Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry - 9/30/2006 A proclamation by Mayor Keolker was read declaring the day of September 30, 2006, to be "Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry" in the City of Renton, and strongly urging citizens to join the Emergency Feeding Program and the local food banks in their efforts to nourish those who are hungry. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION. CARRIED. Captain Terry Masango from the Renton Salvation Army and Arthur Lee, Executive Director of the Emergency Feeding Program accepted the proclamation. Both recipients encouraged citizens to participate in the food drive. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Community Services: Liberty Park, Outdoor Cinema Jerry Rerecich, Recreation Director, reviewed the Renton Cinema at Liberty Park program. He reported that the total attendance this year was 2,600 and the event lasted eight weeks. Describing the event, Mr. Rerecich stated that the outdoor cinema series is similar to a drive-in movie experience. He also noted that Liberty Park was an ideal location because of the abundance of parking and the playground equipment. As a symbol of thanks for their co-sponsorship, Mr. Rerecich presented a plaque to Eric Temple, President, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, commemorating the event. Mr. Temple expressed his gratitude and, turning to the subject of the Dinner Train's impending move, he thanked Council for their support over the years. APPEAL Planning & Development Committee Appeal: Lake WA/May Creek Dredging Permit, Barbee Mill Company, SP-05-138 Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report regarding the Lake Washington/May Creek Dredging Permit appeal filed by Robert Cugini. The Committee heard this appeal on 9/21/2006. The applicant, Robert Cugini, appealed the Hearing Examiner’s Decision, conditions No. 1 and 2. The applicant otherwise accepts the remaining conditions. The Committee recommends that the Council find a substantial error of fact and thereby modify the Hearing Examiner’s Decision No. 1 from a five-year period to a ten-year period. The Committee further recommends that the Council find an error of law in No. 2 and strike that provision of his decision. The subject property is located to the west of Lake Washington Blvd. N. and approximately north of N. 40th St. The site is currently owned and utilized September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 320 by the Barbee Mill Company. However, a portion of that site is currently slated for multi-family residential development. This property contains part of May Creek, which flows through the southeastern portion of the property and discharges into Lake Washington. The applicant sought a permit to dredge the mouth of May Creek. There is nothing in City code that requires the applicant to dredge. However, in order to maintain navigational waters and prevent flooding, the applicant has maintained dredging at this site in the past. In order to undertake the dredging, the applicant is required to obtain a Special Permit pursuant to RMC 4-9-080(F)(2). In the past, the applicant applied for a five-year permit. The applicant now seeks a ten-year permit (which is consistent with the Army Corp. of Engineer’s permit) citing extensive costs associated with preparing for the application and history of having maintained dredging in the area. Applicant also objects to condition No. 2 requiring the applicant to provide documents regarding joint and several liability to future homeowners. The applicant finds this condition not only onerous, but vague and difficult to implement. Pursuant to RMC 4-8-110F(5) and (6), the Planning and Development Committee’s decision and recommendation is limited to the record, which consists of, but is not limited to the Hearing Examiner’s Report, the Notice of Appeal and the Submissions by the Parties. Having done so, the Planning and Development Committee herby recommends to the Council that it find a substantial error in the Hearing Examiner’s Decision. As to Condition No. 1, the Committee recommends that the Council find that a ten-year period for the permit is more appropriate and better meets the conditions set out in RMC 4- 9-080(F)(2). Therefore, the Council should modify the Hearing Examiner’s Decision No. 1 to read, “The permit shall be for a period not to exceed ten years.” As to Condition No. 2, the Committee recommends that the Council find an error of law in that the requirements stated therein are vague and difficult to enforce given that the dredging requirement is optional and the future homeowners of the property are unknown at this juncture. Accordingly, Condition No. 2 should be stricken. The Committee recommends that the remaining conditions set forth in the Hearing Examiner’s Decision remain the same. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. 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 2006 and beyond. Items noted included: ” Saturday, September 30, is the Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry. In Renton, the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank will be collecting donated food during the day at the QFC on 4th Ave. in the Highlands, the QFC in the Cascade Neighborhood, and the Thriftway on Grady Way. Food also can be dropped off at the food bank, located at 206 S. Tobin St. The Emergency Feeding Program, which has a major distributions site in Renton at St. Matthew’s Church and provides two-day packs of emergency food, will be collecting donations at the downtown Safeway store. ” The first "Steppin' Out to Stop Domestic Violence Walk-a-Thon" will be held Saturday, September 30. The six-mile walk-a-thon will start at 10:00 September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 321 a.m. at Fort Dent Park and Starfire Sports Facility. Funds raised will be used to support prevention efforts and services for families experiencing domestic violence in South King County. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Petersen - King County Wastewater Treatment Stabilization Billing Category Inez Somerville Petersen, PO Box 2041, Renton, 98056, expressed concern over the proposed King County Rate Stabilization Account billing charge and asked whether the new fee would be per utility or per household. She opined that if there was to be a new fee, the City should absorb the fee and not pass it on to citizens. Councilwoman Briere responded that the fee increase is for wastewater. Councilman Clawson confirmed that a utility fund is an enterprise fund, not supported by the general fund, and the fee increase is from King County. He noted that the Utilities Committee would review the matter thoroughly. Citizen Comment: DeMastus - Highlands Community Association Picnic Sandel DeMastus, PO Box 2041, Renton, 98056, described the festivities at the Highlands Community Association picnic held on Saturday, September 23. She stated that 450 dinners were served and many more attended. She thanked City officials and staff who attended, and thanked local businesses and citizens who donated food and money for the picnic. Citizen Comment: Sullivan – Elected Officials Appreciation Jim Sullivan, PO Box 3138, Renton, 98056, expressed his appreciation to the elected officials for their hard work and willingness to get involved in public service, despite occasional criticism. He also expressed hope they would continue to serve the Renton community. Citizen Comment: Puckett - Wonderland Estates Mobile Home Park, Annexation Jerry Puckett, 15260 Oak Dr., Renton, 98058, speaking for the residents of the Wonderland Estates Mobile Home Park, expressed their desire to be annexed to the City and be zoned for a mobile home park. He thanked the City for continued support in the matter. Citizen Comment: Dochnahl – Highlands Representation Bernie Dochnahl, 13200 Lake Kathleen Rd. SE, Renton, 98059, expressed support of the Renton community and appreciation for the job being done by the City. She presented a letter to Council signed by eleven individuals, explaining that many of the signers live and operate businesses in the Highlands area. Ms. Dochnahl stated that Inez Petersen is not authorized to speak for them. She also stated that weekly tirades are tiresome and suggested that City business be conducted without being intimidated by rants and raves. Council President Corman expressed concern about the appropriateness of comments that target other citizens, and he suggested comments be confined to City issues. Citizen Comment: Finnicum - Tree at 2124 NE 12th St Karen Finnicum, 1302 Aberdeen Ave. NE, Renton, 98056, displayed photos of a large Monkey Puzzle tree located at 2124 NE 12th St. She expressed dismay over the possible destruction of the tree due to a short plat development and urged Council to save the endangered, landmark tree. Mayor Keolker indicated City staff would look into this matter. Citizen Comment: Quesenberry - Various Rosemary Quesenberry, 3609 SE 18th Ct., Renton, 98058, stated she is working with the Salvation Army, for the Mayor’s Day of Concern for the hungry and has left a barrel for collection of food donations in the lobby of City Hall. Ms. Quesenberry thanked those members of Council who attended the Highlands Community Association picnic and stated everyone had a great time. She also thanked community members, noting the picnic was privately funded. September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 322 On another subject, Ms. Quesenberry remarked that while she may not always be in agreement, she wanted to thank Inez Petersen for devoting time and energy toward the betterment of the community. Ms. Quesenberry stated that it is important to have a watchdog in the community and that Council meeting remarks should address the issues rather than individuals. Citizen Comment: Hughes - Skate Park Lighting Dan Hughes, 2139 NE 20th St., Renton, 98056, stated that he is a skateboarder, and like last year he is requesting lights to be installed at the Skate Park at Liberty Park. He also advocated for a second skate park to be constructed in the Highlands area. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing. Council Meeting Minutes of 9/18/2006 Approval of Council meeting minutes of 9/18/2006. Council concur. Utility: King County Wastewater Treatment Stabilization Billing Category, Utility Bills Utility Systems Division recommended establishing a new "King County Rate Stabilization Account" billing category to Renton's utility bills and charge a $1 fee per residential account, $1.50 per commercial/multi-family account, and $2 per industrial account per month to collect the amount of funds needed to cover the actual billings by King County for wastewater treatment. Refer to Utilities Committee. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Committee of the Whole Community Services: Tri-Park Master Plan Council President Corman presented a Committee of the Whole report stating that because of anticipated improvements to the I-405 corridor and the SR 169 interchange, impacts to Liberty Park, Cedar River Park, and the Narco Property were reviewed and studied. The I-405 Wells and Parks Task Force was formed in January 2004 and work accomplished through July 2005 was documented in a letter of concurrence. Outstanding issues were further addressed during a design charette conducted in July 2005, and decisions, along with solutions summarized in the Cedar River Vicinity Charrette, Solutions for Parks, Wells & Local Access Report. The Cedar River Vicinity Charette report was the starting point of a public process utilized to develop the Tri-Park Master Plan. The Draft Master Plan was presented to the Board of Park Commissioners on September 12, 2006. The Board of Park Commissioners approved the Draft Master Plan and forwarded a recommendation to adopt the Plan. The Committee of the Whole recommends concurrence in the Board of Park Commissioners recommendation to adopt the Tri-Park Master Plan. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Utilities Committee CAG: 06-152, 2006 Emergency Power Generation, Wick Constructors Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to award the construction contract for the 2006 Water Utility Emergency Power Generation Facilities to the low bidder, Wick Constructors, Inc., in the amount of $2,248,896. The Committee also recommended the approval of additional budget appropriation in 2007 to cover project costs, with a total project budget (2006 and 2007) not exceeding $3 million. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 323 Planning & Development Committee Planning: East Renton Plateau Citizen Task Force Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to form the East Renton Citizen Task Force and appoint the following members: Kerry Abercrombie, Rhonda Bryant, Tom Carpenter, Bob Chamberlain, Sheila Hurst, Stephanie Lorenz, Brian Thomas, Michael Turner and Kevin Wyman. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation (Aviation) Committee Transportation: NE 2nd St, Pedestrian Safety Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to authorize staff to delay the impending street opening of NE 2nd St. between Duvall Ave. NE and Jericho Ave. NE to allow for the continued safety for pedestrians until such a time as street improvements with curb, gutter and sidewalk are in place along a significant part of this corridor. Once NE 2nd St. is open for through traffic, Transportation Operations will conduct traffic studies to determine what, if any, additional signage or channelization may be needed. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation: 2007-2012 TIP Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to adopt the annual update of the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) 2007- 2012, and the Arterial Street Plan. The proposed TIP includes five new projects: Intersection Safety and Mobility Program, Ripley Lane N., Garden Ave. N. Widening, S. 3rd St./Shattuck Ave. Intersection, and Benson Rd. S./S. 31st St. Four completed or modified projects were dropped from the program. The Committee further recommended that the resolution regarding this matter be presented for reading and adoption. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See page 324 for resolution.) Airport: Kaynan Leases Addenda, LAG-84-003 & LAG- 85-011 Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Palmer presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the following actions taking place in the addendum to lease LAG-84-003 and to the addendum to lease LAG-85-011: LAG-84-003 Acknowledge a ten (10)-year extension to the existing lease term, which expired on August 31, 2006. The lease extension would start on September 1, 2006, and terminate on August 31, 2016. LAG-85-011 1. Remove 800 square feet from the leased area, decreasing the leased area from 27, 885 square feet to 27, 085 square feet. 2. Apply the three-year increase in the Consumer Price Index to the lease rate, which will increase the total annual revenue earned from $8,873.05 to $9,168.27, a difference of $295.22. 3. Acknowledge a ten (10)-year extension to the existing lease term, which expired on July 15, 2006. The lease extension started on July 16, 2006 and will terminate on July 5, 2016. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 324 Finance Committee Finance: Vouchers Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 252226 - 252907 and 2 wire transfers totaling $4,711,497.75, and approval of Payroll Vouchers 65842 - 66073, 1 wire transfer, and 638 direct deposits totaling $2,013,249.32. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Finance: Financial Management Policies Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the Financial Management Policies as presented, and to annually review the policies to identify any needed changes. Changes of significance to the Financial Management Policies include: 1. Increase the General Fund reserve target from 8% to 10% 2. Modify the City’s accounts so that tax supported activities are part of the General Government Fund, which simplifies the budget and financial reporting 3. Clarify the steps in the budget process 4. Clarify when and how the City will issue bonds The Finance Committee further recommends that these policies be included in the Mayor’s proposed 2007 Annual Budget document that will be presented to the City Council at the end of October 2006. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: Resolution #3835 Transportation: 2007-2012 TIP A resolution was read updating the City's Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program 2007-2012. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Memorial Dedication: Marge Richter Council President Corman noted that the dedication of Marge Richter's memorial plaque at the Renton Piazza is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 7, 2006, and he encouraged everyone to attend. Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry: Food Donations Councilwoman Nelson reemphasized the importance of participating in the Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry, and stated that items dropped off at certain Renton grocery stores will go directly to the Renton Food Bank. She noted that shampoo and similar items are also being accepted. AUDIENCE COMMENT Citizen Comment: Petersen – Council Meeting Procedures Inez Somerville Petersen, PO Box 2041, Renton, 98056, stated she had earlier asked Council to include standards in their administrative procedures for audience comment, so that comments must relate to City business. Referring to remarks made by Ms. Dochnahl earlier in the meeting, Ms. Petersen asked that Council not allow character attacks at a Council meeting. Ms. Petersen concluded by saying it is an honor that others are so upset to have to call her names, and that earlier comments will only cause an increase in support from those she represents. Citizen Comment: DeMastus - Highlands Community Association Sandel DeMastus, PO Box 2041, Renton, 98056, Vice-President, Highlands Community Association, opined that Council was not obeying City Ordinance No. 5155 regarding discrimination and tolerance. She thanked Council President Corman for his support of the Highlands Community Association and remarked that the association does many good things for the community. September 25, 2006 Renton City Council Minutes Page 325 Citizen Comment: Quesenberry - Various Rosemary Quesenberry, 3609 SE 18th Ct., Renton, 98058, thanked Councilwoman Nelson for her support of the Salvation Army. She also expressed her opinion that patrons of the Skate Park should wear helmets. Continuing, Ms. Quesenberry noted the need for a cross-walk on S. Puget Dr. near Grant Ave. S. because individuals must cross four lanes of traffic and the center turn lane to reach the bus stop on the far side of the street. Lastly, she urged Council to purchase Police vehicles with front and side air bags when the vehicles are due for replacement. Councilman Clawson pointed out that the Public Safety Committee previously investigated requiring helmets at the Skate Park and determined that they should be worn, but enforcing compliance was not feasible. Mayor Keolker stated further information could be provided. Citizen Comment: Kappenman - Tolerance Brett Kappenman, 1004 SW 4th Pl., Renton, 98057, read a portion of City Ordinance No. 5155 and stated that he did not feel tolerance and good will had been exemplified during the meeting. Council discussion ensued regarding insulting comments and emails, needing to serve all citizens regardless of disagreements, focusing on issues instead of people, and reviewing of Council policy. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:08 p.m. Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk Recorder: Jason Seth September 25, 2006