HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-07RENTON CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
October 8, 2007 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
TONI NELSON, Council President; RANDY CORMAN; DON PERSSON; MARCIE PALMER; TERRI BRIERE; DENIS LAW. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER DAN CLAWSON.
CARRIED.
CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE
KATHY KEOLKER, Mayor; LAWRENCE J. WARREN, City Attorney; BONNIE WALTON, City Clerk; GREGG ZIMMERMAN, Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator; TERRY HIGASHIYAMA, Community Services
Administrator; LESLIE BETLACH, Parks Director; PETER RENNER, Facilities Director; GERALD RERECICH, Recreation Director; ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator; ERIKA CONKLING,
Senior Planner; MARTY WINE, Assistant CAO; DEPUTY CHIEF CHUCK DUFFY, Fire Department; COMMANDER DAVID LEIBMAN, Police Department.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Community Services: Summer Activities/Henry Moses Aquatic Center Report
Community Services Administrator Higashiyama presented a report on the programs, events, and activities offered by the Community Services Department during the summer. She highlighted
events such as the opening of Heritage Park, the completion of the first public property tree inventory, and the annual kids fishing derby; programs such as summer lunches, day camps,
and scholarships; and activities such as Summerfest 2007 (drop-in playground activities), senior co-ed softball team, and numerous classes.
Ms. Higashiyama noted the volunteer opportunities and programs, saying that year-to-date, volunteer hours total 20,990. She also noted the partnerships with cities, agencies, and City
departments. Regarding the Henry Moses Aquatic Center, Ms. Higashiyama stated that attendance totaled 63,273, and the new twilight swim sessions were held on 28 evenings. In conclusion,
she indicated that in 2008, the Community Services Department will maintain and increase partnerships, expand marketing opportunities, and support a healthy community through wellness
programs and physical activity.
Mayor Keolker expressed her appreciation for all of staff's hard work. Regarding the beach closures during the summer (due to unacceptable levels of bacteria), Councilmember Corman
noted Renton's contribution to the regional effort to clean up the lake water, and the department's efficient management of the closures.
PUBLIC HEARING
Finance: Impact Fees, Issaquah & Kent School Districts
This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Keolker opened the public hearing to consider the collection
of impact fees for the Issaquah and Kent school districts.
Senior Planner Conkling explained that Renton currently collects an impact fee on behalf of the Issaquah School District in the amount of $6,136 per new single-family home built within
the City limits. She pointed out that the school district is now requesting the collection of a fee in the amount of $6,021.
Ms. Conkling reported that the City collects an impact fee in the amount of $4,928 per new single-family home on behalf of the Kent School District. She relayed the school district's
request for the collection of a fee in the amount of $5,110. Additionally, the school district is requesting an impact fee in the amount of $3,146 for each new multi-family unit.
Ms. Conkling explained that multi-family units may occur if the Benson Hill Communities Annexation area, which has proposed prezoning that would allow the construction of new multi-family
units, is annexed into the City of Renton.
Continuing, Ms. Conkling explained that both of the school districts are responding to growth by proposing improvements to schools serving Renton residents. Assessment of the full
impact fees ensures that those who contribute to growth pay a share of the growth-related costs. Ms. Conkling stated that staff recommends adoption of the requested single-family impact
fee for both school districts, and adoption of the new multi-family impact fee for the Kent School District. She noted that this matter will be reviewed by the Finance Committee on
October 22.
Public comment was invited.
Craig Christensen (Mill Creek), representing the Issaquah School District, explained that the school district annually updates its Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan, which identifies
how growth will be accommodated, and calculates impact fees that help fund capital requirements. He indicated that funds designated to build a middle school in the 2006 plan were reallocated
in the 2007 plan to instead increase the size of the high schools to accommodate the growth. Mr. Christensen pointed out that the reduction in the impact fee is due to this reallocation.
Gwenn Escher-Derdowski (Kent), Kent School District Planning Administrator, stated that impact fees from new developments in the proposed annexation areas (Anthone´ and Benson Hill
Communities) represent a continued savings to existing taxpayers in the form of reduction in the dollar amounts of new construction bond issues, as well as savings in interest. She
explained that impact fees that may be assessed in future construction proposals will not be new fees but rather replacement of fees that would have been assessed when the property
was under King County's jurisdiction. Ms. Escher-Derdowski noted that Panther Lake Elementary School, which is located in the general vicinity of the two annexation areas, is to be
replaced.
There being no further public comment, it was MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED.
Councilmember Corman expressed his appreciation for the input from the representatives of the school districts, particularly the information about the new schools being built and the
reasons for the reduction in the Issaquah School District impact fee.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Assistant CAO Wine reviewed a written administrative report summarizing the City’s recent progress towards goals and work programs adopted as part of its business plan for 2007 and
beyond. Items noted included:
Everyone is invited to stroll the streets of downtown Renton to enjoy scarecrows and festive fall decorations in business windows and storefronts.
Sunset Court Park will be closed while the existing 30-year-old irrigation system is removed and replaced between October 29 and November 1.
BNSF Railway Company is in the process of replacing four railroad bridges in Renton. The Cedar River Bridge near the library has been rolled to the south and is no longer in position
over the river. It will be dismantled and transported away this week. Meanwhile, pile driving for the replacement bridge on Hardie Ave. SW is complete and has moved to Rainier Ave.
The Shattuck Ave. Bridge replacement should be completed in the near future.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing.
Council Meeting Minutes of 10/1/2007
Approval of Council meeting minutes of 10/1/2007. Council concur.
Finance: Bond Issuance, Utility Capital Projects
Finance and Information Services Department requested approval of the issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds, 2007, in the approximate amount of $21.2 million for various utility
capital projects and to refinance outstanding bonds to lower overall costs. The projects include: Hazen 565-Zone Reservoir, Emergency Power to Pump Stations, Summerwind/Stonegate
Lift Station Replacement, Renton Village Storm System Improvement, Gypsy Basin/Ripley Lane Storm System Improvement, Central Plateau Interceptor Phase 2, and SW 34th St. Culvert Replacement.
Refer to Committee of the Whole.
Finance: King County Directors Association Purchase Agreement, Field Turf for Maplewood Golf Course
Finance and Information Services Department recommended approval of a purchasing agreement with King County Directors' Association in order to purchase the installation and repair of
field turf for the Maplewood Golf Course from Atlas Track and Tennis. Council concur. (See page 352 for resolution.)
Fire: Defibrillators & Renton Heart Month Funding Campaign, Budget Amend
Fire Department requested authorization for the appropriation and expenditure of money to purchase six public access defibrillators ($10,000), and to fund the 2007 ($9,200) and 2008
($10,000) Renton Heart Month campaigns. Council concur. (See page 353 for ordinance.)
Transportation: Maple Valley Hwy (SR-169) HOV/Queue Jump Phase 2, WSDOT
Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of an agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation who is providing funding in the amount of $292,100 towards the
Maple Valley Hwy. (SR-169), HOV/Queue Jump Phase 2 project. Council concur.
Added Item
7.f.
Legal: Settlement Agreement, Plat Application, MT Development
Legal Division recommended approval of a settlement agreement with MT Development, LLC regarding processing a plat application for 18 single-family building lots, located in the vicinity
of Talbot Rd. S. and S. 55th St., based upon applicable King County development regulations in effect prior to annexation (Anthone´) of the MT property. Council concur. Refer to Committee
of the Whole.
Added Item
7.g.
CAG: 04-013, North Renton Infrastructure Improvements, W&H Pacific
Transportation Systems Division recommended approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 9 to CAG-04-013, agreement with W&H Pacific, Inc., for the design of the Logan Ave. N. Bike Lane in
the amount of $45,000 for the South Lake Washington Roadway Improvements Project. Approval was also sought to allocate the funding from Fund 318, South Lake Washington Infrastructure
Project. Council concur.
MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED TO CHANGE ITEM 7.f. FROM "Council concur" TO "Refer to Committee of the Whole." CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Committee of the Whole
Utility: Cost of Service Water Rate Structure
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the 2008 cost of service water rate structure proposal. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff
recommendation to approve the 2008 cost of service rate structure as proposed: expand to five customer classes with adjusted commodity rates, expand to three consumption blocks for
single family/duplex (0 to 599, 600 to 1,400 and over 1,400 cubic feet per month), and adjust meter charges for all customer classes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Committee of the Whole
Utility: Cost of Service Water Rate Structure
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the 2008 cost of service water rate structure proposal. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff
recommendation to approve the 2008 cost of service rate structure as proposed: expand to five customer classes with adjusted commodity rates, expand to three consumption blocks for
single family/duplex (0 to 599, 600 to 1,400 and over 1,400 cubic feet per month), and adjust meter charges for all customer classes.
It is understood that formal Council action on the City's 2008 cost of service water rate structure will be conducted as part of the City Council's upcoming 2008 Budget review and approval
process, and will be implemented as part of the 2008 utility rates ordinance. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Utility: Senior & Disabled & Low-Income Utility Rates
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the 2008 senior/disabled/low-income rates proposal. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff
recommendation to lower the eligibility age to 61 years, and to use the King County income threshold for property tax relief programs for the 40 percent discount level ($35,000 for
2007) for the senior/disabled/low-income rates program. It is understood that formal Council action on the City's 2008 senior/disabled/low-income rates will be conducted as part of
the City Council's upcoming 2008 Budget review and approval process, and will be implemented as part of the 2008 utility rates ordinance. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL
CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Utility: NPDES Stormwater Permit Program Request & Surface Water Utility Rates
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit new program
and rate increase. The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the Surface Water Utility's new program request required to comply with the NPDES Phase
II permit, authorizing 4.7 new FTEs (full time employees) and a surface water utility rate increase of $1.32 per month for single-family customers (23 percent for all other customers)
in 2008 necessary to fund the new program.
The Committee further authorized the use of the equipment rental fund (Fund 501) to purchase the equipment (vactor truck) needed for the new program with the Surface Water Utility repaying
the equipment rental fund over a five-year period. It is understood that formal Council action on the City's 2008 NPDES Phase II permit compliance will be conducted as part of the
City Council's upcoming 2008 Budget review and approval process, and will be implemented as part of the 2008 utility rates ordinance. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR
IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Finance Committee
Finance: Vouchers
Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending approval of Claim Vouchers 264578 - 265075 and two wire transfers totaling $3,563,369.75; and approval of 145 Payroll
Vouchers, one wire transfer, and 675 direct deposits totaling $2,151,798.44. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Finance: Utility Bill Adjustment, Maplewood LLC
Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the request for utility bill adjustment by Maplewood LLC (apartment community). Maplewood LLC requested an adjustment to
their utility bills for two billing periods (four months) due to a leak. The adjustment requested was $16,455.76. The total bill for these billing periods is $24,571.75. The leak
period covered three billing periods, August through December 2006.
Finance: Utility Bill Adjustment, Maplewood LLC
Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the request for utility bill adjustment by Maplewood LLC (apartment community). Maplewood LLC requested an adjustment to
their utility bills for two billing periods (four months) due to a leak. The adjustment requested was $16,455.76. The total bill for these billing periods is $24,571.75. The leak
period covered three billing periods, August through December 2006.
Ordinance 5210 specifies adjustment to a maximum of two billing periods (four months). The ordinance requires that a request for adjustment be made within 60 days of discovery of the
leak. Notices of high consumption were sent to Maplewood LLC on 8/24/2006 and 12/20/2006. The leak was not repaired within the 60-day period after the date of the first high consumption
notice. The request for a billing adjustment was received more than 60 days from the first notice.
The Committee recommended granting an adjustment in the amount of $8,346.78 for the August 2006 consumption and for half of the October 2006 consumption. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED
BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Finance: Utility Bill Adjustment, Friends of Youth
Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report regarding the request for utility bill adjustment by Friends of Youth. Friends of Youth requested an adjustment to a back utility
bill representing 4 1/2 years of unbilled consumption totaling $10,426.04. The unbilled consumption resulted from a stuck meter that did not register usage. Friends of Youth has paid
$5,200 towards this back utility bill, leaving a balance of $5,226.04. Friends of Youth is a non-profit organization and as such this unexpected back utility bill impacts their budget.
The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve Friends of Youth's request for an adjustment in the amount of $5,226.04. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY
PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Transportation: Principal Civil Engineer-Transportation Systems Division Position
Finance Committee Chair Persson presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the reclassification of a Civil Engineer III position to a new position
of Principal Civil Engineer-Transportation Systems Division. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Utilities Committee
SAD: Earlington Sewer Interceptor
Utilities Committee Vice Chair Briere presented a report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve the preliminary Earlington Sewer Interceptor Special Assessment
District. The Committee further recommended that staff proceed with the establishment of the final special assessment district upon completion of the construction of the Earlington
Sewer Interceptor project. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption:
Resolution #3908
Finance: King County Directors Association Purchase Agreement, Field Turf for Maplewood Golf Course
A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an interlocal cooperative agreement between the City of Renton and King County Directors' Association to purchase
certain merchandise, such as field turf for the Maplewood Golf Course. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED.
The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 10/15/2007 for second and final reading:
Fire: Defibrillators & Renton Heart Month Campaign Funding, Budget Amend
An ordinance was read amending the 2007 Budget by using $29,200 from Fund 010 fund balance for the purpose of funding the City of Renton's 2007 and 2008 Renton Heart Month campaigns
($19,200) and for purchasing six public access defibrillators ($10,000). MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 10/15/2007.
CARRIED.
Fire: Defibrillators & Renton Heart Month Campaign Funding, Budget Amend
An ordinance was read amending the 2007 Budget by using $29,200 from Fund 010 fund balance for the purpose of funding the City of Renton's 2007 and 2008 Renton Heart Month campaigns
($19,200) and for purchasing six public access defibrillators ($10,000). MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 10/15/2007.
CARRIED.
The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption:
Ordinance #5309
Planning: Owner-Occupied Housing Incentive Extension and Modification
An ordinance was read amending Section 4-1-210, Waived Fees, of Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code by extending and modifying
the waiver of certain development and mitigation fees related to owner-occupied housing incentives. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL:
ALL AYES. CARRIED.
Ordinance #5310
Police: Time Limit on Extended Parking on ROW or Municipal Property
An ordinance was read amending Chapter 10-10 of Title X (Traffic) of City Code by adding a new Section 10-10-14, Extended Unauthorized Parking, related to establishing a time limit
on extended parking on City right-of-way and imposing fines. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
Ordinance #5311
Police: VSRT Armored Personnel Carrier Purchase, Budget Amend
An ordinance was read amending the 2007 Budget by reflecting incoming revenue in the amount of $50,000 from Valley Narcotics and Enforcement Team to the General Fund balance and an
expenditure for the purpose of purchasing an armored personnel carrier for the Valley Special Response Team. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ.
ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Development Services: Basketball Hoops on Public ROW
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THE ISSUE OF BASKETBALL HOOPS ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY TO THE TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION) COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
Utility: Low-Income & Senior Utility Rates
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THE ISSUE OF LOW-INCOME AND SENIOR CITIZEN UTILITY RATES TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
Police: Misdemeanant Jail Facility Study
MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL REFER THE MISDEMEANANT JAIL FACILITY STUDY TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. CARRIED.
EDNSP: Downtown Wayfinding System
Councilmember Corman pointed out that examples of the downtown wayfinding system signage can be found on the City's website.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:07 p.m.
Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk
Recorder: Michele Neumann
October 8, 2007