HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-07RENTON CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
October 15, 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; DAN CLAWSON.
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;
ALEX PIETSCH, Economic Development Administrator; SUZANNE DALE ESTEY, Economic Development Director; JENNIFER DAVIS-HAYES, Development Manager; NORMA MCQUILLER, Neighborhood Program
Coordinator; DEBORAH NEEDHAM, Emergency Management Director; DEPUTY CHIEF ROBERT VAN HORNE, Fire Department; COMMANDER CHARLES MARSALISI, Police Department.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
EDNSP: 2007 Neighborhood Program
Neighborhood Program Coordinator McQuiller reported on the Neighborhood Program, saying that five new neighborhoods were added to the program for a total of 34 officially recognized
neighborhoods. She noted the participation of the City employees who volunteer as neighborhood liaisons, and the participation of more than 1,800 residents representing 22 neighborhoods
who attended the 14 neighborhood picnics held during 2007.
Ms. McQuiller stated that more than $75,000 in neighborhood grants were awarded in the first half of 2007 for eight neighborhood projects and two newsletters. The budgeted amount is
$50,000, but funds in the amount of $33,000 were carried over from the 2006 fund balance. She indicated that a second round of funding was just conducted for the remaining $7,000.
Ms. McQuiller displayed photographs of the neighborhood projects, and in acknowledgement of the project grants that were awarded, Mayor Keolker and Council President Nelson presented
certificates to representatives of the neighborhood groups.
Mayor Keolker expressed appreciation to Ms. McQuiller for all her hard work, and Councilmember Persson recognized the participation of her family.
PUBLIC MEETING
EDNSP: Downtown Wayfinding System
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 meeting to consider the signs, design,
and color scheme for the downtown wayfinding system that will improve the system of signage into and around downtown Renton.
Development Manager Davis-Hayes explained that at the open house, held prior to the Council meeting, citizens provided feedback on the wayfinding system. Those comments, as well as
other comments received via the City's website, were forwarded to the Council. Ms. Davis-Hayes reported that the next steps of the project are to finalize the design, and begin to
install the advance directional signs along Logan and Rainier Avenues South.
Public comment was invited.
Angela Laulainen (Renton) stated that she agrees with the placement of the signs to direct traffic down Logan Ave. S., and with the look of the signs. She voiced her hope that the signs
will all be in place in time for an unveiling at the next Renton River Days festival.
Public comment was invited.
Angela Laulainen (Renton) stated that she agrees with the placement of the signs to direct traffic down Logan Ave. S., and with the look of the signs. She voiced her hope that the signs
will all be in place in time for an unveiling at the next Renton River Days festival.
Rod Stewart (Renton) said he owns an antique store in Renton and encouraged the City to move forward with this project. He noted the importance of directing people from The Landing
to downtown Renton and vice versa.
Pat Pepper (Black Diamond) stated that she is involved with the Evergreen City Ballet and is the chair of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission. She indicated that the signs are invitational,
informative, beautiful, and durable; reflective of the designers' research; and reflective of the flavor of the City. Ms. Pepper noted that the wayfinding system will expand as Renton
grows and strengthen Renton as an interactive community.
Linda Middlebrooks (Renton) suggested that Renton follow the lead of other communities and install a permanent sign for its farmers market.
Bill Taylor (Renton) commended the City's decision to install a wayfinding system, and encouraged the swift completion of the much needed system.
Councilmember Persson pointed out that the Council has already authorized the expenditure for the downtown wayfinding system.
There being no further public comment, it was MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC MEETING. CARRIED.
Councilmembers Corman and Clawson commented on the need for signs directing people to I-405, and the need to move forward with working on the I-405 signage with the Washington State
Department of Transportation. Mayor Keolker stated that the Administration will pursue this, and will also review what can be done in conjunction with the wayfinding signs.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Chief Administrative Officer 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 2007 and beyond. Items noted included:
A community art project entitled "Cedar Salmon" and sponsored by Friends of the Cedar River Watershed is on display at the Renton Public Library now through November 3.
The second edition of the Renton Community Marketing Campaign's television show called "The Curve" is now airing on cable channel 21 and is available via streaming video at www.rentonwa.gov.
The show features segments highlighting Renton businesses, trends, and happenings.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
Citizen Comment: Knickerbocker - North Renton Neighborhood
Jennifer Knickerbocker (Renton) thanked Planning Manager Rebecca Lind for answering her questions and addressing her concerns regarding the North Renton neighborhood in which she resides.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items on the consent agenda are adopted by one motion which follows the listing.
Council Meeting Minutes of 10/8/2007
Approval of Council meeting minutes of 10/8/2007. Council concur.
Appointment: Library Board
Mayor Keolker appointed Catherine Ploué-Smith to the Library Board for a five-year term expiring on 6/1/2012. Refer to Community Services Committee.
City Clerk: Quarterly Contract List, 7/2007 to 9/2007
City Clerk submitted Quarterly Contract List for period of 7/1/2007 to 9/30/2007; 42 contracts and 17 addenda totaling $12,961,116.66. Information.
CAG: 07-156, Fire Station #11 Fire Sprinkler System, Ace Fire Protection Systems
City Clerk reported bid opening on 10/3/2007 for CAG-07-156, Fire Station #11 Fire Sprinkler System; two bids; engineer's estimate $70,000; and submitted staff recommendation to award
the contract to the low bidder, Ace Fire Protection Systems, Inc., in the amount of $28,959.13. Refer to Finance Committee.
Court Case: First Mercury Insurance Company, CRT-07-010
Court Case filed on behalf of First Mercury Insurance Company by Lee Smart, P.S., Inc. related to the claim filed on the First Mercury policy for damage to self-storage units on NE
Sunset Blvd. as a result of sewer discharge that occurred in November 2006 during Sanders General Construction's work on City contract CAG-05-165. Refer to City Attorney and Insurance
Services.
Development Services: Hoquiam Court Short Plat, ROW Dedication, NE 8th St, SHP-05-099
Development Services Division recommended acceptance of a deed of dedication for additional right-of-way in the vicinity of NE 8th St. and Hoquiam Ave. NE to fulfill a requirement of
the Hoquiam Court Short Plat. Council concur.
Annexation: Marshall, Duvall Ave NE & NE Sunset Blvd
Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department recommended a public hearing be set on 11/5/2007 to consider the proposed Marshall Annexation and R-8 zoning of
the 7.6-acre site located west of Duvall Ave. NE and north of NE Sunset Blvd. Council concur.
Finance: Finance Analyst Position, Temporarily Fill as Full Time
Finance and Information Services Department recommended approval to temporarily fill a half-time Finance Analyst position with a full-time employee until 3/31/2008. Refer to Finance
Committee.
CAG: 03-131, Duvall Ave NE Improvements, Berger/Abam Engineers
Transportation Systems Division requested approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 7 to CAG-03-131, agreement with Berger/Abam Engineers, Inc., for services in the amount of $386,000
for the Duvall Ave. NE Widening Project. Refer to Transportation (Aviation) Committee.
Utility: Capital Expenditures Funding, Budget Amend
Utility Systems Division recommended approval to transfer $1,800,000 from Water Utility Fund 405 to Fund 425; $963,000 from Wastewater Utility Fund 406 to Fund 426; and $410,000 from
Surface Water Utility Fund 407 to Fund 427 for the funding of utilities capital expenditures. Refer to Finance Committee.
MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Committee of the Whole
Legal: Settlement Agreement, Plat Application, MT Development
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report regarding the settlement agreement with MT Development. The Committee recommended that Council authorize the settlement
of the MT Development lawsuit (CRT-05-011) as outlined in the agenda bill (dated 10/8/2007). MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
Finance: Bond Issuance, Utility Capital Projects
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to issue bonds in the approximate amount of $21.2 million to
finance the cost of construction of various capital projects within the utility systems as well as to refinance outstanding bonds to lower overall costs. The Committee further recommended
that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See later this page
for ordinance.)
Finance: Bond Issuance, Utility Capital Projects
Council President Nelson presented a Committee of the Whole report recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to issue bonds in the approximate amount of $21.2 million to
finance the cost of construction of various capital projects within the utility systems as well as to refinance outstanding bonds to lower overall costs. The Committee further recommended
that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. (See later this page
for ordinance.)
Public Safety Committee
Police: Regional Misdemeanant Jail Facility
Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report regarding the misdemeanant jail facility study. There is insufficient space for misdemeanant inmates in King County and the City
of Renton has been unable to secure additional beds in the quantity that are needed from contract providers. Additionally, all of the cities in King County have a contractual obligation
to remove misdemeanor inmates from King County Jail by 12/31/2012. The combination of these challenges is forcing cities to look at alternatives for jail needs.
As a result of these conditions, Renton is joining with the cities of Des Moines, Tukwila, and Federal Way to fund a feasibility study in the amount of $161,000 to examine the feasibility
of the construction and operation of a 500-bed multi-jurisdictional misdemeanant jail facility. The City of Renton is acting as the lead agency and will execute the contract with DLR
Group. Renton's financial contribution to the study is $78,890.
The Committee recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to contract with DLR Group to complete the feasibility study. The Committee also recommended preparation of the resolution
for reading and adoption at the next Council meeting authorizing the interlocal agreement between the cities to pay for the feasibility study. MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY PERSSON, COUNCIL
CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
The following ordinance was presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 10/22/2007 for second and final reading:
Finance: Bond Issuance, Utility Capital Projects
An ordinance was read authorizing the issuance of three series of water and sewer revenue bonds of the City for the purpose of financing the costs of carrying out certain capital improvements
of the waterworks utility and refunding certain outstanding water and sewer revenue bonds of the City, in the aggregate principal amounts of not to exceed $10,000,000, $10,000,000 and
$3,000,000, respectively; providing the form, terms and covenants of the bonds; fulfilling the Reserve Requirement; authorizing the appointment of an escrow agent and the execution
of an escrow agreement relating to the refunding bonds; and approving the sale and providing for the delivery of the bonds to Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation, Seattle, Washington.
MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 10/22/2007. CARRIED.
The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and adoption:
Ordinance #5312
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 LAW, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Citizen Comment: Campbell - Junk Vehicles
Councilmember Persson noted receipt of an e-mail from Alan Campbell (Renton) regarding the prevalence of junk vehicles parked on lots and on the streets in the Highlands area. He referred
the matter to the Administration.
Planning: Low Impact Development Regulations
Councilmember Clawson encouraged attendance at the upcoming CH2M Hill workshop for elected officials regarding low impact development, noting that the matter has been referred to the
Planning and Development Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 7:54 p.m.
Bonnie I. Walton, CMC, City Clerk
Recorder: Michele Neumann
October 15, 2007