The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutApproved Minutes 04-06-2020April 6, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF RENTON MINUTES - City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, April 6, 2020 Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pavone called the meeting of the Renton City Council to order at 7:00 PM. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Ruth Pérez, Council President Randy Corman, Council Position No. 1 Angelina Benedetti, Council Position No. 2 Valerie O'Halloran, Council Position No. 3 Ryan McIrvin, Council Position No. 4 Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 Kim-Khánh Vǎn, Council Position No. 7 (arrived 7:05 p.m.) (all councilmembers attended remotely) Councilmembers Absent: ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PRESENT Armondo Pavone, Mayor Robert Harrison, Chief Administrative Officer Shane Moloney, City Attorney Jason Seth, City Clerk Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator Chip Vincent, Community & Economic Development Administrator Ron Straka, Acting Public Works Administrator Jan Hawn, Administrative Services Administrator Ellen Bradley-Mak, Human Resources and Risk Management Administrator Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator Chief Ed VanValey, Police Department Administrator Commander Dan Figaro, Police Department (All City staff attended remotely except City Clerk Seth and Police Commander Figaro) April 6, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Mayor Pavone reported City Departments’ statuses in regards to the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) crisis: 1) Administrative Services Department: Finance operations are up and running. Information Technology infrastructure is up and working. IT has successfully kept our employees teleworking during the crisis. Finance is also doing preliminary research to determine what impacts the crisis will have on the City’s budget, as well as finding ways to reduce expenditures. 2) Human Resources and Risk Management: HRRM has implemented the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. This provides for two new leave laws, 1) the Emergency Sick Leave Benefit, and 2) the Emergency Family Leave Benefit. Additionally, the difficult decision to terminate all supplemental employees was made. For those requesting help, HRRM is assisting with the unemployment process. 3) Community Services: Community Services is providing basic operational services at facilities. This includes cleaning and properly securing all City facilities. The department is also seeking ways to serve Renton’s senior and vulnerable populations. Additionally, the department continues to prepare for upcoming City events for when the Governor’s shelter in place order is lifted. 4) Police Department: The Police Department continues to provide full service responses to all calls for service. Animal Control and Parking Enforcement efforts have been reduced. The department’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) levels are satisfactory at this time. The department, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office, has been reaching out to Renton’s Asian American communities to educate residents on reporting harassment and hate crimes. Renton has a zero tolerance policy for crimes of this nature. 5) Community and Economic Development: Permits and planning is occurring either online or telephonically. Building, engineering, and Code Compliance inspections are still occurring for projects deemed critical and essential by the Governor. Inspections for non-critical or non-essential projects are being conducted virtually. Economic Development has reallocated staff to assist local businesses with accessing resources provided by the federal Cares Act. Economic Development has also partnered with Startup425, a collaboration between Renton, Issaquah, Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland, to hire Business Impact Northwest to assist local businesses in each respective city with applying for loans through the Small Business Administration. Additionally, all Renton business license holders will be notified of this service. 6) Communications: Communications is providing daily updates on the City’s website and social media platforms regarding COVID-19. The City has also established a Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for residents seeking information on this subject. Residents should also check the Seattle and King County Public Health Department webpage for additional information. Additionally, Renton’s current Census 2020 response is at 51.5%. The City would like to see that number be 100%. Incentives such as a $10 gift card are in place to encourage residents to complete their household census responses. April 6, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Chief Administrative Officer Robert Harrison reviewed a written administrative report summarizing the City’s recent progress towards goals and work programs adopted as part of its business plan for 2020 and beyond. Items noted were:  Friday, April 10, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Emergency tree hazard mitigation will be conducted along Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) between the Riviera Apartments and Riverview Park. Expect significant traffic delays in both directions as traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction. Brief sidewalk closures will also take place in this area.  Companies and services that are deemed essential by the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order may be performing emergency work within the City of Renton in order to maintain their critical infrastructure to support the community. City of Renton staff are working with these companies and services to ensure that they are working safely within the public roadways and request patience and caution when approaching any work zone.  You can find information on the city’s website and social media pages regarding the city’s COVID-19 response. Additionally, the Mayor’s newsletter is three times per week and has the most up-to-date information and access to state and county resources. If you haven’t signed up for the Mayor’s newsletter, you can do so at http://rentonwa.gov/mnl.  Preventative street maintenance will continue to impact traffic and result in occasional street closures. ADDED PROCLAMATION Mayor Pavone added the following Proclamation to the agenda: DUC TRAN DAY AND RECOGNIZE ASIAN AMERICANS IN OUR COMMUNITY AS RENTON'S AMBASSADORS: A proclamation by Mayor Pavone was read declaring April 6, 2020 to be “Duc Tran Day and recognize Asian Americans in our community as Renton's Ambassadors” in the City of Renton, and encouraging all members of the Community to join in this special event. Mr. Duc Tran accepted the proclamation with appreciation. He stated it was his honor to receive the proclamation, and he looks forward to continuing to give back to the community. Mayor Pavone noted that many leaders of Renton's Asian American communities had expressed concerns about being targeted for hate crimes. He emphasized that Renton has a zero tolerance policy in regards to the harassment of any Renton resident. Councilmember Vǎn expressed her appreciation of Mr. Tran. MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION. CARRIED. PROCLAMATION a) Volunteer Month: A proclamation by Mayor Pavone was read declaring April 2020 to be “Volunteer Month” in the City of Renton, in honor of the hard work and dedication of the thousands of residents who selflessly donate their time and effort in the spirit of volunteerism. MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE PROCLAMATION. CARRIED. April 6, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUDIENCE COMMENTS  City Clerk Seth read an anonymous email suggesting that the Governor should have frozen rent payments instead of halting evictions. CONSENT AGENDA Items listed on the Consent Agenda were adopted with one motion, following the listing. Items 6.a., 6.b., and 6.f. were removed for separate consideration. c) AB - 2621 City Clerk submitted the 2020 Independent Salary Commission Salary Report which increased Councilmember salary from $1,250 per month to $1,750 per month, and the Council President salary from $1,450 per month to $2,050 per month. No changes were made to other benefits Councilmembers currently receive. None; Information Only. d) AB - 2624 Community & Economic Development Department submitted the 2020 Title IV Docket #15 Amendments for review. Following this review, the Planning Commission will present code revision recommendations. Refer to Planning Commission and Planning & Development Committee. e) AB - 2625 Community & Economic Development Department requested approval of a 100- percent waiver of eligible development and impact fees, estimated at $169,721, as provided in Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-1-210.B.4 for the Habitat for Humanity La Fortuna Phase II development. The City would contribute $19,385.62 or 20-percent of the total transportation, parks, and fire impact fees into those respective impact fee accounts. Refer to Finance Committee. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PÉREZ, COUNCIL CONCUR TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ITEMS 6.a., 6.b., and 6.f. CARRIED. SEPARATE CONSIDERATION ITEMS 6.a., 6.b., and 6.f. a) Approval of Council Meeting minutes of March 23, 2020. Council Concur MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6.a. TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO STRIKE THE REFERENCE TO HAVING CONDUCTED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. CARRIED. b) AB - 2623 Mayor Pavone appointed Mr. James Alberson to the Planning Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2022. Refer to Planning & Development Committee MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PÉREZ, COUNCIL CONCUR TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6.b. AS COUNCIL CONCUR. CARRIED. f) AB - 2626 Community & Economic Development Department recommended approval of the Multi-Family Housing Property Tax Exemption Agreement with the Renton Housing Authority, which addresses the terms and conditions for the Willowcrest Townhomes affordable homeownership project to receive a partial property tax exemption for twelve years upon completion. Refer to Planning & Development Committee MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY MCIRVIN, COUNCIL CONCUR TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6.f. AS COUNCIL CONCUR. CARRIED. April 6, 2020 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ADDED LEGISLATION Mayor Pavone announced there was a walk-on ordinance for Council's consideration. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PÉREZ, COUNCIL SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD A WALK-ON ORDINANCE TO THE AGENDA. CARRIED. Ordinance for first reading and advancement to second and final reading: a) Ordinance No. 5967: An ordinance was read declaring a Moratorium on land use applications for large residential projects (150 dwelling units or more in a project) within the Sunset Area; declaring a Moratorium on applications for waived fees for large residential projects; setting forth findings of fact in support of said moratoriums; providing for severability; declaring an emergency; and establishing an immediate effective date. MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADVANCE THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING AT TONIGHT'S MEETING. CARRIED. Following second and final reading, it was MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY PÉREZ, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Please see the attached Council Committee Meeting Calendar. MOVED BY VǍN, THAT COUNCIL REQUEST STAFF TO DRAFT LEGISLATION AGAINST BIAS AND HATE CRIMES AGAINST GROUPS, ESPECIALLY CHINESE AND ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, AS A RESULT OF THE CORONAVIRUS, COVID- 19, AND REJECT THE TERMS SUCH AS ‘CHINESE VIRUS’ TO NAME SUCH VIRUS.* Discussion ensued regarding what type of legislation was requested, whether there was enough information in the motion for staff to complete the request, the process for requesting staff assistance, that hate crime legislation was generally under State and Federal purview, that Council had adopted a proclamation earlier in the meeting that addressed this issue, and the additional steps Mayor Pavone announced that would be taken to address the concerns of Renton's Asian American communities. **THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PÉREZ, SECONDED BY PRINCE, COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. TIME: 7:40 P.M. Jason A. Seth, MMC, City Clerk Jason Seth, Recorder 06 Apr 2020 Council Committee Meeting Calendar April 6, 2020 April 13, 2020 Monday CANCELLED Planning & Development Committee, Chair Corman 5:30 PM Finance Committee, Chair Prince – VIDEOCONFERENCE 1) Vouchers 2) Habitat for Humanity Fee Waiver 6:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Chair Pérez – VIDEOCONFERENCE 1. COVID-19 Update 7:00 PM City Council Meeting, Chair Pérez – VIDEOCONFERENCE