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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUC-91-002 . �%:��"'� '`'� CITY�OF RENTON ,.LL �ITY O� REN'Tt�1� Planning/Building/Public Works Department Earl Clymer Mayor y (��q� Lynn Guttman,Administrator � a A R P3 � d. �`"1 9� {��H�� February 28, 1991 $��,�,�.a�a t:.0 �;1�Y CLERK'S OFFIC:� Mr. Rick Stracke Executive Director Facilities and Operations Center Renton School District No. 403 1220 North 4th Street Renton, WA 98055 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM SPECIAL UTILITY CONNECTION CHARGE, TIFFANY PAR.K AND TALBOT HILL ELEMENTAR.Y SCHOOL SITES Dear Mr. Stracke: The five (5) conditions imposed by City Council to relieve the School District from the full amount of the Special Utility Connection Charges, triggered by expansion work on the School District buildings, have brought about additional work requirements. The five conditions are cited on a February 12, 1991 letter to the School District, a copy of which is attached hereto. The existing Special Utility Connection Charge Ordinance does not provide for administrative exceptions or variance to relieve the district of any portion of this fee. My staff and I are in the process of preparing an amendment to the fee Ordinance inserting the requirement that playground areas and open space on the site, maintained as open space available for public use, be exempt for the Special Utility Connection Charge. Due to the time involved in processing a revision to an existing Ordinance, the City recognizes the School District's need to begin construction on the expansion work for the subject elementary schools. Your construction permit will be issued upon receipt of a letter of agreement from you, guaranteeing that the revised mutually agreed upon Special Utility Connection Charge, will be paid at a later date. In order to reach an agreement and to determine which portions of the property quality for exemption, I request your engineers supply us with the following additional information: 1. Full legal descriptions of both school sites. 2. Site plans, for both school sites, with dimensions and bearings called out along the perimeter boundary, together with dimensional ties between the buildings and the property lines. Upon receipt of the above, I will schedule a meeting with you and certain City officials to meet condition No. 1 as, conditioned by the Renton City Council. Very truly yours, 'chard J. An n, P.E. Utility Systems Manager si-17s:R.Js:AMx:ps Attachment 200 Mill Avenue South - Renton, Washington 98055 . . .� - �: T;- � CIT�'�'"`OF RENTON "LL Finance Department Earl Clymer, Mayor CRY OF REM'OiV RECENE� February 12, 1991 �EB � 2 ���� DEVElOF'1F�fT SERV1Gt5 Gary F. Kohlwes, Superintendent ONtSiOtd Renton School District 403 435 Main Avenue South Renton, WA 98055 Re: Request for Exemption from Special Utility Connection Charge, Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill Elementary Schools Dear Dr. Kohlwes: At the Council meeting of February I1, 1991, the Renton City Council approved the referenced request for relief from special utility connection charges for expansion work on school district buildings. The City Council concurred in the recommendation of the Utilities Committee that the exemption be granted subject to the requirement that playground areas and open space on the site be maintained as open space available for public use. The following five conditions were imposed: 1. City staff and school district representatives should meet to determine the portions of the property which qualify for the exemption. 2. Staff shall develop a definition of open space for future use on school district development. 3. An agreement be executed between the school district and the City applying the open space exemption; upon payment of utility connection fees, permits will be issued to the district. 4. Any disputes between parties will result in referral back to the Utilities Committee for resolution. 5. If changes are required, staff shall prepare an amendment to the special utility connection charge ordinance and an issue paper for presentation and discussion with the Utilities Committee. For additional information, please contact this office or Arneta Henninger, Engineering Specialist, 277- 6198. Sincerely, �it�t/ Marilyn J. e en, CMC City Clerk 235-2501 cc: Mayor Earl Clymer Councii President Toni Nelson Lynn Guttmann, Public Works Administrator Richard Anderson, Utility Systems Manager Arneta Henninger, Engineering Specialist 200 Mill Avenue South - Renton, Washington 98055 ::� � �' CITY`""�F RENTON � Finance Department Earl Clymer, Mayor February 12, 1991 Gary F. Kohlwes, Superintendent Renton School District 403 435 Main Avenue South Renton, WA 98055 Re: Request for Exemption from Special Utility Connection Charge, Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill Elementary Schools Dear Dr. Kohiwes: At the Council meeting of February 11, 1991, the Renton City Council approved the referenced request for relief from special utility connection charges for expansion work on school district buildings. The City Council concurred in the recommendation of the Utilities Committee that the exemption be granted subject to the requirement that playground areas and open space on the site be maintained as open space available for public use. The following five conditions were imposed: 1. City staff and school district representatives should meet to determine the portions of the property which qualify for the exemption. 2. Staff shall develop a definition of open space for future use on school district development. 3. An agreement be executed between the school district and the City applying the open space exemption; upon payment of utility connection fees, permits will be issued to the district. 4. Any disputes between parties will result in referral back to the Utilities Committee for resolution. 5. If changes are required, staff shall prepare an amendment to the special utility connection charge ordinance and an issue paper for presentation and discussion with the Utilities Committee. For additional information, please contact this office or Arneta Henninger, Engineering Specialist, 277- 6198. Sincerely, �it-�/ Marilyn J. e e en, CMC City Clerk 235-2501 cc: Mayor Earl Clymer Council President Toni Nelson Lynn Guttmann, Public Works Administrator Richard Anderson, Utility Systems Manager Arneta Henninger, Engineering Specialist 200 Mill Avenue South - Renton, Washington 98055 Februarv 11, 1991 �...r' Renton Citv Council Minutes ..�� Pa�e 47 WSDOT: I-405 S-Curve Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler commented that diagrams obtained at the Project Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) I-405 S-Curve project open house show a building not previously identified. She requested information on the size, location, and permit application for this building. Mr. Martin explained that this will be a Seattle water project dechlorination building which will be used to treat water drained from water lines before depositing it in the Cedar River. The building will be approximately 10-foot square, and the State has obtained a building permit for this structure from the City as part of the I-405 S-Curve project. In response to Ms. Keolker- Wheeler's comment, Mr. Martin confirmed that the building is proposed in a park area, and the City is discussing this matter with the State. He also said he will ask WSDOT representatives to address this issue when the S-Curve project is discussed at the February 18, 1991, Council meeting. Police: Grant Avenue Ms. Keolker-Wheeler reported that the access gate on Grant Avenue had been Gate Security inadvertently left unlocked, and she expressed her appreciation to Police Captain Don Persson for resecuring the gate. Utilities Committee Utilities Committee Chairman Keolker-Wheeler presented a Committee report Utility: School District stating that the Renton School District has petitioned the Council to relieve it Utility Connection from the full amount of the special utility connection charges for expansion Assessment, Tiffany Park of school district buildings (referred 1/28/91). The City Code for the special & Talbot Hill Schools utility connection charge provides that properties not previously assessed are assessed over the full property when new construction is undertaken. The school district indicated that the fee would involve paying for playground space and open space upon which it cannot develop structures, and that the fee is excessive under the circumstances. The ordinance does not provide for administrative exceptions or variance to relieve the district of any portion of this fee; thus, Council direction is necessary. The Utilities Committee recommended that the full Council exempt certain a property held in school district ownership from the special utility connection ' charge to the extent that the property is maintained open space available for � public use. The Committee further recommended the following: � 1) The City staff and the school district meet to determine the portions of ; the property that fit within the open space exemption. City staff participating in this meeting include the Parks Department, Public Works ; Department, and the City Attorney's office. Areas subject to the special utility connection charge include buildings, parking lots, landscape areas and sidewalks. Open space include playgrounds and other maintained ; land areas open to general public use. ; 2) The staff develop a definition of open space for future use on school � district development. ,. 3) The Administration be authorized to enter into an agreement with the school district on the special utility connection charge applying the open space exemption, and staff be authorized to issue permits for the district to proceed upon payment of the agreed upon special utility connection �' charge fees. ;� � 4) If there are any disputes concerning how this charge should be calculated, the Utilities Committee will meet on this topic again. " S) If any changes need to be made, staff will prepare an amendment to the �'� special utility connection charge ordinance and an issue paper fnr presentation and discussion with the Committee. ; ' MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY TANNER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* In response to Council inquiry regarding the amount and fiscal impact of the exemption, Ms. Keolker-Wheeler explained that this information will not be available until the square footage allotment for open space has been ' calculated. The Committee report has been submitted to Council prior to such calculation to accommodate the school district's time constraints for the completion of this project. She said the Committee has recommended review and possible amendment of the ordinance since it may be appropriate to grant exemptions to the fee for certain land areas that are available for public use. Councilwoman Zimmerman expressed her concern about approving this action before information regarding fiscal impact has been provided. Councilman Edwards requested a report on the final action taken and the dollar amount of the exemption. •MOTION CARRIED. Council: Workshop In response to Councilman Stredicke's inquiry, Executive Assistant Jay Covington explained that the date for the Council workshop has been postponed due to conflicting schedules. . . � �, ���pi�oM o UTILITIES COMMITTEE �,��,9.� �y, COMMITTEE REPORT v',' February 11, 1991 RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT APPEAL OF SPECIAL UTILITY CONNECTION CHARGES (Referred January 28, 1991) The Renton School District has petitioned the council to relieve it from the full amount of the special utility connection charges for certain expansion work on school district buildings. The City Code for the special utility connection charge provides that properties not previously assessed are assessed over the full property when new construction is undertaken. The school district indicates that the fee would involve paying for playground space and open space upon which it cannot develop structures and that the fee is excessive under the circumstances. The ordinance does not provide for administrative exceptions or variance to relieve the district of any portion of this fee, thus council direction is necessary. The Utilities Committee recommends that the full council exempt certain property held in school district ownership from the special utility connection charge to the extent that the property is maintained open space available for public use. The committee further recommends that the city council concur in the following recommendation to the staff: 1. The city staff and the school district should meet to determine the portions of the property that fit within the open space exemption as expressed in this motion. City staff participating in this meeting should include the Parks Department, Public Works Department, and the city attorney's office. Areas subject to the special utility connection charge should include buildings, parking lots, landscape areas and sidewalks. Open space should include playgrounds and other maintained land areas open to general public use. 2. The staff develop a definition of open space for future use on school district development. 3. The administration be authorized to enter into an agreement with the school district on the special utility connection charge applying the open space exemption and that staff be authorized to issue permits for the district to proceed, upon payment of the agreed upon special utility connection charge fees. 4. If there are any disputes concerning how this charge should be calculated, then the Utilities Committee will meet on this topic again. 5. If any changes need to be made, that staff prepare an amendment to the special utility connection charge ordinance and an issue paper for presentation and discussion with the Utilities Committee. � -�1G�e�� Kathy Ke er-Wheeler, Chair Copies : Lynn Guttmann Richard Anderson Theresa Zimmerman, Vice Chair Arneta Henn i nger sse Tanner, Member UC-RSD/RJA:If r j � , + �,, �\ �` I� �-r,� �, : CITY OF RENTON MEMORANDUM DATE: February 5, 1991 TO: Kathy Keolker-Wheeler, Chair Members of Utiliry Committee VIA: Mayor Clymer �� FROM: Ly��tt�, Administrator Planning/B�ilding/Public Works Department STAFF CONTACT: Dick Anderson, Utiliry Systems Manager giTBfECT'; Renton School District Request For F.�cemption From The Special Utility Connection Charge For T'he Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill Elementaty Schools The Renton School District is proposing to construct classroom additions to the Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill Elementary Schools. This construction initiates the City's Special Utility Connection Charge (Ciry Code 8-4-41-B3, Water and 8-5-17-B3, Sewer)for both of these sites. The District, by letter of January 28, 1991, has requested City Council consideration for a reduction of the District's assessment. In brief the projects consist of the following: 1. Talbot Hill School-construction of a 10,400 square foot building to house student classrooms, offices and service facilities, on an e�sting school site . The site is approximately 11.2 acres. The Special Utiliry Connection Charge fees are: (water$0.126 per SF, sewer$0.063 per SF.) Water = $61,526.80 Sewer = $30,763.40 Total $92,290.20 •, 2. Tiffany Park School-construction of a new one-story 10,400 square foot building for classrooms, offices and service facilities to replace temporary buildings. The new building will be located in an area occasionally used as a play field. The school site is appro�mately 10 acres in size. The Special Utility Connection Charge fees are: (water $0.126 per SF, sewer$0.063 per SF.) Water = $54,774.18 Sewer = $27,387.09 Total $82,161.27 Both sites are single tracts of land and have not been platted or sub-divided, thus the special utiliry connection charge has been computed on the entire site, and is consistent with the City's Code. ,: �ebruary 5, 1991 �✓" w► Page 2 With regard to the Special Utility Connection Charge the City Code requires the payment of the fees when development of the property occurs as follows: "Property that was developed before the effective date of the first connection charge ordinance in 1965 is exempted from the connection charge. Any rebuilding, change in use or additions to exempted property that does not require additional water usage such that a fire hydrant or larger meter is necessary, will not trigger a new connection charge. However, when property is redeveloped or the use changed or intensified such that a lazger water meter or additional water meters or a fire hydrant are necessary, or when no water meter was obtained before, such as property on a well, then any application for the initial water meter or a larger water meter or installation of a fire hydrant will trigger a utility connection charge. Thus the waiver, elimination or reduction of fee is not a discretionary matter for staff. Any exception or exemption of the Code fees requires that the City Council adopted enabling legislation. �tions available to the Citv Council: The City Council has a range of options available including: 1. Payment in accord with the current code would recover the full connection charge amount, which would discharge the District's full obligation to the Utility for the development of the property. The fee would cover undeveloped areas, such as playgrounds.2. Legal segregation of property: The District could segregate the developed portion from the present tract by a covenant running with the land. That portion of property excepted from the present fee would be assessed under the special utility connection charge at a future date when further development occurred. 2. Legal segregation of property: The District could segregate the developed portion from the present tract by a covenant running with the land. That portion of property excepted from the present fee would be assesserl under the special utility connection charge at a future date when further development occuned. The City, by special mitigation agreement, did allow the Boeing Company separate consideration in determining the special utility connection charge. This was done in consideration of the large size buildings on the property and that Boeing has its own fire protection and domestic water systems, which is augmented by the City system. There is no other similar situation and the City ' , has not allowed any other property segregation for the purpose of determining the special utility connection charge. All public agencies, including Metro & the City's Senior Housing project have paid the fee. 3. Phasing of Payment: Delaying payment would allow the District to proceed with its proposed construction to meet its schedule and take advantage of a favorable bidding climate while budgeting for the payment of the fee in another budget cycle; or, a phase payment plan would allow the District to pay over a number of years. Future payments would include interest on unpaid fees. 4. Exemption: In accord with the October 23, 1990 memo by the City Attorney, the City cannot waive or forgive the District of the Special Utility Connection Charge. Copy of the City Attorney's memo is attached. . February 5, 1991 `""'` � Page 3 Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize staff to work with the District to develop an acceptable phasing of the payment over a period of time as identified under option 3 above. cc. Marilyn Petersen,City Clerlc attachment: City Attomey's Memo, Oct.23, 1990 :� a . , , �� �,_ �% �-=- � CITY J�' RENTON � -- Finance Department Earl Clymer, Mayor 1, 1�5 January 31, 1991 �� w � Gary F. Kohlwes, Superintendent Renton School District 403 435 Main Avenue South Renton, WA 98055 Re: Request for Exemption from Special Utility Connection Charge, Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill Elementary Schools Dear Dr. Kohlwes: The referenced letter was read at the Renton City Council meeting of January 28, 1991, and referred to the Council's Utilities Committee for review. The Utilities Committee meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m. When this matter is scheduled to be heard by the Committee, you will receive notification from the Council secretary. Please feel free to contact this office if further information is desired. Sincerely, Marilyn J, t sen, CMC City Clerk 235-2501 cc: Mayor Earl Clymer Council President Toni Nelson Lynn Guttmann, Public Works Administrator Richard Anderson, Utility Systems Manager 200 Mill Avenue South - Renton, Washington 98055 Januarv 28, 1991 � Renton Citv Council Minutes "'�"� Page 29 CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence was read from Mayor Clymer requesting establishment of Legislature: Legislative 1991 legislative priorities in order to form a basis for communicating Priorities Renton's needs and concerns to the State Legislature. The Administration recommended that the list include priorities adopted by the Association of Washington .Cities (AWC) and the Suburban Cities Association (SCA), and that the following items be added to that priority list: 1) Seek State support to dredge the Cedar River channel and remove the delta. 2) Oppose any legislation that would limit property taxes or other local revenues. 3) Fix the technical deficiencies in the legislation passed last session dealing with transportation (i.e., street utility, supplanting). �) Gain better cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) relative to the I-405 S-curve project. Council members commented as follows: 1) Expressed concern that Item 2 would result in unlimited taxation of Renton citizens. 2) Expressed concern that Item 3 might result in the use of street utility fees to reduce or replace the per capita business license fee. 3) Requested that the issue of floating debris in Lake Washington near Coulon Park be added to the priority list. 4) Requested that LEOFF Board retirement concerns impacted by State legislation be added to the priority list. Executive Assistant Covington explained that the purpose of Item 2 was to encourage the State Legislature to allow local governments to retain the authority to make decisions about property taxes and other revenues that impact their jurisdictions. MOYED BY MATHEWS, SECONDED BY EDWARDS, THAT CITY OF RENTON'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY LIST INCLUDE THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES (AWC) AND THE SUBURBAN CITIES ASSOCIATION (SCA) LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND ITEMS 1 AND 4 OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS. CARRIED. MOVED BY STREDICKE, SECONDED BY EDWARDS, COUNCIL REFER ITEMS 2 AND 3 OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS, FLOATING DEBRIS IN LAKE WASHINGTON, LEOFF RETIREMENT ISSUES, RENTON VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (RVTI) ISSUE, AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE ISSUES THAT COME TO THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WH LE FOR REVIEW. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Correspondence was read from Martin M. Patricelli, 729 SW Langston Road, Patricelli - Volunteer Renton, requesting that he be considered for membership on the Park Board Service on Board or Board of Adjustment. MOVED BY STREDICKE, SECONDED BY EDWARDS, COUNCIL REFER THIS MATTER TO THE MAYOR FOR CONSIDERATION. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Prueitt Correspondence entered by Councilman Tanner from Ann Prueitt, 1626 - Revitalization of Rolling Hills SE, Renton, suggested that the City and the Downtown Renton Downtown Renton Association (DRA) consider using the University of Washington Department of Community Studies as a resource for the study of revitalization of downtown Renton as did the City of Leavenworth. MOVED BY TANNER, SECONDED BY STREDICKE, BY COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND DOWNTOWN RENTON ASSOCIATION FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION. CARRIED. Utility: School District Correspondence was read from Gary Kohlwes, Superintendent, Renton School Utility Connection District #403, 435 Main Avenue South, Renton, requesting City intervention Assessment, Tiffany Park on behalf of the School District regarding an assessment for new school & Talbot Hill Schools construction which was effective September 19, 1990. Mr. Kohlwes stated that the District is scheduled to install classroom additions to Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill elementary schools at an estimated cost of $1.7 million, and ��!) that the new assessment for special utility connection charges would be �S $174,451.47, which would exceed 10 percent of construction project costs. Dr. Kowhles further stated that completion of construction is scheduled for � September of this year, construction has been bid, and this matter needs to be resolved prior to receipt of building permits. In response to Council President Pro Tempore Keolker-Wheeler's inquiry, City Attorney Warren explained that there is no appeal procedure available . Januarv 28. 1991 `�+''� Renton Ci�y Council Minutes �..r Pa�e 30 for assessments, that the ordinance governing this assessment (Ordinance 4287) is a self-executing ordinance, and that exception would require Council action. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY ZIMMERMAN, COUNCIL REFER THIS MATTER TO THE UTILITIES COMMITT�E. CARRIED. Ms. Keolker-Wheeler requested input from both Public Works staff and the City Attorney on this matter. Citizen Comment: Leavitt Correspondence was read from Mr. Don Leavitt, Leavitt Companies, 301 - Sewer Service 116th Avenue SE, Bellevue, requesting sewer and water service from the City Connection (Stonegate) of Renton to Stonegate Limited Properties, approximately 40 acres located within the King County boundary contiguous to the City of Renton boundary, for the following reasons. 1) There is no public sewer service anticipated or provided within the overall service area. 2) There is no existing water lines within the overall service area with sufficient pressure to provide fire flow for future homes. 3) The operating water district is unwilling to make the necessary improvements to provide fire flow. 4) The necessary improvements needed to provide fire flow entail improving and upgrading one mile of water line. 5) The City has the capacity to service the property with sewer. 6) The City has sufficient fire flow to service this development. 7) The proposed development has been designed to be serviced by septic tanks. Sewer service will eliminate the need for septic tanks and will minimize impacts to existing vegetation. Mr. Leavitt further stated that he would enter into a "no protest" agreement regarding any future annexation of this property into the City of Renton. Moved by Keolker-Wheeler, seconded by Mathews, Council refer this item to the Utilities Cornmittee.* Councilman Stredicke noted that Mr. Leavitt previously submitted an annexation request to the City which Council denied, and suggested that, in accordance with Council policy, Council not approve sewer connections outside the City limits. '`Roll Call. Three ayes: Nelson, Mathews, Keolker-Wheeler Four nays: Edwards, Stredicke, Tanner, Zimmerman. Motion failed. Planning: Planning Councilwoman Mathews entered correspondence from Planning/Building/ Commission, Annexation Public Works Administrator Lynn Guttmann and Planning Commission Policies Chairman Richard Wagner regarding the annexation policies process to be discussed in the joint Committee of the Whole/Planning Commission meeting which has been postponed from January 28, 1991, to February 11, 1991. MOVED BY MATHEWS, SECONDED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, COUNCIL REFER THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE.* In response to Councilwoman Zimmerman's request for clarification of the task of the Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee, Council President Pro Tempore Keolker-Wheeler explained that the purpose of the Committee is to coordinate the process for the development of the Comprehensive Plan. *MOTION CARRIED. Councilwoman Mathews requested that staff submit copies of planning policies to Council members by February 4, 1991. OLD BUSINESS Councilman Stredicke noted that a public meeting regarding a local Location of Public improvement district in the Sierra Heights area is being held in the Senior Meetings Citizen's Center in Renton, and suggested that the Administration consider scheduling such public meetings in the neighborhoods of the concerned citizens. Council: Monthly Meeting Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler requested that the City's monthly meeting Calendar calendar include all Council activities (i.e. DARE graduation ceremony). Utility: TCI Cable Councilman Tanner stated that on January 16, 1991, the television cable was Government Channel out of service intermittently, and requested that the Administration investigate the cause of this failure in service. MOVED BY STREDICKE, SECONDED BY EDWARDS, COUNCIL REFER THIS MATTER TO �-H MANAGEMENT CORPORATION. CARRIED. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Wavs & Means Ways and Means Committee Chairman Stredicke presented a Committee Committee report recommending the following resolution for reading and adoption: • ,'R�ferred to Utilities � �� ' *.tee, 1/28/91 Copies: Lynn_G� ~tmann, Richard Anderson , ' �r.+° � �G�-��l . . �� � en�o�. � c �oo � � Tsf�2 c� � 03 o � N=.. � ,� �'� ��,,,_,,, � 435 Main Avenue Sout�i, Ren{on, lUas�iing{on 98055 � y � 4O3 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT �������9_`1 January 28, 1991 �� � � ���� �b��vr� �.� Ms. Toni Nelson, President Renton City Council City of Renton 200 Mill Avenue South Renton, Washington 98055 Dear President Nelson: I am writing to you to respectively request your intervention on behalf of the Renton School District regarding an assessment proposed by city staff for new school construction in connection with Ordinance No. 4287 which was effective September 19, 1990. My efforts in working with Mr. Dick Anderson, which involved his consultation with your legal counsel, have not resolved our concerns. The Renton School District is scheduled to make small classroom additions to two elementary schools, Tiffany Park and �ralbot Hill. The total project cost is estimated to be $1..7 million. Computation by staff of the assessment associated with Ordinance No. 4287 has been calculated at $174,451.47, which is in excess of 10 per cent of the construction project. While I understand the need for us paying our fair share of the City of Renton's special utility connection charge, I consider the magnitude of this assessment excessive and prohibitive. The suggestion from your staff to short plat as a means to reduce our obligation does not appear as a reasonable alternative in light of time and additional expenses. Short plating as a means of circumventing this ordinance serves no useful purpose. There is a provision within the ordinance that allows consideration for undeveloped greenbelt. I have been unsuccessful in convincing city staff that play areas used jointly by the schools and community qualify. Time is a major issue if the additions are to be on line by September, 1991. The construction has been bid, and this is a matter to be resolved prior to receipt of building permits. The Renton School District desperately needs help from the city in determining the application of this ordinance and our resultant assessment. Our staff are prepared to proceed as you might suggest. Your assistance is deeply appreciated. Sinc ly, F. Ko wes Superinte ent