May 14 Recap

Staff in Attendance: CAO Ed VanValey, Economic Development Director Amanda Free, Solid Waste Program Manager Meara Heubach, Government Affairs Manager Eric Perry, Communications and Engagement Director Laura Pettitt, Community Outreach Coordinator Casey King

Summary:

  • 3 community members were in attendance
  • Lasted just over an hour
  • Topics Discussed:
    • Renton High School Expansion: The city has no legal authority to interfere with the School District’s actions. The School District assess the value and offers a fair market value for the property.
      • A question was asked if trees would be impacted by the expansion. The city shared that the expansion will be towards the North and the trees in question would not be demolished or uprooted.
      • Another question was asked if the expansion will eliminate Tobin Ave, the city shared that it would, it will impact 2 areas of Tobin.
    • Park and 6th Updates: The City shared of the ongoing litigation process between the city and the property owners. The city continues to fine property owners everyday, the owners have not been complying. Public Works and Community and Economic Development continue to go out to the building everyday.
    • May 9th Shooting: The city shared information about a shooting that happened on the afternoon of May 9th. Police were attempting to arrest a suspect when the suspect fled to the Highlands area. The Police Department’s Drone was deployed and identified to PD that the suspect and others in the vehicle were armed, causing SWAT to be deployed. As standard for any officer-involved shooting, for integrity purposes, the King County Sheriff’s Office OIS team is handling the case, and the city cannot provide further comment at this time.
    • Pavilion and Piazza Updates: Community and Economic Development is leading the project. As of now, there are two “anchor” permanent tenants and 12 kiosk areas for tenants. The Pavillion plans to be open and activated 363 days of the year.
    • Zero Waste Plan: The Solid Waste Program Manager introduced the city’s first Zero Waste Plan. The plan outlines 40 strategies to get the city to produce less waste.
      • Questions asked included: what happens when there is no more space in the landfill? As the landfill is projected to reach capacity around 2040, cities are actively trying to extend that date as much as possible. Once capacity is reached, King County has two options:
        • 1. Transport trash by train daily to Eastern Oregon and Washington landfill, increasing cost for end users.
        • 2. Build an large-scale incinerator and ship a smaller volume of ash to Eastern Oregon and Washington landfill, also increasing cost for end users.
      • Once the landfill is full, it will be closely monitored for about 30 years.
      • To provide input on the plan: Zero Waste Plan

    • Downtown speed of both public buses and cars was shared as a concern. CAO VanValey to extend connections to public works team responsible for traffic calming measures for downtown and provide updates on status of returning S. 3rd to a two-way street.

    • Attendees shared their concerns on the current conditions of Lake to Sound Trail.

      • The city shared that public safety as the number one concern, new ordinance permits the city to remove trash now.

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