Renton, WA— About 35 residents filled the chambers at Monday’s City Council meeting on May 4. Many came to speak on the reactivation of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and the night’s two public hearings: the detention moratorium, and the vacation of S Tobin St.
Detention Moratorium Stays in Place
Several residents asked the council to keep its moratorium on using city property to detain migrants, pointing to expanding ICE operations across the country. Currently, the city’s ordinance only allows for a detention facility within City Hall. The council took no action, leaving the moratorium intact, and will revisit it closer to its expiration on September 9.
S Tobin Street Vacation Moves Another Step Forward for Renton High Expansion
The longest debate of the night came over the Renton School District’s request to vacate— that is, to close and remove— a section of S Tobin Street between Shattuck Avenue and Logan Avenue. The land is part of the planned Renton High School expansion.
A former Renton High student shared that S Tobin Street is one of the few in the area that’s safe for people walking or biking because it has low traffic, and asked the district to keep a public right-of-way open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Other residents, including former councilmember Randy Corman, raised traffic concerns. Without Tobin Street, there are no good backup routes when Airport Way has an accident or closure. Several pointed to the planned S 2nd Street two-way conversion, which is still 3 to 5 years from completion.
Corman recalled a 1971 vacation where PACCAR closed a street between two of its properties. He said that decision led the city, during his time on council, to build the Houser Way Bypass— the tunnel that runs along I-405 before Sunset Boulevard which was also a multi-million dollar project. He raised the possibility that growing Boeing production and jet traffic could revive talks about expanding the airport, which might mean losing Airport Way altogether. Issues he has discussed on his website.
Councilmember Rivera moved to delay the vacation so it could line up with the S 2nd Street project. Councilmember Văn seconded the motion. The vote split 3-3:
- For the delay: Councilmembers Rivera, Văn, and O’Halloran
- Against the delay: Council President Pérez, Councilmembers Prince, and Alberson
- Recused: Councilmember McIrvin
Councilmember McIrvin removed himself from the discussion because his spouse, Stephanie McIrvin, serves on the Renton School District board. He noted he would gain nothing financially or otherwise from the vote, but wanted to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
After a brief moment of confusion, the vote was first read as a fail, prompting murmurs from the audience and uncertainty on the dais— Mayor Pavone ultimately cast the tiebreaker, voting no on the delay.
The vacation appraisal then moved forward 5-1, with Councilmember Rivera as the lone no.