09/13/1993 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUT..ES
September 13, 1993
THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THEIR SEPTEMBER 21, 1993 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council Presi-
dent Dave Earling at•the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds. The meeting was preceded by
a flag salute.
PRESENT
Dave Earling, Council President
Steve Dwyer, Councilmember
Michael Hall, Councilmember
William Kasper, Councilmember
John Nordquist, Councilmember
Jeff Palmer, Councilmember
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
CONSENT AGENDA
STAFF
Rhonda March, City Clerk
Barb Mehlert, Recorder
COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION CARRIED with Councilmember Kasper abstaining, as he was not aware there were Consent Agen-
da items listed. The approved items are as follows:
(A) ROLL CALL
�p f 0'1'�- 5(B) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 1993
` V V COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON SPACE NEEDS
Council President Earling said as the Council does not seem to agree that voters will approve an
$18 million project, it is important for Council to hold a discussion regarding various options
the City has including new construction, purchase of existing buildings, and possible rehabilita-
tion of current city buildings.
>\ Jaime" Councilmember Petruzzi distributed informational materials and photographs to the City Council
depicting various class of buildings including a "Class A"office/non-governmental building built
p S with brick and glass exterior which costs substantially less per square feet than the building
proposed by the City's consultant. It was noted by Councilmember Petruzzi that the highest Class
A governmental building contains such amenities as high speed elevators, highly ornamental de-
signs, and such materials as granite and marble throughout the structure. Councilmember Petruzzi
referenced documentation that portrayed private and public sector buildings estimated far below
the costs portrayed by the City's consultant.
Councilmember HaTI suggested the Council get some feedback from the Consultant in light of the
information received from Councilmember Petruzzi, as he agreed there is a discrepancy.
Councilmember Palmer agreed and said the feedback from the Consultant should include why their
projected cost per square foot is so out of line with the information supplied by Councilmember
Petruzzi.
Councilmember Hall suggested the City look into buildings that already exist within the city
forpossible use as a civic center. Councilmember Hall said the City should take an inventory of
buildings that might have the capability of supplying the City with the appropriate space needs.
Councilmember Hall said he doesn't believe the City can afford to build the proposed building at
the current civic center space.
Councilmember Palmer said he believes marketplace comparisons should be made. Councilmember Palm-
er referenced a written comment by the Chairman of the Mayor's Space Needs Committee where it
states that "$18 million is a drop in the bucket" in which he disagrees. Councilmember Palmer
said the Committee was formed by the Mayor and he is not sure they were ever given the oversight
or the contact they required to keep on track and get the feedback they needed from the Adminis-
tration. Councilmember Palmer said he has read in letters the Committee has sent to Council where
they state the Committee has knocked on over 5,000 doors and have done extensive surveys. Council -
member Palmer said the Council has never authorized or mandated the Committee to exist, nor pro-
vided a budget for the committee. Councilmember Palmer said the Council should find out how the
Committee is operating without any funds. Councilmember Palmer said the purpose and direction of
that Committee should be re-examined by the Administration. Councilmember Palmer said he doesn't
want to see the Committee continue without clear direction or a clear path, as has been indicated
by some of the Committee members.
Councilmember Nordquist said his only disappointment with the Committee is they never came to
Councilmembers to receive any input into the process. Councilmember Nordquist said he does not
believe the City has reached the point where decisions should be made about how much money is to
be spent and whether the City should utilize new construction or use existing buildings. Council -
member Nordquist said the City first needs to decide on what the city needs and where the City
should place those needs. Councilmember Nordquist said it is time for the Council to take some
leadership and take an entire afternoon to discuss the situation. Councilmember Nordquist said
the Council already knows Staff is working under duress and under cramped quarters. Councilmember
Nordquist said the Council must help staff out with these problems. Councilmember Nordquist said
the Council has to take the facts gathered and take the location the City owns and then discuss
the options available.
Councilmember Dwyer said tonight is the first time he learned there was an absence of unanimity
on the Space Needs Committee itself in terms of accuracy of the Phase I Space Needs Study. Coun-
cilmember Dwyer said in light of this, he believes the first task of the Council should be to
re-examine this portion of the Space Needs Study. Councilmember Dwyer said the proposed cost of a
new civic center far exceeds the cost of the construction of the Treatment Plant, yet the Council
has not yet spent 10% of the time on the proposed building that the Council spent on the planning
of the Treatment Plant. Councilmember Dwyer referenced a memorandum in Council Packets where an
option was presented by Art Housler to construct the proposed civic center with non -voted bond
issues. Councilmember Dwyer said Council should take action to eliminate this option, as the
City cannot possibly construct a civic center out of the General Fund. Council President Earling
said he asked Mr. Housler to present all funding options for Council review for the purpose of
discussion.
Councilmember Kasper said he has long stated the City cannot continue to run off General Fund
revenues. Councilmember Kasper said the Council has stated at two or three work sessions that the
Fire Department will relocate to the present Public Works site. Councilmember Kasper said the
City should not be using General Fund monies to rehabilitate buildings and buy land. Councilmem-
ber Kasper said the City has to break the cycle of no bond issues being passed within the City
for 100 years.
Councilmember Nordquist said the Council discussed relocating the Fire Department to the Public
Works on an interim basis, and the Police Department would take over the vacated Fire Department
space until the City decided on a plan for a new Civic Center.
Councilmember Dwyer said the Police Department stated at an earlier discussion at a Committee
meeting they they are amiable to pursuing the Public Works Site for their ultimate location.
Councilmember Dwyer said that discussion, as well as a discussion on a Fire Location site was to
be discussed at tonight's Committee Meeting, however, the topics were pulled off the Agenda by
the Administration. Councilmember Dwyer said he is anticipating the ultimate decision that he
will be looking for will have either Police or Fire down at the present Public Works site if it
ultimately proves to be as workable as the initial indications portray.
Councilmember Kasper said the Police Department made a decision, which was a change in direction
from when he first came onto the Council, to move back down to City Hall. Councilmember Kasper
said the position of the Fire Department was the best place for the Fire Station would be origi-
nally north of 196th, and then they talked about locating to 9th and Main about being the best
corner for location.
Councilmember Palmer said he cannot understand why the Public Safety agenda items were removed
and said it underscores how difficult it is for the Council to get information which to base good
decisions on.
Regarding Bond Issues, Councilmember Palmer said he is convinced that unless there is a public
safety aspect to the Bond Issue, the Bond Issue is likely not to pass, but with the elements of
public safety would be much more likely to pass.
The Council discussed the options available and the direction the the Space Needs Committee
should receive from the Council. The Council was unanimous that they do not believe the citizens
will authorize an $18 million building as proposed.
Council President Earling summarized the following steps the Council would like to see take place:
1. The Council would like to direct Staff to go back and do an inventory of buildings available
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within the City which may or might not include Public Safety.
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2. Pursue some of the Public Safety being relocated at the present Public Works Site at some
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point.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Page 2 September 14, 1993
3. Have Staff re-examine the dollar per square foot as mentioned in the Consultant's proposal.
4. The Space Needs proposal include having the city campus stay together (i.e. have much of the
city facilities grouped together or as near together as possible).
Council President Earling said he is disappointed that the public safety agenda items were re-
moved from tonight's agenda, and does not know.why the Administration removed the items.
Councilmember Palmer said the Council also needs to come to a conclusion on the personnel counts
contained in the Consultant's report. Councilmember Palmer said a Space Needs Committee member
provided the Council with a descending opinion that the member believes the personnel counts are
only 50% correct.
Councilmember Petruzzi said he agrees with Councilmember Nordquist in that the Council should get
together for an afternoon session to discuss the Space Needs. Councilmember Petruzzi said this
should happen after the Staff has taken an inventory of buildings. Councilmember Petruzzi said he
also agrees with Councilmember Dwyer in that the Council needs to get heavily involved in the
Space Needs, especially in light of his comments that the Council has not spent 10% of their time
discussing the Space Needs as they did when the Treatment Plant was constructed.
Councilmember Dwyer said when the Council was involved in the planning of the Treatment Plant,
some rules were suspended and things were done differently in a way that worked well. Councilmem-
ber Dwyer said on every discussion concerning the Treatment Plant, everyone was present, not just
a committee, to ensure that everyone received the same information at the same time, and to en-
sure that any and -all concerns were addressed right away.
COUNCILMEMBER DWYER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, THAT WE NOT CONSIDER FINANCING A
CITY HALL FACILITY BY THE USE OF NON -VOTED BONDS. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT EARLING MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, THE COUNCIL ASK THE STAFF TO
CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WITHIN THE CITY OF EDMONDS FOR POTENTIAL INVENTORY
USE FOR OUR CITY, AND IN ADDITION, DIRECT STAFF TO RE-EXAMINE AND RE -STUDY THE SQUARE FOOTAGE
NEEDS OF STAFF TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY TYPE OF COST ADJUSTMENTS, AND AT THIS POINT, THE CITY TABLE
.THE ARAI-JACKSON STUDY.
Under discussion, Councilmember Kasper inquired on the future of the Space Needs Committee. Coun-
cilmember Earling said his motion does not include reference to this Committee, as the Mayor
appointed the committee.
Councilmember Palmer said as it is strictly the Mayor's committee, and whatever direction she
gives them, is purely an administrative role.
Councilmember Hall asked what effect the tabling of the Arai -Jackson Study would have on the firm
possible work in progress. Council President Earling said he would talk to Paul Mar concerning
this. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL
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Councilmember Petruzzi said there have been a number of citizen complaints made to him regarding
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the possibility of Chambers Cable not carrying Channel 5 and 7.
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Councilmember Dwyer said the Medic 7 Budget is going to come in with a 4% to 4.9% increase.
Council President Farling reminded Councilmembers of the first Snohomish County RTA briefing at
the Everett Library on Wednesday, September 15. Council President Earling said Community Transit
signed and approved the Memo of Understanding the City is trying to put together with the Depart-
f
ment of Transportation.
With no further business before the City Council, the City Council adjourned the Council Meeting
at 8:17 p.m, and proceeded to their respective committee meetings.
THE ORIGINAL SIGNED COPY OF THESE COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES, AS WELL AS A TAPED RECORDING OF ALL
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE LOCA ED IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
Laura H 11, Mayor '4oWndefnJ�.Marc , City Clerk
EDMONDS CITY'COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Page 3 September 14, 1993
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
PLAZA MEETING ROOM - LIBRARY BUILDING
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 13, 1993
SPECIAL MONDAY MEETING DUE TO PRIMARY ELECTION ON TUESDAY
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE WORK MEETING
(Regularly the Second Tuesday of Each Month)
CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. - FULL COUNCIL
FLAG SALUTE
1. (5 Min.) CONSENT AGENDA
A. ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 1993
2. (45 Min.) COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON SPACE NEEDS
ADJOURN TO COMMITTEES AT APPROXIMATELY 7:50 P.M.
The three City Council committee meetings are work sessions for the City Council and staff only,
and are not public hearings. All committee meetings, however, are open to the public.
1. FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA:
ROOM 113 (CONFERENCE ROOM), FRANCES ANDERSON CENTER
(A) REVIEW CONTRACT LISTINGS
(B) CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON CITY REVENUE GENERATING IDEAS
(C) FOLLOW UP ON SOUND SYSTEM IN PLAZA ROOM
(D) DISCUSSION ON STATE AUDIT
(E) REVIEW PETTY CASH AND CREDIT CARD EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST,
1993
2. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA:
SMALL PLAZA MEETING ROOM, LIBRARY BUILDING (SECOND FLOOR)
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE AGENDA:
LARGE PLAZA MEETING ROOM, LIBRARY BUILDING (SECOND FLOOR)
(A) REVIEW PRELIMINARY DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN
PARKING AND MEETING ROOMS ARE ACCESSIBLE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. CONTACT THE CITY CLERK AT 771-0245
WITH 24 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
The Council Agenda appears on Chambers Cable, Channel 32