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07/26/1994 City CouncilCITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 0�2 mg vjjr K EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES JULY 2615 1994 The City Council work meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Laura Hall in the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main Street. The meeting was preceded by a flag salute. ELECTED OFFICIALS Laura Hall, Mayor John Nordquist, Council President Steve Dwyer, Councilmember Michael Hall, Councilmember William J. Kasper, Councilmember Dave Earling, Councilmember Barbara Fahey, Councilmember Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA STAFF Paul Mar, Community Services Director Tom Miller, Police Chief Rob Chave, Planning Manager Bob Alberts, City Engineer Mike Springer, Asst. Fire Chief Brent Hunter, Personnel Manager Bill Stroud, Street Supervisor Rhonda March, City Clerk Barb Mehlert, Recorder Marcine Anderson, City Attorney ITEM (B) was removed from the Consent Agenda. The approved items are as follows: (A) ROLL CALL 1�t5 (C) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS WARRANTS #942504 thru #943811 FOR WEEK OF JULY �i „.} �j 18, 1994 AND PAYROLL CLAIM WARRANTS 4943338 THRU #943676 FOR THE 0 �" PERIOD OF JULY 1 THROUGH JULY 15, 1994. vo 1 ,kS (D) RESOLUTION #797 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE FROM IAC FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BRACKETT'S LANDING PARK SOUTH City Council Approved Minutes �J July 26, 1994 Page 1 CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 (E) REPORT ON BIDS OPENED JULY 19, 1994 for 1994 STREET OVERLAY PROGRAM AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ASSOCIATED SAND & GRAVEL ($230,900.50 EXCLUDING SALES TAX) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY S. 1994 AND JULY 19,1994. (ITEM (B) ON THE Q CONSENT AGENDA) The minutes of July Sth were accepted with a correction of a word. The word on page six, paragraph 3, last sentence now reads "development" instead of "element". MINUTES OF JULY 19. 1994 Councilmember Petruzzi referenced a memorandum from the City Council Assistant which contained requested corrections to the draft minutes. Christine Sidwell, Arts Coordinator for the City, presented the long range plan, along with the C � Steering Committee members for the Cultural Assessment process. The members consist of �" Steve Beck, President of the Arts Festival Museum Board; Ramona Ferris, Edmonds Arts Commission member; Terry Vehrs, Vice President of the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum; and Suzetta Glen, Chair of the Edmonds Arts Commission. Ms. Sidwell noted Josephine Fye is also an active member of the Steering Committee, however, is absent tonight due to business obligations. In April of 1994 the Commission, in Partnership with the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum Board (EAFM) and with the endorsement of the City Council, began a strategic long range planning process to enhance the cultural life of the community. The purpose and timing of the planning effort has been to identify appropriate strategies for local arts development and support, to integrate cultural planning into the Comprehensive City Plan, to identify cultural resources as building blocks for downtown and waterfront redevelopment and tourism, and to determine the need for arts facilities. Ms. Sidwell said Phase I has been recently completed. Phase II will create the Cultural Plan to be integrated into the City's Comprehensive Plan in December. The Edmonds Arts Festival Museum Board and Arts Commission is currently working together to initiate and fund Phase II. City Council Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 2 CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 Ms. Sidwell and the committee reviewed the Overview of Phase II. Ms. Sidwell and the committee made the following recommendations to the City Council: • Appoint a Councilmember to serve on `Blue Ribbon Panel" .that will oversee Phase II planning process • Continue private/public funding partnership with EAFM through Phase 11 • Develop matching funds from the City to complete financing for Phase II • Agree to EAFM contracting directly with Consultant in August to proceed with additional Phase I tasks that have been identified and need to be completed prior to initiating Phase II in September, using the funds that have been committed for this project but not yet expenses • Contract with Consultant, Trich Steinhardt for Phase II, in the amount of $15,000 Councilmember Earling said he is very impressed with the work Trish Steinhardt has performed to date. He commended the Arts Commission for taking the steps in planning and providing for a long range cultural arts plan. Suzetta Glen, Arts Festival Chair, said the committee is seeking financial support to implement Phase U. Ms. Glen said their intent, originally was to submit a grant to the National Endowment of the Arts, which has been done so Phase II can be implemented. Ms. Glen said, however, said this phase has to be moved up to make it part of the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Glen asked the Council on the possibility of co -funding with the Arts Festival $7,500. Ms. Glen said this is the amount needed to continue to move forward at this time, so it can be submitted in December in time to be part of the Comprehensive Plan. j Councilmember Earling said he hopes when Phase II is implemented, that we can stay active with other arts organizations to make sure they are part of the process and know they are looking at this as a regional plan. Ms. Sidwell agreed. Councilmember Fahey said she hopes the Cultural Arts and Convention District are included as a key player in the list of governmental partners, as she believes they are an important link. It was the consensus of the Council to have this placed on an August City Council agenda for continued discussion. PRESENTATION ON PRIVATE OPERATIONS (from June 7. 1994) V e- Councilmember Petruzzi introduced the subject. Councilmember Petruzzi said he began to look �af - into this approximately 1-1/2 years ago for the simple fact that it may save the citizens tax dollars if a contract for maintenance and operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is given to a private company. Councilmember Petruzzi said in 1986, the Council was looking into the fJ privatization of the Treatment Plant, and pointed out he is only looking at contracting out for maintenance and operation. Councilmember Petruzzi said he has been told it is possible the City can save 10 to 25% if operations and maintenance is contracted out. Councilmember Petruzzi said he is interested in anything that will save the taxpayers dollars. City Council Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 3 CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 Mayor Hall noted Mr. Wardwell, who will be speaking tonight, visited her office last winter and basically gave the same sales pitch. Mayor Hall said the Treatment Plant is run very efficiently by very efficient employees. Councilmember Petruzzi agreed with Mayor Hall, however stated, it is part of the job of a City Councilmember to look for ways in which to save taxpayer dollars. Mr. Bill Wardwell of Professional Services Group .gave the presentation. The presentation address the company history, personnel issues, and payment of savings. Mr. Wardwell presented the following information: • PSG can pay all savings to the City up front on the first day of the contract if the city chose to have it this way. The city could be paid all of the savings that are guaranteed over the life of the contract on the first day if that is what the city wanted. • It is the policy of PSG to hire all current employees at equal or better salaries and comparable benefits. • PSG would provide all the labor, manager, as well as pay for all the operations and maintenance costs • Provide all maintenance services • Provide administrative services • Operate the plant in full compliance • Provide capital planning • Regulatory Interface • Provide Technical support. Mr. Wardwell said this results in lower costs, improved maintenance and accessibility to technology. Mr. Wardwell showed a slide presentation which portrayed some of the 250 treatment plants in which they operate. Council President Nordquist asked what would happen to employees who currently enjoy the benefit of PERS and MEBT. Mr. Wardwell said they would receive comparable benefits. Mr. Wardwell said their primary concern is that the employees are happy in their job. Mr. Wardwell said the employee would also have the benefit of being able to transfer to any of the 250 plants worldwide if they so desire and an opening exists in which they qualify for. Councilmember Hall inquired on the profit margin. Mr. Wardwell said it is less then a design engineering firm. Mayor Hall expressed concern that Council is not following the proper procedures and stated this is not a proposal before the Council. Councilmember Petruzzi said he brought this up to Staff at a committee meeting last year, and Staff did not choose to discuss it. Councilmember Petruzzi said he has tried to generate some discussion with staff on this issue in the past, but to no avail. This is why, according to Councilmember Petruzzi, it is before the Council tonight for discussion purposes only. Councilmember Dwyer asked if the treatment plants operated by PSG are unionized. Mr. Wardwell said approximately 30 - 35% are and stated PSG has no problem with unions, if that is City Council Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 4 CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 what the employees choose. Mr. Wardwell said PSG enjoys an excellent working relationship with unions. City Engineer Bob Alberts and Wastewater Treatment Plant John Poppe spoke to the issue. They both expressed concern with the procedural way this is progressing. Councilmember Petruzzi stated this is purely informational and does not see why there is so much antagonism from the staff and Mayor concerning this. Councilmember Petruzzi said if the Council, down the line, decides to pursue this, the proper procedures will be followed such as going for RFP's. Councilmember Petruzzi said he would like to revisit this in approximately four weeks in order for Council and staff to more thoroughly review the materials. Mr. Poppe presented overhead slides indicating his concerns with the process and topic of discussion. Councilmember Kasper said Mayor Hall never informed the Council when Mr. Wardwell visited her office last winter. Mayor Hall disagreed. Mr. Wardwell offered to provide a free evaluation of the City's wastewater treatment facility. Mayor Hall said it may appear that PSG has an unfair advantage in that they are the only company making this presentation. This issue will be again discussed at the August 23 1994 City Council meeting. DISCUSSION ON OPTIONAL GAS TAX (from July 19, 1994) Peter Hahn, Public Works Director for Snohomish County provided the report. Mr. Hahn said the County Executive and County Council have not yet endorsed this proposed kiM�i3 optional gas tax. It was noted they want to hear what the cities in Snohomish County have to say about the proposed tax. Mr. Hahn said this optional fuel tax would generate revenue for highway projects such as street construction and maintenance, ferry operation, and related activities. The City would receive money back from the County on a per capita basis, possibly as much as $480,000 per year. Cost to the taxpayer could be as little has $9.20/year if he/she drove 10,000 miles per year at 25 miles/gallon. Mr. Hahn said he and other public work directors have brought this forward as a method of raising money for "highway purposes" including the construction, maintenance, and operation of city streets, county roads, and state highways, operation of ferries, and related activities. Councilmembers inquired on the County Council's position on this. Mr. Hahn said they have not yet taken a position as they would first like to hear from cities in Snohomish County. Councilmember Dwyer said in 1987, there was a lot of staff time and money invested in trying to do an inventory of where the city stood with regards to street maintenance and repairs that were needed. Councilmember Dwyer said at that time staff came up with an inventory of problems and the City has not been able to even approach addressing those tasks. Councilmember Dwyer said the inventory was done to see whether we should have an excess levy on the ballot, which the city went forward with at the time, with no success. Councilmember Dwyer said this proposed optional City Council Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 5 CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 gas tax will in no way put the city in the same position as if the levy had passed as it is no where near the magnitude of what the voters decided they didn't want the city do back in 1987. Councilmember Dwyer said there is no reason to believe that the city's problems are less now than they were seven years ago when all the city has been able to do is essentially provide cosmetic improvements and temporary band -aid approaches rather than really dealing with the infrastructure problems that the city has. Councilmember Dwyer said the proposed optional gas tax isn't going to solve the problem, but it does seem it has an opportunity to get the city into a position where the city is addressing more of the problem. Councilmember Kasper said calls for street maintenance and repairs have risen. Councilmember Kasper said voters previously turned down a proposal that would have raised money for this. Councilmember Kasper said something has to be done, as we are falling way behind in street repairs. Councilmember Kasper stated federal funding is become uncertain. Councilmember Kasper said the tax may be the best approach in light of few other choices - we can't let the streets go. Council discussed the issue and agreed something has to be done in order to keep up with the on- going maintenance of streets. Councilmember Petruzzi requested a letter from the County Council or County Executive stating their position on this proposed tax. UPDATE ON REGIONAL TRANSITAUTHORITY Dave Earling, Councilmember and Vice Chair of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) presented the update along with Barbara Stenson, from Community Transit. Councilmember Earling referenced the proposed three study options and said the three plans should not be viewed as stand alone plans. Study Option 1 addresses regional bus emphasis; Study Option 2 places emphasis on surface rail; and Study Option 3 places emphasis on Grade separated rail. Councilmember Earling said a mixture of any of these three is possible. Councilmember Earling showed a video tape recently released by the RTA. The video tape informed viewers of the process the RTA is utilizing. Councilmember Earling said the tape is being shown to many organizations and cities throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish County. The tape stressed public involvement as being a key role in the process. Se CONTINUED REVIEW OF PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS TO LICENSING OF- (p�PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS (from July 12, 1994) G° wa Rhonda March, City Clerk, and Marcine Anderson, City Attorney were present for the presentation. Ms. March referenced the revised draft ordinance which addressed Councilmember Dwyer's previous concerns concerning "no peddling signs" and the possible increased case load to the public defender this could bring. Councilmember Dwyer said he is satisfied that his concerns have been met. Ms. March asked the City Council if the draft ordinance should state an 8:00 p.m.curfew for peddling, or a 9:00 p.m. curfew. Mayor Hall said she is more comfortable with the 8:00 City Council Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 6 CITY 'COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES APPROVED AUGUST 2, 1994 It was the consensus of the Council to have this placed on an upcoming Council Consent Agenda for approval with the 8:00 p.m. curfew being added instead of 9:00 p.m. UPDATE ON COMPREHSIVE PLAN Rob Chave, Planning Manager provided the update. Mr. Chave outlined the progress to date, as well as upcoming meetings and hearings schedules. The Planning Board has scheduled a hearing on the downtown/Waterfront Plan for Wednesday, July 27. Transportation and Land Use are tentatively scheduled for a hearing on August 24th. REQUEST FOR POSITION RECLASSIFICATIONS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Kasper said this did not come to the Finance Committee and said matters such as this are supposed to go before the Council Finance Committee before being placed on a Council agenda. Brent Hunter, Personnel Manger said in the past,. personnel issues have come before the full Council. The Mayor and Council discussed the current makeup of the Council Committee meetings j which are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. It was noted the City Council Committee meetings are held in a meeting in which the full City Council meets. The meeting format is structured by committee. Councilmember Dwyer asked if there is a problem with timing of the requested reclassifications if this is continued to the Finance Committee Agenda next month. Chief Tom Miller and Brent Hunter replied negatively. Councilmember Dwyer said he wants to make sure because he doesn't want this to fail because of timing issues. MAYOR CITY CLERK it Approved Minutes July 26, 1994 Page 7 AGENDA EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL PLAZA MEETING ROOM - LIBRARY BUILDING 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. JULY 26, 1994 WORK MEETING - NO AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. FLAG SALUTE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 0 (A) ROLL CALL (B) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 5, 1994 AND JULY 19, 1994 (C) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS WARRANTS #942504 THROUGH #943811 FOR WEEK OF JULY 18, 1994, AND PAYROLL CLAIM WARRANTS #943338 THROUGH #943676 FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1 THROUGH JULY 15, 1994 (D) PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE FROM IAC FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BRACKETT'S LANDING PARK SOUTH (E) REPORT ON BIDS OPENED JULY 19, 1994 FOR 1994 STREET OVERLAY PROGRAM AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ASSOCIATED SAND & GRAVEL ($230,900.50 EXCLUDING SALES TAX) 3. (10 Min.) PROGRESS REPORT ON PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY CONSTRUCTION P 4. (10 Min.) UPDATE ON LONG-RANGE CULTURAL ARTS PLAN 5. (20 Min.) PRESENTATION ON PRIVATE OPERATIONS (from June 7, 1994) 6. (10 Min.) DISCUSSION ON OPTIONAL GAS TAX (from July 19, 1994) 7. (15 Min.) UPDATE ON REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY 8. (10 Min.) CONTINUED REVIEW OF PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS TO LICENSING OF PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS (from July 12, 1994) 9. (20 Min.) UPDATE ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 10. (15 Min.) REQUEST FOR POSITION RECLASSIFICATIONS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 11. (5 Min.) AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN COMMUNITY TRANSIT AND CITY TO RECEIVE CT FUNDS FOR MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER PROJECT 12. (10 Min.) INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL REPORTS/UPDATES ON RESPECTIVE BOARD MEETINGS 13. (5 Min.) MAYOR 14. (15 Min.) COUNCIL 15. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON A PROPERTY MATTER The public Is invited to attend. 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 and delayed telecast of this Meeting appears on Chambers Cable, Channel 32.