11/10/2003 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
November 10, 2003
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Earling in the
Council Chambers, 250 5h Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Dave Earling, Mayor Pro Tem
Richard Marin, Council President Pro Tem
Jeff Wilson, Councilmember
Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
Lora Petso, Councilmember
Dave Orvis, Councilmember
Deanna Dawson, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Gary Haakenson, Mayor
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief
David Stern, Chief of Police
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director
Dan Clements, Administrative Services Director
Jim Larson, Assistant Admin. Services Director
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recreation Director
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
Rob Chave, Planning Manager
Dave Gebert, City Engineer
Don Fiene, Assistant City Engineer
Steve Bullock, Senior Planner
Frances Chapin, Cultural Resources Coordinator
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Sandy Chase, City Clerk
Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst.
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
DAWSON, FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Council President Pro Tem Marin requested Item E be removed from the Consent Agenda.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
ORVIS, FOR APPROVAL OF THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. The agenda
items approved are as follows:
(A) ROLL CALL
Approved
11/3/03 (B) APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2003.
Minutes
pproved (C) APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #66523 THROUGH #66680 FOR THE WEEK OF
laim NOVEMBER 3, 2003, IN THE AMOUNT OF $396,618.84. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL
Pecks DIRECT DEPOSITS AND CHECKS #36954 THROUGH #37040 FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 16 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2003, IN THE AMOUNT OF $783,821.99.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
November 10, 2003
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IL
atplermain (D) REPORT ON BIDS OPENED OCTOBER 14, 2003, FOR PHASE II OF THE 2003
acement
WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BUNO
CONSTRUCTION ($414,546.91, INCLUDING SALES TAX).
uddy Popp Item E: Proclamation in Honor of Buddy Poppy Day, November 11, 2003
ay Council President Pro Tem Marin explained it had been his pleasure to join with his VFW comrades
selling buddy poppies, the subject of the Proclamation. On behalf of the VFW, he expressed his thanks
to those who supported the sale via their contributions.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
ORVIS, FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM E. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The item
approved is as follows:
(E) PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF BUDDY POPPY DAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2003
004 Budget 3. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2004 BUDGET
Administrative Services Director Dan Clements provided a brief overview of the 2004 budget. He
explained the total budget was $64.5 million; the General Fund budget was $25.6 million. He noted there
were no new taxes or fee increases proposed other than the 1% statutory property tax increase and the
multi -year utility tax increase approved by the Council last year.
Mr. Clements explained the 2004 budget was generally status quo with no major changes. The one major
program initiative proposed in the budget was the hiring of an Economic Development Director with
funding from the unfilled Human Resources Director position and funding previously dedicated to the
Edmonds Alliance for Economic Development. He explained a second initiative was to hire temporary
Development Services personnel to address increased workload as a result of the Triad development.
Mr. Clements displayed a graphic illustrating the percentage of Public Safety funded via the General
Fund. In the Mayor's proposed budget, Public Safety was approximately 50% of the General Fund
budget, pointing out ten years ago it comprised approximately 43 %. He displayed an exhibit showing the
distribution of each dollar of residents' property taxes — City 20.3¢, EMS 3.8¢, County 10.8¢.
Port/Library/Hospital 3.90, and Schools 61.3¢.
Mr. Clements advised the General Property Tax collected for 2004 totaled slightly over $8 million, a levy
rate of $1.78 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Funds collected for the Public Safety Complex bond
totaled approximately $742,000, a levy rate of $0.16 per $1,000. Funds collected for the EMS total
approximately $2.2 million, a levy rate of $0.50 per $1,000. He summarized the total was approximately
$11 million, a total levy rate of $2.45 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Mr. Clements summarized the 2004 budget without the levy lid lift would follow the General Fund
Projection Scenario #1 which did not include levy dollars. The budget would be generally status quo
with no major additions or program cuts; the intent being to stabilize programs after three years of cuts.
He pointed out City departments remained down 20+ positions and $1.3 million from 2000 program
levels. In 2005, the City would need to identify approximately $750,000 through cuts, new revenue,
and/or efficiencies to maintain a fund balance of $1.5 million in 2008. Funding for economic
development was provided in anticipation it would help diversify and stabilize the local economy. He
concluded stating the failure of the levy lid lift would save the owner of a $500,000 dwelling
approximately $133 annually.
Councilmember Plunkett recalled in the past 4 -5 years, Edmonds taxpayers paid less per $1,000 of
assessed valuation than other South County cities. Mr. Clements answered the last time he researched it,
Edmonds was still lower and well below the City's levy capacity.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
November 10, 2003
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Councilmember Orvis inquired about the rate of inflation. Mr. Clements answered the Implicit Price
Deflator (IPD) was 1.2% and the Seattle area Consumer Price Indicator (CPI) as of June was
approximately 1.2 %. Assistant Administrative Services Director Jim Larson commented that historically
the IPD was significantly lower than the CPI but that was not the case this year.
Mayor Pro Tern Earling opened the public participation portion of the public hearing.
Dave Arista, 18431 High Street, Edmonds, business owner at 502 Main Street, member of the
Downtown Edmonds Merchants Association, and Chamber of Commerce President, relayed the Chamber
of Commerce Board of Directors' support for the proposed creation of an Economic Development
Director position. He reported on the Chamber's findings that successful revitalization programs in other
cities were the result of a City executive managing an overall economic development program and
reporting directly to the Mayor. Other elements of success included strong leadership from the Mayor,
support from the City Council, and cooperation from local organizations such as the Chamber of
Commerce. He recommended the use of a proven approach that had been successful elsewhere, creating
a position and hiring a qualified Economic Development Director which would result in a better long
term, global approach, better business retention, business recruitment, and cooperation from all
stakeholders including residents and the Chamber.
Al Rutledge, 7101 Lake Ballinger Way, Edmonds, reiterated his request for the Council to include
$500 in the 2004 budget for Lake Ballinger. He cited numerous problems in Lake Ballinger that needed
to be addressed including damage caused by beavers. Mr. Rutledge also submitted written materials.
Don Kreiman, 24006 95th Place W, Edmonds, thanked Administrative Services Director Don Clements
for the budget preparation. He requested the City Council ensure firefighters always received within
10% of the Bureau of Labor Statistics average rate for the Seattle/Bellevue /Everett area to ensure they
received a living wage.
Ray Martin, 18704 94th Avenue W, Edmonds, congratulated the winners of the election and
sympathized with the losers. He commended the Council for denying a request for $13,000 for a Hwy.
99 Task Force project. He recommended public safety be a priority in the budget. He recommended the
Council scrutinize the proposed creation of an Economic Development Director position, questioning
whether it was a transfer of the Alliance into City government. He questioned the elimination of the
Human Resources Director position.
Roger Hertrich, 1020 Puget Drive. Edmonds, supported the Fire Chief's request to include funds for a
Training Officer in the 2004 budget. He questioned the Fire and Police Department's endorsement of
candidates. Next, observing there were no funds in the budget for roads, he recommended eliminating
the positions in the City that dealt with roads such as the Traffic Engineer. He commented the City could
contract with Snohomish County for Traffic Engineer services. Observing that more people were using
their computer as libraries, he recommended the City discuss with Sno -Isle and other cities the possibility
of consolidating library services into one regional library for South Snohomish County.
Property Tax 4. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ESTABLISHING PROPERTY TAX LEVIES FOR THE YEAR
Levies for 2004
004
Mayor Pro Tern Earling opened the public participation portion of the public hearing.
Al Rutledge, 7101 Lake Ballinger Way, Edmonds, commented most residents did not support a tax
increase although he acknowledged the proposed 1% increase was necessary. He commented many
residents did not vote on Proposition #1.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
November 10, 2003
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Don Kreiman, 24006 95`h Place W, Edmonds, commented there was little information available
regarding the justification for the proposed 1% increase. He supported eliminating the upward spiral of
property taxes via building a better economic base. He concluded he was opposed to an increase in
property taxes.
5. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
After questioning the Council regarding their preference regarding a second Saturday budget workshop,
Mayor Pro Tem Earling advised there would not be a budget workshop held on November 15.
6. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Plunkett expressed his appreciation for the candidates who ran for office, noting it was
difficult to put one's name and reputation on the line. He also thanked the candidates for the prompt
removal of their signs.
Mayor Pro Tern Earling reported that only 34% of the electorate voted countywide although this
percentage was higher in Edmonds. He pointed out good government began at the ballot box.
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned to Committee meetings at 7:34 p.m.
mrok0w,"-
SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
November 10, 2003
Page 4
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex
250 51" Avenue North, Edmonds
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER 10, 2003
Special Monday Meeting
7:00 p.m. - Call to Order
Flag Salute
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Consent Agenda Items
(A) Roll Call
(B) Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of November 3, 2003.
(C) Approval of claim checks #66523 through #66680 for the week of November 3,
2003, in the amount of $396,618.84. Approval of payroll direct deposits and
checks #36954 through #37040 for the period October 16 through October 31,
2003, in the amount of $783,821.99.
(D) Report on bids opened October 14, 2003, for Phase 111 of the 2003 Watermain
Replacement Project and award of contract to Buno Construction
($414,546.91, including sales tax).
(E) Proclamation in honor of Buddy Poppy Day, November 11, 2003.
3. (20 Min.) Public Hearing on the 2004 Budget.
4. (30 Min.) Public Hearing regarding establishing property tax levies for the Year 2004.
5. ( 5 Min.) Mayor's Comments
6. (15 Min.) Council Comments
Adjourn to City Council Committee Meetings
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