11/24/1997 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Budget Workshop
Special Monday, November 24,1997, Council Meeting
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Barbara Fahey, Mayor
Roger L. Myers, Councilmember
Gary Haakenson, Councilmember
Thomas A. Miller, Councilmember
Dick Van Hollebeke, Councilmember
John Nordquist, Councilmember
LATE ARRIVALS
Dave Earling, Council President
Jim White, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Art Housler, Director, Administrative Services
Doug Farmen, Accountant
Paul Mar, Director Community Services
Michael Springer, Fire Chief.
Brent Hunter, Human Resources Director
Jana Spellman, Recorder
CALL TO ORDER
Roger Myers, Council President Pro Tem, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at the request
of Council President Dave Earling who would be arriving late.
Council President Pro Tem Myers proceeded with the agenda for the meeting as follows:
The Council had asked for more information on the revenue forecast for 1999 to 2001 during the
November 15, 1997, Budget Workshop.
Mr. Housler responded that the information presented at the Council Retreat in February, 1997,
which indicated what the revenue projections are for 1999 to 2001 are on target.
Councilmember Haakenson asked for clarification regarding the ending cash balance for 1999
through 2000. Mr. Houlser replied that he had not projected those figures past 1999 and
indicated that for 1998 the ending cash balance would be approximately $44,000 and for 1999
approximately $65,480.
Council President Pro Tem Myers proceeded to the next item on the agenda.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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Mr. Mar started with referral to his letter in the Council packet dated November 19, 1997. This
letter indicated the beginning cash and ending cash balance for 1998, the annual expenditures
incurred for lease and property tax payments, the original intent of the enabling ordinance and
the proposed use of the fund in the future.
A discussion, with clarification from Mr. Mar, followed among the Council touching on various
aspects of the Off -Street Parking Fund and its use.
The Council indicated that they would like to have a strategic plan in place for this fund. Mr.
Mar responded that one of the uses for this money would possibly be to construct an
underground parking garage on the site of the new Public Safety Complex and would have more
information regarding this issue in January of 1998.
The Mayor added more history regarding this fund and indicated that in early 1998 she and Mr.
Mar would take a closer look at this fund to determine what procedures should be used in
administering this fund as well as a plan for implementing the fund.
Karen Wiggins, 152 Third Avenue South, Edmonds, WA., asked the Council to consider funding
a full-time parking enforcement officer in lieu of using this person for animal control and parking
enforcement. She then referred her letter which Council received that evening which
substantiated her request for a full-time parking enforcement officer.
Mayor Fahey explained there was exploration to possibly hire a part-time parking enforcement
officer for Edmonds with the possibility that this individual would be contracted out to
Mountlake Terrace on a half-time basis as their animal control officer if the position were
expanded to full-time.
In response to Mrs. Wiggins request for a full-time parking enforcement officer, the Mayor
indicated that Police Chief Hickok feels it would not be productive or cost effective to have a
full-time enforcement officer. He, however, would be open to the possibility of extending this
position as described above because it would give coverage throughout a wider spectrum of the
day. The cost of this position would be approximately $17,000.
Because of budget changes forthcoming in Mountlake Terrace, the Mayor indicated that the
contract may not be implemented.
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Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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A general discussion ensued detailing the parking enforcement officer position including fines,
revenue streams, time spent on animal control versus parking enforcement, and whether a full-
time parking enforcement officer would generate enough fines to cover the position cost.
Mr. Myers then advised the Council that Mrs. Wiggins still has ',some time left in which to
complete her audience portion. She asked the Council to help find a solution to better parking
enforcement.
Mr. Miller then asked for further clarification regarding the Mountlake Terrace issue. Mayor
Fahey agreed to pursue with Mountlake Terrace if this contract was included in their budget. Mr.
Miller also asked if this position was included in the 1998 budget and the Mayor indicated that it
was not in the 1998 budget and that the cost of this position would be $17,000.
Mr. Myers then turned the meeting over to Council President Earling. Mr. Earling asked to begin
with the next agenda item which was CPR but the Mayor asked for a short discussion regarding
an additional issue affecting the budget which for information purposes only.
The Mayor then updated the Council regarding the position for the Prosecuting Attorney and
how that may affect the 1998 budget. This item is set for the November 25, 1997, Council
Meeting and further discussion may ensue at that time.
In response to the November 15, .1997, Budget Workshop request Chief Springer reviewed the
CPR Training issue as it pertains to Edmonds highlighting the points made in his letter to the
Councilmembers dated November 21, 1997.
Following his presentations, he asked the Councilmembers for questions. He clarified all of the
questions from the Council.
Councilmember Myers requested either Brent Hunter or Chief Springer contact the Edmonds
School District to ascertain how they run their CPR Training Program. One point that he felt
was important was the fact that in the Edmonds School District Program, if you had previously
completed a CPR class, one could challenge the course to demonstrate you still had the ability to
perform CPR. If you successfully challenged the class, you were granted a certification card. He
felt it was important to pursue this item because it would help cut down the cost.
Council President Earling interrupted to ask the Council when asking for additional information,
please identify the staff and area information should come from so that the staff can get the
appropriate data to the Council in a timely fashion. He asked the Council to try and not ask for
too much new' information and try and keep to the agenda items as there was only a two-week
span of time in which to accomplish the finalization of the budget.
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Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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Further discussion then ensued between the Council and Chief Springer.
In response to a question from Councilmember Miller about the cost of the classes, Chief
Springer informed the Council that it would cost $90 a class; and if the class was offered
quarterly, the total cost would be $360. He suggested that if you offered a mini -recertification
class which was about an hour in length, the cost would be reduced. Mr. Miller expressed his
preference which was to have the Edmonds Fire Department offer these classes.
The Mayor then asked the Council if it was their wish to include this amount in the 1998 budget.
She explained because the Fire Department Safety Foundation has already committed $180 for
this. endeavor, the cost to the City of Edmonds would be $180 if classes were offered quarterly.
However, if it was decided to offer classes more than quarterly, the corresponding cost would
increase.
Before a determination is to be made, Council President Earling asked that Brent Hunter in
conjunction with Fire Chief Springer examine the Edmonds School District Program and bring
back those details to the Council.
Mr. Mar went over the details of his letter of November 19, 1997, which was submitted to the
Council. He explained that his plan was to have the rates in place by 1998.
Mr. Mar indicated that he may be putting this item on the December 9, 1997, Community
Services Agenda for further discussion.
Mr. Mar started off with a review of the letter from Jim Walker, City Engineer, explaining that
when the budget was put together in late September, early October, 1997, the results of the
annexation were not available. He explained that since Perrinville had been annexed the City
would proceed with the LID for the sanitary sewer project and it will be funded out of the 325
Fund in 1998 and 1999.
The Council had no questions of Mr. Mar regarding this item.
The next item was the rockeries/retaining walls project. Mr. Mar expanded on the short
paragraph in his letter indicating that the City would like to complete this project in 1998 starting
with the Olympic View Drive area first and ending with the 76th Avenue area.
He responded to the Council question explaining the new technology and how it was felt to be an
improvement over using rockeries. He assured the Council that traffic control would betaken
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Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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care of properly. Council President Earling asked if the $400,000 was set aside in the 1998 and
asked for clarification as to regular time vs. overtime to complete the project. He was assured by
Mr. Mar that this project was to be completed on regular time and that the $400,000 was figured
in the 1998 budget.
A discussion ensued regarding the new technology and it was explained to the Council's
satisfaction as to why a retaining wall would be used instead of a rockery.
The next item was the staff report on the SR 99 Improvement Project. Mr. Mar again referred to
the letter from Jim Walker reiterating that Lynnwood is the lead agency for the project and that
the project will be going out to bid in 1998. He estimated that there would be a two-year
construction period. He stated that the project would be going from north to south.
Council President Earling asked if the transit issue had been worked out so that there would be a
smooth transition for people needing public transportation. Mr. Mar stated that Community
Transit was a participating agency involved with the project process. Mr. Mar offered the
Council an update at their request. He gave his assurance that this would be a smooth transition
not only for the public but businesses along SR99. He indicated that no business would be
closed due to this project.
As to parcels that need to be acquired by the City of Edmonds before this project can go forth,
Mr. Mar, informed Councilmember Van Hollebeke that Mr. Walker, City Engineer, was
representing the City in that process.
Mr. Myers asked Mr. Mar for an update on the percentage of parcels that still needed to be
acquired. Mr. Mar agreed to prepare a memo relating to this question.
Questions received from Councilmember Miller regarding landscaping were answered to Mr.
Miller's satisfaction.
Mr. Nordquist explained that his item had been put on the agenda because reference was made to
it at the November 18 meeting and because it was not available, . he was including it in this
evening's meeting.
The application was added to the document and he asked the Council how they would like to see
advertising formulated for this project.
Minor questions were asked and answered by Mr. Nordquist to the satisfaction of the Council.
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Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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Council President Earling suggested that a press release be prepared to inform the community of
this fund.
Mr. Nordquist suggested that the Council peruse this proposal at the next work meeting to work
out timelines, advertising, and other questions regarding the implementation that may arise.
OTHER ........�ONIIIERATIONS''
Council President Earling included this item to give the Council a chance to explore any issues
they wanted to discuss.
Mr. Miller asked if Art Housler saw any possibility of condensing the Human Resources 5 -year
plan to possibly a 4 -or 3 -year plan and could the ending cash balance be used to propel this
forward.
Mr. Housler referred this to Mr. Hunter for clarification. Mr. Hunter indicated he was in the
process of updating that information for the. Long -Range Financial Task Force. Mr. Miller asked
if he could have that data on the December 9, 1997, Council meeting.
Councilmember Myers referred Mr. Miller to Attachment 1 of the updated revenues that the
Council received that evening explaining that this showed implementation of this plan in 5 years.
He indicated that if this process were to be sped up, it would adversely affect the projections.
Council President Earling asked Mr. Hunter to confirm with Mr. Housler, what.impacts, besides
financial would occur if this project was reduced to a 3 -or 4 -year implementation plan.
Council President Earling proposed a timeline for the Council to come to agreement on the 1998
budget and have it in final form for the meeting on the 9th. If that was not a possibility, a
tentative budget meeting was scheduled for Thursday evening, December 11, 1997, (time to be
announced.)
Mr. Housler requested the Council look over the numbers regarding the annexation closely so
that if questions arise that require revisions pertaining to staffing levels, he would like enough
lead time to complete those revisions.
The Mayor asked Mr. Housler to clarify with the Council the amount to be set aside for the
Council Contingency Fund for 1998. Mr. Housler stated that there was a question as to whether
the amount should be $150,000 or $160,000. The Council directed Mr. Housler to leave the
amount at $160,000 as is reflected in the 1998 Preliminary Budget.
Council. President Earling entertained questions from the audience.
Rich Demeroutis, 921 Pine Street asked the Council if annexation was going to be a win/win
situation for the City. He also expressed his desire to see the Dive Boat Rescue Team come back
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Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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as a full-time program. He also questioned giving the Mayor a raise and. when it should take
effect while at the same time increasing property taxes.
Council President Earling indicated that the Council would be glad to accept his questions
regarding the annexations at the Tuesday, November 25, 1997, Council meeting. He also
indicated he would be glad to hear his input regarding the Mayor's proposed increase in salary at
a later date.
Summary minutes were taken for this meeting. Audio tapes are available in the City Clerk's
office.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
�..........
BARBARA S. FAHEY, MAYOR
SANDRA S, CHASE? CITY' CLERK.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
Budget Workshop - November 24, 1997
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