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05/24/2011 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES May 24, 2011 At 6:00 p.m., Council President Peterson announced that the City Council would meet in executive session regarding labor negotiations. He stated that the executive session was scheduled to last approximately one hour and would be held in the Jury Meeting Room located in the Public Safety Complex. No action was anticipated to occur as a result of meeting in executive session. Elected officials present at the executive session were: Mayor Cooper, and Councilmembers Peterson, Petso, Buckshnis, Wilson and Fraley- Monillas. Others present were Attorneys Sharon Cates and Rosa Fruehling- Watson, Human Services Director Debi Humann, Public Works Director Phil Williams, Assistant Chief of Police Gerry Gannon, and City Clerk Sandy Chase. The executive session concluded at 6:53 p.m. The regular City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Cooper in the Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Cooper, Mayor Strom Peterson, Council President D. J. Wilson, Councilmember Lora Petso, Councilmember Adrienne Fraley- Monillas, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Steve Bernheim, Councilmember Michael Plunkett, Councilmember ALSO PRESENT Peter Gibson, Student Representative 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA STAFF PRESENT Gerry Gannon, Assistant Police Chief Phil Williams, Public Works Director Jeff Taraday, City Attorney Sandy Chase, City Clerk Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETERSON, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETERSON, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 24, 2011 Page 1 A. ROLL CALL B. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2011. C. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #125527 THROUGH #125648 DATED MAY 1.9, 2011. FOR $235,785.09. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT AND CHECKS #50415 THROUGH #50450 FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2011 . THROUGH MAY 1.5, 2011 FOR $638,251.29. D. ACCEPTANCE OF MARCH/APRIL WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD LISTS OF BUSINESSES RENEWING LICENSES. E. TRANSFER AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT OF POLICE DOG ROCKY TO OFFICER SHANE HAWLEY. F. GENERAL FUND UPDATE - APRIL 2011. 3. COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: EDMONDS JAZZ CONNECTION ( EDMONDS DAYBREAKER ROTARY CLUB). Mike Montgomery, representing Edmonds Daybreaker Rotary Club, invited the Council and the public to the Edmonds Jazz Connection on Saturday, May 28. He explained Seattle area high schools have taken top honors at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition in New York's Lincoln Center, a prestigious, national competition, hosted by Jazz Trumpeter Winton Marsalis. Ellington sends out over 1000 invitations each year to high schools throughout the United States. This past year 100 schools returned audition tapes; only 15 schools are invited to participate. In past years more than 200 high schools have returned audition tapes. High schools in this area are not only invited to the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition, they have consistently placed in the top 3 -4 every year for more than 10 years. This year Seattle's Roosevelt High School placed #2 and Mountlake Terrace High School ranked #3 in the nation. The Edmonds Daybreaker Rotary Club spent two years creating the event, engaging local jazz personalities like Frank DeMiero and Seattle's Jazz Hall of Famer Jim Wilke, and working closely with the Edmonds School District, other school districts, business and community leaders. On Memorial Day weekend 1999 the first annual Edmonds Jazz Connection was launched, bringing over 2,000 visitors to Edmonds to hear big bands, jazz combos, and choral groups from more than a dozen local area high schools and middle schools. It was called the Edmonds Jazz Connection because from the beginning the intent was forging connections; connections between schools, community and the professional jazz world and between students and the business community. This year open jam session has been introduced on Saturday night 5:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Edmonds Masonic Center where students will have an opportunity to jam with the pros. Those attending the festival this weekend will hear remarkable young musicians and vocalists from Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Everett, Langley, Lynnwood, and Arlington and will delight in their skill, poise and music. He encouraged the public to attend the Edmonds Jazz Connection, Saturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Edmonds. It is free and sponsored by the Edmonds Daybreaker Rotary Club. 4. EDMONDS POLICE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD. Chris Fleck, Edmonds Police Foundation, explained the Foundation awards scholarships every year to three local high school students. The purpose of the scholarships is to honor and provide financial support to students who have consciously chosen a substance free and violence free lifestyle. This year's winners Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 24, 2011 Page 2 were selected based on academic performance, community service, personal references and an interview with the Foundation. He announced the three recipients of the $1500 scholarships: • Carol Liptrap, Edmonds - Woodway High School, 3.88 GPA, who will be attending the University of Washington to study electrical engineering • Jack Chelgen, Edmonds- Woodway High School, 3.994 GPA, who will be attending Wesleyan University to study law. • Kari Beaulieu, Meadowdale High School, 3.751. GPA, who will be studying law and international relations in the Washington State University Honors Program. 5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Alvin Rutledge, Edmonds, welcomed two new residents who spoke during Audience Comments recently and encouraged them to continue attending City Council meetings. He encouraged the public to visit the Edmonds Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Next, he reported the Council positions held by Diane Buckshnis, DJ Wilson, Lora Petso and Steve Bernheim and the Mayor's position were up for election. He encouraged interested citizens to run for election. He then reported another city has pledged not to increase expenses in 2012 and 2013 and suggested the City consider the same. Dave Page, Edmonds, referred to the traffic circle proposed for Five Corners. A 42 -year resident of Edmonds, he had never seen an accident in that location and did not believe it was a high accident intersection. He suggested the traffic circle may have been proposed when the City was in better financial condition. He recognized traffic circles work well and are aesthetically pleasing but recommended the City delay construction of the traffic circle. Public Works Director Phil Williams explained the proposed roundabout is in the approved 2009 Transportation Plan, the 2010 -2011 budget and the CIP. The City received a grant for $463,000 to be matched with $73,000 in local funds for the design, and identification and acquisition of any necessary right -of -way. When that process is complete, the project will be brought to the Council and the public will have several opportunities to be involved in the project. Construction funds will likely be sought in 2014. Although there have been eight accidents at the intersection in the past three years, the primary driver for the project is traffic delays, not accident history. Delays in the PM peak hours are considerable and the intersection's current level of service is F on a rating scale of A -F. Modeling of the intersection with a roundabout in place improves the level of service from F to B. 6. COUNCIL REPORTS ON OUTSIDE COMMITTEEBOARD MEETINGS. Councilmember Wilson reported the Lake Ballinger Forum met today. The Forum is pushing Mountlake Terrace to replace culverts next summer which will have a dramatic improvement on flooding. Councilmember Petso reported she met with the Regional Fire Authority Finance Committee who is building a financial model that can be used to run "what if' scenarios. She encouraged the Council to provide Mayor Cooper, Councilmember Wilson or her any questions that could be answered by the model such as what if Lynnwood or Mountlake does not participate, the cost per participant if there is no benefit charge, etc., so that those questions can be built into the model. The model is similar to the City's projection model and uses working capital as the target. Councilmember Petso reported at the Public Facilities District meeting held this morning, the Board adopted purchasing policies. A Task Force meeting will be held in June. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 24, 2011 Page 3 Councilmember Fraley- Monillas reported Troy McClelland, President and CEO, Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, spoke at Snohomish County Cities regarding the importance of economic development and maintaining connections with large and small employers. One of the Council's responsibilities is to continue conversations with businesses to determine what they need, whether they are happy, etc. Councilmember Buckshnis reported a representative from Washington State Department of Transportation gave a presentation on the Good to Go Pass at Snohomish County Tomorrow. Mr. Chave and she will be presenting the Affordable Housing Interjurisdictional Agreement between Snohomish County and cities in Snohomish County to the Council soon. Councilmember Buckshnis reported the Edmonds Marsh cleanup and daylighting of Willow Creek was moved to WRIA 8's three year plan. Edmonds continues to be an example for other cities dealing with BNSF. WRIA 8 also passed their annual budget and work plan and was provided a draft proposal regarding WRIA 8 becoming a Watershed District similar to a Regional Fire Authority. WRIA 8 was also provided an update on the Seattle Shoreline Nearshore Master Plan. She offered to prepare a letter for Council signature regarding the disposal of pharmaceuticals. Councilmember Buckshnis reported the Economic Development Commission finalized the University of Washington's studies, noting that the UW has done a fabulous job with the Five Corners and Westgate project. Fourteen consultants responded to the Strategic Plan RFP. Councilmember Fraley- Monillas and she are participating in interviews of the five finalists today and tomorrow. 7. MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Cooper reported the interview process for the Finance Director is progressing and the last interview will be conducted on Thursday. The finalists will then be invited for an interview with the Mayor. He anticipated Council interviews could be held the second week of June. Mayor Cooper reported 27 elected officials from 9 jurisdictions are participating in the Regional Fire Authority discussions. The representatives were divided into three subcommittees; each subcommittee has an elected official from each jurisdiction. Councilmember Wilson sits on the Operations/Level of Service Committee, Councilmember Petso sits on the Finance Committee and he sits on the Communications Committee as well as chairs the Planning Committee. Agendas, minutes and meeting notices will be posted on the website, RFA- planning.org. The Planning Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.; the location is rotated between the jurisdictions. As the process moves forward, the Council will be asked to pass resolutions to support different phases of the plan. He encouraged citizens to stay involved. 8. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Fraley- Monillas asked whether the retreat to discuss the levy had been scheduled. Council President Peterson advised it is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 28. He pointed out the deadline to submit a ballot measure for the November election is August 16. Councilmember Buckshnis thanked the People of Puget Sound, the United Methodist Church of Edmonds and the many volunteers who helped clean up the Edmonds Marsh last Saturday. She announced the annual Hutt Park cleanup is June 4, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Jack Bevan and she adopted Hutt Park. Information regarding adopting a park is available on the City's website. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 24, 2011 Page 4 Councilmember Buckshnis announced the Waterfront Festival on June 4 sponsored by the Edmonds Rotary. Councilmember Wilson apologized for the implication at last week's meeting that he could not trust some of his Council colleagues. He recognized Councilmembers are representing different constituencies and Councilmembers are all on the Council for the right reasons. To those participating in the Strategic Plan consultant interview process, Councilmember Wilson relayed he was not interested in having a discussion regarding contracting city employees as part of the Strategic Planning process. Council President Peterson reported the work session regarding the levy was tentatively scheduled for the June 28 Council meeting, possibly beginning at 6:00 p.m. He requested Councilmembers submit any schedule conflicts with that date and time. Council President Peterson reported on the annual Edmonds Police Awards on Thursday, May 19, an incredible show of community support for the Police Department, highlighting what the City's officers as well as citizens do. An 11 -year old boy received a Citizens Award for throwing a baseball bat at someone running through his backyard and then calling police. Officer Anthony Collins was given an Award of Excellence and honored with the Chief David Stern Memorial Officer of the Year Award. Council President Peterson expressed his appreciation to Officer Collins and the entire Edmonds Police Department. 9. ADJOURN With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 24, 2011 Page 5