03/26/1985 City Council1
THESE MINUTES SUBJECT
TO APRIL 2 APPROVAL
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 26, 1985
(Work Meeting)
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor
* Larry Naughten in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library. All present joined in the
flag salute.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
John Nordquist Larry Naughten, Mayor Art Housler, Admin. Svcs. Dir.
Steve Dwyer Laura Hall Bobby Mills, Actg. Pub. Wks. Supt.
Jo -Anne Jaech Bill Kasper Steve Simpson, Parks & Rec. Dir.
Lloyd Ostrom Jim Adams, City Engineer
Jack Wilson Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Doug Reuble, Student Rep. Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Peter Hahn, Comm. Svcs. Dir.
Jackie Parrett, City Clerk
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Shirlie Witzel, Recorder
Council President Nordquist explained that he would chair the meeting this evening since the
Mayor was attending the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Wilson asked that Item (C) be amended to read "Confirmation of Richard Thorpe
as Hearing Examiner, and Passage of Resolution 615 Setting Hearing Date of April 25, 1985
before a Hearing Examiner for the Final Assessment Roll of LID 210." COUNCILMEMBER JAM
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, TO PASS THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION
CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBER DWYER NOT PRESENT. The approved items on the.Consent Agenda
included the following:
(A) Roll call.
(B) Approval of minutes.of March 19, 1985.
(C) Confirmation of Richard Thorpe as Hearing Examiner, and passage of Resolution 615
setting hearing date of April 25; 1985 before a Hearing -Examiner for the final
assessment roll of. LID 210.
(0) Authorization to advertise for -bids for a current model paint striper ($15,000).
(E) Authorization to advertise for bids for replacement dump truck ($35;000).
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM, TO EXCUSE THE ABSENCE OF
COUNCILMEMBERS HALL AND KASPER WHO ARE ATTENDING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE.
MOTION CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBER DWYER NOT PRESENT.
Councilmember Dwyer arrived during the following report.
REPORT FROM OLYMPIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Don Ginsberg, 19248 93rd P1. W., of the Olympic School Committee, read the Committee's
report and said the Committee was not ready to present its findings and recommendations to
the Council at this time;..the estimates for construction of a gymnasium were given to him
this evening and must be reviewed by the Committee. Mr. Ginsberg mentioned the names of
those serving on the Committee. In response to questions from Councilmember Ostrom, he said
that two regulation size Little League fields or three smaller fields could be constructed.
The main emphasis is for youth activities, he said. He was not able to determine the cost
figure that would be placed on the ballot, since the Committee has not had an opportunity to
examine the estimates he had received this evening. However, he indicated the. Committee has
contacted the City Attorney for his opinion on a ballot measure that would ask for
acquisition and improvements to the school and another measure that would ask for a
sustaining fund for operation. Mr. Snyder had advised that such measures could be used.
* See April 2, 1985 Minutes EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 1 March 26, 1985
Mr. Ginsberg estimated that the Committee could furnish a complete financial picture within
30 days for Council consideration.
Councilmember Dwyer said the Committee is looking for Council's opinion of the appraisal
price of $1,094,000. Councilmember Jaech asked what annual maintenance would cost. Parks &
Recreation Director Steve Simpson indicated that the Building and Grounds department will be
furnishing those figures. Mr. Ginsberg described some of the rental possibilities that
exist for use of office space and other areas of the school by other organizations.
Councilmember Wilson noted that the idea for front -loading the budget was to provide a
facility for many organizations that do not have a place to meet and are in a fragile
monetary state of existence in the community. He added that the Committee is looking for
moral support from the Council at this point. Mr. Ginsberg reiterated that a report could
be ready within the next 30 days containing firm recommendations and estimates for Council
consideration.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED SALE OF CITY PROPERTY AT 76TH AVE., NORTH OF 244TH
City Engineer Jim Adams reported that the Urban Arterial Board has made a decision to
relinquish all rights to recapture funds from the sale of this property and the City
Attorney has indicated there is a clear deed to the property. The last assessment of the
property was for $18,000 - $20,000 and he recommended placing the property on the market as
a means of determining fair market value.
Councilmember Nordquist expressed concern regarding the difficulties of ingress and egress
to the property and suggested that the adjacent property owners may be more interested than
any others.
Mr. Adams agreed that there are problems with regard to access to the property and had
spoken with adjacent owners in the past. He also noted that the property would better serve
an office building with less traffic in and out during the day. He said any restrictions
the Council wishes may be placed on the property regarding access. City Attorney Scott
Snyder agreed that any restrictions on the property should be indicated when the property is
placed on the market.
Councilmember Wilson suggested that the staff be authorized to proceed in placing the
property on the market and also should be deciding what can be done to improve the access to
the property. He said the information regarding access problems could be furnished to
potential buyers but did not believe restrictions should be placed on the property before it
is placed on the market. He said a buyer could be advised of the problems prior to any sale
if he is not already aware of them.
In response to a question from Councilmember Ostrom, Mr. Snyder said the property can be
placed on the open market to determine the value or an appraisal can be obtained.
Determining a price from the open market, he said, gives the Council a basis for
negotiations with adjacent property owners. He added that the bids would be opened by the
City Clerk, who could be instructed to bring the results to a closed session of the Council
for discussion.
COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, TO AUTHORIZE THE STAFF TO
INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SELLING THE PROPERTY AND FINDING A BUYER FOR THE PROPERTY.
Councilmember Jaech expressed doubt that the motion would allow the staff to place the
property on the market and ask for bids to determine the price before entering into
negotiations with anyone. Councilmember Ostrom felt that it would be misleading to invite
bids unless the Council intends to sell to the bidder. Councilmember Jaech said the only
other option to determine the price is to ask for an appraisal. MOTION FAILED WITH
COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM VOTING YES.
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, TO ADVERTISE THE SUBJECT
PROPERTY AT 76TH AVE. W., NORTH OF 244TH AVE S.W., FOR SALE ON A BID BASIS. MOTION
CARRIED.
REVIEW NECESSITY FOR CITY ATTORNEY'S PRESENCE AT WORK MEETINGS.
City Attorney Scott Snyder said, if the Council sees no necessity for his presence, a strict
control of work meeting agendas would be necessary. Since the City would be billed under
the contract if he were asked to be present for specific items, the cost could be more than
at present. Councilmember Dwyer said the Council has not been very successful in
segregating nights when advice is needed from nights when advice is not needed.
Councilmember Jaech indicated that too many items come up where legal expertise is needed
regardless of attempts to plan around Mr. Snyder's absence. Councilmember Dwyer said the
Council is beginning to schedule items for work meeting agendas upon which they do not want
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EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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hearings. That strategy would be undercut if the attorney were not present. Councilmember
Nordquist observed that the Council appears to want the attorney's presence at all meetings.
Mr. Snyder asked the Council for comments regarding the billing system since the trial
billing period is nearly over. Councilmember Wilson suggested the subject be discussed at
the retreat during the time allotted to the attorney on Saturday.
TAXATION ON USE OF CITY VEHICLES ASSIGNED TO EMPLOYEES
Councilmember Ostrom asked if there had been employee reaction and comment about the
increase of $3.00 per.day's use in their gross income because of the use of a City vehicle.
Administrative Services Director Art Housler had met with affected employees and provided a
form designed to meet the reporting requirements of the IRS. He said there was discussion
regarding provision of a mileage commuting allowance for those vehicles required by the City
to be taken home, such as the water watch, police and fire. He said he would like a motion
to implement the $3.00 policy and report to the Council once the.regulations.are made
permanent.
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, THAT A CITY POLICY BE DRAFTED
TO CONFORM WITH THE IRS REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE USE OF CITY VEHICLES AND THE
CORRESPONDING BENEFITS THAT WOULD GO TO THE EMPLOYEE FOR THE USE OF THAT VEHICLE IN
COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL
Council President Nordquist noted that a letter had been received from Gordon Rosier and was
included in the Council packets.
Since there was no further business to come before the Council, Council President Nordquist
adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Y/
,
ACQ ELINE G. PARRETT., City Clerk
4LRY S AUG11TEN, m6yoK
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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