04/30/1985 City Council.THESE MINUTES SUBJECT
TO MAY 7 APPROVAL
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 30, 1985
The quarterly Town Hall 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
Larry Naughten, Mayor Doug Reuble,
Steve Simpson, Parks & Rec. Director
John Nordquist Student Rep.
Art Housler, Admin. Svcs. Director
Steve Dwyer
Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Laura Hall
Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Jo -Anne Jaech
Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
Bill Kasper
Bobby Mills, Actg. Pub. Wks. Supt.
Lloyd Ostrom
Peter Hahn, Community Services Dir.
Jack Wilson
Pat LeMay, Personnel Manager
Jim Adams, City Engineer
Jackie Parrett, City Clerk
Scott_Snyder, City Attorney
Shirlie Witzel, Recorder
Mayor Naughten welcomed everyone and explained the format of the meeting. He noted that the
Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is co -.host for the meeting and recognized their President, Chris
McDevitt, who was present in the audience. He then turned the meeting over to Council
President Nordquist for brief item of Council business.
Explaining that there were 41 applicants for the position of Council Resource Person and the
field had been narrowed to two through a.process of screening and interviews, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO HIRE CHRISTINE FLECKENSTEIN
ON A CONTRACT BASIS AT $9.00 PER HOUR, TO BEGIN ON MONDAY MAY b. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Naughten announced that Community Services Director Peter Hahn, Planning Director Mary
Lou Block, and he had attended a meeting of the PUD Commissioners during which the plan for
the 11.5Kv lines on Walnut St. were discussed. Because the Commissioners had .additional
questions, he said no decision was reached and the plan will be reviewed again on May 14.
However, a Commissioner will attend the next Community Services Committee meeting as a
Commission representative and will discuss cost sharing on undergrounding with the Council
members present.
Mayor Naughten opened the meeting for public comment.
Chris Matt, 19824 Maplewood Drive, remarked on a recent trip he had taken to Oregon and
described the informational signs that small cities have to direct travelers to city
services and businesses. He suggested that necessary changes be made to existing ordinances
that would allow similar signs to be erected in Edmonds since business signs are only
allowed on the building .in which the business is located. He specifically noted the need
for an information directory of downtown businesses, as well as directional signs to the
downtown area from areas such as Highway 99 and Meadowdale, suggesting that such signs
could be funded by the business community with the land donated by the City.
Mr. Hahn said directional signs to places such as the Civic Center or the downtown area are
allowed by ordinance, but there is no allowance for specific business advertising. He
suggested this idea be discussed by the Main Streets and D-DAT Committees since these two
groups are presently involved in planning for the downtown area.
Councilmember Jaech commented that many small towns have visitor information bureaus, funded
by the Chamber of Commerce and staffed by community volunteers. She suggested that the
State might provide room for such an operation at the ferry holding lanes to serve those
waiting for the ferry.
Councilmember Wilson suggested that a portable destination sign might be placed on the
ferry, which could be placed on any ferry serving Edmonds.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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Mr. Matt said a solution need not be elaborate and he does not expect that a solution will
be found this week or even this summer; however, Council efforts would be appreciated by the
business community.
Councilmember Ostrom noted that the need for informational signs in Edmonds has not been
adequately addressed; such signs are needed for those visiting the city.
Roger Hertrich, 1020 Puget Drive, addressed the subject of drainage and streams in the city.
He observed that there have been problems in the past when development has taken place and a
water source appears that was not anticipated. lie asked tiie Council to address the need for
a survey of the drainage basin, identifying water sources, routes and destinations and the
effect on interrupted water courses and headwaters. He said that the streams in the city
are one of its better amenities.
Councilmember Hall advised Mr. Hertrich that the Community Services Committee had just met
and discussed that very subject, which will appear on the Council agenda during May.
Mayor Naughten welcomed Councilmember Hall back. She responded by thanking everyone for
their concern and reporting that her son is improving.
Ginny Hildreth, Project Manager for the Main Streets Program, reported that the parade on
Saturday, April 27, was a great success despite the rain. The best participation was at
Harbor Square because of the covered area for the barbecue. She said the kick-off ceremony
was attended by a many people and there were 76 people present for the Chamber luncheon and
slide presentation.
Councilmember Jaech asked if any consideration had been given to observance of National
Historic Preservation Week May 22 and 23. Ms. Hildreth replied that there had been
discussion but nothing was planned.
Indicating several signs displayed behind him, the Mayor said they would be used in the new
areas that are being planted with flowers this year.
Natalie Shippen, 1022 Euclid Ave., expressed her pleasure that the Cascade Symphony
Orchestra is back in Edmonds, completing their season last night. She said they will be
here next year, also, and suggested that a welcome from the Council would be appropriate.
She noted that examination of the businesses supporting the Symphony indicated that a large
number of those supporters are found in Edmonds.
On another topic., Ms. Shippen said the course taken by the Council in regard to work
meetings in recent months is not an improvement and she would prefer the informal format
that has existed in the past. This informality, she continued, allowed for audience
participation on items that could prove volatile, providing an opportunity for the Council
to listen to resident fears and concerns, thus anticipating questions that might arise
during a public hearing. She believed the chair could control the meeting whenever
necessary.
Mayor Naughten said he and the Council have discussed the possibility of inviting people to
attend work meetings when a subject on the agenda could prove controversial. Ms. Shippen
replied that she would not limit that participation to those who had been invited, but to
anyone who showed up, and said she did not understand the reasons for the restrictive nature
of the current work meetings.
Councilmember Ostrom explained that the problem had arisen when work meetings were being
turned into public hearings. He said if a public hearing is planned, representatives of
both sides of an issue have an opportunity to present their views. However, most people
will stay away from a work session since a hearing is not planned, and views presented may
be one-sided if the Council accepts audience participation.
Councilmember Hall agreed with Ms. Shippen in regard to items that could have been
clarified prior to the hearing. She said it is up to the parliamentarian of the meeting to
cut off —comments when necessary. She added that the Council has been cautioned in the past
regarding testimony from groups connected with a particular issue, during a meeting that
has not been advertised as a public hearing.
Mayor Naughten said the Council feels the work meetings should be closed to public
participation, since there are two other meetings during the month that are open for public
comment.
Ms. Shippen said there are groups that are invited to work sessions, such as community
boards and special groups that present their case. She said it appears that one must be
part of a pressure group to have anything placed on the agenda. She added that statements
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 2 April 30, 1985
are made by these groups that should be challenged and reports are given that are not
challenged by the Council. She said the purpose of the work meeting should be to raise
questions from people attending the work meeting and feels there is too much silence from
the Council and they are not pointed enough in their questions. She said the change to a
fourth week committee meeting format will increase the need to open the other work meeting
to audience participation. She said the new format is a good idea in that the committees
will be meeting with the staff on matters that are not of concern to the public; however,
those subjects, such as financing of the arts, should be discussed during audience
participation times.
Jim Morrow, 19243 94th Ave. W., had read an article in the Times two years ago about the
Puget Sound Development Council in which the anticipated growth at Paine Field was
discussed. Last week, he had heard discussion of a high-tech corridor north of Bothell and
he has noted the move of the Navy into Everett. He said this will have an impact on Edmonds
and believes there are questions that should be studied and answered in anticipation of this
economic growth. There will be different types of impact, he said, both physical (such as
sewage systems and schools) and social (increased crime and increased population). He
suggested research and survey into these questions would be worthwhile. Mr. Morrow
suggested that the business community be involved in any action taken in this regard.
Mr. Hahn said the City had received the Environmental Impact Statement from the Navy and
said he was not happy with the way in which they addressed potential negative impacts. The
City wants to see more commitment on the part of the Navy in regard to mitigation measures.
Councilmember Hall suggested that a member of the Chamber of Commerce attend meetings of the
Economic Development Council, which is now meeting and has all of the statistics and
projections for the anticipated growth. She said the City Council would be helped if that
person could keep them informed.
Councilmember Ostrom commented that another item of concern would be the zoning of adjacent
city and county residential zoning areas, which should be as compatible as possible. He
said this had been brought up at the County level several months ago and feels the City
should be involved in some way in those discussions.
Roger Hertrich, previously identified, said he had heard rumors that the A08 would be
abolished. He asked for comment from the Council regarding their view of that Board.
Councilmember Kasper replied that the ADB should be reviewed regarding the length of their
agenda, any delays they may be causing and whether they are staying on the subject in their
discussions. He said they had made a motion during consideration of the underground wiring
that did not pertain to the situation. He noted that the original intent was for a
technical board to deal with design, but the complexion of the Board has changed and should
be reconsidered since it could become another Planning Board. He did not mean to indicate
that they should be abolished, but there seem to be complaints from various groups.
* Councilmember Jaech said a recent meeting held by Councilmember Kasper and some developers
did produce complaints about frustrations they were experiencing. She said everyone has
experienced some frustration with the ADB and the various confrontations among citizens, the
ADB and the Council. However, she said the ADB serves a purpose for the City and it is a
useful purpose. She said they address the different areas of development, types of
materials used, view sensitive areas and the plantings that should or should not be used.
She observed that those cities that do not have an ADB do not have the same quality and
charm evidenced in Edmonds. She said the ADB serves a purpose, even though she does not
always agree with the Board.
Councilmember Hall said the ADB did begin as a technical board and that is why citizens
enjoy a city that looks as Edmonds does. She said the Council should look at the Board and
make any necessary adjustments but should keep the Board.
Councilmember Ostrom had not heard any complaints other than those contained in an article
in the Enter rise. He is impressed with the ADB and believes it is functioning more
smooth han it has in the past.
Mr. Hertrich said he supports the ADB.
Evelyn Laurine, 1233 7th Ave. S., asked if it were true that 220th St. S.W. was to be
widened from I-5 to 76th Ave. W., creating a turn lane. She also asked if funds were
available to widen the street from 76th to 9th Ave. S.
Mayor Naughten replied affirmatively that 220th S.W. would be widened from I-5 to 76th Ave.
W., but said there were no funds available for any further changes. City Engineer Jim Adams
*See May 7, ]985 Minutes
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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said they have requested State Grant Money from the Urban Arterial Board for widening the
rest of 220th but the City is not high enough on the list to receive funds.
Ms. Laurine asked if this would be the proper time to require the undergrounding of wires
on the portion being widened. Councilmember Kasper replied that funds were not available.
Ms. Laurine then asked if the intersection at 9th Ave. S. and 220th St. S. W. would be
reviewed since it is a dangerous corner. Mr. Adams replied that he agrees that the
intersection should be redesigned and a signal installed.
Mayor Naughten recessed the meeting at 7:50, inviting those present to enjoy some cookies
and coffee. The meeting was reconvened at 8:10.
Since there were no other questions and no further business to come before the Council, the
meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
kJACQUELINE G. PARRETT, City Clerk
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4 April 30, 1985