Loading...
05/11/2004 City Council1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES May 11, 2004 The Edmonds City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Haakenson in the Council Chambers, 250 5tn Avenue North, Edmonds, in order to hear a proposed resolution. The meeting was opened with the flag salute. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Gary Haakenson, Mayor Michael Plunkett, Council President Deanna Dawson, Councilmember Dave Orvis, Councilmember Richard Marin, Councilmember Jeff Wilson, Councilmember Mauri Moore, Councilmember Peggy Pritchard Olson, Councilmember 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA STAFF PRESENT David Stern, Chief of Police Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief Duane Bowman, Development Services Director Dan Clements, Administrative Services Director Jim Larson, Asst. Admin. Services Director Gerry Gannon, Assistant Police Chief Dave Gebert, City Engineer Steve Koho, Treatment Plant Manager Darrell Smith, Traffic Engineer Mike Thies, Code Enforcement Inspector Scott James, Accountant Linda Hynd, Deputy City Clerk Jana Spellman, Sr. Executive Council Assistant COUNCILMEMBER WILSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MARIN, FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: (A) ROLL CALL (B) APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 4, 2004. (C) APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #70908 THROUGH #71087 FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 3, 2003, IN THE AMOUNT OF $460,489.21. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSITS AND CHECKS #38032 THROUGH #38174 FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 16 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2004, IN THE AMOUNT OF $815,552.44. 3. PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE FOUR-YEAR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY, AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15. Doug Fair thanked the Mayor and Council for including them on the agenda. He explained that the reason for having a capital levy, instead of a bond, was because most of the proposed improvements are Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 11, 2004 Page 1 short-term, computer -related improvements, worth about 20 million dollars, and a bond would float that for over a 15-20-year period and it would not be fiscally responsible to buy equipment that would be used up in the next 5-10 years and pay for it over the next 20 years. He stated that the School District is able to float a capital projects levy due to the increase in the amount and the value of commercial property in the Edmonds School District area, which includes Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Woodway, Edmonds, and some unincorporated Snohomish County. All of the improvements will be paid for within four years. The resultant increase in taxes will be from currently 2004 over 2005, but a reduction from 2003. In 2003, the District paid off a lot of the bonds that it had been floating for years and reduced some of their principle on those, so their tax rate has gone down. He recalled that in 2002-2003, the School District asked for a bond and a levy and it was asking $4.59 per 1,000 and $4.52 per 1,000. He noted that the cost on this would start out at about $3.90 per 1,000 of assessed value and at the end of four years it would be down to about $3.44 per 1,000. He felt that having good schools contributes to having a good quality community. He noted that Snohomish County Realtors recognize that good schools contribute to higher property values, and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce endorses the levy, recognizing the value of good schools to the community. He asked the Edmonds City Council to endorse the resolution to show its support. Warren Schweppe, 8524 215"' SW, Edmonds, discussed that he had been involved with the levy in the past year on the Citizens' Planning Committee for the school district, as well as representing Chase Lake School as a site coordinator. He felt that this was an important levy, one, because the tax base will go down, and that it needs to be done. He discussed the need for new technology in the schools and suggested that Council e-mail and call citizens to provide support on the issue. Sue Gould, 19225 92"d Avenue West, Edmonds, discussed the good reputation that Edmonds has had in the Edmonds School District system. She expressed concern about the district being behind in technology and felt that if the levy is not passed, the area will fall farther behind. She hoped that the Council would take advantage of the opportunity to contact citizens and endorse the levy. Ron Wambolt, 504 6`h Avenue S., Edmonds, agreed that the equipment and the capital improvements are probably needed, but he thought that there also needed to be a balance for a reasonable increase that people can incur in one year. He felt that the District's pamphlet was misleading and incomplete. He pointed out that the pamphlet says that the total school tax rate will be lower than 2003 and will continue to decrease over the next four years, and goes on to say that the lower total school tax rate is mainly the result of a substantial increase in the commercial and new residential tax base within the district's boundaries. Mr. Wambolt thought that was a contributing factor, but that the main reason was because property values went up so much in 2004: an average of 37 percent in Edmonds, and 61 percent in Woodway. The pamphlet neglected to mention what assumption was made on property values. In checking with the School District, he found that the assumption in calculating their rates was that properties would increase an average of 7 percent each of those years, which means that in 2005 the taxes would go up 20.8 percent. He felt that was too much in one year. He recommended that the District provide all of the facts regarding the issue and spread the increase over a 4-5 year period, not all mostly in 2005. Councilmember Wilson presented an e-mail that he had received relating to the levy matter, written by Doug Sheldon, who represents the Citizens for Schools and Pacific Little League, and it was addressed to the Mayor, Council President Plunkett, and himself. He read, "At this upcoming Tuesday Council meeting, Doug Fair, school board member, will be representing the School District on the upcoming capital levy. I have been working hard to rally the sports organizations behind the effort as there is considerable funding for improving fields and playgrounds of approximately 9.4 million dollars. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 11, 2004 Page 2 Included in this is one million dollars for partnership funding that I hope that we can leverage with the City's Parks & Recreation Department's sports organizations to double or triple the impact of this money. I would like to attend but Edmonds-Woodway is playing Jackson in District tournament finals." He also stated, "Many of the players come out of civic little league with whom I have been associated with for a number of years. It was exciting to see these players do well." Councilmember Wilson thought that Mr. Sheldon believed that it was great support, not just for the school district, but for all of the ancillary activities that go on in the community that children are able to participate in. He supported the motion and supported the effort for the school district. He encouraged his fellow council members to do the same. He explained that this action does not obligate the citizens to take a particular course. He thought that it was a positive message to send to all of the citizens in the area and one that would support the schools and provide a good environment for the schools and for the children, would strengthen the communities, the relationship with the School District, and would be a positive overall influence. Councilmember Moore concurred with Mr. Wilson's comments and thought it was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the communities. She thanked Doug Fair for serving on the school board and the audience members for sharing their views. She felt it was important for citizens to understand that the value of schools and the value of children's education are beyond whether someone has a child in the district or not. She supported the resolution. Councilmember Marin stated that this resolution is for the children, the students, and supports the schools. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PLUNKETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 1065. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Councilmember Marin read and presented Resolution No. 1065 to Doug Fair: A Resolution of the Edmonds City Council Endorsing the Four -Year Educational Facilities & Technology Capital Levy of Edmonds School District #15 Whereas, public education is the hallmark of our American democracy, nurturing productive and informed citizens; and Whereas, public education contributes to the quality of life in the City of Edmonds by providing skilled workers, attracting families to the community, and generating economic growth and development; and Whereas, the partnership between the City of Edmonds and Edmonds School District No. 15 provides shared use of recreational facilities for the citizens of Edmonds; and Whereas, the Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15 has placed before the voters of the District a FOUR-YEAR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY, to be voted upon at a special election to be held May 18, 2004, to improve classroom technology, make seismic and other safety improvements to schools throughout the district, and improve outdoor recreation facilities enjoyed by students as well as members of the community for the recreational purposes; and Whereas, the Edmonds City Council recognizes the important connection between quality schools and a strong and safe community; Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved, that we, the undersigned, endorse the FOUR-YEAR EDUCATION FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY ENDORSED BY THE Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15, to be voted at a special election on May 18, 2004 Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 11`h day of May, 2004. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 11, 2004 Page 3 Doug Fair thanked the Mayor and Council for their support. At 7:20 p.m., Mayor Haakenson adjourned the meeting. The Public Safety, Community Services/Development Services, and Finance Committees met following the full Council meeting. G Y H ENSON, MAYOR "'-� '4 • &a.� SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 11, 2004 Page 4 1 AGENDA EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex 250 5' Avenue North, Edmonds 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. MAY 11, 2004 Special Tuesday Meetin_g 7:00 P.M. - Call to Order Flag Salute 1. Approval of Agenda 2. Consent Agenda Items (A) Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2004. (B) Approval of claim checks #70908 through #71087 for the week of May 3, 2004, in the amount of $460,489.21. Approval of payroll direct deposits and checks #38032 through #38174 for the period April 16 through April 30, 2004 in the amount of $815,552.44. 3. (15 Min.) Proposed Resolution to endorse the Four -Year Educational Facilities and Technology Capital Levy, authorized by the Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15.* *Public comment will be invited. ADJOURN City Council Committee Meetings The City Council Committee meetings are work sessions for the City Council and staff only. The meetings are open to the public but are not public hearings. The City Council will meet separately as committees in different meeting rooms as indicated below. 1. Community Services/Development Services Committee (Meeting Location: Council Chambers) (A) All way stop at 76t' Avenue and Meadowdale Beach Road. (5 Min.) (B) Continued discussion on Planned Residential Development variances. (10 Min.) Parking and meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. Contact the City Clerk at (425) 771-0245 with 24 hours advance notice for special accommodations. The Council Agenda appears on cable television Government Access Channel 21. CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA MAY 11, 2004 Page 2 of 2 (C) Discussion on home occupations. (10 Min.) (D) Play structures and zoning regulations. (10 Min.) 2. Public Safety Committee (Meeting Location: Police Training Room) (A) Interlocal Agreement for Police Services with Town of Woodway. (15 Min.) (B) Interlocal Agreement for Automated Fingerprint Identification System with City of Lynnwood. (15 Min.) (C) Ordinance for provision of Rescue Operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (10 Min.) (D) Citizen Assistance Program (10. Min) 3. Finance Committee (Meeting Location: Jury Meeting Room) (A) Proposed ordinance amending the 2004 Budget as a result of unanticipated transfers and expenditures of various funds. (15 Min.) ADJOURN Parking and meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. Contact the City Clerk at (425) 771-0245 with 24 hours advance notice for special accommodations. The Council Agenda appears on cable television Government Access Channel 21.