01/30/1996 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
JANUARY 30, 1996
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Barbara Fahey in the
Library Plaza Room, 650 Main Street, followed by the flag salute.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Barbara Fahey, Mayor
Dave Earling, Council President
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
John Nordquist, Councilmember
Roger L. Myers, Councilmember
Jim White, Councilmember
Dick Van Hollebeke, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Nick Zitzmann, Student Representative
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
Michael Springer, Fire Chief
Tom Miller, Police Chief
Paul Mar, Community Services Director
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director
Tim Whitman, Assistant Fire Chief
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Sandy Chase, City Clerk
Lynne Hann, Deputy City Clerk
COUNCIL PRESIDENT EARLING MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMMER
NORDQUIST, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED.
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT EARLING MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCHMEMBER PETRUZZI,
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. The agenda
items passed are as follows:
(A) ROLL CALL
(B) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 23,1996
(C) APPROVAL OF CLAIM WARRANTS #3292S THRU #6996F FOR THE WEEK OF
JANUARY 22,1996 IN THE AMOUNT OF $316,148.26.
3. APPOINTMENT TO FILL COUNCIL VACANCY
Council President Earling stated that the community interest shown in this vacancy was extraordinarily
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V high. Approximately 43 people picked up application packets and 21 candidates went through the
interview process. He thanked everyone who applied for the position, as well as those who picked up
applications.
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January 30, 1996
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Councilmember Petruzzi explained that this is the third time he has participated in filling a Council
vacancy, and the last time, there were only twelve applicants. He stated that the process of selecting only
one person from a large number of very talented people is always very difficult. Mr. Petruzzi thanked all
the applicants for their interest in serving the City.
City Clerk Sandy Chase read the rules for the' election.
COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMENMER VAN
HOLLEBEKE, TO "PROVE THE RULES FOR THE ELECTION PROCESS AS READ.
MOTION CARRIED.
The City Clerk then passed out the first nomination ballot to Councilmembers. Those nominated were:
Douglas Fair (Councilmember Jim White); Gary Haakenson (Councilmembers Nordquist, Myers and
Petruzzi); R. James Pidduck (Councilmembers Earling and Van Hollebeke).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 1.
Vote No. I was taken. The results were: Douglas Fair, one vote (Councilmember White); R. James
Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Earling and Van Hollebeke); Gary Haakenson, three votes
(Councilmembers Myers, Nordquist and Petruzzi).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 2.
Vote No. 2 was taken. The results were: Douglas Fair, one vote (Councilmember White); R. James
Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Earling and Van Hollebeke); Gary Haakenson, three votes
(Councilmembers Nordquist, Petruzzi and Myers).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 3.
Vote No. 3 was taken. The results were:. Douglas, Fair, one vote (Councilmember White); R. James
Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Van Hollebeke and Earling); Gary Haakenson, three votes
(Councilmembers Petruzzi, Nordquist and Myers).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 4.
Vote No. 4 was taken. The results were: Douglas Fair, one vote (Councilmember White); R. James
Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Van Hollebeke and Earling); Gary Haakenson, three votes
(Councilmembers Petruzzi, Nordquist and Myers).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 5.
Vote No. 5 was taken. The results were: Douglas Fair, one vote (Councilmember White); R. James
Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Earling and Van Hollebeke); Gary Haakenson, three votes
(Councilmembers Nordquist, Petruzzi and Myers).
Mayor Fahey declared the election void, due to a deadlock, and requested that the nomination pr . ocess
start over again.
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January 30, 1996
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The City Clerk then passed out the second nomination ballot to Councilmembers. Those nominated
were: Gary Haakenson (Councilmembers Nordquist, Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pidduck
(Councilmembers Earling, Van Hollebeke and White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 1.
Vote No. I was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Van Hollebeke,
Earling and White); R. James Pidduck, three votes (Councilmembers Nordquist, Petruzzi and Myers).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 2.
Vote No. 2 was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Nordquist,
Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pidduck, three votes (Councilmembers Earling, Van Hollebeke and
White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 3.
Vote No. 3 was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Nordquist,
Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pidduck, three votes (Councilmembers Earling, Van Hollebeke and
White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 4.
Vote No. 4 was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Nordquist,
Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pidduck, three votes .(Councilmembers Earling, Van Hollebeke and
White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 5.
Vote No. 5 was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Nordquist,
Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pidduck, three votes (Councilmembers Earling, Van Hollebeke and
White).
Mayor Fahey declared the election void, due to a deadlock, and requested'that the nomination process
start over again.
The City Clerk then passed out the third nomination ballot to Councilmembers. Those nominated were:
Gary Haakenson (Councilmembers Nordquist, Petruzzi and Myers); R. James Pi�lduck (Councilmembers
Earling and Van Hollebeke); Douglas Fair (Councilmember White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 1.
Vote No. I was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, three votes (Councilmembers Petruzz - 1,
Nordquist and Myers); R. James Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Van Hollebeke and Earling);
Douglas Fair, one vote (Councilmember White).
Mayor Fahey called for Vote No. 2.
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January 30, 1996
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Vote No. 2 was taken. The results were: Gary Haakenson, four votes (Councilmembers Earling,
Petruzzi, Myers and Nordquist); R. James Pidduck, two votes (Councilmembers Van Hollebeke and
White).
COUNCILMEMBER MYERS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO
AM APPOINT GARY HAAKENSON TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. MOTION
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,OA4 CARRIED.
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City Attorney Scott Snyder administered the C ity Council Oath of Office to Gary Haakenson.
4. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FIRE STATION LOCATED AT 8505 HOWDOIN WAY.
EDMONDS
Mayor Fahey explained that in an effort to inform the City Council on the many issues surrounding
adequate planning for public safety, the meeting is being recessed so that the Council may tour the Fire
Station No. 6 located at five comers. Mayor Fahey encouraged the members of the public to attend the
tour as well. Following the tour, the meeting will reconvene at the Plaza Room, where a presentation by
the Fire Department will take place.
Mayor Fahey recessed the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened by Mayor Fahey at 8:40 p.m.
Fire Chief Michael Springer explained the ideal emergency response time which the Fire Department
attempts to achieve, and how the actual response time is affected by the locations of the City's fire
stations. He also discussed the physical condition and size of Fire Station No. 6, and what building
options are available at that location.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked for clarification about the size of the station being recommended.
Chief Springer stated that in order to respond to the large number of calls in certain areas of the City, it is
necessary to have a station which is large enough to accommodate a variety of types of fire apparatus as
well as the staff required to operate it in an efficient manner. He also showed the various fire stations,
both in the City as well as neighboring jurisdictions, and the areas to which they respond. Many of the
stations were originally located out of convenience, rather than as a result of a response pattern. With
careful planning, however, the current locations could be made to function more effectively.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked if the high number of calls in the vicinity of Stevens Hospital are due to
the fact that there are elderly care facilities in the area. Chief Springer indicated that these, and other
medically -related facilities, directly affect the numbers of calls in that area.
Council President Dave Earling asked what the emergency drive time is from the five comers area to the
City's Public Works facility. Chief Springer indicated that during an emergency, it takes approximately
one minute.
Chief Springer discussed the option of moving Fire Station No. 6 to an area in the vicinity of the City's
Public Works facility in order to better serve the areas with the greatest frequency of emergency calls
with a faster response time. He explained that this would create better overall coverage for the entire
area.
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January 30, 1996
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Councilmember Petruzzi stated that the size of the facility being proposed is larger than necessary and
asked for clarification. Chief Springer explained that this would not be a residential -type station, but
rather a master station which would need to include space for a fire engine, an aid car, a ladder company,
a duty officer to oversee the emergency operations in this busy region, and the necessary staff to operate
this station and its equipment.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked if a station of this size could be utilized as the main station and make the
downtown station a satellite operation. Chief Springer stated that this could potentially be done as long
as the apparatus bays downtown were not decreased.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked if some of the equipment and staff from the downtown station could be
transferred to this new proposed main station. Chief Springer indicated that the same number of vehicles
would still be needed at the downtown location in the event that volunteer backup firefighters needed to
utilize it.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked about the previously -proposed plan to consolidate fire services within the
City. Chief Springer explained that in order to make that plan work, other fire stations outside the City
would have had to be relocated and that was not acceptable to the other entities. He also indicated that
there has been another proposal which would consolidate all fire and emergency services within the
region, however, the other providers of service have not been willing to discuss that option either.
Councilmember Petruzzi stated that if Medic 11, which is located in Stevens Hospital, is'expanded to a
24:.hour service,.much of the problem of increased calls in this area should be reduced. Chief Springer
stated that this would only assist in the problems responded to by the Medic team, and would not effect
the -basic life support type of emergency medical problems that the Fire Department aid car responds to.
He also explained that the hospital is an excellent location for the Medic team because of training and
certification needs there.
Councilmember Myers asked which of the fire stations in the area is the busiest. Chief Springer
indicated that Lynnwood Station No. 5 is the busiest, and that Station No. 6 is second.
Mayor Fahey asked that if consolidation were to occur sometime in the future, would a station in the five
comers area, or one near the Public Works facility, better fit into the overall plan. In making decisions
about our needs today, it would be best to also factor in the prospect of future consolidation as well.
Chief Springer stated replacing Station No. 6, which must be done, and moving it to a different location
would be desirable. That would make this new station and Lynnwood Station No. 5 the two master
stations, and the only main ones needed in southwest Snohomish County.
Chief Springer showed a proposed plan for the new station, which included approximately 11,000 feet of
space. There is also the potential to add a regional training facility which could be financed by all users
in the region.
Mayor Fahey asked Chief Springer to discuss the impact of putting a station, the size of the one in the
Esperance area, on the current five comers site. Chief Springer explained the difficulties in replacing the
current station at five comers. Some of the impacts discussed were: the need for road vacation; utility
wires which would need to be put underground; relocating or screening the existing water tank;
relocating the underground pipes related to the water tank; the need for a drive-thru bay which would be
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January 30, 1996
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impossible at this site; and that the space available would not allow for ADA requirements to be met for
a two story structure. In addition, fire stations need to be available for and designed to be used as
disaster centers. Fire station designs are unique because, regardless of the size, staff must be able to get
from any area in the facility to their vehicles, in a minimum number of seconds.
Councilmember Van Hollebeke.asked what specific site is being proposed and the feasibility of.building
a new station on this site. Chief Springer stated that he does not want a fire station at the five comer
location, and if the City were to make repairs to the current station at this location, it would not serve the
future needs of the City. He explained that business owners in the vicinity of the current Public Works
facility have been approached preliminarily, and that the concept has met with positive responses. A
specific parcel of land has not yet been decided upon. Chief Springer stated that there is not adequate
square footage available for the station to be located on the Public Works property.
Council President Earling stated that with regard to a possible upcoming bond issue, there have been
several priorities examined in the recent past, and asked what the first priority is for the Fire Department
at this time. Chief Springer stated that the relocation of Station No. 6 is the first priority. In addition,
Fire Station No. 7, located downtown, will not withstand an earthquake and does not contain enough
square footage to handle their needs.
Council President Earling stated that the Council needs to know what has to be done first, so that a
realistic bond issue can be decided upon which has a reasonable chance of being approved by the voters.
Councilmember Petruzzi agreed with Council President Earling. He explained that he has received many
calls from citizens who are concerned about the City's plans. He also stated that he feels there is no
choice about the need for a public safety facility in the downtown area, and that a bond issue for this
building must be approved. Mr. Petruzzi explained that he is unsure whether voters will approve a bond
issue if the amount is large enough to take care of all the City's needs at this time. If it should fail, then
there will not be funds available for any portion of those needs.
Mayor Fahey explained that there is a need for the Council to understand the total picture so that they
can evaluate how the City can most effectively meet the public safety needs now, and in the future. She
discussed the issue of mutual aid from other providers, and the importance of factoring the responses
from those providers into the planning process.
Chief Springer explained that the mutual aid process began, over the years, as a result of a reduction in
the number of volunteers wishing to participate as firefighters. He cited a shed fire which was responded
to by Mountlake Terrace, Fire District No. 1 and two units from Edmonds. Everyone was utilized on the
scene. 'The mutual aid program is out of balance due to the high number of Edmonds calls compared to
the lower number of calls in the other areas. If Station No. 6 were relocated, the number of mutual aid
calls would be reduced, and made more equitable. Currently there is no cost reimbursement for mutual
aid calls.
Mayor Fahey explained that there is currently a large imbalance in the number of mutual aid calls we
receive from Mountlake Terrace, in comparison to the number of calls we respond to for them. In the
event that a provider such as Mountlake Terrace decided to cancel their mutual aid call agreement,
because the City cannot respond to a like number of calls for them, we would have to hire these services.
If a station is maintained at five comers, that imbalance will grow. If a station is relocated to another
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January 30, 1996
Page 6
area , it will be largely eliminated. Mutual aid call agreements can be withdrawn from with a 30-day
notice.
Councilmember White asked if an entity can withdraw from only one area, or whether their withdrawal
would be from all mutual aid calls. He also asked if they would consider withdrawal if they are making a
profit from the number of mutual aid calls they are making. Chief Springer stated that they could
withdraw- from offering assistance to a single area. He also explained that Mountlake Terrace has
expressed concern verbally, and it is expected that they will request negotiations on these issues in the
near future.
Councilmember White asked if there have been any estimates done which show what the cost savings
would be if Station No. 6 were relocated, and the subsequent mutual aid calls were reduced. Chief
Springer stated that these figures can be obtained, but compiling them is very labor intensive.
Council President Earling stated that the Council will -probably not be able to take action without a
priority list, and asked Chief Springer to work toward establishing that list.
Mayor Fahey explained that Community Services Director Paul Mar would like to brief the Council on
findings relative to public safety space needs, which need to be considered when looking at these issues.
Community Services Director Paul Mar passed out information on the public safety space needs
findings, and stated that each Councilmember will be briefed on the past, present and future concerns. He
discussed the meeting schedules and asked for Council input regarding their schedules.
COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VAN
HOLLEBEKE, TO EXTEND THE MEETING TIME BY FIVE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED.
SENIOR CENTEREMERGENCY HEATING REPAIRS
,�go lop
cof OA, Community Services Director Paul Mar explained that the heating system failed in the Senior Services
fivitfo Center and Thrift Shop on Thursday, January 25th. Temporary space heaters were installed, however
contractors are unable to work on the system until later this week, due to the high volume of weather -
related heating problems. Cost estimates are approximately $8,100. There is an emergency fund of
about $22,000 available in the Facilities Maintenance Department. Mr. Mar asked for Council action to
use these funds to make the necessary repairs.
COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER, MYERS,
THAT AN EMERGENCY BE DECLARED AND THAT THE NECESSARY FUNDS BE TAKEN
FROM THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY FUND TO MAKE
THE NEEDED REPAIRS TO THE HEATING SYSTEM AT THE SENIOR SERVICES
CENTER/THRIFT STORE. MOTION CARRIED.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
BARBARA S. FAHEY, MAYOR
4C5(
"SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK
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January 30, 1996
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AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
Plaza Meeting Room - Library Building
650 Main Street
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
JANUARY 30,1996
CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
FLAG SALUTE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
(A) ROLL CALL
(13) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 23,1996
(C) APPROVAL OF CLAIM WARRANTS #3292S THRU #6996F FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 22,1996 IN
THE AMOUNT, OF $316,148.26
3. (60MIn.) APPOINTMENT TO FILL COUNCIL VACANCY -
4. (900n.) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FIRE STATION LOCATED AT 8505 BOWDOIN WAY, EDMONDS
a. Tour of Fire Station (8505 Bowdoin Way)
b. Return to Plaza Meeting Room for Presentation (650 Main Street)
5. e6 Min.) MAYOR
6. (15Min.) COUNCIL
Parking and meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. Contact the City Clerk at 771-0245 with 24 hours advance notice lb,
Tpecial accommodations. The Council Agenda appears on Chambers Cable, Channel 32. Delayed telecast of this Meeting appear
be th1lowing Wednesday, Ffiday and Monday at noon on Channel 32.