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05/09/1989 City CouncilTHESE MINUTES SUBJECT TO MAY 16, 1989 APPROVAL EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 9, 1989 The study meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Council Presi- dent Kasper at the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds. The meeting followed the Council's attendance at a special dinner meeting with the Edmonds School Board at Fishhouse Charlie's Res- taurant, Edmonds, during which the discussion centered around common interests, goals and objec- tives. PRESENT ABSENT STAFF Bill Kasper, Council President Larry Naughten, Mayor Jo Pendergast, Council Asst. Steve Dwyer, Councilmember Alice Brown, Recorder Laura Hall, Councilmember Roger Hertrich, Councilmember Jo -Anne Jaech, Councilmember John Nordquist, Councilmember Jack Wilson, Councilmember Dave Berdine, Student Rep. MAY 9 STUDY SESSION AGENDA Council President Kasper referred to Item 1 of the agenda "Council/Staff Executive Session On Real Estate Item", stating that it would be discussed at a later date, and that no staff were present to address this due to their attendance at the Boundary Review Board meeting. Councilmember Wilson commented briefly on the real estate situation, particularly questioning the pnegotiations on the Post Office and the fact that the Council should be participating more on this, as the newspapers are reporting in a manner that would indicate that the actions have all been finalized, which is not the case. Councilmember Jaech stated that this needs to be looked at in greater depth and that the Mayor needs to be apprised of the Council's desires to be more involved and would like to know more about the figures and where they originated. Council President Kasper expressed concerns about exterior demands, such as loading docks, and stated he felt that, a cautious approach on drafting of any agreements or other documents should be taken. The consensus of the Council was to go no further until Council is apprised of the numbers, and that no approval be given until the facts are before them. Council President Kasper will write a letter immediately to the Mayor stating the Council's position. Councilmember Jaech stated.she received the invitation to participate in the Waterfront Festival events during the coming weekend and questioned if the city was aware that that fell on Mother's Day. Council President Kasper answered -that the purpose was to have it revolve around Mother's Day activities. Minutes of an unidentified, hour-long meeting, along with a copy of a proposed ordinance to achieve the changes, were handed out prior to the meeting, and Council President Kasper asked the Council to look at them prior to addressing Item 2A on the agenda. DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT: BUDGET RESOURCE POSITION MODIFICATION OF COUNCIL PRESI- DENT TERM, COMPENSATION N COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TE Councilmember Hertrich addressed the 6-month term, stating he had no objections to it. Discus- " sion followed in which Councilmember Jaech stated she would object to the 6-month term since it breaks up the continuity and the person does not have a chance to experience all aspects of the process. Councilmembers Dwyer and Nordquist felt that July 1st would be the best time to begin. Council - member Wilson stated that usually it has been done on January 1st to tie in with elections. Councilmember Hall stated that acquainting oneself with the budget process is difficult, and the timing is important for the presidency. Councilmember Jaech recommended redrafting of the ordinance since the presidency is being restruc- tured. Council President Kasper felt that the June 21th meeting where the salary ordinance was being considered would be a good time to consider this. Regarding the creation of a President Pro Tem position, Councilmember Dwyer stated that the prior ordinance would be repealed and that the new ordinance would contain the redefined jobs, and it was up to the Council to recommend to the City Attorney how the offices would be structured in order to budget the money for :it. The recommendation was $50 per meeting, up to a maximum of $200 per month for the President, and in the President's absence, the President Pro Tem receives $50. Councilmember Wilson felt that perhaps the Pro Tem position is not needed now, and suggested $100 per month for the President, plus $25 per meeting up to a maximum of $200 per month. The consensus of the Council was to leave the two positions on with the President receiving $100 per month plus $25 per meeting, and the President. Pro Tem receiving $25 per meeting in the Presi- dent's absence. Referring to the compensation portion of Item 2A, Council President Kasper addressed the fact that an individual can no longer charge off personal expenses for which he or she is not reim- bursed. While this has never in the past been a problem in this city, it is up to each individu- al to avail themselves of certain expenses involved in carrying out Council duties, or not to do so if.they choose not to. Councilmember Dwyer suggested that a written policy be put forth so that the public can see it, and that this reimbursement for expenses should be for out-of-town expenses only; i.e., mileage for activities required of the Council in conjunction with their functions relating to the city. Councilmember Hall wished for clarification of "out of town", and the implication was that it be out of the Edmonds city limits; e.g., Lynnwood would be considered out of town. Council President Kasper turned the Council's attention to the Council Resource position, stating he had talked with the Mayor and City Attorney, and that the desire is to stabilize the position to a half -day position with duties being specified. The question of who hires a replacement if that person resigns followed, and Council President Kasper stated that as it now stands the Mayor controls this aspect. Councilmember Hertrich addressed the matter of the participation on the Disability Board and the Civil Service Board of this person, and the fear that there would be loss of continuity if the position is not stabilized. Councilmember Jaech addressed the issue of one person handling all three positions, and handling two of them well but not the Council Resource position. She could see a potential problem if the Council has no say in who gets the job, since working for three different entities could cause this to become a problem. She proposed a contract to delineate the time frame so that the Coun- cil Resource person would not become the victim of a push/pull position. Jo Pendergast, Council Resource Person;' urged the Council not to make a decision based on the incumbent, so that if there is turnover someone has to be there to serve the Civil Service du- ties. She added that to stabilize the work of the person by setting out their duties and giving them specified work to do was a plus. This matter will be discussed further, and the Council will cite their concerns regarding continu- ity, position duties, under whose control the position will be, with the main thrust understood to be taking it out of the Personnel Department. It was noted that in the past a contract per- son, who is not an employee of the city, has done this. FURTHER DISCUSSION OF REINSTITUTING THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM Council President Kasper stated that the consensus was that the study session format is not acceptable, and he had checked with Mountlake Terrace on their use of the committee system, and found that they also have a representative to each department. One problem with the study ses- sion format has been that the Mayor and staff have inadequate time before the Council and that the informal meetings need to be outside of the Council meeting structure. Councilmember Wilson felt that under the old structure the staff can work and deal more openly with the Council. Councilmember Hertrich expressed the opinion that since the same packet is given to all Council - members, there could be greater cooperation and flexibility in sharing knowledge of items. EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 May 9, 1989 Councilmember Nordquist stated that many of the items which were now being dealt with by the Council could be handled by a decision at the staff level, which had been the case in the past. Councilmember Jaech specifically cited several items which she felt could be moved to a work agenda, rather than a public meeting --one item being the review of the Sister City Committee Requests. Council President Kasper will look into having these dealt with at a different time. The consensus of the discussion was that the committee system should be reinstituted with Council - members Dwyer and Wilson on the Public Safety Committee, Councilmembers Hertrich and Nordquist on the Community Services Committee, and Councilmemberw Jaech and Hall on the Budget and Finance Committee. This is to begin on June 13, 1989. FURTHER DISCUSSION OF FERRY DOCK STUDY OPTIONS Councilmember Hertrich addressed overnight docking in Item 3 of the memo from Community Services Director Hahn, which stated "Any additional docking facilities needed to handle the increased frequency of service (for example, overnight docking) would be constructed nearer to the Woodway bluffs, where the visual impact is minimal or nonexistent." He emphasized that since Kingston is already set up for this, as their waterfront is dedicated to the ferry system, Edmonds should not even consider overnight docking. He further stated that reference to "smaller vessels to provide flexibility", referred to in the letter dated April 26, 1989 from Don Nutter, Director of Plan- ning, Marine Division, Department of Transportation, was an issue which should be pursued by a consultant. While it would be optimum to start out with a perfect engineering situation, discus- sions in the future should put emphasis on not having additional docking facilities. In other words, we are not bound by what Mr. Nutter's letter says. With regard to the scope of the de- sign, Councilmember Hertrich said he had talked with Mike Smith, of Puget Sound Council of Govern- ments, who has a degree in planning, not engineering. Mr. Smith understands both sides of the issue and understands the City's concerns about being impacted, and had provided a list of 4 or 5 consultants since he agreed that hiring the City's own consultant is the right thing to do. Councilmember Hertrich further stated that Mr. Sorenson, of Edmonds, was a consultant who would be interested in doing a study for the city, and he also felt that the University of Washington should be involved in doing some of the study as it concerns the roadway. He cited an example of a cooperative study done with regard to van pools, whereby they would come direct from Kitsap county to the ferry, rearrange passengers on the ferry, and continue in three different direc- tions from the ferry to aid in mass transportation. Councilmember Hertrich wished also to see a study to determine what the people who ride the fer- ries do when they get to Edmonds. This would provide knowledge on what would best serve the community. Councilmember Wilson interjected that the Council must remain flexible and not fence themselves in, since a consultant would consider the State to be a player. Councilmember 'Jaech stated that during the last two weeks she has been checking with various State agencies and has found that the DOT does not have the mighty sword everyone thinks it does, and that the DOT is watched very carefully from the ecological standpoint. She added that'it is her understanding that the DOT has requested funding for larger ferries (super ferries) and could be using this as leverage in order to have the legislature fund larger ferries to be built. Other branches such as the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Ecology are not in favor of expansion of Edmonds' waterfront. Councilmember Wilson suggested that a consultant could present a reasonable proposal which is not -exactly what is wanted --some of our requirements and some of the State's requirements); what is needed is the creation of a choice and fight the battle in the legislature, showing a scenario which could be developed or an alternative. Council President Kasper stated it had been his experience that unless you show an alternative which incorporates the City's desires, and since it is necessary under federal requirements for funding of highway projects, it would be best to show rights of way laid out wherever a potential alternate future location is recommended. Councilmember Hertrich stated he wants to see a comprehensive plan showing a future road to a future dock, which perhaps would preclude the possibility of someone coming along and trying to do something else. He suggested that one aspect should contain a more functional covered passen- ger ramp for loading and unloading. This is a safety factor as well as a time saver. A consul- tant could consider these elements and the business district would benefit from such a study. EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 May 9, 1989 :ouncil President Kasper stated he needs to know what the Council wants to do, as he felt some of the meetings being held were too premature. He explained that the last consultant hired ignored some of the requests made by the Council as it concerned ferry traffic. fhe consensus of the Council was to pull back somewhat at this time and meet with the staff to let them know what some of the concerns are. May 23rd would be the date set to consider this further. Councilmember Hertrich stated that Mr. Hahn has made goo efforts in trying to follow the theme the Council is taking. MISCELLANEOUS OTHER BUSINESS 1. PERSONNEL STANDARDS COMMITTEE Council President Kasper received a request from the Mayor for a appointment to the Personnel Standards Committee which is to meet two or three times beginning Wednesday, May loth, in the morning. Due to the short notice, it was agreed that Councilmember Wilson will represent the Council and a Monday schedule would be best, with the time to be determined. 2. MC CORKLE/ANDERSON 74TH STREET MODIFICATION OF RIGHT OF WAY Council President Kasper stated the petitioners wish to come before the Council on May 16th to state -what they have accomplished, leave, and the Council will consider the matter. They will be allowed 15 minutes, the Council can consider, and then take information to a work meeting with the staff present on May 23rd. Councilmember Hertrich strongly "suggested the council members take the time to go through the historical packet on this subject since it would be helpful in forming an opinion. 3. SENIOR CITIZENS' CENTER Councilmember Nordquist•stated that the Senior Center's 25th Anniversary is May 19th, and wished to have.a resolution of congratulations to present at the May 16th meeting'. The Council Resource %� Person will see that this is accomplished. 4. COUNCIL CHAIRS Council President Kasper stated that the Council is going to look further for chairs with higher 1.RAI backs and better ventilation. Councilmember Nordquist reminded him that they should be stackable chairs, since they are always stacked. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 p.m. THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO MAY 16, 1989 APPROVAL. AC ELINE G. PARRETT William J. sper, City Clerk Mayor Pry em EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 May 9, 1989 AGENDA EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL PLAZA MEETING ROOM -LIBRARY BUILDING 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. MAY 9, 1989 5:30 P.M. TO 7:15 P.M. - DINNER MEETING WITH EDMONDS SCHOOL BOARD FISHHOUSE CHARLIE S RESTAURANT, 144 RAILROAD AVE., EDMONDS 7:30 P.M. - COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - NO AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PLAZA MEETING ROOM - EDMONDS LIBRARY CALL TO ORDER 1. COUNCIL/STAFF EXECUTIVE SESSION ON REAL ESTATE ITEM 2. COUNCIL WORK ITEMS: (A) FURTHER DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT --BUDGET, RESOURCE POSITION, MODIFICATION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT TERM, COMPENSATION AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM (B) FURTHER DISCUSSION OF R£INSTITUING COMMITTEE SYSTEM ,(C) FURTHER DISCUSSION OF FERRY DOCK STUDY. -OPTIONS PARKING AND MEETING ROOMS ARE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE (20 MINUTES)