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)