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we expand our present Civic Center; Library expansion; Park Study and Pool Cover
and Beautification Committee needs.. After some discussion it was decided to,
outline priorities at the September 26th Council Meeting for the Capital
Improvements Program.
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
Irene Varney Mo n, City Clerk
September 5, 1972
PM.T. rAT.T.
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Harve H.�Harrison,, May r
The Edmonds City Council was called to order by Mayor Harve Harrison at 8:00 P.M.
with all council members present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of August 29 had been posted, mailed, and distributed, and
with no omissions nor corrections, they were -approved as written.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Mayor Harrison explained the reason for his mustache and beard - he had just returned
• from a trip to Alaska and in the Bush for 30 days, and he wanted to show everybody
what a grizzled prospector looked like. He reported that he had done some investi-
gating on the transit system in Juneau; presented a proposal to the city of Skagway
for a Sister City relationship with Edmonds; extended greetings from Archie Brena,
who was a former employee there; and also took part in the Klondike celebration at
Dawson City.
Councilwoman Shippen stated that she felt a letter of thanks should be sent to Rachel
Setchfield, who would be retiring from the Park Board next meeting after several
years of service. Mayor Harrison said he would be happy to send a letter of appre-
ciation from the City.
PRIOR REPORT
Mayor Harrison introduced Harry Prior and Ross Ardrey, of the Prior Report of Job
Classifications and Salary Administration Study. Mr. Prior, assisted by Mr. Ardrey,
presented a lengthy explanation accompanied by slide exhibits taken from the Report
in order to describe for council clarification the highlights of the work done by the
Employee Committee and the procedure and methods used to accomplish this task. Mr.
Prior explained that job descriptions for each position had been developed from the
questionnaires completed by each Edmondsemployee, and the organizational relation-
ship was indicated with basic functions and responsibilities of each job. These
were then evaluated by way of education, experience, responsibility, mental require-
ments, job conditions, physical effort, and supervision as numbered items. For each
position, specifications were developed, again using the questionnaires. These
specifications would give a basis for those people in the present positions as well
as for any future hiring.
Charts were used to demonstrate the steps in the evaluation process, and positions
• were divided into exempt and non-exempt categories, using federal guidelines on these
factors. After the Committee finally agreed on ranking each position within the
categories from highest to lowest on each and every factor,,they gave each a degree
which was ultimately convereted mathematically into points to arrive at the overall
evaluation of the job by point values. This method was used on all the factors to
arrive at total point values. Next they arrived at the relative worth of all these
factors.
At this point, Mr. Prior reminded council that he had previously stated that it was
their philosophy that in any organization, particularly a government agency, it was
the job of the governing body (in this case, the City Council) to decide how much
money should be spent for the entire payroll, but the job of deciding the internal
relationships properly was a job for the representatives of the employees. He then
identified.the people who were on the Committee as Chairman Bud Klein from the Fire
Department; Allen Tuttle, representing Finance; Sergeant Robert Greene from the
Police Department; Bob Mills, from Public Works; Rhonda French, Engineering; Earl
Barnard, Fire Department; Patty Aksdal, Data Processing, Ken Estes, Police Department;
Archie Brena, Water Department; Lila Crosby, Treasurer's Office; Bill Nims, from
Engineering; and Roger Dalzell, Park Department. These people participated as either
regular members or alternates, Mr. Prior stated, with drily five voting members at any
one time.
After the Committee's job was over, comparative salary curves were constructed by
taking the total point value and the salaries paid for comparison purposes. It was
found on non-exempt positions that at the lower end of the scale, Edmonds was paying
7% less than other cities and.8% less than the community; on.the upper end of the .
scale, Edmonds was paying % of 1% less than the community scale and 3% less than
other cities. On exempt positions, the low end was 11% less than other cities and
the upper end 5% less. The result of comparisons with other cities, as directed,
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led to construction of boxes showing an approximate 6% between each grade, with the
maximum rate 20% above the minimum rate. Points and dollars involved -were then
explained on the charts as they appear in the distributed copies of the Report.
Councilwoman Shippen asked for an explanation of what job conditions implied, and
was told that people working outside in all weather or under adverse conditions
received a higher rating than anyone working in an office. Mrs. Shippen questioned
:evaluation points given for job conditions versus those given for such things as
skill and education. Mr. Prior pointed out that there is an overlap salary -wise
between exempt and non-exempt positions; some so-called non-exempt positions would
be paid more than the -lowest of the exempt positions. Councilwoman Shippen felt if
council adopted the Report, it would be freezing in these conditions which she felt
were not altogether acceptable.
Councilman Gellert asked if the Employee Committee would be a continuing type of
function, and it was thought that this would be advisable, on a rotating member
basis, and a total curve comparison should probably be done periodically. Mayor
Harrison asked if there was need for an appeals board for grievances. This was
answered that relative job evaluation grievances should be referred to the Committee,
with salary appeal through administrative channels with ultimate appeal to council.
Patrolman Ken Estes, member of the Evaluation Committee, stated that there had not
been total agreement within the Committee; oftentimes three out of five had agreed
and became the majority vote in some instances; and that he felt some employees
were not aware of the importance of the original job descriptions when they were
asked to write them, although some people had realized this and in some cases had
beefed up the job description to make it seem more important than it actually was.
Patrolman Estes also said he agreed with Councilwoman Shippen's views. He also felt
that you could compare a policeman with another policeman, but not a file clerk with
a maintenance man; it was like comparing apples and oranges. Mr. Prior answered
that in all cases, the supervisors were asked to edit the job descriptions, and in
some cases they even went back over some to check and double check to avoid this
problem. He admitted that there was no ideal system on job comparisions, but the
method of comparing one job to another had been used over a long period of time.
Councilman Haines complimented the Report, stating that it covered a lot of material
and was well done. Fire Chief Cooper remarked that the Committee should be commended
for their time and effort on this'job, and that he knew from experience, after having
to do without his Assistant Chief for many days and many hours.
CAO Whaley distributed a paper indicating some.changes in Exhibit II of the sheet he
had previously handed out, showing the cost to the city per year. Councilman
Gellert questioned the'figures,_and`_the':F.inance Director took them to the office to
be refigured. The CAO then explained that if Council desired to bring those employees
presently under the minimum of whatever grade the Evaluation Committee had placed them
in, it would be 35 employees out of the total city work force; if they wanted to set
a guideline at 5% above that minimum of pay ranges, 57 employees would be involved;
and if Council desired to set the wages as a medium to the same curve that they had
Mr. Prior work the study around, 91 people out of the total city work force would be
looking at an increase in pay.. Ih dollars, in some cases it would mean a minimal
amount of increase (perhaps $2.00), and there are a few others where there would be
quite an increase. Out of the total city work force, approximately 10 are being paid
more than the maximum in the grade that their position falls.
Councilman Haines then suggusted that council adopt the Report and have the adminis-
tration submit the financial impact and status in order to see where we go from here.
Following some discussion, Councilman Haines moved, seconded by Councilman Nordquist
that the Prior Report be adopted as presented. Councilwoman Shippen stated that she
would vote for the Report because she felt it was generally beneficial to the city
employees, but with reservations that she does not accept some of the weight to the
factors nor does she accept the relative importance of the exempt as listed on
the point rankings. On call for the question, Councilman Haines' motion carried.
Mayor Harrison advised the audience that council would return to the Prior Report as
soon as the budget impact figures are corrected and brought back to the Council
chambers.
FIRE ZONE I REPORT
Building Official Harry Whitcutt explained that the Code Committee was composed of
an architect, two builders, a structural engineer, a casualty insurance specialist,
an electrical engineer, and a maintenance supervisor. He stated that the Building
Department report was only part of the whole Fire Zone study, combined with the
Fire and Planning. Mr. Whitcutt noted that there were three areas of risk in the
city: high, moderate, and low hazard areas; but that in many cases, this was a
matter of opinion, and he felt the criteria in Zone I in Edmonds was not fully
justified. If a change in zoning is made in the downtown Edmonds area, it would
permit wood structures with proper shielding. The Building Code Committee recom-
mendation would permit residences to be rebuilt in Zone I. However, the Building
Department does not support the Building Code Committee recommendations, and Mr.
Whitcutt felt the matter should be further reviewed before council takes any action.
Fire Chief Cooper presented written information for council review and recommended
that they study all the information from all three departments (Fire, Building and
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Planning) before making a decision. Chief Cooper said there were many things to
consider by council, in its study for making possible changes in our present fire
zones: (1) Past, present and future; (2)'Keepin4 our present zoned areas; in
creasing or decreasing our zoned areas; and abolishing Zone I; (3) What impact
each of these would have on our city - would insurance rates increase or decrease;
would we need larger water mains; need more firemen and more equipment; and would
better building mean better insurance; (4) Recommendations of the Fire Dept., and
(5) Final recommendations. The Chief noted that keeping our present zoned areas
as they are now is impossib'l:e as they are not in accord with our zoning ordinance.
Our present class' is 5, and 'it was received in 1969 'when bur class -was improved for
class 6. This caused an average of 10% reduction in fire insurance to policyholders
in the city. In our present class we have a total of 2,376 deficiency points. The
loss of 126 points would place us in a class 6, thereby increasing our insurance.
However, the Chief stated that the ratings do not normally drop only 1 class so we
would have the possibility of dropping to class 7. This would increase insurance
20% to 25%. Also, frame, unprotected buildings pay almost double the insurance
premiums as a masonry building. He stated that the department's recommendations
would be to increase our fire zones so that Zone 2 could include the waterfront area,
making the south boundary Dayton and the north boundary Bell; Zone II would include
all buildings in RML, RMH, BN, BC, CW and CG; and any commercial building or apart-
ment built in Zone III would be built in accordance with Zone II regulations. Chief
Cooper added that he had attached a letter dated September 1, 1972, outlinifig:� Fire
Department recommendations, a report of types of construction, information on laying
out fire zones, a map showing present Zone I and a list of businesses in Zone I
indicating the occupancy class, type of construction, construction class and the
year built. He said that after attending the Building Code Committee meeting,.he
suggested following the Committee proposal in the letter dated 'September •1.
Harry-Whitcutt explained the construction class types for council clarification.
Councilwoman Shippen asked if these were standard classifications and Assistant Fire
Chief Bud Klein answered yes, that they were in the Uniform Building Code. '
Councilman Nelson then summarized by saying that a year and a half ago when they
initially thought of'going along with what the Building Dept. now suggests, the
possibility of,eliminating Zone I, at that time they thought the advantages of
eliminating Zone I were: giving the builders a chance of all wood construction,
thereby having an economic effect from the businessman's point of view when pro-
viding a structure or redoing a structure he already had; esthetic decor; and
the fact that we are reducing the number of Zones, thereby simplifying the in-
spection and guidelines. The disadvantages are essentially eliminating that
Zone I, with the danger to the occupants, danger to our firefighters, and the
possible insurance rate increase.
There were council questions and discussion on insurance rates and other factors
stated in the letter, as well as on the water flow needed for firefighting; dangers
to buildings in the downtown area where. a fire could easily go from one building tar
another; extra firefighting equipment, etc. Chief Cooper cited one businessman who'
had complained bitterly about the requirements in Edmonds while he was remodeling a
building for a new business. However, he did what was required and later when he
unfortunately had'a fire, he was able to rebuild and reopen in a comparatively short
period of time because of the protection the building had under the local fire code.
Now he realizes the advantages of a good fire -protected building and cannot say
enough for the Edmonds' requirements.
Following further discussion, Council felt they should hold this Fire Zone report
for consideration at a later date, and it was moved by Councilwoman Shippen, seconded
• by Councilman Haines to table the Fire Zone I Report until a decision from the Plan-
ning Commission on parking lot requirements in Edmonds and its effect on lot coverage
is received. Motion carried.
Chief Cooper stated that copies of the.Uniform Fire Code had been distributed to the
Building Code Committee and with no'objection to it, he suggested council adopt the
1971 Edition of the Fire Code. Councilman Nordquist made a motion, seconded by
Councilman Nelson to instruct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to adopt the
1971 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code, and the motion carried.
PRIOR REPORT FINANCIAL IMPACT
CAO Ron Whaley stated that first of all, he reminded the council that when this year's
salary ordinance was passed, we were at that time talking about some of the positions
in the city and those positions were frozen with the passage of that salary ordinance,
and have been held in that status ever since. In checking what was allowed in salarie
for 1972, taking into consideration all departments, those positions were budgeted for
an increase at that time, but the increase has never been given. There is additional
cushion of salary money available to the extent that for the balance of 1972, salary
monies are available to on the average come up to a wage plan to the curve as recom-
mended by Harry'Prior, or as directed'by the council to Mr. Prior. The CAO said he
would like to see the council adopt the policy to that curve and also to unfreeze
those people who were frozen by that salary ordinance of this year, and have on an
administrative guideline -on an average basis take into consideration. the various
positions and the person who is within that position, how long they have been there,
attitude, ability; and everything would be considered. The Staff would be directly
involved in this in making recommendations. Mr. Whaley also wanted to make the
council aware'that present union'contracts are not compatible with this plan and
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these union contracts will have to be modified. The Public Works contract is a specoeic
as it agreed in the negotiations to consider the Prior Report if and when it became
available'and adopted by the council. Using this as a basis for salary administration
it would make quite a'graphic change in the pay structure as set up in that particular
union contract and the same holds true for Police and Fire. So union negotiations
will have to come into.this and when we could come to an agreement will also have a
bearing on when the dollar amount will be placed on it. CAO Whaley also said he
would like to see council direct the establishment of a Personnel Board of Appeals,
composed of 5 members: one member of the uniformed personnel, one from the office
force, one from Public Works, one representing the administration, and one elected
official.
It was moved by Councilman Gellert, seconded by Councilman Nordquist that by individual
evaluation of all exempt and non-exempt employees, the salary ordinance be amended to
bring each classification average to no more than the recommended curve in the Prior
Report and to increase total salaries on a monthly basis by approximately $6300 per
month as shown in Column 4 of Exhibit II as recommended in the CAO report; subject to
(1) union contract negotiations, where applicable, of wage structure being modified
as required, and (2) subject to meeting the requirements of the Wage -Price Stabiliza-
tion Act now in force. This motion carried unanimously.
The suggestion of the CAO on establishment of a five member Board of Appeals for
personnel, composed of one member of the uniformed personnel, one from the office
force, one from Public Works, one representing the administration, and one elected
official was put in the form of a motion by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Council-
man Haines, and carried.
CAO Ron Whaley then stated that in behalf of the employees he would like to'thank the
Mayor and Council for what they had done tonight. He said he thought this was a step
in the right direction; that we have had unhappy employees with low morale because
of salary administration. In no way, he said, would he propose or suggest that this
plan is perfect, but he thought it was a good plan and we now have a basis to work
with that is fair and equitable across the board. We have a fair basis with which to
administrate a salary and all of us should be thankful for what has happened tonight.
Councilman Nordquist answered that he would like to say to Mr. Whaley and the employees
of the City that the Council also feels that they do have the staff, but haven't had
the guidelines to work by and feel that with this tool that was created and is quite
effective, we are now able to evaluate our people and to give just return where it is
due. All of the council would like to thank the Staff for keeping the morale up and
keeping the tone of the City as high as it is. It is a city that he is.proud'to re-
present and he felt he spoke for the whole council in saying to keep up the good work
and by all means fill out those applications properly next time !
Joanne Highlander, Fire Department secretary, asked for some idea as to_when the
previously frozen salaries could expect to be unfrozen. Mayor Harrison answered that
work would proceed immediately to evaluate all personnel. Councilman Nelson asked
that specialconsideratiori be given to those recommended raises that had been frozen.
Councilman Gellert said that he felt the whole thing should be wound up in certainly
no more than 30 days, and possibly in a couple of weeks.
CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES
A claim for damages was acknowledged from Walter.H. Crim, and this was referred to
the City Clerk for processing.
SECOND READING: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE REGULATING COUNCIL MEETINGS
Second reading was heard on the proposed amendment to the ordinace regulating council
meetings, and it was moved by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Councilman Nelson that
proposed Ordinance #1611 be passed. Motion carried.
SECOND READING: PROPOSED ORDINANCE REMOVING TERM "CREMATORIES" FROM LIST OF CONDITION
USES IN CITY OF EDMONDS
In accordance with council action on June 20 of this year, second reading was held on
a proposed ordinance to remove the term "crematories" from the list of conditional use
in the City of Edmonds. A motion was made by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Counci-
man Nelson that proposed Ordinance #1612 be passed, and the motion carried.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO REZONE FROM RML AND RS-8 TO RD PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
RECOMMENDATION IN PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 387
In accordance with council action of August 22, a proposed ordinance to rezone from
RML and RS-8 to RD property from recommendation in Planning Commission Resolution 387
was brought before council. City Planner Merlin Logan assured council that the owner,
Nord Homes, Inc., had offered an agreement and covenants respecting the city preferred
limitations relative to the property in question; that the City Attorney had gone over
the agreement and that it met with his approval. Therefore, it was moved by Councilman -
Haines, seconded by Councilman Nordquist that proposed Ordinance #1613 be passed,
amending the official zoning map by changing the zoning classification of certain
property owned by Nord Homes, Inc. from RML and RS-8 to RD pursuant to Planning
Commission Resolution 387 and authorizing the execution of an agreement and covenants.
Motion carried.
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PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR $100,000 COUNCILMANIC BONDS
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A proposed resolution was presented, stating the intention of the City Council to
authorize the issuance and sale.of up to $100,000 par value of councilmanic G.O. bonds
as the city's share of funds necessary for.the acquisition of real property and con-
struction and/or alteration of existing improvements thereon pursuant to HUD FILE
No. NFP-WA-10-10-1001. A motion was made by Councilman Tuson, seconded by Councilman
Nordquist that proposed Resolution #267 be passed, and the motion carried.
REQUEST BY WASHINGTON HOUSING SERVICES FOR RESOLUTION IN CONNECTION WITH 60 UNIT
TURNKEY PROJECT
In regard to this proposed resolution, a short discussion was followed by a motion -
being made by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Councilwoman Shippen to postpone this
item until the September 19 council meeting. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE BOND ISSUE FOR SWIMMING POOL COVER
Director of Parks and Recreation; Rod Garretson, stated that he acknowledged the wish
of council to place on the November ballot to raise money for a swimming pool cover,
but that he had since tried to meet with people in the community on this subject and
had received little or no interest or response whatsoever. Mr. Garretson noted that
as a result of his efforts he was now most -apprehensive about the possible success of
a bond issue at this time. He detects little interest in the willingness of the public
to pay for a pool cover for the next year or two. The Park Board recommends that a
bond issue be postponed until 1974; the Swimming Pool Committee, conversely, does
want a bond issue this year. Personally and professionally, Mr. Garretson said he
would like to cover this pool immediately, but he is concerned with the chance of
success for the bond issue if held at this time. It would take a great amount of
effort and publicity to convince the public that now is the best time to'cover the
pool. The item -of publicity has him much concerned, for at this time he must recom-
mend that the city change its course of action regarding the construction ofa pool
cover. Changes he suggested were the selection of a new architectural firm for the
supervision and design of construction of this cover, and a possible change in the
scheme of design for that building. The Swimming Pool Committee would like to see
a building there that either opens up wide in the summertime, or has all its walls
made of glass doors and windows so that one has the feeling of being outside in order
to enjoy the spectacular setting of that pool while being protected from the elements.
Because of these confusing factors, publicity would have to be passed on to the public
Add to this the hesitancy now evident in the -public to vote any tax increases and
getting a bond issue passed this November would indeed be difficult. He personally
would be willing and anxious to help promote a bond issue this Fall, for there are
good reasons why we should have this pool cover. More usage of the pool and the
elimination of much of the vandalism now being experiencedwere factors.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Haines, seconded by Councilman
Gellert that taking into consideration all the reports received on the matter, Council
accept the Park Board's recommendation and not place the bond issue for the Swim-
ming Pool Cover on the November 1972 ballot. A roll call vote showed Councilmen
Gellert, Nelson, Tuson, Winters and Haines voting in favor; Shippen and Nordquist
against, and the motion carried. Councilwoman Shippen remarked:; that she did not think
the public was concerned with the cover design.
Rod Garretson then announced that the Yost Park Swimming Pool would have its opening
at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 9, and he extended an invitation to everyone to
attend.
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M.
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Irene Varney Mor , City Clerk
September 12,1972
ROLL CALL
Harve H. Harrison Mayor•
The meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order by Mayor Harve Harrison
with all council members present except Gellert.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of September 5 had been posted, and mailed and distributed, .and
with no corrections.nor.omissions, they were approved as written.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Councilman Nordquist requested clarification of the council meeting time for next
Tuesday, and with the ordinance being published, the 7:30 starting time will be
established at that meeting.
Councilman Nelson inquired of the City Engineer about looking into the situation,
especially during the morning rush hours, at 244th S.W. and 76th. He noted that the
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