19730424 City Council Minutes446
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PROPOSED ORDINACE TO REDUCE MAXIMUM FINE FOR VIOLATION OF CITY ORDINANCE
FROM $500 to $250 W/CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS
No action was taken on this matter as City Attorney John Wallace stated that
there are some proposed rules before the Supreme Court at this time that may
obviate the necessity for this ordinance.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION - ANIMAL SHELTER
A motion was made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilman Winters
to pass Resolution #277 expressing an interest in the establishment of a
unified method of animal control and facilities for the South Snohomish
County Metropolitan Areas. Motion carried.
BROPOSED RESOLUTION ON SNOHOMISH COUNTY METRO TRANSIT STUDY
A motion was made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilman Gellert
to pass Resolution 4278 authorizing the city's participation in the county-
wide transit study and directing that city's participation be on the basis
of one-half in money and one-half in in-kin4 services. Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Eleanor Quealey, Dep I
y City Clerk
April 24, 1973
PnT,T, CAT,T,
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City
7:30 P.M. by Mayor Harve Harrison, with
Anderson, who has been excused until May
MAYOR'S REPORT ON TRIP TO JAPAN
Natalie Shippen, or Protem
Council was called to order at
all council members present except
15.
Mayor Harrison greeted everyone with "Good Evening" in Japanese after
placing upon his head the.Samurai war helmet of Yoritomo Minamoto, who had
established the first military government in Kamakura in 1192 after receiving
permission from the Emperor in Kyoto.
The Mayor noted that the group from Edmonds had included Mrs. Harrison, Mary
Ann Sawyer, Bill Nims, and Mr. Sako. He stated that we do have a sister city
relationship with the City of Himeji, and the Mayor or Chief of the City
Council will visit Edmonds soon with their official documentation. This
takes time to accomplish over there, since there are 36 members and 6
political parties.
Mayor Harrison went on to say that Mayor Yoshida threw a beautiful welcoming
party for the Edmonds group and provided transportation and escorts for four
days of touring the city. They visited their main industries, which include -
a log port, steel mill, oil refinery, ship yards, and fishing villages. They
also visited a most modern garbage disposal incinerator which consumes 300
tons per day at a cost of $15 per ton, which is rather expensive. It is a
nice looking -facility and uses oil for fuel. They also visited their castle
which is a famous national monument and their new cultural center, which is
an architectural masterpiece. Their shopping malls are very interesting;
being blocks and blocks long.
The Mayor stated that some observations were: The 120 mile per hour built
train is excellent for service, free of air pollution because it is electric.
However, noise pollution is a problem, and complaints come from the people
who must live or work close by. Many bicycles are used throughout Japan.
Mayor Harrison said he was most impressed with the Japanese people. They
have a very high cultural level; are very hospitable, courteous, polished,
and attentive to detail. They never displayed any resentment to the United
States. There was a high level of honesty; the group had no worries about
.their luggage or money transactions. He noted that they were very indus-
trious - they seemed to always run or scurry. The cost of living seemed to
be about the same as ours, with the standard of living somewhat less on an
average. The food was somewhat different; their delicacies being raw fish,
etc. and fried jellyfish, for example. But the group ate them and came to
enjoy them, and the food was very good. The new housing there was a good
deal like ours, but the doorways were low, not over 6 feet, and the Mayor
noted that the top of his head brushed the top of the doorways.' The bath
tubs also are short - 3 or 4 feet; and the pillows were very hard and must
be filled with beans or rice. Their park developments all included water,
lanterns, shrubs, and large rocks, all symbolic, and very beautiful. The
Japanese think Americans speak Japanese, mostly because of the American
movies which have,Japanese dubbed into the voice tracks. A Small; -percentage
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practice religion, especially among the young, and this is a concern of the
older folks. The Edmonds group saw many Shinto shrines, Buddha Temples, and
pagodas, and these were all very beautiful and ornate.'
In regard to the student exchange programs, the Mayor stated that they had
visited Sue Nelson of Edmonds and the S. Himeji school officials, and he
had spoken to the entire student body there. The students stand during
assemblies and wear a common uniform. Mayor Harrison noted that he felt
Sue Nelson seemed lonesome, and it was his opinion that the exchange needs
five or six students in a group so they can have friends from home to talk
to as well as their friends in the foreign country. Himeji High School
therefore hopes to interest more students in the exchange program.
In addition to the Himeji High School, the Mayor's -party visited the Nagoya
College Preparatory School which sent 25 students to Edmonds last summer for
2 weeks to practice English conversation. The Edmonds group participated in
their school English orientation ceremonies and also.were entertained by the
Governor of the Aichi Prefecture and the Mayor of Seto City, with a population
of 1007000. It was interesting to note that they had about the same ratio of
police, firemen, and volunteers as we have.
The Nagoya College Preparatory School is planning to repeat the program of
last summer, which the Edmonds Jaycees are sponsoring. They are planning to
send a group of gifted children, also, for the same period with the hopes of
mingling with children of various racial backgrounds within our society.
The school has invited a group from Edmonds to reciprocate and stay in a
lodge which they own. Also; the Nagoya Junior Chamber has invited a group of
• Edmonds Jaycees to visit in their homes.
Mayor Harrison concluded with the statement that he thought the visit was a
success, and that the Edmonds group were good ambassadors for our country and
that they helped to strengthen international friendship.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Councilwoman Shippen stated that she would like to see council discuss man-
datory garbage disposal, since time and circumstances now seemed to warrant
study. -on this situation. She then made a motion, 'seconded by Councilman
Tuson that council consider the question of mandatory garbage collection at
the meeting of May 29. Before seconding the motion, Councilman Tuson verified
that this would still mean using the private collectors. Councilman
Nordquist noted that about two years ago council had voted against mandatory
garbage pickup service in Edmonds, and Councilman Nelson agreed that at that
time he, too, had voted against it, but that the situation had changed in the
interval. The motion then carried.
Councilman Nelson reminded council that tomorrow evening at the Lynnwood High
School at 7:30 P.M. the Washington State Highway Department will have plans
for future improvements, including 196th from 68th to Puget Way, to be reviewed.
He noted that council might be interested also in the plans for the east -west
thoroughfare south of 196th.
Councilman Nelson also reminded council of the annual Mayor's Prayer Break-
fast this Saturday morning at 7:00 A.M. at the Holiday Inn.
• AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Mayor Harrison called upon Bill Nims to say a few words on the trip to Japan.
Mr. Nims spoke about the down to earth, one-to-one relationship with the
Japanese people and how rewarding it was for all concerned. He said the
community can be proud of this program, and that the people from the Nagoya
College will be over again this summer for a seminar. Mr. Nims spoke of
Children's Week which is being proposed, where the children from Japan can
come over and spend time with our children and in turn, they would then have
the American children go over there. *He ended his remarks on the program
with the statement "we've only just begun".
Mary Ann Sawyer then spoke briefly on the privelege of participating in this
program, and how nice it was for her, a fairly recent resident of Edmonds,
She said it was a nice feeling to exchange visiting our city with the people
from there and hoped we could show as much hospitality to them as was shown
to the Edmonds group.
William Wilson, Attorney representing the applicants on the rezone request
under Planning Commission Resolution 4404 which had been heard on April 17,
advised council that although he had asked for a reconsideration in his
letter sent to each council member, he had talked with Deputy City Attorney
John Wallace and found that this could not be done, and they would have to
go back to the Planning Commission, so he asked if council would refer this
to the Planning Commission so they would not have to wait the 180 days before.
reapplying. Attorney Wallace explained to council that the hearing on this
item had been closed at last week's council meeting and could not be reopened.
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He stated, however, that council could direct the Planning Commission to hear
this request at their May 16 meeting, or at their earliest convenience, and
report back to council. It was moved by Councilman Nordquist, that in all
fairness to the applicant, council ask the Planning Commission to consider
this matter as multiple residential rezone at their May 16 hearing date if
possible, and also direct the Planning Commission to report back to the
council on May 22. Motion carried. '
Fire Chief Jack Cooper welcomed Mayor
that he would like to introduce Chuck
High School- and member of the Student
Cooper family on an exchange program.
would be going to Sitka next year.
Harrison back from his trip and added
Winegar, a senior from Sitka, Alaska
Council,,who was staying with the
The Chief stated that his daughter
Chief Cooper then introduced the following members of the Edmonds Fire Dept'.
as they filed into the council chambers, wearing their new safety yellow
jackets with emblem signifying completion of a 76 hour class of study and
work in the field to become certified emergency medical technicians: Jack
Weinz, Thomas Johnston, Kenneth Thomas, Harold Hatzenbuhler, Kenneth Larson,
Stanley Olsen, Gary McComas, Earl Barnard, Gerald Ehtee, James Hovick, Alan'
Simmons, Terry Luce, Theodore Schilling, William Angel, and Tim Whitman.
Chief Cooper stated that the 76 hour course had been held at Stevens Hospital
under the direction of Dr. Allen and a technician from the Seattle Fire Dept.
The men had been graded' ;.and"there was a final exam. He noted that the
lowest grade received was 88% and the highest 98%. There had been 10 hours
of emergency room work at Stevens. The Chief added that the City had an-
swered over 300 aid calls last year. He said he was proud to be Chief and
to be able to present these men tonight with their emblems. Mayor Harrison
commended the firefighters and told them they deserved congratulations for
becoming emergency medical technicians.
CAO REPORT
CAO Ron Whaley reported that about two weeks ago we had received a letter of
complaint about parking around the Civic Center, especially all day by the
employees. This has been a recurring complaint over the years, with no
adequate employee parking. Council had asked about plans for the parking
lot adjacent to the Civic Center, so CAO Whaley posted a sketch from the
Engineer's office showing space for 35 autos, and complete with landscaping.
He told council that site preparation, storm sewers, paving, lighting, a
sprinkler system.and complete landscaping would come to an estimated cost,of
$7,000.00. He said he would like authorization to proceed with constructing
this with $7,000 allocated from the contingency fund. A motion was made by
Councilman Tuson, seconded by Councilman Nordquist to authorize proceeding
with the construction of this project as requested. Motion carried.
CAO Whaley reported that last Friday he had received a call from Mr. Newman
advising him of legislation having been passed modifying the distribution of
the motor vehicle excise tax for public transportation faciilities. It puts
the problem on the city to notify the state by May 1 on request for matching
funds through July of 1974. Mr. Whaley advised that an ordinance should be
passed to this effect, and a letter of intent sent immediately to suffice
until the ordinance can be furnished. Inasmuch as Edmonds has contracted
with Metro, he believed he would recommend council to direct the City Attorney
to draft an ordinance amending the 1973 budget to create a transportation
fund and make it possible to apply for funds. Councilman Nelson explained
that this was SB 2813 stating that any city must let the state know by
May 1, so Edmonds should get it's bid in soon. Councilman Nelson then
moved, seconded by Councilman Nordquist to instruct the City Attorney to
prepare an ordinance to amend the 1973 budget by providing a line item of
$5,000 and provide a line item of $10,000 for 1974 budget for the trans-
portation fund. There was some discussion on amounts, and the motion then
carried.
CAO Whaley introduced the proposed penalty ordinance which had been dis-
cussed at the last council meeting. Deputy City Attorney Wallace stated
that the proposed rules before the Supreme Court would not cover what the
city is trying to accomplish with this- proposed ordinance. He explained
that the reason for lowering the penalty to $250 is that if the fine is
in excess of this amount, the person is entitled to a jury trial at the
Justice Court level. The purpose, then, is to obviate the necessity of
having as many jury trials in Justice Court. There was some discussion,
and a motion was then made by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman
Tuson that proposed Ordinance 41656 be passed, prescribing penalties for
violation of the ordinances and code of the City of Edmonds, and the motion
carried.
HEARING: ON PETITION FOR VACATION - VICINITY OF 238th AND 80th
Hearing was held on the petition for vacation of the 5.90' of E. 30' of
Lot 2, Block 2, Fruitland Acres to Lake Ballinger (vicinity of 238th and
80th.)
City Engineer Leif Larson reported on his memo sent to council on March 12,
indicating his review of the petition arid'his comments regarding the original
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dedication of right-of-way for street purposes, and also recommending the
vacation hearing be set for .the entire right-of-way subject to the property
owners providing a private easement for purposes of ingress, egress and
utilities. Engineer Larson projected a map on the screen for council
clarification, and again stated his recommendation for vacation.
Hearing was opened. A gentleman who said he lived on the NE corner of 238th
told council that the vacation would do him no good and he questioned the'
amount of increase in taxes because of this vacation. Discussion brought
about the opinion from council that his taxes would very likely not be
changed because of this action. During discussion. Attorney John Wallace
noted that generally property reverts back to the original person didicating
it. Councilman Nordquist mentioned that Mr. Bosma, who had circulated the
petition, wants to pave the right-of-way, since the city would not do it.
No one else wished to comment and the hearing was closed.
Councilman Nordquist made the motion, seconded by Councilman Nelson that
proposed Ordinance 41657 be passed, vacating the unnamed public right-of-
way in the vicinity of 238th and 80th, and retaining an easement and reserving
to the City of Edmonds the right to exercise and grant easements thereon
for public utilities and services. Motion carried.
The gentleman in the audience who had spoken during the hearing asked if
the same list of owners of property who had been sent a notice of the hear-
ing could be sent a copy of the ordinance, and the City Clerk agreed that
this would be done.
• PROPOSED ETHICS_ ORDINANCE
The proposed ethics ordinance for Edmonds city officials had been continued
from the council meeting of January 2-. Mayor Harrison noted that:it had
been brought to his attention that Dr. Anderson would not be familiar with
this item and material on it should be sent to him for study before council
takes any action. It was therefore moved by Councilwoman Shippen, seconded
by Councilman Nelson that the proposed ethics ordinance be continued to the
May 22 council meeting, and the motion carried.
Councilman Nordquist suggested that council members perhaps get together
sometime before this meeting to go over the proposed ordinance and discuss
any changes.
PRESENTATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 4405
Planning Director Joe Wallis presented Planning Commission Resolution 4405
to council, a resolution recommending that the downtown parking requirements
be reviewed at such time as alternate parking is available, as set forth in
File ZO-6-72.
Mr. Wallis stated that this resolution was a housekeeping measure, referred
back to council so alternatives can be studied. He said Planning Commission
hearings were held, but nothing conclusive had been decided, so the recom-
mendation was that any action be delayed until a solution can be found. He
reported that the Staff was now looking for alternatives, so the Commission
felt no change should be made until further study is made.
• Councilwoman Shippen asked Mr. Wallis if he would prepare some facts on the
parking so that the city can come to some specific conclusions; she noted
that building in downtown Edmonds is progressing, -and we must think how much
space is needed and how much should be provided by the city and how much by
the individual businesses. She felt a review should be done on the financial
aspects. Councilwoman Shippen then made a motion to set May 29 as the date
for hearing on an agenda item for municipal parking. There was some discus-
sion on off-street parking and parking lots in general. Mr. Dewey Leyda, in
the audience, stated that when the parking lot subject and proposed LID came
up a few years ago, his tenants were in favor of the parking, but not for
raising of the rent to help in payment of the lots. Mayor Harrison then
asked for a second to Councilwoman Shippen's motion, and the motion died for
lack of a second.
Councilman Nordquist then moved, seconded by Councilwoman Shippen that the
City Staff continue with the parking study and come back with a recommendation
for the downtown parking for the City of Edmonds to the council meeting of
May 29. This motion carried.
REPORT ON BIDS FOR FLAIL HIGHWAY MOWER
Director of Maintenance and Operation, Public Works, J. Herb Gilbo reported
that bids had been opened on April 13 by the City Clerk in the office of the
Mayor for one 1973 Flail Highway..Mower. Three bids were received:
Cascade Tractor bid $9,266.32; and the other two bids were $11,404.70 and
$14,017.55. Mr. Gilbo noted that the low bid was in accordance with the
specifications, as was the next lowest bid. He recommended approval and
acceptance of the low bid of Cascade Tractor Company and authorization for
the Public Works Department to purchase this mower.
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A motion was made by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Councilman Tuson that
the low bid of Cascade Tractor Co. be accepted for the Flail Highway Mower
in the amount of $9,266.32. The motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FIRST QUARTER 1973
Finance Director Allen Tuttle gave a brief report on first quarter finances
for 1973. He noted that a summary of the financial operations of the city
had been distributed to each council member, including charts, and he then
asked if council had any questions to ask him in regard to the finances.
Councilman Tuson asked how much money there was in the general fund. Mr.
Tuttle answered that this fund was substantially in the red at the present
time. Councilwoman Shippen asked if this was a common situation, and it was
stated that this was common at this time of year due to receipt of tax
monies, etc. Councilman Nordquist inquired about the million dollars
that was not budgeted, according to the letter accompanying the charts
received. Mr. Tuttle answered that this was the refunding issue. There
were then questions from council on the Savings and Loan banks, after
Councilman Tuson noted that many of these listed were out of town. Mayor
Harrison remarked that he felt we should limit this use to local banks, and
Councilmen Tuson and Nordquist agreed that it would be better to keep the
city money invested in local banks as much as possible. Mr. Tuttle said
these perimeter banks do business with Edmonds citizens, but it was felt by
council that all things being equal, the.city should bank locally whenever
possible.
There were questions on miscellaneous revenue from Councilman Nelson, and
Mr. Tuttle said that this was basically revenue from one department paying
another department. Councilman Nordquist, answering;Mr. Tuttle's question •
as to what council wanted in the way of financial reports, stated that a
quarterly report was a good feed -back, and that council was interested in
the important item of how close we were remaining to the budget.
CAO Whaley remarked that three or four years ago the city had three people
on three sets of books, and the information was not available immediately.
Today, with the equipment that some people felt was extremely expensive,
there are 29 sets of books, all double entry, done by three bookeepers,
and the information is current. He therefore felt the equipment had been
an effective management tool and Allen Tuttle deserves credit for his work
in coordinating this.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 17
Minutes of the council meeting of April 17 had been posted, mailed and
distributed. Councilman Nelson noted that on page 4, under the hearing on
the Planning Commission Resolution #404, the roll call vote had resulted
in a tie, but the names of council members voting for or against were not
listed. He stated that Nelson, Tuson and Winters had voted in favor of the
motion, and Gellert, Nordquist and Shippen against. There were no further
corrections, and the minutes were then approved -as corrected.
APPOINTMENT TO METRO TRANSIT BOARD
Mayor'Harrison made the appointment of Councilman John Nordquist to the
Metro Transit Board.
There was no further business to come before council and the meeting •
adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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Irene Varney Mora , City Clerk Harve H. Harrison, Mayor
May 1, 1973
ROLL CALL
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:30 PM
by Mayor Harve Harrison, with all council members present except Anderson, who
has been excused until May 15, and Nelson, who arrived at 7:40 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the council miTeting of April 24, 1973 had been posted, mailed and
distributed, and with no corrections nor omissions, they were approved as ■
written.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Councilwoman Shippen asked Mr. Whaley when we were going to have a work meeting
regarding water main financing. Mr. Whaley replied that this will be one week
from this Thursday evening, May 10th. Councilman Tuson stated that he would
be gone at that -tithe.
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