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19810203 City Council Minutes194 January 24, 1981 - continued 0 Goetz was impressed with the fine cooperation from the Lake Ballinger Community Club. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GOETZ, TO GIVE.APPROVAL OF GOING TO BID FOR THE REQUESTED IMPROVEMENTS FOR AN EXPENDITURE OF..FUNDS UP*TO $9,000, TO COME FROM THE IN - -LIEU PARK -FUND: Council-: woman Allen suggested a second,sports court be included as one court appeared to be rather inadequate. Mr. Jessel responded that spac&.is,limited and topography could be.a problem, and current ' ly part of the open area is used for football play. He said he would prefer to try one court as a test before considering a second one. THE MOTION CARRIED. PROPOSED.NOISE'ABATEMENT AND CONTROL ORDINANCE Police Chief Marlo Foster reported that the proposed ordi.nance had been submitted to the Department of Ecology and had been approved except for one section. The Edmonds ordinance differed from the ' State law requirements in that the hours of exempting certain sounds on weekends differed. The City Attorney's Office felt that a variance from the State law.would be easier to justify and obtain if the request for weekend restrictions were limited to those sounds originating from construction sites. This had been a complaint from the public at thehearings. Therefore, the City Attorney had rewritten Section 5.35.110 for this purpose, and Mr. Foster recommended adoption of the ordinance and that the Mayor be authorized to request a variance to exempt construction noise from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,on weekends. COUNCILWOMAN'ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2193 FOR NOISE ABATEMENT AND -CONTROL AND THAT THE MAYOR BE AUTHORIZED TO REQUEST A VARIANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY TO EXEMPT CONSTRUCTION NOISE FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. ON WEEKENDS. MOTION CARRIED. RECOMMENDATION FROM PUBLIC WORKS.DEPARTMENT REGARDING CHANGE IN MAINTENANCE OF SEWER LIFT STATIONS Public Works Director Fred Herzberg had recommended cancellation of the contract with'Lloyd Kloes dba Moose City Service for sewer lift station ma-intenance. His report to,the Council.enumerated.the problems experienced under this contract and proposals for the work to be accomplished by City staff.. He said he had met with.Mr. Kloes and invited him to be present this evening. Mr. Kloes had been present earlier but had not remained. He did submit a letter to Mr. Herzberg, however, responding to the complaints, and the Council was furnished copies of this letter. Mr. Herzberg.said he would like to spend 4-5 months with in-house.staff doing the work, feeling it could be done for $30,000 less annually. If he found it could not be accomplished with the current staff he said he might ask for an increase in staff to handle the',work, and he noted that if the proposed water/sewer rates were.adopted one of the projects in that is.control-of filtration.. They had discussed having two people to run it, one being needed full-time and one part-time, and that part-time person could also be used for this. Water/Sewer Superintendent Jack Mitchell said he had checked every place he could think of for,other people with whom they might contract the work, but he had no success. He said - he, himself, had worked on the lift stations in 1972 and -they were operable then, but now there are problems.due to lack.of proper,maintenance. Councilman Naughten said they were looking at every dollar possible to save, and even if his service were satisfactory, if the City could do it at a saving then it should. Mayor Harrison.recommended going ahead as suggested by Mr. Herzberg. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN, THAT BASED.ON THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDA- TION, THE MAYOR BE AUTHORIZED TO GIVE 30 DAYS' NOTICE TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH -MOOSE CITY SERVICE, AND THAT THE PROGRAM BE REVIEWED JULY 1, 1981. MOTION CARRIED. There was no further business -to come before the Council,,and the meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 9:45 p.m. IRENE VARNEY MORAN, Cilf Clerk, HARVE H..HARRISON, Mayor February 3, 1981 The regul-ar meeting of the Edmonds City'Counci-1 was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Harve Harrison in the Council Chambers of the Edmonds Civic Center. All present joined in the flag salute. PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Harve Harrison, Mayor John Nordquist Fred Herzberg, Public Works Director Bill'Kasper Sue Crawford, Jim Adams, City Engineer Larry Naughten Student Rep. Ir , ene Varney Moran, City Clerk Katherine Allen Mary Lou Block, Planning Director Ray Gould Art Housler, Finance.Director Mary Goetz Marlo Foster, Police Chief Jo -Anne Jaech Jack Weinz, Fire Chief Jim Jessel, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Franklin,..Technical Studies Engineer Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Mark Eames, City Attorney Jacki6.Parrett, Deputy City Clerk 0 19 S 0 February 3, 1981 - continued Counci-1.0resid.ent Allen reported..that Councilman Nordqu,ist had adv'ised her that'he would be out of town thi's-eve.ning.. Also,:Student.Re'preseritative Sue,CraWford.had called to say -she had Another important -meeting to attend this.evening so she could not be present. CONSENT AGENDA Items�(E),,(G), and (,H).were.removed from the Consent,Agenda. COUNCILMAN GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, TO APPROVE.THE-BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. The approved items on the Consent Agenda included.the following: (A) Roll call. .(B) Approval -of Minutes.of January 27, 1981. (C)� Acknowle.dgment,.of receipt of Claim for Damages from Alan R. Mork in the amount of $113.85. (D) Adoption of Ordinance 2.194, establishing Council meeting times. (F) Passage of Resolution 486, designating streets for sledding. (4) Authorization to.j.oin Regional Water Purveyor Committee'.. PROPOSED ORDINANCE REORGANJZING.PLANNING DEPARTMENT [Item (E) on Consent Agenda] Councilman Kaspernoted that this was to have been discussed at the Saturday work session (January .31, 1981) but it was not. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN MOVED,,SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD,.TO'PLACE THE SUBJECT OF REORGANIZATION�;OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON THE FEBRUARY 10, 1981 WORK MEETING:AGENDA FOR:DISCUSSION AND ON THE.FEBRUARY 17, 1981 CONSENT AGENDA FOR PASSAGE OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. MOTION CARRIED..'.[Item (E) on this evening's Consent Agenda was not approved.] - AUTHORIZATION -TO PURCHASE1981 POLICE VEHICLE [Item (G) on Consent Agenda] Co.uncilman Naughten asked,,for.an explanation of this.item. Public Works Director Fred H.erzberg respondedthat the Counci'l,.in December 1980, authorized the ' Public Works Department to purchase a. used vehicle -to replace its Water/Sewer unit which-ha&been,damaged. At the same time, the Police Department.had'scheduled the purchase of a new detective/staff sedan in 1981 to re p lace a vehicle with high 'mileage. Bids were received with the -low bidder being Alley Chevrolet, for a 1981 Chevrolet Citation i-n the amount of.$7,764.82, includ-ing sales tax. Authorization was requested -for the Police..Department to purchase the low bid vehicle, and for the Public Works Departmeni'in* turn to purchase the used.Police Department vehicle (a 1976 Dodge Dart) which was being . replaced. . COUNCILMAN NAUGHTE,.N MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN KASPER, TO APPROVE THE REQUEST., APPROVING -ITEM (G) ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. AUTHORIZATION FOR MOOSE CITY SERVICE MONTHLY RETAINER FEE FOR-1981 LItem (H) on Consent Agenda] Councilman Naughten noted that at last week's Council meeting -it was decided to terminate this servite, and now there was a request -for approval. Public Works Director Fred -Herzberg responded that this was only for January and February of 1981. Moose City Service had requested an increase in the amount of monthly retainer for sewage l.ift station maintenance, from $1,467.36 to $1,666.90, and although the Council decidedlast week to terminate the contract, it was still to run through . � February:1981. COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GOETZ, TO DENY THE INCREASE. Councilman Gould observed.that although it is thought -the work in question can be done by City forces,. it should be donewithout adding additional people. Mr. Herzberg said they.are going to try to do it within existing forces, but as he stated last week, they may have to add 1/2 a person.in manhours. THE MOTION CARRIED. MAYOR Mayor Harrison submitted the name of Larry Trent . for appointment to the Board of Appeals. The Council..had interviewed.Mr. Trent just prior to thi.s.evening's meeting. COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED -BY COUNCILWOMAN GOETZ, TO CONFIRM THE:MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF LARRY TRENT-TO POSITION.1 ON THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TE.RM,TO,-EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 1984. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Harrison offered for consideration�two other -appointments, that of Gloria Mae Campbell to the Edmonds Arts Commission,,and that of Doug Herman to.the Architectural Design Board. The Edmonds Arts Commission had interviewed s,!'x'applicants and.recommended appointment of Ms. Campbell. Doug Herman is V"ice-Presid6nt.0if Blueprint Homes', Inc., and would fill the builder's position on the Architectural Design Board,which recently was vacated,by Ken Mattson. Councilman Gould was pleased that the Arts Commission had gotten involved in the selection, but he felt the Council should interview the candidates. COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, THAT THE COUNCIL1NTERVIEW BOTH CANDIDATES FROM 7:00-TO 7:30 P.M., FEBRUARY 10, 1981. MOTION CARRIED. Milo COUNCIL Councilman ' Gould proposed.,that,the City Council approve a modified Price -Waterhouse rate structure which he felt.would answer, -many of the concerns the.citizens had expressed. He said he would like to.have the concept'approved,at this meeting, and then have Price-Waterhbusec.tpresent'��.al.rate,-structure for.approval based on,that concept. His proposed concept included: (1)'Rate relief to low-income, senior�citizens (age 61), at.a 25% reduction of the.base rate if single, with annual income of $7,000 or less, or of $10,000 or less if married; or a 50% reduction of base rate if single, with annual -income of $4,000 or less, or of $7,000 or less,if married. (2) Encourage water conservation by charging for water partly.on the basis of consumption.. (3) Lower capital costs by $210,000 by not purchasing the secondary treatment site. (4) Establish,a flat -rate sewer bill for single family February 3, 1981 continued dwellings. (5) All drainage improvements to be reflected in the sewer utility only, so that outside customers such as other cities.will pay their fair share. (6) A flat rate sewer charge per dwelling unit for apartment dwellers sothey Will pay the same as resi.dential, single-fami'ly'homes. (7) Other customer sewer charges will be based on water consumption rates in such a fashion that if the water consumption is "average" the sewer bill then will be the same as a single-family residential flat rate. (8) The structure will.produce an "A" bond rating and a debt service coverage of 1.5 within three years. (9) Capital,improvements of $888,376 for water and $969,101 for sewer will be bonded and construction-spread.over athree-year period.- (10)'The rate structure wilTbe reviewed annually with the objective charge�d to the administration for 1982 and 1983 to reduce utility charges in three ways --cut maintenance and operating expenses, sell, excess water/sewer owned prop- erties, and cause other cities using Edmonds' utilities to pay their fair share of costs. Councilman Gould noted that with regard to Item 6, Price -Waterhouse opposed the concept of a flat rate for apartments, saying they.would.no longer be uniform or equitable and it would jeopardize future EPA grants since it would,not be in compliance wi.th the provision of charging classes -of customers equitably. Further, that they could not be associated with this concept because they would be open�to criticism from State.auditors, but they -would provide work papers in order for the same.for apartments as for single-Tfamily residences. Councilwoman Jaech asked whether it was not schedules to be accomplished in-house. Councilman Gould, however, felt the sewer bill should be the uniform to charge a flat fee for'each unit, single-family or apartment, but Price -Waterhouse had indicated that apartment units use only 7/10.the amount that single-family residences use, so they would be paying an additional 3/10. Regarding future EPA grants, Public Works Director Fred Herz- berg stated that the City will be lookingfor a 75% grant for the secondary treatment plant when it is built. Councilman Naughten and Councilman Kasper felt this should be the way -Price -Waterhouse computed it in order for the Ci,ty to be in compliance with the provision of charging classes of customers equitably. Regarding rate relief for low income/elderly, Councilwoman Allen said she was not opposed to that, but she would disapprove of asking them to fill out forms to.establish their need. She felt the cost of consumption should be i�ncreased and the base rate decreased so that all citizens would Kave some control --by consumption --over what their bills will be. Councilwoman Goetz felt the low income/elderly should have the option to apply,for rate relief but thatthey should fill out forms the same as they do fortax reli,ef, and Councilman Gould -felt that would be a responsible way to control it. Councilman Kasper said he believed in subsid'izing.the hardship cases but not upsetting the rate system, and Councilman Gould said he thought th.is,.would be a conservative subsidy. Regarding Item 4, the flat rate.sewerbill for.single-family dwellings, Councilman Kasper felt that was the only way. Councilman Gould asked Finance Director Art Housler to have Price -Waterhouse .. complete their proposal two ways --the way they propose i.t, with apartment dwellings based on water consumption, and also giving the.City the data so the Staff.can calculate it if it is decided to go with a flat rate to apartment dwellers. He also felt they should -be asked for more specific infor- mation as to why that cannot be done; e.g., the statute that says the classes of customers would not be treated the same. COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THE ANSWERS PROVIDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO PRICE-WATERHOUSE'S QUESTIONS, AND THAT PRICE-WATERHOUSE BE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE REVIEW OF ITEM 6 BASED ON THE WAY -IT IS PROPOSED IN COUNCILMAN GOULD'S RECOMMENDATION. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Naughten noted that a.letter had been received from the Department of Transportation regarding SR 524 indicating they had -encountered an impasse with.the condominium on the north side of Puget Dr. between Olympic View Dr. and.9th Ave. as to.obtaining the easement for a sidewalk there.. It was suggested that.this should be discussed with the people there, and Public Works Director Fred Herzberg -said the State al,ready had done that,.but he would also. Councilman Kasper said this section of sidewalk is essential for the schoolchildren. It was noted that'the State already had started condemnation, so waction was taken. Councilman:Naughten notedthait there had been . a memo from'the' City Attorney'regarding a request for relief from.an LID assessment for an elderly person, with the statement that the City never has been in a a position to loan money to..people to pay their taxes. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka stated that as a.practical matter it would.take five years after the person stopped making payments before she would be dispossessed of the property. Mr. Tanaka said he would send the individual a letter explaining.the City's position. Councilwoman Goetz referred to the'"pr opose"d'rate' increases by Sound Disposal for garbage pickup: in the City. She read aloud the proposed raiies-�n� felt they were in line with those of other'dispdsal compani.es in other cities. Councilwoman Allen noted that the.proposed new Apex Disposal Service rates will be lower. Affer'some discussion, COUNC . ILMAN GOULD-MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GOETZ, THAT A HEARING BE HELD FEBRUARY 17, 1981 REGARDING THE NEW.RATES PROPOSED BY SOUND DISPOSAL AND APEX DISPOSAL SERVICE ANDTHAT BOTH COMPANIES BY'NOTIFIED BY THE STAFF OF THE HEARING. MOTION'CARRIED. Because of the probable length of the report.on'the Meadowdale.sewer and drainage design (Item 7 on this evening's agenda), COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JAECH, THAT THIS -ITEM BE MOVED TO ITEM 6. MOTION CARRIED. Councilwoman -Goetz noted that the Mayor had provided a proposal for reorganization and some reclassi- fications in the Executive Office. Council President Allen proposed that this be discussed at next week's Personnel Committee meeting, and that was acceptable. Counci-1woman Jaech advised that she would be out of town for the meetings of February 17, February 24, and March 3.- Council President Allen',stated that next week will be a work,session for the Council and there will be a Personnel Committee meeting prior to the.regular meeting.. The -Personnel Committee will be a closed session, but the whole organ-izati - onal s - ituation will bediscussed following the closed session, as well as those i-tems on the Februa�y 17 agenda. She said,she would like to discuss reserve funds for the library and'Fire Department which wa's bro.ught up -at the January 31 work session. 197 February 3, 1981 - continued Councilman Kasper said he.would be.out oftown February 19 so he asked that the,meetin'g on design developme'nt'cbst estimates..for the.'library construction be-res . cheduled from that date. It was decided to have that meeting at 8:00,a.m., February.17, 1.981. AUDIENCE Ron, Olson; a City resident who,. had, addressed the Council , two.we�eks previously regarding the status of the City's,court, said'he was.'more confused when.he left,'that.evening than.when.he arrived. He therefore -had taken it upon. -himself to investigate the amounts of filing fees in-varfous cities, and he -discussed those fees. He.also-.*noted that although Edmonds does not have a court now it does have a.Probation and Warrant Officer, and he asked whether.that person is legally empowered to serve warrants. City Attorney.Wayne-T anaka responded that he d ' oes not serve warrants but.tries to cont act .people with outstanding.warrants to get them to pay them. Mr.. Tanaka said the warrants ' are , valid as ..the Court decision stated.that�.everything which had been c ' ompleted prior to that, decision was valid. �.As a precaution, steps are being taken to have those warrants reissued in South District Court. 'Edward Re.ich, 7316 210th S.W., suggested that the Council be consistent in the'time that meetings are.started, and he discussed�the confusion generated by the time being changed from one meeting to the next. Regarding the water and sewer rates, he'felt-the flat rates would be the most fair to all the people as recommended.by Councilman Gould. He also.felt_peopl.e should be sent questionnaires in their utility.bills to get their feelings on this. He said the State has established a $14,000 maximum income (for a married couple) to qualify for tax relief. CONTINUED HEARING ON PROPOSED.STREET DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE City Engineer Jim Adams said the problem still exists in establishing a method -to finance street improvements, in developing areas without imposing a financial- burden on the cu�rent single-family residents.. Street revenue ' funds are insuf - ficient to construct or upgrade streets,,s,idewalks, and storm drainage,.so a policy is needed for obtaining the -necessary revenue for these improvements. Mr. Adams suggested several options, and recommended the onewhich appeared to him to be the most feasible, that of forming a Street Local Improvement District (SLID) to construct street and drainage improvements within a spec.i,fic.boundary,.and using.a...method of assessment based on the increase in value of the property due to. -the improvements. For the economically disadvantaged,.there is a method to defer -the assessment up to the' total.bond.period. Another option not previously mentioned,was to do.,nothing-for the present and require covenants on-al.l.the properties now developing, requiring them to support any future SLID. when the people in that area wish to have one. The hearing was opened to the public. Edward�.Reich, 7316 210th S.W.,.su'bmitted a -petition with 31 signatures opposing.any LID.for�storm drains, curbs, sidewalks, or.other street improvements, and supporting a program whereby developers of the properties pay into a fund for the street improvements. He sai'd their streets do not need. improveme ' nt.at this time and the residents there are.not.financ.ially able -to pay for such improve- ments. He said many people in -that area are on fixed incomes and.some already have had to,sell thei-r homes because of the...recent sewer LID.- Further, he said the area -needs street,ligh.ts-but not streets, and people who are not -able to'pay for the improvements now will not be able to pay for .them in another 10 years.. He felt -the City was picking on that.area because they just came into the City., and he said a lot of: -those people did not want to come into the City in the first plate. No one else wished to speak,- and the public portion of the hearing was -closed. Mayor -Harrison read aloudiAhe petition presented by:Mr.-Reich.. Councilman Gould suggested that nothing be.done for the present.� He said many of the-City's streets.are in bad -repair and a bond iss,ue is needed to solve the.whole thing; -then the.people-could say whether they want to pay for impr,oving.-the streets...Mayor.,Harri-son observed that�this area is not in need of,improvement immediately, and he*thought the CID process could be carried out in due-time­6y requiring*'covenants on the properties. He.said those who have already:improved the,ir streets,should not.be.-as.ked to..pay,f0r:th6se:1 and the fmportant,thing.is to get the new devel,o,pe.rs to commit themselv'es-to the LIDs. Councilman Kasper. notedthat the' primary r*easoning.behind a GO bond issue was to maintain the streets --not -to,-build new.s.treets. COUNCI ' LMAN,NAUGHTEN MOVED,,' SECONDED bY'COUNCILMAN G'OULD,-THAT40THING-BE DONE, -AT THIS TIME IN THE ANNEXED* AR`EA, BUT,fHAT COVENANTS BE, PLACED ON', THE PROPERTIES TO THAT POINT 'IN TIME'WHE*N' 501% OF THE PEOPLE WANT AN LID, THE.,COVENANTS BEING NOTJO PROTEST,,AND TO SUPPORT,.ANY SUCH'.LID. COUNCILMAN KASPER AMENDED.�THE MOT . ION, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN' ALLEN, THAT NO F-URTHER ESCROWS WILL BE COLLECTED IN THIS ANNEXED.AREA WHEN A SUPPORT WAIVER AND -NO PROTEST PROVISION IS GRANTED BY THE DEVELOPER. THE MOTION TO -.AMEND CARRIED, WITH COUNCILWOMEN GOETZ AND'-JAECH VOTING -NO.' THE MAIN MOTION.,,AS AMENDED THEN CARR-IED. Mr. Reich asked when they could.connect to the recently installed sewers, and Mr. Adams advised ' . him that they all have been tested now and are available to anyone "Who nee.ds.to connect at this.time.. Also-,-he-said the sewer assessments will be ready in approxim'ately' one month. REPORTION MEADOWDALE SEWER. -AND DRAINAGE DESIGN Representatives of Reid, Middleton,& Associates reviewed their written report which had been provided to the Council earlier. They discussed the history of.the Meadowdale area and the two basic problems-- the1ands ' l.ide potential and,the public health hazard. Areas not acceptable for on -site disposal were shown and it was noted that fill over such areas is not acceptable. Mound systems are acceptable in some.places but they are limited to 12% slopes and,cost $7,000-$9,000 and all trees and brush must be cleared. The mounds w-ill still add to the ground water problem. Areas acceptable for,on� . - site disposal then were shown. There must be 20,000.sq. ft. on -a lot for drainfields per City ordinance —Although there.are some areas in the extreme eastern portion that are�functioning well there..is.no.-g.uarantee they will.function well in the,.future so it was determined�that it'was not warranted -to exclude them,from the sanitary sewer.-requireme'nt Three alternatives -were shown for correction,of-the problems,,, ranging,ip�cost:from 1.7,million:dQllars to 2.2 million dollars, with a1ternative 2A being recommended at a cost of 1.9 m'illi.on dollars. It was recommended further that the improvement be done by LID, with assessment bated on zone front footage. It was'noted that the February 3, 1981 - continued 0 City is looking into assessment by cost -benefit method, based on the increase in value the sewers would provide. It was recommended that storm drainage be.installed prior to sewers,, which would take 10-11 months. The sewer construction which would,follow could--take*up to one year. The hearing was opened to the public. John Johnson, 16122 72nd W., said he had attended many meetings on this subject during the past year and he.had learned very little after the first meeting. He -said there were discrepancies and inconsi.stencies in the report, and he resented people making decisions which woul-d result -in a $104,000.sewe * r.assessment an.d.$350 monthly payments in such a casual -manner. He said they �ad been led,.�. to believe they were gbing to get,,trench drains but now they found.that was ju.st a side.issue and they would have to get everything. Mr. Breckner,'15908 68th W., asked whether they could appeal the Health Officer's decision as he felt Dr. Hyatt's report saying there'is a*sanitary problem in the entire district was not accurate. He said Mr. Herzberg had recommended.'a program II'months.previously and he never found out why action was not taken on that recommendation. Instead, he said, another costly stuay was made. He felt.the existing problem is relatively small and involves an area where sewage erupts on the surface of the ground and that Mr. Herzberg's previous recommendation would fix'it. He also noted that' there are right-of-way problems to be addressed. Grace Brussel, 16202 72nd'W., said she could not possibly pay the assessments as she has a small government pension and social security.on which to live, and she said she will not give Up her -home. Steve Lee, 16520 72nd W., said Plan 2A would cross the center of his house, and he noted that he pays a sewer charge each month and cannot� connect to'it. Carol Ebson,"7370'N. me'adowdafe.M., 's'p6k*e in favor of sewers saying her home has taken the runoff for 15 years -and sometimes the.smell is terrible, and they get flooded out of their driveway. She said i.n-dividual cost problems can be worked out and.the issue is whether or not to put in the ted: �tha't­ this sewers... Sh-e,no, issue came up five years ago.and wa's'voted down, and it will.co.me up again and will cost more later. Jerry Steele, 15720 68th W.,"sa , i'd the'study.did not take in the City -approved townhouses in that area. Mayor Harrison responded.that those are tied into the,Lynnwood sewers. Mr. Steele then said the people were compfaining 26 years a . go about -what they are complaining -today, and the City -was remiss in all,owing:development of,'homes in the County and'in Lynnwood. He di-d ­ not believe-the'storm drain system would work, and he' asked'.whe're they would stand in that case. He added that the cost of the proposal would force him into subdividing and he did not intend doing that. He has five acres and never has had a backup. He said most of the people in the area are of retirement age and on fixed incomes. Mrs. Stellings, noaddress given, asked.if a grant will be received * to'helo fund this" Mr. Herzberg responded that the City'is on'�the priority l.ist for the th'ird quarter of th'is'year. He 'said the `there, 'and he th ught the -grant money is there, the system is there, and the priority mechanism is' 0 would be -received when Edmonds..gets t6the top of the list. Dick Beers, 49th Ave. W., beyond the moratoriumarea, sai,d.those who had been to all of the meeti.ngs and listened to the reports have become more and more. convi-n.ced that this. entire concept is full of holes. He said he stood to gain nothing but to lose eve'rything,with continued procrasti-nation as it costs him money everyday that he cannot build a house. He said this was based on.20-year old data. He had received a septic tank permit -from the County in 197 ' 8, but in 1968 this had been declared an unsafe area. He had no doubt that there is some health hazard there, and he asked how many.selptic tanks are not functioning -well.- He's'aid they had been told they -would ha've'to''Selectone' of the programs or not get' the *grant money, b.ut now they are told they just are* on a,,,priority, Tist. Harold J�n6way.,-",16,1�05,75th�iW..',,sai,dt.th6�.-efflue ' nt from his neighbors to the' -north flows.through his garage and he has seen solids -go through,.that area. He said e' ' verytim ' e a bathtub p ' lug ' is pul ' led in that house he can tel.1-by the''increased flow of a -stream going'through his walll�an.d in front of his garage is an area -absolutely black which'is due to sewage or chemicals. He said they are -drowning in that,,and he favored almost any plan that would get him out of that -predicament. He d.id not want to sue his neighbor, but he' thought everyone should be responsible for water flowing from the.ir homes. John Minear, 16020-70th W.,, said water,always had gone down the hill to his property., and there always -had been,a stream of,water., '.fle wanted to know how they-were.gqing to' pay for'wha't­is-done.-` His house is on top of the hill and has 40-1000 sq. ft., but 25,000 so. ft. of his property is down the h-ill.., He hoped he would be charged only for the pa'rt of'his property that his house is on and not the part that is unusable as he is retired. He said his mother has 20,000 sq. ft. and she has' only social.security, and he asked if there was a way that they would not have to pay the assessment until the property is sold. . . I I . C Dan Lenke, 15073 70th Ave. W., said when he bought his home he could not move in until the County approved his septic system. He has one acre and said it will be expensive to sewer.- After -he bought his home he said the.County continued to issue permits and they knew thdre-was a problem. He felt ' the City was remiss in ignoring the problem and he felt both the City and the County were responsible. Bi1l-Alguard,15915 70th W., asked,if storm sewers still would be needed if the sanitary sewers are put in and,.,that water removed... He said -there are areas -that could be'served by septic'tanks.and' that he is in one of those and.does hot need or want.sewers. He said if sewers'go in thai will force development in the.area as people will have to subdivide to pay the cost of the sewer assess- ments. He also noted that there are young people in the area'deep in monthly payment's, in addition to the older people who cannot,afford the assessments. He also stated that all of the water does I 'I I 0 February 3, 1981 - continued not come from Edmonds, some.of it-coming"from Lynnwood. He.felt payment for storm water runoff should-be.s6ared on a City-wide....program. He as'ked-.that.if . the City is going to sewer this area that it come up,with an equitable way to cost it. He felt the zone front foot system was not right for this area,.and he asked that.consideration be given to.hardship cases, as well as the young and the old. Jack Linge,,6970,160th S..W., said.there is no health hazard in the upper area and that the Roger Lowe report ' -indicated a 33% improvement could be obtained with interceptor drains. He felt the ..whole storm sewer system should be funded by bonds paid by the entire City. He said if the slide area.is stabilized that would.improve the situation,.and he recognized that,, the.slide area is a, .hazard. He asked if they-couId consider sewering only the potential slide area,or the area directly above. -He felt an alternative would be the cost benefit method. In his own case he said he would be receiving extremely low,val- ' ue from a sanitary sewer system as his own.septic system is adequate, and if it is decided to sewer the whole area the betterment to his property,would be,zero. He said covenants- could be placed -.on the upper properties to be sure they would not be reduced in size and he noted.this was a recommendation of Roger Lowe. He thought a second covenant might be made on people like Mr. Johnson with five acres and one house with.,three acres not suitabl.e for building. He asked that if the City was going to go to a betterment.situation that it try to think of ways to keep1t equitable, and if.the benefit is in the lower secti*on, that those,'_,Oeople-Zpa�_�the bulk of the cost. No one else wished.to speak, and the public portion of*the hearing was closed. Councilwoman Allen statedAhat it was too late this evening -to make a decision and that there were other items on the agenda. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THIS ITEM BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 3.,,1981 AGENDA AND THAT IT BE DISCUSSED AT THE FEBRUARY 24, 1981 WORK MEETING. Councilman Gould wanted to.read the report again and he asked for input from the Staff on,the benefit method of cost payment. He hoped some research could be done on some way to offset the cost problems for people on fixed incomes. THE MOTION CARRIED. A short.recess was announced. CONTINUED'HEARING ON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, INCLUDING MODIFICATIONS/VARIANCES, FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY AT 700 MAIN ST. Planning Director Mary Lou..Block said there had been a misunderstanding on the architect's part as to how to -measure the height of.:the building and.it had been determined since last week that as designed.it will be within the 25' limit except for a small amount that is pitched but also falls within the Code requirements. Cliff Jackson of Arai/Jackson Architects said they had recal'culated the grades with the assistance of the Planning Department and they had avean datum that allows the library to fall within the requirements of the ol'd.Code. Councilman Naughten-added.that the Council had1walked the site and he had found that there would, -not be much of an impact with the additional 5'. He said the sight poles did help and they were convinced -there would not be a view impact. Councilwoman Allen again said she would like the parking changed to 50% for compact cars instead of 25%. She.had no objection to parking on Durbin St. and she said State standards are at 50% for compact stalls. COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN-MOVED, SECONDED BY CONCILWOMAN ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE.PERMIT AS RECOMMENDED.BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION WITH THE TWO MODIFICATIONS: (1) TO ALLOW THE BUILDING TO INTRUDE INTO.THE'SETBACKS AND (2) TO DEVELOP A PORTION OF DURBIN ST. FOR REQUIRED PARKING; FURTHER, TO ALLOW 50% OF THE PARKING STALLS TO.BE'SIZED FOR COMPACT CARS, WITH UP TO 25% OF THE REQUIRED SPACES FOR COMPACT CARS. REASONS GIVEN WERE'THAT CURRENT TRENDS AND STATE STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC PARKING LOTS ARE 50% FOR COMPACT CARS; THAT THE SETBACKS -FALL WITHIN THE CURRENT CODE ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT FALL.WITHIN THE OLD CODE, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DETRACT FROM THE AREA AND THEY ARE A MINIMUM i IMPACT, AND THERE ARE NO OTHER OWNERSHIPS IN THE BLOCK AFFECTED BY THE SETBACKS. THE MOTION CARRIED. COUNCIL REPORT ON SALARIES.OF EXEMPT EMPLOYEES Councilwoman Allen said this had been discussed by the Council.' THEREFORE, COUNCILWOMAN'ALLEN MOVED,'SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN-NAUGHTEN, THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY BE INSTRUCTED TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE lei TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE FOR ALL EXEMPT EMPLOYEES OF 10%.OF ALL, -SALARIES --UP TO $20,000,'RETROACTIVE TO JANUARY 1,1981, AND THAT MERIT INCREASES'WILL COME'AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAYOR ON EVALUA- TION AT THEIR ANNUAL EVALUAT-ION DATE, AND THOSE WOULD BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN'5% OF THE TOTAL SALARY. Councilwoman Jaech asked for clarification as to merit increases for nonexempt employees, and Councilwoman Allen said,none were considered. Councilman Gould observed that*the "up to.5%" for merit increase is compounded because it will be on the total. He said that by saying the merit .increase may be up to 5%.they.were.not granting 15% pay increases, and the 5% will be the absolute maximum,, not to be granted -.,as a routine matter. He.said a merit increase should be much lower and the maximum only granted -in such cases where there is a grade change or something like that and it will have -to be substantiated by an evaluation. CouncilwomanAllen said the maximum would be for maximum meritorious service., The Mayor's salary was not addressed but will be addressed at next week's Personnel Committee meeting and -the attorney,was instructed to draft the ordinance with a blank for -the Mayor's sala,ry which will be filled in at the time of passage. THE MOTION CARRIED., ON APPRAISAL OF PROPOSED,8TH AVE. STREET VACATION -AND COUNCIL ACTION ON THE .REPORT PROPOSED VACATION Councilman Kasper left the Council Chambers because he is a party in this matter.'and he'did not return,until�the meeting -adjourned. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka reported that he had written the appraiser,,Roy,Stringer,.on January 15, 1981., Mr. Stringer had responded that.he did not feel his figures needed justification, -that everything was self-explanatory. Mr. Tanaka had requested that 'Mr- , Stringer write a letter to that effect, but none had been received. Mr. Tanaka advised that the Council's options were to.accept the appraisal, strike a comprbmi's'ej or getanothe'r I ap'p'r*-aisal-, . but some deci-sion,should be reached. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN'MOVEb, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JAECH,-THAT ANOTHER -APPRAISAL BE.OBTAINED-AS SOON -AS POSSIBLE'.' THE MOTION'CARRIED. �COUNCIL'PRESIDENT Council President Allen asked that the progress report from.the Brackett's Landing Marine Preserva- tion Task -Force be moved from the March 3 agenda to the March 17 agenda. She called the Council's 200 February 3, 1981 - continued 0 attention to a letter from Russ Berg and asked that they.read it. Also, she said Councilman Nord- quist had asked fora discussion of.pol.i.cy on awarding..contracts.. She asked that such be placed on the February 24 agenda. There was no�further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m. IRENE VARNEY MORAN,, Uty Clerk HARVE H.,HARRISON, Mayor February 10, 1981 - Work Meeting The regular meeting.of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 8:35 p.m. by Council President Katherine Allen in the Council Chambers of the Edmonds Civic Center. All present joined in the flag salute. Mayor Harrison arrived shortly after the call to order. PRESENT Harve Harrison, Mayor Katherine Allen Sue Crawford, Student Rep. John Nordquist Larry Naughten Jo -Anne Jaech Mary Goetz Ray Gould Bill Kasper STAFF PRESENT Fred Herzberg, Public Works Director John LaTourelle, Planning Consultant Mary Lou Block, Planning Director Marlo Foster, Police Chief Jack Weinz, Fi,�e','.Chi.e_f,-"'- Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk Jim Adams, City Engineer Jim Jessel, Parks & Recreation Director Art Housler, Finance Di.rector Bill Nims, Traffic Engineer Abe Blandin, Street Division Supt. Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk Council'President Allen announced that she had invited Wayne Cowley, a management consultant, to speak to the Council. Mr. Cowley described the,services his firm provides and presented a proposal, the'first part of which would be a survey to determine whether.an in-depth study would be benefi- cial. He said he could save the City a great deal of money by implementation of his management program. The preliminary survey would cost $375 and the cost of the full study could not be deter- mined until the survey is completed. The proposal was discussed briefly, after which COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GOETZ, TO PLACE A DISCUSSION OF THIS PROPOSAL ON THE FEBRUARY 24, 1981 WORK MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. PRESENTATION BY ED ALIVERTI RE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mr. Aliverti showed a film promoting the proposed Performing Arts Center and brought the Council up- to-date regarding its status. He also expressed thanks for the City,!§-*1-s6pport. REPORT ON -TRAFFIC PLANNING STUDY BY NORTHWEST ENGINEERING TraOic Engineer Bill Nims briefly described the traffic planning study which was fu-nded by a federal grant. The study'inventoried existin'g conditions which formed a basis fo*r identifying and evaluating potential problem areas. Bob Parrott of Northwe ' st Engineering Company further des * cribed the study which he noted recommended improvements -for 27 hazardous and capacity deficient locations throughout the City. Detailed copies of the report had been provided to the Council. No Council action was required. REPORT ON SIDEWALK CONDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Street Division Superintendent.Abe Blandin reported on the inspection made of sidewalks in'the older downtown areas of the City. Increasing reports of falling accidents and requests of citizens had prompted -this survey. It was noted thatthe City Code requires that sidewalks in need of recon- struction more than ten years after the acceptance of'the construction by the City shall be recon- structed solely at the cost of.the abutting property owners. The Code further requires that where sidewalks do not exist but are needed, the Council can require the abutting property owners to construct'them. It was recognized some areas should be repaired by the City, such as where a water meter has settled, roots of trees planted by the City have lifted the walk, hydrants have washed out the area under the walk, etc. Sidewalks which should be repaired/constructed by individual property owners, as -well as those which should be done by the City, were,identified. -It was requested that the Council pass a resolution to initiate a sidewalk reconstructi.on program within the boundaries stated in the report. The Public Works Department was in the process of taking care of those which were determined to be the responsibility of the City. This was discussed and it was noted th ' at the timing of this was inopportune, but it was recoqnized that the work will have to be accomplished because accidents are occurring as a result of.the condition of the sidewalks. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THE.CITY ATTORNEY BE INSTRUCTED TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT THE SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM, ONLY WITHIN THE AREA SHOWN ON THE MAP PROVIDED WITH THE REPORT. MOTION CARRIED. I I I Ll 9