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19810407 City Council MinutesApril 7, 1981 • The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order.at 7:40 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 Mary Goetz Fred Herzberg, Public Works Director Kathy Geiermann, Larry Naughten Jim Adams, City Engineer Student Rep. Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk Bill Kasper Mary Lou Block, Planning Director Ray Gould Jack Weinz, Fire Chief Jo -Anne Jaech Art Housler, Finance Director John Nordquist Jim Jessel, Parks & Recreation Dir. Katherine Allen Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk Councilman Kasper was not present at the beginning of the meeting, arriving at 8:15 p.m. and having advised that he would be late because of another commitment. CONSENT AGENDA Items (B), (C), and (D) were removed from the Consent Agenda. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST 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. (E) Authorization for Mayor to sign contract for 1981 Edmonds Arts Festival. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 31, 1981 [Item (B) on Consent Agenda] The Clerk had called attention to an omission from the minutes at the bottom of page 6, in the item "Policy on Awarding of Contracts." The motion at the bottom of that page should read: "COUNCILMAN GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, THAT THE POLICY BE CHANGED IN THAT STEP 2 IN ATTACH- MENT B TO THE MARCH 26, 1979 LETTER BE THAT THE LETTERS OF INTEREST WILL BE SCREENED BY THE MAYOR, TWO STAFF PEOPLE SELECTED BY THE MAYOR, AND TWO COUNCIL PEOPLE SELECTED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND THAT STEP 6 BE DELETED."(The underscored portion was the omission.) Councilwoman Goetz had requested that the following additions be made to the minutes: On page 3, in the discussion of "Proposed Ordinance Regarding Compensating Time," in Line 6, following.the sentence, "He said he had always approved such requests.", insert: "Councilwoman Goetz noted that if the Mayor had approved such requests he was in violation of the existing City ordinance, as it currently stated Department Heads shall,not,recdfve� compensatory.time;:.however, she.did not want to talk about that now." On the last page of the minutes, the third paragraph from the end, she asked the last sentence to be changed to: "Councilwoman Goetz responded that transportation may be provided if the School District determines that walking route is a safety factor --then bus. routes must be approved by the State. She said that parents may request transfer to other schools and, if approved, parents must provide transportation." COUNCILMAN GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, THAT APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES INCLUDE THESE CHANGES TO THE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILWOMAN JAECH ABSTAINING BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE LAST MEETING'. PROPOSED RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROCEDURE FOR HEARING EXAMINER [Item (C) on Consent Agenda] Councilwoman Jaech did not think this should be a Consent -Agenda item, but that it should be discussed. COUNCILWOMAN JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY'COUNCILMAN GOULD, TO PLACE ON THE APRIL 21, 1981 AGENDA A HEARING ON THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR HEARING EXAMINER. MOTION CARRIED. PROPOSED RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING CONSULTANTS [Item (D) on Consent Agenda] Councilman Gould thought there should be two word changes on page 1 of Exhibit A to the resolution. He suggested the third word in the second paragraph be changed from "can" to "shall" and that the second word in the next -to -last paragraph on that page be changed from "should" to "shall." COUN- CILMAN GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY.000NCILWOMAN ALLEN, TO PASS RESOLUTION 493, ADOPTING PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING CONSULTANTS, WITH THE WORDING CHANGES STATED. MOTION CARRIED. . MAYOR Mayor Harrison noted that because of the Association of Washington Cities conference on June 16, the Council probably would want to move the regular Tuesday Council meeting to Monday. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JAECH, THAT THE REGULAR JUNE 16, 1981 COUNCIL MEETING BE RESCHEDULED TO A SPECIAL MEETING ON JUNE 15, 1981.- MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Harrison advised the Council that letters from the.City would be mailed the following day to affected employees, advising of the April 14, 1981 election to determine whether Service Employees International Union Local 6 will represent them, and explaining the procedure and outlining the views of the Mayor and Council. AUDIENCE James Mann, Building Committee Chairman for the Olympic Baptist Church, requested that the church be permitted to connect to the sanitary sewer which runs in front of it, as a part of the reconstruction of one of their buildings. The reconstruction must be accomplished within the next 90 days. The 1 1 n LJ 1 n U 1 1 r LJ Apri1.7, 1981 continued church is located in- the.County in the area designated to be served by the Alderwood Water/Sewer District, and the sanitary sewer serving.this area belongs to the Olympic View Water District, and the City of -Edmonds' agreement with. '.them is to process..the sewage.. The agreement.with Olympic View Water District requires that they -serve this property if it becomes a part of the City of Edmonds. The property abuts the City -limits and.Mr. Mann indicated the church is willing to annex to the City. City Engineer Jim Adams said they normally do.not connect into any of the sewers unless it is covered by an agreement -such as that with Olympic View, and he said it appeared that an annexation petition would be the fastest way to get the sewer.connection. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka said that as long as the church agrees -to annex, the Council could authorize hookup in the interim, and he did not .think there would be -any opposition, but he noted there might be some complications in the church"s,meeting the City's standards. COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, THAT, SUBJECT TO THE CHURCH'S AGREEMENT TO ANNEX TO THE CITY, THE CITY PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS OF SEWERING THE OLYMPIC BAPTIST.CHURCH. MOTION CARRIED. HEARING ON CONTRACT REZONE..FROM,RMH TO BC AT 522 DAYTON ST. (R-1-80) This item had been continued from July 22, 1980. The Planning Commission had recommended approval on May 28;.1980 but the applicant had not been available to sign the contract. The contract now was signed, and the findings of fact,. conclusions, and recommendation of the Planning Commission were provided. Planning Director'Mary.Lou Block showed slides of the property and read the conditions of the contract. Uses will be limited to retail sales, business and/or professional office space, and/or residential. Should.the.owner construct any other building or structure on the property, or add to the existing structure, the structure or building will meet the bulk and dimensional' require- ments, including building setbacks, of the highest density multi -family zone existing in the. -City at the time of application for permission to construct. The hearing was opened to the public, no one wished to.speak, and the hearing was closed. COUNCILWOMAN.ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2205, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP; TO ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF FACT SET FORTH IN PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 658; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE CONTRACT. MOTION CARRIED. HEARING ON PRELIMINARY PLAT - 6-LOT SUBDIVISION AT.21015 80TH AVE. W. (RON SNARE/P-3-80) The Planning Department had requested a postponement of this hearing until April 21, 1981..,000NCIL- WOMAN ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, TO CONTINUE P-3-80.TO APRIL 21, 1981. MOTION CARRIED. HEARING ON COMPLAINT REGARDING 24-HOUR CONVENIENCE STORE IN DOWNTOWN EDMONDS At the March 17, 1981 Council meeting Ward Phillips had described the problems the neighbors of the Arco Mini -Mart were experiencing. The complaints were regarding noise from the compressor,.glare from the lighting on the building, lack of a public restroom, and alleged police complaints. The Planning Department had contacted.Robert Shaffer, the Arco District Manager,. who expressed his intent to resolve the problems. —He said a restroom facility is being opened to the public, Arco is exploring screening for the lights, and some work had been done to the compressor, reducing the noise level by ten decibels. This.was still unsatisfactory for the residential units.to the west, and Arco's intent was to.stlence or relocate the unit. The Police Department had not received any complaints or reports of problems at this location.. Planning Director Mary Lou Block reviewed the situation and noted that since this area is zoned BC, there is no limitation on hours of operation. She noted that a revision.to the Code could establish specific operating hours in the BC zone as was done for the BN zone, but numerous restaurants in the downtown area currently are open until 2:00 a.m. The hearing was opened to the public. Jim Forden, manager of the.Arco.Mini-Mart, said Mr.. Shaffer had called him this date from.Yakima to say.he could not be present at. this hearing, but that Arco will do whatever is necessary to decrease • the noise level and.the lighting to a'satisfactory level. Mr. Forden said 1/3 of the lights on the canopy'are turned off from 10:00.p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. because of a complaint he had received from Nick Spanovic, but fie said Mr. Spanovic was the only person who had spoken to him about the,lights. Mr. Forden said Arco will relocate -or insulate the compressor. He took exception to a comment that the Mini -mart, had become a hangout for kids, and he said he would do what he could to be a good neighbor. Peg Hardesty, 757 Sprague.,,questioned whether this could become a problem with the store selling beer and wine in the summertime, considering the City's beach problems. Jim Musser, one of the owners' of'Old Milltown, read a letter of objection to the mini -mart; -saying the neon lights and distasteful color scheme are unsightly to the guests at the Old Milltown Restaurant and to anyone entering downtown Edmonds; that the Old: Milltown bathrooms have had increased vandalism because the mini -mart customers are directed there; and that the mini -mart appears to have become a "hangout" in Edmonds, which has posed a serious security problem for the Old Milltown tenants. He asked that the mini -mart cease..business at 2:00 a.m. W..J. Ashley -Cole, owner of the apartments next to the.mini-mart said�he'had experienced very good rapport with the manager of the mini-mart,.but the noise from the compressor had'not been decreased adequately, and he asked that it be silenced. Linda Perry, one of Mr. Ashley-Cole's tenants, said she had discussed this problem with 'the Planning Director and had been assured something would be done .about it.. She described the compressor as sounding like a jackhammer and said it runs 24 hours.. Her front door opens to the ..compressor and her bedroom window is on the south side and she gets the bright lights:' 'She had' -purchased blackout shades but said they did not keep out the light. She also said she had to clean up bottles and cans .which originate at the mini -mart. Ward Phillips, residing ate-522 Dayton St., immediately adjoining the mini -mart, said he also owns property -150' away --the caboose and the warehouse --and he considered the mini -mart to be a "garbage can" • to downtown Edmonds.. He said it does not have.a.final occupancy permit and he thought it should be closed right then. He said the people living next to it are suffering at the hands of Arco and that the City should use its authority to stand up to Arco. He thought Arco should be 23u4d April 7, 1981 - continued • requ'ired'to put in men's and women's restrooms, that the.lights and noise should be eliminated, and that landscaping should be required. He said when he did Milltown he had offered to redo the Arco station and landscape it at his' -own expense, but Arco had.refused the offer because the.City did not require it. He said what you can.contribute.is.what is important, not what you can get, and that Arco is not contributing anything. He spoke of the encouragement to keep.the residential character in the downtown area. He noted that Mr. Forden is out every morning picking up the area, even if he doesn't own it.. He concluded that he had invested in this City and he cares about it, but that he is frustrated about this.situat.ion.• Regarding landscaping, Ms. Block stated that the ADB had. decided not to make them landscape, the area surrounding the building already being asphalted, and in consideration of their removal of a large pole sign. Jane Cunningham, 1030 Grandview, said she had spent two years and $1,000 on a similar noise problem in her neighborhood, and the noise and vibration from the compressor are very bad. She said it is nice when there is a power outage because then she can go out her front door and it is quiet. No one else wished to speak, and the hear-ing was.closed. Councilwoman Allen thought this was an administrative problem and could be handled by_the administra- tion, and she did not understand why it had existed for three months. She thought if they tried to change the requirements of the BC zone they would have problems with other people. She did not want to do anything about lighting _restrictions because that.could affect the playfield where they need to have lights. She did not think the Council should take action on this. Councilwoman Jaech noted that one of the main concerns was the lack of a restroom facility and it appeared that would be addressed.. She asked about the landscaping and Ms. Block said the City had recommended it, but the ADB had"not.required it. COUNCILWOMAN JAECH MOVED, SECONDED.BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, THAT A REPORT BE PROVIDED.AT THE APRIL 21, 1981 MEETING INDICATING WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT THE LIGHTING, WHEN THE RESTROOMS.WILL BE COMPLETED,`AND HOW MANY THERE WILL BE. Mayor Harrison • agreed that a good deal of this was administrative, and he thought the City could interpret that this is a service station and require two restrooms, and he said if it is within his power he will make that determination. Ms. Block said there is no State requirement for restrooms and the City would have to amend its ordinance to require restrooms. Councilman Kasper noted that a Conditional Use Permit is required in the BN zone but not in the BC, and that the major change here was to eliminate the grease racks and install the grocery section. He noted that a lot of things have * changed in the.downtown area, one of which is that the Code does not allow anymore apartments* downtown in a joint use with commercial use, and a lot of things have moved away from the residential character of the City. He said Mr. Phillips' concern was that Arco was not responding quickly, which puts the City in the position of enforcement. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka said there is the noise ordinance and compliance with the City Code regarding lights, but his office's policy had been not to do a criminal citation if a person is trying to remedy a situation. Councilman Gould said he was also concerned about the man.trying to make a business there, as well as the people who are suffering from it. 'Ms. Block indicated that the first decibel reading was 77-79 and with the insulation the reading was reduced to 69, but the requirement in a commercial area is 60 and there .is no requirement to reduce that at night (in a residential area it would be 10 less at night). She said the Planning Department had recommended to them that they get some outside help"to correct the problem as what they had done had. -not corrected it enough. Mr. Fordon was asked about turning the compressor off at night, and he said the milk and meat products would be affected, but he did not know by how much. He added that 1/3 of the lights on the south side have been turned off, but he did not know if there was a difference,.and he did not know what had transpired with Arco. THE MOTION THEN CARRIED. Councilman Gould added that he was serious about enforcing the ordinances of the City, and that if'the law is not followed the City should pursue it --whether the lawbreaker is big or small. SIX=MONTH REVIEW OF'CITY-NEWSLETTER Bonnie Morin, Newsletter Editor, reported that she had received 188 responses to the recent public • opinion poll taken regarding the newsletter. She said that is.a good response statistically (1%-2% being considered good): Of the responses, 86% were favorable and indicated they wished to continue receiving the newsletter. Many of the people opposed to the newsletter were opposed to the cost and there were comments that the news is old by the time it appears'in the newsletter. Ms. Morin thought some of the critical comments were valid, and she is trying to make the news more timely and Will attempt different approaches on items which have already appeared in the media. She received some comments that even if the material had -appeared in'local newspapers it might have been missed. She is striving for an earlier publication date, five to seven days before the first of each month. She presented the cost breakdown for 1981, including the increase in postal rates, which will total $20,405.74, and which she noted will average $1.78 per household for the year, or 15t per month. Lloyd Ostrom, representing the Edmonds Concerned Citizens Council, said that body thinks this is a good effort, but they had not expected the newsletter to be a community events document or a news- paper, but rather more of advanced notice of things to come. They feel the kind of issues which should be given good coverage are those coming up several months in the future, such as the Highway 99 study --who is doing it, where they.can get information on it,, the final outcome of it. He said if the City can spend the money on it they would like to see it continued, but it.can be improved. Fred Ross, 1060 Daley, a long-time newspaper person, said he thought Ms. Morin .is doing a fine professional job, but that he had not seen anything in.the newsletter that he had not already read in the Western Sun or the Enterprise., He thought the newsletter a waste of money and unnecessary. Councilman .Gould said the newsletter was created.purposely to answer a need in the City and he thought it too early to decide whether it should be continued. :He'agreed. that attempts.,must be.made to make it more,effective. Councilman Kasper said he also could not support it if it is not'improved, as it now is repetitious. He noted that the Council agenda changes very much, so he thought the only justification would would be to do major features on.major--problems. *See amendment 4-14-81 233 • April 7, 1981 - oonti;nue.d 1 LF1 1 DISCUSSION ON PROCEDURE OF.APPEALS TO COUNCIL FROM HEARING EXAMINER City Attorney Wayne Tanaka..revi.ewed the written material he -had provided the Council, and said the Council must give reasons.for:-their decisions, especially in the cases of variances. He said they should go through the vari.ance.criteria and make their findings. He introduced James Driscoll, the Hearing Examiner. Mr. Driscoll said the important thing -is to be familiar with the authority of the Hearing: Examiner and of the City Council which is set_forth.in the .Community Development Code. He noted that the Council would.only hear variances if they were 'appealed,"and'he said if they read his decision and the basis for.it and compare those to what is required in the Code, they will.be going on the record, and hopeful-ly he is capturing the most.important parts of the record in his findings and conclusions, and is putting them in his decisions.' There had not yet been an appeal. He noted that the elements of the.criteria are set forth in.State law, and they are very strict criteria and all must be met in one manner or another. In answer to -a question from the audience, Councilman Gould said that when the..Council hears an appeal they will start from the beginning and it will not be only on the record. This was determined when the Community Development Code was adopted. PROGRESS REPORT ON NEW LIBRARY Parks and Recreation Director.,Jim,.Jessel provided a breakdown of associated costs and discussed the exterior finish of the building. He had taken the Council on a view trip the past weekend to examine concrete block buildings and he now displayed samples.of blocks. He then discussed the guidelines 'to be followed to assure that concrete block exterior walls are maintenance effective. Councilman Kasper said this probably.:wil1 be the top building the City will ever build, and he was not convinced that the maintenance of such a building in that location was not a gamble over a long period of time. He said the price.differential between block or structural concrete is nil, but Arai/Jackson thinks concrete blocks can meet the maintenance needs,, and he was doubtful. Councilman Gould said he had confidence in the fact that the building could be done beautifully and satisfactorily, and this was no different from sealing a brick chimney on a house --if it is done right there will be no problem. Public Works Director Fred Herzberg added that the joints on this are designed not to collect water, and Arai/Jackson-feels they have provided a,structure in keeping with the site', the neighborhood, and the program, and that the City would..get a second-best structure if it went with something other than the small.concrete block. For clarification, COUNCILMAN GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, THAT THE TEAM IN CHARGE OF THE LIBRARY PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF USING 4" X 16" CONCRETE BLOCKS IN THE COLOR.SHOWN, WITH RAKED JOINTS AS DESCRIBED. COUNCILMAN KASPER AMENDED THE MOTION THAT THIS BE TAKEN .BEFORE THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD WITHIN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS EVEN IF IT REQUIRES A SPECIAL MEETING.,. AND THAT THE ACCEPTANCE BE DEPENDENT UPON THE CONCURRENCE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD. THE AMENDMENT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAKER OF THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. THE MOTION CARRIED, AS AMENDED. PROPOSED.VACATION OF PORTION OF 8TH AVE. N. (APPRAISAL AND SCHROEDER PROPOSAL Councilman Kasper left the -Council Chambers during -this discussion. Donald Schroeder of 528 8th Ave. N. had responded to the most recent appraisal which was obtained because Mr. Schroeder thought the previous one was too high. The gist of Mr. Schroeder's letter was that he would be willing to pay $500.for the vacated'por.ti.on of the street abutting his property, taking into consideration the storm sewer Mr. Kasper and he will be installing. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka said something like what was asked here had never.come up before on street vacations. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST,.THAT.MR. SCHROEDER AND MR..KASPER BE GRANTED CREDIT FOR THE STORM SEWER THEY WILL INSTALL IN THE.AMOUNT OF ONE-HALF THE COST TO EACH, AND'THAT THE PORTION OF THE VACATED STREET ABUTTING MR. KASPER'S..PARCELS A AND B REVERT BACK TO HIM AT NO COST SINCE THEY ORIGINALLY WERE DEEDED TO THE CITY BY MR. KASPER. Councilwoman..Allen said she could not agree to granting credit for easements, as suggested -by Mr. Schroeder in his letter, as everyone has, to have some kind of easement through their property, but if the storm sewer will cost as much as $1,200 she could see granting credit for one-half of that. This was discussed at length, but problems could be seen. THE MOTION AND THE SECOND..WERE.WITHDRAWN. Councilman Gould thought the street should be vacated and the lower of the two appraisals should be charged so the parties involved would be treated just the same as anyone else has been treated. COUNCILMAN GOULD.MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY BE INSTRUCTED TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THIS STREET AT THE PRICE SHOWN ON THE HARRIS APPRAISAL, EXCEPT THAT LOTS A AND B WILL BE AT NO COST TO THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER BECAUSE THEY WILL BE RETURNED. TO THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY OWNERS, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S POLICY. MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN VOTING NO. Councilman Kasper returned following this discussion. COUNCIL Council President Allen advised that the Mayor and she had enrolled in a negotiations seminar, and also that the Mayor will bezattending a negotiations workshop in San Francisco May .11-13, 1981. Council President Allen advised that the Mayor, the Finance Director, and she.would be attending the AWC convention. Regarding the question of.moving.the utility billing clerks to the Finance Department, Council President°Allen said she.had talked to people in both departments and there are some real problems, so she felt no move.should be made at this point. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, THAT THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND THE PUBLIC.WORKS DIRECTOR BRING'A PROPOSAL TO THE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK FOR.HIRING A CONSULTANT FOR NO LONGER THAN' TWO MONTHS, WHO IS BOTH AN ACCOUNTANT AND IS FAMILIAR WITH DATA PROCESSING,.TO WORK WITH THE UTI.LITY.BILLING PEOPLE TO GET THAT FUNCTION ON LINE WITH THE COMPUTER TO RESOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS. Councilwoman Allen said she thought a third party could resolve the problems. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Allen suggested that the Council have a dinner next week at 6:00 p.m., prior to the Committee meeting, in honor: of the retiring Council'Secretary. The Council will be advised of the location, and official. notices will be made. 234 April 7, 1981 - continued • There was no further business to come.before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. IRENE VARNEY M RAN, Cit Clerk April 14, 1981 - Work Meeting HARVE H. HARRISON, Mayor The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 8:40 p.m: by Mayor Harve Harrison in the Council Chambers of the Edmonds Civic Center. All present joined in the flag salute. PRESENT Harve.Harrison, Mayor Jo -Anne Jaech Ray Gould Larry Naughten Kathy Geiermann, Student.Rep. Bill Kasper, Mary Goetz Katherine Allen CONSENT AGENDA ABSENT STAFF PRESENT. John Nordquist Fred Herzberg, Public Works Director Jim Adams, City Engineer Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk Mary Lou Block, Planning Director Art Housler, Finance Director Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk Councilman Kasper asked ;that the minutes be amended on page 4, in the third paragraph, in his remarks at the end of the fourteenth line, adding after the word "apartments" the words "as primary use". COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN.MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN KASPER, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITH THE STATED AMENDMENT TO THE MINUTES. MOTION•CARRIED. The -approved items on the Consent Agenda included the following: (A) Roll call. (B) Approval of Minutes of April 7, 1981, as amended. (C) Acknowledgment of receipt.of Claim for Damages from Eugene S. Jensen in the amount of $545.00. MAYOR Mayor Harrison read aloud a proposed.resolution commending Judie Gilbo for her service to the City, after which COUNCILMAN NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, TO PASS RESOLUTION 494, COMMENDING JUDIE GILBO. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Harrison announced that the nonrepresented, nonexempt employees had voted today 24 to 4 in favor of becoming unionized. PROPOSAL FOR CONSULTANT REGARDING UTILITY BILLING FUNCTION Finance Director Art Housler stated that a new utility billing system had been instituted in January of this year, and some of the information that used to be recorded manually and thereby * was available to give to citizens if they called is no longer readily available. He said there also are some minor operating problems that have to be resolved. The City Council had asked for a proposal to bring in a consultant to.aid in resolving.the problems, and Public Works Director Fred Herzberg and Mr. Housler had contacted several consulta►its.and now proposed that a consultant critique the system at a maximum cost of $2,800 and then that a qualified retired utility auditor be hired to provide on-the-job training at a maximum cost of $2,000, for a . total cost of .$4,800. They indicated that this would identify any problems in the system and would provide a well qualified person to do the training at least cost. Councilman'Gould thought this should be held for..the new M.A.A. to handle., but Councilwoman Allen said she had talked with the people involved.;and- she thought'.,wai.ting':wo.uld, only worsen.,the condition:. Mr. Herzberg said one of'the problems has to do with. level of service, and Rhonda March, his Office Administrator, explained that when citizens inquire about their accounts they cannot always be given an immediate response because the information has not been received from data processing. She also said that the two clerks have to wait.on the.public and at the same time are trying to learn the new process. They are finding some misinterpretations that must be resolved and they feel the system needs -some -flexibility and that they'need additional training. Mrs. March thought a consultant.cou.ld help them.- There was some indication from the Council that only a critique should be..authorized and the results should be studied before authorizing the hiring of.someone to provide further training: COUNCILMAN.NAUGHTEN-MOVED, SECONDED'BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THE COUNCIL•AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF.'A CONSULTANT'TO-CRITIQUE THE SYSTEM, 11 0 7-7 J 1 *See amendment, 4-21-81 0