19830628 City Council Minutes• June 28, 1983 - Work Meeting
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Council President
Jo -Anne Jaech in the small Plaza Meeting Room 'of the Edmonds Library. All present ,joined in the
flan salute. Mayor Harrison arrived shortly after the call to order.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
!carve Harrison, Mayor John Ncrdouist Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
Jo -Anne Jaech Patrick Wilson, Assistant City Engineer
Larry Nauohten Jerry Hauth, Hydraulics Engineer
Katherine Allen Jack Weinz,.Fire Chief
Ray Gould Art Housler, Finance Director
Bill Kasper ;Jim Jessel, Property Manager
Laura Hall Pat Wilson, Personnel Director
Tony Foss, Student Rep. Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Supt.
Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
,`Steve Billups on, larks Q. 6Ccreaton 'Director
Wavne Tanaka, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
CONSENT AGENDA
Items (B) and (J) were removed from the Consent Agenda.. COUNCILMEh1BER HALL i�iOVED, SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMRER KASPER, TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. The approved
items on the Consent Agenda included the following:
(A) Roll call.
• (C) Acknowledgment of receipt of Claim for Damages from E. I. King in the amount of $400.
(D) Report on condition of 5th Ave. street light poles.
(E) Authorization for Mayor to sign agreement for storm detention system adjacent to 6th Ave.
tennis courts.
(F) Report on bids opened June 22., 1983 for construction of storm drainage facility at 202nd
and 80th W., and award of contract to Danco Construction Co. in the amount of $11,755.99
plus sales tax.
(G) Passage of Resolution 559, setting July 19, 1983 as hearing date for proposed annexation
in vicinity of 85th P1. W. and 218th S.W.
(H) Passage of Resolution. of Intention 262 to form LICE 212 for Sea Vista P1. improvements.
(I) Adoption of Ordinance 2376, speed limit revision on gain St. from Five Corners to 9th Ave.
(K) Approval of Fireworks Stand Permits.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE. 21, 1983 (Item (B) can Consent Agenda]
Councilmember Kasper referred to page 5 of the minutes, the end of the first line, and -said the words
"are not" should be changed to "the area is" so the line reads "Councilmember Kasper commented that
if those sites are not posted now and the area is allowed to be built up, ." COUNCILMEMBER
GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO APPROVE ITEM (B) ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS CORRECTED.
MOTION'. CARRIED.
• PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT RESTRICTIONS FITEM (J) ON CONSENT AGENDPi
COIINCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILHEMSER GOULD, THAT 9TH AVE. I;. AND 9TH
AVE. S. BE PLACED ON THE RESTRICTED LIST. Councilmember Kasper said 9th Ave. is a residential
collector arterial, and he asked for the criteria used to establish the other streets listed for
restriction to vehicles of less than 10,000 pounds. Assistant City Engineer Pat Wilson said the
only thing that was addressed was the inconsistency in -two sections of the Code. He was agreeable
to including 9th Ave. However, Acting Public Works Superintendent Bobby I,iills said the reason the
restrictions were placed was because traffic was going down 196th and bypassing the major arterials,
and the intent was to make them use the major routes. He asked where the restriction should end on
9th Ave., noting that 9th Ave. is an arterial and there has to be a way to qet trucks from 'the
Firdale area to Main St. This was discussed briefly, and then THE. MOTION WAS WITHO RAWN. COUNCILMEMBER
KASPER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2377, AMENDING THE VEHICLE LOAD
LIMIT RESTRICTIONS, WITH FURTHER STUDY OF 9TH AVE. N. AND 9TH AVE. S. AS TO INCORPORATING THEM AT A
LATER DATE. MOTION CARRIED. Item (J) on the Consent Agenda was considered approved by this action.
DECISION ON DAYTON ST. SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AND AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS ON
DAY T ON ST. IMPROVEMENTS
Councilmember Kasper brought this to attention because it involves the 'fact that there is a street
that is sinking at about 1" per year and there is no evidence of its stopping, and yet money was
goinq to be spent to redevelop it. He said on the north side the development was done by LID, and
he wondered if the sidewalk was incorporated in that. Councilmember Gould referred to the Council's
previous action on this as stated in the minutes of July 27, 1982, and said that action was to
improve the street project in the amount of $46,000 and that the sidewalk on the north would be paid
for by the Safeway property owner and the other side by Harbor Souare, but that was not the proposal
put forth in Mr. "dams memo of June 7, 1933. Councilmember Gould thought they could go ar,ead with
getting the bids, but he said whatever action takenmust conform to the Council action of July 27,
1982. He thought it should be determined how much it will cost. Councilmember Kasper asked if they
would be pouring water into a sinking hole, noting that the engineers have said there is always
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June 28, 1983 - continued •
sinking of earth and it is a question of whether it sinks uniformly. He felt an impervious surface
had to be placed there in order to remove the water. Mayor Harrison suggested that one possibility
would be not to require sidewalks and simply paint a lane for walking. Assistant City Engineer Pat
Wilson was asked what is in the plans and specifications to prevent further sinking, and he responded
that all that would be done with the new construction would be to go on top of a bog area which has
settled uniformly, and the settlement pattern will probably continue but it appears it is in a more
or less uniform condition. By doing as much as possible to eliminate water from the new construc-
tion the settlement rate of the original soil will be reduced. The surface will be compacted. He
said this was the consequence of building in what was a known bog area at the turn of the century.
Councilmember Kasper said it is necessary that it be done and that Safeway do theirs, and if Safeway
does not raise its parking lot that street is going to be lost again. COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO APPROVE THE CALL FOR BIDS ON THE DAYTON ST. IMPROVEMENT WITH
THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT ITS POSITION AS STATED IN COUNCIL MINUTES OF
JULY 27, 1982 ON PAGE 4. MOTION CARRIED.
MEETING WITH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD REGARDING SIGN CODE INTERPRETATION
Members of the ADB who were present for this meeting were Warren LaFon (Chairman), Peter Beck, Mike
Pederson, and Bob Hintz. The first subject discussed was nonconforming signs which were to come
into conformance within five years after passage of the Sign Code. That five year period expired in
May and letters were sent to those businesses which were still nonconforming. Councilmember Naughten
thought that the letter sent out by the Mayor made it sound as though all the person had to do was
go to the ADB and the sign would be approved. Mayor Harrison said it just meant that the parties
had to apply for approval and it did not mean they would get approval. Councilmember Gould said a
while back the ADB was given the authority to vary from the restrictions and he was interested in
knowing how many times the ADB had permitted the code to be exceeded. Councilmember Jaech had heard
that the ADB did not want to have the authority to vary the Code, and she asked them if that was
true. Mr. LaFon responded that they want to do what the Council wants and will do what they say.
However, he said if he were one of the people with the nonconforming signs he would ignore it
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because there is no enforcement. He thought if they were going to talk about the Sign Code they
should talk about enforcement. Mayor Harrison said there is enforcement but all the people have the
right to appeal. Mr. LaFon said.he sees two or three signs go up per month that do not have permits
because there is no enforcement, and he again said he thought if they were going to look at signs
they.have to have enforcement. He said the City Attorney sends letters but they are ignored and the
word is out that there is no enforcement and people will take advantage of it. Mr. Tanaka said his
office sends a letter that states the Code requirements and suggests very strongly that they comply
or the City will have no choice but to take action, and they are given 10 days to respond, and most
of the people come in after they receive the letter. As to signs denied by the ADB, Ms. Block said
she was not aware of any that her department did not pursue: Mr. LaFon gave an example, saying they
changed the faces of their sign which was not approved. It was complained about and a letter was
written, and it is still there. He said there are many others, and there are many that have not
come to the City at all. Ms. Block said that since the letter went out to the businesses with
nonconforming signs approximatley half have called to ask what their options are, and two have
applied to the ADB. It was noted that the letter set no deadline for responding. Councilmember
Gould read section 20.60.100 of the Code and said the system for administering the Sign Code is set
up and just has to be followed. Mr. Tanaka went on to -say that the letter he sends states if they
do not comply action will be taken, and by carbon copy to the Planning Department his office expects
to be notified if there is no action. Ms. Block stated that these signs became nonconforming in
May of this year and she feels that conformance is taking place gradually. Mr. Tanaka continued
that he had found in the past that the court requires quite a bit of notice and bending over back-
wards by the City so the people have every opportunity to make good on Code violations, and the
court does not look upon them as criminals, so in that sense it really is to the City's advantage to
be as flexible as possible. Mayor Harrison suggested a two -month period in which to comply, and
Councilmember Gould thought that would be a good addition to the Code. THEREFORE, COUNCILMEMBER
GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, THAT THE NECESSARY STEPS BE TAKEN TO AMEND SECTION
20.60.100(C), NOTICE OF VIOLATION, SO THE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH TO START THE PROCESS TO REMEDY THE
VIOLATION WILL BE SPECIFIED AS A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 60 DAYS. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Gould
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then suggested that the administration send another letter stating it is the intent of the Council
that they expect the remedy to commence within 60 days. He pointed out that the way the Code is
currently worded, although the time period is not stated, it is left to the administration to state
a time period within which to remedy the violation, and that is what he was now asking. Mayor
Harrison asked for a roll call as to whether 60 days is reasonable. All voted yes, and Mayor
Harrison said it was his suggestion so they all agree.
The ADB was asked how they will deal with nonconforming signs, and Mr. LaFon said the larger signs
that have been approved are more prevalent on Highway 99, and they are higher and bigger. He said
they look at the height in relation to the surrounding neighborhood, sight distances, speed.of cars,
etc. Councilmember Jaech said if you go according to what is on Highway 99 now, that does not fit
the scheme of what they are hoping to do for Highway 99, and if the higher signs go up that allows
the visual pollution to continue. Mr. LaFon responded that the signs are a small part of the visual
pollution. He was asked how many applications for sign variances had been granted and he said
approximately 10-15%. Councilmember Gould stated that it was his personal preference that the Sign
Code be rigidly enforced with the authority to vary used only for unusual circumstances, and if
necessary, they could change the Code to say there will be no variances granted by the ADB and the
applicant would have to go to the Council for a modification. Chairman LaFon responded that if the
Council wants the Code rigidly enforced, the ADB will do that. Councilmember Gould said he thinks
the people in the City want a strict Sign Code, and Councilmember Jaech agreed and said it should be
varied only for some dire necessity. Councilmember Gould added that when they revised the Code to
give additional authority to the ADB the thought in his mind was that it was a good thing to do
because it gives some authority to some additional residents of the City to take part in making the
City the way they want it, but he wants that authority to be judiciously used. Mr..Pederson said he
had been on the ADB for six months and in those six meetings there had been about six requests for
variances, and each time he has thought the person was asking for the variance for a legitimate
reason from his point of view. He said there is a place in marketing where if you are prohibitive
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June 28, 1983 - continued
they take the action to avoid confrontation. He noted that most of the objections are to the limited
size of signs, not to lighting or lack of it. Mr. Tanaka suggested some changes be made to the Code
to give the ADB some language to point to to tell the people that the Council has said variances
will be only for unusual circumstances. Ms. Block added that the staff position is that there
should be some flexibility in the Code for unusual circumstances. Mr. Hintz observed that regulating
signs is a big problem in any jurisdiction, and if the laws are too harsh they will not be effective.
He thought the latitude granted the ADB to be desirable, and the reason they were present was to get
the sense of the Council about their observing strict standards. lie said without latitude the
applications can be handled at the counter --they can.be told either comply or go to the Council. He
said size is usually the problem and that is a judgment call involving the environment, neighborhood,
etc. He said they will recognize the objective to make the signs more attractive in the city, and
those on the list of nonconforming signs will be considered as new applications, recognizing the
investment they have in their signs. He added that they have not allowed new businesses on Highway
99 to be as bad as what is existing. Mr. Pederson thought if they gave somebody a variance it
should be contingent on Council approval, and Councilmember Naughten favored that approach. Council -
member Gould suggested a change in the Code so that the All can vary 'tile number, height, size, or
location in some unusual circumstances, and then let the ADB manage the Code under those guidelines
and simply notify the Council of the variances they approve, with the Council reviewing them but not
approving them, and if the Council is not in agreement with what they are doing then they can make a
change. COUNCILMEMBER GGULU MOVEu, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEM3L'R JAECH, THAT THE PLANNING STAFF PROPOSE
REVISED LANGUAGE FOR THE SIGN CODE SECTION 20.60.020B, "REVIEW BY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 3OARD," SO
THAT THE THINGS THE ADB VARIES REGARDING HEIGHT, AREA, AND LOCATION WILL BE DONE ONLY IN UNUSUAL
SITUATIONS, AND THAT THIS CHANGE BE ROUTED THROUGH THE REGULAR CHANNELS AS REQUIRED TO CHANGE THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE. MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILMEMBER KASPER VOTING NO. Fie said they
were getting into design, and he did not think the Council could legislate design. COUNCILMEMBER
GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN, THAT IT BE A PRACTICE THAT THE ADB ADVISE THE
COUNCIL IN WRITING AS TO WHAT THEIR DECISIONS ARE REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR VARIANCES TO THE SIGN
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CODE, AFTER HEARING EACH APPLICATION, SO THE COUNCIL MAY MONITOR THEIR ACTIONS. MOTION CARRIED,
WITH COUNCILMEMBER KASPER VOTING NO. He said it is all reported in the ADB minutes.
Councilmember Naughten asked about signs that are erected illegally, and Mayor Harrison said anyone
recognizing that should report it to the Planning Department. Councilmember Allen thought that
complaints made to the Planning Department would be taken care of,'based on her own experience. Mr.
Tanaka said violations should be brought to the staff's attention as they can only act on complaints.
He said the policy is that the staff has other things to do and unless a complaint is made they do
not pursue it. COUNCILM51BER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, TO PLACE A FOLLOW-UP
STAFF REPORT OF THE EXISTING VIOLATIONS ON THE SEPTEMBER 6, 1983 AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL
Councilmember Naughten asked again if there is adequate insurance for the July 4 activities, and Mr.
Tanaka said them is.
Student Representative Tony Foss suggested that City Councilmembers participate in Boys' State as
members of government. He thought they would be interesting participants and he suggested that they
contact the American Hegion and see if they can be part of agenda.
Councilmember Hall reminded the Council that the dedication of the library plaza to Dr. Kretzler
will be July 4 at 4:00 p.m. on the plaza.
Councilmember Hall had received a call from an Edmonds High School band member asking who to contact
to enter their band in the parade, and she was told to have the student call Councilmember Naughten.
Council President Jaech noted that the Code calls for a report from the Hearing Examiner in January
and July. It was noted that at the last meeting with him he asked that his report be only annually.
• COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY BE INSTRUCTED TO
DRAFT AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE A REPORT FROM THE HEARING EXAMINER TO THE CITY COUNCIL
ONCE A YEAR IN SEPTEMBER. MOTION CARRIED.
Council President Jaech reminded the Council that the County Council would be having a hearing the
following day at 2:00 p.m. regarding billboards.
Councilmember Kasper said there are no stripes on the tennis courts and no nets, and the temperature
required to stripe them (70°) had existed for several days. He asked that some action be taken to
put the courts in use immediately, or the season will pass before they are usable.
Councilmember Kasper said the candy for the July 4 parade cost $106.14 this year. The Council -
members and:ilayor reirnbursed.him for their portions of the cost.
Councilmember Gould thanked Art Housler for his action regarding the elderly lady and her utility
bill. He thought it was a very commendable action and he had received a nice letter from Russ Berg
about it.
Councilmember Gould read a prepared statement, announcing his decision not to seek re-election to
the City Council. He will continue to serve the community as President of the Lynnwood Rotary Club,
President of the Northwest Fly Anglers Club, and Khairman of the South County United Way Division.
Also, he will be assisting his wife in her campaignfor a seat in the House of Representatives in
the United States Congress.
Following this announcement, he suggested a recess and invited everyone present to enjoy some smoked
salmon which he had caught and smoked on his recent vacation, and a recess was announced.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING
Personnel Director Pat LeMay stated that the Council had been given a memo from the Mayor informing
them of a 1% merit adjustment being given to City Clerk Irene Varney Moran and a 2% merit adjustment
June 28, 1983 — continued •
being given to Police Chief Marlo Foster, and he asked for Council approval. COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO APPROVE THE STATED MERIT ADJUSTMENTS. MOTION CARRIED.
Proposed job reclassifications were.then reviewed. The first was to establish the position of
Executive Assistant/Secretary NE-9 to replace the Executive Secretary NE-8 position (secretary to
the Mayor). Mayor Harrison said the rationale for this change is that she is functioning as an
executive assistant as well as a secretary and is doing some of the things the former MAA did.
Also, he said there will be more demand on this position when the Mayor's position becomes full-
time. Councilmember Jaech questioned this, saying he previously had the position upgraded on. the
basis that the Mayor's position was a part-time position. He said he needed an assistant and it was
argued that.he previously had said he did not need an assistant and the Personnel Director was hired
to absorb the personnel functions which the MAA had performed. After some discussion, COUNCILMEMBER
GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO LEAVE THE POSITION AT THE CURRENT NE-8 CLASSIFICA-
TION. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE MOTION, WITH COUNCILMEMBERS GOULD, JAECH, NAUGHTEN, AND
KASPER VOTING YES, AND WITH COUNCILMEMBERS HALL AND ALLEN VOTING NO. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember
Naughten said he did not have a problem giving an increase for more responsibility, but he.was
having a problem upgrading the job to an administrative assistant position. Councilmember Kasper
felt they were moving toward a resource person and moving the Council away from that position and
until that takes place he did not think it should be reclassified. Councilmember Hall argued that
because they are hiring a resource person that will put more demand on this position, but he said he
will be glad to look at it when the time comes.
The next position considered was the upgrade of the Purchasing/Communications Coordinator from NE-3
to NE-5. After brief discussion, COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN, TO
APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION. Councilmember Gould asked the rationale for moving two steps. Mr.
LeMay responded that the internal analysis indicated an upgrade was in order, given the level of
responsibility, and there was no external data. Councilmember Hall said this is a demanding position
and is handled very well by the person in the position. THE MOTION CARRIED. •
Mr. LeMay said there had been a recommendation to upgrade the Finance Secretary position from NE-5
to NE-6, but based on what the word processing will do to the department, Mr. Housler had withdrawn
this recommendation.
The next position considered was that of Accounting Supervisor, with a recommendation for upgrade
from E-2 to E-3. Mr. LeMay stated that internal analysis indicates the position to be properly
classified at the existing grade, but external data indicated classificaton should be upgraded.
After brief discussion, COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, TO APPROVE THIS
RECOMMENDATION. MOTION CARRIED.
The next position considered was that of Key/Computer Operator, the recommendation being to reserve
the NE-6 grade for the incumbent and retitle the position to Lead Key/Computer Operator, while at
the same time downgrading the vacated position to NE-5. Mr. LeMay said this would require nego-
tiations with the union, and the recommendation was to negotiate the downgrade with the union in
return for several upgrades in the same bargaining unit, and then fill the the position at the lower
classification level if the Finance Director decides to fill the position. COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, TO CHANGE THE JOB TITLE AS SUGGESTED AND EFFECT THE DOWN-
GRADE OF THE SECOND POSITION. MOTION CARRIED.
The next position considered was Accounting Clerk (Treasurer), the recommendation being to upgrade
from NE-5 to NE-6. Mr. LeMay stated that external data indicates the classification should be
upgraded. COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDA-
TION. MOTION CARRIED.
Next considered was the Planning Department. There were no recommendations for reclassification in
that department and Councilmember Naughten took exception to the Mayor'.s prioritizing of the depart-
ments and giving the Planning Department the least priority. He said according to the material •
received from the Assistant City Planner at the retreat, the Planning Director, the Assistant City
Planner, and the Associate Planner are at salaries below the averages of ten other cities. Council -
member Gould said his position is that the Planning Director should be an E-10, the Assistant City
Planner an E-5, and the Associate Planner an E-3, and that the Planning Department is grossly
underclassified in.those three areas. Councilmember Jaech added that the department plays one of
the major roles in this town and they have to keep on their toes and they take a lot of abuse.
Councilmember Naughten said it is® important to recognize what they are doing and to ignore them
would be a mistake. Councilmember Kasper said planning is important and there is not enough forward
planning, but he was concerned with the current structure and said if the Director position were
upgraded to E-10 there should be some consolidation of the Planning Department and the Parks and
Recreation Department. COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, TO UPGRADE
THE PLANNING DIRECTOR POSITION FROM E-8 TO E-9, THE ASSISTANT"CITY PLANNER POSITION FROM E-4 TO E-59
AND THE ASSOCIATE PLANNER POSITION FROM E-2 TO E-3. Mayor Harrison said that changing the classi-
fication means the administration can open it up and readvertise the position. The -Council asked
the City Attorney if that was so, and Mr. Tanaka responded that regardless of reclassifications the
department heads serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and he can remove the incumbent and appoint
another to the position. Councilmember Hall said she would vote no because it was not reviewed by
the Personnel Director. Councilmember Gould said he strongly supported the motion, and that this is
not a group that is low in priority in his mind, and in fact they rank very high. Councilmember
Naughten said the Planning Director should be on the same level as the Parks and Recreation Director,
and Councilmember Kasper said the entire real estate aspect has been taken out of Parks and Recrea-
tion and there are coordinators there doing work that had been done by the Director. He felt the
job factors were no longer there and that both departments should be looked at by the Personnel
Director before they voted on it. Councilmember Gould said this motion did not preclude looking at
consolidation, and he thought it wrong to hold this up while waiting for that. Councilmember Allen
preferred that they ask for a recommendation specifically on those two departments and that it go
through the Personnel Director. She asked that the Mayor direct the Personnel Director to look at
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that potential, and said in the meantime she would vote no on this motion. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS
TAKEN 014 THE IXTION, WITH COU"CILMEMBERS NAUGHTEN, GOULD, AND JAECH VOTING YES, AND WITf-; COUNCIL -
MEMBERS ALLEN, KASPER, AND HALL VOTING NO, RESULTING IN A TIE VOTE. MAYOR HARRISON DECLINED TO
VOTE, AND THE MOTION FAILED. COUNCILMEMBER GOULD THEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN, TO
ADVANCE THE ASSISTANT CITY PLANNER POSITION FROM E-4 TO E-5 AND THE ASSOCIATE PLANNER FROM E-2 TO E-
3. Councilmember Gould said that would take care of two of the three problems and would not affect
a reorganization. THE MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILMEMBER HALL VOTING NO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR. Mr. LeMay said there had been three recommendations in
the Planning Department and he had looked at them based on internal factors and external data, and
he makes his recommendations to the Mayor who makes the decisions. He said the Mayor had some
sincere convictions about what. the City's priorities are and made his decision. The Mayor was asked
to examine the possibility of restructuring the Parks and Recreation and the Planning Departments.
The next position considered was that of Nurseryman NE-7, upgraded and retitled from Maintenance Man
B.NE-6. Mr. LeMay had indicated that internal analysis indicates classification should be upgraded.
COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION. MOTION
CARRIED.
Next considered was the position of Receptionist/Clerk Typist in the Public Works Department, the
recommendation being to upgrade from NE-1 to NE-2. Councilmember Allen asked if any thought had
been given to the importance of the receptionist. She said the public talks to that person first
and that person has to be very knowledgeable. She thought it should be an NE-6. It was argued that
only typing skills are needed and that such a position is an entry level position in private enter-
prise also. COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN, TO APPROVE THE RECO14-
MENDATION FOR UPGRADE TO NE-2. MOTION CARRIED.
• The next oositions considered were Assistant City Engineer, the recommendation being upgrade from E-6
to E-7; and Hydraulics Enoineer, the recommendation being upgrade from E-5 to E-6. Mr. LeMay had
indicated that both recommendations were based on external data. Councilmember Kasper said he has
more concern about the ton positions than the structural positions beneath which are professional
positions but not a problem if there is merging of departments. COUNCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED
BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO APPROVE BOTH RECOMMENDATIONS. MOTION CARRIED.
Next considered was t'l-le position of Aquatics/Athletic Coordinator which was a new position established
at the grade of ME-7, after internal analysis and review of external data and taking into account
City priorities. The position had been approved by the Council in the budget, and this would
eliminate t;-le Pool Manager position. COUNCILMEMPER ALLEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN,
TO APPROVE THE :ECOMMENDATION. MOTION CARRIED.
Next considered was the position of Arts/Information Coordinator, the recommendation being to upgrade
from NE-4 to NE-7. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson said the duties of this position
were expanded when the Recreation Administrator position was eliminated, and this is now the depart-
ment head assistant when the Director is absent. Councilmember.Gould acknowledged'a letter from
Arts Commission Chairman JerrV Ward which supported this recommendation. COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILME43F.R HALL, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATON. Councilmember Gould said he
had compared the three coordinator 'positions and all have approximatel;; the same educational require-
ments, while two of the three require one year's experience. He said the scope of supervision is
different but it is offset by some other factors. Councilmember Jaech felt that the incumbent is
being overburdened with new jobs .and if that is not corrected the City is going to have an Arts
Coordinator who does not have time to do her job. THE MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILMEMBER KASPER
VOTING NO. He said he thought the position has never really been set forth by the Council but has
just grown with everything being dumped on it. His vote !vas no reflection on the person who he said
is very capable. Mr. LeMay stated that the external data more than,reflects that the position
should.be upgraded to NE-7.
• Next considered was establishment of the position of Parks and.Recreation Secretary/ Office Coordina-
tor NE-6, upgraded from the former position of Parks and Recreation Secretary NE-5. Mr. LeMay
indicated external data indicated classification should be upgraded. COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER 'TALL, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION. Councilmember Jaech noted that all
the other secretary positions are NE-5, and she asked why this should he NE-6. Mr. LeMay said the
coordinator aspect is in this job and some additional responsibilities have been put into it and it
is functioning as something other than a secretary. Mr. Simpson said he does not want other people
in the department to get involved in administrative details and therefore the administration is done
by the secretary and himself. Mr. LeMay discussed the external data, saving some other cities
indicate their secretaries are functioning as other than secretaries and also the salary for this
position was much lower than in other cities. Mr. Simpson added that this Position'sunervises the
receptionist position and other secretary positions do :not. THE MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember
Kasper thought the Personnel Director should be asked to r2vie+N how the Parks and Recreation Director
position was classified as E-9 and what work has been taken out of it. He wanted to see the correlation
between the two departments, Planning and Parks and Recreation.
There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
2W. V12 V
IRENE VARNEY MORAN, Cip Clerk HARVE H. HARRISON, Mayor