19840103 City Council Minutes292
No meeting was held on December 29, 1983.
January 3, 1984
The regular meeting of the Edmonds.City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Larry
Naughten in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library. Allpresent joined in the flag
salute.
PRESENT
Larry Naughten, Mayor
Jo -Anne Jaech, Council President
John Nordquist
Jack Wilson
Lloyd Ostrom
Bill Kasper
Laura Hall
Brian Stewart, Student Rep.
OATH OF OFFICE FOR MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
STAFF PRESENT
Jim Adams., City Engineer
Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
Art Housler, Finance Director
Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Supt.
Marlo Foster, Police Chief
Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
Steve Simpson, Parks & Recreation Director
Pat LeMay, Personnel Director
Jim Jessel, Property Manager
Mark Eames, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
The Honorable John E. Rutter, Jr., Snohomish County Judge, administered the oath of office to
Mayor Larry Naughten and then to Councilmembers Bill Kasper, Jo -Anne Jaech, John Nordquist, Lloyd
Ostrom, and Jack Wilson. Mayor Naughten then announced a recess during which refreshments were
served.
The meeting was called back to order at 7:55 p.m. and Mayor Naughten thanked Judge Rutter for
participating in the ceremony and he thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for serving the
refreshments. He welcomed the new Councilmembers, Lloyd Ostrom and Jack Wilson.
Council President Jaech introduced Brian Stewart, the new Student Representative to the City
Council, who is a senior from Woodway High School.
Mayor Naughten invited each Councilmember to say a few words. The Councilmembers exchanged con-
gratulations, and it was noted that Councilmember Hall was the only one not beginning a new term of
office. Councilmember Hall said she was looking forward to the new year, and that she hoped the sound
system would be improved (feedback problems were being experienced). Councilmember Ostrom
thanked the people who worked to get him elected and said he feels a great responsibility for the
trust placed in him. He said he will work for retaining the residential quality of the City,
stimulation of the business climate in the City, and better dialog between the public and City
government as well as between government and the business community and residential and the
business community. He expressed a concern about long range planning. Councilmember Nordquist
said he was starting his 17th year as an official of the City of Edmonds and that he had attended
approximately 832 Council meetings and hopes to reach the 1,000 mark during this term. He was
glad to be representing all walks of life in the City of Edmonds. Council President Jaech thanked
the citizens for putting their trust in her by electing her for another term, and she said she will
try to serve them as they would like to have her serve. Councilmember Kasper also thanked all those
who voted for him and commented that years ago he was the "developer" member of the Council and now
Councilmember Ostrom is the "preservationist" member. Councilmember Wilson thanked the Council for
selecting him and said he takes that selection very seriously and is very impressed with the work the
Council has done in recent years and also is very impressed with the City staff. Mayor Naughten
commented that it is fortunate that Edmonds is a quality community and that is due to the quality
people who live in Edmonds, as well as the City staff and the Council, all of whom value the
quality of the community. He said they honor and preserve the values for which the citizens have
moved to this community. He looks forward to working with the Council on new programs and is excited
to be the first full-time Mayor of the City in which he grew up.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items (B), (E), (I), (J), and (K) were removed from the Consent Agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH., 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 Claims for Damages from Raymond Guerin in the amount of
$1,453.33, Donna L. Guerin in the amount of $315.19, and Stephen R. Sullivan in the amount
of $1,456.00.
(D) Set date of January 17, 1984 for hearing on appeal from ADB denial of existing sign at the
Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St. (Apellant: Mayo)
(F) Extension of 1983 Snohomish County Jail Services Agreement.
(G) Acceptance of Quit C1aim.Deed for right-of-way from Robert W. Hoffman, Bruce A. Hoffman,
and James E. Hoffman.
(H) Adoption of Ordinance 2413, reducing electric utility tax to 5 1/4%, effective February 1,
1984 (resulting in $58,000 reduction in tax revenue).
January 3, 1984 - continued
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DE:E:EMBER 20 AND CECEVIB'ER 21 , 1983
Item 767, on Cor:sent Agenda
Councilmember ;`;ordquist referred -to the minutes of December 21, 1383 which was the special budget
meeting and noted that in the second line or; page 2 the ;dollar figure for salaries should be cor-
rected to $4,125,355 which includes $14,100 a:ued for a secretary in the Public Works Department.
COUNCILMEMBER:NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER
21, 1983 WITH THAT CORRECTION. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Jaech referred to the minutes of
December 20, 1983, on page 2, the third paragraph, captioned "ADOPTIONS OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
IN DENIAL OF APPEAL OF SEPA THRESHOLD DETERNINATI.01N REGARDING 555 WALNUT ASSOCIATES COINDOMINIUM.."
She noted that in the eighth line of that paragraph Councilmember Gould's name was written and it
should have been Councilmember Nordquist. CO;; ;CIL^'Ei1BEF; JAECH 1110VED, SECONDED BY COUNCII_MSEMBER
KASPER, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.OF DECEMBER 20, 1983 WITH THAT CORRECTION. MOTION CARRIED.
Fi:OPTION OF PLAN,IIN3 BOARD RECOhi,1ENDATICN TO, APF'F:OVE AN AMIENDMENT TO CONTRACT REZONE: R-4-81 (R-6-
83) [Item (E).on Consent Agenda]
Councilmember Nordquist aske:u whether ingress and egress were taken into consideration in the
recommended approval. Planning Director Mary Lou Block responded that they will be addressed with
the review of the specific proposal. The previous contract limited the land use on Parcel 8 to
professional offices. The request by the applicant was to allow Parcel B to be used for any per-
mitted use in the CG zone. lowever, the Planning Board was not willing to allow all permitted CG
zone uses on that property and the applicant agreed and proposed to limit the use to multiple -
family, retail, er office use, which was approved by the Planning Board, so that parcel could be
used th-2 same as t'.^.a rest of the site. COUNCILMEUEcF. NORDQUIST MIOVED, SECONDED BY CCUNCILi.I.EMEER
KASPER, TO APPROVE ITEM (E) 0`i THE COX -SENT AGIEINDA. NOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Kasper shared
Councilmember NNordquist's concern about the ingress/egress.
•
REPORT ON EIDS FOR AD IINISTRATION EUILDING ROOF [Item (I) on Consent Agenda]
Councilmember Jaech aske::! whether the bidders had been investigated as she was concerned that in the
past whan trying to get a company to make good on a faulty roof it could not be done because the
roofer was no longer in business. Property Nanager Jim Jessel said there had been pro`olems in the
past with flat roofs, whicm this one is not. He said the company recommended has been in business
for a long time: and is o-ne of the larger roofing firms in the area, having three offices. lie said
if the Council approves the award of t:rz bid he will be sure t,-,e Mayor is made aware of the history
of the firm before he signs the contract. COUIvCILhIEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECCNDED FOR DISCUSSIC"N 35Y
COUNCIL M-EMBEER ORDQUIST, TO. ACCEIPT THE SI►; OF 3RI,1,W'S P',CUNTAIN "OAT ROOFING IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,851
FLUS SALES TAX., SUBJECT TO CREDIT A„) REFERENCE REVIEW. (Councilmember Kasper will accomplish the
credit review.) Ceuncilme�r!E,�r Nordquist asked how this �r��as advertised, and I�"r. Jessel salU the
bidders cane from the City's small bidders' list. Councilmember Nordquist requested that future bid
reports reflect -the format uses -to gather the ::,ids. Councilmember Ostrom asked about 'the quality of
the work and the term of warranty. Also, he asked if any consideration was given to local businesses.
Mr. Jessel said the bids varied by large amounts in this case and all bids received were sealed. He
will attempt to get iinformation on t e: qualit-y of work and the warranty when reporting to tiie Mayor
on the reference review of the bidder. THE MOTION CARRIc.D.
PROPOSED RESOLUTICi1 573 AME-NDIWG DEFERRED COMPENSATIC_!v PLAIN
1Iterr! (J) on Consent Agenda
Councilmember Nordquist noted that the proposed resolution had the signature line of the former
Mayor, and it was filed with the City Clerk oil December 29, 1983, so he asked who should sign it,
the former Mayor or the new ijayor. City Attorney. Marl: Eames responded that the new Mayor should
sign ti',r3 resol!aL. on. COUNCILMEMBER NOROQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILME141BER JAECH, TO PASS
RESOLl1TICiJ 515, CHANGI`sJG T't1= SIGiJATJ'":E LINE TO THAT OF THE NEW MAYOR. MOTION CARRIED.
AMENDMENT TO _1!EBT PLAN [Item (K) on Consent Agenda]
Councilr:iember Nordquist noted -that in the first paragraph of the proposed amendment Peoples National
Bank is the Trustee, and he asked if tha ever changes or if the 0.ity is committed to Peoples National
Bank. Finance director Art Housler responded that the City goes to bid every two years for banking
services, with the option of extending the contract for one year, but in this instance the City 'is
actually a submember of this plan, with the major ",iun0er.bei_ng the City of Bellevue, and as a
submember the City of Edmonds has to go basically with what the City of Bellevue has, and that is
Peoples National Bank. Councilmember Kasper noted that Peoples has been far ahead of other banks in
this type of service, COUIUM!=NIE? NO2JQUIST MINED, SECJNJED BY CO"CTIME1 111 KASPER, TO APPROVE
ITEM (K) ON THE CONSENT AG NDA. MOTION CARRIED.
AUDIENCE
Andrew Husak, S027 242nd S.W., complained about the activities at the Doces property. He said a road
has been. put in on the east boundary of the RM-3 property and gravel fill has been put in up to 6'
and:they have done so!ne grading. F.e haJ discussed his complaints with the Planning Departiiient and
he read aloud a letter from Assistant City Planner Duane Bowman to Dean Doces, dated Deceriruer 16,
1983, indicating steps to be taken regarding some ;proposed improve!,ients, lie further stated that
vehicles are being parked on -tile R11-3 property when Harris Ford has vehicle sales there. He was
concerned that thF- proper permits had not teen o;tained -or the activities there, and tayar Nauohten
said he would. investigate, it and report back to tine Council and to Mr. Husak. Mir. Husak said the
neighbors are: not against development there but they want it to be done in accordance with the Code.
Councilmember Nordquist asked that the change in usage of the warehouse also be checked as well as
the unlocking of the gates on the south side of the property and opening them to the public.
Roger Hertrich, 1020 Puget Dr., said that directly south of the old Qjympic.Elementary School is a
housing. development with a.stream that crosses under the walkwal, that noes s-uth, and the sidewalk
is being overrun by the creek. He said the development there is very soggy and they have dug out a
294
January 3, 1984 - continued
lot of ground and put in fill but he believes they have disturbed the creek. He doubted that they
had coordinated with the Department of Fisheries for a hydraulics permit. He also said the work
being done in changing the creek is causing problems for the people in the area. He also brought to
attention the area above 12th Ave. where they removed a lot of soil and said it bothered him that
they denuded the side of the hill and caused part of a lot to be lost. He used this as an example
of a serious problem developing when the Building Department does not keep a close watch on such
developments.
Betty Wickers Gruwell, who recently moved back to this area, complimented everyone for developing
this City to what it is now from what it was when she was a child.
SLIDE PRESENTATION BY EVERETT HERALD ON SNOHOMISH COUNTY GROWTH UPDATE
Jim'Wall, Marketing Manager for the Herald, gave a slide presentation about the growth in Snohomish
County in recent years, followed by another presentation about the City of Edmonds and surrounding
areas. He was thanked for his informative presentation.
REPORT ON REQUEST FROM YOUTH CLUB FOR REDUCED RENT ON SPACE AT ANDERSON CENTER
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson stated that the Youth Club of Edmonds/Lynnwood had asked
the City for a reduction in its Anderson Center lease payments in exchange for maintenance work
performed on City playing fields. He said in order to grant the requested reduction it would
require an offsetting of savings to the Public Works Department, and that could result in a protest
from the unions. Also, he said there is no connection between room lease payments and field rental,
so a new policy of lease reduction for work could not be applied to groups which do not lease space.
Further, it is.difficult to measure the worth of the work done by the Youth Club. He said the
Buildings and Grounds Division does not recognize any difference between fields used and reportedly
maintained by the Youth Club and any other playfields used by other groups. Rather, he suggested
supporting youth organizations in other ways, such as beginning a grant program for young people's
•
community groups; contracting with youth groups to provide certain athletic program services such as
the City does for adult programs; raising the adult field rental rates and lowering the young
people's field rental rates to maintain the same level of revenue (the department has to bring in a
certain amount of revenue); or the City could provide a subsidy to specified nonprofit youth groups,
such as that which is provided to the Senior Center. Councilmember Kasper asked, in regard to the
union situation, if it is not possible to give the work to someone else, rather than employ new
people. He noted that it is said that Public Works is under -staffed at this time and if that is
the case this would not be taking work away from Public Works. City Attorney Mark Eames said the
only example available is the temporary public works program where the work is actually created that
is not something the City would normally do, and that is the reason it is acceptable to the union --
it is not violating the union contract --but if you take work that is normally that of the union
employee there.could be a problem with the contract. He said he could have it looked at more
closely. Mr. Simpson then explained the problem more fully for Councilmember Wilson who was not on
the Council when this previously was discussed.
John Harter, 9629 238th S.W., representing the Youth Club, described their programs. He feels they
are paying a high rental for the office space at the Anderson Center but he said that space suits
the needs of the club and the programs have increased since the club has been located there.
Councilmember Nordquist observed that he actually was getting good value for the $4,000 rental when
considering the parking, access, and the facility. Mr. Harter said he would like the City to reduce
the rate on the fields in consideration of the work the club puts in on the fields. He was questioned
about leaving the lights on in his office, which is not an additional cost to the club but is
absorbed by the City, and he explained that the lights are left on for security purposes and that
the Assistant Police Chief had agreed that this was a good security measure. Mayor Naughten noted
that the Youth Club does provide a service to the City that the City could .not afford to provide and
it does provide a service in maintenance of the fields. It was noted that the Council had put a
limit of $90,000 to subsidize the Parks and Recreation activities, and that it should be decided
whether to include this in the recreation program and fund it that way.. Councilmember Wilson
observed that with the schools being pulled out of the bowl, anything that can be done should be
done to keep the young people in the area --participating, playing, functioning --and he thought the
Council should take a good hard look at it, and that it probably is not a lot of money. Council -
member Hall thought user's fees should be pursued, or private enterprise, noting that this is a
problem everywhere, and she thought it.should be looked at overall and not just with the Youth Club,
although she said the Youth Club may be the impetus to get them going to study it. Councilmember
Jaech thought if they were going to pursue the avenue of work for rent then the City Attorney should
pursue it relative to the union question. Mr. Eames said if she meant trading work for reduced
rent, that should be looked at by the staff members who have expertise in that issue, keeping in
mind the constitutional question of making a gift of public funds, wherein the only exception is for
the poor and the infirm. Acting Public Works Superintendent Bobby Mills stated that his child
participates in this program and Mr. Mills believes the Community needs it, but he cautioned the
Council not to let them get into maintenance of the fields. He said if you let one group start
maintaining the fields then another group will want to and soon it will not be known who is main-
taining the fields --and that is his responsibility. He recommended a rent reduction program instead.
He noted that he had given them a brochure from the insurance company with some recommendations of
what should be done regarding the fields. He said the amount of maintenance required is based on
activity at the field, and he wants the fields safe for all the community, not just one group.
Councilmember Hall thought it should be left to the administration to decide what to do. Council -
member Kasper thought the Mayor had a feeling of what the Council wants, and he said he is against
subsidizing the rent but if the work being done on the field is valid, then that is kind -for -kind
and it should be considered. Mayor Naughten summarized that the Council wants to be fair to all and
wants policy examined.
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING A SUITABLE MEMORIAL FOR SENATOR JACKSON_
No suggestions were made by the Council, and it was noted that the staff at one time suggested that
the reference room in the library be dedicated to the late Senator Jackson. There is the painting
of him recently donated by A. Lyall Lush. Mayor Naughten will take the matter under advisement and
will provide some suggestions on February 14, 1984. is
• January 3, 1984 - continued
r1AYOR
Two requests for approval of liquor licenses had been received. The time had run on the request for
Raymonds Family Restaurant, having been dated December 9, 1983 (it is assumed by the Liquor Board
that there is no objection if a response is not sent to the Liquor Board wthin 20 days). The second
request was for the Southland Corporation for a 7-Eleven Store at 8101 238th St. S.W., and the time
had almost run on it because it vas dated December 16, 1983. Councilmember Nordquist was concerned
that such businesses result in "screa.,-,iinrci r,jheels" all night long in residential areas. He also felt
that giving a liquor license to an empty lot %,ias increasing the value of the property. He observed
that such businesses have proliferated and have reached the saturation point. He recognized that
approval previously had been granted for this location for a Go 'n Joy store. He said the Council
did not have a site plan so thelf were unaware of the ingress and.egress on a busy street. Mr. Eames
reminded him that the concern.here was the location in the community. It was also noted that the
ADB gave approval for the structure on September 7, 1983. COUNCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED BY
.COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST, TO TAKE NO ACTION. NOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILMEMBER HALL ABSTAINING
BECAUSE.SHE SAID IT WAS REDUNDANT.
Mayor Naughten commented on Item (H) on the Consent Agenda which was a reduction in the electric
utility tax. He noted that it is a significant reduction and it had been initiated by an appearance
before the Council by Gordon "osier of FUSE who had pointed out that the electric rates had increased
so much that the tar, revenue also had increased by a large amount. This was followed up by Council-
member.Ray Gould during the budget discussions and he strongly supported reduction of the electric
utility tax. With other utility tax reductions in recent years this now represents u?55,000 by
which the Council has reduced utility taxes, and represents $32 per household in the City. Mayor
Naughten added that in accomplishing this the City is doing without other things it felt was needed.
;Mayor Naughten asked the Finance Committee to set up a schedule to review all fees except those of
Parks and Recreation, for the January 24, 1984 meeting. Councilmember Jaech noted that the Planning
Department reviews their fees annually and will be presenting their recommendations to the Council
at the end of. January.
COUNCIL
Councilmember Hall had received a call from Sue Hall regarding the log cabin and expressing concern
that the matter had been dropped. Councilmember Hall had discussed it with the Property Manager and
said it twill he scheduled for another Council presentation.
Councilmember Hall had attended the Public Works Department's Christmas party. She commented on the
employees who spent a lot of time sanding the streets during the recent cold weather.
Councilmember Hall referred to a letter from the Acting Public Works Superintendent regarding the
property near the treatment ;plant. COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED By COUNrILMEMBER KASPER, TO
DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON JANUARY 10, 1934, AT 6:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED.
Regarding the spring retreat, Councilmember Nordqui.st said he hoped they could work out, short- and
long-range plans for the administration, and possibly ,just the Council and the Macro r should partici-
pate. He said he !would follow up this suggestion :with a memorandum. V
Councilmember Nordquist had talked to the !ganager of the property at 76th/213th and they are request-
ing a crosswalk, and he was concerned about the awkwardness of the configuration they want. He also
noted that the sidewalks on 75th north of Perrinville are catching a lot of water asthedrains arE
not good.
Councilmember Nordquist referred to recent staff meeting inutes and said the State is getting a
bargain in fire protection at $190 per year. lie also noted that there were comments in the staff
meeting minutes regarding roof repair at the Anderson Center.
• COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO DECLARE A VACA"JCY ON THE CITY CO!_JNCIL
FOR THE POSITION FORMERLY HELD BY LARRY NAUaHTEN. MOTION CARRIED. CO!INCILIMEMBER JAErH THEN MOVF9,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST, TO ANNOUNCE THE ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION,
WITH A CLOSING'DATE%OF JANUARY' 12,,"984, AT 5:00 P.M.; THAT THE APPLICATIONS BE PROVIDED TO THE
rOUNCTl. IN THE'TR PACKETS ON JANUARY 13, 1984, THAT INTERVIENS OF THE A?PL.IrANTS BE SCHEDULED ON
JANUARY 14, 1984 IN ,THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM:, AND THAT SELECTION OF THE NEW
COUNCILMEMBER ►.DILL BE AT THE JANUARY 17, 1984 COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
1
Councilmember Kasper said he would not be present at t'ie January 24, 1114 Council mooning and there
were some sections of the Community Development Code scheduled to be discussed that evening for
which he would like to be present. COLINCI"-MEMBER-HALL MOVED, SECONDED B1' CO'JNCILMEM3ER KASPER, TO
MOVE TO JANUARY 31, 1984 THE REVIEWS OF SECTIONS 18.40.030, 18.30, AND 18.95 OF THE COMM!_INITY 9EVELOP-
MENT CODE. MOTION CARRIED.
Regarding fire services consolidation, Councilmember Kasper said there is a resolution from Mountlake
Terrace, one from Lynnwood, and one from Brier, and he expects one from blood,iay. He did not kno-.i
whether to expect one from Fire District 1, and he said one will be expected from Edmonds. He said
they are asking people what they will do for the targetted limit of $20,000. No meetings are
scheduled at this time.
There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned to Executive
Session at 10:10 r).m.
is
IRENE VARNEY MORAN, Ci ! Clerk
i .ARRY S .. NAUrHTEN , Mn.,vor