19840110 City Council Minutes96
January 10, 1984 -,Work Meeting •
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. All present joined In the flag salute.
PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Larry Naughten, Mayor
Art Housler, Finance Director
Jo -Anne Jaech
Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
Laura Hall
Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Supt.
John Nordquist
Pat LeMay, Personnel Director
Bill Kasper
Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Jack Wilson
Marlo Foster, Police Chief
Lloyd Ostrom
Steve Simpson, Parks & Recreation Director
Brian Stewart, Student Representative
Jim Jessel, Property Manager
Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
Mark Eames, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED
BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION CARRIED. The approved items on
the Consent Agenda included the following:
(A) Roll call.
(B) Approval of Minutes of January 3, 1984.
(C) Set date of January 31, 1984 for hearing to establish one-way traffic on alley between 2nd
and 3rd Aves. N. and Bell and Edmonds Sts. •
The next item on the agenda was a Personnel Committee meeting, but COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO MOVE THAT ITEM TO THE LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA BEFORE "MAYOR" AND
"COUNCIL." MOTION CARRIED.
REPORT ON COSTS FOR COVERING YOST POOL
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson presented an update on the costs of covering the pool,
comparing costs of an air supported cover, a prefabricated cover, and a fixed support with other
features (racquetball courts, sauna, jacuzzi, etc.). He also provided anticipated revenue figures
from each type.of facility and the projected net income/subsidy which could be expected from each.
For the pool with an air support cover he anticipated the City would have to subsidize in the amount
of $105,000, for the pool with a prefabricated cover he anticipated a subsidy in the amount of
$84,400 would be necessary, and for the pool with a fixed support cover and the other revenue
producing features he anticipated -that the pool would generate income in the amount of $19,600. His
figures were based on information from'other,municipalities.with.,covered pools. He noted that a new
facility incorporating state-of-the-art attractions and cost -saving features would likely do better
than pools in other cities have done. He also.provided figures for making repairs and additions to
the pool for continued uncovered operation. Repairs are anticipated to cost between $91,000 -
$142,000 and improvements $32,000. He also provided material from two suppliers of pool cover
structures, the air support type of structure and the prefabricated type of structure. He was asked
how the Pac-West (Pacific West Sport & Racquet Club) development in Lynnwood would affect the use of
Yost Pool and he had not taken that into consideration, having only just heard of plans for it.
Councilmember Kasper had conversed with someone from Pac-West and had been told that Edmonds is an
entirely different market from Lynnwood,and he had the impression that if the City did not develop
the pool then Pac-West may at some time in the future come into Edmonds if a suitable location could
be found. Mr. Simpson noted that a sports club would target a different clientele than a municipal
pool, and that was acknowledged.
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Wendy Wahl, former Student Representative to the City Council, and now speaking for the Youth Board,
said her presentation had not taken Pac-West into consideration. She said the Youth Board had
reviewed the issue and discussed it with many people --peers as well as parents and other adults.
They are aware that the cost of covering the pool will be the biggest drawback. They do not think
getting help from the school district is the answer because it would limit the use of the pool. If
it were covered, they thought the Sun/Fun (prefabricated structure) price range to be the most
reasonable and saw no value in the air supported structures. They recognized that the cost of the
fixed support structure with additional features was excessive. Ms. Wahl thought that'if Pac-West
did not develop in Edmonds the existing pool should either be covered or closed. In discussing this
issue she said that she, herself, tried to talk to people of all ages. She received no feedback
regarding paying for it, but she felt that anything would be less expensive than going to an athletic
club. She did not believe a user fee would deter people, and she thought the facility would bring
new life into the bowl. Councilmember Kasper clarified that there is no indication that Pac-West
will be coming into Edmonds but that they did indicate Edmonds is a separate market from Lynnwood.
Councilmember Nordquist observed. that the revenue generation will be the problem. He was also
concerned about access to the parking lot for the pool. He had visited both the Lynnwood pool and
that in Mountlake Terrace and observed that there is no problem with ingress/egress at Lynnwood but
at Mountlake Terrace where the parking lot is used jointly with the school district there is a
problem. Mr. Simpson agreed that parking is a concern, and he had discussed it with some architects
who indicated that the parking is adequate, based on the usage during the summer months now. Usage
is at its peak during those months and parking has been adequate, and the reasoning is that usage
for a covered pool will not be greater than it is in the peak summer months for an uncovered pool.
Councilmember Hall said financing.would have to be discussed and if it were decided that the pool
should be covered she would not be opposed to Councilmanic bonds; however, she said public hearings
would be necessary before making a decision. She noted that a segment of the public had -been asking
for this service but the Council would have to listen to more of the public. In the meantime, she
noted that there are repairs to the pool to be considered. Mr. Simpson said they should consider 0
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whether to (1) leave the pool as it is, (2) cover it only, or (3).cover Rand add the amenities.
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL., TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY 7,
1934. NOTION CARRIED. An cutline.will he prepared for the hearing.
DISCUSSION ON REPORT FROM COMMITTEE REGARDING CIVIC CENTER FIELD
Bruce Dees, consulting landscape architect, discussed the findings and the preliminary recommendations
of the Civic Center Citizen Committee. A detailed report had been provided to the Council. Mr.
Dees noted that the site is .primarily used for programmed sports (adult softball, adult soccer, and
Little League), and that the running track is not used for competitive events except.occasionally by
Holy Rosary Parochial School, but it is used by joggers of all aces. Also, the grandstand is old
and in need of general repair, with the City currently repairing the roof. The grandstand is used
sparingly by adult soccer spectators and youth soccer spectators, but its primary use is as a storage
warehouse for the City. Two.tennis courts and a multipurpose court :re used by the entire community.
The Boys' Club building is operated and maintained by the Boys' Club. In general, he said all field
areas and facilities are: in needof repair --for irainage, uneven field surfaces and overall aesthetics.
The committee had followed a. systematic approach to determine the needs/concerns of each interest
group; determine design criteria regarding layout of the site, the program of activities, rules, and
scheduling; explore alternative solutions; and formulate recommendations, considering long term vs.
short term, permanent vs. temporary, and expensive vs. inexpensive. Their conclusions were described
in two schemes. Scheme A, relocating the existing uses within the pl ayf i el d was described, as was
Scheme B, urban park/new athletic fields. Their recommendations by priority wereo (1) Scheme B
(but basic to the recommendation is the development of the fields at Woodway simultaneously or
before eliminating organized adult softball and soccer from the Civic Center Playfield); (?) Pedevelop
Civic Center Playfield (with minimum inv^stmert) as an interim response to needs while Scheme B is
planned; and (3) Scheme A with major emphasis on providing.c,uality playing fields. Mr. Dees acknowl-
edged that there could to a potential prcblem with the neighbors of the Woodway property but he said
the configuration allows access without going through the residential area. He noted that a. use
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agreexent would be necessary for the continued use of the field should the school close. The plan
was well received by the Council.. Councilmember Ostrom liked the direction of the planning --to
lower the intensity of use at the Civic Center Field and eliminate the lights. Councilmember Jaech
favored the Dlan, noting that it addresses the problems and gives expanded facilities. Councilmember
* Kasper said the only way to a7proach this is to mode toward Woodway, but he though! the 38-yeas
lease remaining on the playfield should be resolved as he did not feel the City should. Feat money
into something it does not own. The next phase of the report will include refinement of the plan
and detailing of the costs and the funding. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson said the
committee will continue with the study and get cost estimates for the final report. The next report
will be March 27.
Councilmember Ostrom referred to a memorandum he had previously addressed to the Council regarding
long-range planning. He said this is an example, and he thought that this year there should be an
effort to.take a comprehensive look at all the possible Parks and Recreation projects and come up
with a program for attacking; these things in an organized fashion.
A recess was announced.
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REVIEW SECTION 3.24.020 OF CITY CODE REGARDING. GAMBLING TAX ON CARD PLAYING
A request had been received from Walter J. Antoncich, 18559 35th N.f_., Seattle, to revise this
section of the Code to reduce the tax on card tables from 20% of the gross receipts 4o 5% and to
increase the number of tables allowed in an establishment from two to five, which is allowed by the
Washington State Gambling Commission. He contended that this would be a viable tool for increasing
City revenues. Then: presently are no card rooms in Edmonds. Councilmember Wilson stated that he
does not covet more revenue from gambling tables. Councilmember Kasper said he had no information
to tell him how many people want to play cards. Police Chief marl o Foster, recalled that when the
State Legislature ordered municipalities to either pass anordinance prohibiting card rooms or pass
an ordinance taxing them, Edmonds at that time had a history of some card playing. He said the
taverns have always had punchboards but there was no particular interest in the City or on the part
of the Council to stimulate card playing so the City put the maximum allowable tax on it. As far as
the two card table limit, he said in those days there were a couple of taverns and they had only two
tables. The Council determined that if more were allowed that would suggest that the Council wanted
more. So, basically, the City did not go on record to encourage card rooms, and the businesses that
had them previously did not ask for the tax to be reduced so they could have then again. Chief
Foster said he has no evidence that the people who do not have card tables do not have them because
the tax is too high, but the reality is that Edmonds does not have any card tables. No action was
taken.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING
Personnel Director Pat LeMay had provided the Council with a detailed report and analysis of the
fringe benefit program for City employees. He discussed the highlights of that report and concluded
that the City has a very good fringe benefit program for its employees, the only deficiency being an
adequate group term life insurance policy. The City provides and pays for a group term life insurance
policy of $6,000 for employees, and Mr. LeMay indicated that most cities provide a minimum of $10,000
or an amount equal to the annual salary of the employee. He said to increase the amount of insurance
would not cost the City very much per year. Regarding cost containment, he said inflation and
health care utilization are causing medical premium rate increases so it is important that the City
try to control future costs, and several cost containment ideas were suggested and explained in the
written report. Councilmember Kasper deserver' that if the employees are in MEST rather than Social
Security, which was the choice of the employees, and if that program is short on life insurance, the
only.way to modify it to increase the life insurance is to reduce something else. Mr. LeMay believed
that the MEBT program is much better for the employee than Social Security. A question was asked as
to how much.the benefit had increased in recent years, and Finance Director Art Housler indicated
that the percentage of -benefit to salary was 20.7° in 1981, 21.6% in 1982, and 22.7% in 1283, but he
noted that some of the increases are mandated by the legislative action, such as PERS, Social Security,
and State Industrial Insurance.wh.ich.have all increased.. The report was accepted and no action was
taken.
*See January 17, 1984 Minutes
January 10, 1984 - continued
MAYOR
Mayor Naughten announced that Mark Eames will be the primary City Attorney now as Wayne Tanaka has
been given another assignment.
Mayor Naughten thanked the staff for the change in microphones.
Mayor Naughten said he is planning a town hall type of Council meeting on February 21 in the Meadow -
dale area.
Mayor Naughten said he would like to have a meeting in February with the Council, and Councilmember
Hall had also suggested the same thing. It was decided to hold that on February 25.
Mayor Naughten noted that there are several committee vacancies to be filled, and Council President
Jaech said she will make recommendations for the appointments at the January 31 meeting. The Council
had been provided a list of the committees and were asked to indicate to her which interested them.
Councilmember Kasper suggested that the Mayor also indicate on which he would like to serve, noting
that some of the assignments had been taken by Councilmembers because there.previously was a part-
time Mayor.
Mayor Naughten noted that there were some appointments and reappointments to City boards which
should be made.and that former Mayor Harrison had made some before he left but that there.were some
errors on the list and some of the appointees had withdrawn. He reviewed this list, noting that the
major problem was with the.Planning Board as*the terms of two members had expired, and one did not
want to be reappointed and the other did, and former Mayor Harrison did not take into consideration
that the alternate member'on the board, by ordinance, moves into the first vacant position, nor did
he consider .that one of the members wished to be reappointed. Former Mayor Harrison had appointed
Tina Scher and Bjorn Thuesen to the Planning Board, and had indicated that Bjorn Thuesen may not be
able to serve and in that case he would appoint Hank Lewis. Mayor Naughten at this time stated that
the present alternate member, Ann Derleth, should move into the first position and that Sherry
Claussen should be reappointed to her position, and, further, that he wished to appoint Jon Smiley
to the alternate position. He said Bjorn Thuesen had withdrawn. Because of the confusion in the
appointments, Council President Jaech recommended that the City Attorney research the conflict in
appointments by the former Mayor.and current Mayor and that Mayor Naughten give the Council a
summary next week to clarify the appointments.
Mayor Naughten asked the Council, in preparation for the interviews of candidates for the vacant
Council position, to consider what the Council needs in the way of strengths and to think about
questions that speak to those strengths.
COUNCIL
Councilmember Wilson commented that the State has withdrawn the food requirements related to
issuance of liquor licenses.
Councilmember Kasper asked the Council to consider whether they should eliminate the position of
Council.President now that there is a full-time Mayor. Council President Jaech suggested that might
be a subject for discussion at the Mayor/Council meeting. Councilmember Kasper said he was expecting
something from the City Attorney regarding the union and maintenance of the playfields by volunteer
help as discussed regarding a requested subsidy for the Youth Club. Mr. Eames will provide that.
Councilmember Hall had attended a meeting of the school district regarding graduation requirements,
and she commented that they had.recommended the same number of years as they had in 1893.
Student Representative Brian Stewart asked whether he was to be included in the Council retreat and
the Mayor/Council workshop. He was told he definitely is included in the Mayor/Council workshop but
the Council had not yet decided who will participate in the retreat.
Council President Jaech asked the. Council to submit suggested topics for the retreat and that they
be submitted by January 31. She noted that who will attend will depend on the subject matter.
There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned to Executive
Session at.10:10 p.m.
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IRENE VARNEY MORAN City Clerk
LARRY S. NAUGHTEN, Mayor
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