03/13/1993 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
Saturday, March 13, 1993
The special meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Council Presi-
dent Earling at the Board Room of the Edmonds Community College Executive Office, 6600 196th,
Lynnwood.
PRESENT STAFF
Laura Hall, Mayor
Dave Earling, Council President
Steve Dwyer, Councilmember, ABSENT
Michael Hall, Councilmember
William Kasper, Councilmember
John Nordquist, Councilmember
Jeff Palmer, Councilmember
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
REVENUE GENERATION
Paul Mar, Community Srv. Dir
Art Housler, Admin. Srv. Dir.
Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Bob Alberts, City Engineer
Barb Mehlert, Recorder
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director, introduced the subject. Mr. Housler referenced a
listing included in Council packets which included 30 potential additional revenue sources for
the City of Edmonds. Paul Mar, Community Services Director, reviewed the list with Council. The
Council was asked to review the list and provide an indication of which ideas are deemed worthy
of further pursuit. Mr. Mar said 2/3 of the items would entail additional taxes.
The Council was not in favor of the items which would entail raising or asking for new taxes.
Councilmember Petruzzi and other Councilmembers expressed their disappointment in Sno-Isle's
recent letter to the City, in which they turned down the City's request to have the City's fees
reduced in 1993. Councilmembers discussed the current contract and talked about the possibility
of a library district, which would mean the City could eliminate the Sno-Isle fee by annexing
into library district. Councilmember Nordquist provided detailed information regarding costs
associated with a library district.
Councilmember Nordquist discussed the fees for home occupation businesses. Councilmember Nord-
quist said the Business Licence Clerk does an excellent job of seeking out businesses who have
not applied for a licence though the City, however, stated there are numerous home businesses who
do not apply through the City.
Councilmember Nordquist discussed a possible "landing fee" for the ferries, such as the airports
utilize whenever an airplane takes off or lands at the airport.
Councilmember Palmer discussed the request of U.S. West to lease City property to place their
antennas on. Councilmember Palmer thought a $6,000 fee was much to low, as U.S. West stands to
make a great deal of money by having the antenna in the requested place. Councilmember Palmer
stated that it has not been determined if occurrences such as health problems associated with the
antenna would be a concern for residents, or if the antenna would cause interruptions to televi-
sion reception in the area. Councilmember Palmer said there were many items to be discussed be-
fore a fee was negotiated with U.S. West.
Councilmember Nordquist said that there have been other groups that have asked to lease City
property for similar projects, and they have been turned down by the City.
Councilmember Hall suggested the Edmonds Visitors Bureau be used to generate business by finding
film companies to come to Edmonds for commercials/movies. Councilmember Hall said this could be a
great source of income for the City. Councilmembers concurred. Councilmember Petruzzi said he
would bring this up at the next Edmonds Visitors Bureau meeting.
The Council continued to discuss items contained in the revenue generation idea list, and said
they would further discuss the items in the afternoon session.
At 9:25, the Council and Mayor recessed for a five minute break and reconvened in the Board Room
at 9:30 a.m. Art Housler, Administrative Services Director, left the meeting at 9:30 a.m, as his
presentation was completed.
SPACE NEEDS STUDY
Paul Mar and Bob Alberts referenced a memorandum included in Council packets which included space
needs for possible implementation strategies that respond to the findings of the Civic Center
Space Needs Study Draft Report, dated January 8, 1993. Mr. Mar said it is important for the Coun-
cil to establish policy guidelines and set a vision ❑n the Civic Center of the future.
Councilmembers discussed various scenarios in which the City could plan for space needs. It was
noted by Paul Mar that this subject would be coming to the Council in a near agenda for future
discussion.
Councilmember Earling brought up Councilmember Dwyer's previous concern that the Space Needs
Study called for an extensive amount of space to allow for a great amount of future growth, tak-
ing in account ❑f possible large annexations. It was Councilmember Dwyer's concern that the
citizens would not "buy -in" to such a plan. Councilmember Palmer said if the public was well
informed and educated ahead of time on the future space needs, there wouldn't be a problem.
The Council discussed scenarios in which the Fire Department and Police Department would or would
not be independent of the Civic Center complex. It was noted that the Fire Department has stated
it could be independent of the Civic Center, however, the Council was not clear of whether the Po-
lice Department felt it important to remain part of the Civic Center or could be located indepen-
dently. The Council decided to have the Administration discuss this and provide the Mayor and
Council with a response.
REVIEW DEPARTMENT, SHORT AND LONG TERM ISSUES
As Councilmember Nordquist initiated this agenda item, he introduced the subject. Councilmember
Nordquist voiced his concern that the firefighting portion of the Fire Department is being dimin-
ished by the increasingly amount of medical related duties. According to the handout supplied by
Fire Chief Buzalsky, the percentage of medical related calls for 1992 accounted for 70% of the
total calls. There were 464 fire related calls for 1992, and 1,047 medical related calls. Coun-
cilmember Nordquist said he is concerned that the City is getting into the aid car business, and
said the City may want to investigate the possibility of turning these duties over to the hospi-
tal district.
Assistant Chief Springer gave a history of fire department related issues, including the
steadyincrease of medical duties required of the fire department. Assistant Chief Springer said
the hospital district has been approached in the past, however, showed little indication of inter-
est. Assistant Chief Springer said he would investigate this further.
Councilmember Palmer inquired if the district did take over the medical duties, would that mean
the manpower ❑f the fire department could be reduced. Assistant Chief Springer replied negative-
ly, as each call still requires a certain amount of personnel, regardless of the nature of the
call.
Councilmember Nordquist said he is interested in the possibility of fire department consolidation
of South County Fire Departments for administration purposes. This was discussed at length. It
was noted that if fire department consolidation took place, it was Assistant Chief Springer's
statement that a successful administration consolidation could take place. The Council discussed
consolidation benefits such as a joint training center, repair shop, a more coordinated efforts,
and less cost to the public.
The Council discussed the high cost of fire suppression/prevention. Assistant Chief Springer said
many of the necessary equipment are extremely high in price because they are specialty items
usually coming from sole source vendors. It was noted because of the safety standards and issues
that have surfaced over the last few years, many of the items the fire department uses have in-
creased drastically in price.
The Council and Mayor thanked Assistant Chief Springer for his presentation.
Councilmember Earling said at 12:30 p.m., Police Chief Dan Prinz would be present to update the
City Council on a recent event.
At 12:00 p.m, the Mayor and Council recessed for lunch and reconvened in the Board Room at 12:30
p.m.
Assistant Chief Springer and Paul Mar, Community Services Director left the meeting, as their
presentations had been completed.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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UPDATE BY POLICE CHIEF DAN PRINZ
At the request of Mayor Hall, Chief Prinz updated the City Council on a recent S.W.A.T. Team
incident.
At 12:45 p.m., Mayor Hall left the meeting, as she and her staff were completed with their presen-
tations for the day.
CONTINUED COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON MORNING SESSION
Revenue Generation
The Council discussed the revenue generation ideas for the City of Edmonds. The Council was not
interested in the items which called for higher or new taxes. After discussing the issue further,
the Council chose the following revenue generation ideas for the purpose of further investiga-
tion. It was noted that this does not mean the Council is interested in pursuing the items for
revenue, but is only interested in having more information provided on them. Councilmember Kasper
said he is interested in having 20 of the 30 items listed, studied further for informational
purposes so the Council will have all the information needed.
Item 4: Increase Recreation Program Fees (Amt of Annual Increase: $40,000)
Item 8: Eliminate Sno- Isle Fee by annexing into library district (Amt. of Annual Increase:
$543,000)
item 16: New leases (ie US West antenna) (Amt of Annual Increase: $6,000t)
Item 19: Charge $1 per car to board the ferry (Amt. of Annual Increase $250,000)**
(note: the fee would not be charged for commuters)
Item 26: New sales/property tax via annexation (Amt of Annual Increase: $100,000)
(note: Administrative Services Director stated that the increased net revenue from the
annexation would reach about $750,000 after three years)
Item 27: New sales/property tax via increased development in down (Amount of Annual Increase
unknown)
Item 28: New sales/property tax via increased development of SR 99 (Amt. of Annual Increase
unknown)
Item 30: New Item Edmonds Visitors Bureau seek out film companies to film in Edmonds.
* Councilmembers thought a higher fee should be assessed.
** Discussion was held on a higher fee or a "docking" fee for ferries, as suggested by
Councilmember Nordquist.
It was stressed that these items chosen by the Council do not necessarily mean ,there is an inter-
est in pursuing the revenue, but an interest in receiving further information so the Council can
have adequate information to make informed decisions.
Continued discussion on Space Needs Study
It was noted this discussion would be coming before the Council at an upcoming work session, and
the Council would find out through the Administration, the views of the Police Chief and Fire
Chief on their preference to be part of the Civic Center or to be separated from the Civic Center.
Continued discussion on Fire Department_ -_long and short term issues
Councilmember Nordquist said he would like to move forward on the fire department consolidation
and it was noted by Assistant Chief Springer that further investigattion will be carried out.
Councilmember Nordquist said Assistant Chief Springer also noted he would do further investiga-
tion ascertaining the hospital district's interest regarding taking over the aid cars/medical
services.
Council President Earling noted that Mountlake Terrace City Council has expressed interest in
meeting with the Edmonds City Council. As there was interest in this, Council President Earling
said he would set it up.
1993 GOAL SETTING
Councilmember Kasper set the following goals he would like to see accomplished:
1. Start enforcing speed limits in the City.
2. Pursue a Council/Manager form of government. (Councilmember Kasper said he has been doing
extensive research on this and will present his findings to the Council when he is completed)
Councilmember Nordquist set the following goals he would like to see accomplished for 1993:
1. 5th Tuesday Meetings be set aside for an informal Council gathering to discuss various city
issues.
2. The Westgate Study be pursued and completed.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3 March 13, 1993
Councilmember Palmer set the following goals he would like to see accomplished in 1993:
1. Open up new extension of Brackett's Landing. Councilmember Palmer said he would like to see a
grand dedication planned which included the Council, Mayor, Staff and other parties involved.
Councilmember Palmer said he did not want the Council just to read about a dedication in the
paper.
Councilmember Palmer said he would like to see the dedication performed no later than June.
2. Implement a community newsletter two or three times a year which would include various city
issues so the public can be better apprised of important issues.
Councilmember Petruzzi set the following goals he would like to see accomplished in 1993:
1. Community Services Director develop a time line goal on the acquisition of the UnoCal site
and make monthly presentation to the Council regarding progress.
2. Monthly updates and time lines from the Community Services Director on progress of
annexations in the Perrinville and Esperance areas.
Councilmember Hall set the following goals he would like to see accomplished in 1993:
1. Have a Downtown parking plan ready for implementation.
2. Pursue having public agendas displayed via Cable T.V.
Councilmember Earling set the following goals he would like to see accomplished at present:
1. Find out the next step in funding for ferry dock, so that funding can be in place and ready
to go, causing no delays. Councilmember Earling said he spoke t❑ Maria Cantwell and she indi-
cates she would try to identify a funding source. Council President Earling said D.O.T. seems
to becoming more attentive since the City has acquired the Anderson Marine Site, and said
their position has slightly changed and they are re -thinking their comments regarding the
current Edmonds Ferry dock.
2. Maintain focus on fiscal situation.
Council President Earling said he would discuss these goals with the Mayor and the Council will
discuss them further at a future meeting.
At 2:45 p.m, Council President Earling adjourned the meeting.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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