11/10/1992 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
November 10, 1992
THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 17, 1992
The committee work meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor
Laura Hall at the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds. The meeting was preceded by a flag
salute.
PRESENT
Laura Hall, Mayor
Jeff Palmer, Council President
Steve Dwyer, Councilmember
Dave Earling, Councilmember
Michael W. Hall, Councilmember
William Kasper, Councilmember
John Nordquist, Councilmember
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
STAFF
Art Housler, Admin. Serv. Dir.
Brent Hunter, Personnel Manager
Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Bob Alberts, City Engineer
Noel Miller, P.W. Superintendent
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks & Rec. Mgr.
Rob Chave, Planning Manager
Rhonda March, City Clerk
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Barb Mehlert, Recorder
At 7:02 p.m., Councilmember Dwyer and Councilmember Hall arrived.
(YINCFNT ArFNnA
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PALMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST, FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. The approved items are as follows:
(A) ROLL CALL
(B) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992
(C) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS WARRANTS FOR WEEKS OF OCTOBER 26 AND NOVEMBER 2, 1992 AND PAYROLL
WARRANTS FOR NOVEMBER 5, 1992
(D) ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM LOWELL B. CHASE ($80.00)
Council President Palmer added the following items to the Agenda:
1A: Discussion on 1992 Budget Shortfalls
4A: 20 minute Executive Session on labor negotiations, personnel, and Real Estate matters.
Council President Palmer deleted Item 3 which was scheduled as "Budget Work Session".
DISCUSSION ON 1992 BUDGET SHORTFALLS (Continued from Saturday, November 7
ti Mayor Hall referenced the Saturday budget meeting, and said due to unforeseen circumstances,
p( revenues were projected to be $152,000 short of meeting expenditures. Mayor Hall said she met
with Staff and expenditures were cut, leaving a shortage of $102,000. Mayor Hall strongly recom-
mended that the money transferred to the Street Fund from the General Fund be reduced by
$102,000. Mayor Hall said the Street Fund has more cash reserve than it has ever had or needs and
said that a contingency plan in which she prepared that would put in effect a four day layoff for
each employee, including Police and Fire, could be devastating and unnecessary.
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director, referenced a memorandum in Council packets in
which he and the Mayor prepared in response to Council questions at the Saturday meeting.
Dan Prinz, Police Chief, addressed his memo, in which he stated there is an $18,000 error in
salary and benefits under Hospital Security for Stevens Hospital. Chief Prinz said his department
only partially included the added expenses which resulted in the error. Chief Prinz said the
Holiday Buy Back program was also under budgeted by approximately $10,500. Chief Prinz said in
order to offset the added expenses he made further cuts to his budget including reduction of
overtime expenses, not filling an open part-time Cadet position until 1/1/93, curtailing any of-
fice supply purchasing until 1993, and curtailing the use of reserve officers until 1/1/93.
Council President Palmer inquired if these shortfalls, amounting to approximately $28,000 are in
addition to the $102,000 shortfall previously revealed by the Mayor, and Chief Prinz replied
affirmatively.
Regarding the Mayor's recommendation to take money from the Street fund to make up the deficit,
Noel Miller, Public Works Superintendent, addressed the Council on the issue. Mr. Miller said the
Mayor's. recommendation which would take money from the ending cash balance would not affect the
Street Fund in any way.
Councilmember Dwyer asked if $130,000 was taken from the Street Fund and transferred to General
Fund use, when was it planned to reimburse the Street Fund the $130,000. Mr. Housler said it is
not intended to be reimbursed, as there is essentially a surplus in the Street Fund, in which the
Street Department has no need for. Mr. Housler said the maintenance level has been established by
the City Council, in which the Street Department is meeting. Councilmember Dwyer said a year ago,
at this time, the City was going through a budget with dramatic changes because of the failure of
the EMS Levy. Councilmember Dwyer did not understand why the Council was asked at that time to
put in at least $130,000 of General Fund monies into Fund 111 that the City apparently didn't
need to do at the same time the City was not doing such things as placing money and reserves to
buy fire equipment, along with a variety of other changes. Councilmember Dwyer inquired why that
transfer was made. Mr. Miller said former Community Services Director Peter Hahn is the one who
would know that information. Councilmember Dwyer said there must have been a reason for that
transfer to take place, as the City did not have extra money to surplus a certain fund.
Councilmember Kasper asked if there is enough money in the 1993 Budget for adequate street mainte-
nance if this money is taken out, and City Engineer Bob Alberts replied affirmatively.
Council President Palmer said many citizens have come forward in the past asking for street im-
provements, which sufficiently demonstrates that there isn't enough money being expended. Council
President Palmer said he believes the money should be left in the fund for additional street
improvements. Council President Palmer suggested taking the money from the Council Contingency
Fund if another source could not be found. Public Works Superintendent Noel Miller, said if the
Council wishes additional road rehabilitation, the Council needs to put a policy change in effect.
COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO 1) FREEZE ALL THE HIRING AND
THE PURCHASE OF ALL NEW EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE END OF 1992; 2) THE COUNCIL NOT TRANSFER $128,500
FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE STREET FUND, BUT TO USE IT FOR WHAT THE MAYOR IS RECOMMENDING, AND;
3) TO EARMARK $128,500 FROM THE 1993 BUDGET TO BE REPAID BACK TO THE STREET FUND.
Councilmember Petruzzi reiterated his past statements that the City must have a contingency plan
in case of even further erosion to the budget.
After Council discussion, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF ANY ACTIONS TAKEN IN REGARDS TO THE REVIEW OF REVENUES AND
EXPENDITURES DURING SPECIAL BUDGET WORK SESSION ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1992.
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director, discussed the $300,000 budget shortfall due to the
J over estimating of sales tax from the Honda dealership and TOP Foods. Mr. Housler distributed a
ji4� projected General Fund Revenue Statement to Councilmembers, and discussion was held referencing
, 7gs6 the Statement.
Because of the budget shortfalls, the addition of further erosion to the City budget, as well as
the state of the economy, COUNCILMEMBER EARLING MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO
SEND BACK TO THE MAYOR AND STAFF, A PROJECTED REVENUE FOR 1993 IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,700,000,
WHICH WILL BE THE BASIS FOR A NEW PRELIMINARY BUDGET TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE. MOTION CARRIED.
It was noted a public hearing on the Preliminary Budget is scheduled for November 17, and the
City Council will be presented with a revised Preliminary Budget including the projected revenues
of $12,700,000 on November 24.
With regards to the opening portion of the budget which deals with setting forth the anticipated
revenues, Councilmember Dwyer said it is important for the City to give direction to the Staff
with regards to how the Council arrived at the $12,700,000 so that can be set forth in the same
itemized fashion as it is set forth in the document before the Council. Councilmember Dwyer said
essentially, the projected revenue figure of $12,858,430 which Mr. Housler projected, is the same
number being adopted by the City Council, with the exception of a reduction in the sales tax
figure which is being reduced sufficient to make the total number $12,700,000.
CONFIRMATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
eM 1A' Brent Hunter, Personnel Manager, introduced Paul Mar, Mayor Hall's appointee to the Community
l, VI Services Director position.
�DlMayor Hall said Mr. Mar is currently the Manager of the Office of Capital Planning for King Coun-
ty. Mayor Hall said Mr. Mar has approximately 20 years experience in the developmental field.
Mayor Hall asked for Council confirmation of Mr. Mar for the Community Services Director position.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PALMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO CONFIRM PAUL MAR AS THE
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Mar thanked the Mayor and Council and said he is
looking forward to working with City Staff.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON A NEGOTIATION, PERSONNEL, AND A REAL ESTATE MATTER
At 9:05 p.m., the Mayor and City Council recessed to an Executive Session which ended at 9:43
p.m. At the conclusion of the Executive Session, the City Council proceeded to their respective
Committee Meetings, and adjourned thereafter.
THE ORIGINAL SIGN COPY OF THESE MINUTES, AS WELL AS A PERMANENT RECORDING OF ALL COUNCIL MEET-
INGS E LOCA D IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Page 2 November 10, 1992
Lau. Ha 1, Ma?or R nda J. M ch, City Clerk'
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
PLAZA MEETING ROOM - LIBRARY BUILDING
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER 10, 1992
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE WORK MEETING
(Second Tuesday of Each Month)
CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. - FULL COUNCIL
FLAG SALUTE
(5 Min.) CONSENT AGENDA
(A) ROLL CALL
(B) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992
(C) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS WARRANTS FOR WEEKS OF OCTOBER 26 AND
NOVEMBER 2, 1992, AND PAYROLL WARRANTS FOR NOVEMBER 5, 1992
(D) ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM LOWELL B. CHASE
($80.00)
2. (60 Min.) CONTINUED DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF ANY ACTIONS TAKEN IN REGARDS
TO THE REVIEW OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES DURING SPECIAL BUDGET
WORK SESSION ON SATURDAY ON NOVEMBER 7, 1992)
3. (30 Min.) BUDGET WORK SESSION
(A) REVIEW MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT BUDGET (10 MIN.)
(B) REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BUDGET (10 MIN.)
(C) REVIEW CITY COUNCIL BUDGET (10 MIN.)
4. (5 Min.) CONFIRMATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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(After the Council meets as a whole, the following committees will be meeting simultaneously at the
locations indicated:
FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA:
ROOM 113 (CONFERENCE ROOM), FRANCES ANDERSON CENTER
(A) REVIEW OPERATING COSTS OF NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM
(B) PROPOSED "WHISTLE BLOWER' POLICY
(C) REPORT ON PROPOSED MONTHLY RATE INCREASE ON FERRY PARKING LOT
(D) REVIEW PETTY CASH AND CREDIT CARD EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTHS OF
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1992
2. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA:
SMALL PLAZA MEETING ROOM, LIBRARY BUILDING (SECOND FLOOR)
(A) REVIEW OF FUTURE FIRE APPARATUS REPLACEMENTS
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE AGENDA:
LARGE PLAZA MEETING ROOM, LIBRARY BUILDING (SECOND FLOOR)
(A) DISCUSSION ON CAMPAIGN SIGNS
(B) DISCUSSION ON NUISANCE PERMITS
(C) DISCUSSION ON CITY'S POLICY ON CODE VIOLATIONS
The three City Council committee meetings are work sessions for the City Council and staff only,
and are not public hearings. All committee meetings, however, are open to the public.
PARKING AND MEETING ROOMS ARE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE DISABLED
(An Interpreter for the hearing impaired is available with 24 hours advance notice to the City Clerk at 771-0245)