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03/04/2008 City CouncilMarch 4, 2008 Following a Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. for an Executive Session regarding labor negotiation and real estate negotiation and a 6:30 p.m. interview of candidates for appointment to the Historic Preservation and Sister City Commissions, the Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Haakenson in the Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Gary Haakenson, Mayor Michael Plunkett, Council President Peggy Pritchard Olson, Councilmember Steve Bernheim, Councilmember D. J. Wilson, Councilmember Dave Orvis, Councilmember Ron Wambolt, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Deanna Dawson, Councilmember ALSO PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief Gerry Gannon, Assistant Police Chief Duane Bowman, Development Services Director Brian McIntosh, Parks & Recreation Director Dave Gebert, City Engineer Debi Humann, Human Resources Manager Don Fiene, Assistant City Engineer Frances Chapin, Cultural Services Manager Scott Snyder, City Attorney Sandy Chase, City Clerk Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst. Jeannie Dines, Recorder Hilary Scheibert, Student Representative Approval of 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda COUNCILMEMBER WAMBOLT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER WAMBOLT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items Roll Can approved are as follows: A. ROLL CALL Approve 2/26/08 B. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2008. Minutes C. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #102525 THROUGH #102703 IN THE AMOUNT OF Approve Claim Checks $779,669.69 ISSUED FEBRUARY. Fire Dept. D. 2007 -2008 FIRE DEPARTMENT WORK PLAN UPDATE #2. Work Plan sR 99 E. AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS FOR THE DECORATIVE ILLUMINATION I International I PORTION OF THE SR99 INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. District Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 1 Senior Center F. AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO SIGN RECREATIONAL SERVICES Recreational Services AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH COUNTY SENIOR CENTER. Stonnwater 3. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CITY OF EDMONDS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Management Program PROGRAM Assistant City Engineer Don Fiene explained the purpose of this presentation was to educate and inform the Council and the public regarding program requirements and to create an opportunity for public involvement in the development of the program. The City was issued a Municipal Stormwater General Permit in January 2007 as part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2 Requirement which is an element of the EPA Clean Water Act. He explained detailed requirements are phased in over a five year period and municipalities are required to report progress on an annual basis via the NPDES Annual Report and the Stormwater Management Program document. Mr. Fiene explained permit requirements are divided into five major categories: 1) public education and outreach, 2) public involvement and participation, 3) illicit discharge detection and elimination, 4) controlling runoff from new development, redevelopment and construction sites, and 5) pollution prevention and operation and maintenance for municipal operations. He reviewed each of the five categories: Public Education and Outreach Mr. Fiene identified the target audiences including the general public, elected officials, businesses, landscapers, land use planners and engineers, contractors and developers. He identified education subject areas: • Impacts from impervious surfaces • Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Environmental stewardship actions • Impacts of illicit discharges • Low impact development techniques • Technical standards for stormwater site and erosion control plans • Stormwater pond maintenance • Stormwater treatment and flow control BMPs. He provided an assessment of the City's program: • The City has met all requirements with a deadline in 2008 The City has met many of the requirements with deadlines in 2009 The program needs have been met through the Environmental Education Coordinator (Parks & Recreation) via the Discovery Program and Watershed Fun Fair, classroom presentations (Engineering), storm drain stenciling program (Public Works) and mailings of handouts regarding BMPs to selected businesses (Engineering). He outlined areas for additional emphasis in 2008 -2009 that include yard care techniques, low impact development techniques, detention pond maintenance, new stormwater management requirements and target audiences that have not yet been addressed. The additional emphasis would be accomplished via workshops and mailings, County programs, and the City's website. Public Involvement and Participation in the City's Stormwater Management Program SWMP) Mr. Fiene reviewed 2008 requirements that recur annually: Provide opportunities for public participation • Planning Board public hearing on February 13, 2008 • City Council public hearing on March 4, 2008 • City TV (Channel 21) Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 2 o Upcoming City quarterly newsletter Make the annual report available to the public. o Posted on the City's website after submittal to the Department of Ecology. Future possibilities: Watershed Committee and/or Stewardship Programs Illicit Discharge and Detection Mr. Fiene identified the requirements and provided an assessment of each requirement: • Develop Municipal Storm Sewer Map (deadline February 2011) that identifies the locations of all outfalls, map drainage areas and map land use. Assessment: Edmonds has developed these maps. Future Improvements: Consolidate the information in one map in the GIS system. • Illicit Discharge Ordinance (deadline August 2009) that prohibits non - stormwater, illegal discharges; includes enforcement procedures and actions, and develop an enforcement strategy. Assessment: The City is fully compliant with this requirement as an Illegal Discharge Ordinance was adopted in 2004. The ordinance includes enforcement procedures and actions. The City has developed an enforcement strategy and logs all violations and corresponding actions taken. Ongoing Illicit Discharge and Detection Program requirements (deadline August 2011). • Locate priority areas likely to have illicit discharges. • Visual inspection of priority outfalls. • Characterize the nature of environmental threat posed by illicit discharges • Trace sources of illicit discharge (inspections, opening manholes, cameras, analyzing samples. • Procedure for removing the source of discharges. Assessment: Address this prior to deadline; will require considerable extra staff time. Public Information Requirement • Distribute information to target audiences (deadline August 2011). • Publicize hotline for reporting discharges (deadline February 2009) and keep record of calls and follow -up actions. Assessment: Information on BMPs and illegal discharges sent to various types of businesses via mailings. Prior to deadline City will distribute appropriate information to all key target audiences. City will publicly list and publicize a hotline for reporting illegal discharges prior to February 2009. Program Evaluation and Assessment Requirement. Assessment: City is fully compliant with regard to the current Reactive Program. Engineering and Public Works have set policies to ensure property enforcement consistency, content of written correspondence, address BMPs (include handouts with every correspondence), follow -up, and log actions taken. This area will need to be readdressed after a more Proactive Program is enacted. • Training Requirement (deadline August 2009). o Training for field staff to identify illegal discharges and report illegal discharges. Assessment: Staff are aware and knowledgeable regarding the issue. More training (formal and informal) will be provided prior to the deadline. Controllinp, Runoff from new develonment. redevelopment and construction sites. Mr. Fiene identified the requirements and provided an assessment of each requirement: • Ordinance and Permitting Progress Key Requirements (deadline August 2009). • New technical requirements. • New site planning process and BMPs. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 3 • Legal authority to inspect private storm facilities. • Provisions for low impact developments. • Stricter inspection of development sites which will require adoption of an Enforcement Strategy. • Require maintenance plan for private storm facilities. Assessment: • City has legal authority to inspect. • City needs to update Storm Ordinance and Standards - staff plans to begin that process later this year. • City needs to adopt the 2005 Ecology Manual for guidance in storm design. • City will need to begin requiring maintenance plans for new developments. • City will need to adopt Low Impact Development regulations and standards. • City has good inspection procedures applied to all developments - this enforcement strategy may need to be strengthened. Verify adequate long term operation and maintenance (O &M) of private storm facilities (deadline August 2009). • Adopt an ordinance that identifies parties responsible for maintenance and require inspection of facilities - Maintenance standards equivalent to 2005 Ecology Manual standards. • Annual inspections of all stormwater treatment and flow control facilities. Assessment: • City has an ordinance for long term O &M but new regulations will have to be adopted to meet the stricter standards. • The City has inspected approximately 20% of private storm facilities last year. Additional staff time will be required to perform 100% annual inspections. Pollution Prevention and Operation and Maintenance for Municipal Operations • Key requirements (deadline February 2010) • Establish stricter maintenance standards. • Annual inspection and necessary maintenance of all municipal stormwater management facilities. • Institute practices to reduce stormwater impacts associated with streets, parking lots, roads and highways. • Perform inspection and maintenance of all catch basins (deadline February 2012). • Establish and implement policies and procedures to reduce pollutants in discharges from all lands owned or maintained by permittee (parks, open space, maintenance yards, etc.) (deadline February 2010). • Develop and implement an ongoing training program for City employees involved in construction and O &M functions (deadline August 2010). • Develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPP) for maintenance or storage yards and material storage facilities operated by the City (deadline February 2010). Assessment: • City has established maintenance standards, but will need to adopt newer, stricter standards prior to February 2010 deadline. • City does not yet perform annual inspection and necessary maintenance of all municipal stormwater treatment and flow control facilities other than catch basins. City will comply prior to February 2010 deadline. Additional staff will be needed. • City has already performed inspection of all catch basins and necessary maintenance for the citywide system. (deadline February 2012). Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 4 o City has established and implemented practices to reduce stormwater impacts associated with streets, parking lots, roads, highways and associated maintenance activities. May need to formalize, track and document procedures (deadline February 2010). o Some policies and procedures are in place to reduce pollutants in discharges from lands maintained by the City (parks, open space, maintenance yards, etc). The City plans to be in full compliance prior to the February 2010 deadline. o Many City employees have been trained regarding construction and O &M functions that impact stormwater quality. The City plans to be in full compliance prior to Aug 2009 deadline. o The City does not have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for Maintenance or Storage Yards and Material Storage Facilities operated by the City. The City will address this prior to the February 2010 deadline. Mr. Fiene stated next steps will include staff submitting reports to the Department of Ecology by March 31, gathering public comment and welcoming public involvement. Staff will begin work on requirements with 2008/2009 deadlines by developing timelines, action strategies and identifying staffing needs. Mayor Haakenson clarified this was a federal mandate for cities with the goal of preventing pollutants from entering the storm drainage. Mr. Fiene responded a key component of public education was that the City's storm system was separate from the sewer system and stormwater was not treated before entering water bodies. The goal was for stormwater to contain only stormwater, not allow untreated water that contains sediments from construction sites, concrete from construction sites, soap suds from car washing, etc. into the storm system and ultimately into creeks, lakes and Puget Sound. Council President Plunkett asked how much more staff and infrastructure would be required over the next 3 -4 years. Mr. Fiene answered it would primarily require additional staff. Developers would need to meet the requirements for new development /redevelopment which may include larger stormwater vaults and treatment of flow from pollution - generating impervious surfaces. He did not anticipate there would be a significant amount of infrastructure required other than possibly Public Works operations and maintenance, vehicle washing, etc. Additional staff time would be necessary to track illicit discharges, vactoring municipal stormwater and management facilities, and inspecting private facilities. Council President Plunkett asked whether staffing needs would require hiring additional staff. Mr. Fiene answered it could; Public Works and Engineering were working to identify how to meet the requirements. Councilmember Wilson asked how the City's stormwater management compared to other cities. Mr. Fiene stated in talking with his counterparts in other cities, Edmonds was well ahead particularly with regard to catch basin maintenance. He noted catch basin maintenance was an important component as overflowing catch basins flush out sediment and pollutants captured in the catch basin. Councilmember Wilson relayed a suggestion from a developer that runoff from redevelopment sites could be reduced by requiring compost over exposed soil. Mr. Fiene answered that was a low impact development technique. Councilmember Wilson encouraged staff to return to the Council with implementation methods for similar low impact development techniques. Councilmember Wilson inquired about forming a watershed committee comprised of citizens. Mr. Fiene answered that was listed in the permit as one of the ways to address public involvement. He noted it would depend on how many people were interested in participating. Mayor Haakenson opened the public participation portion of the public hearing. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 5 Al Rutledge, Edmonds, advised he attended the Planning Board public hearing on February 13. He displayed a map of Lake Ballinger, located in Legislative Districts 1 and 52, and described his contact with legislators regarding the lake. Roger Hertrich, Edmonds, commended Mr. Fiene for his efforts with regard to the Stormwater Management Program. To prevent runoff problems, he recommended being more restrictive with regard to development in ravine areas. He referred to variances that had been granted to build in steep areas, noting although all required precautions may be followed, removal of trees results in increased runoff. As an unfunded mandate, he recommended the City seek grants for the stormwater program. He referred to the public education requirement, noting the Planning staff also needed to be better educated. He recalled an instance when a staff member was unable to locate a creek on an elementary school property. He suggested Mayor Haakenson institute a training program for planning staff with regard to creek locations and steep slopes including onsite visits to assist them in the planning process. David Thorp, Edmonds, suggested exploring an Interlocal Agreement with other cities who were similarly mandated with regard to the stormwater management program. He inquired whether there would be ongoing efforts associated with the requirements, noting one of the most effective methods of outreach was classroom programs. He also recommended the City analyze the cost of implementing a proactive program. Dave Page, Edmonds, commented the City had an Interlocal Agreement in place with regard to Lake Ballinger. He recognized Mr. Fiene and Mike Shaw, Mountlake Terrace, for their assistance with Lake Ballinger. He agreed with the suggestion for an outreach program in elementary schools. He recommended as development increased particularly along Hwy. 99, the City ensure runoff was not entering water bodies. Next he commented on the cost of a MRI paid by his insurance company versus the cost if paid in cash. He was outraged by the amount doctors and hospitals billed insurance companies. Hearing no further public comment, Mayor Haakenson closed the public participation portion of the public hearing. Amending 4. PUBLIC HEARING ON INTERIM ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 3679 AMENDING THE Local Definition is DEFINITION OF LOCAL PUBLIC FACILITIES IN ECDC 21.55.007. Local Public Facilities Development Services Director Duane Bowman stated this matter was before the Council on February 5; the Council approved interim Ordinance 3679 amending the definition of local public facilities. By law the Council must hold a public hearing on the interim ordinance within 60 days. He referred to the staff interpretation in regard to a private for - profit community facility in a single family zone; after reviewing the code and conferring with the City Attorney, it was determined the interpretation was appropriate, however the loophole needed to be closed. He noted Ordinance No. 3679 closed the loophole via limiting the definition of local public facilities to public facilities and not private, for -profit facilities. Staff recommends referring the matter to the Planning Board for review and recommendation. Councilmember Bernheim asked whether it was necessary to refer the matter to the Planning Board. Mr. Bowman answered a code amendment required review and recommendation by the Planning Board to the Council and the Council takes the formal action. Mayor Haakenson opened the public participation portion of the public hearing. Roger Hertrieh, Edmonds, disagreed with staff's interpretation, citing language on the club's membership application form, process for acceptance and appeal, and the application fee. He concluded this language indicated membership was not open to the public and over 172 people were on the waiting Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 6 list to join this private club. He noted the description in the interim ordinance still included service clubs and community clubs and recommended their connection with local government be clarified as well as examples provided. Al Rutledge, Edmonds, expressed support for the recommended action. Hearing no further public comment, Mayor Haakenson closed the public participation portion of the public hearing. Councilmember Orvis asked if this would pertain to a religious facility such as a religious facility that wanted to add a gymnasium. Mr. Bowman answered churches were regulated separately. Council President Plunkett asked staff to address Mr. Hertrich's comments. Mr. Bowman commented Mr. Hertrich and he disagreed with regard to the pool. He understood that the public could make application to join the club and that there was a waiting list; however, after conferring with the City Attorney, the interim ordinance was developed. He noted Mr. Hertrich's comment regarding service clubs and community clubs would be addressed during the Planning Board's review process. He concluded staff's concern was private recreational facilities as he did not envision the Council's intent was to allow that use in a single family zone. He noted the facility in question was unique; it had been in existence for a long time and has been maintained. It would become a non - conforming use with the proposed change. I IN XMILVA 104 10101 1XV4 1 1110MLI -1 1 5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Stewart Battle, LaRouche Youth Movement, advised they were mobilizing for the Homeowner and Homeowner and sank Bank Protection Act. He provided an excerpt from the Muns Encyclopedia, an encyclopedia of banking 11'rotection Act and finance, regarding the relationship between the volume of credit, volume of business, and movement of prices. He advised two cities in Ohio and New Jersey as well as the Rhode Island Senate recently passed the Homeowner and Bank Protection Act and over 80 cities throughout the United States were considering the Act. He urged the City to pass the resolution. Homeowner Ken Morealla, LaRouche Youth Movement, recapped the Homeowner and Bank Protection Act, 1) and sank Congress establishes an agency to hold mortgages where they can be stabilized and not sold, 2) debt to be Protection Act collected on mortgages would be vastly reduced, 3) moratorium on foreclosures, and 4) governors would be in charge of decisions state -by- state. He relayed Moody's prediction of four million foreclosures and Congress' prediction of two million foreclosures, noting since June 2007 there had been one million foreclosures. He stated this firewall, the Homeowner and Bank Protection Act, would allow people to stay in their homes as the economy worsened. senior center Roger Hertrich, Edmonds, announced the Senior Center candidate open house on March 5 and elections Candidate open on March 12. He referred to a letter he received from Mayor Haakenson in response to his application for House —1 — , . , , • , I " — , . Application for the vacancy and that after 13 years he knew him. Mr. Hertrich described his background including Planning soard serving as a Councilmember, being informed on public issues, understanding the operation of the ADB Position and Planning Board including testifying in several matters before each, interested in the community, an original member of the Historic Preservation. Commission, and a person not afraid to be involved, enjoyed public service, enjoyed his weekly opportunity to speak to the Council and that he was not intimidated by the Mayor. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 7 Mayor Haakenson clarified his letter did not state he understood Mr. Hertrich; it stated he had a good understanding of Mr. Hertrieh's strengths and weaknesses. Kiwams Cluh Al Rutledge, Edmonds, announced the Edmonds Kiwanis Club's Easter food drive at Top Foods on Food Drive I 220`h & Hwy. 99 on March 14 - 16. Donations can also be mailed to the Kiwanis Club at P. O. Box 221, Edmonds WA 98020. Next he reported the neighborhood park case had been postponed to April 16. Foreclosure Dave Page, Edmonds, referred to recent concerns with foreclosure rates and subprime issues. He Rates reported Washington State currently had the highest foreclosure rate in the State's history - .06 %. He acknowledged although there was a great deal of "ugly money deliberately put out there by certain lenders," Washington was in incredibly good shape and the Federal Reserve had taken back control of the money supply. He referred to an article in the Everett Herald about pulling up the drawbridge because there were no more jobs in Snohomish County other than service jobs. He pointed out there were 140 aerospace companies in Snohomish County other than Boeing employing 68,000 people with wages starting at over $20 /hour. Seattle created 25,000 jobs last year, ranking fifth in the United States. Snohomish County, although too small to be included on the national survey, created 24,000 jobs. 2009 City 16. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING THE 2009 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL Council Retreat I RETREAT. Council President Plunkett asked if there were any preferences with regard to the date of the retreat. Councilmember Wilson recalled discussion at the retreat regarding scheduling the retreat at the beginning of the year so that it could be a planning retreat. He stated he preferred February 6 & 7. Councilmember Wambolt asked whether there would be a conflict with the legislative session. Councilmember Wilson advised in 2009 the legislative session was 105 days; the first cutoff when bills must be out of the house of origin was not until after the February date. Councilmember Wambolt asked about the AWC legislative conference. Councilmember Wilson anticipated the conference would again be held the fourth week of January. It was the consensus of the council to schedule the retreat on February 6 & 7, 2009. Next, Council President Plunkett referred to Senior Executive Council Assistant Jana Spellman's cost comparison of three potential locations - the Clearwater Resort, LaConner, and Bellingham. He recalled there was some preference voiced by one Councilmember at the retreat for Bellingham but that was expressed without reference to costs. Observing the cost of a retreat in Bellingham was significantly higher, Councilmember Olson suggested the Council schedule a one -day road trip to tour the Fairhaven area. Councilmember Wilson clarified he did not necessarily suggest the Chrysallis Inn or Bellingham but rather Fairhaven. His intent was to visit a community that had renovated/restored and maintained historical buildings of significance to allow the Council to learn about a community versus selecting the least expensive venue such as the casino where this year's retreat was held. He noted there may be other meeting/hotel facilities in Fairhaven and he was amenable to staying at the Motel 6 if cost was the most important factor. He referred to the $2000 difference, recalling the Council recently allocated approximately $6,000 to the 2 -1 -1 Call Center. He commented that $2000 was well worth it if the Council learned something. Council President Plunkett expressed concern with traveling through the Chuckanuts in the winter. He clarified the Council retreat was not held at a casino but a resort next to a casino. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 8 Councilmember Orvis preferred to hold the retreat in Edmonds but if there was no support for that, he preferred the Channel Lodge in LaConner or Bellingham. His reason was not only the casino, there was a benefit to going to La Conner or Bellingham and he had benefited from visiting the museum and history in LaConner. He preferred Bellingham to LaConner for the 2009 retreat. Councilmember Wambolt agreed with Councilmember Olson, preferring to take a daytrip to view the architecture of Fairhaven. He concluded he did not learn anything from visiting LaConner and he did not lose any money at the casino. He noted the Clearwater Resort was a comfortable facility and would prefer to hold the 2009 retreat there. Council President Plunkett also expressed his preference for the Clearwater Resort. Councilmember Wilson asked whether there were other sites with historical significance that the Council would like to visit, noting Ellensburg was another possibility. He noted the reason Councilmember Wambolt may not have learned anything about LaConner was there was no time on the agenda for a tour. If the Council held their retreat in Bellingham, he suggested Bellingham staff be asked to provide a one hour walking tour Councilmember Bembeim expressed a preference for Bellingham, noting he had been intending to visit their historical district. He was also willing to stay at a less expensive hotel that had a meeting facility. He agreed the Clearwater Resort was inexpensive, high quality and comfortable but felt a retreat in a historical district maybe more meaningful. Councilmember Olson recalled approximately three years ago 2 -3 Councilmembers and Edmonds staff toured Fairhaven with their staff. She noted the Council typically spent both days of the retreat in the meeting room, allowing little time for a walking tour. Councilmember Wambolt suggested the retreat may need to be extended if it were to include a walking tour, noting there was not enough time to cover all the issues scheduled on this year's retreat agenda. He preferred scheduling a tour as a separate event. Councilmember Wilson commented the issue was what the Council wanted to get out of the retreat. He recalled this year was more of a City retreat, possibly a Council retreat could be scheduled in the summer. If the intent was to get away and focus, then cost and convenience was important; if the Council wanted an education about another cities' policies /expertise, then a more historical location was appropriate. Council President Plunkett commented the premise of the early date was to develop planning for the year which could be done at a close, local site and another event scheduled in the summer. Councilmember Wilson suggested scheduling a Council retreat this summer prior to the budget process. Mayor Haakenson advised the budget would be completed well before fall; that was why the Council held its retreat early in the year. It would be too late to discuss the budget at a summer retreat. Councilmember Olson commented a walking tour would be more comfortable in the summer than in February. She suggested a day -trip to Bellingham for a tour with a dinner /discussion following. Councilmember Wambolt suggested the Council discuss in the next two weeks a date for a day trip, recalling the difficulty scheduling a summer date. Council President Plunkett summarized the 2009 retreat would be held at Clearwater Resort and Ms. Spellman would email Councilmembers regarding a summer date for a day trip. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 9 Councilmember Bernheim suggested in an effort to downsize the retreat it consist of only Councilmembers and the Mayor. He noted the information provided and relationships built with City staff at this year's retreat could have been accomplished at regularly scheduled Council meetings. He preferred the retreat be devoted to the Council's concerns and mutual exchange of information between members of the Council. He concluded instead of 19 attendees at the retreat, it be limited to necessary staff, Councilmembers and the Mayor which would make it a more manageable, productive weekend. He noted other valuable information could continue to be provided to the Council in books and memos. Councilmember Wambolt commented the information provided in books and memos was not the same as having staff members present to answer questions and although Mayor Haakenson was knowledgeable, he was not able to answer every question. He found having staff present for one day very productive. He saw little value in a retreat with only discussion among Councilmembers, remarking the Council's issues needed to be what staff presents. Council President Plunkett agreed at the recent retreat staff's participation was essentially limited to one day with Council issues the second day. Councilmember Olson pointed out the value of the Council having a dialogue with staff at the retreat and the impact their presentations have on the Council's decisions. She found the 2008 retreat more valuable than some previous retreats that focused on visioning. Council President Plunkett concluded the Council retreat would continue as it had in the past with staff items one day and Council discussion on the second day. 7. MAYOR'S COMMENTS [New Library Mayor Haakenson relayed that Mark Aires was recently selected as the new Library Board Member. He soard Member noted the Library Board selected their own members and did not require Council confirmation. Councilmember Mayor Haakenson reported Councilmember Dawson was absent from tonight's meeting as she was in Absence Washington DC on business. 8. COUNCIL COMMENTS Property Tax Councilmember Wambolt referred to comments from citizens expressing concern that the City would lose revenue revenue due to declining property taxes and looking forward to what they envisioned as a windfall when their property taxes decreased He clarified if property values decreased, the tax rate would increase. Similarly, as property values increased in recent years, the tax rate decreased. He noted the exception was the EMS levy; if the proposed EMS levy passed, the rate would be restored to $0.50. If property values decreased, the levy would collect less. Olympic view Councilmember Olson thanked staff for opening Olympic View Drive, noting they had done a wonderful Drive job. 9. ADJOURN With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes March 4, 2008 Page 10