08/13/1985 City CouncilTHESE MINUTES SUBJECT
TO AUGUST 20 APPROVAL
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 13, 1985
(Work Meeting)
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry
Naughten in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library. All present joined in the flag sa-
lute. I
PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Larry Naughten, Mayor Peter Hahn, Community Services Director
John Nordquist. Bobby Mills, Actg. Public Works Superintendent
Steve Dwyer Jim Adams, City Engineer
Laura Hall Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Jo -Anne Jaech Art Housler, Administrative Services Director
Bill Kasper Mary Lou Block, Planning Manager
Lloyd Ostrom Jackie Parrett, City Clerk
Jack Wilson Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Tom Cole, Student Rep. Shirlie Witzel, Recorder
Council President Nordquist explained that he would have to leave the meeting at 7:45 p.m. be-
cause of a business commitment.
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Item (D) was removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM, TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED.
The approved items on the Consent Agenda included the following:
.(A) Roll call.
(B) Approval of minutes of August 6, 1985.
(C) Extend 1985 City membership in Coalition for Clean Water ($620).
(E) Authorization to call for bids for repairs to Yost Pool, Phase II.
(F) Acknowledgment of receipt of Claim for Damages from Barbara and James Solie (Refer to
Claim for amount).
(G) Authorization to call for bids for addition and sea wall improvements to the Senior
Center.
AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS TO REROOF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDINGS
Item on Consent gen a
Councilmember Kasper asked why the entire $100,000 was not being used for this project. Mayor
Naughten explained that $57,000 had been budgeted for the roofs in a motion by Councilmember
Kasper on December 11 of last year; the $100,000 was budgeted for building maintenance which
included insulation. He continued that the information contained in last week's Council packet
was incorrect; it has been corrected and is being resubmitted to the Council. Community Services
Director Peter Hahn noted that research has determined that insulation of the roof may not be the
answer since insulation can be achieved in other ways such as double glazing, etc. Councilmember
Kasper said insulation and glazing would be considered as modernization and would not be included
in maintenance. COUNCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST, TO AUTHORIZE
B-IDS FOR REROOFING COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL REVIEW OF HIGHWAY 99 STUDY
Mayor Naughten asked that the Council review their concerns regarding this study prior to the
August 20 public hearing, which will give citizens an opportunity to provide their input, and
before a final decision is reached on September 3.
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In reference to page 11 of the study, Councilmember Nordquist questioned how much control the
City could exercise in business development. City Attorney Scott Snyder said the City controls
traffic routes and the provision of the infrastructure.
Reid Shockey, Shockey and Assoc., said this statement would indicate that the City will encourage
business development but also has an obligation to neighboring residential areas. Councilmember
Nordquist had seen this as an indication that the City would do something when the abutting resi-
dential area became irritated with business development. Mr. Shockey explained that once the
codes are in place the City will be sending a message to businesses that, if they meet the require-
ments, they will be allowed. Mr. Snyder explained that this would form a basis for decision
making by the Hearing Examiner and the Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan.
Referring to page five, paragraph three, Councilmember Kasper remarked that the highest and best
use of the land must be allowed by the City, existence of one single family residence should not
justify denial of a business development. Mr. Shockey referred to page 23 and the statement
supplied to the Planning Board by Mr. Snyder in an effort to address this situation, any exten-
sion of the business area into a residential area would have to meet the criteria set forth.
Councilmember Kasper expressed concern that once zoning is established, it is very difficult to
change. Any idiosyncrasies contained in these proposals could discourage businesses from coming
to Edmonds, he said; therefore, they should be corrected before the changes are made. He also
expressed concern regarding the lack of flexibility evident in the study.
Asked by Councilmember Dwyer about the "nodes", Mr. Shockey explained .that an area must be desig-
nated as a "node" area on the comprehensive plan map and must be zoned commercial. On the east
side of Highway 99 the area will be designated CG, he said, and on the west side the designation
will be CG2 with 45 ft. heights. He said the Board preferred not having a new section in the
code specifically for high rise buildings and, since the comprehensive plan map is parcel specif-
ic, the high rise nodes are easily identified. Mr. Shockey said there are two ways to establish
land in a node: 1. Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan of commercial high-rise and 2. Applica-
tion for a conditional use permit. Councilmember Dwyer asked if the requirements are the same to
change the Comprehensive Plan and apply for a rezone. Planning Director Mary Lou Block replied
that both must go to the Planning Board for approval, although rezones have more specific require-
ments than a change to a node would have. Mr. Shockey noted that there are policies that must be
considered along with the Comprehensive Plan when an amendment is proposed. Ms. Block added that
application for a conditional use permit must go to the Hearing Examiner and the Architectural
Design Board.
Councilmember Kasper asked about the parcels of land at Dawson City and Doces. Mr. Shockey said
Dawson City was not discussed by the Planning Board and, since the property at Doces was felt to
be controversial, it was eliminated as a node site. Councilmember Kasper stated that the compos-
ite ownership of the property at Doces would lend itself to the node concept whereas the fraction-
al land at the other node sites may take years to gather into one ownership to allow development.
Referring to page 32, Councilmember Jaech asked if the Planning Board had taken the actual pro-
posed heights of the nodes into consideration. Mr. Shockey replied that the Board had determined
that both the north and south nodes would accommodate structures of five to seven stories. Asked
by Councilmember Nordquist if a vacant land inventory was taken, Mr. Shockey said the Board mem-
bers, individually and in planned tours, had looked at the existing land on Highway 99. A vacant
land study was included in the Latourelle Study, in which 20% of the land was found to be va-
cant. He said the Denny's sign at the south node was used as a gauge to judge .the proposed node
heights.
Referring to the proposed limitation of residential units to the third story of a building, Coun-
cilmember Dwyer asked for the Board's rationale. Mr. Shockey said the Board felt there should be
an emphasis on commercial development but felt this might be a way of assuring that residential
development would be contained above the commercially usable portions of the building and relieve
the pressure to develop east or west of Highway 99. He said the height limit will be three sto-
ries on the east side of Highway 99 and could be four stories on the west side. Commercial de-
mand appears to exist for the first two floors, he noted, leaving the third or fourth stories for
residential or office space. Ms. Block commented that not allowing residential development on
the first two floors will eliminate the proliferation of residential development in the commer-
cial areas. Mayor Naughten observed that commercial development provides revenue for the City
and uses less services, while residential development uses more services and there is no reve-
nue. Mr. Shockey added that these multifamily residential units may provide more affordable
housing, since the cost of these units would be less than for single family or freestanding
multifamily units. He described the use of this concept in other areas. Councilmember Jaech
also described similar development in Seattle and Councilmember Hall described development in Los
Angeles.
Councilmember Hall expressed concern regarding the need for further study dealing with traffic
patterns and height limitations. She said the present study does not include enforcement and
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 2 August 13, 1985
police powers for the zoning. Mr. Shockey said the study will not ensure that business develop-
ers will flock to Edmonds, it will be necessary for the City to market the node concept and show
a willingness to work with developers in regard to capital improvement programs, assisting in
creating LID's, upgrading of sewers, etc. He referred to pages 34 and 35 in this regard.
In reference to street and traffic patterns, Mr. Snyder called the Council's attention to page
18. He noted that every street closure places additional pressure on other streets and agreed
that that is a matter needing discussion.
Councilmember Dwyer referred to Section 16.60.020 of the existing code and asked for an explana-
tion of the screening required. Ms. Block replied that the developer is required to place screen-
ing somewhere in the setbacks on sides abutting residential zoning. The ADB must approve the
proposed screening, she added. Mr. Shockey said there was discussion by the Board regarding the
use of berms to act as screens., reducing the visible asphalt as much as possible. He referred to
page 32 which contains reference to the use of berms to minimize the visibility of parking and
ties in with the screening requirements of the code.
Councilmember Hall complimented the Planning Board and Mr. Shockey for the study before the Coun-
cil. She said comments to her have indicated a willingness to try this approach. Because the
Highway Beautification program appears to be ending, she said the City must protect Highway 99
from the incursion of billboards.
In reference to, Lake Ballinger on page 21, Councilmember Nordquist said the Council has designat-
ed this as a drainage basin which serves as a collector for many areas. Mr. Shockey said a Board
member saw this not only as a drainage basin but also as having environmental and economic quali-
ties that must be recognized, with which the Planning Board agreed. They feel you can have the
best of two worlds, he added.
In reference to page 29, the paragraph dealing with 45 ft. heights in the County, Mr. Shockey
said the paragraph is outdated and is handled with the CG2 zone.
Councilmember Kasper was disturbed because the Highway 99 commercial strip is too small and discus-
sion of an interim zone between commercial and residential development is not realistic. Mr.
Shockey agreed and said the idea was dropped. He said the alternative is to allow commercial
development next to multifamily and node areas and use berms to screen single family zoning.
Councilmember Kasper asked if the City were involved in the multifamily development in the Coun-
ty. Ms. Block replied that that there has only been one development in the last 18 months; the
City made comments and the application was denied. However, she said some land has an existing
multifamily zoning and the City would not be involved in that development.
Mr. Shockey called attention to page 15 that suggests a review of the zoning boundaries with
possible readjustments. If some areas are more appropriately commercial, he said the Board feels
they should be identified and boundaries adjusted, then any expansion beyond that should be diffi-
cult.
Councilmember Kasper suggested that Council amendments to the study might be submitted before
next meeting for distribution to other council members for their consideration. (Councilmember
Nordquist left the meeting.)
UPDATE ON SECONDARY SEWER TREATMENT
Community Services Director Peter Hahn introduced officials from neighboring agencies concerned
with secondary treatment. He then reviewed the background of the project. He noted that the
preliminary findings of the Edmonds facility plan indicate that the Edmonds Plant is technically
feasible at the present site and the preliminary report from Metro has determined.that monthly
customer cost will be slightly higher if Edmonds is included and an additional $73 million will
be incurred to convey Edmonds' sewage flows to Metro. A letter from Metro indicates that Edmonds
would have to pay a surcharge if Metro accepted Edmonds' sewerage. Mr. Hahn explained that the
monthly Metro rate would start at $22 a month per customer and the $73 million would also have to
be paid if Edmonds joins Metro, compared with•a monthly charge of $16-18 per customer for an
Edmonds plant; the charge at present is $7.45 a month. He said the figures include factors for
the capacity anticipated in the future and replacement costs. Asked why Metro rates were higher
for a larger area, Mr. Hahn said Seattle has the highest number of single family residences of
any major city; in addition, they must deal with the problem of combined sewer overflow. He said
there were other considerations that would have to be weighed, such as .rate increases without
representation on the Metro Council, if the City were going to consider joining Metro; but it is
his opinion that the economic factors are strong indicators that the City should handle its own
secondary treatment.
Mr. Hahn suggested the Council may wish to hold a public hearing to obtain input before reaching
a decision on whether to join with Metro for the second phase of their study. Although the con-
tract with Metro calls for an answer within 30 days, he said informal discussion with the Metro
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3 August 13, 1985
Water Quality Director reveals this is a flexible time frame. He said the next phase of the
Metro study would cost Edmonds $30,000. Mr. Hahn said the Mountlake Terrace City Council has
invited the Edmonds City Council to a joint meeting to discuss these issues. In reference to
that joint meeting, Mayor Naughten suggested a breakfast meeting. Mr. Hahn said there would be a
request before the Council next week for approval of a consultant contract for a site specific
investigation of the Edmonds facility; he would like to have site plans prepared before a public
hearing is scheduled, to provide a visual that will show the planned buffering and landscaping as
well as the facility design.
Councilmember Kasper asked why Metro is continuing to expand when their rates are so high. Mr.
Hahn said there has been no expansion for several years. He then introduced Gordon Culp of
Ott/Culp Engineers.
Mr. Culp described the results of the facility study that was started in June of this year; a
report on the Metro comparisons will be available by September 1. He said the secondary treat-
ment plant could be on-line in 1991. Mr. Culp used flip charts to illustrate the findings of the
report and the proposed design of the plant. He said the plant will service the capacity antici-
pated by Edmonds to 2030 and indicated that local treatment of secondary sewage would be most
favorable. Councilmember Hall asked if the latest technology was considered in these projec-
tions. Mr. Culp replied that much of the technology would be new to Edmonds but is not new to
the industry; there have been very few advances.
In reference to possible State and Federal grants, Councilmember Dwyer asked if Metro might at-
tract grants because of the size of their project that would not be available to Edmonds. Mr.
Hahn replied that Edmonds would probably not receive any grants from the Federal government but
felt Edmonds would have a good chance to receive State grants. He noted that the $22 per custom-
er figure for Metro could be cut if they should receive a large grant, but felt it was unlikely.
Asked by Councilmember Kasper if Metro would consider taking Edmonds flow for secondary treatment
only, Mr. Culp said the expense to convey it would still be exorbitant since the same amount of
flow would have to be pumped.
Mr. Culp discussed the possibility of expanding the secondary treatment facility to Union Oil
property across Highway 104, remarking that costs would be increased by doing so.
Councilmember Jaech asked what areas were included in the projected figure of 27,223 customers in
I991. Mr. Hahn said there are 70-250 customers in the contract with Lynnwood and 70 customers
from Woodway that have no pass -through provision for costs. However, he said the contract with
Mountlake Terrace and Olympic View Water provides for a pass -through sharing of costs for secon-
dary treatment.
Referring to the possibility of locating the secondary treatment plant on Union Oil property,
Councilmember Jaech asked that figures be prepared, showing the increased cost per customer, for
presentation at the public hearing. Councilmember Kasper remarked that the area to the east of
the existing plant could also be considered, since moving the shops has been discussed at various
times.
Alvin Potter, Commissioner of Ronald Sewer Dist. and Metro Councilmember, announced that the
first public hearing on the alternate Metro sites will be held this Thursday evening, August 15,
at Shoreline Community College, for anyone interested.
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEM-
BER 17 ON SECONDARY SEWER TREATMENT. MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was recessed at 9:00 p.m., reconvening at 9:10 p.m.
AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT BUILDING AT FIRE STATION 2. (CONTINUED FROM
AUGUST 6, 1985) ($26,000)
Fire Chief Jack Weinz displayed some sketches of the proposed building showing the site plan,
elevations, and design. Councilmember Wilson suggested the existing fire station wall be used as
a common wall, extending the slab and roof to that building and leaving the ends open between
the two buildings. He said this covered space could be utilized now and would make future addi-
tions easier. Chief Weinz agreed that it could be done and the space could be used but did not
know if there would be a savings.
Councilmember Kasper asked about future expansion plans for the fire station. Chief Weinz said
another bay would be needed and had been planned for the west side of the station, but it would
be much more expensive. Councilmember Wilson commented that it would be years before the addition-
al bay would be needed. Chief Weinz said the new building would satisfy the immediate need but
more space can always be used. Councilmember Kasper suggested obtaining an estimate for both
alternatives and making a decision based on those factors.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4 August 13, 1985
Councilmember Jaech suggested the proposed building be moved four feet further from the fire
station, leaving a 14 foot space, that could be turned into a bay in the future. Chief Weinz
agreed that that would accommodate a bay. Councilmember Jaech asked if the estimates for extend-
ing the slab and roof and moving the building another four feet could be ready for the Council
next week. Chief Weinz said the estimates would be rough but could be ready.
Councilmember Kasper said the proposal to fund this from the maintenance fund is not appropriate
use of that fund. He suggested this be considered as a budget item. Councilmember Dwyer re-
marked that this had come up originally as a proposal for repair of a situation; discussion by
the Council has resulted in a proposal for a 1 arger building. He said there is money available
in the maintenance fund and there is no place to obtain the money elsewhere. He suggested the
Council decide whether Chief Weinz should return in a week with the information requested and the
Council fund the building or advise the Chief to wait until the budget cycle to submit his re-
quest. Councilmember Kasper said a maintenance, fund has been difficult to establish and he ob-
jects to use of the money for anything other than maintenance; therefore, he would prefer this be
handled at budget time.
Asked how much it would cost to winterize the existing building, Chief Weinz estimated a cost of.
$6,000 but did not feel the money should be spent since the building is in such bad shape.
Councilmember Ostrom agreed that the maintenance fund should not be used as a building fund.
Chief Weinz said they could make do with the existing building for another year if necessary but
the building does need replacing. Mayor Naughten said the requested information would be secured
and presented to the Council on the September 3 agenda.
MAYOR
Mayor Naughten said the City of Edmonds had celebrated its 95th birthday this weekend on August
11.
Having met the participants attending a Vocal Jazz Camp at Puget Sound Christian College, the
Mayor declared August 14 as Jazz Camp Day and declared all 95 participants to be honorary citi-
zens of the City.
Mayor Naughten announced that the Hubbard Trust has agreed to give $11,000 to the Fire Boat Fund
for purchase of equipment needed to place the boat in service.
The Mayor said the Taste of Edmonds is scheduled for this weekend, August 16, 17, and 18, and
urged everyone to participate.
Mayor Naughten announced that John Miller will be the Senior Center Wednesday, August 14.
City Attorney Scott Snyder explained that the Chamber of Commerce has requested two changes to
their contract with the City for the Taste of Edmonds. One change is to amend the indemnifica-
tion clause to delete acts of negligence by City employees, which he said was an acceptable
change. The other change would be to lower the insurance requirements for bodily injury and
property damage from $2 million in the aggregate to $1 million and Mr. Snyder advised against the
lower limit. He recommended that future contracts require $5 million coverage in the aggregate.
COUNCILMEMBER DWYER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH THE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE FOR THE TASTE OF EDMONDS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CITY WILL NOT BE INDEMNIFIED FROM LOSSES
RESULTING FROM CITY EMPLOYEE'S NEGLIGENCE. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Naughten proclaimed August 14, 1985 as Unemployment Insurance Day in honor of that pro-
gram's 50th anniversary.
COUNCIL
Councilmember Dwyer expressed appreciation of the letter from the Mayor to Dr. Reasby regarding
the Civic Century Playfield and asked that a copy be sent to Dorothy Williamson because of her
interest in the matter.
Councilmember Jaech asked when the hearing on Ocean Avenue was scheduled. City Clerk Jackie
Parrett said it would be on the August 20 agenda.
Councilmember Ostrom remarked that the agenda for September 3 is too full and asked if the High-
way 99 decision could be scheduled for another evening. Mr. Snyder felt the Meadowdale hearing
should not be too long since there are no formal protests filed. COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, TO RESCHEDULE THE DECISION ON HIGHWAY 99 TO SEPTEMBER 17.
MOTION CARRIED.
Councilmember Kasper said he would like to discuss two legal areas dealing with real estate pur-
chases during the Executive Session.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 5 August 13, 1985
Councilmember Hall advised that the Chamber of Commerce would like to meet with the Council on a
Saturday sometime within the next two months.
Councilmember Hall expressed concern that the research being done by the City Attorney on legisla-
tive actions may be too expensive and could be accomplished by Administrative Services Director
Art Housler. Mr. Snyder said that this research is being accomplished as part of the retainer
fee.
Councilmember Hall asked that a Saturday morning meeting be scheduled for budget discussions.
Mayor Naughten suggested that this be debated on September 3 during scheduled discussion of the
budget.
Student Representative Tom Cole suggested everyone take a look at the Persied meteor shower which
is in evidence this evening.
The meeting was recessed to an Executive Session at 9:55 p.m. to discuss real estate issues and
labor negotiations, adjourning at 11:00 p.m.
JAC UELINE G. PARRETT, City Clerk LARR` S. NA GHTEN, Mayo
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 6 August 13, 1985