12/23/1986 City CouncilTHESE MINUTES SUBJECT TO
JANUARY 6, 1986 APPROVAL
EDMons C13Y COUNCIL I'IINUIES
DECEMBER 23, 1986
(WORK MEETING)
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:DO p.m. by Mayor Larry
Naughten in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library, All present joined in the flag sa-
lute.
PRESENT ',TAFF PRESENT.
Larry Naughten, Mayor
Laura Hall, Council Pres.
Steve Dwyer
do -Anne Jaech
Bill Kasper
John Nordquist
Lloyd Ostrom
Jack Wilson
Tom Peterson, Student Rep.
Mayor Plauehten wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Mayor Naughten.called an Executive Session following
nel issue.
Art:.Housler, Admin. Svc. Director
Jim,,Barnes, Parks & Rec. Div. Mgr.
Jac( Weinz, Fire Chief
Duar'.e Bowman, Asst. City Planner
Bobty Mills, Pub. Wks. Supt.
Peter Hahn, Comm. Svc. Director
Uob Alberts, City Engineer
Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Chuck Day, Accounting Supervisor
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Marcaret Richards, Recorder
the agenda to discuss a property and person-
"ONSENT AGENDA
Items (B) and (C) were removed from the Consent Agenda. COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEViBER HALL, TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. The approved
items on the Consent Agenda include the following:
(A) ROLL CALL
(D) RECOMMENDATION 10 RENEW EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
(E) SET MEETING WITH PETITIONERS FOR PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
(EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT) ON JANUARY 20, 1987
(F) SET MEETING WITH PETITIONERS FOR PROPOSED ANNEXATION Of" AREA BETWEEN 228TH ST. S.W.
AND 231ST ST. S.W. ON JA14UARY 20, 1987
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 3986 [ITEM (B) ON THE CONSEIT AGENDA
Councilmernber Hall inquired about the spelling of Mrs. Humu.12's name on page 9. The recorder
checked the spelling and corrected it as follows: H-U-M-O-L-A.
Councilmernber Dwyer noted :a correction on page 9. lie said Professor Breysse is a professor
emeritus and not a Professor of Meritus..
COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED, SECONDED BY COIINCiLMEMBER JAECH, T(, APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.
MOTION CARRIED.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADJUSTING NONREPRESENTED EMPLOYEESSALARI=S AND SALARY RANGES BY 3% [ITEM
C ON THE CUNSENi AGENDA - ---�— —
Councilmember Jaech said recent data indicated that CAI arid co!t of living increases are typical-
ly increased by 1.7% and not 3%. she questioned if the ranges should increase by 3%.
Councilmenber Nordquist referred to a memorandum dated {lovembar 18, 1986. He inquired if life
insurance benefits are separate from the 3% increase. Mayor Naughten replied affirmatively.
Councilmember Nordquist asked why those benefits were considered separately. Administrative
Services Director Art Housler.said the ordinance was drafted to,.increase the CPI increase by 3%
by motion of the Council. He said the Council did not address tho other benefits.
Councilmember Kasper inquired if the ordinance included the rang(s. Mr. Housler.replied affirma-
tively. Councilmember Kasper, noted that a 45% increase in wages has occurred over the last sever-
al years and 34% in CPI, which has impacted t:he General Fund ')ecause as much as 62% goes for
salaries. He said although it will be difficult ,to adjust Lhos2 increases, it appears that the
most appropriate area would be in comp time and step increases.I He concurred with Councilmember
Jaech that the ranges should not be increased at the present time.
Councilmember Ostrom noted that the budget will continue to increase as long as Staff is. in-
creased. He said although he did not vote in favor of incre,asin3 Staff in 1986 the Council had.
He said he felt it was unfair to "lower the boom" on Staff.
COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM MOVED, SECONUED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO AD(PT ORDINANCE 2590.
COUNCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ELIMINATE THE
RANGES.
Mayor Naughten inquired if the increase would not be effective .'or 20 non represented employees
if the ranges were not approved. Mr. Housler replied affirmatively. He said the increase in-
cludes not only management but also the professionals, such as the engineers, who are
nonrepresented and would not receive the 3% salary increase. He said their only alternative
would be to form a union, which none of them wants to do, in order to receive those benefits if
the Council did not approve the increase.
Councilmember Hall inquired how the budget would be affected monetarily if the ranges were elimi-
nated. Mr. Housler estimated $20,000.
Councilmember Wilson said although the step increase and salary increase do need to be addressed,
he felt it was not appropriate to hold the exempt non -represented employees "hostage" because
their proposal was the last request to be discussed during the budget process.
Councilmember Hall concurred with Councilmember 'Wilson. She recommended that the increases for
exempt non -represented employees be considered in January or Fe)ruary for the following year's
budget instead of at the end of the year for ensuing year's budget.
* Councilmember Jaech said because no policy has been adopted regarding salary increases in past
years, she would vote against salary range increases for both (xempt non -represented employees
and union employees.
Councilmember Hall inquired why exempt non -represented employees' budget requests were not dis-
cussed until the end of the year. Mr. Housler said because negotiations for represented employ-
ees take place over a four to six month period, non -represented employees requests are not dis-
cussed until year end. He reminded the Council that it had passed a motion in 1983 to address
non -represented employees' salary increases during the budget pror,ess to be adopted before it was
finalized.
Mayor Naughten said salary increase policies should be adopted fo- all employees. He said he did
not feel it was appropriate that represented employees enjoy automatic increases because they
have union representation while the non -represented employees der not. Councilmember Nordquist
asked Mayor Naughten if it would be appropriate, then, to draft guidelines to that effect early
next year. Mayor Naughten replied affirmatively.
Councilmember Wilson noted that salaries, step increases, and benefits are tripling the cost of
living. He said the Mayor must display leadership in addressing tilt problem.
Councilmember Hall inquired if merit bonuses are calculated into the 3% increase. Mr. Housler
replied that they are not, they are from a merit pool. Mayor Naughten said merit bonuses have
averaged approximately 2%. Councilmember Hall inquired about th,! financial status of the merit
pool at the present time. Mayor Naughten said the pool contained $13,000. City Attorney Scott
Snyder noted that the paragraph in the budget ordinance is the same clause that has been in ef-
fect since 1983.
*See Council Minutes of January 6, 1987
EDMOND!; CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 2 DECEMBER 23, 1986.
Councilmember Jaech noted that she 'stated''on the record' last year that she would not vote in
favor of salary increases.
Mr. Housler said the CPI increase from 1978 to 1986 was 64%; salary increase for non -represented
employees was 52%, which is 12% below CPI increases over a 9 year period. Councilmember Kasper
noted that revenue was increasing in 1978 but has continued to decrease every year since that
time.
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION. MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBER
HALL, COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, AND COUNCILMEMBER KASPER IN FAVOR AND COUNCILMEMBER DWYER, COUNCILMEM-
BER NORDQUIST, COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM, AND COUNCILMEMBER WILSON OPPOSED.
THE MAIN MOTION CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBER JAECH AND COUNCILMEMBER KASPER OPPOSED.
COUNCIL DELIBERATION ON HEARING EXAMINER RECOMMENDATION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF 10 LOT
SUBDIVISION WITH MODIFICATIONS AT 1100 DALEY PL. APPLICANT: HANCHETT FAMILY/P-6-84
Mayor Naughten inquired if the noise documents submitted by Professor Breysse had been recov-
ered. Councilmember Hall replied negatively. City Attorney Scott Snyder suggested that the
applicant's attorney be contacted to obtain a copy for the record. Councilmember Ostrom inquired
if anyone who needed to see the documents had a chance to do so. Mr. Snyder replied affirmative-
ly.
Councilmember Ostrom said after reviewing the record, he has ascertained that the subdivision
satisfies the criteria of the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) with the exception of
one; that it will not be detrimental to other properties in the area.
Councilmember Ostrom expressed concern regarding the water and drainage issues although, he said,
they seem to be thoroughly addressed in the subdivision plans. He noted, however, that there
have been water and drainage plans that have been approved in the past and, yet, the City contin-
ues to experience drainage problems.
Councilmember Ostrom said the proposed access road will adversely affect the property values and
lifestyles of adjacent residences and, consequently, should not be approved.
Councilmember Hall said the proposed subdivision, due to poor planning in the past, is almost a
land -locked parcel. Tile proposed access road, she said, was the only feasible route in her
opinion. Councilmember Mall saidshe would vote in favor of the proposed subdivision with the
proviso that the impact to the McCormicks is mitigated.
Councilmember Ostrom said the role of the Council is not to decide which alternative is less
detrimental but, rather, to determine whether or not the proposal satisfies the criteria of the
ECDC.
Councilmember Hall said the reasoning for approving or not approving the proposed subdivision is
a matter of degree because the proposal is not perfect, as none are.
Councilmember Kasper said the Council must consider the overall benefit and impact to the sur-
rounding area. He said he was in favor of the proposal because it benefits the entire area, with
the exception of the McCormicks. He suggested that the Humolas surrender ten feet of their
property to lessen the impact to the McCormicks.
Councilmember Wilson said the question wasn't whether to allow the access road because a road was
already in existence and is the logical entrance to the property.
COUNCI.LMEMBER WILSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, TO ADOPT THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOM-
MENDATION TO APPROVE THE TEN -LOT SUBDIVISION P-6-84 WITH A MODIFICATION TO THE STREET STANDARDS.
Councilmember Dwyer said the issue has been quite difficult for him. He expressed concern: 1)
that the question of whether or not the variance request on the street standard should be denied
because it is a self-imposed hardship has not been adequately addressed; 2) regarding the design
for ten lots in relationship to what is or is not detrimental. He said in his opinion, the
Humolas and McCormicks have no right to expect that a road will not be constructed, but what -
they reasonably could expect is that a ten -lot subdivision would never be developed in an area
I:UMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3 DECEMBER 23, 1986
which had access for only four lots. He said fie had an inability to conceive of the proposed
development as not being detrimental because the use and number of lots were proposed to be dou-
bled. Councilmember Dwyer said he was not prepared to vote in favor of the proposed subdivision.
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. MOTION CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBER HALL, COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, COUN-
CILMEMBER NORDQUIST, AND COUNCILMEMBER WILSON IN FAVOR AND COUNCILMEMBER DWYER, COUNCILMEMBER
JAECH, AND COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM OPPOSED.
City Attorney Scott Snyder said that the Findings of Fact_& Conclusions of Law would be prepared
for the January 13, 1987 Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Dwyer inquired if the motion could condition approval of the subdivision upon thi-2
Hanchetts ability to demonstrate access as the. Council had in prior years regarding this
Co.omer case. Mr. Snyder said he would include that clause in the Findings in addition to the
Hearing Examiner's recommendation.
Mr. Snyder said there were errors that were pointed out in the Hearing Examiner's report. He
said he would make modifications to his report if the Council so desired. Councilmember Wilson
concurred.
BUDGET WORK SESSION AND APPROVAL OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2600 ADOPTING 1987 BUDGET
Councilmember Nordquist referred to Mayor Naughten's memorandum dated December 18, 1986. He
said he did not agree with the Mayor's options for additional revenue. Mayor Naughten noted that
the options were not recommendations but merely suggestions.
Administrative Services Director Art Housler reported that because of the unexpected request to
find $150,000 for reserves, fie spent a lot of time checking and rechecking the figures included
in the 1986 preliminary budget. He said he contacted the State Department of Revenue, County
Treasurer, and others to try to determine how much the City would receive in revenues. Fie also
contacted Division Managers to evaluate the accuracy of their projected year-end expenditures.
Councilmember Hall noted that the General Fund is short $19,000. She said she felt the Councill
budget was sound, noting: 1) that one retreat was cut out of the budget last year; 2) the Coun-
cil does not submit gasoline reimbursement requests.
Councilmember Jaech reviewed a list of potential revenue sources which she had researched to
establish $150,000 for the Reserve Fund with the Council.
Councilmember Nordquist recommended that $7500 under Council Administration 511.10.49 remain so
that the Main Streets Program is not jeopardized and reduce the Council Contingency Fund 119 b'y
$10,000.
Councilmember Ostrom recommended that the Council retreat be held locally instead of out of town.
Councilmember Jaech inquired about the cost of department exams. Fire Chief Jack Weinz said the
Fire Department and Administration take advantage of the Physical Agility Program at a reduced
fee of $10.0. Community Services Director Peter Hahn said other departments may also take advan-
tage of that program.
Mayor Naughten said fie thought it would be appropriate if his budget was cut by $1700 rather than
by $4200.
Councilmember Wilson noted that the Mayor's budget was increased by 2.4%. He said that budget
was irrelevant when the beginning budget figures were utilized because the increase was realisti-
cally 2.8%. Councilmember Ostrom noted that each department's budget was based upon the begiry-
ning budget figures.
Police Chief Dan Prinz noted that the Police Department worked on their budget for more than half
a year. However, the Council was not satisfied with it at the end of the year. He said he felt
the Council was doing Staff a disservice because it, in essence, was encouraging the department
heads to hide money in the budget in the future.. He said the entire budget process did not se6m
fair. Councilmember Jaech said the Council recently became aware that the reserves it thought
were available in the budget did not exist, and it was suggested that the Council find those
funds themselves. She noted that Staff may address the adjustments that they feel are inappropri-
ate in January.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4 DECEMBER 23, 1986
Mr. Housler said he felt the budget wa`s"being formulated"appropriately. He said the programs
that serve the public must be cut before the activities that support the services departments are
cut and not vice versa.
Councilmember Wilson said he has always been concerned about the lack of reserves. He said he
did not feel that the programs can continue to be eliminated and still properly serve the
public. He recommended that the .revenue base be increased by increasing the utility tax to the
maximum to fund the reserves.
Councilmember Nordquist noted that Chief Prinz prepared the Police Department's budget for the
Mayor and not the Council. He said the Council must include controls in the budget to insure
that each department is equally considered.
Councilmember Nordquist recommended that the Landscape Designer position be deleted. Mr. Housler
noted that $12,000 is anticipated to be received from the Coastal Zone Management Grant. He said
$7,000 for the Landscape Designer's position is funded from that grant. If the position is delet-
ed, the grant would not be available.
Councilmember Jaech recommended that the Administrative Services Committee address the overtime
issue for the Police Department during the beginning of 1987. Chief Prinz noted that the Depart-
ment did not utilize all of the monies for overtime regarding investigations. Councilmember
Jaech said she would like the Committee to investigate the amount of funds attributable to each
function involving overtime.
Councilmember Nordquist reviewed potential revenue sources to establish $150,000 for the Reserve
Fund with the Council.
*Councilmember Kasper recommended that an additional $50,000 be earmarked for the Building & Main-
tenance Fund to replace the windows at the Police, Fire, and Community Services buildings.
COUNCILMEMBER 14ORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO: REDUCE THE MAYOR'S BUDGET BY
$2,000; REDUCE THE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET BY $2,000; REDUCE THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND BY $10,000;
DELETE THE FIRE BOAT PROGRAM AT $20,000; DELETE THE RESCUE PROGRAM AT $4,000; DELETE THE
SEAVIEW IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AT $15,000: REDUCE RETAINER FEES FOR THE CITY ATTOR14EY BY $3,000;
REDUCE THE BUILDING & MAINTENANCE FUND BY $12,000; REDUCE THE COURT RELOCATION .BUDGET BY $1,000.
COUNCILMEMBER DWYER MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM, TO TRANSFER
$10,000 FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO THE RESERVE ACCOUNT FOR THE FLOWER PROGRAM.
THE MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED.
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBER
DWYER AND COUNCILMEMBER KASPER OPPOSED.
COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OSTROM, TO PASS ORDINANCE 2600 WITH A
MODIFIED ATTACHED EXHIBIT APPROVING THE 1987 BUDGET. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. MOTION CARRIED
WITH COUNCILMEMBER DWYER AND COUNCILMEMBER KASPER OPPOSED.
Councilmember Ostrom extended a motion to thank Council President Hall for her endeavors as Coun-
cil President. Council President Hall expressed her appreciation. She wished everyone a Merry
Christmas. She also expressed her appreciation to Staff for their cooperation.
MAYOR
Mayor Naughten noted that the employee Christmas party was a success.
*Mayor Naughten announced that Roy NcCorchu.ck from the Buildings & Grounds Department was voted
as Employee of the Year; Darrill Yokum from the Police Department was voted as Volunteer of
the Year for work regarding the Crime Watch Program; six Employee Distinguished Awards were given
as follows: Duane Bowman, Planning Department; Jeffrey Jones, Police Department; Rick Lindsey,
Buildings & Grounds Department; Bobby Mills, Public Works Department; Karlene Montgomery, Finance
Department; and Ron Schirman, Fire Department. Also nominated were Peter Hahn, Community Servic-
es Department and Jackie Parrett, City Clerk.
*See Council Minutes of January 6, 1987
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 5 DECEMBER 23, 1986
COUNCIL
Council President Hall inquired if the Council wished to meet on December 30, 1986. COUNCILMEM:-
BER NOROQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, THAT THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS BIE
SCHEDULED ON DECEMBER 30, 1986. MOTION CARRIED..
COUNCILMEMBER KASPER MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR NAUGHTEN, TO SCHEDULE A DINNER WORK MEETING ON
DECEMBER 30, 1986. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBER KASPER IN FAVOR;.
Council President Hall noted that Student Representative Tom Peterson has applied to the Air
Force and Naval Academy. She said she wrote a letter to Representative Miller on his behalf and
received a favorable response.
Student Representative Tom Peterson thanked the Council and Staff for making his experience very
interesting.
Councilmember Nordquist expressed his appreciation to Tom Peterson for serving on the Council as
a student representative. Councilmember Nordquist wished everyone season's greetings.
Councilmember Wilson wished Tom Peterson the best and a Merry Christmas to everyone.
Councilmember Ostrom wished Tom Peterson good luck.
Councilmember Ostrom inquired about the status regarding 89th Place West, 80th and 218th.
Mayor Naughten said those issues are being addressed.
The meeting recessed to an Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. to discuss a legal and personnel matter
for approximately 15 minutes.
JACQ ELINE G PARRETT, City Clerk LARR S. NAUGHT, , Mayor
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 6 DECEMBER 23, 1986