05/11/2004 City Council1
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
May 11, 2004
The Edmonds City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Haakenson in the Council
Chambers, 250 5tn Avenue North, Edmonds, in order to hear a proposed resolution. The meeting was
opened with the flag salute.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Michael Plunkett, Council President
Deanna Dawson, Councilmember
Dave Orvis, Councilmember
Richard Marin, Councilmember
Jeff Wilson, Councilmember
Mauri Moore, Councilmember
Peggy Pritchard Olson, Councilmember
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
David Stern, Chief of Police
Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Dan Clements, Administrative Services Director
Jim Larson, Asst. Admin. Services Director
Gerry Gannon, Assistant Police Chief
Dave Gebert, City Engineer
Steve Koho, Treatment Plant Manager
Darrell Smith, Traffic Engineer
Mike Thies, Code Enforcement Inspector
Scott James, Accountant
Linda Hynd, Deputy City Clerk
Jana Spellman, Sr. Executive Council Assistant
COUNCILMEMBER WILSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MARIN, FOR
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON, FOR
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows:
(A) ROLL CALL
(B) APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 4, 2004.
(C) APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #70908 THROUGH #71087 FOR THE WEEK OF
MAY 3, 2003, IN THE AMOUNT OF $460,489.21. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DIRECT
DEPOSITS AND CHECKS #38032 THROUGH #38174 FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 16
THROUGH APRIL 30, 2004, IN THE AMOUNT OF $815,552.44.
3. PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE FOUR-YEAR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY, AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15.
Doug Fair thanked the Mayor and Council for including them on the agenda. He explained that the
reason for having a capital levy, instead of a bond, was because most of the proposed improvements are
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
May 11, 2004
Page 1
short-term, computer -related improvements, worth about 20 million dollars, and a bond would float that
for over a 15-20-year period and it would not be fiscally responsible to buy equipment that would be used
up in the next 5-10 years and pay for it over the next 20 years. He stated that the School District is able
to float a capital projects levy due to the increase in the amount and the value of commercial property in
the Edmonds School District area, which includes Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Woodway,
Edmonds, and some unincorporated Snohomish County. All of the improvements will be paid for within
four years. The resultant increase in taxes will be from currently 2004 over 2005, but a reduction from
2003. In 2003, the District paid off a lot of the bonds that it had been floating for years and reduced
some of their principle on those, so their tax rate has gone down. He recalled that in 2002-2003, the
School District asked for a bond and a levy and it was asking $4.59 per 1,000 and $4.52 per 1,000. He
noted that the cost on this would start out at about $3.90 per 1,000 of assessed value and at the end of
four years it would be down to about $3.44 per 1,000. He felt that having good schools contributes to
having a good quality community. He noted that Snohomish County Realtors recognize that good
schools contribute to higher property values, and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce
endorses the levy, recognizing the value of good schools to the community. He asked the Edmonds City
Council to endorse the resolution to show its support.
Warren Schweppe, 8524 215"' SW, Edmonds, discussed that he had been involved with the levy in the
past year on the Citizens' Planning Committee for the school district, as well as representing Chase Lake
School as a site coordinator. He felt that this was an important levy, one, because the tax base will go
down, and that it needs to be done. He discussed the need for new technology in the schools and
suggested that Council e-mail and call citizens to provide support on the issue.
Sue Gould, 19225 92"d Avenue West, Edmonds, discussed the good reputation that Edmonds has had in
the Edmonds School District system. She expressed concern about the district being behind in
technology and felt that if the levy is not passed, the area will fall farther behind. She hoped that the
Council would take advantage of the opportunity to contact citizens and endorse the levy.
Ron Wambolt, 504 6`h Avenue S., Edmonds, agreed that the equipment and the capital improvements
are probably needed, but he thought that there also needed to be a balance for a reasonable increase that
people can incur in one year. He felt that the District's pamphlet was misleading and incomplete. He
pointed out that the pamphlet says that the total school tax rate will be lower than 2003 and will continue
to decrease over the next four years, and goes on to say that the lower total school tax rate is mainly the
result of a substantial increase in the commercial and new residential tax base within the district's
boundaries. Mr. Wambolt thought that was a contributing factor, but that the main reason was because
property values went up so much in 2004: an average of 37 percent in Edmonds, and 61 percent in
Woodway. The pamphlet neglected to mention what assumption was made on property values. In
checking with the School District, he found that the assumption in calculating their rates was that
properties would increase an average of 7 percent each of those years, which means that in 2005 the taxes
would go up 20.8 percent. He felt that was too much in one year. He recommended that the District
provide all of the facts regarding the issue and spread the increase over a 4-5 year period, not all mostly
in 2005.
Councilmember Wilson presented an e-mail that he had received relating to the levy matter, written by
Doug Sheldon, who represents the Citizens for Schools and Pacific Little League, and it was addressed to
the Mayor, Council President Plunkett, and himself. He read, "At this upcoming Tuesday Council
meeting, Doug Fair, school board member, will be representing the School District on the upcoming
capital levy. I have been working hard to rally the sports organizations behind the effort as there is
considerable funding for improving fields and playgrounds of approximately 9.4 million dollars.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
May 11, 2004
Page 2
Included in this is one million dollars for partnership funding that I hope that we can leverage with the
City's Parks & Recreation Department's sports organizations to double or triple the impact of this
money. I would like to attend but Edmonds-Woodway is playing Jackson in District tournament finals."
He also stated, "Many of the players come out of civic little league with whom I have been associated
with for a number of years. It was exciting to see these players do well."
Councilmember Wilson thought that Mr. Sheldon believed that it was great support, not just for the
school district, but for all of the ancillary activities that go on in the community that children are able to
participate in. He supported the motion and supported the effort for the school district. He encouraged
his fellow council members to do the same. He explained that this action does not obligate the citizens to
take a particular course. He thought that it was a positive message to send to all of the citizens in the
area and one that would support the schools and provide a good environment for the schools and for the
children, would strengthen the communities, the relationship with the School District, and would be a
positive overall influence.
Councilmember Moore concurred with Mr. Wilson's comments and thought it was a wonderful
opportunity to strengthen the communities. She thanked Doug Fair for serving on the school board and
the audience members for sharing their views. She felt it was important for citizens to understand that
the value of schools and the value of children's education are beyond whether someone has a child in the
district or not. She supported the resolution.
Councilmember Marin stated that this resolution is for the children, the students, and supports the
schools.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PLUNKETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON,
TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 1065. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Councilmember Marin read and presented Resolution No. 1065 to Doug Fair:
A Resolution of the Edmonds City Council
Endorsing the Four -Year Educational Facilities & Technology Capital Levy of Edmonds School
District #15
Whereas, public education is the hallmark of our American democracy, nurturing productive and
informed citizens; and
Whereas, public education contributes to the quality of life in the City of Edmonds by providing skilled
workers, attracting families to the community, and generating economic growth and
development; and
Whereas, the partnership between the City of Edmonds and Edmonds School District No. 15 provides
shared use of recreational facilities for the citizens of Edmonds; and
Whereas, the Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15 has placed before the voters of the
District a FOUR-YEAR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY, to
be voted upon at a special election to be held May 18, 2004, to improve classroom
technology, make seismic and other safety improvements to schools throughout the district,
and improve outdoor recreation facilities enjoyed by students as well as members of the
community for the recreational purposes; and
Whereas, the Edmonds City Council recognizes the important connection between quality schools and a
strong and safe community;
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved, that we, the undersigned, endorse the FOUR-YEAR EDUCATION
FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL LEVY ENDORSED BY THE Board of Directors of
Edmonds School District No. 15, to be voted at a special election on May 18, 2004
Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 11`h day of May, 2004.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
May 11, 2004
Page 3
Doug Fair thanked the Mayor and Council for their support.
At 7:20 p.m., Mayor Haakenson adjourned the meeting. The Public Safety, Community
Services/Development Services, and Finance Committees met following the full Council meeting.
G Y H ENSON, MAYOR
"'-� '4 • &a.�
SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
May 11, 2004
Page 4
1
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex
250 5' Avenue North, Edmonds
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
MAY 11, 2004
Special Tuesday Meetin_g
7:00 P.M. - Call to Order
Flag Salute
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Consent Agenda Items
(A) Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2004.
(B) Approval of claim checks #70908 through #71087 for the week of May 3, 2004,
in the amount of $460,489.21. Approval of payroll direct deposits and checks
#38032 through #38174 for the period April 16 through April 30, 2004 in the
amount of $815,552.44.
3. (15 Min.) Proposed Resolution to endorse the Four -Year Educational Facilities and
Technology Capital Levy, authorized by the Board of Directors of Edmonds
School District No. 15.*
*Public comment will be invited.
ADJOURN
City Council Committee Meetings
The City Council Committee meetings are work sessions for the City Council and staff only.
The meetings are open to the public but are not public hearings. The City Council will meet
separately as committees in different meeting rooms as indicated below.
1. Community Services/Development Services Committee
(Meeting Location: Council Chambers)
(A) All way stop at 76t' Avenue and Meadowdale Beach Road. (5 Min.)
(B) Continued discussion on Planned Residential Development variances. (10 Min.)
Parking and meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities.
Contact the City Clerk at (425) 771-0245 with 24 hours advance notice for special accommodations.
The Council Agenda appears on cable television Government Access Channel 21.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MAY 11, 2004
Page 2 of 2
(C) Discussion on home occupations. (10 Min.)
(D) Play structures and zoning regulations. (10 Min.)
2. Public Safety Committee
(Meeting Location: Police Training Room)
(A) Interlocal Agreement for Police Services with Town of Woodway. (15 Min.)
(B) Interlocal Agreement for Automated Fingerprint Identification System with City
of Lynnwood. (15 Min.)
(C) Ordinance for provision of Rescue Operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
(10 Min.)
(D) Citizen Assistance Program (10. Min)
3. Finance Committee
(Meeting Location: Jury Meeting Room)
(A) Proposed ordinance amending the 2004 Budget as a result of unanticipated
transfers and expenditures of various funds. (15 Min.)
ADJOURN
Parking and meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities.
Contact the City Clerk at (425) 771-0245 with 24 hours advance notice for special accommodations.
The Council Agenda appears on cable television Government Access Channel 21.