10/27/2001 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Budget Workshop
Special Saturday, October 27, 2001, Council Meeting
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
STAFF PRESENT
Mayor Gary Haakenson
Peggy Hetzler, Adm. Serv. Director
Dave Earling, Council President
Stephen Clifton, Com. Serv. Director
Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
Duane Bowman, Dev. Serv. Director
Lora Petso, Councilmember
Tom Tomber , Fire Chief
Tom Miller, Councilmember
Kevin Taylor, Asst. Fire Chief
Dave Orvis, Councilmember
David Stern, Police Chief
Greg Wean, Asst. Police Chief
Absent: Richard L. Marin, Councilmember
Brent Hunter, Human Res. Director
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recs Director
Brian McIntosh, Asst. Parks and Recs Director
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
Dave Gebert, City Engineer
Jim White, Municipal Court Judge
Joan Ferebee, Court Administrator
Linda Carl, Sr. Ex. Asst. to Mayor
Sandy Chase, City Clerk
Sarah Marsh, Ex. Support Asst. — Fire Dept.
Jana Spellman, Sr. Ex. Asst. to Council & Recorder
Council President Earling called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and asked all of the Directors to give
the Council a brief overview of each Director's departmental budget needs, funded priority decision
packages, and a couple priority decision packages that did not get funded to give the Council an
understanding of those that did not get included.
Mayor Haakenson then called on each of the Director's to present the information Council President
Earling asked for.
The following Directors made presentations: Stephen Clifton, Director of Community Services, Fire Chief
Tom Tomberg, Brent Hunter, Director of Human Resources, Judge Jim White, with the help of Court
Administrator, Joan Ferebee, Arvilla Ohlde, Director of Parks and Recreation, Peggy Hetzler, Director of
Administrative Services, Duane Bowman, Director of Development Services, Noel Miller, Director of
Public Works, and Assistant Chief of Police Greg Wean.
Each Director presented an overview of their budget explaining approved decision packages, listing a few
priority packages that did not get funded and amount of those, answered Councilmembers' questions as
they arose, and agreed to bring back any information requested by individual Councilmembers.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor Haakenson commented that when Council President Earling asked the Directors for examples of
decision packages that were not funded that the Council only heard one or two examples from each of
the Directors. He asked the Council President if he wanted a list of all the decision packages that were
not funded. Council President Earling stated that he just wanted the priority decision packages that were
not funded. He did not need to see the entire list of packages that were not funded.
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Council President Earling asked for any questions or comments from Councilmembers.
Councilmember Petso had questions about the overview of the budget and Peggy Hetzler responded that
Mayor Haakenson's budget message memorandum in the beginning of the Preliminary 2002 Budget
Book pretty much outlined all of the major drivers in the budget.
Ms. Petso inquired about revenue resources. Ms. Hetzler stated that there are no new revenue sources.
Ms. Hetzler stated that the only proposal to increase the revenue stream was a 3% property tax increase
and that all of the other revenue sources have been in place for years.
Mr. Earling asked what a 1 % property income tax increase was worth. Ms. Hetzler replied $70,000 for
1 %.
Ms. Petso asked if there was a separate budget session scheduled for looking at revenue projections.
Mr. Earling replied that there was another budget workshop scheduled for October 30, 2001 and he had a
proposal for further budget workshops also.
Council President Earling called on Councilmember Plunkett. Mr. Plunkett inquired about the decision
package portion of the Administrative Services Department stating that it appeared to have decreased.
Ms. Hetzler stated that the reason for that decline was that the million - dollar library contract used to come
out of her budget and it no longer does.
Councilmember Orvis asked how high the EMS Levy tax could go. Ms. Hetzler explained 50 cents per
thousand was the limit.
Councilmember Tom Miller stated he would like to comment to his fellow Councilmembers regarding the
Development Services Department. He explained that three years ago and even further back, the
Department had an atrocious reputation in the community. Now, with Gary and Duane, there have been
substantial improvements in the last couple of years. One of the things Councilmember Miller feels is still
in need of significant improvement is code compliance enforcement.
He said it is very frustrating to staff or Councilmembers who get a call about a (land -use) complaint to be
told that it takes three months to process the complaint. Mr. Miller finds this appalling and embarrassing
to him as a Councilman.
He would like to see the Council reflect on this and consider funding of a second code enforcement
position (decision package that was not funded in 2002 budget).
Councilmember Miller said that the highest priority, in his view, was the funding of the three battalion chief
positions. He felt it was essential due to the size of our City, the number of calls received, State
requirements, Federal standards for training, and the fact that we are asking our Fire Chief and Asst. Fire
Chief to fill two roles. He would like to see the Council consider funding these positions.
He asked the staff to bring back the following information: 1) homeland security information and what
potential problems or issues might be faced by the City of Edmonds, budget preparation and protection
solutions; and 2) a list of priority decision packages mentioned at this Budget Workshop that were not
funded and the total cost of those packages.
Mayor Haakenson stated that regarding the homeland security, a lot of work has already been done and
he would give a future report to the Council. He asked Councilmember Miller if a report of what has been
done to date was acceptable. Mr. Miller responded in the affirmative. Mayor Haakenson said a report
would be forthcoming.
Council President Earling said that before the Councilmembers start asking for too many items during this
session, he wanted to affirm the upcoming schedule relating to the budget. He stated that there would be
Edmonds City Council Budget Workshop Approved Minutes
Saturday, October 27, 2001
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a 60 minute budget workshop on Tuesday, October 30, 2001. Mr. Earling informed the Council and staff
that he would be asking for a revenue overview, review of capital project budgets, and other funds such
as the Council Contingency Fund (brief overview only) and Emergency Reserve Fund. He asked if any of
the Councilmembers had items of particular interest regarding the budget that had extra financial
implications for the budget because he would like to have them brought forth on October 30, 2001.
Council President Earling said he would like to hold a Budget Workshop on November 13, 2001, before
the Council committee meetings to define where the Council stands as it pertains to the Mayor's 2002
Preliminary Budget presentation at the October 23, 2001 Council Meeting.
Council President Earling asked if there were any more questions from the Council. Hearing none, he
adjourned the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
Summary minutes of this meeting were taken. Audio tapes are available in the Edmonds City Clerk's
Office.
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SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK
Edmonds City Council Budget Workshop Approved Minutes
Saturday, October 27, 2001
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