Loading...
19721226 City Council Minutes389 • 1 1 • 1 • 1 At this point, Councilman Tuson asked the Attorney a question on the tax money from the Water, and was advised that the money would go into the General Fund if not earmarked for a special purpose. Councilman Gellert questioned if the Mayor would consider the possibility of keeping the existing revenue at its full value and utilizing the difference for a cover for the swimming pool. He.noted that in two years there would be enough money, with no special election or costs; that returns on the questionnaires seemed to say that people were not complaining about taxes. Mayor Harrison replied that the City should refund excess money back to the citizens when it is available, and it may never be available again because of the windfall the City got this year, and the citizens are entitled to it. - Councilwoman Shippen said she had some doubts that Revenue Sharing is exactly a "windfall", but rather a replacement from the federal government instead of some of the funding on grants and for other projects and uses. Councilman Haines said he agreed with Councilwoman Shippen, and he noted that, for example, many cities may have to go into secondary sewer treatment, and this money would be used for that. He questioned the use of the words "new revenue", and was answered that the revenue had been underestimated before, so this was revenue we didn't know we had, and the Mayor then asked Finance Director Allen Tuttle to clarify this point. Mr. Tuttle said they had researced the figures on the Preliminary Budget, and with the substantial sales tax increase and re-evaluating all our revenues and amount of cash on hand, they had come up with the increased figures; that it was not "new" revenue, but revenue not heretofore anticipated. Councilman Gellert inquired of the Attorney if council"were to over -ride the Mayor's veto, was there anything in the law to require the Mayor to staff up to the level as noted by council in the budget passed on the.6th? Attorney Wallace advised that the answer was no, except in cases involving Civil Service. Councilman Nordquist said that looking back at the four nights council spent discussing the budget and going over it department by department; taking the preliminary budget under consideration, and during the public hearings requesting input from the departments, the council, and from the Mayor; that he had walked away from the meeting that Wednesday night feeling that we had a good budget; that it was a budget that would make the Mayor's administration look very good, because use have a good administration, and he was pleased with the work that had gone into this. There has been some question as far as the E.E.A. program is concerned, but he thought we had resolved that two years ago when we accepted this program, reluctantly, hoping that from this we could draw some key personnel. We still are not assured as to the extend of the cutoff date as far as E.E.A. are concerned; if some of these people ran to the ultimate, we would have a windfall as far as funds are concerned. He added that we have provided services during the Mayor's administration which the citizens have been most pleased with. He said we have.increased our fire services, we have increased our police services, and we have increased our administrative staff. He thought overall we have an outstanding committment to the public. He added that he thought the budget,. as it was voted 6 to 0, is an outstanding budget, and although he could appreciate the Mayor's compromise, that at this time he would move that council over -ride the Mayor's veto and reconsider passage of the ordinance. The motion was then' seconded by Councilwoman Shippen. Councilman Tuson said that before council voted on this, he wanted to say that he has never been in favor of the idea of upping the utility taxes to the 5%, and when this was originally done, it was supposed to be a one-shot deal to pick up the $60,000 when the budget was out of balance. These taxes, he felt, should have been taken off before, and he still thought so because they had served their purpose, and when the tax has accom- plished what it set out to do, it should then be dropped. He wanted his opposition to the utility tax to be known. Councilman Gellert said the answers on the questionnaire seemed to show that most people were satisfied, taxwise. Council- man Haines stated that council had tried to build into the budget some special things the city needs and would like to do; that we may have a few extra dollars this year, but let's establish some walkways; let's have some money for beauti- fication and improving our parkland; this is essentially what we tried to build into the budget and we should keep those special things in mind. There was call for the question, and a roll call vote was requested., In favor of the motion were Councilmembers Gellert, Tuson, Shippen, Nordquist, and Haines. Councilman Winters voted against. The motion carried by the required five to one vote, to over -ride the Mayor's veto and reconsider the ordinance, and the 1973 Final Budget as passed on December 6 stood. The'meeting was then adjourned at-10:10 P.M. Irene Varney Morana City Clerk December 26, 1972 ROLL CALL Harve H. Harri:so , Mayor The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order by Mayor Harve Harrison. All council members were present except Nelson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the meeting of December 19 had been posted, mailed and distributed. There.was a correction noted on page two, paragraph two where it refers to the • cost of the sculpture. That amount should be $3,7005-.,rather than $7,500. The minutes were then approved as corrected. 31 9 • COUNCIL PARTICIPATION Councilman Nordquist suggested that a wooden mockup of the proposed fountain be made up and put in place so that we could better determine the feasibility of placing a permanent fountain in that location. Councilman Nordquist then made a motion seconded by Councilman Haines to send a letter to Al Kincaid request- ing that a wooden mockup be constructed of the proposed fountain at 5th and Main. Motion carried. Colleen Brown was in the audience representing residents of the Chase Lake Area who are attempting to annex to the City of Edmonds. Councilman Nordquist spoke in her behalf and asked for an extension of time as Mrs. Brown had informed him that they'now have approximately 68% of the sign- atures needed. A motion was then made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilman Gellert asking for an indefinite time extension for this project. Following some discussion, the motion carried. Councilman Tuson asked City Engineer, Leif Larson how long the ferry sign on Sunset between Main and Bell will be left there. Mr. Larson said it would be there until after, the holidays. Councilwoman Shippen mentioned that the hot lunch program at the Senior Center is due to expire. New federal funding will be forthcoming; however in the interim they are asking for help from municipalities. Councilwoman Shippen made a motion seconded by Councilman Nordquist for Edmonds to contribute $2,000 from revenue sharing funds to the Senior Center for continuation of the hot lunch program from January to May. There was some discussion regarding whether it is possible to use revenue sharing funds for this purpose. Councilman Haines then made an amend- ment to the motion seconded by Councilwoman Shippen stating, "Provided it is legal for City to donate funds in this manner." This amendment carried and -on call for • the question the motion as amended also carried. Mayor Harrison presented a proposed ordinance for first reading amending Section 12.01.080 of the City Code. The proposed ordinance will reduce the fees on appeals from interpretations of the building inspector which are brought before the Board of Adjustment from $25.00 to $10.00. METRO TRANSIT SYSTEM PROPOSAL AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Larry Coffman, with Metro, restated some of the provisions of the Transit Service Agreement and the Interlocal Agreement. Following some discussion with the council, Mr. Coffman said there will be monthly rider reports. Mr. Coffman asked for a resolution from the City of Edmonds as they have from the other jurisdictions. Following further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilwoman Shippen to instruct the attorney to draw up a resolution. Motion carried. Councilman Tuson inquired when the new bus schedule would be available, and it was stated that this would come out on the 2nd of January.. Vic Sood stated that he had talked with the local newspapers and they would print the new schedule in the paper tomorrow. The following week they will show the bus route. Mr. Coffman said he would like to,compliment Bill Nims and Ron Whaley for their help in bringing these negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion. Councilman Tuson said he would like to have someone.else appointed to the Transit Board in his place, since he is not able to attend early morning meetings. No action was taken on this. PREPAYMENT ORDINANCE FOR LID #187 This is a proposed ordinance stating that the cash pre -payment period for LID #187 of the City of Edmonds has expired, giving the total of the assessment roll thereon and the amount received as cash pre -payment of assessments; and stating the amount and number of bonds to be issued in connection therewith. A motion was made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilman Tuson that proposed ordinance No. 1630 be passed. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF FINAL PLAT OF BALLINGER SHORES City Planner, Merlin,Logan, stated that the final drawings and a performance bond have been submitted and from a staff standpoint it is ready for final approval. A motion was then made by Councilman Nordquist and seconded by Councilman Winters to approve the final plat of Ballinger Shores subject to Engineer's reguirements. Motion carried. REPORT FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES Councilman Gellert reported that he had attended the December 7th meeting of the SnoCom Committee. He said items discussed were a union contract, authorizing payment of vouchers and approving a ring -down to Lynnwood Ambulance and Hub City Ambulance. C Councilman Nordquist reported that the Snohomish County Health Board is very much p interested in solid waste disposal studies. This will be a primary issue for 1973. The Board is also interested in the Chase Lake annexation and has appointed one of its employees to work with the residents of that area. The Health District is quite proud of its new facility which is located in Lynnwood on Scriber Lake Road. Council 391. members were encouraged to visit this new office. Councilman Nordquist also asked that council members look over new agreement before Mayor signs it. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES The.council acknowledged claims from Geoffrey T. and Carol B. Kerney and Verna I. Stockman and referred them to the City Clerk for processing. Councilman Nordquist wished the council and staff a safe and Happy New Year. There being no further business to come before council the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. Irene Varney Mor , City Clerk January 2, 1973 unr.r. rnr.r. l Harve . Harrison, Mayor The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Harve.Harrison,with all council members present except Winters. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the meeting of December 26 had been posted, mailed and distributed, and with no omissions nor corrections, they were approved as written. COUNCIL PARTICIPATION Councilman Haines reported that he had been appointed temporary Assessor until a permanent appointment can.be made following the death of Snohomish County Assessor C. L. Barlow. He asked Attorney John Wallace if any action should be taken on this, and if it would create any conflict with his City Council position. Attorney Wallace advised that there was no conflict; that a person could not hold two positions within the same city at one time, but that in this case, no problem had been created to conflict with his position as Edmonds City Councilman. Mayor Harrison read a letter from the office of the Attorney General, stating that elected officials whose financial reports are required by Initiative 276 do not have to file such statements until January 31, 1974. Although the Initiative goes into effect on January 1, 19739 it does not include any provision for retroactive finan- -cial filings to cover calendar year 1972. Therefore, according to legal interpre- tation, the first year for which such reports will be required is calendar year 1973'. Attorney General Slade Gorton said reports for 1973 will be required from officials holding office on or after January 1, 197.4, and any individual who holds two elective offices for which such reports are required need not file separate statements for each. position. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mrs. Sexton spoke to the council and stated that she had appeared before them several months ago in regard to police protection. She now said that she had been informed that the city intends to foreclose on her. property for an unpaid sewer assessment, but that she did not know that the assessments.had not been paid. City Engineer Leif Larson noted that this was under LID 139, the Unit I sewer project, and advised that this be taken up with the City Treasurer's Department. Councilman Tuson asked how many years an assessment could remain unpaid before foreclosure. Attorney Wallace answered a minimum of two years of non-'ayment. Mrs. Sexton said she had no idea the assessment had not been paid off by her mortgage company, but that her taxes had not been paid either, and she felt it would be foolish for her to pay anything on the assessment before she found out just what had not been paid. Councilman Gellert noted that her mortgage company, Sparkman & McLean, was in re- ceivorship, and if they were listed as owner of record, they might not have passed on the information in regard to the assessments. He added that all taxes, etc. go to the mortgage companies in instances such as this, where the owner of record is listed as the mortgage company, and the property owner may never be aware of the particular transactions. Attorney Wallace advised that there was opportunity for Mrs. Sexton to pay the assessments, plus interest and penalties, before March 1, and the foreclosure action would be dropped. Also, he noted, that there is a two year redemption period after the foreclosure sale. Mrs. Sexton was advised to go to the City Treasurer's office, where it could be determined just what payments had not been.made and what was the exact amount owing up to this date. CORRESPONDENCE The City Clerk read a letter from Roberta Peterson, reprimanding the City Council for its decision to erect a fountain in the Square at Fifth and Main. She felt this was a bad idea, and offered suggestions for improving downtown Edmonds as well as noting that the Edmonds waterfront was its greatest asset for natural beauty.