19730911 City Council Minutes20
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#420 - This is a resolution recommending approval of amendment to Zoning
Ordinance to remove statement from Section 12.13.130, G, setbacks for
multiple family dwellings in Community Business Zone.
City Planner Joe Wallis reported saying that the Planning Staff is the applicant
in this case. After some brief statements, a motion was made by Councilman
Gellert and seconded by Councilman Anderson to accept the recommendation in
Planning Commission Resolution #420 and pass Ordinance #1678 amending the City
Code to reflect this change. The hearing was then opened by Mayor Harrison. -
Elmer Harris, part owner of Seville 217 expressed his objection to the proposed
amendment, and Mr. McConnachie also noted his objections. No one else commented,
so the hearing was closed.
On call for the question, a roll call vote resulted in Gellert, Shippen and
Anderson voting for and Nelson, Tuson and Winters voting against. Mayor Harrison
then voted "no" and the motion failed to carry.
SHORELINE MANAGEMENT APPLICATION - PACIFIC NORTHWEST BELL - UNDERGROUNDING
TELEPHONE CABLE ALONG ADMIRAL WAY - FILE SM-3-73.
Kay Shoudy, Assistant City Planner, reported that this is an application to
bury telephone cable in the unimproved dirt shoulder along Admiral Way. City
Engineer Leif Larson stated that all requirements have been met. Councilwoman
Shippen asked if it would be possible to ask Burlington -Northern to bury their
cables also. Mr. Larson reminded council that Burlington -Northern had denied
all requests of this kind in the past. A motion was made by Councilman Tuson
and seconded by Councilman Gellert that the -Shoreline Management Application •
of Pacific Northwest Bell be approved. Councilman Nelson said he would abstain
from voting on this matter as he is employed by the company. The motion was
then voted upon and carried. A motion was then made by Councilwoman Shippen
and seconded by Councilman Anderson to.ask the Mayor to contact Burlington -
Northern to see if they will do anything at this time about undergrounding.
Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED SIDEWALK ORDINANCE
City Engineer, Leif Larson suggested that because of the lateness of the hour
and the absence of Councilman Nordquist, that this matter be postponed. A
motion was then made by Councilman Gellert that this be placed on the work
meeting agenda for discussion on the 11th and on the council. agenda for action
on the 25th of September. Councilman Nelson seconded. Motion carried.
PROPOSED ETHICS. ORDINANCE AS DECIDED AT AUGUST 14 COUNCIL MEETING
Councilman Gellert made a motion seconded by Councilwoman Shippen that Ordinance
#1678 be passed with the effective date being September 17, 1973. A roll call
vote showed Councilman Nelson and Winters voting against, however the motion
carried. Councilmen Nelson and Winters stated that they voted against simply
because they feel that it duplicates HB #276.
There being no further business to come before council, the meeting adjourned
at 11:00 P.M.
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Irene Varney Mor , City Clerk Harve H. Harrison, Mayor •
September 11, 1973
(WORK MEETING)
ROLL CALL
The scheduled work 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
Nelson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the regular meeting of September 4 had been posted, mailed and
distributed. Councilman Anderson noted that under "Council Participation",
he had reported that recommendations regarding -action to be taken on the
complaints and suggestions involving the property owners abutting Yost Park
would be reported at a later date by Director Garretson, not CAO Whaley as
was written. There were no further omissions nor corrections; and the minutes
were approved as corrected.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Harrison advised council members that within a few weeks the regional
meetings of the Association of Washington Cities would begin. These were for
the purpose of discussing various programs of mutual concern. He stated that
there would be a meeting on Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 P.M. at the Holiday
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Inn (Interstate 5), with the host Mayor.and City being Mayor Robert Anderson of
Everett. Mayor Harrison asked for an indication from council as to who would
attend, and the card to be returned to the Host City Mayor will state five
reservations for Edmonds.
The Mayor reported that a meeting had been held with the leaders of the "diving
community" for discussion re/the sunken tugboat Alitak. It was the general
consensus of opinion that it cannot be moved, but should be rotted away within
two years.
CLAIM FOR DAMAGES
A claim for damages from Michael J & Susan B. Lanctot was acknowledged and re-
ferred to the City Clerk for processing.
REPORT ON EDMONDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEASE
CAO Mhaley reported that Edmonds School District 15 approved extending the lease
on Edmonds Elementary to August 15, 1974 under the same conditions and terms as
the past year. He recommended the City of Edmonds accept the offer, and it was
moved by Councilman Tuson, seconded by Councilman Anderson that the City of
Edmonds enter into this lease agreement for use of the school for this second
year. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROJECT - LID 191
City Engineer Leif Larson stated that the semi-final payment on the contractor's
• estimate for LID 191 would be paid .this month, and the project has been com-
pleted. Therefore, in order to expedite for reasons of payment of interest, he
recommended that council accept the project in order to establish the 30 day
lien period. There was some discussion on notification of the property owners
that the project is completed and ask if there were any complaints before the
project is accepted and payment made. Councilman Gellert then made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Anderson to accept the project of the sewering south of
Meadowdale Junior High, LID 191, subject to .the Engineer sending letters to all
property owners asking for any possible complaints. Motion carried.
REQUEST FROM CITY PLANNER REGARDING PRD
City Planner Joe Wallis asked council
if they would
give consideration or some
indication of perhaps giving consideration
He stated that the property owner who
to a Planned
is interested
Residential Development.
would prefer knowing if this
would be considered before going ahead
with having
plans drawn, etc. Mayor
Harrison and council members answered
that at this
point they would not know if
it would be allowed, but it certainly
would have to
be considered.
CHASE LAKE - FINANCING OF SEWER LID
City Engineer Leif Larson reported that he had written Dick Kennedy of.Seattle-
Northwest Securities requesting an analysis of LID/ULID cost on the Chase Lake
sewer project. Mr. Kennedy was present and presented a schedule of methods of
financing under both the LID and ULID. Following Mr. Kennedy's explanation,
there was a great deal of council discussion on the methods, and especially on
the different surcharges ranging from $8.00 per month to no monthly surcharge
under the ULID.
• A proposed letter to the property owners involved in the project was to be sent
from the Engineer's office, subject to council suggebtions. Councilman Gellert
said he hoped the property owners would receive the notice directly, not through
the mortgage companies, which would not forward the notice in time.for next
week's hearing. It was decided that the letters could either be hand delivered
or mailed to the residents as listed on the recent census report. Councilman
Gellert -.also suggested that the September 18 date for the continued hearing be
mentioned in this letter.
CONCLUSIVE REPORT FROM DESIGN COMMISSION COMMITTEE
J. Ward Phillips, Chairman of the ad hoc Design Commission Study Group, reported
to council on the five,months of study.by.that group. He introduced several
members of the group who were present and named the members: Lee Barton, Paul
Cook, Dave Larson, Diane Steinke, Sam Saindon, Joe Wallis and Dave Hermans.
Mr. Phillips outlined the goals, policy, and objectives of the group in great
detail. He then stated that they proposed and recommended that council.create
by ordinance an Amenities Design Board, empowered to recommend the establishment
of design districts, the establishment of goals, objectives and policy for said
districts, and recommend legislation for -the implementation of said policies.
The group felt that this Amenities Board should consist of five members and be
composed of an architect and/or building.designer, a landscaper or landscape
architect, a builder or developer, and. a person either educated or having
practical experience in planning, and one lay person. There was a great deal of
discussion, wherein powers and duties of a proposed board were mentioned, as
well as that the design districts, when enacted, could.become part of the
comprehensive plan. Landscaping, building elevation, signing and lighting
would be considered. This would allow the city to have a coordinated effort.
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Dave Larson noted that several downtown sites were owned by members'of the
Study Group, and he was impressed by what they were willing to do with their
properties in order to improve the area. It was thought that the Amenities
Board should have something to recommend for all areas except single family
residential. They would have the opportunity to review designs with the de-
velopers, and some variations should be allowed from the rigid engineering
requirements to make for a more interesting town. Lee Barton, Diane Steinke
and Sam Saindon reiterated views of the Study Group.
Following some further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Anderson,
seconded by Councilman Winters that first reading of the proposed ordinance
creating an Amenities Design Board'be placed on the September 25 council
meeting agenda. Motion carried.
DOWNTOWN PARKING
City Planner Joe Wallis reported on conclusions of the study of the downtown
parking problem and gave recommendations. He recommended that an advisory
parking commission be established which would recommend plans for off-street'
parking, etc. The plan would be a guideline and eventually be accepted and
become part of the comprehensive plan for the city. The commission would
recommend the parking spaces to be provided and determine deficiencies. He
suggested the BC area as an appropriate boundary for this study. Mr. Wallis
recommended council instruct the Attorney to prepare an ordinance and the
Planning Department be allowed to.proceed thereafter to indicate areas for
parking and acquire the property to provide for this. Methods of financing
were discussed, as aQgreat deal -of discussion on parking and the
related problems AeAea8owntown area. These included locations that may not
be available and would need condemnation action; possible parking LID's with .
businesses participating; other means of financing; great benefits derived
from public parking areas; parking areas downtown being used by the merchants
themselves; and the tremendous value via revenue to businesses.
An Attorney representing Marvin Smith, downtown propebty owner, inquired just
where the council stood at this point. He was advised that there was no
specific proposal at present regarding public parking.
Planner Wallis again suggested that the Attorney be instructed to prepare an
ordinance and the Planning Staff be authorized to proceed with the implementa-
tion of the plan, including selection of the initial sites so that data on
costs on development can be made.
Mayor Harrison declared a recess for coffee break.
Following the recess, Dave Larson commented on the parking needs of the city
and noted that a distinction should be made between employee and customer
panking. Businesses on the perimeter have a different situation than the core
area downtown. He stated that hardest to solve is the problem in the core area.
Regarding the requirements for parking spaces, the grandfather clause is quite
specific in the present non -conforming retail areas. The city., with its power
of condemnation and planning capabilities, should get into the parking problem
and provide -funding via its bonding capability. Mr. Larson went on to say that
the city could acquire the land and provide the initial financing, then the de-
velopers would provide the desirable shops to bring people into town. He noted
that private investors cannot do this with parking, especially in the core area,
and parking should really be located in the perimeter.
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Councilman Tuson was concerned with the possibility of senior citizens living
in downtown homes being displaced for parking lots. Mr. Phillips suggested
allowing the homes to be used during their lifetime and the area surrounding
used for parking. He also stated that in some areas where grade allows, there
could be parking on the ground level and the people displaced from downtown
homes could then be given housing above this level and that would solve the
problem.
The proposal from the administration on parking, similar to the plan of Clark,
Coleman & Associates of ten years ago, was published in the Tribune Review,
and the Mayor offered this as being the administration.tt recommendation.
It was therefore moved by Councilwoman Shippen, seconded by Councilman Winters
to set for hearing and discussion on October 16 the Administration's proposal
for public parking in the downtown area, and let the proposal 'include the
defined area; proposed parking areas be outlined; and with specific suggestions
on how to finance the acquisition. Motion carried.
PROPOSED_ SIDEWALK ORDINANCE - DISCUSSION
Assistant City Engineer Dick Allen reported on the maintenance, repair and
construction of sidewalks. City sidewalks are not being maintained properly,
and snow and ice are extra hazards in winter. Also, some areas do not'have
sidewalks at all. Since the city is concerned with this problem, the Engineer=
ing Department made a study of routine cleaning and maintenance, major repairs
needed, major reconstruction needed, and areas where construction of sidewalks
is needed to complete a route. The Engineering Department recommended a pro-
posed ordinance, to be prepared by the Attorney, with the general policies as
outlined for additions to chapter 7.20 of the Edmonds City Code. A copy of
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this proposal was distributed by the Engineering Department.
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CAO Whaley stated that the city has no policy on sidewalks, and it needs one
so as to determine responsibility.for repairs and construction. He brought to
council attention two cases of past claims for damages from injuries received
from tripping and falling on downtown sidewalks.
Engineer Dick Allen stated that the present sidewalk ordinance is not compre-
hensive enough and not equally applied. He_felt there was a definite need for
a program that would define responsibilities. Ward Phillips proposed that
curbs be omitted from any sidewalk responsibility of the abutting owner unless
a cut is needed. He asked for separation of curbs from sidewalks; that the
repair costs be shared by city and owner on a 50-50 basis; recommended holding
until further review by the Amenities Board, if created; and that all financing
be explored (federal help, if available) before any action is taken.
The Engineering Department -will try to refine the proposed ordinance for the
September 25th council meeting and consider both inclusion and exclusion of
curbs. Dave Larson suggested.allowing,.besides.the regular portland cement
as stated, a cut-out block sidewalk,.for example, to lend interest and flexi-
bility. Mayor Harrison suggested that.Ward Phillips present a plan on his
ideas of sidewalks.
DISCUSSION OF YOST PARK ALLOCATION
Director of M & 0 Herb Gilbo, presented figures of Yost Park landscaping, and
the differences in cost from the original submitted by Talley & Associates
• was discussed. There.had been an oversight on the estimate by Talley, and -the
matter was taken under advisement.
UNDERGROUNDING POLICY - DOWNTOWN AND ARTERIAL AREAS
A short report was presented to council, suggesting creation of a 50% city and
50% utility participation in the downtown area and arterials. All other
undergrounding was suggested to remain the originally proposed 1/3, 1/39 1/3
participation.
MOTEL STUDY
Mayor Harrison stated that he feels the need for transient accomodations in
Edmonds, and he had asked Joe Wallis to look into this for him. Two proposals
had been received for a market analysis for proper location and proper size of
units. A comprehensive study by Harris, Kerr, Forster & Company would be
$5,000, and Lowenthal & Horowitz quoted a market analysis for $4,000.
The Mayor noted that it was a public obligation to do .this, since -industry will
not do the study. Councilman Gellert suggested waiting until an Amenities ..
Board is created to determine what would be best for the city, and he felt at
this time the study would be premature. Mayor Harrison said the firm would
only determine what kind of demand there might be and the economic feasibility
of such a project. He added, however, that $2,000 would seem to be a better
figure for this service.
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at 12:05 P.M.
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Irene Varney Moran City Clerk Harve�H.Harrison, Mayor
September 18, 1973
ROLL CALL
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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the work meeting on September 11 had been posted, mailed and dis-
tributed, and with no omissions nor corrections, they were approved as written.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Councilman Gellert stated that he would be absent from the next three council
meetings, and wished this to be on record. He also mentioned an item in the
warrant register that showed Mayor's.expense listed under equipment rental,
and had a question on the street'improvement program that showed 7th completed
from Bell to Casper. Councilman Gellert also noted that he had not received
a copy of the Board of Adjutment minutes since -about last June. The Planning
Department will take care of this item;
Councilwoman Shippen inquired as to how much money from the UAB funds would be
available for beautification. City Engineer Larson will obtain this informa-
P