19731106 City Council Minutesl
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November 6, 1973
ROLL CALL
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 of October 30 had been posted, mailed and dis-
tributed. Councilman Gellert noted that on page 2 under Staff Comments on
the Senior Citizen's Center construction work, he had remembered a request
made for presentation to council as to what was being bid upon before the
work went out to bid. City Engineer Leif Larson answered that he had under-
stood the presentation would be made to the council before the bid date, but
there were all kinds of flexibilities involved.
Councilman Nelson said he would like to have an addition to the minutes under
the Downtown Comprehensive Parking Plan item to insert at the end that he gave
an overview of the possibilities under HJR 22, and that if passed, he would
favor taxing and financing with this method of supporting the comprehensive
parking development plan in lieu of an LID.
The minutes were then'appproved as corrected.
COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
Councilman Tuson reported that the Building Committee of the Senior Citizen's •
Center met last Wednesday, and roughly $14,000 has been spent.by the city to
date, and he thought the money remaining should be used<for inside work as
needed. He stated that he felt since the city has the men and equipment, he
would make a motion that the city install the new water service there at Water
Dept. expense. (Estimated at $1,300). The motion was seconded by Councilman
Nordquist, and carried unanimously.
Councilman Gellert brought up the matter of foreclosures on properties due to
delinquent payments. He stated that he had no quarrel with the procedure, but
he would make a motion to instruct the Treasurer's office to add to the pro-
cedure wherein prior to the foreclosure proceedings, at least one of the notices
sent to the owner of record must be sent by registered mail, return receipt
requested. Motion was seconded by Councilman Tuson and carried unanimously.
CAO Ron Whaley then distributed copies showing a history of the procedures and
activities regarding foreclosures in the past.by the Treasurer's office.
Councilman Nordquist stated that six months ago, the last meeting of a Classi-
fication Review Board Committee was held, and nothing more had been done since
that time. He asked if the Committee was still in existence, and if so, should
it be reactivated. Mayor Harrison answered that if the Committee.wished to take
itself out of limbo, it certainly should do so and proceed with its.function.
Councilman Gellert asked if copies of the minutes of the last meeting could be
distributed to each committee member.
Councilman Nordquist stated that at the October 30 council work meeting, a
presentation had been made by a competitor firm on office design.. He said he
noted in the minutes on page 2 under this item that the firm would be making
an analytical study on space utilization for the city, and.had the city committed
itself to a cost figure on this, since no one does this without charge. Joe •
Wallis answered that no agreements had been made concerning money. Councilman
Nordquist said he hoped that when proposals are made, however it is handled
by the city, that the company can be asked to bid in their,prices, so there would
be room to bargain on the space utilization study. He said this was because
of the markup on items, and the space study could very well be thrown in for no
charge with the purchases. There was some discussion on bids and procedures
regarding cacquisition of needed furniture items. Councilman Nordquist stated
that he had not attended the work meeting when the presentation was given last
week, and he did not intend to attend the work meeting next week when Priebe's
would give their presentation, because of conflict of interest.
Councilman Tuson brought to council attention that he had received his personal
water bill a week ago on the 24th, and noticed the bill stated it.must be paid
by the 29th. He said he thought there had been a-10 day leeway previously, and
he was concerned with elderly people receiving water bills and not.being able
to pay that soon because of having to wait for a social security.check, etc.
Councilman Tuson felt that although the ordinance states the consumer has 10
days.in which to remit, he thought perhaps a change to 15 days would be fair
in view of the elderly budgeting problems, and would like council to go on
record as favoring the 15 days. CAO Ron Whaley added that perhaps this whole
section of the ordinance should be reviewed. A motion was therefore made by
Councilman Tuson, seconded by Councilman Nordquist to request the city staff
to review this section of the ordinance dealing with water billing and pay-
ment schedule, with the thought to some change in payment schedule. Motion
carried.
Councilwoman Shippen inquired if the agreement between the city.and Driftwood
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Theatre had been resolved. CAO Whaley answered that it had not been to the city's
satisfaction. They had suggested meeting with the Driftwood Board to discuss what
should be accomplished and would recommend that something be done if the city does
not hear from the Board by the first of the year. Councilwoman Shippen stated that
she would hope the city would continue with tolerance, keeping in mind that the
Theatre did contribute much to Edmonds' cultural advantages. It was decided by
council that CAO Whaley would furnish each member with a copy of the agreement
and the list of what they have not done within the agreement.
Councilwoman Shippen mentioned the landscaping along Fifth Avenue with the State
Highway Dept, Engineer Larson said he had received no word as yet, but would
follow up on this item. Councilwoman Shippen also inquired about the procedure
on the sandwich boards in the city, and City Planner Joe Wallis answered that
notices had been sent out regarding these, and some replies had been received.
Councilman Gellert mentioned the article in the Western Sun regarding acquisition
of the property for Pine Ridge Park, via plat agreement.
PRELIMINARY BUDGET 1974
The 1974 preliminary budget was presented -to council. Mayor Harrison mentioned
some of the highlights. He noted that revenues were less by $250,000 over 1973,
and that all EEA funds had been cut off. This balanced preliminary budget, he
stated, gave a projection of an 8% increase in salaries for all personnel to
cover the cost of living increase which was estimated to be 7.54%; and that
employee benefits increased 2% due to requirements. There was a staff increase
of 7 people under the General Fund departments, and 6 under special funds.
Some of these people were scheduled to be hired the first of the year and some
the middle of the year.
The underground wiring fund would be up to $90,000 in the new budget. Mayor
Harrison stated that he would like to change this title to "Beaufitification
and Underground Wiring Fund" for greater flexibility.
He noted that there were no monies specified for the Smith property acquisition,
and nothing at this time to establish a Purchasing Dept. He stated that the
Fire Chief was acting in this capacity now:
The Mayor brought to council attention that $132,000 was the total figure for
street work.
Councilman Gellert asked if the Mayor would furnish council members with a copy
of his notes as reported this evening on the budget for 1974.
Finance Director Allen Tuttle reviewed some of the figures on the preliminary
budget, and then advised council that the citizens of the city were receiving
a tremendous amount of services for the amount of tax money they spend.
Councilman Nordquist stated that he would like a list of the capital improve-
ments, and that he for one would appreciate a greater breakdown by departments
for council study; he felt a courtesy should be extended council members by
being furnished with a breakdown from each department, and what each department
head had requested and why. Mayor Harrison suggested that council schedule
a work meeting to work on the budget outside of the regular meetings, and that
the budget message itself would be presented to council and citizens at the
November 20 meeting. It was decided to hold a council meeting on the budget in
the Library Annex at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 19.
Councilman Nordquist stated that he would like to receive a copy of the usual
narrative from eacbadepartment, which accompanied the budgets in other years.
Councilwoman Shippen agreed that she would prefer the narrative also, and felt
council preferred to peruse words rather than just the figures alone. Councilman
Gellert agreed on the necessity of going over the narratives, but commended the
staff for receipt of the budget. CAO Whaley advised council that the narratives
are coming, along with capital improvements information.
Councilman Gellert commented that he had read in the Seattle Times where 1.1
million had been awarded to a number of cities for water improvements, and
inquired if Edmonds had made a request to the state for a contribution for our
water improvements. City Engineer Larson answered that he had also seen the
article, and was following up on the possibility.
PROGRESS REPORT ON DOWNTOWN PARKING AND FINANCING PLAN
City Planner Joe Wallis reported to council by distributing a paper listing
proposed criteria for parking plan development, which included I. Distribution;
II. Size; III. Acquisition; IV. Location; and V. Circulation. Under the item
III. Acquisition, Councilman Gellert suggested a subparagraph C to state "Avoid
dislocation of owner -occupied or other well -maintained single family residences."
Councilwoman Shippen also suggested addition of VI. Priorities, and to state
"Initial Lot should be located near those businesses with the greatest deficiencies."
The second page distributed by Planner Wallis listed Assumptions, with five
sections, for which no changes were suggested.
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AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS ON HOT ASPHALT STORAGE CONTAINER UNIT
CAO Ron Whaley reported to council that the 1973 budget had included cost of
this item under capital outlay. He therefore recommended a call for bids.
It was moved by Councilman Nordquist, seconded by Councilman Anderson to
authorize a call for bids to be opened on November 26 for a hot asphalt storage
container unit, and the motion carried.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGING TITLE OF CAO
The Attorney had ready a proposed amendment to change the title of CAO to Mayor's
Administrative Assistant. Councilman Tuson stated that he felt that Mayor's
Administrative Officer sounded better than Assistant, and he made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Gellert to instruct the Attorney to prepare an amendment
to bring to the November 20 council meeting, changing CAO to Mayor's Administrative
Officer, instead of Mayor's Administrative Assistant. There was discussion, and
Mayor Harrison stated that he would be very much against this proposed title;
that it would be a confusing one; and that if the council wished to go in that
direction, it should change the form of government the city now has. Call for the
question resulted in the motion failing, with Councilman Tuson being the only
member voting in favor.
It was then moved by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman Gellert that
proposed Ordinance #1685 be passed, changing the title of CAO to Mayor's
Administrative Assistant, and the motion carried with Councilman Tuson voting
against.
STREET USE PERMIT REQUEST'
A street use permit request from Bock's. at 519 Main Street, for a marquee over
the sidewalk and replacement of concrete sidewalk with tile was presented by
City Engineer Leif Larson. In connection with this application, Engineer Larson
recommended approval of the marquee, but that approval of the special treatment
of the sidewalk area be held in abeyance until the sidewalk standards for the
downtown area have been evaluated from the standpoints of uniformity, aesthetics and
safety. There followed some discussion on signing.
Councilman Nordquist made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tuson to approve
issuance of a street use permit for a marquee over the sidewalk to Bock's at
519 Main Street, and this be approved on condition that the applicant indemnify
and hold the city harmless from all claims arising out of the use and provide
adequate insurance for public liability and/or property damage, naming the city
as an also insured. Motion carried.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION - MR. PEUGH SEWER EASEMENT PROBLEM
Mr. Peugh,_ property owner in the Meadowdale sewering area, brought to council
attention a copy of a letter he received from the City Engineer, which listed
the conditions agreed to by the City of Edmonds in connection with the construction
of sanitary sewers on easement across Mr. Peugh's property. Mr. Peugh had turned
the matter over to his attorney, and therefore, Engineer Larson had turned the
city's representation over to the City Attorney, and following correspondence
between the two attorneys, the matter would then be brought to council. A copy
of the letter from the Engineer to Mr. Peugh was to be furnished each council
member. Councilman Gellert asked for a report from both sides. City Attorney
Wallace advised that he felt it had been a misunderstanding all around from
the beginning, and that he had been in contact with Mr. Peugh's attorney.
There will be a report on this easement problem at the next council work
meeting, November 13.
There was no further -business to come before council, and the meeting adjourned
at 9:20 P.M.
Irene Varney Mor , City Clerk
November 13, 1973
ROLL CALL
Harve H. Harrison, Mayor
Regular work meeting of the Edmonds City Council
by Mayor Harve Harrison, with all council -members
Tuson, who had died suddenly of a heart attack on
place there was a single red rose in a vase.
TRIBUTE TO DONALD TUSON
was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
present except Winters and
November 8, 1973; and at his
Mayor Harrison noted that there was a single rose placed where Don Tuson would
have been sitting tonight. We lost Councilman Tuson last week, after serving
the city in that capacity for 23�-years. The Mayor asked everyone to join him
in 30 seconds of prayer in memory of him.
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