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19731106 City Council Minutesl r • 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 0 • 45 1 1 u 1 • 1 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. 0 M • 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. 1 • 1 • 1