19771201 City Council Minutes•
MOTION:
MOTION:
December 1, 1977 - CITY OF EDMONDS BUDGET HEARING
In accordance with State statutes, hearing was held on the Budget for the City of Edmonds for
the year 1978. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Mayor Harve Harrison in the
Council Chambers of the Edmonds Civic Center. All present joined in the flag salute.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Harve Harrison, Mayor Phil Clement Charles Dibble, M.A.A.
Ray Gould Robert Anderson Leif Larson; Public Works Director
Max Gellert Harry Whitcutt, Acting Com. Devel. Dir.
John Nordquist Lila Crosby, Finance Director
Tom Carns Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
Marlo Foster, Police Chief
Jack Cooper, Fire Chief
Rod Garretson, Park Planning & Rec. Dir.,
Jim Murphy, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Harrison read his budget message, stating it was a balanced budget and required no new
taxes, with the level of services remaining the same as last year. The preliminary budget
had assumed that the variable gas tax and sales tax on food would be repealed, and although
the sales tax on food had been repealed, it appeared that the variable gas tax would not be
repealed, so it is anticipated there will be additional revenues not included in the preli-
minary budget. Mayor Harrison said he was recommending sale of the Meadowdale Community
Clubhouse because there is insufficient benefit from the property to justify the $400 per
month subsidy that the City provides. He did not feel it would make a good neighborhood
park because of its proximity to hazardous streets and because the bulk of the neighboring
homes are in Lynnwood, and he suggested a small neighborhood church may be interested in
the property and would be likely to retain the existing pre-school which uses the facility.
Mayor Harrison explained a total 8.8% cost -of -living increase in salaries and wages, noting that
current labor negotiations may affect salaries. There was a large number of people in the audi-
ence and he said he understood most of them were present regarding the recommended sale of the
Meadowdale Community Clubhouse. He then opened the budget hearing.
Doris Garberson of 934 Glen, representing the Meadowdale Preschool, stated that not one of the
groups utilizing the clubhouse had been notified of its proposed sale. She said they heard only
48 hours before this meetinng of the proposed sale. She submitted a letter, signed by approxi-
mately 40 people, stating their opposition to the sale of the Meadowdale Clubhouse. Mrs. Garberson
was advised that if a decision were made to consider selling the clubhouse, there would be a pub-
lic hearing and notice would be given to people who consider themselves affected by such sale so
they could provide input into the matter. Doris Nelson of 15729 75th P1. W. objected to the idea
that the clubhouse should have to support itself. She said they had given it to the City for a
very low price, and if it were to be sold she felt they should get it back at the same price.
An unidentified gentlemean questioned whether efforts were being made to rent the facility.
Park Planning and Recreation Director Rod Garretson responded that a great effort had not been
made to program it because they were trying to program the Edmonds Junior High School and then
the Edmonds Elementary School. He agreed that if the building were improved and efforts made to
program it, more income could be generated. He said that the Recreation Department had used it 200_
hours last year and other groups had used it 800 hours. Councilman Gould interjected that there
are certain things the City provides that it subsidizes and it was not necessarily a requirement
that the facilities support itself. James Bushman of 1926 200th St. S.W., Lynnwood, stated it
was not right to sell property to meet expenses. Sandra Zumbach, representing the Evergreen
Teens, a square dance group -which uses the facility, said theirs is the only square dance club
for teens in the area, their group -;ranging from 15 - 70 teens who use the facility twice a
week. Dave Nelson of 5107 192nd St. S.W., Lynnwood, of the Laebugten Salmon Chapter of the North-
west Steelhead Salmon Council of Trout Unlimited said his group uses the facility for various club
meetings. He said they are a volunteer group and need a place such as this for their meetings.
He outlined some of the public service activities in which the group participates. Bob Stalder
of 8230 Talbot Rd. questioned why attempts were being made to program the Edmonds Elementary
School when there was already the clubhouse building available. Al Gustafson of 4609 182nd Pl. S.W.,
Lynnwood charged that the City had turned down people who asked to use the clubhouse. Mr. Garretson
responded that he did not know of anyone who had been turned down if the time was avail.able and
the activity was suitable to that space. Chuck Hickey of the Laebugten Salmon Chapter said one
of his group had tried to rent the building but was told it would cost $150 for four hours, which
was too expensive for his means. Mr. Garretson explained that some groups which had alcohol
involved in their activity had left the facility in such condition that the damage deposit
did not cover the clean-up, so for certain activities higher rates are charged. Stan Kauffman
of 16111 76th Pl. W. asked that the Council state their intention regarding the sale, rather
than continue to listen to each individual complaint. He said most people were present for the
same purpose, to protest the sale of the clubhouse. City Attorney Jim Murphy advised that if
the Council wished to take some action regarding the draft budget, that action should be to make
a motion that the Financial Staff make a specific modification to the draft budget, and the final
budget will be adopted before the end of the month. A MOTION WAS THEN MADE BY COUNCILMAN CARNS,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THE $60,000 IN THE REVENUES SECTION TO BE GENERATED FROM THE
SALE OF THE MEADOWDALE COMMUNITY CLUB BE DELETED FROM THE BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED. A MOTION WAS
THEN MANDE BY COUNCILMAN GELLERT THAT IN THE EVENT THE SUBJECT OF THE SALE OF THE MEADOWDALE
COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE SHOULD COME UP AGAIN, ALL PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED AND HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR
NAMBES ON THE PETITION RECEIVED THIS EVENING WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
COUNCILMAN CARNS. MOTION CARRIED.
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December 1, 1977
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There was some further discussion regarding the possibility of this matter arising again. Doris
Garberson asked what weight was carried by a resolution passed the previous evening by the Park
Board was opposed to the sale of the clubhouse. Councilman Gellert responded that would carry a
great deal of weight. After further requests for assurances that this would not come up again,
Councilman Carns stated very strongly that the City Council was not going to sell the clubhouse.
A recess followed this discussion.
Russell Berg, Director of the Senior Center, said they are in need of funds for programming and
services. He said he had asked for $10,500 this year, $3,000 more than last year. Although the
Senior Center had received funds from HUD Block Grants, those funds were all for capital im-
provements and could not be used otherwise. Mr. Berg pointed out how the facility had increased
in physical size. He said there are three full-time staff members, his salary being $800 per month
and the others being less. He said they have to heat much more space, and they need a full-time
janitor. Mayor Harrison said the City has applied for a CETA position to get a janitor for the
Senior Center, but Mr. Berg said it was his understanding that would not be full-time for the
Senior Center. It was explained that it would be, and he was asked iif-hewould prefer to have the
janitor or to have the increase he had requested. He was told that the City of Edmonds could
not be expected to furnish everything and that the Senior Center had been high in priority in
the past as far as support was concerned. Mr. Berg said he would choose to have the janitor.
MOTION: A MOTION WAS THEN MADE BY COUNCILMAN GELLERT, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST, THAT AN ADDITIONAL
CETA JANITORIAL EMPLOYEE BE BUDGETED FOR, WITH THE MAIN OBJECTIVE BEING JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR
THE SOUTH COUNTY SENIOR CENTER. MOTION CARRIED.
Councilman Gould expressed the opinion that the budget information was not being distributed to
the citizens well enough. He thought there possibly should be copies available • for those at the public hearing. Finance Director Lila Crosby said many extras were made last year and not used
and 9enerally there are very few citizens at the budget hearing, so fewer copies had been made
this year. She said extras always could be made. It was agreed that there at least should be a
copy in the library.
Regarding the proposed signal at 76th and 224th Sts. which had been discussed at the last regular
Council meeting, Public Works Director Leif Larson said he had verified that the signal was not
needed at this time. Since the modification at that intersection had been made in the fall of 1976
there had been only one accident.
There was no one else in the audience who wished to speak, and the budget hearing was closed. -
MOTION: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN CARNS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, THAT THE 1978 BUDGET BE
PLACED ON THE AGENDA OF THE WORK MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 1977, THAT A WORKSHEET SUMMARY BE
AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, AND THAT THE AGENDA BE CLOSED. MOTION CARRIED.
Councilman Gould advised he would not be present for the December 27 and January 3 meetings,
and Councilman Gellert advised he would not be present for the Demceber 27 meeting. The meeting
was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
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IRENE VARNEY MORAN aCity Clerk
December 6,. 1977
HARVE HARRISON, Mayor
• The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Councilman
John Nordquist, in the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro tem, in the Council Chambers of
MOTION: the Edmonds Civic Center. All present joined in the flag salute. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL-
MAN ANDERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARNS, TO ELECT COUNCILMAN NORDQUIST MAYOR PRO TEM FOR
THIS MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
PRESENT
John Nordquist, Acting
Mayor Pro tem
Ray Gould
Max Gellert
Tom Carns
Mike Herb
CONSENT AGENDA
ABSENT
STAFF PRESENT
Harve Harrison, Mayor Charles Dibble, M.A.A.
Phil Clement Leif Larson, Public Works Director
Harry Whitcutt, Acting Community Development Director:
Noelle Charleson, Assistant City Planner
Jack Cooper, Fire Chief
Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
John Wa11'ace„ City Attorney
Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
Councilman Anderson
asked that Item (G), Proposed Ordinance
Amending Budget Ordinance 1885,
as amended by Ordinance 1938, Authorizing Certain Transfers
and Appropriations be removed from
the Consent Agenda.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN CARNS,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOULD, TO
APPROVE THE BALANCE
OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED.
After discussion of Item (G),
COUNCILMAN ANDERSON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARNS, THAT ITEM (G) ON THE CONSENT AGENDA
ALSO BE APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. The Consent Agenda contained the following:
(A) Roll call.
(B) Approval of Minutes of November 29, 1977.
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