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19830816 City Council MinutesAugust 9, 1983 - continued • Councilmember Naughten inquired about the maintenance schedule for City Park because he had been there Monday evening and it was unsightly. Acting Public Works Superintendent Bobby Mills responded that he has people working there seven days a week. Council President Jaech proposed a change to the agenda to make the meetings more timely and give more consideration to the people who are present for scheduled items. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, TO CHANGE THE FORMAT TO PUT THE REGULAR ITEMS FIRST, FOL- LOWED BY THE CONSENT AGENDA, THEN THE MAYOR, AND THEN THE COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED. (Subsequent to this, following a discussion with the Clerk regarding problems created by delaying the Consent Agenda portion, she agreed, on a temporary basis, to place the Consent Agenda items before the regular agenda items.) Councilmember Gould acknowledged a letter from Willis Tucker regarding an evaluation of existing filing fees, inasmuch as the agreement between Snohomish County and the City of Edmonds for district court services terminates on December 31, 1983. Councilmember Gould expressed some concerns about the work meetings being held in the small meeting room. He thought that citizens felt intimidated by the closed door and a room full of people, and that the Council should always give the appearance of welcoming the public. Councilmember Allen noted that the part that:had worked in the small room was that they had adhered to the rule of no audience participation at work meetings. It was decided to move back to the main meeting room for work meetings but to use the rectangular table configuration. There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. IRENE VARNEY MORAN, Vty Clerk HARVE H. HARRISON, Mayor August 16, 1983 The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Harve Harrison in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library. All present joined in the flag salute. PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Harve Harrison, Mayor Jim Adams, City Engineer Ray Gould Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk Laura Hall Art Housler, Finance Director Jo -Anne Jaech Marlo Foster, Police Chief Larry Naughten Jack Weinz, Fire Chief John Nordquist Mary Lou Block, Planning Director Katherine Allen Steve Simpson, Parks & Recreation Director Bill Kasper Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Superintendent Pat LeMay, Personnel Director Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk CONSENT AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. • .LOTION CARRIED. (Councilmember Hall was not present to vote on the motion, but arrived just after the vote was taken.) The approved items on the Consent Agenda included the following: (A) Roll call. (B) Approval of Minutes of August 9, 1983. (C) Acknowledgment of receipt of Claim for Damages from Michael Voggenthaler in the amount of (D) $3,420. Adoption of Ordinance 2392, adopting contract rezone from RM-1.5 to BC at 226 Dayton St. (E) Adoption of Ordinance 2393, relating to penalties for traffic infractions.. (F) Passage of Resolution 563, commending Tony Foss. (G) Passage of Resolution 564, commending Burlington Northern Foundation. (H) Passage of Resolution 565, commending Jerald Eilert of J. E. Sign Co. (I) Passage of Resolution 566, commending Edmonds Driftwood Players. (J) Set date of September 6, 1983 for hearing on vacation of a portion of Viewland Way, east of 12th Ave. N. (Holt/ST-2-83) (K) Approval of survey of realignment of 174th St. S.W. Mayor Harrison read aloud Resolution 564, commending Burlington Northern Foundation for making a contribution of $10,000 to the Fire/Rescue Boat Fund. He then read aloud Resolution 565, commending • 215 1. • August 16, 1983 - continued Jerald Eilert for designing, building, and contributing to the City the "Welcome to Edmonds" sign which has been installed at the 5th Ave. entrance to the City. He presented the framed resolution to Mr. Eilert. Student Representative Tony Foss had previously been presented the resolution of commendation at a special awards ceremony at his school, but it had not been formally passed by the Council until this time. The resolution commending! the Edmonds Driftwood Players was in recognition of their participation and cultural contribution tc the community and to express congratulations on their 25th season anniversary. HEARING ON REQUEST TO CLOSE WALKWAY AT 69TH PL. W. BETWEEN 174TH S.W. AND 176TH S.W. The City had received a petition to close this public walkway because of continuing problems with vandalism, motorcycles, and bicycles. This walkway was required with the development of the sub- division of Cherry Crest (P-5-69). It was to provide the Meadowdale schoolchildren an alternative to walking up the extremely steep hill on 176th St. S.W. and Olympic View Dr. Police reports on vandalism in the immediate walkway area were provided to the Council, along with the petition and other pertinent information. Options suggested were (1) Installation of barriers at each entrance to restrict walkway access to pedestrians only; (2) Temporary closure of the walkway for a specified time period, with a subseouent review to determine whether the closure should be made permanent or the walkway reopened; and (3) Recommendation to the petitioners that they apply to the Hearing Examiner for a modification to the recorded plat to remove the easement. Councilmember Gould inquired whether the walkway has been used by children for access to schools as it was intended, and he asked how the children will get to the schools if it is closed. Planning Director Mary Lou Block responded that it is used extensively, and 13-16 children a day use it to get to school. With it closed they will have to walk up 176th which is narrow and dangerous for pedestrians. The hearing was opened. Merle McLaughlin,.6908 174th St. S.W.-, one of the petitioners, said they lives; there for many years • with no problems and then a garbage and litter problem surfaced and at the same time boards were being knocked out of fences and other acts of vandalism occurred. He displayed samples of items thrown in the adjacent yards, including bottles, rocks, Christmas tree lights, cigarette butts, eggs, a rope noose, and a sports bag containing two items of smoking equipment for controlled substances. He circulated photographs of damage to properties on 176th and said there have been tires slashed and rotten eggs thrown at a house. He said he is not against childen and ordinarily relates very well to them, but he is against vandalism. He thought putting obstructions at the entrance to the walkway would stop the motorcycles and bicycles but would not stop the vandalism. He said they have had excellent cooperation from the Police Department but there are limited officers available and this location is distant so the vandals can be gone by the time the police arrive. He said the incidents run in cycles and the bulk of the problem is with junior high level children. He thought the problem would be less if the walkway were on 176th because that is an open area. Scott Robinson, 6912 174th St. S.W., Lot 5 of the plat, said he has a cedar fence that has been knocked down several times. He has four children and he said it would be a minor inconvenience to his family to close off the cul-de-sac because his children play there, and he said blockading the walkway will only create a bigger tunnel in which they can hide late at night. He said youngsters from several other areas congregate there. He had not called the police all the time because he did not feel he could tie up the police all the time, and they cannot get there in time and the youngsters disappear. He thought the walkway should be blocked off and the access eliminated, and he noted that his title insurance only says there is an easement for utilities and does not include a walkway. I 1 James Garrison, 6911 174th St. S.W., was opposed to closing it. He lives directly off the end of it and said his bedroom is approximately 150' from the north end of it. He did not argue the problems the people said they had, and he acknowledged that some of their homes are much closer to the walkway than his, but he said the walkway is used heavily by joggers and walkers and is the only access between those two streets for four blocks. He felt it was of value to law enforcement for access through it. He noted that the notice of the hearing was torn down within 48 hours after it was posted. He thought the late -night activity was overly stressed as he is up late at night and did not recall having heard any disturbance on the walkway. He thought it was a poor time to seek closure because some people in the neighborhood who would want it kept open were away on vacation. He doubted that closing it would eliminate the vandalism. His wife and he use the walkway to walk several times a week and have never suffered any abuse or abusive language. Harlan Bell, 7023 174th St. S.W., said he would hate to see it closed but he would not complain if it were. He observed that Mr. McLaughlin is totally helpless in this situation and that the City does not have the manpower to do anything. He said the level of activity is escalating and a citizen should not have to stand the abuse. He.was not opposed to closing the walkway but thought there should be some consideration for cildren who live there in the future. He did not think it should be closed permanently or that it should be vacated,.but that the City should have the right to reopen it in the future. If it is closed the children who use it will go past his home and he thought the problem would just move. He said this is a place where groups gather and it is a community problem. He thought this ►vould'become a serious police problem sometime. Barbara Tacher, 17421 69th P1. W., Lot 4 of the plat, said the sidewalk in front of her house is completely open and her home has suffered a lot of vandalism, including near destruction of a rosebed by youngsters riding their bicycles through it, slashed tires, and their house being shaving creamed, shampooed, and syruped.because there is easy access to it. They had never caught anyone who did those things. She said her problems have never been as great as those of Mr. 11cLaughlin, and for his sake and Mr. Robinson's the walkway should be closed. Glenna Record, 17425 69th P1. W., agreed with Mrs. Tacher's remarks. Jerry Skipton, 17506 69th P1. W., Lot 1 of the plat, said he has had gas caps taken from his car but he has been unable to catch the vandals and the police cannot catch them as they cannot follow them on the path with their cars and cannot run as fast as the young people. He recommended blocking the walkway off for two years and then considering reopening it. He said it has been a benefit to them but he thought it should be closed because of the problems. CJ August 1G, 1983 - continued • Scott Klaloch, Lot 6, said he has -three children and the vandals had gone so far as to take his four -year -old on a ride on one of their motorbikes. His oldest daughter who is a young teenager knows some of these youngsters and says they look on the whole thing as being an escape route. Although the walkway is used by the neighborhood, he said the minor inconvenience of walking the extra blocks would be worth it to be rid of these problems. He said those young people come from a long distance to use this area. No one else wished to speak, and the hearing was closed. Mayor Harrison thought the walkway should be closed for about five years to give this bunch of youngsters a chance to grow up, and he thought the wood fence on the Robinson property would be the logical one to remove, leaving a chain link fence btween the two properties. Councilmember Naughten agreed that it should be closed, and he noted that the abuse is similar to what has occurred on Sunset. He thought it should be closed for one year and then be reviewed for consideration of extending the closure. Councilmember Kasper asked to hear from the Police Chief. Chief Marlo Foster said vandalism is about as frustrating a job as there is, as there usually are not eyewitnesses and the officers do not have the time to wait. He thought they should take a good look at 176th, as the hill is very steep and there should be an adequate walkway. He thought it was a shame to close the walkway but said policing it is time consuming and he does not have the police officers to be there. He recommended that it be closed temporarily, and he said his people will try to work with the neighborhood regardless of the decision. COUNCILMEMBER GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO CLOSE THE WALKWAY AT CITY EXPENSE FOR ONE YEAR, AND TO REVIEW THIS ACTION AT THE FIRST MEETING OF SEPTEMBER, 1984. Councilmember Jaech was reminded by these incidents of a TV program several years ago.that depicted an area of citizens who were continually harrassed by teenagers who could not be caught in the act. It was a true story, and it caused her to be concerned that the increased harrassment in this situation could result in grave injury, and as happened in the story, the citizens may end up taking action. She knew no one wanted that to happen, and she said she would vote in favor of closing the • walkway and possibly some progress can be made. Councilmember Gould observed that the original purpose of the walkway was really subordinate to the things the citizens had reported, and he said these were responsive citizens and they had been very tolerant, so the least the Council could do was to close the walkway and re-examine the situation in one year. Councilmember Hall thought this was proof that the citizens need more protection and that the City is lacking in police in that area. She observed that the City is still short five police officers and she thought this should be kept in mind at budget time. Councilmember Gould thought there probably would be some reaction to these citizens' actions, so he asked the Police Department to be especially helpful to that neighborhood to see that things go smoothly there. He thought there may be repercussions from the problem element. Mr. Robinson was very willing to take his fence down, and Mr. McLaughlin had no objection to using the chain link fence as the barrier. Councilmember Allen did not think they should wait a year for a status report, and she suggested that a report be made at the first of December, and then the matter could be reviewed next.Sep- tember. Also, -she said 176th must be looked at for construction of a walkway as it is very narrow and very steep. THE MOTION CARRIED. COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN THEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GOULD, THAT THE STAFF PROVIDE A REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF THIS ACTION AT THE FIRST MEETING IN DECEM- BER, AND ALSO THAT THE STAFF PROVIDE AN IMMEDIATE REPORT REGARDING A WALKWAY ON 176TH. MOTION CARRIED. DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY -OWNED PROPERTY ADJACENT TO YOST PARK Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson reviewed the recent discussions regarding the subject • properties. The discussions had been precipitated by a complaint from Will Smith, a neighbor of the park, when the City sold a lot by the park to another neighbor to help him with a problem on his property. The Council was shown an inventory and map of City -owned land adjacent to the park on February 8, 1983, and the Council then referred the matter to the Planning Board and it was con- sidered at the March 9, 1983 Planning Board meeting, and the Planning Board recommended that all of those City -owned properties.adjacent to Yost Park be designated park land and be included in Yost Park. That recommendation had -been presented to the Council but it was tabled for future considera- tion. The Parks and Recreation staff had not thought Lots 1 and 2 were strongly related to the park, but the Planning Board thought differently, believing they would be good buffer and transition areas. Councilmember Kasper questioned whether part of this property could be owned by the Water/ Sewer Fund as it is former watershed. Councilmember Jaech said she had put this on the agenda because it was in limbo and Will Smith had asked her about it. He was invited to speak. Will Smith, 1053 Alder, said he had let it drop because he will be moving from the neighborhood, but he provided a copy of a.petition he originally circulated which asked that Parcels 1 and 2 be included with Parcels 3, 4, and 6 recommended for incorporation into the park. He has lived in that neighborhood all his life and said it is a natural area and Edmonds does not have many areas like that now. He thought the properties should be held, rather than sold for private development. Mayor Harrison thought they should incorporate all.of the parcels into the park system, but Coun- cilmember Jaech thought they should determine whether any of this property is a part of the Water/ Sewer Fund before anything is done. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka noted that there is no park zone in the City, so the designation as park property has nothing.to do with zoning. COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, THAT UNTIL THE ORIGINAL ACQUISITION OF THE PROPERTY IS DETERMINED IT BE REMOVED FROM THE SURPLUS PROPERTY LIST AND NOT BE SOLD. Councilmember Kasper said this was a statement that there is no justification to sell it at this time, and he thought they should say they do not think it should be sold at this time, even a piece of it, and that it should be left as the "not for sale" area. THE MOTION CARRIED. 2 17. • August 16, 1983 - continued A recess was announced. RECONSIDE ATION OF RECLAS IF.IC,`,TIC'N OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY POSITION Personnel Director Pat LeMay reviewed the information previously provided regarding this proposal. He was asked by Councilmember Nordquist for external data to justify the proposal, and he said he did obtain external data but it was hard to match this position with otihers in comparabl,:� ;;uris- dictions as this one goes beyond the dimensions of Executive Secretary. !�?uyor Harrison said this was particularly so in meeting the public. Councilmember Nordquist said he had found that in Lynnwood the same position is held by a person who works for a full-time.Mayor and also the 'Mayor's Assistant, and she earns a salary of $22,006 per year which is comparable to what this person earns, and she has 'ten years' expe-�rience. Ile added that V1ou,ntlake Terrace has no secretary for• the City Administrator or the Mayor, the secretarial pool being utilized for them, !hen he egUated those two job functions with that of this one, he was prompted to ask Mr. LeMay about external data. Mayor Harrison said there was a lot of administrative work on tie Rosalyn Surtiners project and also on the Taste of Edmonds, and it takes a certain demeanor and knowledge for such things and the dictation aspect of the job is quite incidental. Councilmember Nordquist asked! if there would be u request for another increase in January, or would what is done now be satisfactory --and he suggested that possibly this should be a budget item for September. Councilmember Kasper stated that the Council is in the process of estab-lislning the Council Resource Person position, there soon will be a full-time Mayor, and the move is being made toward word processing, so he still thougi;t t;ii s was not the time to be increasing classifications of jobs ar,+ it should not be done until it is seen what the alignment v.ill ;e. He said the Rosalyn: Sumnars project was done by the ;'Mayor's Office, but it could be done by someone else and it was a one-time activity, and the Resource Person will be involved with the retreat, relieving t;.he Executive Secretary from some of that involvement. He did not think the Council Resource Person should be doing the work this secretary has Jo ne for the Council, but he said it appeared that is what the Council is ;hiring, so this Job should not be reclassified until it is determi-ned what it will include. Councilmember Allen suggested that the salary of this person be increased, rather than change the classification -if the position, as there appeared to be a certain reluctance to consider it outsi-1e of the budgetary consi:larations. Sri:.., said the Mayor can Jo what he is authorized to do as `i!ayor as far as increasing the salary for increased workload. Councilmember Nordquist thought the action should b:.- cons ideriedi at budget time, -and ;ne noted that the incumbent's evaluation is due SeptEnioer 1, so that wouli provide the opportunity for salary increase. MAYOR Mayor Harrison noted-, that t;-,e Tast of Edmonds had seen a success, an:.! that Paula Johnson, and a number of the restauranteurs were pleased with the results and, further, there were no police or emergency problems. Mayor Harrison stated that:he,.,-.t,ogether with Steve Simpson and Jim Jessel, has met with Mayor Hrdlicka and Bill Evans regarding development of the Meadowdale playfield, and Lynnwood is very receptive to workingi with Ed.'mords on th.:t. A concern they expressed was that the us.e of sludge may impair. the drainage. Mayor '!rdlicka had indicated that he would racommen:i that. Lynnwood participate with one-half million dollars toward development. The potential development costs will be approxi- mately two million collars, the first phase being one million Jol1ars. Mayor Harrison recommended that the Planning Director's position and the Personnel Director's position be reclassified to E-9, and he had furnished material to the Council to support his recommendation. ^ ';�!CIL.MEP�"�R !<^jSP7R MOVED, SECONDED BY �`OLNCI! MEMBER ;;A!.+ , TO PLACE THrSE PEC^"- MENDATIONS ON THE SEPTEMBER 13, 1983 PERSONNEL COMMITTEE AGENDA. Councilmember Gould asked that. they discuss it at their August 30, 1983 dinner meeting as he will not be present September 13. Council President Jaech said she had intended discussing the projects for the Council Resource Person at that dinner meeting. Councilmember Kasper said he thought the City should look at some reorganization. COUNCILMEMBER KASPER WITHDREW HIS MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER KASPER THEN MOVED, SECONDED By COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, Tn nT'ZCUSS AT THE AUGUST 30 DINNEn IILLTIi�u (1) Tl;c EXFCJTI';'E Sr-f'DETAn%1 POSITION, (2) PROPOSED RECLASSIFICATION OF PERSONNEL DIRECTOR, (3) PROPOSED RECLASSIFICATION OF PLANNING DIRECTOR, AND (4) THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR POSITION SHOULD REMAIN GRADE E-9; AND ALSO TO DISCUSS REORGANIZATION. Council President Jaech said at the dinner meeting they will discuss what direction they want to take and discuss it at the next Personnel Committee meeting. THE MOTION CARRIED. COUNCIL Councilmember Hall reported that the Performing Arts/Convention Center hearing was the previous day and the northern boundary has been moved to the limitts of the Edmonds School District, 148th St. S.W., rather than 116th St. S.W. She noted that the item on the ballot will be to create the boundaries of the taxing district only. Councilmember Hall reported that she'liad attended the Taste of Edmonds, and that Paula Johnson he'd indicated to her that the City cooperation was magnificent. She thought the staff was to be compli- mented, and she said there are plans, to make the event bigger and better next year. Councilmember Hall acknowledged a complimentary letter fro,n Mrs. Robert Crow, a new resident of the City who was impressed with the helpful service of City personnel. Councilmember Hall acknowledged a letter from Dave Elkins of the, Edmonds Chevron station at 76th and 212th. Planning Director Mary Lou Block stated that Mr. Elkins wants this letter to be his appeal from a recent ADB decision on his signs. COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO SET THE HEARING ..DATE FOR THE APPEAL ON SEPTE!^9r_'. 6, . 1 J83. 'POTION CARRIED. Councilmember Gould reported on the Community Services Committee meeting this evening at which the August 16, 1983 - continued • Olympic View Comprehensive Plan was reviewed. He said they had raised issues and discussed items such as asbestos levels in water, capacity of the system, and other questions, and all were answered satisfactorily to the committee, so the.committee recommended that the City of Edmonds approve the plan. COUNCILMEMBER.GOULD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KASPER, TO APPROVE THE OLYMPIC VIEW WATER DISTRICT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Gould noted that the City of Seattle, from whom Edmonds buys 1/3 of its water, is going to raise its rate substantially, so that will mean that the citizens of Edmonds will be paying more for water. When the details are received the citizens will be notified of what it is calculated the rates will be. Councilmember Gould noted that the Community Services Committee has an agenda item for September 19, 1983, a meeting with the Planning Board representatives regarding the Highway 99 Study issue. Councilmember Allen thanked the Finance Director for the insurance claims status report. Councilmember Allen encouraged everyone to attend the specially priced Mariner game. Councilmember Allen invited everyone to a forum on the state of the State's economy on Wednesday, August 24, 1983, at 7:30 p.m., room 128 of Mountlake Terrace Hall, Edmonds Community College. This will be sposored by the League of Women. Voters and the Women's Political Caucus. Council President Jaech read a letter from Douglas Egan of the Edmonds -South Snohomish County Historical Society, inviting attendance to a presentation ceremony of a historical site plaque, on the site of the old "Big Swede Shingle Mill" at the South County Senior Center. This will be at 2:00 p.m., August 20, 1983. Council President Jaech provided the Council with material regarding the applicants for the Council Resource Person. Interviews of the candidates will be from 6:00 -8:00 p.m., August 23, 1983, in the Plaza Meeting Room. The regular Council meeting will commence at 8:00 p.m. that evening. Councilmember Jaech again asked City Attorney Wayne Tanaka to furnish the information regarding insurance coverage for Councilmembers. She asked that it be furnished by August 30, 1983. Councilmember Naughten complimented the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments on the appearance of City Park. He had used the,park and kitchen facility and found them in very clean condition. Councilmember Naughten stated that it was estimated that 20,000 people attended the Taste of Edmonds each day, and the booths did well. He did not know how the Edmonds Business Association did on the event financially. Councilmember Nordquist said Dr. Hyatt should be thanked because she was lenient on the requirements for the Taste of Edmonds. Councilmember Nordquist inquired about the status of the study of Westgate. Planning Director Mary Lou Block responded that the Planning Board did not opt to do it this year. Councilmember Nordquist referred to the ADB meeting of August 3, 1983 and said there is some doubt yet as to what is planned for Highway 99, but there are development plans out there and he would like to see the program move. There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. IRENE.VARNEY MORAN, C' y Clerk HARVE H. HARRISON, Mayor August 23, 1983 - Work Meeting The regular.meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Harve Harrison in the Plaza Meeting Room of the Edmonds Library. All present joined in the flag salute. PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Harve Harrison, Mayor Jim Adams, City Engineer Jo -Anne Jaech Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk Ray Gould Art Housler, Finance Director John Nordquist Jack Weinz, Fire Chief Laura Hall Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Superintendent Larry Naughten Steve Simpson, Parks & Recreation Director Bill Kasper Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney Katherine Allen Jackie'Parrett, Deputy City Clerk