19830830 City Council MinutesAugust 30, 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 ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Harve Harrison, Mayor Ray Gould Jim Adams, City Engineer
Jo -Anne Jaech Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
John Nordquist Art Housler, Finance Director
Katherine Allen Steve Simpson, Parks & Recreation Director
Larry Naughten Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
Laura Hall Pat LeMay, Personnel Director
Bill Kasper Risa Eckes, Recreation Coordinator
Jim Jessel, Property Manager
Marlo Foster, Police Chief
Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Supt.
Wayne Tanaka, City Attorney
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk
AUDIENCE
Jerry Ward, representing the Wade James Theatre, stated that Washington Natural Gas had condemned
the heating system in the theatre and -he asked for assistance from the City in financing a new
heating system. The existing heating system is the original and is unsafe to operate due to leaks
in the heat exchangers and the control valves' inability to turn off the pilot light gas when the
system experiences a gas shut -down. Three reputable heating companies were contacted for quotes on
replacing the heating system, with the low quote being from Washington Natural Gas at $4,164 plus
sales tax. Mayor Harrison suggested that this may qualify under the HUD Block Grant recently
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awarded for the theatre, and he suggested that the Executive Board be asked to approve it. Mr. Ward
noted that they will have to have heat very soon, for the maintenance of the building as well as for
the comfort of the patrons. It was suggested that a system be leased temporarily and Mr. Ward said
that would still cost $200-$300 per month. Fire Chief Jack Weinz was asked about the safety of the
system, and he responded that if Washington Natural Gas says it is unsafe he has to accept that.
Mr. Ward said he had it checked by another heating firm and it was confirmed. The building is owned
by the City but the Driftwood.Players have provided much of the major maintenance in the past
several years by installing a new roof, installing new smoke doors, installing two new hot water
tanks, and just this year spending over $1,000 for new heating ducts to carry hot air into the
house. They do not have the means to install a new heating system. COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HALL, THAT THE STAFF INVESTIGATE THE ALTERNATIVES FOR TEMPORARY REPAIRS
AND DETERMINE THE AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON NATURAL GAS TO CONDEMN. MOTION CARRIED.
cordon Rosier, representing Fair Use of Snohomish Energy (FUSE), requested that the City's utility
tax on electricity be repealed, saying that the City is taking advantage of a difficult situation
for citizens and is in a windfall profit situation at the expense of the citizens. He noted the
rapi.d escalation in the cost of electricity which accordingly increased the tax revenue, and he
said there soon will be further increases. He recited figures relating to the large numbers of
people who are unable to pay their electricity bills and who already have had their service dis-
connected. He prefaced his remarks by thanking the Council for its action to sewer the north
readowdale area, and Councilmember Kasper advised him that some of the City Council had wanted to
decrease the utility tax further but they had to keep in mind the Meadowdale sewers and now they
were faced with the fact that they will not be able to use the HUD Block Grant for them, so until
they know exactly where they are on Meadowdale--when the bids come in --they cannot. do anything to
reduce the utility tax.
Lloyd Ostrom, President of the Board of Trustees -of the Edmonds Council of Concerned Citizens, read
a letter, copies of which were submitted for the Mayor and Council, stating that recent reports in
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the local press indicate a possible sale or lease of the Anderson Marina, and suggesting the pos-
sibility of acquisition of this property by the City for the purpose of adding it to the City park
system. The request was that this possibility be explored.
CONSENT AGENDA
Item (E) was removed from the Consent Agenda. COUNCILMEMBER NORDQUIST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL -
MEMBER HALL, TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. The approved items on
the Consent Agenda included the following:
(A) Roll call.
(B) Approval of Minutes of August 23, 1983.
(C) Acknowledgment of receipt of Claim for Damages from Mrs. Ronald E. Larsen in the amount of
$56.39.
(D)
(F)
Authorization for Mayor to
Authorization for Mayor and
sign hold harmless agreements with King County Police.
Council President to sign letter of support for Washington
State Downtown Association
Development Assistance Team application.
(G)
Acceptance of Quit Claim Deed
for right-of-way from..Michael.and Joan Mastro.
(H)
Approval to close Yost Park
Pool following Labor Day.
APPROVAL OF TOW TRUCK OPERATOR'S LICENSE - INTER -COUNTY TOWING Item (E) on Consent Agenda]
Councilmember Hall removed this item from the Consent Agenda at the request of the Police Chief
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August 30, 1983 - continued
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because he had heard from this comranv's insurance carrier that the insurance was cancelled because
the fees were not paid. Police Chief Marlo Foster asked.that if it were acoroved the approval be
contingent upon the insurance being in force. He said it is common that he gets cancellation notices
immediately followed by renewal notices, and he did not anticipate a problem. COUNCILMEMBER HALE_
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR'S LICENCE FOR INTER -COUNTY
TOWING, CONTINGENT UPON RECEIPT OF PROOF OF APPROPRIATE INSURANCE COVERAGE WITHIN TEN DAYS. MOTION
CARRIED.
RECOGNITION OF 25 YEARS' SERVICE AS VOLUNTEER FIREMEN: CLINT GREY AND DICK SLYE
Fire Chief Jack Weinz stated that these men have given much of their time in service to the citizens
of Edmonds as volunteer firefighters, and :"lick Slye also had served as a City Councilman. Chief
Weinz related a little of the backgrounds of both men and personally thanked them for their time in
the volunteer ranks, following which Mayor Harrison presented them plaques in recognition of their
service.
HEARING ON STRIPING OF 7TH AVE.
City Engineer Jim Adams stated that he had received citizen complaints because of the traffic hazard
on 7th Ave., from Yalnut to Pine, due to limited sight distance, and also that vehicles have difficulty
passing when cars are narked on both sides of 7th Ave. at that location. In response to this,.
Ordinance 2369 wa_ passed on May 31, 1983, restricting parking on the west side of 7th Ave. and a
plan was prornsed for a fainted centerline. Due to a misunderstanding, the centerline was improperly
painted, following which a group of the residents met with Acting Public Works Superintendent Bobby
Mills and some of them indicated they preferred 'having the parking restriction on the east side.
One citizen asked for a public hearing before repainting the striping. The Engineering Department
re-evaluates the orininal recommendation and still believed that there should be no parking on the
west side as that would allow for more parking spaces than if the no parking were on the east side.
Also, parking only on the west side would create either an offset centerline or a redaction in the
lane width going up -hill, south from Walnut St., and this is the point of major hazard. lair. Adams
said there is room for one parking lane and two travel lanes. The hearing was opened.
Anna Marie Berger, 512 7th Ave. S., said she lives at the apex of the hill. She said her neighbor
to the south does not approve of the east side parking, having a family of boys with cars. i1s.
Berger, herself, was not personally affected.
Winifred. McEnroe, 806 7th Ave. S., favored the proposal.
Sondra Percy, 62.2 7th Ave. S., preferred the parking on the opposite side.
Jerry Percv, same address, agreed that there is a problem. He lives at the top of the hill and said
he is part of the problem because he has boys and several vehicles. He said one of the problems
with. parking on the east side only is that on the west side is where most people park. This evening,
before cominc to the meetinc, he counted 9 cars on the west side and 3 or. the east side, and he said
that is the norm for that street. He added that on the east side between Cedar and Spruce there are
two driveways, a fire hydrant, and the mailboxes, eliminating half of the parking. In walking the
street he could not see any advantage to putting the parking on the east side or a disadvantage to
having it on the west, but he agreed it should all be on one side or the other. Mr. Adams advised
that the Citv would move the mailboxes to the other side of the street to accommodate the parking.
P. A. R.ueckert, 807 7th Ave. S., did not think the street should be striped and he suggested just
marking it for no parking on one side. Mr. Adams.said the striping is required on the hill in a no
parking zone and there is no passing going up the hill southbound. Mr. Rueckert said the traffic in
the morning and evening is too fast and there would not be a problem if drivers stayed within the
speed limit. He observed that if one drives through a street that is not marked one drives slower,
but if it is striped it appears to be a throughway and one drives faster. He dick not see why the
entire street had to be striped, and he suggested.the use of a speed bump instead. Mr. -Adams
responded that they are considering making a four-way stop at the bottom of the hill.
Mr. Percy said his driveway is at the crest of the hill and if there is no parking on the west side
he cannot see down the hill at all and will be backing into a traffic lane, whereas a parking lane
would give him a little room in which to back out of his driveway.
Ken Breen, 810 7th Ave. S., asked why they should suffer parking on the opposite side of the street
because of a problem up.the hill. He had not seer, an accident or a problem and did not think the
striping was needed. The hearing was closed.
Councilmember Naughten lives off 7th Ave. and he observed that the safety problem is between Walnut
and Hemlock and cars parked on both sides slow the traffic going through there. He thought the
street should only be striped from Walnut to Hemlock because one cannot see over the hill when going
up, and he thought there should.be parking on the west sire between, those streets because of reduced
visibility. COUNCILMEMBER NAUGHTEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER JAECH, TO STRIPE ONLY BETWEEN
WALNUT AND HEMLOCK AND THAT PARKING BE LIMITED TO THE WEST SIDE BETWEEN WALNUT AND HEMLOCK AND,
FURTHER, THAT AN ADVISORY SIGN BE PLACED ON THE HILL TO SLOW THE TRAFFIC TO 20 MPH BFCAIISE OF THE
SIGHT PROBLEM, AND THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY SHOULD PREPARE AN ORDINANCE TO EFFECT THE CHANGE. Mr.
Mills stated that in his meeting with the residents most felt Hemlock should he the dividing line.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
REPORT ON USE OF CIVIC CENTER PLAYFIELD
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson provided copies of this year's schedule for the Civic
Center Playfieid, a list of leagues and teams that play on -the field,.a copy of the City's field
user priority policy, samples of team rosters, the revenue report from the rental of the field, and
a survey of use policies and fees of other cities in the area. He noted that it was shown that most
teams that play on the field are from this area, but outside teams do play local teams on the field.
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August 30, 1983 - continued •
He said this is a fair exchange since the local teams play.away from .this area, too. He said that
except for the softball field, most play on the Civic Center Playfield is by young people and this
bias toward children has increased as the hours of use on the field have been reduced. This fall no
adult teams were able to reserve time on the Civic Center football/soccer field.
The softball field, on the other hand, is the only adult -sized field in the City and thus receives
predominantly adult play. The field was moved by volunteers to its present southeast location to
eliminate the hazard of playing into the sun at the northwest corner location.
In comparison with other cities' policies and charges, the fees in Edmonds are average, the field
upkeep is less, and the policies are more restrictive than many. Mr. Simpson did not recommend any
additional restrictions on play at the Civic Center Playfield, but he said the City may wish to
consider hiring a part-time employee to monitor field use, prep fields, and enforce existing rules.
Councilmember Naughten had heard reports of people playing on the field at 7:30 a.m. on weekends.
Mr. Simpson said the only play scheduled on Sundays is tournament play at the end of the season.
Councilmember Hall observed that by not scheduling play on Sundays the field is left open to anyone
to use it, so teams apparently go there regularly to play although they are not scheduled. Mr.
Simpson said they could post it for no play before 9:00 a.m. He said.most of the people who use the
facilities are very cooperative, but in his department he has no one there at 7:30 a.m. to police
the field. Further, there are joggers who use'the track in the early hours and they are not offen-
sive to anyone. Police Chief Foster said his people would enforce a.posting of nobody on the field
until a certain hour, but it would have to include everyone. He felt the play.field should be well
managed and well posted and that should settle the problems, and that playfi.elds should not be
regulated by uniformed police.
Dorothy Williamson, 703 Main St., said the Civic Center needs more control. She said the people who
are there at 7:30 a.m. are not Edmonds people. She said there are as many as 50 cars there Sunday •
mornings and there also are five churches on the same road. She agreed that the joggers are no
problem to anyone. She objected to the new schedule of the lights being on five days a week from
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. She said Mr. Simpson does a good job of running the Anderson Center but a bad job
running the playfield, and she said the players are not cooperating with the neighborhood. She
asked for a sign to indicate no play at a certain time, and her preference was that it not be until
noon.
Jon Rudlang, 14023 62nd Dr. W., Edmonds, a member of a men's soccer team in the Washington State
Soccer League, said his team considers themselves to be a South Snohomish County team, three -fourths
of the team being from South County.. They were requesting consideration to use the lighted soccer
field only on Monday evenings.. They have had to play at West Seattle which is a long drive and he
said the WSSL has been allowed to use the Edmonds field in the past but this year it may not because
the scheduling has been given almost exclusively to the young people. Six team members were with
him this evening and he said he was sure other local teams would have been present had they known
this was being discussed. He said in addition to their not having to drive so far if they could
play at Edmonds, their families could attend the games, the field here is a better field and not so
hard on their arms and legs, and the teams would be patronizing local businesses such as grocers and
restaurants.
Steve O'Dell, 6125 150th P1. S.W., Edmonds, another member of the team, said the issue they see is
that there is a lighted field right in their back yard. Heacknowledged that they perhaps do not
understand the issues of the field, but he said the hours have been cut back consistently over the
past few years and the community is getting reduced use of the field. He noted that the team
members have to work and can only.play at night, and he suggested a compromise in extending the
hours one night a week so they can stay close to home.
Drew MacAfee, 14005 19th Dr. S.E., Bothell, another member of the team, said they do not wish to
force the youth off the field and most of them are parents with youth involved in soccer. He asked
for use of the field one night a week, Monday, from 8:30 until 10:00 p.m. •
Councilmember Jaech noted that the scheduling of the field now had changed so it was almost exclu-
sively for the youth, and she asked if a good policy could not be developed to include the adults as
well.
Finis Tupper, 711 Daley, referred to the letter written by Don Stay back in June after meeting with
the Mayor which he said set forth what the neighbors.think to be possible solutions to make the
field a good neighbor. He did not think locking the field would solve the problems and he said
scheduled play could be allowed 9:00 a.m, to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays but none on Sundays. During the
discussion it became apparent that there was a misunderstanding as to what "scheduled" play is, the
neighbors considering that any teams.in uniforms were "scheduled" and Mr. Simpson stating that
"scheduled" was only play scheduled by the Edmonds Recreation Department, and that guarantees the
team that it has first priority on the field. At unscheduled times, he said, other teams can come
in and take.a chance on getting it. Mr. Tupper went on to say that the softball field was moved at
the expense of the softball association and it has caused traffic problems and the lights are
obnoxious to the abutting property.owners. He wanted the field moved at City expense, and he said
the administration should handle it, not the Council.
Mr. Simpson said the easiest way to solve the weekend problem is to have an easy rule, such as no
play before a certain hour. He said the policy has always been no organized play, but it was left
for drop -ins. Mayor Harrison suggested a sign stating no play before 9:00 a.m. on Sundays.
A young man who did not identify himself said he is 18 years old., and.he asked how an adult or a
youth is defined. He said he has been i.n the school system 12 years trying to understand justice,
but nobody wants to accept any'resnonsihility for anything. fie thought everybody should use the
field.
COUNCILMEMBER JAECH MOVED,
SECONDED
BY COUNCILMEMBER
NORDQUIST, THAT THE STAFF
PREPARE A
DRAFT OF A
REVISED POLICY, TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT
EVERYTHING HEARD
THIS EVENING, AND PRESENT
IT TO THE
COUNCIL
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• August 30, 1983 - continued
THROUGH THE MAYOR FOR CONSIDERATION ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1983. MOTION CARRIED. Councilmember Hall
acknowledged receipt of a copy of the letter sent to Peggy Harris by the City Attorney on July 12,
1983, as requested by Councilmember Naughten.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON JOINT USE WITH LYNNWOOD OF MEADOWDALE PLAYFIELD
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Simpson reported that Lynnwood has asked for a formal engineer's
report and does not plan to rake a decision on the sludge method of development until that is
received. Mayor Hrdlicka will talk to Dr. Reasby to let him know the cities are working on a plan
which should be ready in six weeks. Councilmember Nordquist commented on the bad odor at the
community college from the sludge, and he thought Dr. Hyatt should be consulted about the use of
sludge.
MAYOR
Mayor Harrison had an application for a Class E liquor license (beer by the bottle or package for
off -premises consumption) for Mobil Oil Corporation at 7601 Lake Ballinger Way. Their plan is to
convert the gas station to a mini -mart. The Police Chief had recommended approval with a qualifying
note that adequate training and supervision.of attending employees be required as the present operation
is weak in these factors. Councilmember Kasper commented that it is difficult to get into this
site, and Councilmember Nordquist said there were a lot of problems when the 7-Eleven went in near
this location, but he said more important is the ingress and egress and there is only egress west-
bound. He said the center traffic lane should have been extended north on 76th. He felt the
traffic problem would be very difficult at that intersection. Chief Foster said he assumes the
management of the company will take the responsibility of how their customers get in and out. His
concern is whether it is a responsible organization and whether their plans will create any disfavor
to the community. He noted that the nearby 7-Eleven already sells beer and that the trend now is
• for gas stations to go to the mini -mart concept. Councilmember Hall did not see how this would
impact the community anymore by selling beer, and she noted that cars already go in there for gas.
COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION.
MOTION CARRIED, WITH COUNCILMEMBERS KASPER AND NORDQUIST VOTING NO.
COUNCIL
Councilmember Hall read aloud a letter from Glorine Bentley expressing appreciation for the walkway
on 76th W. and for the beauty created in downtown Edmonds with the flowers.
Council President Jaech had a letter from Ann Wermus, Chairman of.the Edmonds Library Board, expressing
appreciation for the "donation of the painting, "The Clamdiggers," by F. B. Nelson. It was noted
that the painting belongs to the City of Edmonds and is not a part of the library but it was purchased
to be hung in the library. Council President Jaech was requested to write a letter to Ann Wermus
clarifying this.
Council President Jaech said she was not satisfied with the letter from the City Attorney regarding
liability insurance for the Councilmembers. She wanted to know exactly what she is covered for
under the City's policy. City Attorney Wayne Tanaka responded that as stated in his letter the
coverage currently is $3.5 million and the Councilmembers are covered for acts done in their official
capacities on the part of the City, and beyond the $3.5 million per occurrence the City would indemnify
the Councilmembers for amounts over that for acts in their official capacities.
Council President Jaech noted that on August 12 the Yost Park Swim Team won the County summer league
championship. She thought this was another group of Edmonds citizens that had achieved something
and that they should be recognized. Karen Hensel, the pool manager, is the coach for the team.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JAECH MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN, THAT THE TEAM BE GIVEN A RESOLUTION
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. MOTION CARRIED.
• There was no further business to come before the Council, and the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
AM 0
Ju'u.2 ve
IRENE VARNEY MORAN, V ty Clerk HARVE H. HARRISON, Mayor
September 6, 1983
The regular meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Mayor Harve
Harrison in the Plaza Meeting Room:.of the Edmonds Library, and immediately was adjourned for lack of
a quorum. Mayor Harrison explained that a number of the Councilmembers were attending the memorial
service in Everett for Senator Henry Jackson. Items scheduled on this evening's agenda will be
placed on the next two Council agendas and people affected were notified to the extent possible.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Harve Harrison, Mayor Jo -Anne Jaech Jim Adams, City Engineer
Ray Gould John Nordquist Irene Varney Moran, City Clerk
Laura Hall Art Housler, Finance Director
Katherine Allen Mary Lou Block, Planning Director
Bill Kasper Bobby Mills, Acting Public Works Supt.
Larry Naughten Jack Weinz, Fire Chief
Jim Jessel., Property Manager
Pat LeMay, Personnel Director
Jackie Parrett, Deputy City Clerk