DRAFT

Donald MacGilvra, Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog

Councilmembers absent:

Dwight Thompson, Peggy Gerdes (excused)

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; City Administrator Doug Jacobson, City Planner Ty Peterson, Government and Community Affairs Coordinator Sarah Phillips, Administrative Sergeant Scott Drown, Director of Public Services Frank Zenk, Finance Director Joyce Papke, Human Services Coordinator Tema Nesoff, City Clerk Susan Stine

21 visitors

Mayor David Hutchinson called the council study session to order at 7:34 p.m.

Cmbr. MacGilvra requested that citizens comment on short-term and long-term goals for the city in response to the passage of Initiative 695.

Cmbr. Kiest noted that use of the diverted library dollars has been mentioned, but he noted that the council has not discussed taxing into that bandwidth of the property tax levy.

Nigel Keiffer, 3022 NE 193^rd, expressed his concern regarding budget-related issues and distributed copies of his remarks to the council and letters he has written to the police department.

Beverly Read, 3026 NE 195^th Pl., expressed her concern regarding the city's response to the petition requesting a free study regarding contracting for police services with King County. Read said that I-695 did not need to happen if legislators had listened. She said that she is opposed to the proposal to double the business and occupation tax.

Jean Linhart, 3734 NE 188^th, said she heard that the city could save money by contracting with King County for police services and said she is in favor of looking into this option.

Councilmembers reviewed the budget calendar and noted the opportunities for public comments.

In response to questions from visitors, councilmembers discussed how the budget is developed.

Director of Public Services Frank Zenk discussed city facilities and said the maintenance budget for the Ballinger Way city hall has been cut to reflect the anticipated changes regarding the location of city hall. He discussed contract and utility staffing and noted that one public services position is covered by the contract with Kenmore. Jacobson noted that maintenance costs for the Select Grill property would begin in 2001 when staff is relocated.

Zenk noted that the parks and recreation budget covers part of the staff salary, and cuts have been made to the budget for landscape maintenance and seasonal celebrations.

In response to a question from Kiest, Jacobson said that volunteers will have the opportunity to speak first at the Nov. 18 public hearing regarding the proposed 2000 budget.

Zenk noted that his proposed budget includes a reduction of $20,000 for janitorial services and discussed his plan to reassign a public services employee to cover this area.

In response to a question from MacGilvra, Zenk said his plan to reassign a staff member to janitorial duties will mean a slower response time for other duties, such as utility locate requests and inspections involving drainage and shoulder work. Armanini noted that the chipper service has been eliminated also.

Zenk said that the proposed expenditure for landscape restoration is covered by a grant, and MacGilvra requested that such revenue/expenditure links be identified.

Zenk reviewed the proposed budget for the sanitary sewer fund and noted that this is a separate enterprise fund not directly affected by Initiative 695. He noted that no repairs to the system are required at this time, and proposed expenditures are for maintenance.

Zenk discussed the proposed budget for the drainage fund and noted that continued talks with the city of Mountlake Terrace staff indicate that the joint drainage project is still planned for 2000.

City Planner Ty Peterson discussed the purpose of the funds for the Lake Washington Watershed Forum and the project to increase dissolved oxygen in McAleer Creek. Kiest said more information regarding salmon and the Endangered Species Act is needed to assist the council in making policy.

Zenk discussed the proposed budget for city streets and arterials and noted that the requested budget is intended to cover cost-effective preventive maintenance. In response to a question from Kiest, Zenk said he hopes that the city would not incur the same level of expenditures because of the proactive work that has been done if another severe winter storm occurs.

Peterson discussed the potential for increased costs related to the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. He reviewed engineering expenditures and proposals to lower these costs.

Peterson discussed the proposed budget for the comprehensive plan update and planning issues related to the Endangered Species Act. In response to a question from Armanini, Peterson said the current plan is for a more traditional process for the comprehensive plan update rather than the wide outreach envisioned for this process.

In response to a question from MacGilvra, Jacobson discussed engineering services provided by Hammond, Collier & Wade-Livingstone. He noted that city staff is more familiar with the drainage manual now and has prepared convenient handouts about requirements for applicants. Peterson noted the current budget request does not reflect implementation of proposed ordinances involving tree preservation and sign amortization.

MacGilvra said he hoped the administration could develop information regarding the costs of Initiative 695 to the city. Herzog asked for a quick in-house analysis of the costs to implement the sign amortization and the tree preservation ordinances if they are adopted.

Peterson noted the building official's absence due to illness and reviewed the salary budget for the building department

Jacobson said the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation wants to know if the city will accept the grant awarded for the Morris property, and he recommended that the council establish a public process and a date for a decision on the grant. Armanini requested that this issue be set aside until Cmbr. Thompson is present.

An information packet was distributed to council members regarding the Trillium subdivision for their review prior to the November 18, 1999 council meeting. Peterson said he recently received information which may have an impact on the decision timeline.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Susan Stan

City Clerk

APPROVED:

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