Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad

Councilmember excused: Ed Sterner

Staff Present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Scott Drown, Administrative Sergeant; Ty Peterson, City Planner; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk

Others present: 13 visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Mayor Hutchinson introduced retired Fire Chief Fred Baker and presented him with a proclamation in appreciation for his services to our city.

Chief Baker introduced the new Northshore Fire Chief Bob Peterson and Hutchinson welcomed him to our city.

A three-minute recess was taken at 7:39 p.m.

The regular meeting was resumed at 7:42 p.m.

Hutchinson welcomed and introduced the new head librarian Lora Bennett and Library Commission Chair Marta Brakke. Bennett shared statistics on the vast usage of the library and its services by all ages in the community and shared a few of the materials that are available in the library.

Hutchinson noted that the Suburban Cities Association annual meeting will be on March 8, 2000 and that King County Library System Associate Director Barbara Archbold and Third Place Books owner Ron Sher will be speakers at that meeting.

Hutchinson reported on the proposed distribution of the sales tax equalization fund as proposed by the legislature, jail costs, ridership and transit schedule changes, and emergency services training.

Administrative Sergeant Scott Drown said that the police department and municipal court are scheduled to move up to the Interim City Hall on March 3, 2000. He noted that the police and municipal court will close at 12:00 noon on March 3^rd to begin the moving process. He added that an open house at the Interim City Hall is scheduled for March 16, 2000 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for the public and community.

Cmbr. Herzog moved to add to the consent calendar a motion to excuse Cmbr. Sterner from tonight’s regular council meeting.

Carol Dahl, 14828 39^th Ave. NE, expressed her concerns on the Board of Adjustment’s (BOA) recent decision on the Hill application and urged the council to review the operation of the board. She said the current process circumvents local review, and she noted that the only appeal is in King County Superior Court. She said that a professional hearing examiner system would require review by the city council.

Doug Mitchell, 16910 26^th Ave. NE, said he believes the Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body that makes up its own rules. He noted that a board member had suggested that the Stewardship Foundation would monitor the Hill property for adherence to the requirements of the decision, and Mitchell noted that he is proud and willing to trespass. He expressed concern that an appointed board is responsible for making quasi-judicial decisions.

Jean Reid, 16910 26^th Ave. NE, said as a citizen of Lake Forest Park she would like to register her concerns regarding the decision made by the appointed Board of Adjustment and that there is no mechanism for appeal except through the superior court.

Mamie Bolender,16730 32^nd Ave. NE, said she had shared her concerns regarding the Board of Adjustment process in her January 21, 2000 letter.

Julian Andersen, 3377 NE 178^th St., shared the results of an experiment that he had conducted regarding electronic distribution of agendas, minutes and other information he had requested. He discussed and summarized the conclusions from that report.

Discussion followed on the process for providing city information to citizens and the importance of access to such information.

Stephen Plusch, 4731 NE 201^st Pl. complimented the staff for reaching the 40 percent level as reported by Andersen and noted that this was accomplished without any formal training. He said he receives numerous e-mails from the city each week and encouraged training and use of electronic delivery of information.

Thompson requested that the February 10, 2000 council minutes be pulled from the consent calendar.

Thompson moved to amend the minutes as follows:

Page 2, line 43; "…Parks and Recreation Commission name representatives propose a few members to meet with the committee."

Page 4, line 45: "...concern regarding representation if this agreement is not approved the city does not assume this service area."

Page 8, line 45: "…to executive session at 10 9:52 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes…"

Goss seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.

Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as amended as follows:

1. February 10, 2000 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
2. February 17, 2000 Council Study Session Minutes
3. February 24, 2000 Finance Committee Report covering Warrant Nos. 36916 through 36985 in the amount of $127,805.03 drawn from the Claims Fund and Warrant Nos. 18620 through 18686 in the amount of $105,279.04 drawn from the Payroll Fund.
4. Resolution 579/City Hall Project Reimbursement
5. Authorize Mayor to Sign Teen Center Contract with YMCA
6. Excuse Cmbr. Sterner from the February 24, 2000 Regular Council Meeting

Thompson moved to place Ordinance 800/Tree Preservation and Restoration to March 9, 2000 second reading calendar. Herzog seconded.

Armanini said she and Cmbr. Olstad had a very productive meeting with the city planner and have developed some amendments to the ordinance.

In light of these amendments, Armanini said she would like to table Ordinance 800 indefinitely.

Thompson said he has some concerns regarding tabling the ordinance indefinitely and noted the importance of moving ahead on this issue.

A five-minute recess was called for 8:30 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 8:35 p.m.

The maker and seconder withdrew their motion.

Thompson moved to table Ordinance 800/Tree Restoration and Preservation indefinitely. Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously (Aye—Goss, Thompson, Armanini, Herzog; Olstad and Kiest out of chambers).

Sgt. Scott Drown briefly explained the program with regard to the hiring of officers from the corps.

Thompson moved to place Ordinance 812/Police Corps Program on the second reading calendar tonight. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously (Aye—Goss, Thompson, Armanini, Herzog; Olstad and Kiest out of chambers).

City Attorney Mike Ruark noted that a letter has been sent to Shoreline Wastewater Management’s attorney, and he is waiting for a reply from their firm. He recommended that this item remain on second reading calendar for the March 9, 2000 meeting.

City Planner Ty Peterson said that a public hearing is scheduled for March 16, 2000 on this ordinance, and he noted the amendments from prior discussions, which have been incorporated into the proposed ordinance.

Thompson moved to place Ordinance 810/Sign Code Amendments on the March 23, 2000 council regular meeting.

In response to a question from Thompson, City Planner Ty Peterson discussed the responses to the letters of concern received by the city regarding this issue.

Thompson moved to advance Ordinance 811/Adopting Zoning for Annexation A-1 to final action. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Kiest asked if this program has been endorsed by the public safety and civil service commissions, and Drown said he believes the commissions have reviewed the ordinance. In response to questions from Kiest, Drown discussed the screening process for candidates and other issues related to the program. Drown said that an adjustment to the probation period should be considered in view of the longer academy. In response to a question from Armanini, Drown hiring issues and program requirements. In response to a question from Thompson, Drown suggested a timeline for council action on the ordinance.

Thompson moved to place Ordinance 812/Police Corps Program on the second reading and final action calendars at the March 9, 2000 council regular meeting.

Thompson moved to adopt Ordinance 811/Adopting Zoning for Annexation A-1.

Hutchinson noted that an executive session will be added at the end of the regular meeting for approximately 10 minutes to discuss personnel matters.

Goss reported on the finance committee meeting and the updated five-year projections.

Kiest reported on the first regional policy committee meeting chaired by Metropolitan King County councilmember Larry Gossett. Emergency medical services (EMS) funding, juvenile justice, human services and solid waste issues were discussed.

Hutchinson noted that he had distributed information on new tax initiatives in the council packets.

Thompson commended human services coordinator Tema Nesoff for a useful annual report and encouraged other commissions to utilize this easy-to-follow format.

Goss suggested that the Town Crier include information on the King County housing repair programs.

Thompson requested that the administration investigate providing space on the government access channel for local businesses to advertise job opportunities. Kiest suggested that legal issues be considered.

Kiest withdrew his request for the executive session, and Hutchinson noted the city administrator’s memorandum regarding this issue.

Councilmembers discussed past practice for the city administrator’s salary increases. In response to a question from Armanini, Ruark noted that the contract calls for renegotiation of the salary each year rather than providing for a cost of living increase.

Olstad moved to adopt Resolution 581/Establishing the Year 2000 Salary for the City Administrator.

Kiest seconded.

Discussion followed regarding language used in the resolution, and the maker and seconder withdrew their motion.

Armanini moved to amend Resolution 581 as follows:

Page 1, Lines 18-20: "WHEREAS, the 2000 budget salary schedule inadvertently did not include the 3 percent cost-of-living increase for the city administrator, which was approved for all other non-represented employees."

Line 26: "…will be awarded a 3 percent cost-of-living increase…." Thompson seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.

Thompson moved to amend Resolution 581 as follows:

Lines 27 and 28: "This increase is intended to correct the oversight in the 2000 budget, which did not include any increase for his position."

Line 29: "…contract year 2000 will be $80,068."

Armanini requested that the council be provided a clean copy of Resolution 581 prior to adoption at its next meeting.

Thompson moved to place Resolution 581 on the March 9, 2000 council agenda consent calendar.

Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Councilmembers discussed the proposed increase in the domestic violence victim advocate’s hours and expressed their support for this request.

Armanini noted the role of substance abuse and asked that substance abuse programs continue to be supported.

Thompson noted that this request must be in the form of an amendment to the salary schedule and requested that it be prepared in that form for council approval.

Goss expressed her interest in information regarding the temporary replacement for the finance director, the selection process and salary recommendation. Goss also requested additional information regarding the hiring schedule for the permanent replacement for the finance director.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Hutchinson noted Cmbr. Armanini had brought to his attention that tonight is the last council meeting to be held in the council chambers. All present acknowledged the occasion.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

APPROVED:

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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