DRAFT
Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, acting Mayor pro tempore, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad
Councilmembers absent: Dwight Thompson, Ed Sterner
Staff present: David Hutchinson, Mayor; Douglas Jacobson, City Administrator, Rosemary Larson, Assistant City Attorney, Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk
Others present: Six visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Acting mayor pro tempore Kiest called the regular meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Kiest announced that Mayor Hutchinson will arrive at approximately 9 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Kiest said that an executive session has been added to the agenda to discuss personnel matters for 30 minutes at approximately 9 p.m.
There being no objection, the agenda was adopted as amended.
CONFIRMATION CALENDAR
Jodi Waltier, Parks and Recreation Commission, Position 4, term ending 3/31/2002
Kiest introduced Jodi Waltier, Mayor Hutchinson’s nomination for Position 4 on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Cmbr. Armanini said Mayor Hutchinson is very pleased to nominate Jodi Waltier for the open position on the Parks and Recreation Commission and looks forward to her confirmation by the council.
There was no objection to Kiest’s request that the work plan presentations from Board of Adjustment Chair Dale Galvin and Library Board Chair Marta Brakke be taken out of order.
Reports
--Board of Adjustment—Work Plan Presentation
Chair Dale Galvin noted that the Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board and their workload is dependent on land use applications made to the city. He noted that 95 percent of their work is fairly routine. Occasionally, however, the Board will hear a matter such as the Hill application, which generates a great deal of interest in the community. The Board of Adjustment actions are limited by and its decisions must be based on specific statutes and regulations. He said that the Board heard 12 hours of testimony over the course of three evenings in the Hill matter.
He commended the current members for their professionalism and expertise. He noted that two members are land use attorneys and three are in planning and know the city’s history. Galvin said he is aware that the council may consider whether to continue with the Board of Adjustment or to use the services of a hearing examiner. If the city determines that the Board is the best choice at this time for quasi-judicial matters, Galvin requested that the council consider 1) that a high level of training for members is imperative, and 2) that the two vacancies on the board should be filled.
In response to question from Cmbr. Olstad, Galvin compared the role of hearing examiner or the Board of Adjustment to the role of a judge or a jury. He said the hearing examiner or a judge will make decisions based on the law while the jury provides a community perspective as well.
--Library Commission—Work Plan Presentation
Marta Brakke, 18205 Ballinger Way, chair of the Library Commission, noted that the commission is short three members also due to vacancies. She noted that the biggest item on the commission’s work plan is the re-negotiation of the library lease. She noted that the commission will have a high profile while the budget hearings are taking place. Brakke said the purpose of the commission is to advocate for library and to partner with King County Library System.
Brakke noted an upcoming regional storytelling event supported by the library system and other events on a local level. She said circulation continues to be high at the Lake Forest Park library.
In response to a question from City Administrator Doug Jacobson, Brakke said there has not been any discussion regarding whether the city or the library system should be lessee of the library space. Brakke noted that the details related to annexation to the library district are still new to the commission; however, she noted that the commission stands in support of keeping the library. She encouraged the administration to work with Executive Director Bill Ptacek of the library system.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Cmbr. Herzog moved to adopt the consent calendar as follows:
Olstad seconded.
Armanini requested that the July 13, 2000 minutes be pulled from the consent calendar.
Cmbr. Goss requested that Authorize the Mayor to Sign/Contract for Construction of Animal Acres Park be pulled from the consent calendar.
The motion to adopt the consent calendar as amended carried unanimously.
Armanini referred to the July 13, 2000 Council regular meeting minutes, page 12, lines 9 and 10:
"The motion did not carry 1-6 (Aye—Kiest; Nay—Thompson, Armanini, Goss, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad.)"
She said that her recollection of that vote was 4-3, although there was a lot of confusion during that discussion. She requested that the July 13, 2000 minutes be carried over to the August 24, 2000 regular council meeting when all members would be present.
Cmbr. Goss questioned the $10,000 expense for installation of ground cover and asked if there was any prior discussion on this matter. Human Services Coordinator Tema Nesoff explained that this amount includes about 1,000 plants and the planting of these plants which is labor intensive. She said she compared this amount with other bids and the others were higher than this amount.
In response to a question from Goss, Nesoff discussed liability issues and noted that the city attorney has reviewed and approved the contract.
Armanini moved to approve and to authorize the mayor to sign the contract with Dariotis Construction Company for construction work at Animal Acres Park.
Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
FIRST READING CALENDAR
Resolution 597/Adopting Revised Six-Year Street Improvement Plan
Jacobson said a public hearing for the six-year street improvement plan is scheduled for August 24, 2000.
Armanini said that a short narrative is generally prepared for council review regarding the plan.
Kiest noted that Resolution 597 will advance to second reading calendar at the August 24, 2000 meeting.
Resolution 598/Percentage for Public Art for City Hall Project
Jacobson noted that Resolution 598 was prepared in response to Cmbr. Thompson’s request. He noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission prepared the proposed Resolution 599/Establishing a Public Art Program for City-Owned Facilities which is on the agenda as well.
Ros Bird, 16061 37th Ave NE, Director of the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, said she supports Resolution 598. She said that arts feed the soul, and the city has a wonderful opportunity to include art in the new city hall. She believes 1 percent makes sense and represents a standard amount identified for public art. She suggested involving artists early in the design process with the architects for integration of art in the building. She noted several brochures where art has been used in various public facilities.
Resolution 599/Establishing a Public Art Program for City-Owned Facilities and Spaces, Establishing a Public Arts Advisory Committee
Human Services Coordinator Tema Nesoff and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Debra Born reported on the work of the commission to develop the proposed resolution and thanked Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council director Ros Bird for her assistance.
Born thanked council for their consideration of Resolution 599 and stated this is an important vehicle in promoting public art. She noted the value added to communities by including art in public facilities. She said public art helps establish a civic identity and humanizes the built environment.
In response to a question from Olstad, Nesoff discussed how funds can be used for maximum impact.
Resolution 598/Percentage for Public Art for City Hall Project
Olstad moved to advance Resolution 598/Percentage for Public Art for City Hall Project to second reading and to include 1 percent on page 1, line 24.
Goss seconded. The motion carried with four votes (Armanini, Olstad, Goss, Herzog; Kiest out of chambers).
Armanini noted that council may wish to adopt Resolution 598 quickly since there are time constraints related to the city hall project. However, Resolution 599/Establishing a Public Art Program may require some deliberation by the council.
Jacobson noted that the council may wish to clarify the definition of construction cost in Resolution 598 and suggested language similar to Resolution 599, Section 4.
In response to a question from Kiest, Finance Director Hawley said an account would be established as part of the capital improvement fund and noted that it would be fairly easy to administer an account in which funds are carried forward and accrue interest. Assistant City Attorney Larson said she looked at examples of similar ordinances and noted similar language.
In response to a question from Kiest, Jacobson discussed establishing the public art advisory committee with maximum flexibility by the proposed resolution. It could be covered later by an amendment to Ordinance 701.
In response to a question from Herzog, Jacobson said language could be added to proposed Resolution 599 to clarify the intent regarding the account.
Due to the absence of Cmbrs. Thompson and Sterner, Armanini moved that the following items be placed on second reading for the August 17, 2000 council study session:
Olstad seconded.
In response to a question from Kiest, Jacobson said he will not be at the August 17 meeting; however, Finance Director Hawley will be present to participate in the discussion. In response to a question from Olstad, Herzog said he will postpone discussion of his memorandum until the August 17 study session.
The motion carried unanimously.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Resolution 598/Percentage for Public Art for City Hall Project
Jacobson discussed his interpretation of administrative costs and suggested calculating such costs as a percentage if council would like to include them.
Olstad moved to amend Resolution 598 to add the following at Line 28:
"Method of Calculation. The minimum amount to be appropriated for the Public Art Program from qualifying municipal capital projects shall be one percent (1%) of eligible project costs for the budget year. For the purposes of calculation, eligible project costs include all amounts budgeted by the City for project elements including, but not limited to consultant design fees, construction costs, and associated contingencies. Ineligible costs include those related to portable equipment, communication systems, permit fees, furnishings, moving, asbestos abatement, and administration. Demolition, repair, or routine maintenance or acquisition of real property or equipment is excluded."
Armanini seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
Armanini moved to adopt Resolution 598/Percentage for Public Art for City Hall Project.
Goss seconded.
Herzog said he is supportive of public art—either freestanding or incorporated into the design of the facility. However, he cannot support a blanket 1 percent for all situations and expressed his interest in fiscal accountability.
Armanini said she understands Herzog’s point and said it may be more applicable to Resolution 599. She noted that Resolution 598 applies only to the city hall project.
Olstad agreed with Armanini’s comments and noted that there is nothing to prohibit requests for additional funds.
Goss said she appreciates Cmbr. Herzog’s view and outlook on fiscal accountability. She noted that Resolution 598 is limited to art for the city hall project.
The motion to adopt Resolution 598 carried 4-1 (Aye—Armanini, Kiest, Goss, Olstad; Nay--Herzog.)
NEW BUSINESS
--City Hall Project Report
Jacobson reported that the architects distributed a proposed layout of the new building for staff review and comments. He said that a revised layout and preliminary cost estimates will be available for council review, and there will be another open house with the architect at 6:30 p.m. on August 24, 2000 prior to the council meeting. Council will be asked for their input and direction at that meeting. He noted the project manager, Scott Tomlinson, had found someone to remove materials from the Select Grill building at no cost to the city.
Goss requested that some storage space for councilmembers for their papers would be useful. Jacobson noted that space is currently available and that banker boxes will be provided so that council has access to their own files during its meetings.
Communications
Kiest asked that copies of an e-mail letter received from Judy Bevington be distributed to councilmembers with the August 17 meeting packet.
New topics for discussion
Jacobson noted that the exit conference with the auditor’s office went very well and that we have had another year with no findings. He noted that the list of recommendations was down to three items. He commended Accountant Peggy Graham for her great work during this transition when the finance department had been operating without a finance director.
Olstad requested that this commendation be stated in the minutes recognizing Accountant Peggy Graham for a job well done.
At 9:00 p.m., acting Mayor pro tempore Kiest noted that the next item on the agenda is an executive session to discuss personnel matters for approximately 30 minutes. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the Council chambers at this time.
A 10-minute recess was called for at 9 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 9:10 p.m.
Executive Session
The meeting was recessed to executive session at 9:11 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes for the discussion of personnel matters.
The executive session for the discussion of personnel matters was extended at 9:40 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes.
The executive session for the discussion of personnel matters was extended at 9:55 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes.
The executive session for the discussion of personnel matters was extended at 10:10 p.m. for approximately 10 minutes.
The meeting was resumed at 10:14 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
APPROVED:
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
|Return to the City Council Minutes page |
|Home|
|City|
|Community|
|Kiosk|
|Search|
|News|
|About This Site|