Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest (7:55 p.m.), Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson (7:45 p.m.), Mary Jane Goss (7:45 p.m.), Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner
Staff present: David Hutchinson, Mayor; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Linda Portnoy, Municipal Court Presiding Judge; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Jane Poppe, Court Administrator
Others present: Six visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the study session meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Hutchinson noted that work plan presentations by Parks and Recreation Commission, Economic Development Committee and Transportation Committee have been postponed to the August 24, 2000 council meeting. Also, he noted that the state of the court report will follow the presentations by the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Commission.
There being no other changes, the agenda was approved as amended.
PRESENTATION
--Planning Commission Work Plan
Chair Lloyd Skinner discussed the Planning Commission’s role in the comprehensive plan five-year update as well as annual updates and revisions. He discussed the technical update related to the available lands inventory.
Skinner discussed a proposal to invite other boards and commissions to co-sponsor public meetings related to the comprehensive plan update. He said that comprehensive plans from other cities will be reviewed in preparation for this process.
In response to a question from Cmbr. Sterner, Skinner discussed the commission’s work on the available lands inventory.
Sterner said he would like to see more information regarding parks and recreation included in the comprehensive plan update and the use of city center for civic and multi-family housing as well as commercial should be analyzed. Cmbr. Armanini noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission has completed a parks and recreation comprehensive master plan.
Cmbr. Goss asked if the Endangered Species Act (ESA) would have an impact on the available lands inventory, and Skinner recommended that City Planner Ty Peterson be consulted regarding this issue.
In response to a question from Cmbr. Olstad, Skinner discussed the use of a consultant in the comprehensive plan update process.
--Public Safety Commission Work Plan
Chair Jack Rogers discussed the goals of the commission regarding the teen court, police services, public safety, emergency preparedness and planning.
Cmbr. Kiest said the city has notified Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) of its intention to withdraw from membership, and he asked the commission to review the effect of this decision on the city’s emergency preparedness.
Cmbr. Armanini encouraged the commission to involve the fire district as a resource and partner in emergency preparedness planning. Rogers noted an upcoming meeting he has scheduled with the fire chief.
In response to a question from Goss, Rogers said the commission’s thrust is to educate citizens regarding personal preparedness for emergencies and noted that the first 72 hours are critical.
State of the Court Report
Presiding Judge Linda Portnoy said the municipal court is beginning its third year as a day court. She reviewed the information in her report and thanked Finance Director John Hawley for his assistance in turning the court’s data into readable charts.
Portnoy discussed the increasing use of electronic home monitoring and the savings realized by use of Yakima Jail. She discussed a potential interlocal agreement with a nearby judge and court.
Portnoy noted that the teen court has been very successful, and she is proud of the work of the Shorecrest High School advisors and teens. She reported on the positive interest state-wide that has been generated by the success of teen courts.
Portnoy discussed changes in the court including the use of a sliding fee scale for public defender appointments, a local collection agency, a new prosecutor, and handling traffic infractions by mail. Portnoy commended the work of court staff in the operation of the court.
Court Administrator Jane Poppe reported on training for court staff and discussed the impact of new laws for the court.
In response to a question from Goss, Portnoy discussed suspended license violations and the court’s interest in helping defendants break the cycle.
Police Chief Dennis Peterson said the use of laptop computers in police cars has provided officers with quick access to information regarding vehicles and drivers.
A 10-minute recess was called for at 8:30 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 8:43 p.m.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Resolution 602/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Combined Measure for Retention of Interim City Hall Property for Community Center and Parks and Open Space Acquisition and Development
Thompson moved to table Resolution 602/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Combined Measure for Retention of Interim City Hall Property for Community Center and Parks and Open Space Acquisition and Development indefinitely.
Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 600/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Retention of Interim City Hall Property for Community Center
In response to a question from Thompson, Finance Director John Hawley discussed cost estimates associated with the Interim City Hall property.
Thompson moved to amend Resolution 600/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Retention of Interim City Hall Property for Community Center as follows:
Page 1, Line 11: " PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NO MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION "
Page 1, Line 43: " of no more than $2.5 million (or such lesser maximum amount ."
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved to amend Resolution 600/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Retention of Interim City Hall Property for Community Center as follows:
Page 3, Line 17: " in Resolution No. 600. Should this proposition be: "
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
In response to comments from councilmembers regarding technical and legal restrictions regarding the language used in the resolution, Hawley said the bond counsel has been consulted and will be at the August 24, 2000 council meeting.
Armanini said that the operation of a community recreation facility could be a costly proposal and expressed her concerns regarding the impact of Initiative 695 and the potential impact of Initiative 722 if approved by voters. Armanini said she is interested in including a $150,000 annual levy for operation and maintenance of the new facility for a period to be determined. She suggested a period of five years. She indicated that she would be concerned about placing this matter on the ballot without a plan to provide for operation and maintenance of the facility.
Kiest said he believes this proposal makes sense. However, he said he believes it should be an amendment to the resolution rather than a separate matter. He also expressed his interest in restoring some taxation to citizens and noted that the council did not know that the legislature would provide some relief from the impacts of Initiative 695 when the council approved some additional taxes following the approval of Initiative 695 by voters.
Sterner suggested that bond counsel should be consulted regarding the issue of whether the operation and maintenance amount should be attached to this resolution or considered separately. He said that an amount earmarked for operation and maintenance of the facility would be a financially responsible move.
Armanini suggested that bond counsel be consulted regarding the city’s ability to collect less than $150,000, if that amount was approved by voters.
In response to a comment from Thompson, Armanini noted the potential impact of Initiative 722 on the city’s revenue if approved by voters. Thompson said he would prefer to present an operation levy to voters for parks rather than to attach it to the interim city hall property. Thompson said that voter approval of the community center would provide direction to take operation and maintenance expenses out of the city’s operating budget.
Armanini said a community center would require a different level of funding, and residents need to be aware of its real operating costs.
Sterner said if residents approved the bond measure for the community center but not the operation and maintenance levy, it would indicate that the operating expenses should be taken from the regular budget. He said that he would be more comfortable linking the two issues on the ballot.
Goss said that the council did not consider the operating costs when the Lyon Creek waterfront property was purchased. She said that voters would assume that operating expenses would be taken care of in the budget if they approve retaining the interim city hall property for a community center. Councilmembers discussed the possible outcomes of a vote on separate ballot measures.
Armanini said that she has considered the combination of a very modest staff, a lean budget and numerous financial uncertainties in reaching the conclusion that the cost of operating and maintaining a community center must be a part of the package presented to voters. Armanini noted that the city is beginning to explore the possibility of enhanced use of local school facilities for recreation purposes.
Olstad said that Armanini’s proposal is fiscally responsible and agreed that the language should state that the levy would be up to $150,000. He noted that some think that the facility will be attractive for use by outside groups.
Thompson said he is not convinced that this levy is required, and he believes the council should consider reprioritizing funds to meet the operation and maintenance needs. He said he believes that an operation and maintenance levy could be death to the community center bond and maybe to the parks and open space bond as well.
In response to a question from Thompson, Hutchinson said he agrees that voters must be aware of costs associated with operating a community center.
Councilmembers discussed earlier cost estimates related to upgrading the interim city hall facility and what might be required to upgrade the facility for potential users.
Sterner recommended that the bond counsel be requested to draft a resolution regarding an operation and maintenance levy.
Armanini moved to instruct the administration to direct bond counsel to prepare additional language to Resolution 600 to indicate that passage is contingent on passage of the operation and maintenance levy and to prepare a resolution presenting to the voters an operation and maintenance levy authorizing the collection of an amount up to $150,000 annually for five years.
Olstad seconded.
Thompson requested to bifurcate the motion, and this was accepted as a friendly amendment by the maker and seconder.
The motion to instruct the administration to direct bond counsel to prepare a resolution presenting to the voters an operation and maintenance levy authorizing the collection of an amount up to $150,000 annually for five years carried 5-2 (Aye Olstad, Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Sterner; Nay Thompson, Goss.)
Regarding the remaining motion, Thompson said he believes that this action will be a death knell for the ballot measure regarding the retention of the interim city hall property for use as a community center.
Sterner said he will support the motion and expressed his interest in seeing the language that bond counsel would be instructed to develop. He requested more information regarding the potential impact to the city’s budget.
Kiest said he will support the motion and said it is important to let the voters decide.
The motion to instruct the administration to direct bond counsel to prepare additional language to Resolution 600 to indicate that passage is contingent on passage of the operation and maintenance levy carried 5-2 (Aye Olstad, Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Sterner; Nay Thompson, Goss.)
Councilmembers discussed options if the voters approved retaining the interim city hall property and the city chose to sell the property in the future.
Resolution 601/Placing Parks and Open Space Bond on Ballot Parks and Open Space Acquisition and Development
Thompson moved to accept the list of properties and projects proposed to be funded by the parks and open space bond in Recommendation Four: The Parks and Open Space Bond in the "Local Government Committee Special Report and Recommendations on Acquisition, Capital Funding and Development of Open Space and Recreational Parks" dated April 25, 2000, as the legislative intent of Resolution 601.
Olstad seconded.
Olstad moved to amend the list of properties and projects identified in Recommendation Four to show that the opportunity fund be identified for new, active park acquisition and development.
Thompson seconded.
In response to a question from Sterner, Olstad said use of funds for improvements at schools if an agreement with the school district can be made would be in the spirit of the motion.
Councilmembers agreed that the intent of the motion is to propose how the bond funds could be spent if the measure is approved; however, it was the council’s intent to avoid "strait-jacketing’ the use of funds.
The motion to amend carried 6-1 (Aye Olstad, Armanini, Kiest, Thompson, Goss, Sterner; Nay Herzog.)
Herzog moved to amend the list to delete the acquisition and development costs of the Hillside properties.
Goss seconded.
Herzog said that $900,000 is a lot to spend for properties in that area, and he would rather spend those funds elsewhere.
The motion to amend failed 2-5 (Aye Herzog, Goss; Nay Olstad, Armanini, Kiest, Thompson, Sterner.)
Herzog moved to amend the list to delete the acquisition and development costs of the Seattle Water Department Watershed.
Armanini seconded.
Armanini said she believes that the property is not currently threatened with development and therefore acquisition is not urgent.
Sterner said he agrees that this property does not represent a high priority acquisition, and he noted that it does not lend itself to passive recreation.
Olstad said he understood that Seattle Water intends to surplus this property in the very near future.
Thompson said he is opposed to this motion and noted that very few large timber stands remain.
The motion failed 3-4 (Aye Herzog, Armanini, Sterner; Nay Olstad, Kiest, Thompson, Goss.)
Thompson moved to amend the list to reduce the acquisition cost for Seattle Water Department Watershed by $100,000 to $440,000 and to increase the active park acquisition and development by $100,000 to $860,000.
Olstad seconded.
In response to a request from Herzog, the maker and seconder chose not to bifurcate the motion.
The motion to amend carried 4-3 (Aye Olstad, Thompson, Goss, Sterner; Nay Armanini, Herzog, Kiest).
Herzog moved to amend the list to reduce the acquisition cost of Keyhole property by $50,000 to $50,000.
Armanini seconded.
Herzog said he supports merging city funds with private funds for acquisition of Keyhole property.
The motion to amend failed 3-3 (Aye Olstad, Herzog, Goss; Nay Armanini, Kiest, Sterner; Thompson abstaining).
Herzog moved to amend the list to reduce acquisition and development costs for active parks by $430,000 to $430,000.
Armanini seconded.
Herzog said his intent is to reduce the cost to voters to increase the likelihood of passage.
Sterner said citizens have indicated they support developing an active park infrastructure, and he noted that he would support reduction to $600,000.
Kiest said he is inclined to support Herzog’s motion and believes this will encourage the city to be creative in the use of these funds.
Olstad said he is opposed to the motion and noted that citizens have said there is a need for active parks.
Councilmembers discussed the use of the first and second ¼ percent of real estate excise tax.
Goss said she is opposed to reducing the amount, and she said it is important to talk with citizens for planning for future parks.
Armanini moved to amend Herzog’s motion to reduce acquisition and development costs for active parks to $600,000.
Herzog seconded.
Thompson said he believes that citizens need to look at the big picture, and he noted that grants for active parks are not easy to come by. Armanini said she believes that the city has received more grants for active parks than passive parks or open space.
The motion to amend carried 4-3 (Aye Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Sterner; Nay Olstad, Thompson, Goss).
The motion to amend the list to reduce acquisition and development costs for active parks by $260,000 to $600,000 carried 4-3 (Aye Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Sterner; Nay Olstad, Thompson, Goss).
Herzog said he had no suggestions for changes for Animal Acres park.
Herzog moved to amend the list to reduce development costs for Horizon View Park by $200,000 to $300,000.
Armanini seconded.
Councilmembers discussed the amount needed to complete the plan for Horizon View Park. Kiest said that any savings could be reprioritized and noted the importance of a cohesive concept.
Information provided from the November 1997 Horizon View master plan indicated that $620,000 would be required to complete the plan. The amount of $200,000 has been budgeted, leaving $420,000 (plus inflation) to complete the plan.
Based on the information provided, the maker and seconder withdrew the motion to amend.
Herzog moved to amend the list to increase the acquisition cost for Lyon Creek Waterfront property from $0 to $500,000.
Goss seconded.
Herzog said it is important that citizens approve the city’s ownership of the Lyon Creek property and understand the funding.
Thompson said this issue was discussed by the Local Government Committee, and the committee agreed that acquisition of the Lyon Creek property should not be tied to a bond measure.
Sterner said he also served on the committee, and he noted that the committee determined that this property could not be included because it has already been purchased.
The maker and seconder withdrew the motion to amend.
Herzog moved to amend the list to increase the development cost for Lyon Creek waterfront property from $100,000 to $300,000.
Goss seconded.
Herzog said that citizens should be given the opportunity to vote on proposed development costs for the Lyon Creek waterfront property, and he said the proposed master plan represents costs that are far more than $100,000.
Sterner said he understands that funding would be fore the first phase of development. He noted that this proposed bond issue would be used for funding a park system and to the extent possible development of the properties.
Olstad said he is opposed to the motion and noted that this motion goes against the intent to keep the size of the bond as low as possible.
Goss noted that this motion addresses the need to inform the public.
Herzog said he believes compared to the proposed expenditure for Horizon View Park, it is far more important to have the waterfront property useable by the public.
Armanini said that she believes that Herzog’s interest in opening the property for public use would be accomplished in the first phase of development.
The motion to amend failed 1-6 (Aye Herzog; Nay Olstad, Armanini, Kiest, Thompson, Goss, Sterner).
Thompson moved to amend the list to delete $100,000 for development cost for a southeast city park and to increase the active park acquisition and development funds by $100,000.
Armanini seconded.
In response to a question from Kiest, Thompson said this area of the city would not be ignored in the acquisition and development of parks.
Olstad said it was the intent of the local government committee to provide for development of a park in the southeast area of the city.
Councilmembers discussed potential uses of the active park acquisition and development or opportunity fund.
The motion carried 5-2 (Aye Olstad, Armanini, Thompson. Goss, Sterner; Nay Herzog, Kiest).
Thompson moved to amend the list to increase the active park acquisition and development fund by $60,000.
Goss seconded.
Thompson said the active parks portion is critical for voter support and should be increased.
Herzog said he appreciates round numbers but is not willing to support this motion.
The motion to amend failed 2-5 (Aye Thompson, Goss; Nay Olstad, Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Sterner).
The motion to accept the list of properties and projects as amended, proposed to be funded by the parks and open space bond in Recommendation Four:The Parks and Open Space Bond in the "Local Government Committee Special Report and Recommendations on Acquisition, Capital Funding and Development of Open Space and Recreational Parks" dated April 25, 2000, as the legislative intent of Resolution 601 carried unanimously.
Report Police Chief
Police Chief Peterson provided a brief report of two scheduled events at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre.
Armanini noted that she had requested a discussion of the council retreat goals at this meeting. However, due to the lateness of the hour, she recommended that this discussion be scheduled for another study session.
Report Council
Kiest provided a report on regional transit issues.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
APPROVED:
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
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