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This is an information-only record of the proceedings of the Lake Forest Park City Council. Please contact the city to request a paper copy of the official minutes of the council.

City of Lake Forest Park

City Council
Regular Meeting
September 13, 2001


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

Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Scott Drown, Police Commander; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: 14 visitors

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David Hutchinson called the regular council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

In response to a request from Cmbr. Goss, all those present recited the pledge of allegiance.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Hutchinson welcomed police officers and their families to the meeting and noted that Judge Linda Portnoy was scheduled to administer the oath of office upon her arrival.

Hutchinson noted that Friday, September 14 has been declared a national day of mourning and remembrance for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

He noted that and Larry Wade, principal engineer with Hammond Collier Wade Livingstone, and his wife Judy Wade and Barbara Martin of Lake Forest Park were killed in the September 12 airplane crash in Mexico, and the city mourns their loss.

In response to a question from Hutchinson, councilmembers discussed possible agenda items for the October 1, 2001 meeting with the Shoreline School Board.

Councilmembers stated their interest in discussing a potential interlocal agreement with the school district and scheduling a subsequent joint meeting for future discussions. Other items for discussion noted included youth assets and a proposal for school visits by police officers.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Hutchinson requested that second reading calendar item 3, Authorize Response to Suburban Cities Association Strategic Planning Process Questionnaire, be removed from the agenda. He also requested that second reading item 2, Resolution 646/ Authorizing Funds for Lake Forest Park Elementary School Playground Equipment, be taken immediately following the consent calendar.

Cmbr. Armanini requested that public hearings be scheduled on Initiative 747 and on the Medic One levy ballot measure.

Cmbr. Thompson moved adoption of the agenda as amended. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Hutchinson noted that the resumes and letters of interest of the Economic Development Commission nominees have been distributed to councilmembers for their review prior to the September 20, 2001 meeting.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Goss requested that Warrant 40016 be removed from the finance committee report so that her question regarding water usage can be answered.

Thompson moved adoption of the consent calendar as amended. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

SECOND READING CALENDAR

Resolution 646/Authorizing Funds for Lake Forest Park Elementary School Playground Equipment

Dr. Peter Hodges, Lake Forest Park Elementary School principal, and Christine Oliver, 4051 NE 197th, asked for the city’s support for the remaining $2,000 for the playground equipment project. Hodges discussed costs related to the project and other funding that has been received. He noted that the amount requested would allow for a small amount for contingencies.

In response to questions, Hodges noted that he is able to speak only for Lake Forest Park Elementary School and stated that the school has no funds available for the remaining costs related to the playground project.

Councilmembers expressed interest in the school district’s policy regarding funding and support for accessible playground equipment and in providing contingency funds if needed for such projects.

Following discussion, Goss moved to authorize the administration to contact the school district to determine if they would provide the remaining funds, and, if this cannot be done in a reasonable time, then the mayor is also authorized to disburse the amount of $2,000.

Cmbr. Sterner seconded.

Cmbr. Kiest moved to amend to delete from the motion, "…if this cannot be done in a reasonable time, then the mayor is also authorized to disburse the amount of $2,000" and replace it with "…that the discussion be reported at the next city council meeting."

Armanini seconded.

Following discussion, the motion to amend carried 5-2 (Aye - Olstad, Herzog, Armanini, Kiest, Thompson; Nay - Goss, Sterner).

Olstad requested that the mayor solicit information from the school district superintendent regarding the district’s policy regarding funding and support for such projects.

The motion as amended carried unanimously.

Addition to Agenda

There was no objection to Thompson’s request that the Economic Development Commission nominations be added to the agenda under new business for discussion.

FIRST READING CALENDAR

Ordinance 862/Expanding Rules of the Road to Private Roads Used by Public

Chief Peterson discussed the proposed ordinance and noted that it was in response to traffic issues related to the shopping center. Councilmembers expressed interest in determining the scope of the proposed ordinance, signage standards and the definition of private roads.

OATH OF OFFICE

Chief Peterson introduced Police Officer Pete Lazarou and Police Officer Michael Harden, two new officers in the department. He noted that with the addition of these two new officers, the department is now at full staffing.

Lake Forest Park Municipal Court Judge Linda Portnoy administered the oath of office to

introduced Police Officer Pete Lazarou and Police Officer Michael Harden.

A 10-minute recess was called for at 8:40 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 8:50 p.m.

FIRST READING CALENDAR

Ordinance 863/Adopting Requirements for Non-Residential Structure Repairs

Ronald Ricker, 18987 Forest Park Drive NE, thanked Cmbr. Goss for contacting him regarding the proposed ordinance. He noted that the information provided to the council in the agenda cover sheet seems to indicate that the ordinance is directed at his property. He noted that he is aware that the property looks bad and expressed his interest in possible funding sources for resolving the damage to his property.

Armanini noted that the term, financial inability to comply, is not defined in the proposed ordinance.

Following discussion, Goss moved to table Ordinance 863/Adopting Requirements for Non-Residential Structure Repairs until the administration contacts state transportation officials and discusses what they can do to resolve the damage to Mr. Ricker’s property.

Herzog seconded. The motion to table failed 3-4 (Aye - Herzog, Goss, Sterner; Nay - Olstad, Armanini, Kiest, Thompson).

Thompson moved to table to November 1, 2001 to provide the administration with the opportunity to gather additional information regarding financial hardship and funding options and to revise the proposed ordinance to include residential structures.

Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 643/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Renewal with Public Safety Testing.com

In response to a question from Armanini, Chief Peterson noted that Resolution 643/

Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Renewal with Public Safety Testing.com and Resolution 644/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ruth Muller for Civil Service Testing are separate. He noted that the firm utilized for civil service testing has done a good job, and this is an opportunity for the city to extend the agreement for two years at the rates discussed at the beginning of the agreement.

City Attorney Ruark noted that Muller had indicated that she should have a written agreement with the city related to the civil service testing duties she has been performing.

Thompson moved to advance Resolution 643/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Renewal with Public Safety Testing.com to the second reading calendar. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 644/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ruth Muller for Civil Service Testing

Thompson moved to hold Resolution 644/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ruth Muller for Civil Service Testing on the first reading calendar for the September 27, 2001 agenda.

Olstad seconded.

Thompson said this will allow the administration to provide additional information in response to the council’s question regarding the duties covered in this agreement as opposed to the work covered by Resolution 643.

The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 645/Awarding Telecommunications Service Contract for City Hall Project

Commander Drown introduced Cosette Haner and John Beldin of Eschelon Telecom. Drown reported on the results of the request for proposals for telecommunications services and cabling for the new city hall project and noted that the staff recommendation is to accept the proposal of Eschelon Telecom.

Discussion followed regarding equipment, cabling, performance bonds, references and the time frame required for approval.

Sterner moved to advance Resolution 645/Awarding Telecommunications Service Contract for City Hall Project to second reading.

Olstad seconded.

Kiest expressed appreciation for the staff work done on the proposal and suggested that consideration should be given to utilizing the expertise of volunteers such as Raj Manhas of the Park and Recreation Commission.

The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 647/Honoring the Memory of Larry R. Wade and Judy Wade

Armanini moved suspension of the rules and adoption of Resolution 647/Honoring the Memory of Larry R. Wade and Judy Wade.

Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

SECOND READING CALENDAR

Resolution 636/Authorize Mayor to Sign Contract with Shannon & Wilson

Armanini moved adoption of Resolution 636/Authorize Mayor to Sign Contract with Shannon & Wilson for Critical Areas Review Services. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 643/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Renewal with Public Safety Testing.com

Armanini moved adoption of Resolution 643/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Renewal with Public Safety Testing.com. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 645/Awarding Telecommunications Service Contract for City Hall Project

Sterner moved adoption of Resolution 645/Awarding Telecommunications Service Contract for City Hall Project. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Reports

Kiest noted that a human services needs assessment for all of King County along with a break-out for North King County can be found at www.uwkc.org. (Council approved 10/11/01)

Thompson noted that this week’s events emphasized the importance of proper identification for councilmembers and encouraged the administration to develop a plan for such documentation.

New topics for discussion

Armanini requested that public hearings on Initiative 747 and the Medic One levy be scheduled. There was no objection to scheduling the public hearings on October 11, 2001, beginning at 7 p.m.

Armanini requested that the council minutes include more detail on the council’s requests for information.

Economic Development Commission Nominations

Thompson expressed his concern that some areas such as real estate and senior citizens seem to be over-represented while other interest areas are missing.

Goss noted that such issues are not generally raised with appointments to other commission and noted her interest in geographic distribution.

Kiest said he supported Thompson’s interest in diversity and noted that no one entity should be entitled to a seat on the commission.

Hutchinson noted that the nominees would provide a good foundation and commitment to service as the commission is established.

Other topics

Hutchinson noted that a community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at 7 p.m. for the Horizon View neighborhood to discuss the sale of the interim city hall property.

In response to a question from Hutchinson, councilmembers discussed the option of establishing a steering committee related to the King County Conservation Futures grant to be awarded. It was determined that staff work was needed rather than establishment of a committee.

At 10:43 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel issues. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the meeting at this time.

Executive Session - personnel

The meeting was recessed to executive session at 10:45 p.m. to discuss personnel issues for approximately 15 minutes.

At 11 p.m., the executive session was extended for 15 minutes.

At 11:15 p.m., the executive session was extended for 10 minutes.

The regular meeting was resumed at 11:24 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.

Susan Stine
City Clerk

APPROVED:
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor


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