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

Staff Present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor, Douglas Jacobson, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Scott Drown, Commander; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Coordinator; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk

Others present: Nine visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the study session to order at 7:39 p.m.

Hutchinson called for a 20-minute recess at 7:40 p.m. to meet with members of the Economic Development Commission as part of the confirmation review calendar. Nominees present at the meeting were Elizabeth Feasel, Bob Edwardsen, Jeff Weissman, Barbara Archbold, Rik Jones, Julia Krick, Timothy Davis, and Guadalupe Reyes, Jr.

The meeting was resumed at 8:04 p.m.

Hutchinson thanked nominees of the Economic Development Commission for coming to tonight’s meeting. He noted that this is a new experience for the city, and he is looking forward to working with this commission. He said final confirmation is scheduled for the September 27 council meeting.

Cmbr. Armanini moved to take discussion item 7/Stream Name Recommendation out of order and requested that this be dealt with first on the agenda. Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

City Administrator Doug Jacobson requested a 10-minute executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss real estate issues.

Armanini moved to approve the agenda as amended. Cmbr. Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

STREAM NAME RECOMMENDATION

Environmental Quality Commission vice chair Janice Page introduced the team of Callie, Betsy and Alec Wade for their presentation to council on their proposal to name an unnamed stream.

Callie, Betsy, and their brother Alec presented to council their work and research relating to the naming of the stream located near 153^rd Street and Beach Drive. They briefly discussed the history of the stream and described how and where they had gone to gather their information. They offered three names to council for their consideration: Bsce’ka Creek, Glacier Rock Creek and Red Fish Creek.

They answered questions from councilmembers and council commended them for their thorough research and hard work on this project.

It was the consensus of the council that a resolution should be drafted for review at the September 27, 2001 council meeting.

Director of Public Services Frank Zenk said all of the recommended changes regarding the entrance, landscaping, buffers and the building location have been incorporated in the current proposal. He noted that another open house with residents is scheduled to share the amended plans with them. In response to questions from Cmbr. Goss, Zenk discussed lighting and noise issues, landscape design, height of the building, and projected costs.

Kiest noted that a good relationship with the neighbors is a key element to the success of this project. In response to a question from Kiest, Zenk noted that neighbors assisted with the redesign of the loading area so that trucks can be loaded from the side and can circle around rather than backing up. Kiest requested that written procedures be developed for this process.

Armanini said she has attended all of the public meetings regarding this project and noted that the neighbors have appreciated the work of the director of public works Frank Zenk and supervisor Glenn Akramoff. Zenk noted that neighbors have expressed the opinion that the project would be less disruptive if it were done all at once rather than in phases.

Zenk said that if there is no objection to the administration’s proposal, they will move forward with the conditional use permit process. Council members raised no objection to the plan, and there was consensus that the administration should move forward with the project.

In response to a request from Goss, Zenk said he would have information about the proposed project added to the city’s website. He will bring cost estimates and a time schedule for the project to the council at an upcoming meeting.

• City Hall Project Update

City Administrator Doug Jacobson reported on the new city hall project schedule and noted that substantial completion is anticipated by December 24 and final approval by January 14, 2002.

He discussed the estimated costs of the project and changes that included the water main extension, special inspections, furniture, fixtures and equipment, contingency costs, and the switching of the clerks’ offices with the conference rooms on the first floor for security reasons. In response to questions from council, Jacobson discussed the project schedule from substantial completion through the building dedication.

• Fireworks Ban Enforcement

Chief Peterson discussed the police department’s experience with fireworks violations at this year’s 4^th of July celebration. He noted that warnings were given for fireworks violations rather than citations. He discussed some approaches his department is considering educating citizens about the fireworks ban, enforcement to include citations and possible changes in the ordinance.

Council members discussed restrictions, safe and sane fireworks, and education of citizens and enforcement of the fireworks ban.

• Red Light Camera Proposal

Police Commander Scott Drown thanked council for the opportunity to further his education with the specialized training he received earlier in the year. Drown noted that he researched and wrote his report on red light cameras as part of that training. He discussed his findings regarding the reduction in violations and the costs related to the proposal.

Council members discussed traffic light sequencing patterns and the effect on violations at major intersections.

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

Council members discussed the information presented by the mayor on school district policy regarding playground equipment.

Armanini moved to adopt Resolution 646/Authorizing Funds for Lake Forest Park Elementary School Playground Equipment. Thompson seconded.

Armanini moved to amend Resolution 646/Authorizing Funds for Lake Forest Park Elementary School Playground Equipment as follows:

Line 21: "...approves and authorizes an expenditure of up to $2,000 as a contribution..."

Line 23: "...Elementary School, to be paid upon receipt of satisfactory documentation."

Thompson seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.

Cmbr. Herzog stated that his concern relates to the school district policy rather than the amount requested and noted that he will not support the motion to approve.

Cmbr. Olstad said he will support this amendment, but he would like to discuss this issue at the October 1 joint meeting with the school board.

Goss spoke in support of the motion and noted that the Lake Forest Park Elementary School playground is used by the public.

Following discussion, Kiest moved to amend Resolution 646 as follows:

Line 21: "...approves and authorizes an expenditure of up to $2,000 $1,500.

Hutchinson stated that the council committee will meet on October 10 and will report to council on the outcome of that meeting at the October 11, 2001 council meeting.

Cmbr. Armanini exited the meeting at 9:55 p.m.

At 9:57 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is a 10-minute executive session to discuss real estate issues. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the meeting at this time.

The meeting was resumed at 10:10 p.m.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

APPROVED:
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor