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; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; John Hawley, Finance Director; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Coordinator; Ty Peterson, City Planner; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Jane Poppe, Court Administrator; Linda Portnoy, Municipal Court Judge; Heidi Dunlap, Accountant; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk

Others present: Two visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

Hutchinson reported on his attendance at meetings with United States Representative Jay Inslee, the Association of Washington Cities, and the King County Public Health Board. He also attended a King County budget hearing.

In response to Cmbr. Kiest, City Administrator Doug Jacobson said that he would provide a written report on his attendance at an emergency disaster preparedness training.

City Administrator Doug Jacobson requested a five-minute executive session to discuss real estate matters with Peter Folkins, New Ventures Group. He requested that the council take a five-minute recess for the executive session when Mr. Folkins arrived.

Cmbr. Thompson moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Thompson moved to confirm Ben Gigli to serve on the Public Safety Commission, Position 4, term ending March 31, 2002. Cmbr. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Cmbr. Armanini asked that Warrant No. 40273 be pulled from the October 25, 2001 consent calendar. She requested more information prior to payment of this warrant.

Cmbr. Goss requested that the October 11, 2001 council regular meeting minutes be pulled from the consent calendar.

Goss moved to amend the October 11, 2001 minutes as follows:

Page 6, line 42: "…utilized in this discussion. for this neighborhood."

Goss moved to amend the October 11, 2001 minutes as follows:

Page 3, line 45: "…106th 104th Congress website." Thompson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Armanini moved to approve the consent calendar with the exception of Warrant No. 40273 as follows:

1. October 11, 2001 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
2. October 25, 2001 Finance Committee Report covering Warrant Nos. 40261 through 40314 in the amount of $81,490.72 (less Warrant No. 40273 in the amount of $1,956.44) drawn from the Claims Clearing Fund and Warrant Nos. 21579 through 21645 in the amount of $115,232.65 drawn from the Payroll Clearing Fund. Automatic withdrawal from checking account, 10/30/01 - $240.74 September bank service fee.

Finance Director John Hawley gave an overview of the mayor’s proposed 2002 budget and discussed the impact of the potential loss of state motor vehicle excise tax replacement monies and the long-term financial position of the city. Discussion also involved reserve funds and their use.

Hawley discussed potential changes in sewer billing for 2002.

Thompson requested that a scattergram plotting staff salaries be prepared for the November 8, 2001 meeting.

Following the arrival at 8:20 p.m. of Peter Folkins of New Ventures Group, Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is a five-minute executive session to discuss real estate matters. Council members exited to the judge’s chambers for the executive session.

The meeting was recessed to executive session at 8:22 p.m. to discuss real estate matters for approximately five minutes.

At 8:30 p.m., the executive session was extended for 5 minutes.

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

Thompson moved that the mayor be directed to prepare with the aid of the city attorney a real estate purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the interim city hall property.

Municipal Court Presiding Judge Linda Portnoy noted that a list of 2001 activities were included in the proposed budget in lieu of the annual state of the court report. She described two major changes proposed in the budget--a request for additional probation officer hours and a change in the employment status of the judge from a personal services agreement to a half-time salaried position.

Court Administrator Jane Poppe noted that computerized jury tracking was included in the 2002 budget request.

Portnoy discussed a new program developed jointly with the police chief regarding driving with suspended license (DSL) citations. She also praised the work of the teen court and noted that 2002 projects will include a warrant amnesty program, a teen traffic school, video arraignment, courtroom security improvements and the transition to the new facility.

In response to questions from Thompson, Portnoy discussed issues related to courtroom security and teen court funding.

Hawley described changes in the proposed executive and legislative budgets.

Kiest suggested an analysis of telephone and communications costs by a neutral source. He also requested information on the cost of videotaping council meetings.

Hawley reported that no changes were made in the proposed budget for 2002 legal services.

In response to a question from Thompson, Jacobson said the draft report on the senior housing issue is forthcoming.

Hawley briefly described some of the changes proposed for the finance department which included an additional part-time position to assist with new accounts when the city acquires the Lake Forest Park portion of the Ronald Wastewater sewer accounts.

In response to a question from Kiest, Hawley will get information on whether business and occupation tax applies to vending machines located within the city.

City Clerk Susan Stine, described various functions of the four full-time employees in the municipal department. Stine noted that she has requested additional funds for office supplies and expenditures related to the new city hall.

Kiest expressed his appreciation for staff work related to a recent public information request. He noted that the city’s emergency preparedness should include off-site storage of city records on CDs. Stine said that she and Deputy City Clerk Jahed had attended a recent training workshop at the regional archives center in Bellevue and storage of some city records at that facility is possible also.

City Planner Ty Peterson reviewed his requests for funding including professional services, engineering, shoreline master plan, and development review.

In response to Thompson, Peterson discussed the issue of code enforcement and his work with Chief Peterson on a process for officers to issue stop work orders and citations for violations that occur outside of normal business hours. They are also working with the prosecutor in dealing with these civil infractions.

Goss requested a breakdown of the types of code enforcement actions.

Hawley discussed the increase in detention costs, and Kiest requested an update on jail costs.

Armanini said that council comments from the previous study session are not included in the information presented tonight. Peterson discussed the necessary amendment process required to comply with state statutes. In response to questions from council members, he discussed the planning commission’s work on the comprehensive plan update.

Hutchinson noted that Ordinance 864/Amending Transportation Element of City’s Comprehensive Plan will advance to second reading calendar at the November 1, 2001 special council meeting.

In response to a question from Thompson, Peterson noted that this ordinance requires council action by year-end.

Kiest asked that copies be made for the council of the King County Executive’s budget request. He reported on solid waste issues, the regional disaster plan, and the anticipated budget cuts for senior service programs.

Goss reported on transportation issues and the proposed Sound Transit routes.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:29 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

APPROVED:
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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