Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson (8:40 p.m.), Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner

Staff Present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Douglas Jacobson, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; John Hawley, Finance Director; Ty Peterson, Planning Manager; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present Seven visitors

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

Cmbr. Olstad moved to adopt the agenda. Cmbr. Armanini seconded.

Cmbr. Kiest requested to add countywide human services as a new item for discussion.

Dr. Frederick Rivara, Harborview Injury Prevention Center, briefed the council on his background and research and presented information regarding the effectiveness of helmet use in injury prevention when operating bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and scooters. He recommended promotion and awareness of helmet use through education with school age children as well as adults.

Mr. Tony Gomez, King County Public Health/Injury and Violence Prevention, briefly discussed efforts in King County to implement policies requiring helmet use and noted statistics related to injuries when helmets are not used.

Rivara and Gomez discussed various aspects of the proposed ordinance and responded to questions from council members regarding promotions for helmet use.

City Administrator Jacobson reviewed information provided to the council at previous meetings regarding unsewered areas and discussed staff recommendations relating to sewering unsewered areas and steps for implementation.

Following discussion, council members requested that the proposed action to provide sewers in unsewered areas be presented for council consideration at an upcoming meeting.

Jacobson reported that public comments at the August 15, 2002 council meeting indicated that the citizens support a lasting solution for the repair of Forest Park Drive. Therefore, the recommendation is to open the roadway one-way westbound for limited travel and to authorize a study of drainage, groundwater and soil conditions during the wet winter months so that the results of the study can be utilized in designing the roadway repair.

Cmbr. Kiest expressed his concern regarding the process and the need to maintain the trust of residents regarding the city’s plans.

Council members discussed the draft letter to residents regarding the opening of Forest Park Drive and council consideration at the September 26, 2002 council meeting of the proposed solution.

Olstad moved to amend the fifth and sixth paragraphs of the draft letter as follows:

(End of fifth paragraph) "We want to be sure it is stable before we design and construct a more permanent solution. The construction of a more permanent solution would be undertaken next summer.

(Beginning of sixth paragraph) "This interim solution will be presented to the Council on September 26, 2002. The Council will make the final determination for the road after the study data is available."

Council members reviewed issues related to the decision-making process for the opening of Forest Park Drive.

A 10-minute recess was called for at 9:20 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 9:32 p.m.

Finance Director John Hawley reviewed information provided to the council regarding the sanitary sewer rate study. In response to a question from Cmbr. Herzog, Hawley agreed to check information regarding a portion of the Seattle sewer system accounts.

In response to a question from Olstad, Hawley discussed flat rate and water consumption billings.

Hawley discussed information regarding a proposed increase for drainage utility fees for 2003. He noted the timeline required for council approval of an increase and informed the council that a resolution for council consideration will be presented at an upcoming meeting.

In response to questions from council members, Director of Public Services Frank Zenk discussed various drainage plans and projects.

Armanini requested that a monthly report of expenditures related to the Endangered Species Act be prepared for U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee to keep him informed of such costs.

Jacobson reported that the city is continuing to work with Ronald Wastewater Management District regarding the transfer of sewer assets and noted that there had been no surprises to date.

Jacobson noted that a draft ordinance for a 15-year bank loan for the public works facility had been prepared for council review and will be presented for council action on September 26, 2002.

Planning Manager Ty Peterson reported on the work of the Planning Department and the Planning Commission regarding the proposed senior housing overlay. He noted that a proposed ordinance will require a public hearing and said that staff will need direction from the council on how to proceed. He noted that the Planning Commission has scheduled a public meeting on this topic for October 8. Council members requested that a staff report to the council be provided following the October 8 public meeting.

In response to questions from council members, Peterson discussed the impetus for the proposed senior housing overlay and specific and generic applications of a zoning overlay.

Council members agreed that the required public hearing should be before the council. Kiest noted that the city attorney had indicated the need to be aware of appearance of fairness issues related to contacts from proponents.

Hutchinson reported that it is his intention to hire an interim city administrator following Jacobson’s departure and to hire an interim city engineer to handle the engineering responsibilities that Jacobson has covered.

In response to questions from council members, Hutchinson discussed the current budget for engineering services and how the interim engineering services would be covered.

In response to a question from Thompson, Jacobson said that at least 25-30 percent of his time is devoted to engineering responsibilities.

Hutchinson noted that the interim city administrator will be responsible for human resources and advised the council that the human resources clerk is retiring at year-end. Hutchinson said he would like the interim city administrator to review the city’s organizational structure.

Hutchinson discussed his plan for naming a committee to include representatives of the council for the selection of the interim city administrator.

In response to a question from Herzog, Jacobson discussed issues related to job classification and salary.

At 11 p.m., Thompson requested that adjournment be extended 10 minutes.

Armanini noted that the council must approve professional services agreements and requested that the council be kept informed of the process to fill the two positions.

Thompson requested that the mayor present his final candidate to be interviewed by the council.

Kiest reported on cuts to regional human services budgets and the impact on various programs. He noted that a presentation to the Suburban Cities Association Regional Policy Committee proposing funding at the local level was not well-received.

Sterner noted that county-level funding is appropriate since applicants for services do not follow city boundaries. Council members discussed funding options for human services and potential impacts of the cuts on the criminal justice system and other areas.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 11:23 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

APPROVED:

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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