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

Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: Two visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

Cmbr. Sterner led the council in the pledge of allegiance.

Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Ordinance 885/Adopting 2003 Budget at 7:35 p.m..

There being no comments, the public hearing on Ordinance 885/Adopting 2003 Budget was continued to the December 5, 2002 council meeting.

Hutchinson reported on Association of Washington Cities issues, a recent YMCA Board meeting at which the Aldercrest site was discussed, a meeting to discuss issues related to West Nile virus, and changes to fees for public health inspections. He noted that Government and Community Affairs Manager Sarah Phillips has kept in touch with the county and the citizens regarding the planned tree removal project along the Burke Gilman Trail. He also noted recent information regarding King County Library System’s plans for funding the library.

Cmbr. Kiest requested to add "Reinvesting in Youth" as a new topic for discussion under new business.

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

Thompson moved to confirm Judy Herring to serve on the planning commission, position 3, term ending 3/31/2004. Cmbr. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Cmbr. Armanini requested to pull the November 14, 2002 council minutes from the consent calendar.

Armanini moved to amend the November 14, 2002 minutes as follows:

Page 3, line 46: "…to follow their the local governance committee’s recommendation…"

Page 3, line 49: "…changes to the budget. She stated that, by making additional reductions in 2003 expenses, the City could lessen the impacts of the substantial revenue reductions in the coming years."

Thompson moved to amend the November 14, 2002 minutes as follows:

Page 3, following line 49 (insert): "Thompson indicated that he would be proposing an ordinance to require reauthorization of any position that becomes vacant in 2003."

Goss moved to amend the November 14, 2002 council minutes as follows:

Page 3, following line 49 (insert): "Goss reminded Armanini and other council members of her staff reduction proposal two years ago and had indicated the need for the future years’ budget needs."

Herzog moved to amend the November 14, 2002 council minutes as follows:

Page 1, line 8 (insert): Nate Herzog (8:20 p.m.);…"

Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as amended as follows:

1. November 8, 2002 Special Meeting Minutes/City Administrator Interviews
2. November 14, 2002 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
3. November 21, 2002 Finance Committee Report covering warrant nos. 42509 through 42606 drawn from the claims clearing fund in the amount of $546,910.32 and warrant nos. 23595 through 23664 drawn from the payroll clearing fund in the amount of $119,420.25 and automatic withdrawal from the checking account for bank service fee in the amount of $384.46, 11/27/02.

Thompson moved to advance the following first reading items to the beginning of the second reading calendar:

1. Resolution 754/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ronald Wastewater from Assumption of Portion of District
2. Ordinance 888/Authorizing Natural Gas Utility Tax Increase
3. Ordinance 889/Approving Financing Option for Assumption of Portion of Ronald Wastewater District
4. Ordinance 890/Inflow and Infiltration Fund 2002 Budget Amendment
5. Ordinance 891/Ronald Wastewater Assumption 2002 Budget Amendment

Finance Director John Hawley briefly discussed Resolution 754/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ronald Wastewater for Assumption of Portion of District. He noted that the resolution and agreement would be on the December 5, 2002 council agenda following the city attorney’s review.

The council agreed to discuss Ordinance 889 and Ordinance 891 out of order to complete the review of issues related to the assumption of a portion of Ronald Wastewater District.

Hawley discussed the financing options and timing issues related to the assumption of the portion of Ronald Wastewater District.

Hutchinson noted that Ordinance 889/Approving Financing Option for Assumption of Portion of Ronald Wastewater District would be placed on the December 5, 2002 meeting agenda for second reading and final action.

Following a brief review of the proposed ordinance by Hawley, Armanini requested that staff consult the city attorney about inclusion of language regarding approval of a budget amendment by a majority plus one of the council.

Hutchinson noted that Ordinance 891/Ronald Wastewater Assumption 2002 Budget Amendment would be on the December 5, 2002 council meeting for second reading and final action.

Hawley said this ordinance proposes to amend the city code on utility taxes by increasing the natural gas utility tax to 6 percent effective January 1, 2003.

Armanini moved to advance Ordinance 888/Authorizing Natural Gas Utility Tax Increase to December 5, 2002 second reading and final action calendar.

Hawley noted that this item is in the budget for 2003, but some expenses have been incurred already. This budget amendment is to create the fund for 2002 and authorize a transfer from the reserve fund since expenditures are to be reimbursed from the grant funds.

Thompson moved to advance Ordinance 890/Inflow and Infiltration Fund 2002 Budget Amendment to second reading and final action at the December 5, 2002 council meeting. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Following brief comments by Hawley, Herzog moved to advance Ordinance 884/2003 Property Tax Levy to final action calendar. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Hutchinson noted that he is proposing a budget amendment to include a proviso for a merit step increase for the police chief after an annual performance evaluation is done.

Armanini noted that she had prepared a list of proposed budget amendments and questions for council consideration and would welcome any comments.

Herzog also noted that he had prepared some amendments for council consideration. In response to Kiest, Herzog discussed his amendment relating to the crime watch coordinator stipend.

Herzog moved to amend Ordinance 885 as follows:

Page 2, line 27 (insert the following budget proviso as Section 7 and renumber following sections): "Passport Services. The Mayor will analyze the costs, staff time, and potential revenues of establishing a passport services resource within the City. The Mayor will report back to the City Council on the results of the analysis by April 1, 2003."

Thompson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion followed on proposed amendments related to street lighting maintenance, newsletter costs, a council retreat facilitator, the DARE officer (SRO) position, financial consultant services, and police uniform items.

Kiest moved to adopt Ordinance 884/2003 Property Tax Levy. Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Kiest said that the next council packet would include his two-page analysis of regional human services, and he discussed his objective in providing this analysis. He noted that his analysis would be provided to the Regional Policy Committee also.

Armanini reported that she provided information regarding the work of the Streamkeepers to representatives of the Adopt A Stream Foundation and noted that the Foundation is working on habitat studies in Lake Forest Park.

Goss reported on her attendance at the SeaShoreTransportation Forum meeting and the topics discussed at that meeting.

Government and Community Relations Manager Sarah Phillips reported on issues related to the development of plans for the Cole/Madden properties.

In response to requests from councilmembers, Hutchinson said that the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Environmental Quality Commission would be invited to participate in upcoming meetings regarding the property.

Kiest reported on his recent conversation with former Seattle City Council Member Jim Street regarding the Reinvesting in Youth program. He discussed the possible impact of the proposed program on funding for the juvenile justice program and discussed various strategies for collaboration.

At 10:08 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is an executive session for discussion of personnel/qualifications of city administrator candidates and potential litigation regarding a personnel matter for approximately 20 minutes. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the chambers at this time.

A 10-minute recess was called for at 10:09 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 10:17 p.m.

The meeting was recessed to executive session at 10:18 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes for discussion of qualifications of city administrator candidates and potential litigation related to a personnel matter.

The executive session was extended for approximately 15 minutes at 10:40 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 11:03 p.m.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 11:04 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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