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

Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Frank Zenk, Public Works Operations Director; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: 23 visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

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

Hutchinson reported on the memorial service for former Chief of Police Clifford Perkins, who died March 2, 2003.

Hutchinson introduced city engineer, Neil Jensen, who will begin work on April 1, 2003. He also reported on various meetings and issues of interest.

Hutchinson requested to hold over confirmation review of Planning Commission nominees Linda Owens and Jeff Foster. He requested the addition of commission appointments under new topics of discussion.

Cmbr. Armanini moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Cmbr. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Jim Adams, 4616 NE 174^th Place NE, commented on the land clearing and grading permit issued by the city to install a new asphalt driveway at a neighboring property. He expressed his concerns with the process and issuance of the permit and requested that the city revoke the permit.

Steve Danishek, 4626NE 174^th Place NE, also expressed his concern regarding the issuance of this permit and concurred with Mr. Adams’ comments.

Council members requested that staff members provide additional information regarding the permit, the posting requirements and comment period and whether the regulations regarding the process should be reviewed.

Howard Bendtsen, 3604 NE 155^th Street, spoke in support of the proposed senior housing zoning overlay.

Mick James, 3518 NE 147^th Street, expressed his concern regarding the proposed senior housing zoning overlay and his interest in preserving the character and integrity of the single-family residential neighborhood.

Howard Rose, 3550 NE 147^th Street, commented on the proposed senior housing zoning overlay and emphasized the importance of proper planning. He asked why the city is considering a zoning overlay and noted that any proposal should include transitions between zoning designations.

John Fry, 13539 39^th Avenue NE, said he is a member of the Lake City Elks and in charge of the charitable programs sponsored by the Elks. He encouraged the council to support the proposal for senior housing.

Ray Holmdahl, 14531 37^th Avenue NE, spoke against the proposed senior housing zoning overlay and added that he is not against the idea of senior housing but is opposed to the zoning overlay.

Cmbr. Herzog moved to confirm the following:

Karen Sluiter, Human Services Commission, Position 2, term ending 3/31/04

Judith Mackenzie, Human Services Commission, Position 5, term ending 3/31/05

Deborah Weidenbacher, Human Services Commission, Position 8, term ending 3/31/06

Cmbr. Thompson moved that the following individuals be exempted from appearing before the council for confirmation review for reappointment:

Economic Development Commission
Rick Bungay, Position 7
Julie Krick, Position 8
Tim Davis, Position 9

Parks and Recreation Commission
Florence Wright, Position 7
Tom Kellock, Position 8

Human Services Commission
Cassie Undlin, Position 7
Henry Mustin, Position 9

Planning Commission
Joseph Hauth, Position 9

Public Safety Commission
Margaret Marshall, Position 7
Charles Heffernan, Position 8

Thompson moved to confirm the reappointments as follows:

Economic Development Commission
Rick Bungay, Position 7
Julie Krick, Position 8
Tim Davis, Position 9

Parks and Recreation Commission
Florence Wright, Position 7
Tom Kellock, Position 8

Human Services Commission
Cassie Undlin, Position 7
Henry Mustin, Position 9

Planning Commission
Joseph Hauth, Position 9

Public Safety Commission
Margaret Marshall, Position 7
Charles Heffernan, Position 8

Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as follows:

1. March 13, 2003 Council Study Session Minutes
2. March 13, 2003 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
3. March 27, 2003 finance committee report covering warrant nos. 43244 through 43323 in the amount of $123,199.45 drawn from the claims clearing fund and warrant nos. 24207 through 24278 in the amount of $133,686.46 drawn from the payroll clearing fund and automatic withdrawal fee for monthly bank service fees from checking account in the amount of $569.23.

Armanini seconded.

Armanini requested to pull the March 13, 2003 study session minutes and the March 13, 2003 regular meeting minutes from the consent calendar.

Armanini moved to amend the March 13, 2003 study session minutes as follows:

Page 2, line 6: "…and proposed a joint meeting with the Planning Commission."

Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Armanini moved to amend as follows:

Page 2, line 39: "… and that the survey be distributed to some former as well as to current commissioners."

Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Thompson moved to amend as follows:

Page 1, line 11: "…absent excused: "

Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Herzog moved to amend the March 13, 2003 regular meeting minutes as follows:

Page 1, line 10: ".absent excused: "

Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

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

4. March 13, 2003 Council Study Session Minutes
5. March 13, 2003 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
6. March 27, 2003 finance committee report covering warrant nos. 43244 through 43323 in the amount of $123,199.45 drawn from the claims clearing fund and warrant nos. 24207 through 24278 in the amount of $133,686.46 drawn from the payroll clearing fund and automatic withdrawal fee for monthly bank service fees from checking account in the amount of $569.23.

There was no objection to Thompson’s request to re-order the First Reading Calendar and to place Ordinance 895 as Item 4.

Thompson moved to advance Resolution 772/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Coalition of Small Police Agencies for Training to the second reading calendar.

Thompson moved to advance Resolution 773/Extending Benefits to Eligible Domestic Partners to the second reading calendar.

Thompson moved to advance Authorization to Hire Temporary Assistance Related to Human Resources Functions to the second reading calendar.

Finance Director John Hawley provided information regarding current and proposed rates for multifamily and commercial sewer customers. Discussion followed on flat rate fees, charges based on water consumption in cubic feet, and the proposed billing periods for the new rates.

With the consent of the council, Ordinance 895 was advanced to second reading at the April 10, 2003 regular council meeting. Hawley requested final action on the ordinance at the April 10 meeting.

In response to a question from Kiest, City Attorney Ruark said that the requested information regarding council policy development would be prepared for an upcoming meeting.

City Planner Ty Peterson noted that the council has Ordinance 893 as originally proposed and two revised versions of the ordinance.

After some discussion, Thompson moved to strike the following amendment from Ordinance 893 revised 3/27/03 version 1 and to substitute and accept Ordinance 893 revised 3/27/03 version 1 as amended as the version before the council:

Page 2, lines 6-11:

Council members noted various aids that would be useful in council discussion of the proposed ordinance.

Herzog moved to amend Ordinance 893 by correctly renumbering the sections to correspond with the previous amendment. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Following discussion of the roles of the council and the hearing examiner, Sterner moved to amend Ordinance 893 as follows:

Page 3, line 2: "…shall be subject to the following site-plan and design review process:…"

Armanini moved to adopt Resolution 772/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Coalition of Small Police Agencies for Training.

In response to questions from councilmembers, Chief of Police Dennis Peterson discussed the interlocal cooperation agreement with King County cities emergency aid and for in-service training.

Councilmembers suggested that the agreement should reflect only the training portion to which the city is agreeing to and to delete the rest of the agreement that does not pertain to us. Peterson stated he would bring this resolution back to council after further discussion with the other cities.

Thompson moved to adopt Resolution 773/Extending Benefits to Eligible Domestic Partners.

Discussion followed on the budgetary impact of the proposed resolution and eligibility requirements.

Armanini recommended that the proposed policy language for the City’s Employee Handbook as outlined on the second page of the agenda cover sheet be amended as follows:

"Section 4 Employee Benefits

NEW SECTION

0. The City offers certain benefits to eligible employees, their dependents, and domestic partners. including health, life, vision, pension and retirement plans. Information and summaries intended to explain these benefits plans will be furnished to all plan participants and beneficiaries on a timely and continuing basis. The City also provides a number of other benefits such as leaves of absences and paid vacations, holiday and sick days to employees. Domestic partners covered by this policy can be the same or opposite gender."

Kiest recommended the city look into the cafeteria concept for benefits for city employees.

Kiest moved to advance to the next item on the agenda and to hold Resolution 773 to the final item on the second reading calendar.

In response to a question from Armanini, City Administrator Karen Haines discussed the need for temporary assistance in the human resources area and explained how the hourly rate was established.

Goss moved to authorize the City Administrator to hire a human resources consultant for not more than 80 hours at $25.00 per hour to assist with human resources related issues.

In response to questions from council, Haines noted that a review of the employee handbook must be done and said that various tasks related to human resources require attention.

Thompson noted that an agreement is required for council approval related to temporary assistance for human resources functions.

A five-minute recess was taken at 10:05 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 10:13 p.m.

In response to a request from Armanini, City Attorney Mike Ruark discussed the proposed resolution and the language relating to eligibility.

Kiest moved to amend Resolution 773 as follows:

Page 1, line 9 - 10:

Sterner seconded.

Thompson said he would oppose this amendment because he does not want to perpetuate the difference in benefits for represented and non-represented employees.

Sterner said he would support the amendment to honor the contract language.

The motion failed 3-4 (Aye—Kiest, Sterner, Goss Herzog; Nay—Thompson, Armanini, Herzog, Goss Olstad). (Approved by Council 4/10/03)

Following discussion with the city attorney regarding inclusive language, Armanini moved to amend Resolution 773 as follows:

Page 1, line 26:

Sterner noted that this is not about making policies but a contract and fairness of health benefits.

Sterner moved to amend Resolution 773 as follows:

Page 1, line 9:

Page 1, lines 12-16:

Page 1, line 22:

The motion to approve Resolution 773 as amended carried 6-1 (Aye—Kiest, Armanini, Thompson, Goss, Olstad, Sterner; Nay—Herzog).

Thompson said that his current active duty status as an Army Reserve officer may require his absence from upcoming council meetings, and he requested that such absences be excused.

Kiest noted a recent King County Journal article regarding gambling and discussed the Reinvesting in Youth program and related issues.

Armanini reported on her attendance at a recent Suburban Cities Association meeting and shared information regarding policy board issues.

Sterner gave council a brief update on human services issues.

Herzog noted the importance of city representation at an upcoming Washington water law conference.

Kiest asked the administration to keep in touch with the monorail issue and how it affects the city.

Hutchinson noted that he had identified two nominees for the Planning Commission for council consideration. He shared with council a map illustrating the geographical distribution of current planning commission members.

Council members discussed the legislative intent regarding geographical distribution and the development of the comprehensive plan update.

Chief Peterson reported on the success of the recent bicycle helmet fitting event at Third Place Commons. He thanked Community and Government Affairs Manager Sarah Phillips on organizing the event.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 11:13 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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