Councilmembers present: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore; Alan Kiest, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner

Councilmember excused: Carolyn Armanini

Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; A.J. Housler, Interim Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: Two visitors

Mayor David Hutchinson called the special study session meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Mayor Hutchinson introduced A.J. Housler, interim finance director during John Hawley’s leave of absence. Hutchinson noted that Housler is retired and formerly held the position of finance director for the city of Edmonds.

Housler said that he also serves on the city of Mountlake Terrace city council and is running for re-election. He said that he has taken short-term positions with the cities of Marysville, Bothell and Puyallup in the areas of finance and administration since his retirement.

Housler expressed his appreciation for John Hawley’s work and organization and said that Hawley had provided excellent training.

City Administrator Karen Haines noted that a citizen had expressed concern at the September 11, 2003 council meeting about enforcement of regulations regarding construction hours and noise. Information was provided regarding regulations in nearby cities.

In response to questions from Cmbr. Kiest, Chief Dennis Peterson discussed the department’s response and his direction to officers to cite offenders. Peterson discussed the possibility of providing the court with both criminal and civil paths for citations.

Cmbr. Olstad said that he could agree to adjusting the ending time for construction, but he supported the current regulation regarding the starting time.

Cmbr. Herzog said that the duration of the project should be considered along with construction hours. He also said that the regulations should distinguish between homeowners and contractors.

Cmbr. Goss noted highway projects that have been granted longer work hours in order to shorten the project duration. Goss suggested that a later ending time could be allowed if neighbors are in agreement.

Kiest suggested that this topic should be placed on a future meeting agenda with a proposal to change the hours and the penalty scheme.

Cmbr. Thompson said that a draft ordinance should be written to allow some flexibility.

City Administrator Haines said that the current draft request for proposal documents have been built on the previous drafts and meeting discussions. She noted that all commissions as well as approximately 600 citizens had been sent the draft request for proposal for review and comments.

Haines said that the Planning Commission had discussed the draft document at its September 23 meeting and had provided comments. Comments were received from the Economic Development Commission as well as three citizens, and Haines reviewed the comments and discussed the proposed timeline for the process.

Haines said that Planning Commission members had noted the importance of identifying a budget for the project. In response to a question from Cmbr. Sterner, Haines said that a cost estimate by commissioners was $60,000-80,000. Sterner said that firms may target the budgeted amount if it is identified in the request for proposals.

Discussion followed regarding the scope of the study and the possibility of requesting a breakdown of costs with the proposals so that the city has the option of considering segments of the proposal rather than the complete proposal.

Cmbr. Olstad said he hoped for more comments and noted that the proposed study will be a major undertaking for the city.

Goss said that the proposal for a study is big news around town, and she is surprised by the few comments.

In response to a question from Hutchinson, Environmental Quality Commissioner Julian Andersen said that the commission does intend to submit comments.

Herzog said that the council must determine what the city is willing to spend and what it wants to learn from the study.

In response to a comment from Hutchinson, council members discussed the role of the town center management as a resource in the study process.

There being no objection, the special study session meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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