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This is an information-only record of the proceedings of the Lake Forest Park City Council. Please contact the city to request a paper copy of the official minutes of the council.

City of Lake Forest Park

City Council
City Council Regular Meeting
November 13, 2003

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; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; A.J. Housler, Interim Finance Director; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; Linda Portnoy, Muncipal Court Presiding Judge; Jane Poppe, Court Administrator; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: 30 visitors

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.

FLAG SALUTE

Cmbr. Thompson led council in the pledge of allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor’s 2004 Proposed Budget

Donald MacGilvra, 4909 NE 187th, spoke in support of the proposed contribution for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center in the 2004 budget. He also expressed his appreciation for the proposed funding for the Third Place Commons.

Lois DeVore, 18554 26th NE, spoke in support of the proposed 2004 funding for Third Place Commons.

Tim Davis, 3720 NE 187th, spoke in support of proposed funding for the Showmobile for city-sponsored events.

Kae Peterson, 16744 32nd Ave. NE, spoke in support of proposed funding for the Showmobile and noted that the Shoreline Community College Foundation has made a donation for the Showmobile also.

Deb Weidenbacher, 2715 NE 184th Pl., spoke in support of the proposed funding for Third Place Commons and discussed various health screening events offered to senior citizens.

Carol Dahl, 14828 39th Ave. NE, spoke in support of the proposed funding for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council and the contribution toward the purchase of the Showmobile.

Glen Milner, 3227 NE 190th Pl., spoke in support of the proposed funding for Third Place Commons and expressed his appreciation for the Commons as a musician and as a parent.

Nate Hermundson, 16230 14th Ave. NE, Shoreline, Youth Council president, spoke in support of the proposed funding for human services programs. He discussed programs and events sponsored and planned by the Youth Council and invited elected officials to meet with the youth council on December 2, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

JonAnn Cruver, 18560 1st NE, Shoreline, spoke in support of the proposed funding for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park senior center and thanked the city for its past support. Cruver also expressed her appreciation for Third Place Commons and various events and programs for seniors offered there.

Teri Howatt, 5123 NE 187th, Chair, Friends of Third Place Commons, spoke in support of proposed funding for Third Place Commons and noted its collaboration with various agencies for events and programs.

Sally Renn, 3934 NE 157th Pl., spoke in support of proposed funding for Third Place Commons.

There being no further comments, Hutchinson closed the public hearing on the mayor’s proposed 2004 budget at 8:09 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING

2004 Property Tax Levy

Interim Finance Director A.J. Housler presented a brief explanation of the proposed 2004 property tax levy. He discussed the impact of Initiative 747, the property tax revenue used in the mayor’s proposed 2004 budget, and the effect of new construction and increases in assessed values. Housler said that property tax represents 47 percent of general fund revenue. He noted that the assessed valuation numbers are still preliminary, and final numbers are expected from the Assessor’s Office shortly.

There being no other comments, Mayor Hutchinson closed the public hearing on the 2004 property tax levy at 8:21 p.m.

Welcome/Boy Scout Troop 348

Mayor Hutchinson welcomed Scouts Matt Piro, P.J. Husted, and Derek Carlson of Boy Scout Troop 348 to the meeting. In response to a question from Hutchinson, Piro, Husted and Carlson said that they are working on their citizenship and the community merit badge.

PRESENTATION

King County Proposed 2004 Budget

—Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds complimented Interim Finance Director A.J. Housler for the clear and concise presentation on the city’s proposed property tax levy.

Edmonds presented information regarding the King County 2004 Executive Proposed Budget. Edmonds noted that the proposed budget has a $24 million deficit, and proposed services total $3 billion. Edmonds discussed general fund revenues and noted that property tax revenue represents 48 percent.

Edmonds said that the County Council has not reached a decision regarding the County Executive’s proposal to fund human services with rent from the landfill.

Edmonds discussed 2004 District One budget highlights and noted that $300,000 is earmarked for a second tunnel for the Burke Gilman Trail at 73rd Avenue Northeast in response to a request from Kenmore.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Kiest, Edmonds said that she will follow up on the status of the interlocal agreement between the county and Lake Forest Park Water District.

In response to questions from Cmbr. Goss, Edmonds discussed mitigation issues related to the Brightwater project and enforcement of county regulations on the Burke Gilman Trail. Goss noted that May is the peak time for trail use, and traffic studies should be done then.

In response to questions from Cmbr. Thompson, Edmonds discussed cuts to the criminal justice budget in the last two years. Edmonds noted that funds intended for the Ridgeway trial would be reallocated in an upcoming supplemental budget.

Edmonds also noted that the report from the governance committee is due in Spring 2004.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Cmbr. Thompson requested that the 2004 municipal court budget presentation and Resolution 809/Authorizing the City Administrator to Negotiate with Northshore Utility District for an Interlocal Agreement to Provide Sanitary Sewer Service on 40th Place Northeast be taken out of order and placed next on the agenda.

Cmbr. Olstad moved adoption of the agenda as amended. Thompson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

FIRST READING CALENDAR

Resolution 809/Authorizing the City Administrator to Negotiate with Northshore Utility District for an Interlocal Agreement to Provide Sanitary Sewer Service on 40th Place Northeast

Jim Small, 18944 40th Pl. NE, said that he and his neighbors need sanitary sewer service and expressed his concern regarding extended negotiations between the city and the utility district.

Cmbr. Kiest moved adoption of Resolution 809/Authorizing the City Administrator to Negotiate with Northshore Utility District for an Interlocal Agreement to Provide Sanitary Sewer Service on 40th Place Northeast. Cmbr. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

MAYOR’S PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET

Municipal Court

Municipal Court Presiding Judge Linda Portnoy and Court Administrator Jane Poppe provided information regarding activities of the municipal court. They noted that 2003 accomplishments included the court’s web page, the new infraction procedures brochure, and the teen court.

Poppe noted that the 2004 budget included funds for new recording equipment to be used by the court and the council. In response to a question from Cmbr. Kiest, Portnoy discussed issues related to video arraignment.

A 10-minute recess was called for at 9:37 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 9:47 p.m.

FIRST READING CALENDAR/SECOND READING CALENDAR

Resolution 808/Canceling Certain Warrants Not Presented for Payment

Thompson moved to advance Resolution 808/Canceling Certain Warrants Not Presented for Payment to the second reading calendar and to adopt Resolution 808. Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as follows:

  1. October 23, 2003 Council Study Session Minutes
  2. October 23, 2003 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
  3. October 13, 2003 finance committee report covering warrant nos. 44448 through 44514 in the amount of $372,644.20 drawn from the claims clearing fund and warrant nos. 25438 through 25520 in the amount of $180,510.11 drawn from the payroll clearing fund.

Cmbr. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

FIRST READING CALENDAR/SECOND READING CALENDAR

Resolution 810/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract with Public Safety Testing.com

Thompson moved to advance Resolution 810/Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract with Public Safety Testing.com to the second reading calendar and to adopt Resolution 810. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance 903/Levying Property Taxes for the Calendar Year 2004

Cmbr. Herzog moved to advance Ordinance 903/Levying Property Taxes for the CalendarYear 2004 to the November 20, 2003 council agenda second reading calendar. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Hutchinson noted that the report on Burke Gilman Trail Regulations scheduled under new topics for discussion would be discussed in executive session as potential litigation. The executive session discussion would require approximately 20 minutes.

Excuse Absences

Olstad moved to excuse Cmbr. Armanini’s absence at tonight’s study session and regular meeting. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Herzog moved to excuse Cmbr. Thompson’s absence at the November 6, 2003 council budget workshop. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

MAYOR’S PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET

Public Safety

Police Chief Dennis Peterson and Commander Scott Drown presented information regarding the police department’s 2003 accomplishments and reviewed planned activities and major changes in the 2004 proposed budget. Peterson discussed the goal of department accreditation, development of a five-year plan for the department and a proposal for shared services. Peterson also discussed the plan to provide a citizen’s academy training session in 2004.

In response to a question from Kiest, Peterson discussed the need to involve the Public Safety Commission in relevant projects, the commission’s excellent report on the D.A.R.E. program and future projects such as planning for the citizen’s academy training session.

Goss said that she is pleased with what seems to be the direction of the department and said that she has noticed an increase in community involvement, visibility of officers and number of patrols. Peterson thanked Goss on behalf of the department and said that he is very proud of the police department team.

Detention

City Administrator Haines said that the city had realized savings through a reduction in the prosecuting attorney’s contraction and a rebid of the public defender contract. She noted that the savings would go to pay for increased detention costs.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Sterner, Haines noted that although more detention days are expected, costs are not increasing at the same rate because several options are available for detention facilities.

Sterner requested that detention cost recovery be included as a discussion topic with legislators on December 11.

NEW BUSINESS

Reports—Council

Olstad reported that the Sustaining Lake Forest Park Livability task force had received four proposals, and copies were delivered to task force members. The task force will meet on Tuesday, November 18, to review and discuss the proposals.

Kiest shared a letter with councilmembers printed in the Briercrest Neighborhood Association newsletter.

Thompson noted that the council budget committee would meet on Monday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. rather than 6 p.m. He encouraged all councilmembers to submit budget amendments to the committee and discussed the committee review process.

At 10:25 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is an executive session for discussion of potential litigation for approximately 20 minutes. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the council chambers at this time.

A three-minute recess was called for at 10:26 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 10:27 p.m.

Executive Session

The meeting was recessed to executive session at 10:28 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes for discussion of potential litigation.

At 10:50 p.m., the executive session was extended for approximately 15 minutes.

The regular meeting was resumed at 10:58 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:59 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor


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