Councilmembers present: Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss (7:39 p.m.), Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad
Councilmembers excused: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore; Alan Kiest, Ed Sterner
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Tema Nesoff, Parks and Recreation Administrator; Susan Stine, City Clerk
Others present: Four visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Cmbr. Olstad led the council in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING/Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond)
Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond) at 7:41 p.m.
Linda Gould, 3730 NE 187th St., spoke in favor of Proposition 1. She said that the library system is a great bargain for all citizens and listed the services available through the Lake Forest Park Library. Gould said that it is important to inform voters regarding the upcoming election and asked for the support of the council by adoption of Resolution 861. Gould noted that the library is non-partisan and supports freedom of information for all citizens.
Colleen Brazil, 17171 Bothell Way NE, managing librarian for Lake Forest Park Library, said that a 1,400 square-foot expansion is planned for the Lake Forest Park library if voters approve the ballot measure. She noted that the Lake Forest Park library has significantly higher usage than other libraries of its size, and its clients are from all age groups. Brazil said that cuts would be required if Proposition #1 is not approved by voters.
There being no further comments, the public hearing on Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond) was closed at 7:46 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING/Resolution 862/Granting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Capital Funds Disbursement
Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Resolution 862/Granting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Capital Funds Disbursement at 7:47 p.m.
There being no comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:48 p.m.
Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond)
There was no objection to Cmbr. Herzog’s request to suspend council rules, remove Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond) from the consent calendar, and place it on the first reading calendar for immediate discussion.
FIRST READING CALENDAR
Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond)
In response to a question from Herzog, Brazil said that the bonds will not overlap and stated that the replacement bond would begin when the current one expires. She said that she did not have the exact dates but would be happy to provide that information.
Cmbr. Goss said that she would like something in writing to share with residents to respond to the question of overlapping bonds.
Brazil said that only Redmond and Issaquah have extraordinary situations in which voters have approved an additional levy to build new libraries.
Olstad said that he heard many comments in support of the library at the community forums held by the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park Task Force.
Olstad moved to adopt Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond). Cmbr. Armanini seconded.
Armanini noted that she needs answers to the question of overlapping bonds and expiration of the current bond before she can support the Library’s Proposition #1.
Armanini moved to table the motion to adopt Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond) to the August 26, 2004 council regular meeting agenda.
In response to a question from Brazil, Hutchinson said that the information could be provided in a letter.
Armanini said that she needs clarification regarding the timing of the replacement bond.
Herzog said that this information is important so that he is able to explain the ballot measure to residents and to respond to questions.
Gould noted that the timing of the council’s support for Proposition #1 is critical and noted that absentee ballots will be mailed soon. In response to Gould’s question regarding council approval subject to a satisfactory response to questions raised by councilmembers, Armanini said that she understands the timeliness issue but requested City Attorney Ruark to comment on adopting the resolution subject to further information.
Ruark said that Resolution 861 would be adopted if council votes in favor, and the action cannot be subject to further information being provided. The only option would be to repeal the resolution by council action at the next meeting if the information received were not satisfactory.
Following further discussion, Herzog seconded the motion to table. The motion to table carried unanimously.
Mayor’s Report
In response to a request from Cmbr. Armanini, Hutchinson provided a brief report of the administration’s meeting with King County staff regarding the Burke Gilman Trail redevelopment project. He noted that all citizens who had applied to serve on the Burke Gilman Trail advisory committee had been contacted, and their names had been provided to the county for the committee selection process.
In response to comments by Cmbr. Goss, Hutchinson discussed the role of the committee and said that it should function similarly to the Sammamish model.
Goss expressed her concern regarding the committee process and said that the County is setting up another adversarial situation for the council and the administration. She said that she believes council involvement has been given a low priority.
In response to a question from Armanini, Hutchinson noted that all names had been forwarded to the county.
Goss said that she does not believe that the city is any further along in this process and that the county has not made any effort to bury the hatchet. She noted that the impression that she has received is that they don’t want anyone looking over their shoulder. She said that it is hard to keep citizens informed, and she personally would like to see a lot more information. If she does not receive the information, she said that she would ask for it in other ways.
In response to a question from Olstad, Hutchinson reported on his discussion with county staff regarding the make-up of the committee. Hutchinson said that he was informed that no elected officials from the county or the city would be appointed to the citizens’ committee.
In response to a question from Goss, Hutchinson said that the county would provide the names of the committee members when the committee is formed.
In response to a request from Armanini, staff provided copies of the applications for the citizens’ advisory committee.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Armanini moved to add an executive session on personnel matters to the agenda for approximately 20 minutes and to remove Resolution 861/In Support for Proposition #1 (Library Capital Replacement Bond) from the consent calendar.
Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Armanini moved adoption of the agenda as amended. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Armanini moved approval of the consent calendar as amended as follows:
Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations
Ordinance 906/Relating to Legal Nonconforming Signs
Ordinance 909/Amending LFPMC 18.52.48 Relating to
Conditional Use Permit Requirements for Trails
Armanini moved to hold over Ordinances 905, 906 and 909 to the August 26, 2004 council meeting agenda. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
REPORT—Police Chief
In response to a question from Armanini, Chief Dennis Peterson provided a brief report on the recent house fire and subsequent arson investigation.
REPORTS – COUNCIL
Olstad reported on the work of the Sustaining Lake Forest Park Livability Task Force since the July 15 community forum. He noted that the task force would receive the draft report from Berk & Associates in early September, and the final task force report would be presented to the council at the September 23, 2004 meeting.
Goss said that she believes that unresolved issues remain regarding potential housing units, transportation and parking.
At 8:30 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is an executive session to discuss personnel matters for approximately 20 minutes. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the council chambers at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:31 p.m., the meeting was recessed to executive session for discussion of personnel matters for approximately 20 minutes.
The regular meeting was resumed at 8:49 p.m.
Cmbrs. Armanini and Goss requested that the administration prepare an ordinance for the August 26, 2004 council meeting agenda first reading calendar to amend Lake Forest Park Municipal Code 2.22.060 Commission Chair to provide for election of the commission chair by commission members.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
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