Councilmembers present: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore (6:10 p.m.); Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner

Staff present:  David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Stephen Bennett, Planning and Building Director; Tema Nesoff, Parks and Recreation Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present:  Six visitors

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council study session meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

There being no objection, the study session agenda was adopted as presented.

CONFIRMATION REVIEW CALENDAR

Charlie Bright, Parks and Recreation Commission, Position 2, term ending 3/31/2007

Hutchinson introduced his nominee for the Parks and Recreation Commission Charlie Bright.

Bright expressed his interest in adding color to the plantings in the city’s rights-of-way and discussed his previous experience and his availability to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Shary Van, Planning Commission, Position 6, term ending 3/31/2005

Hutchinson said that Shary Van has served on the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park task force and is his nominee for the Planning Commission.

Van said that she enjoyed her task force experience, and she would like to participate on the Planning Commission as the work of the task force moves forward.  She said she believes that her service on the Planning Commission is a natural evolution of her task force participation.

In response to a question from Van, Cmbr. Armanini provided information regarding the reappointment process.

Nancy Huling, Transportation Commission, Position 3, term ending 3/31/2007

Hutchinson introduced Nancy Huling, his nominee for the Transportation Commission.

Huling discussed her interest in transportation issues generally and in local issues affecting transit commuters specifically.  Cmbr. Goss discussed her perspective on transportation issues affecting the community and noted that Huling’s neighborhood is somewhat removed from the center. Cmbr. Kiest said that Huling’s expertise in doing literature searches might be helpful to the commission on transportation topics.

David Carlton, Transportation Commission, Position 6, term ending 3/31/2005

Hutchinson said that David Carlton, his nominee for the Transportation Commission, works on transportation issues professionally and previously had served as a city engineer for the city of Pullman.

Carlton said that he is interested in providing alternatives to travel by single-occupancy vehicles such as walking, cycling and commuting by bus.

AGENDA ITEMS/DISCUSSION

Review of Comprehensive Plan Elements--Recreation/Human Services/Economic Development

Mayor Hutchinson welcomed Planning and Building Director Steve Bennett and Parks and Human Services Administrator Tema Nesoff.

Bennett said that three of the more manageable elements—recreation, human services and economic development—are scheduled for council review.

Human Services

Parks and Human Services Administrator Tema Nesoff reviewed the summary of issues identified in the human services element of the draft comprehensive plan and discussed the table showing 2003 human services funding of comparable cities.

Cmbr. Armanini said that the table from Suburban Cities Association information paints an incomplete picture of the city’s funding of human services, and Cmbr. Kiest noted that other cities might have different financing structures for human services.  Nesoff said that the table could be revised to include additional information.

Nesoff reviewed the human services goals related to youth, seniors, families and all residents and discussed goals related to housing opportunities; concerns, priorities and resources; and quality of life for the community.

In response to a question from Kiest, Nesoff discussed the role of the school district in helping to identify changes related to housing needs.

Recreation and Open Space

Parks and Human Services Administrator Nesoff discussed the updated parks and recreation facility inventory, and Cmbr. Kiest requested corrections to the listed facilities.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Armanini, Nesoff said that additional information would be provided regarding the table showing recommended national guidelines for parks and recreational facilities.

Following a review of the policies for recreation and open space, councilmembers recommended more generic language to be used in the comprehensive plan.

Cmbr. Goss said that policies related to trails mix transportation with recreation, and Kiest noted that the city has learned from prior experience that whatever the city proposes must be done in concurrence with residents.  Bennett suggested that a policy regarding public process could be added.  Councilmembers discussed implications of proposed policies related to trails.

Councilmembers discussed policies related to environmental protection and active parks and requested changes for clarification and consistency.

Due to time constraints, discussion of the element related to economic development was postponed to a future meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further comments, the Council study session meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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