Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner
Councilmember excused: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Stephen Bennett, Planning and Building Director; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Susan Stine, City Clerk
Others present: Three visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council special meeting to order at 6:11 p.m.
WELCOME
- State Senator Darlene
Fairley
-
State Representative Ruth Kagi
Hutchinson welcomed Senator Darlene Fairley and Representative Ruth Kagi to the meeting and thanked them for making time to discuss the city’s proposals for the State Legislature’s upcoming session. He said that Rep. Kagi must leave the meeting at 6:45 p.m., and he would like to cover as much of the city’s legislative agenda as possible prior to that time. Hutchinson noted that Representative Maralyn Chase indicated that she was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.
Agenda Items/Discussion
Legislative Agenda/Discussion with Legislators
Hutchinson said that he has served on the Association of Washington Cities committee working on the proposed streamlined sales tax.
Senator Fairley said that if there is consensus among the cities, she would support the proposal; but if there is no consensus, she will not.
Councilmembers discussed issues related to the proposed streamlined sales tax and the positive and negative impacts on various cities.
Representative Kagi expressed her strong support for the city’s position related to the streamlined sales tax and said that she will try very hard to move it through the House of Representatives.
In response to a question from Senator Fairley, Hutchinson discussed the city’s interest in loosening the requirements for the use of REET II (real estate excise tax) to allow this revenue source to be used for parks or municipal facilities.
Hutchinson noted that several councilmembers had added their individual concerns to the proposed legislative overview and asked Cmbr. Kiest to discuss the items that he proposed.
Kiest discussed his interest in legislation that would allow the city to amortize signs in lieu of just compensation. He noted that the city’s current sign code includes a sign amortization component, and the city would be required to pay owners to remove nonconforming signs by state law.
Kiest also discussed his concern regarding the Growth Management Hearing Board’s policy making as represented in the ‘bright line’ decision regarding the underlying zoning requirement. Goss noted traffic impacts from new developments and the need for more sidewalks should be addressed in this process. Following further discussion, Fairley said that AWC may propose some legislation on this issue.
Armanini noted that Senator Fairley had pointed out the
number of poll workers required per precinct had been allowed to be
reduced and the authority to do so had been placed at the County level.
not been reduced although approximately one-half of the votes are cast by
absentee ballot currently. Armanini said that she is in favor of revising the
requirements for election judges and inspectors so that a poll worker could
handle several precincts. Hutchinson noted that Community and Government
Affairs Manager Phillips had checked, and the county is planning to propose a
reduction. (Council approved 10/28/04)
She also noted that defining ‘low income’ for tax exemptions for senior property owners should be adjusted automatically rather than specifying the threshold income requirements by statute.
In response to a question from Goss, Rep. Kagi noted that both the King County and the Snohomish County voter’s pamphlets contain information on the 32nd District because it crosses the county line.
Senator Fairley noted that the proposed wood stove ban should not include those used as the only source of heat for a residence.
Councilmembers discussed proposals related to cost recovery of DUI expenses, jail cost recovery and liability protection for misdemeanor probation officers.
Cmbr. Herzog discussed issues affecting municipal courts, and Senator Fairley said that she does not believe that there is support in the Senate for the election of municipal court judges.
In response to a question from Senator Fairley, Hutchinson and Haines discussed aspects of the Bothell Way Northeast/Northeast 153rd Street project being undertaken by Washington State Department of Transportation.
Discussion followed regarding issues related to motorized foot scooters and at what level they should be regulated.
Goss requested that legislation should be considered requiring licensing of mortgage professionals.
Fairley discussed the upcoming legislative session and noted that funding for a new bridge on Lake Washington or support for higher education may emerge as the big issues.
Mayor Hutchinson thanked Senator Darlene Fairley and Representative Ruth Kagi for working to represent the citizens of Lake Forest Park and for meeting with the council to discuss the 2005 legislative overview.
A 10-minute recess was called for at 7:25 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 7:34 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS/DISCUSSION
Review of Comprehensive Plan Elements
Planning and Building Director Steve Bennett noted that he had met former Planning Manager Ty Peterson at a regional meeting. Bennett said that he had the opportunity to talk to him regarding some background on employment numbers, and Peterson informed him that the Economic Development Commission had done a survey related to home-based businesses. This information shows that the city has a good start on meeting the numbers.
Bennett began the review at Land Use Goal LU 3 – New Development and continued through Goal LU 8 – Public Participation. Discussion followed regarding the policies related to each goal, and councilmembers recommended corrections or revisions.
Bennett began the review of the environmental quality element with a summary of issues. Discussion followed regarding the policies related to the first and second goals, and councilmembers recommended corrections or revisions. A majority of councilmembers present agreed that Policy 2.8 was redundant and should be removed.
Following a brief discussion, councilmembers agreed to begin the review of comprehensive plan elements at EQ Goal 3 at the October 28, 2004 study session.
Cmbr. Kiest exited the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Solid Waste – Survey Results
Community and Government Affairs Manager Sarah Phillips provided a brief background report on the city’s current solid waste contract, elements of recent contracts negotiated by other cities and the council’s request for a survey of the citizens.
Phillips discussed the excellent response rate to the survey and presented information based on the total responses. She noted various comments included with the survey.
Cmbr. Armanini reported on the city of Issaquah’s recent experience related to an attempt at renegotiation of the city’s solid waste contract.
Council Business
Herzog moved to excuse Cmbr. Dwight Thompson from tonight’s meeting. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Olstad moved to authorize payment of the registration for Cmbr. Sterner to attend a conference on growth management in Washington. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further comments, the Council special meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
|Return to the City Council Minutes page |
|Home|
|City|
|Community|
|Kiosk|
|Search|
|News|
|About This Site|