Councilmembers present: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore (6:20 p.m.); Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss (6:30 p.m.), Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner (6:20 p.m.)
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; John Hawley, Finance Director; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Works; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Stephen Bennett, Planning and Building Director; Tema Nesoff, Parks and Recreation Administrator; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; Linda Portnoy, Municipal Court Presiding Judge; Jane Poppe, Court Administrator; Susan Stine, City Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council study session special meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
There being no objection, the study session agenda was adopted as presented.
AGENDA ITEMS/DISCUSSION
--Public Works Proposed Budget
Following introductory remarks by City Administrator Karen Haines, Director of Public Services Frank Zenk provided a brief overview of the proposed 2005 public works budget. Zenk reported on the interlocal agreement with the city of Kenmore for public works services. Finance Director Hawley discussed major equipment purchases.
Cmbr. Armanini requested staff to follow up on an issue raised by a resident regarding a public works matter.
In response to a question from Cmbr. Kiest, Zenk discussed how projects are prioritized and noted that recently completed stormwater projects seem to be working well.
--Engineering Proposed Budget
City Engineer Neil Jensen reviewed 2004 accomplishments including a major portion of the inflow and infiltration reduction project and the Forest Park Drive slide repair project. Jensen discussed proposed projects for 2005 and duties for the engineering technician position. Cmbr. Kiest encouraged the use of other data sources to build maps and information regarding the city.
--Capital Improvements Proposed Budget
Hawley reviewed information regarding the proposed budget for various capital improvement projects.
In response to a question from Armanini regarding the possibility of tracking the use of tennis courts, Parks and Recreation Administrator Nesoff noted that summer tennis camps have been successful. She said that thank you notes for improvements or complaints from users have provided informal feedback.
Armanini also noted that Brookside School might request more than $2,000 for playground equipment.
City Engineer Neil Jensen discussed proposed pedestrian improvements and the status of a sidewalk project.
--Municipal Court Proposed Budget/Detention Proposed Budget
Presiding Judge Linda Portnoy and Court Administrator Jane Poppe reported on court activities and accomplishments including the additional information on the city website and collection improvements. Poppe thanked the council for re-authorizing the part-time probation clerk position.
City Administrator Haines noted that the police department, municipal court and the administration are working to resolve issues related to detention costs.
In response to questions from Herzog, Portnoy discussed issues related to jury pools.
Armanini expressed her concern that the prosecutor has not provided regular reports in accordance with her contract and expressed her frustration regarding the administration’s lack of compliance to council requests.
In response to a question from Thompson, Portnoy discussed issues related to land use citations.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further comments, the Council study session meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
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