Staff present:  David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Michael Ruark, City Attorney, Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: One visitor

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hutchinson called the special meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.  He said that discussion of the budget committee report would continue from the study session agenda prior to the items scheduled for the special meeting agenda.  Hutchinson noted that the public hearing on Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy would follow completion of the budget committee report discussion.

Study Session Discussion/continued
Council Budget Committee Report

City Administrator Karen Haines provided information for the council regarding the budget request for membership in the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA).  Haines discussed Homeland Security requirements for risk assessment and planning and the services offered through ESCA to assist city staff to prepare for emergencies and to evaluate risks.

Cmbr. Armanini said that she had some additional information that she would provide in a memorandum from other local agencies regarding emergency services.

Director of Public Services Frank Zenk said that the world has changed since September 11, 2001 in terms of emergency planning requirements.  He noted that the Homeland Security Department requires communities to submit a mitigation plan based on an assessment of risk, and he said that the mitigation plan is a new requirement as part of the emergency response plan.  Zenk said it is not certain that FEMA funds would be available if a mitigation plan were not completed.

In response to questions from councilmembers regarding the proposed $18,000 expenditure for ESCA membership, Haines said that ESCA staff members would work closely with city staff to update the existing emergency response plan and to submit the required mitigation plan.  Haines discussed staffing needed to respond to Homeland Security requirements if the city does not join ESCA.   

A 10-minute recess was called for at 7:52 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 8:05 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING – Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy

Mayor Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy at 8:06 p.m.

There being no comments, the public hearing on Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy was closed at 8:07 p.m.

FLAG SALUTE

Cmbr. Sterner led council in the pledge of allegiance.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Hutchinson reported on his attendance at the Suburban Cities Association annual meeting along with several councilmembers. He said that King County Councilmember Edmonds informed him of a King County grant program for such projects as the Brookside School playground equipment.  He noted that the Burke Gilman Citizens Advisory Committee held its first meeting earlier this week.  He invited all councilmembers to celebrate the re-opening of Forest Park Drive at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 20, 2004 at 10 a.m.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Cmbr. Thompson requested to pull consent calendar item 4, Authorization to Hire for Police Officer Position, and place it on the second reading calendar.

Cmbr. Armanini moved to table Ordinance 909/Amending LFPMC 18.52.48 Relating to Conditional Use Permit Requirements for Trails to the March 10, 2005 second reading calendar.  Cmbr. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Thompson noted this should not be shown on the agenda until after the first of the year.

Thompson moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Armanini requested to hold the November 10, 2004 council regular meeting minutes for approval at the December 2, 2004 special council meeting.

Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as follows:

1. November 10, 2004 Council Study Session Minutes
2. November 18, 2004 Finance Committee Report covering warrant nos. 46651 through 46725 drawn from the claims clearing fund in the amount of $810,620.40 and warrant nos. 27422 through 27509 drawn from the payroll clearing fund in the amount of $196,069.80. An automatic withdrawal of $664.45 from the checking account was made on 11/29/04 for monthly bank service fees.

Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

SECOND READING CALENDAR

Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations

Ordinance 906/Relating to Legal Nonconforming Signs

Cmbr. Kiest moved to hold Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations and Ordinance 906/Relating to Legal Nonconforming Signs on the second reading calendar for the December 2, 2004 special council meeting.  Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy

No action was taken on Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy under second reading, and it was noted that Ordinance 919 was listed on the final action calendar also.

Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget

Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920 so that the fund balances reflect the budget committee’s amendments, the provisos are included in the ordinance, and the budget document reflects the budget committee’s amendments by line item.  Armanini seconded.

Following discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

Thompson moved that the following 2004 proviso be adapted and included in the 2005 budget ordinance:

“Section 6 FTE Reauthorizations. The authorization for an FTE in the 2005 budget and salary schedule shall not be valid upon the vacancy of any position on or after December 20, 2004. Reauthorization for these positions, temporary or permanent, shall require a majority vote of the Council. New positions authorized for 2005 are not considered vacancies unless vacant on or after May 1, 2005.”

Armanini seconded. The motion carried 6-1 (Aye—Thompson, Armanini, Goss, Olstad, Herzog, Sterner; Nay—Kiest).

Thompson noted that the proposed council budget is scheduled for a public hearing on December 2, 2004.

Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase

Cmbr. Herzog moved to advance Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase to final action calendar at the December 2, 2004 special council meeting.  Cmbr. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Authorization to Hire for Police Officer Position

Following discussion, Kiest moved to authorize city staff to proceed with hiring FTE police officer to fulfill the authorized staffing levels for the Police Department.  Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

FINAL ACTION CALENDAR

Resolution 876/Increasing the City’s Drainage Assessment Fees

Herzog moved adoption of Resolution 876/Increasing the City’s Drainage Assessment Fees.  Goss seconded.

Armanini said that she is opposed to the increase in drainage utility fees this year but might look at it more favorably following the proposed update of the drainage utility plan.

After further discussion, the motion carried 4-3 (Aye---Olstad, Thompson, Herzog, Sterner; Nay—Armanini, Goss, Kiest).

Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy

Thompson moved to adopt Ordinance 919/Adopting 2005 Property Tax Levy.  Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Reports--Council

Goss reported on the first meeting of the Burke Gilman Trail Citizens Advisory Committee and expressed concern regarding issues related to the committee and its work.   Armanini noted

that a county staff member would provide copies of all committee materials to any interested councilmembers upon request. (Approved by Council)

Olstad said that a copy of the WRIA 8 10-year plan is available and provided an executive summary of the plan.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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