Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; John Hawley, Finance Director; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Tema Nesoff, Human Services and Parks Administrator; Susan Stine, City Clerk
Others present: 15 visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the regular meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
At the invitation of the mayor, King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds led the council in the pledge of allegiance.
PRESENTATION
Metropolitan King County 2005 Budget
--Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn
Edmonds
Hutchinson welcomed Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds and thanked her for taking time to provide a report on the King County 2005 Budget.
King County Councilmember Edmonds distributed information regarding the King County 2005 budget and noted the planned expenditures affecting the Lake Forest Park community. Edmonds said that she was pleased to be able to provide funds this year to the Friends of Third Place Commons for a feasibility study for a farmers’ market.
Edmonds also distributed information regarding the 2004-2005 King County districting committee and discussed the schedule of public hearings regarding the redistricting process. Edmonds discussed her work in representing and identifying the needs of the suburban cities of north King County.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Hutchinson said that the Lake City Elks have reportedly signed a letter of intent for a senior housing project. He noted the nomination and appointment process for the Suburban Cities Board and Policy Issues Committee.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Cmbr. Thompson requested the addition of a report from the Rules Committee after citizen comments.
Thompson moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Cmbr. Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Aron Golden, 16720 39th Place NE, thanked the Mayor, Council and the budget committee for including funds for the farmers’ market project. He noted that others in the audience support the farmers’ market and appreciate the city’s support.
RULES COMMITTEE
Thompson noted that the Rules Committee met at 5:15 p.m. prior to the study session at the request of staff to discuss a timeline for various issues requiring council consideration. He reported that the committee recommends scheduling a hearing on February 10, 2005 on the comprehensive plan update, the future land use map and the draft environmentally sensitive areas ordinance.
Thompson moved to schedule council special meetings on the third Thursday of January, February and March 2005. Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson also said that the Rules Committee recommended the following motion. Thompson moved that the Planning Commission and Environmental Quality Commission be directed to provide feedback on the draft environmentally sensitive areas ordinance and the future land use map for the comprehensive plan and to forward their recommendations to the city council by January 13, 2005.
Olstad seconded.
In response to Cmbr. Armanini’s concern regarding imposing this time schedule on the commissions, Thompson noted that the commission meeting schedule should allow the schedule to be met. He noted the importance of adhering to the timeline so that the council is able to complete its work.
In response to a question from Hutchinson, Planning and Building Director Steve Bennett discussed the Planning Commission meeting schedule and noted that the workplan includes the review of the draft sensitive areas ordinance. Haines said that three Planning Commissioners and three Environmental Quality Commissioners worked together on the sensitive areas ordinance task force to develop the proposed ordinance.
The motion carried 6-1 (Aye—Thompson, Kiest, Goss, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Armanini).
Thompson requested that councilmembers review the potential dates for a council retreat and plan to set the retreat date at an upcoming meeting. He also noted that the 2004 draft retreat summary is scheduled for discussion at the January 13, 2005 study session meeting.
Suspend Rules/Revise Agenda
Thompson moved to suspend the council rules and to add Mark Phillips, Environmental Quality Commission, Position 1, term ending 3/31/07, for final confirmation on tonight’s agenda.
Cmbr. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
FINAL CONFIRMATION CALENDAR
Mark Phillips, Environmental Quality Commission, Position 1,
term ending 3/31/07
Thompson moved to confirm Mark Phillips to serve on the Environmental Quality Commission, Position 1, term ending 3/31/07. Kiest seconded.
Thompson noted this is an exception to the council rules, and he feels this is important because the EQC has vacant positions and an important assignment—review of the draft sensitive areas ordinance. He said that the sensitive areas ordinance is a very important piece of city policy.
Kiest said he supports this extraordinary move to schedule final confirmation immediately following confirmation review. He noted that he would withdraw his support for immediate consideration if any councilmember were uncomfortable with this process.
The motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Thompson moved to approve the consent calendar as follows:
Cmbr. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Ordinance 913/Amending LFPMC 2.22.060 Relating to
Commission Chair Position
Councilmembers noted receipt of information regarding commission responses to the chair selection process and noted that the ordinance has been tabled to January 13, 2005.
Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget
Thompson moved to re-order the agenda and to schedule council consideration of Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget as the final item of the second reading calendar. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments
Cmbr. Sterner moved to adopt Resolution 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments. Goss seconded. The motion carried 5-2 (Aye—Thompson, Goss, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Kiest, Armanini).
Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees
Herzog noted that Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees is also listed on the final action calendar.
Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget
Thompson referred councilmembers to an amendments page dated December 9, 2004.
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget as follows:
"The expenses and salary schedule proposed for the public works leads in the mayor’s budget shall be restored." Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920 of the 2005 Budget as follows:
"Delete the Council member insurance proviso."
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved that further consideration of Ordinance 920 on second reading be scheduled after New Business/New Topics for Discussion on the agenda. Kiest seconded.
In response to a question from Olstad, Thompson noted this is being done so that all business on the agenda could be finished prior to further discussion of Ordinance 920. He said that there may be more amendments.
The motion carried unanimously.
FINAL ACTION CALENDAR
Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations
In response to a question from Kiest, councilmembers agreed to continue discussion of Ordinance 905 under second reading after the final action calendar.
Ordinance 916/Relating to Sign Regulations; Eliminating Sunset Provision for LFPMC 18.52.080; Repealing Section 2 of Ordinance 877
Thompson moved to adopt Ordinance 916/Relating to Sign Regulations; Eliminating Sunset Provision for LFPMC 18.52.080; Repealing Section 2 of Ordinance 877. Sterner seconded. The motion carried 6-1 (Aye—Thompson, Armanini, Goss, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Kiest).
Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees
Thompson moved to adopt Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
A ten-minute recess was called for at 8:42 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 9:10 p.m.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations
Herzog moved to amend Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations as follows:
Page 2, insert at the end of line 32: "…Such signs must be placed upon the property which they identify except as provided in Lake Forest Park Municipal Code 18.52.040 A."
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Herzog moved to advance Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations to the final action calendar. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
FINAL ACTION CALENDAR
Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations
Herzog moved to adopt Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
New topics for discussion
--Appointment to Suburban Cities Association Policy Issues Committee
Armanini moved to designate Cmbr. Herzog as the city’s appointed representative to the Suburban Cities Association Policy Issues Committee. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Goss moved to nominate Cmbr. Armanini as the alternate for the Policy Issues Committee. Herzog seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Kiest moved to endorse Mayor Hutchinson for nomination to the SCA Board. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget
In response to questions from Herzog regarding the funding for Brookside playground equipment, Armanini noted that the original request from citizens for $10,000 was increased to $25,000 following development of a budget by the PTA association. Armanini said that the council budget proposal is for matching funds up to $25,000 and an interlocal agreement with the school district. She said that State Senator Darlene Fairley is not able to provide state funds because she is no longer the chair of the legislature’s capital budget committee. Armanini noted that she has been persuaded to include $25,000 in the budget by conversations with Brookside School parents, and she supports the request because the city needs more active playgrounds.
At 9:24 p.m., Kiest moved to recess until 9:35 p.m. Thompson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting was resumed at 9:38 p.m.
Armanini moved to amend Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget as follows:
Page 2, line 4: "adjustment and by up to
a 2.1% merit increase."
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Armanini moved to amend Ordinance 920 as follows and to correct the subsection lettering:
Page 3, line 6-7: "…dollar match program to match
contributions from citizens or businesses to the PTA organization;; and c)
Only cash contributions to LFP citizens or business in LFP or the PTA
organization; and …."
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Goss moved to amend Ordinance 920 as follows:
Page 2, Section 11. Farmers’ Market Grant: "…submission to and
acceptance by the Council, of a business plan…"
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson distributed a copy of a motion for council consideration.
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920 as stated in the copy distributed to the council.
Armanini seconded.
At the request of Mayor Hutchinson, Thompson read the motion into the record as follows:
"The expenses and salary schedule for the engineering tech in the mayor’s budget shall be restored. The position shall be renamed: Engineering Technician/Capital Project Grant Writer. Delete the $30,000 for engineering consultant services previously amended by the council. Delete expenses related to the position of Government and Community Relations Coordinator and delete it from salary schedule."
Hutchinson expressed his concern and said that he is in total disagreement with the proposal to cut the community and government affairs position held by Sarah Phillips. He noted Mayor pro tempore Dwight Thompson informed him of the motion during the recess and has promised that the administration would have one week to prepare a response to this motion.
City Administrator Haines expressed her concern regarding the motion and asked the council to inform the administration if the intent of the motion is to reduce or eliminate specific funds or specific programs that are currently being performed.
Thompson said that he informed the mayor that councilmembers have indicated that there are a variety of reasons for the elimination of the community and government affairs position. He said that the mayor has a week to speak with each councilmember to discuss their concerns, and that the council has agreed to schedule the budget ordinance for further discussion at the December 16, 2004 meeting.
Hutchinson noted that the proposed budget was introduced to the council in October, and he said that the elimination of the Community and Government Affairs position had not been raised in council budget committee meetings or in council meetings. He expressed his appreciation to the council that the administration has been given one week to meet with each councilmember to discuss the background for and intent of the motion to eliminate this position.
Olstad stated his intent to move to divide the motion and noted that it deals with two separate issues—the inclusion of the engineering technician position and the elimination of the community and government affairs position.
Sterner said that he agreed with Olstad’s recommendation that the motion should be divided and noted that the inclusion of the engineering technician position is not controversial while the elimination of the community and government affairs position requires careful consideration and discussion by all councilmembers.
Olstad moved that the motion be divided into two parts and considered separately as follows:
Sterner seconded.
Armanini stated that although other councilmembers may have different views, she believes that the motion should be considered as a whole. She said that she would vote against dividing the motion.
Goss stated that she believes that the two issues are linked, and she said that she would vote against dividing the motion.
Sterner said that he believes each position must stand on its own merit and said that each of these positions should be discussed separately.
Goss stated that she believes that the city cannot afford both positions and will vote against separating the motion.
The motion to separate the motion and to consider each position separately carried 5-2 (Aye—Kiest, Thompson, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Armanini, Goss).
Thompson moved to adopt the first motion as follows:
1) "The expenses and salary schedule for the engineering tech in the mayor’s budget shall be restored. The position shall be renamed: Engineering Technician/Capital Project Grant Writer. Delete the $30,000 for engineering consultant services previously amended by the council."
Sterner seconded. The motion carried 5-2 Aye—Kiest, Thompson, Herzog, Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Armanini, Goss).
Thompson moved to adopt the second motion as follows:
2) "Delete expenses related to the position of Government and Community Relations Coordinator and delete it from salary schedule."
Armanini seconded.
Sterner said he strongly sympathizes with the mayor and noted that he really hates surprises. Sterner said he believes that this motion requires a thorough debate, and he understands that Thompson will not be available for the December 16, 2004 council meeting. Sterner noted that in accordance with parliamentary procedure, he would be able to move for reconsideration of the motion at the December 16 meeting if he votes in support of the motion tonight.
Sterner said that he has had some concerns whether the city is getting the best value from all of its positions. He noted that this is a complex issue, and he is therefore disturbed that it was raised at the eleventh hour.
Hutchinson noted that he understands that the motion if adopted would eliminate the community and government affairs position from the proposed budget and that further discussion of the proposed budget ordinance would be scheduled for the December 16, 2004 meeting. Hutchinson also expressed his concern regarding the impact of the proposed cut on city staff, and he said that the city has an excellent staff currently. He said that this action affects a very valuable staff member and spoke in support of her work within the city, her ability to get things done, and her contacts in the region.
The motion to eliminate the community and government affairs position from the proposed 2005 budget carried 5-1 (Aye—Goss, Armanini, Thompson, Herzog, Sterner; Nay—Olstad; abstaining—Kiest).
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 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|