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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-1996 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES September 9, 1996 Medina City Hall 7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Medina City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Taylor. The Council meeting was recorded on audio tape. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Daniel Becker, Lynn Benz, Ray Cory, Thomas Morgan, Susan Potts, Grahame Ross and Mayor Dewey Taylor. City Staff Present: Interim City Manager Woody Edvalson, Public Works Superintendent Anne Weigle and City Attorney Kirk Wines. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Councilmember Cory moved to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting of August 12, 1996 and the special Council meeting of August 28, 1996. Councilmember Potts seconded the motion, which was then passed unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Cory noted that Medina Elementary School had cut down the tall grass along their fence line on Overlake Drive. Councilmember Benz expressed appreciation for the Chairpersons of Medina Days. The Council noted that it was a nice event. Interim City Manager Edvalson noted the resignation of Public Works Superintendent Weigle-- her last day to be October 4. The Council expressed their appreciation to Anne for her hard work on behalf of the City. They expressed their dismay at seeing her go, but wished her well. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Henry Paulman, 1415 80th Ave. NE, asked that the Council address the order of their agenda in order to move items dealing with the City's finances to the front of the Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 2 meeting. He expressed his disapproval of the Council reconvening to open session at the close of an executive session to take an action. He suggested that the Council postpone those types of actions to their next scheduled meeting. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO.241 - An Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Medina and the Towns of Clyde Hill, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point for Legislative Lobbying Services Interim City Manager Edvalson explained that this was an agreement between the Points Communities to provide for the continuing legislative lobbying services of John Betrozoff. The interlocal agreement is a mechanism to satisfy auditors from the State Auditor's Office regarding the tracking of payment for services between the cities, etc. Councilmember Cory moved the adoption of Resolution No. 241. Councilmember Morgan seconded the motion for purposes of discussion. For various reasons, Councilmembers Becker, Benz, and Morgan questioned the need to have Mr. Betrozoff represent the City this year in the legislative session. Mayor Taylor responded that this agreement allowed the City to retain Mr. Betrozoff if it was determined at some later date that his lobbying efforts would be needed. He reported that the Mayors from the Points Communities would be meeting with state legislators in the near future to discuss the city's and towns' concerns. The Council consensus was to postpone action at this time. Mayor Taylor called asked for a vote of those in favor of the motion. The vote was unanimous in the negative. The motion failed. DISCUSSION CHANGES TO EASTSIDE BUS ROUTES Daniel Bray, 1400 92nd Ave NE, Clyde Hill, a member of the Metro "sounding board" described the Metro plans to reduce direct bus service from Medina and Clyde Hill to Seattle via the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Council discussion followed Mr. Bray's presentation. Suggestions were made to alter the shuttle bus route 924 to allow it to go past the Evergreen Point bus station, to request Metro to do a destination survey of bus passengers in the area, to write letters to County Councilmember Rob McKenna to salvage the 253 route, etc. Mayor Taylor appointed Councilmembers Potts, Benz, and Becker to study the issue and report back to the Council at the October regular meeting. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Brad Pratt, 2232 78th Ave. NE; Larry Riggs, 1864 77th Ave. NE; Karen Scott, 2077 77th Ave. NE; Walter Scott, 2077 77th Ave. NE; and Laurie Brustkern, 2012 77th Ave. NE expressed concern over continuing traffic problems on 77th, 78th, and 79th Avenues Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 3 and 22nd Street. They reported that what measures had been taken on 77th Ave. NE were not working. The group asked for more substantial solutions to the speeding problems in their neighborhood. Speed bumps, cul-de-sacs, and lane narrowing techniques were again discussed. Walter Scott presented petitions signed by residents in the area supporting the installation of some type of speed bumps. The Council discussed the resident's concerns and possible solutions. Mayor Taylor directed the Public Safety Committee to meet and review the traffic engineer's report, and to report to the Council at their next regular meeting in October with recommendations. DISCUSSION LEOFF I FIRE CONTRACT CONTRIBUTIONS Interim City Manager Edvalson summarized the agenda report explaining that the City of Bellevue had established a fund to meet anticipated future expenses for LEOFF I retiree medical benefits. This fund was established with one-time revenues. The City of Bellevue believes that the City of Medina and other Points Communities have some obligation to assist with these future expenses. It also believes the current contract obligates participation by the City. The Points Communities have proposed a compromise whereby the towns and city would set aside one half of the presumed obligation within their own budgets until the overall issue is resolved with Bellevue. The proposed set -aside for Medina was approximately $8,829. The City Council discussed the issue and felt that the City had no future obligation for the medical care of the retirees under the LEOFF I system, that the City was already contributing on a yearly basis for current expenses, and that the issue should be resolved in the upcoming negotiations for a new contract for fire services with the City of Bellevue. By consensus, the Council did not approve the set -aside of funds for future LEOFF I retiree medical expenses. PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO CITY HALL Interim City Manager Edvalson reported that staff's immediate concern was for the creation of additional storage space at City Hall. He explained that the space existed, but that it needed finishing for it to be functional. The design and improvement costs would be approximately $17,000. After brief discussion, the Council concluded to wait for the appointment and recommendation of a new City Manager before further consideration of building changes at City Hall. Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 4 STAFF REPORTS Finance Report and Claims On behalf of the Finance Committee, Councilmember Morgan expressed appreciation to staff for providing information on the consultant's billings. Councilmember Morgan moved the approval of August warrants Nos. 9633 - 9712, including Nos. 97008, 99249, 999000 and 999665, and excluding Nos. 9684 and 99429 which were void, for a total amount of $387,312.99. He also moved the approval of August personnel warrants 14906 - 14968 and warrant 914922 in the total amount of 120, 462.19. Councilmember Benz seconded the motion. All were in favor. Police Department Police Chief Race reported the occurrence of three burglaries in town during the month of August. Two were odd in that entry was forced, but nothing taken. The third was more typical in that apparently a youth had several friends visit the house, and at some later time cash and other valuables were noticed missing. Police Chief Race reported on a scam occurring recently on Mercer Island involving newspaper subscription solicitations. One person keeps the homeowner distracted, while the other, under the pretense of using the restroom, goes through the home and steals credit cards, jewelry, cash, etc. Councilmember Potts asked that a night-time solicitation ordinance be considered. Police Chief Race responded that it would be discussed by the Council Public Safety Committee at their next meeting and presented for Council consideration in October. Chief Race also reported the following: jail costs continue to escalate, going to $108 to book a person plus $68/day; additional buoys are being installed on the lake the week of September 16; the water craft educational program has been a success and Hunts Point has agreed to share in the cost of the program; the emergency plan has been approved by the City of Bellevue. Councilmember Potts asked about the complaint of speeding on 73rd Place and NE 18th St. and the complaints of a helicopter coming in late at night in that neighborhood. Mayor Taylor offered to write a letter to the Gates Project about the speeding complaint. City Attorney Wines agreed to prepare an ordinance for Council consideration at their next meeting dealing with helicopters and aircraft. Chief Race asked for any input Councilmembers may have on the suspected theft of glow bracelets at the Medina Days celebration. Public Works Report Public Works Superintendent Anne Weigle noted that both she and her public works crew had visited the Lake Lane and the City dock site several times during the past Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 5 month. She asked for the assistance of Councilmembers living in the area to help monitor any further occurrences of blocked access. Councilmember Becker asked for further explanation of the plans for construction of the drainage project on 80th Ave. NE. Public Works Superintendent Weigle explained that a landscape plan had been developed and provided to Hunts Point Town Hall a little over a month ago, without any further input from them. They are supposed to respond some time in the next week. The estimated cost for installation of the landscape is $10,000. Mayor Taylor expressed his opinion that with appropriate landscaping the project would be acceptable. Mayor Taylor expressed sorrow at Public Works Superintendent Weigle's planned departure for a new position with Mercer Island. The Council and staff applauded her performance with the City of Medina. Councilmember Morgan asked about the proposed pedestrian path on Overlake Drive. Public Works Superintendent Weigle responded that plans would be available in the next few weeks. Councilmember Becker noted that the Medina Beach Park had been included in the County -wide Parks Bond Issue for $597,000. Public Works Superintendent Weigle responded that the dollar amount had been generated by the County and included both the Beach Park expansion and the pedestrian path project. Councilmember Morgan provided information to the Council on the operations of the bond issue. NEW BUSINESS SHARED FUNDING COMMITMENT PROGRAM Interim City Manager Edvalson presented Council with a request from representatives of the Growth Management Planning Council of King County to address the Council on the Shared Funding Commitment Program, a program aimed at providing for the regional needs for low and moderate income housing. By consensus the City Council responded that they felt a presentation on the topic was premature. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES UPDATE City Attorney Wines reported that the Planning Commission denied Sprint Spectrum's request to install a 100' lattice tower. The Commission also granted a request from USWEST NewVector to put in a 35' light standard with a 15' whip antenna. Sprint is submitting a revised application now for a 70' monopole, taking down the lattice tower. The City has also received an application from GTE for another light standard type of antenna at St. Thomas Church. He further reported that the Planning Commission told Metricom that there was no interest in making revisions to the ordinance to deal with their facilities. They were encouraged to make a regular application under the new ordinance. Interim City Manager Edvalson added that the Planning Commission had Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 6 indicated to Metricom that they would be willing to listen to a presentation to them at their October meeting. MEDINA DAYS REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Interim City Manager Edvalson advised Council that the Medina Days Committee had requested that the City assist them in covering a shortfall in donations. The Committee requested $2000 in assistance to cover the shortfall, and another $2000 as seed money for next year's festivities. Edvalson reminded the Council that the Medina Days Committee also had an outstanding bill with the City for newsletter inserts of approximately $867. At the conclusion of discussion, Councilmember Cory moved that the City contribute 2,000 to the Medina Days Committee, and forgive the newsletter debt. Councilmember Ross made a second to the motion. Upon further discussion, Councilmembers Cory and Ross amended the motion to cover a shortfall up to $2,000 and for Newsletter solicitation of contributions from the community for a period of ninety days to see if the shortfall can be covered through increased donations. All were in favor of the motion. AWC REGIONAL MEETING IN BELLEVUE The City Council determined that there was no interest in participating in the AWC Regional Meeting with legislative candidates. KING COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING King County Councilmember Rob McKenna's office contacted the City to request the use of City hall to hold a town meeting between September 30 and October 2, 1996. The Council felt that the City hall facility was inappropriate for the purpose and asked staff to so advise Mr. McKenna's office. BUDGET PROCESS Councilmember Becker asked how the budget process would begin. Interim City Manager Edvalson responded that staff had already begun the process of developing a preliminary budget. He suggested that it would be helpful to have input from the Council for new projects to include in the budget. It was suggested by the Council that concerns and new projects be brought forward for consensus approval by the Council. These issues would then be addressed in the budget process. Both the Finance and Public Works Subcommittees suggested meetings to discuss projects and ideas. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Taylor announced that the Council would adjourn to executive session for 20 minutes to discuss the selection of a new City Manager. The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 9:22 PM. Medina City Council Minutes September 9, 1996 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT At 9:30 PM, Councilmember Ross moved the meeting's adjournment. Councilmember Potts seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 757 Y Dewey L. Tay[r, May ,r H rwood T. Edvalson, City Clerk