Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-1997 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES December 8, 1997 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 Potts. The meeting was recorded on audio tape. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Daniel Becker, Lynn Benz, Ray Cory, Tom Morgan, Grahame Ross and Mayor Susan Potts. Absent: Councilmember Dewey Taylor. City Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Asst. City Mgr./City Clerk Woody Edvalson, Acting Police Chief Doug Ambrose MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Cory moved the approval of the minutes for the November 10, 1997 Regular Council Meeting. Councilmember Benz seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Potts commended the Cayhill's for their efforts with the Giving Tree this year and in years past. She was pleased to see that all of the initial name tags had been taken to purchase gifts for the children. She encouraged audience members to return and take tags from the tree when the next set was placed. Councilmember Becker reported that he had been in contact with Arthur Dietrich regarding the study for cable alternatives. He said that after the first of the year, Mr. Dietrich would be lining up an expert to advise the City on fiber optic vs. coaxial cable or other connectivity options. Medina City Council Minutes December 8, 1997 Page 2 Councilmember Becker also reported that a meeting regarding the Trans -Lake Washington Study would be held next week to approve a framework for establishing the study committee. A letter from area mayors to the Washington State Department of Transportation indicated that their concerns were two fold, i.e., that the initial proposed representation was not what they had hoped for, and that it did not seem reasonable to have a committee meet 18-24 months and take no votes nor have them make any decisions. Councilmember Cory asked for an update regarding the Evergreen Point Road park-n- ride. City Manager Schulze explained that documents showed that the City had agreed to maintain and operate the park-n-ride. Councilmember Cory suggested that the word operate should mean that the City can control the usage of the lot. He suggested that it be restricted for use of Medina residents. Wilma Edmonds, 7721 NE 24th St., said that she had tried to have the lot closed several years ago. She said she would be willing to share all of the documentation she had collected on the issue. Councilmember Benz suggested that the parking in the lot be standardized, that perhaps non -Medina residents could be charged for the upkeep and maintenance of the facility. Mayor Potts concluded the discussion suggesting that the deed and any restrictions on the lot be researched. Mayor Potts inquired about discussions with Bellevue Christian School. City Manager Schulze reported that Bellevue Christian School representatives had indicated a willingness to continue talks about improved off-street parking for users of the school. They also indicated a willingness to work with the City on budgeted improvements for NE 28th St. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Susie Marglin, 2623 Evergreen Point Road, mentioned that she had seen the request to comment on the proposed street signs in the City Newsletter. She said that the metal signs were not in keeping with the character of the City, and encouraged the Council to maintain the wooden signs. She also encouraged the establishment of a uniform signage policy for the City. Paul Demitriades, 2254 Evergreen Point Road, expressed appreciation to City Manager Schulze for his support of the Civil Service Commission. He commended Mr. Schulze for budgeting the funds and arranging for the Commission's attendance at the annual state conference. Henry Paulman, 1415 80th Ave. NE, voiced his hope that the Council would adopt a budget with no increase in taxes. Medina City Council Minutes December 8, 1997 Page 3 STAFF REPORTS FINANCE COMMITTEE Councilmember Morgan moved the approval of November finance warrants numbered 10876 to 10951, except voided warrant #10905 in the amount of $132,458.01. He also moved the approval of November personnel warrants numbered 15719 to 15764 in the amount of $70,613.88. Councilmember Benz seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS Acting Chief Ambrose reported the occurrence of four auto thefts. Two of the vehicles were stolen vehicles recovered in Medina. One incident involved an unlocked car left overnight with the keys in the ignition. Also occurring in the past month was a domestic violence incident with no physical assault involved. Two malicious mischief incidents occurred where tires were slashed and graffiti sprayed. Mayor Potts asked about lane jumpers at SR520 and 84th Ave. NE. Chief Ambrose explained that the department had used delineators to discourage lane changing near the intersection. He said the department would continue to patrol and issue citations. The fines are $66, although because of the construction activity in the area, they might be written for double the amount. Councilmember Morgan commented that the park-n-ride at Evergreen Point Road had been the source of expenditures on the City's part to respond to criminal activities associated with the parking lot. DISCUSSIO POINTS COMMUNITIES TRAIL Mayor Potts re -ordered the agenda to allow Mayor Phil Rourke and City Administrator Mitch Wasserman of Clyde Hill to address the City regarding the Points Communities Trail Committee. Mayor Rourke described the proposed system of interconnected walk- ways and bike trails in the Points Communities area. He said the immediate goal of the committee was to complete the missing link in a large loop walking trail that circled through the communities of Medina, Hunts Point, Clyde Hill and Yarrow Point. The missing link was between 92nd and 96th Aves. NE in Clyde Hill. He said it was the only un-paved portion of the loop trail. Mayor Rourke explained further that the committee was recommending that the joint grant to the Points Communities be used in the following manner, i.e., $20,000 for the missing link trail and $10,000 for enhanced trail signage and other minor improvements. Councilmember Morgan praised the concept, but noted that the Medina Parks Board had not yet seen the plan. Mayor Potts asked if there would be additional contributions Medina City Council Minutes December 8, 1997 Page 4 required in future years. Mayor Rourke responded that there was no requirement for future contributions. He hoped that the communities could work together to continue to improve the trails in future years. Paul Demitriades, 2254 Evergreen Point Road, asked if the ISTEA grant funds would prohibit the use of the WSDOT right-of-way for the trail link. The response was no. Mayor Potts thanked the representatives of Clyde Hill for their attendance at the Council meeting. She said that the trail plan would be referred to the Park Board for input. PUBLIC HEARING TCI - CONSIDER IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR FRANCHISE NON-COMPLIANCE Hearing Continued from November 10, 1997.) City Manager Schulze summarized the Council's direction from the last meeting. William Bennett, Regional Vice President of TCI, reviewed the efforts that TCI made to improve service to the Medina residents. He stated that the costs associated with the required burial of cable through Clyde Hill and associated franchise were prohibitive. He said that TCI was now looking at a route through Kirkland to provide increased channel capacity. He added that TCI did not feel it was out of compliance with the franchise and that their interpretation of the agreement would not require system upgrade until August 1998. The Council expressed great displeasure with TCI's inability to deliver on its assurances of system upgrade. Councilmember Ross asked Mr. Bennett to provide documentation of the TCI efforts and obstacles. Henry Paulman, 1415 80th Ave. NE, said that it was his understanding that co -lashing of the fiber-optic cable would not be a problem aesthetically for Clyde Hill. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 634 - AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON FOR THE YEAR 1998, AND SETTING FORTH IN SUMMARY FORM THE TOTALS OF ESTIMATED REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR EACH SEPARATE FUND AND THE AGGREGATE TOTALS FOR ALL SUCH FUNDS COMBINED. City Manager Schulze gave an overview of the final draft budget. He identified four policy issues that the Council should consider in their adoption of the budget, e.g., how should the City deal with the impacts of the failed EMS levy, should the City increase its property tax levy to keep pace with the rate of inflation, what is the appropriate reserve Medina City Council Minutes December 8, 1997 Page 5 level to be maintained by the City, and should surplus reserves be used to fund capital projects. After some discussion, the Council concluded that they could not support an increase in the property tax levy while there was a surplus of revenues above the City's designated reserves in the current year. Mayor Potts asked for public comment. No one from the audience offered comment. Councilmember Morgan moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 634. Councilmember Cory made the second to the motion. All were in favor. RESOLUTION NO. 251 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE. Councilmember Benz moved the adoption of Resolution No. 251, proposing the language be amended to reflect the Council's desire to limit the increase in property tax levy to the same amount to generate the same amount of revenue as received in Fiscal Year 1997. Councilmember Cory seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. ORDINANCE NO. 635 - AN ORDINANCE CERTIFYING TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF KING COUNTY THE ESTIMATES OF THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE YEAR 1998 ON THE ESTIMATED ASSESSED VALUATION OF THE PROPERTY IN THE CITY AS REQUIRED BY R.C.W. 84.52.020 Councilmember Cory moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 635 as amended to reflect the limitation on property tax revenue to $1,279,707. Councilmember Becker provided the second to the motion. All were in favor. The City Council congratulated City Manager Schulze on an excellent job of budget preparation and presentation. Betsy Weyer, 2618 82nd Ave. NE, asked for an estimate of the increase in the City's assessed valuation resulting from new construction. City Manager Schulze responded that he thought it was approximately $25,000,000. DISCUSSION FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CONTRACT City Manager Schulze reported that the version of the Fire and Emergency Services Contract which the Council had received in their packets would have some modifications made to reflect individual contracts between Bellevue and the cities involved in the negotiations. Medina City Council Minutes December 8, 1997 Page 6 Councilmember Becker moved the approval of the Fire and Emergency Services contract, and that the City Manager be authorized to sign on behalf of the City. Councilmember Ross seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and in the affirmative. CONTRACTOR LICENSING City Manager Schulze indicated that this item was for discussion only. He explained that the City's Building Official felt that landscape contractors and architects, roofers and mechanical contractors frequently fail to obtain the proper permits before conducting work in the City. Licensing would give City staff the opportunity to educate the contractors regarding parking, noise, street use and right-of-way issues. After discussion, the City Council chose not to support this concept, suggesting education of the property owners through the newsletter might accomplish the desired end. APPOINTMENT TO VACANCY ON BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Mayor Potts recommended the appointment of Craig Hintze to the Board of Adjustment. She explained that he had been one of those interviewed earlier in the year for appointment to a board vacancy. She recalled that the personnel committee had been pleased with his interview. By common consent the Council approved the appointment by Mayor Potts of Mr. Hintze. COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Councilmember Morgan passed out a sheet describing the ordinance recently adopted by Hunts Point dealing with building bulk and lot size. He asked that the Council consider this information, and that the ad hoc committee be reconvened to further discuss the Hunts Point and proposed Medina ordinances. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:30 PM, and under authority of RCW 42.30.110 Mayor Potts announced that the Council would hold an executive session to discuss personnel issues. She announced the session would conclude at 9:45 PM with no further action by the Council before adjourning the meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 11:30 PM, the Council reconvened the regular session and by common consent adjourned the meeting. Medina City Council Minutes December 8.1Q07 Page Susan Potts, Mayor Attest: