Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-1999 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 8, 1999 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 Becker. The meeting was recorded on audio tape. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Paul Demitriades, Thomas Morgan, Susan Potts, Steve Preston, Grahame Ross and Mayor Daniel Becker. Absent: Councilmember Suzanne Cohen Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief Michael Knapp and City Clerk Kristen Finnigan. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Bec:(er stated that he was supposed to have had a meeting with King County Councilmember Rob McKenna, regarding the Trans Lake Study. At the present time, evaluations have begun related to solutions, and these will be discussed with Councilmember McKenna in the next few weeks. He stated that the Points Mayors have discussed as their solution criteria: a) congestion relief b) mitigation c) preservation of reserves, parks and wetlands d) equitable share of the burden, and e) funding. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Morgan moved to remove the Board Appointments from the Consent Agenda as they were not available. Seconded by Preston, approval was unanimous. Councilmember Demitriades moved to approve the minutes from the City Council meeting of January 11, 1999. Seconded by Preston. All were in favor. Medina City Council Minutes February 8, 1999 Page 2 REPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Police Chief Knapp reported that there had been an attempted burglary in the 2500 block of 82nd Ave. NE during the month. Someone shot a window at the Chevron station and there was an attempted purse theft at Medina Park. Police Chief Knapp spoke of the issue of hate mail having been received in Medina. Mayor Becker suggested that this information be highlighted in the Medina newsletter. There was discussion relative to the closure rate on crimes and classes of misdemeanors. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT City Manager Schulze reported that the committee had talked about emergency preparedness. He said that Chief Knapp had had discussions with the Bellevue Emergency Preparedness staff and will be coordinating an exercise for city staff. City Manager Schulze stated that the update of the Emergency Preparedness Plan will continue. He said that the Police Department will be undergoing some training on the jersey barrier operation on SR520. He said that an alternative site for emergency operations will be explored City Manager Schulze explained that many of the department expenses listed in the budget amendment are items that are safety related. He reviewed staffing issues with the police department and testing for the Lieutenant and Sergeant positions. Also, City Manager Schulze said that the committee had discussed the Traffic Study, specifically the light on NE 24th and 84th. He said that if you had been there recently, you would have noticed construction of a new wireless facility going in at Clyde Hill. He said that the wireless provider would be putting in a new signal and control panel that will allow the City of Clyde Hill to change the sequence of the signal, hopefully improving the left turn issue from 24th onto 84th in the evening. Councilmember Ross expressed his pleasure in Chief Knapp's identification of remedial areas. He also stated that Chief Knapp's position in the department is set to move forward in a manner that protects the citizens better, in a manner that leaves the city less exposed to litigation. Discussion followed regarding regulation of the light at NE 24th & 84th. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT City Manager Schulze stated that the committee had talked about the Capital Improvement Program for this year. Direction was received from the committee relative to what options to bring to the City Council. He stated that they will be presenting the Council with 30% and then 90% design stages, and are planning to begin projects as soon as possible this year, in order to avoid weather related problems. Medina City Council Minutes February 8, 1999 Page 3 Councilmember Morgan stated that the two major projects are the next phase of Overlake's asphalt overlay and the pedestrian path. He said that the other large project is 24th street, which needs a major overhaul. PRESENTATION FOR FAIRWEATHER NATURE PRESERVE IMPROVEMENTS Pieter Straub of Cascadia Quest (King County Conservation Corps) discussed a proposal for improvements to Fairweather Nature Preserve. He stated that there are many ways for the area to be improved. Mr. Straub explained that he had walked the site and was at this meeting to receive input from the Council and approval to move ahead. He specified some areas which need improvement: a) entryways are not well marked; b) trail network needs to be better defined; c) plant community needs attention - areas overrun with blackberry and ivy; d) there is a great deal of opportunity in the lower wetland in terms of habitat; e) need to stabilize banks. Charles Anderson of Anderson & Ray, Landscape Architects, stated that the Fairweather Nature Preserve could be an exciting place to go and that he looked forward to assisting Medina. Discussion followed after which it was requested that a more defined proposal be prepared and presented for the Public Works Committee to study. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION No member of the audience chose to address the Council at this time. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 651 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 649, 1999 BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON City Manager Schulze explained that this was a budget amendment ordinance related to expenses for officer safety, corrections of past problems and other improvements for police officers. Councilmember Potts moved that Ordinance No. 651 be adopted for the purpose of Police Department needs and improvements. Councilmember Ross seconded the motion. All were in favor. DISCUSSION DISTRICT COURT City Manager Schulze explained that the Council was being asked to discuss options for Municipal Court Services. He related that the current contract for services through Medina City Council Minutes February 8, 1999 Page 4 Bellevue was to have expired December 31, 1998, and was extended for one year, to allow negotiations between the cities and the County. He said that over the past six months, approximately nineteen cities participated in negotiations with King County, but he explained that the unfortunate result was increased costs to cities, with no improvement or upgraded services. The City Manager explained that consideration had been given to the creation of a joint municipal court with other Points communities. He said that he had met with the City of Kirkland staff to discuss a possible contract with them for court services and that negotiations are still in progress with the City of Kirkland. Following discussion, it was determined that more information was needed. City Manager Schulze stated that a final report will be available for the City Council for their March 8, 1999 meeting, at which time a decision will be required. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSHOP It was discussed and decided that the next City Council Workshop to discuss proposed Ordinance No. 614, relative to the large home issue, will take place at City Hall, on Monday, February 22, 1999, at 7:00. TRAFFIC STUDY City Manager Schulze explained that the primary traffic issue for Medina is the 84th Avenue on -ramp to SR520. Mayor Becker and Councilmember Potts volunteered to represent Medina at the Traffic Study Meeting. AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF BELLEVUE FOR RECREATION SERVICES - HIGHLAND CENTER After discussion, it was determined that the issue return to the Park Board who has asked that the City Attorney provide a written opinion that the City would not be required to offer recreational services to the general public by entering into this agreement. COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Council Committees were appointed: Finance - Councilmembers Demitriades, Preston Cohen Public Safety - Councilmembers Morgan, Ross, Cohen Public Works - Councilmembers Demitriades, Preston, Morgan Personnel - Councilmembers Cohen, Potts, Ross Mayor Becker stated that Councilmember Potts would replace Councilmember Cohen on one of these committees, after consultation with Councilmember Cohen. Councilmember Potts suggested that the Committee for Special Projects be added as needed. Medina City Council Minutes February 8, 1999 Page 5 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION City Manager Schulze recommended the appointment of Peter Jorgensen to the Medina Civil Service Commission for the remaining term of Paul Demitriades, to expire June 30, 2000. After discussion, it was decided that Councilmember Demitriades interview Mr. Jorgensen and report back to City Manager Schulze. NEW BUSINESS PART-TIME BUILDING OFFICIAL POSITION City Manager Schulze reviewed the qualifications of Roxanne Michael, who will be working with Building Official, Lowell Erickson. It was Council's decision to authorize a contract with Ms. Michael. Discussion followed regarding the need to improve turn- around time of applications. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FOR THE CITY Councilmember Morgan described monitoring devices that measure pollutants and are available through a program at the University of Washington. Councilmember Morgan said that the Council needed to authorize the City Manager to request a proposal. Following discussion, the consensus was that the City Manager should pursue the proposal, with the understanding that the city would retain control of release of any information relative to the study. LEGISLATIVE REPORT Councilmember Demitriades reported on recent meetings with legislators and Association of Washington Cities in Olympia. He stated that the Governor has three items on his agenda: a) education b) salmon recovery c) transportation. Councilmember Demitriades expressed his feeling that not much would go through this session of the legislature. He further stated that there are some bills of which the Council needs to be aware. RESOLUTION NO. 261 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO POTENTIAL TOLLS TO FINANCE PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED USING TOLL REVENUES Councilmember Demitriades introduced a draft resolution for the Council to study and then determine whether or not they would like to proceed in its circulation to other cities. MOTOR HOMES ORDINANCE/PARKING Councilmember Ross stated that he had requested that City Manager Schulze review the section of the Municipal Code regarding motorhomes. He stated that the code refers to trailer homes, never anticipating large class "A" motor homes serve the same function. City Manager Schulze reported that they had developed a Recreational Medina City Council Minutes February 8, 1999 Page 6 Vehicle Ordinance in a city where he had worked previously. He said that he had received a copy of this ordinance and it will be drafted for the City of Medina. Councilmember Morgan stated that construction parking on the street is a serious problem. City Manager Schulze explained that there is no construction -related parking allowed, but that enforcement is another issue. He said that the situation is being studied. ADJOURNMENT The Council concluded their regular meeting at 9:40 PM, on a motion by Councilmember Ross and a second by Councilmember Preston. All were in favor. ' / D nie F. Becker, Mayor Attest: Kristen Finnig , City Clerk