HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-1999 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 10, 1999 Medina City Hall
7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd.
At 6:00 PM and under authority of RCW 42.30.140 4 (b), an Executive Session was
held, for discussion of personnel issues. This executive session adjourned at 6:55 PM.
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Medina City Council was called to order at 7:01 PM by Mayor
Becker. The meeting was recorded on audio tape.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Suzanne Cohen, Paul Demitriades, Thomas
Morgan, Susan Potts, Steve Preston, Grahame Ross and Mayor
Daniel Becker.
Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief
Michael Knapp, Public Works Superintendent Carl Burris, City
Engineer Jay Hummell and City Clerk Kristen Finnigan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements from the Council or staff.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Morgan moved to remove the regular warrants from the consent
agenda for discussion. Councilmember Potts moved to approve the consent agenda,
minus the regular warrants. Seconded by Councilmember Morgan, the consent agenda
was approved and the regular warrants were moved to Discussion as Item D.
A. Minutes from Regular Meeting of April 12, 1999
B. Minutes from Study Session of April 30, 1999
C. Approval of April 1999 Personnel Warrants
Personnel Warrants - #16573 - 16622
$89,433.69
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May 10, 1999
Page 2
REPORTS
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Police Chief Knapp reviewed the Police Report for April, 1999. He stated that a young
man had been arrested in Burien, along with 500 pieces of mail, several pieces of which
were from the Hunts Point area, with some residents not having been aware of the fact
that their mail was missing. The Chief of Police warned that residents should be aware
of what they put into their mail boxes and not leave it in overnight.
Police Chief Knapp commented on the recent Colorado school incident, stating that
Medina's Police Department had already reached out to the schools in the area, with the
intention of developing an emergency response plan, should the need ever arise.
PARK BOARD REPORT
John Bell, Chairman of the Medina Park Board was present and stated that the Park
Board would like to make a brief monthly presentation to the City Council, to relate their
ideas, concerns and questions, with the intent of interacting more. Chairperson Bell
spoke about the memorandum that the Park Board had written to the City Council
regarding Lake Lane Dock. The Park Board had requested that the Council authorize
the procurement of a landscape plan for Lake Lane Dock. They also recommended that
an outside agency be hired to maintain the landscaping and clean the dock on a weekly
basis. It was also suggested that once a plan is obtained, comments and suggestions
be solicited from residents near the dock.
POINT OF ORDER
Mayor Becker announced that the next agenda topic would be Audience Participation,
followed by other reports for which consultants would be present.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Bob Rudolph, 1455 Evergreen Point Road was present to give an update on the jet
noise situation. He reviewed flight tracks, explaining that the FMS procedure proposed
in 1993 by the FAA, to put the East Turn departing flights over the open water corridor
between Medina and Mercer Island, is further north than the originally proposed track.
The City Council approved the City Manager sending a letter to this effect, to the FAA.
STAFF REPORTS
NE 24TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS
City Engineer Jay Hummel, Roth -Hill, was present to discuss NE 24th Street and
Overlake Drive proposals. In addressing NE 24th St first, Hummel presented two
Medina City Council Minutes
May 10, 1999
Page 3
options that had been fashioned from input at the two recent public meetings. He stated
that Option A was derived from the second meeting, where there was strong support for
a walking path on the south side of the road, as well as the north side. He stated that
Option B was the original plan, with sidewalk expansion and landscaping on the north
side.
Paul Jelinek, 7914 NE 24th, stated that he had attended the first neighborhood meeting
and that he was in favor of getting rid of bike lanes. He stated that he thought that the
focus should be on sidewalks.
Joanne Ferguson, 7719 NE 24th, explained that she had written an earlier letter to the
City Council in which she submitted proposals to allow both north and south sides of the
street to benefit from street improvements in an even fashion. She requested a buffer
space in order for her to get in and out of her driveway in a safe manner.
Sam Ferguson, 7719 NE 24th, said that he appreciated the time that was being taken to
make difficult decisions regarding the proposed improvements on NE 24th. He further
stated that he supported his wife's letter, previously mentioned.
Tom Edmonds, 7721 NE 24th, stated that he had attended both neighborhood
meetings. He commented, saying that he would like to see speed enforced on 24th.
Mike Nikolic - 7623 24th St. NE, stated his feeling that a 6' sidewalk would be more than
generous.
Irene Hilden, 7617 NE 24th, said that she thinks that people want a wider sidewalk with
1-1/2' curb and gutter. She said that she would like to keep the rest the way that it now
is.
Lisa Jelinek, 7914 NE 24th, explained that she is in favor of the 6' sidewalk and anything
that would enhance and beautify the street.
Councilmember Morgan suggested that the Public Works Committee members meet
with City Engineer Hummell regarding the areas of concern, in order to achieve a better
feel for the situation.
Following discussion, it was determined that the proposals be sent to the Public Works
Committee Meeting which was set for Friday, May 21st, 1999, for further discussion.
OVERLAKE DRIVE W. PEDESTRIAN PATH PHASE II
City Engineer Hummell explained that the present consensus was that that there will be
a 6' wide path and a landscaped strip in between that path and the road, and then the
road will be overlaid. He stated that there will be storm drainage improvements also.
Hummel said that Otak, the City's Landscape Consultants met with the individual
property owners to discuss the landscaping proposed for the front of their homes.
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May 10, 1999
Page 4
Bill Baum, 8300 Overlake Drive W., said that he had attended the neighborhood
meetings and that his view had changed over the course of the meetings. He said that
he had not seen anyone walking in the new lane and now questioned its necessity.
Discussion followed. It was then determined that the Overlake Drive Project would be
discussed at the upcoming Public Works Committee Meeting.
NE 5TH DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
City Engineer Hummell explained the proposed drainage improvements to be done at
the SE corner of 5th & Ridge. He said that a pipe would be placed in the ground, that it
would be filled in with dirt/backfill material, and then the area would be reseeded to look
like a lawn.
MEDINA PARK PONDS
City Engineer Hummell explained that Medina Park Ponds is a project that has had the
scope defined as time has gone on. He said that a wetland biologist had gone to the
site to define the wetland. He indicated that there had been meetings on site with
fisheries people, and it had been decided that there will be stream enhancement
between the lower pond and the south edge of the park. It was determined that this
item of discussion also be on the agenda of the next Public Works Committee Meeting.
OVERLAKE DRIVE E. RETAINING WALL
City Engineer Hummell stated that a SEPA was being prepared regarding the project
and that they are proceeding with design and permitting of the retaining wall.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance No. 653 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 8.12
OF THE MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE, DEALING WITH FALSE ALARMS, TO
REDUCE THE CIVIL PENALTIES ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN
REPORTS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION AND ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO
DELEGATE APPEAL AUTHORITY.
City Manager Schulze stated that Police Chief Knapp had brought this ordinance to his
attention several months ago, relative to its enforcement. He said that the intent would
be to get the problems corrected and false alarms eliminated. City Manager Schulze
reviewed the proposed amendments to the ordinance which included: that the second
and third responses within six months be charged $50; that no report be required; that
the Chief of Police will not direct the user to have the system inspected or corrected;
that fourth and all subsequent alarms within six months will be charged $100, and that
no disconnection would be required and the City will collect charges, rather than the
Police Department.
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May 10, 1999
Page 5
After discussion, it was decided that the proposed ordinance would go to the upcoming
Public Safety Committee Meeting for review and then return to the City Council for a
Public Hearing.
Ordinance No. 656 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 649, 1999
BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON
City Manager Schulze explained that the police and public works were the two
departments involved in the proposed budget amendment,. He stated that the moving
allowance and temporary living allowance for the police chief were not included in the
budget for 1998 or 1999. In addition, unbudgeted expenses for the police department
have been incurred for required training and operations that will exceed the 1999
budget. He said that the total cost of these unbudgeted expenses was $48,500.
City Manager Schulze further explained that final invoices from contractors had not
arrived until after January 1, 1999, for several capital improvement and public works
projects finished late in 1998, creating a budget surplus of $101,779.45, in the Street
Fund. He said that the budget amendment would increase the beginning fund balance
in the street fund to reflect the actual balance of $191,293.45.
Councilmember Morgan moved to approve Ordinance No. 656. Seconded by
Demitriades, all were in favor.
DISCUSSION
Ordinance No. 655 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 10.40.070 TO INCREASE THE FINE FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS AND
AMENDING MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10.72.030 RELATING TO
PARKING OF CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES.
City Manager Schulze related that he had had several discussions with Police Chief
Knapp regarding Ordinance No. 655, and that the Police Chief was still working on some
of the proposed language. Chief Knapp explained that he was attempting to correct
redundancy and any conflicts in the ordinance.
Ellen Conklin, 8605 NE 5th St., submitted, for the record, a copy of a letter that her
architects had sent to her neighbors, prior to the current remodeling of their residence.
In the letter, the architect stated that they would make every effort to ensure that the
construction process would run smoothly, quickly and with little or no disruption to them
and their surrounding residential properties. She explained that the neighbors have not
had any complaints.
Tom Edmonds, 7721 NE 24th, suggested that all applicants explain their parking plans
during the permit process.
Medina City Council Minutes
May 10, 1999
Page 6
Councilmember Ross suggested that every permit should require a parking mitigation
plan.
Discussion followed relative to possible solutions, after which it was determined that
parking permits would be issued without charge, until such time as an ordinance has
been adopted. It was decided that proposed Ordinance No. 655 would be discussed at
the upcoming Public Safety Committee Meeting and then at a City Council Public
Hearing in June.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,
SHORELINE PLAN, ZONING CODE AND SEPA ORDINANCE
City Manager Schulze explained that there was a need to hold a Public Hearing, to
adopt the Planning Commission recommendations for Comprehensive Plan, Shoreline
Plan, Zoning code and SEPA Ordinance, from the Planning Commission. He
recommended that this be held at the June 14th City Council Meeting. It was decided
that these changes be discussed at the June 4, 1999 City Council Study Session,
scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
AIR QUALITY MONITORING
City Manager Schulze explained that this item was on the agenda for direction from the
Council. He said that he had attended the Hunts Point Town Council Meeting last
month and had introduced this issue to them. They had had some questions as to what
the monitoring involved and why was Medina considering the monitoring. Schulze
stated that Hunts Point did not take any action on the issue. He explained that Clyde
Hill and Yarrow Point had been asked to participate in this process also.
Councilmember Morgan asked to step out of his role as a Councilmember. He stated
that he wanted to inform the Council on the issue of Air Quality Monitoring.
Councilmember Morgan related that the City had received a proposal from the
Environmental Health Department at the University of Washington, to monitor air quality
along SR-520, as that road passes through the Points Communities. He said that the
Council should consider if it is necessary, and if so, how much should the City be willing
to pay. He explained that the main reason now to do the study is that about eighteen
months ago, the connection between auto emissions and chronic health problems, like
the epidemic rise in asthma in young people, (in which Medina is participating) the
emphysema among non-smokers, the chronic bronchitis, the lung cancer in non-
smokers, and the heart failure in younger persons was clearly linked.
Mayor Becker stated that two things should be done: 1) address as a health issue, and
2) establish a base line.
Discussion followed, after which the Council authorized a negotiated agreement with the
University of Washington for air quality monitoring.
Medina City Council Minutes
May 10, 1999
Page 7
REGULAR WARRANTS
Item D, the Regular Warrants had been removed from the Consent Agenda at the
request of Councilmember Morgan. In response to Councilmember Morgan's questions,
City Manager Schulze explained that the LEOFF I payment as shown was a semi-
annual payment, which also included one-half of the fire contract. Councilmember
Morgan moved to approve Item D, Regular Warrants #12326 - #12362, 12364 - 12419,
12422 - 12429, in the amount of $371,064.83. Seconded by Councilmember Cohen.
All were in favor of approval.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was decided to continue the Executive Session to the Study Session scheduled for
June 4, 1999, 8:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The Council concluded their regular meeting at 10:16 p.m. on a motion by
Councilmember Cohen and a second by Councilmember Demitriades. All were in favor.
Daniel F. Becker, Mayor
Attest:
Kristen Finniga. , City Clerk