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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-1999 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES September 13, 1999 Medina City Hall 7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd. The Executive Session scheduled for 6:00 PM was held following the Regular City Council Meeting. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Medina City Council was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Becker. The meeting was recorded on audio tape. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Suzanne Cohen, Paul Demitriades, Thomas Morgan, Steve Preston and Mayor Daniel Becker. Absent: Councilmembers Jim Lawrence and Susan Potts Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief Michael Knapp, City Planner Christine Schwamberger and City Clerk Kristen Finnigan. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Becker announced that there would be a Neighborhood Traffic Meeting at Bellevue Christian School, on September 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. He explained that the discussion would focus on limiting access onto SR-520, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., to 2 person carpool and HOV and other traffic calming issues. Mayor Becker said that Medina, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point had held meetings throughout the past three months, relative to these same issues. Mayor Becker welcomed City Planner Christine Schwamberger to the staff of the City of Medina. Councilmember Demitriades announced that he will be attending the Salmon Forum at Renton City Hall, on September 30th. Mayor Becker announced that there would be a Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting, on Monday, September 27, 1999, for discussion of several issues. Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 2 Mayor Becker identified the following adjustments to the agenda: Item A - ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS - Ordinance No. 653 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 8.12 OF THE MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE, DEALING WITH FALSE ALARMS TO CHANGE THE TITLE AND PURPOSE OF THE CHAPTER TO REVISE THE CIVIL PENALTIES, WRITTEN REPORTS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND TO ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY. He announced that this item would be taken off of the agenda, to be discussed at a future meeting. Item B - ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS - Ordinance No. 670 - AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PLACEMENT OF GATES. Mayor Becker stated that this item would be removed from the agenda, to be discussed at the upcoming Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session. Item C - ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS - Ordinance No. 671 - AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING STUDY SESSION MEETING DATES FOR THE MEDINA CITY COUNCIL. Mayor Becker stated that this Ordinance would be rewritten as a Resolution. The Mayor pointed out that Ordinance No. 672 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CONSTRUCTION ORDINANCE SO THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE TRUE COST OF CONSTRUCTION IN MEDINA, would also be removed from the agenda. He said that the policy regarding reconstruction evaluation and work on non -conforming structures would be discussed under New Business and brought back to the October City Council Meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Preston moved to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Morgan, approval was unanimous. A. Minutes from Regular Meeting of August 9, 1999 B. Minutes from Study Session of August 16, 1999 C. Approval of August, 1999 Warrants Regular Warrants - # 12717 - 12807 & Voided #812496 & Corrected 916158, 998754, 999988 $108,777.00 Personnel Warrants - # 16789 - #16845 $ 92,802.78 Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 3 D. Ordinance No. 673 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1999 CITY OF MEDINA BUDGET STAFF REPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Police Chief Knapp reported that there had been an automobile stolen and a burglary, as well as routine warrant arrests, during the month of August. He noted juvenile - oriented malicious mischief, in response to an inquiry from Councilmember Demitriades. Chief Knapp reviewed recent discussions regarding Ordinance No. 653, relating to false alarms. He explained that false alarms have been a national problem and that innovative ways to address the issue are being explored. Discussion followed. Councilmember Demitriades reported that he had participated in the recent Sergeant Selection Board and complimented the interviewing process and those involved. Mayor Becker expressed congratulations from the City Council to Roger Skinner upon his promotion to Lieutenant. PARK BOARD Park Board Chair John Bell referred to a memo that he had sent to the Council regarding Fairweather Park and Nature Preserve. He explained that the Park Board had attended public hearings, conducted meetings and toured parks and preserves with Charles Anderson of Anderson and Ray. He stated that: 1. Fairweather Nature Preserve is in poor shape and could be lost if something is not done in the near future. 2. The majority of the people that have attended the public hearings have enthusiastically supported the plan that has been presented by Anderson and Ray. 3. Regular maintenance of the preserve and park is as important as the plan itself and that a commitment to maintain the preserve and the park after the rejuvenation should be made. Chairperson Bell said that the Park Board had a budget meeting planned for September 20, 1999. City Manager Schulze said that the Park Board should work with the Public Works Superintendent on their budget figures. Shannon Nichol, Anderson & Ray gave a brief overview of the proposed plan for Fairweather Park and Nature Preserve. Medina Days Chair Joseph Brazen gave a recap of Medina Days 1999. He stated that all of the bills had been paid. He said that $21,000 had been raised and that the bills Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 4 amounted to approximately $20,500. Mayor Becker thanked Mr. Brazen, on behalf of the city, for his hard work over the past three years of Medina Days celebrations. PUBLIC WORKS Councilmember Demitriades spoke to the poor appearance of the right-of-way along SR-520 between NE 84th Avenue and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. City Manager Schulze stated that WSDOT had been contacted and that no improvement had been made to date to this Highway of State Significance. He said that he will contact WSDOT managers and send photographs to them of these unsatisfactory areas. PLANNING City Planner Christine Schwamberger stated that she had prepared a brief presentation on the issue of outdoor lighting and that she had done some research on tower cranes. Mayor Becker asked that she present this information at the upcoming Joint City Council Study Session. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Tony Bossart, 8627 NE Lake Washington Boulevard submitted a letter for the record regarding the cut -through traffic in the Medina and Clyde Hill communities. He referred to the recent survey sent to residents, in the Medina newsletter. Mr. Bossart stated that he thought that some residents would like the survey questions expanded to include more options. Mayor Becker informed the audience that the purpose of the upcoming 84th Ave/SR520 Traffic Meeting, scheduled for September 22nd is to discuss what options to pursue in addressing the problem. Mike Higgins, 8601 NE 12th expressed his feeling that a large percentage of the cut - through traffic is going above the speed limit. He suggested changes as a beautification of the city and he submitted a photograph, for the record, of Lake Washington Boulevard at NE 10th. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Ordinance No.671 - AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING STUDY SESSION MEETING DATES FOR THE MEDINA CITY COUNCIL. Mayor Becker stated that proposed Ordinance No. 671 would be changed to Resolution No. 265. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 265 was made by Councilmember Cohen. Seconded by Councilmember Preston, approval was unanimous. Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 5 Resolution No. 264 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MEDINA AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION. City Attorney Wines presented the final settlement proposal relative to ownership of land at the southern terminus of 84th Ave. NE. He described the agreement and it was discussed. Councilmember Cohen moved to adopt Resolution No. 264. Seconded by Councilmember Morgan, Resolution No. 264 passed unanimously. DISCUSSION CONSIDERATION OF 25 MPH CITY WIDE SPEED LIMITS City Manager Schulze explained that the City Council had requested that this issue be on the agenda, as well as in the Medina newsletter, for the purpose of receiving public input. He stated that the city had received a number of complaints regarding speeding vehicles, many of which had been related to construction activities. He reviewed the speed limits in the City of Medina. Linda Dix, 2631 Evergreen Point Road expressed her belief that a thorough and immediate review of this issue was warranted. Joseph Brazen, 3204 Evergreen Point Road, stated that he was in favor of lowering the speed limit. Gretchen Stengel, 3221 Evergreen Point Road expressed her thought that the speed limits now in effect should be enforced and suggested a speed trap on Evergreen Point Road. Leif Johnson, 2439 Evergreen Point Road said that he is in favor of a 25 mph speed limit. Councilmember Cohen expressed her support for lowering the speed limit to 25 mph. Councilmember Demitriades stated that he supported the 25 mph speed limit unilaterally, as well as increased enforcement. Councilmember Preston suggested that the Police Department be given an opportunity to enforce the present speed limits. Henry Paulman, 1415 80th Avenue NE, stated that he thought that a number of techniques could be employed to accomplish the desired results of lessening speed, yet leaving the speed limits as they now are. Councilmember Morgan asked if the speed limit could be enforced, if it were to be reduced. Police Chief Knapp indicated that enforcement of the present speed limits would be increased to the degree possible and he expressed confidence that his department could make a difference. Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 6 Following discussion, the City Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance for consideration, for the October City Council Meeting. MARINE PATROL CONTRACT RENEWAL City Manager Schulze explained that the contract between the City of Medina and the City of Mercer Island, for Marine Patrol services would expire on December 31, 1999. He said that Police Chief Knapp had discussed renewal of the contract with representatives from the Mercer Island Police Department. Councilmember Demitriades moved to approve the Marine Patrol Contract Renewal. Seconded by Councilmember Morgan, all were in favor. CONSIDER AWARD OF CONTRACT - NE 18TH STREET UNDERGROUNDING City Manager Schulze reported that this item had been tabled. He stated that he had asked Read Langenbach, spokesperson for the neighborhood, to come in and confirm, in fact, that the neighborhood is prepared to fund this project, before the city approves the contract. Due to the fact that the bids had come in higher than had been anticipated, Mr. Langenbach felt that it would be appropriate to go back to the neighbors for assurance that the funding would still be available. BOARD & COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Connie Gerlitz was appointed to serve another term on the Medina Park Board. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE NO. 672 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CONSTRUCTION ORDINANCE SO THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE TRUE COST OF CONSTRUCTION IN MEDINA Mayor Becker explained that he and Councilmember Cohen felt that Ordinance No. 645 had possibly not satisfied the intent of the Council, as they believed it to have done when adopted. Discussion followed after which the Council issued policy statements: 1) Inside work does not matter. Therefore, no variance would be required. 2) Any conforming addition to a non -conforming structure should be allowed without a variance. 3) Up to 60% of structure value, anything that does not increase the non- conformity should be permitted. Medina City Council Minutes September 13, 1999 Page 7 4) Reconstruction permitted within the same envelope if natural disaster destroys the original structure. City Manager Schulze stated that he had requested that Building Official Lowell Erickson and City Planner Bob Burke prepare details regarding this issue for the upcoming Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:48 p.m., and under authority of RCW 42.30.110, Mayor Becker announced that the Council would hold an Executive Session, to discuss matters of potential litigation. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councilmember Preston and a second by Councilmember Morgan, the Executive Session was concluded and the Council Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Aar(ie(F. Becker, Mayor -- Attest: �. risten Finnig City Clerk