HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-2000 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 11, 2000 Medina City Hall
7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Becker called the regular meeting of the Medina City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. The
meeting was recorded on audiotape.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Paul Demitriades, Jim Lawrence, Thomas Morgan, Steve Preston
and Mayor Daniel Becker
Absent: Council Members Suzanne Cohen and Mary Odermat
Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief Michael Knapp,
Public Works Superintendent Carl Burris, City Planning Director Jenny Schultz, and
Interim City Clerk Caroll Wedlund.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On behalf of the City Council, Council Member Morgan presented former City Clerk Kris Finnigan with
a gift as a gesture of their appreciation for her services.
Mayor Becker announced that the City had received notification that the Seattle Port Commission had
asked Federal Aviation Administration representatives to review greater use of the Duwamish
corridor, and that this study was to be completed within 90 days. He suggested that a letter be sent
from the City Manager expressing concern, as a study of this nature could not reasonably be
completed in less than a year. City Manager Schulze noted that the Trans -lake Washington
ProjectTechnical Committee would meet on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at the Museum of
History and Industry in Seattle. Mayor Becker added that the Executive Committee meeting would be
held on September 28, 2000.
Council Member Demitriades indicated that Will Stelle, Northwest Regional Administrator for the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), had tendered his resignation and would join a law firm on
October 2, 2000. He also reported possession of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which had
been combined with a draft Environmental Impact Statement. Council Member Demitriades noted
that responses were due by October 20, 2000, and that the City of Medina should comment, as the
Metropolitan Transportation Plan was an important planning document. Council Member Demitriades
added that he would have comments to include in the City's response regarding the Metropolitan
Transportation Plan. He indicated that citizens were welcome to read the two -volume Plan and to
submit comments as well.
Council Member Morgan declared that Council Member Cohen had requested that he relay during
her absence at tonight's meeting, her concerns about the difficult traffic situation in Medina. He
suggested that the three school principals be contacted, in an effort to reduce the impact of traffic at
84'h Avenue NE and NE 121h Street. Mayor Becker added that construction activities were also
blocking traffic on Evergreen Point Road. Council Member Lawrence agreed that traffic congestion
had become a lot worse.
City Council Meeting
September 11, 2000
Page 2
Council Member Lawrence pointed out that the Medina Grocery property looked quite over -crowded
with all of the vehicles parked on it. City Manager Schulze stated that the Medina Grocery property
was an agenda item for the Public Safety meeting to be held on Thursday, September 14, 2000.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Schulze indicated that City Planning Director Schultz would contact the Medina Grocery
property owner about the vehicles parked on that parcel. He added that installation of 30-minute
parking signs might help to address the construction parking on the City right-of-way surrounding the
Medina Grocery and in front of the post office. City Manager Schulze noted that nothing else had
occurred since his meeting with the Medina Grocery property owner a week earlier, adding that she
was thinking of operating the store, but was also investigating costs associated with conducting such
a business.
Council Member Lawrence mentioned that the Medina Grocery dumpsters were still being used, even
though it was no longer in operation and that there was an old tire on the property. Planning Director
Schultz pointed out that removing the vehicles on that property might help to alleviate the trash
problem, but she would also discuss this issue with the property owner.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Morgan moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve the consent
agenda. All were in favor.
A. Minutes from Regular City Council Meeting of August 14, 2000
B. Approval of July, 2000 Warrants/Treasurer's Report
Regular Warrants - #14050 - 14171
$380,100.31
Personnel Warrants - #17466 - 17531
$141,621,36
STAFF REPORTS
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Police Chief Knapp reported that a resident's home had been invaded recently, and cautioned those
present that residences should be locked and the alarm activated. He emphasized that home
invasion was the worst kind of burglary, and that it was very dangerous. Chief Knapp suggested that
the alarm should always be turned on during the evenings as well.
Chief Knapp noted that the opening of school had increased the traffic flow in Medina. He continued
that thanks to state and federal grants, police officers were on duty for an hour in the morning and
one hour in the afternoon. Chief Knapp emphasized that the officers were doing their best to quell
the traffic congestion. He noted that moving large objects of art exacerbated the situation, pointing
out that the Department had had as many as three officers assisting with moving the wide load from
its demarcation point at the Medina Elementary School to the home. Chief Knapp added that the
property owner for this art project had received a bill for over $1,400.00 for the police officers' time.
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September 11, 2000
Page 3
Chief Knapp related that the City had tried on an ad -hoc basis to handle the parking situation in
Medina. He added that the City Manager had proposed some solutions to alleviate the parking
problem at the Medina Store and at the post office.
Chief Knapp emphasized that the Police Department had increased speeding enforcement during
August. He mentioned that the new vehicle speed -reader board had been placed on NE 12th Street
west of St. Thomas, on NE 8th Street in front of Medina Elementary School, and on Evergreen Point
Road.
Turning to the issue of identity theft, Chief Knapp pointed out that it was the fastest growing crime in
the nation, and suggested that all personal mail and identification should be shredded. Chief Knapp
informed the Council and the audience that the Police Department was currently working on an
identity theft case that would involve search warrants. He cautioned that once a person's credit was
lost, it sometimes took years to regain it.
Chief Knapp warned that residents' vehicles parked in the street made them a target for vehicle
prowls. He suggested that personal vehicles be kept locked and in the residents' driveways or their
garages.
Council Member Demitriades mentioned that the home invasion resident was concerned about the
police response, as the 911 operator had not perceived that it was a crime in progress. Chief Knapp
responded that the officer had arrived in less than two minutes from the time the call was made, and
that the initial information he had received was that it was a standard burglary. However, before the
transmission was completed, the 911 operator did state that it was a burglary in progress, so the
officer waited for back up, per department procedure. Chief Knapp relayed that the area had been
sealed off, and three state officers and a K-9 were called into the case.
Council Member Morgan queried whether 911 calls went to Bellevue first, or if they went directly to
Kirkland Police Dispatch. Both Mayor Becker and Council Member Morgan asked Chief Knapp to
check on the police telephone dispatch trunks.
With regard to the truck parked in front of Council Member Demitriades' driveway for a half hour,
Chief Knapp indicated that the Kirkland Police Dispatch operator had forgotten to relay the call to a
Medina officer.
Council Member Demitriades indicated that a neighbor had handed him a letter requesting that a
police officer be present at 12th Avenue NE and NE 84th during both morning and afternoon school
commute times. Chief Knapp responded that during the afternoon before tonight's Council meeting,
the officer had been diverted to another call. As soon as he became aware of the diversion, Chief
Knapp indicated that he had dispatched two officers to the intersection. Chief Knapp added that the
Department paid officers overtime for the traffic flagging duty, and that they were supposed to be
present at 7:30 a.m. to observe and to determine at what point intervention was needed. He noted
that officer presence was intended to be a moderating influence between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., and
again between 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Council Member Preston reported that traffic flow was a problem at
that intersection after 3:00 p.m. as well. Chief Knapp responded that he would place officers there
from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Public Works Superintendent Carl Burris gave the Council an update, and relayed that a large barge
had swamped a ten-year old child this summer, and that a boy had stepped on a nail. He indicated
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September 11, 2000
Page 4
that the lifeguards' last day had been August 25, 2000. Public Works Superintendent Burris
continued that the summer help had accomplished quite a bit of work.
PLANNING REPORT
Planning Director Jenny Schultz discussed the construction site coverage interpretation as of
September 6, 2000 by Building Official Lowell Erickson. She noted that his analysis was a strict
application of the zoning code that was already in place, and that this interpretation would apply to
any application that was submitted after that date. Planning Director Schultz indicted that
applications already in the works would be grand fathered, but that future ones would be non-
conforming. She indicated that there had been a sharp increase in projects designed to cover entire
building sites, and that further, the Building Official had interpreted the Medina Municipal Code
exactly as it was written. Planning Director Schultz recommended revising the existing code to
resolve this trend. She continued that swimming pools, spas, walls, retaining walls and fences would
now be included in the lot coverage, and that this interpretation would have an impact on future
permits that were processed. Planning Director Schultz predicted a substantial increase in variance
applications or appeals of decisions as a result of this interpretation. City Manager Schulze added
that Building Official Erickson's interpretation was appropriate for the way the ordinance was
presently written.
Council Member Morgan requested written clarification from Planning Director Schultz and Building
Official Erickson regarding impervious surface and structural lot coverage. Council Member
Lawrence asked if impervious surfaces and driveways were presently included as part of lot
coverage. Planning Director Schultz responded negatively.
City Manager Schulze stated that the real issue Building Official Erickson had faced was fences and
columns being built as part of fences, which in reality added to the lot coverage. Planning Director
Schultz offered to draft definitions of all structures, as well as a recommendation. Council Member
Morgan suggested that the Chairpersons of both the Planning Commission and the Board of
Adjustment should be present at the meeting when this presentation was given.
The Council decided to move further discussion of this issue to another session.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Mayor Becker opened the meeting to the audience for non -agenda items.
Janet Ashley, Medina, 2404 — 79'h Avenue NE, was of the opinion that the City was being strangled
with construction traffic. She indicated that her normal daily bike ride with her dog had been
disrupted by the construction traffic to the point of no longer doing it. Ms. Ashley indicated that there
were between 20 and 25 construction vehicles on the Shirley property on any given day, that a lot of
them left for lunch, and that at quitting time, all of them departed. She suggested that the owners bus
the workers to the construction site, in order to reduce the traffic congestion. Ms. Ashley also
emphasized that the Medina Grocery property was a visual blight as a result of the construction
parking on that site, and that residents should "take back their neighborhood".
Michael Larkin, 632 Evergreen Point Road, echoed Ms. Ashley's comments, and emphasized that
construction should not start before 7:00 a.m., and that he had been awakened at 6:30 a.m. by a
truck entering the Greinstein property. He requested that the Police Department enforce the
construction rules, because trucks were not supposed to be in Medina at 6:30 a.m. Mr. Larkin related
that on Thursday, September 7, 2000, 40 trucks had been parked on the Medina Grocery property.
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September 11, 2000
Page 5
Mr. Larkin also indicated that he had been a Medina resident for 20 years, and was of the opinion that
the store could only be used for that purpose. He asked if the grocery store could be utilized as a
parking lot, according to the rules. Mr. Larkin also added that the resident survey had not asked
some questions of that were of concern to citizens.
City Manager Schulze responded that construction was permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday through Saturday. He added that the Medina Grocery property owner would be notified that
using the store as a parking lot was not permitted. City Manager Schulze announced that the Medina
Grocery property use had reverted back to R-16 zone utilization. He emphasized that the
homeowner would be given notice to cease the parking lot activity, and that he was confidant of her
cooperation. Planning Director Schultz added that using the Medina Grocery as a parking lot was
commercial use of an R-16 zone. She explained that the parking was a clear violation, that City
personnel would work with the property owner to ensure compliance, and that lack of conformity
within 10 days after receipt of a violation notice could potentially result in a fine. Mayor Becker
promised that the Council would investigate the issue and obtain resolution. City Attorney Wines
explained that there was no maximum number of allowed vehicles on R-16 sites, but that
enforcement could be obtained by installing 30-minute parking signs for the right-of-way parking
surrounding the Medina Grocery property.
Council Member Morgan emphasized that the Council was very concerned about the issue of
parking, and that they would be very shortly taking action toward mitigation measures. Council
Member Lawrence added that the City had leverage with the Medina Grocery owner because she
wanted a conditional use permit. He noted that the City also had leverage with the Greinstein
project, unless relief had previously been requested from the mitigation plan.
Henry Paulman, 1415 — 80th Avenue NE, recalled that he had asked the Council to hold a public
hearing for Ordinance No. 659, regarding all decisions from the Planning Commission automatically
progressing to Superior Court, rather than going to the Council. Mr. Paulman indicated that he had
previously requested that this be done, and was not aware of a response.
Wilma Edmonds, 7721 NE 24th Street, thanked the Council for closing the road on which she lived.
She asked the Council how much property the City would allow the Bellevue School District to use on
the Three Points Elementary site. Ms. Edmonds pointed out that site coverage additions had been
made this year to Three Points Elementary School, which to her meant that the enrollment had
increased. Ms. Edmonds emphasized that an increased enrollment would have an environmental
impact upon the neighborhood. She added that St. Thomas School would be faced with the same
situation. Ms. Edmonds requested that the Council investigate and determine how much larger they
would allow the schools to be, because of the environmental impact upon the community. She
indicated that Bellevue Christian School impacted a very large area, that parents picking up and
dropping off their children were transversing through a residential area, and that they did not car pool.
She continued that the school had installed two more portables this last summer. Ms. Edmonds
emphasized that the Council should resolve how much site coverage was allowed for each school, to
determine whether or not there was a violation.
Council Member Morgan queried whether or not the City had received a permit application for the
portables. City Manager Schulze recalled that last fall, the Planning Commission had reviewed
permit applications for the portables, but he would follow up and report back to the Council. Council
Member Lawrence added that there was an additional impact upon the City in the form of extra
vehicle trips. Ms. Edmonds commented that the school was designed to hold 340 children. Council
Member Morgan reported that the school now housed 365 students. Mayor Becker explained that
schools were required to file an environmental impact statement, and that the Council would refer this
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September 11, 2000
Page 6
matter for follow up to the Public Safety Committee. Council Member Morgan indicated that the
Planning Commission initially heard such requests, and that this matter should also be referred to that
entity.
Mayor Becker asked Planning Director Schultz at what point an environmental impact statement
could be triggered. Planning Director Schultz responded that any addition beyond 4,000 square feet
would trigger a State Environmental Checklist.
JET NOISE
Alison Jackson, 7633 NE 141h Street, reminded the Council that she had requested in July that they
appoint a person to be a liaison with regard to diverting over flights to the Duwamish corridor. She
recalled that at the time, Council Member Morgan had referred to a legal matter in which the City was
involved, and urged the Council to take a forceful stand regarding the jet noise issue. Ms. Jackson
emphasized that time was short, and that a decision would be made in November regarding the use
of the Duwamish corridor. She urged that a letter be sent rejecting jet noise over Medina, adding that
the citizens needed the Council to act strongly and forcefully regarding this issue.
Dr. Bob Rudolph, 1455 Evergreen Point Road, gave the Council an update on the status of the jet
noise issue. He seconded Ms. Jackson's comments, adding there had been an article in the Sunday
Times a week prior regarding expansion of jet traffic. Dr. Rudolph referred to the reply from Dan
Boyle which he had included in the weekly Council packets, noting that a response had been
promised within 90 days. He continued that the Port of Seattle needed approval in order to obtain
further funding, adding that their conclusions did not reflect the citizen input Part 150 data. Dr.
Rudolph reminded those present that the FAA had remanded Part 150 back to the Port for further
study. He urged the Council to request that FAA officials designate the Duwamish corridor as the
flight path for all north departure flights. Council Member Morgan asked what advantage there would
be to writing to the FAA, whose considerations would be made on technical issues? He emphasized
that the position of the City was well known. Council Member Demitriades asked about the reaction
of the Review Committee. Dr. Rudolph responded that Review Committee members were not
pleased about the Port staff's rejection, adding that now was the time to take action regarding this
issue. The Council requested that City Attorney Wines write a letter to the FAA regarding the faulty
process used by the Port in the Part 150 Study.
DISCUSSION
In response to Mayor Becker and Council Member Morgan's earlier inquires regarding police
telephone dispatch trunks, Chief Knapp indicated that the trunk lines terminated with the Kirkland
Police Department. He further explained that through the technology of caller identification, all 911
calls went directly to the Kirkland Police Department.
WATERSHED RESOURCE INTERLOCAL AREA (WRIA) INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
Public Works Superintendent Burris relayed that he, City Attorney Kirk Wines and Ms. Pam
Henderson, of Roth Hill, were collaborating on the WRIA Interlocal Agreement. Council Member
Demitriades reported that 59 percent of the voting was controlled by King County and the City of
Seattle. He added that the monetary distribution and the amount of the City's contribution were
miniscule. Council Member Demitriades noted that not signing the document could result in a third
party law suit indicating that the City was not part of the agreement, and that our signature would
provide the City with some protection.
Debbie Eddy, of Suburban Cities Association, commented that WRIA was a state boundary
designation, and that the Department of Ecology used it to award planning dollars. She indicated that
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September 11, 2000
Page 7
one of the reasons it would be helpful to obtain the participation of as many eligible cities as possible
was that Puget Sound was presently unable to tap into available state money for planning. Ms. Eddy
continued that everyone was receiving this state money except the Puget Sound Watersheds. She
explained that the largest city in each WRIA must apply for the money, and that Seattle Mayor Paul
Schell and that King County Executive Ron Sims had declined to participate. Council Member
Demitriades did not think joining the Tri County framework would help the City of Medina. Ms. Eddy
cautioned that if the National Marine Fisheries Service approved the program, each of the involved
cities would have to conduct an individual assessment anyway, which could result in an increase in
third party suits against the City of Medina. Ms. Eddy referred to the response continuum information
that she had earlier distributed. She predicted that fish would die, and that the City had a federal
mandate to protect them. Ms. Eddy suggested that there was a specific course of action that would
still allow Medina to get together as peers around the table with the other general-purpose
jurisdictions. Council Member Morgan was concerned about the degrees of freedom to act in the
City's best interest. He asked if there were any elements of that plan which would result in the City
having to pay money or give up authority of the City without a vote of the Council. Ms. Eddy
responded negatively, adding that supporting the WRIA Interlocal Agreement would return control to
the cities. She indicated that one of the things the Suburban Cities Association was trying to
accomplish within the work program of the WRIA forum was that everyone's issues would be tossed
into the hopper and prioritized. Ms. Eddy explained that participating cities were allowed to share and
to prioritize federal and state funding, and that as a result, the City of Medina could refunnel it through
the WRIA forum in order to resolve some of the issues. Ms. Eddy proposed that some cities within
Snohomish County that were part of WRIA 8 should also participate.
Council Member Demitriades queried when the conservation plan would be completed. Ms. Eddy
responded that it was supposed to be finished within two years.
Council Member Morgan suggested that the Council adopt option three as well. Council Member
Demitriades requested that technical conditions be incorporated, and Ms. Eddy agreed to include
these suggested changes. Council Member Demitriades moved, seconded by Council Member
Morgan, to support and sign the WRIA Interlocal Agreement and to approve the terms and conditions
with the identified modifications.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 672 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CONSTRUCTION ORDINANCE TO
REFLECT THE TRUE COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Council Member Preston moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve Ordinance
No. 672. Council Member Preston asked on behalf of Council Member Cohen, who could not be
present during tonight's meeting, if 1.5 was an adequate number. He was of the opinion that 1.5 was
generous. Council Member Morgan added that the average cost of construction was $154.35 per
square foot, if steel and concrete buildings were excluded. He referred to his earlier e-mail that
indicated a mean index times 1.5 would generate a cost per square foot of $190. Council Member
Preston predicted that over 90 percent of the reconstructions could be covered without a variance;
however, reconstruction would not ever be totally variance -free. He indicated that the 1.5 factor
would peg it to Medina, and that it was updated annually. Council Member Morgan added that this
ordinance was intended to cover the average, run -of -the mill luxury home. The Council voted
unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 672.
Ordinance No. 687 --AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS IN
UNIMPROVED PORTIONS OF PUBLIC RIGHTS -OF -WAY, PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY FOR
VIOLATION AND REMOVAL AT THE ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNER'S EXPENSE
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September 11, 2000
Page 8
City Manager Schulze announced that at the last meeting, the Council had reviewed Ordinance No.
687 and had requested some changes, which were incorporated into the present version of this
ordinance. Council Member Demitriades added that the Public Safety Committee had recommended
approval of Ordinance No. 687. Council Member Morgan moved, seconded by Council Member
Demitriades, to adopt Ordinance No. 687. City Manager Schulze reported that the City did not have
the resources to apply Ordinance No. 687 retroactively, and that the intent was to use the criteria in
the future when permits were issued for structures in the rights -of -way. Council Member Lawrence
suggested that citizens be notified in the Medina Newsletter about the passage of Ordinance No. 687.
Council Member Demitriades noted that this ordinance contained a civil penalty. City Manager
Schulze offered to include a summary of Ordinance No. 687 in the Medina Newsletter explaining what
the criteria meant and the changes that would be required.
A woman from the audience asked if the City in the past had attempted to obtain compliance from
citizens with overhanging vegetation. City Manager Schulze replied that the City had in the past had
sent letters to homeowners requesting them to trim vegetation. He added that this issue was covered
in another section of the Code, but it was also addressed in Ordinance No. 687 as well. The vote
was unanimous to pass Ordinance No. 687.
DISCUSSION
Discussion to Consider Rescinding Ordinance No. 677 — Emergency Moratorium on
Demolition of Buildings
City Manager Schulze announced that Ordinance No. 677 required a public hearing within 60 days of
adoption, which would fall on September 22, 2000. He noted that the next Council meeting was set
for September 25, 2000. City Manager Schulze continued that if the Council wished to continue with
the moratorium, notices must be published for the required public hearing. City Manager Schulze
predicted that with the street improvements projects nearing completion, coupled with the City of
Clyde Hill vehicle length limit, the construction traffic issues would lessen. With regard to structural
demolition, he noted that one permit was waiting for the moratorium to be lifted, and at least two other
applicants were waiting for it to be rescinded. City Manager Schulze relayed that two upset residents
had called, but when he explained the time frame to them, they realized it would not have an impact
upon their projects. He requested direction from the Council whether or not to continue with the
moratorium, adding that the situation with the Medina Grocery owner was not an issue.
With regard to the street construction project on NE 24th Street, City Manager Schulze explained that
the construction crews were presently working on curbs and sidewalks, and they would begin curb
and asphalt grinding after that. He added that there were still pockets to complete with the sidewalk
connections. City Manager Schulze indicated that he had talked with Roth Hill liaison Roger Curtis
about reopening the detour route on to the lower end of NE 24'h Street, and that Mr. Curtis would
discuss the timing with the contractor.
Council Member Morgan emphasized that the difficulty was with the road -paving time frame, and that
the sidewalk construction could be completed later. Greg Hill, of Roth Hill Engineering, indicated that
the biggest issue was scheduling the paving contractors. He explained that the intent was to have
the road construction on Overlake Drive completed next week. City Manager Schulze added that the
sidewalk was already framed, and that the curbs and gutters would be poured next. He reported that
there was also curing time for the curbs and gutters before the crushed rock could be laid. Council
Member Demitriades declared that a realistic completion date would be the end of September. City
Manager Schulze again reminded Council Members that maintaining the moratorium would require a
public hearing. Council Member Morgan suggested allowing the moratorium to expire on September
22, 2000 and reinstitute it at the Council Study Session on September 25, 2000. City Attorney Wines
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September 11, 2000
Page 9
explained that the moratorium would automatically expire on September 22, 2000. Council Member
Preston suggested that if a significant amount of trucking was involved, it might be better to wait until
NE 24th Street was reopened before the moratorium was lifted. City Manager Schulze reminded
Council members that there was a permit waiting for the moratorium to be lifted. Council Member
Morgan asked about the address for this permit. Planning Director Schultz checked the building
permit log and stated that the owners lived at 7773 Overlake Drive West, and that the review was not
yet complete.
POINT OF ORDER
Mayor Becker announced that there would be an executive session this evening to review pending
litigation.
DISCUSSION
TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Mayor Becker stressed that the situation at NE 24th Street and Evergreen Point Road was
unacceptable, and asked what options were available. He reported that a major construction project
on Evergreen Point Road had closed down that street for 15 minutes in order to maneuver a crane
onto the owner's property. City Manager Schulze indicated that he would discuss the situation with
Chief Knapp, and that the contractor would be given notice that such a situation was intolerable,
especially with NE 24th Street closed. Council Member Morgan suggested that the property owner be
asked to defer construction until NE 24th Street was open, and if that person was not agreeable to this
suggestion, the City could hold a public hearing. Mayor Becker indicated that he knew the property
owner involved, and that he would talk with that person.
Council Member Morgan asked if the City was going to allow the traffic from Bellevue Christian
School to use the detour. City Manager Schulze suggested that the City could advertise that the
detour was not open except to Medina residents. Council Member Morgan queried whether or not
anyone from the City had requested of the school principal that parents car pool. Council Member
Preston announced that more buses had been added. Council Member Lawrence explained that the
back up was due to east bound traffic leaving Medina, and suggested that traffic be allowed to travel
eastbound on NE 24th Street. City Manager Schulze predicted that the Wells Medina Nursery owner
would object to this arrangement. He added that he heard from residents every day regarding this
situation, and so certainly understood the level of frustration. Public Works Superintendent Burris
suggested that the one way on 83' Avenue NE be switched to go through NE 101h Street rather than
82nd Avenue NE. Council Member Demitriades cautioned that a flagger would be needed if this were
to occur. Council Member Preston emphasized that the traffic situation at the intersection of 84th
Avenue NE and NE 12th Street should be the top priority. Council Member Morgan added that the
problem was the eastbound traffic on NE 12th Street out of Medina. City Manager Schulze indicated
that he would emphasize the assignment of officer presence at the staff meeting. Council Member
Preston suggested that people driving into the Wells Medina Nursery were an "accident waiting to
happen". He emphasized that if NE 24th Street was a two-way street, it should be so delineated. City
Manager Schulze responded that he had talked with Roger Curtis the Friday before the September
Council meeting about this, and that Mr. Curtis was going to discuss the situation with the contractor
today. He suggested that if paving could be done over the next weekend, it would help to speed up
the time frame for projected completion; however, there would have to be an agreement with Bellevue
to cover the overtime costs. City Manager Schulze indicated that he would investigate this issue.
Mayor Becker suggested opening the street in the morning until 8:00 a.m. and closing it during the
workday until 5:00 p.m. Council Member Morgan emphasized that the three schools and the trucks
had an impact upon traffic from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
September 11, 2000
Page 10
CONSTRUCTION PARKING ON AND AROUND THE MEDINA GROCERY PROPERTY
City Manager Schulze stated that he would talk to the Medina Grocery property owner about the
grocery and about the construction parking issue. Council Member Demitriades suggested handing
the property owner a notice to stop the construction parking. He also recommended that the City
notify the construction site owners by letter that they were contributing to traffic congestion. Mayor
Becker was of the opinion that using the Christian Science church as a parking site and bussing the
construction workers to the job site would be helpful. City Manager Schulze announced that
construction vehicle drivers had informed officers who had issued tickets that they would pass the
parking tickets along to the site owner. Mayor Becker interjected that City personnel should review
the mitigation plan.
Council Member Morgan asked about the Kemper contract, which had expired on approximately
September 8, 2000. City Manager Schulze explained that Mr. Kemper had sent Roth Hill a four to
five page letter outlining different delays that had been encountered with the project, ranging from
Puget Sound Energy moving the gas lines around, to poor soil conditions. He continued that the
delays had not been detailed clearly enough so that City personnel could establish a reasonable
extension time frame, but as soon as that information was received, they would determine the actual
allowable contract parameters. Greg Hill interjected that an extension was warranted for the project,
but not to the degree that had been requested.
BOAT STORAGE
Council Member Morgan announced that citizen Jim Phillips had requested the Council several
months prior to take action regarding boats parked in front yards, adding that this had been an
agenda item at the last Public Safety Committee meeting. On behalf of the Public Safety Committee,
Council Member Morgan requested feedback from Council Members Lawrence, Becker and Preston.
He continued that Mr. Phillips lived on a cul-de-sac with three to four boats parked in front of
neighboring homes. Council Member Morgan stated that Mr. Phillips wanted the Council to regulate
long-term parking of trailers and boats in the front yard setbacks. Both Council Members Lawrence
and Preston were of the opinion that it was an important issue, but at the present, the Council had
even more important matters with which to deal. The consensus of the Council was that recreational
vehicle and boat parking were not a high priority at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 10:02 p.m. and under authority of RCW 42.30.140 4 (b), an Executive Session was held for the
purpose of discussion of pending litigation. By unanimous consensus, Council members closed the
Executive Session at 11:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:00 p.m., the Council reconvened the Regular Session. Council Member Lawrence moved to
adjourn the August Regular City Council meeting, seconded by Council Member Demitriades. All
were in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
Daniel . Becker, Mayor
Attest:
0 all LLV Jr
Caroll P. Wedlund, Interim City Clerk