Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-2001 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 12, 2001 Medina City Hall 7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd. Mayor Pro Tern Morgan called the public hearing and 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, Suzanne Cohen, Jim Lawrence, Thomas Morgan, Mary Odermat, Steve Preston and Mayor Daniel Becker Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief Michael Knapp, Planning Director Jenny Schultz, and Interim City Clerk Caroll Wedlund PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS Chief Knapp recognized Officers Coblantz and Yourkoski for their exceptional service to the city and to the Police Department, and for their dedication to excellence. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Becker announced a Trans -lake Executive Session to be held Wednesday, February 14, 2001 at the Redmond Regional Library. He also indicated an Executive Session would be held following tonight's Council meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Cohen moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed by unanimous consensus. STAFF REPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Police Chief Knapp updated the Council regarding Police Department activity during the past month, noting car prowls continued to be an issue in Medina. He cautioned the audience to not only lock their vehicles, but also to remove anything of value. Chief Knapp reported a drive -by shooting of two automobiles in Medina, one of which contained two security people. He relayed Department personnel were currently investigating the case. Council Member Demitriades inquired about the school -crossing situation. Chief Knapp replied an officer was in place every morning and afternoon, and had found no evidence of the reported speeding vehicles. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Planning Director Jenny Schultz announced the interim hearing examiner would begin on February 20, 2001, and interviews would soon commence for the permanent hearing examiner. She also referred to resident John Dern-Palmer's proposed letter to the Medina Grocery property owner, noting he had requested Council review and endorsement before sending it to her. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Public Works Director Carl Burris relayed he was awaiting a final walk-through inspection for the NE 24'h Street and Overlake Drive construction projects. He also reported Public Works personnel were trimming vegetation overhanging the sidewalks, as well as clearing Medina intersection sight lines. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Becker opened the meeting to the audience for non -agenda items. City Council Meeting February 12, 2001 Page 2 Dr. Bob Rudolph, 1455 Evergreen Point Road, Medina On behalf of Eastside Citizens Against Aircraft Noise (ECAAN), Dr. Rudolph thanked the Council for hiring the FAA consultants. He referred to a report stating the Duwamish corridor should not be increased, adding the city would not have been able to respond appropriately to the FAA Task Force, had the consultant not been hired. Henry Paulman, 1415 — 80th Place NE, Medina As Secretary of Tolls Represent Unfair Taxes (TRUST), Mr. Paulman reported current developments during the legislative session in Olympia. OTHER BUSINESS OVER FLIGHT UPDATE Mayor Becker reported the city had received a report from the consultant who had reviewed the FAA flight track report. He relayed the FAA had used software for modeling that was not meant for modeling performance. Mayor Becker indicated he would be meeting with Port of Seattle officials regarding the over flight issue. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING — ORDINANCE NO. 698 RELATING TO THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF LANDMARKS IN THE CITY OF MEDINA City Attorney Wines explained Ordinance No. 698 had been revised so a property owner could veto an historic landmarks list nomination. He noted the ordinance no longer included an initial register, but rather the process was established so nominated properties would proceed through an historic landmark selection procedure. Mayor Becker suggested the Planning Commission undertake responsibility for the Historic Landmarks Preservation Board so another board would not be created. He predicted moving these responsibilities to the Planning Commission might also cut down on staff time. Mayor Becker also pointed out the Council had until May of 2001 to complete this process. Council Member Lawrence noted not all Historic Landmarks Preservation Board members must be Medina residents, and asked City Attorney Wines whether the Board would have authority to change zoning or to grant a special or conditional use permit. City Attorney Wines indicated the ordinance had been modified so the Board would just make recommendations, after which the request would go before the Hearing Examiner or the Planning Commission. Mayor Becker pointed out the residency requirement would be a moot issue if the Planning Commission assumed Historic Landmarks Preservation Board responsibilities. Council Member Morgan shared the results of his investigation of potential historic structures with the Council, noting the main incentive for acquiring historic landmark status was the tax advantage. Ron Santi, 7842 NE 8th Street, Medina Mr. Santi asked if a letter would suffice to decline nomination to historic preservation status, to which City Attorney Wines responded affirmatively. City Attorney Wines cautioned once a property was placed on the inventory list or register, an owner who desired to demolish the structure would have to go through the process, including an analysis of all of the available alternatives. Arthur Dietrich, 707 Overlake Drive East Medina Mr. Dietrich suggested the homeowner's permission be obtained before a property was placed on the historic register, rather than have that person responsible for declining. Jack Dern-Palmer, 1600 — 77th Avenue NE, Medina Mr. Dern-Palmer volunteered to serve on the Historic Preservation Board. City Council Meeting February 12, 2001 Page 3 City Attorney Wines explained the certified local government designation came from the state historical register personnel, who must approve the appropriate review process before a property could be so designated. He added there would be no tax reduction for historical register properties without state certification. Mayor Becker suggested the Council decide whether both public and residential property owners could remove themselves from historical register consideration. He also recommended section 19.24.080, regarding economic incentive, be clarified. Mayor Becker pointed out homeowners who subsequently wished to remove their property from the register after having gone into conservancy must pay back taxes to the point they were placed on it. City Attorney Wines added the recoup period was a maximum of ten years. Following discussion, Council Members agreed by consensus to table Ordinance No. 698 to the March 2001 Council meeting, with revisions to remove language referring to Medina historic inventory, and to require the residential property owner's signature for nominations. DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION NO. 276 NOMINATING PROPERTIES TO THE MEDINA HISTORICAL REGISTER Resolution No. 276 Nominating Properties to the Medina Register was tabled to the March 2001 Council meeting, when Ordinance No. 698 would be discussed. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 692 RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS City Manager Schulze announced Ordinance No. 692 was required for the City to issue a franchise to fiber optic high-speed internet service providers. City Attorney Wines added it was a basic ordinance to set up a process for granting telecommunications companies individual franchises. Council Member Preston volunteered to review Ordinance No. 692 for discussion at the March 2001 Council meeting. The Council decided to table Ordinance No. 692 to the March 2001 Council meeting. UPDATE OF NE 8T" STREET AND 82ND AVENUE NE PROJECT City Manager Schulze updated the Council regarding progress on the NE 8,h Street and 82nd Avenue NE project. He announced the city had advertised for statements of qualification from engineering consultants to assist with scoping and preliminary design of alternatives for pedestrian improvements in that area. City Manager Schulze indicated the City had received a number of inquiries and submittals, and he planned to have a recommendation for the March Council meeting. Eric Whiting, 817 — 82n' Avenue NE, Medina Mr. Whiting referred to the NE 8th Street sidewalk project orientation meeting held last summer in the park, and asked whether or not the sidewalk had been approved and if so, when it would be constructed. City Manager Schulze responded at the time of the orientation meeting, the sidewalk had been approved in the city's capital improvement program, with an estimated budget for the project. However, the Council did not actually approve the budget for capital projects until December 2000. During the 2001 budget process, the Council decided to cut back on the capital projects for construction in 2001 and to focus on design of projects. He explained this would give staff and consultants more time to evaluate the design and to review different alternatives. Mr. Whiting emphasized the reason for no speed in the Medina Elementary area was due to a traffic jam from parents dropping off their children. Mayor Becker indicated the City was hiring a new consulting engineering firm to proceed with the project, and they would address traffic and pedestrian issues. City Manager Schulze predicted by the May 2001 Council meeting the new engineer might have recommended alternatives and cost estimates for consideration. City Council Meeting February 12, 2001 Page 4 John Maxwell, 8040 NE 81h Street, Medina Mr. Maxwell emphasized the traffic problems surrounding the Medina Elementary School were the safety problem. He suggested imposing a five to ten block drop off radius to alleviate the problem, and children could walk to school from there. He was opposed to construction of a sidewalk, as preserving the rural character was important for Medina. Mr. Maxwell suggested installing a stop sign and painting traffic lines might help as well. Molly Lanzinger, 8058 NE 8t' Street, Medina Ms. Lanzinger voiced support of the proposed sidewalk. She pointed out the school safety patrol would no longer cross the children on NE 8th Street, due to concerns about their well being. Ms. Lanzinger stated the police officers were stationed in the wrong spot, and recommended they be placed elsewhere rather than at the school. Julie Maxwell, 815 — 82nd Avenue NE, Medina Ms. Maxwell was neither in favor nor against the proposed sidewalk, but rather in support of a solution to the problem. She voiced disappointment when the informational meeting took place last summer and she did not even know about it. Ms. Maxwell was concerned about the safety issue due to speeding vehicles. She was also frustrated about a property site visit without prior notification, and about the February 3, 2001 letter drafted by City Attorney Wines relative to line of sight and coverage for trees in the right-of-way. Eric Whiting, 817 — 82nd Avenue NE, Medina Mr. Whiting announced the speed bumps installed last summer were nearly gone, and were in need of maintenance. Mayor Becker promised the Council would discuss these issues at the next meeting, and they would look for a solution as quickly as possible. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 708 AMENDING LOT COVERAGE AND SETBACK PROVISIONS IN R-16, R-20 AND R-30 ZONES Council Member Morgan announced the City Attorney drafted Ordinance No. 708 to incorporate the R-16 Committee recommendations. Eric Whiting, 817 — 82nd Avenue NE, Medina Mr. Whiting emphasized reducing the R-16 zone coverage would adversely affect property values. He also suggested increasing the building permit fees to adjust for larger homes being constructed in Medina. Chris Lanzinger, 8058 NE 8th Street, Medina Mr. Lanzinger was opposed to limiting lot coverage in the R-16 zone. He predicted additional lot coverage restrictions would result in contemporary stucco box homes, and that as a result, 1950s-style ramblers would no longer be constructed. Mr. Lanzinger also took exception to the finished grade proposal. Following discussion, the Council decided to refer Ordinance No. 708 to the Planning Commission for public hearing at their March meeting, and to revise the language to add original and finished grade to all zones, for presentation at the April 2001 Council meeting. DISCUSSION OF INITIAL PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS The Council discussed Planning Commission agenda issues, including house size limitations, the historic preservation ordinance, the Construction Code of Conduct and Mitigation Plan, parking regulations, as well as Medina commercial activities and large events. They decided to discuss the Construction Code of Conduct and Mitigation Plan at the February study session, to refer it to the Planning Commission for their March public hearing, and to meet jointly with them at the April Council meeting. The Council also determined to do the same with Ordinance No. 708, Amending Lot Coverage and Setback Provisions in R- 16, R-20 and R-30 Zones. City Council Meeting February 12, 2001 Page 5 AUDIOTAPE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS City Attorney Wines reported there was no legal requirement to record meetings, but the retention period for minutes was six years. Following discussion, the Council decided to utilize summarized minutes, and to record only action items. AIR MONITORING Council Member Morgan relayed the south side air monitoring results were complete, and the consultant was moving the monitoring equipment to the north side. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN City Manager Schulze reported the emergency preparedness consultant had been working with the Police Department for approximately three months, and a draft document was being developed. He indicated the Council would soon be reviewing an ordinance to establish emergency spending authority limits. Council Member Morgan relayed Hunts Point Mayor Fred McConkey wished to join Medina's emergency preparedness plan, as was willing to pay for this service. City Manager Schulze stated he would obtain a quote from the consultant to add the Town of Hunts Point to Medina's Emergency Preparedness Plan. TERM LIMITS Due to the State Supreme Court declaring term limits unconstitutional, the Council requested City Attorney Wines to draft an ordinance rescinding them for the Council, Planning Commission, Design Board, Park Board and Civil Service Commission. ORCHARD PROJECT MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW City Manager Schulze updated the Council regarding recommendations to the Planning Commission for the Orchard project mitigation plan. He referred to the February 2, 2001 draft outlining the results of the Orchard project complaints and subsequent inspection of the project. He reported the Building Inspector, the City Attorney, and City Planning Director Schultz and he had visited the site. A few days later, met with the owners, their representatives, neighbors and attorneys. City Manager Schulze stated he had been informed the owners' representatives had met with adjacent property owners, and had reached agreement regarding additional landscaping along the perimeter. He relayed the sequencing of construction would be implemented as soon as possible to complete exterior work along the south property line to reduce noise on that side of the project. City Manager Schulze stated the permit renewal would expire on December 7, 2001, after which a new one would be required. He added the new ordinance would require appearance before the Planning Commission to explain why the applicant needed a new permit. City Manager Schulze noted the Planning Commission must approve mitigation plan revisions, adding they could require a new mitigation plan from the applicant. City Attorney Wines stated if the Mitigation Plan was to be the prevailing document, it should be inserted into the Code. Planning Director Schultz informed the Council the city was obtaining a project tracking computer program that would track conditions attached to a specific project. Following discussion, the Council recommended to the Planning Commission implementation of a road use fee, pass through costs for a code administrator, imposing a penalty for exceeding the permit date, and that the owner be identified as a new mitigation enforcement contact. City Manager Schulze noted the city was not presently recommending penalties because the Code required notice of violation and a reasonable time to cure it. He added the Planning Commission would also be working on a revised mitigation plan, which would include the issue of side yard setbacks. City Council Meeting February 12, 2001 Page 6 DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 710 AMENDING SECTIONS OF MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE OF HEARING EXAMINER The Council adopted Ordinance No. 710 Amending Sections of Medina Municipal Code to Provide for the Office of Hearing Examiner. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 704 LIMITING HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT Following discussion, the Council requested City Attorney Wines to revise Ordinance No. 704 to include a list of all city holidays, a definition of commercial construction and maintenance, and to change Saturday construction hours to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for presentation at the March Council meeting. POINT OF ORDER At 10:45 p.m., and under authority of RCW 42.30.110, an Executive Session was held for the purpose of discussion of pending litigation. By unanimous consensus, Council members closed the Executive Session at 11:20 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Cohen moved to adjourn the Regular City Counci meeting, seconded by Council Member Demitriades. All were in favor, and the meeting was adjourped O'11:20 p.m. Daniel fF. Becker, Mayor Attest: - :, - Caroll P. Wedlund, City Clerk