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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2001 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 14, 2001 Medina City Hall 7:00 PM 501 Evergreen Point Rd. Mayor Becker called the public hearing and regular meeting of the Medina City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. 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 Manager Jenny Schultz, Public Works Superintendent Carl Burris, and City Clerk Caroll Wedlund Consultants: Keith Bates and Lori McFarland, with OTAK PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Mayor Becker announced Planning Commissioner Jim Shiplet was moving to Florida, and presented him with a plaque of appreciation for his service on the Planning Commission. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Becker stated in order to expedite settlement with the ACLU, the Council had passed Ordinance No. 718 on April 23, 2001, repealing a number of ordinance issues regarding solicitation within Medina. He explained the $22,500 settlement amount was being split between non-profit organizations, rather than going to the ACLU, as had been depicted in a newspaper article. Mayor Becker noted the region was moving toward expanding the SR-520 Bridge, and indicated a couple of the proposed Trans -lake alternatives were of great concern. Therefore, the City of Medina was inviting citizens to a special town meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, at Medina Elementary School to learn what was being considered and how it might affect residents. He added an all -day meeting would be held May 23, 2001 at the Museum of History and Industry to reduce the number of alternatives. Two additional all -day meetings would be held on June 6 at Overtake Hospital, and at the Museum of History and Industry on June 13, 2001. Mayor Becker indicated in July 2001, the Executive Committee would determine which alternatives and high capacity transit crossing should be included in a draft environmental impact statement. He projected the draft Environmental Impact Statement would be published in the spring of 2002, the final alternatives would be defined by winter of 2002, and construction lasting five to seven years, would begin in 2004. Mayor Becker reported the center span and the west high-rise were projected for removal, which would reroute all vessel traffic under SR-520 in front of Medina's shores. Mayor Becker announced an executive session would be held following the May Council meeting to discuss pending litigation. Council Member Demitriades relayed the State Legislature was currently in its 30-day special session, and it was expected the Governor would call another special session. ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION Mayor Becker suggested item D, Adoption of Proclamation Designating May 15, 2001 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the Week of May 13, 2001 as National Police Week, be removed from the consent agenda. Council Member Demitriades moved, seconded by Council Member Lawrence to adopt the Proclamation. The motion was unanimously approved. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Becker clarified in the April 23, 2000 Study Session minutes when suggesting consideration of hybrid vehicles with alternative fuel sources, he had meant for automobiles other than the Police Department. City Council Meeting May 14, 2001 Page 2 Council Member Odermat moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve the consent agenda, minus item D. The motion was passed by unanimous consensus. STAFF REPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Police Chief Knapp announced the Police Department was commemorating National Police Week by displaying at a booth in Bellevue Square a partial list of officers who had given their lives in the line of duty. He relayed the Police Department also held a poster contest at the schools in Medina, and the East Hills Lions Club was funding awards for this event. Chief Knapp also read aloud a letter of gratitude from a young woman who had been arrested in Medina for DUI, thanking him for being a "guardian angel". Chief Knapp also announced a new program entitled, "Run With The Cops", whereby the Chief, the City Manager and officers would run with school children early in the morning. Chief Knapp also indicated citizens wishing to speak with him were invited to participate in the new "Coffee With The Chief" program. Chief Knapp also stated the new police captain would report aboard at the beginning of June. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Public Works Superintendent Burris stated the Public Works crew had made significant progress with the council chambers wall divider. He also relayed the storm water run off test results indicated no detection of petroleum products in Medina catch basins. Council Member Morgan asked Public Works Superintendent Burris about the test results. Public Works Superintendent Burris responded one sample had been taken from Fairweather Basin, four south of SR-520, and one north of SR-520. Council Member Morgan suggested this issue be discussed under New Business. Public Works Superintendent Burris relayed he had talked to EarthCorps, who had begun maintenance work on Fairweather Park. He also reported the final air pollution monitor report would be completed sometime this week. Mayor Becker inquired whether the city had a noise monitor in the park. City Manager Schulze stated staff would check on that and report back to the Council. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Planning Manager Schultz relayed two salmon incubator sites were being considered in Medina, but the Town of Hunts Point had not expressed an interest in participation. She indicated the stairway and platform cost would be approximately $2,000, plus $1,000 per year. She also relayed the Endangered Species Act checklist had been incorporated as part of all building permit application packets. Planning Manager Schultz announced Dan Jerome, of Otak, had filled Medina's new Code Enforcement Officer contract position. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Becker opened the meeting to the audience for non -agenda items. Laurie Wise, 232 Overlake Drive East, Medina Ms. Wise requested permission to hold a charity fundraiser open house at her new Medina home. Susan Stanfield, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Seattle Design Center, 5701 — 6th Ave. South, Seattle 98108-2521 Ms. Stanfield sought guidance regarding using the Wise home for a show house. She noted ASID was a non- profit professional organization that partnered with a local charity when coordinating a show house. Ms. Stanfield added ASID planned to partner with Seattle Homes and Lifestyles Magazine in this endeavor. OTHER BUSINESS NE 8T" STREET/82ND AVENUE NE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS City Manager Schulze announced the city staff recommended proceeding with final design, development of construction documents and advertisement for bids regarding the NE 81h Street/82nd Avenue NE pedestrian project. He relayed on April 30, a public information meeting, attended by approximately 30 residents, was held at City Hall to discuss options and to receive comments. City Manager Schulze referred to the memorandum from Lori McFarland, of Otak, and introduced her to the Council. Ms. McFarland indicated the City Council Meeting May 14, 2001 Page 3 highest concerns of residents had been speeding and pedestrian safety. She outlined the different options, noting the "T intersection had received the highest ranking. Following discussion, the Council requested City Manager Schulze obtain a recommendation from Otak's traffic engineer and report back to the Council. Council Member Lawrence moved, seconded by Council Member Morgan to authorize the basic recommended Project One for NE 8th Street and 82"d Avenue NE pedestrian improvements at an estimated cost of $213,047, including: 1. Installation of up to three speed tables, one by the park, one closer to the curve, and one in front of the school; Council Member Demitriades amended the motion to include advisory signs and pavement markings; 2. Proceed with design of a "T" intersection at NE 8th Street and 82nd Avenue NE, with all -way stop control; 3. Enforce the vegetation -obscured sight line in the right-of-way in front of the Maxwell residence. Council Member Odermat amended the motion to include clearing and enforcement of vegetation in the right-of-way, and 4. Omit sidewalk installation. The vote carried, with four in favor, and two against. Chris Lanzinger, 8058 NE 8th Street, Medina Mr. Lanzinger emphasized residents had been informed they could mix the options, and Option Four, with sidewalks, had been the clear choice. Eric Whiting, 817 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina Mr. Whiting stressed the fundamental problem was a blind corner, due to right-of-way lack of maintenance. ORDINANCE NO. 717 ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACTS SUPPORTING ORDINANCE NO. 715 IMPOSING A MORATORIUM UPON ACCEPTANCE AND ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS WHEREIN THE TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE EXCEEDS 13,500 SQUARE FEET City Attorney Wines indicated Ordinance No. 717 was proposed to fulfill a state law requirement for a public hearing and adoption of findings of fact in support of a moratorium within two months after its passage. He also promised to furnish a written proposal narrowing the scope of Ordinance No. 715 for the June Council meeting. Council Member Cohen moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades to adopt Ordinance No. 717. The motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION OF FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEW OF 2001 BUDGET AND SIX -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Council Member Lawrence requested the accounting method used by the city be modified, in order to give the Council a better understanding of revenues and expenditures. City Manager Schulze noted the Finance Committee had requested distribution of the Six -Year Capital Improvement Plan, and requested direction from the Council regarding how they wished to proceed. He reminded Council members the Transportation Improvement Plan must be submitted by August 1, 2001. Mayor Becker requested the 2001 — 2006 Capital Improvement Plan be distributed at the May Study session for review prior to the June meeting. DISCUSSION OF OPEN BUILDING PERMITS City Manager Schulze relayed staff's recommendation to proceed with closing out expired building permits without Certificates of Occupancy. He stated there was a total of 78 expired permits without Certificates of Occupancy. Over 20 of the expired permits needed Certificates of Valuation, after which the owner would pay any adjusted fees for a Certificate of Occupancy to be issued. Of that number, no inspection and/or final permit had been requested. City Manager Schulze indicated most of those permits were for small projects such as piers, bulkheads, and sports courts, for which the fines would be less than $1,000. City Council Meeting May 14, 2001 Page 4 City Manager Schulze suggested permits not requiring additional inspections, but without the paperwork necessary for issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy not be charged additional permit fees. He also recommended expired permits requiring additional inspections or re -inspections be required to pay permit fees, but plan review fees be waived if the plans had not been altered and construction had been completed according to the approved plans. City Manager Schulze suggested permit fee adjustments be required if certificates of valuation differed from the estimate submitted with the permit application. He noted the staff recommendation was consistent with existing city policy. Expired permits would require renewal if inspections were necessary for an owner to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. The Building Official could waive plan review fees if the project had been constructed according to approved plans. By consensus, the Council authorized the City Manager to proceed with the staff recommendations. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 709 REGULATING STREET EXCAVATION City Manager Schulze explained Ordinance No. 709 had been developed with the assistance of the City Attorney and the City Engineer. Council Member Odermat moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve Ordinance No. 709. The motion carried by unanimous consensus. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO RETAIN CONSULTANT FOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR POLICE FACILITIES City Manager Schulze requested Council authorization to retain Lawhead Architects for completion of a needs assessment and feasibility study of a law enforcement facility. Council Members Lawrence and Preston accepted City Manager Schulze's invitation to participate in the process. Council Member Preston moved, seconded by Council Member Odermat, to authorize the City Manager to retain Lawhead Architects for a police facility needs assessment and feasibility study, and the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS MEDINA SHOWCASE HOME Following discussion, the Council decided to deny a request to conduct a showcase home open house as a joint venture charity fundraiser with Seattle Homes and Lifestyles Magazine, due to concerns about parking. STORM WATER RUNOFF Due to the city having evidence of petroleum -based products leaching into Lake Washington and Fairweather Bay, the Council requested City Manager Schulze to file a complaint with the Department of Ecology regarding storm water runoff. TRANS -LAKE WASHINGTON PROJECT Mayor Becker referred to the three proposed options for the Trans -lake Washington project that would be submitted to an environmental impact statement. He noted the options included doing nothing to the SR-520 Bridge, preserving it by building pontoons and seismic retrofit on both sides, and the alternative of building additional lanes. POINT OF ORDER At 10:20 p.m. and under authority of RCW 42.30.110, an Executive Session was held for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. By unanimous consensus, Council members closed the Executive Session at 11:08 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Demitriades moved to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting, seconded by Council Member Lawrence. All were in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:08 p.m. L�I Dani I t. Becker, Mayor Attest: ( �' Caroll P. Wedlund, City Clerk