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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2001 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES July 9, 2001 Medina City Hall _ 501 Ever reen Point Rd. 7:00 PM 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, Thomas Morgan, Mary Odermat, Steve Preston and Mayor Daniel Becker Absent: Council Member Jim Lawrence 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 ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Becker relayed he had received a notice from the State Liquor Control Board regarding Overlake Golf and Country Club's application to renew their liquor license, and the comment period would be open until August 31, 2001. He also indicated the last Trans -lake executive session was held on June 16, 2001, at which point there was agreement to extend the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping to October 31, 2001. Mayor Becker further announced a special session dealing with transportation funding on July 16, 2001, at which point there would be a push by Senator McDonald to restore a portion of the EIS funding. Mayor Becker indicated an SR-520 update newsletter should be delivered shortly to Medina residences that discussed EIS funding and whom to contact regarding the issues involved. Mayor Becker also announced Medina Days would begin on August 7, 2001 with a concert in Medina Park, baseball games, block parties and culminating with festivities on Saturday, August 11, 2001. Mayor Becker stated Council Member Lawrence's wife was in the hospital, and was partially paralyzed as a result of cancer. Mayor Becker also indicated Resolution 280 regarding jet noise, would be discussed as Item "C" under "Other Business" Council Member Demitriades reported the King County Municipal League was looking for volunteer citizens to rate fall election candidates for a number of eastside city councils, and the Lake Washington School Board. City Manager Schulz explained the city preferred to let nature take its course for Oscar the Otter. He noted someone had been contacted who could trap the otter, if need be, and that city personnel were keeping an eye on the animal, but hoped they would not have to become involved. He indicated Oscar the Otter should be left alone unless he became unhealthy or aggressive. Council Member Demitriades read aloud a letter from a Sequim resident urging the Council to protect the otter. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Preston moved, seconded by Council Member Demitriades, to approve the consent agenda, which passed by unanimous consensus. STAFF REPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Chief Knapp referred to the June 2000 Medina Police Department report, noting four burglaries had occurred during June, two of which were occupied home invasions. One burglary had spawned a whole series of stolen identity cases. He also reported four car prowls during this period. Chief Knapp cautioned residents to lock vehicle and residence doors, and to turn on their home security alarm when retiring for the evening. He also advised anyone who lost or misplaced their identification to notify the police, call department stores, credit card companies, credit bureaus, and to close their checking account if any checks had been stolen. Mayor Becker requested identity theft information to be posted on the city's website. Chief Knapp added he had ordered a new publication regarding false identity, and would make it available to Medina residents. Chief Knapp turned to the results of a speed survey conducted in Medina during February and March of 2001, noting 85 — percent of the 5,575 vehicles surveyed had been traveling under 30 miles per hour. He added most of the speeding citations had been issued to residents living along the NE 8ch Street/82"d Avenue NE strip. City Council Meeting July 9, 2001 Page 2 PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Public Works Superintendent Burris announced the bid results for street sweeping had been received, and the results would be reported at the next Council meeting. He also relayed the police vehicle laptop computers were ready for installation, and should be operational by the end of July. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Planning Manager Schultz relayed the city was moving forward with some studies for compliance with state and federal mandates. She reported the Endangered Species Act (ESA) evaluation was partially completed. Additionally, city staff had begun research for the Shoreline Master Program, ESA, Critical Areas and Comprehensive Plan updates. Planning Manager Schultz reported the city had received a request from several Medina citizens to amend the Comprehensive Plan. She noted the city was required to set a date once a year to consider amendments and requests for revision. City Planner Schultz relayed the statute required broad public notice, including educational information on public participation. She suggested the Council consider an appropriate hearing date, as staff needed time for noticing requirements and an article in the Medina Newsletter. Mayor Becker stated this would be discussed at the next meeting. Council Member Morgan pointed out the Hearing Examiner agenda included a special use permit for Medina Elementary School expansion. He noted continued expansion of the school increased the traffic problem, as growth of the student population resulted in increased numbers of parents delivering their children to school. Planning Manager Schultz explained the reason the school was expanding was due to a mandate for class size reduction as well as different educational opportunities, which necessitated more classrooms. She continued the school had sent staff a notice regarding their plan to raze the building in three to four years, and at that time, Medina would have an opportunity to address those issues. Mayor Becker suggested taking this opportunity to impose a condition to the special use permit that the school should pay for these improvements. He suggested once the Council determined what improvements were needed on NE 81" Street/82"d Avenue NE, they could be passed on to the school. City Attorney Wines cautioned an imposed condition for a portable had to be roughly proportionate to the traffic and sidewalk systems. Council Member Demitriades asked Planning Manager Schultz about the noise monitor, to which she responded Port of Seattle staff indicated they could provide reports. Council Member Demitriades requested they be furnished monthly. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Becker opened the meeting to the audience for non -agenda items. Henry Paulman, 1415 — 801' Avenue NE, inquired about the Comprehensive Plan recommended changes. Mayor Becker responded it would be on the Council agenda next month for discussion. Mr. Paulman also referred to Council Member Morgan's remarks regarding expansion of Medina Elementary, and suggested the appeal process be modified so the first appeal would be from the hearing examiner to the Council and from the Council to Superior Court. Mayor Becker responded the Council could make a recommendation to staff, and staff could take that recommendation to the hearing examiner. City Attorney Wines stated the Council instructed staff regarding issues for review by staff and the City Attorney, and the hearing examiner considered them to resolve the problem. Dr. Meredith Smith, 1407 Evergreen Point Road, Medina, urged the Council to do whatever they could to limit jet noise. Mayor Becker responded it was an agenda item for this meeting. Dr. Meredith also mentioned the SR-520 overpass walkway on Evergreen Point Road was rusty. City Manager Schulze indicated two years prior a letter had been sent to the State Department of Transportation requesting them to repaint the pedestrian overpass. They had responded such work was not in their budget, and further, it would require closing down SR-520 for an extended time period. OTHER BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARING FOR NE 8T" STREET/82ND AVENUE NE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Mayor Becker announced the public hearing would be broken into two segments —speed tables and crosswalks, and secondly, pedestrian improvements. City Manager Schulze briefed those present regarding progress on the NE 8`h Street/82nd Avenue NE pedestrian improvement project. He introduced Dan Dawson and Lori McFarland, with Otak, who were present to address concerns and to answer questions. Mr. Dawson gave a summary of project progress, and briefed the Council regarding considerations, including public input, utilized for recommendations. He referred to the report distributed to Council Members and outlined the pros and cons of the four recommended options. Mr. Dawson recommended raised crossings via speed humps ten feet across the top with ramps, for a total of 22 feet. He suggested City Council Meeting July 9, 2001 Page 3 one speed table be installed immediately south of the Medina Park entrance, and the other just east of the 80t Avenue -- NE/NE 81h Street intersection. SPEED TABLES George Ledwith, 830 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, was not in favor of speed tables, due to the noise. Scott Sites, 860 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, agreed with Mr. Ledwith, noting he was also concerned about speeding skate boarders and bicyclists utilizing speed tables as recreational play platforms. Ron Santi, 7842 NE 8Ih Street, Medina, wondered if diesel trucks and Harleys shifting down to approach speed tables and then reaccelerating after passing over them would make more noise. Mr. Dawson responded affirmatively. Henry Paulman, 1415 — 801h Avenue NE, Medina, stated the City of Clyde Hill had removed speed bumps after installing them, and it cost three times the amount for removal as for installation. He continued the reason for removal was the speed bumps did not work, and the same thing was accomplished with signage. Mayor Becker commented if speed tables were installed now, the Council could review the situation in a year or so to determine whether or not they had been effective. Following discussion, Council Member Demitriades moved in favor of speed tables, seconded the Council Member Morgan. By a vote of three in favor and two against, the Council approved two speed tables to be installed on a trial basis for one year, with the Otak engineer to make a recommendation regarding their placement. PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY Ms. McFarland stated the continuous walkway option was 1,250 feet long, and the discontinuous one was 850 feet. She suggested the hard surface continuous walkway begin at 8011 Avenue NE to the Medina Park south driveway, with traffic separation. Mr. Dawson recommended a continuous paved walkway with thickened asphalt edge and two -foot planter strip. Bill Kinzel, 802 — 8011 Avenue NE, Medina, requested the Council adopt a discontinuous pathway, as he had a hedge and irrigation system with ten sprinkler heads in the right-of-way. Margaret Maxwell, 8040 NE 81h Street, Medina, read aloud a letter distributed to the Council. She suggested a discontinuous sidewalk, and voiced concern about potential drainage problems. Ms. Maxwell was also of the opinion a gravel pathway would be adequate. Rip Johnson, 907 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, stated the proposed crosswalk would stop at his driveway, and the majority of those traveling down the street crossed over into the park, so there was no way to get from his driveway to the park. Chris Lanzinger, 8058 NE 81h Street, Medina, voiced concern about safety, and recommended a discontinuous sidewalk as a compromise in the area of the hedge. He said those with hedges in the right-of-way should keep in mind it was city property. He also was in favor of a solid surface walkway, and requested the Council to "listen to the engineers". Ron Santi, 7842 NE 81" Street, Medina, asked the Otak representatives if they had considered moving the curb stops on the south side of NE 8`h Street, in order to create a pathway barrier. He also asked how far from the terminus of the curve should a crosswalk be placed. City Manager Schulze responded the school had been contacted to move the curb stops on the south side of NE 8th Street to within 24 inches of the pavement edge. He continued if the curb stops were not moved cooperatively, the Public Works staff would do so for them. Mr. Dawson recommended eliminating the walkway west of 8032 NE 8th Street, installing a crosswalk opposite that address, and building a south side walkway from 81st Avenue NE to the east driveway of the school parking lot. Ms. McFarland added it made sense to continue the hard surface pathway to 81s' Avenue NE. Margaret Maxwell, 8040 NE 81h Street, Medina, inquired whether two crosswalks would create redundancy. City Manager Schulze responded the Pedestrian section of the Medina Comprehensive Plan called for a central walkway extending north to south through Medina, and this corridor had been identified as a central system. Therefore, it would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan to eliminate a crosswalk at 80th Avenue NE. Henry Paulman, 1415 — 801h Avenue NE, suggested each side of the road have a dedicated path. He recommended one crosswalk at 801h Avenue NE, and another in the middle of the block, to replace the proposed crosswalk at the corner. City Council Meeting July 9, 2001 Page 4 George Ledwith, 830 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, suggested the results of this project were already a foregone conclusion, — and referred to the 35-signature letter in the Council packet. He inquired whether citizens would be forced to live with sidewalks in addition to speed tables. Mr. Ledwith was of the opinion a sidewalk from the park to the curve was expensive and unnecessary. He recommended the Council wait six months and then reevaluate the situation. John Mulhollan, 7739 NE 81h Street, Medina, noted he had been a Medina resident for over 50 years. He suggested that a police vehicle be parked on NE 8th Street during the morning and afternoon hours. Mr. Mulhollan was of the opinion police presence was a deterrent to speeding. He emphasized his concern was for the safety of the children. Ron Santi, 7842 NE 81' Street, Medina, agreed with Mr. Ledwith, and read aloud a statement indicating sidewalk proponents had not "met the burden of proof'. He inquired why rights -of -way should be paved, when less invasive alternatives were adequate. Council Member Odermat referred to a Council packet letter from the Bellevue School District, and requested the City Manager read it into the record. City Manager Schulze read the letter, which indicated if the city elected to make sidewalk improvements to provide safer egress for students along and across NE 8th Street and 82"d Avenue NE, Bellevue School District supported such upgrades. Eric Whiting, 817 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, announced he was in the process of moving, and reminded the Council their primary job was safety and liability of the city. Julie Maxwell, 815 — 82"d Avenue NE, Medina, stated she would be impacted by the solution proposed by Otak personnel. She stated safety of the children was foremost, and supported the compromise proposed by Mr. Ledwith. Ms. Maxwell suggested a cooling off period might be in order. She was concerned about drainage and the grade change that would require a retaining wall, and also voiced concern about the budget impacts of this proposal. Stephen Plowman, 8048 NE 81h Street, Medina, voiced approval for the least amount of necessary improvements, and suggested everyone think of child safety first. Mayor Becker closed the public hearing. Mayor Becker suggested the engineer be asked to take into consideration public comment heard during this meeting, and to return for the August Council meeting with their recommendations. Mr. Dawson reiterated his suggestion to provide a safe walking route, noting his discomfort with a discontinuous pathway, because citizens had no alternative but to cross the street where they could not safely do so. City Manager Schulze concurred with Mr. Dawson's recommendations, noting the proposal submitted by Mr. Ledwith and those who signed in support suggested an option that would not necessarily meet the original objectives given to staff and the engineers by the Council, but it was acceptable to meet part of them. He continued the objective was to create a safe pedestrian access from Medina Elementary to Medina Park. He referred to the original safe walk analysis conducted by Bellevue School District, noting the only thing they had rated was the actual crossing at NE 8th Street and 81" Avenue NE. They did not rate the walkway along the road, which if rated with the same valuations assigned to the crossing, would actually qualify as a hazardous condition. Council Member Preston moved, seconded by Council Member Odermat, to move forward with the proposed continuous north side walkway as recommended by Mr. Dawson. Following discussion, the Council approved the NE 8th Street/82nd Avenue NE pedestrian improvement project, with a continuous north side walkway from 801h Avenue NE to the south edge of Medina Park, with thickened road edge and two -foot planter strip, with the understanding the planter strip could be adjusted as needed. It was noted the walkway surface would be determined at a later stage. RESOLUTION NO. 280 RELATING TO A MORATORIUM ON EXPANSION OF SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT In the appearance of fairness, Mayor Becker excused himself from discussion regarding this issue. Mayor Pro Tern Morgan noted the Council believed aircraft noise had reached unacceptable levels, and shortening curfew hours was a move in the wrong direction. He emphasized this was a Puget Sound -wide issue, and Medina should show its solidarity in support of a moratorium on expansion of Seattle -Tacoma Airport until the FAA and Port of Seattle enforced compliance with the 4-post plan and jet noise reduction. He suggested both curfew hours and the moratorium should be extended, and maximum use of the Duwamish-Elliott Bay noise abatement corridor should be utilized. Council Member Demitriades moved, seconded by City Council Meeting July 9, 2001 Page 5 Council Member Odermat, to adopt Resolution No. 280, with the changes suggested by Council Member Morgan. The vote was unanimous. Mayor Becker rejoined the meeting. Dr. Bob Rudolph, 1455 Evergreen Point Road, Medina, pointed out an inconsistency, noting the FAA Task Force stated increased use of the Duwamish corridor was possible, but it might have an adverse impact upon efficiency during bad weather and peak volume times. He stressed the FAA Task Force report did not address negative impact upon efficiency during non -peak times, and indicated the FAA Task Force report made no mention of negative impact upon safety with increased use of the Duwamish corridor. Dr. Rudolph stated the Port of Seattle letter was not consistent with the FAA Task Force report and the Williams Consulting report, and that inconsistency should be exploited. He was not optimistic Resolution No. 280 would carry any weight, and urged the Council to continue their efforts through Chevalier, Allen and Lichman, and the FAA consultants. Dr. Rudolph was requested to furnish a copy of his statements to the Council. Mike Hyatt, 925 — 881h Avenue NE, Medina, encouraged the Council to spend some money for lawyers in an effort to convince the FAA the Duwamish corridor was a safe alternative. Christopher Smythies, 1081 - 80`h Avenue NE, Medina, complimented the Council for their efforts regarding the jet noise issue, emphasizing it was very important that the Council continue their work on this issue, as well as that of SR-520. Dr. Smythies also stressed the city should continue to support Eastside Citizens Against Airplane Noise (ECAAN). 2002 — 2007 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN 02 — 2007 Transportation Improvement Plan, noting state law City Manager Schulze briefed the Council regarding the 20 required that all cities, towns, counties and transit agencies to create and adopt a Six year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) each year. The purpose of the six -year program was to assure that local agencies and transit agencies had available advanced plans for not less than six years into the future, as a guide in carrying out a coordinated street/road construction program. He stated a copy of the adopted TIP must be submitted to the WSDOT Local Programs Engineer by August 1, 2001. He noted the TIP projects included street improvements, storm drainage, and sidewalk and path improvements. City Manager Schulze indicated the city typically received around $290,000 per year as part the city's share of the motor fuel tax receipts and real estate excise tax receipts. He emphasized a majority of those receipts must be spent on transportation -related projects. The real estate excise tax receipts were required to be spent on capital improvements, and transportation improvements qualified as capital improvements. He stressed the TIP only contained the projects related to transportation, and did not include projects such as some of the remaining work identified but unapproved for Fairweather Nature Preserve, any additional work to be done on Medina Stream restoration, and any potential police facilities. City Manager Schulze addressed the Council's attention to the first three years of the TIP, noting it was important for both financial planning and for the engineering design to consider those projects in the hopper, and not something that would change drastically on an annual basis. He also clarified the total projected expenditures for 2003 were $1,203,000, rather than $1,648,000, as shown in the Council packet. City Manager Schulze also noted the King County Bridge Report had identified some structural problems with the Overlake Drive East Bridge. Therefore, King County and the State Department of Transportation had requested it be included in the TIP to begin work on designing structural improvements. Following discussion, Council Member Morgan moved, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to adopt the 2002 — 2007 TIP, with a change of moving improvements and repairs for Overlake Drive East Bridge moved from 2003 to 2004. LIMESTONE/GRAVEL MIXTURE SURFACE FOR PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY Council Member Morgan pointed out a limestone/sand/grave/cement mixture used in Sumas and Skagit Counties was less expensive for sidewalks than concrete or asphalt, did not scatter and looked rural. He noted the limestone inhibited plant growth, was an impervious surface, and urged the City Manager to check on this mixture as a possible solution for the pedestrian pathway. Council Member Preston moved to adjourn, adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Attest: Pij- Caroll P. Wedlund, City Clerk ADJOURNMENT seconded by Council Member Cohen. All were in favor, and the meeting Daniel'F.,Becker, Mayor