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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2002 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL April 8, 2002 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 7 00 PM Medina City Hall Mayor Becker called the regular meeting of the Medina City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. 509 Ever reen point Rd. ROLL CALL Present. Council members J. Drew Blazey, Paul Demitriades, Thomas E. Morgan, Todd Nunn, Mary Odermat, Robert Rudolph and Mayor Dan Becker Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, Police Chief Michael Knapp and City Clerk Caroll Wedlund Staff Absent. Planning Director Jenny Schultz ANNO MENTS Mayor Becker distributed a summary of policies pas eTat the Nonal League of Cities conference he recently attended, noting in December the final policies would be advocated for next year. He also announced a WSDOT workshop would be held on April 24, 2002 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Medina Elementary School_ Council member Demitriades relayed Seattle neighborhood residents living in and around the convergence of 1-5 and SR- 520 had collectively authored a "Do No Harm" statement, in response to their concerns regarding how the City of Seattle and the State would proceed with the expansion of SR-520. He stated both Representatives Frank Chopp and Edward Murray had sent a joint letter of concern to WSDOT Secretary MacDonald regarding negotiation of neighborhood impacts prior to selection of any Project alternatives that would form the basis of the project Environmental Impact Statement. Council member Odermat inquired about the status of Wiley Brooks' service in conjunction with SR-520 Trans -Lake monitoring. Following discussion, the Council agreed by consensus to discontinue this service since the Legislative Session had concluded, and to notify him regarding contract termination. CONSENT AGENDA Council member Blazey moved, seconded by Council member Rudolph, to adopt the consent agenda. Council member discussion until the May meeting, and items 4, City Engineer Search Consultant AutMorgan requested that Consent Agenda item 2, Approval of March 2002 Checks/Finance Officer's Report, be tabled for pulled for later discussion. The vote was unanimous to approve Consent Agenda itemhorization, and 6, 2002 Work Plan, be s 1, 3 and 5. Public Safe Report -_ Knapp p STAFF REPORTS Safety p Chief Kna updated those resent regarding last month's drive -by shooting report, indicating the suspect was currently in jail as a result of another warrant. Chief Knapp also announced a Medina identity theft case had become so large it turned into a federal case, and the Police Department would work toward a resolution with the U.S. District Attorney in Seattle. On another note, Chief Knapp gave an update regarding the election flyer allegations, noting the Public Disclosure Commission had issued an admonishment letter to one party. The case had also been presented to the Medina Prosecuting Attorney to determine whether or not a violation of law had occurred. The Medina Prosecuting Attorney had stated there was no basis in law to conduct any other inquiries, and the only remaining action would be a civil suit. Chief Knapp promised the election flyers would be kept in an evidentiary manner. Chief Knapp announced the Police Department had successfully completed their on -site inspection for State Accreditation, and would receive this distinction on May 22, 2002 at the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) annual conference in Wenatchee. As an update concerning the police officer selection process, Chief Knapp advised Medina's newest officer, Tyler Malejko, would attend the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy in May Council member Odermat inquired about follow-up on resident Margaret Maxwell's complaint at the March Council meeting regarding motorists passing turning cars in the opposing lane in front of Medina Elementary School, Chief Knapp responded the school administration was presently utilizing staff at that site for traffic direction. Planning Report — City Manager Schulze suggested the Nonconforming Uses and Structures Section of the Code be placed high on the list of priorities for revision. He stated the Hearing Examiner had a fairly heavy variance workload related to reconstruction criteria. The Council requested more information from Planning Director Schultz and the Hearing Examiner regarding code revisions for non -conforming structures and uses Mayor Becker opened the meeting to the audienAceDfcCnOn--agenRda items ION City Council Meeting April B, 2002 Page 2 Henry Paulman, 1415 — 80t" Avenue NE, Medina, requested the Council meeting agenda be posted on the city's web site Connie Gerlitz, 2415 — 78t" Avenue NE, Medina, suggested she report on Park Board activities at future Council meetings. Mayor Becker asked that the Council agenda Report Section include information from any committees that had met during the preceding month. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion of Budget Tracking — Council member Morgan suggested the Council begin consideration of the budget process earlier in the year. He also distributed a sample proposed revision of the monthly finance summary. City Manager Schulze stated the financial report requested by Council member Morgan was not automated; however, if the Council so wished, one would be generated. He handed out a guide entitled "Steps in the Budget Process", which had been distributed to the Council in October 2001. City Manager Schulze also disseminated a Budget Process Timetable depicting the time frame for various budget development steps. He noted a major part of the budget process was the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and suggested consideration of the CIP be moved to May/June, for adoption in July, Park Board Chair Connie Gerlitz was also requested to identify capital improvement projects for inclusion in the 2003 budget. Discussion ensued regarding problems associated with completing the budget sooner, after which the Council decided to decouple revenue from expenditures and to begin the budget planning process at an earlier date. They also requested to receive decision cards sooner, and to begin consideration of the CIP at an earlier date. The Council asked the City Manager to revise the budget process schedule to reflect moving up the budget process by two months, in order to have more time to review and discuss the budget prior to the adoption deadline. City Manager Schulze suggested the Council receive decision cards for the September Study Session, so he could give a budget presentation at the October meeting. Council members were also requested to forward fiscal policy suggestions for a Finance Committee meeting in May. Discussion of Medina Stream Project — Council member Demitriades relayed Mayor McConkey's concern whether the Medina Stream Project would impact residents who lived along Fairweather Bay regarding building within 500 feet of the shoreline. He added such a project would help the State of Washington in their lawsuit with the federal government regarding retrofit of culverts. Mayor Becker suggested a legal opinion be sought, due to the possibility of home values being impacted, which could lead to a liability issue. Council member Demitriades suggested the Council might not be ready to proceed this year. However, he was of the opinion there was enough interest at the state level that they might fund development of such a project. Following further discussion, the Council decided to delay any further action at this time regarding the Medina Stream swim -through project. Discussion of Fairweather Nature Preserve Restoration — On behalf of the Park Board, City Manager Schulze requested the Council to authorize expenditure of $41,000 for completion of supplemental planting, path improvements from the parking lot to the preserve, and path enhancements for Hazelnut Junction. He indicated funding for this expenditure had not been included in the 2002 budget, so if the Council concurred with the Park Board's recommendation, a budget amendment was needed to transfer $41,000 from unencumbered reserves to the General Fund — Parks Maintenance Council member Odermat moved to approve the expenditure of $41.000 for Fairweather Nature Preserve by transferring that amount from unencumbered reserves to the General Fund — Parks Maintenance. Council member Blazey amended the motion to delay any other expenditures during 2002 for Fairweather Nature Preserve restoration The amendment died for lack of a second. Council member Morgan requested the City Manager to find out what kind of vegetation the contractor planned to plant Council member Odermat's motion carried, with Council member Blazey voting nay, and the others in favor. Highways and Local Programs State Funding Agreement — City Manager Schulze stated the Highways and Local Programs State Funding Agreement must be executed prior to the city receiving financial assistance for the NE 8th Street Pedestrian Safety Project. He noted this grant had been awarded to the city in 2001 as a matching grant for approximately 50% of the project cost. Council member Morgan moved, seconded by Council ,member Demitriades, to authorize the City Manager to execute the Highways and Local Programs State Funding Agreement with WSDOT for the NE 8" Street Pedestrian Safety Project, and the motion carried unanimously. Suburban Cities Association Bylaws — City Manager Schulze distributed a sample resolution relating to approval of the Final Proposed By-laws of Suburban Cities Association (SCA) He noted the SCA Management Board had approved the Final Proposed By-laws for transmittal to the membership for vote on Thursday, April 18, 2002. Council member Odermat moved, seconded by Council member Demitriades, to adopt the resolution approving the SCA By-laws vote, and to fax it to SCA. The motion passed, with Council member Morgan voting for the By-laws, but not the apportionment. Discussion of Eastside Disposal Franchise Agreement — City Manager Schulze stated a recent complaint from a resident had called attention to the need for opening the Eastside Disposal solid waste services agreement to other service providers or renegotiating the terms of the agreement with the current licensee. The Council granted authorization to notify City Council Meeting April 8, 2002 Page 3 Eastside Disposal of the city's intent to renegotiate or terminate the agreement at the end of 2002, and to advertise for solid waste collection, handling transport and/or disposal services. Approval of March 2002 Checks/Financial Information Report — The Council decided to table action on the March 2002 Checks/Financial Information Report until the May meeting. City Engineer Search Consultant Authorization — City Manager Schulze requested authorization to enter into an agreement for executive search services. He explained the search process for a city engineer was very similar to the one conducted for Medina's Police Chief. City Manager Schulze relayed the search firm would interview Council members regarding the skills needed for this position, and would assemble a profile outlining the actual duties, educational background and experience necessary, as well as the characteristics the individual selected should possess. However, ultimately, it would be his responsibility to select the City Engineer The Council agreed by consensus to have the Personnel Committee work with the City Manager in the City Engineer search process. Council member Rudolph suggested the final candidate make a presentation at a Council meeting. City Manager Schulze also distributed an executive search services proposal from Greg Prothman Company which he had received after the Council packets had been delivered. He noted the proposal from Greg Prothman Company was less expensive than the one in the Council packet from Waldron & Company Further, Mr. Prothman, who used to be with Waldron, was currently working with a group of candidates who may be very similar to what the Council would ultimately be interviewing. He pointed out Waldron's proposal contained a two-year placement guarantee, whereas Prothman's was for one year. Council member Blazey moved, seconded by Council member Demitriades, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for a City Engineer search consultant. Council member Rudolph amended the motion, seconded by Council member Blazey, that Council authorization be contingent upon the Prothman proposal containing a two-year placement guarantee, rather than one. The motion carried unanimously as amended. Consideration of 2002 Work Plan — Mayor Becker suggested amending the title 2002 Work Plan to include 2003 as well. Council member Odermat moved, seconded by Council member Blazey, to adopt the 2002-2003 Work Plan, which carried unanimously. Change of Study Session Meeting Time — In response to a suggestion, Mayor Becker asked how the Council felt about changing the Study Session meeting time from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Most Council members were not in favor of it. Lessons Learned from Shirley Decision — Council member Demitriades suggested a "Lessons Learned" report be prepared for the Shirley decision. City Manager Schulze responded the city had extensive records from which to draw. Council member Demitriades stated he would compile an outline of the process for lessons learned. OLD BUSINESS Vernon Residence — Council member Odermat inquired about the status of the Vernon request from the March 11, 2002 meeting. City Manager Schulze replied the Building Official had allowed a new permit to be issued for the remaining work to be completed and for the valuation of the remaining work only Fleischman Variance — Craig Fleischman, 7641 NE 12t" Street, Medina, announced his variance request had been rejected, as well as a request for reconsideration, as his home was considered to be nonconforming in conjunction with R- 16 zoning regulations. City Manager Schulze promised a report to the Council regarding this situation, ADJOURNMENT Council member Nunn moved, seconded by Council membeto adjourn at 9,53 p.m. The vote was unanimous, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m. Uan4el`Becker, Mayor Attest: f y2O Caroll P. Wedlund, City Clerk