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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2007 - Supplemental MaterialsMonday October 8, 2007 Dear Neighbors, Reportedly, the City Attorney may attempt to prevent public comments regarding the Green Store. If this happens, I suggest that you focus your remarks on the question of the lease negotiations the city pursued with Ms. Lee. These negotiations are purportedly separate from the Quasi -Judicial proceedings regarding the Historical Use Permit and therefore eligible for public feedback tonight during public comments. Of course you may ask any question you like, however the Mayor and council may refuse to answer. Thanks for your support. 501 EVERGREEN POINT ROAD • POST OFFICE BOX 144 • MEDINA. WASHINGTON 98039-0144 TELEPHONE 425-233-6400 • FAX 425-454.8490 - POLICE 425-233-6420 - WWW.medi1a-wa.90v Mark F. Weinberg April 13, 2007 City Manager Ms. Hae Lee PO Box 436 Medina, WA 98039 Dear Ms. Lee, At a recent City Council meeting, a Council Member expressed an interest in considering the possibility of using the second floor of the Medina Store, part of the basement and part of the main floor for City offices, instead of expanding City Hail. Any research of such a plan will take substantial staff time (determining space allocation and lease hold improvement cost estimates). As a result, prior to undertaking such an inquiry, 1 am writing to ask if you would be willing to lease out such a large space. If so, could you please be kind enough to advise me Of just what space would be available, by specifying its location in the building and estimated square footage. In replying, please flake into consideration that other modifications to the building may be necessary to make the space handicap accessible, such as the installation of an elevator and the modification or addition of restr oom facilities and fire safety systems. Finally, given the anticipated formidable leasehold improvement costs which would be needed, the City would require a long-term lease, preferably with a minimum of 15-20 years. Should you have an interest, an alternate plan might be for the City to purchase the store properly outright and then use it exclusively for City offices, or perhaps sublease the retail portion to you or another qualified store operator. I seek your sentiments on this idea, in the absence of any Council expression of interest in doing so at this time; as you can see, 1 am anxious to explore a full range of possible opportunities that might lead to this local landmark becoming a productive property once again. If you would be kind enough to respond to me on these or other possible solutions, It would be appreciated. JF.Weln�berg y, City Manager Street Vacation Resolution (9:15 pm) Crum explained request to vacate a portion of Upland Road and the process for proceeding with the request, including the adoption of a resolution to set a hearing date Tanaka answered council inquires. MOTION BIGLOW/SECOND ADAM TO ADOPT RESOLUTION SETTING HEARING DATE FOR STREET VACATION REQUEST. MOTION PASSED 6-0 AT 9:20 PM. Mayor recessed meeting for a break at 9:21 pm and the meeting reconvened at 9:28 pm Preliminary Cif Hall Report (9:28 pm) Crum summarized the study conducted by Johnston Architects. He conveyed the consultant was directed to provide three options in their report, including the associated costs and work required. He summarized each option. Willis introduced Marc Pevoto from Johnston Architects. Mr. Pevoto answered questions from the audience and council. Council discussion followed. Mayor conveyed there would be council support for the project, but currently the costs are too high. He suggested there should be a review of administrative charges and additional options given for option two in order to reign in costs. Adam suggested council possibly look at the option of moving some staff to the Green Store in lieu of expanding City Hall. Council requested item return with option two further defined on ,. March 26th. MOTION RUDOLPH/SECOND LAWRENCE TO CONTINUE MEETING ANOTHER SEVEN MINUTES TO ADDRESS ITEMS H-7 AND H-8. MOTION CARRIED 4-2 ADAM AND BLAZEY OPPOSED AT 10:14 PM. Traffic Mitigation Agenda item not discussed due to lack of time. Council Communications Report Agenda item not discussed due to lack of time. Pass -Through Consultant Charges & Permit Fee Reconciliation Agenda item not discussed due to lack of time. City Hall Emergency Generator Report (10:14 pm) Crum summarized report and indicated item would come back to council for action after three bids are obtained. City Council Minutes February 12, 2007 Page 5 j t>7 figures to the council per Phelps's earlier request, and indicated the $20,000 contract fee was paid in full in addition to $6,062.71 for pass through fees. Following council discussion, Weinberg agreed it would be good customer service to acknowledge receipt within 24 hours of correspondence addressed to the Council, and noted it would depend upon whether research. would need to be conducted in response to the letter or not. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Resident Wilma Edmonds asked if WSDOT would fund a mitigator to represent the City of Medina as it did the city of Seattle. Mrs. Edmonds added she had spoken with Representative Deb Eddy about the noise reduction pavement bill before the Legislature and she was told that the bill failed because of the way it was presented. Representative Eddy indicated the pavement would be approved for SR-520. Adam conveyed mitgator candidates have been identified and WSDOT will fully fund a mitigator dedicated to eastside communities within the next 30 days. Lawrence stated a letter was entered into the record as audience participation from citizen Shawn Fitzpatrick as she was unable to attend the meeting. Weinberg said she had already received a response from the City. OTHER BUSINESS City Hall Restoration (7.38 pm) Willis distributed architectural renderings to Council. The drawings identified the existing floorplan, the proposed addition to the north side of the building, and an attic expansion with eyebrow dormers. Willis summarized the three options for the proposed City Hall restoration/expansion project and answered Council inquiries. as office imprownentsi amounting..io about $322,000. There was general Council consensus not to proceed with eyebrow dormers for attic space as it would not be an efficient use of funds or space and would detract from the existing building character. Council comment produced the idea to discuss with staff how expansiatfrelocation would appease current working restrictions -and effect serves. MOTION BIGLOW/SECOND ADAM TO AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF $18,462 FOR ARCHITECTURAL FEES FOR PHASE TWO. MOTION CARRIED 7-0 AT 8:18 PM. City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 2 3 t '��. d `'� ,+a a.. i �, � s= �. �„ Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 3:07 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: Medina Green Store Pls print for the members for tonite... -----Original Message ----- From: Nordstrom, Erik [mailto:Erik.Nordstrom@nordstrom.com] Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 1:23 PM To: Mark Weinberg Subject: FW: Medina Green Store Dear Mark, I am wondering if you could provide me the reasons why the Green Store issue remains unresolved. Is there another side to the story below? This seems to be a conspicuous sign of inefficiency for our city. Thanks. Erik -----Original Message ----- From: Julie Nordstrom [mailto:jenordstrom@comcast.net] Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 9:22 AM To: Nordstrom, Erik Subject: FW: Medina Green Store FYI, the dark side of Medina politics -----Original Message ----- From: heija@heija.com [mailto:heija@heija.com] Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 8:40 AM To: heija@heija.com Subject: Medina Green Store Dear Neighbors, For those of you curious about the Medina Green Store, here is an update from my perspective. I welcome questions and encourage you to also use other publicly available resources to learn more. Trust Your Gut Do you ever have a vague feeling that something's not quite right? Maybe it's a sudden realization that things have gotten quiet, too quiet, three -year -old -alone - in -the -kitchen -with -a -permanent -marker, quiet. That's your gut talking. We try to ignore it, because ignorance is bliss, at least until cold hard facts start picketing our subconscious. Small town politics are definitely not bliss, but they do thrive on ignorance. It's easy to plug our ears, stare straight ahead, and hope that our elected representatives are making good decisions. But what if they are not? What if important decisions are made in private, or if a stubborn vocal minority regularly directs policy decisions that impact your everyday life; your property, your pocketbook, your safety and your schools? If you knew, would you do something? Rising From the Rubble The Medina Grocery has been closed since 2000. Since then, the owner has patiently endured zoning crises, lengthy legal battles and appeals, whisper campaigns, threats, broken 1 promises, delay tactics, dirty tricks, and now, a complete disregard for the city's own permit criteria, planning commission recommendation, and public opinion. Still, on the corner of Evergreen Point Road and NE 8th a community icon, virtually indistinguishable from the original, has risen from the rubble of controversy. Familiar green paint, red doors, and wood floors stare patiently at passersby, waiting to welcome its neighbors. A Questionable Future Are you tired of wondering when the Green Store will open? Tired of creatively answering the same questions from your kids? Tired of peeking through the windows hopeful that you'll see a friendly clerk waving you inside? Tired of sending emails, signing petitions and attending endless City Council meetings to show your support for a cute little store that has existed in our community since 1908? I am exhausted. The Medina Grocery owner has dedicated an incredible amount of time, energy and money to rebuild the heart of Medina. Yet city officials try to imply that she doesn't have the community's best interest in mind. Why? Why has the Medina City Council seemingly lost interest in preserving this community treasure? Why did the City of Medina fail to negotiate a fair lease for the use they required for the second floor? Why did they suggest, and then retract their own creative solution, a Community Benefits Lease? Why did the City of Medina express interest (in writing and in public) in purchasing the Medina Grocery or suggest a long term lease for city offices if they believe office use is inappropriate? Why did the Medina City Council ignore the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the current permit application allowing leased office space in portions of the store? Why did Pete Vall-Spinosa abstain from the vote? Why did the City Council postpone their final vote on the office use, only to secretly approve a lease proposal to move City Hall OFFICES to the Medina Green Store while many other residents have been prevented from pursuing their interest in leasing office space? Why has the City of Medina taken nearly six months to consider the Green Store's permit application while approval to double the size of St. Thomas school took less than five hours? Why are the City Council and the City Attorney comfortable with the idea of spending your taxpayer dollars to defend a Land Use Appeal against a permit most citizens approve, for an office use they themselves sought? What Will Happen Monday? Will the City Council finally vote on the Green Store permit application? Will they deny the office use that they have secretly tried to guarantee for themselves? Or will they delay a decision -again? Get answers to these and other important questions at the City Council Meeting, Monday October 8th at 7pm. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING! Make a public comment at the beginning of the meeting Monday, October 8th at 7pm. The agenda packet is available for your review at www.medina-wa.gov. Your opinion becomes part of the public record when you email the entire city council and city manager at ccmail@medina-wa.gov. 2 Another super easy way to share your thoughts is to forward this email with your comments to city manager, Mark Weinberg, at mweinberg@medina-wa.gov As always, please feel free to forward this email or let me now if you wish to be removed from this private email list. With enough community support and feedback this could be the last disappointing email I have to write about the Green Store. Warm Regards, Heija Nunn 3 Page I of 1 Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:58 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: wondering why the medina store is stalled Copy for council, pis From: Stephanie DeVaan [mailto:stephaniel@msn.com] Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 8:45 AM To: Mark Weinberg Subject: wondering why the medina store is stalled Hello, My children and I are tired of waiting for the store to open. Almost eight years ago we lost a community asset and have waited patiently to get it back. I am writing to respectfully inquire what is holding up the opening of the Medina Store. Additionally, it seems as if there is no news on the topic of the store and the office space above it. Medina residents want to know why the building --which seems to have been built to preserve its landmark quality --remains closed. Thanks in advance for your response, Stephanie DeVaan PO BOX 559 10/8/2007 Page 1 of 1 Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:58 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: I am in favor of the Medina Green Store Copy for council please. From: Jodi Major [mailto:majorjm@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:48 PM To: Mark Weinberg Subject: I am in favor of the Medina Green Store Hi Mark, I am writing to let you and the Council know that my family is in favor of the Green Store. Open the store. Let them do what they need to do to make it a viable business. If it takes office space leased on the second floor — so be it! It will only enhance the city of Medina. Please forward my statement to the Council. Thank you, Jodi and Paul Major 905 88th Avenue NE Medina, WA 98039 10/8/2007 Page 1 of 1 Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:59 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: Medina Green Store Copy for council pls From: Emer Dooley [mailto:emer@u.washington.edu] Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:49 PM To: City Council Mail Cc: Mark Weinberg Subject: Medina Green Store Dear council members I've just returned from a year in Europe and the Medina store is still closed. I'm writing to ask you to please put the vagaries of the historical use permit, and the who -can -or -cannot -rent -the -top -floor -of -the -store question aside, and think instead about what your vision for the community of Medina is. What are the aspects of life here that make Medina a community of people rather than just a collection of expensive homes? We have the park, the school and the beach, but we live in a place where it rains from September to July. We need an indoor place to congregate and talk when it's gray, and were our kids can buy ice creams when it's not. The Medina green store is an icon that offers an opportunity for people to meet, talk and engage in one another's lives. You can't build community among people whose only contact is when they pass each other in SUVs. In a classic 1995 book Robert Putnam coined the term "Bowling Alone" to describe the death of community in America. This lack of a sense of belonging is reflected here in Medina in the poor attendance at city council meetings and the low turnout at local elections. I think we need to stop haggling over the past, free up the use conditions on the store and get the place open. I can't see why you don't jump at the opportunity to restore the heart to Medina. Regards Emer Dooley 1449 Evergreen Point Road. 206 369 7248 10/8/2007 Page 1 of 1 Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 2:01 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: Voters Pamphlet Available Please be sure to print out the undergrounding utilities pro/con statements etc and place in each council members box for tonight -thanks From: Rachel Baker Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:29 AM To: Mark Weinberg Subject: Voters Pamphlet Available Mark, Links to the King County website are below for the General Election Ballot. The pamphlets will be mailed to voters beginning next week. rb From: Rachel Baker Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:26 AM To: Craig Fischer Subject: Voters Pamphlet http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/200711 /contestscandidates.aspx#City Candidates on the ballot: General Election 11/6/2007 http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/200711 /measurelist.asox Measures on the ballot: General Election 11/6/207 Thanks for posting to the web ! rb 10/8/2007 Page 1 of 1 Rachel Baker From: Mark Weinberg Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 1:00 PM To: Rachel Baker Subject: FW: Medina store Copy pls to council From: Kathy Connors[mailto:kathymconnors@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 5:56 PM To: City Council Mail Cc: Mark Weinberg Subject: Medina store Dear City Council and Mayor, We are writing as very frustrated Medina residents regarding your handling of the Medina store. We have lived in Medina for many years and were deeply saddened the day Medina store closed but had faith a new store would emerge in a reasonable time. Sadly, that has not happened. There is a blatant disregard for the rights of the property owners. It is quite obvious that the Council and City have manipulated applicable laws in order to advantage the City Administrative needs over those of a citizen and taxpayer. The owner has been through years of mindless bureaucracy with the city of Medina, and is still in a position of not being able to realize the value of her property. It is hard to fathom in a free country how elected representatives can invalidate the personal property rights of a citizen for such an extended period. Secondly, the community has been very poorly served by your stewardship of this matter. The pettiness and incompetent management of this store issue is astounding. How can it take almost 8 years to open a small store that had been in existence since 1918? You have deprived the community of a small but unique treasure. Why? It seems petty politics is at the forefront. There is clearly a lack of fair play on your part and your rulings are for your own benefit. Our community deserves better. Do the right thing and let Ms. Lee open her store and let the community carry on. This store was opened originally in 1918. How can you have managed to allow this store to become an 8 year issue? Kathy and John Connors 10/8/2007