EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
City Council Retreat
February 9 & 10, 2001
Third Floor Great Room – Edmonds City Hall
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Friday, February 9, 2001
    Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Peggy Hetzler, Adm. Serv. Director
    Dave Earling, Council President
Brent Hunter, Human Resources Director
    Chris Davis, Councilmember
Stephen Clifton, Community Serv. Director
    Tom Miller, Councilmember
Duane Bowman, Development Serv. Director
    Lora Petso, Councilmember
Police Chief Robin Hickok
    Richard L. Marin, Councilmember
Fire Chief Tom Tomberg
    Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks & Recreation Director
    David J. Orvis, Councilmember
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
  Scott Snyder, City Attorney
  Linda Carl, Executive Assistant to Mayor
  Jana Spellman, Executive Assistant to Council
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
Council President Earling called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He thanked the Councilmembers for coming up with suggestions for agenda items and thanked the staff for all their hard work.
 
Mr. Earling then called on Mayor Haakenson who presented the first agenda item.
 
HOW TO BUILD & FUND A CITY
Presenter: Mayor Haakenson
 
Mayor Haakenson asked each of the Councilmembers to build a city from the ground up.
 
Each Councilmember completed this task and then followed up explaining how it was set up and funded.
 
Mayor Haakenson mentioned bringing more online services on board for the convenience of the citizens.
 
Mr. Earling stated that although he thought that was a good idea, the City still needed to maintain human interaction with its citizenry.
 
Council President Earling then called on the next presenter Fire Chief Tomberg
 
STATUS REPORT OF MEDIC 7 DISSOLUTION
Presenters: Mayor Haakenson & Chief Tom Tomberg
 
Mayor Haakenson asked the Council if they had any questions after reading his and Chief Tomberg’s reports indicating that nothing further had taken place since the reports were prepared.
 
A question, answer and discussion period followed clarifying issues for Councilmembers.
 
Council President Earling then called on Administrative Services Director Peggy Hetzler.
 
FINANCING OPTIONS FOR CITY’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Presenters: Mayor Haakenson & Peggy Hetzler
 
Ms. Hetzler gave an overview of infrastructure needs stating that the Council directed staff to explore various funding options for debt service including the State Public Works Trust Fund Loan Program.
 
Ms. Hetzler pointed out that the only infrastructure project that was addressed during the 2001 budget process was the wiring project for the Frances Anderson Center.
 
She stated that during the last few months a number of new funding strategies have arisen and that the City now has the opportunity to issue debt to address the longstanding backlog of infrastructure needs. She felt that one of the most important new opportunities was the increase in the electrical utility tax due to the increase in the cost of electricity.
 
Ms. Hetzler followed by identifying infrastructure needs and costs. She then identified revenue sources.
 
A discussion ensued with Councilmembers’ questions being answered by the staff and Mayor.
 
Next Ms. Hetzler discussed the major building capital project funding needs for 2001-2004 pointing out that the greatest need was for projects related to the Frances Anderson Center. The total cost of these projects was projected to be $1,425,000.
 
A discussion took place among the Councilmembers regarding the feasibility of spending this much money or replacing the facility. It was pointed out that the Frances Anderson Center was revered in the City.
 
Other projects included a fire sprinkler system for the City Hall building, Fire Department Signal Improvements, flow meter station replacement, downtown sidewalks, street trees, and roof of Edmonds Library Building.
 
Mr. Earling called on Ms. Hetzler to proceed with the next agenda item which was requested by Councilmember Petso.
 
PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Presenter: Peggy Hetzler, Administrative Services Director
 
Ms. Hetzler explained that Councilmember Petso had a number of questions regarding approval of budget adjustments.
 
She itemized each of Ms. Petso questions and followed with answers.
 
A short discussion period followed with Ms. Petso asking that the Council be apprised of large dollar expenditures.
 
Mr. Earling then called on Mr. Snyder to present his agenda item.
 
COUNCILMEMBERS’ ROLES AND DUTIES – COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Presenters: Scott Snyder, City Attorney – Mayor Haakenson
 
Mr. Snyder referred to his agenda packet and gave a general overview of Councilmembers’ Roles and Duties.
 
A general question, answer, and discussion period followed.
 
The Council Committee agenda item was forwarded to Saturday morning.
 
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Saturday, February 10, 2001
    Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Peggy Hetzler, Adm. Serv. Director
    Dave Earling, Council President
Brent Hunter, Human Resources Director
    Chris Davis, Councilmember
Stephen Clifton, Community Serv. Director
    Tom Miller, Councilmember
Duane Bowman, Development Serv. Director
    Lora Petso, Councilmember
Police Chief Robin Hickok
    Richard L. Marin, Councilmember
Fire Chief Tom Tomberg
    Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks & Recreation Director
    David J. Orvis, Councilmember
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
  Linda Carl, Executive Assistant to Mayor
  Jana Spellman, Executive Assistant to Council
  Scott Snyder, City Attorney
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
Council President Earling called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
 
Mr. Earling then called on Mayor Haakenson who started with Council Committees.
 
 
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Presenter: Mayor Haakenson
 
Mayor Haakenson discussed his concern regarding the effectiveness of the Council Committees -Finance, Community/Development Services and Public Safety Committee. After airing his concerns there was a general consensus to keep these committees and use them as they were intended.
 
The Mayor requested the Council form a Long-Range Task Force Committee to look at all of the infrastructure needs and funding mechanisms.
 
There was a general consensus that this Committee needed to be formed and Council President Earling will appoint two Councilmembers to this Committee.
 
Mr. Earling called on Ms. Hetzler to present the next agenda item.
 
ISSUES REGARDING SNO-ISLE VOTE & LONG-TERM FUNDING IMPLICATIONS
Presenter: Peggy Hetzler, Adm. Services Director
 
Ms. Hetzler started by giving an overview and continued with the financial impact to the City.
 
She gave an explanation of the attachments she included.
 
After her presentation, she answered questions from the Council.
 
Mr. Orvis handed out a document entitled What’s the Problem with the Funding Annexation and How do We Fix It.
 
A broad discussion took place with respect to the library annexation issue and Mr. Orvis’ document and it was generally agreed that any financial issues concerning the library would probably best be discussed after the library annexation vote.
 
Council President Earling asked Peggy to continue with the next agenda item.
 
FINANCIAL POLICIES/PRACTICES REGARDING RESERVE LEVELS & DEPT SERVICE FUNDS
Presented by: Peggy Hetzler, Adm. Services Director
 
This agenda item was requested by Councilmember Petso.
 
Ms. Hetzler spoke to this agenda packet which listed the reserve accounts and gave a history of each and included ordinances regarding these funds. She also had a copy of the City of Edmonds Reserve Policies in this packet.
 
A general question, answer and discussion period followed.
 
Mr. Earling called on Parks and Recreation Director, Arvilla Ohlde for the next agenda item.
 
 
HISTORY OF TREE CUTTING FOR VIEW IMPROVEMENT
Presenters: Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recreation Director & Duane Bowman, Dev. Serv. Director
Ms. Ohlde presented the Council with a 206 page agenda packet that outlined the history of tree cutting for views in the City of Edmonds.
 
She reiterated that Resolution No. 418 which established and formalized a policy for tree trimming or removal on public property was an excellent resolution and the policies set forth in that resolution were still true today.
 
Topping of trees for views was discussed and it was pointed out that this was the worst possible way to cut a tree as it allowed for rot and disease.
 
There was a question, answer and discussion period and it was agreed that the best time to approach this subject was during the next 5 year master plan park update which would be happening in June 2001.
 
Council President Earling continued the agenda with a presentation from Arvilla Ohlde with the next agenda item.
 
UPDATE ON BULKHEAD AND WALKWAY PROJECT
Presenter: Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recreation Director
 
Arvilla gave a history and update of the project.
 
Ms. Ohlde answered one question from Council.
 
Mr. Earling proceeded with the next agenda item.
 
REVIEW OF INVESTMENT REPORT
Presenter: Peggy Hetzler
 
This agenda item was requested by Ms. Petso. Peggy presented an overview, reporting policy, and interpretation of the report.
 
A discussion took place regarding a more comprehensive investment policy. Ms. Hetzler indicated that former employee Doug Farmen had been working on this. The Council asked Ms. Hetzler to bring this policy forward during the March Finance Committee Meeting.
 
It was suggested that this report should come at quarterly intervals instead of monthly. There was general agreement by the Council that this was a good idea.
 
The Council adjourned for lunch until 1:15 p.m.
 
Council President Earling called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. with the next agenda item.
 
REVIEW OF PROCESS & POLICY FOR ASSEMBLING COUNCIL PACKETS AND POTENTIAL FOR PAPERLESS PACKETS
Presenters: Councilmember Chris Davis & Sandy Chase, City Clerk
 
Mr. Earling called on Ms. Chase who presented information on the current process for assembling packets and current costs.
 
Mr. Davis followed with information on a paperless packet, things to consider and provided the Council with an exhibit which featured the City of Lenexa, Kansas and their Paperless Packet Project.
 
It was the recommendation that a committee be formed consisting of the City Clerk, Information Services Coordinator, a Councilmember, and a Department Head. This committee would then provide a report back to the Council on the costs along with an implementation schedule.
 
Next, Councilmember Davis presented the Council with a handout outlining his research regarding moving to a paperless packet.
 
There was a short question and answer period with the Council agreeing that a committee should be formed. Mr. Davis was appointed to the committee as the Council’s representative.
 
Council President Earling then asked Mr. Hunter to address the next agenda item.
 
DISCUSSION OF 2001 LABOR CONTRACTS
Presenters: Brent Hunter, Human Res. Director, Mayor Haakenson, Peggy Hetzler
 
Mr. Hunter began with an explanation of 2001 Labor Contracts beginning with the collective bargaining process. He clarified the legal basis, City history, process of bargaining, collaboration verses confrontation, future Union issues, and gave the Council a list of discussion points.
 
He gave an overview of various salaries and gave a future view using current trends. A question, answer, and discussion period followed.
 
Council President Earling adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
 
 
Abbreviated minutes were taken. Tapes are available in the City Clerk’s Office. Cost of tapes: $2.00 per tape plus a $10 recording fee.