Audio
and Summary - AUGUST
10, 2006 Council Meeting
(Agenda
Packet for this meeting)
NOTES:
- Although this audio is accurate and complete, for final "official" copies of all agenda, minutes, ordinances, resolutions or other actions, contac the city directly: 360-792-2231.)
- All files in MP3 format, playable on Windows Mediaplayer or other MP3-compatible digital device.
For more info on meetings and hearings, visit our TRANSCRIPTION page
[G.R.I.T. NOTE: Preceding this council meeting was a 6:00 PM closed record hearing for the A. J.'s Place plat.]
CITY OF SULTAN MEETING MINUTES 8/10/06 - With audio links provided within text
The regular
meeting of the Sultan City Council was called to order in the Sultan Community
Center by Mayor Tolson. Councilmembers present: Champeaux, Wiediger, Slawson,
Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd.
Student Representative: Sonaly Sayavong
ADDITIONS
TO THE AGENDA:
Action: Add Vodnick Lane Plat Request to Remand
Discussion: Animal Control
PRESENTATIONS: Robin McClelland, from Puget Sound Regional Council provided a presentation on the Vision 2020 plan. There are four alternatives that are being considered and they are seeking public input. Discussion was held regarding population projections, transportation issues and funding, job and home locations and the meeting schedule. It was suggested that a meeting be held on a weekend to allow those who work during the week to attend. [G.R.I.T.-provided link: PSRC's presentation.]
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
- Robert Criswell: Requested an update on the Sportsman Park project and questioned the $35,000 for the fireplace. (Staff advised that the project is ready to go to bid.) [Audio File B-1, 3:55 min., 690 kb]
- Ray Kistenmacher: When a new connection occurs, the city is selling the new home a share of the system capacity and if the fee is too low, the existing residents will have to pay the additional costs. It was good to hear the City admit that they lose money on new homes. The city choose not to listen to Katy Isaacson when she recommended an adequate fee to cover the costs of debt and expansion. The new rate study will bring the Council an opportunity to increase the fees to adequate levels. [Audio File B-2, 3:08 min., 553 kb]
- Loretta Storm: Asked if the city codes set construction times and hours of operation. Staff advised that there are no codes that regulate hours of construction and if that is correct, she would like to see the council address the issue. Asked if it is possible to post the Design Review Board meeting times. Commended the City for placing information on the utility bill. The meeting on the 17th is vital to the public and the police issue was supposed to be the only topic. There was a small notice in paper and flyers around the city but the only notice the people might see is the utility billing. Disappointed that the city has not done a better job of communication. [Audio file B-3, 4:50 min., 852 kb]
- Josie Fallgatter: In regards to notification, she gets some and not others. Received the Vodnick Lane notice but not the AJ's Place and she is a party of record in both. There is a change in the status of Vodnick Lane plat from a request to appeal to a request to remand. The request to remand and the Hearing Examiner recommendation are not consistent. They have requested to be vested under a different ordinance, not the one that was in place at the time of application. They have failed to meet the minimum site size under the old ordinance and if they re-file, they can start over. [Audio File B-4, 2:54 min. 513 kb]
- Robert Keck: Agrees with the other comments on the Vodnick Lane Appeal. It appears they are trying to get around the code. They do not address the level of service for the Police. The City has a meeting scheduled for August 17th and at the last meeting it was decided to have it at the Middle School to accommodate the public and to discuss police service but the notice on the utility bill does not mention the police issue. [Audio file B-5, 2:35 min., 458 kb]
- Gerry Gibson: The July 27th minutes under discussion notes that the City Attorney advised that a one year operation levy was the only option available to the city, is that correct. [Audio File B-6, 1:29 min., 263 kb]
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
- Champeaux:
Requested an update on the property across the river that was supposed
to be cleaned up.
(Chief Walser advised that they are still working with the County to clean up the site.) [Audio File C-1, 5:32 min. 975 kb] - Weidiger: Asked if the City could provide more notices or put a notice on the High School sign board. [Audio File C-2, 2:00 min., 354 kb, includes Slawon's comments.]
- Slawson: Thanked the garbage crew for cleaning up paper and garbage around the city. [Note: Slawson's comments are contained in File C-2, above]
- Flower: Noted that the garbage crew does cleanup paper and other things when they see them lying in the streets. Agrees with the comments on the rates and is now frustrated by the turn of events on the sewer rates and the need for a new rate study.[Audio File C-3, 2:00 min., 298 kb]
- Blair: Noted that education will be the key to passing a police levy and is disappointed to hear that the information is limited. Financial responsibility to current residents should be essential and she has some concerns about the budget being based on growth. [Audio File C-4, 3:51 min., 678 kb; also includes Derek Boyd's comments, as well as unrecorded comments by new student representative, Ms. Sayovong]
- Boyd: Agrees with the comments about the rates. The city needs to entice business with new rooftops or stop development. Don't want to scare development away but need solutions to prevent future problems. [Councilman Boyd's comments are contained in Audio file C-4 above.]
- Mayor Tolson: Introduced Sonaly Sayavong, the new Student Representative. At the meeting on August 17th, the City will be using poll devices to record public opinion. [Audio File C-1, 1:25 min., 252 kb] The information received from the County indicates that the average home has a value of $168,000 and pays for about 68% of the services. If the value of homes increase, they will pay for a higher percentage of the service costs. [Audio File D-2, 2:06 min., 272 kb] The meeting was set in May to discuss the budget, parks and police services. [Audio File D-3, 4:44 min., 835 kb]
STAFF REPORTS:
- Public Works: Connie Dunn, Public Works Director advised that there will be meetings on August 14th and 16th to take input on Highway 2 [G.R.I.T. NOTE: The correct name for this highway is "U. S. 2"]. Councilmember Boyd asked if the prior rate study could be updated? Staff advised that it may be able to use the prior study with modifications however, it did not address the proposed upgrade. [Audio file F-1, 8:16 min., 1.5 kb]
- [G.R.I.T. NOTE: Two staff reports were not published in these
minutes, as indicated below. (Audio
File F-2, 6:00 min., 1.0 mb):
- Donna Murphy's Grant report - Donna reported on the status of the City's new sound system (cost approx. $8,000); Gave dates for the City facilities tour (10/7, 10/10 and 10/11, from 10 a.m. to Noon)
- Laura Koenig discussed the new accounting system.
- Police: Chief Walser advised that the new officers are completing their training period. Briefly discussed the proposal for a School Resource Officer and sharing the expense with the School District. Mayor Tolson will discuss the matter with the School Board. [Audio File F-3, 7:29 min., 1.3 mb]
CONSENT
AGENDA: [Audio
File G; 58 seconds, 171 kb]
The following items are incorporated into the consent and approved by
a single motion of the Council. On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux,
seconded by Councilmember Slawson, the consent agenda was approved as
presented. Champeaux - aye; Wiediger - aye; Slawson - aye; Seehuus - aye,
abstained on the minutes; Flower - aye; Blair - aye, Boyd - aye, abstained
on the minutes.
1. Minutes of the July 27, 2006 Council meeting and Public Hearing on
the Six Year Street Program as on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
2. Vouchers in the amounts of $372,649.90 and payroll through July 28,
2006 in the amount of $46,793.38 to be drawn and paid on the proper accounts.
ACTION ITEMS:
- Ordinance 929-06 Recreational Fees: Brief discussion was held on the different fees and the anticipated grant funding. On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Ordinance 929-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading with an amendment to change the fee to $3415. All ayes. [Audi File H, 3:10 min., 560 kb]
- Resolution 06-10 Six Year Street Program: Connie Dunn advised that the City is required to adopt a Six Year Street Program. On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Resolution 06-10, Six Year Street Program, was adopted. All ayes. [Audio File I, 1:17 min., 236 kb]
- Facility Rate Study: Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, provided a list of consultants for the proposed Facility Rate Study and recommended that the Council establish a committee to conduct interviews. Councilmember Seehuus moved to establish a committee to select a consultant for a Facility Rate Study. Seconded by Councilmember Blair. All ayes. [Audio File J, 1:20 min., 236 kb]
- Surplus Property: The City owns a lot on Date Avenue that currently is the site of the emergency siren. The siren will be relocated to a different site and the lot will no longer be needed for municipal purposes. Staff is recommending that the property be declared surplus and that they be authorized to proceed with the disposal of the property. On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Champeaux, Parcel 2808320031300 (located on Date Avenue) was declared surplus and staff was authorized to prepare the necessary documents to solicit bids. All ayes.[Audio File K, 1:15 min., 223 kb]
- Vodnick Lane Plat: Staff received a letter from Group Four requesting that the plat be remanded back to the Hearing Examiner. On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Slawson, the matter was continued to the next council meeting. All ayes. [Audio File L, 3:04 min., 541 kb]
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
- Comprehensive Plan Update: Rick Cisar, Community Developer Director, discussed the compliance requirements for the Comprehensive Plan Amendments. To comply with the requirements of the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearing Board the city must adhere to a very aggressive schedule which will require additional staffing. Staff was directed to prepare a budget amendment and proposed contract. [Audio File M, 2:55 min., 516 kb]
- Police Staffing: Chief Walser discussed the cost of overtime and extra officers being used to provide police coverage. Gordon Hey, Finance Director, advised that if the City hired another officer they could mitigate part of the problem. Laura Koenig, Clerk, provided information on the amount of money spent to date for overtime and extra officers. Brief discussion was held on the proposed contract with Monroe, need for a budget amendment and the vacant position. Staff was requested to provide additional information on the budget and funding. [Audio File N, 9:55 min., 1.7 mb]
- Animal Control: Councilmember Slawson provided additional information from Snohomish County regarding animal control and asked if the police could use portable cages to hold animals while they get a van to transport. Discussion was held regarding the necessary code amendments to deal with dangerous dogs, patrol options, and the financial issues. Staff is working with the City Attorney to complete the code amendments. [Audio File O, 12:53 min., 2.3 mb]
PUBLIC COMMENTS [Audio File P 3:35 min., 631 kb]
- Ray Kistenmacher: In regards to the animal problem, it is not just the dogs, the owners are a problem also.
- Josie Fallgatter: Thanked the Council for the action on park fees. The City could find funds for the Comprehensive Plan amendment if they required the payment of the $1,000 for the zoning change that has not been collected.
- Robert Keck: In regards to the Vodnick Lane appeal, this matter will go back to the Hearing Examiner who will be paid for his expert opinion and then the Council has the option to veto his decision that is based on the facts. They pay him and should listen to what he has to say.
[Audio file Q, 1:00 min., 179 kb essentially no councilmember comments (except from John Seehuus who thanked folks for coming), but we need to include it anyway!]
Adjournment: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.