COUNCIL MEETINGS: Audio and Summary - January 11, 2006
(Agenda Packet for this meeting in Word, Acrobat and html and MINUTES from this meeting)

All filesare ina digital MP3 format, playable on Windows Mediaplayer or other MP3-compatible software.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CHANGES TO AGENDA (1:54 min. 0.3 mb)

PUBLIC COMMENTS

  • (Part 1: 4:59 min. 0.9 mb) Josie Fallgatter regarding repeated accusations that she asks repetitive questions
  • (Part 2: 2:13 min. 0.4 mb) Al Robinson, Sultan School Superintendent, speaking on behalf of the Nov. 7th School M&O levy.; Jeff Akins re unsafe conditions at 8th & Fir

PRESENTATION of ARCHIVE GRANT (approx. 4 mint., 0.7 mb) - $4,100 to scan and archive city minutes, from 1905 forward. During the presentation, the state archivist, who was presenting the check, commented that these archives "is documenting Democracy." (G.R.I.T. Note: We couldn't agree more with him. However, from our perspective it's also interesting to remember the many year, endless criticism this website and its owners have endured in doing just that: Documenting Democracy. And, I might add, doing it at great personal and private financial costs. Just trying to keep things "real" here, folks....

PROTHMAN PRESENTATION (Here's a link to our webpage, which includes a complete transcription of Greg Prothman's presentation), in three files: Part 1, 8:05 min.,1.4 mb.... Part 2, 8:43 min., 1.5 mb.... Part 3, 8:56 min.,1.6 mb.

COMMUNITY TRANSIT U. S. 2 BUS STOP (across from Sultan Pharmacy)- PRESENTATION BY SULTAN PW DIRECTOR CONNIE DUNN AND WSDOT's DUNG HO CHANG (in two parts: Part 1, 4:08 min., 0,7 mb.... Part 2,4:14 min., 0.7 mb

COUNCILMEMBER & COMMENTS FROM MAYOR (none)

STAFF REPORTS:

  • Fred Walser, Sultan Police Dept. (3:50 min., 0.7 mb): Update on U. S. 2 Safety Coalition legislative and public outreach activities.
  • Connie Dunn, Public Works (6:04 min., 1.0 mb) - Update o SBR, 5th Street signal, garbage truck functioning great, fluoride in water, WWTP plan work continues; Thanks from C/M Blair for new lights at 8th/Main; Randy Oesch's statement that, due to I&I improvements, recent heavy rains and increased flow have presented no problems with the WWTP.
  • Donna Murphy, Grants, Ec. Development, School, etc. (3:28 min.,0.6 mb) - Statements re Community Awards night; will implement a grant for improvements to the Skywall Drive railroad improvements.
  • Laura Koenig, Finance (0:38 min., 0.1 mb) - 2005 report close-out.

COMBINED: Student Council Rep. Karsten Thot Report -- AND -- APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA in one file (2:11 min., 0.4 mb)

ACTION AGENDA ITEMS

DISCUSSION

PUBLIC COMMENT (approx. 5 min., 1.0 mb)

  • Sue Shawger - Disapointed that PC would disband; asked how the city advertises for open positions
  • Josie Fallgatter - City disingenous in stating no PC applications have been received: Mayor has received, but rejected several.
  • Loretta Storm - Expressed regrets re council's decision to disband PC, states it would be only western washington city without one; asked Laura Koenig if she had spoken to Library Manager Jackie Personeous about clean-up of room; thanked Jim Flower for serving as pro tem in 2005.
  • Randy Oesch - Expressed thanks to the city for the courage in addressing problems.

COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS (approx. 5 min., 0.8 mb)

Making comments were Jim Flower, Derek Boyd and Mayor Tolson.

MINUTES 1-11-06

MINUTES - CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – January 11, 2006

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:  Karstan Thot

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Josie Fallgatter:  Advised that she asks questions so that she will know and understand issues, however, the answers have been contradicting.  When asked about a capital facility plan, she was told it was not needed but she provided proof that it was needed.  Asked what she should do to get answers, why was Berryman & Henigar paid for the water and sewer plans and why didn’t the city get what they paid for.  Asked if the problem is with the questions or the answers? 

Al Robinson:   Provided information on the Sultan School District Maintenance and Operation bond levy which will be on the February ballot.

Jeff Akins:   Requested that council do something about the parking on the corner at 8th and Fir before an accident occurs. 

Presentations:

State of Washington:  Donna Murphy introduced Jerry Handfield and Diane Shanks who presented a check for the records management grant.

Prothman Report:  Greg Prothman and Kathy Osser presented the organizational review and recommendations.  They discussed the poor financial condition of the city which is due mostly from the tax initiatives and lack of sales tax revenues in the community.  The City has lost 33% of general fund revenue over a four year period and needs to cut services or increase revenues.  This year there will be a positive fund balance in the general fund and the city needs to continue to build reserves.  The other problem is the small town organizational structure and the lack of planning.  Staff members are being asked to perform two full time jobs and can not effectively do the work.   It was recommended that the City Administrator/Planner and Clerk/Treasurer positions be eliminated and replaced with a City Administrator, Finance Director, City Clerk and Community Development Director and that the city hire a senior planner to keep work in house instead of hiring consultants.  Personnel lost in the Police Department and Public Works need to be replaced to provide needed services.  Additional revenues could be obtained by increasing the Real Estate Excise tax and placing a utility tax on the water, sewer and garbage.  Also recommended that the city follow the audit recommendations and implement the new financial software system. 

Community Transit/WSDOT:  Mike Burris, Community Transit and Doug Ho, WSDOT were present to discuss the safety issues with the bus stop on Highway 2 across from the Medical Center.   WSDOT feels the bus stop could be relocated to an area near the crosswalk and light on the west end of the city and they are willing to design and fund the project.  Community Transit has agreed to the relocation.  Mayor Tolson thanked the agencies for taking the initiative to provide funding a new location for the bus stop.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

  • Consent:  Add Notice to set Hearing on the General Sewer Plan
  • Action:  Defer Planning Commission Appointment 

STAFF REPORTS:

Police Department:  Advised that the Highway 2 Safety Coalition [G.R.I.T. CORRECTION:  The Coalition has changed its name from “Highway 2 Safety Coalition” to the “U. S. 2 Safety Coalition.”]  is working on funding and safety concerns with the state representatives.  The safety and capacity issues need to be addressed. 

Public Works:   Sultan Basin Road project went out to bid today.  5th Street signal – contractor will be working with the railroad next week to install the signal.  Water now has fluoride in the system. 

Grant Report:  The Community Awards night will be on February 18th and the citizen of the year will be   announced at that time.   The contracts for the Reese and Sportsman Park improvement projects have been received for signatures.

Finance:   Presented the final 2006 Budget document and recommended that the Council take time to read the information sections.

Karstan Thot:   Advised that the ASB Board met with the district finance director to discuss the budget  funding for 2006.

CONSENT AGENDA:

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 Flower, the consent agenda was approved as presented.  Champeaux – aye; Wiediger – aye; Slawson – aye, abstained on the minutes; Seehuus - aye; Flower – aye; Blair – aye, Boyd – aye.

  1. Minutes of the December 21. 2005 Council meeting as on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

  2. Vouchers #05-1364 through 05-1398 in the amounts of $61,246.92 and payroll through December 16, 2005 in the amount of $97,640.09 to be drawn and paid on the proper accounts.

  3. Set a Public Hearing for March 22, 2006 at 6:00 PM to consider an Ordinance providing for average and minimum lot sizes in Planned Unit Development./

  1. Set a Public Hearing for January 25, 2006 at 6:45 PM to consider amendments to the 2006 Budget.

  2. Set a workshop for February 1, 2006 on the Waste Water Facility Plan.

ACTION ITEMS:

Resolution 05-32 2006 Fee Schedule:  Rick Cisar, Planner, reviewed the changes to the land use fees and the building code fees.  Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, discussed the public work fees and the cemetery fees.  On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Resolution 05-32, 2006 Fee Schedule, was adopted.  All ayes.

Copier Lease:  The bids for the copy machine at the Police Department were presented for review.  On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, the bid from QBS for a leased copy machine was accepted.  All ayes.

Mayor Pro-tem Appointment:  Councilmember Boyd nominated Councilmember Seehuus as Mayor Pro-tem for 2006.  On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Councilmember Seehuus was appointed as Mayor Pro-tem for 2006.  All ayes with Councilmember Seehuus abstaining

Mayor Tolson thanked Councilmember Flower for his work as Mayor Pro-tem during 2005.  Councilmember Flower advised that it was an honor to serve and participate in the Centennial events. 

Mayor Tolson announced that Councilmember Flower has been appointed to the Snohomish County Health Board.

Springbrook Software Contract:  The business plans were presented for the Council to review.  Discussion was held regarding the Harris/ASP contract and their offer to provide a different program.  Thom Graafstra advised that the city has provided proper notice to Harris to terminate the contract.

On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the Mayor was authorized to sign the contract with Springbrook Software.   All ayes.

Waste Water Facility Plan – Contract and Scope of Work:  Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, reviewed the proposed contract from Brown and Caldwell for work on the plan for the Waste Water Treatment plant.   On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Flower, the Mayor was authorized to sign a contract with Brown and Caldwell for work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities plan and to expand the contract to include the Gold Bar option provided that they pay the costs.  All ayes.

Library Board Appointments:  On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the Library Board appointments were confirmed for Gina Korn, Emily Abt and Charles Van Pelt.  All ayes.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Planning Commission:  Councilmember Boyd requested that the Council consider disbanding the Planning Commission.  Thom Graafstra, City Attorney, advised that an amendment to the code would be required to eliminate the Planning Commission and the city would need to create a planning agency. 

Discussion was held on the effectiveness of the current commission, lack of quorum and applicants, the need to continue the public hearing process and the need to create a planning agency.

Committee Assignments:   The current committee list was reviewed and new assignments were made.  The revised list will be provided to the Council. 

City Council Retreat:   The Council retreat was set for February 11, 2006 beginning at 9:00 AM. 

Council Meeting Day:   Mayor Tolson requested that the Council consider changing the meeting day to Tuesday or Thursday on the 2nd and 4th weeks.  Brief discussion was held regarding schedule conflicts.  Staff was directed to bring back an ordinance changing the meeting day to the 2nd and 4th Thursday.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

  • Sue Shawger:   Was sorry to hear that the Council was considering disbanding the Planning Commission and asked how the openings were advertised. ( Mayor Tolson advised that information was on the cable channel, city web site and in the newspapers.)
  • Josie Fallgatter:   Noted that there have been applicants for the Planning Commission and the Mayor has stated that he rejected the last three applicants.
  • Loretta Storm:  Disappointed that the council has decided to disband the Planning Commission.  Sultan will be the only city that has a planning committee instead of Planning Commission.  Thanked the Council for confirming the appointments to the Library Board.   
  • Jean Roberts:  In regards to the restructuring of the city government, would encourage the council to seek input from the community and involve as many people as possible.
  • Randy Oesch:  Thanked the Council for taking action to straighten out problems in the city.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

  • Flower:   Welcomed the new Councilmember and thanked Chief Walser for his work with the Highway 2 Safety Coalition.  No matter which direction the city goes with the Planning Commission there will be public hearings on land use issues.
  • Boyd:  It is not an easy decision to eliminate the Planning Commission but at this point they don’t know how the problems can be fixed.  The Planning Commission is not effective and there have not been a lot of applicants.
  • Mayor Tolson:   Thanked Ms. Mayberry for attending the meeting and advised that the city will hold her application for the Planning Commission. 

Adjournment:  On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.