COUNCIL
MEETINGS: Audio and Summary - January
25, 2006
(Agenda
Packet for this meeting in Word,
Acrobat
and html
and MINUTES from this meeting)
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
Also visit our COUNCIL QUICKIES page
into the meeting minutes shown below.
MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING: Surface Water Management Plan:
[AUDIO FILES: Part #1 (1.2 mb), Part #2 (1.2 mb), Part #3 (2.3 mb)]
The public hearing on the Surface Water Management Plan was called to order in the Sultan Community Center by Mayor Tolson. Councilmembers present: Champeaux, Wiediger, Slawson, Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd.
Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, provided the staff report on the Surface Water Quality Management Plan. The public process included public workshops and meetings, working with the School District, meetings with the City Council, and a completed SEPA checklist. Volunteer water sampling was done by students from the High School using equipment provided by the City and monitoring was done on the water quality of streams in the immediate vicinity. The report reviewed existing conditions, identified hydraulic and water quality problems, and developed the management plan.
Council Input:
- Flower: Discussed the surface water that flows from the north into Wagley Creek and drains into the eastern basin. Other cities have considered moving a creek because it was inconvenient for development.
- Blair: Asked who was responsible for maintenance of detention ponds and how the regulations are enforced. Councilmember Champeaux and Boyd expressed concern about the lack of maintenance in detention ponds.
- Connie Dunn agreed that outside areas contribute to the city drainage problem. The existing water quality is excellent now but the city needs to be vigilant to maintain that quality. Currently storm water management is paid out of the general, street and sewer funds and there are not enough funds to cover the cost of all the systems that need to be maintained. The implementation of the Storm Water charge will help offset the costs. Homeowner associations are responsible for maintenance of detention ponds.
Public Input
- Josie Fallgatter: There are sections in the report that discuss the City taking over the maintenance of the detention ponds. The report lists shorelines of significance but not those that are in the plan. Asked if the projects listed are in any capital improvement plan.
On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the public hearing was closed. All ayes.
AUDIO FILE (973 kb, 9 min.) - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING: 2006 Budget Amendment
The public hearing on the 2006 Budget Amendment was called to order in the Sultan Community Center by Mayor Tolson. Councilmembers present: Champeaux, Wiediger, Slawson, Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd.
Staff Reports:
Laura Koenig, Clerk/Treasurer, reviewed the current budget staffing for the Police Department.
Chief Walser presented a report on the current status of the staffing at the Police Department and the calls for service.
Councilmember Boyd asked if the requested amount would be enough to accommodate benefits.
Chief Walser advised that it had been addressed.
Public Input: none
On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, the public hearing was closed.
MINUTES - COUNCIL MEETING (& CAO Update/Presentation)
(Audio file: 261 kb, 1:28 min.)
The regular meeting of the Sultan City Council was called to order in the Sultan Community Center by Mayor Tolson. Councilmembers present: Wiediger, Slawson, Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd.
Absent: Champeaux. Student Representative: Karstan Thot (G.R.I.T. Note: Mr. Thot arrived late, but was present, as evidenced by his statement below.)
ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
- Move presentation by Elaine Tolson to the February 8, 2006 meeting.
- Action: Add Nextel contract and Surplus of equipment.
Presentations:
Critical Area and Best Available Science Presentation
(Audio in three parts/files: Part #1 (1.0 mb, 5:46 min.), Part #2 (0.9 mb, 5:20 min.) and Part #3 (0.9 mb, 5:26 min.)
Paul Inghram, Berryman & Henigar, provided a copy of the draft Shoreline Master Plan and reviewed the major revisions to Chapter 16 critical area regulations. Discussion was held on the recommended set backs for stream buffers, hillside development and options for reduction and enhancement of buffers.
A workshop will be set to review the plan in detail.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Caroe Nichols, Friends of the Library: Noted that at the last council meeting it was announced that there would be a charge for renting the community room and when the Friends of Library went to reserve the room they were told the fee was $50 and a deposit $100. They were shocked about the fee and wanted to know why they are being charged. The Friends are a community service organization that provides items for the library and they are concerned about the fees. (Audio file, 0.5 mb, 2:43 min.)
Audio of Al Robinson's comments; no comments from Council: 5:22 min.,0.9 mb)
Al Robinson: Advised the Levy Committee will be campaigning for the Sultan School District operation and maintenance levy. The levy amount will be $3.05 per thousand, however, as the city grows, the tax per thousand will go down. The levy funds basic education needs and is not used for extras or frills.
STAFF REPORTS:
Police Department:
- (Audio, 0.7 mb, 3:48 min.)Chief Walser advised that they will have a staff shortage due to the scheduled surgery of one of the officers. The Skateboard park committee is working on having the park open before Shindig. Advised that the Safe Stop program is in need of volunteers for chaperones
- (Audio, 0.5 mb, 2:38 min.) Highway 2 Safety Coalition is working with representatives in Olympia to obtain additional funding for the corridor study. (NOTE: The Coalition's correct name is now: U. S. 2 Safety Coalition, not Highway 2 Safety Coalition.)
Public Works:
- (Audio, 1.1 mb, 6:08 min.) Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, advised that the department has been short staffed due to the L & I injury of one employee and would like to hire a temporary replacement. The Sultan Basin Road project is out to bid. A city wide curb side chipping day will be held on February 25, 2006.
- (Audio, 0.8 mb, 4:17 min.) The city/school committee discussed the formation of a Sultan Basin Emergency Preparedness Alliance to work with the PUD on the re-license of the dam.
(Audio,0.8 mb, 4:42 min.) Grants: Donna Murphy advised that VIC and 5th Street light projects are near completion. The NRA grant funding was offered for medical equipment but not rifles. The records management grant and business license grant are moving forward. The Downtown Vision groups are meeting and she is working to help develop marketing tools and obtain demographic information.
(Audio, 0.2 mb, 1:05 min.) Student Representative: Karstan Thot advised that the ASB is working on revising the current budget and creating a budget for future years. Advised that on January 21st the Senior parents held a ball to raise funds for Safe/Sober senior night.
(NOT INCLUDED IN THESE MINUTES is L. Koenig's brief statement that a finance report was provided to the council: Audio 100 kb., 0:27 min.)
CONSENT AGENDA: (Audio, 73 kb, 0:24 min.)
The following items are incorporated into the consent and approved by a single motion of the Council. On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Wiediger aye; Slawson aye; Seehuus - aye; Flower aye; Blair aye, Boyd aye.
- Minutes of the January 11, 2006 Council meeting as on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
- Vouchers #06-01 through 06-65 in the amounts of $215,633.70 and payroll through December 30, 2005 in the amount of $102,197.57 to be drawn and paid on the proper accounts.
ACTION ITEMS:
(Audio, 264 lb, 1:29 min.) Ordinance 900-06 Establish Position of Finance Director: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, Ordinance 900-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes.
(Audio, 0.4 mb, 2:38 min.) Ordinance 901-06 Establish the Office of the City Clerk: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Boyd, Ordinance 901-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes. Councilmember Blair noted that the ordinance should also appoint the clerk as the public records officer.
(Audio, 0.3 mb, 1:29 min.) Ordinance 902-06 City Engineer: On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Ordinance 902-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes.
(Audio, 0.2 mb, 0:58 min.) Ordinance 903-06 Establish Position of City Administrator: On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, Ordinance 903-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes.
(Audio, in three parts: Part #1 (1.5 mb, 8:38 min.), Part #2 (1.2 mb, 6:59 min.), Part #3 (1.1 mb., 6:31 min.): Ordinance 904-06 Abolishing the Planning Commission and Establishing a Department of Community Development: Rick Cisar briefly discussed the ordinance and membership on the Citizens Growth Management Advisory Board. Councilmember Flower moved to introduce Ordinance 904-06 and pass it on to second reading. Seconded by Councilmember Boyd.
Councilmember Blair advised that she has no problem with the Department of Community Development, however, she does have problem with abolishing the Planning Commission. Several citizens have voiced objections to the proposal. MRSC suggested that Councilmembers be appointed to the planning committee to ease the burden on staff. Does not feel that the city has advertised enough to encourage applications to the planning commission.
Discussion was held regarding public input on the continuation of the planning commission, using the council as the planning agency, extra work for staff, the challenges made by current members of the planning commission.
Councilmember Flower moved to amend the motion to name the council as the planning agency for a period of three months, abolish the current planning commission and not incorporate the citizen advisory board into the ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Boyd. All ayes except Councilmember Slawson who voted nay. (Unstated in these minutes is Attorney Graafstra's questions related to the specifics of this Motion. His comments are contained near the end of Audio File #3.)
(Audio, 0.4 mb, 2:07 min.) Ordinance 906-06 Council Meeting: On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Ordinance 906-06 changing the Council meeting day was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes. [G.R.I.T. Note: This chnages the meeting day from the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month to the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.]
(Audio, 1.0 mb, 5:21 min.) Ordinance 907-06 Repeal of Sales Tax and Increase REET: Mayor Tolson advised that a meeting has been scheduled with the County Executive to discuss the REET exchange and negotiate a return of sales tax dollars. On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Flower, a public hearing on Ordinance 907-06 was set for February 8, 2006 at 6:00 PM. All ayes.
(Audio, 0.4 mb, 2:21 min.) Ordinance 908-06 Utility Tax on Water, Sewer and Garbage Services: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, a public hearing on Ordinance 908-06 was set for February 8, 2006 at 6:15 PM. All ayes.
(Audio, 0.4 mb, 2:00 min.) Ordinance 909-06 Salary Schedule: Brief discussion was held on the need to prepare a budget amendment to fund the positions. On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Boyd, Ordinance 909-06 was introduced and passed on to a second reading. All ayes.
(SET HEARINGS ON WATER, SEWER, GARBAGE RATES - Audio, 0.5 mb, 3:05 min.)
- Ordinance 910-06 Sewer Service Rates: On a motion by Councilmember Wiediger, seconded by Councilmember Boyd, a public hearing on Ordinance 910-06 was set for February 8, 2006 at 6:30 PM.
- Ordinance 911-06 Water Service Rates: On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, a public hearing on Ordinance 911-06 was set for February 8, 2006 at 6:30 PM.
- All ayes.
- Ordinance 912-06 Garbage Services Rates: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, a public hearing on Ordinance 912-06 was set for February 8, 2006 at 6:30 PM. All ayes.
(Audio, 1.1 mb, 6:30 min.) Nextel Cellular Service Police: On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, the Mayor was authorized to the sign the Nextel equipment and service agreement for the Police Department phones. All ayes.
(Audio, 0.3 mb, 1:48 min.) Surplus Equipment Canine Unit and Equipment: On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Blair, the bid from the City of Snohomish for the canine unit and cage was accepted. All ayes.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
(Audio, 0.8 mb, 4:48 min.) Police Levy: Chief Walser discussed the possibility of a police levy in September 2006. The city will need to draft a ballot title and present it to the county forty five days prior to the election. This would be a one year levy and would have to be run annually to continue. Brief discussion was held regarding the election costs, cost per thousand for the levy and the need to run the levy for several years.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Audio, 0.4 mb,2:02 min.) Josie Fallgatter: The Council feels that members of the Planning Commission are making a hobby of filing appeals but the city has made it a hobby to break state law. When the City stops breaking the law, there will be nothing to appeal.
(No councilmember comments except a "thank you" from John Seehuus to citizens for coming to the meeting.)
Executive Session: On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Slawson, the Council adjourned to executive session for fifteen minutes to discuss Union Negotiations and Potential Litigation. All ayes.
Adjournment: On a motion by Councilmember Blair,
seconded by Councilmember Flower, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.