AUDIO & MINUTES, Dec. 14, 2006 Council Mtg.
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MINUTES - December 14, 2006
[Except for links to our audio files, bolded-font headings and spacing between major agenda categories, and G.R.I.T. NOTATIONS enclosed within brackets in italicized green font -- the entire text below reflects the meeting mnutes as published by the City of Sultan.]
(Audio File A, 0:58 min., 171 kb)
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.
CHANGES/ADDITIONS
TO THE AGENDA:
Consent: Add additional voucher approval
Action: Remove Action 10 - Resolution 06-17
Consent: Add excused absence of Councilmember Seehuus who had to leave.
PRESENTATION [G.R.I.T. note: This was a presentation by the Washington State Auditor, giving Facts & Findings for fiscal year ending December, 2005. Here is the link to that report and its findings.]
Audio B-1, 13:14 min., 2.3 mb - Presentation on Financial Report and Federal Single Audit & Audio B-2, 8:41 min., 1.5 mb, presentation re Accountability Audit Report
State Audit Report: Sadie Armijo, Tom Bernard and Lisa Erdman from the State Auditor's Office presented the 2005 Audit report. The 2004 audit was completed late in the year so there was not adequate time to implement all the changes requested, however, the City has made great progress with the new financial system. The State Auditor has issued an unqualified opinion which means this is a clean audit for the City. There was a federal audit finding on the 5th Street Project regarding oversight and project management. There was also a finding on the Utility billing system. The new billing system has resolved several of the issues addressed in the report. The Auditor's thanked the staff for their assistance with the audit. Mayor Tolson thanked the Auditors for their report and noted that the City is moving in the right direction with the changes in the reporting system.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Maxine Purbaugh: (Audio C-1, 6:08 min., 1.1 mb) Discussed problems with the Police Department she has had and advised that her grandson is being harassed by the Police. She has attempted to meet with the Police Chief without success. Feels the town is afraid of the police and that the Police talk to the citizens in a nasty manner. Had details of several incidents involving the Police Department.
Cheryl Soderstrom: (Audio File C-2, 6:25 min., 1.1 mb) Advised that due to domestic violence problems, she and her son are alone and there have been several incidents with the Police Officers that were unpleasant. Her son was arrested for assault and assisting a run away girl. The police were rude and discourteous to her and her son and called her son names. Mayor Tolson scheduled a meeting with Ms. Purbaugh and Ms. Soderstrom to discuss the matter further.
Jean Roberts: (Audio File C-3, 2:26 min., 431 kb) Advised that she has been attending the County meetings on the expansion of the UGA and there is a sewer line drawn on a map for the UGA that goes through her property. The testimony at the hearing indicated that the sewer line is on the adjacent property, however, that is not correct. Requested that City staff resolve the issue of the sewer line location.
Loretta Storm: (Audio File C-4, 4:38 min., 811 kb) Provided maps of the proposed bypass for Highway 2 [G.R.I.T. NOTE: The correct and proper name of this highway is "U. S. 2."] Thanked the Council for sending the public participation process back to the Planning Board for review. In regards to the attorney contract, the City should require more detailed information on the billings. In regards to the fee schedule, traffic impact fees have not been increased. The City has lost money by not complying with GMA and allowing prepayment of connection fees.
Josie Fallgatter: (Audio File C-5, 3:23 min., 598 kb) Appreciates Councilmember Boyd's concern about where the money is going and lost revenues. The funds paid from the water and sewer funds were part of the GMA process. Does not understand why the consultants cost additional money and why they were not held accountable. There is a fee for comprehensive plan amendments and they were not charged for the petition that was submitted.
Chuck Risman: (Audio File C-6, 3:41 min., 641 kb) Thanked Rick Cisar for his help with his neighbor on Bell Street and lawsuit to require cleanup of the property. Cheryl Byers, City Attorney, advised that an abatement process has been started and the property owner will have twenty days to respond. Mayor Tolson advised that the City is working on cleaning up the neighborhood.
Frank Lynch [G.R.I.T. note: This gentleman's last name is "Linth"]: (Audio File C-7, 2:03 min., 361 kb) Has had the opportunity to observe several city councils and has heard a lot of negative comments. The strength of the councils is the ability to disagree. There are good things happening in Sultan and he wanted to let the council know that people notice good things.
COUNCILMEMBERS COMMENTS: (Audio File D, 4:30 min., 794 kb)
Flower: Thanked Mr. Lynch [G.R.I.T. NOTE: This should be "Linth"] for his comments. Advised that the Snohomish County Board of Health is still searching for a new director and Dr. Hines will stay on as the interim Director.
Blair: The Council has dealt with some tough issues lately and she agrees that the consultants the City hired should be held to task and be accountable for the work required.
[G.R.I.T. NOTE: Other council member comments not noted in these minutes: Champeaux thanked Mayor Tolson for hearing Maxine Purbaugh's and Cheryl Soderstrom's complaints; and Ron Wiediger thanked Frank Linth for his positive comments of encouragement.]
CONSENT AGENDA: (Audio File E, 1:00 min., 175 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 Flower, the consent agenda was approved as amended. Champeaux
- aye; Wiediger - aye; Slawson - aye; Seehuus - aye; Flower - aye; Blair
- aye, Boyd - aye, abstained on the November minutes.
1) Minutes of the November 21, 2006 regular Council Meeting as on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.
2) Minutes of the Public Hearing on 2007 Preliminary Budget as on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.
3) Minutes of the Joint Public Hearing on the Capital Facility Plan as
on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
4) Minutes of the December 6, 2006 Public Hearing on the 2007 Budget as
on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
5) Minutes of the December 6, 2006 Special Council Meeting as on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.
6) Approval of Vouchers #20695, 20703-20749 and payroll through December
1, 2006 in the amounts of $96,008.67
7) Authorization for the Finance Committee to review and approve 2006
vouchers.
8) Cancel December 28, 2006 Regular Council meeting
9) Authorization for the Mayor to sign the contract with Weed, Graafstra
and Benson for legal services for 2007
10) Approval of Vouchers # 20750-20797 in the amounts of $150,817.98
11) Excused absense of Councilmember Seehuus from the December 14, 2006
Council
meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
Ordinance 943-06 - 2007 Budget: Laura Koenig, City Clerk, presented the revised budget. The Code Enforcement budget was increased to $20,000 and the wage increase for the Police Chief was changed to 10%. Councilmember Flower moved to amend the budget to include a 20% increase for the police chief. There was no second to the motion. Brief discussion was held regarding the cost of an additional Police Officer, the General Fund contingency and the reduced revenues received in 2006. On a motion by Councilmember Weidiger, seconded by Councilmember Champeaux, Ordinance 943-06, 2007 Budget, was adopted. All ayes except Councilmember Flower who voted nay. (Audio File F-1, 11:41 min., 2.1 mb)
Ordinance 944-06 - 2007 Salary Schedule: RCW 35A.33.050 requires that salaries be made a part of the budget and adopted with the budget. Ordinance 944-06 sets the salaries for nonrepresented employees and provides for a 4.2% cost of living increase. Represented employees wages will be in accordance with the current Union contracts. On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Boyd, Ordinance 944-06, 2007 Salary Schedule, was adopted. All ayes except Councilmember Flower who voted nay. (Audio File F-2, 0:48 min., 142 kb)
Ordinance 940-06 - General Fund Contingency and Reserve Funds: This ordinance will provide for a contingency and reserve account for the General Fund. On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Champeaux, Ordinance 940-06, General Fund Contingency and Reserve Fund, was adopted. All ayes. (Audio File F-3, 2:27 min.,, 431 kb)
Resolution 06-21 - Salary Allocation: As part of the budget process wages and benefits are allocated to the operating funds based on job responsibilities and the proposed work program. The State Auditor has recommended that the Council adopt the salary allocation as part of the budget process. On a motion by Councilmember Flower, seconded by Councilmember Blair, Resolution 06-21, Salary Allocation, was adopted. All ayes. (Audio File F-4, 0:51 min.,153 kb)
Ordinance 941-06 - Sewer Facility Charge: Staff has proposed an increase in the Sewer Facility charge from $7,983 to $9,106 to provide additional revenues for debt service and the required improvements to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux, seconded by Councilmember Boyd, Ordinance 941-06, Sewer Facility Charge, was adopted. All ayes except Councilmember Flower who voted nay. (Audio File F-5, 3:57 min., 667 kb)
Resolution 06-20 - 2007 Fee Schedule: Staff reviewed the proposed changes to the 2007 Fee Schedule. On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember Weidiger, Resolution 06-20, 2007 Fee Schedule with an amendment to include the new sewer facility charge, was adopted. All ayes except Councilmember Flower who voted nay. [Audio is included in above File F-5 re Ord. 941-06]
Ordinance 945-06 - 2006 Budget Amendment: A public hearing was held on the 2006 budget amendments prior to the Council meeting. On a motion by Councilmember Slawson, seconded by Councilmember Weidiger, Ordinance 945-06, 2006 Budget Amendment, was adopted. All ayes. (Audio File F-6, 1:16 min., 222 kb)
Ordinance
942-06 - Capital Facility Plan: On December 6, 2006, the Capital Facilities
Element of the Comprehensive Plan was introduced for a first reading.
Amending and updating the Capital Facilities Element is part of the City's
effort to respond to issues raised by Snohomish County and the Growth
Management Hearings Board to ensure the City can accommodate the population
projections for future growth. Comments made at the public hearing have
been addressed in the plan. On a motion by Councilmember Slawson, seconded
by Councilmember Champeaux, Ordinance 942-06, Capital Facility Plan, was
adopted. All ayes. (Audio
File F-7, 5:38 min., 993 kb; lost electrical power, continued with flashlights)
Ordinance 946-06 - Cable Franchise Extension: The original franchise agreement (Ordinance No. 502 expired on August 8, 2004. The Cable TV ordinance is codified in Section 5.28 of Sultan Municipal Code. In November 2005, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 896-05 extending the franchise agreement to June 10, 2006. The City is continuing its negotiations with Comcast and negotiations are expected to be finalized in the next 90 days. Ordinance No. 946-06 extends the cable television franchise agreement with Tele-Vue Systems, Inc. (now Comcast) to March 31, 2007. On a motion by Councilmember Champeaux, seconded by Councilmember Flower, Ordinance 946-06 was adopted. All ayes. On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Champeaux, the Mayor was authorized to sign the professional service contract with River Oaks Communication Corporation for an amount not to exceed $900. All ayes. (Audio File F-8, 3:03 min., 537 kb)
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Audio File G, 1:55 min., 340 kb; file includes Councilmember comments -- there were none -- and adjournment for exec. session.)
Loretta Storm: Commented that Deborah Knight is doing a good job and listens to the public.
Executive Session: On a motion by Councilmember Blair, seconded by Councilmember
Champeaux, the Council adjourned to executive session for fifteen minutes
to discuss potential
litigation. All ayes.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Champeaux,
the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Benjamin Tolson, Mayor
Laura J. Koenig, City Clerk
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