SULTAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

319 MAIN STREET

March 9, 2005

 

 

CALL TO ORDER -  Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

 

CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  Citizens are requested to keep comments to a 3 minute maximum to allow time for everyone to speak.

 

COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS

 

STAFF REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS

1)  Grants - Sultan River Relicense

2)  Police Department - Skateboard Park Update

3)  Public Works - DEM Status Report

 

CONSENT AGENDA:    The following items are incorporated into the consent agenda and approved by a single motion of the Council.

1)  Minutes of the February 9, 2005 regular Council meeting.

2)  Approval of Vouchers

3)  Water Treatment Plant Operator Position

4)  Parks Maintenance Job Description

5)  Agreement with BNSF for the 5th Street Signal Project

6)  Set Public Hearing for March 23, 2005 at 6:30 PM on the Snohomish County Natural Hazard    

     Mitigation Plan

 

ACTION ITEMS:

1)  Resolution 05-01 Annexation Policies

2)  Sky Valley Visitors Center - Bid Award

3)  Housing Hope Variance Closed Record Hearing

4)  Resolution 05-02 Housing Hope Variance

5)  Council Retreat – set date

6)  Resolution 05-03 Communication Policy

7)  Completion of Sewer Comprehensive Plan

8)  Completion of Water Comprehensive Plan

 

DISCUSSION:  Time Permitting

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

COUNCILMEMBER RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Executive Session:   Potential Litigation and Pending Litigation

 

Adjournment - 10:00 PM or at the conclusion of Council business.

 

ADA NOTICE:  City of Sultan Community Center is accessible.  Accommodations for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request.  Please make arrangements prior to the meeting by calling City Hall at 360-793-2231.    


 

SULTAN CITY COUNCIL

 

AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET

 

Date:                                      March 9, 2005                                              

 

Agenda Item #:                    Presentation

 

SUBJECT:                           Sultan River Relicense

 

 

CONTACT PERSON:        Donna Murphy Grants and Economic Development

 

 

SUMMARY STATEMENT:    

The Culmback Dam/Spada Lake project has a 50 year operating license that expires in 2011. The Snohomish County PUD owns this project, and is applying for a relicense to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The FERC requires the PUD to solicit feedback from designated stakeholders on all issues. These can include environmental impact, fisheries, access, and recreation. This feedback is used to develop studies over the next few years which are then used to shape the final application by PUD. Some of the designated stakeholders for the Sultan project include, Trout Unlimited, DNR, Tulalip Tribes, and American Whitewater Affiliation (AWA). More information can be found at the PUD website located at http://www.snopud.com/WaterResources/relicensing.ashx?p=2334

 

This relicense is a unique opportunity for the community of Sultan to comment on the terms of the new license since the PUD has asked for another 50 year license. AWA seeks to work collaboratively with the Snohomish PUD in studying the impact of providing recreational water releases in the existing bypass section of the Sultan River between Culmback Dam and the Powerhouse. This 12-mile stretch of river canyon flows through a remote wilderness gorge with rare old growth forest and high quality whitewater. More information on this stretch of river with pictures can be found on the AWA website located at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2245/

 

Due to quality of the river and the proximity to the I-5 corridor, recreational releases for kayaking will draw kayaking enthusiasts to Sultan from as far away as Portland and Vancouver. The AWA has witnessed many other small communities that have experienced huge increases in visitors when their local rivers have new recreational water releases. I think that Sultan could see 50-100 kayakers for a release weekend which would bring increased business to local restaurants, gas stations, and the motel. The theme of a whitewater festival has been used with great success by other communities and might work for the Sultan.

 

AWA is seeking the support of the Sultan City Council in lobbying the Snohomish PUD to include recreational water releases as part of their new license application. The City should seek to become a recognized official stakeholder by the PUD and attend future stakeholder meetings.

 


City of Sultan

Public Works Report

March 9, 2005

 

 

Department of Emergency Management

 

For several years within the county, there has been an emergency management department but it has not been a department within Snohomish County jurisdiction.

 

At this time, the City of Everett has withdrawn from the Department of Emergency Management and set up their own. Snohomish County is going to either encompass the existing DEM or withdraw from it as the City of Everett has.

 

If this happens, it will leave Marysville, Lake Stevens, Stanwood, Arlington, Granite Falls, Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, and Index on our own. Unfortunately, the per capita cost will increase significantly and will be cost prohibitive at this time for the smaller cities.

 

The alternative is to support the merger of Snohomish County and DEM so the county becomes the lead agency for all of us. This includes the administration of grants and other funding.

 

The City of Sultan and other Cities I have spoken with will continue to maintain our State Certification in Emergency Management so there will be no loss of status. In the future, if we need to have an East County Department of Emergency Management, we will be capable of doing that without having to expend a huge amount to time and money. Also, in the future, our population will increase to a point we will be able to more easily handle the per capita cost.

 

Attached are the reasons for Snohomish County to withdraw from the Department of Emergency Management but they are willing to be the Umbrella Entity for the Countywide DEM, which will bring DEM up to the next level. This will mean the dissolution of DEM on December 31, 2005.

 

We will be asked to sign a new interlocal with the County if they become the lead agency. Also, there will be a distribution of existing DEM assets and hold harmless agreements to sign.


 

SULTAN CITY COUNCIL

 

AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET

 

Date:                                      March 9, 2005

 

Agenda Item #:                    Consent C 1

 

SUBJECT:                           Council minutes

 

CONTACT PERSON:      Laura Koenig, City Clerk/Treasurer

 

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Attached are the minutes of the February 23, 2005 Public Hearing on Annexation Policy and the February 23, 2005 regular Council meeting as on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:   Approval as submitted.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Action Date:           

 

COUNCIL ACTION:

 

 


1614-05

 

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

The Public Hearing on Annexation Policies was called to order in the Sultan Community Center by Mayor Tolson.  Councilmembers present:  Criswell, Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd (arrived at 6:45 PM).   Absent: Champeaux, Boucher.

Student Representative Ben Everett

 

Public Hearing – Annexation Policy:  Rick Cisar, Planner, reviewed the documents on the Annexation Policy.   The Planning Commission has developed the annexation policies in an effort to quantify the impacts of annexation proposals.  SEPA review of the guidelines was done and no comments were received.  The Policy was sent to CTED and no comments were received.   A letter from Barclay’s North was entered into the record.  A corrected page 6 was provided to the council. 

 

Public Comments:

Blair Anderson, Barclay’s North:  Concerned about the scope of requirements and that it may discourage future annexations. 

 

Noel Higa:  Has not reviewed the policy, however, the notion of annexation is simply an exercise.  The UGA defines the logical growth area for the city and the requirements for services.  The annexation process is redundant.  It should be a matter of form and if the private developer, staff and city do a good job and meet all the requirements it should be allowed. The Growth management act provides the control.

 

Jeff Kirkman:  Note that the reason the Planning Commission developed the policy was because the city annexated property without doing the exercise required by the GMA.

 

Loretta Storm:  Was not able to review the final copy because the city refused to send an e-mail copy.   Comments were made during the Planning Commission hearings and an annexation policy is needed in Sultan.  Land use anaylsis was not done in the past.  The York annexation is a good example of the lack of review and the City needs tighter controls in place to prevent mistakes in the future.  There is suppose to be a public process however several people objected to the York annexation and it was still approved.

 

Stan Hindrick:   Moved to Sultan to enjoy the open country and encouraged the city to review annexations carefully in the future.   Need to have facilities in place first and should not allow septic systems.   Questioned the process for the adoption of the policy.

 

Council comments:

Criswell:  Leary about passing of any policy because it costs the developer more.  It the area is the UGA, the annexation should be an automatic step and not require additional action by the property owner.

 

Flower:  Has been approached by a person on 124th who is opposed to annexation to the city and that is afraid they will be annexed without their consent.  What procedures does the property owner take to oppose the annexation?

 

Blair:  There are many standards set by GMA, do they apply to annexations?


1615-05

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

 

Staff Response

Rick Cisar, Planner:   Advised that there are different methods for annexation and the 60% method could take in property that does not want to be included.  All require a public hearing and possibly a Boundary Review board hearing.

Thom Graafstra, City Attorney:  Advised that the initial petition only requires 10% of the property’s assessed value to present to the Council.  At that time the Council can accept, reject or modify the annexation area.

 

On a motion by Councilmember Seehuus, seconded by Councilmember Flower, the public hearing was closed.  All ayes.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                    Benjamin Tolson, Mayor

 

                                                                       

Laura J. Koenig, Clerk/Treasurer


1616-05

 

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

The regular meeting of the Sultan City Council was called to order in the Sultan Community Center by Mayor Tolson.  Councilmembers present:  Criswell, Seehuus, Flower, Blair and Boyd.   Absent: Champeaux, Boucher.

Student Representative Ben Everett

 

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

Consent:    Move #3 Change Order to Action

                  Move #4 Change Order to Action following the executive session

                  Move #7 Police Cabinets to Action

                  Add excused absence of Councilmembers Boucher and Champeaux

Action:       Hold #5 Council retreat until the next meeting.

                  Hold Resolution 05-01 to the next Council meeting.

Discussion:   Move jail agreement to executive session

                    Add Sidewalks at Elementary School.

Executive session:  Add pending litigation

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Loretta Storm:  While walking in Monroe she was almost hit by person on a motorized scooter and agrees with the concept of the ordinance but there has been no public hearing.  The ordinance and agenda were not published in advance to allow public review.

 

Jeff Kirkman:  Advised that he would like to correct the rumor that he has a pending lawsuit against the city.   It is an appeal not a lawsuit and he would like comments made by the staff corrected.

Mayor Tolson advised that action has been listed as litigation due to its nature.

 

COUNCILMEMBERS COMMENTS:

Boyd; Is aware that the action is an appeal process but it does cost the city money.

Flower:  Not trying to ban motorized scooters, trying to address public safety issues.  In regards to the appeal, cost is a concern and everyone would like to find some common ground to address everyone’s concerns.  Mr. Kirkman has a right to appeal and the system has a purpose to address issues.

 

STAFF REPORTS:

Economic Development  Donna Murphy provided a report on the Economic Development Boards meeting.     Wagley Creek Automotive was chosen as business of the year.  They discussed recruitment and retainage of business and their concerns about the sign ordinance. 

Councilmember Flower advised that a group met with WSDOT in December regarding the signs along Highway 2 and they are working with the two businesses that have signs that need to be moved.

 

Police Department:  Chief Walser advised that the Highway 2 Coalition coordinating group has decided not to apply for the PSRC grant at this time, but will apply through Senator Murray’s office for a $500,000 study grant to go with the $500,000 they have now.  The Homeland Security program has ten people enrolled and they will be changing the time to allow the Council to attend.   Advised that they received a grant for $4999 to equip the motorcycles.


                                                                                                                                                1617-05

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

Building Department:  Craig Bruner, Building Official, advised that 11 permits have been issued to date in Sky Harbor and they should have all 62 units completed by the end of the summer.  There are also 8 units north of the Middle School that are ready for permits.

 

Public Works Department:   Connie Dunn, Public Works Director, advised the bids for the  5th Street signal should go out in March and there will be a bid opening in April.   The Council will need to approve a resolution for the railroad portion of the project.  The Sultan Basin Road right of way issue is being finalized.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

The following items are incorporated into the consent and approved by a single motion of the Council.   On a motion by Councilmember Criswell, seconded by Councilmember Seehuus, the consent agenda was approved as revised.  Criswell – aye; Seehuus - aye; Flower – aye; Blair – aye, Boyd – aye.

1.       Minutes of the February 9, 2005 Council meeting as on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

2.       Vouchers #05-113 through 05-181in the amounts of $177,808.52 and payroll through February 11, 2005 in the amount of $57,187.77 to be drawn and paid on the proper accounts.

3.       Authorization for the Mayor to sign the settlement agreement with Grandview.

4.       Authorization for the Mayor to sign the settlement agreement and conservation easement with PMCIT, LLC, Trustee for the PMC Investment Trust for easements required as part of LID 97-1.

5.       Excused absence of Councilmembers Champeaux and Boucher from the February 23, 2005 Council meeting.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

Stratford Place – Closed Record Hearing:   Mayor Tolson opened the public hearing and read the rules and procedures into the record.  There were no objections to the Mayor or Council participating in the hearing. 

Rick Cisar, City Planner, advised that this is a closed record hearing based on the Open Record Hearing and that no new testimony or information is permitted.  The Hearing Examiner held the Open Record Hearing on January 20, 2005 and considered a request for the Stratford Place Preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD and Subdivision File No. PUD04-001.   The developer, CMI, proposes to develop 20 single-family detached homes on a 2.6 acre site.  CMI held five neighborhood meetings prior to submitting the proposal.  The Hearing Examiner has recommended approval of the Preliminary Planned Unit Development and subdivision subject to the following conditions:

 

This Preliminary Planned Unit Development Subdivision is subject to compliance with all applicable provisions, requirements, and standards of the Sultan Municipal Code, standards adopted pursuant thereto, and the following special conditions:

 

General

  1. The general configuration, lot shapes and sizes, setbacks, site density, and areas of open space shall be as indicated on Exhibit 27 subject to these Conditions of Approval. Revisions to approved preliminary Planned Unit Developments are regulated by SMC 16.10.160(D) and (E); revisions to approved preliminary subdivisions are regulated by SMC 16.28.360. The final PUD map shall be recorded as an amendment to the underlying zoning following Final PUD approval.

1618-05

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

  1. In accordance with SMC 16.28.340, the applicant shall prepare a developer agreement subject to approval of the City. The agreement shall specify the requirements for construction of all infrastructure improvements, including plan submittals, inspections, bonding, private improvements, right-of-way improvements and facilities associated with the PUD, including improvements to all common areas. Site construction drawings shall be designed consistent with the conditions of approval.  Site work shall not begin until City approval of the site development agreement.

 

  1. Frontages of Fir Avenue and 7th Street shall be designed consistent with the surrounding single-family character, including:

§         No fences or fences consistent with applicable zoning standards for through lots.

§         Each house along 7th Street on Lots 2 through 6 shall include at least one standard size window from a habited portion of the house (not garage or storage areas) facing 7th Street.

§         The retaining wall along the Fir Avenue and interior access street portion of Tract 998 shall be provided with a safety fence of not less than three feet nor more than four feet in height. The fence shall be non-visual obscuring (i.e. not solid) to preserve open space functionality. The fence shall be esthetically pleasing and may be constructed of wrought iron, welded iron pipe, black or green chain link, or a material of equivalent safety value and esthetic style.

§         Landscaping along Fir Avenue shall include street trees consistent with the Sultan Design Standards.

 

Parking

  1. Areas of no parking, including the east side of 7th Street and the on-site street and driveways that need to remain open for proper access shall be clearly marked and/or signed.

 

Open Space and Landscaping

  1. Prior to site development, the applicant/developer shall submit and obtain approval from the City of a landscape plan and a vegetation removal plan.  Landscaping that meets the approval of the City must be installed prior to occupancy. Landscaping that is functionally part of the drainage system must be installed according to the timing indicated in the approved drainage design.

 

  1. The proposed on-site landscaping shall be revised to emphasize the areas of dedicated open space to include full planting as well as view corridors, including:

-        Landscaping of the eastern drainage area.

-        An arrangement of trees and shrubs that preserves view corridors of the drainage area from homes, the on-site street, and from Fir Avenue.

-        Landscaping and improvements that make the drainage area usable for passive recreation during dry periods.

-        A watering, monitoring, and maintenance plan to ensure plant survivability and to remove weeds for a minimum of three years.

 

  1. The retaining walls in Tract 998 shall be designed of natural rock or architectural materials to be compatible with the visual open space of the pond (i.e. not ecology block).

1619-05

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

  1. The applicant/developer shall maintain the landscaping and drainage facilities within the site common areas for a two-year period following installation.  Such maintenance shall be secured with a performance bond filed with the City.  Subsequent to the two-year period, maintenance responsibility shall be passed to the homeowners association.

 

Water

  1. The developer/owner is responsible for any necessary improvements to the City’s water system in order to provide water to the site. Improvements include the replacement of the 4” AC line in 7th Street along the site frontage.

 

Sewer

  1. The developer/owner is responsible for any necessary improvements to the City’s sewer system in order to provide sewer service to the site.  Sewer improvements shall be as generally shown on Exhibit 27, subject to review and approval by the City Engineer.

 

Surface Water Management

  1. On-site surface and storm water shall be retained and managed on-site per the recommendations of the Preliminary Drainage Report (Exhibit 17), subject to review and approval by the City Engineer.

 

  1. Pervious concrete may only be allowed for areas in the public right of way, including public streets and sidewalks, subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. 

 

  1. Portions of the retaining wall in Tract 998 that are greater than four feet tall shall be designed by a structural engineer. 

 

Transportation

  1. The private road shall be designed to provide a future connection to 7th Street to accommodate one-way, north/west bound traffic. Initial development shall include pavement matching that used on the remainder of the interior street system and a gate allowing emergency vehicle access only. Details of that gate are subject to the approval of City police and Fire Departments. Pedestrian access through or around the gate shall be provided. The face of both the Final PUD and Final Plat shall bear a notation retaining to the City Council the right to order removal of the gate at City expense if deemed necessary based on traffic circulation and/or public service needs.

 

  1. The private internal road shall be subject to maintenance bonding, or other approved security device, for five years after its construction and acceptance to ensure the pavement’s functionality for infiltration and vehicle support.

 

  1. On-site street intersections with Fir Avenue and 7th Street shall be designed consistent with applicable engineering standards, including curb radii based on expected speeds, subject to review and approval by the City Engineer.

 

  1. A concrete sidewalk shall be included for the length of the on-site street which shall provide connectivity to the sidewalk system on Fir Avenue and 7th Street. If provided at the edge of the

1620-05

CITY OF SULTAN COUNCIL MEETING – February 23, 2005

 

on-site street, the sidewalk shall be constructed of differentiated pavement (such as dyed and s           tamped) and shall be at least four feet wide. Pathways shall be signed “No Parking.”