MARYSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

November 22, 2004                               7:00 p.m.                              Marysville City Hall

 

 

CALL TO ORDER / INVOCATION / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jon Nehring called the November 22, 2004 meeting of the Marysville City Council to order at 7:03 p.m. Tom Albright of the Marysville United Methodist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Pro Tem Nehring then led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Chief Administrative Officer Mary Swenson called the roll. The following councilmembers and staff members were in attendance.

 

Council:          Mayor Pro Tem Jon Nehring, Lee Phillips, Jeff Seibert, John Soriano;                                  Jeff Vaughan, and Donna Wright.

 

Staff:               Mary Swenson, Chief Administrative Officer; Sandy Langdon, Finance Director; Grant Weed, City Attorney; Gloria Hirashima, Community Development Director, Corbitt Loch, Assistant Administrator/Economic Development; Kevin Nielsen, City Engineer; Larry Larson; Public Works Superintendent; Laurie Hugdahl, Recording Secretary.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring noted that Mayor Dennis Kendall was on a working vacation and Councilmember Vares was absent.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Donna Wright; seconded by Councilmember Jeff Vaughan to excuse the absence of Councilmember Lisa Vares. Motion passed 5-0 with Councilmember Lee Phillips abstaining.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Councilmember John Soriano reported that Attorney Thom Graafstra had shared procedural information at the last LEOFF I meeting.

 

Councilmember Jeff Vaughan reviewed the November 10 Parks Advisory Board meeting. Highlights included:

·        Strawberry Fields – Will possibly have a spring event to kick off the official opening; Phase II work going out to bid shortly; discussion about using part of the property for an off-leash dog park.

·        Waterfront Park update.

·        Comeford Park renovation and pavilion construction update.

 

Councilmember Lee Phillips reported that the Finance Committee discussed the finalization of the budget at their last meeting. Other topics addressed included:

·        New agreement regarding utility billing;

·        Mail service company is going out of business;

·        Red Cross is able to help with the charity portion of the utility bill;

·        Rate ordinance will include criteria to include discount for low income seniors and disabled;

·        New telephone system update.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Employee Service Awards.

 

Public Works Superintendent Larry Larson reviewed the work history of each of the recipients although none of them were in attendance.

 

Doug Byde, Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead, Pretreatment – 20 Years.

Mr. Byde grew up in Marysville and graduated from Marysville Pilchuck High School in 1978. He initially worked for Hanson Boat Company in Everett. He was hired by the City in 1984 in the Parks Department. He transferred to Streets a year later, and then 5 years later he transferred to Wastewater Treatment. As the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead, Mr. Byde is in charge of all the water sampling. He is currently also taking on the duties of the Wastewater Plant Supervisor. Mr. Byde also has achieved a variety of advanced certifications. He and his wife, Charlene, enjoy growing organic vegetables, salmon fishing and hunting.

 

Kevin Gessner – Maintenance Worker II, Utility Construction – 10 Years.

Mr. Gessner also grew up in the area. He graduated from Marysville Pilchuck High School in 1989. He worked at Evergreen Mobile as a framer. His father worked in the street department for over thirty years. Kevin Gessner was hired as a Meter Reader then moved into solid waste. Now he works as a Maintenance Worker II in Utility Construction. In his free time, Mr. Gessner enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors.

 

Darrin Douglas – Solid Waste Collector, Public Works – 5 Years.

Mr. Douglas was raised in Marysville. He worked for Waste Management before becoming employed with the City. On December 1, 1999 he was hired as a Solid Waste Collector. In 2001 he was Employee of the Quarter. He recently was recognized for his involvement in the transition to automated pickup. On a personal note, Mr. Douglas is married and has a four-year-old daughter.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION.

 

Mayor Pro Tem then solicited audience participation on items not already on the agenda. There was none.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

None.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

 

A.  November 8, 2004 City Council Meeting.

 

Councilmember Donna Wright indicated she would be abstaining from the vote since she had been absent at the November 8 meeting.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Vaughan; seconded by Councilmember Soriano to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (5-0) with Councilmember Wright abstaining.

 

B.  November 15, 2004 City Council Work Session.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Vaughan; seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the November 15 work session minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

CONSENT

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring solicited audience comment on any consent agenda items. There was none. He then asked if any councilmembers wished to remove any of the items for discussion. No one did.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Soriano; seconded by Councilmember Nehring to approve Consent Agenda Items A-H. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

A.  Approval of November 10, 2004 Claims in the Amount of $625,733.85; Paid by Check No. 18746 through 18885.

 

B.  Approval of November 17, 2004 Claims in the Amount of $2,478,470.95; Paid by Check No. 18886 through 19005 with Check No. 60794, 67255, and 18851 Void.

 

C.  Approval of November 5, 2004 Payroll in the Amount of $757,746.79; Paid by Check No. 13478 through 13552.

 

D.  Approval of November 19, 2004 Payroll in the Amount of $480,045.43; Paid by Check No. 13553 through 13618.

 

E.  Approval of Liquor License Renewals for Circle K #8878, Pearl Garden, Jackpot Foodmart #160, and Quil Ceda 76.

 

F.  Accept the State Avenue Sewer Project as Complete and Begin 45-Day Lien Filing Period.

 

G.  Award Carrol’s Creek Pump Station.

 

H.  Approval of Retainage Escrow Agreement; Shoreline Construction Company.

 

REVIEW BIDS

 

None.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

None.

 

CURRENT BUSINESS

 

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.  Professional Services Agreement for Emergency Response; Craig Thompson.

 

Grant Weed explained that two sections from the standard Professional Service Agreement have been removed from this given the type of services being provided by this individual. There was no audience comment or council discussion.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Donna Wright; seconded by Councilmember Jeff Vaughan to approve and authorize the mayor to enter into a written agreement with NCT Engineering. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

B.  Water and Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring explained that this ordinance was related to the ad hoc committee’s recommendations for rate relief for low-income seniors and disabled. There were no further comments.

 

C.  Reconsideration of the Affective Date for General Facility Charges.

 

City Engineer Kevin Nielsen reviewed Council’s original decision to adopt the ordinance regarding GFC’s. With adoption of that ordinance, Council vested applications at the preliminary plat application phase. He stated that he had not provided all the necessary information for Council to make an informed decision. He apologized for not having this information to Council earlier. A critical factor was that the City needs to maintain a cash reserve of approximately $4.85m for debt service. Mr. Nielsen gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the situation and the suggested options for Council:

·          A.  GFC collected at Preliminary Plat.

·          B.  No vesting.

·          C.  Increased over two years, tiered approach.

 

Staff is recommending Option C: GFC at final Plat and to increase over two years (on 1/1/05 and 1/1/06). There was some discussion about the specifics of the different options.

 

Public Comment:

 

David Toyer, Barclays North, 10515 – 20th Avenue SE, Everett, WA 98205.

Mr. Toyer thanked staff and others for keeping the communication open. He voiced his support of the tiered approach. He suggested giving developers the option of paying at either final plat or building permit. There was some discussion about why some developers would prefer making payment at final plat for cash flow reasons. There was no further public comment.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Jeff Seibert; seconded by Councilmember Lee Phillips to adopt Option C for the two-step increase in GFC. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

Mary Swenson applauded Council for taking another look at this issue and making a difficult decision. Councilmember Nehring requested a report on connections in the future.

 

LEGAL

 

None.

 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.  An Ordinance of the City of Marysville, Washington Increasing Water and Sewer Rates, Amending Sections 14.07.060 and14.07.070 of the Marysville Municipal Code.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Wright; seconded by Councilmember Soriano to adopt Ordinance 2548 increasing water and sewer rates, amending sections 14.07.060 and 14.07.070 of the MMC. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

B.  An Ordinance of the City of Marysville, Washington Adding Utility Rate Relief for Low Income Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons and Adding Chapter 3.63 to the Marysville Municipal Code.

 

Motion made by Councilmember John Soriano; seconded by Councilmember Vaughan to adopt Ordinance 2549 adding utility rate relief for low-income senior citizens and disabled persons and adding Chapter 3.63 to the MMC. A spelling correction on page 1, line 3 was pointed out. Motion passed unanimously to adopt the ordinance with the corrected spelling (6-0).

 

C.  An Ordinance of the City of Marysville Repealing Sections 2.20.070 and 2.20.080 of the Marysville Municipal Code Relating to Golf Course Manager and Golf Professional.

 

Motion made by Councilmember Vaughan; seconded by Councilmember Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 2550. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

 

D.  An Ordinance of the City of Marysville, Washington Amending MMC 14.07.010(2) Relating to Sewer and Water Utility Capital Improvement Charges.

 

This item will come back with revisions for the next cycle.

 

INFORMATION ITEMS

 

Mayor’s Business

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring discussed an email from a citizen, Capt. Chris Crawford in Iraq, requesting equipment. He also announced that the Parks Department needs coaches for the 4th and 5th grade basketball.

 

Staff Business

 

Corbitt Loch had no further comments.

 

Larry Larson had no further comments.

 

Kevin Nielsen noted that the pond ordinance would be coming forward soon.

 

Gloria Hirashima had no further comments.

 

Grant Weed noted that he had two items for Executive Session – acquisition of real property and potential litigation.

 

Mary Swenson commented that the County and City have withdrawn the proposal from ISC.

 

Sandy Langdon had no further comments.

 

Call on Councilmembers

 

Lee Phillips had no comments.

 

John Soriano referenced the annual Snohomish County EDC dinner. Mary Swenson encouraged Council to go.

 

Jeff Seibert requested that in the future all pages of all options be labeled to avoid mix-ups.

 

Donna Wright discussed the Regional Economic Summit with 1,100 attendees. The importance of regional partnerships between public, private and non-profit groups was discussed. On a personal note, she announced that she was a new Grandma to her son Ted and his wife’s baby girl!

 

Jeff Vaughan had no comments.

 

Park Advisory Board Meeting Minutes; October 13, 2004.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring recessed the meeting into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. The Executive Session was expected to last approximately twenty minutes.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Council met in Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.; discussed a litigation issue; and returned to Regular Session at 8:50 p.m.

 

Motion by Councilmember Phillips, second by Councilmember Seibert to approve the settlement agreement regarding State Avenue Improvements as discussed in Executive Session.  Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Mayor Pro Tem Nehring adjourned the November 22, 2004 meeting of the Marysville City Council at 8:51 p.m.

 

Approved this _______ day of ___________________, 2004.

 

 

 

 

____________________        ____________________        ____________________

Mayor                                      City Clerk                                Recording Secretary

Dennis Kendall                        Gerry Becker                           Laurie Hugdahl