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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-05 City Council Minutes Approved City Council January 5, 2009 Ott Y 0e{i'; City Council Minutes—January 5, 2009 At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called the regularly scheduled meeting of January 5, 2009 to order. Roll call found present: Kevin McKeown, Nick Petrish, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer. Roll call was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of Previous Meetings The Mayor corrected the minutes of December 1, 2008: "Mr. McKeown will receive his 5-year Pride in Service Award." With that correction, Mr. Geer moved, seconded by Mr. Petrish to approve the minutes of December 1, 2008 and December 8, 2008. Vote: Ayes— Petrish, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, and McKeown. Motion carried. Citizen Hearings No citizens present wished to testify on matters not on the agenda. (See Mayor/Council communication below*) Mayor/Council Communication Mayor's Award of Merit— Mary Ellen Husby and Mike Lafferty Mayor Maxwell highlighted special action taken by employees Mary Ellen Husby and Mike Lafferty. Through their cooperative effort to take the extra step to help a fellow citizen, an elderly utility customer received needed social services. In recognition of their action and concern, their names will be added to the commemorative plaque that hangs in City Hall; the award of merit also includes a gift certificate to a local restaurant. The Mayor and Council thanked Ms. Husby and Mr. Lafferty to a standing ovation from the audience. Proclamation: "Aktion Club"—Presentation on Computer Recycling Program The Mayor introduced Mr. Eric Johnson of the Anacortes Kiwanis Club. Mr. Johnson announced that the newest branch of the Kiwanis, the Anacortes Aktion Club, is for adults over 18 years of age living with disabilities. Mr. Johnson then introduced Anthony Gegen, President; Laurie Mueller, Vice President; Sonja Erlandson, Treasurer; and Board Members Brooks Kent, Austin Schaefer, and Ole Sundberg. The first Club project is a free collection point for safely recycling computers, monitors, and televisions. The collection site at 418 30th Street is an official drop-off point for the E-Cycle Washington program. Collection times are 10:00a.m. to 2:00 on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. The Mayor then proclaimed January 10, 2009 as Anacortes Aktion Club Day in the City of Anacortes in recognition of the first day of their free recycling program; the Mayor urged all citizens to utilize this valuable service project. The Proclamation was followed by a group photo and a standing ovation. The Mayor announced the Port/City Liaison Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Port of Anacortes offices. Mr. Fred Buckenmeyer, Public Works Director, addressed the recent weather system, actions taken by the City during the storms, and proposed future action. This unusual event was characterized by prolonged cold temperatures that set in before the snow fell. Mr. Buckenmeyer explained that snow compacts once tires hit snow on top of frozen pavement, making it extremely difficult to clear. Mr. Buckenmeyer then described: the City's existing equipment; commented on the outstanding cooperation of City departments; remarked on the number of calls from citizens offering assistance; delayed water shut-offs; received 400 calls at Maintenance and Operation; and utilized two round the clock crews on Christmas Day. Mr. Buckenmeyer then addressed citizen concerns. He reported the City used over 800 tons of sand and salt, and storm maintenance costs rose to $31,450 with labor and materials needed in response to the storm. In the future, the City will follow the sanding priority route schedule; the sanding route map is online. Potential future action could include the purchase of a new snow plow; earlier incorporation of salt in to sand mixture; assistance from the Park Department to maintain public parking lots and driveway callouts; use of on-call contractor for snow removal; and WSDOT Highway 20 storm maintenance coordination. 1 City Council January 5, 2009 Mr. McKeown remarked on the positive community aspects of use of the Health Club by members of the Fire Department. * Mr. Calvin Brown, 1201 "K" Avenue approached the Mayor and City Council regarding the restoration of access to his driveway. He submitted a detailed timeline of events regarding the loss of access; Mr. Brown then summarized the data. Mr. Brown and family would appreciate that the error be corrected; he encouraged the Council read the material, drive by the site, and confer with the Public Works Director and Mayor. Consent Agenda Mr. Geer moved, seconded by Mr. McKeown to approve the following Consent Agenda item. Vote: Ayes — Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, McKeown, and Petrish. Motion carried. Approval of Vouchers/Cancellation of Warrants Council voted unanimously that the following vouchers/warrants audited and certified by the City's Auditing Officer (Finance Director) and subsequently reviewed and approved by the Council Finance Committee on December 18, 2008 and December 31, 2008 are approved for payment as of this date January 5, 2009. Claims Warrants Dec 2008: Warrant Numbers 49139 through 49300 in the total amount of$1,016,301.06 EFT Dec 2008: EFT Number 49138 in the total amount of$221.00 Prewritten Claims Dec 2008: Warrant Numbers 49131 through 49137 in the total amount of$3,050.72 Payroll for December 19, 2008 in the total amount of$496,172.60 Warrant Numbers 33061 through 33100 in the total amount of$40,164.73 Direct Deposit Numbers 29043 through 29212 in the total amount of$279,075.77 EFT Numbers 930 through 935 in the total amount of$176,932.10 Payroll for January 5, 2009 in the total amount of$787,567.16 Warrant Numbers 33102 through 33149 in the total amount of$55,631.46 Direct Deposit Numbers 29213 through 29401 in the total amount of$289,326.13 EFT Numbers 907 through 940 in the total amount of$442,609.57 Resolution: Teamster Bargaining Agreement 2009/2010/2011/2012 Ms. Emily Schuh, Human Resources Director, reported negotiations with Teamsters have been ongoing since early summer, 2008. The proposed 4-year Agreement has been reviewed by the Teamsters and ratified with 91% acceptance. Wages, health benefits and premiums, flexible work schedule, and sick leave buyback upon retirement were significant contract issues. Mr. Geer complimented the Human Resources Department for this successful negotiation process. Current economic trends were discussed. With that, Mrs. Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, to adopt Resolution No. 1767 entitled "A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Bargaining Agreement by and between the City of Anacortes and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 231." Vote: Ayes—Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, McKeown, Petrish, and Pickett. Motion carried. Resolution: Establishing Policies and Procedures Pertaining to the Leasing of City Property Mr. Steve Hoglund, Finance Director, presented a policy that will document the criteria and process that the City uses to administer its leases. Mr. Hoglund highlighted the issue regarding relief for struggling tenants. If a tenant qualifies for this consideration, the City will work with their lease payment schedule to defer a portion to a later time. Mr. Brad Furlong, City Attorney, pointed out that the document before Council is verbatim policy language recently adopted by the Port of Skagit County. He emphasized that any adjustment of the rental amount downward with a corresponding adjustment upward in the future, would not be a credit transaction. After discussion, Mr. Geer moved, seconded by Mr. McKeown, to adopt Resolution No. 1768 entitled "Establishing policies and Procedures Pertaining to the Leasing of City Property." Mrs. Richardson reviewed grammatical issues with staff; those corrections have been incorporated. Council discussed the final authority for any determinations; any lease amendments would come back to Council for approval. Mrs. Richardson suggested adding "or other qualified professionals" to the footnotes. Vote: Ayes — Turner, Richardson, Geer, McKeown, Petrish, Pickett, and Adams. There being no further business, at approximately 8:50 p.m. Mayor Maxwell adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting of January 5, 2009. 2