Everett City Council

August 26, 2020 President Touhy announced that the Council is still abiding by Governor Inslee' s Safe Start guidelines, and as a result, City Council meetings will continue to be held remotely with all meetings scheduled at 6: 30 p. m. each Wednesday, except the fourth Wednesday of the month when the meeting is scheduled at 12: 30 p. m. She encouraged citizens to submit comments and concerns by email to council@everettwa. gov prior to the meeting or to call the Council office at 425- 257- 8703. President Tuohy stated that live public comment will be accepted one- half hour before the start of the meeting by calling 1. 425. 616. 3920, Conference ID 621 771 64#. If citizens have difficulty calling in or connecting, please contact dwilliams@everettwa. gov. Individuals may also call 1. 425. 616. 3920 to listen to the Council meetings, Conference ID 724 887 726#. Citizens are encouraged to view meetings live on Comcast Channel 21, Frontier Channel 29, and on the City website at www. everettwa. gov/ council. The regular meeting of the Everett City Council was called to order at 12: 30 p. m., August 26, 2020, Council President Tuohy presiding. Upon roll call, it was found that Mayor Franklin and Council Members Roberts, Moore, Murphy, Vogeli, Bader, Stonecipher, and Tuohy were present. The minutes of the August 19, 2020, City Council meeting were approved as printed. President Tuohy abstained from the vote. MAYOR Mayor Franklin had no comments. COUNCIL Council Member Bader reported on a meeting among Fire Chief DeMarco, Council Member Stonecipher, and himself regarding the creation of a regional fire authority. He stated Fire Chief DeMarco will provide the Council with an in- depth analysis in the future. Council Member Murphy provided a liaison update on his attendance at the Northwest Neighborhood meeting last week. He also provided a report on his 249  August 26, 2020 attendance at the Public Facilities District ( PFD) Board meeting earlier this week, which included a recent positive audit from the Washington State Auditor. Council Member Roberts reported that he recently attended the Snohomish County Citizens for Improved Transportation ( SCCIT) meeting. He also spoke about an email he sent to the Mayor and council members today that contained suggested ideas for a structural deficit reset. President Tuohy announced a new meeting format that will include a retreat/ workshop the first meeting of each month. During this meeting, there will be no subcommittee meetings, public comment period, and Council will not take any action. The new format will be reviewed this fall to determine if the process will continue in the future. ADMINISTRATION UPDATE r Deputy Mayor Nick Harper had no comments. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney David Hall had no comments. PUBLIC COMMENTS The following individuals provided public comments to the City Council via email: Leanne Nott Brian Doennebrink Joe Kunzler Lisa Comstock Marion Berry Maureen Malley Mary and Mike Doyle i 250  August 26, 2020 Bill Rucker Steve Fox Margaret Riddle Joanne Rousslang Linda War Bonnet Angela Di Filippo Don Barbacovi The following individuals provided comments during the virtual meeting: Gail Chism, Everett, stated she is concerned about the structural deficit and budget cuts to the cultural arts program. She also expressed support for the placement of the Killien House on the historic register. Joe Kunzler, Sedro- Woolley, expressed concern for the future of Everett Transit and congratulated the City on the addition of new Navy Homeport destroyers. Leanne Nott, Everett, urged the Council to reject the acceptance of the COPS grant scheduled for action today due to budgetary implications and the requirement to cooperate with ICE and Homeland Security. Diana Jaramillo, Everett, urged the Council to reject the acceptance of the COPS grant because it compels the City to cooperate with Homeland Security in matters of immigration. COUNBIL BRIEFING AGENDA: Sound Transit Update Presented by Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff Discussion ensued regarding the long- term impact on Everett riders who need a two seat ride, budget cut plans to preserve staff layoffs, the effects of the pandemic on future ridership and the need to monitor new commuting patterns, the need for additional modeling for a severe recession scenario, and reconsideration of the SW Everett Industrial Center. 251  August 26, 2020 ReThink Transit Phase 1 Outreach Report and Public Update Presented by Richard Tarry, Engineering Services Council members commented on the public confusion surrounding a merger with Community Transit; consideration for Everett Transit commuters trying to get in and out of the South Everett Park and Ride; how to engage with people who do not use Everett Transit service; concern about the projected revenue shortfall and where the fund balance is headed by the end of this year and into 2021, the need for a five- year projection to reflect 2020 and staff changes, and the service level changes that have been made in the last 90 days. Tom Hingson, Everett Transit Director, provided additional budget information and stated the six- year plan is scheduled for presentation by November 1, 2020. Council members expressed a desire to obtain the information as soon as possible. Council Member Moore stated he needed to leave the meeting. He expressed support for Action Item No. 14, and left the meeting at 1: 55 p. m. Mayor Franklin announced the good news that the Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge passed final inspection and opened today. Pipa Escalante, multimedia communications coordinator, presented a short video. CONSENT ITEMS: Moved by Council Member Bader, seconded by Council Member Roberts, to approve consent items. Council Member Stonecipher requested time for discussion regarding Item No. 12 prior to Council action on the consent items. Council Members Bader and Roberts agreed to amend the motion. Council Member Stonecipher requested information about the source of the funding for the Green Infrastructure grant application and additional information about the efficiency of electric buses. i 252 A August 26, 2020 Tom Hingson stated the funding for the project, which is included in the six- year plan, would be budgeted under 2022 capital projects and would not begin until approved. He added that the proposal would increase efficiency of electric buses by allowing for more frequent charging. RESOLUTION — CLAIMS To adopt Resolution No. 7554 authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $ 1, 833, 886. 52 for the period of August 8, 2020, through August 14, 2020. RESOLUTION — PAYROLL CLAIMS To adopt Resolution No. 7555 authorizing payroll claims against the City of Everett in the amount of$ 3, 927, 095. 16 for the period ending August 1, 2020. RFP AWARD— CONFLICT PUBLIC DEFENSE SERVICES To award Request for Proposal # 2019- 119 Conflict Public Defense Services Roster and authorize the Mayor to award and sign contracts with qualified proposers. RESOLUTION — SURPLUS OF MANLIFT BUCKET TRUCK To adopt Resolution No. 7556 declaring 2000 Ford F450 Manlift Bucket Truck surplus and authorizing its sale at public auction. RESOLUTION— SURPLUS OF ASPHALT ZIPPER AND CUTTER AND WILLIAMS- OCEAN TRAILER To adopt Resolution No. 7557 declaring 2001 Asphalt Zipper AZ- 480 Asphalt Cutter and 2001 Williams- Ocean Trailer surplus and authorizing its sale at public auction. 253  August 26, 2020 AGREEMENT— COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT To authorize the Mayor or designee to enter into a Cooperative Purchase Agreement with the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance ( NCPA). RFP RELEASE— PARK, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN To authorize Release of Request for Proposal # 2020- 073 Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. RESOLUTION — PLACEMENT OF KILLIEN HOUSE TO EVERETT REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES To concur with the recommendation of the Everett Historical Commission to adopt Resolution No. 7558 placing the Killien House at 4918 S. 3rd Avenue to the Everett Register of Historical Places. AGREEMENT AMENDED— SOFTWARE CONSULTING SERVICES To authorize the Mayor to sign Change Order No. 1 to the KRONOS order form in the amount of$ 5, 400. GRANT APPLICATION — GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE To authorize Everett Transit to proceed with the Green Infrastructure Grant Application for$ 2. 4 million with a 20% ($ 480, 000) cash match. Roll was called with all council members voting yes, except Council Member Moore who was excused. Motion carried. 254  August 26, 2020 ACTION ITEMS: COUNCIL BILL 2088- 44 THIRD AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE amending and closing the Special Construction Fund, entitled " Evergreen Branch Library Expansion Project," Fund 342, Program 023, as established by Ordinance No. 3505- 16 and amended by Ordinance No. 3638- 18 Council Member Murphy invited President Tuohy, who initiated the expansion of the library, to make the motion. Moved by Council Member Tuohy, seconded by Council Member Murphy, that this is declared to be the third and final reading of Council Bill No. 2088- 44. 0 The City Clerk was directed to call the roll for the final disposition of the ordinance. AYES: Roberts, Murphy, Vogeli, Bader, Stonecipher, Tuohy NAYS: None EXCUSED: Moore Ordinance No. 3767- 20 adopted. AGREEMENT— COPS HIRING PROGRAM Moved by Council Member Bader to authorize the Major to sign all necessary documents and agreements with the Department of Justice, COPS Hiring Program, regarding the award acceptance and utilization of the COPS Hiring Program funding in the amount of$ 6, 054, 160. Considerable discussion ensued regarding supplanting of federal funds and future budget implications, how U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) provisions would be applied, the hiring of additional law enforcement officers in 255  August 26, 2020 response to homelessness, and the need to conduct additional benchmarking across all City departments. Council Member Bader echoed comments made earlier by Council Member Moore. Council Member Murphy noted the first paragraph of the Department of Justice award letter seemed to indicate that grant funding could be used at a future date to rehire officers who may have been laid off due to budget reductions. While the City has not had any such layoffs to date, he stated the award letter seems to conflict with information provided earlier by Chief Templeman. Chief Templeman stated the Police Department did contact the COPS office and asked if officer positions were eliminated due to financial challenges in the future, could the funding be used to rehire. He stated the answer from the COPS grant administrator was a clear no. Council Member Murphy also commented that while receipt of a grant to hire additional officers is a positive outcome, he is concerned about the overall cost to City. He stated that the grant requires the City to spend an additional $ 14 million over the next five years, and while there is an offset of$ 6 million from the grant, it would leave an $ 8. 5 million net additional cost to the City when the latest budget projections show large deficits for the next five years. Council Member Murphy expressed concern that by approving the grant, the City would potentially be writing a check that it might not be able to cash in the future. Chief Templeman acknowledged the significant financial commitment by the City. He noted the costs are primarily associated with start- up costs to hire new officers, and the COPS office did waive any required matching from the City. He also commented on future opportunities the grant would provide as the City grows. Council Member Roberts also expressed concern about the budget considerations. He noted that the award letter provides information about an extension that might provide time to have to have a more thoughtful discussion to set a course on budget options. 256  August 26, 2020 Council Member Vogeli asked about current police officer staffing levels. Chief Templeman responded with information about current vacancies and new hiring practices. Council Member Vogeli also spoke about the services needed relating to homelessness and that hiring more uniformed police officers is not going to solve the problem of homelessness. Council Member Stonecipher thanked Chief Templeman for the forward- leading programs offered by the Everett Police Department and for the department' s outreach in the community. She agreed with Council Member Murphy' s concerns about approving this grant during an unprecedented budget crisis and future financial uncertainty. Council Member Stonecipher commented on the importance of conducting an operational and financial assessment of the Everett Police Department, as well as the need for additional benchmarking across all City departments to assess outputs and monitor performance. President Tuohy asked if Council Member Moore' s previous statement could serve as a second to the motion. City Attorney Hall responded that Council Member Moore' s earlier statement could not serve as a second as the motion had not yet been made. President Tuohy spoke about the timing of this action and the looming uncertainty about long- term budget impacts. Motion died for lack of a second. Deputy Mayor Nick Harper thanked Police Chief Templeman and his team for their leadership in creating this opportunity. The City Council meeting was adjourned at 3: 11 p. m. 257  August 26, 2020 r ki4i/ City Clerk Read and approved as printed. CY.A. 7 4., Council Presiden 258