Everett City Council

October 28, 2020 President Tuohy 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. Citizens are encouraged to call or email public comments prior to the meeting. To speak under Public Comment during the meeting, calls are accepted one- half hour before the start of the meeting by calling 1. 425. 616. 3920, Conference ID 685 640 366#. Citizens may call in to listen to the Council meetings at 1. 425. 616. 3920, Conference ID: 724 887 726#, and meetings can be viewed on Everett Channel or on the City website. The regular meeting of the Everett City Council was called to order at 12: 33 p. m., October 28, 2020, Council President Tuohy presiding. Upon roll call, it was found that Mayor Franklin and Council Members Roberts, Murphy, Moore, Vogeli, Stonecipher, and Tuohy were present. Council Member Bader was expected to be late. The minutes of the October 21, 2020, City Council meeting were approved as printed. MAYOR Mayor Franklin provided an update on the increase in COVID- 19 cases and encouraged social distancing and wearing masks. COUNCIL Council Member Roberts provided a liaison report from his attendance at the Association of Washington Cities Federal Legislative Priorities Committee meeting. Council Member Vogeli provided a report from the Casino Road Stakeholders meeting. She provided a liaison report from the Historical Commission meeting held Tuesday evening. Council Member Vogeli asked how rezoning could affect 336  October 28, 2020 the Van Valey house and a small store located in the historic Riverside neighborhood. Council Member Murphy provided a report from the Puget Sound Regional Council meeting on behalf of Mayor Franklin. He also provided a liaison report from the Public Facilities District Board meeting. Council Member Murphy thanked Chief Templeman for helping to improve the ongoing issues around Angel of the Winds Arena. Council Member Moore encouraged citizens to vote in the upcoming election. President Tuohy provided a liaison report from the Pinehurst Neighborhood meeting held Tuesday night. She also encouraged citizens to get their flu shots and continue social distancing due to COVID- 19. ADMINISTRATION UPDATE ON PRIOR BUSINESS Deputy Mayor Nick Harper had no comments. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney David Hall had no comments. PUBLIC COMMENT The following people provided comment via email prior to the meeting: Mary Rollins Kari Quaas Mark Jankowski Joe Kunzler, Skagit County, spoke about Everett Transit funding. s 337  s October 28, 2020 CONSENT ITEMS: Moved by Council Member Murphy, seconded by Council Member Roberts, to approve the following consent items: RESOLUTION - CLAIMS To adopt Resolution No. 7573 authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $ 1, 199, 996. 59 for the period of October 10, 2020, through October 16, 2020. RESOLUTION — PAYROLL CLAIMS To adopt Resolution No. 7574 authorizing payroll claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $ 3, 972, 609. 46 for the period ending September 26, 2020. Roll was called with all council members voting yes, except Council Member Bader who was excused. Motion carried. ACTION ITEMS: RESOLUTION - DISTRICTING PLAN Moved by Council Member Stonecipher, seconded by Council Member Murphy, to adopt Resolution No. 7575, pursuant to Section 2. 1 ( c) of the City Charter, to adopt the Districting Plan known as Everett Districting Map A- 9, approved on October 19, 2020, by the Districting Commission. Council Members Vogeli and Murphy asked Legal if there is no alternative but to approve. 338  October 28, 2020 Flora Diaz, Legal, cited that per City Charter, the Council must adopt the Districting Commission' s plan at each step, and there is no room for modification from the Council. Council Members and Mayor Franklin thanked the Districting Commission members: Mary Fosse, Chris Geray, James Langus, Ethel McNeal, John Monroe, Kari Quaas, Simone Tarver, Benjamin Young, and Julius Wilson. They also thanked staff members Nichole Webber and Deb Williams, and Districting Master Tony Fairfax. Mary Rollins, Everett, spoke about the process, transparency, and the continued ongoing work of the Everett Districts Now group. Roll was called with all council members voting yes, except Council Member Bader who was excused. r Motion carried. RESOLUTION — LEVYING OF TAXES Moved by Council Member Roberts, seconded by Council Member Moore, to adopt Resolution No. 7576 finding a substantial need for using the 101% limit factor under Chapter 84. 55 RCW with regard to the levying of regular property taxes and emergency medical services property taxes. Roll was called with all council members voting yes, except Council Member Bader who was excused. Motion carried. COUNCIL BRIEFING AGENDA: COUNCIL BILL 2010- 54 339  October 28, 2020 FIRST READING: AN ORDINANCE levying the regular property taxes for the City of Everett for fiscal year commencing January 1, 2021, on all taxable property, both real and personal, subject to taxation thereon Presented by Susy Haugen, Finance COUNCIL BILL 2010- 55 FIRST READING: AN ORDINANCE levying the EMS property taxes for the City of Everett for fiscal year commencing January 1, 2021, on all taxable property, both real and personal, subject to taxation thereon Presented by Susy Haugen, Finance Susy Haugen explained that these two council bills were briefed as one ordinance r at the October 14 meeting; however, due to a directive from the Department of Revenue, these two ordinances needed to be separated based on EMS and regular property so there would be no additional briefing this evening. Council Member Vogeli left the meeting at 1: 09 p. m. Council Member Bader entered the meeting at 1: 19 p. m. BUDGET WORKSHOP # 1 - 2021 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET Council Member Murphy provided an introduction on the ongoing budget process and stated this hearing is intended to let council members weigh in and suggest changes. Susy Haugen, Finance, provided the proposed budget, with discussion on the following departmental funds: 340  October 28, 2020 Council: Council Member Murphy suggested that council members agree to increase the elected officials' contribution to the health care program to be consistent with city employees. Council members in attendance all agreed. Lori Cummings, Administration, confirmed this would be changed in the budget to be brought forth in November or December. Administration:Council Member Stonecipher questioned the interfund charge of fill- time positions ( FTE) equivalent in non- general fund departments and requested to see an analysis of FTEs. Mayor Franklin, Susy, and Lori stated they would provide that information to council members and provided further clarification on time allocation. Municipal Court: Council Member Stonecipher asked about utilizing at- home detention for cost savings. Mayor Franklin explained that utilizing at- home detention is up to the municipal court judges. Human Resources: Council Member Murphy requested performance metrics with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Susy stated these are currently being developed. Council Member Murphy also asked about the efficiency of workers' compensation. Susy explained that much of workers' compensation is outsourced. Kandy Bartlett, Human Resources, also stated this function is now being performed by two people at a much more efficient rate. Non- departmental: President Tuohy asked about the estimates for Snohomish County jail bookings and jail days due to COVID- 19. Susy stated that the jail fees have increased. Police Chief Dan Templeman commented on the rate increase and said the number of bookings and housing days have increased due to community complaints. Council Member Murphy requested to review the possible overestimation of the jail budget. He requested updated projections of the 2020 jail fees for context. Susy stated she would provide those. Discussion ensued regarding this line item; analysis on jail fees, connecting with the Snohomish County Sheriff' s office, and jail bookings during COVID- 19. Council Member Murphy stated that if the jail fees are overestimated by 10%, it would mean the budget is overstated by approximately $550, 000. This item will be added to the " parking lot" of items to 341  October 28, 2020 discuss in the future. Susy stated Rae Ann Nielsen, Budget Manager, will share her analysis on jail fees with council. Council Member Bader asked that staff provide deadlines to Council for funding quality of life programs. Lori suggested that Council give them quality of life issues on the table, and staff will then get those deadlines to council. Council Member Stonecipher asked about the Police Property Room lease. Chief Templeman stated that the building owner was potentially going to sell so they have opted to enter shorter duration leases. Dan Eernissee confirmed that the property room is on a month- to- month lease. Finance: Council Member Tuohy asked about maintaining the scanning of the City' s documents into the records management system. Susy stated the Clerk' s office will be closed on Fridays to accommodate this. Community, Planning and Economic Development: Council Member Roberts was concerned about being able to do Planning work post Rethink Zoning with the limited number of staff. Mayor Franklin stated that this is an understaffed department. Council Member Roberts asked that this be discussed in the future. Council Member Stonecipher asked about the transfer of social workers into this department and how that was decided. Julie Willie provided details on the social worker program. Council Member Stonecipher asked about the permanent elimination of the neighborhood coordinator position and encouraged reinstatement of this position. Council Members Murphy and Tuohy concurred, and this will be added to the parking lot list. Discussion ensued regarding neighborhoods and districts. Council Member Stonecipher asked why Code Enforcement is being moved to Permit Services. Discussion ensued clarifying that many code issues are a result of unpermitted work and permit services working on Code enforcement issues daily. 342  October 28, 2020 Police: Council Member Stonecipher asked about the increase in the Police Department deferred compensation. Susy stated this increase was per union contract. Council Member Murphy asked about the school resource officers during the COVID- 19 school closures. Chief Templeman stated that the four middle school are on patrol and filling back positions, and these are paid for by the Police Department. The two high school officers are making visits to school grounds, checking in on students and other school resource items. Those two officers are funded by Everett Public Schools. Council Member Murphy asked about the COPS grant and hiring and whether the grant allowed " alternating hiring plan" was being utilized in the 2021 budget. Susy said that the hiring of the three COPS grant officers will likely come as a part of the first budget amendment of 2021 and the potential alternating hiring plan was not included in the proposed budget. Discussion ensued regarding the COPS grant hiring and full staffing of the Police Department. Susy stated she would provide analysis of the COPS grant and getting the police department fully staffed. Council Member Murphy estimated the potential savings at approximately$ 400, 000 if the alternating hiring plan is used. Council Member Bader left the meeting at 2: 35 p. m. Parks: Council Member Stonecipher asked about parks maintenance and seasonal positions. Bob Leonard, Parks, stated the budget for 2021 is replacing the nine- month seasonal employees with six full- time employees. Council Member Stonecipher requested that Jetty Island Days be added to the parking lot list. Mayor Franklin stated they are working with the Port of Everett on continuing and assisting with that program. Discussion ensued regarding Jetty Island Days. Council Member Roberts asked about the Parks Public/ Private Partnership. Bob stated the request for proposal for this closed and the City received 12 offers. Due to the process, details cannot be relayed today but he hopes to bring an action to Council before the end of the year. 343  October 28, 2020 Library: Council Member Stonecipher requested the restoration of library hours next year and added that to the parking lot list. Abigail Cooley, Library, provided an update on the partial opening based on the Governor' s guidelines. Municipal Arts: Council Member Murphy requested many city events to be on the parking lot list. Lori Cummings stated she would provide deadlines to the Council for when they would need to know if these can be amended in the budget, as well as the estimated cost to add these back into the budget. Council Member Murphy also asked about how the municipal arts programs are being managed. Kimberly Shelton, Parks, stated she has assumed some of those roles and that Tyler Chism, Economic Development, has taken on events. Council Member Tuohy asked about a budget to commission art to commemorate COVID- 19. Discussion ensued regarding the 1 Percent for Arts program, awards ceremonies, and events. Council Member Stonecipher also asked that City events be added back to the parking lot. She asked about who currently provides funding for the Monte Cristo Awards plaques. Susy stated she would find out. Streets improvement: Council Member Murphy suggested removing the $ 537, 000 from the General Fund that was allocated to streets since Washington State Supreme Court declared 1- 976 unconstitutional. Discussion ensued regarding street funding and street improvements. Council Member Stonecipher, Roberts, Moore, and Tuohy concurred with Council Member Murphy and instructed staff to remove that from the streets budget. Council Member Stonecipher requested that the money from this line item be allocated for the quality of life programs on the parking lot for future discussion. Hotel/ Motel: Council Member Murphy questioned the commitment to funding tourism when people are not traveling during COVID- 19. He encouraged maintaining grant funding. Dan Eernissee stated that the fund for tourism has been allocated to helping small businesses affected by the pandemic and not necessarily tourism in the traditional sense. Council Member Stonecipher asked 344  October 28, 2020 if there was data regarding a marketing campaign on tourism. Discussion ensued regarding fund allocation. Council Member Stonecipher concurred with Council Member Murphy' s request to allocate $ 100, 000 to grant funding instead of tourism. This will be added to the parking lot list. Real Property: Council Member Murphy requested that Ryan Sass, Public Works, provide a list of the status of the six projects, which were approved by Council in 2019 that guided the use of Fund 145. Rainy Day Fund: Council Members Stonecipher, Murphy, and Moore discussed establishing a payback plan. Transit: Council members inquired about staff and service reductions and other service options. Tom Hingson, Transit, stated that Transit is currently in the midst of the public hearing on Transit service and Council will be presented details of the service reduction details at a public hearing at the December 9 meeting and those changes would not be implemented until March 2021. He also stated that Transit will be presenting other service options in January. Council Member Murphy requested that reinstatement of funding for the Senior Center be placed on the parking lot list. The approximate annual cost to fund the Senior Center is$ 600, 000, however it is recognized that the Senior Center cannot open until it is safe due to COVID- 19. Council Member Murphy closed the workshop by reviewing the parking lot list of items to be discussed and the desire to discuss the following in the future: Reduce the Jail budget Using the COPS grant for hiring to possibly lower the proposed police budget Elimination of$ 537, 000 of General Funds for street improvements Updating the lodging tax and hotel/ motel funds to focus on grants with a reduction from tourism budget 345  S October 28, 2020 Return quality of life programs such as the Senior Center, Jetty Island Days, 4th of July events, Music at the Marina, Cinema under the Stars, the Neighborhood coordinator position, and reinstatement of Library hours Reinstate a portion of LEOFF Plan 1 funding Council Member Moore left the meeting at 4: 01 p. m. Council Member Murphy provided information for the November 4, 2020, 6: 30 p. m. meeting. Citizens who wish to comment or speak can find information on the City website at everettwa. gov/ citycouncil. The City Council meeting adjourned at 4: 05 p. m. Deput City Clerk Read and approved as printed. kuncil Presi nt 346