City Council

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Information: 360.753.8447 Meeting Minutes City Council Tuesday, September 10, 2013 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Steve Langer and Councilmember Jeannine Roe Excused: 2 - Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum and Councilmember Karen Rogers 1.A ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Jones announced the General Government Committee met earlier in the evening. 1.B APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Roe moved, seconded by Councilmember Langer, to approve the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Jones, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Hankins, Councilmember Langer and Councilmember Roe Excused: 2 - Mayor Buxbaum and Councilmember Rogers 2. SPECIAL RECOGNITION 2.A 13-0712 Proclamation for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day Councilmember Cooper read a proclamation to proclaim September 10, 2013 as suicide prevention and awareness day. Catholic Community Services representative Ann Varpness accepted the proclamation and spoke about the issue . The recognition was received. 2.B 13-0713 Introduction of New Walking Patrol Officer - Jeff Herbig City Manager Steve Hall introduced Officer Jeff Herbig and Lieutenant Paul Lower . Officer Herbig highlighted efforts of the Walking Patrol in Downtown Olympia . Lieutenant Lower spoke about the Downtown Response Team and efforts to engage the community and improve downtown. Councilmembers thanked them for efforts downtown and discussed the recent increase in IV drug use in the area. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 The recognition was received. 3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Capital Recovery Center Executive Director Heather Moore read a statement regarding the proposed People's House low barrier shelter and said she will not be pursuing the location on 10th Avenue. She indicated her organization will continue to look for a viable location to serve people in need and announced the next public opportunity for input will be September 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Center. Mr. Gar Lipow, 815 Dundee Rd NW, discussed climate change and spoke in support of wind farms. Ms. Bourtai Hargrove, 9822 Dempsey Ln SW, discussed climate change and spoke in support of the City of Olympia divesting from fossil fuels. Mr. Jim Reeves discussed the potential of natural disasters in Washington . Mr. Ted Nation, 9822 Dempsey Ln SW, discussed climate change and spoke in support of the City of Olympia divesting from fossil fuels. Ms. Pat Holm, 1216 Ethridge Ave NE, discussed climate change and spoke in support of the City of Olympia divesting from fossil fuels and investing in wind energy. Ms. Rosanne Rants, 1621 Tullis St NE, discussed climate change and spoke in support of the City of Olympia divesting from fossil fuels. Mr. Eddy Rauser spoke against the proposed low barrier shelter on 10 th Avenue. Ms. Lydia Groseclose, 1234 10th Ave SE, spoke against putting a low barrier shelter in any neighborhood. Ms. Jennifer Collier, 5108 Henderson Blvd, discussed ideas for a memorial for a homeless man named Derrick McDougal, also known as Dudeman, who recently died. She spoke in support of compassion and help for homeless people. Ms. Jenna Shaputis, 2906 Fishtrap Rd, spoke against wi-fi in Olympia public schools. She discussed concern about health hazards with children being exposed to electromagnetic fields. Mr. John Hillgrove spoke about his experience of being homeless in Olympia. He asked that police and emergency services personnel provide crisis intervention over arrests. Mr. Seth Hutt, 608 Quince St NE, said he lives in the Bigelow neighborhood and is concerned about the homeless people in the downtown area and a homeless camp recently removed from his neighborhood. He asked the City to find a way to safely City of Olympia Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 manage the homeless population. Ms. Mary Russell, 1309 Pioneer Ave SE, spoke about the proposed low barrier shelter and how a whole demographic is being categorized as dangerous. She said she agreed with protecting children. Ms. Jessica Archer, 3333 4th Ave, discussed the proposal of a low barrier shelter. She said she was glad to hear the address on 10th Avenue is no longer on the table but expressed concern with some of the other locations being considered. She spoke against putting a low barrier shelter in any neighborhood in order to clean up downtown. She asked for a moratorium on this type of shelter until better location criteria can be considered. Ms. Lady Liberty, 7833 Vireo Ct SE, said most Americans are opposed to the bombing of Syria. She spoke about how the federal government does not follow the will of the people. She proposed a resolution that the City of Olympia be a sister city to Damascus, Syria in order to demand that the federal government not bomb Syria. Mr. TJ Johnson discussed the potential of changing the Briggs Master Plan and asked that changes not be made. He also spoke against delaying the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan until 2014. Timberland Regional Library Senior Librarian Sara Pete' discussed upcoming events at the Library for adults. Mr. Steve Lyons, 1207 Central St SE, distributed a map of 1402 13th Ave SE and discussed issues with development at this address where a wetland is. He said the wetland has been removed from the City database and asked when and who removed it. Ms. Emmeline Mead spoke about Derrick McDougal, a homeless man who recently died, and how he was banished from Olympia. She asked how the City of Olympia banishing process works. She also spoke in support of an earlier speaker's ideas on creating a memorial for homeless people who die on Olympia streets. Mr. Paul Drumheller asked about rules for bicycles in the downtown core, such as riding on sidewalks, speed limits, etc. He discussed sandwich boards and dogs tied up on sidewalks, which increases the difficulty of being a pedestrian. He asked that the rules be enforced. Mr. Alex Day read a proposed resolution to designate December 21 as National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. COUNCIL RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMUNICATION (Optional) Councilmembers Cooper and Hankins thanked Ms. Moore for listening to the Eastside Neighborhood's concerns about locating a low barrier shelter on 10 th Avenue. City of Olympia Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 Councilmember Langer asked about divesting from fossil fuels. Mr. Hall responded that the State of Washington controls the City's retirement investments. He noted Thurston County sent a letter to the State with that request and said if the Council has an interest, staff can look into sending a similar letter. Councilmember Langer referred Ms. Shaputis to the Department of Health regarding her concern about wi-fi in schools being a health hazard. He also thanked Mr. Johnson and Ms. Pete' for their comments. Councilmember Cooper asked the Council for consensus on sending a letter to the State regarding divesting from fossil fuels. Councilmember Roe asked for more information prior to agreeing to send a letter. This topic will come forward on a future agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Jones indicated an interest for more information from the group that spoke about climate change and divesting from fossil fuels. Councilmember Langer asked about a banishment process. City Attorney Tom Morrill explained there is a banishment process that goes through the Olympia Municipal Court. Councilmember Langer asked Mr. Morrill for more details about this process. Councilmember Langer asked the City Attorney about bicycle rules . Mr. Morrill responded that the City has adopted the state model rules and riding a bicycle in a business district is prohibited. Riding a bicycle on sidewalks in other areas requires that they yield to pedestrians. Councilmember Roe asked about police training on crisis intervention. City Manager Steve Hall and Lieutenant Paul Lower responded about training on this topic. Councilmember Roe asked the City Manager about whose responsibility it is to clean up homeless camps. Mr. Hall responded it is the property owner's responsibility. Councilmember Roe added to Mr. Drumheller's comments about the issue of bicycles on sidewalks and said skateboarding on sidewalks is an issue as well. She asked Mr. Hall to look into the rules for skateboards on sidewalks. He agreed to report back. Councilmember Roe suggested slowing down with the concept of low barrier shelters in Olympia and taking a step back to get a better handle on appropriate locations. Councilmember Cooper asked for a referral to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to discuss a dismount area for bicycles. Councilmember Langer said bicycles should not be on sidewalks but have the same rights as vehicles to be on the road and are required to follow the same rules. The Council agreed the referral is to discuss educational opportunities for not allowing bicycles on the sidewalk, including potential signage. Councilmember Langer asked the City Manager to follow up on Steve Lyons ' comments about the wetland disappearing from City maps. Mayor Pro Tem Jones discussed the low barrier shelter issue, public comment, and City of Olympia Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 the announcement by Interfaith Works to look at locations for the shelter other than the one on 10th Avenue. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR 4.A 13-0711 Approval of August 27, 2013 City Council Meeting Minutes The minutes were adopted. 4.B 13-0689 Approval of Resolution Regarding Petty Cash and Change Funds The resolution was adopted. SECOND READINGS - None FIRST READINGS 4.C 13-0690 Amendment to Ordinance 6855 (Operating Budget) The ordinance was approved on first reading and moved to second reading. 4.D 13-0691 Amendment to Ordinance 6856 (Special Funds) The ordinance was approved on first reading and moved to second reading. 4.E 13-0692 Amendment to Ordinance 6857 (Capital Budget) The ordinance was approved on first reading and moved to second reading. Approval of the Consent Agenda Councilmember Hankins moved, seconded by Councilmember Langer, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Jones, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Hankins, Councilmember Langer and Councilmember Roe Excused: 2 - Mayor Buxbaum and Councilmember Rogers 5. PUBLIC HEARING - None 6. OTHER BUSINESS 6.A 13-0653 Comprehensive Plan Update Deliberation Process Principal Planner Todd Stamm reviewed the Comprehensive Plan process that began in 2009 and was originally scheduled to be completed in 2012. He reported the State extended the deadline to 2016. He indicated the City continued to work on City of Olympia Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 completing the Comprehensive Plan, but expanded the scope of work. Mr. Stamm noted the Land Use and Environment Committee recently discussed the Comprehensive Plan update process. The questions for Council discussion tonight are: 1) whether to extend the update completion from December, 2013 to June, 2014, 2) whether to retain a clear-writing consultant to make recommendations regarding the Council-review draft, and 3) whether the May addendum alternative should be returned to the Planning Commission for further review and refinement as soon as possible. Councilmember Langer, as Chair of the Land Use and Environment Committee, reviewed the Committee's recommendation to extend the timeline to June, 2014, retain the services of a third-party consultant to consult on "Plaintalk" guidelines, and return the Comprehensive Plan May addendum to the Planning Commission for additional review and refinement. Council Discussion: - Supportive of the June, 2014 extension in order to get a better document. - Suggest directing the Planning Commission to complete review by the end of February in order to move the Comprehensive Plan update toward completion. Staff indicated the Planning Commission can complete review by the end of December in order to get on the Council agenda for review prior to holding a public hearing. The Council reached consensus on the City Manager recommendation. 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 8. REPORTS AND REFERRALS 8.A COUNCIL INTERGOVERNMENTAL/COMMITTEE REPORTS AND REFERRALS Councilmember Cooper reported highlights from the HOME Consortium meeting he attended. Councilmember Langer reported highlights from the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting he attended. Councilmember Roe reported highlights from the General Government Committee meeting she attended. Councilmember Roe requested a referral to the General Government Committee to discuss restrooms downtown. The Council agreed to the referral. Councilmember Hankins reported highlights from the Thurston County TCCOM911 and Steering Committee for the Coalition of Neighborhoods meetings she attended. Mayor Pro Tem Jones reported highlights from the Intercity Transit Authority Board , City of Olympia Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Thurston Regional Planning Council, Sustainable Thurston Task Force and Community Renewal Area Ad Hoc Committee meetings he attended. Councilmember Roe asked if the Community Renewal Area Ad Hoc Committee has served its purpose and should now move to the full Council for future input and decisions, particularly with the downtown. Following discussion, it was agreed to work with the Council Secretary to notice future meetings for the ad hoc committee as a potential Council meeting when there is interest in other Councilmembers attending. 8.B CITY MANAGER'S REPORT AND REFERRALS City Manager Steve Hall reported the City got 11 bids and a 2.61 percent interest rate on a recent sale of water utility bonds. He said the number of bids and great interest rate were possible because of strong fiscal policies and reliable operational management. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. City of Olympia Page 7