Public Hearings

Snohomish County Council Public Hearings Meeting Minutes Stephanie Wright, Council Chair Megan Dunn, Council Vice-Chair Councilmembers: Sam Low, Nate Nehring, Jared Mead Wednesday, July 21, 2021 10:30 AM Jackson Board Room & Remote Meeting CALL TO ORDER Council Chair Wright called the public hearing to order at 10:30 a.m. ROLL CALL The clerk called the roll and stated that all five members were present. ACTION ITEMS PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Deb Bell, Council Staff Elena Lao, Asst. Clerk of the Council 1. Ordinance 21-032, relating to the requirements for utilities in county 2021-0293 right-of-way and amending chapters 2.02, 13.10, 13.50, 13.60, 13.80 and 13.110 of the Snohomish County Code Council Chair Wright opened the hearing and the clerk read the ordinance title into the record. Deb Bell, Legislative Analyst, provided a staff report. Page 1 of 6 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes July 21, 2021 Council Chair Wright opened the hearing for public testimony and provided instructions for remote participation in the Zoom meeting. There being no persons present wishing to provide public testimony, she closed the testimony portion of the hearing calling for a motion or discussion of the Council. ACTION: Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance 21-032. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 21-032 carried unanimously. PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Heidi Beazizo, Council Staff Elena Lao, Asst. Clerk of the Council 2. Ordinance 21-040, approving and authorizing the County Executive 2021-0406 to Execute an Interlocal Agreement by and between Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue and Snohomish County for Evergreen State Fair Park Fire Protection and Related Services Council Chair Wright opened the hearing and the clerk read the ordinance title into the record. Heidi Beazizo, Senior Legislative Analyst, provided a staff report. Council Chair Wright opened the hearing for public testimony and provided instructions for remote participation in the Zoom meeting. There being no persons present wishing to provide public testimony, she closed the testimony portion of the hearing calling for a motion or discussion of the Council. ACTION: Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance 21-040. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 21-040 carried unanimously. Page 2 of 6 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes July 21, 2021 PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Jim Martin, Council Staff Nathan Kennedy, Finance Director Elena Lao, Asst. Clerk of the Council *See name listed below of individuals providing public comment. 3. Amended Ordinance 21-039, amending Military Leave portion of 2021-0442 Chapter 3A.06.060 Snohomish County Code Council Chair Wright opened the hearing and the clerk read the ordinance title into the record. Jim Martin, Senior Legislative Analyst, provided a staff report and explained the Proposed Amendment 1. Council Chair Wright opened the hearing for public testimony and provided instructions for remote participation in the Zoom meeting. The following individual provided public testimony: Joe Davis, a County employee and military member, testified in support of the proposed ordinance. There being no further persons present wishing to provide public testimony, she closed the testimony portion of the hearing calling for a motion or discussion of the Council. Mr. Martin, along with Nathan Kennedy, Finance Director, provided additional information and responded to questions relating to Proposed Amendment 1. Councilmember Nehring thanked Mr. Davis, as well as other County employees who are members of the U.S. armed forces, for their service. He further explained the merits of the proposed ordinance to provide assistance to military members who suffer financial loss when called to active duty. Councilmember Mead also thanked Mr. Davis and expressed support of the proposed ordinance. Council Vice-Chair Dunn thanked everyone for working together in bringing the ordinance forward for consideration. Page 3 of 6 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes July 21, 2021 Councilmember Low also expressed appreciation to military members and he hopes that business will also follow suit in support of their military employees. ACTION: Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance 21-039. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Proposed Amendment 1. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 21-039, as amended, carried unanimously. PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Jim Martin, Council Staff Elena Lao, Asst. Clerk of the Council *See name listed below of individuals providing public comment. 4. Amended Ordinance 21-045, relating to Covid-19 Premium Pay for 2021-0477 eligible Snohomish County Employees Council Chair Wright opened the hearing and the clerk read the ordinance title into the record. Jim Martin, Senior Legislative Analyst, provided a staff report and explained the Proposed Amendment 1. In response to questions, Mr. Martin explained eligibility and clarified that employees who have left County employment would not receive retroactive pay. Council Chair Wright opened the hearing for public testimony and provided instructions for remote participation in the Zoom meeting. The following individual provided public testimony: Karen Rosebud, a resident of Snohomish County, testified with concerns on using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for providing premium pay for the Sheriff's Office. Page 4 of 6 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes July 21, 2021 There being no further persons present wishing to provide public testimony, she closed the testimony portion of the hearing calling for a motion or discussion of the Council. Councilmember Low spoke in support of County employees, especially Sheriff deputies, who have worked every day through the pandemic. ACTION: Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance 21-045. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Proposed Amendment 1. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 21-045, as amended, carried unanimously. WALK-ON MOTION PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Jim Martin, Council Staff Elena Lao, Asst. Clerk of the Council Motion 21-253, approval of the agreement between Snohomish 2021-0542 County and Snohomish Health District for Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Council Chair Wright informed the Council of a walk-on motion for consideration. Jim Martin, Senior Legislative Analyst, explained that the proposed agreement authorizes grant funding for premium pay for qualified employees of the Snohomish Health District. He also noted that the proposed agreement has been approved by the Snohomish Health District Board of Health. Councilmember Low requested for recess to further review the walk-on motion. At 11:00 a.m., Council Chair Wright called for a five-minute recess. At 11:05 am., Council Chair Wright reconvened the Council. Page 5 of 6 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes July 21, 2021 Council Chair Wright thanked Ken Klein, Executive Director, as well as the Snohomish Health District and Prosecuting Attorney's Office for working on the proposed motion. Discussion ensued as Mr. Martin responded to questions and explained that retroactive pay of past employees is prohibited, pursuant to the State Constitution and Revised Code of Washington. He further explained that only current and qualified employees would be eligible to receive premium pay. Councilmember Mead spoke in support of the proposed motion. ACTION: Council Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion 21-253. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business for the day, Council Chair Wright adjourned the public hearing at 11:12 p.m. Page 6 of 6