Public Hearings

Snohomish County Council Public Hearings Meeting Minutes Megan Dunn, Council Chair Jared Mead, Council Vice-Chair Councilmembers: Sam Low, Nate Nehring, Strom Peterson Wednesday, November 9, 2022 10:30 AM Jackson Board Room & Remote Meeting BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING PRESENT: Council Chair Dunn Council Vice-Chair Mead Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Peterson Heidi Beazizo, Interim Chief of Staff Jim Martin, Council Staff Nicole Gorle, Council Staff Ryan Countryman, Council Staff Deb Bell, Council Staff Ken Klein, Executive's Office Cheri Danner, Asst. Clerk of the Council Debbie Eco, Clerk of the Council CALL TO ORDER Council Chair Dunn called the public hearing to order at 10:30 a.m. and provided instructions for those wishing to provide public testimony for both in-person and remote via Zoom. ROLL CALL The clerk called the roll and stated that five members were present. The clerk read the titles of each budget ordinance and motion into the record. Page 1 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Jim Martin, Sr. Legislative Analyst, provided an overview of the 2023 Budget process and he thanked staff for their work. Chair Dunn opened the hearing for public testimony. There being no persons present wishing to provide testimony, she closed the testimony portion of the hearing. Council Sr. Legislative Analysts Jim Martin, Nicole Gorle, Deb Bell, Ryan Countryman, and, Heidi Beazizo, provided staff reports for all budget items as listed on the agenda . Ms. Gorle discussed Ord 22-056 related to the 2023-2028 CIP and explained the proposed amendments. She responded to clarifying questions related to the amendments. Council proceeded and began with taking actions on each budget item . ACTION ITEMS 1. Budget Ordinance 22-049, relating to property taxes, fixing the 2022-0981 2023 General Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and preserving future levy capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-049. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-049 carried unanimously. 2. Budget Ordinance 22-050, authorizing an increase in general tax 2022-0982 revenues for property taxes collected in 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-050. Chair Dunn seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring spoke in opposition of the property tax increase related ordinances in front of Council today. He said he expects the property tax ordinances to pass and explained that he has prepared an amendment included in the list [in Ordinance 22-059] which would make corresponding cuts to spending thereby eliminating the necessity of a property tax increase. Chair Dunn spoke in support of the ordinance and explained this is a modest increase and there was compelling input from staff and public. She added that schools, libraries, and fire districts are voted on by the public. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-050 carried three to two with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. Page 2 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 3. Budget Ordinance 22-051, relating to property taxes; fixing the 2022-0983 2023 Road Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and preserving future levy capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-051. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-051 carried unanimously. 4. Budget Ordinance 22-052, authorizing an increase in Road Tax 2022-0984 revenues for property taxes collected in 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-052. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-052 carried four to one with Councilmember Nehring voting against. 5. Budget Ordinance 22-053, relating to property taxes; fixing the 2022-0985 2023 Conservation Futures Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and Preserving Future Levy Capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-053. Councilmember Peterson seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-053 carried unanimously. 6. Budget Ordinance 22-054, authorizing an increase in conservation 2022-0986 futures tax revenues for property taxes collected in 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-054. Councilmember Peterson seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-054 carried three to two with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. 7. Budget Motion 22-412, approving the 2023 Surface Water 2022-0955 Management Annual Construction Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-412. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 8. Budget Motion 22-413, approving the 2023-2028 Surface Water 2022-0956 Management Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-413. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Page 3 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 9. Budget Ordinance 22-055, approving the 2023 Annual Construction 2022-0933 Plan for County Transportation Improvements ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-055. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-055 carried unanimously. 10. Budget Motion 22-414, adopting the 2023-2028 Six-Year 2022-0934 Transportation Improvement Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-414. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 11. Budget Motion 22-415, approving the 2023 Solid Waste 2022-0935 Management Division Annual Construction Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-415. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 12. Budget Motion 22-416, approving the 2023-2028 Solid Waste 2022-0936 Management Division Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-416. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 13. Budget Ordinance 22-056, relating to the Growth Management Act, 2022-0919 adopting the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program as part of the Snohomish County Capital Facilities Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-056. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Ms. Bell briefly explained Amendment Sheet 2 and Mr. Martin clarified the necessary order of consideration of the amendments. He responded to questions from Chair Dunn. Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 2. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Ms. Gorle provided a recap of Amendments 3, 3A, and 4, and responded to questions from councilmembers. She also explained Amendment 15C and 15B of the main Budget Ordinance 22-059 Page 4 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 4. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance 22-056, as amended, carried unanimously. 14. Budget Ordinance 22-057, adopting the 2022-2027 Capital 2022-0921 Facilities Plans for the Arlington No. 16, Edmonds No. 15, Everett No. 2, Lake Stevens No. 4, Lakewood No. 306, Marysville No. 25, Monroe No. 103, Mukilteo No. 6, Snohomish No. 201, and Sultan No. 311 School Districts, and the 2022-2028 Capital Facilities Plan for the Northshore No. 417 School District Pursuant to SCC 30.66C.020 and Amending the School Impact Fee Schedule in SCC 30.66C.100 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-057. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-057 carried unanimously. 15. Budget Motion 22-417, approving the 2023 Department of Human 2022-0957 Services Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-417. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 16. Budget Motion 22-418, approving the 2023 Department of 2022-0962 Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-418. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 17. Budget Motion 22-419, approving the 2023 Department of 2022-0963 Conservation and Natural Resources Weatherization Program Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-419. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 18. Budget Motion 22-420, approving the 2023 Sheriff’s Office Grant 2022-0960 Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-420. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Page 5 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 19. Budget Motion 22-421, approving the 2023 Prosecuting Attorney’s 2022-0959 Office Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-421. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 20. Budget Motion 22-422, approving the 2023 Superior Court Grant 2022-0961 Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-422. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 21. Budget Motion 22-423, approving the 2023 Department of 2022-0958 Emergency Management Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-423. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 22. Budget Motion 22-424, approving the schedule of rental rates to be 2022-0929 charged by Fleet Services Division in 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-424. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 23. Budget Motion 22-471, establishing reimbursement allocations for 2022-1160 Council Office travel expenses in the 2023 Budget pursuant to SCC 3.36.010 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Motion 22-471. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 24. Ordinance 22-039, approving a system of rates and charges 2022-0886 proposed by the Snohomish Conservation District pursuant to RCW 89.08.405 for natural resource conservation purposes on all non-exempt real property located within Snohomish Conservation District and Snohomish County for a ten-year period beginning in 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-039. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-039 carried four to one with Councilmember Nehring voting against. Page 6 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 25. Budget Ordinance 22-058, relating to the Election Equipment 2022-0892 Cumulative Reserve Fund 189, amending chapter 4.73 SCC ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-058. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance 22-058 carried unanimously. 26. Budget Ordinance 22-059, adopting the 2023 Budget and making 2022-0987 appropriations for the operation of County Agencies and Departments and Capital Improvements for the period beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023 ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-059. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Amendment 1A - Council amendment Chair Dunn provided comments related to the Council amendment and the clerk displayed the summary table. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1A. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 2A related to positions in the Assessor’s Office Chair Dunn spoke to Amendment Sheet 2. She explained Amendment Sheet 2 is for three project positions with the Assessor’s Office and she has a substitute Amendment Sheet for one FTE position instead. Vice-Chair Mead provided supportive comments for one FTE position. Councilmember Low explained he would be voting against the walk-on amendment since this is the first he is hearing about it, yet he appreciated the compromise. ACTION: Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 2A. Vice-Chair Mead seconded the motion and it carried three to two with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. Amendment Sheet 3 related to facilities upgrades and moves ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 3. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring spoke in opposition of the amendment. Page 7 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 3 carried four to one with Councilmember Nehring voting against. Amendment Sheet 4 and 12 related to Diversity Equity and Inclusion Workgroup Vice-Chair Mead spoke to Amendment Sheet 4. Brief discussion ensued related to Amendments 4 and 12 and Councilmember Nehring explained he would support the amendment. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 12. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 4. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 6 and 20 related to Office of Public Defense Conflict Panel Councilmember Peterson spoke to Amendment Sheet 6 and a Walk-On Amendment Sheet 20. Councilmember Low thanked Councilmember Peterson for bringing this amendment forward and stated he would be supportive. Councilmember Nehring also thanked Councilmember Peterson for bringing this forward but explained he would only be supporting the condition but not the underlying amendment. Responding to Vice-Chair Mead, Ken Klein, Executive’s Office, explained the Executive’s Office supports Amendments 6 and 20. Vice-Chair Mead and Chair Dunn expressed support. Mr. Klein responded to additional questions from Chair Dunn and Councilmember Nehring. ACTION: Councilmember Peterson made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 6. Vice-Chair Mead seconded the motion and it carried four to one with Councilmember Nehring voting against. ACTION: Councilmember Peterson made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 20. Vice-Chair Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Page 8 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Amendment Sheet 7 related to reclass of two Deputy Sheriff Officers ACTION: Councilmember Low made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 7. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. Chair Dunn explained that she would be voting a “polite no” on this and explained she would like to see the results of the class and comp study completed on this. Vice-Chair Mead and Councilmember Nehring provided supportive comments. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 7 carried four to one with Chair Dunn voting against. Amendment Sheet 8 related to additional funds for Superior Court translation services ACTION: Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 8. Vice-Chair Mead seconded the motion. Council wanted to consider Amendment Sheet 17 prior to Amendment 8. Chair Dunn withdrew her motion. Amendment Sheet 17 related to translation services in Superior Court - offset of funds Chair Dunn provided and explanation for Amendment Sheet 17. ACTION: Councilmember Nehring made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 17. Chair Dunn seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 8 related to additional funds for Superior Court translation services ACTION: Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 8. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 9 related to carryover of unspent 2022 Small Capital Project Partnerships Funds Mr. Martin provided a summary of Amendment Sheet 9. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 9. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 10 related to General Fund cuts to eliminate 1% property tax increase ACTION: Councilmember Nehring made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 10. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Page 9 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Vice-Chair Mead shared his appreciation for Councilmember Nehring’s work on this and how he looked for savings but said he didn’t agree with where he found savings and explained he would be voting no on the amendment. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 10 failed two to three with Councilmembers Peterson, Mead, and Dunn voting against. Amendment Sheet 11 related to carry over under expenditure for Social Justice Initiatives within Nondepartmental ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 11. Councilmember Peterson seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring provided comment. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 11 carried three to two with Councilmembers Nehring and Low voting against. Amendment Sheet 13 related to funding for Domestic Violence Coordinators ACTION: Councilmember Low made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 13. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring thanked Councilmember Peterson for finding a funding source for this. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 13 carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 14 related to ARPA spending plan ACTION: Councilmember Nehring made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 14. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 15C related to REET II Projects ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 15C. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Chair Dunn summarized Amendment Sheet 15C. Councilmember Low thanked Chair Dunn for working with him on this amendment. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 15C carried unanimously. Page 10 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Amendment Sheet 15B related to CIP/Capital section of Operating Budget ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 15B. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 16B related to conditioning a portion of 2023 Nondepartmental Budget Chair Dunn expressed her support for Amendment Sheet 16B. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 16B. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 18 related to removing “ghost” positions in the Sheriff’s Office and Corrections Bureau Chair Dunn explained Amendment Sheet 18 is a housekeeping amendment. Councilmember Low also stated that this was a friendly amendment offered by the Sheriff’s Office. ACTION: Councilmember Low made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 18. Chair Dunn seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Amendment Sheet 19 related to independent analysis of Executive and Legislative Branch staffing efficiencies Councilmember Nehring explained Amendment Sheet 19. He said this would not add any spending. Councilmember Peterson spoke in support of the amendment. ACTION: Councilmember Nehring made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 19. Vice-Chair Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Councilmember Nehring provided comments related to this budget. He stated that public safety is his top priority and he spoke further about the inclusions in this budget that he is particularly proud of related to public safety. He said he will be supporting this budget today and thanked Council staff for their work during the budget process. Councilmember Low echoed Councilmember Nehring’s comments. He said he appreciated the councilmembers’ differences and the ability in finding common ground. He said he will be supporting this budget and also thanked Council staff, department heads, and Executive staff during the budget process. Councilmember Peterson provided comments and thanked the staff, as well. Page 11 of 12 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2022 Vice-Chair Mead agreed with the previous councilmembers’ comments. He thanked the staff, Executive team, Becky Guadamud, DPA, and Ms. Beazizo, Interim Chief of Staff. He also spoke about education and early learning and said he is fully committed to work on investing in early learning and childcare. Chair Dunn joined in to thank staff and Ms. Guadamud. She said it has been an honor to be the Chair and lead the process and proceedings. ACTION: The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 22-059, as amended, carried unanimously. ACTION: Vice-Chair Mead made a motion to instruct staff to enter all amendments and to produce final documents and tables, adjusting as necessary for nominal changes in amounts due to system calculations. Councilmember Low seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business, Council Chair Dunn adjourned the Council for the day at 12:13 p.m. Page 12 of 12