City Council

CITY OF UNIVERSITY PLACE MINUTES Regular Meeting of the City Council Monday, October 21, 2024 1. CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Wood called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. With Mayor Pro Tem Wood not being able to Chair the meeting, the Council appointed Councilmember Worthington to act as a temporary Presiding Officer. 2. ROLL CALL U Roll call was taken by the City Clerk as follows: N Councilmember Boykin Present (virtual) O Councilmember Worthington Councilmember McCluskey Present Present FF Councilmember Flemming Councilmember Grassi Mayor Pro Tem Wood Present Present Present (virtual) IA Mayor Figueroa Excused IC Staff Present: City Manager Sugg, Assistant City Manager Faison, City Attorney Kaser, Administrative Services Director Petorak, Finance Director Blaisdell, Police Chief Burke, Public Safety Director Hales, Public Works Director Ecklund, Community and Economic Development Director Briske, Planning Manager George, Finance Analyst Nicholas, Finance Manager Oh, and City Clerk Genetia. L 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D Councilmember Flemming led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA O C MOTION: By Councilmember McCluskey, seconded by Councilmember Flemming, to approve the agenda. The motion carried. U 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None. M 6. CONSENT AGENDA EN MOTION: By Councilmember McCluskey, seconded by Councilmember Flemming, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Approve the minutes of the October 7, 2024 Council meeting as submitted. B. Receive and File: Payroll for the period ending 10/15/24; Claims dated 10/15/24. T The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING AND COUNCIL CONSIDERATION 7. PUBLIC HEARING: 2025-2026 BIENNIAL BUDGET Staff Report – Finance Director Blaisdell reported that the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget is balanced and fits the conservative financial assumptions for the City’s Operating, Capital, and Debt Management. The Operating budget is at core service levels and CIP projects continue to use local dollars to leverage  City Council Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 2 grants. Debt Management reflects an early payoff of the 2016 Bond debt with the remaining bond payments budgeted according to the City’s debt schedule. A request for three FTEs is included in the beginning of 2025. Tax revenues in 2025 are expected to increase slightly from the 2024 year-end estimates. It includes the statutorily allowed increase in the City ad valorem property tax in each year of the biennium. The 2025- 2026 budget is a status quo budget with a modest level of inflation assumed for expenditures. The City will continue to provide the best service it can, meeting all contractual, legal and debt obligations while exercising prudent cash management and maintaining its Strategic Reserve. Public Comment – None. The public hearing on the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget will continue until its adoption on November 18, 2024. 8. SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER AGREEMENT U Staff Report - Public Safety Administrator Hales presented a Resolution to approve the 2024-2026 N agreement between the City of University Place and the University Place School District for a School Liaison Officer. She indicated that the agreement would use an existing FTE to re-establish a law enforcement O presence in the schools through the 2026 school year. It will enhance school safety while also addressing operational gap in the City’s day-to-day police operations; strengthen relationship in the schools with staff, FF kids, and parents. The School District will reimburse the City for a portion of this existing staff member. Public Comment – None. IA Council Consideration – MOTION: By Councilmember McCluskey, seconded by Councilmember IC Flemming, to adopt a Resolution approving the 2024-2026 agreement between the City of University Place and University Place School District for a School Liaison Officer. The motion carried. (RESOLUTION NO. 1056) 9. L CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL COMMENTS/REPORTS D City Manager Sugg informed Council that Five Guys opened its doors last Friday, and that Cirque Park’s Inclusive Playground installation is underway. OC Councilmember Boykin expressed his appreciation to City Manager Sugg and Finance Director Blaisdell for their work on the 2025-2026 budget preparations. He also reported being present at the well-attended Oktoberfest event. U Councilmember McCluskey attended the Oktoberfest and Princess Tea events. She also attended the M Pierce County Regional Council meeting and shared information on its 2025 legislative proposals and presentation by the Pacific Northwest Veterans program. EN Councilmember Grassi attended the Five Guys opening, Alta Apartments ribbon-cutting, Oktoberfest, and Princess Tea events. She highlighted Happy Duo’s expanded menu. T Councilmember Flemming attended the Homestead Park ground-breaking ceremony and the Oktoberfest event and extended his kudos to staff for a successful event. He also attended the Pierce County Regional Council (PCRC) meeting and commented on PCRC’s legislative priorities aligning with that of AWC’s. Lastly, he encouraged the City Manager to connect with Pacific Northwest Veterans for a possible program presentation. Mayor Pro Tem Wood attended the Homestead Park ground-breaking ceremony and thanked the Park Advisory Commission and staff for the work and planning they did for the park project. He also attended the Alta Apartments ribbon-cutting event and represented the City at the Change of Responsibility of the Senior Warrant Officer of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis McChord.  City Council Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 3 STUDY SESSION 10. WEST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE REPORT West Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Sharp presented and shared information on a ballot measure asking the community to consider a new method of funding the fire department called Fire Benefit Charge (FBC). He indicated that the Fire Benefit Charge would reduce property taxes by eliminating its Maintenance and Operations Levy and reducing the statutory rate of the Regular Levy by 33%. Chief Sharp explained that the FBC is not a tax; it is not based on the assessed value of a parcel, and it does not apply to land. Fire Benefit Charge is a fee, calculated using a structure’s size, use, and fire risk factors; it considers that those who benefit more from the fire protection services should pay an equitable share to support the services. If approved, the Fire Benefit Charge will be established in 2025; and property taxes will be reduced by eliminating 100% of the District’s Maintenance and Operations Levy and reducing the statutory rate of the U Regular Levy by 33%. The FBC would be included in the 2025 property tax statements where single-family homeowners will generally see a reduction in what they pay to the fire department. N Chief Sharp answered questions with regard to fee equation for those structures equipped with sprinkler O systems; the process on how the FBC is paid; who sets the FBC rates, term and renewal process; shift in new methodology; FBC term options; comparison in types of fire risk factors; and fire risk factors that can FF be affected to reduce FBC for residential homes. 11. 2025-2026 BIENNIAL BUDGET – EXPENDITURES, COUNCIL GOALS AND COMMUNITY GRANTS ICIA Finance Director Blaisdell presented the second review phase of the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget focused on expenditures, community grants and new item requests. She indicated that any changes made during the budget review process will be included in the final budget documents for Council’s final approval. She noted that the City continues to be conservative with revenue and expenditure projections and that the L proposed budget assumes the annual statutorily allowed increase in the City’s ad valorem property tax in each year of the biennium. D The Operating budget is at core service levels and CIP projects continue to use local dollars to leverage grants. Debt Management reflects an early payoff of the 2016 Bond debt, reducing the City’s outstanding C debt by $17.1 million, and debt payments on remaining bonds are budgeted according to the City’s debt O schedule. The 2025-2026 budget includes staffing of 64.975 FTE and three new FTE positions; a 3.8% COLA in 2025 and an estimated 4.0% for 2026; benefit increases in medical, dental and FMLA; and new item requests by departments totaling $847,500, and $130,000 related to the 2025-2026 Council goals. U Public Works Director Ecklund discussed the staffing plan for the additional Parks/Public Works FTE. M The proposed budget includes a budgeted amount of $10,000 each year for community grants. Pursuant EN to our budget policies, staff needs reauthorization from Council to continue this appropriation in the 2025/2026 budget. It was suggested that the remaining budget balance for community grants be divided between the two current applicants at the end of the year. T A third study is scheduled for November 4 where discussion will focus on Capital Improvement Programs and final budget changes. A second public hearing on the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget is also scheduled for the same evening. The final public hearing and Council consideration is scheduled for November 18. 12. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Planning Manager George presented the two remaining elements of the Comprehensive Plan chapters: Shoreline Management and Parks, Open Space and Recreation. He indicated that the Shoreline Management Master Program (SMP) required under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was adopted in 1972 and has its own periodic update cycle – it was last updated in 2018 and will be required to be updated in 2029. The Shoreline Management element’s goals and policies were updated for consistency  City Council Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 4 with the 2018 SMP updates as well as with changes to the SMA and GMA requirements. The Shoreline Element was organized consistent with other elements in the Comprehensive Plan, and unneeded discussion within the policies were removed so that they stand on their own without additional explanation. He noted that these changes were submitted to the Department of Ecology for review and concurrence. The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space element contains goals, objectives, needs, and priorities for recreation and complements the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan). The Element was updated to match the 2020 PROS Plan; to be consistent with the GMA, MPPs and CPPs requirements; and to modify minor grammatical language. Questions were addressed with regard to the consideration of PSE’s comments on the energy components of the Comprehensive Plan; change in high water mark; changes in the Comprehensive Plan policies that might inadvertently effect change to the SMP policies; Park, Recreation and Open Space facilities and uses; and racial equity analysis report. U 13. 2025 ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES (AWC) LEGISLATIVE AGENDA N Councilmember Flemming reported on the diligent work that the AWC Legislative Priorities Committee has O done in narrowing down over 100 legislative proposals submitted for 2025. After several meetings to work on the proposals, the Committee has narrowed down the list to five category topics: Fiscal sustainability, FF Behavioral health treatment capacity, Housing supply, Public Safety and Infrastructure investment. 14. 2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IA Assistant City Manager Faison presented a list of the City’s legislative agenda for 2025 that is supportive IC of the Association of Washington Cities’ priorities and is consistent with the City’s goals with specific policy and funding proposals reflective of the City’s needs. Staff proposes the following policy issues: 1. Request legislative help to address police officer recruitment and retention, including increased funding L options and expanding BLEA training academies. 2. Request additional funding for the municipal criminal justice assistance account and local funding. 3. Request programs to reduce juvenile crimes and enhance juvenile behavioral health treatment. D 4. Request revision to the 1% property tax cap to reflect population growth and inflation. 5. Request direct and meaningful investments in local infrastructure, including support for preservation, maintenance, and operations. OC 6. Request expansion and flexibility in the use of city real estate excise tax (REET) revenue, including extension of the flexibility provided in 2021 by E2SHB 1069, allowing cities to use a portion of their REET revenue for maintenance and operations of parks and capital facilities. U After discussion, Council gave general support for items 2, 3, 5, and 6. M For state capital projects, staff suggest the following City-specific potential requests: EN 1. Day Island Bridge design – $800,000. $800,000 for the design of a replacement for the structurally deficient and functionally obsolete Day Island Bridge. The total project cost is estimated to be $20 Million. T 2. Traffic Signal Upgrade Project – $500,000 to upgrade all signals to the emergency battery backup, flashing left turn arrows, and ADA audible pedestrian standards. 3. Alameda Drive Street Lighting Improvements – $1 million to install streetlighting along Alameda Drive. For federal capital projects, staff suggests the following potential request: 1. Day Island Spit Road – $1.5 million to enhance the seawall, raise the South Spit Road and improve drainage to help address King Tide/Flooding issues. (To also include Sunset Beach.) Council gave general support for all state capital projects and federal capital projects requests, with a possible inclusion of state funding request for the Alameda North sidewalk improvement project.  City Council Minutes of October 21, 2024 Page 5 After Council explained/discussed their individual legislative suggestions, the following proposals gained support:  Expand accessibility and facilitate the development of childcare centers (including centers that are licensed to receive military families) by removing land use barriers. (To be re-worded to incorporate Councilmember McCluskey’s suggestion.)  Support and expand access to State grant funds for local governments following emergency events. (U.P. specific.)  Support and expand senior transportation options.  Request for the state to have a transparent and public process for the appropriation of opioid settlement funds being spent by the state. 15. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m. No other action was taken. U Submitted by, N Emy Genetia O City Clerk FF ICIA L D OC U M EN T