MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LACEY CITY COUNCIL HELD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015, IN LACEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Ryder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Ryder led the pledge of allegiance. COUNCIL PRESENT: A. Ryder, C. Pratt, V. Clarkson, J. Gadman, L. Greenstein, M. Steadman, J. Hearn STAFF PRESENT: APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA: S. Spence, D. Schneider, T. Woo, D. Pierpoint, L. Flemm, R. Walk, S. Kirkman, C. Litten, S. Schelling Consent Agenda Items: A. Council minutes of November 12, 2015 B. Approve payment of claims, wages, and transfers for 11/11/2015 through 11/24/2015. COUNCILMEMBER GREENSTEIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND AGENDA. DEPUTY MAYOR PRATT SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC RECOGNITION: Mayor Ryder presented a certificate of recognition to Christy Bermensolo, CEO, and Carolyn Popp, Co-Founder, of Engineering Software Inc. for their generous contributions to the community. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ron Nesbitt spoke about the sovereignty of the black nation and his efforts to achieve this goal. He commented on his attendance at the recent Black Alliance Forum. PUBLIC HEARING At 7:09 p.m., Mayor Ryder opened the final public hearing on the proposed 2016 Budget to accept public comment and to Page 1 of 6
provide staff with any guidance or direction regarding the budget. The total proposed 2016 Budget is $128,447,733, which is an increase of $2,554,866 compared to the amended 2015 Budget. Increasing labor costs and transfers between funds to implement the City Council s committed reserve designations contributed to the increase. The increases are offset by revenue growth primarily from new construction sales tax and the use of reserves. The total proposed General Fund Budget is $42,401,629. This is an increase of $2,696,770 or 6.8 percent compared to the amended 2015 General Fund Budget. The following changes have been made to the proposed 2016 Budget since the City Manager presented it on October 22, 2015: The 2016 property tax projection has been increased $16,966 from the addition of the annual refund levy calculation. $3,000 has been added for the District Court service contract with Thurston County. $5,000 has been added to the budget for anticipated social media content archiving services. The City Council is scheduled to adopt the 2016 Budget on December 17, 2015. No public comments were received. Mayor Ryder closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. REFERRAL FROM HEARINGS EXAMINER: Sarah Schelling, Associate Planner, stated the City received a request from Providence Health Services for Conditional Use Permit Project #14-262 approval, and a Class IV Forest Practices permit to convert an existing chemical dependency center to a medical clinic. A public hearing was held on November 3, 2015. No public comments were received. Discussion was related to landscaping and buffer requirements to adjacent residential uses, as well as stormwater management. Page 2 of 6
The recommendation from the Hearings Examiner is as suggested by staff. Staff requests Council approval of the proposal, including adoption of findings, conclusions and conditions outlined in the H.E. report of November 13, 2015. COUNCILMEMBER GADMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APROVAL FOR THE PROVIDENCE HEALTH SERVICES MEDICAL CLINIC. COUNCILMEMBER GREENSTEIN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS: Resolution No. 1032 sets the declaration of substantial need to increase Ad Valorem Tax Levy by one percent. Each year the taxing districts must certify their budgets and property tax levies by November 30 or the County Assessor will use the previous year s certified levy amounts. A required step to establishing the property tax levy is the passage of a separate ordinance or resolution stating the property tax increases in dollar and percentage terms. DEPUTY MAYOR PRATT MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 1032 FOR DECLARATION OF SUBSTANTIAL NEED TO INCREASE AD VALOREM TAX LEVY BY ONE PERCENT RESOLUTION. COUNCILMEMBER GADMAN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. MAYOR S REPORT: Mayor Ryder announced he represented the city in a panel discussion during the Thurston County Leadership Government Day. The program is designed to promote leadership skills for those interested in serving their community. Mayor Ryder announced that Council participated in the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony this evening at Huntamer Park. Page 3 of 6
CITY MANAGER S REPORT: Lori Flemm, Parks & Recreation Director, presented Council with a request to approve an Agreement with RCO for Woodland Creek Trail Connection Project. COUNCILMEMBER STEADMAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH RCO FOR THE WOODLAND CREEK TRAIL CONNECTION PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER HEARN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL COMMITTEES: General Government Committee Deputy Mayor Pratt reported the committee met on November 9, 2015, to receive an annual review of property retained by the police department, and to discuss the Pleasant Glade Neighborhood Park Forest Management Plan. Utilities Committee Councilmember Gadman reported the committee met on November 13, 2015, to discuss the 2016-2020 South Sound Green Interlocal Agreement, and the Hicks Lake Monitoring Agreement. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS: EDC Michael Cade, Executive Director, provided an update of recent activities and events. Funding for the Technical Assistance Program has been extended for two years. Mr. Cade and EDC members met Polish representatives to discuss potential business opportunities. An Innovation Expo will be held on December 10 for Thurston County and surrounding counties. HOME Consortium & Community Investment Partnership (CIP) Councilmember Clarkson reported discussions continued regarding south county s participation as a member of CIP, even though they do not contribute funding to the program. One member has indicated they will not vote in support of an amended agreement, unless south county is allowed to participate. In addition, Lacey has offered to increase its funding amount, but only if all other jurisdictions contribute equally. Page 4 of 6
Mayor Ryder adjourned to a Worksession at 8:07 p.m. Mayor Ryder suggested that Council continue this discussion during the worksession. Council consented. Intercity Transit Councilmember Gadman reported the Board approved a contract with Match Route for route scheduling. In addition, the Board increased the pool of money for discounted bus passes from $200,000 to $300,000. JASCOM Councilmember Gadman reported the Board passed its 2016 Budget. Each city s contribution will increase by 2.6%. SPSCC / EDC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CONTRACT AMENDMENT STAFF: ACTION: DR. DAVID PILKEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES, SPSCC CECELIA NIGHTINGALE, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS INNOVATION, SPSCC GARY ADEN, PROGRAM MANAGER, AND DAN SCHNABEL WITH THURSTON COUNTY URBAN PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM MICHAEL CADE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL COUNCIL AGREED TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CDGB CONTRACT AMENDMENT AT THE DECEMBER 17, 2015, COUNCIL MEETING. In March 2014, the City, through the Urban Partnership CDBG Program, awarded $836,510 to five proposals, including: $382,786 to the Housing Authority of Thurston County for acquisition and preservation of affordable rental housing. $250,000 to HomesFirst! for acquisition and renovation of affordable rental housing. $46,879 to Community Youth Services for transitional housing weatherization and upgrades. $88,116 to the Community Action Council s Monarch Children s Justice and Advocacy Center. $68,729 to South Puget Sound Community College s Camo-to-Credit program. Upon review of its curriculum, Dr. Pilkey has determined that the college will be able to resourcefully implement the Camo-to-Credit program without expending CDBG funds. The college is therefore proposing augmenting a Veteran-focused project that will further enhance Veteran support programs and services at the Lacey campus. The Center for Business & Innovation (EDC) proposes to offer a Veteran Microenterprise Program Center for business and innovation. The program is designed to facilitate the launch of successful Page 5 of 6
veteran-owned microenterprises, and qualifies for CDBG income limit for a single-person household of $41,550. The VMP would increase success for new veteran-owned businesses by providing assistance and mentoring through the business planning process. The program would include case management services and provide small grants ($5,000 or less) that would allow the veteran to meet the business s capital needs. Councilmember Gadman moved to award $68,000 to the Veteran Microenterprise Program Center. Councilmember Steadman seconded. Following further discussion, Councilmember Gadman withdrew the motion. FUNDING FOR HOME CONSORTIUM AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP STAFF: ACTION: SCOTT SPENCE, CITY MANAGER GARY ADEN, PROGRAM MANAGER, THURSTON COUNTY URBAN PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM DISCUSS PROCESS FOR SHARED FUNDING BETWEEN THE HOME CONSORTIUM AND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (CIP). Elected representatives of the HOME Consortium and Community Investment Partnership have been discussing a proposal to combine funding to more effectively levy social service dollars. As a result, there has been further discussion of whether non-participating south county jurisdictions should be allowed to receive funding without contributing revenue. Following discussion, the Council generally agreed that south county jurisdictions should contribute ½ of 1% of sales tax revenue in order to participate. In addition, if funding is increased by any one jurisdiction, then the increase should be equitable across the board. As Lacey s representative to the HOME Consortium and Community Investment Partnership, Councilmember Clarkson thanked Council for their input and will share its intent at the next meeting. Mayor Ryder adjourned the Worksession at 9:15 p.m. MAYOR: ATTESTED BY CITY CLERK: DATE APPROVED: Page 6 of 6