CITY OF UNIVERSITY PLACE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
City Hall, Windmill Village
1. CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Keel called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken by the City Clerk as follows:
|
Councilmember Figueroa |
|
Present |
|
Councilmember Grassi |
|
Present |
|
Councilmember McCluskey |
|
Excused |
|
Councilmember Nye |
|
Present |
|
Councilmember Worthington |
|
Present |
|
Mayor Pro Tem Belleci |
|
Present |
|
Mayor Keel |
|
Present |
Staff Present: City Manager Sugg, City Attorney Kaser, Executive Director/ACM Craig, Finance Director Blaisdell, Public Safety Manager Hales and City Clerk Genetia.
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Belleci, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to excuse Councilmember McCluskey’s absence.
The motion carried.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Nye led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Belleci , seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2018 meeting as submitted.
The motion carried.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Belleci, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the agenda.
The motion carried.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Information Booth Volunteers – Helen McDaniel and Bunny Nance talked to Council about the formation and efforts of the U.P. Community Information Center located in the atrium of the Civic Building. The Center is manned and supported by volunteers who provide public information on community events and activities.
2018 Second Quarter Financial Report – Finance Director Leslie Blaisdell presented the second quarter 2018 Financial Report, giving a summary of revenues and expenditures.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS – The following individuals provided public comment: Cheryl Hill, 4904 93rd Avenue West; Howard Lee, 8302 41st Street West; and Melanie Kirk-Stauffer, 6909 Twin Hills Drive West.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Belleci, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Receive and File: Payroll for the period ending 08/15/18, dated 08/20/18, in the total amount of Two Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety-Six and 23/100 Dollars ($231,796.23); and Payroll for the period ending 08/31/18, dated 09/05/18, in the total amount of Three Hundred Seven Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Seven and 13/100 Dollars ($307,527.13).
B. Receive and File: 2018 Second Quarter Financial Report.
C. Adopt a resolution authorizing cancellation of checks not presented for payment within one year. (RESOLUTION NO. 871)
The motion carried.
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
9. COUNCIL TRAINING POLICY
Staff Report – City Attorney Kaser presented a resolution that would simplify the approval process for Council training by allocating to each Council member a specific amount to govern their own training, travel, and conference expenses. With the sole exception of the Mayor’s allocation, Councilmembers’ funds will be non-transferable. It also establishes a common fund for Council-initiated training, the use of which will require Councilmembers to provide an advance report to Council on the nature and duration of the event, and the benefit to the community made by the Councilmember’s attendance. Additionally, it would require Councilmembers to make a report to Council on the nature and/or lessons learned from the conference/seminar he/she attended.
Public Comment – None.
Council Consideration – MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Belleci, seconded by Councilmember Worthington, to adopt a resolution amending travel policies and reimbursement of expenses incurred while on official city business.
The motion carried. (RESOLUTION NO. 872)
10. CITY MANAGER & COUNCIL COMMENTS/REPORTS
City Manager Sugg reported on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery training course that he and others attended. In addition, he announced the completion of the Mildred Street overlay project and provided information on the 27th Street roadway improvement project that is underway.
Mayor Pro Tem Belleci provided an overview on what she learned from the FEMA Disaster Recovery training she attended last week.
Councilmember Figueroa also imparted some key factors on disaster recovery efforts.
Mayor Keel shared a concern voiced by a constituent regarding the condition of the property on the corner of 27th and Grandview. He also highlighted upcoming agenda items.
Councilmember Worthington thanked Mayor Pro Tem Belleci and Councilmember Figueroa for attending the FEMA training.
STUDY SESSION
11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CODE UPDATE
City Attorney Kaser, along with Public Safety Manager Hales, presented proposed changes to the City’s Emergency Management Code. The update would bring in line a number of current practices involving emergency management. Changes include: (1) separating duties of the City Manager and the Director of Emergency Management; (2) streamlining emergency declaration; and (3) updating and removing outdated cross-references for readability.
In view of Council’s discussion, a study session will be scheduled to further discuss and obtain additional information/clarification on concerns with regard to the authority for declaring emergency; understanding/defining the “power” and scope for declaring an emergency; the organizational structure; defining the “state” of declaring emergency and the criteria around it; and the use of the City’s reserves for funding.
12. BUSINESS RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE
City Attorney Kaser provided an overview on draft legislation that would provide credit (up to $275 per job) against eligible fees imposed by the City of University Place to any businesses that create new jobs within the City that hire five or more employees who are each paid at least $65,000 per year. Mr. Kaser reviewed the application process for those businesses who desire to take advantage of the credit as well the guiding factors and authority on whether to grant waiver or deferral of fees.
Council agreed to have staff bring back legislation with the following changes: lower the dollar threshold from $65,000 to $55,000; to include a minimum time period for job existence to realize the City’s investment and to include a credit structure/method in place.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. No other action was taken.
Submitted by,
Emy Genetia
City Clerk