CITY OF UNIVERSITY PLACE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
Monday, June 15, 2020
(Remote Participation)
1. CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Belleci called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken by the City Clerk as follows:
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Councilmember Figueroa |
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Present |
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Councilmember Keel |
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Present |
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Councilmember Pro Tem Lee |
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Present |
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Councilmember McCluskey |
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Present |
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Councilmember Flemming |
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Present |
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Mayor Pro Tem Worthington |
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Present |
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Mayor Belleci |
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Present |
Staff Present: City Manager Sugg, City Attorney Kaser, Police Chief Premo, Finance Director Blaisdell, Engineering and Capital Projects Director Ecklund and City Clerk Genetia.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember McCluskey led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Worthington, seconded by Councilmember Keel to approve the agenda.
The motion carried unanimously.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Worthington, seconded by Councilmember Flemming, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Approve the minutes of the June 1, 2020 Council meeting as submitted.
B. Receive and File: Payroll for period ending 05/21/20; and Claims dated 05/15/20 and 05/29/20.
C. Adopt a resolution accepting the donation of the statue named “Forever Friends.” (RESOLUTION NO. 921)
D. Authorize the City Manager to approve the GovPilot Proposal/Master Subscription Agreement for Alarm Permitting services at an annual rate of $16,668.00, totaling $83,340.00 for the period covering July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025.
E. Confirm Emergency Order #5 issued by the City Manager in response to the COVID-19 Emergency.
F. Adopt a resolution appointing voting delegates to the 2020 Association of Washington Cities’ Annual Business Meeting. (RESOLUTION NO. 922)
The motion carried unanimously.
7. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Staff Report – Engineering and Capital Projects Director Ecklund presented a resolution that would authorize the transfer of park property to public right-of-way to accommodate the 67th Avenue Phase I project. This project will construct curb, gutter, sidewalks, bike lanes, street lighting, landscaping, and driveway improvements along 67th Avenue West between Regents Boulevard and 40th Street. He indicated that the City has received federal grant funding for the design and right-of-way acquisition for this project. In order to accommodate these improvements, a 5-foot wide strip of right-of-way is needed to be acquired along the 6th Avenue frontage of the Paradise Pond Park property. He explained that 23 CFR 774 requires that [Section 4(f)] De Minimis Impact Determination be conducted for any project that proposes the use of park property to accommodate federally funded transportation facilities. Director Ecklund stated that the City has performed this determination and concluded the project will not negatively impact the park. Rather this project will result in improved pedestrian and vehicular access to the park; sidewalks will provide safe dedicated facilities for pedestrians walking to the park; street lighting will improve the safety and visibility for all park users (motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians); and improved driveway entrance will provide increased sight distance and safety for motorists entering and exiting the park. Public Works and Parks Director Cooper and Parks Commission have reviewed the proposed right-of-way transfer and improvements and have concurred with the De Minimis Impact Determination.
Public Comment – None.
Council Consideration – MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Worthington, seconded by Councilmember Keel, to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to take the necessary steps to dedicate a 5 ft wide strip of property from Paradise Pond Park for public ROW in order to accommodate improvements for the 67th Avenue Phase 1 project.
The motion carried. (RESOLUTION NO. 923)
8. CITY MANAGER & COUNCIL COMMENTS/REPORTS
City Manager Sugg provided an update on the Cirque Drive Phase 3 project. This final phase of the project is funded by a $1.8 million federal grant and a $300,000 local match from the SWM program. The project will begin next week and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.
Councilmember Keel thanked the organizers, participants, and the police for the very peaceful demonstrations over the past week. He believes and hopes that the Council will be able to discuss how this topic impacts the City and what to do about it.
Councilmember McCluskey informed the public that the Point Defiance Zoo is reopening its doors to the public on June 18. She echoed Councilmember Keel’s comment and expressed her appreciation for the peaceful and thoughtful protests as well as for the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem’s presence to learn and listen. To add to Councilmember Keel’s comment, she asked that the City consider a proclamation on having a stance against racial biases and from there establish a resolution to study the issue, with public participation/input in the process.
Councilmember Flemming thanked Councilmember Keel for bringing up this difficult topic that took a tragic event to be put on the forefront, not just at the local community, but the nation and the world. He joined Councilmember McCluskey not only in calling for a proclamation, but also to echo Councilmember Keel’s comment. He believes that the citizens of our community deserve more conversation/dialogue on this topic. Additionally, he gave a shout-out to the community’s 2020 graduates.
Mayor Pro Tem Worthington related that it was a great pleasure to be a part of the many well-wishers of the 2020 Curtis High School graduates. He also reported that he, Mayor Belleci and Councilmember Keel participated in passing out personal protection devices to Pierce County businesses as part of Pierce County’s economic stabilization assistance. Joining his fellow Councilmembers, Mayor Pro Tem Worthington asks that Council as a group move to examine this issue to help find a better way to end the injustices that citizens in our community and around the United States have endured.
Mayor Belleci reported that she had discussions with Public Safety Commission Chair Ed Wood, staff and Police Chief about having a public forum, hopefully sometime at the end of July (Phase 3 of Safe Start proclamation), to invite the community for a discussion regarding this issue so that it can be moved forward to Council’s agenda. Mayor Belleci has committed to using her “Meet up with the Mayor” to allow citizens to come and express their viewpoints and ideas.
STUDY SESSION
9. 2019-2020 BIENNIAL BUDGET CARRYFORWARD ADJUSTMENT
Finance Director Blaisdell presented the 2019-2020 budget adjustments reflecting the carryforward of funding from 2019 and re-appropriation in 2020. The re-appropriation is comprised primarily of beginning fund balance, capital improvement projects, I.T. internal service fund, and new and continuing grant funding. Notwithstanding the changes, Director Blaisdell indicated that the City’s financial position overall, as reflected in the financial forecast, has not materially changed. She noted that the adjustments do not include reductions to revenues or expenses related to COVID-19 impacts. Most impacted revenues are received on a 2-month delay thus the City does not know the total effect – initial impacts to revenues are estimated to be $1.1 million. She stated that department heads have identified expense cuts totaling $1.5 million that they will be managing down to. The City Manager has indicated that additional adjustments will be made as needed or as requested by Council. All expenditures will be reviewed in September as part of the 2021-2022 biennial budget process. Director Blaisdell highlighted the significant changes in Restricted and CIP funds; and revenue adjustments in the General Fund, Street Fund, Development Services and Police/Public Safety, as well as proposed expenditure projection changes in the General Fund. She indicated that the financial forecast has been updated to include all the carryforward adjustments and that all existing services and legal and contractual obligations can be met with existing revenues through the forecast period.
A public hearing on the 2019-2020 biennial budget carryforward will be held on July 6, 2020.
Discussion followed regarding the financial impact of COVID-19; concerns were expressed regarding the second quarter financial result.
10. COUNCIL RULES
City Attorney Kaser provided a recap of Council’s January 2020 Retreat where it reviewed and discussed changes to Council Rules of Procedure - (1) addressing absences; (2) setting forth a timeline when to discuss extended absences that might trigger the need for a councilmember pro tempore appointment; and (3) remote participation. He stated that due to COVID-19, remote participation has been separately adopted on March 16, 2020. He indicated that at the January retreat, Council had arrived at a broad consensus with regard to the two other proposed amendments – (1) Council expressed support for a rule which an absent councilmember could notify a particular individual, and then the Clerk would simply announce the councilmember as “excused,” during roll call. To accommodate those instances where no advance call has been made, a formal motion (as with current practice) would still be necessary. (2) Council expressed the desire to place a timeline on how long a councilmember should be absent from a meeting before entertaining discussions on whether to appoint a councilmember pro tempore. Attorney Kaser presented drafted language in the packet that would trigger a discussion for a councilmember pro tempore in one of two situations: (1) when a councilmember is aware in advance of an extended absence or illness; or (2) a councilmember has been absent for more than one hundred twenty (120) days.
Discussion followed regarding State statutes with regards to the 120-day for replacement; excused and unexcused absences; budget factor/consideration; human dynamic; benchmark on return time; process and communication; and timeline. Additional discussion is to be scheduled at a later date.
Mayor Belleci informed Council that a copy of the letter to the Association of Washington Cities was provided in the packet for review and that it has been signed and will be sent out accordingly. She also encouraged the Council to listen to the CARES Act meeting discussions, the links to which have been forwarded by staff.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. No other action was taken.
Submitted by,
Emy Genetia
City Clerk