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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/10/2015 - City Council - City Council Meeting Minutes - Steven C LacyREGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED MAYOR STEVEN C. LACY, PRESIDING MARCH 10, 2015 6:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Mayor Steven C. Lacy Councilmember Sandra McCourt Councilmember Wayne Barnhart Councilmember Tim Detering Councilmember Chuck Johnson Councilmember George Buckner Councilmember Harry Raab Councilmember Frank Collings - Excused EMPLOYEES IN ATTENDANCE Community Development Director Lori Barnett City Attorney Devin Poulson Finance Director/Treasurer Nick Gerde Public Works Director/City Engineer Greg Pezoldt Executive Secretary/Accounting Assistant Teresa Allen Police Chief Randy Harrison Patrol Officer James Marshall Patrol Officer Joseph Hinkle Clerical Assistant Shawn Murison PUBLIC COMMENT(S) Sally Brawley, Director, Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District, 255 N Georgia, invited Councilmembers to attend a special Park Commissioners meeting held on Monday, March 23, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the Park Office to learn more about Trust for Public Lands. She said the purpose of the meeting is a presentation by the Trust for Public Lands to outline what they could do to assist the Park with projects including a renovated playground, and a Recreation Community Center. The following business owners and managers expressed concerns regarding the Shalom Church soup kitchen located at 1052 Valley Mall Parkway, and the type of clientele and issues that it has brought to East Wenatchee. Ella Smith, Willie's Sports Bar & Grill, 921 Valley Mall Parkway Kelli Braddy, General Manager, Wild Card Sports Bar & Grill, 560 Valley Mall Parkway DeLis Mingo, Owner of In -Print Printing & Congdon Mailing Service, 962 and 930y2 Valley Mall Parkway Sally Brawley, Director, Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District, 255 N Georgia, who has Park Staff that maintain the City portion of the trail where defecation and loitering has occurred. Mayor Lacy said the City has had discussions with the pastor of the Shalom Church regarding concerns about it being a congregating place for homeless people. He said the existence of the Shalom Church contributes to the increase of that type of traffic in East Wenatchee, which is a fairly significant problem. He has met with City staff in an effort to be more proactive with enforcement in that area. Mayor Lacy stated it is a difficult problem for municipalities, and there are some issues with getting access to the CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 authority to enforce anti -trespassing laws in places where the City does not own the property. He said the City has put up no trespassing signs, police have increased patrols in that area, and Community Development Director Lori Barnett is in the process of seeking permission from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to enforce no trespassing and criminal trespass laws on DOT property, which will require the City to ask theirs to create more signage on their portion of property. Mayor Lacy said he sympathizes with the people having the problems occur, and takes it seriously, so the City is doing what it can, but there are restrictions placed on the City's ability to do much about it. Mayor Lacy thanked the business owners and managers for their comments. He said he agrees this is an issue that needs to be addressed, we need to find solutions for it, and the City will continue with the issue until we have every tool in place that we can utilize. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Lacy said he received a letter from Civil Service Secretary Adela Mendoza stating they have completed a Civil Service test, and a bicultural, bilingual candidate finished 41 on the register as the next hire in the Police Department. Mayor Lacy said this is a good sign and good news for the City, because for some time we have needed to increase diversity in our Police Department. Mayor Lacy noted that the City has extended a purchase offer to the owners of the property at the corner of 9t' Street and Valley Mall Parkway, which was approved by Council at the last Council meeting. He said the offer was accepted this week, and we have a Purchase and Sale Agreement signed and in 0 possession. Mayor Lacy reminded Council of the joint Douglas County Board of Commissioners Work Session being held on March 24, 2015 at 4:30 p.m., with a public meeting to follow at 5:30 p.m., before the Council meeting at 6:30 p.m., to become better acquainted with map and text amendments to the Greater East Wenatchee Area Comprehensive Plan (GEWA), and amendments to the East Wenatchee Municipal Code within Chapter 17, Zoning Code, to include new regulations to the Urban Growth Area (UGA). He encourages Council to familiarize themselves with the amendments that are proposed when they receive their packet, because he wants them prepared for discussions, and able to make informed decisions on the matter. DEPARTMENT REPORT(S) James Marshall, Patrol Officer — Alcohol Impact Area Officer James Marshall gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding problems reported to the Police Department from businesses in the downtown corridor with the homeless population, such as; Increased Nuisance Calls, Trespassing on Local Businesses, Loitering, Disorderly Conduct Calls, Public Drunkenness, and Urinating in Public; Root Causes - Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Homelessness; Proximate Causes - Easy Access to Alcohol, Privacy and Shelter provided by the Loop Trail, and Services/Meals provided by the Church. He stated it is getting out of control, the City is not able to direct our resources efficiently, and we need to minimize the impact to our community. Mr. Marshall said a possible solution is the creation of an Alcohol Impact Area between Ilth Street and Valley Mall Parkway, including the South side of Grant Road/Rock Island Road, then East up to Baker Street to limit sales of malt beverages in the area. Officer Marshall urged Council to meet with the Mayor and City Attorney to review legal ramifications, so we can do everything we can while still protecting everyone's constitutional rights, but also making the City a nicer, better place to live. CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 City Attorney Devin Poulson reviewed the steps taken to develop an Alcohol Impact Area; designate an area within your City considered to have an alcohol problem, pass an Ordinance stating it as an Alcohol Impact Area, and go through a six month process of voluntary mitigation with the businesses who sell the alcohol asking them to stop selling high alcohol content drinks. Then after six months if the problem is not mitigated we petition the Liquor Control Board stating we have gone through the voluntary steps, and still have the problem with alcoholism in the area. The Liquor Control Board will then involuntarily impose, as part of the license, that they cannot sell certain alcohol. He said if businesses are non- compliant they could lose their liquor license, and if they violate the guidelines they could lose their license completely. Councilmember Buckner stated he does not like the process of controlling businesses, and what they can and cannot sell. Councilmember Barnhart suggested funding for overtime in the future, after they establish no trespassing rules, to do emphasis patrols at the businesses after hours. Councilmember Johnson feels this is a problem that a lot of areas have, and he supports the recommendation to get control of the situation before it gets any worse. Mayor Lacy said an Ordinance needs to be established for Council to pass that meets the terms of the statute so we can start the voluntary process, which Officer Marshall has already started by speaking with .business owners. He said if there is voluntary compliance from the businesses the City will not have to ask the Liquor Control Board to impose any involuntary steps. He said the City has, and will continue, to speak with the Pastor at the Shalom Church about taking necessary steps to curb any issues contributing to the problem. He said we cannot constitutionally or legally prevent the Church from providing services which may contribute to the problems in the area, but stopping the availability of the High Impact Alcohol Area could lessen the desirability of this area to the homeless, and could have some impact. He said a proposed Ordinance for Council to consider relating to the Alcohol Impact Area will be presented at the next City Council meeting. Devin Poulson, City Attorney — Tablet Update Mr. Poulson noted City Council tablets are set up. He said the tablets are touch screen with three default tabs; City of East Wenatchee — Agenda & Minutes, Municipal Research & Services Center (MRSC), and Association of Washington Cities (AWC). He reminded Council that everything done on the tablets stays forever, and the public has the right to ask for access to the information on the tablets. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Detering asked Executive Secretary/Accounting Assistant Teresa Allen to give an update on how the City Wellness Program is doing. Teresa stated that we find out April 9, 2015, if the City will receive a 2% discount for the 2016 insurance premium rates for completing Wellness activities accurately throughout the year. Mr. Gerde noted that the 2% discount would be approximately a $16,000 savings to the City. Items listed below were distributed to Councilmembers in advance for study and were enacted in one motion. Council Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Detering, second by Councilmember Barnhart, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried, 6-0. I - CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 1. Consideration of Minutes — Regular Session, February 24, 2015 2. Consideration of Payables i. 2015 Payables — As of this date, March 10, 2015, Council does approve check numbers 42829, 42900 through 42901, and 42968 through 43024 in the total amount of $193,501.27. Payables checks 42855, 42902 through 42945, and 43040 through 43054 were voided. ACTION ITEMS) 15-03-01 A recommendation to award the bid for the City Hall Sidewalk Project. Presented by: Greg Pezoldt, Public Works Director Council Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Detering, second by Councilmember Johnson to accept the bid from Smith Excavation; and to further authorize Mayor Lacy to sign a Contract in the amount of $57,402.81. The motion carried, 6-0. COUNCIL REPORT(S) Councilmember Buckner noted he will be attending an Economic Development District (EDD) meeting tomorrow in Chelan, and they are looking for a new Director. Councilmember Detering said there would not be a Link Transit Board meeting this month due to lack of Action Items. COUNCIL REPORT(S) • Wayne Barnhart — Minutes from the Rivercom Administrative Board meeting held on February 11, 2015. • George Buckner — Minutes from the North Central Washington Economic Development District meeting held on February 11, 2015, and from the Plug hi NCW Board meeting held on February 19, 2015. • Mayor Lacy — Minutes from the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council meeting held on February 12, 2015. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:32 p.m. Mayor Lacy called a five minute executive session regarding potential litigation, with adjournment to follow. Council reconvened at 7:37 p.m. ADJOURNMENT 7:38 p.m. AG D. Q2 R LACY Gk Ma,ia 4