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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/16/2020 - City Council - City Council Meeting Minutes - Jerrilea Crawford 4-16-2020 Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE 271 9th Street NE * East Wenatchee, WA 98802 Phone (509) 884-9515 * Fax (509) 886-6233 City Council Workshop Online Zoom Meeting East Wenatchee City Hall 271 9th St. NE East Wenatchee, WA 98802 Minutes Thursday, April 16, 2020 In attendance: Mayor Crawford Josh DeLay, Finance Director Councilmember Sterk Lori Barnett, Community Development Director Councilmember Raab Devin Poulson, City Attorney Councilmember Tidd Tom Wachholder, Proj. Development Manager Councilmember Sleiman Mary Beth Phillips, Court Administrator Councilmember Magdoff Trina Elmes, Events Director / PIO Councilmember Johnson Sean Lewis, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Councilmember Hepner Maria Holman, City Clerk 5:30 p.m. Council Workshop. Councilmember Magdoff opened the meeting. 1. Mayor Crawford and Finance Director Josh DeLay presented information regarding updating the 2020 Exempt Salary Schedule and changes to the Police Chief salary wage steps. The Mayor had previously requested a wage study be completed by the Finance Department while she prepared for Police Chief recruitment negotiations. The Mayor said that an Ordinance would be coming to Council for consideration at the next Council Meeting and confirmation of the newly selected Police Chief Rick Johnson. 2. Finance Director Josh DeLay asked Council for guidance on holding off on the submission of the Public Works Facilities Bond Application, he was asking the Council for the guidance due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic and the unknown financial impacts it will have on the City’s finances. The Council asked Mr. DeLay to hold off on the submission of the Bond Application and also asked him to watch the interest rates on Bonds. Comments provided by Councilmember Magdoff, and Councilmember Tidd. 4-16-2020 Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 3. Community Development Director Lori Barnett spoke regarding the CDBG Grant received and explained that some of the other jurisdictions are using the funds for rental assistance programs and this is something that we could consider also. Ms. Barnett explained that people have to qualify for these programs, only rental homes inside the City Limit will be funded and the rents covered cannot exceed fair market rent. She mentioned that the Housing Authority and the Community Action Council are both invested in administering the rental assistance program. Ms. Barnett also recommended funding the Mobile Meals program which delivers food to individuals inside the City. Ms. Barnett explained what the process the City will have to take to take advantage of funding for these programs. She also spoke about the requests to support micro-enterprises and the Regional Port Authority. Mayor Crawford provided information regarding information she has received and grant amounts that had been requested from the Port Authority. Ms. Barnett asked for Council to provide the top priorities. The Council asked that Ms. Barnett take $50,000 from the 2019 Annual Action Plan and give $40,000 towards micro-enterprise, $12,000 to Mobile Meals and the remaining grant share to rental assistance programs in East Wenatchee. Comments provided by Councilmember Magdoff, Councilmember Raab, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Tidd who spoke in support of Mobile Meals to help local shut-ins and the lion share going to rental assistance programs. 4. Mayor Crawford spoke regarding a necessary Code Amendment for the Police Department addressing the Assistant Chief, Commander, Captain, and Administrative Assistant positions. The Mayor said that she has decided to table this item until the new Police Chief is in office. 5. Project Development Manager Tom Wachholder provided Council with three (3) options for road closures and the Highline Drive & 3rd St SE Roundabout Project: 1. 3 Month Project Duration: Proceed with original plan of leg closures with detours (see attached phasing plans 1-5) and full closure (phasing plan 6) for two weeks from May 11 to May 22. Project duration is approximately 3 months and will take place from April 27 through July 28; 2. 2 Month Project Duration: Allow construction night work during the 2 week (May 11 to May 22) complete closure detour (phasing plan 6) which would accelerate the project. Project duration is approximately 2 months and will take place from April 27 through June 27; and 3. 1.5 Month Project Duration: Revise original plan to leave complete closure detour (phasing plan 6) in place for approximately 3 weeks from May 4 to May 22, further accelerating the project. Project duration is approximately 1 ½ months and will take place from April 27 through June 19. Councilmembers confirmed option 3 as the preferred project duration plan.