HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 12-17-18Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
110 East Third Street
December 17, 2018
Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Debora Nelson, Joshua Roundy, Jesica Stickles,
Sue Weiss, Jan Schuette and Marilyn Oertle.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, Kristin Garcia, Dave Kraski, James Trefry, Jim
Kelly, Steve Peiffle, Sarah Lopez, Theresa Ramey, Sheri Amundson, Nalini Margaitis,
Matt Urtz, Bob Beam, Scott Hillis, J.J. Wakefield, Cary Stuart, Keenan Metcalfe, Rein Frankie,
Seth Kinney, and Erin Keator.
Also Known to be Present: Fire Chief Dave Kraski's family members and friends, Doug
Buell, Robert Morlock, MB Enert, B. Chandler, Christina Roberts, Ron Hiatt, Michael Sahlbom,
Susan Woods -Long, Kolyh Braaten, Eric Connell, Nicole Hale, Dan Woolard, Bonnie Woolard,
Dawn Ruiz, Blaine Halverson, Brian Woolard, Bob Kraski, Steve Kraski, Cody Kraski, Jordan
Kraski, Olivia Kraski, Denise Kraski, Betty Ann Chandler, Mary Beth Emerd, Mary Jean Kraski,
Sonya Kraski and Sarah Arney. Webelo Troop 29 and parents.
Mayor Barb Tolbert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and the Pledge of Allegiance, led
by Webelos Troop 29 member David and roll call followed.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Oertle moved and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Tolbert welcomed the Webelos troop 29.
PROCLAMATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Oertle moved and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the Consent Agenda which was unanimously carried:
Page 1 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting December 17, 2018
1. Minutes of the December 3 and December 10, 2018 council meetings.
2. Accounts Payable: Accounts Payable: Approval of EFT Payments and Claims
Checks #95527 through #95659 dated December 4, 2018 through
December 17 2018 for $1,109,119.11 and approval of Payroll EFT Payments
dated November 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 for $1,400,392.72.
PUBLIC HEARING
Adopt ordinance amending the 2018 budget
Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the
proposed budget amendments for 2018. 60% of the amendments are related to
1) closing/restructuring funds by moving ending fund balances to the new fund and
2) transferring operating money to respective reserve funds. 25% of the amendments are
for capital outlay, the majority of which are for projects previously approved in the 2017
budget.
The public hearing was opened at 7:08 p.m. With no one wishing to speak the public hearing
was closed at 7:08 p.m.
Discussion followed. At this time Finance Director Garcia answered Council questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Oertle moved and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to adopt the proposed ordinance amending and supplementing the 2018 budget of
the City of Arlington; providing transfer and adjustment authority and declaring an
emergency, and authorize the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Non-exempt pay plan
Human Resources Director James Trefry is proposing the adoption of a revised salary
schedule for the City's non -represented employees not under contract. The proposed
schedule provides the same 12-step pay structure as 2018, with the addition of "City
Clerk/Human Resources Analyst" (formerly "Human Resources Analyst), "Communications
Manager" (formerly "Communications Manager/City Clerk"), "IT Director" and the deletion
of "Airport Intern", "Engineering Technician", "Engineer I", "Engineer II" (these are all
bargaining unit positions) and "Recreation/Communications Manager". This change does
not result in any current budget impact. Starting with Step GSM, a 3.3% market adjustment
was applied. From there steps 1-4 are 3% less, and steps 6-12 are 2% more. Pay grades are
built upon Step GSM with 8% increase per grades H-M, 6% increase for grade N, 15.55%
increase for grade 0 (beginning of the director levels), 5% increase for grades P-Q, 4.55%
increase grade R and 13% increase for grade AA. All salaries were then rounded to the
nearest dollar. For 2019, the market adjustment was applied to the annual amount - in the
past it was applied to the hourly rate due to constraints in BIAS. All salaries are now based
on the yearly amount and are then backed into the monthly/ hourly rates. Seasonal
Maintenance Laborers are the same rate as 2017 and 2018. Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Oertle
moved and Councilmember Mike Hopson seconded the motion to approve the proposed
salary schedule for non -represented employees for 2019. The motion passed unanimously.
Fire Chief employment agreement
Human Resources Director James Trefry reviewed the Fire Chief employment agreement
with Dave Kraski to serve as Fire Chief in accordance with AMC 2.36.002. Mr. Trefry
Page 2 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting December 17, 2018
highlighted Mr. Kraski's fire career at the City of Arlington and his ties to the community.
Councilmembers expressed thankfulness for his service as Acting Fire Chief over the past 15
months. Mayor Pro Tern Marilyn Oertle moved and Councilmember Jesica Stickles seconded
the motion to confirm the employment agreement for Dave Kraski to serve as Fire Chief, and
authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
Oath of Office / Badge pinning
City Attorney Steve Peiffle administered the oath of office to Fire Chief Dave Kraski. Chief
Kraski's daughters, Oliva and Jordan, performed the badge pinning.
York property purchase and sale agreement
City Administrator Paul Ellis reviewed the York property purchase and sale agreement. City
Council declared .56 acres at York Park as surplus. The property was listed for sale with
Keller Williams Realtors for $195,000. The City received a cash offer from Grandview North
for the full purchase price, with $2,000 in earnest money. Discussion followed with
Councilmember Roundy expressing concern about selling the property prior to having it
rezoned; Councilmember Sue Weiss concurred. Mayor Pro Tern Marilyn Oertle moved and
Councilmember Jan Schuette seconded the motion to approve the sale of the York property,
and authorize the Mayor to sign the purchase and sale documents pending legal review. The
motion passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Hopson, Nelson, Stickles, Schuette and Oertle
voting for and Councilmembers Weiss and Roundy voting against.
Art benches for Arlington Valley Road
Community Revitalization Manager Sarah Lopez reviewed the recommendation for adding
two benches, and incorporating art into the design of the benches, to the new Arlington
Valley Road. The new road has a multi -use trail and adding the artistic benches will improve
the corridor; a Complete Street. The recommended benches are by Arlington stone artist
Verena Schwippert. Verena has also created "Waterline" and "Salmon Spawning Pool bench,"
art pieces that are installed on the Arlington Art Walk. The two artistic benches were
selected for their natural beauty and sustainability. Mayor Pro Tern Marilyn Oertle moved,
and Councilmember Sue Weiss seconded the motion to purchase the public art benches for
Arlington Valley Road and accept them into the City's Public Art Collection. The motion
passed unanimously.
At 7:29 p.m., Mayor Tolbert called the final item on the regular agenda, to approve the
lodging tax distributions for 2019, and excused herself and left her seat.
Approve Lodging tax distributions for 2019
Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the 2019 Lodging Tax Distribution. 20 applications
were received with a total amount requested of $230,995. The City has $145,000 to award
in lodging tax distributions. The committee's decision considered many factors including
but not limited to; meeting council priorities, overall rating, attendance, community events,
free events, funding marketing activities and events that attract out of town visitors.
• The genealogical society was not fully funded as the committee felt the event had been in
existence long enough to be more self-sufficient and has other funding opportunities
available.
• The Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center requested $20,000
more than in previous years. The $20,000 was for a part time FTE. The city hasn't had a
Page 3 of 5
Minutes of the Cityof f Arlington City Council Meeting December 17. 2018
practice of funding personnel costs which was communicated during the training held on
August 22, 2018. The information center was fully funded after removing the part time
FTE.
• The last three organizations were not funded because they received the lowest rating and
the committee felt they did not have a significant tie into tourism.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved and Councilmember Jan Schuette seconded the
motion to approve the 2019 funding distribution as recommended by the lodging tax
advisory committee. The motion passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Nelson, Stickles,
Schuette, Roundy and Oertle voting for and Councilmembers Weiss and Hopson voting
against.
At 7:31 p.m., Mayor Tolbert rejoined the meeting and resumed her position as chair.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None.
INFORMATION
None.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis stated that the next meeting will be January 7th, 2019 and there
will be housekeeping items on that agenda. There will be no workshop prior to that meeting.
He also stated expense reports should be submitted by the end of December.
MAYOR'S REPORT
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney Steve Peiffle announced that there would be a need for an Executive Session
for discussion of pending or potential litigation [RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)] until 7:50 p.m.
City Administrator Ellis let everyone know that there was refreshments available following
the meeting.
Mayor Tolbert thanked the Webelos for taking time to come to the meeting and taking an
interest.
Council recessed at 7:33 p.m. and reconvened at 7:50 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Oertle moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to authorize the City Attorney to file litigation regarding the nuisance property at
112 North Gifford Avenue. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 4 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting December 17, 2018
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
Page 5 of 5
►1