HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 09-7-13 RetreatMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Retreat
September 7, 2013
City Council Retreat: Saturday September 7, 2013, 9:OOam-3:OOpm, Angel of the Winds Casino
Councilmembers Present: Dick Butner, Randy Tendering, Debora Nelson, Marilyn Oertle, Chris Raezer,
Ken Klein, and Steve Baker
Also Present: Allen Johnson, Kristin Banfield, Jim Chase, Paul Ellis, Jim Kelly, Rob Putnam, Bruce
Stedman, Nelson Beazley, Steve Peiffle as Facilitator, Deana Dean, Jan Schuette, Mike Hopson, Maxine
Jenft, Monica Schlagel, and Jesica Stickles, Sarah Arney at 1:25 pm.
Steve Peiffle opened the retreat at 9:00 am, reviewing the purpose of the retreat and agenda items.
Participants had an around the table discussion on what they hoped to accomplish today.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
ESCI Study: Lengthy discussion on the thoughts and reactions to the ESCI study including Thursday's
presentation and recommendations. The five major recommendations from the Executive Summary were
reviewed. There was an around the room discussion with comments, questions and concerns.
Councilman Raezer indicated the study set a base line with us and the districts so now there is something
to build on. It was stated that there is a lot of data to filter through and something not seen is the impact
with the different interlocal agreements. Mayor Tolbert noted that we have a lot of information with a lot of
different paths with questions at each one of them and different scenarios. She stated that we have an
opportunity to look for multiple challenges and directions to get us where we need to be, which is having
sustainable fire and EMS services for the community. Raezer stated the study puts down where the
issues are and the council needs to look at what it needs to do for Arlington and see what the common
goals are with other districts. Mayor Tolbert agreed and indicated the four goals outlined in the study will
take exploration among the districts and that it is worthwhile to gather information and data to see what
the future can bring. It was agreed that what is necessary to move forward is to first talk to the partners
and see where they stand and from there, to form a panel/team.
Retreat recessed at 10:08am
Retreat reconvened at 10:25am.
Airport Issues/Department Re-organization/Leasing Policies: Rob Putnam is retiring October 315' and the
city is looking at restructuring the airport. Paul Ellis opened the discussion of reorganization and looking
at ways of combining the airport with economic/community development. He stated that in
economic/community development, they have spent the last year streamlining processes, making it a
one -stop shop for permitting, and integrating business outreach marketing for new businesses. They
have been working on designed incentive programs, retaining businesses, and customer service. An
example of their business retention strategy is a fall networking event to bring the businesses to Arlington.
He stated that some of the businesses retained include Outback Power, AMT, and Microgreen.
Discussion on ongoing training, cross training, higher performance standards, training of over the counter
permits.
Paul reviewed the history of the airport and discussed economic development at the airport. Paul noted
that Snohomish County is the leader in the state for manufacturing with Arlington being the second
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Retreat September 7, 2013
largest in manufacturing. Paul then reviewed some of the projects they are working on including the
Manufacturing and Industrial Center Designation, Development of the Business Park, continued re-
development of existing airport facilities, planning for future economic development, and airport capital
improvement projects. Paul moved on to discuss the integration of economic development at the airport
and noted that the airport is the key to economic development in Arlington. Paul reviewed the proposed
organizational chart and outlined the benefits of having the building and permit center, planning, code
enforcement, and airport operations in a centralized location. Rob discussed some of the recent issues
that have come up including arrears and expiring leases. Council and staff had further discussion on
leases including improvements. It was agreed that in four months, after Paul has had a chance to gather
the information, to have a joint meeting with the Airport commission.
UGA Issues/Brekhus-Beach and West Arlington: Paul continued the discussion of development and
retail/population projections. Paul thinks it will be higher than what the state projects. The group
discussed the population base, job trends, population increases, and expansion of city boundaries. Paul
noted that we have a docket request for expanding our UGA boundaries west of the freeway and that we
have the next two years to prove we need the space. He said that one important element of that is
population and how we plan to provide for additional population. He noted that we have met a lot of
criteria by showing how we can absorb more population but we also want to do that by expanding our
borders and by having more area. Peiffle pointed out that buildable lands analysis is a big deal and we
would not have the Island Crossing annexation if it not were for the fact there was an updated building
lands analysis that Arlington needed that capacity. This is a big issue for any future development plans
that we have for adding territory to the city. SCT is our link to the county for making sure we get our
allocations of population. Discussion on properties within the UGA that are opportunities for
development. Paul reviewed the process for expanding the UGA, noting that retail space is needed to
build our revenue.
Lunch break at 12:06pm
Reconvened at 1:00 pm.
2013 Goals Review: Peiffle reviewed the 2013 goals, highlighting what has been completed, what is in
process and what still needs to be completed. He then asked for suggested new goals. Barb added to
continue moving forward on the recommendations from the ESCI study and exploring funding for
apparatus. Also noted was the need for better outreach tools for neighborhoods and businesses
regarding panhandling. With regard to community and economic development, Paul Ellis noted the area
of Hwy 9 and 172"d St on the southwest corner has recently had a long plot submitted for 86 houses.
September 5, 2013 was the first opportunity for the public to see the project. It will be a long process as
it's a large development. They are on a good timeline and they should have permitting in place by early
next year. The residential area will be in the back and the 7 acres in the front are zoned commercial.
They are in the process of marketing the commercial area. The old Food Pavilion is continuing to be
marketed with a new developer and marketing team. Debora Nelson stated not to forget about the
riverfront development as a long term project. With regard to transportation & trails, there was discussion
on the need to put political pressure on the Snohomish County Council to get the Whitehorse trail opened
up and to continue to support developments of the Centennial Trail. Marilyn spoke regarding horses
coming onto the trail and the need to address this possibly with an animal code policy update. It was
suggested to look into the availability of taking online payments for airport lease payments. These
changes will be incorporated into a new 2014 goals document which will then be reviewed by Council
during the course of the budget process.
2014 Budget: Allen opened the topic of the budget and the 5 year forecast noting that equipment
replacement is not in the budget. Notes are provided on the budget document indicating what is included
in the projections. Allen also noted that COLA's are not in the projected figures. Council and staff further
discussed ways of increasing revenues, reserves, and bond ratings. It was suggested to go to the voters
like with the TBD. Allen and Barb discussed the budget dates; specifically the September 301h date. That
date was supposed to be a joint meeting with the school district and the hospital but has since been
cancelled. They thought, with councils blessing, to use that September 30'h date as an additional council
workshop to work on the budget. It was noted that the next joint meeting with the hospital and school
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Minutes of the Citv of Arlinaton Citv Council Retreat September 7, 2013
district will be in April 2014 and held twice a year or annually thereafter. Allen reminded attendees that
the council workshop scheduled for Monday September 9th is cancelled.
Additional topics:
Police: Chief Beazley discussed personnel issues indicating they are at minimum staffing levels every
day. This impacts support services and their workload in addition to them being short-staffed. He noted
that their staffing is at 2006 levels. Chief continued to talk about movement in the police department
including having Rory Bolter brought back to patrol and recently re -hiring Molly Ingram. They will be hiring
another person in the future and he is hopeful that some of the personnel on leave will be returning to
work soon. Discussion on mutual aid assistance. Chief was asked whether there is a study like ESCI for
law enforcement. Chief indicated that there are two options: to maintain a city police department or to
contract with the sheriff and that conversation would start by asking the sheriff for a proposal.
Councilmember Klein noted he would like to have a discussion on what happens to the city when we
cross the 25,000 population threshold and who has the responsibility for state roads. He also questioned
at what point does the city move to having a full-time mayor. It was agreed that planning for the 25,000
population threshold is something that needs to be added to the city's list of goals.
Adjourned at 2:45 pm
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
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