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05-07-13 Special MeetingYELM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 MINUTES Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: J. W. Foster, Bob Isom, Mike McGowan, Tracey Wood, Ken Garmann and Russ Hendrickson. Joe Baker arrived at 6:02. 3. Agenda Approval 13-35 MOTION BY RUSS HENDRICKSON APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. 4. Special Presentations - none scheduled 5. Public Comment - Preston Collins, Yelm resident expressed his concern about lack of public awareness on matters of crucial importance. History was made in Washington DC last week when the citizens committee on disclosure reconvened to hear testimony of eyewitnesses of the UFO phenomenon. Public opinion polls reveal that there is a growing percentage of the population that is clued into the reality of this subject. The City Council should not be less informed about this subject than your constituents. Mr. Collins suggests that the Councilmembers view the documentary produced by Dr. Steven Greer, view the testimony of the eyewitnesses as a group in an open forum, and invite the public and city employees to join in. 6. Consent Agenda none 7. Public Hearing - none scheduled 8. New Business - a. Ordinance No. 970, Community Center and City Park; Voted Bonds Grant Beck explained that the Mayor and Council have for years considered the possibility of developing a Community Center in Yelm, an amenity that the citizens have supported, as evidenced by survey results and public comments on the updated Yelm Parks Plan in 2008. The City has explored many different options such as converting existing City owned buildings, purchasing an existing building or a new building. The Council has even secured $1,000,000 in revenue for the purchase or construction of a community center as part of a non -voted general obligation bond issue in 2011. As part of a grant application, a conceptual plan for a new building was prepared, to be located in City Park. The City did not receive the grant funding, but constructing a new community center building in City Park became the preferred alternative. The redevelopment of City Park was also a priority from the 2008 Parks Plan update, but a Master Park Plan had not yet been completed. In order to ensure that the construction of a community center building would fit within an updated City Park, Mayor Harding established an ad hoc committee to develop a conceptual Master Plan for Yelm City Park. The committee was comprised of Mayor Harding, Councilmember Russ Hendrickson, Cecilia Jenkins representing both the Yelm Parks Advisory Committee and the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, and city staff. In November of 2012 a contract with Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami, LLP was signed to help the committee develop the conceptual plan. The group then began a public outreach campaign, which Page 1 of 4 started with the Mayor presenting the conceptual plan at the annual State of the City address. A random survey was sent to 700 Yelm households requesting comments on aspects of the plan. The conceptual plan was the central feature at the City's booth at the annual Yelm Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show. Arai Jackson prepared construction estimated for the park. Assuming a construction mid-point of September 2014, the estimate was $6,742,000. The City has applied for additional funding through the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and a request has been made to the legislature but has not been successful in receiving funds. An application has been submitted to fund the skate park relocation and reconstruction through the Community Development Block Grant program and is hopeful that it will be approved. An option for completing the entire park reconstruction as well as the construction of the community center at one time would be a special property tax levy. Assuming construction costs of $6,742,000 and that the $1 million the City has from the library bond issue would be used for the park reconstruction, the property tax levy would be up to .61 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for 25 years. This equates to around $110 per year for an average household in Yelm. The City Council may elect to send a special property tax levy to the voters for consideration. A supermajority (60%) is required to pass the levy. In order to be considered on the ballot in conjunction with the primary election in August, the Council must have the Ordinance to the County Auditor's office by May 10tH Councilmember Isom asked for clarification on the supermajority required to pass the levy. Councilmember McGowan wanted to clarify also that although this matter might seem rushed due to the Special meeting, the council and staff have been working on this issue for quite some time now. The timing of the proposed proposition is the reason for the Special meeting. Councilmember McGowan also stated the proposed tax levy of .61 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation could be lowered if the City receives addition funding they are seeking. Councilmember McGowan is pleased that this matter will be brought before the voters for approval. Stefan Abuan spoke in favor of the conceptual plan for the park and the community center, stating it is a great plan and would be a great addition to the park. It is a small price to pay to make Yelm a more family oriented community. Cameron Jane, Yelm business owner spoke in favor the proposed plan and stated that she would like to see all events throughout the community tied together and brought to a focal point so Yelm blossoms even more. Mayor Harding pointed out the proposed indoor and outdoor area with the elevated stage for community events. 13-36 MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 970, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY AT A SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AUGUST 6, 2013 PRIMARY ELECTION, A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZNING THE CITY TO ISSUE ITS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPANDING AND IMPROVING YELM CITY PARK, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT MORE THAN $5,742,000. CARRIED. Page 2 of 4 b. Park Bond `For' Committee Shelly Badger stated with the approval of Ordinance No. 970, in Section 9, authorizes the preparation and distribution of a local voters' pamphlet providing information on the ballot measure. The appointment of the 'For' and Against' committees and preparation of the statements shall be in accordance with RCW 29A.32 and the rules and guidelines of the Auditor. For a ballot measure from a local jurisdiction, the legislative authority shall, on or before the due date to submit the proposition to the Auditor's Office (May 10th for the August 6th election), formally appoint a committee/s of not more than 3 persons, to prepare a statement advocating voters' approval of the measure; and/or formally appoint a committee of not more than 3 persons, to prepare a statement advocating voters' rejection of the measure. If either a 'for' or against' If either a 'for' or 'against' group is not formed by the legislative authority of the jurisdiction place the proposition on the ballot, it shall notify the County Auditor, in writing, on or before the deadline to submit the ballot measure (May 10th). The County Auditor will then advertise for membership of the committee not formally appointed by the legislative authority, the week following the submission of the ballot proposal. 13-37 MOTION BY BOB ISOM APPROVING THE SELECTION OF JENNIFER LITTLEFIELD AND TERRY KAMINSKI TO THE 'FOR' COMMITTEE FOR THE AUGUST 6th SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF YELM CITY PARK. CARRIED. 9. Old Business — none scheduled 10. Mayor and Council Initiatives Councilmember Foster attended the Public Forum for the new Editor of the Nisqually Valley News, and the Home and Garden Show and stated the City had very nice displays and the staff did a great job answering questions from the public. Councilmember Foster experienced the May Day mayhem in downtown Seattle while there for professional reasons. Also represented the City at the SE Thurston Fire and EMS on an interview panel for selection of new firefighters. Councilmember Isom attended the Thurston Regional Planning Council where they voted to approve $150,000 to the City of Yelm to help with the Mosman Ave. realignment project. Councilmember Baker attended the Intercity Transit Board meeting and reported the April Ride for the Earth on bicycles had record-breaking attendance and received additional 10% expansion of new vans and additional services for vanpools. Councilmember Baker also attended the Arbor Day Celebration in the City Park on April 26th and the opening of the new Nisqually Tribal Center. Councilmember McGowan attended the Home and Garden Show and stated the City staff did a wonderful job operating the booth and presenting the projects. Councilmember Garmann attended the Arbor Day Celebration in the Yelm City Park and attended the dedication of the Nisqually Tribal Center. Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Arbor Day Celebration at Yelm City Park and it was very nice. Page 3 of 4 Mayor Harding attended the Arbor Day Celebration, the Home and Garden Show, the National Day of Prayer at Yelm City Park and was asked to pray for government. Mayor Harding has been working with the County's Entitlement Program to secure Community Develop Block Grant (CDBG) funds and as part of that process, the City of Yelm was awarded $376,000 to build the skateboard park at the proposed new location. There is still a process that has to take place before Yelm would receive the funds. Thanked the Council and members of the public for their hard work and input on the proposed Master Park Plan. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - none scheduled 12. Correspondence included - none 13. Adjourn 6:45 pm. Ron Har , Mayor Attest: Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk Page 4 of 4