05-09-01 Minutes
YELM CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9,2001,7:30 P.M.
YELM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OPENING
1. Mayor Pro Tem Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Council Present: Don Miller, John Thompson, Bob Isom, Glen Cunningham, and
JW Foster. Mayor Rivas was excused.
2. Agenda Approval
01-49 MOTION BY DON MILLER, SECONDED BY GLEN CUNNINGHAM
APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
3. Public Comment - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Approval of Minutes: April 11, 2001
5. Payment Approval:
a. Vouchers #15050-15128, Totaling $55,672.58
b. Supplemental Voucher #15129, Totaling $56,115.95
c. Manual Checks #15028-15049, Totaling $8,065.12
6. Payroll Approval: Final April 2001, #5439-4597, Totaling $125,606.15
01-50 MOTION BY JW FOSTER, SECONDED BY BOB ISOM APPROVING
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
7. Ordinance 734 Budget Amendment Advancing the Beginning Step Level for the
Community Development Engineer position. Cathie Carlson presented an
overview of the prepared staff report dated May 2, 2001, explaining: city
strategy in creating and waiting to fill the position; advertising to fill the position
and the current high demand and competition for engineers; the salary curve
and competition between various size cities. Staff's recommendation is that the
top applicant be offered a Step 4 beginning salary based on education and
experience.
The top applicant has a degree in civil engineering, but needs one additional
year of experience working under the supervision of a licensed engineer, prior
to sitting for the professional engineering exam. A total of four years of
supervised experience is necessary. The applicant has quite a bit of experience
working in Yelm on civil plans for development projects so he is familiar with
Yelm's development standards. Perry Shea, Shea Group, is agreeable to
providing up to three hours per week of one-on-one supervision under a
retainer/contract at a cost of between $500 - $800 per month.
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As the position was budgeted for the full year, adequate funding remains from
the unused months to cover the proposed step increase for the staff position
and for the supervisor's retainer costs for this year. There is also a cost
recovery process from billing developers as approximately 50%) of the engineers
time will be spent reviewing development projects that will be billed at an
estimated $53 p/hour. Engineering work is currently outsourced at $85-$100 per
hour, so developers will benefit from a cost reduction in this area.
Discussion topics included salary expectation when PE is obtained, loyalty,
employment contracts, location of supervision, possible terms and conditions to
be included in the retainer/contract with Perry Shea, work documentation, and
developer benefits from the hourly savings.
01-51 MOTION BY JW FOSTER, SECONDED BY DON MILLER ADOPTING
BUDGET (ORD 715,12/00) AMENDMENT ORDINANCE 734 AS AMENDED
IN SECTION 1 TO REFLECT ENTRY AT STEP 4 FOR THE CITY ENGINEER
POSITION. CARRIED.
01-52 MOTION BY GLEN CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY JW FOSTER
AUTHORIZING MAYOR RIVAS TO SIGN A CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED
$900 PER MONTH WITH PERRY SHEA, SHEA GROUP, FOR ENGINEERING
SUPERVISION FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD. CARRIED.
8. Final Plat, Prairie Winds SUB-01-8278- YL (Formerly Cullens Estates,
Cullens/Coates Intersection). Cathie Carlson provided an overview of her staff
report dated May 1, 2001, explaining that the project was amended from a
townhouse to a single family residential development. She noted that the
conditions of approval for the final plat have been completed with the exception
of items 2, 6, 7 and 22, and reviewed those items.
There was some discussion concerning a possible transfer of water rights from
the existing well, however, as no water rights had been applied for and the well
must be abandoned.
01-53 MOTION BY BOB ISOM, SECONDED BY JW FOSTER APPROVING THE
FINAL PLAT FOR PRAIRIE WINDS (FORMERLY CULLENS ESTATES) SUB-
01-8278-YL AS FORWARDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISION. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS
9. Yelm Creek Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan. Cathie Carlson
explained that copies were distributed to each Councilmember for review prior
to public hearings planned for the Yelm Planning Commission in June and City
Council in July. She recommended reviewing Chapter 7, Evaluation of
Alternatives and Chapter 9, (Implementing) Action Plan and stated that it would
be possible to do a work/study session prior to the public hearing.
Councilmembers were invited to participate in a field trip to Muck Creek on
Thursday afternoon, at approximately 12:30 on May 31. Muck Creek has gone
through a similar restoration,
Discussion concerned possible hot topics associated with the issue. Some
identified included: returning the creek to it's natural path between 103rd and 1 st
St., dredging vs. naturalizing the creek channel, lack of impact on the
established flood plain as the result of creek path changes, containment of
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waters within the flood zone and time needed for waters to recede, Thurston
County's participation on the Technical Advisory Committee and the county's
stricter critical areas ordinance.
REPORTS
10. A written librarian's report for April was provided.
11. Mayor's Report - Mayor Pro Tem Thompson attended the 20/0 Committee, Yelm
PD will be resubmit their funding request as there are fewer dollars available.
Other local agencies are also applying for funds.
An invitation was received for the EDC Annual Business Awards. A couple of
local businesses are included, contact Shelly by May 24 if you plan to attend.
Yelm Police Officers voted to accept the City's medical insurance proposal for
2001 and 2002. A revised Letter of Agreement was provided for Council review.
01-54 MOTION BY BOB ISOM, SECONDED BY GLEN CUNNINGHAM
AUTHORIZING MAYOR RIVAS TO SIGN THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TEAMSTERS LOCAL NO. 378 AND THE CITY OF YELM.
CARRIED.
12. Council Report:
Councilmember Miller reported that the 2000 audit is underway and going well.
Councilmember Isom attended a TRPC Transportation Policy Board meeting re
ADA requirements for paratransit and the possibility of reducing services to the
federal minimum of 3/4 of a mile of fixed routes. The reduction is being
considered as part of cost cutting measures. The hope is that community based
organizations will pick up the lost 3/4 of a mile. But, there is also a concern
about a reduction in insurance coverage for community based organizations
providing this type of service. The City currently owns and insures a wheelchair
accessible van that is used by the Yelm Senior Center.
Councilmember Cunningham reported on the CAPCOM evaluation process and
recent Chamber of Commerce activity including the Citizen of the Year Award to
Kathy Wolf and the Volunteer of the Year Award to Bonnie Paigen
Councilmember Cunningham was congratulated on becoming the Chamber
President Elect.
Councilmember Foster attended a Chamber event and noted the vital
membership and the work put into the event. The Medic I unit remains on a
month by month extension basis with Yelm Fire District. Thurston County
Commissioners are still looking for ways to keep a Medic unit responding in this
area.
Council requested an update on the Lutheran Church fire. Brian Asmus reported
that the youth is in custody on $5,000 bail and that the charges have been
upgraded to 2nd Degree Arson.
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13. Financial Report - Councilmember Miller reported that the books had been
balanced and closed for April. A written report was provided to
Councilmembers.
14. Park/Park Use Requests. The May 14 Yelm Parks Advisory Board meeting has
been cancelled. There was some discussion re a citizen request for Council
consideration of the lack of availability of parks for spontaneous use due to
heavy use of the parks for special events. Shelly Badger will gather information
for the next Park Advisory Board meeting on the frequency and types of events
held in park last year.
01-55 MOTION BY BOB ISOM, SECONDED BY JW FOSTER APPROVING A PARK
USE REQUEST FOR 5/19/01 FOR A CHILDS BIRTHDAY PARTY. CARRIED.
CORRESPONDENCE
Agnes Bennick reported that an attachment notation identifies correspondence
included in packets. Councilmembers can contact her to obtain copies of other
correspondence. There was some discussion concerning a non-city resident
complaint involving Yelm Telephone Co. and An Email concerning Governor
Locke's transportation proposal.
ADJOURN 8:43 P.M.
Attest:
Yelm City Council Minutes, May 9, 2001
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