LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MINUTES
August 8, 2011
City of Lakewood Police Station
Multi-Purpose Room
9401 Lakewood Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Richardson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: 6 – Councilmembers Mary Moss, Mike Brandstetter, Jason Whalen, Claudia Thomas; Mayor Douglas Richardson and Deputy Mayor Don Anderson
Councilmembers Excused: 1 – Councilmember Walter Neary
Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Board Members Present: 5 – Edith Owen Wallace, Robert Purpasand, Sharon Plummer, Carshen Harvin and Sisay Telahun
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Joint meeting with the community development block grant citizen’s advisory board (CDBG/CAB).
CDBG/CAB Member Edith Owen Wallace reviewed the Board’s Work Plan for fiscal year 2012 and schedule for CDBG activities.
Discussion ensued on the proposed CDBG allocations; update on Habitat for Humanity projects; update on CDBG funding for handicapped ramp accessibility; what is the census demographics; will there be any reallocation of funds from previous years; what progress has been made on the economic development program; are there projects that might be worthy to pursue in the future; and outreach to citizens on the availability of sewer connection funds in Tillicum and Woodbrook.
Speaking before the Council was:
Dennis Haugen, Lakewood resident, spoke about programs in the Puget Sound where money has been lost, and the need to reduce staff in economic development.
Further discussion ensued on the Joint CDBG/CAB and Human Services Funding Advisory Board public hearing scheduled in September and providing the Council with a summary of the results of the hearing for the Council to be able to provide guidance on the use of CDBG and HOME funds.
Medical marijuana policy update.
City Attorney Wachter provided an update relative to medical marijuana to clarify current law on this matter.
Discussion ensued if medical marijuana growing must be indoors.
Mr. Bryan Thomas, Public Safety Advisory Committee member, spoke about safety concerns of the PSAC where collective marijuana could be used for growing on vacant properties and dilapidated buildings. The Committee recommended that the City do nothing at this point in time.
Further discussion ensued on the City’s efforts to support community gardening and the potential unintended City garden project being piggyback by medical marijuana authorized users.
Speaking before the Council was:
Dennis Haugen, Lakewood resident, asked who is pushing the medical marijuana topics and if it has a medical value, let the federal government handle it.
Mazza rezone.
Senior Planner Deborah Johnson summarized the proposed Mazza rezone amendment to change the zoning of five tax parcels located east of Lakewood Drive and south of 74th Street from Mixed Residential 1 to Mixed Residential 2 (MR2).
Discussion ensued on what type of units is proposed if zoned to MR2; concerns about the potential height of proposed structures; who owned a strip of parcel that is within the Tacoma or Lakewood city boundaries; and how can non-controversial applications for zoning amendments move forward more quickly.
BRIEFING BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Neiditz acknowledged that Marc Amrine and Heidi Wachter were among six Lakewood employees who participated in the Courage Classic bike ride fundraising event.
City Manager Neiditz indicated that the Council approved a $410,000 grant for the Woodbrook sewer extension project with Pierce County earlier. He indicated that next week an amendment to the same grant will be coming before the Council for an additional $90,000 for a total of $500,000.
He then explained that in response to Council’s question, the Washington Department of Transportation noise analysis that is being done is part of the environmental assessment of the Pt. Defiance Bypass.
City Manager Neiditz suggested that the City participate in the pet amnesty program with Tacoma, Pierce County and
University Place as an animal control licensing effort.
City Manager Neiditz provided a proposal to have the City Manager’s Executive Assistant keep track of the distribution of the Council’s challenge coins and who they were provided to. Councilmember Brandstetter indicated that criteria or standards be developed for awarding these coins.
ITEMS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THE AUGUST 15, 2011 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
- Item No. 3 above.
- Point Defiance Bypass Rail project update. – Ron Pate, Program Director and Larry Mattson, Environmental Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation
- Update on 4/2 Stryker Brigade – Colonel Michael A. Getchell, Commander of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
- Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Pierce County, in the amount of $90,000 for the Woodbrook sewer extension phase 3 project. – (Motion - Consent Agenda)
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Thomas reported that Pierce Transit laid off a significant amount of people and a no confidence vote of the CEO was being taken by the union.
Councilmember Brandstetter indicated that he attended the memorial service for General Shalikashvili this weekend.
Councilmember Moss also indicated that she attended General Shalikashvili’s memorial service. She then commented on the National Night Out event she attended.
Councilmember Whalen commented on the National Night Out event he attended. He then commented on the Tillicum Neighborhood Association meetings he attended and the discussion about Camp Murray. He spoke about a resolution passed by the Tillicum Community Action Committee noting that 4,400 vehicle trips would be generated. He then commented on the Clover Park School District Board meeting he attended tonight. He then announced that Dave Sclair’s memorial service is being held August 9, 2011. He then questioned a citizen’s concern about the fine for a dog being off leash.
Deputy Mayor Anderson spoke about his misfortune of being in close proximity to a bombing in Norway. After this tragedy, he reflected on the tragedy of our own Police department and appreciated how Lakewood’s department came together, and how he had a greater appreciation for our local law enforcement.
Mayor Richardson commented on a letter he received from Puget Sound Regional Council on the 100th Street project relative to the obligation of funds prior to September 30, 2011.
Mayor Richardson indicated that he will contact the City Manager about a speaking presentation before Lakewood United.
* * * * * * * * * *
Executive Session
Mayor Richardson announced that Council will recess into Executive Session for 15 minutes to discuss property acquisition.
* * * * * * * * * *
Council recessed into Executive Session at 9:25 p.m. and reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
At 9:25 p.m. Mayor Richardson announced that Executive Session will be extended for approximately 15 minutes.
At 9:40 p.m. Mayor Richardson announced that Executive Session will be extended for approximately 10 minutes.
At 9:50 p.m. Mayor Richardson announced that Executive Session will be extended for approximately 5 minutes.
At 9:55 p.m. Mayor Richardson announced that Executive Session will be extended for approximately 5 minutes.
Council reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
_____________________________________
DOUGLAS G. RICHARDSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
ALICE M. BUSH, MMC
CITY CLERK
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