September 2, 2002

TOWN COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUG. 26
by Dixie A. Walter

     Money makes the town go 'round. The Eatonville Town Council had money on their minds during the Aug. 26 study session and regular meeting. Items under deliberation were the budget, grants and salaries.
     Also discussed were goals established at a retreat earlier in the year and changes to the requirements for appointment to the Eatonville Planning Commission, which resulted in a dust-up about citizens speaking at council study sessions.
The council also discussed streets, sidewalks, safety of school kids, sewer upgrade, AT&T, a town square and loss of the district court.
     Longtime council member Bob Schaub began by saying, "I know Carrielynn [town clerk] and the rest of the gang [department supervisors] are working on the budget. But, as a council, we're supposed to be providing input towards the town in relation to the budget.
     "We're having some cutbacks on income to the town that will affect our overall, early input to the budget."
Town Clerk Carrilynn Loffelmacher told the council, "Jamieson [public works director] and I had a meeting with Walt Baydo [Baydo Chevrolet] today. They are not going to be leaving the town until this time next year. So that was some good news."
     Mayor Harold Parnell added, "I found out that the Ford Agency may have someone in there. It would be connected with the Morton Ford Agency. Jim Van Cleve in Morton is thinking it over, it's not a done deal. So things look a little better.
     "That's good." said Schaub. "But we still have to deal with one percent tax, we still have to consider the loss of revenue from the [district] court." Loffelmacher noted, "We just got a letter today saying they will be out of here by February 2."
     Regarding the budget Mayor Parnell explained, "Department heads are working on it. We will get it together and bring it to the council, either to get it OK'd or knocked out or whatever. The mayor and administration is supposed to take the lead in that process."
     Public Works Director Jamieson Van Eaton said, "I'd like to add that I understand where councilman Schaub is coming from about the budget. It's a good idea for us to have a strategic plan, for the council to identify goals for the administration, council and staff, and to put the budget together keeping those priorities in mind.
     "We had a pretty good start on that at the retreat. 
I can also say the budget basically covers the town's essential needs and we really don't have a lot of wriggle room for something that's not identified 'capital improvement' or some such essential need."
Van Eaton described his department's budget struggle, "I've been wrestling with various aspects of the budget. For example, the street fund: For the most part that's one of the unfounded utilities I have to be concerned about. We don't really have any source of revenue for that, other than the general sales tax."
     Van Eaton added, "All of our administrative funds…are significantly dependent upon a sales tax from the community. I can only underscore how important it is for us to have a friendly environment for business within the town so we can derive those sales taxes."
     Schaub thanked Van Eaton, "What I've been trying to say for the last three months you were able to say in the last three minutes…We put together this retreat in order to gather input from town employees and the community. Some of that [input] is to help us put the budget together.
"The council is an elected body…We're not here to dictate to everybody how to run their shops. But the final approval of the budget comes before the council."
     "That's true," acknowledged Mayor Parnell, "but putting the budget together is administration's job, with some input from the council. But the final say is with the council."
     Loffelmacher pointed out, "About two meetings ago, in your packets there was the RCW [Revised Code of Washington] stating how we had to go about it [budget process]. In the back were some papers you could fill out and give to us for budget considerations. Do you still have those? We would like any input that you have."
     Council member Chelan Jarrett brought the issue of planning commissioners into discussion. "I handed out copies [to the council] of the requirements for planning commission members from four different cities that are comparable in population to Eatonville."
     Jarrett stated, "Right now Eatonville's code does not require you to be a resident of Eatonville to be on the planning commission. I think you should be a resident. I think we should look at changing the language so that in the future you have to be a resident of the town to be on the planning commission."
     She explained, "You can see these four cities require that and some require even more, that you be a registered voter and some require that you have lived in the city for at least six months." Jarrett asked the council, "What are other people's thoughts on this?
     "I agree with you," said Schaub. Council member Ray Harper asked, "How many planning commissioners do we have that aren't town residents?"
     Mayor Parnell answered, "Two. One is building a house and will be moving to town, the other one's term expires at the last of this year."
     The mayor continued, "I have checked over a list going back to 1968 and there hasn't been a single person that lived out of town who was on the planning commission until about six years ago."
     Jarrett stated, "I think we should add language that will say, 'consisting of nine members who shall be residents of Eatonville, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Some cities don't require confirmation by the council but I do think that's a good balance of power."
     Adding, "I'm going to ask Carrielynn to type up the new resolution for the next meeting. Then we can visit it formally."
Council member Pat Hamilton questioned, "Why is it important? Is there some planning commissioner that's not doing their job? I'm wondering why this is brought up because it's never been a big problem."
Responding, Jarrett said, "I'm not necessarily saying it's a problem right now. But I've had citizens question why there are people on the planning commission that aren't residents. They [citizens] don't feel like they [commissioners] are representing them even if they are doing a good job.
     "I researched and found most cities of our population require you to be a resident and I think it's a good idea. I think it helps insure a vested interest in the decisions they make. I also think if a commissioner moves out of town they should have to step down."
     Schaub asked, "Should we carry this one step further and say the people that work for the town have to live in the town?"
     The mayor stated, "I don't think so. That's entirely different." Jarrett noted, "Some cities require that. But because Eatonville is so small, and we need to find qualified people, I think that's asking too much."
     Harper said, "I tend to agree with Chelan about the planning commission. I notice we have a planning commissioner here…" referring to Steve Lind, chair of the planning commission, who was in the audience.
     "They can't speak at our study session," Jarrett noted. Harper inquired, "If we ask them questions…?" Jarrett replied, "No, I don't think so."
     Speaking from his chair in the audience Lind said, "That's a question that probably should be asked of the town attorney, considering the important discussion you're having."
     Overlooking Lind's statement Mayor Parnell asked Jarrett, "How many cities do you have there?" She said "four." Harper pointed out, "The Friday Harbor municipal code states six of the seven planning commission members shall be residents. The seventh has to live in San Juan County."
     Once again from the audience Lind spoke, "I would observe after our…." Jarrett asked, "Did the mayor recognize you?" Ignoring her, Lind continued, "…after our planning session…." Again Jarrett asked, "Did the mayor recognize you?"
     At this point Mayor Parnell attempted to clarify to Lind, "This is a study session…" Once more Jarrett persevered, "Did the mayor recognize you?" Ignoring her again Lind continued speaking about "open public meetings."
The mayor endeavored to get Lind's attention and Jarrett told Lind, "You have to be recognized." Lind kept speaking. Mayor Parnell gaveled Lind while repeating, "Mr. Lind! Mr. Lind!"
Not heeding the gavel, or the mayor, Lind continued, "I made an objection to an open public meeting…" Second gavel, with force, as the mayor once more made an effort to explain to Lind, "This is a study session, and you don't speak until you are asked."
     Lind repeated, "I made an objection…" The third gavel, louder yet, still didn't stop Lind who declared, "I can legally make that objection. I want it noted for the record."
Jarrett asked him, "You're objecting to our discussion?" Lind replied, "My objection is that I believe what's going on here violates local public meeting ______(word unintelligible).
     Again Mayor Parnell attempted to intervene, "This is a study session, and I do not have to…" Taking no notice Lind continued speaking about his "objection." Jarrett tried to shed light on the situation, "This is an open public meeting. You are allowed to hear everything we are saying." And the mayor pointed out, "This is a study session. At the regular council meeting you can speak out. But this is a study session."
     "I've been told I can't speak. I made an objection," Lind stated. "You weren't recognized," Jarrett pointed out again. And again Lind said, "I made an objection." Jarrett told him, "You weren't recognized. You can't just yell out during our study session." To which Lind replied, "I can make an objection."
     Mayor Parnell said, "You made it and it's been noted, okay?" Jarrett persisted in questioning Lind, "I don't understand what you're objecting to." Lind observed that he "can't answer your question."
Jarrett said, "We're just trying to discuss in our study session. People can comment when public comment is allowed. But you can't just yell out your opinion at a meeting."
     Mayor Parnell ended the discord with an unyielding, "Okay!"
     Harper wondered how many members were on the planning commission. Mayor Parnell said, "Nine. They had eight and I appointed one. I think they slipped up and didn't realize there should have been nine."
Jarrett noted, "This won't affect anybody who is on the planning commission now. It's for the future."
The next subject under discussion was a retreat held at Pack Forest earlier in the year. Schaub reminded the council, "It's a little bit past the middle of the year. In the first quarter of the year we held a retreat with the council, town employees and representation from the community to go over goals and objectives for the year.
     "I'm asking that we review and see where we are. Have we looked at this [retreat record] a bit to see if we tried to work on some of the items mentioned? Or did we have a retreat and this was just put in a file somewhere and not looked at?"
Van Eaton responded, "I can speak on behalf of the responsibilities I was assigned or that I am in some way responsible for in part. Yes, I think I've been mindful of these priorities."
     Schaub asked if the council should plan for another retreat during the first quarter of next year and review what was accomplished. He commented, "I think we invested $420 in the retreat, is it a worthwhile project?"
The public works director said, "Absolutely, it's a worthwhile project. We have an opportunity for the community to express their interests and we listen to them. We've assigned responsibilities and timelines to accomplish those goals and objectives we identified.
     "Moreover I'd like to ask that at the next retreat the council and the town steer in the direction of the Strategic Plan with outcomes and goals, and bring those to the council for approval."
     Van Eaton added, "At least I can speak for public works and probably the town clerk. When we see something the council has assigned as a priority, that gives us our direction. And we can work everyday to include those priorities in our business. It's our job to work for the goals and objectives of the council insofar as we can. The ideas have to be realistic and doable."
     "Do we have any new grants in the works this year?" Schaub asked. Van Eaton answered, "As a matter of fact we do. Let me announce some good news. Last week the mayor and I buttoned up applying for 2.4 million dollars worth of street improvements within the town. We can't expect we're going to get all five of those grants, we may get two.
"If we get two grants totaling approximately one million dollars, the town's going to need to find matching funds in the amount of approximately $60,000. That's one of the problems I'm wrestling with in the street fund budget."
     Van Eaton continued, "Additionally, we picked up partnership, I believe, with Weyerhaeuser, who is interested. But I haven't heard from them finally about going into partnership with Lynch Creek Quarry. The town had some money left over from our overlay project this year; the three of us would go into partnership to lay 990 feet of asphalt on Weyerhaeuser Road North. By so doing I've applied for that sidewalk grant again for Weyerhaeuser Road. We're more likely to get it now because of our improvement to Weyerhaeuser Road North.
     "Those are the major grants we've applied for. There's also Smallwood Park, which we are resurrecting. And the town seems to have been successful, with council member Harper's assistance, to secure $150,000 in grant funds for the Alder Street park area."
     Next Schaub wanted to know if "we're continuing to pick up training as much as possible?" Mayor Parnell stated, "I have been all for training. The town clerk has been to several classes and I've OK'd them, because I figure the more they know the more it's going to help the town."
Schaub continued reading from retreat objectives, "Improve regional transportation." Harper noted, "We've been with      Pierce Transit and actually it's looking really well that we will probably be included in some kind of grant money. Hopefully within the next year."
     "Encourage business and promote local employment," Schaub read, "Create a town theme. That was to be the Chamber of Commerce and we still don't see anything happening. A community summit."
Van Eaton pointed out; "The planning commission plays a very important role in some of the decisions of land use that can affect promoting business within the town. I believe the planning commission has acted, and will act, responsibly to accommodate being friendly to business in town. It's vital to our general fund functioning that we have business in town."
     Council member Jarrett said, "We want to encourage businesses in town, but then we charge them more for utilities. It seems people's idea of water conservation is to make the higher users pay a lot more money. And the higher users are going to be businesses. That's not going to encourage business like a car wash, or car lots where they use a lot of water to wash cars.
     "So I think, in a way, that idea of a tiered-rate structure is anti-business. I also think if we're planning to max out our current water supply with growth, that we should allocate a certain amount to businesses and a certain amount of what's left to residences."
     Staying on the subject of water, Jarrett continued, "Right now the water we are drilling for is just to replace our current water supply. It's not to increase it. An increase would require applications that we can't guarantee. So I think when we look at growth we need to go with what we can guarantee."
     Schaub said, "It looks like we are addressing many of the items which were discussed at the retreat."
Mayor  Parnell mentioned, "I've been talking with Senator Marilyn Rasmussen and she's interested in helping the Town of Eatonville as much as she can."
     Returning to topics discussed at the retreat, Schaub pointed out, "Some of the main points addressed were employee turnover. We want to stop that…we see it happening in the police department. We want to continue with the community retreat and start a community summit. We really focused on that. I think it's supposed to start sometime in the fall, is it not? Did Ray Arment [superintendent of Eatonville schools] say that he was going to help spearhead that?"
     Van Eaton commented about employee turnover, "We have had no turnover in public works. I have received the position description of our people and adjusted their pay according to what they can do. It's had quite an impact on the workforce. I recognized what they do; they work very hard for the town and I think they're making fair wages."
     Town Clerk Loffelmacher said the "same has been done for the finance staff and it's working out very well."
Schaub questioned the affect these actions had on the budget. Loffelmacher told him, "a minimal amount." However, Van Eaton said, "I'm pressing the budget."
     Mayor Parnell brought up one way to save money. "We have been paying $400 a month to Puget Sound Public Employers for union representation. We haven't used them at all. I feel we should discontinue them. We haven't had any problems; everything has been running smoothly. That's $4,800 a year which certainly can be used someplace else."
The mayor also noted if problems did occur the town attorney could "take care of it." Harper agreed, "If there's not grievances being filed…and as long as you adhere to the contract you don't need a third party."
     Jarrett brought up the "four- or five-way stop at the bank, where you can't see anybody. There are problems where people are parking in front of Christensen's [department store]. If someone is coming out of the bank drive-through all of a sudden there can be five cars and you have to pull out into the crosswalk to see. I think it's not as bad in a car as being a pedestrian."
     Schaub responded, "I have trouble with that whole corner. I hear people grumbling because of the large white truck parked there by Christensen's because it blocks the stop sign. People can't see, they can't even tell there's a stop sign until the corner."
     Harper said, "It's usually only there when they are loading and unloading." Schaub disagreed, "It's there 24 hours a day." Jarrett noted, "We had some discussions about doing something about that at the retreat."
"You said you were going to review that corner, and I guess we haven't reviewed," Schaub pointed out. Van Eaton stated,      "We're speaking of a safety issue and we're also speaking to an issue of planning, what that town square or that intersection should look like.
     "And I really don't want to go there. In terms of safety my considerations are that it's as safe now as it would be any other way. That's my specific belief. If the council wants to move in a more specific direction, I wish you would take a vote and send me in that direction."
     Pat Hamilton recalled, "When the retreat was held that new four-way stop had just been put in, and everybody was complaining about it. Now we've had a few months to look at it, and if there are any cars parked along any of the streets, it's blind. That's why I think stoplights are better. At least it would slow traffic and get people looking before they get into that intersection."
     On the subject of park funds, Harper informed the council, "Bruce Lachney was going to go after some grants through places like the Cheney Foundation. Those funds can't be channeled through the town, whereas REET [Real Estate Excise Tax] money can. So we talked about maybe putting the funds through PSIA [Parents & Students in Action].
Loffelmacher informed the council that Fire Chief Bob Holt asked her to announce an ALS [Advanced Life Support] meeting September 10 to discuss transport services."
     Harper was pleased with the latest audit results. "I have to say, a very good job." Mayor Parnell stated, "They gave us an 'A.'" And Schaub added, "Congratulations. That's the first time we've gotten an 'A.' It's always been an
'A minus' or 'B plus.'"
     As the study session ended, Mayor Parnell noted, "An Eagle Scout, Andy Hickman, and his crew, painted about 69 fire hydrants in town. He turns 18 today and he's joined the Marines. He and his crew did a good job."

"Pity the poor kids who grow up in a big city. They miss the little things that made growing up in a small town, ah, so wonderful."
~Tom Morrow