SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

Monday, May 24, 2004 Shoreline Conference Center

6:00 p.m. Highlander Room

PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Gustafson, and Ransom

ABSENT: Councilmember Grace

STAFF: Steve Burkett, City Manager; Bob Olander, Deputy City Manager; and Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager

GUEST: none

Mayor Hansen convened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

Steve. Burkett, City Manager, distributed a memorandum from Police Chief Denise Turner explaining King County Executive Ron Sims’ proposal to change the Emergency Management Advisory Council (EMAC) to a new King County Homeland Security Funding Board. The new board would be comprised of elected officials. It would make decisions on how grant funds would be distributed in the King County area. The rationale for this new board is that it would give more accountability to elected officials.

Apparently, the City of Seattle wanted to be considered its own region rather than in the same region as King County. Since the State did not support this change, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels approached Executive Sims to negotiate a deal – as a result King County would have the majority of votes on the board. Currently, there are no other suburban cities in support of this proposal. Mr. Burkett stated that staff does not support it and would not recommend support to the City Council. A possible compromise for suburban cities would be to enlist elected officials in developing criteria for the funding.

Councilmember Fimia suggested working with the Suburban Cities Association and ensuring that all cities are on board. In addition, she spoke in support of adding more elected officials to EMAC, but she stressed that the funding decisions need to be a technical decision as opposed to a political decision.

Mr. Burkett reminded the Council that the second City Hall charrette would take place on May 26.

Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

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Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager