CITY OF SHORELINE
 
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING

 

Monday, April 13, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Shoreline Conference Center
Mt. Rainier Room

 

PRESENT:       Mayor Ryu, Deputy Mayor Scott, Councilmember Eggen, Councilmember McConnell, Councilmember McGlashan, and Councilmember Way

 

ABSENT:        Councilmember Hansen

 

1.

CALL TO ORDER

 

At 7:30 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryu, who presided.

 

2.

FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

 

Mayor Ryu led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exception of Councilmember Hansen. Mr. Olander announced that Councilmember Hansen might be absent from the meeting.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott moved to excuse Councilmember Hansen. Councilmember McGlashan seconded the motion, which carried 6-0 and Councilmember Hansen was excused.

 

 

(a)        Proclamation of Volunteer Week

 

Mayor Ryu read the proclamation declaring the week of April 19 - 25, 2009 as "Volunteer Week" in the City of Shoreline. Mr. Dick Decker accepted the proclamation on behalf of City of Shoreline volunteers, thanked the City for this recognition, and noted that volunteers are “the glue that holds the City together.”

 

 

(b)        Proclamation of Earth Day

 

Councilmember Eggen read the proclamation recognizing April 22, 2009 as "Earth Day" in the City of Shoreline. Craig Ferguson, Regional Manager of Seattle Goodwill, and Barry West, Manager of Deseret Industries, accepted the proclamation and thanked the City for recognizing Earth Day. They each described the activities their organizations promote to further environmentalism and the goals of Earth Day.

 

3.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

Bob Olander, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects, and events. He noted that there would be no City Council meeting on Monday, April 20 due to the Council’s participation in the Green Cities Conference.

 

4.

REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

 

Councilmember Eggen said he attended the Suburban Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC) meeting and there was a recommendation that SCA support a certain reduction in Metro service hours which could impact Shoreline quite a bit. The final vote was 26-1 for new allocations. He said the City will continue to lobby to prevent a disproportionate reduction in Shoreline's transit service in the course of reducing Metro Service Hours.

 

Mayor Ryu stated that she attended the Northend Mayor's meeting and they discussed the revenue situation in cities. She noted that some are considering hiring freezes and layoffs, but the City of Kenmore reported they were doing well. She added that she joined the City of Seattle at their Taejon, Korea sister city celebration. Additionally, she said Shoreline Community College hosted a roundtable of veterans programs and they recognize a need to serve veterans better.

 

5.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

 

            a)         Laethan Wene, Shoreline, encouraged everyone to come out April 18 to cheer on the Special Olympic athletes.

 

            b)         Ed Adams, Shoreline, President of Richmond Beach Community Association, thanked the Council for their continuing support of the mini-grant program.

 

            c)         Deborah Marchant, Shoreline, invited the Council to defend clean air and to work to make Shoreline the first smoke-free city in the country. She displayed a number of photos and stated that the laws need to be strengthened and people need to be educated about the harmfulness of smoke. She said the City can start by reducing the amount of fireplace burning. She discussed a Seattle Times article concerning people compromising the current wood-burning laws.

  

6.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Deputy Mayor Scott moved approved the agenda. Councilmember Way seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and the agenda was approved.

 

7.

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Councilmember McGlashan asked that item 7(h) be pulled from the Consent Calendar. This was made new item 8(b). Deputy Mayor Scott moved approval of the Consent Calendar as amended. Councilmember Way seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and the following items were approved:

 

 

(a)               Minutes of Business Meeting of February 23, 2009

      Minutes of Business Meeting of March 9, 2009

 

 

(b)        Approval of expenses and payroll as of April 2, 2009 in the amount of $5,024,535.41 as specified in the following detail:

 

*Payroll and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

Payroll           Period

Payment Date

EFT      Numbers      (EF)

Payroll      Checks      (PR)

Benefit           Checks           (AP)

Amount      Paid

 

2/22/09-3/7/09

2/27/2009

28221-28419

8600-8639

39602-39610

$423,549.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

$423,549.59

*Wire Transfers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense Register Dated

Wire Transfer Number

 

Amount        Paid

 

 

 

3/18/2009

1003

 

$228,330.00

 

 

 

3/23/2009

1004

 

$134,840.00

 

 

 

4/1/2009

1005

 

$140,950.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

$504,120.50

*Accounts Payable Claims:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense Register Dated

Check Number (Begin)

Check        Number       (End)

Amount        Paid

 

 

 

3/12/2009

39528

39552

$17,460.01

 

 

 

3/17/2009

39553

 

$126.00

 

 

 

3/17/2009

39554

39572

$234,630.77

 

 

 

3/19/2009

39573

39597

$63,452.29

 

 

 

3/19/2009

39598

39601

$1,000.00

 

 

 

3/23/2009

39611

 

$2,640.34

 

 

 

3/23/2009

39612

39614

$1,380,393.00

 

 

 

3/24/2009

39615

39634

$61,099.59

 

 

 

3/24/2009

39635

 

$87,550.00

 

 

 

3/25/2009

39636

 

$10.00

 

 

 

3/25/2009

39637

39671

$147,865.08

 

 

 

3/30/2009

39672

39673

$1,408,800.00

 

 

 

3/31/2009

39674

 

$4,121.47

 

 

 

3/31/2009

39656

 

($144.00)

 

 

 

4/1/2009

39675

 

$7,250.00

 

 

 

4/1/2009

39676

39698

$568,678.89

 

 

 

4/1/2009

39699

39701

$26,648.83

 

 

 

4/2/2009

39702

 

$84,300.00

 

 

 

4/2/2009

39703

39709

$983.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4,096,865.32

 

 

(c)        Motion to Authorize the Comcast and Verizon Cable Education and Government Access Fee

 

 

(d)        Ordinance No. 537, Amending the 2009 Budget for Uncompleted 2008 Capital and Operating Projects and Increasing Appropriations in the 2009 Budget

 

 

(e)        Ordinance No. 539, Commencing a Pilot Program for Off-Leash Dog Parks and Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 8.12, Rules for Use of City of Shoreline Parks Facilities

 

 

(f)        Motion to Approve the Human Services Strategy Task Force Appointments

 

 

(g)        Motion to Authorize the City Manager to Obligate $1Million of Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds and $475,000 in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Funds for the Aurora Corridor Project

 

 

(i)         Motion to Authorize the City Manager to Approve a Real Property Acquisition for the Aurora Corridor Project for the Appraised Value of $533,050 with an Authorized Contingency of 10% Above the Appraised Value

 

 

(j)         Ordinance No. 540, Amending General Provisions of the Shoreline Municipal Code to Require Criminal Acts be Knowingly Committed; waiving Second Reading per Council Rule 3.5B

 

8.

ACTION ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING

 

 

(a)        Public hearing to receive citizens’ comments on the Proposed Updated Vision Statement and Framework Goals of the City of Shoreline Comprehensive Plan

 

Mr. Tovar introduced Will Hall, Planning Commission (PC) Chair. Mr. Hall introduced Michelle Wagner, Vice Chair, and presented the Council and the community with the unanimous recommendation to adopt the updated Vision Statement and Framework Goals for the City. He described the background and process of the update and said it is concise enough that it can be used by Council and the public in future years. Ms. Wagner commented that the Vision was written as an aspirational statement and discusses gathering places, diversity of housing, neighborhood character, density, business friendliness, and partnering.

 

Mayor Ryu opened the public hearing.

 

            a)         Dennis Lee, Shoreline, read page 73, Appendix B, which noted that the framework goals must be viewed as a whole and the City is committed to sustainability in all respects. Sustainability, he explained, really means ensuring there is enough of a balance to ensure the City doesn’t have to deal with the impact of development for 20 years. He suggested the City focus on efforts to preserve Community Business by ensuring it isn’t “residentialized,” which may be more appropriate in the Regional Business zone.

 

            b)         LaNita Wacker, Shoreline, said one of the framework goals is missing. She felt there should be one referring to Shoreline as a place to work. She noted that the City needs to develop at least 200-300 more jobs per year in the community. The City has to seek investment for corporate office headquarters, etc. She also discussed framework goals 14 and 15 and said that on page 71 under “Signature Boulevard,” Aurora Avenue is described as "a thriving corridor of mid-rise buildings." However, she heard the citizens say they wanted high density to occur in the Aurora corridor. She said if Shoreline wants to be a sustainable city, people need to get out of their cars and walk. Additionally, there needs to be 10, 12, and 15-story LEED-certified buildings, which will allow density.

 

            c)         Dwight Gibb, Shoreline, commented that there seems to be a built-in optimism in the process. He stated that the framework goals are excellent and the Commission and City staff have done a great job. He discussed the narrative statement about the Town Center and said the City Hall has a little setback because the Walgreen’s blocks the view of City Hall. He said he would rather see the Town Center language refer to how the center can be saved despite the division of social relations between east and west. He said it would at least recognize it as an element of the dynamic. He commented that diversity is tough, but a look at the more gritty aspects should be done. He said he would like to see an emphasis on the hopes of the people truly in need, such as those in Fircrest, nursing homes, and group homes.

 

Mr. Hall stated that he didn’t identify any conflicting comments in the Commission’s recommendation. Councilmember Eggen requested that the comments from the speakers be provided to the Council. Mayor Ryu reviewed the Council options.

 

Mr. Olander commented that it is appropriate to close the public hearing. Councilmember Eggen questioned if closing the public hearing meant that the letters received after today couldn’t be considered. Mr. Olander replied that this is a legislative action, so they could be included in the record. Councilmember Way said there is no harm in allowing written comment to come in. Mayor Ryu stated that this item can be adopted at the April 27 Council meeting.

 

There was Council consensus to leave the public hearing open until April 27, 2009.

 

Mr. Olander encouraged residents to put their comments in writing. Mayor Ryu asked that they provide them to the City by the morning of April 20.

 

Mr. Hall pointed out that there are thousands of comments from people that attended the town hall meetings, and a lot of work goes into trying to balance all of them. He encouraged the Council to judge all of the comments with fairness and balance.

 

Councilmember Way suggested the public review the Vision Statements and Framework Goals on the website.

 

Councilmember McGlashan noted that the Council heard about jobs at the dinner meeting and obviously it has to be referenced, although he felt it may be covered. He warned against too many additions. However, he felt the jobs information should be included.

 

Councilmember Way said she had a suggestion for an additional framework goal to provide economic climate and opportunities that encourage innovation and creativity to foster business growth and jobs and citizen involvement in the community. She said it is important to find ways to foster such ideas.

 

Mayor Ryu referred to Councilmember Eggen’s comment that the Vision makes Shoreline sound like it’s a bedroom community. She noted that if the City can grow the economic base by increasing innovation, then the tax pressures on the residents will decrease.

 

Councilmember McGlashan said rather than adding new bullets, he would rather modify the existing bullets.

 

Mayor Ryu suggested adding "and tax base" to "economic base." She further suggested Councilmember McGlashan and Councilmember Way work on Framework Goals 15 and 18.

 

Councilmember McConnell discussed the comment from Ms. Wacker concerning some people wanting higher density. She suggested finding a more general word than "mid-rise buildings." Ms. Wagner replied that mid-rise and high-rise doesn't necessarily mean mid-density and high density. A lot of people can fit into six stories, she said. She noted that the Commission heard from both sides of the issue and there isn’t universal support for one way or the other. Councilmember McConnell responded that this is referred to on page 71. Ms. Wagner said the intention was to capitalize on the success of designs the Commission and Council have adopted for more intense development.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott commented that the Commission reviewed the data and said that community consensus falls in the middle. Mayor Ryu added that a high rise in Shoreline might be mid-rise in Seattle. Mr. Hall noted that the Council ultimately will decide what that means. Councilmember McConnell felt it is better to keep this as a Vision and not dwell on specific verbiage because it's meant to be global statement.

 

Councilmember Eggen commented that the Council didn’t take advantage of the visioning process to discuss these things in detail. He said what is being discussed isn’t just a smaller footprint, but the trade-off in building height for open space and a higher quality building. Mr. Tovar commented that mid-rise describes a six-story building, which is allowed now.

 

Councilmember McGlashan questioned if there has been a change from mid-rise to mixed-height. Councilmember Way said she is hearing that the City staff is suggesting vagueness may not be the goal here. She noted that mid-rise means different things to different people and design standards go into making any of these possibilities workable in the City’s central core. She read her proposed Framework Goal #9 and said it captures the possibility that the City needs to create an acceptable place for employing those standards.

 

Mr. Hall again reiterated that it is up to the Council to decide. Mr. Olander clarified that design standards are really a "how to" and is more appropriate language for the development code. He suggested keeping the language more aspirational in nature to express "functionality and walkability." He suggested the Council indicate the areas they have concerns with so the staff knows what to focus on.

 

Mayor Ryu pointed out that there is an issue with "canyons" and wondered if there can be a trade off between having a combination of heights and green space. Mr. Tovar replied that "canyon" describes what people don't want and the envelope is something the City can vary quite a bit along the Aurora corridor. He said the City staff can come up with language to capture the essence. Councilmember McConnell said she concluded from the Commission statements that the Council needs to keep this neutral enough to have a variety of visions for density because the vision statement isn’t completed.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott expressed interest in language about high-rise development and said it must be well-spaced and well-designed. He said he would like the City staff to craft some language addressing this. Mr. Hall said this is a legitimate policy question because the way it's currently worded would probably preclude developments higher than six stories.

 

Councilmember Eggen noted that the key is that this hasn’t been discussed with the community and the language would do that. He said the language expresses the vision for good design and beauty in Shoreline. Mayor Ryu wondered if the language could reflect the fact that this has been a very well-publicized process. Mr. Hall noted that Framework Goals 10 and 11 address that.

 

Councilmember Way suggested Framework Goal #12 be revised by adding "including options accessible for aging and/or developmentally disabled population." Mayor Ryu supported the suggestion. Councilmember McGlashan commented that accessibility is pretty well covered in the City’s housing strategies and it also talks about choice and accessibility. Deputy Mayor Scott stated that the Council shouldn’t get into editing the language tonight and they should just give the City staff direction for suggested changes.

 

Mayor Ryu discussed the first bullet item concerning crime and recidivism and said she wants to make sure it’s included somewhere in the Vision Statement and Framework Goals. She said the City can't continue to go the way it’s going when one out of every 31 adults in America is incarcerated or in a release program. Deputy Mayor Scott wondered if this belongs in a Visioning statement. He noted that the statement may not be attractive to people.

 

Councilmember Eggen suggested using language pertaining to ensuring courts use best practices and are just, fair, and progressive. Councilmember McGlashan said there are so many people in the system that the City may want to partner with those agencies. Mr. Olander replied that the Vision talks about safe communities and the level of detail belongs perhaps under public safety in the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Ryu commented that the difficulty is that the City has had the housing and environmental sustainability strategy and now work is beginning on the human services strategies. Mr. Olander added that certainly the kinds of things being discussed right now revolve around human services.

 

Councilmember Way suggested language for Framework Goal #4. Mayor Ryu further suggested adding "including parks, natural areas, and built environments." Councilmember McGlashan agreed with the revision. Councilmember Way stated that parks are a value for the City. Mayor Ryu said she will forward the language to the City staff. Councilmember Way congratulated the Commission and the City for being committed to sustainability.

 

RECESS

 

At 9:10 p.m., Mayor Ryu called for a five-minute break. The Council meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m.

 

            (b)        Motion to approve the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board Appointments

 

Councilmember Way reported that the subcommittee met three times and interviewed all the candidates. She said the decision was difficult and the majority recommended Boni Biery, with one member recommending Herb Bryce. The Committee wanted to request that the Parks Board offer those applicants not selected an opportunity to be a part of any parks subcommittee.

 

Mayor Ryu called for public comment. There was no one wishing to provide public comment. Mayor Ryu thanked Councilmember Way and Councilmember McConnell for their work on the committee.

 

Mayor Ryu moved to approve the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board appointments. Deputy Mayor Scott seconded the motion.

 

Councilmember McGlashan explained that he pulled this item because he has had some issues with the commission appointments and the way they were submitted. He noted that he doesn’t understand why Herb Bryce, who was reapplying for the Parks Board, wasn’t recommended to continue serving. He noted that he is a 13-year elected official on the school board, the founding member and current board member of the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council, a current Kruckeberg Botanical Garden board member, and has had other national and regional board experience and leadership. He said he is embarrassed and frustrated as a Councilmember when people with great credentials are ask to volunteer and are then denied. He said the same thing happens in the Planning Commission, when reapplying commissioners are let go. He felt maybe the solution would be to have alternating terms. He felt that the Council is taking more qualified people off and putting friends on boards and committees.

 

Councilmember Way explained the recommendation and said she looked at the four potentially returning board members and the candidates and felt it was good policy to bring back some existing members and also refresh the board with new members. She highlighted that the decision had nothing to do with whether a candidate was an excellent person, and it was a difficult decision but felt it was good for Shoreline.

 

Mayor Ryu said her criteria consisted of four categories; 1) experience, 2) general skills, 3) expressed environmental values, 4) special or specific skills.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott wondered why the item was being discussed if there was a subcommittee. He added that just because they served in the past doesn’t mean reappointing them is automatic.

 

Councilmember McConnell said she was a member of the subcommittee and her vote was in the minority. She noted that she tried to be fairly neutral with the credentials and Bryce was one of her top three. However, she said she was frustrated.

 

Councilmember Eggen commented that this is a difficult choice. He noted that Mr. Bryce has been a great contributor to Shoreline, however, he said he has to support the subcommittee recommendation because he felt there needs to be a genuine environmental enthusiast on the Parks Board. He felt there should be more knowledge and enthusiasm on the Parks Board.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott commented that a majority of the committee supported the recommendation and he still wonders why there is still discussion going on. He felt the Council should move on.

 

A vote was taken on the motion to approve the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board appointments as recommended by the Council Subcommittee, which carried 4-2, with Councilmember McGlashan and Councilmember McConnell dissenting.

  

            (a)        Resolution No. 285 regarding Point Wells

 

Joe Tovar, Planning and Development Services Director, introduced this topic. He explained that the staff has put together a resolution that communicates the priorities of the Council, its citizens and property owners. Mr. Olander said the City has been actively involved in this issue and the resolution will be transmitted to the Snohomish County Council.

 

Mayor Ryu called for public comment.

 

            a)         Steve Kerr, Shoreline, commented that the Richmond Beach Community Association (RBCA) appreciates Mr. Tovar’s efforts to keep their association apprised of the development and the continued cooperation. The RBCA is in full agreement with Section 1. He said to expect Point Wells to be a “bullet point” that will be etched in stone on future meeting agendas of the RBCA.

 

            b)         Brian Cody, Shoreline, said he lives next to Richmond Beach road and there are many issues with traffic safety. He said the 1,000-foot section between 12th Avenue NW and 15th Avenue NW is not presently recognized as a traffic hazard. However, in the last eight years there have been thirty-six accidents with two fatalities. He said that when engineers look at the roads they take a usually just take a sampling, and the sampling usually has been the section between 8th Avenue to 20th Avenue. He said this curve alone it makes it the most dangerous 1,000 feet in Shoreline.

 

            c)         Jack McHenry, Shoreline, said he is a 16-year resident and two people have died from traffic accidents on his property. He stated that living with traffic accidents on Richmond Beach Road is a part of his life. He felt if the volume is increased, the risk factor would grow. He expressed support for the resolution.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott moved to adopt Resolution No. 285 regarding Point Wells. Councilmember Way seconded the motion.

 

Responding to Councilmember Eggen, Mr. Tovar responded that the traffic analysis will look at public safety as well as traffic volumes. He noted that the Council may add another section directing the City staff to prepare a thorough traffic analysis to include those public safety concerns that have already been expressed. Mark Relph, Public Works Director, responded that they will be evaluating the accident rate which represents the number and types of accidents by volume. Councilmember Eggen suggested modifying Section 2 as requested by the speaker. Mr. Tovar stated that the citizens want the traffic analysis to address safety concerns, not just volumes.

 

Councilmember McGlashan commented that he is hearing that there’s a problem now and wanted to know what was being done prior to the development. Mr. Relph replied that the City staff will look at existing conditions from a safety perspective.

 

Mr. Cody pointed out that the traffic models are being considered right now but they do not include the impact on safety, they only address traffic flows and volumes. He said accident models are anecdotal and the reality is there will be a traffic increase which will cause an increase in fatalities.

 

Councilmember Way moved to adopt amendments to Section 1 and Section 3 of the resolution. Councilmember Eggen seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion to adopt amendments to Sections 1 and 3, which carried 6-0. A vote was taken on the motion to adopt Resolution No. 285 as amended, which carried 6-0.

 

MEETING EXTENSION

 

At 9:55 p.m., Councilmember McGlashan moved extend the meeting until 10:15 p.m. Deputy Mayor Scott seconded the motion, which carried 5-0 (Councilmember McConnell momentarily stepped away from the Council table).

 

9.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

 

(a)   Ordinance No. 538, Amending Ordinance Nos. 528 and 537 by Decreasing the Appropriation in the General and Street Funds and Increasing the Appropriation in the Revenue Stabilization Fund

 

Debbie Tarry, Finance Director, stated that this proposal is based on the recommendation from the City staff to reduce expenditures due to decreased revenue projections for 2009. She noted that they were not recommending any change to the mini-grant program at this time.

 

Mayor Ryu called for public comment. There was no one wishing to provide public comment on this item.

 

Deputy Mayor Scott moved to adopt Ordinance No. 538, Amending Ordinance Nos. 528 and 537 by Decreasing the Appropriation in the General and Street Funds and Increasing the Appropriation in the Revenue Stabilization Fund. Councilmember Way seconded the motion.

 

Councilmember Eggen thanked the City staff for looking at additional savings rather than cutting mini-grants.

 

Councilmember Way stated that mini-grants provides a full range of opportunities for neighborhoods to participate. She added that the City staff proposal doesn’t include across-the-board personnel cuts. Mr. Olander pointed out that he has proposed a modified hiring freeze.

 

Councilmember McGlashan thanked the City staff and Council for saving the neighborhood mini-grants program and stated that the Neighborhoods Coordinator has done a great job. He said he expects to see more requests for those funds.

 

Mr. Olander commented that the cuts weren’t easy, and future cuts will involve very difficult choices. Hopefully, he concluded, revenues will stabilize.

 

A vote was taken on the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 538, which carried 6-0.

 

11.

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 10:06 p.m., Mayor Ryu declared the meeting adjourned.

 

/S/ Scott Passey, City Clerk