CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
The purpose of these minutes is to capture a high-level summary of Council’s discussion and action. This is not a verbatim transcript. Meeting video and audio is available on the City’s website.
Monday, August 1, 2022 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Scully, Deputy Mayor Robertson, Councilmembers McConnell, Mork, Roberts, Pobee, and Ramsdell
ABSENT: None.
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Scully who presided.
2. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present except for
Councilmember Roberts, who joined the meeting at 7:01 p.m. and Councilmember McConnell who joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
(a) Proclamation of National Night Out for Community
Mayor Scully announced the proclamation of National Night Out for Community in Shoreline.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
4. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, reported on various City meetings, projects, and events.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Roberts reported his attendance to the National League of Cities Summer Leadership Conference. He said they established an Indigenous Municipal Official Network and discussed the work to provide funding for infrastructure in cities.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council heard comments from the public from approximately 7:05 p.m. to 7:32 p.m. Written comments were also submitted to Council prior to the meeting and are available on the City’s website.
Douglas Schmidt, Shoreline resident, expressed opposition to the idea of closing his 24-hour laundromat during the night. He explained why it is kept open and encouraged people to call him with issues regarding his business.
Susanne Tsoming, Shoreline resident and member of Save Shoreline Trees, proposed language be added to Resolution No. 494 to explicitly address the protection of established trees.
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline resident, commented that the survival rate of newly planted trees is not enough to offset the impact of trees being removed. She asked that Resolution No. 494 include language to protect established trees.
Nancy Morris, Shoreline resident, said that tree codes must change to protect as many trees as possible. She advised that Resolution No. 494 include language to protect established trees.
Courtney Ewing, Shoreline resident, suggested new codes and development practices that could help high density developments increase green spaces.
Melody Fosmore, Shoreline resident and member of Save Shoreline Trees, urged Council to support Resolution No. 494 for the sake of the environment.
Derek Blackwell, Shoreline resident, spoke about issues with the development to replace Garden Park Apartments and asked that they be addressed in the design.
Adam Renehan, Shoreline resident, commented regarding mental health and drug addiction issues. He asked for help to find resources and advocated for improved resources.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Robertson and seconded and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into a Grant Agreement with the Port of Seattle for $94,000 for Economic Development Projects
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion of the 2021 Sustainability Report and Resolution No. 494 - Declaration of Climate Emergency
Environmental Services Program Manager, Cameron Reed explained that the sustainability report highlights contributions to environmental wellbeing. Staff identified the following contributions in 2021:
· Expanded sidewalk network and increased walkability.
· Significant increase in green-certified units.
· Increased impact of Green Shoreline Partnership and urban forest programs.
· Improved stream water quality and Salmon Safe implementation.
· Race to Zero and climate action progress.
The 2021 Sustainability Report measured direct emissions coming from both municipal operations and the community in 2019. As part of the Race to Zero campaign, the City committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and reach zero emissions by 2050. From 2009 to 2019, the City reduced emissions by 5%, or 10% per capita, by increasing composting, recycling, and reducing miles driven per person. The City has also banned fossil fuel use for space and water heating in new commercial construction. While progress has been made, the City is not on track to meet the science-based emissions goals.
The report results show the two primary sources of Shoreline’s carbon footprint. About 60% of Shoreline’s carbon footprint comes from fuel use and 40% from natural gas and heating oil. To reduce emissions, the City is developing a Climate Action Plan. The Plan is framed around five focus areas: Transportation and Land Use; Buildings and Energy; Consumption and Waste; Ecosystems and Sequestration; and Preparedness and Resilience. Mr. Reed stated that the City needs an increased focus on reducing driving and electrification of vehicles and buildings. This will require updating our priorities for transportation and infrastructure; updating policies to increase climate resilience and reduce emissions; changing the City’s vehicle purchasing practices, and providing support for building electrification. All of this must be done in concurrence with actions to protect the community from the evident impact of climate change, such as extreme heat, wildfires, smoke events, and flooding. Following staff and community review, the draft Climate Action Plan will be presented in September.
Mr. Reed said that Resolution No. 494 formally recognizes climate change as a significant threat to the health and welfare of our community. The Resolution commits the City to environmental justice by recognizing that communities experiencing systemic racism and other forms of oppression are more at risk from climate change. And it directs the City to take accelerated and transformative action to address the climate crisis.
Questions were asked about the strategizes of various environmental protections suggested in public comment. Mr. Reed responded that the Parks and Public Works Departments are responsible for programs involving tree watering and water quality. Their programs have an internal focus on City operations to ensure tree survival and safe salmon conditions. One of the public-facing programs is Waste Wise which focused on increasing recycling in 2021. Waste Wise will focus more on composting moving forward. Mr. Reed added that the wording in the Resolution to “protect natural assets” is intended to be inclusive of established trees. He said he would need to check with right-of-way review staff to address idling vehicle concerns.
It was asked if there are metrics other than the canopy study to measure the amount of trees and their health. Mr. Reed answered that there is a whole suite of specialized studies that staff can look into.
Deputy Mayor Robertson commented that she will not be present for the next discussion of this item but fully supports declaring a climate emergency.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:55 p.m., Mayor Scully recessed into an Executive Session for a period of 25 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) to consider the selection of a site for the acquisition of real estate and discuss with legal counsel matters relating to agency enforcement actions or litigation or potential litigation to which the City is or is likely to become a party. He stated that the Council is expected to take action following the Executive Session. Staff attending the Executive Session included Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Nathan Daum, Economic Development Manager, and Julie Ainsworth-Taylor, Assistant City Attorney. Mayor Scully excused himself from the Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. The Executive Session ended at 8:20 p.m.
At 8:22 p.m. Mayor Scully called the Regular Meeting back to order.
Councilmembers Roberts moved to authorize the City Manager to take the necessary action to participate in the Local Government and Mayors amicus brief in support of respondents, including ensuring signature of the Mayor as necessary on the final brief.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 7-0.
Mayor Scully stated that he will recuse himself from the next item and left the meeting.
Councilmember Pobee moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the Subdivision Settlement Participation form so the City of Shoreline may participate in the Distributors Washington Settlement as presented by the Washington Attorney General.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 6-0.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:25 p.m., Deputy Mayor Robertson declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk