CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 28, 2022 Conference Room 440 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Scully, Deputy Mayor Robertson, and Councilmembers McConnell, Mork, Pobee, Ramsdell, and Roberts
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Bristol Ellington
Assistant City Manager John Norris
City Clerk Jessica Simulcik Smith
At 5:47 p.m., the special meeting was called to order by Mayor Scully. All Councilmembers were present.
Assistant City Manager, John Norris, reviewed potential topics for the 2023 Council Strategic Planning Workshop that were previously identified by Councilmembers. He asked Council to confirm this list and identify any other topics of interest. Staff will work on putting together staff reports, policy position papers, expert panels, and other necessary reports for the workshop. He then asked Council if they wish to hold the workshop and the Lodge at Saint Edward Park and continue to use Allegra Calder of Berk Consulting for facilitation. Councilmembers agreed on the location and facilitator and suggested the following topics also be considered:
1. Age Friendly Community: Analyze Seattle’s program to increase access to supportive housing, social outlets, employment, and more for all ages.
2. Climate Change: To discuss possible action items and a staff workplan to accelerate the implementation of climate action.
3. Communication Program Goals and Strategies: Take a comprehensive look at the program and discuss if a reallocation of resources is necessary.
4. Community Land Trust: Explore options to build below 30% AMI affordable housing.
5. Community Solar: Looks at ways to increase access to solar energy.
6. Deterrents from Vandalism: Consider the use of cameras and other measures to protect public property and art from damage, particularly for the Interurban Pedestrian Bridges.
7. Electric Utility Service: Examine the possibility, implications, and implementation of switching electric utility service to Snohomish County Public Utility District.
8. Ground Floor Commercial Spaces: Evaluate feedback from the pilot regulations for commercial spaces in multifamily buildings and explore expanding the program. It was noted that there is not much data available yet to study the impact of the mandate.
9. Renter Protection Regulations: Review protections in place for renters at the State level, consider if additional regulations are needed, and discuss enforcement mechanisms.
10. School Zone Cameras: Discuss the use of traffic cameras in school zones and other areas of high concern.
11. Tree Planting. Look into establishing a program to plant trees across the City.
12. Vision Zero. Look for easy projects to complete that will drive down injuries involving road traffic.
When discussing the potential topics for a speaker panel, Councilmembers agreed they would like to hear from safety experts on the topics of law enforcement, court proceedings, and program implementation.
City Clerk, Jessica Simulcik Smith, explained that Council reviews its Rules of Procedure annually to discuss amendments suggested by Councilmembers and staff throughout the year. This evening, staff is interested in Council’s feedback on amendments related to HB 1329 amending the Open Public Meeting Act, roll call voting, and remote participation.
Ms. Simulcik Smith explained HB 1329 encourages jurisdictions to continue allowing remote participation now that meetings are back to a physical location. She said much of what is recommended by the legislation is already being done. Amending the Rules of Procedures would show Council’s commitment to providing for remote attendance.
There was concern raised that the use of the word “shall” in the sentence “the meeting shall also be made available for remote attendance” would be problematic if there was an issue with the technology. Staff concurred and offered an amendment that would allow the meeting to still take place if there was a technology issue preventing the City from providing for remote attendance.
She then asked if Council would like to continue with roll call voting or revert to voting all at once. A Councilmember commented that the current Rules allow for both voting options and should not be changed. Council agreed to continue with roll call voting.
Now that Council has been holding hybrid meetings for six months, Ms. Simulcik Smith asked if the Rules related to Remote Attendance still fit their needs. Councilmembers responded that the current rules are adequate. Referring to Rule B.3, a Councilmember suggested the Mayor or Deputy Mayor be able to designate a presiding officer if the Mayor or Deputy Mayor are present but unable to preside.
Ms. Simulcik Smith reviewed changes to the meeting minutes to shorten their length and increase readability. She confirmed oral comments are summarized in the minutes and a link is provided to view written comments from the public online. Mr. Norris clarified that comments directly related to agenda items are posted online while others are handled internally. Councilmembers expressed satisfaction with the minutes and documentation of public comment.
Moving on to proclamations, Ms. Simulcik Smith went over the proclamations issued in 2022 and the proclamations proposed to be issued in 2023. There were questions from Council about the value of the proclamations and the work involved with locating sponsors for them. Mr. Norris said proclamations provide awareness and highlight interests of staff and the community. He explained a member of the public may be present to accept one when there is a strong connection to the proclamation.
A Councilmember commented that the proclamation process is good as it is and staff should not have to beat the bush to find someone to accept a proclamation. It was suggested that proclamations be shared on social media and a visual of the proclamation be shown at the meeting to increase their meaningfulness. Council requested that staff bring back a list of proposed proclamations where there is a strong champion behind the effort.
At 6:46 p.m., Mayor Scully declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Kendyl Hardy, Deputy City Clerk