CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 21, 2015 Conference Room 104 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Winstead, Deputy Mayor Eggen,
Councilmembers McGlashan, Hall, McConnell, Salomon, and Roberts
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Bonita Roznos, Deputy City Clerk
GUESTS: Dick Cushing, Consultant
At 5:35 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Winstead.
At 5:36 p.m. Mayor Winstead announced a Council recess into an Executive Session for a period of 75 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to review the performance of a public employee. At 6:45 p.m., Mayor Winstead announced a 10 minute extension to the Executive Session. Dick Cushing, Waldron Consultant, attended the Executive Session. At 6:55 p.m. the Executive Session concluded.
At 6:55p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
/S/Bonita Roznos, Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 21, 2015 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Winstead, Deputy Mayor Eggen,
Councilmembers McGlashan, Hall, McConnell, Salomon, and Roberts
ABSENT: None
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1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Winstead, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Winstead led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the Deputy City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
(a) Proclamation of Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry
Mayor Winstead read a proclamation declaring September 21, 2015 as the Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry in the City of Shoreline. Polly Terman, Weekend Backpack Program Director, accepted the proclamation. She thanked Council for raising awareness of the hungry and shared how the Weekend Backpack Program provides food to students that would not have food on the weekends. She stated the Program was founded by Calvin Presbyterian Church in 2009, and over 2,000 meals are provided to students. However, she advised that all the need has still not been met. She shared a personal story about delivering a backpack to a student and how that experience demonstrated to her that hunger is not faceless. She introduced Jessica Curtola who announced that their Food 4 Kids website is now operational and that it provides information on the Program and shows how to support their efforts.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
Mayor Winstead recognized Knox Clay, Rilan Fly, and Razi Muzaffar as winners of the Kids Move Challenge. She congratulated all the kids who participated in the Challenge, encouraged Shoreline kids to be active, and stated that it is an important part of being healthy. She acknowledged and thanked Scott Pharisss & Associates at the Windermere’s Shoreline Office for donating the scooters and pads and Edmonds Kiwanis Club for donating the helmets. Mr. Phariss, Karen Sherrell and Audra Farley presented the prizes to the winners. Knox, Rilan and Muzaffar described some of the things they did to be active during the Challenge and then took a picture with Councilmembers.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
There were no Council Reports.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Tom Mailhot, Save Richmond Beach Representative, stated that Resolution No. 377 was requested by residents of Richmond Beach. He thanked Councilmembers McConnell and Roberts for sponsoring it, as well as City Manager Debbie Tarry, and City Attorney Margaret King for assisting in getting it in final form. He commented that Richmond Beach Residents have been concerned with the City’s response to the proposed development at Point Wells. He said residents were not apprised of the Letter of Intent nor provided an opportunity to have public comment on it. He then presented excerpts from the Letter that he said should have had public input. He commented that residents were also excluded from providing public input regarding the Memorandum of Understanding. He said this Resolution provides an opportunity for the City to regain the trust of the residents.
Floyd McLaughlin, Shoreline resident, commented on the rezoning in the 185th Station Subarea and asked Council to consider the residents that are currently living there in their decisions.
Jerry Patterson, Shoreline Coalition for Open Government, urged the City Council to be clear and specific in the language used in proposed Resolution No. 377 when referring to the “City”. He commented on Mayor Winstead and Councilmember Hall recusing themselves on all matters related to Point Wells and suggested that Councilmember Hall adopt Mayor’s Winstead recusal statement.
Janet Way, Shoreline Preservation Society, commented that she supports Resolution No. 377 and the 4,000 Average Daily Trip (ADT) limit on Richmond Beach Drive. She said residents expect a reasonable limit to be placed on the impacts from any development. She said she supports the positions of the Shoreline Coalition for Open Government and the Richmond Beach Neighborhood Association. She spoke on the 2016 Budget Preliminary Review and suggested that more funds be allocated to support the Forevergreen effort to implement environmental sustainability strategies. She recalled Council’s discussion at a previous meeting regarding the removal of vegetation from the Aurora Corridor. She reiterated the effort it took to build in the infrastructure to help improve the drainage on Aurora and said the City won awards for this effort. She suggested that additional revenue be allocated for pipe replacement and repair to address drainage issues that threaten the Thornton Creek habitat.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Deputy Mayor Eggen moved to place Study Item 9.a Discussion and Preliminary View of the 2016 Budget prior to Action Item 8.a, and to remove the Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan, and passed unanimously.
The agenda was approved, as amended, by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember McConnell and unanimously carried, the following Consent Calendar item was approved:
(a) Minutes of Business Meeting of August 17, 2015
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion and Preliminary View of the 2016 Budget
Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director, introduced Rick Kirkwood, Senior Budget Analyst and Grant Raupp, Budget Analyst. She provided an overview of the General Fund and said she anticipates a positive General Fund ending variance of $1 Million and a General Fund Reserve balance of $4.7 Million. She added that there is $5.1 Million in the Revenue Stabilization Fund and $700,000 in the Property Tax Equalization Fund, bringing the total projected General Reserves to $10.5 Million. She displayed a 2008-2016 Regular Full Time Employee (FTE) Summary Chart and recommended adding 4 new FTE positions. She explained the new positions are necessary to achieve Council Goals, and said 3 of the positions will be offset by revenue and expenditure reductions minimizing the impact to the General Fund. She explained the positons will support increased Permit Activity, a reclassification for a vacant Human Services Association Planner to Community Diversity Coordinator, and a limited term position to support technology projects. She conveyed that any salary changes from the Classification and Compensation Study will be discussed during budget deliberations. She said the 2016 Proposed Budget will include a Cost of Living Adjustment of 1.45% and a 9.7% increase in Health Benefits.
Ms. Lane noted that there is $1.2 Million in Operating Budget Supplemental Requests and said they represent approximately 1% of the Operating Budget. She said a budget matrix is being developed to address Council’s questions. Ms. Lane reviewed Operating Revenue Forecasts and Assumptions for Property, Sales, Criminal Justice, Utility, and Liquor Excise Taxes, and said she anticipates a 2.7% ($0.964 Million) increase from the current 2015 Budget.
Deputy Mayor Eggen commented on the decrease in taxes and said it could be attributed to the increase in assessed valuation of property in Shoreline.
Ms. Lane stated the Operating Expenditure Forecast is $43.5 Million and said that it is less than a 1% increase from the 2015 Budget. She said jail costs have increased by 17% and explained why the equipment replacement escalator was increased from 2% to 3%. She explained that the Traffic Impact Fees Escalator was used for the first time, shared that it resulted in dramatic increases, and said Staff is recommending using the Washington State Department of Transportation Construction Cost Index instead. She then presented an example using both calculations.
Ms. Lane provided a 10 Year Financial Sustainability Plan Update, demonstrated how the proposed budget recommendations impact the Sustainability Model, and said the Model shows that the budget gap will occur in 2019. She said strategies to address the projected gap include a renewal of the Levy LID Lift in 2017, imposing a Business & Occupation Tax, and replacing General Fund support of the Roads Capital Fund with another dedicated funding source. She concluded by presenting the 2016 Proposed Budget & CIP Review Schedule, stated the 2016 Proposed Budget will be transmitted to Council on October 12, and that adoption is scheduled for November 23.
Deputy Mayor Eggen recalled the Council’s Dinner Meeting with Human Services Partners and hearing their budget issues. He shared that Human Services funding is not indexed to inflation which present budget challenges for them. He said he will be requesting a onetime funding allocation of $26,000 to assist Hopelink, Center for Human Services, and the Senior Center, and shared the valuable services they provide to the Shoreline Community. He suggested that the City Council and Community have a discussion to identify what services are needed in Shoreline.
Councilmember Salomon echoed Deputy Mayor Eggen’s sentiments. He commented that with the high population of seniors in Shoreline, the Senior Center is an essential service and asked if the City could support funding $26,000 to the Senior Center. He also agreed with Mayor Winstead on the need to support Human Services and the need to be fiscally conservative.
Councilmember Roberts suggested having a larger discussion about Human Services funding and evaluating if funding should be indexed to 90% of the Consumer Price Index or something similar. He asked about onetime funding for GIS and IT Extra Help. He expressed concern about staffing ongoing positions with Extra Help Employees instead of Part-time Employees. He said he would like to add a onetime funding request for speed radar signs near Meridian Park Elementary School to help ensure school kid’s safety. He said he supports staff’s Traffic Impact Fee recommendations. He expressed concern with hiring a consultant to conduct a Business & Occupation Tax Study for $20,000, stated that this is premature, and that the City should not be imposing additional taxes.
Mayor Winstead asked clarifying questions about the Levy LID Lift for 2016. She said people need to understand that the budget gap reduction projections in the 10 Year Financial Sustainability Model assumes the renewal of the Levy LID Lift.
Councilmember McConnell said that funding for Human Services has been pretty stagnate since she has been on the Council. She expressed that the ability to take care of our seniors is important and vital. She said she would like to have a discussion on increasing funding to Human Services next year. She said seniors are the most vulnerable of our society and that this is now becoming an ethical issue.
Mayor Winstead said that the speed radar signs are helpful for the school kids and shared a story of a family that puts one out and takes it in each day. She said that should not be their responsibility but rather the City’s. She stated she supports increasing funding to Human Services but would like staff to explore funding strategies. She asked Council to be mindful that any increase would come with expectations for continued funding at the increased funding level.
Councilmember Salomon
suggested finding savings to fund Human Services. He asked if saving could be
achieved by researching if there is a need for a computerized permit system replacement, and looking at the cost of the Roads
Capital Fund for a 185th Street Corridor Study, the Westminster Way Design
for improvement, the 3.3 % increase in the police contract, and the 9.7%
increase in health benefits. He commented that a more detail analysis of these costs
are needed and that saving from these items could help fund Human Services. He
asked about tree maintenance funding and tree removal along the 155th
Corridor. He said he feels strongly that the big trees on the street create a boulevard
feel and that an alternative needs to be found to address the buckling of the
sidewalk. He said he wants to ensure that tree maintenance funding is not going
towards the removal of trees.
Mayor Winstead encouraged Council to submit budget questions to staff in a
timely manner to allow staff enough time to respond accordingly.
9. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Adopt Resolution No. 377 - Prescribing Procedures Regarding Transportation
Corridor Study and Mitigations
Mayor Winstead and Councilmember Hall recused themselves from the discussion of this item to avoid a potential conflict of interest and left the meeting. Deputy Mayor Eggen accepted the gavel.
At 8:16 p.m. Deputy Mayor Eggen called for a 5 minute recess. At 8:21 p.m. Deputy Mayor Eggen reconvened the meeting.
Scott MacColl, Intergovernmental Relations Manager, explained that Resolution No. 377 addresses the Point Wells Subarea Plan and is being presented at the request of Councilmembers McConnell and Roberts. He said the Plan currently restricts traffic coming from any Point Wells Development to 4,000 Average Daily Trips (ADT) and it downgraded Richmond Beach Drive from a collector arterial to a local street. He pointed out that the Plan requires a transportation corridor study and road mitigations in order to increase traffic on the road. He explained that Snohomish County is the permitting agency and that the City has been working with them on the Environment Impact Study to determine the impacts of the Development. He said that the City has also been working with the Developer on the Transportation Corridor Study (TCS). He reviewed current strategies for the Development. He advised that Resolution No. 377 will formalize City strategy as Council policy, require a review of the TCS at a public meeting prior to approval, and restrict the City from entering into agreements prior to Comprehensive Plan changes.
Deputy Mayor Eggen opened Public Comment.
Betty Ngan, Shoreline resident, read a statement on behalf of Tom McCormick, supporting the adoption of Resolution No. 377 and a 4,000 ADT limit on Richmond Beach Drive.
Lorn Richey, Shoreline resident, said he supports Ms. Ngan statements, thanked Councilmembers McConnell and Roberts for sponsoring Resolution No. 377, and encouraged Council to adopt it.
Janet Way, Shoreline Preservation Society, commented that Point Wells Development issues should be a decision for the Council and not just the City Manager. She said the Preservation Society strongly supports Resolution No. 377 limiting ADTs to 4,000 on Richmond Beach Drive. She said the residents expect a reasonable limit to be placed on the impacts from any development and that the Richmond Beach Community has a right to preserve its historical character and way of life.
Jerry Patterson, Shoreline Coalition for Open Government, cautioned Council about the language used in Resolution No. 377 and suggested that Council be clearer when using the words like “City”, and identify what the word actually means.
Tom Mailhot, Shoreline resident, commented that the City is not required to raise the current 4,000 ADTs no matter what the TCS recommends, and said the TCS is not the final answer but a Study.
Deputy Mayor Eggen closed Public Comment.
Councilmember McConnell moved adoption of Resolution No. 377 - Prescribing Procedures Regarding Transportation Corridor Study and Mitigations. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Roberts.
Councilmember Roberts commented that the resolution will formalize the process regarding the Point Wells Development, serve to restore trust with the Richmond Beach Community, and establish a process and procedure to deal with Point Wells in the future. He commented on the Letter of Intent process and pointed out that the City may not have taken an active and forceful role in the process, and in recent discussions with the Developer. He encouraged Council to adopt the Resolution.
Councilmember Salomon said the Point Wells Development is the number one issue in Richmond Beach and he feels that the City needs to drive a harder bargain with the Developers. He stated he believes a second access road is needed and that the City should study tolling. He said he will support the Resolution.
Councilmember McConnell thanked Ms. Tarry and Ms. King for their assistance with the Resolution. She said the Community supports the Resolution and that it provides milestones to measure progress. She said that Snohomish County is including the need for a second access road in the Environmental Impact Study. She said it is a huge safety factor and urged Councilmembers to support it.
Councilmember McGlashan asked how the Resolution changes the City’s current path outlined in the Letter of Intent and previous action regarding the Point Wells Development. He asked what guarantee is there for Snohomish County to honor the 4,000 ADTs. Ms. Tarry responded that the Resolution clarifies policy and process. Ms. King explained that the City can advocate that Snohomish County adopt and apply our position with respect to permitting and that the Resolution outlines what staff direction has been taken; but she acknowledged that the City cannot force Snohomish County to comply.
Deputy Mayor Eggen stated that the Resolution reassures the Richmond Beach Community that decisions regarding the Point Wells Development will be made in an open forum with public participation. He stated he will be supporting the Resolution.
The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:50 p.m., Deputy Mayor Eggen declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/Bonita Roznos, Deputy City Clerk