CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 24, 2016 Conference Room 104 - Shoreline City Hall
5:30 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT:
Mayor Roberts, Deputy Mayor Winstead, Councilmembers
McGlashan, Scully, McConnell, and Salomon
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
GUESTS: Dick Cushing, Waldron Consultants
At 5:35 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Roberts.
Mayor Roberts announced Council recess into 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 6:51 p.m. the Executive Session ended, and Mayor Roberts adjourned the meeting.
/S/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk
CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 24, 2016 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Roberts, Deputy Mayor Winstead,
Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, McConnell, and Salomon
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Roberts who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Roberts led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Hall.
Deputy Mayor Winstead moved to excuse Councilmember Hall for personal reasons. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McConnell and passed unanimously, 6-0.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Deputy Mayor Winstead reported attending an Association of Washington Cities regional meeting in Edmonds along with Councilmember Salomon, City Manager Debbie Tarry, and Intergovernmental Relations Manager Scott MacColl. She said she enjoyed meeting elected officials from the northern region and shared Governor Jay Inslee was also in attendance.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Debbie Kellogg, Shoreline resident, expressed concern about the Capital Improvement Program and the 2017 Budget. She talked about projects that have lost money and staff time, like the Northeast cities jail project, the Utility Unification Study, and police station cost increases. She noted a new concern regarding the cost of a new swimming pool. She said a summary report of all project spending needs to be provided to Council to account for where the money is coming from and where it is going.
Tim Airhart, Shoreline resident, expressed that he felt bad after the Planning Commission’s public hearing on transitional encampments, and said there is not a lot of support for the homeless in Shoreline. He shared anyone can end up homeless, and that homeless people have a variety of faces. He described how Camp United We Stand is helping the homeless and contributes to the Community. He asked that everyone take a holistic look at why people are homeless.
Isaac Parker, Camp United We Stand, commented this is the first time he has been homeless and shared that he lost everything. He said even with his Social Security he cannot afford housing. He stated that everyone living at the camp is trying to make their lives better and hopefully there will be a place where everybody can afford to live.
Ilene Falk, Camp United We Stand, said that for the first six months of being homeless she was living in the streets, and then shared how the Camp saved her life. She said she feels safe there and the residents are trying to improve their lives.
Kim Lancaster, Shoreline resident, commented on attending the public hearing on transitional encampment regulations, and shared the amendments proposed by the Commission are intended to decrease barriers for churches and organizations helping the homeless in Shoreline. She commented on the hostility she heard during public comment and residents’ opposition to transitional encampments. She suggested the City Council host a town hall meeting on transitional housing and listed those she feels should be in attendance.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Winstead and seconded by Councilmember McGlashan and unanimously carried, 6-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approval of expenses and payroll as of October 7, 2016 in the amount of $2,533,682.47
|
*Payroll and Benefits: |
||||||
|
Payroll Period |
Payment Date |
EFT Numbers (EF) |
Payroll Checks (PR) |
Benefit Checks (AP) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
9/11/16-9/24/16 |
9/30/2016 |
68433-68639 |
14604-14627 |
64864-64868 |
$678,799.21 |
|
|
$678,799.21 |
||||||
|
*Wire Transfers: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Wire Transfer Number |
|
Amount Paid |
|||
|
9/27/2016 |
1112 |
$7,363.48 |
||||
|
$7,363.48 |
||||||
|
*Accounts Payable Claims: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Check Number (Begin) |
Check Number (End) |
Amount Paid |
|||
|
9/29/2016 |
64704 |
64717 |
$32,128.07 |
|||
|
9/29/2016 |
64718 |
64738 |
$49,588.87 |
|||
|
9/29/2016 |
64739 |
64758 |
$1,132,337.62 |
|||
|
9/29/2016 |
64759 |
64772 |
$60,797.81 |
|||
|
9/29/2016 |
64773 |
64786 |
$133,025.17 |
|||
|
9/30/2016 |
64787 |
64796 |
$2,175.61 |
|||
|
9/30/2016 |
62080 |
62080 |
($61.75) |
|||
|
9/30/2016 |
64797 |
64797 |
$61.75 |
|||
|
10/6/2016 |
64798 |
64812 |
$166,240.83 |
|||
|
10/6/2016 |
64813 |
64827 |
$119,156.81 |
|||
|
10/6/2016 |
64828 |
64836 |
$42,759.48 |
|||
|
10/7/2016 |
64837 |
64853 |
$103,931.06 |
|||
|
10/7/2016 |
64854 |
64863 |
$5,378.45 |
|||
|
$1,847,519.78 |
||||||
(b) Adoption of Ord. No. 761 - Amending Chapter 15.05 of the Shoreline
Municipal Code, Construction and Building Codes, and Adoption of
Standard 130 of the National Fire Protection Association
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion of the Proposed 2017 Budget - Department Presentations and
Discussion of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Administrative Service Director Sara Lane, Public Works Director Randy Witt, and City Engineer Tricia Juhnke provided the staff report. Ms. Lane recounted that the 2017 Budget is available at Shoreline Libraries, at City Hall, and is on the City’s website. She reviewed the budget schedule and stated adoption of the budget is scheduled for November 21, 2016. She recalled that all departmental budgets contain cost of living adjustments, personnel benefits, and budget scrubbing. She pointed out that there is an increase in the 2017 Public Works Budget related to Sound Transit, and said if removed there would be no significant changes.
Mr. Witt stated the Public Works General Fund totals $4,125,152, Street Fund $1,718,590, and the Surface Water Utility Fund $6,245,453. He reviewed services provided by the Operations, Engineering and Transportation Services Divisions, and presented the following one-time budget changes for 2017:
· Big Belly Solar Compactors upgrades and replacements: $18K ($5K ongoing)
· Pt. Wells Professional Services Support: $26K
· American Public Works Association (APWA) Accreditation On-Site Evaluation: $10K
· ADA Transition Plan Facilities Inventory: $57K
· Vehicle/Equipment Upgrades ($39K Street/$14K SWM)
Ms. Lane stated the Surface Water Utility FTE count is 12.69 and noted a significant decrease from the 2016 budget due to CIP changes. Mr. Witt presented the Surface Water Utility Budget totaling $6,245,453, and said it is divided into Capital, Operating, and Debt Service Funds.
Mr. Witt presented 2017 Fee Assumptions and said a 5% increase is proposed for 2017 resulting in a single family home Surface Water Utility rate of $159.25 per year. He presented one-time changes for 2017 are on-call professional services in the amount of $70,000. He pointed out the amendment to the 2017 Budget for the School Credit, changing the 50% rebate to 100% credit. He reviewed 2017 Capital Projects and stated that there are eleven projects scheduled for completion from 2017-2022.
Councilmember Salomon recalled that the Big Belly Trash Compactors were purchased as part of the Obama Stimulation Package, and shared he was not aware that there would be ongoing costs. He asked if the City could save money by going back to regular trash bins. He asked for more details on the Surface Water Utility Fee credit provided to the School District. Ms. Tarry responded that past credits to the School District have been between $240,000 and $250,000.
Councilmember Scully noted that $10,000 has been allocated for Public Works Accreditation. He stated he understands the benefits of an assessment that lead to efficiencies, but if the accreditation does not provide additional efficiency, spending the money might not be worth it. He asked what the benefits are and how City’s programs will be improved. He questioned why engineering services support is needed for the drainage programs to the extent of $70,000 and why the projects need to be done now. Mr. Witt responded that $70,000 for engineering support resulted from the condition assessment study. He shared the accreditation process will provide quality control around their processes, align with best practices of the American Public Works Association, and builds on continuous improvement.
Mayor Roberts commented on the planning done for the surface water utility rate increase, said Council did not account for additional credits being given to the School District, and asked what the plans are to recoup those revenues. Mr. Witt responded that the current plan is to hold the fee increase to 5% in 2017 and he anticipates a 9% increase in 2018.
Ms. Juhnke reviewed the 2017-2022 Capital Improvement Program Budget, totaling $8.62 Million in General Capital, $0.87 Million for Major Maintenance, and $16.88 Million in Roads Capital, and reviewed the projects for each fund.
Councilmember McGlashan asked what the $500,000 allocated for the bridge at 147th/148th Street would pay for, and questioned if it should be done without Sound Transit’s (ST) and Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) approval, or if it will jeopardize the consideration of other options. Ms. Juhnke responded the cost is for the preliminary design for a feasibility study and an environmental review. Mr. Witt added it will allow the City to have concrete estimates on the cost of the bridge. He explained that WSDOT is required to have a pedestrian crossing at the 145th Street overpass so it functions as it is part of the roadway, and an east to west connector to the Station is a separate consideration.
Councilmember Scully shared he has similar concerns over spending $500,000 for a bridge study with no guarantees that it will be built. He echoed public comment that cautioned against planning projects that may be abandoned. He said he prefers that the City be further along the funding path before investing in design work. He questioned why the City is allocating $100,000 for Ridgecrest Park Master Plan when Sound Transit is taking a portion of the area that will require mitigations.
Councilmember Salomon commented on the money allocated for a park at Town Center and said he does not believe anyone will enjoy that park, other than for criminal activity, and said he does not want to see it as part of the City’s plans.
Deputy Mayor Winstead shared she is a big advocate for a park a Town Center and believes it can be designed to be enjoyed by park goers and Aurora drivers.
Mayor Roberts suggested that the Hillwood Park Master Plan process be completed in conjunction with the School District’s Plan to redesign Einstein Middle School. He said he supports a bridge and asked what would be included in the 147th/148th Street Bridge Design Study. He said he would like to see less money spent on the study while still achieving City objectives. Mr. Witt responded the study takes the City to the 30% design phase and allows for environmental analysis. Councilmember McGlashan stressed the importance of having the design to determine the bridge’s connectivity to the Station, but said $500,000 is excessive for 30% design. Nytasha Sowers, Transportation Planning Manager, responded that the study will focus on the environment process and the amount of design required to complete that process. The City will look at the natural built environment to determine the impacts a bridge will have on the area, and Sound Transit can incorporated the findings into their analysis. Councilmember Scully reiterated he wants to know why that amount of environmental review and design work is required before he approves a $500,000 allocation on designing a bridge that may not get built. Councilmember McConnell concurred and stated she does not support allocating $500,000 for a study unless it encourages Sound Transit to take on the remainder of the bill.
Ms. Lane presented the General Fund Transfers Out totaling $4,907,229, for General Capital, Facilities-Major Maintenance, Road Capital, Debt Service, Street, and Other Fund projects.
Ms. Lane presented that the General Reserves Ending Fund Balance for 2017 totals $10,275,411, and stated the City anticipates spending $4.8 Million in reserves. She said with the revenue stabilization fund the City is at 250% of the Reserve Fund Policy. She then reviewed the Debit Service Payments from the 2006 Voted General Obligation Bond, the 2009 General Obligation Bond, and the 2013 General Obligation Bond, and Other Funds. Deputy Mayor Winstead cautioned that prior to putting money into these programs to ensure that the projects are feasible.
(b) Discussion and Update of the North Maintenance Facility
Randy Witt, Public Works Director, explained that the maintenance facility at Hamlin Yard is deteriorating and inefficient, and that Ronald Wastewater District Maintenance Operations need to be incorporated in 2017. He recounted the acquisition of the North Maintenance Facility and the Master Plan process to upgrade the facility. He shared that Council was leaning towards Alternatives B and B.1 and that preliminary cost estimates ranged from $16.2 Million to $17.7 Million. He explained that further design efforts were explored at the City Council’s request, revealed new estimates are $28.1 Million for Alternative B and $23.4 Million for Alternative B.1, and stated a revenue stream needs to be identified to move the project forward. He shared that staff is recommending the City pause the development of the facility and explore other city locations.
Councilmember Salomon stated that the project is over budget and reductions need to be made. He recommended that the project be reduced and operations remain at Hamlin Yard. He suggested selling the North Maintenance Facility and expressed interest in Option 3. He asked if pollution is draining out from the site. He mentioned that the North City Water District purchased property and asked about working with them to use their facility.
Deputy Mayor Winstead asked if neighborhood designs, like sidewalks, were included in the plan. She said it is a good idea to pause and to better understand the City’s needs for this facility and what goes on there. She asked what kind of space Ronald Wastewater District has and if it can be used to meet the City’s needs.
Councilmember Scully commented that he is convinced that something needs to be done, but he does not know if one facility is needed to support everything. He said he supports a pause and looking into putting facilities throughout the City and co-locating in other spaces that can accommodate all the services.
Councilmember McGlashan acknowledged that something needs to be done and suggested moving forward with partially developing the current site at the lowest possible cost.
Councilmember McConnell asked about the cost of owning the property and future use, and said she prefers to pause the development. Mr. Witt responded that the property has already been purchased and debt financing still needs to be addressed.
Mayor Roberts asked what can be done at the site without triggering mitigations while still providing relief to the Hamlin Yard. He noted that it was once a maintenance facility and asked how it can still be used in that capacity. He said he does not support looking at other sites because that has already been done. He asked if the Ronald Wastewater District building could accommodate the services. He stated he wants to look at spreading uses around to other city locations and that he does not want to look at new properties or see more Hamlin Park space taken to accommodate growth. Mr. Witt responded that to avoid triggering mitigations, no digging could be done and they would need to stay away from the highway. He shared that staff will research what can be done now and what can be done later and report back to the Council.
Councilmember Salomon asked about the possibility of negotiating an agreement with the State to use the unused land on the Fircrest property, without impacting current residents and use.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:34 p.m., Mayor Roberts declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk