CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 17, 2017 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Winstead, Councilmembers McGlashan,
Scully, Hall, McConnell, and Salomon
ABSENT: Mayor Roberts
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
Deputy Mayor Winstead led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Mayor Roberts.
Councilmember Hall moved to excuse Mayor Roberts for personal reasons. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan and passed unanimously, 6-0.
(a) Proclamation of Earth Day
Deputy Mayor Winstead read a proclamation declaring April 22, 2017 as Earth Day in the City of Shoreline. Christine Southwick, member of the Habitat Steward and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Board, accepted the proclamation.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Lisa Pace, Lake Forest Park resident, shared that she has been involved in aquatics for over forty years, taught swimming to youth, provided aquatic support to the elderly and arthritic, and currently serves as the Head Coach of the Cascade Swim Club. She said having a swimming facility in Shoreline would be a gem and provide benefit to residents and the Community.
Mary Lippola, Seattle resident, said she is a member of the Masters’ Swim Team and works out at the Shoreline Pool. She named other organizations that use the pool and said it serves many uses and is not restricted to play and swim lessons. She spoke about the benefits of having two pools, and the need to expand the pool from six lanes to ten lanes.
Barbara Braden, Shoreline resident, said she leads water aerobics at the pool and shared the benefits of pool exercise. She stated she has observed how popular the Lynnwood pool is and described some of its amenities. She said as more apartments are built in the City, there needs to be a facility where residents can enjoy themselves.
Robin Lesh, recalled her family’s past and present use of the Shoreline pool. She said an aquatics facility will be used by all generations and for many different purposes. She reported the number of pools in the region has dwindled and spoke on the benefits of having an Aquatic and Community Center in Shoreline.
Pete Williams, Cascade Swim Club Board of Trustees, said swim club membership is accessible and affordable and scholarships are provided to some of its 675 youth members. He said swimming creates a lifelong opportunity for fitness and health and that Cascade is willing to partner with the City to bring the aquatic center to fruition.
Joan Herrick, Shoreline resident, shared she has been swimming at the pool for thirty years and talked about her family members’ involvement with the pool. She said a community is measured by the resources and facilities they provide and a pool is a fundamental amenity. She shared it would be hard to imagine Shoreline without a pool and spoke on the benefits of having one. She said she respects and recognizes the Council’s and staff’s efforts to find the funding to make the project happen with the help of Shoreline citizens.
Greg Logan, Shoreline resident, said he comes to City Council Meetings to share what is happening in his neighborhood. He said a Planning Department decision has resulted in a pile of sand or dirt 35 feet high and 45 feet wide that creates a large amount of dust in windy weather. He said he spoke to the Customer Response Team Supervisor about the issue and was pleased that he was responsive.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Scully moved to switch Agenda Item 9a with Item 8a. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McConnell and passed unanimously, 6-0.
The agenda, as amended, was approved by unanimous consent.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Hall and seconded by Councilmember McGlashan and unanimously carried, 6-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 6, 2017 and Special Meeting of
March 27, 2017
7. COMMUNITY GROUP PRESENTATION
(a) International Community Health Services (ICHS)
Deputy Mayor Winstead stated that the ICHS presentation is sponsored by Councilmembers McConnell and Salomon.
Michael McKee, Director of Health Services and Community Partnerships, and Joe Sperry, Health Center Manager for the Shoreline Clinic, provided the report. Mr. McKee shared ICHS’s mission and explained why they chose to open a clinic in Shoreline. He described services they provide, who they serve, and said no one is refused service. He reviewed that plans for the future are to expand and enhance care, address the opioid epidemic, and he reported they have applied for a grant through the Best Starts for Kid Program to open a school based health center at Shorecrest High School.
Councilmember Salomon asked what services the ICHS school based health center would provide that youth are not accessing through their regular medical care, and asked how robust the service is compared to what schools already offer on campus. Mr. McKee responded that the school based health center provides services on site with a minimal interruption to school, and has resulted in improved students grades, attendance, mental health, and decrease in drug use. He said the school based health centers are staffed by a registered nurse practitioner who is able to provide medical services that a school nurse cannot perform.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if ICHS is affiliated with any hospitals. Mr. McKee responded that ICHS is a free standing non-profit federal qualified health center, and partners with Project Access on hospital referrals for people without insurance.
Deputy Mayor Winstead said she is impressed by ICHS’s dental services. She asked if students are charged for services received at the mobile dental clinic and if they have considered providing this service to the Senior Center. Mr. McKee responded that students are not charged, however insurance is billed if they have it; but remaining balances are not passed on to the patient. He talked about ICHS dental services and said they partner with senior housing facilities, but dental service is not provided at Senior Centers.
Deputy Mayor Winstead thanked ICHS for the valuable work they are performing in the Community.
8. STUDY ITEM
(a) Discussing the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - Aquatics/Community Center
Feasibility Study
Eric Friedli, Park, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director, and Mary Reidy, Recreation Superintendent, provided the staff report. Mr. Friedli recalled in 2011 the PROS Plan recommended the study of a new aquatic center; in 2013 a pool assessment was completed; and in 2015 it was determined how to keep the pool operational for another 6-7 years and funding options for an aquatics facility were considered. He noted the Spartan Recreation Center is housed on land owned by the School District and said the future use of that property is uncertain. He said tonight's discussion focuses on costs. He reviewed programs to be housed in the facility, preliminary schematic designs, and general area site selections. Ms. Reidy reviewed operational scenarios for a new facility, talked about bringing the pool and recreation center up to standards, creating placemaking, revamping structures, offering high end classes, increasing hours of operation, and designing it for multigenerational use. Mr. Friedli reviewed operation cost recovery scenarios.
Councilmember Hall asked Mr. Friedli to confirm that the existing operations costs displayed on the screen do not include the capital investments made on the pool to keep it running, and pointed out continuing with the status quo would be more expensive. Mr. Friedli confirmed only the operation and maintenance costs are included in the numbers, not capital costs. Ms. Reidy added all program costs are not included.
Mr. Friedli estimated the total cost of the building is $5.3 Million and land cost is $15-18 Million. Mr. Friedli reviewed next steps in the process and asked the Council if they wanted to update the PROS Plan to include policy directing staff to move forward with aquatic center planning. He said then staff can formally begin talking with partners. He reviewed impacts of debt on a median price home if bond financing is pursued, and presented anticipated levys impacting Shoreline.
Councilmember McGlashan said it is a great plan and to keep moving forward with the feasibility study. He asked in what capacity Shoreline Community College will use the pool, for student recreation or for a swim team, and what will happen to the old pool. He talked about pool capacity and asked if the standard is six lanes. Ms. Reidy responded the College’s past requests were for college credit physical education courses, and said an eight lane pool offers programming flexibility. Mr. Friedli said some materials from the old pool can be sold as surplus.
Councilmember Salomon conveyed he understands the pool is widely used and loved in the Community. He talked about how much an average household already pays annually to the City in taxes for basic services. He shared he has a problem with the cost and increasing taxes. He said he would like to see if the project can be scaled down and costs dramatically reduced.
Councilmember Scully commented that this is a big ticket item but it is also a part of what makes a city great. He said he would like to time the project so sidewalks can also be completed in the next couple of years. He commented that partnerships are great but he wants to ensure that the facility is open to the public, and not reserved for private use. He said he wants to see both inside and outside space completely used. For example, if there is outside pavement it should be used for a basketball court.
Councilmember Hall commented that the City does not want a private pool that the public cannot access, but stated partnerships are also the best way to share in the costs and reduce General Fund cost. He urged everyone to remember that this is not just a pool, that it is a cross generational place that offers other recreation options. He stated if the City cannot secure partnerships it will be hard to commit this amount of bond capacity to this project.
Councilmember McConnell recommended the pool be state of the art since it needs to last sixty to seventy years and increasing the pool to ten lanes for maximum use. She expressed concern about bond costs, said the higher the cost the less likely it will pass, and suggested timing of the bond and tax fatigue be considered. She commented on the impact a bond would have on homeowners since renters do not pay property tax. She said a dive board will increase pool usage, and that swimming is good for recreation, safety, and survival. She stressed the current pool is past is useful life and needs replacement. Also teens and seniors need a place to hang out, and the Center would be a placemaking environment.
Councilmember McGlashan asked what the purpose of the dive well is other than for school district use. He said there needs to be commitment from the District to include the dive well. He recalled touring community center facilities in other jurisdictions that were amazing. He noted the Spokane Valley facility has a theater stage and an outdoor play area. He said he does not want to lose sight that this is a plan for a community center and gathering place, and not just a pool.
Councilmember Winstead said she visited Federal Way and Tacoma Community Centers and mentioned there is opportunity to offer a host of services in an upscale space that can also generate revenue. She recalled her position as Chair of the 2006 Park Bond and said there is a lot of work involved to pass a bond and community support is needed. She pointed out the Spartan Center Gym’s limited hours, and talked about the need to expand gym opportunities, operation hours, and programs. She said she is in favor of moving forward.
Councilmember Salomon corrected a statement made that only homeowners pay for a bond. He said renters also pay the price when landlords pass increased taxes onto them through their rent. This concerns him because the City is already struggling with a housing affordability crises. He cautioned that revenue may be generated by the Center, but it is projected to operate at a loss each year.
At 8:32 p.m., Deputy Mayor Winstead convened a five minute recess, and she reconvened the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
9. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Adopting Ordinance No. 760 - Amending the Shoreline Municipal Code to Implement a Deep Green Incentive Program
Miranda Redinger, Senior Planner, presented potential amendments proposed to Ordinance No. 760 Deep Green Incentive Program since the Council’s March 27, 2017 discussion. She said the Amendments are:
· Remove Density Bonus in R-4 & R-6
· Remove Open Space and Setback Incentives
· Disallow height bonus in R-4, R-6, R-8, and MUR-35, but allow in other zones
· Increase Potential Parking Reduction
Councilmember Hall moved adoption of Ordinance No. 760. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan.
Councilmember Hall moved to remove the density bonus as an option in single-family zones, but retain the minimum 10,000 square foot lot size for all zones amending SMC section 20.50.630(E)(3)(a). The motion was second by Councilmember Scully.
Councilmember Hall said based on the Light Rail Station Subarea planning performed by the City Council, the City can accommodate all the forecasted growth on Aurora Avenue and in the Subareas. He explained this amendment allows growth in compact areas and preserves the character of single-family neighborhoods.
The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Councilmember Hall moved to remove the open space and setback incentives amending SMC Section 20.50.630(E)(3) to strike part of subsection (c) and all of (f). The motion was seconded by Councilmember Salomon.
Councilmember Hall commented that this amendment prevents tall buildings from being built next to a property line that adversely impacts a neighbor, and preserves trees and the passage of birds and wildlife through corridors.
The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Councilmember Hall moved to maintain a 35 foot height limit in R-4, R-6, R-8 and MUR-35 zones, while allowing a height bonus in R-12, R-18, R-24, R-48 and TC-4 zones, and amend 20.50.630(E)(3)(h) to read: Structure height bonus of up to 10 feet in a zone with height limit of 35 feet. Height bonus is not available in R-4, R-6, R-8, and MUR-35’ zones. Structure height bonus up to 20 feet for development in a zone with a height limit of 45 feet or greater. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scully.
Councilmember Salomon moved to amend the amendment by striking all of h, and not allow any height bonuses. The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Hall said this amendment preserves single family residential neighborhoods. Councilmember Scully agreed for the need to protect low density neighborhoods and said he would like to provide bonus height incentives in appropriate neighborhoods.
Councilmember Salomon stated he wants to stay true to the height limits originally set in the Station Subarea rezones and to what has been communicated to the residents.
Councilmember Hall stated that sufficient incentives are required to attract innovative environmentally friendly developments.
Deputy Mayor Winstead shared bonus incentives were provided in the Station Area rezone and stressed there is a need to balance affordable housing in Shoreline with an environmental friendly community.
The motion passed 5-1, with Councilmember Salomon voting no.
The main motion, as amended, passed unanimously, 6-0.
At 8:59 p.m., Deputy Mayor Winstead declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk