CITY OF SHORELINE

 

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

                                                               

Monday, September 11, 2017                          Meet in Lobby -Tour- Shoreline City Hall

5:15 p.m.                                                                              17500 Midvale Avenue North

                                             

PRESENT:      Mayor Roberts, Deputy Mayor Winstead, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, Hall, McConnell, and Salomon
 

ABSENT:        None

 

STAFF:           Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Randy Witt, Public Works Director; Eric Friedli, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director; Lance Newkirk, Utilities & Operations Manager; David LaBelle, Roads Maintenance Supervisor;  Kirk Peterson, Parks Superintendent; and Bonita Roznos, Deputy City Clerk

 

GUESTS:        None

 

At 5:15 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Roberts.

 

Councilmembers and staff boarded a bus and toured the Brightwater Portal Site, the North Maintenance Facility, and the Hamlin Maintenance Yard. Randy Witt, Public Works Director, provided a brief overview of City activities performed at each location and explained that the Brightwater Portal site is not currently used. Debbie Tarry, City Manager, said the Brightwater Portal site’s use includes restrictions due to the fact that it must be used for a government purpose.

 

Councilmembers arrived at the Hamlin Maintenance Yard and Mr. Newkirk provided a presentation on Hamlin’s history, site challenges, constraints, deficiencies and risks. Mr. Witt displayed diagrams of the Brightwater Portal site and the North Maintenance Facility showing potential design and usage options. Mr. Witt explained the next step in the process is to perform a cost comparison of an expanded Hamlin Maintenance Facility versus making improvements to existing City facilities. Kirk Peterson, Parks Superintendent, and David LaBelle, Roads Maintenance Supervisor, provided Councilmembers a tour of the Parks and Public Works Maintenance work and storage spaces in the Hamlin Maintenance Yard.

 

Councilmembers asked if the needs of the Parks Maintenance Division were included in the TCF Architects Study and where emergency equipment is located. They noted the facility’s inadequate work and conference room space, and the lack of a safe space to accommodate visitors. Mr. Witt replied that Parks was not included in the TCF Study and Mr. Newkirk confirmed that emergency equipment is stored at the Hamlin Maintenance Yard.

 

Councilmembers and staff boarded the bus and returned to City Hall.

At 6:50 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

 

/S/ Bonita Roznos, Deputy City Clerk

 

CITY OF SHORELINE

 

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

                                   

Monday, September 11, 2017                             Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall

7:00 p.m.                                                                              17500 Midvale Avenue North

 

PRESENT:      Mayor Roberts, Deputy Mayor Winstead, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, Hall, McConnell, and Salomon
 

ABSENT:        None

 

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.

 

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 the Regional Water Quality meeting and hearing the final independent assessment report on the West Point Treatment Plant failure that happened in February 2017.

 

Councilmember McConnell reported attending a SeaShore Transportation Forum meeting and said they are reviewing an agreement to determine which members have voting privileges. She said a Washington State Road Usage Project Update was provided to determine how to replace the gas tax with other revenue sources.

 

Mayor Roberts reported that he met with Sound Transit Board Members and talked about ways to reduce costs for the Lynnwood Link Extension. He said Sound Transit also committed to better transparency in decision making and expressed a desire to continue to work with partner agencies to reduce costs and ensure the project is only slightly delayed. He also reported that the City Council toured the City’s Maintenance Facilities this evening and saw the conditions of the Brightwater Portal Site, the North Maintenance Facility, and the Hamlin Yard Maintenance Facility.

Mayor Roberts announced that he signed a proclamation declaring September 17 – 23, 2017 as Constitution Week in the City of Shoreline.

 

5.         PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Rosetta Kastama, Shoreline resident, asked the City to follow Seattle’s example and institute a different tax system. She recommended that the City purchase the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center, reserve it for the differently abled, rebuild the laundry facility, build a park, and keep the Senior Center doors open. She said she is tired of property taxes increasing and that Shoreline relies too much on property and sales taxes which affect those least able to pay.

 

April Seamon, Shoreline resident and member of Boost Shoreline, commented that she is working on a local income tax ordinance. She encouraged the Council to adopt an ordinance to tax income for individuals earning $250,000 and households earning $500,000 annually. She said the tax recently passed by the State will hurt middle class people. She noted as a public school teacher conditions are deteriorating and the State cannot continue patching taxes together. She said new income sources are needed for Shoreline’s infrastructure and education improvements, and urged Councilmembers to be leaders and join in with Seattle.

 

Catherine Kennedy, Shoreline resident, asked Council to pass an ordinance to tax higher income families. She expressed concern with the tax structure in Washington State and said it burdens the poor and middle class. She said income tax will help Shoreline improve infrastructure, education, and fully fund the McCleary Decision. She encouraged Councilmembers to help Washington State move towards a statewide income tax.

 

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 Hall and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:

 

(a)  Approving Minutes of Special Meeting of July 24, 2017,  Regular Meeting of July 24, 2017, and Special Meeting of August 14, 2017

 

(b)  Approving Expenses and Payroll as of August 25, 2017 in the Amount of

 $4,690,385.68:

 

*Payroll and Benefits:

Payroll           Period

Payment Date

EFT      Numbers      (EF)

Payroll      Checks      (PR)

Benefit           Checks              (AP)

Amount      Paid

7/16/17-7/29/17

8/7/2017

73395-73663

15101-15142

67690-67695

$611,770.06

7/30/17-8/12/17

8/18/2017

73664-73920

15143-15184

67809-67816

$772,756.52

$1,384,526.58

*Accounts Payable Claims:

Expense Register Dated

Check Number (Begin)

Check        Number                 (End)

Amount        Paid

8/3/2017

67509

67523

$332,475.60

8/3/2017

67524

67550

$6,053.76

8/3/2017

67551

67561

$16,167.76

8/3/2017

67562

67562

$1,669.69

8/8/2017

60020

60020

($60.00)

8/8/2017

67563

67563

$60.00

8/10/2017

67564

67580

$71,833.94

8/10/2017

67581

67597

$467,370.34

8/10/2017

67598

67616

$59,617.44

8/10/2017

67617

67635

$36,760.91

8/10/2017

67636

67661

$18,598.52

8/10/2017

67662

67684

$25,310.63

8/10/2017

67685

67689

$739.58

8/17/2017

67696

67719

$244,314.05

8/17/2017

67720

67756

$4,832.74

8/17/2017

67757

67775

$79,025.28

8/17/2017

67776

67789

$93,612.54

8/17/2017

67790

67803

$14,054.00

8/18/2017

67804

67804

$44,381.03

8/22/2017

67805

67806

$4,000.00

8/22/2017

67805

67806

($4,000.00)

8/22/2017

67807

67808

$4,000.00

8/24/2017

67817

67840

$787,281.38

8/24/2017

67841

67861

$7,364.84

8/24/2017

67862

67877

$990,395.07

$3,305,859.10

 

(c) Adopting Ordinance No. 787- Amending the City's Commute Trip Reduction

      Plan

 

(d) Adopting Ordinance No. 794 - Budget Amendment for 2017 to Include

Additional Personnel for the Light Rail Stations, City Planning, Building & Inspections and Engineering Programs

 

(e) Adopting Ordinance No. 796 - Amending the 2017 Salary Classification Table

with the Removal of the Construction Inspection Supervisor Classification and the Addition of a Development and Construction Manager Classification

 

(f) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Interagency Agreement No.

C1800027 with the Washington State Department of Ecology for Participation in the 2017-2019 Local Source Control Partnership

 

8.         STUDY ITEMS

 

(a)    Presentation on the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

 

Scott MacColl, Intergovernmental Relations Manager, introduced Leo Flor, King County Veterans & Human Services Levy Project Manager. Mr. MacColl shared that the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy will be on the November 2017 Ballot. He said the Levy proposal has increased substantially and would generate $343 Million over a six year period and $1.1 Million per year for the City of Shoreline.

 

Mr. Flor provided basic information on the current Veterans and Human Services Levy, said it expires at the end of this year, and currently assesses $.05/$1,000 per assessed value. He shared the King County Council enacted Ordinance 18555 to place a new Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy on the November 2017 Ballot that will assess $.10/$1,000 per assessed value for six years. He said $355 Million in revenue will be generated, $52.3 Million in the first year, and $17 Million will be distributed to each group. He explained the conditions of the Levy and said 50% of proceeds must be used in year one to promote housing stability.

 

Mayor Roberts asked if the Ordinance distributes allocations geographically across the county. Mr. Flor replied allocations are not mandated in the Ordinance, but said there are conditions included in the implementation plan requiring his department to develop a methodology to account for geographic differences. He explained results areas are based on accountability planning for the three targets and include housing stability, healthy living, social engagement, financial stability, and system access and improvement. He described how King County is working to define "Housing Stability".

 

Councilmember McGlashan asked how the City can help seniors age in place when funding from organizations like United Way are going towards housing stability for the homeless. Mr. Flor explained that Ordinance 18555 allows funding to support organizations like the Meals on Wheels Program, and other organizations that support housing stability.

 

Mr. Flor reviewed how much $0.10/$1,000 of assessed value is and what the cost to Shoreline and King County households would be monthly and yearly. He then reviewed the timeline process for proposed legislative actions.

 

Councilmember Hall asked how much revenue the Levy would generate in the first year and about regulations in the Ordinance to offset levy suppression. Mr. Flor replied $52.3 Million of revenue would be generated in the first year and said money has been set aside to mitigate levy suppression. Councilmember Scully asked clarifying questions about tax suppression and who would qualify to receive mitigation funds. Mr. Flor responded that Parks and Fire Districts are set up to receive mitigation funding under the Ordinance.

 

Mayor Roberts asked Councilmembers if they are interested in endorsing the Levy on the November 2017 Ballot. Councilmember Salomon replied that he is and said consideration should be given to it since it closely relates to the City’s core mission to provide Human Services assistance. Councilmember Hall recalled public testimony that expressed concern over increasing taxes, and therefore he does not think it is a priority for the City. Councilmember Scully said he is not sure about supporting the Levy. On one hand, it supports the City’s core mission to support Human Services, but on the other hand, it is a regressive tax which he does not support. He added that promoting a property tax increase may jeopardize the City’s ability to raise needed revenue for the City.

 

Councilmember McGlashan asked why King County did not chose to just renew the current levy. Mr. Flor responded that the goal is to increase the use of Property Tax Exemptions (PTE), and work on legislation to expand the scope of the State’s PTE Program to encompass levy lid lifts in order to provide rebates to fully disabled veterans, person with income at or below $40,000 and age 61 or older, persons retired due to disability, and a surviving widower 57 years of age or older.

 

Mayor Roberts thanked Mr. Flor for the presentation but said he does not see a consensus among Councilmembers to endorse the Levy.

 

(b)   Discussing the King County Conservation Land Initiative

 

Eric Friedli, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, introduced Bob Burns, King County Natural Resources and Parks Deputy Director. Mr. Friedli proposed that the Land Conservation & Preservation Program may assist the City in acquiring land needed to meet park demand identified in the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. Mr. Burns shared that the Land Conservation Program Initiative provides the opportunity to protect and conserve land. He explained the benefits of conserving land and displayed a map identifying lands that have been protected over years. He said there is a lot more to do like salmon recovery, creating habitats, addressing stormwater and flood issues, completing the great trail network by connecting missing links, creating more passive recreation opportunities, and protecting farmland. He identified six categories of remaining high conversation lands are natural areas, forest, farms, trail networks, rivers, and urban green space. He explained that protection is important now because the rate of growth of land costs is higher than the rate of growth on revenue streams. He stated growth diminishes opportunities to conserve land and that climate change is creating uncertainty. He explained the conservation target is 66,000 acres of land, and discussed how the program works, the costs, funding gaps, and where the funding would come from.

 

Councilmember Scully stated that the City has committed to a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program and he highly recommends using them as a funding option. Mr. Burns responded that TDR has started to generated money.

 

Mr. Burns said they are using an Open Space Equity Analysis tool to assess health and demographic indicators to provide an open space assessment score to ensure every community in King County has good access and proximity to green and open spaces. He reviewed the next steps in the process and said the final report will be submitted to the King County Council in December 2017.

 

Mayor Roberts asked for a map of the areas in King County that lack proximity to green and open spaces. Mr. Burn said he will provide a map to Council.

 

(c)    Discussing Ordinance No. 797 - SMC 13.12 Floodplain Management Code Update for FEMA Requirement

 

Councilmember Salomon left the meeting at 8:02 p.m.

 

Uki Dele, Surface Water Utility and Environmental Services Manager, provided background on the City’s participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). She displayed a map showing the three floodplains (Thornton Creek, Boeing Creek, and Puget Sound) that Shoreline manages. She shared that FEMA performed an assessment of Shoreline's regulations and recommended two administrative updates to the Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC): SMC 13.12.105 Definitions and SMC 13.12.300B Special Flood Hazard Area, to provide consistency with updated FEMA regulations. She said Ordinance No. 797 is scheduled for adoption on October 2, 2017.

 

(d)   Discussing Ordinance No. 782 - FCC Rule Amendments for Eligible Wireless Facilities

 

Julie Ainsworth-Taylor, Acting City Attorney, provided background on how the Federal Communications Commission has removed local authority to regulate wireless facilities. She reviewed the FCC Rules Section 6409(a) and the new Shoreline Municipal Code 20.40.605 that addresses the FCC Rules. She said Ordinance No. 782 is scheduled for adoption on September 25, 2017.

 

Councilmember McGlashan clarified that this FCC Rule only applies to modification of an existing structure and not to a new facility, and asked if the City still has control over siting requirements for new facilities. Ms. Ainsworth-Taylor confirmed that this FCC rule applies only to modifying existing structures and stated the City still retains control over siting requirements and certain limitations on the types of towers constructed. She said the regulations are due to the expanding wireless environment and that the 5G technology regulations will be the next piece to come forward.

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT

 

At 8:12 p.m., Mayor Roberts declared the meeting adjourned.

 

/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk