CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 2, 2017 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Roberts, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully,
Hall, McConnell, and Salomon
ABSENT: Deputy Mayor Winstead
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 and then called for a moment of silence in recognition of the victims of the Las Vegas, Nevada and Lawrence, Kansas shootings.
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Deputy Mayor Winstead and Councilmember Salomon.
Councilmember McGlashan moved to excused Deputy Mayor Winstead to conduct city business. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hall and passed unanimously, 5-0.
(a) Proclamation of Safe Shoreline Month
Mayor Roberts read a proclamation declaring October 2017 as Safe Shoreline Month. Brian Dixon, Emergency Management Coordinator, and Sargent Gabe Morris, Shoreline Police, accepted the proclamation. Mr. Dixon and Sgt. Morris thanked the Council for their continued support in helping Shoreline become a more resilient and safer community.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Councilmember Salomon arrived at 7:06 p.m.
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Hall reported that the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors reviewed their legislative agenda and that this year’s focus is on housing affordability, mental health and chemical dependency issues, protecting local government revenue shared with the State, and communicating to the Legislature the expectation that they adopt a capital budget. He said they are reviewing the fee structure for AWC’s dues and anticipate a small reduction in dues for the City of Shoreline.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
John Sambrook, Kirkland, WA resident, talked about genital mutilation, spoke against male circumcision, and said he is an advocate for genital integrity. He shared that there are federal laws protecting women from it, but none for men. He explained the dangers associated with circumcision, and asked the Council to stand up against it when the topic is before the Washington State Legislature.
George Webster, Shoreline resident, commented on an article in the October Currents Magazine stating that the Ronald Wastewater District will move to City Hall. He said it does not emphasize that only the employees are moving and therefore it is misleading. He noted that the Customer Service Policies to Manage a Wasterwater Enterprise - Discount Rates Section of the Shoreline Municipal Code refers to Section 3.01.600, which does not exist.
Janet Way, Shoreline Preservation Society, referred to the mass shootings and said she agrees with Senator Chris Murphy that the time for silence is over. She said moments of silence are nice but not effective and something needs to be done. She then spoke about the consolidation of the City’s maintenance departments and said they will better serve the community dispersed throughout the city, like the Fire Department. She recalled the Ronald Bog Flood in 2007 and said people were told to get sandbags from Hamlin Park but were unable to get there.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. 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 Special Meeting of September 11, 2017
(b) Motion Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into the Wastewater Utility Operating Services Agreement Between the City of Shoreline and the Ronald Wastewater District
(c) Adopting Resolution No. 417 - Establishing Customer Service Policies to Manage a Wastewater Enterprise
(d) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for $207,942.78 with Evergreen Maintenance Landscaping LLC for Parks Landscape and Maintenance Services
(e) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for $207,942.78 with Evergreen Maintenance Landscaping LLC for Parks Landscape and Maintenance Services
(f) Adopting Ordinance No. 797 – SMC 13.12 Floodplain Management Code Update for FEMA Requirement
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Resolution No. 419 - Calling on Congress to Swiftly and Comprehensively Address Federal Immigration Reform Generally and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in Particular to Protect the Legal Status of Dreamers - Sponsored by Mayor Roberts
Scott MacColl, Intergovernmental Programs Manager, explained that earlier this year the federal government announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Immigration Policy would end. He said DACA offers legal status to an estimated 800,000 residents that illegally immigrated to the United States as children, known as Dreamers, and protects them from deportation and reduces fears relating to their immigration status. He said Resolution No. 419 calls on Congress to address immigration reform and sends a strong message for Congress to protect DACA and to make it permanent.
Mayor Roberts said about 17,000 Dreamers live in Washington State and some reside within the boundaries of Shoreline. He shared these individuals have lived here their entire lives, attended school here, and provided State and community services, and he believes they should remain safely in the United States. He said he would like Council to send Congress a message expressing that this is a City of Shoreline value, and encouraging them to pass comprehensive immigration reform and enact DACA into law.
Councilmember Scully said he agrees with the sentiments of DACA and strongly supports it as an individual, but is unsure of its nexus with the City of Shoreline. He said he also hesitates telling another legislative body what to do without the issue having a unique local impact or a connection to City business and funds.
Councilmember Hall said he is a strong supporter of DACA and is appalled by immigration reform in Washington. D.C. He suggested reaching out to the City’s federal delegation about these issues. He reminded the Councilmembers of the Council’s legislative priority process undertaken to support issues like this, and said he is not sure passing a resolution on the dais is the correct way to proceed.
Mayor Roberts asked how regularly the Council adopts a federal legislative agenda. Mr. MacColl responded that the federal legislative agenda focuses more on securing grant funding for priority projects and funding that effect the City, like Community Block Grant Funding. He said traditionally the City has not passed a formal federal legislative agenda.
Councilmember Salomon asked who else has addressed this issue and if King County is asking cities to pass a resolution. Mayor Roberts replied that the King County Council and the City of Bellingham have passed similar resolutions. Mr. MacColl responded that the King County Council directed their federal government relations representative to make it a high priority to meet with their federal delegation and share their concerns.
Councilmember McConnell said she is passionate about DACA, but questioned if this is the right way to approach federal representatives. She said it can be done without a resolution and prefers a collaborative face to face effort.
Councilmember McGlashan said the Council will not see the federal delegation until winter and suggested the message requesting that they protect DACA be communicated in a formal letter. He said he would also like to hear from the Community on the topic. Mr. MacColl responded that the Council can draft a letter and telephone the federal delegation, and recommended that they first identify what they want to achieve. Councilmember McConnell offered to hand deliver the letter in mid-October.
Councilmember Hall commented that the goal is not to make a statement but to offer support to the delegation to accomplish immigration reform, and thinks that a letter is more in the spirit of collaboration.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if the City can help other cities and associated organizations, like the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and Sound Cities Association, take on supporting DACA as a federal legislative priority.
Councilmember Scully said he supports a letter to the federal delegation signed by each Councilmember, but not as an official action of the City.
Councilmember Salomon shared that he appreciates Councilmember Scully's idea that a Shoreline nexus is needed, and that as a standard it is a good idea. However, he stated he agrees with the Mayor that Shoreline residents are affected by this and it is under the Council’s purview to protect DACA residents in Shoreline. He said he is fine with a resolution or letter. He suggested that our federal delegation is likely on board, and the swing votes will come from red and purple areas. He said the AWC may be able to influence those cities in Eastern Washington.
Mayor Roberts confirmed that the Council will send a letter to a broader delegation encouraging support for DACA and stronger immigration reform, and to the Boards of AWC, SCA, and National League of Cities (NLC).
Councilmember McConnell said the NLC federal advocacy group should also receive the letter.
(b) Discussing Hidden Lake Dam Removal and Boeing Creek Restoration Projects Update
Randy Witt, Public Works Director, stated the purpose of this discussion is to report back on actions the Council requested regarding the Hidden Lake Dam Removal and Boeing Creek Restoration Projects. John Featherstone, Surface Water Engineer, provided background history on Hidden Lake and Boeing Creek and reviewed the decisions made to date on how to manage them. He shared the updated staff recommendation for the Hidden Lake Dam Removal Project is to proceed as scheduled and include the replacement of the NW Innis Arden Way culvert in the design phase. He explained how the removal of the dam will help restore the delta’s habitat and help the young Chinook salmon. He said the recommendation is supported by the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 and that the City received $300,000 in grant funding from the King County Flood District for the project.
Mayors Roberts asked which project the Innis Arden culvert is assigned to. Mr. Featherstone responded that it was initially assigned to the Boeing Creek Restoration Project, but he is now recommending that it coincide with the Hidden Lake Dam removal.
Councilmember McGlashan asked what the streamflow gauge is measuring, if other factors like speed and rise of water are considered, and where the gauge is located. Mr. Featherstone replied the gauge is measuring depth and identified its location.
Mr. Featherstone reviewed the work required and the cost for restoring the lower Boeing Creek Fish Passage. He explained why staff is recommending discontinuing further development of this project, and to share the results of analysis with lower Boeing Creek stakeholders. He said both projects are included in the Surface Water Master Plan, and reviewed the 2018-2023 CIP Funding Proposal and the next steps in the process.
Councilmember Hall said he appreciates the staff report, presentation, and analysis, and shared that while he would love to restore the entire system all at once, we do not always have the ability to do that, and moving ahead with the dam removal is important and the effects can be impressive. He said he supports staff’s recommendation.
Councilmember Salomon shared that staff has presented a convincing argument to discontinue further City development of the Boeing Creek Restoration Project. He said, in his capacity as the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council Representative for the City of Shoreline, he spoke to the WRIA 8 Director about the project. He reported that the Director admitted the project would have a low benefit relative to how much effort and expense would need to go into restoring the creek. He said there is still a long way to go for salmon recovery and that gains need to be made everywhere they can. He said he is glad to hear that habitat is being added to the near-shore, and it will help Chinook salmon. He questioned why the culvert is being replaced if lower Boeing Creek is not being restored. Mr. Featherstone responded that the condition of the culverts warrant replacement, flood passage capabilities will be enhanced, and that there is an efficiency and economy of scale of doing both projects together. Councilmember Salomon said he does not want to install a new culvert that stops fish passage on the chance that the lower creek is restored in the future. Mr. Featherstone responded that he believes the culverts will be fish passable.
Councilmember Scully asked clarifying questions about the total cost of the project and if salmon are spawning in the lower creek. Mr. Featherstone said the $6 Million is allocated for the downstream piece and does not include the Innis Arden culvert. He said he will ask the consultant if salmon are spawning in the lower creek and report back to Council. Councilmember Scully talked about slippage on Beach Drive and a recent mudslide, and asked if the area remains as it is, will there be further slides. Mr. Featherstone responded that erosion issues are typical for urban streams, explained that the slides on Beach Drive happened in a part of a creek not in the scope of the project, and that a detention system would be needed to prevent further sliding. Councilmember Scully said he does not want to abandon restoration of the lower creek and would like to continue to explore funding options for it.
Councilmember McGlashan questioned why Hidden Lake Dam has to be removed when the Seattle Golf Club dam and the waterfall also serve as barriers. Mr. Featherstone responded that the dam was not built to continuingly spill and could lead to dam failure.
Mayor Roberts asked about the removal of the Seattle Golf Club Dam. Mr. Featherstone explained that the removal of the dam was not looked at because the focus was on the restoration of fish passage from the Seattle Golf Club Dam up to Hidden Lake.
Mayor Roberts confirmed that the Council agrees with staff’s revised recommendation.
(c) Discussing Ordinance No. 800 - Granting the Ronald Wastewater District a Non-Exclusive Franchise to Construct, Maintain, Operate, Replace and Repair a Sanitary Sewer System within Public Rights-of-Way
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, shared that the City’s current Franchise entered in 2002 with the Ronald Wastewater District (RWD) expires October 22, 2017. He said more time is needed to effectuate the full assumption of RWD and that Ordinance No. 800 allows the City to enter into a Franchise with RWD. He said the Franchise is similar to the current one and also includes changes to make it consistent with the provisions in the Wastewater Utility Operation Services Agreement. He said the adoption of the Ordinance is scheduled for October 16, 2017.
Mayor Roberts recalled George Webster's remarks during public comment regarding a wastewater code citation noted in the Currents magazine that does not exist. Mr. Norris responded that the comment related to the Customer Services Policies and said the Council will be adopting an Ordinance with the appropriate code fee schedule language at the time of the full assumption of the Utility.
Councilmember McConnell thanked RWD and City staff for all the work completed on the Assumption. Mayor Roberts stated the item can be placed on the Consent Calendar.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Roberts declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk